The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Benue South, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, has faulted Senator David Mark’s claim that he was never invited to testify from the witness box. Mark, whose declaration as winner of the March 28 National Assembly election is currently being challenged by Onjeh at the Election Petition Tribunal in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, reportedly refused to testify from the witness box when he appeared at the tribunal on August 18. But the former senate president had in a statement on Sunday by his media aide, Kola Ologbondiyan, denied he was called to enter the…
Author: Wale Adebayo
A former Aviation Minister, David Oluwafemi Olukayode, formerly known as Femi Fani-Kayode, has revealed one very important lesson he learnt from his former boss and ex-President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. The former minister, in a Facebook post, said Obasanjo taught him to remain silent in the face of wild and unsubstantiated statements by ignorant people. He wrote; “One of the things that I learnt from my leader, President Olusegun Obasanjo is that one must never respond to the ignorant, the uncouth, the uncultured, the unlettered, the unrefined and the accursed. “He also taught us never to join issues with the embittered,…
Africa’s richest man and President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote yesterday said by 2019, Nigeria would be self-sufficient in rice, sugar and other commodities. He stated this in Abuja at a meeting with the United Nations’ Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, businessmen and some philanthropists. The multi-billionaire entrepreneur, who spoke against the backdrop of his investment in the economy of the nation, added that Nigeria would soon become the largest exporter of petroleum products and fertiliser. Dangote said he would not want to be remembered as the richest man alone, but would also lend his voice and other capacity to better the…
A member representing Plateau State’s Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Timothy Golu, has faulted President Muhammadu Buhari’s suspension of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, David Parradang. Buhari had on Friday suspended Parradang for reportedly recruiting 1,000 persons illegally into the service. The president also directed him to hand over to Martin Abeshi, who is the next most senior officer. However, the lawmaker said the decision to suspend Parradang, who hails from Plateau State, was rash and too hasty. “As leader of the nation, Buhari is eroding the public confidence of people by being reactionary each…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said it is not afraid of probe by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions. The Senate Committee, which is acting on a petition brought against the EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, by the Chief Executive Officer of Panic Alert Security Systems, Dr. George Uboh, through Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP, Delta North), is scheduled to begin public hearing tomorrow, Wednesday. In the petition, Lamorde was accused of diverting N1tn said to have been recovered from a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; and a former Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun,…
About half the number of ships in the inventory of the Nigerian Navy are presently grounded, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ibas, said. He said this yesterday while addressing officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy in Lagos. The Naval chief was at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Quora in Lagos on a familiarisation tour. Vice Admiral Ekwe-Ibas, who noted that the ships are in bad conditions due to carelessness, also warned officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy to shun oil bunkering while and increase the tempo against crude oil theft on Nigerian waterways. He…
A twin explosion in Damaturu, Yobe State capital has left at least six people dead and twelve others injured. The explosions reportedly occurred in two different locations, including at a bus terminal Tuesday morning. Those injured were said to have been rushed to the Damaturu specialist hospital for treatment.
The Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr. Samuel Ukura, has blamed the rot and corruption in the oil and gas sector on the lack of political will by the country’s leadership, especially the National Assembly. Speaking at the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) Roundtable on Oil and Gas Reforms, in Abuja, Ukura also lamented that the legal framework within which it operates is now obsolete. The Auditor-General was represented by a Director in the Extra-Ministerial Audit Department, Mr. Rotimi Dada. He disclosed that since 1999, none of the reports prepared by his office had been brought to the…
The Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko has vowed that anybody found to be criminally liable in the on-going staff verification exercise across the state would face the wrath of the law. The governor said this following impersonation and many other frauds discovered during the exercise which started last week. Dr Mimiko was at an unscheduled inspection visit to Oyemekun and C.A.C Grammar Schools both in Akure the State capital, where the exercise was being conducted. He explained that there are shortcomings in the electronic data capturing system in the state. According to him the on-going exercise would clean up…
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has sanctioned some filling stations, including NNPC, Forte Oil, Mobil and some others, for selling petrol and kerosene above regulated prices, and under-dispensing, among other infractions. The infractions were uncovered during an oversight inspection carried out last week by the petroleum industry regulator in the Lagos Zone of operations which covers, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, and Lagos state. The DPR noted that these sharp practices have cost the public and the economy a great deal, as a lot of these filling stations were found to be selling petrol above the stipulated official pump price of…
National Security Adviser, Babagana Moguno has set up a committee to probe the procurement of hardware and ammunition in the Nigerian Armed Forces from 2007 to date. According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the investigative committee’s mandate is to identify irregularities and make recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the armed forces. Adesina explained that the committee would specifically investigate allegations of non-adherence to correct equipment procurement procedures and the exclusion of relevant logistics branches from arms procurement under past administrations, which very often resulted in the…
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Aviation, Binta Bello, Monday inaugurated the committee on the establishment of the country’s flag carrier following the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari. Speaking at the inauguration of the committee in Abuja, Bello charged members to pursue the assignment with all seriousness because of its national importance. According to her, the inauguration of the committee became imperative in view of the interest shown by the president. She underscored the establishment of a national carrier, saying it was not only justified by economic considerations, but also strategic national interest, national pride and job creation potential. Members…
The judicial commission of inquiry set up by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to probe the sale of valued assets of the state and select projects under former Governor Chibuike Amaechi has commenced public sitting in Port Harcourt with a revelation that the last administration diverted about N3 billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) agriculture loan to fund elections. Chairman of the commission, Justice George Omereji, at the inaugural sitting, said the commission would be fair to all and allayed fears that it was on a witch-hunt. While interrogating officials of the ministries of agriculture, and commerce and industry based…
Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation insists it stands by its audit report on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) saying the Commission has a case to answer. The Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr. Samuel Ukura, also urged the NDDC or any other person dissatisfied with the Report to defend themselves before the Public Accounts Committees, PACs, of the National Assembly. According to a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Media&Public Relations, Mr. Olawunmi Ogunmosunle, on behalf of Ukura. “The attention of the Management of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation has been drawn to the claims…
Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo disclosed on Monday that official corruption and privatization of public enterprises led to massive losses in public revenue. Speaking while delivering a key speech at the 55th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja, Osinbajo said the penchant for graft was high in the country. “Official corruption and privatization of public resources have caused massive losses in public revenue. “Indeed the truth is stranger than fiction in this matter of corruption in the public service. “Dysfunctional government bureaucracies, waste and misallocation of resources. “A great deal of talent and enterprise that should focus on…
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok Ette-Ibas today revealed that 50 percent of Nigerian Navy (NN) platforms are grounded. Speaking at the naval base, Apapa, during his maiden familiarisation tour of units and commands in the Lagos area, the CNS noted that most of the problems with the grounded vessels were avoidable. He, therefore, appealed to naval personnel to handle public properties with utmost care. The CNS reminded his personnel that misusing government property negatively robs off on the force because fund that would be used for other things are expended on maintenance. He, therefore, warned them against…
Cow-skin popularly called ‘ponmo’ is not healthy for the elderly as claimed in some quarters, Medical Consultant, Ultra Modern Clinic, Government House, Awka, Dr Sunny Ekwunife, has said. Ekwunife told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Awka that animal skin does not have any proven medical value, but rather it is unhealthy. “There is no truth in believing that cow skin (ponmo) is good for the elderly. “How can a damaged motor-tyre that has chemical components added to it while producing, add anything good to a cow skin which undergoes a process of roasting with its flame…
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory, Engr. John Chukwu, today assured the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban ki-Moon, on Federal Government’s commitment to the completion of the UN building that was bombed in August 2011. Chukwu gave the assurance after laying of wreath in honour of the 23 victims that died in the incident. According to him, the government would do everything possible to avoid further delay in the completion of the project. The permanent secretary challenged Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the contractor handling the project, to work round the clock in order to complete the project in a record time.…
Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on Monday said Nigeria would be self-sufficient in rice, sugar and other commodities in the next four years. He said this in Abuja at a meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, Nigerian businessmen and some philanthropists. Dangote, who spoke against the backdrop of his investments in the country, added that Nigeria would soon become the largest exporter of petroleum products and fertiliser. He said he does not want to be known as the richest man alone, but also wants to lend his voice and other capacity to better the lots of…
Members of the House of Representatives have succumbed to calls by Nigerians demanding a reduction in their salaries, allowances and running cost. At an interactive session with journalists yesterday in Lagos, the House chairman, Ad-hoc Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sani Zorro, said the members had “succumbed” to the wishes of Nigerians because they want their integrity protected. “We have very much appreciated the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari and his deputy in announcing pay-cuts in their earnings. I want to say categorically that the House of Representatives, having taken cognizance of the criticism of its budget by many…