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Showing posts with label Breaking News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Breaking News. Show all posts
Thursday 27 November 2014
[PHOTOS] 9ice rides horse to APC secretariat to submit nomination form
Okah challenges SA conviction
National Assembly says Shell should pay $4 bln for 2011 oil spill
Monday 10 November 2014
BREAKING: Bomb Blast Hits Potiskum School, Many Students Feared Dead
Tuesday 14 January 2014
The Lesson I Learnt From My One-Man-On-The-Spot-Peaceful-Protest In Ibadan
Idi Ape-Akobo Ojurin-Olorunda road is known to me as a resident for the past ten years now. The road is known for the horrible traffic hold-ups due to spontaneous increase in the population of the residents with corresponding increase in the volume of motorists. The last time the road was rehabilitated; it didn’t last for two years after two or three rainfalls destroyed the drainage and increased the pot-holes in every-five meters of the road. This could be as a result of shabby and inferior materials used by the contractors who I suspect were not properly contracted with the necessary bidding and procurement principles of international best standards. Most of these road contractors are mostly party loyalists or relations of the people in government and what we end up getting are low quality roads.
This idea of one-man-protest came immediately when I got back to the country almost after three years for a World Bank project with the Federal Ministry of Works on Governance and Accountability Action Plan (GAAP) concerning federal government roads. The traffic situation in Akobo still remains the same as I left it four years ago. It is always a great battle from Akobo Ojurin axis to get to General Gas bridge in order to link anywhere you may be heading to. It takes nothing less than two hours forty-five minutes to get through the traffic jam that under normal circumstances should take any motorist only ten minutes. This same case repeated itself on a particular Monday morning when I was going to board an early morning flight to Abuja from Ibadan airport for the project meeting but got stocked in this horrible traffic which made me settled for an afternoon flight that almost cost me double the price I should have paid for the morning flight and I eventually was late for what was the inauguration meeting for the project. Only God’s know how many innocent children and adults that get stock regularly in this traffic jam that have made them to continued to get late to their schools, working places, and appointments due to the negligence of those representatives voted that refused to take urgent action.
Meanwhile, I decided that something have to be done before going back to Spain. I picked the Christmas and New Year holidays to take a decisive action. I wrote and submitted an application letter to stage a one-man-on-the-spot-peaceful-protest on Friday, 27th 2013 to the Oyo State Police Commissioner and copied the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Akobo, The FRSC office at Eleyele and my lawyer. I was sent back to go and make three copies of the application letter when I got to the Police commissioner’s office as this was said to be the normal procedure. In less than ten minutes I came back with three copies of my appeal letter. The Officer-in-charge took the copies and returned a stamped copy to me a copy as evidence that the application was received. I went with a friend back to the Police Headquarters at Eleyele again on Tuesday 31st December 2013 for the approval; my lawyer also met us there. After some questions and answers section with the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), he directed me to the Protocol sections where I was told that they are aware of the protest and will send some Police escort to take care of my protection as earlier before 6 am. The protest is arranged to start by 6am and end by 12mid-day to match to the Governor’s officer and deliver my appeal letter and have a press conference with the media. It was indeed another argument section when a written approval was not issue and the Police officer -in-charge refused to give me his telephone number so as to call to remind them again, a least a day before the protest. On Thursday, 2nd of January, 2014, I went back to the Police Headquarters at Eleyele to remind them personally but the same Officer-in -charge made me to believe with another Officer that just came to his office that all arrangement had being made for the protest the following day. It is my belief that the Nigerian Police is an important institution that cares for citizen welfare and protection, thus I didn’t have any reason to doubt them, I believed the fact that they said they had made necessary arrangements for the protest.
On the protest day Friday 3rd, I got to the venue at General Gas by few minutes past six o’clock in the morning and to my greatest surprise couldn’t see any Police escort/vehicle detached or sent from Eleyele Police headquarter as promised. Many questions came to my mind: Is it true that the Mission of the Nigerian Police is “to deliver qualitative and efficient security and law enforcement services to the citizens of Nigeria”? What is going to be my plight if some hoodlums come in large number to hijack this protest and start looting shops and destroying government property? Do I need to hire private security personnel for protection if there is Police? Is this the reason why I was not given a written approval and so that they can deny given me any approval if an ugly scene developed? Is this the reason why the Officer-in-charge refused to give me his telephone number? Why can’t the Officer that got my application letter with my telephone number boldly written on this paper call me to explain the situation? Do I need to give money to Police to protect me as a citizen? Did my going to Police headquarters a day before the protest to remind the authority count? What kind of Policing are we running in Nigeria for God’s sake? Can’t our leaders do things with integrity and responsibility in this country after 54 years of Independence and 100 years of the country existence/amalgamation? This system can get somebody mad-that is the reason why people are over-stressed everywhere. I was fuming with anger while at the same time pasting the placards. I said to myself that I have all right as a citizen of this country to stage a protest. I then called my lawyer to inform him about this shocking and embarrassing development. I refused to let this lapses disturb my voluntary protest to represent the voices of my co-residents. I knew that I am fighting a right case to save my people from the horrible traffic hold-ups and pot-holes.
Meanwhile, I had my protest with large numbers of residents and motorists given their consent and support for the protest. I heard the saying that dualization of the road has been over-due. Some were even asking thanking me and asking when and which day are we starting the dualization of the road. Few hoodlums passed by and made some unprintable words. Few of government officers and politicians were cornered by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State {BCOS) for interview on the Akobo road issue. Despite a Traffic warden presence at the same junction I was staging my peaceful protest, the traffic was almost the same-slow-pace since around 6:30am that eventually start the protest till 12 noon when leaving for Governor’s office.
Moreover, by the time I got to the Governor’s office, the number one citizen of Oyo State was about going out for Jumat service and was told to drop my appeal letter at room No 37 and that the issue will be looked into as soon as possible. The letter also appeal to Governor Abiola Ajimobi to take urgent action on Akobo road dualization, to rehabilitate the joining roads, and make provision for Side-Walks (Foot-path for pedestrians), Bus-Stop and drainage mechanism. I later addressed the media that include NTA, BCOS, FRSC, NANS, Punch Newspaper reporter and other new generation FM radio reporters. The protest was indeed successful as the State Commissioner responsible for the construction of roads was interviewed that very day and he promised that the road will be dualized this year and that the Budget has taken care of the road.
Adewale T Akande, a resident of Akobo, Ibadan and road traffic safety consultant based in Spain. adewale_akande@hotmail.com 08125896631 (Nigeria) +34600877296 (Spain)
Monday 11 November 2013
Typhoon Haiyan makes landfall in Vietnam
Hanoi (AFP) - Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in Vietnam early Monday, meteorologists said, days after it left thousands feared dead and widespread devastation in the Philippines.
The US Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) said in an update at 2100 GMT the storm "is currently making landfall" approximately 100 miles (160 kilometres) east south-east of the capital Hanoi.
The storm, which had weakened significantly since scything through the Philippines over the weekend, made landfall with sustained winds of 75 miles (120 kilometres) per hour, said the JTWC, a joint US Navy and Air Force task force located in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
More than 600,000 people were evacuated on the weekend as Haiyan bore down on Vietnam.
Residents of Hanoi were braced for heavy rains and flooding, while tens of thousands of people in coastal areas were ordered to take shelter.
"We have evacuated more than 174,000 households, which is equivalent to more than 600,000 people," said an official report by Vietnam's flood and storm control department.
The storm changed course on Sunday, prompting further mass evacuations of about 52,000 people in northern provinces by the coast.
"People must bring enough food and necessities for three days.... Those who do not move voluntarily will be forced," online newspaper VNExpress said, adding all boats have been ordered back to shore.
The Red Cross said Haiyan's changed path meant that "the disaster area could be enlarged from nine provinces to as many as 15", stretching the country's resources.
Many of the capital's residents were rushing to stock up on food and water before the storm hit.
"I ran to the supermarket to buy instant noodles, vegetables and meat for the family," said office worker Nguyen Thi Uyen, 33.
"There was not much left on the shelves.... People are worried, buying food to last them for a few days."
All schools were ordered shut in the capital Monday and extra police were dispatched to redirect traffic in flood-prone areas.
In the northern port city of Hai Phong, also facing heavy rain and flooding, residents voiced frustration with official preparations.
"The city only warned us about the typhoon very late.... They were too slow in advising people to prepare," Nguyen Hung Nam, 70, told AFP.
Many of the estimated 200,000 people evacuated in four south-central provinces initially thought to be in the storm's path have been allowed to go back to their homes, according to the government's website.
[caption id="attachment_670" align="alignleft" width="635"]
Typhoon Haiyan makes landfall in Vietnam[/caption]Haiyan "has tracked north-northwestward at 15 knots (17 mph, 28 kph) over the past six hours," the JTWC said on its website.
The storm was forecast to continue moving north before turning northeast and dissipating rapidly.
The weather system -- one of the most intense typhoons on record when it tore into the Philippines -- weakened over the South China Sea.
In Vietnam, at least five people reportedly died while preparing to escape the typhoon, the Vietnamese government website said.
By lunchtime on Sunday the typhoon had swept across Vietnam's Con Co island, 30 kilometres off the coast of central Quang Tri province, the Tuoi Tre newspaper reported.
"All 250 people on the island including residents and soldiers were evacuated to underground shelters where there is enough food for several days," it said, adding the storm brought three-metre (10-foot) waves.
Central Vietnam has recently been hit by two other typhoons -- Wutip and Nari, both category-one storms -- which flooded roads, damaged sea dykes and tore the roofs off hundreds of thousands of houses.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/typhoon-haiyan-makes-landfall-vietnam-222556629.html
Tuesday 24 September 2013
I’ll Sustain Enugu Beyond Oil — Maduka
The Chairman, Managing Director and the CEO, Peace Group, owner of the Popular Transport Firm, Peace Mass Transit, Mr Samuel Maduka Onyishi, in this interview with ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM, discusses why he wants to continue to sustain the empowerment programmes and an all-round industrial revolution in Enugu State, this time, as a politician.
Some major entrepreneurs would rather focus on their business, but you are gearing up for entry into politics; what is the lure?
[caption id="attachment_625" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Mr Samuel Maduka Onyishi (Peace Mass Transit)[/caption]I do not think I want to be called a politician. Politics, for me, is a calling. I am into politics, because I want to be part of the decision-making process in the country. I know what Nigerians need, from my experience. I also know how the poor feel and I am in a privileged position to address the numerous challenges faced by the poor, the middle-class and the highly-placed in society.
If you consider my antecedents, you will understand that I started life as a poor man. I can never forget where I am coming from. I also have experience as a middle-class and as a highly-placed.
When businessmen shy away from politics, you can attribute that to lack of the sacrificial spirit and will power to solve the many demands of society. I have come to realise that God empowered wme to do same for others, and not to indulge in frivolous spending or the so-called ‘bigmanism’. Another reason is that I also want to leave a legacy, one which I will be remembered for.
When I was growing in business, I made a pact with God, telling Him that I will use the resources he availed me to bless him in return. What better way to do this than to render service to humanity?
Money is no legacy; if you leave that as a legacy for your children, they end up fighting over it and breeding hatred among themselves. But legacies are beyond money; they are more tangible and valuable.
You have been a member of the PDP since 1998; with the latest drama in the party, which of the factions are you loyal - the purported ‘New PDP’ as led by Baraje or the ‘mainstream PDP’ chaired by Tukur?
We don’t have factions in the Enugu State chapter of the party. We have only one PDP and it starts from the ward. In my ward, council, local government and state, we have only one PDP, and we don’t know any other PDP except the one whose chairman is Bamanga Tukur.
What is your take on the formation of the Baraje-led PDP?
You should be aware that the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) cannot register two PDPs. That said, I see what is happening now as a family problem that must be resolved. In that regard, President Jonathan is the leader of the party, the one playing a leading role by calling the family into the house to resolve contending issues. It is a family matter and, as such, must be tackled in-house. I am confident that the president is equal to the task.
There are reports that you are eyeing the number one seat in your state, Enugu, in 2015; can you confirm that?
Our governor, Sullivan Chime, has actually zoned the next governorship slot to Enugu North Senatorial Zone, which is Nsukka where I come from. The PDP in the state has also zoned it to Enugu North. Because they saw me grow from grass to grace and as a person they can trust, it is normal for them to beckon on me to represent them. I am not telling you whether I will run or not; what I am telling you that I am qualified to run. However, if my people say I should run, I cannot say no, because I have been an instrument of service to the people. That said, my decision is hinged on God’s approval.
How do you intend to do that in order to surpass the aforementioned strides of the former and current governors of the state?
Given the availability of funds, the potential to make more money for Enugu State and as an entrepreneur of repute, I believe that the God who has taught me how to create wealth and manage resources will not abandon me even as governor, hence, my strong belief that with the third eye of an entrepreneur, I will only do what I know how to do best. Enugu, at this time, needs a person who can sustain and improve ongoing development initiatives, and prepare it for the economic challenges ahead. With what is happening in the oil and gas sector, it is clear that so many countries are discovering oil at their backyards and, sooner than later, you will know that most of the countries who import oil from Nigeria have started discovering oil in their respective countries. A clear example is the United States of America (USA). When they tap into their new-found oil wells, they may not see the need to buy from us again. Now, since oil is our major source of revenue, this means that we would have lost our major source of income.
When this happens, the monthly allocation from the federal government will be reduced. States must strive to survive. The implication is that any state which cannot survive on its own through internally generated revenue to sustain development and service delivery is only sitting on a time bomb, and may not survive. The earlier we start planning for a Nigeria without oil, and an Enugu State without oil, the better for us. The future of the state, in terms of development, income generation and all other economic indicators depends on who the leaders are and their qualities – creativity, economic savvy and goodwill. I have done it before and, today, I have over 4,000 Nigerians on my payroll. I can do it again.
If I am a governor, the state will be more sustained under me. I will provide adequate security measures and build the capacity of my people through education, provision of good health facilities, agriculture, tackle unemployment among the people, especially the youths, provide sustainable job opportunities through agriculture and others.
Political pundits at different fora are of the opinion that President Jonathan is the most distracted and criticised leader in the world; if what they say is true, has it in any way affected his transformation agenda over the past two years? The opposition political parties are yet to see anything good that this government has achieved.
For me as a businessman, and as a believer in the transformation policies of Mr. President, the core aspect of every activity or programme is organisation. When turning around businesses to achieve transformation, many things ought to be put into consideration. Nigeria, because of our diverse culture and religion, needs some special skills to run. Jonathan has performed exceedingly well; his result in terms of achievement over the past two years is excellent. As a stakeholder in road transport business for now, I look at Nigeria from the road transport perspective; I knew how the roads were prior the assumption of office of the present administration. I am aware how the road from Enugu to Port Harcourt highway was; I know how the Enugu-Abakiliki road was. Apart from what the state governments are doing, the federal government is working assiduously on the major highways, building dual roads, massive construction of bridges and flyovers; you cannot start and finish constructing a 100-kilometre road in one month, therefore, he needs time for the result to manifest.
There is a lot of improvement now, more than when he came in. When the roads are bad, we spend more, and when they are good, we spend less; should I say a man who is making me spend less is not doing well? I must be an ingrate and a joker to do that. I am confident to say that he is doing well. Aside the roads, I know how often we used to have scarcity of petrol in the country before he came on board. It is true that the price of oil per litre went up a little, but if you look at the amount people pay for fuel outside the shores of this country, one can as well say our oil price is still very fair. You and I know that we now have stable supply of petroleum products, earlier than now, there were period we bought PMS at N200 per litre and N1,000 a galon but now we buy at N97 a litre while a galon cannot cost you more than N500, unlike before. When there is difference in the price of oil, it is the operators that suffer more. For instance, somebody can be buying at N250 in Kano, another may be buying at N130 in Port Harcourt, while another person may be buying at N97 in Lagos and Abuja; this makes a mess of our business, as it will be difficult for us to know how much we are making, and all the money we are making eventually ends up in other people’s pocket, because you cannot actually tell your driver the amount of money he will spend on fuel, because you don’t know it.
But the case is different today; our business is stable and one can now make better plans and aspire for better things ahead. One distinguishing factor that has endeared me to this government is the achievement made on the roads and petroleum sector; these are verifiable achievements. Between 1999 and 2011, the price of petrol in South East Nigeria was never the same with the price in other parts of the country, today the price all over Nigeria is the same (Peace Mass Transit operates in the six geo-political zones of the country, so, I know what I am talking about).
I could recall about five years ago when some people came to me, asking for N2 million so that my name will be included among those to receive national honours, I refused because I know I merited it. In 2012 President Goodluck Jonathan bestowed on me the national honours award (MON) without any third party fronting for me; should such leaders not be encouraged? Do you know that I can now conveniently walk from my workshop at Emene, Enugu, to the airport and board a flight to China where I do my business? Indeed, Jonathan has done well.
Again, when a man tells me that there is going to be an election and my vote will count, which was achieved in this administration, I went to my ward in Nsukka in 2011, and for the first time in my life as an adult, I was able to cast my vote, I watched as the votes were being counted and then the results were announced, and taken to the collation centre; this tells you that something new is happening. Those that won election in 2011 won it from their votes. Some people who go about saying that elections were rigged did not have agents in the boots. When a man is contesting election and he does not have agents in boots, how can he claim that he was rigged out? Who informed him? Those who contest election but lack the capacity to have agents in various boots where election are being held are responsible for aiding and abetting rigging in this country; therefore, the earlier INEC starts sanctioning people who contest election without bringing agents to monitor the votes cast, the earlier Nigerian democracy will get better.
Mr. President is yet to announce his intention to run in 2015; are you one of those who are agitating for his comeback at the expiration of this tenure?
As far as I am concerned, the president is doing well and if the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria permits him to run in 2015, I do not see anything or anybody stopping him from running. The constitution has enormous powers to determine whether or not he is qualified to run again. I will urge the people of Enugu State to vote for him en masse.
Aside Goodluck Jonathan, who else do you think has the capacity to pilot the affairs of this country?
Statistically, we have over 160 million Nigerians; Goodluck can only be president for maximum of eight years. After this time, Nigeria must continue and, at the right time, God will provide the right leader to succeed Jonathan in 2019. No one should be in a hurry to ask him to leave, as it is not yet time to do so.
leadership.ng/news/240913/i-ll-sustain-enugu-beyond-oil-maduka
$25,000 bribery scandal: My story—Emodi
FORMER Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi, has reacted to speculations making the rounds on the reasons for her sack.
Irked by reports that her sack was not unconnected with the bribe-for-impeachment drama that allegedly rocked the House of Representatives recently, Emodi denied knowledge of anything that has to do with ‘money-sharing’ in the National Assembly.
She stated that she has never been part of any plan to give financial inducement in order to impeach any member of the House.
Speaking with Vanguard, yesterday, she also denied having any shouting match with anybody over $25,000 allegedly given to National Assembly members, saying most of the reports published about her were false.
“I was surprised to read the report of my alleged involvement in the money-sharing scandal. I was not given any money to share and definitely, the alleged money shared did not pass through my office. I have never brought any money to the National Assembly. If they brought money to the members, they know who brought it but not me. I don’t know anything about it. And more over, I don’t encourage such things.
“They said I had a shouting match with Diezani and that was not true. I have never fought with her. She is my friend and we only meet during occasional meetings. She is not a member of the National Assembly.
“I have heard all kinds of things since last Friday but you must realise that National Assembly members are my colleagues. I used to be one of them. I was there as a member of the House and a senator. I was relating with them through dialogue and diplomacy. You don’t achieve anything by fighting.”
Asked to shed more light on what transpired before her sack, she said she owes a lot of gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for letting her serve as his Adviser.
“I thank the President and all the legislators for the opportunity given to me to work with them. I enjoyed working with them”
President Goodluck Jonathan had last week Friday relieved Mrs Joy Emodi, (Special Adviser on National Assembly) and Dr. Tunji Olagunju, (Special Adviser on New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) of their duties without giving any reason. The statement of her sack was read by Mr Rueben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media.
Senator Emodi was appointed to the position in 2011, and walked the difficult path of forging cordiality between the administration and the often skeptical National Assembly. She was able to win the confidence of the legislators despite the hard feelings felt towards some elements in the administration while Mr. Olagunju had served as Special Adviser to the President on NEPAD since June 2007.
The new Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP in a reaction had kicked against the sack of Emodi urging her recall.
The party’s statement read: “We learnt Senator Joy Emodi was sacked as Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters because of her candid advice that inducing members of the National Assembly financially to impeach their principal officers would be counter-productive. If this is true, we hereby demand her immediate reinstatement.
For Senator Emordi to be bold enough to tell Mr. President the implication of such a corrupt inducement of the lawmakers should earn her commendation rather than a sack. Instead of sacking such a forthright and patriotic Amazon, the President should sack those hawks around him planning to ridicule him by encouraging him to embark on acts capable of making him very unpopular amongst his supporters and followers.”
Source: vanguardngr.com/2013/09/25000-bribery-scandal-my-story-emodi/
Saturday 17 August 2013
JTF arrests B’Haram suspect in Abacha’s house
[caption id="attachment_568" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Members-of-the-boko-haram-sect[/caption]
Saturday PUNCH gathered that the suspect, who is a domestic aide of Abacha, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon by a combined team of JTF men, who stormed Mohammed’s Government Reserved Area residence in Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.
A source said that a suspected member of the sect earlier arrested in Borno State led the team of security operatives to the residence.
It was gathered that the security operatives got to Mohammed’s residence while the residents were observing prayers, and waited for them to finish their prayers before making the arrest.
According to the source, the security operatives asked residents to lie down and then brought out the suspected Boko Haram member, who was in their custody, to identify the domestic aide out of the residents.
The suspected sect member, who led JTF to Mohammed’s residence was said to be in handcuffs, but while the identification process was ongoing, the domestic aide reportedly tried to escape by attempting to jump over the fence. His move was, however, not successful as he was apprehended by the security operatives.
At the time of writing this report, the name of the suspect had yet to be disclosed; even though, the JTF confirmed the incident to Saturday PUNCH.
Members-of-the-boko-haram-sect[/caption]JTF arrests B’Haram suspect in Abacha’s house
The Joint Task Force in Kano has arrested a suspected member of the Boko Haram sect at the residence of the son of late former Head of State, Sanni Abacha, Mohammed.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that the suspect, who is a domestic aide of Abacha, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon by a combined team of JTF men, who stormed Mohammed’s Government Reserved Area residence in Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.
A source said that a suspected member of the sect earlier arrested in Borno State led the team of security operatives to the residence.
It was gathered that the security operatives got to Mohammed’s residence while the residents were observing prayers, and waited for them to finish their prayers before making the arrest.
According to the source, the security operatives asked residents to lie down and then brought out the suspected Boko Haram member, who was in their custody, to identify the domestic aide out of the residents.
The suspected sect member, who led JTF to Mohammed’s residence was said to be in handcuffs, but while the identification process was ongoing, the domestic aide reportedly tried to escape by attempting to jump over the fence. His move was, however, not successful as he was apprehended by the security operatives.
At the time of writing this report, the name of the suspect had yet to be disclosed; even though, the JTF confirmed the incident to Saturday PUNCH.
Source: Punch Newspaper
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