The Lagos State Government has released the sum of N859.059m for the payment of accrued pension rights to 158 Public Service retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme for May 2018.Addressing the retirees at the 51stRetirement Benefit Bond Certificate Presentation Ceremony today, the Commissioner, for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Benson Oke Akintola said the State government has paid accrued pension rights in excess of N37.5billion into the Retirement Savings Accounts of 9,045 retirees since the inception of the present administration. He said, “Despite the fact that the funding obligations of the current pension scheme are high, Governor Ambode is committed to the wellbeing of the Pensioners and the active staff. Hence funds are released regularly to pay staff salaries and Pensioners’ dues”.Speaking earlier, the Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mrs. Folashade Onanuga informed the retirees that the present administration was fine-tuning the process of rolling out benefits to make life easier for the retirees.She implored the retirees to study the leaflets distributed by the State Government in respect of the two options for receipt of monthly Pension entitlements and opt for anyone of their choice.The Lagos State Government has released the sum of N859.059m for the payment of accrued pension rights to 158 Public Service retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme for May 2018.Addressing the retirees at the 51stRetirement Benefit Bond Certificate Presentation Ceremony today, the Commissioner, for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Benson Oke Akintola said the State government has paid accrued pension rights in excess of N37.5billion into the Retirement Savings Accounts of 9,045 retirees since the inception of the present administration. He said, “Despite the fact that the funding obligations of the current pension scheme are high, Governor Ambode is committed to the wellbeing of the Pensioners and the active staff. Hence funds are released regularly to pay staff salaries and Pensioners’ dues”.Speaking earlier, the Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mrs. Folashade Onanuga informed the retirees that the present administration was fine-tuning the process of rolling out benefits to make life easier for the retirees.She implored the retirees to study the leaflets distributed by the State Government in respect of the two options for receipt of monthly Pension entitlements and opt for anyone of their choice.
PDP counters Buhari, says youth free to run for president in 2019
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned and described as degrading and completely unacceptable, the declaration made by President Muhammadu Buhari, that Nigerians youth should not contest the Presidency in the 2019 general elections.PDP, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, insists the Nigerian youth have come of age and are free, under all circumstances, to contest forany position, including the office of President, even in the 2019 general election.The President who signed the “Not Too Young To Run” bill into law on Thursday at the Council Chamber of State House Presidential Villa, said the the youth can aspire for presidency but should postpone their campaign till after 2019 election as he is running for a second term.The PDP, who had attacked the president in a statement yesterday, saying the bill was their initiative, alleged that the President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been using all manner of machinations to frustrate front line participation of the youth and of course, thewomen in active politics and governance.“PDP describes such a declaration as totally unpresidential, unlawful, discriminatory and further showcases the disdain with which Mr. President holds the youths, who he had earlier described, without apologies, as lazy and lovers of freebies.“We want Nigerians, particularly, the youth, to note that President Buhari’s position reflects the policy of his dysfunctional All Progressives Congress (APC), not to allow our youth the opportunity to aspire at top levels.”The party said the president never supported the bill which is why his statement counters the purpose for signing the bill.“It is unimaginable that a President can signa law and immediately seek to suspend it. President Buhari’s attempt to talk down on and intimidate the youths from contesting against him in 2019 shows that he is not in support of the Not Too Young To Run law and only assented to it because he had no other option under the 1999 Constitution (as Amended).”Alerting the Nigerian youth, the PDP said this statement shows the policy of the president and its party as it has nothing to offer them.“The PDP therefore calls on all Nigerian youth to note that President Buhari and the APC have nothing to offer them and the nation at large. They should therefore spareno thoughts in jettisoning all support for President Buhari and the APC in their 2019 re-election bid.”The party therefore called on all Nigerian youth to come together and rally on its repositioned platform and give vent to their wishes and aspirations, within the circle of their collective task, to rescue the nation.
Aiteo, CoCa Cola, Nigerian Breweries, others top Super Eagles sponsors
Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eaglesis gradually becoming a commercial hot cake for big brands and has attracted over N6 billion in sponsorships. As Russia 2018 approaches, corporate organisations scramble to court the attention of the now celebrated team.No doubt, the Super Eagles have improved tremendously in their performance and have restored the confidence of teeming Nigerian fans andattracted corporate attention.A few years back, this was not so. The team grappled with lots of technical and financial problems. Coaches were owed salaries and players played under very demoralising conditions. However, things began to change around April 2017, when an indigenous oil company, Aiteo Group, decided to take a chance and inject a whopping sum of N2.5 billion into Nigerian football in partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).This fund was instrumental to the Super Eagles sudden turnaround and clinching the World Cup ticket. Since their qualification, The Super Eagles brand has become more attractive to large corporate bodies seeking brand exposure and hoping to reach Nigeria’s football loving audience. NFF president, Amaju Pinnick stated in March 2018, thatNFF has “entered into various partnership deals worth over $50 million in the past one year.” Below is a list of their top sponsors as they make their way to Russia for the most watched football tourney in the world:Top energy conglomerate, Aiteo Group has made the most significant investment in the Nigerian Football Federation in recent times. In April 2017, the indigenous oil giant signed N2.5billion worth of sponsorship agreement that resuscitated the national team and increased their chance of qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Unlike other brands hoping to gain marketing advantage, Aiteo’s investment has been described as a corporate social responsibility initiative targeted at enhancing the growth of Nigerian football, supporting its youth and fostering national unity. Pinnick described Aiteo’s contribution as “a heartwarming landmark in the history of football sponsorship in Nigeria.”Aiteo Group organised the maiden edition of Aiteo-NFF Awards, in celebration of Nigerian footballers, past and present in February 2018. At the award ceremony, it was revealed that Aiteo paid the sum of $600,000 and N320 million to cover its contractual obligation of providing support to the technical crew of the Super Eagles for the whole of 2018, well beyond the WorldCup.The company also signed a N2.5billion partnership to support the country’s longest running federation’s cup, now renamed Aiteo Cup in June 2017. In January 2018, Aiteo sponsored the Confederation of African Football Awards which held in Ghana.Coca Cola threw its weight behind the Eagles in January as official soft drink partners for the World Cup, snatching theteam from its arch-rival, Pepsi. The Coca‑Cola partnership with the NFF and the sponsorship of all the Nigerian National Football teams will span an uninterrupted period of five years, after which there will be an opportunity for renewal.The Nigeria Football Federation signed a N1.4 billion five-year deal with the beverage company in January 2018. Coca-Cola (International) is also one of the official sponsors of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The company has consistently organised a World Cup trophy global tour since the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. The rekindled relationship and interest has been linked to Amaju Pinnick’s great leadership skillsand ability to get the buy-in of big brands.Amaju Pinnick, president, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), mentioned that the potential in Nigerian sports is limitless, adding, however, that the government needs to create an enabling environment for the sports industry to thrive.“Twenty-five years ago, the British government invested £200 million in the Premier League and today, the EPL is worth £8 billion. If we create enabling environment with proper structure, sports can contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP more than any other sector,” said Pinnick.“We must engage reputable brands to drive sponsorship for the national team. If every geopolitical zone concentrates on its strengths and harness them properly, Nigeria will fly the flags high at international competitions and thus get global attention for investors to come in and invest,” he added.Nigerian Breweries Plc, the pioneer and largest brewing company in Nigeria, serving both Nigerian and West African markets with product including Star Lager and Amstel Malta.The company’s partnership with NFF is valid for five years and worth N2.2 billion.Also, Star Lager has become the official beer sponsor of the Super Eagles to this year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.Jordi Borrut Bel, NB Plc’s Managing Director/CEO pledged the total commitment of their establishments to every letter of the contract.Bel reiterated: “We are indeed delighted about this partnership between Nigerian Breweries plc and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). This relationship provides us an opportunity to celebrate the true Nigerian spirit that is fuelled by patriotism, passion and desire for victory,through the platform of Football.”Super EaglesThe Nigeria Football Federation and WAPIC Insurance plc recently signed an agreement worth N500million that conferred on the insurance giant the title of ‘Official Insurance Services Provider and Co-Sponsor of the NFF.’The contract provides excellent safety and security for National Team players and officials while on duty and offer a well –paved route for them to have a better future through proper pension fund.Yinka Adekoya, Managing Director, WAPIC Insurance plc, affirmed that the company was excited to team up with Nigerian Football, given the huge role that football plays in nation –building and the excitement that it generates among the youth and adults alike.“The NFF is an organisation that is making Nigeria proud through the excellent results of the National Teams and WAPIC is a top financial institution seeking to be the most enjoyable company to do business with and to become a top 20 financial services institution in Nigeria by 2019.”Cadbury Nigeria Plc, manufacturers of TomTom, partnered with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) as the ‘Official Candy of the Super Eagles’ in February 2018. The agreement will last for three years in the initial period with an option of renewal. Although the actual figure is not in public knowledge, this deal is said to be worth millions of naira.The contract is said to be a demonstration of TomTom’s commitment to a long-term relationship with the Super Eagles.In October 2017, Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, an internationalinvestment and holding company with investments in Nigeria, Ghana, Republic of Benin, Morocco, UAE, South Africa, India and several other emerging markets, made public a landmark agreement with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to support Nigeria’s senior National Football teams, in their quest to make the nation proud at the forthcoming World Cup.TGI Group is the parent company of WACOT Limited, Chi Limited and other companies, producers of household brands such as Big Bull Rice, CHIVITA, Hollandia Yoghurt and Renew Starch. The company has earned its place as theOfficial Food Partner of NFF.Payporte became the official Online Store Partner of the NFF late 2017, around the same time as TGI. Payporte’s contract with the NFF is also for three years and the NFF believes the company will also help them with youth football development in the country.Payporte, one of the country’s largest e-commerce companies is now the Official Online Store of the Super Eagles. The company is expected to be the official and exclusive outlet for the sale of authentic national team jerseys.The Nigeria Football Federation entered into an agreement with sportswear manufacturer, Nike, as the kit sponsor of the Nigerian national football teams in 2015. The three and half year contract is worth $750, 000 in its first year and$1million each year from 2016 till 2018. Nike also promised a $500,000 bonus if the Super Eagles qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.Nike is responsible for the design of performance and training apparel and equipment, including team kits and footballs, for the Nigerian national football team players.
EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu tells banks to provide list of corrupt customers
Ibrahim Magu, the acting Chairman of EFCC has asked banks to provide a list of corrupt customers ahead of the 2019 general elections. Magu urged compliance officers of banks in Nigeria to be more diligent in their responsibilities, as a way of tackling money laundering and other fraudulent practices in the sector. Hesaid compliance officers in various banks in Nigeria must also take ownership of the fight against corruption, which he described as one of the problems bedeviling the banking industry.Speaking during an interactive session with Association of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria, ACCOBIN, in Lagos on Thursday, May 31, 2018, Magu said: “We need to find a common ground to work together. You have a responsibility to fight corruption.“The Commission is ready to partner with you to ensure a healthy economy. We are ready to assist the banks in recovering their debts, but compliance officers must ensure due diligence, especially when giving out loans to customers. I know you sometimes need to protect some of your customers. But it is sometimes better that you do without some of these people;otherwise, you will be seen as conspiring with them to steal public funds.”He further charged banks’ compliance officers to always provide the Commission with necessary information to assist it in carrying out its responsibilities, adding that “We must work together to save this country. Most of the banks are sitting on water. In fact, some of these banks are almost collapsing.“I know there are questions you can’task, particularly it involves some individuals, but if you give us information on such people, we will move in. If there are fundamental issues that can affect your banks, you can give us the information, especially as another general election approaches. I don’t want to be charging banks alongside suspected criminals because doing so can wreak havoc on the economy.It will even discourage investors from coming to the country.”
Police IG, Ibrahim Idris tells Federal High court to declare the Senate's insistence his appearance as 'illegal'
The Inspector of General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to declare as unconstitutional, the Senate’s insistence that he must appear for a legislative hearing in person. He insisted in his suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/457/2018 and filed on April 30, 2018, that his personal appearance before the Senate was unnecessary because the issues for which he was invited were not personal.The IGP, through his lawyer, Alex Izinyon (SAN), who filed the suit on his behalf, joined the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as defendants in his suit. He noted that if he was to personally honour every invitation sent to the office of the IGP, there would be no time to attend to his main responsibilities. The Senate had in a letter dated April 25, 2018, invited theIGP to appear before it in relation to the purported inhuman treatment of Senator Dino Melaye and the killings in many parts of the country. The IGP, on April 26, refused to appear before the Senate but delegated the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) and Commissioner of Police, Kogi State to represent him at the Senate. But the Senate refused to grant an audience to the two representatives, insisting that the IGP must personally appear for the legislative hearing. The upper legislative chamber then rescheduled the meeting for May 2 and again directed that the IGP must honour its invitation in person. The IGP, in a supporting affidavit accompanying his suit, said his action of delegating his subordinates to appear before the Senate was backed by law.He said under the Constitution and Police Act, he had the power to delegate responsibilities, including directing some of his subordinates to represent him wherever he was invited, more so that his choice of the DIG (Operations) and CP, Kogi State was on the basis that they were conversant with the issues for which he was invited.Both Saraki and the Senate, in a counter-affidavit, accused the IGP of using the court to shield himself from being scrutinised by the legislature. They stated that the IGP’s representatives were denied audience because of “the weighty issues which require clarification as they touched on the very soul of our national existence and in order to ensure fruitful and meaningful deliberations.” They prayed the court to reject the plaintiff’s prayers and dismiss the suit. Justice John Tsoho on Thursday adjourned till June 29 for the hearing of the suit.
PUNCH Chairman, Gbadebowale Aboderin, dies at 60
The Chairman, PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Mr. Gbadebowale Wayne Aboderin has died, aged 60.He was reported to have died on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 6.05am after a heart surgery at the First Cardiology Consultants, Ikoyi, Lagos. Details later. So sad
US priest abuse victims reach $210m settlement
Gunmen abduct 25 persons in fresh Birnin Gwari attack
At least 25 persons were abducted along the Birnin Gwari-Funtua road inKaduna state on Thursday May 31st.Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) inBirnin Gwari, Danladi Duyina, who confirmed the abduction, said the kidnappers struck between Kiryoyi and Maganda villages of Birnin Gwari local government area and reportedly stopped vehicles carrying passengers and ordered the people into the bush.“I am not in a position to say precisely the number of people abducted, but they are many.May be 25 or more than that. I cannot not say, but all passengers in the vehicles were abducted. They stopped five vehicles, one of the driver who was driving a gulf car managed to escape. This is what we go through on the road and we are pleasing with the authorities to help us address this problem. People cannot go to farm and they cannot travel, this is too bad.”Recall that last week, 44 passengers travelling in five vehicles were also abducted in similar circumstance.
Armed robbers allegedly snatchN9m local government workers’April salary in Kebbi
Authorities of the Gwandu Local Government Area of Kebbi says suspected robbers have stolen over N9m meant for the payment of April salary of workers of its Departments of Health and Agriculture.At a press conference today May 31st, the chairman of the council, Shehu Bagudu, said the robbery attack happened on May 24th.“The incident happened when the cashier of the area, Bashir Gwandu, collected the money from the bank and went to his house. As he was about to open the gate of his house and unknown to him, the thieves had been trailing him from the bank. As he was opening the gate to enter his house, the suspects who had laid ambush for him, attacked him, snatched his car with the money inside and drove away.The car was later discovered in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State,” he saidThe council chairman also denied allegations that he was shielding the cashier of the local government who happens to be his son in-law.“I have not slept ever since this incident happened. The boy is my son-in-law ever since before I became the chairman of the council, and he is known to be trustworthy in the council. We wrote to theMinistry for Local Governmentand Chieftaincy Affairs on the incident, but we are still waiting for their response. At the same time, the Criminal Investigation Department of the state Police Command is on top of the situation, doing proper investigation,” he said.Confirming the incident, the state police command's spokesperson, DSP Mustapha Suleiman, said the cashier is being interrogated.
2019: House of Reps rejects electronic voting
The House of Representatives, on Thursday, May 31 rejected the use of electronic voting system in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.The rejection was sequel to a bill, which seeks to amend the provisions of the Electoral Act, considered by the Committee of the Whole, NAN reports. - that the lawmakers, however, approved the use of smart card readers for accreditation before elections are conducted in any polling unit across the country.The Bill for an Act to Amend the Provisions of the Electoral Act, No. 6, 2010 to further improve the Electoral Process and for Related Matters has 41 clauses.The lawmakers, in their submission, removed the amendment in the bill which seeks to introduce the use of electronic voting into the Electoral Act.They resolved that while an electronic instrument; the card reader, will be used only for accreditation, the voting will be strictly done manually.During the consideration, Rep Chinda Ogundu (Rivers-PDP) had sought to add a new amendment that the election in any polling unitshould be suspended if the card reader malfunctioned until another functional card reader is brought.The amendment reads:“The presiding officer shall use the smartcard reader for accreditation of voters. Where the smartcard fails in any unit, the election in that unit will be suspended and conducted within 24 hours.”This, however, triggered reactions from some of the lawmakers, who warned of the delay such suspension would cause.Reacting, the deputy speaker, Yusuf Lasun (Osun-APC), who presided over the section, said:“If the card reader fails to read in a polling unit, that means you are delaying resultof the election in the entire ward.”Ogundu, on his part, argued that there would be no delay except in cases where the result from the polling unit would affect the entire ward’s outcome.“If that unit’s result will not affect the entire outcome, INEC doesn’t have to go back. But if it will affect the outcome, their (INEC) policy is that they must go back to do the accreditation with a card reader and conduct the election,”he said.They also proposed for the disqualification of a candidate if he or she is found to have filed fake documents for his qualification, while his party would pay a fine of N1 million.The proposal also seeks to disqualify the candidate from participating in a fresh electionin cases where the initial election has been conducted.However, the House did not pass the bill as there are two clauses in it awaiting approval.The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, had previously stated thatelectronic voting will not be used in 2019.The INEC boss however, said that electronics would be deployed in the collation and transmission of elections results.
Why I can’t appear before Senate - IGP
Ibrahim Idris, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has given reasons he cannot personally appear before the Senate.The Nation reports that the IGP, who faulted the Senate’s insistence on his personal appearance, said his presence at the Senate was unnecessary because the issues for which he was invited were not personal.comgathered that he said if he was to personally honour every invitation sent to the office of the IGP, he would have no time for hismain responsibilities.The IGP said he was allowed under the Constitution and Police Act to delegate responsibilities, including directing some of his subordinates to represent him where he is invited.His position is contained in a suit filed by the IGP before the Federal High Court, Abuja through his lawyer, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN).The IGP queried the propriety of the Senate’s decision to insist on his physical presence andits decision to enquire into issues relating to the charges filed against Senator Dino Melaye and on which he had been arraigned.The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/457/2018, has the President of the Senate and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as defendants.The Senate, in a letter dated April 25 this year, invited the IGP to appear before it in relation tothe purported inhuman treatment of Melaye and killings in the country.The IGP honoured the Senate’s invitation on April 26 this year, but was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) and commissioner of police, Kogistate.The Senate denied the two representatives of the IGP audience, but instead, rescheduled the meeting for May 2 and insisted that the IGP must honour its invitation in person.The IGP, in a supporting affidavit, stated that his choice of the DIG (Operations) and CP, Kogi state was because they were conversant with the issues for which he was invited.He argued that it was not compulsory that the occupant of the office of the IGP must honour every invitation in person.The IGP noted that the invitation letter from theSenate, with the title:“Invitation to brief the Senate on the inhuman treatment of Senator Dino Melaye over a matter that is pending in court,”showed that the Senate was aware Melaye“is facing a criminal charge in a court.”The plaintiff argued that he is not answerable to the defendants in respect of a case pendingin court, but to the judicial arm of government, before whom the case was pending.He added:“The said Senator Dino Melaye is facing a charge of criminal conspiracy and illegal possession of firearms before a court ofcompetent jurisdiction in Kogi state.“The heading of the said letter, which reads inter alia inhuman treatment meted to Senator Dino Melaye, who is a member of the 1st and 2nd defendants, clearly show the motive of thebriefing.“Once a charge is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it is only the judicial arm of government that adjudicates and disposes of the matter one way or the other, and not subject to the oversight functions in Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution as claimed by the defendants.“Chapter Viii Rule 53(5) of the Senate’s Standing Order prohibits any reference to any matter in which any judicial decision is pending, in this case, the pending charge against Senator Dino Melaye before the court in Lokoja, Kogi state.“There is no how the discussion on the Dino Melaye’s case by the 1st and 2nd defendants will not relate to or impact on the matter in court,”the IGP said.The plaintiff therefore prayed the court to among others; restrain the defendants, any of their committees or agents from insisting that he must appear before them in person.The IGP also urged the court to declare as unconstitutional, the defendants’ insistence that he appears in person before them or any of their committees is contrary to the combined provisions of Section 21d(1)(a) of the Constitution and sections 2, 5, 6 and 7(1) of the Police Act.The defendants, in a counter affidavit, accusedthe IGP of using the court to shield himself from being scrutinized by the Legislature.They stated that the IGP’s representatives were denied audience because of “the weighty issues which requires clarification, as they touched on the very soul of our national existence and in order to ensure fruitful and meaningful deliberations.”They prayed the court to reject the plaintiff’s prayers and dismiss the suit.When the case was called on Thursday, May 31, Izinyon informed the court that it was scheduled for the hearing of the substantive suit, and that he was ready.The defendants were not represented, but the court confirmed receiving a letter from the defendant’s lawyer, seeking a stand down till 12noon.Izinyon agreed to wait, the trial judge,Justice John Tsoho elected to adjourn to another date on the grounds that a stand downwas not feasible.He adjourned to June 29 for the hearing of the substantive suit.
2019: Our presidential candidate must be a nationalist - PDP
The PDP has said it does not have any preference for any of its presidential aspirants for the upcoming 2019 presidential election.
The party said it would present an acceptable candidate that would shock the ruling All Progressives Congress (2019) in the presidential contest.
The national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, told The Punch on Thursday, May 24, that the party was already working out modalities on how to get the best out of its array of aspirants jostling to fly the party’s flag in 2019.
Secondus said that the National Working Committee of the party had resolved not to back any of the aspirants, adding that all the aspirants had been given the mandate to market the party to Nigerians ahead of the general election.
His words: “We, the national leadership of the PDP, have no preferred presidential candidate for the 2019 election. We have eminently qualified members of the party and other Nigerians who are still aspiring to come to the PDP that can fly the flag of the party come 2019.
“While we continue to monitor the activities of these individuals, we want to assure Nigerians that we will present to them a nationally and even an internationally-acceptable candidate that will thrash whoever the disorganised APC presents as its candidate.
“The NWC met, and agreed not to either as an individual or as a body, back any of the aspirants because we are like fathers to them all.
“But I can assure you that, once the aspirant emerges, the party and majority of Nigerians will line up behind him and his running mate.
“We are working round the clock to ensure that our members are united and join us and others, to rescue this country from the hands of incompetent individuals and cabal.”
Asked what would be the criteria for the picking of the party’s presidential candidate, Secondus said that the party would release the guidelines on that soon.
He however said that anyone aspiring to lead the country “is expected to be a nationalist who is interested in the progress of the entire nation.”
He added: “We will field someone who knows Nigeria and Nigerians. We won’t field someone who sees himself and his household as the geographical entity of the country.
“We will give Nigerians a candidate that will travel round the entire country not to give promises he cannot fulfil, but someone they can trust. We will give them a candidate who will not upon assuming office; deny any of his campaign promises.”
Asked on the progress made concerning the ongoing alliance talks with other political parties, Secondus said the committee set up by the PDP and headed by a former governor of Cross River state, Liyel Imoke, was making progress.
“We have a committee that is making steady progress on that. All the opposition parties are working together and as soon as the committee submits its reports, we will swing into action,” he added.
Presidential aspirants in the party at the moment include ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; a former Jigawa state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido; the Gombe state governor, Ibrahim Dankaambo; and an ex-minister of education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, former chairman of the party, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi and former minister of special duties; Alhaji Tanimu Turaki. Meanwhile, about 7,000 defectors from various political parties were on Monday, May 14, received by the PDP in Kanam local government of Plateau state. Some of the defectors were those that cross carpeted to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the 2015 general elections.
PDP chairman in Plateau state, Damishi Sango, who received them during the commissioning of Kanam PDP office and inauguration of chairmanship campaign committee and appeal fund raising, said the defectors would be accorded the same privileges as other members of the party.
PDP's Magnificent 7 for 2019 on
Board sets May 26 for rescheduled examinations for over 12,000 candidates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Sunday said that it had set May 26 for rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) for more than 12, 000 candidates across the country.
The Board’s Head of Media, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
According to Benjamin, more than 12, 000 candidates are expected to sit for the mop up examinations in few of its centres across the country.
This category of candidates, he explained, are those whose biometrics were not captured during the initial period of the UTME in March.
He said: “ “It would also include those, who are yet to see their results since the end of the examinations in March till date and have not been involved in any form of malpractice.
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“It will also include those, who were unable to print out their e-slip before the earlier examinations and those whose centres were cancelled for suspected malpractices.’’
According to him, “there are centres that were cancelled because of suspicious activities but the board was unable to identify the actual culprits.
However, he said that those, who were involved and caught in illicit acts and centres where a case of malpractice has been established against them would not partake in the rescheduled examinations.
He advised candidates, who might have fallen into any of the categories qualified for the examination to print their e-slips from Monday, May 21.
NAN recalls the board had earlier promised to reschedule the examinations for some candidates whose cases were exceptional, adding that candidates, who fall under such categories would be contacted before then.
Nigeria will cease to exist if you rig Ekiti election – PDP warns APC
Uche Secondus, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says Nigeria might go into extinction if the July governorship election in Ekiti state is rigged.Court adjourns Dino Melaye’s case indefinitely on Health grounds
Justice Olasumbo Goodluck of FCT High Court, Maitama, has adjourned indefinitely the trial of Senator Dino Melaye docked for allegedly giving false information. The court adjourned the trial sine die (indefinitely) following the confirmation by the National Hospital, Abuja that Melaye was on admission at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital.N1.9bn: Billionaire businesswoman, Bola Shagaya, loses bid to unfreeze account
It was also alleged that the reason for the payment of the N3.3bn was to “fraudulently facilitate allocation of Dual Purpose Kerosene to ThankGod’s company, Index Petrolube Africa Limited.”
that the ruling was unconstitutional, null and void as same violates her right of fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 36(1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution.
after the commencement of investigation, the Commission can attach a property to last till the commencement of criminal trial.
''It was doctored'' Nigeria Police Force finally reacts to a trending embarrassing video of IGP Ibrahim Idris
The Nigeria Police Force has finally reacted to the trending video of the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris.
Photos: NDLEA seize 4 Tonnes of Tramadol at Lagos airport
Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) today seized four tonnes of Tramadol drugs at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.
“We collected the consignments from the Skyway Aviation Handling Limited (SAHCOL) shed today (Thursday) and we got to know of the consignment even before it arrived the country through our foreign intelligence. Since then, we have been monitoring it and waited for either the importer or any clearing agent to come forward for clearance, but no one came. The approved dosage for Tramadol is between 50m and 100m, but what thee importer brought into the country was 250m, which is above the approved milligrams by the government. The total waybills were five.”Lai Mohammed denies orchestrating arrest of Kwara youths
The attention of the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has been drawn to the accusation by the Kwara South Youths Stakeholders that he orchestrated the recent arrest by the police of some youths in the Kwara South.The Hon. Minister vehemently rejects this accusation. He has nothing to do with the arrest of the youths in Kwara South, and believes - contrary to the allegation by the stakeholders - that the arrest has nothing to do with the Ward Congress in his hometown of Oro. Afterall, suspected cultists were also recently arrested and paraded by the police in Ilorin.The Hon. Minister wishes to state that the police, in the exercise of its constitutional responsibility, does not need to be goaded by anyone to carry out arrests where necessary.Concerning the outcome of the election in his Oro Ward 2, the Hon. Minister has made his observations on the conduct of the election known to the appropriate party authorities, in line with his strong belief in the rule of law.Suffice it to say, however, that the only credible Ward election was the one held by the genuine party members in Oro Ward 2. That explains why, after the election, there was a rally around Oro Town that eventually terminated in the country home of the Hon. Minister. He does not believe there is any linkage between the election and the arrests.
Borno state government official defends his decision to empower youths with Shoe shinning kits, bags of oranges
The Borno state Commissioner for Higher Education and aspirant for the house of representatives in 2019, Usman Jaha (Babawo) has defended his decision to distribute kits with shoe polish, bags of oranges and other items to youths in Gwoza as part of his personal welfare programme.''The programme is my personal effort and it is based on the peculiar needs of the beneficiaries in Gwoza. All communities have their needs and these needs change from time to time. In my years as a politician who served at the Borno State Assembly before becoming a Commissioner, I have always interacted with constituents before making any welfare intervention. I make interventions based on their peculiar needs. There are times people ask for a particular support and we don’t have the liberty of imposing our preferences. We support communities in all sectors that include education, vocational skills and businesses.
There are records. “What do what our people want. I have once seen the picture of a serving Governor from a different part of this country distributing life chickens to citizens and I am sure it was based the peculiarities of needs. A good politician must be conscious of the peculiarities of needs in the communities he or she represents. A politician must be pragmatic and must not shamed of doing what his people want because the people make the politician. What is important to me is the happiness of our people in Gwoza, nothing else really matter”.
