Just in ..200 Girls & 93 Women rescued in Sambisa... ..@Naijanews_pilot

FLASH: Troops this afternoon rescued 200 girls & 93 women from ‪#‎Sambisa‬ Forest. We cannot confirm if the ‪#‎ChibokGirls‬ are in this group. Troops captured and destroyed 3 terrorists camps including the notorious Tokumbere camp in the #Sambisa Forest Operation. #Sambisa Forest: The freed persons are now being screened and profiled. We will bring you details later.
‪#‎NeverAgain‬.
Source: Defence Headquarters

Facebook collecting Nepal quake aid donations

Facebook was rolling out a donation button Monday for contributions to victims of the massive earthquake in Nepal, and offered to match up to $2 million.“People are coming together to support those affected by the earthquake that struck Nepal and impacted the populations of Nepal, India and Bangladesh,” Facebook said in a blog post.Facebook said that as of Monday, users will see a message at the top of their News Feed with an option to donate to International Medical Corps, which has been operating relief units in the region.In addition, Facebook said it had activated its “Safety Check,” a system which allows people in the disaster zone to notify friends and family if they are safe.Facebook said that since activating this on Saturday in Nepal as well as areas in Bangladesh, India and Bhutan, “millions of people have been marked safe and tens of millions of people were notified that someone they know has been marked safe.”“During times of crisis, we have seen people turn to Facebook to learn about what’s happening, share their experiences and support one another.”The United States said Monday it is sending $10 million in relief to help the victims of the massive earthquake in Nepal, where the death toll surpassed 4,000, including at least four Americans.

Chaos mars Nepal quake relief operations

Thousands of displaced residents in the Nepali capital have expressed anger towards the government, as they face food and water shortages, a day after a magnitude 7.8 quake hit the country and killed more than 2,500 people.As rescuers continue to dig through the rubble on Sunday, the densely-populated capital Kathmandu faces a “chaotic situation” with hospitals running out of medical supply, and thousands of people, who are camped in open air areas, are left hungry and thirsty, according to Al Jazeera reporters on the ground.“A lot of people taking shelter outside in open spaces are without food or water,” Al Jazeera’s Subina Shrestha, who is in Kathmandu, said.“People are very angry with the government for being left in the lurch.”Al Jazeer’s Andrew Simmons, who is also reporting from Kathmandu, said “there’s a great worry about how people are going to get by”, with many instructure destroyed and the power out.He also reported that the frequent aftershocks, including one at magnitude 6.7 on Sunday morning, have rattled the already jittery survivors.Kathmandu “is going through an absolute trauma of extraordinary proportions” following the worst disaster to hit the Himalayan nation in more than 80 years. At least 1,152 were reported killed in the capital.

We’ve arrested over 400 pirates – NCC

The Nigerian Copyright Commission said that it had arrested over 400 pirates of intellectual property and that it would go the extra mile in arresting and prosecuting pirates.The NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Ademusi Yemi, told our correspondent on Monday that the commission was committed to combating piracy.“We have made over 400 arrests of suspected pirates, we have recorded over 66 convictions and have over 187 cases pending in court. We take our jobs very seriously,” he said.Yemi described as false the claim by a film-maker that the commission knew who the pirates were but would not arrest them.He said, “It is not true; it is very wrong to say the NCC knows the pirates and refuses to apprehend them. We are mandated to deal with piracy and regulate the copyright industry; we take our jobs very seriously.“The NCC makes regular enforcement raids in all the areas where piracy is endemic. If you go to our website you will find information detailing all the recent raids that were carried out this year and in the past years. The thing is that we are constantly adhering to enforcement raids. Where a case is reported tous, we investigate it and we do street raid to address it.”

‘APC can’t deny Nigerians membership’

The National Secretary of the Labour Party, Kayode Ajulo, has said the All Progressives Congress erred in law by declaring that defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party are no longer welcomedinto its fold.Ajulo said this in an interview in Abuja on Monday.He was reacting to pronouncements by the APC leaders that the party would no longer welcome those dumping the PDP.The LP national secretary explained that the pronouncement by the APC was clearly in violation of provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.According to him, the APC, like all other political parties in Nigeria, is a creation of the Constitution so it cannot operate outside of its provisions.Ajulo said, “This is clearly a violation of the constitution. One of the conditions you have to meet before you are registered is that you have to subscribe to all the provisions of the constitution.“In fact, every Nigerian political party is a product of the constitution and part of your undertaking is that you subscribe to the provisions of the constitution.“For you to now start threatening to shut your door against people is a complete violation of that provision.“A political party is not the property of any individual that is why you have the Independent National Electoral Commission regulating you.“Everybody has a right of ingress and egress with certain conditions. You cannot say because somebody is coming today, you want to shut your door.”The party’s scribe noted that he was not canvassing for anyone to go to the APC because the LP is currently the most viable opposition party and it is ready to play the role after May 29.He dismissed most of the people dumping the PDP to join the APC soon after the PDP lost the Presidentialelections as people who lacked a sense of decency, adding that it behoves on genuine party members to remain and rebuild their party after a setback.

NSITF sets up panel on payment of arrears

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund has set up a committee to look into the payment of 33 percent increment to retired workers of the organisation.The NSTIF’s Managing Director, Mr. Munir Abubakar, said this at the end of a two-hour meeting with protesting ex-workers of the organisation in Abuja on Monday.The ex-workers had embarked on a protest march to the NSITF office as a fallout of the misunderstanding over the payment of 33 per cent pension to them.Abubakar attributed the ex-workers’ protest to a lack of understanding of the workings of pension administration in the country.The committee members include the NSITF General Manager, Administration and Human Resources, Olusegun Basorun (chairman); Deputy General Manager, Henry Ehhasomi; Assistant General Manager, Legal, Mrs. Toyin Arokoyo; and Mrs. Grace Benson (secretary)The ex-workers are represented in the committee by Mbazigwe Akonye, Rukkayyat Alkali, Ayo Olutekumbiand Joseph Okunade.Abubakar said that the meeting with the ex-workers ended with an amicable resolution of the lingering conflict.He said, “The meeting has disabused the distrust that our retirees have against the management. Ever since this issue started over two years ago, we have been doing our best to ensure we find amicable middle ground that will be acceptable to the retirees.“I am extremely pleased that we have finally found amicable solution to the matter. The picketing of our office by the pensioners’ union has also afforded them the opportunity to see what the management has been doing and the efforts that have gone into resolving the matter.“Like I always say to all the stakeholders, that the NSITF is a big organisation and it is in the best interest of the Nigerian workers to create enabling environment that will allow for smooth implementation of the Employees Compensation Scheme.“I assure the retirees that management is always seeking for ways to improve on their collective interest. The management sees the retirees as our ambassadors and therefore we cannot do anything that will harm their wellbeing.”According to him, the committee, which is expected to look into the implementation of the 33 percent increment, will visit PENCOM with a view to settling existing differences between the ex-workers and the NSITF management.

NJC appeals nullification of ex-CJ’s indictment

The National Judicial Council has faulted the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja, which quashed the indictment of a former Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Hassan Gunmi (retd.), who was found guilty of misconduct.The NJC’s opposition to the judgment delivered by Justice Abdukadir Abdu-Kafarati on March 17, 2015, is contained in a six-ground notice of appeal filed before the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.The appeal was jointly filed by the NJC; the Chairman of the panel that investigated Gunmi, Justice P.O Aderemi; and the panel members – Justice V. N. Nebo, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade and the secretary of the NJC.The NJC had found Gunmi, who is now the Emir of Gunmi in Zamfara State, guilty of interference with the execution of the judgment delivered by another judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Jude Okeke.After the NJC set up the panel to investigate the allegation against him, the former CJ had filed the suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the power of the panel to investigate him.He also voluntarily retired before the investigative panel could arrive at its finding.In its verdict after investigation into the allegation against Gunmi, the NJC said it would have sacked him had he not earlier voluntarily retired.But in its judgment in Gunmi’s suit, Justice Abdu-Kafarati had set aside the indictment of the former CJ on the grounds that the NJC ceased to have disciplinary control over the ex-judge after he had tendered his resignation letter and same acknowledged by the NJC.Dissatisfied with the judgment, the NJC, in its notice of appeal filed on April 23, 2015, contended that Justice Abdu-Kafarati erred and misdirected himself in law.The council, which anchored its appeal on six grounds, maintained that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit in the first place and that the suit was premature because the investigating committee had made no decision on the allegation against the plaintiff as of the time he instituted the action.“By virtue of section 254(c)(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Third Alteration) Act 2011, the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court under section 251 (1)(q) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 has been ousted in matter relating or connected with employment,” the notice of appeal read in part.The appellant also faulted the judgment on the grounds that the judge was wrong to hold that the plaintiff,having tendered his letter of resignation to the NJC and same acknowledged by the council, had ceased tobe a judicial officer and so the NJC could no longer exercise disciplinary control over him.The notice of appeal read in part, “The investigation committee of the National Judicial Council was investigating the conduct of the plaintiff as a judicial officer prior to the plaintiff’s letter dated May 13, 2013.“The National Judicial Council has a constitutional duty to investigate complaints against judicial officersfor their conduct whilst in service.”In its fifth ground of appeal, the NJC faulted the judgment for concluding that the petition against Gunmi contained the same facts as those in two pending suits thus implying that the NJC should have suspended actions on the petition until the two suits had been determined by the doctrine oflis pendis.It argued, “The doctrine oflis pendiswill not apply in the circumstances of this case“The first to 4th and 7th defendants are not parties to the said two suits.“There was no order served on the 1st to 4th and 7th defendants restraining them from performing the constitutional duty imposed on the 1st defendant.”It concluded in its sixth ground of appeal that “the judgment is against the weight of evidence” and therefore asked the court to allow its appeal and strike out the plaintiff’s suit or dismiss his claims.No date has been fixed for the case.

Soldiers foil B’Haram’s attacks on Borno towns

The men of the Nigerian Army have repelled two attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents on Marte and Mafa, two local government headquarters in Borno State.Investigations revealed that the soldiers killed many of the terrorists and captured others who were being held in military detention facilities.An intelligence source, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said that the attacks on Marte and Mafa took place on Friday and Saturday respectively and were effectively repelled by the Special Forces on duty.It was further stated that the soldiers seized several weapons, arms and ammunition from the fleeing terrorists.The source said, “The insurgents attacked Marte and Mafa at the weekend but could not take control of the towns; they were repelled by the soldiers who killed many of them.“The soldiers also captured many weapons, vehicles, arms and ammunition from the terrorists.“I cannot give you the exact casualty figure but I can tell you confidently that the soldiers chased them away from the two towns.”The two council headquarters, which were under the control of the insurgents, were recovered by the Special Forces who also recaptured Bama and Gwoza in March 2015.There were reports in a section of the media that the insurgents overpowered soldiers and recaptured Marte after a night of fighting on Friday.But the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, denied the claim on Monday, saying that the headquarters of the two local government areas were not under the control of the insurgents.Olukolade, who confirmed that while there were attacks on Marte and Mafa, added that they were repelledby the troops.He said that the troops killed an unspecified number of insurgents and captured others.Olukolade added that the reports that the insurgents had taken over the two council headquarters were sponsored by sympathisers of Boko Haram who wanted them to return.

FG seeks S’Court’s injunction to halt constitution amendment

The Federal Government, through the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, has asked the Supreme Court to grant an interlocutory injunction restraining the National Assembly from going ahead with the constitution amendment.The AGF had, last Wednesday, written separate letters to the Senate President, David Mark, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, asking them to stop the constitution amendment in deference to the suit challenging the process.The AGF’s lawyer, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), maintained in his letters dated April 22, 2015, that to go ahead with the passage of the bill despite the pendency of the suit challenging the process “will be an affront to the rule of law and democracy.”President Goodluck Jonathan had refused to assent to the 4th Alteration Bill on the grounds of alleged failure of the National Assembly to fulfill all the mandatory requirements for the passage of the bill.The AGF had filed the suit at the Supreme Court challenging the final passage of the bill following the amendment of the constitution by the National Assembly conferring on itself the power to pass an amendment of the constitution without the President’s consent.In his originating summons, the Federal Government asked the apex court to make an order nullifying andsetting aside sections 3, 4, 12, 14, 21, 23, 36, 39, 40, 43 and 44 of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015 purportedly passed by the defendant.The plaintiff filed his application for interlocutory injunction, through his counsel, Ojo, in view of the determination of the National Assembly to proceed with the amendment despite the pending suit.Adoke anchored the application on the provisions of Order 3 Rule 14 of the Supreme Court Rules as amended.The AGF argued in the application that the National Assembly was determined to proceed with passing the amendment by overriding the President’s assent despite the fundamental nature of the issues raised against the passage of the bill.“Hon. Samson Osagie, Minority Whip of the House of Representatives said to the whole world at a press conference purposely called on the issue in this suit that despite any case filed against the said Act (whichactually is a bill); the National Assembly would go ahead to pass it into law,” a supporting affidavit deposed to by Theophilus Okwute, in support of the suit stated.The AGF also argued that the entire Nigerian populace stood to benefit a lot if the issues in the substantive suit were resolved one way or the other before the National Assembly would proceed with the passage of the proposed alterations to the constitution.The AGF said the balance of convenience tilted in favour of resolution of the suit before any further step could be taking on the bill.Okwute, who is of Bayo Ojo’s law firm, stated in the affidavit, “That I listened to Hon. Samson Osagie, the Minority Whip of the House of Representative on the NTA 9 o’clock news on 24/04/2015 when he said that the National Assembly would go ahead to pass the (Fourth Alteration) Act (Bill) 2015 into law despite any Court action because no order had been made against the National Assembly to restrain it from doingso.“That by that very disposition of the said Hon. Samson Osagie, who spoke to the press as a Principal Officer of the defendant/respondent, it is clear that the defendant/respondent is determined to proceed to pass the Fourth Alteration Act (sic) into law despite the pendency of the substantive suit herein.“That fundamental questions were raised by the plaintiff/applicant on the proposed alterations to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015 which is in issue in this suit.“That it will be in the larger interest of Nigeria that those issues be resolved before the defendant/respondent takes any further step in giving effect to the proposed alterations to the constitution.“That with the utterances of Hon. Samson Osagie at the press conference earlier alluded to in this affidavit, it is clear that the defendant is determined to ignore the proceeding before this honourable court on the proposed alteration and proceed to give effect to the alterations to the constitution.“That the whole Nigerian legal system shall be put into confusion if the defendant/respondent proceeds togive effect to the Fourth Alteration Act (Bill) 2015 and this suit succeeds such that the constitution remains unaltered, meaning that the Act is void and or no effect.”

Ogun signs $3.2bn rail project with Chinese coy

The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has signed a $3.2bn light rail project contract with the China Civil Engineering Construction Company.The contract was signed on Monday at the Governor’s Office at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, where the Consul General, the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, Kan Liu, was present.Amosun, who said that the proposed light rail would cover both inter-city and intra-city routes, explained that when operational, it would carry passengers and goods across major cities such as Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, Sagamu, Agbara and Idiroko.He said, “The light rail project is in two phases. The first aspect will cut across the entire cities in the state,while the other phase will be for the Abeokuta metropolis.”Amosun said this project, which would be completed in three years, would greatly reduce the pressure on roads in the state, and enhance its infrastructural development.According to him, no nation developed without having the necessary infrastructure in place.The governor added, “Like I always emphasise, without functioning and proper infrastructure we cannot develop. This step we are taking today will help in technology transfer and bring positive impact on the lives of our people.“If you go to China today, the only reason they are now rated one of the economic powers of the world is because they have infrastructure in place; without infrastructure nothing can happen.“If you go to Dubai today, you will see infrastructure there, go to Europe, everywhere infrastructure must be there. Without infrastructure there cannot be any development.“When there is infrastructure you will have a positive impact on curbing security challenges.”Amosun assured the people of the state that all the ongoing road projects across the state would soon be completed, stressing that his administration would now shift its focus to the construction of rural roads tofacilitate development.The Chairman of CCECC, Mr. Cao Baogang, who reaffirmed that the project would be completed in three years, commended the governor for being a visionary leader. Baogang noted that the rail project would provide job opportunities for the teeming youths of the state.He said the construction company would source soft loans for the project in China.

Blame INEC for delay in LG elections – Lagos

The Lagos State Government says the Independent National Electoral Commission is responsible for its inability to conduct elections in the state’s local government areas.The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Ademorin Kuye, stated this on Monday in Alausa, Ikeja, adding that the elections might not be held until INEC fulfilled its part in the electoral process by releasing outstanding Permanent Voter Cards.He said, “I cannot say when the elections will be conducted. You will agree with me that since the last registration when INEC gave us PVCs, not all the PVCs were released. We still have some outstanding left with the commission.“There is no way the Lagos State Electoral Commission can conduct any election without having the appropriate voters register for the state. And this register is still in the custody of INEC; it has not been released to the state.“The moment it is released to the Lagos State Government, then we can start planning on when the local government elections will be held.”The commissioner also said the loss of the All Progressives Congress to the opposition party in some areas in the state was because money and ethnic politics played major parts.He said, “The allegation that lack of performance by former council chairmen led to the loss is not true. The last election was dictated and influenced by money politics. The main opposition party in the state brought a lot of money into Lagos.“They gave money to the people and also played ethnic card. One will notice that in the area where the APC lost, were areas dominated by people from certain part of the country.”Kuye said he believed the new government at the centre would put national interest above partisan politics and upgrade the status of the local council development areas in the state to full local government areas.Speaking on boundary dispute across the state, the commissioner said the dispute involving the Onilogboof Ilogbo-Eremi in Olorunda Local Council Development Area was resolved by the ministry.He also said the boundary disputes among Agege, Ikeja and Orile LGAs was being attended to by the ministry.

Buhari urged to appoint tested educationist as minister

President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, has been advised to appoint a seasoned educationist as the minister of education.It was said that such a move would enable the government to formulate an educational policy that would improve the standard of education.Buhari was also advised to ensure that professionals were employed as teachers in the public and privateschools.The Proprietress of Oloruntele Integrity College, Meiran, Lagos, Mrs. Kehinde Otuyemi, spoke in Lagos on Monday, during a presentation of a policy paper on ‘The Way Forward in Education’, at the school’s Appreciation Day, adding that the standard of education in the country was falling.Otuyemi, a seasoned educationist and a retired teacher, said it was regrettable that Nigerian schools did not rank among the best in the world.According to her, something urgent must the done to stop the trend.She said, “I advise the President-elect to appoint a tested educationist as the minister of education. This is the only way the fall in the standard of education can be addressed. It is the only way forward. Government should revert to the past when only trained teachers were employed in private and public schools.”Otuyemi attributed the fall in the standard of education to poor teaching, over pampering by parents and indulgence of malpractices.She said that was why institutions produced half-baked graduates.The Chairman of the Board of Governors, Deacon David Otuyemi, enjoined the supervisory units of the ministries of education to be alive to their responsibilities by also paying unscheduled visits to private schools to monitor their activities.

Lawyer wants Lagos school returned to private owner

A Lagos legal practitioner, Malcolm Omirhobo, has asked the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, to prevail upon the state’s Ministry of Education to relinquish control over Isolo Secondary School in the Ire-Akari area of the state.Omirhobo, who wrote to Fashola, wants the school to be returned to its original owner, Akaix West Africa Limited.Isolo Secondary School was formerly Metropolitan College until it was taken over, along with 48 other private schools, by the Military Government of Lagos State in 1976 pursuant to the Education (Private Secondary Institutions Special Provisions) Law.However, in 2001, the administration of Bola Tinubu repealed the law.But while the other schools were returned to their owners, Metropolitan College was not returned, a development which forced Akaix West Africa Limited to sue the Lagos State Ministry of Education.The appeal to Fashola, Omirhobo said, became the option, after Akaix West Africa Limited failed in its legal bid to make the Lagos State Ministry of Education to relinquish control of the school.Akaix West Africa Limited had sued the Lagos State Ministry of Education before a Lagos State High Court for refusing to hand over the school after all the private schools earlier taken over by the government were returned to their owners.The matter had subsequently been referred to arbitration for amicable settlement out of court.At the arbitral sitting, the issues were narrowed down by parties as follows: “That the Metropolitan College comprising of Isolo Secondary School belongs to Akaix West Africa Limited.“That Metropolitan College will be released to Akaix West Africa Limited.“That the Lagos State Ministry of Education is insisting on retaining part of the property hosting Isolo Secondary School.“That Akaix West Africa Limited shall comply with the terms and conditions of the return of Private Secondary Schools.“That the Lagos State Government, from time to time, will monitor the compliance by Akaix West Africa Limited.”Omirhobo urged Fashola to put on his wig and gown as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to call for the file, study it and advise the Lagos State Ministry of Education to return the whole school and not part to the owners.The lawyer also urged the governor to frog leap the exercise of the return of the school by ensuring that the case is presented and deliberated at the next Lagos State Executive Council meeting so that the matter could be put to an end before May 29.

Jonathan’s defeat, temporary setback for PDP –Presidency

The Presidency on Monday described the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election as a temporary setback for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.The defeat of the President by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammad’s Buhari (retd.), brought to an abrupt end, the 16-year rule of the PDP.But the Presidency said supporters of the PDP should not despair, adding that the defeat should be an opportunity for the party to re-strategise and plan ahead.The Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Alkali, stated this in an interview with journalists in Abuja.Akali described the outcome of the 2015 general elections as a temporary setback for and not the a final destination for the PDP.He appealed to the supporters of President Jonathan to use this transition period as a time for self-reflection to heal and re-strategise.He said, “I wish to appreciate and thank all the groups and individuals that have contributed one way or the other to support President Jonathan during the election.“We should all see the outcome of the presidential election as a temporary setback and not a full-stop in along sentence of the political history of this great country, Nigeria”.Akali said that though the President and the PDP lost in the election Jonathan still remained the most critical political assets of the PDP and awaited the direction of the party.“It is conceivable that as a result of this unprecedented setback, our members and supporters may lose focus, hope and direction and even be tempted to engage in divisive activities; nonetheless, we should be more united than ever before as the task now is to join hands together to strengthen the party,” Alkali stated.He called on all the supporters of President Jonathan nationwide, especially those that contributed to his re-election campaigns and stood by the President in the pursuit of his ambition, to remain calm and resolute as the country prepared for the May 29 handover to the incoming administration.Responding to questions on the decision of the President to concede to his opponent even before the entire results were announced, the presidential aide said, “Our President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has displayed and established an exceptional legacy that will remain permanent not only in Nigeria but in the whole of Africa.“The President’s actions to call and congratulate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari before the final results were announced showed that Dr. Jonathan is a man of his words and is leaving an indelible mark in the sands of time.”Akali expressed appreciation to Jonathan’s supporters for their individual and collective support and urged them not to lose faith in the PDP.The presidential adviser further urged those promoting chaos and disaffections in the country to desist because according to him, Nigeria had shamed all doomsday prophets.

APC leader tells Ihedioha to accept defeat

A leader of the All Progressives Congress in Imo State, Chief Emma Ezeonyeasi, has told the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, to sheathe his sword and concede defeat, having lost in the April 25, 2015 re-run election in the state.The Independent National Electoral Commission, through its Imo State Returning Officer, Prof. Ibidapo Obe, had declared Governor Rochas Okorocha of the APC as the winner of the poll with 416,996 votes against Ihedioha’s 320,705.Ezeonyeasi said Okorocha would always defeat Ihedioha even if the election is cancelled and another rerun is held.He advised Ihedioha against going to court, saying the re-run election is free and fair.Ihedioha, in a message to the people of Imo State, had decried instances of alleged electoral malpracticesduring the election, alleging that the INEC’s staff connived with APC to manipulate results already declared in favour of the PDP.Also in the message, Ihedioha pointed at the arrest of armed persons impersonating police officers and recorded inducement of INEC workers at the Government House as well as the alleged public confession of INEC returning officers, who he said were forced at gun point to declare false results for the APC.“These were electoral malpractices that eroded the validity and credibility of the exercise,” Ihedioha noted.But Ezeonyeasi said that the victory of Okorocha was clear and wondered why his PDP opponent should speak evil of the election.

Ondo: Death toll rises to 23

A total of 23 people have now died from ethanol poisoning blamed on locally brewed gin in Ode-Irele, Ondo State, the state Commissioner for Health, Dayo Adeyanju, said on Monday.“The total number of deaths is 23,” Adeyanju, told AFP on the telephone on Monday.Last Monday the death toll stood at 18.Adeyanju said the five additional deaths were those taken to hospital when all the victims fell ill in Ode-Irele earlier this month and that there were no new cases.The mysterious symptoms and deaths raised fears of a contagious disease but investigations ruled out illnesses such as Ebola and other viral conditions.Symptoms included headache, weight loss, blurred vision and loss of consciousness. All the victims died within a day of falling ill.Adeyanju said the state government was investigating the source of the batch of gin as well as trying to improve the production of locally-made alcohol to improve the safety of consumers.

Switzerland no longer safe for illicit funds –Envoy

The Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Mr. Hans Rudolf Hodel, has said that Swiss banks no longer provide a safe haven for illicit funds.Hodel said this after a meeting with Nigeria’s President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, at the Defence House, Abuja, on Monday.The Swiss envoy also said that, to the best of his knowledge, there was currently no looted Nigerian fund in Switzerland.He, however, said he was aware that the Nigerian government and the late Gen. Sani Abacha’s   family had been working out modalities for the return of U$370m stashed in a bank account in Luxemburg.According to him, his home government is not directly involved in the negotiation.He explained that he was at the Defence House to congratulate the President-elect and the Nigerian people over the peaceful 2015 elections.The ambassador said, “Investors are looking toward Nigeria and it is a good example Nigeria gave to the world by its peaceful elections.“With this election, Nigeria has become an example not only to Africa but to the whole world on how elections can be conducted.“I think Nigeria can be proud that the image of the country got improved in the last few days and weeks, I am proud to serve in this era.”On anti-graft war, Hodel said, “We will help this government. If you remember, many years ago we gave back the Abacha money to Nigeria.“The situation in Switzerland has changed. The policy is no longer the same. In the past, people came to deposit money in Switzerland without too much controversy.“Now, it is not possible to deposit money in Switzerland because of legal origin. Before, the bank had to prove that the money was illegal. But now, before you deposit money in Swiss bank, you have to prove that you have earned that money legally.“If you are a wealthy businessman, you can have money in billions legally, but if, for example, as a journalist, you come to Switzerland with $2m and say you earned it because you did a very good job, nobody will believe you.”The envoy said Nigeria had requested for assistance in tracing funds looted by the Abacha regime and that a search had led to the discovery of $370m in an account in Luxembourg.He said, “There was another request by Nigeria to the Swiss authority to look for Abacha money and some amount has been found in an account, not in Switzerland but in Luxembourg, that is now between the Abacha family and the (Nigerian) government.“They have tried to strike a deal so that this money can also come back.”Asked how much was involved, he said, “The recent one is $370m.”In a related development, the new Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Trejo Sosa, has described Nigeria as the ancestral home of many Cubans.He said, “Nigeria is very dear to the heart of Cuba because Nigerians are in the root of Cuban nation. Morethan 80 per cent of people who came to Cuba in the 19th century from Africa came from Nigeria, which means the blood running in the vein of the Cuban nation is partially Nigerian blood.“So, our coming here means we have come to the home of our forefather.”He expressed confidence that Cuban’s collaboration with African countries would be taken to greater heights, noting that over 6,000 Cuban doctors are currently working across Africa with about 50,000 others working in Latin America.Cuba, he said, was willing to share its experiences in all spheres of human endeavour with Nigeria.In response to the Cuban ambassador, the President-elect said the people of his generation would continue to cherish the spectacular performance of Cuba’s revolutionary leaders such as Che Guevara and Fidel Castro.Buhari told the visiting Cuban ambassador that he admired the unique social structure and system of the state, especially given the rapid development that had been achieved by the Island nation.Buhari also expressed happiness at the restoration of normal ties between Cuba and their erstwhile hostile neighbours – the United States of America.

We’ve not recalled envoys from S’Africa, say Presidency

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben AbatiThe Presidency on Monday denied recalling Nigeria’s envoys in South Africa over the ongoing xenophobia attacks.The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, made the Presidency’s position known in an interview with State House correspondents.Abati said the reports of the recall was a mix up, saying what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did was just to invite the country’s Charge D’Affairs in South Africa for a routine consultation.Describing the recall of an envoy as a serious and sensitive matter, the presidential spokesman said that had not been done now.He said, “It is not true that Nigeria has recalled its envoy in South Africa on account of recent xenophobic attacks in that country.“There is a mix up and misinformation on the matter.“The truth is that Nigeria has not recalled his envoy from South Africa.“What has been done is to invite the Charge D’Affairs in that country for routine consultation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.“Recall of envoy is a serious and sensitive matter, that has not happened.”

Xenophobia: South Africa to release victims’ names

The South African government said on Monday that the names of nationals killed in the attacks on foreigners by its citizens would soon be released.The South African Presidency, in a statement, a copy of which was made available to one of our correspondents on Tuesday, said it had received media enquiries about the names of foreign nationals killed during the violence that broke out in KwaZulu-Natal.“Government is still in the process of verifying the information and the names will be released as soon as there has been conclusive positive identification of the victims.“President Zuma released the names of the three South Africans who were killed in KwaZulu-Natal and Mr. Manuel Jossias of Mozambique, who was killed in Alexandra township, Johannesburg,” the South African Presidency said.It added that Zuma once again extended condolences to all the affected families on behalf of the government and the people of South Africa.The South African government, the statement said, was in touch with the embassies of affected countries to ensure careful management of “this difficult and painful process.”The government stated further that its police had been working round the clock to apprehend the perpetrators of the violence.“President Zuma requests all who have information about the incidents in which the victims were killed tocome forward so that those responsible would be brought to book,” it said.Meanwhile, the Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Water Resources, Mr. Lasun Yusuf, has urged the Federal Government to take more drastic step against the government of South Africa to protest the xenophobic attack on Nigerians and other foreigners in the country.Yusuf said this in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents in Osogbo, Osun State, on Monday.The lawmaker, who is representing the Osogbo/Olorunda/ Irepodun/Orolu Federal Constituency in the House, urged the Federal Government to sever all bilateral agreements with South Africa.He said the South African government and its people had been taking Nigeria for granted for too long, saying the time had come to show that Nigeria would no longer tolerate attacks on its citizens anywhere in the world.

Nepal quake death toll could reach 10,000 – PM

Nepal’s prime minister has warned that the number of people killed in the country’s worst earthquake in decades may reach 10,000.Sushil Koirala’s comment on Tuesday came as rescuers in Nepal were struggling to reach remote communities.With the UN estimating eight million people have been hit by the disaster, Koirala said getting help to some of the worst affected areas was a “major challenge”.He said authorities were overwhelmed by appeals for help from remote Himalayan villages left devastated by Saturday’s 7.8-magnitude quake.Mass cremations took place overnight after the government ordered the continuous burning of the bodiesto prevent the spread of diseases.Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, home ministry spokesperson, said on Tuesday the official death toll had risen to 4,310, with a further 7,953 known to have been injured.

IG orders tight security around media houses

The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has ordered tight security around media houses in the country.Arase, who gave the order in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Force spokesman, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, expressed concern over the recent attacks on media houses and journalists.He also said the order was in line with the mandate of the force to protect lives and property of the citizenry under the law.Arase acknowledged the valuable roles of the media in the enthronement of democracy in the country andadvised citizens to be more vigilant.He also advised citizens to be proactive and report any suspicious movement or persons to the police promptly for appropriate action.

‎Low generation, vandals impeding power distribution – BEDC

The Benin Electricity Distribution Company has blamed low generation of electricity from the national gridfor the inadequate distribution of power in several areas within its coverage.The distribution company also decried the destruction of its electrical equipment by vandals in some communities, a situation which it said contributed to the poor power supply in several areas in its areas of jurisdiction.The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BEDC, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, stated this on Tuesday at the company’s headquartres in Benin, the Edo State capital, during a visit by residents of Evbuotubu, in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of the state, who were said to have apprehended some vandals of BEDC equipment in the area.She explained that the disco managed nine per cent of the total power allocation made available across the country, adding that the distribution of adequate electricity ‎depended largely on the population of the area of coverage.Osibodu added, “‎For every one million population, you need 1,000 megawatts. So, if you take Nigeria that has 160 million population, that’s 160,000 megawatts. Nigeria has gone as high as 4,500 megawatts. But what is 4, 500 to 160,000? That tells you where you are going.“When the national availability goes down, like there was a time when it was 2, 500 megawatts, it is nine percent of 2, 500 megawatts. When it goes up to 4, 000, it is nine percent of 4, 000.“Sometimes, going down is also a function of vandalism but at gas level. The process of generating power starts from that.”While commending the residents, Osibodu described their efforts as a demonstration of exceptional patriotism aimed at assisting the disco to monitor its facilities, many of which, she said, were located in the heart of the communities.

ACF hails Okorocha’s victory

The pan northern socio-political organisation, ArewaConsultative Forum, has hailed Governor Rochas Okorocha’s victory in the re-run election of April 25 in Imo State.Okorocha defeated the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Emeka Ihedioha, in the re-run election.In a statement by the Secretary-General of the ACF, Col. John Ubah (retd) in Kaduna on Monday, the Forum also commended the people of Imo State for standing by “a performer and bridge builder.”The ACF said, “Arewa Consultative Forum heartily congratulates His Excellency, Chief Rochas Okorocha, on his well deserved victory at the polls to retain his governorship of Imo State for another term.“ACF equally commends the Imo State electorate for standing by a performing, recognised pragmatic leader, a bridge builder and true proud son of Nigeria.“Chief Rochas was the only aspirant who deemed it necessary to visit ACF before the Presidential party primaries when the ACF leadership unequivocally assured His Excellency of the Forum’s policy to stay behind any Northerner who wins his/her party presidential ticket.”The Forum also urged Nigerians to hold their elected leaders at the just concluded elections accountable in line with their oath.The statement further read, “Nigerian’s choice on March 28, 2015 has vindicated ACF stand and we call on all Nigerians to remain steadfast in our faith in one united Nigeria and to give our fledgling democracy a chance to keep waxing stronger.“All Nigerians must strive to hold our leaders accountable in line with their various oaths of office and constitutional responsibilities.“As we congratulate all newly elected state governors and legislators, especially those who retain their offices and seats, we hope that all will work hard to justify the confidence and trust reposed in them by their people for the craved change, change of style by leaders and change of attitude by all of us, the governed.”

Jonathan sacks NHIS boss, names Peter Obi SEC chair

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday relieved the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Femi Thomas, of his appointment with immediate effect.According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President also approved the appointment of Mr. Olufemi Akingbade as Acting Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the NHIS.Akingbade, who hails from Ekiti State and holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science as well as a Masters degree in Business Administration, was the General Manager, ICT in the NHIS until his new appointment.Abati also disclosed that Jonathan had approved the confirmation of Mr. Mounir Gwarzo as the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission.Gwarzo, who has been acting as the Director-General of the commission, was appointed to the board of the Securities and Exchange Commission as Executive Commissioner in January, 2013.Abati added that the President also approved the appointment of the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

FG names streets after Jonathan, others

The Federal Government has named major streets inAbuja after some eminent Nigerians and accomplished Africans, with the soon-to-be inaugurated Inner Southern Expressway named afterPresident Goodluck Jonathan.The decision is coming barely one month to the end of Jonathan’s administration, when a new President, Muhammadu Buhari, would be inaugurated.The longest Wuye District Boulevard Express Road measuring 1,730 metres was named after former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.Another major road in the same district was named after Vice President Namadi Sambo.The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, according to a statement issued on Monday night by his Special Assistant (Media), Mr. Nosike Ogbuenyi, made the announcement during the FCT Executive Committee meeting held at his official residence in Life Camp, Gwarinpa.The major streets named after the eminent personalities also include Asokoro Extension, Guzape, Wupa, Wuye and Maitama Extension districts as well as expressways and roads.Other beneficiaries include a former Senate President, the late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo; a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Katsina State Governor-elect, Aminu Bello Masari; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapha, business moguls, Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote.Other prominent personalities also honoured by naming streets after them include a former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan; South African anti-apartheid activist, the late Walter Sisulu; a former President of Sudan, Gaafar al-Nimeiry; a former Minister of State for FCT, the late Prof. Miriam Ikejiani-Clark; former CJN, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi and 16 others.

Speakership: Gbajabiamila, Dogara, Iriase lobby new Reps

Some front runners for the position of the Speaker ofthe 8th House of Representatives intensified campaign for support on Monday in Abuja as newly-elected members arrived in the city for their induction programme.Among the 360 members of the House to be inaugurated on June 6 are over 290 newcomers, the majorityof who will determine the successor to the outgoing Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal.Findings byThe PUNCHshowed that the newcomers started arriving in Abuja on Saturday and checked in at the Transcorps Hotel.On Sunday, which was the inaugural night of the induction programme,The PUNCHgathered that the front runners started inviting the new lawmakers for meetings.The House Minority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila; the Chairman, Committee on House Services, Mr. Yakubu Dogara; and a member of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Mr. Pally Iriase, reportedly moved in to market their candidature.Similarly, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, was also said to have formally addressed “a letter of intention” to vie for the speakership to all new and returning members.“Extensive lobbying has been going on since Sunday night. There have been visits to the rooms of some members for campaign,”a National Assembly aide informed The PUNCH on Monday.Dogara, Gbajabiamila and Jibrin allegedly held meetings with separate groups inside the Congress Hall of Transcorps Hotel on Sunday night.On Monday, Iriase also stormed the International Conference Centre, the second venue of the induction course to canvass support.Soon after he arrived, Dogara too was seen hurrying into the venue, slowing down briefly to hold side meetings with some members before he entered the auditorium.Although, the All Progressives Congress had yet to make a categorical statement on the zoning of key political offices like the Senate President and the Speaker,The PUNCHlearnt that the “ understanding’’ was to zone the seat of Speaker to the South-West.Gbajabiamila is the key runner from the zone.But, Dogara, Iriase and Jibrin were said to continue to canvass support because any of the three could likely become the deputy Speaker.WhenThe PUNCHcontacted Gbajabiamila to confirm whether the position had been zoned to the South-West where he hails from, he parried the question.When asked whether it was now time to round off discussions with members, he simply replied, “We are here, we are here; we are working.”However, he was seen arriving the venue of the programme in company with Tambuwal on Monday, waving at members.On his own part, Iriase simply smiled and said he remained in the race.But speaking at the same venue, the Peoples Democratic Party caucus of the House restated its earlier stance that the House would elect a Speaker for itself and not a political party.The Deputy House Majority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, said lawmakers were not bothered by any zoning formula adopted by the APC, as they would “in keeping with practice,’’ elect their Speaker.He added, “The 1999 Constitution is very clear on this matter. Go and read Section 50 (b) of the constitution; it says ‘members shall elect from among themselves a Speaker.’ It does not say a political party shall appoint a Speaker for the House.“It implies that any member deemed competent and qualified to be Speaker will be elected by members.’’When asked whether such a member could be Leo Ogor or any other PDP member, he said “no comments” and rushed out of the ICC.

B’Haram fighters in military uniforms kill 21 in Yobe

Twenty-one persons have been killed by men suspected to be insurgents, dressed in military camouflage, in a highway attack in Yobe State.The 21 persons, according to a local vigilante source, had been residing in Damaturu after fleeing their communities earlier captured by the insurgents.But at the weekend, they undertook a trip to their communities to carry some foodstuffs from their silos because they felt that peace had returned to the place.However, the victims who had been displaced from Lazarawa, Ngirbua, Maram and Garin Kuyama villages miscalculated as they were attacked on their way on Yobe Road.The source claimed that the victims were intercepted and killed in Bultaram village on their way back to Damaturu.“They opened fire on all of them, we believe they cannot be soldiers but insurgents dressed in military camouflage,” he said.He revealed that the bodies of the victims had not been buried as their relations were awaiting clearance from the military authorities operating in the area.One of the indigenes of the area, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity in Damaturu, said, “We all received the good news that the military had taken over the place. That is why they went.”The councillor representing Ngirbua, Malam Baba Nuhu, told journalists in Damaturu that they had reported the incident to security agencies.“I don’t know whether they contacted the security agencies before embarking on the journey. Seventeen of those killed were from Lazarawa, two from Ngirbua, one from Maram and one from Garim Kuyama,” he added.He advised the people to clear with security operatives before embarking on similar journeys.

NNPC audit report exposes double subsidy payments

Coopers, the firm of forensic auditors hired by the Federal Government to probe the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, has indicted the corporation of making double subsidy claims on petrol and kerosene.“Our examination of the PMS and DPK import verified by PPPRA revealed that some discharges were apparently verified and subsidy advised to NNPC more than once,” the report stated.PwC alleged “repeated subsidy” for PMS amounting to N3,709,879,190 ($23,954,796) and another “repeated subsidy” for DPK amounting to N6,169,502,266 ($39,836,652). It added that the there was another $36.05m “over-statement” in PPPRA’s PMS subsidy payment advice to the NNPC.It also called for a review of the current NNPC Act to make it pay all revenues accruing from crude oil sales into the Federation Account.In the final report made available by the government on Monday, the auditors said the the corporation over-claimed $980m (N19.3bn based on the interbank exchange rate of N197 to a dollar) as subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit and Dual Purpose Kerosene between January 2012 and July 2013.The report stated that the NNPC had capitalised on lapses in the current law to spend part of the crude oil sales proceeds without limit or control.The report stated, “We recommend that the NNPC Act be reviewed as the content contradicts the requirement for the NNPC to be run as a commercially viable entity. It appears the Act has given the corporation a blank cheque to spend money without limit or control.“This is untenable and unsustainable, and must be addressed immediately. The corporation should be required to create value and meet its expenses entirely from the value created. Proceeds from the FGN’s crude oil sales should be remitted entirely to the Federation Account. Commissions for the corporation’s services can then be paid based on agreed terms.”The auditors recommended that the NNPC’s model of operation must be urgently reviewed and restructured, as the current model, which had been in operation since the creation of the corporation, could not be sustained.The report stated, “The accounting and reconciliation system for crude oil revenues used by government agencies appears to be inaccurate and weak. We noted significant discrepancies in data from different sources. The lack of independent audit and reconciliation led to over-reliance on data produced from the NNPC.“This matter is further compounded by the lack of independence within the NNPC as the business has conflicting interests of being a stand-alone self-funding entity and also the main source of revenue to the Federation Account.”The Auditor-General for the Federation had on February 5, 2015 released some highlights of the report in which PwC auditors recommended that the NNPC and its subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, should refund to the Federation Account “a minimum of $1.48bn.”PwC was last year hired by the Federal Government to carry out the forensic audit of the NNPC following an allegation by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, that $49bn was not remitted to the Federation Account by the corporation.“Our review of the subsidy documentation revealed that the subsidy due to the NNPC between January 2012 and July 2013 on PMS and DPK imports was $8.99bn compared to the $9.97bn stated by the reconciliation committee,” the auditors’ report stated.According to the report, the difference was due to the exclusion of October 2011 to December 2011 subsidy claims of $1.2bn, which did not relate to the review period of January 2012 to July 2013; $0.13bnincrease in PMS subsidy claimed for the 19-month period; and $0.09bn increase in kerosene subsidy claimed for the period.The report also revealed N5.6bn ($36.05m) over-statement in the PPPRA’s PMS subsidy payment advice to the NNPC.“Our review of the subsidy payment advice sent by the PPPRA to the NNPC for discharges between January 2012 and July 2013 revealed that the PPPRA applied the pre-2012 ex-depot price (N49.51) on some discharges in 2012 instead of the approved ex-depot price of N81.51. A total of 174,449,778 litres of PMS was affected in these PPPRA computations,” the report stated.The auditors said an estimated $205m kerosene subsidy was over-charged by the NNPC, adding, “Our review of a sample of the copies of the pro forma invoices issued to the other marketers of DPK across different geopolitical zones of Nigeria revealed that the other marketers bought DPK from the NNPC/PPMC prior to arrival at the NNPC depot in Nigeria at N40.90.“The marketers are thereafter required to incur the lightering expenses, NPA charges, jetty throughput charge and storage charges before bringing the product into Nigeria. Subsidy is calculated as the landingcost minus ex-depot price.”The report reflected the fact that $3.38bn was spent on kerosene subsidy for the review period.The report also noted an unsubstantiated $305.8m under the cost allocated to pipeline maintenance and management cost.It stated that the sum remained unsubstantiated due to lack of or insufficient supporting documents and duplication of entries.

State of emergency in Baltimore after Gray funeral

Violent confrontations broke out in the American city of Baltimore hours after the funeral of a young blackman who died after suffering a severe spinal injury while in police custody.Rioting and looting in a pocket of Baltimore’s west on Monday prompted the Maryland governor to declare a state of emergency, a move that activated the deployment of members of the National Guard.Maryland mayor Stefanie Rawlings-Blake also announced a weeklong 10pm to 5am curfew from Tuesday, saying that “too many people have spent generations trying to build this city for it to be destroyed by thugs, who in a very senseless way are trying to tear down what people have fought for.”Extra police were deployed across the city and an American League baseball match to be contested by Baltimore’s Orioles was postponed.Police said at least seven officers were wounded in clashes after the earlier memorial service, suffering broken bones after demonstrators started throwing bricks and stones.Baltimore police captain Eric Kowalczyk said that one officer was “unresponsive” and that the attack tookplace “without provocation”.Barack Obama, the US president, was said to be monitoring events.Police responded with pepper spray, tear gas and riot shields, the Baltimore Sun reported. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced on Monday night that he was activating the state’s National Guard to address the unrest.“Today’s looting and acts of violence in Baltimore will not be tolerated,” Hogan said. “I strongly condemn the actions of the offenders who are engaged in direct attacks against innocent civilians, businesses and law enforcement officers,” he added, charging that violent acts “betray the cause of peaceful citizens seeking answers and justice following the death of Freddie Gray.”Helicopter news footage showed people entering stores. Shops were looted and cars were set on fire. Smoke billowed from a pharmacy after it was apparently set ablaze.Peace marchGray’s family, who were hoping to organise a peace march later this week, condemned the violence, and said the problem of police brutality was not solely caused by police.“It’s about black men stepping forward and owning their portion of the problem,” the family’s lawyer, Billy Murphy, said.“We live here. We love it here. It’s not perfect. It’s like being in a bad marriage but we’re not interested in a divorce. We love this city and we’re here to work as hard as we can and as long as we can until this problem has gone away,” Murphy said.The violence came after thousands of mourners gathered to pay tribute to Gray, 25, whose death in policecustody has become the latest touchstone in a national debate over police use of force.Gray died on April 19, a week after being arrested. Gray was arrested after he made eye contact with officers and ran away. Officers held him down, handcuffed him and loaded him into a van. While inside, he became irate, and leg cuffs were put on him, police said.Gray asked for medical help several times, beginning before he was placed in the van. After a 30-minute ride that included three stops, paramedics were called.Authorities have not explained how or when Gray’s spine was injured. His injuries included three fracturesin his neck vertebrae, a smashed voicebox and the severing of 80 percent of his spine.

(UPDATED) Four killed as explosion rocks Kogi radio station

No fewer than four people were confirmed dead while many others were critically injured following an explosion at a radio station in Kogi State.Our correspondent gathered on Tuesday that the radio station,TAO FM, which is located at the centre of Okene town in Kogi Central Senatorial district,  was bombed about 8pm on Monday.The radio operates on 101.5 frequency.No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing while the motive for the attacks is unknown.Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Shola Adebayo, confirmed the attack in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Tuesday morning.He said four people as of Monday night had been confirmed dead while some other victims were injured.Adebayo added that the injured victims had been rushed to hospital for treatment.He said the police had commenced investigation with a view to unravelling the motive behind the attack and to apprehend the culprits.

Buhari bars AIT from covering his programmes

Security advisers of the President-Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari on Monday barred the television crew of the African Independent Television from covering the activities of their principal until further notice.It was gathered that the security team cited adverse security reports and ethical issues as reasons for their action.Members of the AIT crew, who were at Defence House, venue of a meeting between the President-elect and a visiting Cuban delegation, led by its Ambassador to Nigeria, were asked to leave the vicinity until further notice.The crew, who did not speak on record, insisted they would remain and continue to do their jobs because they had yet to be “formally informed.”“Yes, we were told but we cannot just leave; we have a job to do. In any case, we have not been officially informed about what we have done wrong,” one of them said.Director of Press of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mallam Garba Shehu, confirmed the development.He said concerns over security and the need to sort out some ethical issues were responsible for the action.Shehu said, “AIT has been asked to stay aside based on security and family concerns. In addition, General Buhari has decided that they will have to resolve some issues relating to issues of standard and ethics.“We will be talking with them to try and resolve the matter but for now, the station has been asked to stay aside because, like I said, there are some family and security concerns.“They have been asked to step down their coverage until we resolve the matter with them on ethics and standards.”

Accredited media, AIT free to cover President-elect’s activities – APC

The All Progressives Congress has said all accredited media organisations in the country, including the African Independent Television, are free to cover the activities of the President-elect, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.).In a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the incoming Buhari administration would not discriminate against any media organisation, irrespective of its role during the electioneering leading up to the recent polls.It however enjoined all media organisations to observe the highest level of professional standards in carrying out their duties.APC said, ”There is a Code of Ethics guiding the practice of journalism in Nigeria, and this demands every journalist to ensure a strict adherence to the highest levels of ethics and professionalism in carrying out their duties.”There must be repercussions, within the realms of the law, for media organisations which have wantonlybreached the Code of Ethics of the journalism profession and turned themselves to partisans instead of professionals. But such repercussions will not include barring any accredited media organisation from covering the activities of thePresident-elect.”

FG declares Friday public holiday

The Federal Government has declaredFriday May 1as public holiday to commemorate the 2015 Workers’ Day.Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, who made the announcement, according to a statementon Tuesdayin Abuja by the Permanent Secretary, Abubakar Magaji, congratulated all Nigerians on their resilience andcommitment in the face of the challenges of daily living.He enjoined them to sustain their support for President Goodluck Jonathan in his efforts to build a stable, peaceful and economically vibrant nation.The Minister wished all Nigerian workers a joyous and peaceful celebration.

(UPDATED) Senate passes 2015 budget without provision for fuel subsidy

The Senate on Tuesday, passed  N4.493tr budget for the 2015 fiscal year, about five months after it was presented by the Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister for the Economy,  Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.The national budget, which was earlier passed by the House of Representatives last week, was N51bn higher than the N4.425tr submitted to both chambers of the National Assembly by the federal government.The senate approval of the budget on Tuesday, however confirmed the non inclusion of fuel subsidy provision in the document but contained N21bn for the funding of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme.The senate, in passing the budget, slightly reduced the N2.607, 601, 000, 300 proposed by the executive toN2.607, 132,491,708 as recurrent expenditure and simultaneously scaled down the capital expenditure from N642,848,999,699 estimated in the proposal to N556,995,465,449.The Chairman, Joint Senate Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Mohammed Maccido, explained that the details of the figure approved by senate in the document were not different from the version passed by the House of Representatives last week.He confirmed that the executive did not make provision for subsidy in the 2015 budget and that the National Assembly left it the way it was presented.He said, “There was no provision in the budget for subsidy but I believe there should be provision for it especially since there was already, a disagreement between the oil marketers and the federal government over subsidy payment.”He added that the budget will be driven by $53 oil benchmark, an exchange rate of N190.00 to one dollar; 2.2782m per barrel crude oil production per day; and deficit gross domestic product of -1.12 per cent.Reacting to the development, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Ahmad Lawan, said the incoming government would definitely review the 2015 fiscal budget because of the various flaws in it.He said, “The constitutional provision is that we should have even passed the budget before now but due to the exigencies of this period, we have just passed it and we have done our constitutional duty very well.

Ahmed vows to tackle Kwara youths restiveness

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, has promised to initiate empowerment programmes to check youth restiveness.The governor made the pledge on Tuesday when he received community leaders from Ilorin Emirate in his office.The community leaders had visited the governor to commiserate with him over weekend’s violence orchestrated by some hoodlums who had attacked NDLEA operatives in Ilorin.The governor said the empowerment schemes would be designed to transform the youths into responsible citizens.He further promised that his administration would set up an enlightenment committee on how to end actsof hooliganism in the state.Ahmed reiterated his administration’s zero tolerance for acts bordering on criminality.“We will ensure that criminality is not given any room in the state. If anybody under any guise is found wanting, he will be brought to book,” he said.He warned those with criminal tendencies to realise that the campaigns and elections were over while purposeful governance was now in place.Earlier, the spokesman of the delegation and Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Salihu Muhammed, had said the visit was to condemn the fracas that reportedly claimed two lives.Muhammed, who called for severe punishment for the perpetrators of the violence, urged government to put in place measures that would avert a recurrence.The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the fracas, which broke out in some parts of Ilorin metropolis between NDLEA operatives and street urchins, led to destruction of properties and the reported death of two persons.

Suspected cultists kill barber, others in Edo

A 27-year-old barber was on Tuesday shot dead by gunmen suspected to be cultists at New Benin in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.It was learnt that the late barber, simply identified as Patrick, was accosted by his assailants in front of his shop and shot at a close range.Another man was reportedly killed ‎at about 7am, at Second East Circular road, in Benin, the state capital.A 65-year-old wood seller, Mrs. Philomena Evbuomwan, who witnessed the barber’s death, said the gunmen shot their victim in the head and chest and ensured that he was dead before they left.Evbuomwan added that she was threatened by the gunmen, who pointed a gun at her.‎She said, “I was selling wood when Patrick greeted me. I later sat with him. Suddenly, three boys walked towards us.“One pointed a gun at my head and later dropped it. He shot Patrick; the other one also fired a shot.“The third person took his gun and tapped Patrick. When he saw that he was dead, they ran away. After that, I fainted.”This brings to six the number persons said to have been killed by suspected cultists, four of which were reportedly shot dead last weekend.It was gathered that the cult clashes might be a fallout of a scuffle at one of the polling units in the state capital, during the March 28 election, which led to the death of a member of one of the cult groups.The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer,  DSP Stephen Onwochei, could, however, not be reached for comments on the incidents as of the time of filing this report.

Yuguda sacks over 2,000 aides

Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, on Monday sacked over 2, 000 of his political aides but retained very few on essential services.The sacking, which was contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Political Affairs, Government House, Hashimu Yakubu, on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, stated that the sacking of all Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Personal Assistants was with immediate effect.Although, the number of aides sacked was not disclosed in the government statement, it was, however, learnt from a government source that they might well be over 2, 000.The source said, “I don’t know how many of them were sacked but they can be more than 2, 000 because even shortly before the elections, the Governor was said to have appointed over 70 aides.”The statement read, “The Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda, has approved the  disengagement of all Special Advisers (with the exception of the Special Adviser, Due Process).“Also, all Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Personal Assistants (with the exception of those who work directly under His Excellency the Executive Governor or the Deputy Governor).”According to the statement, all those affected are requested to hand over government property in their possession (if any) to the heads of organisations where they served.Yuguda therefore expressed his appreciation to the disengaged political aides for their contributions to the development of Bauchi State in their various capacities and wished them the best in their future endeavours.

Caution Rivers REC, APC tells Jega

The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to caution the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Gesilla Khan.The APC expressed dissatisfaction with  the state INEC’s refusal to allow its agents to have access to election materials, which are to be presented before the Election Petitions Tribunal in the state.State Chairman of the APC, Dr. Davies Ikanya, in a statement in Port Harcourt on Sunday, appealed to Jega to immediately move all sensitive materials used for the elections away from Rivers.Ikanya, who spoke through the statement by his Senior Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze, argued that the safety of such materials used during the presidential/National Assembly and the governorship/House of Assembly elections was not guaranteed under Khan’s watch.Ikanya added, “Rivers APC passionately appealed to INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, to direct Mrs. Khan to immediately comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Freedom of Information Act by granting the party unfettered access to the requested materials.“Furthermore, we urge Prof. Jega to, as a matter of urgency, move all sensitive materials used for the discredited elections away from Rivers State as their safety is not guaranteed under the watch of Mrs. Khan, who has overzealously worked to enthrone an unpopular PDP government in our State.“We are shocked that INEC in Rivers State under the watch of Mrs. Khan could bar our party agents from accessing INEC premises to photocopy result sheets for the purported elections in preparation for the party’s appearance at the Election Petitions Tribunal.”

(UPDATED) I’ll probe Sanusi’s allegation of missing $20bn – Buhari

President-elect, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), on Sunday said his administration would take a second look at the claim by a former Governor of the Central Bank, now Emir of Kano, Muhammad SanusiII, that $20bn, that was supposed to be remitted by the NNPC to the federation account, could not be unaccounted.Buhari said this while receiving a delegation of party supporters and newly elected officials on the platform of the All Progressives Congress from Adamawa State at his campaign office in Abuja.The President-Elect, who spoke in the local Hausa language, expressed surprise that instead of probing the allegations by the former CBN governor, the authorities chose to fire him.According to him, since Sanusi’s claim was documented, his administration will take a second look at the document when he assumes power on May 29th.Buhari said, “On the issue of corruption, I heard that some people have started returning money. I will not believe it until I go and see for myself.“You all know what the Emir of Kano talked about when he was the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He said $20 billion dollars, not naira, $20 billion dollars, was unaccounted for; they said it was a lie. Instead of investigating it, they sacked him. And God in his infinite mercy made him the Emir of Kano. In any case, that is what he wanted. And since this was documented, the new administration will take a look at it.”This is against the background of a pronouncement by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has started refunding the unremitted$1.48bn into the federation account.While expressing gratitude to the visiting delegation, Buhari in response to several requests, said his administration would work in tandem with the manifesto of the APC.He listed priority areas to include security of lives and property, the economy, job creation and the war against corruption.

Boko Haram invades Niger military base, kills soldiers

Boko Haram militias have killed several soldiers in Dosso community in Niger.A security source, who confided in our correspondent on Sunday, said the Boko Haram members invaded a military camp in Bosso through a riverside community in the early hours of Sunday.It was stated that the insurgents stormed the camps from different directions and killed some of the soldiers and injured many.The source said the Nigeriens suffered a heavy casualty because the soldiers were not on the alert.They were said to have relaxed because of the feeling that the Boko Haram members had either been wiped out or weakened.The source said, “Boko Haram attacked a military camp in Dosso, a border community in Niger. They came into the cam from several directions.“The insurgents sneaked into the military camp when the soldiers were relaxed; they were not expecting the attack. I think that explains why several of them were killed.“We can’t give the exact number but the government of Niger is calling a National Security meeting which means that those killed were many.”The Ministry of Defence of Niger was reported to have confirmed the unfortunate incident.

APC warns against last-minute looting, hurried recruitment

The All Progressives Congress has decried the reported allegations of last-minute looting of the nation’s resources, hurried recruitment into the public service and rushed privatisation of key financial institutions by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.It warned on Sunday that such “egregious actions” would have serious repercussions.In a statement in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said apart from the instances of such cases that had been reported by the local media, it had been inundated with calls and messages by concerned Nigerians, alerting it to the unscrupulous actions of some Jonathan’s administration officials.APC said while the Jonathan administration remains in office till midnight of May 28, and governance in the country would not stop because a new President had been elected, it was incumbent upon the outgoing administration not to create more problems for the incoming government, or to “tie the new government’s hands” through suspicious actions.The party explained that while it is true that the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration would not get itself bogged down by an endless probe of the activities of the Jonathan administration, all actions taken since the result of the March 28 presidential election was announced, might come under the searchlight.It added, ”For example, the National Council on Privatisation, which is headed by the Vice President, has just approved the financial bid opening for transaction advisers for the privatisation of the three DevelopmentFinance Institutions in the country – the Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry and Nigeria Commodity Exchange.“The question is: What is the rationale for rushing this exercise with just weeks left for this administration?”Also, there have been reports, yet to be refuted, of a planned, hurried recruitment into the Nigeria Immigration Service, after a previous attempt ended in a national tragedy and the fleecing of innocent job seekers by the mindless Federal Government officials. Apart from the fact that this last-minute recruitment is suspect, it is irregular.”The Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board is only empowered to recruit, promote and discipline only senior officers (Levels 8 and above). The power to recruit, promote and discipline junior officers is vested in the different services, in this case, the Nigeria Immigration Service.”Therefore, the recruitment exercise now being conducted by the Federal Civil Service, under the auspices of the Presidential Committee to Assist on Immigration Recruitment, usurps the functions of the Board as it relates to recruitment of Senior Officers (Level 08) and that of the Immigration Service as it relates to Junior Officers (levels 07 and below).”It also called attention to a published report that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, plans to use the Federal Capital Development Authority to carry out a secret employment of no fewer than 500 workers before the end of April 2015.It stated, ”We do not know if this report, as well as others, is true. But if indeed these rushed privatisations and hurried recruitment exercises – in the twilight of the Jonathan administration – are true, they raiseserious questions concerning the reasons behind such actions. We are therefore compelled to call on President Jonathan to caution his administration officials, lest they engage in actions that can later embarrass his administration”

Nigeria’s recall of envoys unfortunate, regrettable – S’Africa

South Africa has criticised the Nigerian government over its decision to withdraw its ambassador from Pretoria after attacks on immigrants by mobs.The country’s Department of International Cooperation called the move by Nigeria “an unfortunate and regrettable step” in a statement issued on Sunday,The South African government said it and a wide range of civic organisations had been “decisive and unequivocal” in condemning and rejecting the attacks on foreign nationals and that its interventions had brought about relative calm.“If this action is based on the incidents of attacks on foreign nationals in some parts of our country, it would be curious for a sisterly country to want to exploit such a painful episode for whatever agenda,” thedepartment said, adding South Africa remained committed to “friendship” with Nigeria.Nigeria had asked Acting High Commissioner, Martin Cobham, and Deputy High Commissioner, Uche Ajulu-Okeke, to return to Nigeria for consultations on Saturday.A statement by Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said the recall was “in connection with the ongoing xenophobia in South Africa targeting foreigners, mainly African migrants.”Seven people in South Africa have been killed in attacks on migrants since March 20, when South Africa’sZulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini, spoke out against foreign workers.“Let us pop our head lice,” he said. “We must remove ticks and place them outside in the sun. We ask foreign nationals to pack their belongings and be sent back.”He has since said those remarks were taken out of context and that he opposes violence.Earlier this week, Nigeria summoned South Africa’s high commissioner over the unrest as protesters picketed the South African embassy in Lagos.

Killings: El-Rufai appeals for calm among supporters

Kaduna State Governor-elect, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, has asked members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress in the state to remain steadfast and refused to be provoked by common enemies.El-Rufai spoke at the funeral of his slained Campaign Coordinator, Markus Ishaya.Ishaya was killed by gunmen at his Atuku Kasa area of Jema’am Local Government Area of the state last week.He was a local coordinator of the governor-elect at the Atuku Ward during the campaign.The Police had confirmed the incident, adding that investigation had commenced.The Governor-elect, who was quoted by his spokesman, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, to have  spoken through his Deputy, Bala Barnabas, shortly after the funeral of the slain coordinatoron Saturday.El-Rufai noted that rather than seeking to revenge the killing of Ishaya, the relevant law enforcement agencies must be allowed to perform their statutory roles.He cautioned his teeming supporters and the people of the state not to allow those he described as “evil doers” to rob them of the opportunity of living together in peace and harmony in the state.According to the statement, El-Rufai appealed  for peace and calm among the people of the area in particular and the state in general.The statement read in part, “We received the news of Markus’ murder with pain but we pray that the Almighty God will grant him eternal rest.“Though he was cut in his prime, he exhibited courage, fearlessness and commitment in the struggle for abetter Nigeria. He resisted injustice and stood firm even in the heat of the general elections.“Markus did his best to uphold democratic principles. He lived a short life but wrote his name in gold and died upholding the common good.“What happened is evil and a desecration of human life. We will not relent in demanding justice, not minding how long it will take.”

Fulani gunmen kill 30 in Benue, Nasarawa

Suspected Fulani gunmenon Saturdayevening andSundaymorning attacked and killed 30 persons, mostly women and children, in Guma, Kwande, Buruku and Keana Local Government Areas of Benue and Nasarawa states.The PUNCHgathered that the villages attacked in Guma LGA are Tse-Uosu, Tse-Gbudu Taraka and Branch Umenger in Mbadwem council.In Keana, the invaders attacked Iornungun while in Kwande, the gunmen invaded Jato/Aka and environs just as many residents of Mbatie, Mbatsease and Mbaatungu Aji, all in Buruku LGA, were displaced by thearmed herdsmen.It was further gathered that apart from those killed, several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.A fleeing native from Guma, identified as Suunen, told our correspondent that the gunmen stormed the communities while they were resting after the day’s work and started shooting sporadically at innocent and defenceless people of the area.Suunen added that residents of neighbouring communities had fled their villages over fears that the suspected Fulani militias might attack their communities.Another victim, Terungwa, said his mother narrowly escaped death from Mbatie and now taking refuge in Yandev, Gboko LGA.The Commissioner of Police, Hyacinth Dagala, confirmed the attack and said eight corpses had been recovered.He noted that the command had intensified surveillance just as additional security had been provided to stop the attacks from escalating.

Jonathan prays for Buhari’s govt

PresidentGoodluck Jonathan yesterday prayed for the in-coming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari. The President has also admonished Nigerian leaders at various levels of government to be ready to make sacrifices for the growth of the nation, stressing that Nigerians should not allow the challenges of today to weigh them down.Jonathan and BuhariIn the same vein, he challenged Nigerian past leaders to emulate the sterling qualities   of   former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; and the former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, both of whom he said have demonstrated unequal patriotism to their fatherland.The President spoke at the fifth presidential prayer breakfast held inside the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.We pray for in-coming administration“We  continue to pray for the country and of course, we pray for   the incoming government and also pray   for   us who are leaving to have the opportunity to serve humanity in different phases.“I remember in 2009 when I visited the Nordic countries, they told me they were celebrating 200 years of peace that has enabled them to develop.   Nigeria was 49 years as an independent nation in 2009.“If the Nordic countries, well developed technologically and otherwise, it means crisis really retards development.“So we have challenges, today we are talking about   boko haram in the north, kidnapping in south south, south east. Atimes you are forced to think that the nation is ending, definitely this country  will overcome this challenge. That is the reason for these prayers. Just like prayers helped Nehemiah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, our constant prayers will help us rebuild this nation.“For me, I have to thank God and Nigerians for the privilege and opportunity given to me this past 16 years.I served my state as a deputy governor and governor for eight years. From government house in Yenegoa and then I came here to the state house, Abuja served the country as vice president and a president. That is a reasonable length of time and so I have to thank God, first because if God did not will it, it won’t have happened.Emulate Gowon and ShonekanAccording to the President, despite their tight schedules and their ages,   the two former leaders had always attended programmes in the Villa any time they are invited.The support for me within this period, I will continue to do my best as  I’m gradually joining Gowon and Shonekan to serve our country in different capacities. “And I must commend  Gen. Gowon and Chief   Shonekan  and some of our other leaders, for the eight years I have been as vice president and president, whenever we called upon them wherever they are in this world, they will try to come. I have seen that    theyare extremely patriotic and they believe in this country. If all our leaders show that level of commitment, that level of patriotism, that believe and sincerity of purpose to our nation, then surely we will go where we want to go.Leaders must be ready to make sacrifices“I always say leadership is not all about giving directives,   a  successful leader must be ready to make sacrifice. Everything about human life as an individual, a child,   if you don’t make the required sacrifice you can’t go to where you want to go.“If you don’t sacrifice your pleasure of course you will know where you’ll end. As parents we know the kind of sacrifice we make for our children to go to school, to feed.“To build a family you need sacrifice. So for those who   have the privileges of leading at local, state and national levels, at all times we should be ready to make sacrifice for our nation to grow.“So as we call for prayers we also call on our leaders not just local government chairmen, governors and president’s alone , I’m also calling on leaders at other levels,  Ministers must make the required sacrifice, our lawmakers because they look at all our laws, they   can create crisis in country if they are not ready to do things the right way.“So all of us in leadership position must be ready to make the sacrifice and with our prayers and with our commitment Nigeria will surely get to where it wants to go” he said.

Biometric registration: Bank customers rush as deadline nears

Asthe June, 2015 deadline for bank customers to get their Bank Verification Number (BVN) draws closer, customers are in the   last minutes rush to enrol on the exercise.ATM-Naira-and-DollarThe BVN was launched last year February by the apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria as part of its   cashless policy to capture customers’ data and check fraud in the bankingsystem.The BVN launched by the former CBN governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is targeted at creating a stronger Know Your Customer (KYC) for banks, to strengthen the various security platforms and also facilitate increased lending to customers.It would be recalled that the BVN enrolment was commissioned by the Bankers Committee as part of its financial inclusion strategies.Accordingly, the BVN gives each bank customer unique identity across the Nigerian banking industry that can be used for easy identification and verification at point of banking operation.The exercise includes getting bank customers biometrics, with the use of fingerprints, and facial image, after which each customer will be given a bank verification number.‘The BVN enrolment which is a continuation of the $50 million biometric project involving the CBN, the Bankers’ Committee, NIBSS, Dermalog and Charms Plc, was meant to assign a unique number to every bank customer for enhanced security of transactions.The scheme, according to the promoters was further aimed at helping to prevent identity theft and fraud in the industry. It is also expected to enhance credit advancement to customers.However, the BVN issued at the point of enrolment will be linked to all customer’s bank account in Nigeria.The exercise became imperative following the continuous cases of security issues arising from   passwords and Personal Identification Number (PIN) of customers.Although there was initial low turnout of customers with respect to registration in the ongoing BVN exercise as a result of poor awareness and lack of interest , bank customers, according to Vanguard Sun Tech findings are now compelled to comply with the CBN mandate otherwise they will not be allowed to doany transaction with any of the commercial banks across the country.Meanwhile, a close monitoring of banking activities in Lagos State at the weekend showed that customers were fully complying as they were not allowed to do any transaction without completing the exercise.At most banking halls visited by Vanguard Sun Tech News on Friday last week in Lagos, bank customers were seen queuing in the line to complete the exercise.“I have no choice now. I have to do the enrolment now as the bank official here said that I will not do any banking transaction unless I do the BVN enrolment. I wanted to transfer money to my brother in school through electronic transfer method but cannot do that unless the BVN is completed”, a customer who pleaded anonymous told Vanguard Sun Tech News at the United Bank for Africa, UBA, Berger Yard branch, Kikiri, Apapa, Lagos.According to him, the exercise is good but lamented that the challenge is ability of customers to make out time to complete the process.At the Zenith bank, Allen avenue, Ikeja Lagos, the situation is the same thing as customers were seen in thebanking hall completing their application form to enable them do their transaction.“Before now, I did not make out time in my busy schedule to complete the exercise. But because it now compulsory, I do not have choice other than do it. This is like last minute rush anyway”, Peter Obi, a trader at Computer Village Ikeja told Vanguard Sun Tech News.He admitted that the BVN is in the interest of bank customers because of security issues in password and identity theft.Further monitoring of banking activities also showed that the last minute rush is more work for bank official as it was not really under compulsion to enrol when the exercise kicked off last year. But now, bank officials are strongly advising customers to enrol in the exercise in their best interest.Normally, customers get their ticket identification number after enrolment as their their BVN will be sent to them via text message after some days.“Pressure is more now as customers are strongly advised to do it otherwise they cannot engage in any transaction in bank. By end of June this year, every bank customer should have registered”, an Operation Manager working in one the commercial banks in Lagos told Vanguard Sun Tech in confidence.According to her, there will be a time when customers will spend more time in the banking hall to enrol as there will be many people waiting to be enrolled at the same time.Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System Plc, Mr. Ade Shonubi, had earlier said that customers who have completed   the mandatory biometric registration at any bank branch will start collecting their Bank Verification Number cards very soon.He assured that no bank customer would be charged for the cards and that lenders would soon begin the distribution of the BVN cards.

FG hands over NITEL to core investor

After fourteen years and five failed attempts to sell the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, the Federal Government on Tuesday finally handed over the beleaguered first national telecommunications company to new core investor, NATCOM Consortium.At a ceremony attended by notable persons in the privatisation circle, the Bureau of Public Enterprises handed over instruments of ownership and licences of operation to the Chairman of the NATCOM Consortium, Mr. Tunde Ayeni, who said over $1bn was required to revive the company.Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Namadi Sambo, who chairs the National Council on Privatisation said the formal handover was a clear indication that where there is focus and determination,there is a way.Sambo who was represented by a member of the technical committee of NCP, Mr. Emmanuel Amadi, listed the several failures in the past and added that the success at this time was a reflection of the determination of the NCP and the BPE to increase competition in the telecommunications industry.He said, “It was the realisation that Nigeria will not attain the desired economic growth without adequate reforms and liberalisation of the telecommunications sector that informed commencement of the telecoms sector reforms in 2001.“These led to the attempted privatisation of NITEL and M-Tel through strategic/core investor sale to Investors International London Limited. Unfortunately, that flagship transaction failed as the preferred bidder could not meet the deadline for the payment of the purchase consideration.”He continued, “Failure of first strategic investor sale led to the execution of a management contract with Pentascope in 2005. The management contract did not improve the operational and financial position of NITEL and M-Tel and was terminated.“Orascom Telecoms emerged the highest bidder with  $256m during the second privatisation attempt. Its bid was however rejected by the Federal Government as it was below the reserve price.”NCP in 2006 adopted the ‘willing buyer-willing seller’ strategy. The strategy which threw up Transnational Corporation as the core investor was adopted to shorten the transaction period since the financial position of NITEL was deteriorating.Following the inability of Transcorp to turn around the fortunes of NITEL, the NCP on June 1, 2009 revoked the sale of the telecommunications company and its mobile subsidiary.In another strategic/core investor sale in 2011, both New Generation Communications Limited and Omen International Limited that emerged preferred and reserve bidders could not pay the purchase price and the transaction had to be cancelled again.Consequently, NCP approved the privatisation of NITEL and M-Tel through guided liquidation. It also on November 11, 2013 approved the appointment of Chief Olutola Senbore as the liquidator of NITEL/M-Tel.At the financial bid opening on December 3, 2014, NATCOM emerged the preferred bidder with an offer of$252.25m bid price.NATTAG which had been prequalified by BPE to participate in the process was disqualified as a result of the failure of the company to include a $10m bid bond as had been prescribed in Request for Proposal document.Speaking at the handover ceremony, Ayeni said immense gaps and opportunities still exist in the Nigeriantelecommunications market despite the competition in the industry.According to him, with a good team of investors and management, NATCOM was ready to make the difference required to succeed. He indicated that the company would roll out services soon after rebranding.