Blog

NAN-H-90

Victory

Lokoja, Sept. 20, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Yahaya Bella of Kogi on Tuesday said his victory at the Supreme Court was a “big honour’’ to democracy in Nigeria.

In a statement shortly after the apex court affirmed him as elected governor of Kogi, he said the judgment would remain a watershed in the annals of electoral jurisprudence and constitutional law in the country.

“It is a long walk to victory which will reshape the nation’s constitution.

“I am humbled and magnanimous in victory; it is a long walk to victory.

“The victory belongs to all Kogi people who believe in transforming Kogi State from a potentially great state to a really great state,’’ the governor said.

In the statement signed his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, in Lokoja, he advised his supporters to guide against wild jubilations but to use the occasion for sober reflections.

He said that he would pursue his cardinal goals of improving education, healthcare, infrastructural development as well as raising the capacity of the citizens to reinvigorate the state’s economy.

Bello commended the Judiciary for “rising to the occasion by standing firm with what is true and just”.

In its reaction, the state chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), in a statement in Lokoja, described the judgment as a victory for the rule of law.

The Chairman of the group in the state, Mr Taufiq Isa, commended the justices of the Supreme Court for the judgment, saying it had finally settled the contention over the governorship position.

“We are calling on stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to come together and join hands with the administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello in the interest of the development of Kogi,” he said.

Contacted on the judgment, Mr Jacob Edi, Media Officer to former Gov. Idris Wada, said that his principal had no comment on it.

According to him, Wada is yet to get the details of the Supreme Court decision and will want to tarry a while before making any pronouncement.

NAN reports that the atmosphere of Lokoja before and after the judgment remained peaceful as residents went about their normal activities.

Security personnel had prior to the judgment been deployed to strategic locations in the city to forestall any possible breakdown of law and order.

Heavily armed anti-riot policemen moved about in patrol vans while security was beefed up in and around the Government House and other important public facilities.

The police had on Friday banned all public processions, celebration and unauthorised gatherings in the state as part of measures to prevent lawlessness in anticipation of the Supreme Court judgment. (NAN)

KKA/ECN/OPI

Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye and Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-H-89
Nigeria
Abuja, Sept. 20, 2016(NAN) Dr Sunny Kuku, an industrialist, has predicted that Nigeria will regain its economic pre-eminence in the world under President Muhammadu Buhari.

Kuku, also the National President, Alumni Association, University of Lagos, said this when he addressed State House correspondents after the Association paid a courtesy visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday in Abuja.

He, however, urged the citizenry to be patient with the administration since it was doing a lot to lift the economy out of the doldrums.

Kuku urged the Federal Government to do all it could to salvage the nation’s economy in the public domain for Nigerians to be aware of them.

He said that the administration was laying grounds for infrastructure development, improving the ease of doing business and fighting corruption but the magnitude of work was unknown to many Nigerians.

The industrialist acknowledged that no government would find itself in the circumstance the nation found itself and fold its hands, adding that the administration was indeed doing well.

He added that “we are satisfied that our own alumnus (Prof. Osinbajo), who is from the university of first choice and the university of the nation’s pride is doing a good job for us.

“We trust that Nigeria will be a different place in the nearest future.’’

According to him, the Association discusses the state of the nation and the state of the universities in the country with the vice president.

“We put across to him the problems of the nation, the problems of universities and the problems of the Alumni Association.

“And he very frankly responded.’’

Still on the economy, Kuku said Nigeria had no excuse not to be at par in development with India and South Africa.

He said that “we were above them many years ago, the difference is that our leaders in the past had been looking at themselves and their pockets; they had not been patriotic.

“What we need now is what is going on, where the leaders at the top are not interested in building houses for themselves or taking the money but interested in how to govern people.

“We have the resources; the most important resource in any country is the human being and we have 170 million.

“Nigerians are the most educated black people in the world; anywhere you go, you find brilliant Nigerians in different fields of endeavour.

“We have the human resources, what we need is just for us to harvest them  and do it right, that is, people coming and seeing not what they can do for their own pockets.’’

Kuku noted that it was such attitude that fuelled the problems in the country, stressing that “Nigeria has resources, given to us by God free of charge.

“We have mineral resources everywhere and so many good things that God has done for us.

“We don’t have cataclysms, we don’t have hurricanes; all we have to do is use the resources to build our country but we are not doing so.’’

According to him, if the nation’s resources are well managed, Nigeria will be within the top 10 nations of the world in the next 10 years.

He said “I have no doubt at all whatsoever and I think that we have to be patient because there have been so much rot and if something is rotten, you have to clear it off  and rebuild it.

“Nigerians should allow this to happen.’’ (NAN)
DCU/MO/HA
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(Edited by Morayo Omolade/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

S/Court upholds Bello as governor of Kogi

NAN-H-85
Judgment
Abuja, Sept 20 (NAN) The Supreme Court has said that the four governorship appeals of James Faleke, Capt Idris Wada, Kogi former governor, Labour Party and African Democratic Congress lacked merits

The court in separate judgments delivered on Monday uphold the election of Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as governnor of Kogi.

The apex which described the appeals as mere academic exercise, also said that reasons for the judgments would be given on Sept. 30.

Delivering a unanimous judgment on appeal filed by Mr James Faleke of the APC, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun held that the appeal lacked merit.

“Having gone through the addresses of parties in this matter, I do come to the conclusion that the appeal is a mere academic exercise.

“The election of Mr Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as governor in the Dec.5, 2015 governorship poll in Kogi State is upheld.

“The reasons for the decision would be given on Sept.30. Parties are to bear their costs,’’ she held.

In similar vein, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, while delivering the lead judgment on Capt. Idris Wada’s appeal equally held that the action was baseless and lacked merit.

“We have together as brother justices sat on the merit of this appeal and found out that the issues raised can not stand. The appeal is therefore struck out,’’ Ngwuta said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those filed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Labour Party were struck out on similar grounds.

Justices John Okoro and Datijo Mohammed who gave the lead judgments for these other appeals also fixed Sept. 30 to adduce reasons for their decisions.

Earlier, while adopting his written address, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), counsel to Faleke said that the nomination of the governor violated the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution.

Olanipekun urged the court to set aside the decision of the lower court.

He also urged the court to void Bello’s election on the grounds that he was not properly nominated

He argued that Bello did not participate in all the electioneering processes as required by law before he emerged as his party’s candidate in the rerun election.

Olanipekun urged the court to allow the appeal and declare Faleke the proper person for the governorship seat.

Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN), counsel to the governor prayed the apex court to discountenance the arguments canvassed by Olanipekun.

He said that the nomination of his client to participate in the re-run election was done according to law.

“How else can should a candidate emerge. He came second in the party primary and therefore became the most qualified to enter the contest on the demise of Abubakar.

“Faleke was never in the picture because he was just a running mate and the provisions of the laws do not arrogate to him automatic qualification after his principal (Abubakar) died.

“The Electoral Act and the Constitution have since empowered Political Parties as the single entity to nominate candidates for elections and that was played out here,’’ he said.

Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) counsel to the APC also aligned with Daudu by urging the court to dismiss the appeal.

NAN also reports that all attempts made to convince the court by Chief Chris Uche (SAN), counsel to Wada in the other appeal failed.

Wada, the ex-governor, and the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in that election had urged the court to upturn Bello’s victory in the re-run election.

Uche averred that the modalities that characterised the Dec.5 re-run election remained fraudulent, adding that the law did not allow transmission of votes to another candidate.

“The entire process was a fraud My Lords. INEC simply aided a rape on democracy in Kogi for declaring Bello as the governor.

“By implication, the acclaimed governor only scored about 6,000 votes out of the over 400,000 votes, leaving the mandate of the people in the hand of a total stranger.

“In other to re-write this wrong, the apex court must do the needful by removing him from that position,’’ he said.

Uche further said: “what INEC should have done was to order for fresh election after the death of the APC substantive candidate when election was 95 per cent concluded’’. (NAN)
OMO/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Gov. Oshiomhole says importation of food items promotes poverty

NAN-AE-17

Importation

Benin, Sept. 20, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo said that importation of food items that could be produced in country had promoted poverty in the country.

Oshiomhole said this on Tuesday in Benin at the launch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.

The governor said that production of local rice in the country had declined because of the cheap imported rice.

“With the high cost of the imported rice, the patronage on the local rice has surged.

“This trend has encouraged farmers in the country to return to mass production of the produce.

“People are now thinking about past agricultural times in the country and returning to eating our local foods,” he said.

He also said that consumers’ consumption pattern would be rearranged with the process.

He gave assurance that with funding and technical knowhow provided and the process sustained, wealth would return to rural areas.

The governor advised the sponsor of the scheme to ensure its success.

The governor said that cheques for farmers captured in the programme would be distributed before the end of the tenure of his administration.

He expressed optimism on the success of the programme.

Earlier, Mr Osha Elijah, Head, Development Finance, CBN said the bank would spend N30 billion nationwide to fund the programme.

Elijah, however, said that the programme in Edo would focus on the production of cassava, maize, oil Palm fruits, rice and livestock production.

He also said that the loan would be on nine per cent interest rate with no collateral, but beneficiaries would cross guaranty themselves. (NAN)
DCO/TO/AFA
Edited by Tola Okinbaloye/Felix Ajide
===========================

FG to concession narrow gauge lines to General Electric

NAN-H-83
Concessioning
By Taiye Edeni
Abuja, Sept. 20, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, said on Tuesday that negotiations were ongoing for the concessioning of the narrow gauge lines across the country to General Electric (GE).

Amaechi, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said that the agreement would be signed before January 2017.

“We are negotiating to concession the old narrow gauge lines from Lagos, Kano, Futua, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Aba, Umuahia, Enugu, Makurdi, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe to Borno.

“The entire western and eastern lines will be rehabilitated but we will concession the project to GE and they are bringing in two billion dollars to embark on the project.

“If we concession the lines to them and they run it with their money, then you can be rest assured that movement of goods will continue but at a slower speed.”

The minister said that the concessioning would be for a period of 20 to 25 years, stressing that GE would run it after reviving the lines and provide coaches on all the revived lines.

Amaechi said that the first segment of the Lagos-Kano Rail Line project to be completed would be Lagos-Ibadan for economic reasons and to decongest Lagos.

According to him, the 1.56 kms double gauge Lagos-Ibadan rail line will be completed in 36 months adding that by early 2017, the Kano-Kaduna rail line project will commence.

NAN reports that the Lagos-Kano standard gauge is a planned from Lagos port to Kano, near the Niger border.

The railway is being built in segments and only the segment between Abuja and Kaduna has been completed so far and services began officially in July 2016.

The segment between Lagos and Ibadan is still under construction.

It would be recalled that after independence from Britain in 1960, the fortunes of Nigerian Railways declined progressively until the corporation virtually became comatose. (NAN)
TY/EEM/NKO

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Edited by Emmanuel Mogbede/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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NAN-H-82
Airports
By Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Sept. 20, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) branch, on Tuesday advised the Federal Government to concession only the nonviable airports in the country.

The union gave the advice in a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Mr Rasaki Ope and Secretary, Mr Emeka Njoku; made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that the government had indicated interest to concession the Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt Airports, towards increasing their capacity and efficiency.

They urged the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, to focus on wooing investors for the remaining 18 airports instead of cherry-picking the viable ones for concession.

“The minister mentioned lack of management performance. If he feels the present management are not competent, he should bring good hands to manage the airports.

“We want to posit that, these four viable airports are being managed by Nigerians over the years and it was graded Category A and not foreigners,” the unionists said.

The unionists also noted that concessioning the airports might have security implications, which must be taken into consideration.

According to the unionists, security agents should, therefore, be allowed to investigate the activities of all potential investors.

They argued that previous concession agreements between the government and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services and MAEVIS Nigeria Limited, did not achieved the desired results.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services they are referring as a good example of airport concession through Public Private Partnership is not an airport operator as wrongly claimed but a terminal operator.

“Since Bi-Courtney has been operating the terminal, it has been one court case or the other with the FAAN and its purported plan to take over the General Aviation Terminal claiming it was part of the concession agreement.

“The company has refused to remit what is due to FAAN up to date for the services it has all along been enjoying from the authority.”

The unionists said the concession agreement between FAAN and MAEVIS on the collection of revenue also led to series of court cases.

They, therefore, urged the Federal Government to retrace its step as regards to the planned concession of the airports. (NAN)
ASO/KM/AFA
Edited by Kabir Muhammad/Felix Ajide
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Angelina Jolie files suit to end marriage with Brad Pitt—attorney

NAN-ELS-6

Dissolution

Los Angeles, Sept 20, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Mr Robert Offer, the attorney to American Star actress, Angelina Jolie said she has filed for dissolution of her two year-old marriage from her husband Brad Pitt.

This is contained in a statement released by Offer on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

“This decision was made for the health of the family, she will not be commenting, and asks that the family be given its privacy at this time.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Los Angeles born actress had been married to actor Jonny Lee Miller who co-star with her in the movie `Hackers’ in 1995.

Jolie and Miller divorced, and in 2000, she married her “Pushing Tin’’ (1999) co-star Billy Bob Thornton.

That marriage came apart in 2002 and ended in divorce.

Jolie and Pitt started a relationship while filming “Mr and Mrs Smith” in 2004.

They got married in 2014 and have six children together, three of whom were adopted from Vietnam, Cambodia and Ethiopia.

Jolie wants full custody of all the six children. (Reuters/NAN)

EEE

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NAN-H-81
Fraud
Katsina, Sept. 20, 2016 (NAN) The Police Command in Katsina State has arrested a septuagenarian man, Mika’ilu Lawal and his son, Rabi’u Mika’ilu, 35, for allegedly using charms to defraud a woman of N6 million.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Salisu Agaisa, made the disclosure in Katsina on Tuesday at a news conference.

The spokesperson said the suspects were arrested on Sept. 18 at Shagari quarters in Katsina metropolis following a tip off.

Agaisa said that the suspects allegedly defrauded a woman of N6 million in the name of giving her medicine for her ailment.

According to him, the suspects also asked the woman to give them another N500,000, which she will keep at a strategic place in the area.

He added that the police dispatched intelligent officers to the area after the woman had reported the matter, while the woman took a commercial motorcycle to the area with the said amount.

The PPRO said that when the woman dropped the money, one of the suspects appeared to take the money where he was arrested.

Agaisa said that when the suspect sighted the police, he instantly opened his mobile phone and destroyed the sim card.

He said that the suspect was arrested together with his 72-year-old father and three other persons.

He noted that “the 72-year-old father and his son change their voices and pretend to be jinns who have the medicine for all types of
ailments.”

He, therefore, called on the public to continue to expose activities of such criminals to avoid being victims of circumstances.

He said that the suspects would face prosecution to serve as deterrent to others. (NAN)
ZI/MNA/HA
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(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

FG hails partnership with DFID in infrastructure development

NAN-HE-26
Infrastructure
Abuja, Sept. 20, 2016(NAN) The Federal Government has praised the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for partnering it in infrastructure development through the department’s Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NAIF).

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo gave the commendation at the unveiling in Abuja of the NAIF’s Compendium of Achievements as the five-year partnership wound down.

The vice president said one of the key areas of focus of the administration since it came into office in May 2015 was on revitalising the Nigerian economy.

According to him, the support the DFID has provided towards this aim through the NAIF programme has been immeasurable.

“NAIF’s goal to enhance the management of Nigeria’s infrastructure development towards power sector reform, more impactful capital spending, transport, roads, climate change and urban planning and development is aligned with and invaluable to this administration.

“As we all know, infrastructure is critical to spurring the economic growth, reducing poverty and improving live opportunities for millions of Nigerians.

“Improved infrastructure increases job creation, disposable income, security, through equipping Nigerians to tackle the constraints holding back the growth and entrepreneurial spirit of this country.

“It is completely clear to me that accelerated infrastructure development is critical to sustainable growth in Nigeria.

“NAIF has been a unique, strong and close counterpart of the Federal Government of Nigeria for about five years.

“The contributions it has made through its technical expertise have been quick and responsive.’’

Osinbajo added that NAIF had also supported the advisory power team in his office which “is also critical to my role as Chair of the Economic Management Team’’.

He said that as the NAIF programme was ending, the presidency looked forward to working with the next phase and would appreciate DFID’s speedily concluding the process for the successor programme.

The vice president described the event as a celebration of the strong and enduring relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

He said he was pleased to join NAIF in looking back on the projects delivered and the milestones achieved to date “even as we look forward to achieving much more success in the near future”.

He said the publication “records the notable achievements and the lessons learnt across key sectors of Nigerian infrastructure delivered through the partnership between NAIF and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“It is important that as this phase of the programme comes to a close, these lessons are not lost but instead used by stakeholders across sectors to structure delivery that works in Nigeria and for Nigerians’’.

Osinbajo said that NAIF had shown a strong prime focus and flexible relationship with many of the key ministries, departments and agencies of the government.

He said that its efforts at extolling bold development across the Federal Government were evident in both infrastructure development and capacity building.

“NAIF upholds our administration’s emphasis on monitoring and evaluation towards a more transparent and effective government that provides increased benefits for its citizens.

“We assure our friends in DFID that we continue to appreciate our partnership with them which allows us to deliver change for ordinary Nigerians across all of our partnership areas,’’ he added.

The Managing Director of NIAF, Mr Mark Tomlinson, said the organisation assisted the government and some states in some programmes aimed at delivering infrastructure to the citizenry.

He said there was massive opportunity for benefit in the partnership as Nigeria was the largest economy in Africa with fantastic financial sector and massive human resources.

“There is a wealth of economic opportunities in this country; the question is how the leadership can unlock them in a way that development can happen and Nigerians see it as tangible in their lives.

“There are challenges of course but with perseverance, resources and the will of Nigerians they will be overcome,’’ he said.

The managing director said that reforms were not easy anywhere in the world, noting that UK also had challenges with its power sector in the past.

“Within these reforms, Nigeria is far ahead and the question is making the right adjustments.”

He said Private Public Partnership would be needed to get the remaining infrastructure in place in the country.

Prof. Chidi Onyia, the Power Sector Team Leader of NIAF, told newsmen that the body had explained to the Federal Government the need for substantial investment in the power sector.

According to him, over the years capital appropriation to the sector had been low and not released in full, leading to the non-completion of power projects.

He said the problem had heavy impact on the transmission capacity of the country, adding that the focus was on how to address the transmission capacity to boost output by 650 megawatts.

Onyia noted that more gas and solar plants were springing up in the country but the capacity to wheel it was not there yet.

“What we are doing is working simultaneously with the government and guiding them with technical capacity on the transmission end to push these projects through,’’ he added.

Onyia suggested concessioning the transmission infrastructure because the Federal Government might not be able to inject resources to move it to the desired level soon. (NAN)
DCU/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Audio Attached

NAN-H-64
Infrastructure
By Donald Ugwu
Abuja, Sept. 20, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government has hailed its infrastructure development partnership with the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the commendation on Tuesday in Abuja at the unveiling of DFID’s Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NAIF) Compendium of Achievements as it wound down five-year partnership.

The vice president stated that one of the key areas of concern of the present administration since May 2015 is revitalising the Nigerian economy.

According to him, DFID’s support through the NAIF programme has been immeasurable.

Cue in audio

“NAIF’s goal to enhance the management of Nigeria’s infrastructure development towards power sector reform, more impactful capital spending, transport, roads, climate change and urban planning and development is aligned with and invaluable to this administration.

“As we all know, infrastructure is critical to spurring the economic growth, reducing poverty and improving life opportunities for millions of Nigerians.

“Improved infrastructure increases job creation, disposable income, security, through equipping Nigerians to tackle the constraints holding back the growth and entrepreneurial spirit of this country.

“It is completely clear to me that accelerated infrastructure development is critical to sustainable growth in Nigeria.

“NAIF has been a unique, strong and close counterpart of the Federal Government of Nigeria for about five years.

“The contribution it has made through its technical expertise has been quick and responsive.’’
Cue out audio

Osinbajo noted that NAIF also supported the advisory power team in the Office of the Vice President which according to him “is also critical to his role as Chair of the Economic Management Team’’.
He said that the presidency looked forward to working with the next phase of the initiative and urged DFID to speed up action on the process for the successor programme.
The vice president described the unveiling of the facility as a celebration of the strong and enduring relationship between Nigeria and UK.

He expressed joy at the achievements recorded by NAIF and expressed the hope for greater achievements in the near future.
He said: “the publication records the notable achievements and the lessons learnt across key sectors of Nigerian infrastructure delivered through the partnership between NAIF and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“It is important that as this phase of the programme comes to a close, these lessons are not lost but instead used by stakeholders across sectors to structure delivery that works in Nigeria and for Nigerians.’’

Osinbajo said NAIF had shown strong focus and flexible relationship with many of the key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government.
He added that its efforts at extolling bold development across the MDAs were evident in both infrastructure development and capacity building.
“NAIF upholds our administration’s emphasis on monitoring and evaluation towards a more transparent and effective government that provides increased benefits for its citizens.

“We assure our friends in DFID that we will continue to appreciate our partnership with them which allows us to deliver change for ordinary Nigerians across all of our partnership areas,’’ he added.
The Managing Director of NIAF, Mr Mark Tomlinson, said the organisation assisted the Federal Government and some states in some programmes aimed at delivering infrastructure to the citizenry.
He said there was massive opportunity for benefit in the partnership as Nigeria was the largest economy in Africa with fantastic financial sector and massive human resources.
“There is a wealth of economic opportunities in this country; the question is how the leadership can unlock them in a way that development can happen and Nigerians see it as tangible in their lives.
“There are challenges of course, but with perseverance, resources and the will of Nigerians they will be overcome,’’ he said.
The MD said that reforms were not easy anywhere in the world noting that UK also had challenges with its power sector in the past.

“Within these reforms, Nigeria is far ahead and the question is making the right adjustments,’’ he said.

Prof. Chidi Onyia, the Power Sector Team Leader of NIAF, said the organisation explained to the Federal Government the need for substantial investment in the power sector.
According to him, over the years, capital appropriation to the sector has been low and not released in full, leading to the non-completion of power projects.
He said the problem had heavy impact on the transmission capacity of the country, adding that the focus was on how to address the transmission capacity to boost output by 650 megawatts.

Onyia noted that more gas and solar plants were springing up in the country, but that the capacity to wheel it was not there yet.

“What we are doing is working simultaneously with the government and guiding them with technical capacity on the transmission end to be able to push these projects through,’’ he added.

Onyia recommended that the concessioning of the nation’s transmission infrastructure would move the power sector to the desired level. (NAN)

DCU/LAB/YEE

Edited by Lydia Beshel/Emmanuel Yashim
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