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Salary

Ariwodola Idowu

Ado Ekiti, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN)  Ekiti State Government says it has received N3.9 billion from the Federal Government as the last tranche of its Paris Club refund.

Gov. Kayode Fayemi made the disclosure on Thursday in Ado Ekiti through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode.

He said that as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari, N3.3billion was also deducted and paid as outstanding 2016- 2018 counterpart fund for Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) being owed by the state.

Consequently, the governor directed that the Paris Club refund be applied to pay one month salary out of the outstanding arrears to state and local government workers, teachers and pensioners.

This he said, was in line with his promise to Ekiti workers and people to clear part of the owed arrears as soon as the Paris Club Refund was paid.

According to him, the state received the Paris Club Refund, following President Buhari’s intervention in the matter, after his last week’s visit to the President.

He expressed appreciation to the President for the timely intervention, and assured workers that his administration would clear the five to eight months salary arrears owed workers by the immediate past administration, within a reasonable period.

”The immediate past administration of Mr Ayodele Fayose received a total of N18.34 billion Paris Club refund in three tranches between December 2016 and December 2017

” This is in addition to bailout funds, budget support funds and excess crude support, all totalling about N55 billion, but failed to utilise it on salary being owed workers and retirees

” The first tranche of the Paris Club refund totalling N8.87 billion was received in December 2016. The state also got N4.77 billion in July 2017 and another N4.7billion in December 2017,” he said.

He assured workers in the state that his administration would not owe them salaries, adding that he would clear the outstanding salaries for all categories of workers within one year.(NAN)

ARIS/CHOM/WOJ
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Wale Ojetimi

Mr Ibrahim Magu, EFCC Acting Chairman

Fraudsters

By Azubuike Okeh

Port Harcourt, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) The South-South Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) in Port Harcourt on Thursday paraded 10 persons for alleged involvement in internet fraud.

EFCC’s coordinator in the zone, Mr Naghe Obono-Itam, told newsmen that the suspects impersonated American soldiers fighting in Afghanistan to defraud some American citizens.

He said that the suspects, all Nigerians hid under the internet to portray themselves as soldiers who needed donations.

“In the last three months, the issue of internet fraud has resurfaced, I am glad we were able to apprehend these ones with the partnership of the police.

“These people were talking to their American targets as if they were American Afghanistan fighters in need of support.’’ he said.

He said because it was difficult to collect money from their targets while in Nigeria, the suspects asked for i-tunes instead.

“They collect i-tunes from them and dispose them online in foreign currencies, preferably in dollars,’’ he said.

Obono-Itam said that the commission was aware of newer techniques being used by fraudsters to swindle members of the public.

“Some pretend to be working for organisations that explore mineral deposits, they throw their nets as far as China and other countries,’’ he said.

The EFCC official urged Nigerians to be cautious of privacy of details of their bank accounts to avoid being defrauded. (NAN)

AZU/JTJ

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Edited by Julius Toba Jegede

Yuletide: NSCDC urges FCT residents to be security conscious
Security
By Kabir muhammad
Abuja, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has advised residents to be security conscious during the yuletide to ensure crime free celebration.
NSCDC FCT Commandant, Mr Patrick Ukpan, gave the advise while briefing newsmen on Thursday, in Abuja, adding that security is everybody’s business.
Ukpan, advised residents to watch activities of their neighbours, because criminals live in their midst, hence they should feel free to report suspicious happenings to security agencies for necessary action.
He assured that adequate arrangements had been made to ensure maintenance of peace and order, throughout the period.
According to him, security agencies are assiduously working collaboratively in synergy, to ensure that no stone is left unturned, so that residents can go to sleep with their eyes closed.
“Be assured that the NSCDC and other security agencies, are working round the clock to ensure your safety during this period.
“There is no way that we can have security agents everywhere, but if residents are able to help us with information regarding issues around them.
“We will be able to act accordingly to such security information.
“We need their (residents) assistance as regards information gathering for necessary action, for us in NSCDC our hotline is 08054747755,” Ukpan said.
He added: “People should also watch over of their neighbourhood, because criminals live in our midst; they are not ghosts.
“So if you notice suspicious activities in the neighbourhood, feel free to report to us,’’ he said.
The commandant urged parents to watch the activities of their children and wards, to ensure that they are not lured into criminal activities.
“If they suspect that their wards or children are behaving suspiciously, they should please alert us to do background check on them.
“And if there is anything incriminating, we will quickly nip it in the bud,’’ he said.(NAN)
KM/OOA/ABI
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Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Ali Baba-Inuwa

Governorship
By Christian Ogbonnaya
Yenagoa, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) A former Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Barigha Amange, has said that only free, fair and transparent election can guarantee people’s desire in the Bayelsa governorship race.

Sen. Amange made this known during his keynote address at the 5th Annual Lecture by the Federated Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Bayelsa Chapter on Thursday in Yenagoa.

He said the theme of the lecture: “The Quest for People’s Governor: A case for Bayelsa State’’, was appropriate as the general elections draw closer.

The former lawmaker said that emergence of the people’s governor in the forthcoming election could bring the much-desired development from the grassroots.

Amange explained that the people’s governor was the person elected by the people to perform the executive functions on people’s behalf.

“The people, therefore, must be involved in the selection and election processes. This involvement of the people must start from the party primaries to the general elections.

“So, for us to have a people’s governor, the processes for the primary and general elections must be free, fair, credible end transparent.

“He must not be a governor that emerges through imposition or vote-buying,” he said.

The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Charles Ambaiowie, said that in the quest for a people’s governor, a critical check should be taken on character, capacity, competence, courage and conscience.

Ambaiowie called for a rigorous enlightenment of people at the grassroots in order to cast their vote for the right candidate of their choice.

On his part, the Guest Lecturer, Mr Braeyi Ekiye, said for a people’s governor to emerge, there must be a proper political education of the electorate.

“The people’s governor can be elected through the efficient use of PVC and not selling of vote.

“The people’s governor must be able to focus on people’s-oriented projects and economic development,” Ekiye said.

In his remark, Mr Osaro Okhomina, Chairman, Federated Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ, Bayelsa Chapter, said the programme was aimed at imparting knowledge on people in the search for the people’s governor in the state.

Okhomina thanked the guest lecturer and other participants and expressed the hope that the lecture would go a long way in promoting good governance. (NAN)
OOC/KTO/AJA
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Adeleye Ajayi

Assistance
By Chioma Ugboma
Lagos, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Lagos State has pledged to assist victims of the Abule Egba area pipeline fire incident.

Gbadamosi, a real estate developer and 2015 governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, said the assistance was to help to bring some succour to some of the victims of the incident.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred on Wednesday in the Abule Egba area of Lagos when a spillage from a fuel tanker that was siphoning petrol from a vandalised pipeline suddenly burst into flames, razing several houses and vehicles.

But there was no life lost, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, which responded promptly to the distress call.

NAN also recalls that in 2006, over 200 people lost their lives in a pipeline explosion in the Abule Egba area and its environs.

The ADP candidate popularly called BOG, told some of the victims at the site of the recent explosion that the list of those who suffered loses was being collated to enable him to work out how they could be assisted.

“I have met some leaders and community heads in this area and before Saturday, we will have a comprehensive list to work with.

“I may not be able to take care of all your immediate needs but I will do the much I can to see that most of you benefit from the relief.

“I have also gone round to see for myself and I am worried by the magnitude of loss I witnessed. I only thank God that no life was lost,” he said.

He, however, called on well meaning Nigerians to assist the victims in any way they could stating that those of them who incurred loses were not even part of the syndicate that perpetrated the crime.

“The nature of the inferno is such that it traveled miles through the gutters where the spillage from the vandalised pipes passed to areas that least expected such occurrence.

“This is why we must be alert as Nigerians to immediately report suspicious persons and activities to security agencies for investigation and intervention,” gbadamosi said.

He said there was need to step up action on vandalism in the state to forestall loss of lives and property.

“This is one time too many. I advocate stiffer penalty for offenders as well as beefing up surveillance around all pipeline areas.

“If elected, I will ensure that more persons are recruited into the Lagos State Neighbourhood Corps to complement the efforts of security agencies in the state,” he said.

Gbadamosi commended officers and men of the Lagos State Fire Service for their prompt response to the incident which he said had helped to save many lives. (NAN)
CHOM/AMY
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

 
Navy
By Edeki Igafe
Warri (Delta), Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Navy on Thursday said it had dismissed three of its personnel over theft of some equipment belonging to Mr Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) in Warri.
The dismissed personnel are: Petty Officer Ekong Samuel, Leading Seaman Elijah Sagwada and Seaman Usman Shuaibu.
Briefing newsmen in Warri, the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), Delta, Cdr. Ibrahim Dewu, said that the personnel were also sentenced to five months imprisonment each by the Navy Court Martial.
According to him, the convicted personnel will be handed over to the authorities of the Nigerian Prisons in Okere, Warri.
Dewu said that the navy would not shield any of its personnel who indulged in criminal activities.
He said the affected personnel were apprehended in June at Mieka Jetty, Warri South where they were posted to on keeping duty.
Dewu said that the convicts were tried in accordance with the navy standard rules.
He said that sometimes in June, some personnel posted to Mieka Jetty on keeping duty were caught stealing some of the equipment in that jetty.
“When the report was made to the base, they were apprehended alongside their civilian collaborators.
“Investigation was carried out and a court martial was recommended to try the three personnel from NNS Delta.
“What you see today is the sentence that was given after the court martial.
“We are carrying out the naval procedure for a dismissal, and we are going to send them to prison after the dismissal.
“They were first dismissed, after which they were de-kitted and now they are going to serve five months jail term in prison.
“The Nigerian Navy has never and will never condone any case of indiscipline, especially issues that will bring disrepute to the service,” he said. (NAN)
EDI/KTO/GOK
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Olagoke Olatoye
 
 
 
 

Dr Obiageli Ezekwesile, ACPN presidential candidate

Unemployment

Bolaji Buhari

Lagos, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN)The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, says she will drastically reduce unemployment in the country if she emerges president.

Ezekwesile gave the assurance in statement issued by her Hope’19 Campaign Organisation on Thursday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that her assurance was in reaction to the data released by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS)on Wednesday that the unemployment rate had risen from 18.8per cent in the third quarter of 2017 to 23.1 per cent to the corresponding period in 2018.

The ACPN presidential candidate promised that no fewer than 80 million Nigerians would be lifted out of poverty by her administration.

She said that her administration would implement productivity and competitiveness initiatives to create new opportunities and jobs in some key sectors.

She listed the sectors as agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and agribusiness which according to her, more than one-third of Nigeria’s active labour population is found.

“There will be jobs from light manufacturing industries, construction, housing and public works, renewable solutions, services including trade, telecoms and technology, domestic tourism, and creative industries.

“These industries not only hold the key to putting more Nigerians to work, but provides a much-needed boost to the nation’s productivity.

“Promoting and supporting these industries will occur through a mix of sound policies on trade, tax, infrastructure, skills, training, and research and development,” Ezekwesili added.

She also said priority would be placed on building a rapidly expanding economy, which would be powered by the private sector based on an economic structural change agenda.

“A majority of those operating in the economy are in the informal, low productivity sectors, while previous governments have focused largely on the formal sector in their poverty reduction and ease of doing business agenda.

“The informal sector, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is over 60 per cent of the Nigerian economy ($240bn).

“Unable to tackle the factors which lead to informality, such as low level of education, previous governments have chosen either to ignore the problem or militate against it.

“The informal sector also suffers low productivity due to high business costs which outstrip earnings.

“These barriers on them mean that those that work the hardest in our economies fail to earn a decent living.

“Investments in the formal sector over the last couple of years, while significant, have not yielded the kind of growth rates achieved by the informal sector.

“This sector grew at an annual average rate of about 8.5 per cent between 2015 and 2017, in comparison with the formal economy which grew by 0.8 per cent in 2017.

“However, increased informality, if unchecked, could lead to higher rates of poverty and inequality.

“We will move to embed the productivity and competitiveness agenda within initiatives that give incentive for the nation’s informal businesses and workers to, on their own, enter the regulator inequality.

“This enables adequate access to government support, accounting, tax reform necessitated by a larger number of registered workers, and the capitalisation of investments in domestic industries.

“In order to revitalise key aspects of the economy and implement dramatic reform, the government will pay significant attention to the informal sector, as the principal creator of employment and as a catalyst for growth and development,” She said.

According to Ezekwesili, Nigeria’s growth and productivity can only happen when the people have lots of jobs and when they earn incomes that pull them out of poverty.

The former Vice-President of the World Bank said “Right now, people simply do not have jobs. Under the present government, according to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) over 20 million Nigerians are unemployed.

“Again, think about that for a second. Those are not just numbers – they are humans; one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight million humans. They have families. They have people who depend on them.

“We all know someone who has lost a job in this economy. You may even be one of them. We all have families and friends who call us on the phone, pleading for any change we could spare at all to help them survive one more day.

“How long can we continue like this? The right candidate is Ezekwesili.” (NAN)

BHB/JTJ

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Edited by Julius Toba Jegede

Daughter, 34, hacks mother to death in Enugu community

Investigation

By Maureen Ojinaka

Enugu, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) Enugu State Police Command has commenced investigation into the alleged murder of a 58-year-old woman by her daughter.

The Command’s spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, said that the 34-year-old woman allegedly hacked her mother to death last Sunday, following a dispute.

Amaraizu said that the incident took place in Ifitte village in Mmaku community of Awgu Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, police operatives are yet to establish issue or issues leading to the unfortunate incident.

“It was gathered that the alleged tragic incident occurred on that fateful day when the daughter of the deceased, identified as Martina Anukwu, about 34 years, inflicted several matchete cut injuries all over the body of the mother, identified as Scholistica Anukwu, about 58 years.

“It was also gathered that following the matchete cuts, the victim became unconscious and was later confirmed dead,’’ the police spokesman said in a statement.

He said that the suspect had been helping police operatives in their investigations, while the corpse of the deceased had been deposited at Eagle Morgue.

He noted that the sad incident had thrown the entire quiet Mmaku community into mourning mood. (NAN)
OJI/WOJ
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Edited by Wale Ojetimi

2019: Afenifere endorses Buhari, Osinbajo’s re-election

Endorse
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Dec. 20, 2018(NAN) Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, has endorsed the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the 2019 Presidential election.

The group announced the endorsement through its spokesperson, Chief Biodun Akin-Fasae, after a meeting of delegates and elders from the six Southwest states held on Thursday at the House of Chiefs, Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group, which was led by Pa Ayo Fasanmi, included former governor of Oyo State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo, Prince Tajudden Olusi, Dr Abayomi Fini, Chief Adeleke Adewoyin and Prince Biodun Ogunleye.

The meeting, which lasted four hours, resolved that any other group not with the Yorubas on the decision and choice were usurpers as well as renegades.

The group noted that Afenifere, as started by the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, was known for being progressive.

“We have decided to host the whole Yorubaland in Ibadan on January 29, 2019. It is to proclaim the support of the Yorubaland for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

“It is also to tell the whole world that Afenifere created by Baba Awolowo before his death is still intact as a progressive movement and any Afenifere person who is not in the progressive is not part of us.

“We are now telling the Yoruba people and the whole world that we are going to support President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo come 2019 Presidential election,” the group said.

It said they were supporting Buhari inspite of the economic challenges which was a collective issue, adding that the economy, which had been bastardized for years, is growing under Buhari.

The group affirmed that Buhari was trying his best, saying the economy and GDP is growing.

According to the group, “look at the programmes for the youths and the children through empowerment and school feeding programmes in schools across the country.

“26 states are already in the programme and many other states are happy with it.
So, Buhari is trying his best and the best is yet to come, that is why we are asking people to vote for him, particularly in Yoruba land come 2019 Presidential election.”

It described the factional group which threw its weight behind another presidential candidate as usurpers, adding that the Afenifere they know in Yorubaland is a progressive movement.

The group said that the factional Afenifere group, led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, which threw its weight behind former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, was not part of them, but usurpers.

“Yoruba is not divided, there are not so many Afeniferes. Yoruba is a nation and even during the time of Baba Awolowo, there were dissent voices, so we are not embarrassed.

“Our group is led by the longest living senator in Nigeria, Pa Ayo Fasanmi, and you can see everybody there including Sen. Biyi Durojaiye, Dr Omololu Olunloyo, Baba Olusi and many others in Yorubaland who are not renegades with us.

“There was no time Afenifere has not been a socio-political organization. It is a socio-cultural and political organization and that is just the full name of Afenifere.

“Let me again say that the owner of the mandate of the Yoruba people is APC. The six governors of Yorubaland are APC, all houses of Assembly in Yorubaland are APC, so we have six speakers of houses of assemblies, so you can imagine.

“Those who claim to be in the other group of Afenifere, none of them have ever contested an election. The fact is there for all to see. So, they don’t have any mandate.

“It is our Afenifere that we are talking here that has the mandate of the Yoruba people and you will see them here on the day.

“By January 29, they will all be here including the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to declare support for the President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election,” the group added.

Afenifere decried the jeering of Buhari by lawmakers during Wednesday’s budget presentation, saluting Buhari for not being deterred and concluding his presentation.

Among others who attended were a former Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, Pa Ayo Afolabi, Mr Oladosu Oladipo, Mr Muyiwa Ige, Prof. Adebanjo Ademodi, Mr Tokunbo Ajasin and Mr Awa Bamiji.

NAN reports that Oyo State Government was represented by Dr Morounkola Thomas, the Executive Assistant on Political Matters to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi.(NAN)

TAA/WOJ
Edited by Wale Ojetimi

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