Barth Nnaji, Odimegwu, Akeredolu Others May Make Buhari’s Second Ministerial List

Barely three days after submitting the list of the first set of ministerial nominees, President Muhammadu Buhari is weighing options on the next batch of nominees.Last minutes of intense horse-trading and lobbying are ongoing in the affected states.

There were strong indications yesterday that the Presidency is shopping for a new Group Managing Director for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) following the nomination of the present holder, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu as a Minister-designate.

The thinking of the presidency is that since Kachikwu will be the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, he cannot continue to be in charge of NNPC.

It was learnt that President Buhari believes a Minister cannot be a regulator and an operator at the same time.

Investigation revealed that the jostle for the other slots has become intense in the last 72 hours.

Most of the states are Ondo, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, Imo, Bayelsa, Borno, Cross River, Nasarawa, Yobe, Zamfara, Osun, Kaduna, Bauchi, Sokoto, Adamawa, Lagos

A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Despite the fact that the President has set his own criteria, he is weighing options on the remaining candidates because of interplay of factors.

“Although some aides are proposing the retention of the 42-man ministerial structure, others are urging the President to stick to the 36-team model prescribed by the 1999 Constitution.

“The submission of the first batch of 21 names to the Senate has heightened lobby for the remaining slots.”

It was gathered that governors, party leaders at all levels and associates have been trying to reach out to the President and “strategic aides.”

But the battle for the slots was said to be keen at press time because no one knew the mindset of the President.

Another source said: “For instance in Imo, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo wants the slot for a former Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Festus Odimegwu but Governor Rochas Okorocha is rooting for his in-law, Prof. Anthony Anwuka (a former vice chancellor).

“Also in contention is a former governorship candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) in 2011, Hon. Emeka Nwajuba.

“In Abia State, the jostle is between Buhari’s old associate, Ike Emenike and the party’s governorship candidate, Anyim Nzeribe, who is a loyalist of Governor Rochas Okorocha in the state.”

“Having been familiar with the politics of Kaduna, President Buhari is taking sole charge of the ministerial nominee from the state, based on certain indices.

“In fact, Governor Nasir el-Rufai is actually staying away from making any input in the nomination process. He has left the President and other stakeholders to sort it out.

“In Ondo State, the race for the ticket is between a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and a top politician from the state, who was an executive of a multinational company.

“In Osun, there are three candidates for the slot and Buhari is expected to pick one. They are ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola (recommended for his support and loyalty to Governor Rauf Aregbesola and APC); the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole and a prominent politician in the state.

“Apart from also being a favourite of Obasanjo, ex-Governor Oyinlola’s candidacy is also being promoted by some forces in APC.

In Enugu State, our source said the list is longer despite the fact that the state chapter of APC could only garner 14,000 votes (less than 3 per cent of the total votes cast) for Buhari.

The source added: “We have Comrade Osita Okechukwu, who is a reliable associate of Buhari. Although Okechukwu, the National Publicity Secretary of CNPP, has not met Buhari since his inauguration, he is said to be not too keen.

“But others vying for ministerial slot are ex-Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji (seeking a third term in FEC); APC National Vice Chairman, South-East, Emma Eneukwu; APC governorship candidate, Chief Okey Ezea and Chief Onyemuche Nnamani.

“In spite of the Kwara State slot going to the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki is still lobbying for the return of his “godson” and ex-minister of sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, who was the Deputy Chairman of the Strategy Committee for the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

Abdullahi was rated as an asset during the campaign, and for resigning from ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet, he has earned the respect of some APC leaders.

“Saraki’s position may lead to the resuscitation of geopolitical representation in the Federal Executive Council to make the team 42.”

Investigation revealed that the challenge at hand is how Buhari will manage the choice of the remaining ministers because there are more than qualified party members, technocrats and long-standing and trusted associates.

A source in the Presidency added: “From the look of things, we may have to resort to consensus on some nominees as the case in some states.

“Let me give you the example of Ekiti State. When the nomination of the candidate for the state was knotty, ex-Governors Niyi Adebayo and Segun Oni met with Buhari where Oni declared without reservation that the slot should be given to Dr. Kayode Fayemi. And that assisted in tackling the matter.

As at press time, findings confirmed that most APC governors were shocked that the President did not allow them to make input into the choice of his ministers.

A source in the APC Governors Forum said: “The President determined those he wanted to work with him. To a large extent, the governors were not consulted on those picked from our states. But they have to bear with the President because it is his constitutional prerogative.

He said many governors woke up to read the list of cabinet members like every Nigerian.

“Since the President does not choose commissioners for the governors, they cannot pick his ministers for him. I think he is trying to do away with the past culture put in place by the PDP.

“The governors were no doubt shocked or surprised but the consolation is that he has chosen credible people.”

Apart from the governors, senators desirous of having the ministerial list would have to wait till Tuesday because the Senate President was said to have refused to open the envelope sent to him.

A Senator said: “We have all been pestering Saraki to have a glimpse of what was sent to him by the President but he said he would not open it until Tuesday.”

Meanwhile, the Presidency is shopping for a new Group Managing Director for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) because the present GMD. Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, is minister-designate.

“The thinking in the Presidency is that as a minister, Kachikwu cannot be a regulator and an operator at the same time.

“We have had instances in the past when the two portfolios were combined, but the Presidency does not think along this line at present. Kachikwu is an asset; this is why he is moving up.

“After the inauguration of the ministers, a new GMD may be appointed by the President after consultations with Kachikwu and other stakeholders.”

TheNation

EFCC RAIDS JIDE OMOKORE’S HOME, A BUSINESS ALLY TO FORMER PETROLEUM MINISTER, MADUKE

By Ola Peter -

 

Oct 3, 2015

 

0

Jide Omokore ::

EFCC operatives have stormed the home of Jide Omokore, one of Diezani Alison-Madueke’s business allies while she was the oil minister.

It was reported by Sahara Reporters that Omokore’s 9 Turnbull Street home in Ikoyi, Lagos and his Glover Street, Ikoyi office were raided by the EFCC operative

It was, however, learnt that the former minister was granted bail hours after she was detained by the ICU.

A report by Channels TV said that the London Police confirmed that she had been charged to court for money laundering and she’s expected to appear at the Charing Cross Police Station for questioning on Monday.

FCT Administration condemns Abuja blasts

The  Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, John Chukwu, has condemned in strong terms, the twin bomb blasts in Kuje, and Nyanya, two satellite towns of Abuja,  which claimed many lives on Friday night.

Chukwu commiserated with the victims of the blasts, particularly those who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate and barbaric incident.

A statement by the FCT Deputy Director, Press, Mohammed Sule, on Saturday, said the permanent secretary also sympathised with the injured and described the wanton destruction of lives and property as “heartless and an act of wickedness on soft targets, which has no place in our history and tradition.”

He assured that the FCT Administration would continue to work closely with the security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property of all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

Chukwu  prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured persons.

The permanent secretary appealed to the residents to be more vigilant and report any suspicious persons or movement to the law enforcement agents.

The FCT Police Commissioner, Wilson Inalegwu, who confirmed the twin blasts in Kuje and Nyanya, also condemned the unfortunate act.

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency has deployed its rescue teams in the evacuation of the victims to various hospitals in Abuja.

NEMA Press Officer, Ezekiel Manzo, said the agency had evacuated the bodies and the injured to hospitals.

FG begins revival of national carrier

By Favour Nnabugwu

THERE are indications that the establishment of a new national carrier may become a reality soon with the submission of the report by a Federal Government committee with the mandate to work out modalities to restore the national airline.

National Carrier

Submitting its report at the Ministry of Aviation, Chairman of the committee, Capt. Abdulsalami Mohammed, said that the committee had wide consultations and received a number of memoranda in the course of its sittings.

According to him, “the creation of the committee on the establishment of a national carrier has generated a lot of excitement and comments both in the print and electronic media as well as in social media networks since its inauguration.

“It was therefore not surprising that we received a lot of memoranda from interested stakeholders within and outside the country.

“We consulted with a total of 74 stakeholders, ranging from airline operators to aviation agencies, service providers, financial consultants, institutional investors, aircrafts and parts suppliers and former staff of Nigeria Airways Limited.”

Mohammed noted that the committee has given what he described as far reaching recommendations, which if accepted and implemented by the Federal Government will have positive impact on the aviation industry in Nigeria.

Receiving the report, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Mrs. Binta Bello, explained that the inauguration of the committee was based on a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari, to advise government on appropriate modalities for the establishment of a national carrier.

She declined to give a timeline within which the proposal will be implemented arguing that, “the report has just been submitted to me and I have not even opened it.

“Until I open the report and see the recommendations, I cannot say exactly what we are going to come up with.”

The committee was inaugurated in Abuja on August 25 and given four weeks to complete its assignment.

The Federal Government had made several failed attempts in the past at floating a national carrier after the demise of the Nigeria Airways which was established earlier in 1971 following a buy-out of the equities of Elder-Dempster and British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC).

Reports indicate that for over 40 years, the airline served as link to various destinations not only in Nigeria but also across West and Central Africa and also operated intercontinental flights to Europe, USA, Middle East and Asia.

According to an Aviation Consultant, Chris Aligbe, Federal Government’s Structural Adjustment Policy of Former President Ibrahim Babangida in the in the 1980s dealt the Nigeria Airways a devastating blow which may have eventually led to its grounding.

According to Aligbe, “the Structural Adjustment Programme came with a huge devaluation of the Naira and stoppage of annual subvention to Nigeria Airways.

“This twin policy action quadrupled Nigeria Airways problems as it multiplied the airline’s debt in terms of the quantum of it required to meet its foreign debt obligations which at the IATA Clearing House stood at US$42 million, among others.”

Kaduna Governor Declares State Of Emergency In Education Sector

The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has declared a state of emergency in the education sector of the state.

He made the declaration in his speech at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, during activities to mark the country’s 55th Independence Anniversary.

According to him, the nation is being liberated and there is need to also free the people by making quality education accessible to all.

He added that “education is freedom from want and the provision of free basic education in decent schools, with skilled teachers. This is one of the priorities this government will accomplish in its four-year term. ‎

“We have spent the past few months planning school repairs, the provision of school furniture and training of teachers.

“Today, we move to declare a state of emergency in education. We ask for your support as we begin to implement extraordinary measures in the education sector.

“Tomorrow, by God’s Grace, the commissioner for education, science and technology will announce the measures that will be taken to ensure that our schools’ infrastructure, tools and teacher quality are improved significantly within the next six weeks.

“We are determined that one legacy of the rebirth of our country will be the restoration of education as a tool to free our people from the fetters of ignorance”, he said. (NAN)

Latest On Abuja Bombing: NEMA Claims 15 Dead, 41 Injured in Nyanya And Kuje Blast

BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has put the number of the dead in both Nyanyan and Kuje, Abuja bombings at 15.Scene of one of the bombing in Abuja last nightSahara Reporters Media

The agency also said 41 other persons were injured in the coordinated attacks that were carried out by suspected members of the  Boko Haram.

A statement by the agency's spokesperson, Sani Datti, in the early hours of Saturday in Abuja said, "Following a coordinated rescue operation at scene of  multiple explosions in both Nyaya and Kuje, which are satellite towns of Federal Capital Territory Abuja, so far fifteen (15) persons lost their lives and forty one (41) injured were evacuated to Nyanya, Asokoro General hospitals and National Hospital Abuja.

"In Nyaya  Two (2)  deaths were recorded while 21 injured.  Kuje thirteen (13) person lost their lives and 20 injured.

 The casualty figures given, however, is at variance with eye-witness account from the scene of the attack. A relative of an dead person, Ibrahim told our reporter earlier today that at least 20 people died in Kuje market alone while over 40 people were injured.

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FG Seals 160 Drug Shops in Akwa Ibom

Okon  Bassey  in  Uyo

The Federal Government has closed down 160 drug shops in Akwa Ibom State for dispensing poisons and engaging in other unauthorised services to members of the public.

The Deputy Director and Head of Enforcement, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Abuja, Stephen Esumobi announced this on Friday while briefing Journalists after a one week visit of the enforcement teams of the Council to the state.

He said those whose shops had been closed down had earlier been warned that any of them that breached the law would be prosecuted.

“Our enforcement teams have been in Akwa Ibom State since the beginning of this week. The teams were in the state capital and 17 local government areas which include Uruan, Itu, Abak, Oruk Anam, Ukanafun, Mkpat Enim, Ikot Abasi, Etim Ekpo, Onna, Etinam, Eket, Esit Eket, Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ibium, Ikot Ekpene, Ibiono Ibom and Ikono.

“While the level of compliance by premises in the state capital is encouraging, this cannot be said of most premises in the local government areas. It was observed that so many premises commenced operations without following the laid down guidelines.

“Many of the premises are located in environments that are not conducive for the sale of medicines, so many others failed to meet minimum requirements for storage and personnel thus exposing members of the public to dangers of consuming medicines whose quality, safety and efficacy cannot be guaranteed.

“At the end of the enforcement exercise, a total number of 284 premises were visited. 160 of them comprising five pharmacies and 155 patent medicine shops were sealed”, he said.

According to him, their offences ranged from dispensing poisons without the supervision of a pharmacist, poor storage conditions, selling medicines above the approved list for patent medicine vendors, non-registration of premises with the PCN, among others.

He explained that the PCN being a federal government parastatal was charged with the responsibility to regulate and control the education, training and practice of pharmacy in all its aspects and ramifications as established by Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Act Cap p17, LFN, 2004.

The PCN Director warned that anyone wishing to start a pharmacy or patent medicine shop should apply for location approval, maintaining that not every location was suitable for the sale of medicines.

“One of the core mandates of the PCN is ensuring rational distribution and dispensing of medicines that are safe, effective and of good quality.", he said
“The PCN is using this medium to sensitise all stakeholders to follow the laws that regulate the sale of medicines in Nigeria as the PCN will not tolerate the sale of medicines without submission to regulatory control”, Esumobi stressed.

ICPC Declares Civil Servant Wanted Over N50m Employment Scam

BY Ejike Ejike

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has declared a civil servant in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Mrs. Grace Nkoyo Nwauzor, wanted for defrauding innocent job seekers of N50 million.

According to a statement signed by the spokesperson of the anti-graft agency,Rasheedat Okoduwa, Nwauzor, an indigene of Aboh, Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, allegedly duped many people that were looking for employment into the Federal Civil Service by promising to give them employment into the service.

Okoduwa noted that preliminary findings by ICPC have revealed that Nwauzor, is on Grade Level 12 under the Career Management Section in OHCSF and also a doctorate degree holder.

Imo PDP Frowns on N20bn Proposed Loan by Okorocha

 Gov. Rochas Okorocha

Amby Uneze in Owerri
The Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed dismay over the recent application by the state governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, seeking for the permission of the Federal Government to borrow fresh loan of N20 billion.

In a press statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Hon. Kizzito Onuoha, noted that the move by the state government could not be justified in the wake of many other loans procured by the same government.

He observed “We cannot but raise a question mark on the justification of this nefarious act of insensitivity by the governor who claims to have the interest of the future of the state at heart”.

According to him, it is highly unfortunate that the governor was borrowing after receiving the N26 billion federal government bailout funds, adding, “It is important to ask the Imo state government what they have done with the bailout funds ""owing to the fact that some workers are yet to receive their salary arrears, while pensioners are still being owed up to 29 months of their pension not to talk of pile up of unpaid gratuities”.

The party noted that it was the governor’s clandestine and bizarre determination to consistently pursue his master plan of subjecting the future of the state in perpetual calamity.

Onuoha stated that having taken a painstaking diagnosis on the current debt profile of the state, it became disheartening to note that the state was had N83 billion debt portfolio and queried how the state could survive such predicament.

“It is rather unfortunate that the present government have not only decided to bankrupt the state but to also milk her dry, as the decision to this very fresh loan was not taken by any state executive council (Exco) since there was none at the moment. It is the entire decision of the governor since he has decided to run the state as a sole administrator”, he said.

The party therefore condemned the loan application as it was nothing but a deliberate and calculated attempt to further subject the state into irredeemable indebtedness and called on the good people of the state to repudiate the pernicious action.

‘Five Girls Behind Deadly Maiduguri Blast’

AGENCY REPORTS

Five girls were behind a series of deadly explosions in the north-eastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri on Thursday evening, security sources said.

Fourteen people, including the girls, died and 39 were injured in the attacks at a mosque and house of vigilante leader, the military said.

More than 100 people died in similar attacks in the city two weeks ago.

Maiduguri is where Boko Haram Islamist militants were first based when they began their insurgency six years ago.

Some 17,000 people are said to have been killed in the attacks by the group and this have intensified since Muhammadu Buhari became president in May, vowing to defeat the insurgents.

The BBC said in the capital, Abuja, that people were waiting for the last evening prayers when the suicide bombers struck the mosque.

Officials fear that the number of those who lost their lives is likely to rise, he says.

Witnesses and security sources said some of the girls were as young as nine.

Our correspondent said the attacks in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, came as the military said it is winning the war against Boko Haram.

The security forces have in recent months reclaimed territory captured by Boko Haram fighters and freed a number of people kidnapped by the militant group.

No Country Employs More Than 5% of its Citizens, Says Kukah

Most Rev. Mathew Hassan Kukah

Kasim Sumaina and  Awazi Augustine in Abuja

The Bishop of Sokoto Dioceses, Most Rev. Mathew Hassan Kukah stated Friday that no country in the world employed more than 5% of its citizens, arguing that not everyone must be an office holder before exercising leadership.

Kukah noted that, the assertion in some quarters that one must either be President, Governor, and Local Government Chairman before exercising leadership was absolute nonsense and urged the youths to be problem solvers rather than being the problem.

He disclosed this yesterday while speaking to newsmen at the Opening Ceremony of the 3rd National Mission Congress of Nigeria (NAMICON III), held in Abuja.

According to the Reverend, the first thing to say was that, leadership was based on some certain beliefs which were sometimes based also on certain sets of values. Those that were based on deep convictions were put down in writing and so on.

“Office holding sometimes is purely by accident. You can be in an office based on appointment and there are those who use office to exercise leadership which includes many factors. For instance, out of 170 million Nigerians, only one can be President at a time.

“So, the assumption that, if you are not holding an office then you cannot exercise leadership is wrong. If you are a good mother, your children will follow you.

"If you are a good father, your children will obey you and if you are a senior prefect, other children will learn from your example. All of us are called to exercise leadership in our chosen fields. Leadership is seeing the problem and having the capacity to solve it.

“I hear people often say the future of young people, in the whole world, there is no country that employs 5% of it its citizens or even 10%. Many states in Nigeria with population of about 6-7 million, employs between 30-60,000 civil servants despite being ghost workers. So, it is evidently clear that no government can employ its entire people. What all of us need to do is to work hard where ever we finds ourselves as none was born a government child.

"We all came by the grace of God and His purpose and success for each of us lies in our cooperation to achieve our set goals”, he said.

Tribunal: Benue PDP Governorship Candidate Appeals Judgement

Benue PDP candidate in the governorship election,  Mr.  Terhemen Tarzoor

George Okoh In Makurdi
Dissatisfied with the decision of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, dismissing his petition, the candidate of the People's Democratic Party ( PDP ) in the governorship election,  Mr.  Terhemen Tarzoor, on Friday filed a notice of appeal containing 13 grounds before the Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division.

He is challenging the decision of the lower tribunal which dismissed his petition against Governor Samuel Ortom, describing it as a miscarriage of justice.

Mr Tarzoor had filed a petition before the tribunal challenging the qualification of Mr. Samuel Ortom from contesting the April 11th governorship election in the state but the Justice Elizabeth Karatu led tribunal, had on the 21st September 2015, dismissed the petition, claiming that the petitioner failed to seek as one of its reliefs, the conduct of a fresh election.

Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is the current President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), was released on bail hours after she was arrested in London, Daily Post Nigeria reports.

LONDON (Sputnik) – The former minister was arrested on Friday by the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) on suspicion of bribery, corruption and money laundering, along with four other people, Nigerian media reported.

Alison-Madueke was asked to report to a police station on Monday for further questioning and her passport was seized, Daily Post Nigeria said on Friday.

Premium Times said on Friday that it was not clear whether the former minister was arrested based on a request from the Nigerian government.

Diezani Alison-Madueke was first appointed into Nigeria’s federal cabinet in 2007. Although she was repeatedly investigated by the Nigerian Senate on allegations of bribery and corruption, Alison-Madueke strongly denied any wrongdoing.

Diezani Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s Federal Minister of Petroleum Resources between April 2010 and May 2015. In November 2014 she became the first female President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/africa/20151003/1027952370/Diezani-Alison-Madueke-OPEC-President-Released-on-Bail.html#ixzz3nTgmv100

NCSDC Arrests Woman For Selling 2-month-old Baby For N100,000

By Nnamdi Mbawike

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday paraded a woman identified as Nchechi Isioko from Mpu in Anirmri local government area of Enugu State for allegedly attempaing to sell her baby for One Hundred Thousand Naira (100,000).

She was said to have concluded plans to sell the baby to one Mrs Blessing Egbo for N100,000 before operatives of NSCDC got information and arrested her and the suspected buyer.

Isioko, who spoke to newsmen after she was paraded alongside some suspected prostitutes and pipeline vandals at the headquarters of the NSCDC in Enugu, claimed that Mrs Egbo initially gave her part payment of N10,000 and later completed the money.

She further alleged that she later gave back the N100,000 to Mrs Egbo after she was advised not to sell her own baby, adding that she wanted to sell the baby because she needed money to treat herself.

Speaking while parading the suspects, the commandant of NSCDC in Enugu State, Mr. Lar Stephen Zwali, warned pipeline vandals to look for another business, saying his command has intensified surveillance.

He averred that the suspects were caught at Nenwe in Animri local government area in the night while they were vandalising the pipelines.

The NCSDC commandant further told journalist that, though the NNPC repaired the pipelines before it commenced pumping of petroleum products to it’s depot in Enugu, his command has informed the corporation of the development.

He further advised human traffickers and prostitutes to find another business, warning that his command was committed to stopping their illegal business.

The chairman of the Committee on Child Adoption and fostering in Enugu state and Archbishop of the Anglican Communion, Enugu state Province, Most Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma, who also spoke to reporters, warned that the state would no longer be conducive for human traffickers and prostitutes.

He stated that the state governor, ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has directed them to stop prostitution and illegal sale and adoption of babies.

Multiple Blasts Rock Abuja, 14 Feared Dead, 32 Injured

Multiple Blasts Rock Abuja,

Senator Iroegbu,
Onyebuchi Ezigbo and
Yemi Akinsuyi in Abuja

Massive explosions rocked Kuje Market, Kuje Police Station and the Nyanya overhead bridge, all in the suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja yesterday night.

Unconfirmed reports from rescue workers on ground at the sites of the multiple blasts in two satellite towns of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyanya and Kuje have put the number of dead so far at 14 and 32 injured.

THISDAY gathered late yesterday night from reliable sources that the bomb blast in Nyanya which occurred almost at the same point where similar bomb went off last year killed two persons while about 12 suffered various degrees of injuries. However, the source said that the blast in Kuje which hit the area near the market and the police station recorded more casualty with about 12 dead and over 20 injured.

The source explained that one of the victims being rushed for medical treatment sustained serious injuries
The bombings suspected to have been carried out by Boko Haram terrorists occurred at about 10:30pm.

The Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the explosions.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO), NEMA, Mr. Manzo Ezekiel, who confirmed this yesterday said casualty figures had not been fully ascertained.

Ezekiel also said that another bombing took place minutes apart in Nyanya overhead bridge, close to where similar blasts occurred last year killing several people and injuring more others.
As at the time of filing this report, details of the bombings were still being expected.

Bankers' Committee Shrugs Off Effect of Treasury Single Account

Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo,
  

Says TSA will not slow down lending growth nor drag down banking operations

Obinna Chima

The Bankers' Committee yesterday said their full compliance with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) would not slow down lending growth in the country nor drag down their operations as had been widely predicted.
They also maintained that the banking industry remains strong is spite of the take off of TSA.

Speaking at a media briefing at the end of a Bankers' Committee meeting in Lagos, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, said the committee reviewed the impact of the TSA, which became effective on September 15.
He put the total value of the cash reserve requirements released on account of the TSA implementation at N740 billion.

"We reviewed the effect of the TSA. But it is important to do a historical background on the TSA. The first time this policy was implemented in 1989, some little turbulence was witnessed in the banking industry. Maybe that is why a lot of people are so skeptical about what it would do to the banking system.
"But I am pleased to inform you that after the review and after the compliance, the industry liquidity has remained strong because this was done systematically.

“No bank was distressed on account of that. It is also important to understand that it has two implications – the corresponding leg of cash reserve requirement (CRR) would be released to banks on account of returning the deposits that was previously with them. Just to say there is no alarm on account of the movement of funds to the TSA,” he explained.

On her part, the Director, Banking Supervision, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, said the committee at the end of the meeting was satisfied that the banking industry remains safe and sound.

She stressed: “We need to sustain this to continue having the kind of safe and sound banking system that we have now. So, the committee agreed that in addition to the measures we have in place right now, banks on their own would improve their risk management processes and hold sufficient capital to ensure that no matter the risk of shocks that emanates, banks would be prepared to withstand it."
Also, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, commended CBN's forex policy.

"We all agreed that JP Morgan issue has taken place, but what is important is that we have been able to through effective demand management conserve our reserves. We all agreed that irrespective of the effect of JP Morgan delisting, we have to preserve our forex reserves for Nigerians and we would continue to do what is best for Nigerians. We all agreed that we would continue to supply forex to prioritised segments of the economy," he said.

Speaking on the deadline for the Bank Verification Number (BVN), the Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Jibril Aku, warned that there would not be another deadline extension. According to him, the October 31 deadline stands.
"We don't want what happened the other time where there was a rush towards the end of the deadline.

We want to make sure that we continue to sensitise bank customers so that they would come and do their BVN because there would be no further extension. Once that deadline passes, you will not be able to operate that account. All efforts have been made to ensure that the registration process is seamless for customers to come and obtain their BVN. With 28 days to the deadline, we are reaching out to customers to come and enroll for theirs.

"Facilities have been made available for Nigerians in Diaspora to enroll and if they go to the embassy or the branch of any Nigerian bank in their jurisdiction, they would be able to do the registration. We also have a consultant for those in the Diaspora. While it is free at the embassy or the branch of any Nigerian bank, the consultant can do it for a fee. We have seen the progress going on, but we want the customers to know that these deadlines would be enforced. We don't want five days to the end of the month, we would see the crowd we saw the other time," Aku added.

Nigeria ex-oil minister Alison-Madueke 'arrested in UK'

Alison-Madueke has previously denied any wrongdoing when asked about missing public funds and fraud allegations [AP]

geria's former oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has been arrested in London, a source from Nigeria's presidential circle and another with links to her family has said.

Alison-Madueke was minister from 2010 until May 2015 under former president Goodluck Jonathan, who was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari at the polls in March.

Buhari took office in May promising to root out corruption in Africa's most populous country, where few benefit from the OPEC member's enormous energy resources.

In a short statement on its website, the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) said its International Corruption Unit had arrested five people across London on suspicion of bribery and corruption offences on Friday, without naming the suspects.

Nigerian media outlets, including Channels TV, said that Alison-Madueke had been granted bail after several hours in custody.

The Reuters news agency said it was unable to reach Alison-Madueke's personal assistant or a lawyer representing her.

In a sign that the arrest had been coordinated with Nigerian authorities, the financial crimes unit sealed one of Alison-Madueke's houses in the upmarket Asokoro district in the capital Abuja, two security officials said.

Allegations denied

During Alison-Madueke's time in office, former central bank governor Lamido Sanusi was sacked after he raised concern that tens of billions of dollars in oil revenues had not been remitted to state coffers by the government-run oil company NNPC between January 2012 and July 2013.

Alison-Madueke has previously denied to Reuters any wrongdoing when questioned about missing public funds and fraud allegations.

Ordinary Nigerians, tired of seeing no narrowing of the West African country's wealth gap, have been eagerly waiting to see the results of probes into the oil sector.

Buhari said on Sunday that the prosecution of those suspected of misappropriating the NNPC's revenue under past administrations would begin soon.

Getting tough on corruption would deflect criticism of Buhari for failing to appoint a cabinet or an economic team four months after taking office as Nigeria's economy is going through a severe crisis due to the plunge in global oil prices, Reuters said.

Illegal Occupants Threaten Operation of 1,320mw Egbin Power Plant

Egbin Power 

Ejiofor Alike

The Chief Executive Officer of Egbin Power Plc, Mr. Dallas M. Peavey, has raised the alarm that the continued presence of illegal occupants at the company’s facilities is threatening the smooth operation of the 1,320-megawatt capacity plant.

Peavy also said in a statement yesterday that the presence of the former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in the company’s Housing Estate had constituted a major challenge to ensuring sustained transformation as well as security of lives and property on the plant,

Peavey noted that Egbin whose sustained 1,100mw generation is driving recent increase in the nation’s power supply faces a huge setback from the current housing constraints due to the illegal occupants who were former employees of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Commissioned in 1985 as part of the Egbin Power facility, the Egbin Housing Estate was designed to provide accommodation for employees to promote staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

The Complex is currently being upgraded by Egbin Power’s new management as major repairs of the schools within the estate had been concluded and there is an ongoing overhaul of the recreational centres and housing units.

According to Peavey, the illegitimate residents, their wards and certain groups in the community have been linked with plans to disrupt the operations of the plant and other misdemeanors such as incidences of rape, robberies and vandalism that are already occurring on the facility.

“The illegal occupants are not documented and this is a huge risk in an enclosed environment. Outcomes from various investigations show that some of the criminal and untoward acts perpetrated in the estate have been traced to individuals linked to some of the former PHCN staff most of whom have either retired or transferred about 8years ago but have refused to vacate the Estate after being served quit notices for over two years now.

“They continue to harass our staff and issue threats of major disruptions to the facility. The situation deserves immediate national attention considering the strategic role Egbin plays in the power sector. We therefore appeal to law enforcement agencies to urgently address the situation which may result in sabotage to the plant,” he said.

The Egbin CEO said the housing constraint was taking its toll on the technical personnel and engineers who work on shift and on-call duty.

He explained that no fewer than 150 staff are being denied accommodation by the situation, a development he added had led to endless cases of “trauma and impeded productivity” in the company.

“Most of the technical personnel and engineers who work on shift and on-call duty have had to seek accommodation outside the company’s facility and now find it difficult to attend to call duties especially when it occurs at odd hours. Employees on shift duty operations that end late in the night encounter several security risks on their way home.

“About 150 of our employees and their families are being denied accommodation as a result of the illegal occupants. We have staff crowded into apartments whilst the current occupants who have since been paid their severance packages and entitlements refuse to vacate the official quarters. We have about 16 graduate engineers crammed into a 3 bedroom, with many more staff and their families being dislodged. Obviously, their prolonged illegal stay is stretching the existing maintenance facilities meant for the legal occupants.

“We are calling for the prompt intervention of the government and law enforcement agencies to address the situation to ensure adequate security of lives and property, and most importantly, sustained transformation in Egbin,” he stated.

NSCDC invades ‘baby factory’ hotels in Enugu

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Enugu state command yesterday paraded six girls whose ages range from 15 to 24, and who were recovered from two different brothels.

The girls were also paraded with proprietors of the brothels; Chief George Obike, owner of Star Palace Hotel located at No. 4 Mission Avenue, Coal Camp Enugu and Azubuike Aneke, owner of Zubynet Hotel, 26 Okpara Avenue Enugu, who were alleged to be engaged in the illicit business.

The arrests were made through the combined efforts of NSCDC and the Enugu State Child Fostering and Adoption Committee headed by Most Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma, Archbishop of the Anglican Communion, Enugu State Province.

The girls are: Esther Ani (23) SS2 student from Agbani, Enugu State; Ifeoma Agbo (21) JS3 student from Ezzamgbo Ebonyi State; Lovett Mbamalu (18) SS2 student from Ifitedunu Anambra State, Ogbu; Gloria (15) SS3 student from Effium, Ebonyi State; Chinaza Okoye (18) SS3 student from Agulu, Anambra state, and Aku Udeze Favour (24) SS3 student from Uzo-Uwani, Enugu State.

The girls, who are mostly school drop outs, were alleged to have been kept in the brothels where men pay N1000 per night to sleep with them in order to impregnate them.

Subsequently, they were allegedly held until they put to bed before they were released after their babies were sold.

The girls, who spoke to our correspondent, however, noted that they were in the brothels for prostitution only.

The proprietors of the brothels, Obika and Aneke, however denied that they were engaged in ‘baby factory’ business, insisting that they run the brothels as prostitution ring where girls pay N100 per night for lodging.

The NSCDC also paraded a woman identified as Nchechi Isioko from Mpu in Anirmri Local Government Area of Enugu for allegedly attempting to sell her baby for One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100, 000).

She was said to have concluded plans to sell the baby to one Mrs. Blessing Egbo for N100,000 before operatives of NSCDC got information, and arrested her and the suspected buyer.

The NSCDC similarly paraded pipeline vandals at the headquarters of the NSCDC in Enugu yesterday.

Speaking while parading the suspects, the commandant of NSCDC in Enugu State, Mr. Lar Stephen Zwali, warned pipeline vandals to look for another business, saying his command has intensified surveillance.

He averred that the suspects were caught at Nenwe in Animri Local Government in the night while they were vandalising the pipelines

NUT shuns C’River NLC, TUC strike

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Cross River State branch, yesterday said it would not join the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Con­gress and the Trade Union Congress (NLC/TUC) in the state for obvious rea­sons.

Speaking in a sympo­sium organised by NUT in collaboration with Bloom Consulting in Calabar, Chairman of the state NUT, Mr. Eyo Nsa-Etim, who also doubles as the Vice Chairman for the state NLC, pointed out that the teachers union was not invited for the meeting when the deci­sion to call members of the NLC and the TUC out for strike on Octo­ber 2, a situation which would cripple the state’s work force.

“For now, we are to­tally not involved in the strike. We have some programmes at hand, and if we join them in the strike now, we can­not celebrate our world teachers’ day coming up on October 5.

“Also, the state gov­ernment is trying to solve labour problems in the state. We believe that the state government ought to have been given a lit­tle time to respond to the issues raised by NLC and TUC.

“We may join along the way, but I think the pres­ent government is still new and deserves some time to put things in or­der.

“Their reasons for the strike is that government had failed to pay promo­tion arrears, no promo­tion of civil servants, no release of deductions from salaries, no funding of ministries, department and agencies among oth­ers,’’ he said.

Nsa-Etim maintained that the organised la­bour decided to em­bark on strike without informing the NUT in the state.

“We cannot take part in what we did not originate. NLC and TUC would have given the government a little time before embarking on strike,’’ he said.

According to him, the backlogs of arrears been demanded were incurred by the previ­ous administration in the state.

Saturday Mirror gathered that the sym­posium was organised to celebrate teachers for their roles in mold­ing the character and development of chil­dren