‘Fed Govt owes pensioners N183b- Tony Akowe

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that unless urgent steps are taken, the Contributory Pension Scheme (CSP) designed to ease the suffering of pensioners in the country may collapse, saying the government was indebted to pensioners under the scheme to over N183 billion.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Contributory Pensioners branch of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Abuja, NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said government attitude towards remitting the retirement savings bond for many workers who migrated to the new scheme is threatening the survival of the scheme.
The CPS was put in place by the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo under the Pension Reforms Act of 2004 to replace the Defined Benefit Scheme which has made life unbearable for pensioners across the country.
However, with over N183 billion unpaid contribution by the government, Wabba believes the time has come for both the pensioners and workers to join hands to ensure that the right thing is done by the government, saying “we must unite to fight this course because in unity lies our strength”.
Wabba said: “The CPS is being threatened for obvious reasons. The president has narrated some of the challenges that the scheme is passing through and therefore, it is very clear and obvious that the scheme is under threat today and if you are not careful, the scheme may even collapse because where you have a liability of over N183 billion unattended to, is something that should give all of us course for concern.

“As we use to say, retirement should be sweet, but I think retirement in Nigeria have turned out to be a nightmare where our very senior citizens. Instead of receiving attention they deserve having served their country diligently, it is now the other way round.
“That is why I am extremely delighted that this forum is being put together. I am aware that another group is parading themselves as representing the interest of the contributory pensioners. I know that as a matter of fact, the NUP has the capacity and the strength and structure to accommodate your interest effectively.
“The union has been in existence since 1978 and has structures in all the 774 local government areas in the country and in all states. Both the Defined Benefit Scheme and the CPS are passing through serious challenges.
“Under the law, the pension union is supposed to protect your interest within the context of the law ad those laws states that you have the right. So, in your own interest and to protect your right, you have a right to belong to the NUP and try to unite because it is better to have a platform that is tested rather than trying to go solo or going in segment t pursue our course and at the end of the day, all of us will then suffer.
“A worker today is a potential pensioner tomorrow and as NLC, we have taken your plight to be very core in the defence of workers right. If is very clear in our constitution that you take the issue of the worker and the pensioner side by side and we will do that.
“The issue of payment of benefits in Nigerian has become a nightmare and both of the pension schemes we are operating today have come under serious challenge. The payment of benefits as and when due is seriously an issue that need to be consider d because presently pensioners under the contributory pension scheme go through serious stages to get paid their benefits.

Culled from Nation

South East governors mull uniform economic, security polices By Lawrence Njoku

Efforts at repositioning the South-East geo political zone as a major economic backbone of the country may have started in earnest as the five governors from the region resolved to pursue a common economic blueprint that would boost its fortunes.
The governors, who were meeting for the first time since the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost the presidential election in 2015, said they would work together to develop the economic potentials of the zone, so as to raise revenues, cause development and create jobs for the teeming youths.
And apparently to put a stamp in their new desire, the governors who were physically present at the meeting, which held yesterday in Enugu, nominated Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State as their new chairman. He replaced former Abia governor, Theodore Orji.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, Umahi stated they also resolved to pursue a common security agenda so as to stem the tide of kidnapping and other security challenges that could affect the overall development of the zone.


To fortify the cause for economic integration of the region, the Ebonyi State chief executive disclosed that the economic commissioners of the five states had being mandated to meet at a later date for the purposes of articulating a joint economic agenda of development that will better the lot of the people. His words: “We decided to have proper economic integration of the South East zone. And in this regard, we have instructed the economic commissioners ‎of the various states to come out with a blue print in that regard.
“I want to first of all accept the leadership position that my colleagues have imposed on me. Though I am not most qualified, but they decided that I should lead the South East Governors’ Forum at a time like this. So I want to thank them with all sense of humility and I accept with all my heart.”

Culled from Guardian

5 killed as armed robbers attack bank in Imo — George Onyejiuwa

Five persons were yesterday killed when armed robbers attacked a branch of a new generation Bank located along the popular Wetheral Road, Owerri, Imo State capital
Sources said the armed robbers trailed someone who wanted to deposit large sum of money to bank premises and instantly shot him dead.  The robbers also shot three security guards, but lost one gang members, who was shot dead by policemen guarding the bank.
When Daily Sun visited the scene yesterday,  armed policemen had cordoned off the bank premises and refused everybody entry, except bank staff.
A witness told Daily Sun that the robbers, who came in three cars, had opened fire on their target, as soon as he alighted from the car that brought him to the bank.  The target was hit as well as three other victims.
“The robbers, who were about 12 in number, had trailed the man who wanted to deposit large sums of money. They came in three cars, but it was one of the cars that followed him into the bank premises.  As soon as he came out of his car, the robbers shot him dead and took the money. They also shot dead three of the security guards and one bank customer. But one of the policemen guarding the bank killed one of the robbers.”
Another witness said the police arrived the scene after the robbers had left.
Spokesman of the Imo State Police Command, DSP Andrew Enwerem, confirmed the incident.

Culled from Sun

Success of Eurobond linked to increased appetite of foreign investors for Nigeria- Helen Oji

Chief Executive Officer, London Stock Exchange (LSE), Nikhil Rathi (left); Director-General, National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Chinelo Anohu-Amazu; UK Minister for International Trade, Greg Hands; Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; Chief Executive Officer, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar N. Onyema; Executive Director, Capital Markets Division, Haruna Jalo-Waziri.

• As trading on bond commences on LSE platform
The International Markets Unit – Head of Middle East, Africa and South Asia, London Stock Exchange, (LSE), Ibukun Adebayo, has described the success of Nigeria’s bond listing as a strong indication of international investors’ interest in building exposure to the nation’s economy.
Adebayo said this during the listing of the Nigeria’s $1 billion 15-year government bonds on LSE platform.
According to him, the listing, which secured high quality investor support from across the United States and Europe, would support Nigeria in financing its long-term infrastructure projects.
Adebayo explained that the listing of the bond on LSE builds on the recent pipeline of several high profile sovereign, supranational, municipal and private company bond issuances on the LSE.


He noted that the offer, nearly eight times oversubscribed, reaching approximately $7.7billion, highlights strong international investor demand and demonstrates confidence in Nigeria’s economy. Furthermore, Adebayo added that the listing reinforces LSE status as a strong partner to Nigeria, as well as the City’s readiness to provide a deep additional channel of finance for the development of Nigerian infrastructure and the growth of the economy.
“In January 2017, Israel listed its largest ever Eurobond offering of €2.25 billion in London. Nigeria’s choice of London Stock Exchange for its first international bond offering since 2013 underlines LSE position as a leading global venue for debt fund raising and London’s enduring status as a market open to the world.”
Also, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Simon Kirby, said: “I am delighted that the Nigerian government has chosen London as the location to list its $1 billion sovereign bond. This issuance underlines Britain’s position as the world’s leading global financial centre and strengthens our economic and financial relationship with Nigeria.”
With a coupon of 7.875 per cent, the 15 year government bond, is the longest ever maturity for an international Nigerian bond, the first international issuance for the country since 2013. The offer was nearly eight times oversubscribed, with the order book closing at approximately $7.7 billion.
LSE Group has a long history of supporting the development of African capital markets and investment in African companies.

Guardian

Woman annoyed with boyfriend for snoring devastated to realise he was actually dead-Jen Mills

Lisa Lee with boyfriend Lewis Little and their son Tyler (Picture: North News)

A woman who kicked her boyfriend out of bed because of his loud snores was horrified to discover he was actually dead. 
Lisa Lee, 25, said she was in bed asleep next to Lewis Little, also 25, when she woke up to a loud gasping noise.
‘I just thought he was snoring, so I kicked him out of the bed and told him to shut up,’ she said.
‘But I felt that the sheets were wet and knew something was wrong.
‘I turned the lights on and his face was purple – he wasn’t breathing.
‘I called an ambulance and it felt like it took forever.’

Lewis with his son (Picture: North News)

She was horrified to be told that he had actually died hours earlier, and the ‘snores’ were the sound of air leaving his body and passing the vocal chords.
Lisa, who says she has lost her soulmate, knew that Lewis had a heart condition called Brugada syndrome.

However, doctors had told them that he was a low risk sufferer.
Lisa, a mum-of-one, has started a petition for people with the rare condition to be offered an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), a device which restarts the heart, on the NHS.
She believes an ICD would have saved her boyfriend’s life.
‘He begged to be fitted with an ICD and each time was told he didn’t need one,’ she said.

Lisa, 25, said: ‘We were told that Lewis would have a long, happy and healthy life – but he died one year after diagnosis.
‘Losing Lewis has destroyed me and our son Tyler.

‘The syndrome is a silent killer – I just want to raise awareness of it and make sure something gets done.’
The couple, from Ashington, Northumberland, went to regular check ups about Lewis’ condition, but say they were assured that he was ‘low-risk’.
Lewis, who worked as an agency worker, lived a completely normal and active life and was not prescribed any medication for the condition.

The couple with son Tyler (Picture: North News)

Lewis was told he was low risk (Picture: North News)

Lisa, a sales assistant, said: ‘I know I can’t change what happened to my family, but I just want to save other families from going through the same grief because of Brugada.
‘Lewis was my soul mate. He would always say to me that he would propose – he had already picked out our wedding song.
‘It has just put everything into perspective, life is so short and I feel like I was very naive to think that nothing like this would ever happen.’

Brugada Syndrome

Brugada syndrome is an uncommon, but serious, heart condition which can result in abnormally rapid heart rhythms that can cause palpitations or fainting.
The problem can be genetic, or may be passed on in families but it is possible for people with the condition to have no symptoms at all.
The condition is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young, healthy people and may not be diagnosed because there are no visible abnormalities.

Culled from Metro

Saraki: The President We Met was Witty and Healthy

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

As the National Assembly prepares to resume from recess next Tuesday, Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, met with President Muhammadu Buhari in London yesterday, with Saraki assuring Nigerians that he was witty and healthy, and there was no cause for alarm.

Saraki and Dogara left Abuja yesterday morning in the company of the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, to meet with the president who is on an extended medical vacation in London.

The lawmakers were said to have left Abuja yesterday morning and arrived London in the afternoon.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu was obviously left out of the trip, because he is a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Also, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yusuf Lasun and Majority Leader in the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who were supposed to have been on the trip, could not make it.

THISDAY learnt that the visit was at the instance of Buhari who was said to have called Saraki and asked him to come over to London.

Although the reason for the invitation was shrouded in secrecy, Saraki was said to have been favourably disposed to embarking on the trip in the company of Dogara and Lawan.

However, it was gathered that the trip was necessitated by fact that the National Assembly will be resuming from its recess next Tuesday, during which opposition lawmakers might demand to know the true status of the health of the president.

According to sources in the National Assembly, Saraki, Dogara and Lawan’s visit to Buhari in London was set up to douse any concerns over the president’s health.

This, according to sources, informed the release of several photographs of the lawmakers visit to Buhari in London yesterday night.

Also, a statement issued by the senate president last night said: “Myself, Rt. Honorable Yakubu Dogara and Leader of Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan paid a visit to President Buhari in Abuja House in London.

“We were delighted to see that President Buhari is doing well, was cheerful and in good spirits.

“The president I saw today is healthy, witty and himself.

“The president’s absence and imminent return shows that there is no vacuum in government and our system of democracy is working with all organs of government fulfilling their mandate.

“And let me use the time tested cliché, there is no cause for alarm!”

Both Saraki and Dogara last Wednesday disclosed that they had held phone conversations with Buhari amid speculations about his health.

While Saraki said he called Buhari, Dogara said the president had called him and discussed issues affecting the welfare of Nigerians.

Saraki, in a tweet, said he spoke with the president and he was not only in good spirits, but also cracked a joke with him about his (Saraki’s) penchant for working very late into the night.

Dogara said his conversation with the president focused on Buhari’s concern over the plights of hapless citizens of Nigeria last year and how he was determined not to let the economic downturn continue this year.

The visit of the principal officers of the National Assembly to Buhari in London would be the second of such visits in the last one week by prominent Nigerians.

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu and erstwhile interim Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande visited the president last week and took photographs with him at Abuja House, London.

In the letter informing the National Assembly of the extension of his vacation, Buhari said: “I am extending my leave until the doctors are satisfied that certain factors are ruled out.”

He added: “In the course of the routine examinations, certain tests indicated a course of medications and further appointments have been scheduled for next week (this week).

“I am therefore notifying the Distinguished Senate that I am extending my leave until my doctors are satisfied that certain factors are ruled out. In the circumstances, the Vice President will continue to act on my behalf.”

Meanwhile, the White House in Washington D.C. has finally released the readout of President Donald Trump’s phone call to Buhari on Monday.

The readout, which was published on the White House’s website, was however silent on Trump’s invitation to Buhari to Washington D.C.

It said: “President Donald J. Trump spoke this week with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to discuss the strong cooperation between the United States and Nigeria, including on shared security, economic, and governance priorities.

“President Trump underscored the importance the United States places on its relationship with Nigeria, and he expressed interest in working with President Buhari to expand the strong partnership.

“The leaders agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and worldwide.

“President Trump expressed support for the sale of aircraft from the United States to support Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram.

“President Trump thanked President Buhari for the leadership he has exercised in the region and emphasised the importance of a strong, secure, and prosperous Nigeria that continues to lead in the region and in international forums.”

Thisday

Outrage as N145b questionable items remain in 2017 budget By Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Otei Oham and Chijioke Nelson

President Muhammadu Buhari (C) presenting copies of the 2017 budget documents to the National Assembly on Wednesday, December 14, 2016.

• Senate queries Fashola, Adeosun over N2b vote
• Reps raise team to tackle economic recession
There is the fear that a huge part of the funds borrowed to execute the 2017 budget may end up in private pockets, as no less than 276 questionable items from 55 agencies still remain in the document.
The controversial items, estimated at nearly half of the $1billion Eurobond proceeds, appear in the form of duplications, repetitions and inexplicable headings in the 2017 budget.
The expected budget performance and national development will remain elusive, while the country would have committed future generations into debt that benefitted a few individuals who diverted the funds into their private pockets. Moreover, the provisions appear to be a template that is represented on a yearly basis, thereby paving the way for the misappropriation of the scarce resources that could have been deployed for other uses.


The Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, at the 2017 Civil Society Summit on the Federal Budget in Abuja, had said such an anomaly could only be traced in the former document presented, not the one currently being considered by the National Assembly. But there are indications that these questionable provisions remain in the national fiscal document for 2017, especially in proposals by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) like Budget and National Planning; Works, Power and Housing; State House Headquarters; Health; Water Resources; and Transport leading the pack. Others are Hajj Commission; Education; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; and Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Nigeria is in recession, leading to a fall in living standards. The citizens now live on the margins, which makes it imperative for all borrowed money to count.
For Dr. Olalekan Obademi of the Faculty of Business Administration, University of Lagos, this is another litmus test for the lawmakers to examine all items and ask for the economic justification.
“Frivolities and duplications have been the hallmark of Nigeria’s budget over the years, with no one to be held responsible. If this trend continues in the current budget, there is no doubt that only a few will smile, leaving the majority in failed expectations again,” he said.
Raising concern over the use of the borrowed money to implement the budget, he said there was the need for government to come out clear on its recoveries and the specific projects they would be used to execute.
Dr. Uzochukwu Amakom of the Institute for Development Studies, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, said if the controversial items were allowed to pass, there would not be a basis for the acclaimed change.
“First, I have always been skeptical about borrowing, not that it is bad, but the crowding out effect on private sector and mostly, the implementation. This estimated figure is nearly half of the Eurobond proceeds. As you may know, a budget like this is dead on arrival because it has been the bane of development in this country,” he said.
To the Lead Director of the Centre for Social Justice, Eze Onyekpere, at this period of great economic uncertainty, the federal budget, along with other economic policy instruments, is supposed to provide a guide out of the current economic quagmire.
“The budget estimates are not anchored on any discernible policy plank. We still have a budget suffused with frivolities, inappropriate, unclear and wasteful expenditure. Every Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) seems to be budgeting like business as usual. High-level policy documents are not resonating through the budget estimates.
“The annual ritual of demanding computers and software, bloated refreshment and meals, and purchase of vehicles is still the norm. Every MDA wants a vote for annual budget expenses and administration after provisions have been made for their personnel costs which should have covered this demand,” he said.
Also, Fidelis Onyjegbu of Public Finance Management at CSJ lamented the demand for new vehicles without an explanation of what happened to the pool of existing vehicles. He described the situation as an opportunity to fritter funds.
“To worsen matters, MDAs are breaking the public procurement rules by demanding specific brands of foreign cars at a time the executive and legislature are championing the ‘Buy-Made-in- Nigeria’ campaign. Top of MDAs doing this is the Presidency/State House.”
Also, Dr. David Agu of the Institute for Development Studies, University of Nigeria, queried the rationale for the allocation of more than N1.33 trillion to the budget ministry.
“These leaders must explain in words and action, whose interest they are serving- the few or the majority. It is startling to have N901.2 billion recurrent expenditure and N426.3 billion capital expenditure in a ministry that is more of service offering, than project execution.
This demands a clear explanation to Nigerians.
“The budget needs to be reworked to focus on pro-poor priorities; creating an enabling environment for improved production and service delivery; reducing inequality and increasing national wealth. Nigerians demand leadership by example from the executive, legislature and the judiciary,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Senate has condemned what it described as double budgeting and padding in the budget proposal of the Ministry of Works, Power and Housing.At a budget defence session in the National Assembly yesterday, the Senate Committee on Housing expressed shock that despite the provision of N41.9 billion for the National Housing Programme in the budget, another strange N2 billion was planted in the document for a non-existing regional housing scheme.
When the committee subjected the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola to a series of questions over the strange provision, he disowned the N2 billion allegedly voted for regional housing scheme by the Ministry of Finance out of the N64.991billioin budgetary proposals for the housing sector this year.
Fashola told the committee that the Ministry of Finance put it into the 2017 budgetary profile of the Ministry of Housing as its own initiative.
“I do not know as much of it as you do because it is not our initiative.” “I do not know as much of it as you do because it is not our initiative,”
Fashola told the committee presided over by Barnabas Gemade (APC Benue North East).Consequently, the committee ordered its clerk to write the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun to appear before it for an explanation on the questionable vote.
Also yesterday, the House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara inaugurated a 12- member panel to begin engagements with relevant agencies of government on possible ways of dealing with the recession in the country.

The ad hoc committee headed by Olabode Ayorinde is to find out how the nation slipped into the economic mess before recommending measures for getting out of it. Inaugurating the panel, known as Tactical Committee on Economic Recession, Dogara said engagements with the executive were crucial at this time, as the government was appearing helpless in the face of the huge job losses, low economic activities and intense hardships being experienced by Nigerians.
He said the decision of the House followed its resolve at its inauguration in March 2015 to consistently collaborate with the government in checking and balancing the executive.

Guardian

EFCC Reopens 2005 $1m Fraud Charge against Ajudua-Akinwale Akintunde

Fred Ajudua

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reopened a $1million fraud case against a one-time Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua.

The EFCC had instituted the case before a Lagos High Court in February 2005 before Justice Morenikeji Obadina but the matter was struck out in 2009 after Ajudua failed to appear before the court on 24 occasions.

The anti-graft agency had alleged that Fred Ajudua and one Joseph Ochunor sometimes in 1993 conspired to defraud one Ziad Abu Zalaf of Technical International Limited based in Germany.

According to EFCC, the duo had at various times collected an aggregate sum of $1,043,000 from the German businessman under the guise of financing a fictitious contract awarded by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Justice Obadina had struck out the charge in 2009, four years after Ajudua failed to appear for his trial despite a warrant of arrest issued by the court against him.

However, when Ajudua resurfaced in 2013, the EFCC formally applied to the Lagos Chief Judge to relist the matter, which was eventually reassigned to Justice Josephine Oyefeso.

At yesterday’s proceedings, EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Seidu Atteh, informed the court that the commission had in January 25, 2017 filed a motion seeking to reopen the case.

In his response, Ajudua’s lawyer, Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN), informed the court that his client had already filed a preliminary objection against the motion filed by the EFCC.

The matter, however, could not proceed as the court refused to allow EFCC lawyer, Atteh, attempt to orally respond to the defendant’s preliminary objection.

Justice Oyefeso adjourned the matter till March 13, 2017 for argument of the application.

Earlier, in a separate trial of Ajudua’s alleged fraud against former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd), of $4.8million, Ajudua through an application, asked the court to strike out the charges against him.

The matter was however adjourned till March 13, 2017 due to the inability of the EFCC team to serve the defence with its response to the application seeking to quash the charge.

Culled from Thisday

Why our managers took control of Arik, by AMCON By Clara Nwachukwu, Femi Adekoya and Wole Oyebade

• EFCC quizzes chairman over N135b debt
• FG pledges to keep airline running
• Stakeholders differ on takeover
The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) yesterday took over the executive control of Arik Air to save the carrier from collapse due to its heavy financial debt burden.
The airline will now be managed by Capt. Roy Ukpebo Ilegbodu, a veteran aviation expert with more than 30 years experience, under the receivership of Mr. Oluseye Opasanya (SAN).
With the takeover by independent management under AMCON, owned by the Federal Government, the airline stands a chance of not going under, but to rebound and give efficient services to passengers and meet its financial obligations, including paying workers’ salaries.


Industry watchers had seen the development coming, but rather than a complete takeover, the debts’ purchasing company preferred the option of a management takeover, having considered the security, safety and attendant loss of revenue and hundreds of jobs by workers, service providers, contractors, suppliers and others. The change in management came after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invaded the headquarters and quizzed the Chairman, Sir Michael Arumemi-Ikhide, for several hours over alleged misappropriation of N135 billion.
Rationalising the management takeover, a high-ranking source at AMCON confided in The Guardian on the telephone yesterday that “the issue with Arik goes beyond wanting to recover debts owed.”
According to the source, “Even if AMCON wants to recover the N135 billion, under the current economic crisis, how much will it realise from selling the aircraft? They’ve gone from 28 aircraft to just 10 in the fleet.”
The source said further: “N135 billion is just debts owed to AMCON. What about the $20million owed foreign partners for services or the N100million to renew its insurance?
“Besides, it has not been able to pay salaries for about seven months and everyday their passengers are stranded at all the airports where they operate. So we are trying to save them from collapse, not kill them as AMCON is often accused of.
“In fact, it is in everybody’s interest – the government, the airline and the passengers– that it continues to operate. There is no way government can allow Arik, Nigeria’s biggest airline and the only one flying the international routes, to go under.”
“The new management will examine the fundamental problems of the airline and will remain until the airline stabilises and able to meet its domestic and external obligations to all stakeholders,” the source added.
Arik Air, which is reputed as West and Central Africa’s largest carrier, was accused of bad corporate governance; erratic operations; inability to pay staff salaries; delay in renewal of aircraft insurance, and heavy debt burden to fuel marketers and aviation ancillary services, among others.
The airline has refused to comment on the development or the allegations against it, as calls and text messages to the spokesman, Banji Ola, remain unanswered.
Speaking on the AMCON’s latest intervention in Arik Air for the second time, the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said the development was timely and would stabilise the operations of the airline.
“This will enhance the long-term economic value of Arik Air and revitalise the airline’s ailing operations as well as sustain safety standards, in view of Arik Air’s pivotal role in the Nigerian aviation sector.”
The minister pledged the Aviation Ministry’s support for the new management of the strategic carrier, adding that all necessary steps had been taken to ensure that there would be no undue disruption of Arik’s regular business operations or activities of other stakeholders on account of the change in the leadership.
Meanwhile, aviation stakeholders have expressed mixed feelings over the change in leadership. While some commended the action as long overdue, others expressed concerns over AMCON’s ability to manage the airline to safety.
On Wednesday, Arik suspended its flight operations to the John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, United States, claiming that the two Airbus A330-200 aircraft dedicated to the route had been taken to France for C check at the same time.
Also, more than eight aircraft are currently grounded at the tarmac making it difficult to meet their routine commercial flights.
During the last Yuletide season, passengers were stranded at airports all over the country due to Arik’s incessant flight delays and cancellations, which negatively affected the preference they enjoy from passengers.
The Head of Corporate Communications Department of AMCON, Jude Nwauzor, said that the move, which clearly underscores government’s decision to instill sanity in the nation’s aviation sector, has also prevented a major catastrophe that would, among other factors, protect and preserve Arik Airlines as a going concern.
“The development will afford Arik Airlines, which is the largest local carrier to go back to regular and undisrupted operations, avoid job losses, protect investors and stakeholder funds as well as ensure safety and stability in the already challenged aviation sector.”
Ilegbodu, under the receivership of Opasanya, has also assured both staff of the troubled airline and all other stakeholders that his appointment at Arik would among other objectives enhance the value of Arik, improve customer experience, sustain the safety, and reliable and secure operational history of the airline before all those were eroded.
But a doyen of the aviation industry, Capt. Dele Ore, said the development was unfortunate, noting that AMCON is strictly for financial institutions and not cut out for managing an airline.
Ore expressed the fear that his friends and colleagues would be at risk of losing their jobs, if the airline manages to recover as AMCON has promised.
The Secretary General of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Abdulrasak Saidu, said Arik emerged from the remains of Nigeria Airways, “bought over by the owners, without paying a dime to the government.”

Saidu added: “It is time for government to be serious and find out what was done with the sale of Nigeria Airways. At the end, Arik Air should be renamed as Nigeria Airways. Then, justice would have been done.” The President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Isaac Balami, said it was sad for the aviation sector and quite surprised at the change in management.
Balami said it was unfortunate that an airline valued at $3billion is now distressed.
He said the situation should send a strong warning signal to all that the aviation sector really needs an intervention.

Culled from Guardian

FG: No Basis Comparing Yar’Adua’s Health Issues with Buhari’s

2

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja
The federal government has again launched another spirited attempt to convince increasingly sceptical Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari, who is in the United Kingdom on an extended vacation, is “hale and hearty”, adding that there was no basis comparing the president’s health with what played out during the Umaru Yar’Adua presidency.

Minister of information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed made the spirited defence yesterday when he briefed State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He insisted that Buhari was neither ill, nor was he in any danger that calls for panic.
The minister also reacted to the charge that he had failed to provide hourly briefings on the status of the president’s health, even though he had challenged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in 2010 to do the same when the late Yar’Adua was sick and later died in office.

According to him, it was like comparing apple with oranges.
He added that Buhari was not in a hospital in London and was not in any danger relating to his health.
The minister also said there was no cause for alarm.
He explained that the controversy surrounding the health of the president had played out because of the nature of his transparency.

According to him, the president was a victim of transparency.
He said: “I think I can say without any equivocation that he is well, he is hale and he is hearty, no question about that.
“Mr. President is not ill, he is not in hospital, there will be no need to give anybody hourly bulletins about his health pure and simple,” the minister said.

He added: “Mr. President, like I said elsewhere, is a victim of his own transparency, he was going on leave, he did what the constitution said he should do: he transmitted a letter to the National Assembly and an acting president was put in place and he said ‘while I am on leave, I am going to conduct some medical tests’, which all of us do without announcing it.

“And of course less than six hours after he got there, he was pronounced dead by some people. Even those who saw him climb the aircraft in Abuja said he was flown by air ambulance.
“But I can assure you that Mr. President is well, he is hale and hearty, and there is no cause for concern. The acting president speaks to him everyday and he told you so.”

The information minister said that he could however not blame Buhari for his rumoured death that has followed his vacation abroad.
“I won’t blame Mr. President, because this is the third time you are declaring him dead.”
Asked why Buhari went on vacation at a time Nigeria is in a recession, the minister said: “Our constitution guarantees that. Did Obama not go on leave, do other presidents not go on leave.

“Mr. President will go on vacation when he has to go on vacation. Do you know how many ministers have gone on vacation this year? To say Mr. President cannot go on vacation that is ridiculous.

“You see, on a lighter note, do you think Mr. President will be ill and we will be here and going about our business like this?
“He (pointing to a colleague) was in Anambra two to three days ago, I was in Ilorin on Monday, all our ministers are busy. But I want to assure you that Mr. President is well and he is in absolutely no danger.

“I think it was one of the newspapers that said when I was the spokesman of the Action Congress (AC), I demanded for hourly bulletins on Yar’Adua’s health and that I ought to be giving hourly bulletins as Minister of Information on the health of the president. And I said you are comparing apple with oranges.”

Buhari left Nigeria on January 19 on a vacation for 10 working days and was slated to return on February 5 in order to resume work the next day.

However, on the day he was supposed to return to the country, the presidency issued a statement explaining that the president had decided to extend his vacation on the advise of his doctors. No date was given on when he would return.

Since his departure, Buhari has not been seen or heard from, fuelling speculations about his well being.

Some photographs released by the presidency and close associates of the president, showing Buhari vacationing in the UK with his wife, among others, have not helped to douse concerns.

Culled from Thisday

Thug brutally stabbed victim to death in park in front of horrified families before catching train to Paris-ByScarlet Howes

Mario Albino Te, 21, knifed 20-year-old Bradley Dos Reis Pais Quaresma in the neck and chest in broad daylight

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Mario Albino caught on CCTV just moments after the brutal attack

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A man who brutally stabbed his victim in the neck during a fight in front of picnicking families has been found guilty of manslaughter.
Mario Albino Te, 21, knifed 20-year-old Bradley Dos Reis Pais Quaresma to death in Stratford Park, east London in July last year.
The court heard that a large group of males had gathered at the park, and a fight broke out as other members of the public out enjoying the sun looked on in horror.
Bradley was stabbed in the neck and chest during the altercation.
There were several witnesses to the events before and after the stabbing, and a man was seen running from the park onto Tennyson Road just after the incident.

Mario Albino Te has been found guilty of manslaughter and awaits sentencing (Photo: London Metropolitan Police)

CCTV footage of Te fleeing the scene after the horrific attack in an east London park (Photo: London Metropolitan Police)

Officers obtained CCTV footage covering the area and also recovered a large kitchen knife in nearby Whalebone Lane. It was analysed and found to have Bradley's blood on it.
Officers quickly identified Te as a suspect. The court heard that Bradley - a Portuguese national who had lived in London as a student for two years - and Te were known to each other, and had been in contact in the days before the incident.
Te boarded a train to Paris from St Pancras station on the morning after the murder but officers, working in cooperation with the French authorities, had him detained in Paris and he was brought back to the UK.

Bradley Dos Reis Pais Quaresma was fatally stabbed in the neck and chest during fight (Photo: London Metropolitan Police)

Te boarded a train to Paris from St Pancras station on the morning after the murder (Photo: London Metropolitan Police)

Te, who was carrying cash and a bag containing clothing and ID, was arrested on suspicion of murder that afternoon.
DCI Gary Holmes, the senior investigating officer from the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command, said:"Bradley was a young man in the prime of his life who was tragically killed at the hands of Te.
"The jury found Te guilty of Bradley's unlawful killing, and rejected the claim that he was acting in self defence and that Bradley was the aggressor.
"I would like to thank Bradley's family for the bravery and courage they have shown since his death and throughout our investigation."
Sentencing is due to take place this Friday, 10 February.

Mirror

Released from UK jail, Ibori plots next move

James Ibori

James Ibori reputedly wielded influence in his native Nigeria even from his British prison cell, where he was serving a 13-year sentence for money laundering and fraud. With the 57-year-old now back on home soil, few doubt he will remain an important player in the cut-throat world of Nigerian politics — even behind the scenes — as elections approach in two years.
The former governor of Delta state in the oil-rich south, who used looted public funds to buy luxury homes, top-of-the-range cars and a private jet, has said that African politicians never retire.


“Politics is in his blood,” his former adviser Ighoyota Amori told AFP. “He will for now take a short rest before deciding on the next line of action.” But in a strong hint Ibori was eyeing some political role, just as parties begin jostling for position for the 2019 vote, Amori said his former boss was a political “godfather and kingmaker”.
“No politician worth his calling can take Ibori’s endorsement for granted. He will forever remain relevant in national affairs,” he added.
– ‘Personal sacrifice’ –
Ibori, a former cashier at a British chain of DIY stores, was jailed in April 2012 for fraud amounting to nearly 50 million pounds (at the time $78.5 million, 62 million euros).
The trial judge and police, however, believe he misappropriated much more.
His conviction in Britain followed a drawn-out extradition procedure from Dubai, where he fled in 2010, and his evasion of arrest and prosecution in Nigeria.
The case was seen as a landmark in the fight against high-level international corruption, with billions of pounds of illicit cash said to be channelled through Britain every year.
Ibori was released in December after serving just over four years of his sentence and launched an appeal against his conviction, angering anti-corruption campaigners.
Being a convicted criminal would spell the end of a politician’s career in many places around the world.
But not in Nigeria, where power is widely seen as an end in itself, patronage is everything and claims of corruption and conflict of interest are rarely a bar to high office.
As such, Ibori’s status remains undiminished in the eyes of his Delta kinsmen, who Amori said kept in constant touch with him during his incarceration.
“His prison ordeal was a personal sacrifice he had to make as a leader,” he added.
Posters and giant billboards hailing the former governor sprung up throughout his hometown of Oghara and his return on Saturday was met with singing and dancing.
“We are excited that our leader, mentor and son is now a free man. Ibori was a victim of political persecution and media trial,” said community leader Chief Emmanuel Ighomena.
“The people of Oghara and indeed the entire Urhobo race are happy to accord him a hero’s welcome.
“Ibori was instrumental to the rapid transformation of Oghara during his tenure. We are showing our gratitude by giving him a befitting reception.”
– Case to answer? –
Ibori’s patronage spread far and wide: in 2007, he was said to have used state funds to bankroll the presidential campaign of Umaru Yar’Adua.
On leaving office after eight years in 2007, he ensured Emmanuel Uduaghan, his cousin, succeeded him. Uduaghan had previously been his health commissioner and government secretary.
From jail, he was said to have hand-picked Ifeanyi Okowa to succeed Uduaghan in 2015 and a string of other local lawmakers.
Okowa was said to have dispatched senior aides to visit Ibori in London as “a mark of solidarity and loyalty” after his release and is organising a reception in the state capital, Asaba.
Political analysts said it was no surprise successive Delta state governments have not accused Ibori of looting but it was unclear whether he can be actively involved in politics again.
It is also unclear whether President Muhammadu Buhari’s government will pursue him in the courts, as part of his quest to clean up Nigerian politics.
Not to do so would run counter to Buhari’s pledge that it was no longer “business as usual” for the corrupt.
But Dapo Thomas, a political science lecturer at Lagos state university, said it was “against the principle of natural justice to be punished twice for the same offence”.
“Ibori has been punished in London. He cannot be tried again in Nigeria for a similar offence,” he added.
Constitutional lawyer and civil rights activist Femi Falana pointed out that Ibori was being prosecuted in Nigeria before he fled the country and there was “no doubt he has a case to answer”.
“The appeal court in Asaba has quashed Ibori’s acquittal by a high court which he is yet to vacate,” he added.

Culled from Guardian

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle enjoy dinner date as TV star's friends say she has 'virtually moved in' with royal-Zoe Shenton

Friends of Meghan say the royal and Suits star have been "inseparable"

Inseparable: Meghan and Harry

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear to be taking their romance to the next level.
The smitten royal and his TV star girlfriend were spotted walking hand-in-hand on a busy London street on Wednesday after enjoying a romantic dinner date at a private members' club in West London.
A security guard walked slightly ahead of Harry, who was wearing blue trousers, a shirt, grey blazer and a blue wooly hat, and stunner Meghan, who was dressed in jeans and a long black jacket.
She kept her head down as the smitten pair were snapped making their way to a waiting car.

The TV star has been staying with the royal at his cottage (Photo: Getty)

Friends of the Suits actress, who was introduced to 32-year-old Harry last summer, claim she has "virtually moved in" to his cottage at Kensington Palace and that the pair have been "inseparable" over the last month.
They also claimed that they could "see them engaged by spring".
The source told The Sun: "They’ve taken things to the next level. They’re practically living together. She cooks for him, he pops out to the gym and they’re just enjoying hanging out."

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The pair are taking things to the next level, say pals (Photo: AFP)

"They're practically living together," says a source (Photo: AFP)

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• Prince Harry tries to play classic prank on schoolboy and totally fails in sweet exchange caught on camera

They added: “I can see them engaged by spring. I know that sounds a bit crazily soon, but he’s head over heels and they can’t bear to be apart."

The pair headed to private members' club Soho House (Photo: Splash)

While an onlooker at private members' club Soho House told the newspaper: “They tried to keep as low-key as possible and were sitting in a small snug area of the restaurant.
“But it wasn’t a private area and they were happy to be seen. Gary Lineker and a whole host of the Made In Chelsea cast were also there, but they only had eyes for each other.”
Last month, the pair enjoyed a trip to Norway, where they enjoyed their first holiday together.
 Source: Mirror

Check out tweet of a Nigerian-credit to Twitter user Mohammed Deedee

Dear Mohammad, I spoke to former President Goodluck Jonathan and he has forgiven you. In fact he said he never bore you a grudge as you and many others fell victim to misinformation and propaganda. He asked me to remind you and others that no ambition that he has in life is worth the blood of anybody. Finally, he prayed for you and for Nigeria to come out of the current economic challenges facing the nation.

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Court remands ex-minister’s son in prison - Eric Ikhilae,

Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that Shamsudeen Bala, son of former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Bala Mohammed be remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, who gave the order yesterday, said Bala should remain in custody till Friday when the court will rule on his bail application.

The judge gave the order shortly after listening to arguments on his bail application.

The bail application was argued after Bala was arraigned on a 15-count charge of money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bala was arraigned with four firms – Bird Trust Argo Limited, Intertrans Global Logistics Limited, Diakin Telecommunications Limited and Bal-Vac Mining Nigeria Limited.

The ex-minister’s son was accused of laundering N1,105,719,005 in 2015. Besides, he was charged with false assets declaration.

Bala was said to have carried out cash transactions beyond the limit set by the Money Laundering Act. He was also said to have failed to declare his assets when he completed the EFCC Asset Declaration Form A.

He allegedly concealed four of his accounts domiciled at Standard Chartered Bank. The accounts were given as 0001857597, 5001214708, 0000895037 and 000895020.

Arguing his client’s bail application, Bala’s lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN) contended that the charges against Bala were bailable.

He added that the EFCC had, by itself, granted an administrative bail to his client after arresting him in June 2015, and that the commission did not deny it.

Prosecution lawyer Ben Ikani opposed the bail application on the grounds that the defendant would escape from trial if granted bail.

Ikani, who noted that the charges against the defendant attract a maximum of seven years prison term on conviction, argued that Bala was not entitled to bail, going by his antecedents from when he was arrested.

He said refused to carry out “innocuous” requests made by the commission by allegedly refusing to “volunteer his passport or fill in mandatory bio-data form”.

After listening to arguments for and against the bail application, Justice Dimgba adjourned till February 3 for ruling.

He ordered that the defendant be kept in Kuje prison and fixed March 27 for the commencement of the trial.

Culled from Nation

Okorocha,Obiano at war-George Onyejiuwa, Owerri and Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka

…You’re irresponsible, Imo gov tells Anambra counterpart

…I won’t dignify you with response, Obiano fires back

Imo State Governor, Rochas  Okorocha has described Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano’s media attack on him an act of irresponsibility.

Okorocha said his Anambra counterpart does not have to  attack his person to make a point.

This was even as he said Obiano was no match for him in terms of achievement and good governance.

Anambra State governor had said “this is an example of “what a leader should not  be,” in veiled response to a statement by Okorocha that “soon, three other South East governors would be joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Okorocha is the only APC governor in the South East.

In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Sam Onwuemwodo, yesterday, Okorocha noted “with regret, the media attack on his person by Obiano over a harmless statement he made at the APC Stakeholders meeting in Owerri that three governors in the South-East would soon join APC.

“Reacting to Okorocha’s innocuous claim, Obiano said the Imo governor “is an example of what a leader should not be.” That kind of motor park language was unexpected from a governor of a state who answers ‘His Excellency,’ even when the Anambra governor did not explain what he meant by that. In what way was governor Okorocha not an example of what a leader should be?

“That statement didn’t call for insult or any foul language. And, two responsible governors in the zone, Enugu and Ebonyi States governors were quoted to have reacted to Okorocha’s claim and as decent men, made their points without attacking the Imo governor.”

The Imo state governor also noted that the attack on his person by Obiano has authenticated the general impression that he is aggressive and should have been a militant instead of a governor.

‘‘Governor Okorocha’s claim was a healthy one, expected to provoke sound debates, which is the beauty of democracy.

“Governors with ideas and the right exposure gave their polite reactions, but, the one without ideas (Obiano) took to insults. Only men with nothing to offer in terms of ideas take delight in insulting others. Men of ideas do not insult others.’

He challenged Obiano to make public his  achievements as a governor in the last four years as he is not his match in the provision of dividends of democracy.

“Leadership is all about ideas and service.

“Luckily, Obiano has been governor for almost four years while Okorocha has also been governor for five years now.

“Let Obiano publish his achievements in Anambra state even with high IGR, and let governor Okorocha also publish his achievements in Imo.

“Then, we take off from there.”

In a swfit reaction, Obiano said he iss not willing to join issues with Okorocha as the latter was becoming “a loose canon.”

On Okorocha’s comment, calling him (Obiano) an irresponsible man, the Anambra governor said he “is busy with serious state business of development and has no time for frivolities.

His Senior Special Assistant ton Media, Mr. James Eze told Daily Sun, yesterday evening, that the governor “has no wish to join issues with governor Okorocha. We will do that only when we are ready to join issues with loose cannons.”

Culled from Sun