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Who puts more effort in a relationship?

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Making a relationship work requires the combined efforts of both partners; but it is believed
that in some cases, it tilts towards a particular individual in the relationship. And Nigerian
Pilot sampled divergent views of Nigerians on the subject matter.
Catherine Iwundu, Teacher
It depends on the individuals involved in the relationship, and what they both want. In most
cases men are usually more serious from the onset, but the moment they get under the skirt
of the lady, they withdraw; the lady out of not wanting to lose out will begin to put in more
efforts so that the relationship can work out.
Mathew James, Student
Men are usually more committed in relationships than the ladies. Financially they are more
committed, as they are expected to provide the needs of the lady. In terms of spending
quality time, they dedicate more time to the ladies than the ladies do to the men. If a man
truly loves a lady, he is more committed and puts in more efforts to make sure the
relationship works.
Yemi Ogunbanwo, Student
Men are usually more dedicated and more committed in relationships than ladies, even
though it is the man who woos the lady, persuades her for several days or weeks to get her
to say yes.
When in the relationship, he puts in everything to make sure he pleases the lady. When a
man truly loves a lady, he sacrifices and makes sure he puts in all he has just to ensure the
relationship works. The lady on her part might be pretending to be committed, especially if
she is the type that likes money, she can pretend to be committed if she is getting material
benefits from the man.
Chioma Abraham, Trader
Women are more committed in relationships than men. If a woman truly loves you, she puts
in all she has to make the relationship work out. It is only when a woman does not love a
man that she does not show any commitment. That is why some men take the ladies for
granted. When they are shown too much love and commitment, if a lady loves a man
deeply, she shows more dedication than the man. Some of the ladies that tend to show less
commitment in a relationship do so out of what they have seen and passed through in the
hands of men.
Abiodun Micheal Transporter
It depends on the individuals concerned. Some ladies can be more committed than men in a
relationship. And as such if a lady truly loves you, she will show more commitment. In the
same vein, if a man truly loves a lady, he will go extra mile to prove his love for her, so that
is why I said it depends on the individuals involved in the relationship.
Helen Maduka, Stylist

Women are more committed in relationships. Most men are ‘players;’ they pretend to be
committed, especially if the relationship is new; once they get what they want in the
relationship, that is when it will dawn on you that they don’t even love you, not to talk of
being committed. So, i think ladies are more committed than men in relationships.
Christiana Babatope, Student
Ladies show more commitment in a relationship than the men folk. When a lady loves a
man deeply, she shows it with all dedication, but men are pretenders; they only pretend to
be committed when they are after what’s under the skirt; the moment they succeed in
getting what they are after, that is when you know they are just pretenders.
From my experience, I thought a guy I once dated truly loved me; it was until he proved the
real him, after he had succeeded in getting what he wanted that I got to know he was just
pretending.
Ifeanyi Chukwuemeka, Trader
Men are more committed when they truly love a lady; it is only when a lady is not really
serious with the relationship that men tend to slack. But when a man deeply loves a lady, he
shows the real commitment, not just financially but in every aspect.
Why it is like the men are not committed is because of the fact that women double-date a
lot. Hardly will you see a lady now without two to three boyfriends; so a man wouldn’t want
to be committed to such relationship because he knows quite well that the lady can ditch
him anytime. That is why some people see men as not really been serious in relationships.
George Omeiza, Businessman
If a man truly loves a woman, he will be more committed in the relationship; it’s only when
a man does not love a woman that he does not show commitment in the relationship. The
harsh economic situation in the country equally contribute to the reason why most men
don’t really show much commitment in relationships anymore, theirs is to make demands,
not wanting to know if the man is capable or not, so the only way the man can evade all the
lady’s demands is to show less commitment.
End

Homes
How you should vacuum your couch
By Joy Imisi
We all love relaxing on our couch but it’s no fun to lounge on a dirty sofa. Over time,
crumbs, spilled soda, pet hair, dirt, and oil from your hands and feet build up on your couch
and make it look dirty. Keeping your couch clean might always be a struggle, especially
when you have messy toddlers, distracted teenagers, a less-than-neat roommate or an
untidy spouse.
Here’s how to clean a couch so that it’s ready for you to watch an entire season of your
favourite TV show.
Cleaning specialists prolong the life of your furniture
Daily use can leave your furniture looking drab and grubby, especially if you have kids with

sticky fingers in your household. Over time, dust and dirt can cause friction within the fabric
fibres, causing fraying and thinning, and many people replace their furniture because of this
damage.
A regular cleaning can leave your furniture looking as good as new, reduce wear and tear
and make your upholstered pieces last longer.
Adequate cleaning can banish nasty odours
Spilt food can easily disappear into your furniture, encouraging bacterial growth and leading
to nasty odours in your home that no amount of air freshener will mask. Cooking smells can
become trapped in the fabric of your chairs too, making the whole house smell stale.
When your upholstery is cleaned, harmful food residue will be removed and the smells will
vanish too. You can also have your furniture treated with a special deodoriser if you wish.
Thorough cleaning can protects your family from allergens
Even though you may vacuum your carpets regularly, dust, pollen and pet dander can still
become trapped in your upholstery. In addition, allergy-causing dust mites thrive on dead
skin and pet dander, all of which will be present in abundance in your furniture’s fabric.
Whenever someone sits down in a chair, a cloud of these allergens is pushed up into the
atmosphere where it can be inhaled, triggering allergies and other respiratory conditions,
such as asthma. The most effective way of preventing allergens from hiding in your
upholstery is to have your furniture cleaned regularly.
Vacuum thoroughly
Get the upholstery attachment of your hover and carefully run it over the furniture. Take
your time to lift cushions and vacuum underneath. Don’t miss small, hard to reach places
like corners and folds. This is a very important step. If there are some small particles trapped
in the creases of your sofa they will deteriorate the fabric over time, shortening the lifespan
of the furniture. Some may object that this step is unnecessary for leather and faux leather
couches but this isn’t true. Your leather furniture also needs a good vacuuming over time.
Dust and dirt can make the upholstery age faster and contribute to the dull look of the
material.
Keep cushions in a good shape
The sofa is undoubtedly the furniture that is used the most often by everyone at home,
especially during winter. This is why it’s not a surprise that over time your couch literally
starts changing its shape. You can take care of that and prevent the cushions from getting
that baggy, worn out look. Every time you vacuum your furniture, spare one additional
minute to flip the cushions. You can also rotate them, changing their places if the model
allows it. This way your sofa will wear more slowly and evenly, keeping it’s good shape
longer.
Take care of spots and spills
This may seem obvious but many admit they often postpone cleaning spills from their
furniture. We know, that after a long day at work, taking care of the sauce splash on the
couch is the last thing you want to do. But believe us, it’s worth the effort. When you treat
spills right away, you lower their chance of turning into permanent stains. Choose a quality
upholstery stain removal product appropriate for the type of fabric of your sofa.

In summary
You can prolong the life of your furniture, keep it looking and smelling fresh, and reduce the
risk of harmful allergens affecting your family by having your upholstery cleaned on a
regular basis.


UN Women facilitates protection, empowerment of women, girls’ in N/E

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UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria, Ms Comfort Lamptey
Has launched an empowerment project on the protection,
empowerment and Resilient Building for conflict – affected women
and girls in the North East.
The project is working to facilitate protection through empowerment
of women and girls, more especially economic empowerment ,
supporting them to have a voice to better articulate their needs and
priorities and to better access services.
Women and girls in the North East have shown resilience against all
odds , ours then is to facilitate their access to tools and resources to
re-establish a semblance of normalcy in their lives.
We will witness today the strong appeal being made by women and
girls for skills and capacities to enable them stand on their feet . we
must respond to their call and do so not in a tokenistic manner but
meaningfully.
If we are serious about building sustainable peace in North – East ,
we must invest in helping women and girls to re-establish their
dignity and self- reliance, this is what will drive the vision of recovery
and peacebuilding agenda in the period ahead.

Is this the New Politics?

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The Nigerian political terrain can easily pass as one of the most spectacular and entertaining soap operas in the world. It possesses an overdose of plots, sub plots, mouse traps, suspense and anti climaxes.

For instance, hitheto brave and venomous individuals whose tongues spit fire when attacking governments suddenly become wheel chair bound or stretcher bound, begging judges for permission to treat previously nonexistent illnesses abroad when charged with the simplest felonies.

The most recent addition to the exciting drama is the tendency for people with soft underbellies to raise alarms of persecutions when their turn to answer questions on thier stewardship in office draws near.  A new form of immunity unknown to our extant laws is quickly contrived and in this case it is the resort to screaming ” vendetta” , ” witchunt” ” persecution” even when the available facts point clearly to their complicity.

While our civil society activists and lawyers keep vaunting  the concept of equality of all citizens before the law, it seems some people have been conferred with a lifelong immunity no matter the extent of thier crimes against the Nigerian State. All it takes to trigger this immunity is to appear to be at odds with the dominant order of he day. It is only in Nigeria that even armed robbers are absolved of their crimes in a warped court of public opinion as long as their words appear to oppose the establishment.

The recent alarm raised by Former President Olusegun Obasanjo comes with all elements of putting the Federal Government of Nigeria on the defensive and is aimed at nipping in the bud all moves ( if any) to get him to answer to the plethora of questions about his tenure as elected president of Nigeria between 1999-2007.

Olusegun Obasanjo is no stranger to controversy. In all of his public life, he has denounced every other person apart from himself. To him, every other Nigerian is rotten apart from him. He has written books that will be read hundreds of years beyond now where he described his former allies in very cruel terms because at one point in time or the other they fell out. To him, Obasanjo is always right, every other person is wrong. Dr Suleiman KUMO once described Obasanjo’s disposition succinctly by calling it a ” messianic delusion”. Obasanjo in and out of Government claims a monopoly of solutions to all issues in the country. The country must perpetually  exist in his shadows  or else everyone be damned. He has consistently manifested frightening symptoms of malignant megalomania.

Obasanjo believes in riding on tidal waves of opposing opinions against even governments he helped install. In 2007, Obasanjo applied all crude methods to blackmail candidates like Ibrahim Babangida, Aliyu Gusau, JERRY Gana, Peter ODILI etc from vying for the Presidency in order to pave way for his annointed candidate Umaru Musa Yar Adua inspite of the obvious health challenges he had which were known to him. Indeed, the PDP Presidential Convention held at the Eagle Square Abuja became notorious as the only nomination convention where candidates for the office of President were not allowed to address delegates for the fear that they may be swayed by the oratory of the less favored candidates. He had imagined that Yar Adua out of gratitude to him will remain his puppet which turned out to be a farce. The moment a Yar Adua began to exert his independence, Obasanjo became his most vitriolic critic and made very insensitive comments against him when illness began to take toll on the late president.

Stories have it that Obasanjo picked Goodluck Jonathan to be running mate to Yar Adua because he knew Yar Adua will not live out his tenure. He therefore handpicked an overgrateful person whom he thought will do his bidding without question. When the Jonathan Presidency became captive to the then powerful Ijaw forces and Obasanjo’s opinions became less sought , he turned his venom against the president especially against the background that the administration suffered a severely battered image locally and internationally. As an old battle fox, he chooses his battles carefully, attacking his targets at their weakest and most vulnerable periods.He strikes when he believes you lack the force to strike him back.

June 12 Saga – PMB should appeals to the soul of democracy…Say’s Fasogbon

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Former member of the House of Representative representing Ife Central Federal Constituency between 1992-1993, Hon John Fashogbon has commended the step taken by President Muhammad Buhari for conferring a post-humous award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on the late Chief MKO Abiola, saying it is in the right position to appeal to the soul of democracy.

According to Fashogbon in a press statement issued and made available to journalists in Osogbo yesterday, President Buhari, has behaved like the elders of old.

According to Fashogbon, “The problem facing this country and our nascent democracy is not uncollected with some people who have suffered sincerely and even paid with their life to make democracy to survive.
MKO and others many have died, while some are still alive in abject poverty.
Most especially the likes of the then legislators who were elected but sacked without any benefit whatsoever”.

Fashogbon, thereby called on the President to extend his gesture to the 1992-1993 legislators who are actually the symbol of democracy.

It would be recalled in a press statement released on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 where President Buhari bestowed the highest honour of the land on MKO to symbolise his contribution to the nation’s democratic history.
He also disclosed that June 12, the 1993 election date, will replace May 29 as the official Democracy Day because it’s a more symbolic date.

Fashogbon, said further that, the presidential honour conferred on the late Chief MKO Abiola came as a surprise to many Nigerians.

According to Fashogbon, “First and foremost, We have to commend him for doing this. It is a decision well taken. The nation owes a lot to MKO Abiola. Without his sacrifice, many of those who are today enjoying democracy will not be there. He paid the ultimate price for us to have a country. Nothing is too big to honour Abiola’s memory”.

The Ife born politician, urges Buhari to review the cases of all those who have been denied national honours due to political reasons as some of the politicians have died in abject poverty, and unrest due to non attending to by the government by paying us our entitlement, “Nothing like remuneration or severance allowance”.

“Our President needs to review the cases of some of us who were also the victims of the then June 12 saga who actually is the real symbol of democracy”.

Abiola was the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election that was annulled by the then-military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and he was imprisoned in 1994 where he died in custody under suspicious circumstances on July 7, 1998, four years after his arrest.

“The acceptance of June 12 as the ‘Democracy day’ is in recognition of the supreme price that Abiola paid. It has elevated Abiola to the status of an international figure like Martin Luther King, who fought for justice and liberation in the United States”, Fashogbon added.

Osun 2018 – Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salam, Aregbesola, APC Chair Meet in Lagos

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Anxiety enveloped the entire Osun State over the weekend when the information spread that Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Najeem Salam, who is one of the governorship aspirants and the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Gboyega Famodun held a closed door meeting on Saturday in Lagos.

According to a reliable information gathered by the Nigerian Pilot, the meeting was summoned at the instance of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Few minute after the meeting ended, Aregbesola twitted a picture taken with Lagos State Governor. Akinwumi Ambode, Salam and Famodun on his twitter handle with a caption: “I was in Lagos today to meet with Governor Akinwumi Ambode. Very successful deliberation”.

Information privy to the meeting revealed that it was called to persuade the current Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon Najeem Salam to step down from the governorship race.

While confirming the report on the meeting, Salam wrote on his facebook account: “No Retreat, No Surrender: On West Agenda I stand”.

Salam’s Facebook post suppressed the tension that had gripped his teeming supporters and those clamouring for Osun West to produce Aregbesola’s successor, who had thought Salam had compromised.

Efforts by our Correspondent to get reactions from some of the politicians in the state proved abortive as they declined to speak on the zoning issues that has to do with forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

Meanwhile, the governorship election in the state has already been slated to Saturday, September 22nd this year.

Police officer, 5 others arrested for human trafficking

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National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP said it has intercepted and rescued 10 persons who were being trafficked to Moscow, Russia through the assistance of a Police officer and five others.
The agency said in a statement yesterday said they were intercepted Saturday night at the MurtalaMuhammed International Airport in an operation code-named ‘Operation BLOCK’ while trying to board a Turkish Airline flight to Russia using the 2018 World Cup as an avenue for travelling.
The agency disclosed that the rescued victims comprise nine young girls and a boy explaining that five of them are from Edo State, three from Delta State while the remaining are from Imo and Benue states.
According to the statement eight of them reside in Benin City while the other two reside in Warri and Osogbo respectively.
“It was from these locations, NAPTIP SAID, that they were moved simultaneously on Friday to Lagos for the journey to Russia. They all had the FIFA Fan ID”, the statement added.
The agency said five suspects, including Esan Matthew, a police sergeant, and Stephen Fayemiwo, a quarantine officer, were also arrested as they were caught coordinating the movement of the victims while three others – AzeezOlowo, IdowuFashakin and Eni Godwin – were also arrested for assisting the victims.
It would recalled that last week, Julie Okah-Donli, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Julie Okah-Do0nli had raised concerns that criminal gangs were using the relaxed entry into Russia for the 2018 World Cup to recruit Nigerian youth to Russia for exploitation.

Pension Scam Rocks NASS

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*Over 1000 staff affected
*PASAN kicks
* ARM pension exposes N20.3m fraud

Civil servants under the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, National Assembly chapter are currently reeling under a pension scam running into billions of Naira if the report of an ad-hoc committee put together as part of the staff/management negotiation committee to avert picketing by the association is anything to go by.
The five-man Ad-hoc Committee on Pension/Insurance Administration in the National Assembly which was set up in February 2018 to look into the overall administration of pension and insurance of the legislative staff submitted its report recently a copy of which was exclusively obtained by the Nigerian Pilot.
After 8 weeks of rigorous deliberation and trying to reconcile the various staff pension accounts, Sani Magaji Tambuwal an Assistant Director in the Human Resources Department who chaired the committee and other members, discovered mind boggling gross irregularities in the administration of pension funds in National Assembly.
The irregularities some of which dated back as far as 10 years ago include: non remittance of deductions made from staff salaries, a clear violation of financial regulations, irregular deductions, non-inclusion of staff names among others.
A Major highlight of the committees report is the shortfall of N20, 330,000 between the amount deducted from the National Assembly Staff and what was remitted to ARM Pension Fund Administrators which became a subject of litigation.
Other findings by the committee include; that out the National Assembly staff statement of deductions from the pension account unit, only four months in 2009 and one month in 2010 were deducted.
That there was non-payment of arrears of 3 per cent pension increase from July 2014 to December 2016 as contained in Pension Reform Act 2014 and non-availability of Pension Data Base in the National Assembly.
Other findings were that there was delay and noncompliance with the directives of the National Pension Commission to transfer funds wrongly remitted to some pension fund administrators other than the registered pension fund administrators of National Assembly staff;difference in administrative fees charged by the pension fund administrators; cases of multiple PENs and registrations; non-provision of the details for nominal roll arrears in retirement savings account statements among others.
Investigation by Nigerian Pilot further revealed that a staff of the Budget Department was fingered as a major culprit in the pension scam in the National Assembly. He is alleged to have diverted over N50million of pension deductions when he was in charge of furnishing the Central Bank of Nigerian, CBN, details of accounts to credit with pension funds.
The alleged staff was arrested but later released when he threatened to implicate top management staffs who are members of the pension scam cabal. Although he was to be dismissed after his arrest and interrogation, a highly placed traditional ruler was said to have intervened on his behalf. He only got a pat on his wrist and was consequently redeployed from the budget section to planning department of the National Assembly.
This has caused some disquiet and rumbling within the National Assembly staff who are currently wondering what will become of their future when what ought to be their savings is being brazenly diverted to private pockets right under their noses. However investigation also revealed that some staffs are putting facts together to petition the EFCC on the matter as they see it as injustice of the highest order.
The committee however, upon its findings, recommended that the National Assembly should find a way to remit the shortfall of N20, 330,000 to ARM pensions and also pay the 3per cent arrears of pension contributions from July 14 to December 2016.

The report also prescribed a comprehensive nominal roll to be submitted urgently to the National Pension Commission, to crosscheck and ensure that all staff is paid all nominal roll arrears and all outstanding contributions that were not earlier remitted.
On the issue of double PENs and appearances of accounts, the committee advised that all accounts be jointly handled by the National Assembly Pension Account Unit and Pension Administration and Life Insurance Department to fast track quick resolution by the pension fund administrators.
Comrade Muhammad Usman, Comrade Paul Kapnan, Comrade Sunday Sabiyyi and AliyuYahaya, complete the committee.
Magaji stressed that there was a dire need for the National Assembly to attach great importance to the recommendations of the committee for possible implementation adding that the importance of pension and retirement benefits accruable to retirees cannot be understated.
When contacted, the Director Information in the National Assembly, Mr. Agada Rawlings said he has no information about the content of the committees report and as such could not make any comment. However a copy of the contentious areas of the report was forward to his office for response, his response was not forth coming two weeks after and as at the time of going to press.

Police launch manhunt for 59 criminals in A’Ibom, declares them wanted

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Police in Akwa Ibom have launched a massive manhunt and declared wanted 59 notorious criminals who have been terrorizing the Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun council areas of the state.
The two LGAs have witnessed massive bloodshed with hundreds of persons losing their lives and properties running into billions destroyed in the last two years by suspected cultists and militants.
The manhunt is not unconnected with the inability of the state government and security agencies in the area to bring to an end the wanton killings and other criminal activities despite efforts to quell tension and protect lives and properties in the area.
A statement endorsed by the state Police Commissioner, Samuel Ogunjemilusi and obtained by Nigerian Pilot in Uyo yesterday which also displayed the names of the 59 wanted persons indicate that that the wanted persons have been involved in armed robbery, rape, cultism, kidnapping, unlawful possession of firearms and terrorism.
“Akwa Ibom State Police Command has declared the under mentioned persons wanted. They are involved and connected with series of crimes such as armed robbery, rape, cultism, kidnapping, unlawful possession of firearms and terrorism.
“The command is appealing to members of the public with useful information as to their whereabouts to kindly contact the nearest police station.” The statement said and further displaying phone numbers for necessary contacts by members of the public.
The list which includes 57 males and two females also showed that 23 of the wanted persons are indigenes of Ukanafun, 23 from Etim Ekpo, 12 from EssienUdim and one from OrukAnam local council.
This is one of the latest of efforts by the relevant agencies to rid the area of criminal elements after killings and robberies though less has continued with many indigenes of the areas still living as refugees outside their communities.
Economic, education and social activities in the area are yet to pick up as criminals and militants have continued to make it impossible for people to move about freely and engage in those activities even after the state government declared amnesty to cultists and militants and proscribed cultism in the state.
Also the much anticipated reprieve that followed the killing of the kingpin of the criminals and his deputy, IsoAkpafid and “Stainless” by security agencies last year has not materialized as residents of the area and passengers who pass through the two LGAs has continued to recount their ordeal in the hands of the criminals.


Malnutrition kills 25 children, 18,652 others hospitalised in Jigawa

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Jigawa state government has raised alarm that no fewer than 25 children have so far died of malnutrition in the state while 18,652 others were hospitalized.
This was disclosed by the State Nutrition Officer, AlhajiSaidu Umar at a one day meeting with CSO and media on budget tracking for 2018 who also explained that from January to April this year, 18,652 children were admitted at outpatient therapy centers out of which 25 of them died.
He further disclosed that over 10,000 malnourished children were treated from the N150 million released for food and nutrition programme last year by Jigawa state government.
He said UNICEF provided 9,948 cartons of ready to use therapy tools last year from the amount.
AlhajiSaidu said this year, N215 million was budgeted for the programme aimed at improving the lives of children across the state.
He said with the level of state government commitment to tackle malnutrition in the state, cases of malnutrition are drastically reducing every year.
He commended Jigawa state government for the efforts towards eradicating malnutrition cases in the state.
It could be recall that Governor Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa State has reiterated the state government’s determination to collaborate with UNICEF to eradicate acute malnutrition in children across the state.
He gave the assurance when he received the UNICEF Chief Nutritionist, Simeon Nanama in Dutse, the state capital.
Represented by AdamuFanini of the office of the Secretary to the State Government, the governor thanked UNICEF for intervention programmes to save the lives of malnourished children in the state.
“The state government would do everything possible to ensure sustained collaboration with the world body to eradicate acute malnutrition in the state” he said.
The UNICEF Chief Nutritionist said he was in the state to formally thank the governor for the counterpart contribution of N150 million made by the Jigawa state Government in 2017.
“The contribution was used for the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, RTUF, for treatment of more than 80,000 children with acute malnutrition in the state”, he said.

Jail Bound?

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*Nyame’s conviction, fear grips 30 ex-govs over pending cases

*8 to be re-arraigned next week

*As EFCC re-opens cases against them

 

The successful prosecution and sentencing of former Taraba state governor, Rev. Jolly Nyame to 14 years imprisonment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on corruption charges after 10 years has sent shivers down the spines of no fewer than 30 ex-governors who are currently being investigated by the anti-graft agency.

It would be recalled that in what many described as a landmark judgement, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja convicted and sentenced Rev, Nyame to 14 years imprisonment without option of fine.

Justice AdebukolaBanjoko found the defendant guilty on 27 out of the 41-count money laundering charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC preferred against him.

Nigerian Pilot reliably gathered that all the former governors who are being investigated by the anti-graft agency for various money laundering offences are jittery as the federal government is said to have through the Attorney General of the federal directed EFCC to reopen their cases.

It was also reliably gathered that eight out of the former governors may be arraigned next week while relevant documents for prosecuting others are being perfected by the legal department of the EFCC.

Reports has it that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. AbubakarMalami, had earlier written to the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, directing the reopening of the cases of the ex-governors.

According to the report, the AGF also sent similar request to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with the same list of former governors annexed to his letter and that there are indications that the cases against some of the former governors were investigated and concluded some years ago but charges were never filed against them.

The letter according to the report partly read, “It is clear that some of these governors and other politically-exposed persons have not been charged to court despite the fact that the ICPC has concluded their investigations concerning allegations leveled against them for one reason or the other.”

“It is the position of the present administration that all ex-governors, who the ICPC had long concluded investigations into the various allegations leveled against them, should be immediately prosecuted.”

The report stated that the AGF letter defines high-profile cases as cases “involving alleged misconduct amounting to economic sabotage; involving complex financial transactions or property movement; involving any of the suspects, who is a politician, a public officer or judicial officer; and where the subject matter involves government or corruption of its official or involves the abuse of office.”

The AGF’s letter to both the ICPC and EFCC indicated that AGF’s request for the case files was in the exercise of the powers vested in the AGF by Section 174(1) of the Constitution as well as sections 105 (3) and 106 (a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Former governors who are being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC include the Senate President, BukolaSaraki who was former governor of Kwara state, GodswillAkpabio, former governor of AkwaIbom state, Chief Orji UzorKalu, former governor of Abia state and Ali Modu Sheriff, former governor of Borno state.

Others are ChimarokeNnamani, former governor of Enugu state; SaminuTuraki, former governor of Jigawa state; SuleLamido also former governor of Jigawa state; Joshua Dariye, former governor of Plateau state; Gabriel Suswam, former governor of Benue state; Martin Elechi, former governor of Ebonyi state; DanjumaGoje, former governor of Gombe state as well as MurtalaNyako, former governor of Adamawa state.

Also being investigated are Obong Victor Attah, (AkwaIbom State, IkediOhakim (Imo); AchikeUdenwa (Imo); AbdullahiAdamu (Nasarawa); Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); Jolly Nyame (Taraba, already convicted); BoniHaruna (Adamawa); George Akume (Benue); RashidiLadoja (Oyo); AttahiruBafarawa (Sokoto) and Adebayo Alao-Akala.

Others are UsmanDakingari (Kebbi); AdamuMu’azu (Bauchi); Peter Odili (Rivers), Jonah Jang (Plateau) and Michael Botmang (late) also of Plateau state.

Some of the governors and the status of their cases are as follow:

DANJUMA GOJE (GOMBE STATE)

Charge: Alleged defrauding of the state of N25b through illegal acts. Status of Case: Matter adjourned to April 10 – 11, 2018 for continuation of trial. DanjumaGoje took office as the Governor of Gombe State on May 29, 2003. He is a serving senator and is being prosecuted by the EFCC for conspiring with three officers of his administration to defraud the state of N25 billion via illegal acts, contrary to, and punishable under sections 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2011 as amended.

MURTALA NYAKO(ADAMAWA STATE)

Charge: Alleged stealing, abuse of office, and money laundering to the tune of N29bn. Status of case: Matter adjourned to February 26, 2018 for ruling on the admissibility of witness document. Vice Admiral MurtalaNyako was elected Executive Governor of Adamawa State in May 2007. He is being prosecuted by the EFCC on 37 counts of conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office, and money laundering to the tune of N29bn. 

ALAO AKALA (OYO STATE)

Charge:  Alleged misappropriation of N11.5 billion from the state’s treasury. Status of case: Court ruled that he has a case to answer in the corruption trial Adebayo Alao-Akala became governor in January 2006, a position he occupied till May 2011. However, troubled started for Akala in 2011 when EFCC charged him for alleged conspiracy and misappropriation of N11.5 billion from the state’s treasury.

RASHEED LADOJA (OYO STATE)

Charge: Alleged N4.7 billion money laundering. Status of case: Trial resumed on February 12 and continued on 14 and 15, 2018]

RashidiLadoja was elected governor of Oyo State in April 2003 and took office on May 29, 2003. He was impeached in January 2006, but reinstated in December 2006. His term ended in 2007 and in 2008.  He was charged with corruption during his tenure in office.

GBENGA DANIEL (OGUN STATE)

Charge: Alleged N200m criminal breach of trust and abuse of office. Status of case: He was granted bail after which trial commenced. Gbenga Daniel was Governor of Ogun State from May 29, 2003 to May 29, 2011. On Wednesday, October 12, 2011, Gbenga Daniel was first arraigned by the EFCC on a 13-count charge of being involved in a N58b scam. But the trial judge, Justice OlarenwajuMabekoje, struck out the charges and released Daniel on technical grounds, saying that the charges were not supported with factual documents. On April 16, 2012, Daniel was re-arraigned on a 38-count charge which borders on misappropriation of fund amounting to over N200 million, criminal breach of trust and abuse of office while he held sway as governor of Ogun State.

ATTAHIRU BAFARAWA (SOKOTO STATE)

Charge: Alleged cheating, criminal breach of trust, and diversion of public funds to the tune of N15b. Status of Case: Adjourned to March 15 and 16, 2018 for accused persons to open their defence

AttahiruBafarawa was governor of Sokoto State from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007. Bafarawa is being prosecuted on an amended 34-count charge of cheating, criminal breach of trust and diversion of public funds to the tune of over N15 billion

SAMINU TURAKI (JIGAWA)

Charge: Alleged misappropriation of N36bn while in office SaminuTuraki is a former governor of Jigawa State, who served two terms from 1999 to 2007. He was first arraigned by the EFCC before Justice BintaMurtalaNyako of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on July 13, 2007 on a 32-count charge of misappropriating N36 billion while in office. Following his arraignment, he was granted bail in the sum of N100 million with two federal legislators, BawaBwari and Bashir Adamu, standing as his sureties.

JOSHUA DARIYE (PLATEAU)

Charge: Alleged defrauding the state of about N1.6 billion Status of case: To face trial at the Supreme Court Joshua Dariye, a former Plateau State Governor, assumed office on May 29, 1999.

He was re-elected for another four-year term starting in May 2003, and was impeached in November 2006 though the impeachment was nullified by the Appeal Court in March 2007, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court the following month effectively returning Dariye to office for the remainder of his tenure.

JOLLY NYAME (TARABA STATE)

Charge: Alleged misappropriation of Taraba funds to the tune of N1.64 billion. Jolly Nyame was Governor of Taraba from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007. He earlier served as governor of the state from January 1992 to November 1993. Nyame is facing trial for alleged misappropriation of state funds to the tune of N1.64 billion during his tenure as the governor (1999-2007). He has been convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment.

 

SULE LAMIDO (JIGAWA STATE)

Charge: Alleged abuse of office and money laundering.

Status of case: Adjourned pending the reassignment of the case by Chief Judge of FHC. SuleLamido served as Foreign Affairs Minister from 1999 to 2003. He was elected governor of Jigawa State in April 2007 and took office on May 29, 2007.  Lamido is being prosecuted by the EFCC on a 27-count charge bordering on abuse of office and money laundering, before Justice BabatundeQuadri of Federal High Court in Abuja.

 

IKEDI OHAKIM (IMO STATE)

Charge: Allegedly making cash payment of $2.29 million for land.

IkediOhakim, after winning a rescheduled election in April 28, 2007, became governor of Imo State. The charge against Ohakim arose from his alleged purchase of the property at 60, Kwame Nkrumah Street, Plot No 1098, Cadastral ZoneA04, Asokoro District, Abuja with cash payment of $2.29m which was said to be dollar equivalent of N270m in November 2008.

The charges against him border on money laundering, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.

 

Wike cries out again, insists FG wants to frame him

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…Says SARS operatives arrestedfor robbery

Again, the Rivers State Governor, NyesomEzenwoWike has alerted Nigerians that the All Peoples Congress, APC, led Federal Government has contacted a Lebanese who has been directed to claim that he received money from him to procure arms for the 2019 elections.
Also, Governor Wike alerted Nigerians on the arrest of the orderly of Rivers State Special Anti-robbery Squad, SARS, Commander, Akin Fakorede and another SARs operative for armed robbery and kidnapping.
Speaking during a Thanksgiving Service in honour of the Chairman of Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, Chief AzubuikeNmerukini on Sunday at the St Thomas Anglican Church, Diobu, Governor Wike said that the APC Federal Government has entered a devious mode where it believes that framing opponents will enhance its political fortunes.
He noted that initially Nigerians thought he was playing politics until Former President OlusegunObasanjo revealed details of how the desperate APC Federal Government plans to frame him up.
“The Federal Government has arranged with a Lebanese to say that I told him to buy arms for the purpose of the forthcoming elections. “I am not close to any Lebanese, let alone give money to anyone to buy arms for elections. We have dutifully served our people and we don’t need to purchase arms for elections. “If elections are held 20, 000 times, we will win because our projects have positively impacted the lives of our people”.
The governor stated that the APC Federal Government is also planning to sponsor crisis in Rivers State ahead of the 2019 elections, for the state’s election to be postponed.
He said the target is to use security agencies for rigging purposes. “They plan to cause so many crises in the state so that Rivers election is held on a separate date. Their plot will fail. Rivers election will hold same day with that of other states.
Speaking further, Governor Wike said that most of the kidnappings and armed robbery in Rivers State are masterminded by SARS operatives under the leadership of Akin Fakorede.
He said that the arrest and detention of the SARS operatives prove their involvement in criminality against the people of the state.
The governor said that Sergeant NdubuisiOkoro, the Police Orderly of the Rivers State Commander of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, AkinFakorede has been arrested for armed robbery and kidnapping while another member of the Rivers State SARS Commander’s team; Sergeant Christopher Abakpa has also been arrested for armed robbery and kidnapping.
Governor Wike declared that he is alerting Nigerians because the Police High Command will sweep the matter under the carpet.
He said that the two SARS Operatives run a kidnap and armed robbery gang of eight persons, saying the policemen have confessed to their crime.
He said that the State Government is in possession of the statements made by the arrested operatives who kidnapped one Mrs Eva.
On the thanksgiving service, Governor Wike thanked God for preserving the life of Chief Nmerukini. Earlier, Chief Nmerukini said that he was in church with his family to thank God for surviving a major surgery.

BREAKING: Buhari holds Bilateral meeting with King Of Morroco, signs agreement

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President Mohammed Buhari held a biliteral  meeting with King of Morrocco, His Majesty Mohammed VI in Rabat Morrocco on Monday June 11.

This development was made known by the Asovilla handle on Instagram, which stated that Buhari who left Nigeria to Morroco  14 hours ago has arrived Rabat on a two-days official visit.

Reports stated that the two countries arrived at a point, signing an Agreement on a Gas Piipeline, a Basic Chemicals Platform and Agriculture cooperation.

More  details shortly

BREAKING: Osinbajo attends opening ceremony of APPO in Abuja

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo attended the opening ceremony of the Extraordinary session of the council of Ministers of African Petroleum Producers Organisation  APPO In Abuja.

The Asovilla Instagram handle made it known to news men,that Osinbajo is attending to the ceremony currently ongoing now in the Federal Capital Territory.

This is coming barely 24 hours after President Mohammed Buhari left the country for Morrocco on an official two days visit.

 

Five out of Ninety Two policemen sacked in Lagos

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A total Number of Five out of Ninety Two policemen have been sacked by the Lagos state police command, for various offences in the first half of the year.

This was announced by the state Police Command on Sunday June 10, that it had dismissed five out of 92 policemen for various offences in the first half of the year.

The Command’s Spokesman, SP Chidi Oti, has confirmed that three of the five dismissed policemen were tried in connection with the Ojota incident where policemen reportedly tear-gassed a man.

Oti said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal, has dismissed the three police men, comprising an inspector and two sergeants, who were alleged to have sprayed tear-gas on Mr Ademuwagun Temitope Solomon which provoked severe asthmatic crisis in him.

“The incident took place at Chinese town, Ojota area of Lagos State.

Their names and service numbers were given as 220957 – Inspector Momoh Sulaiman; 429659 – Sgt. Emmanuel Monday and 434246 – Sgt. Adamu Usman.

The statement said they were tried in an orderly room which commenced on Saturday and were found guilty as charged.

“They were, therefore, dismissed and de-kitted accordingly. However, the dismissal proceeding of Inspector Momoh Sulaiman has been forwarded to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone Two for approval.

“Similarly, the command wishes to use this medium to release its half year disciplinary record for the period spanning from January to June, 2018.

“The officers were tried in a properly constituted orderly room and were found guilty of various offences against discipline which earned them appropriate punishments, depending on the charges against them.

“The breakdown of types of punishment awarded to deserving officers is: Dismissal-5, Reduction in Rank-4, Major Entry-43, Severe Reprimand-3, Extra Fatigue-4, Warning Notice-28, Discharged and Acquitted-5, Total 92.

“The Commissioner of Police said that this would serve as a deterrent to other policemen wishing to toe the path of infamy; that the Nigeria Police under the watch of the Inspector General of Police, have no room for them.

“He warned all serving police officers to be professional at all times in the discharge of their duties and shun corrupt practices,” the statement said.

Grand Cereals promises higher quality services as ISO certifies its products

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Grand Cereals Limited has promised its customers of higher quality products as the International Standards Organisation (ISO) has certified its products for meeting international standards.

Deputy Managing Director (DMD) Grand Cereals Muktar Yakasai, said that certification which is a recognition of the company’s commitment to quality and standard would spur them to do more.

Yakasai said that the company was committed to every detail to ensuring that they sustain the quality of their products.

“Our efforts have yielded good fruits in terms of the certification of our processes as well as activities.

‘’It is great honour for Grand Cereals for achieving this feat.

We appreciate the project consultant for the discipline he put us through to ensure that we meet the expected standards,’’ he said.

The DMD said that the company would continue to do its best to get more certifications from all relevant bodies as part of its resolve to serve the customers better.

The document shown to newsmen indicated that Grand cereals limited was audited by Standards certification Services and was found to be in compliance with the requirements for registration for quality management systems standard.

The ISO 9001:2015 certificate is valid for the following scope of business activities; ‘’manufacture, distribution and sales of cereals, oil, livestock feed and fish feed products’’.

Dr Razak Oyebade, the Project Consultant commended Grand Cereals for their commitment for the ensuring that they get ISO certificatification.

Oyebade stated that many companies started process but could not complete for many reasons.

He said that the certification was just the beginning of the journey and more was still needed.

The consultant stated that the aim of the certificate was to improve the internal processes of the company and if that was not achieved the certificate is of no value.

’If in the next surveillance visit if there is no improvement in productivity and efficiency it means that we haven’t achieve what the certificate have to offer,’’ he said.

Mr George Musa, Plateau State Coordinator, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), said that SON has enjoyed tremendous partnership with Grand Cereals.

Musa described the feat as a huge project looking at what the company went through to get ISO certification.

“There is no organisation that has been certified that remains the same, there is always a success story.

“I congratulate you for achieving this milestone and I believe this will help our work with you,” he added.

Mrs Josephine Dayilim, State Coordinator, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said that agency was happy to identify with company for the feat.

Dayilim said that the company was always ready to meet the stipulated by the agency in the manufacture of its product.


Plateau explains rationale for completing abandoned projects

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Plateau state government on Monday explained the decision it is completing
projects abandoned by previous administrations in the state.
Plateau State commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Yakubu Dati
made this declaration while fielding questions on a radio programme in Jos.
He said it is not borne out of shortage of ideas, rather, it is aimed at reducing
human sufferings through uplifting the quality of life of the vast majority of the
people.
Dati posited that as a government of the people, the Rescue Administration in the
state was determined to carry on with abandoned projects as long as they were
people oriented and people centred.
"We are changing the perception of people about continuity in governance. The
narrative had been that as a governor, you don't complete your predecessor's
projects so that credit will not go to him or her. That is wrong. Any project by any
leader belongs to the people because the funds are for the people," Dati said.
He gave examples of the completion of the Highland Bottling Company Barkin
Ladi and the Fertilizer Blending Bokkos as abandoned projects completed by the
Lalong administration which are providing means of livelihood for many people.
The Commissioner however pointed out that the disposition of the Plateau State
governor shows that he believes in justice, fairness and fair play and would not
want individuals to be associated with particular projects because they were all
built with state funds.
He revealed that because of governor Lalong's commitment to the completion of
abandoned projects, he was recently commended by former head of state,
General Yakubu Gowon, and President Muhammadu Buhari during his recent visit
to the state a couple of months ago.

Bayelsa denies military invasion of Oluasiri community

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Bayelsa State Government yesterday has refuted reports of an alleged military
invasion of Oluasiri community of Nembe Local Government by the men of the
Joint Military Taskforce, JTF, describing it as outright falsehood.
The Special Adviser to Governor Seriake Dickson on Security Matters, Dr. Boma
Spero Jack, in a statement, said that the operatives of the Joint Task Force were
attacked while on a security mission to dislodge some pirates and youths who
were wielding AK 47 assault rifles in Oluasiri.
According to him, the military men who were deployed for the operation in
Oluasiri community did not have any intention to attack the law abiding civil
populace in the area.
He explained that it was rather the youths of the community who were in illegal
possession of firearms with which they terrorized innocent people and prevented
law abiding citizens from going about their lawful duties in the area that attacked
the military men.

He noted that the operatives of the Joint Task Force were deployed to open up
the waters ways and the markets which were blocked by pirates and the gun
wielding youths.
Jack stated further that it would be unfortunate if there was collateral damage
during the exchange of gunfire between the soldiers and the armed youths.
He advised members of the community to go about their normal duties and
cooperate with the security agencies in the mission to flush out criminal elements
in the area.

NJC: Ahmed Gambo Saleh (Round peg in a round hole)

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FROM ages, man, in spite of his foibles
strives to perfect institutions he created
to ensure good living standard. To attain
this, he picks from the best of equals in
all disciplines, ranging from medicine,
engineering, teaching and law among
others to help regulate the institutions
for enhanced delivery.
In other words, conscious efforts are
made by society to safeguard public
institutions to maintain standard for
the general benefit of the people by
appointing men of high intellectual
capacity and moral standing to oversee
public institutions.
But for such hindsight, several
professional, academic, religious as well
as traditional institutions would have
atrophied. This also brings to mind the
fact that the progress or otherwise made
by an institution is in direct proportion to
the cerebral and managerial capacity of
the person manning that institution.
This, perhaps, was why the powers that
be did not hesitate to appoint Barr. Ahmed
Gambo Saleh as the Executive Secretary
of the National Judicial Commission as a
result of his immense contribution to the
development of justice in the country.
Saleh took over the leadership of NJC
from Mr Danladi Haliru on June 30,
2017. Haliru, was the pioneer Executive
Secretary of NJC but has to retire after
attaining civil servant’s mandatory
retirement age of 60 years.
The NJC, which is the apex body for the
nation’s judiciary, is one of the Federal
Executive bodies created by virtue of
Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution
as amended‎ to entrench and preserve
independent judiciary; ensure
commitment to rule of law and financially
autonomous judiciary etc.
Though Saleh’s appointment letter reads
with effect from July 1st, however it was
learnt on good authority that the Chief
Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Nkanu
Onnoghen (GCON), directed Haliru to
handover on June 30, since the actual date
fell on the weekend.
Saleh before his present position was
the Chief Registrar of the Supreme
Court. Nigerian pilot recall that Saleh on
November 24th, 2014 took over as the
Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court
from Mr. Sunday Olorundahunsi who
was appointed by the NJC as a Judge of
the Ondo State High Court.
He was also Deputy Chief Registrar in
charge of Litigation in the Supreme Court.
Within his one year as Executive
Secretary of NJC, Saleh has recorded
several millstones in two separate
categories; for the NJC as an institution
and acting as ‘Feel Officer’ in the
implementation of the far reaching
reform programmes and policies
initiated by the current Chief Justice
of Nigeria and Chairman, NJC, Justice
Walter Nkanu Onnogehen, GCON.
The achievements include staff
welfare with emphasis on trainings for
the staff of the Council. Comprehensive
Health Insurance payment previously
deducted from staff salaries being
defrayed entirely by the council. The
NJC clinic has been further equipped
with new and modern equipment
and drugs to meet both primary and
secondary health needs of the staff and
Council members.
He strengthened of the departments/
units through administrative
restructuring to engender efficiency
and successful set up of the research
arm in the Council, aimed at improving
efficiency in its operation and I charge
of its constitutional mandate of
supervising the larger judiciary.
He also upgraded facilities and
appurtenances in the Ancillary Building
to make it more conducive for staff. He
created a channel of communication
between the secretary on the one
ha d and management/staff on the
other hand, which allows vertical and
horizontal flow of information and
provision of sufficient work tools for
the department thereby improving
workflow.
He also created a robust information
dissemination mechanism that
enhances information flow from the
Judiciary to general public. Supporting
NJC’s sports team, which for the
first time participated in the NASAJ
games and performed creditably well.
Institutionalization of an in-house
training regime that promotes the use
of staff as resource persons for seminars
and conferences.
Born in Hadejia, Jigawa state in 1969
where he completed both his primary
and secondary schools education. He
holds both first and second degrees in
Law from Usman Danfodio University
in Sokoto and Bayero University, Kano
respectively.
Saleh who was called to bar in 1996
had worked briefly as a private legal
practitioner before joining the service of
Jigawa state Ministry of Justice as Senior
State Counsel in 1998 where he rose to
become Director of Legal Drafting.
In 2008, the new NJC secretary was
appointed Special Assistant to the
former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice
Idris Legbo Kutigi and later became
Deputy Chief Registrar of the Supreme
Court in 2010, in charge of Litigation. It
was from there that he rose to become
the Chief Registrar of the apex court.
After the successful handing over,
Haliru was said to had wished Saleh
a peaceful and fruitful period in the
administration of the judiciary from
National Judicial Council

Community accuses NSCDC of aiding oil bunkerers

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Nigeria security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC has been fingered in the growing
incidences of oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region of the country.
This was the revelation made to our correspondent by a community leader in excravos
popularly known as shell beach, a community in the Escravos area of Warri South
Local government of Delta state.
According to the community leader who didn’t want his name mentioned for fear of reprisal,
cases of oil bunkering was on the rise because the Corps which in the past did its job with utmost professionalism is now looking the other way or collaborating with criminals to perpetrate oil bunkering in the area “When we say the security agencies are involved, we know what we are saying. It is very simple: Delta State, for instance, has three entry and exit points into the high sea. They are at Escravos, Forcados and Ogheye.
There is no way a boat can enter or leave without the involvement of the security services deployed in the area I am from ogbe- ijaw in Escravos and I can confirm
to you that the Civil Defence is the most culpable in aiding andabetting oil bunkering activities
in my area.
“We have confirmed reports Nigerian government has described as outright falsehood
the petition to the Committee of Standards of the International Labour Organisation, ILO, by
the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, over the allege of citizens for reasons of being a worker
or issues linked to workers’ unionism.
While countering the claim, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige,
at the International Labour Conference, ILC, said that the petition by the Congress was
against the interest of the country.
“To do so especially at an international level is against the interest of Nigeria,” He said.
According to Sen. Ngige, “people have lost their lives in parts of the country due to general
insecurity and such incidents are clearly non-discriminatory.
People are kidnapped, robbed and times killed but those who were victims were not so because they are workers, clergy or such. Anybody could be affected. Even
top government functionaries have been kidnapped. So, this is as a result of general insecurity. For anybody therefore to come to the ILO and claim that peopled
are being killed because they are workers is an unacceptable tissue of lies.”
Similarly, the Minister said the retrenchment of unqualified teachers in Kaduna State which
the NLC stated in its petition was being tackled at home and needed no mention at the
international labour forum. Said he, “We don’t need to wash our dirty linen in the public.
My ministry summoned both the Kaduna State Government and the Nigerian Union of Teachers and they presented their case. We know the truth and don’t need
to bring such to the ILO. Some of the people disengaged by the
Kaduna State Government from the records tendered to us are not
qualified teachers.” “They don’t have the prerequisite
certificate,
competence. They got smuggled
into the system but we don’t
need to come here tell the world
that Nigerians get jobs with fake
certificates. We don’t need to
about some officers of the
NSCDC and how they levy
illegal bunkerers on a cargo-
by-cargo basis. We live here we
know what is happening. We
have information that the NSDC
commanders in excravos and
ottummara in this areas collects
as much as N70,000 per boat
carrying stolen crude after which
they look the other way, we are
peacefully campaigning for their
withdrawal but government is
not taking us seriously”
The culpability of the security
network around oil facilities
he said was responsible for the
rising cases of oil bunkering in
Escravos.
Investigation by
NIGERIAN
PILOT
revealed that crude oil
theft through illegal bunkering
by pipelines vandals is currently
costing Shell Petroleum
Development Company, SPDC,
about 9,000 barrels of oil daily,
thereby bleeding the nation of
much needed revenue.
Confirming the ugly
development the General
Manager, External Relations of
SPDC, Mr Igo Weli, who spoke
during an event to mark the 2017
activities of SPDC in Yenagoa said
that the amount was more than
the 6,000 barrels per day recorded
in 2016, signalling an increase in
the activities of oil bunkers in the
Niger Delta.
All over the Niger Delta State
Commands of the NSCDC,
officers and men of the agency
deployed to man critical oil
facilities have been constantly
accused of complicities and
connivance with oil bunkerers.
To ascertain the veracity of this
claim, the
NIGERIAN PILOT
was able to obtain the phone
number of a top commander of
the NSCDC presently serving in

Ottummara and Excravos, (name

withheld). A call was placed to
them with our correspondent
posing as an oil bunkerer in
need of their assistance to
allow boats laden with stolen
crude oil to cross into the high
sea, the Commanders after
series of question aimed at
verifying out claim offered
terms and mode of payments
for every boats that would be
cleared for passage.
In the past the NSCDC had
paraded thousands of trailers
and trucks arrested for various
illegal bunkering activities,
many arrests were made and
prosecutions secured to the
credits of the agency.
The recent reversal of the
agency’s past successes has
been a cause of concern to
stakeholders in communities
within the Niger Delta.
Investigation by
NIGERIAN
PILOT
shows that Shell
pipelines within the Delta
State Command of the Corps,
especially within Egha 1 and 2,
Madaho, Ogbe-Ijaw, Excravos
and Ottummara have over
the years been deliberately
subjected to the nefarious
activities of oil bunkerers
with the active connivance of
officers of the Civil Defence
Corps posted there on guard
duties.
A military source with the
force team of JTF on anti-
bunkering and oil theft in the
areas told the Nigerian Pilot
that they are worried that
their clean up mission in the
Escravos area and Shell SPDC
pipelines which has recorded
several successes in the past
has been compromised by
the NSCDC, “the above area
has been very successful but
the effort may be thwarted
by NSCDC officers who are
expected to hold the ground
once their our team finally
retreats” he said.
Efforts by the Nigeria Pilot
to get the reaction of officials
of the NSCDC proved abortive
as at the time of writing this
reports.

Plateau lauds Buhari’s characteristic sense of fairness in management of national resources

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Plateau State Government on Tuesday said it acknowledges President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent directive to the Federal Ministry of Finance that funds spent by the state government on the construction of federal roads be refunded to the state.

The statement which was signed by Hon Yakubu Dati, the Commissioner for Information and Communications and made available to newsmen in Jos reads that “The President’s directive fulfills one of the promises he made to the state when he visited in March this year.”

“Government appreciates this gesture which comes from the President’s characteristic sense of fairness in his management of national resources.”

“Government recalls the President’s visit to the state early in the year and is proud to identify this development as a direct fall-out of that event. ”

“Furthermore, the existing synergy between the Federal Government and Plateau State under the visionary leadership of Rt. Hon Simon Lalong continues to attract the desired dividends as the rescue administration pursues its 5-point policy thrust.”

“Therefore, government implores citizens to accept in good faith the opportunities being created by the present administration for the benefit of all.’

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