IMO State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has predicted that the scourge of Boko Haram and all forms of insurgency will soon be a thing of the past and Nigerians will once again celebrate.

Okorocha who made the assertion while playing host to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar who paid a courtesy call on him weekend, at the Government House Owerri, noted that what the nation is experiencing today in form of insurgency will soon become part of the nation’s history .

According to him, many nations of the world had gone through this or even worse experiences before getting to their point of greatness.

While appreciating the efforts of the officers and men of the Nigeria Airforce in fighting and degrading insurgency in Zamfara, Borno, Adamawa, and other parts of the North-East, the governor it was a sacrifice the ordinary people could not make.

He commended the officers for effectively defending the nation during the trying times without counting cost of returns.

“We as a State have dramatized our love for the Air Force. You are the first military organization that received two big gifts from Imo State Government. First, the 200 bed hospital and headquarters of regiment 211. We did so to appreciate you for choosing Imo State as the centre for your regiment for the South-East”.

“We in the Southern part of the country feel with heavy heart what our brothers in the Northern parts are passing through and we will continue to pray and give help when needed. Imo State government is ready to continue in the partnership we are having with the Airforce.

“We can offer you our Imo College of Advanced Studies for you to use for your Artisan School. I am ready to put up the structure for Air Force Secondary School in Imo State”.

“Rochas Foundation will be ready to partner with the Air Force to offer scholarship to children of your fallen heroes in our school nationwide. This is our own little way of appreciating the efforts of our fallen heroes”.

Earlier in his speech, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar hinted that they were in Owerri to commission some of their projects at the Nigeria Air Force Unit in Owerri.

He stated that the unit is a special one established here as part of their desire to expand the Air Force, and that it is properly positioned to deal with the kind of challenges seen from the different parts of the country particularly the North -West and North-East.

He thanked the governor and good people of Imo State for supporting the Air Force with a vast piece of land, hospital of international standard as well as the headquarters of the 211 quick response unit.

Abubakar assured that the Air Force will contribute its quota towards maintaining adequate security in the State so that development can flourish.

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Lawyer for the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), has said that the arrest warrant issued on the INEC boss could not stand because it was patently flawed.

Awomolo, in an appeal filed before the Court of Appeal in Abuja, raised six objections which he claimed nullified the arrest warrant as a misnomer.

In the appeal marked CA/A/2018 in reference to suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/854/2015, Awomolo is praying the appellate court to issue an order allowing the appeal; issue an order setting aside the entire ruling of Justice Pam of August 1, 2018 and issue an order remitting the case file number FHC/ABJ/CS/854/2015 back to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to another judge for hearing and determination of the suit.

Chief Awomolo, who also spoke to newsmen in Abuja on the development, said the INEC chairman was not served with any order of the court as required by law, adding that the INEC boss could not be said to be in disobedience of the court.

“All the orders that were made by the court, none was served on him as required by the law.

“Secondly, he has an application filed on the 27th of June 2016, which is challenging the competence of the contempt proceedings and the jurisdiction of the court,” he said.

He said the Supreme Court in its judgement of July 2017 said the INEC boss could not be compelled to appear in court until the motion of June 27, 2016 has been determined and “so, he is not guilty of disobedience of the court. He is not guilty at all.”

He said “the warrant of arrest is putting the cart before the horse,” adding that it was more or less pre-judging all the appeals against that suit.

“The Supreme Court has said it that you cannot say someone is guilty of contempt of court until you have exhausted all the preliminary objections. I have two before the court, he answered one and he left one undetermined and the one he left undetermined is the most critical. The one of 27, June 2016,” the counsel said.

According to him, beside the fact that no enrolment was served on the INEC boss, the warrant of arrest was against the Supreme Court judgement.

He said the court had, without hearing his application before it which he said was unopposed, struck out the motion and ordered the arrest of the INEC chairman who, he said, was not in contempt.

In the processes already filed before the Court of Appeal, the senior lawyer also stated that the order of 5th July 2018 compelling the personal attendance of the chairman was not served on the chairman as required by the law. There was no evidence of the enrolment and service of the order,

He listed other grounds as including “the chairman had as at the 1st of August 2018, an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court filed on 27/6/16. The Supreme Court had held in this same case that where jurisdiction is being challenged the chairman did not have to personally appear.

“The existence and entry of the appeal has been brought to the notice of the court on 10/7/2018 but the court ignored same.

“On the 10th July, 2018, the ruling of the court again ordered the appearance of the second respondent. That ruling has been appealed against. The law is that the second respondent could not be regarded as a contemptor

“It was also brought to the attention of the court that there was a pending application for stay of proceeding before the Court of Appeal. It is the law that where a trial court is aware of pending application at the Court of Appeal, the court should not take any step that will foist on the Court of Appeal a fait accompli.

“The commission and indeed the chairman have obeyed all lawful orders of the court, brought to its attention in this matter and have not disobeyed any court order

“The Supreme Court had in several judgements and positive orders, held that the commission is only bound to accept and recognise the list of candidates sent or forwarded to it by the National Executive of the Party as the party is one and is only divided into states for the party’s internal and administrative convenience

“The Supreme Court had made this clear even in the appeal of the Applicants where the Supreme Court made it clear that it did not order that the Commission should collect or recognise the list by the Oguebego-led executive.”

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UNICEF Bauchi field office has donated four Hilux vehicles worth sixty million naira to the Jigawa State Government in conjunction with the Department for International Development, DFID, aimed at providing safe drinking water and sanitation.

The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Ibrahim Garba Hannun Giwa stated this at the presentation of the vehicles to four local government areas in the state.

Hannun Giwa explained that the DFID Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria, SHAWN II program and UNICEF donated the vehicles to the four local government areas, aimed at providing safe drinking water and sanitation services to ensure total coverage in the selected eighteen LGA’s under the program in the state.

The Commissioner who was represented by the Director Administration and Finance, Alhaji Lawal Mohammed Bello pointed out that the state has so far received the support of the vehicles in Birnin Kudu, Birniwa, Buji, Gwiwa, Roni, Kafin Hausa, Kiyawa, Gagarawa and Auyo.

According to him, Others also include Ringim, Sule-tankarkar, Jahun,Guri, Dutse, Garki,Gwaram, Kirikasamma and also Maigatari Local government areas of the state.

Hannun Giwa however called on the beneficiaries to make good use of the vehicles in carrying out implementation, monitoring and supervision of water, sanitation and hygiene, WASH projects in their respective local government areas.

He reiterated state government commitment to supporting UNICEF to achieve set objectives.

In his remarks the Officer in Charge of UNICEF Bauchi state office, Alhaji Uba Lawal noted that the four Hilux vehicles worth sixty million naira presented to the four local governments was aimed at improving the lives of people in rural areas of the state.

He said the beneficiaries would be responsible for fuelling and maintenance of the vehicles given to them.

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…AS troops dislodge armed militia in Benue

Operation Sharan Daji military squad has recorded a major breakthrough in its first leg of heavy crack down exercise on the notorious bandits’ hideouts in parts of Zamfara State even as troops have disloged some militias in Benue State.

Sources from the military information officer for Zamfara squad, Col. Muhammad Dole, said troops conducted several raids and ambush on major identified camps and routes in Maradun, Tsafe and Zurmi local governments.

Col Dole disclosed that during heavy encounter with the bandits within areas of Mashema, Kwadi, Kalage Gambiru and Kagara, a good number of bandits were neutralised and their hideouts destroyed and set ablaze.

He further revealed that in another military operation in Daban-Doka in the neighborhood of Dansadau town, the troops have succeeded in ambushing and neutralising about twenty bandits, while some of them escaped with gunshot wounds. “Several motorcycles used by the bandits were burnt” , he said.

The spokesman also confirmed the killing of two notorious bandits, Bello Danboko and his ally Sani Maza by the troops in Yanwari ward, near Yankuzo of Tsafe Council and Mai Tukunya village near Dansadau of Maru Local Governments, respectively.

Another success recorded by the troops he said, “is the arrest of two notorious bandits namely Muhammad Aminu and one other popularly known as “Yellow”, adding that the two were undergoing interrogation, just as some weapons, ammunitions, motorcycles, phone sets and large herd of cows were recovered from them”

Meanwhile, the Force Commander Operation SHARAN DAJI, Major General Mohammed Mohammed assured the law abiding citizens that his troops are poised on the task of restoring peace and safety in all the dark areas in Kaduna and Zamfara States.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, while on clearance operation along Gbajimba-Akor axis in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State at the weekend dislodged armed militia men from their camp following a superior fire power.

According to a press release signed by Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, Director of Army Public Relations and made available to newsmen in Makurdi yesterday, unspecified number of the militia men have been reportedly killed by the troops during the exercise while others escaped into nearby bushes with gunshot wounds.

The Army spokesman said effort was on by the troops to get other fleeing members of the armed militia men.

Some of the items recovered from the militiamen, according to Gen. Chukwu, included 1 AK 47 rifle, 2 AK 47 rifle magazines, 60 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and 5 motorcycles.

He called on members of the public to report any suspicious movements or activities in their area to the law enforcement agents for prompt action.

Recall that Governor Samuel Ortom last week, alerted the people of the state that large herds of cattle with armed mercenaries were being mobilized to the state with a view to causing mayhem.

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Operators of burrow pits, tipper drivers and other stakeholders in the sector in Edo State have commended the decision of the state government to shutdown all operations of burrow pits to allow for recertification, which they said would restore sanity in the business.

The operators had raised concerns over the activities of some individuals and groups, who operated borrow pits without regard for environmental concerns.

One of the leading owners of borrow pits in the state, who pleaded anonymity over security concerns, said before the announcement by the state government, “legitimate operators of borrow pits had complained over activities of some persons and groups who had continued with the business without recourse to the environment issues and whose licences had expired.”

“These persons and groups are not known to us. If they had been allowed to continue, they would put our business in jeopardy. What they do is to burrow pits indiscriminately, without following the due process. The government announcement was a huge relief to us,” he said.

According to him, “The plan by the state government to re-evaluate and re-certify the sites would restore sanity in the sector, in a way which would not create problems for the environment.”

“By the time the recertification and inspection of the sites are completed, I believe only genuine operators who abide by the rules, would continue.”

An operator who identified himself as Efe Osarodion said, before the announcement by the government, all manners of persons have infiltrated into our operations. What these persons do, is to burrow pits on sites owned by a genuine owner.

Recall that the Edo State Government shut down with immediate effect burrow pits in the statem, citing threat to the state’s environmental integrity, danger of flash floods and the need to avoid health and environmental hazards.

According to a statement signed by the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku Esq., “The Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, believes the shutting down of burrow pits would allow for “reevaluation and recertification of the sites to ensure that they do not constitute hazards and environmental degradation as all such owners and operators are required to report to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability for recertification and subsequent inspection of their sites.”

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Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Hon Titus Ugba, at the weekend debunked allegation that the state governor, Mr Samuel Ortom, ever paid N20million to a Boko Haram suspect, even as he raised the alarm that following withdrawal of security apparatus from the IDPs camp, herdsmen had started coming back into the state.

Ugba said this at the weekend while speaking with journalists after the 2018 Conference of Speakers hosted by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

This was just as he maintained that Governor Ortom was not served any impeachment notice, declaring that the eight lawmakers, who claimed to have done the service, “cannot give impeachment notice and thereafter seek for signatures for impeachment.”

“The eight members in Benue State did not give the governor impeachment notice; they said they are looking for signatures to impeach. You cannot give impeachment notice before seeking for signatures of members for governor’s impeachment,” Ugba said.

The new Benue Speaker insisted that there was no plan to impeach Ortom, disclosing that the police had been giving court order to vacate the assembly complex for the majority 22 lawmakers to perform their legislative duties.

He expressed confidence in leading the assembly despite the crisis in the state, pointing out that Benue had once again demonstrated that democracy was about the people.

“On the 24th of July to be precise, 22 members came together to say they are tired of what the previous speaker was doing and how they made me the speaker of Benue State House of Assembly,” he said.

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“They say two wrongs don’t make it right (don’t make it right). So if I’m wrong I ain’t trying to fight. I’m trying to have some dinner with some candlelight.” – Wyclef Jean

Two Wrongs is the lead single from Wyclef Jean’s third studio album, Masquerade. Released on Monday, June 24, 2002, the song features an American singer and model, Claudette Ortiz. It is one of the biggest selling singles of 2002, reaching the top of the singles chart in New Zealand, and peaking at number 20 in the United Kingdom. It also peaked at number 11 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop charts and number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In the rhetoric and ethics, “two wrongs make a right” and “two wrongs don’t make a right” are phrases that denote philosophical norms. “Two wrongs make a right” has been considered as a fallacy of relevance, in which an allegation of wrongdoing is countered with a similar allegation. Its antithesis, “two wrongs don’t make a right,” is a proverb used to rebuke or renounce wrongful conduct as a response to another’s transgression.

In his lyrics, Wyclef Jean may have unwittingly captured aptly the situation that is Nigeria’s. In the face of many failures of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seemingly, Nigeria lamented: “I’m so used to the pain that I can’t see the sunshine no more. I’m so used to the pain that the sickness feels like the cure.” All Progressives Congress (APC) replied, “Ay, but if only you gave me the keys to your soul, and let me in, I’m gonna love you over and over again.”

APC went on, yeah, “If only I give you one last chance, with the devil (PDP) you can no longer dance.” Then, the party quickly promised Nigeria, “Girl I’ma love you like I never love.” She invited her for a warm embrace saying, “Touch me like you never touch me. Yo if you give me the chance, girl (yeah baby) I’m gonna show you.” She didn’t end without warning, “You got to be faithful, so we could be fruitful. Build a family and follow God’s destiny.”

It was only a matter of time before the sincerity of APC’s promises would be tested. At breakfast on Thursday, July 19, 2018, a colleague Fr. Sheyin Istifanus drew my attention to a comic video skit trending on Facebook. Although by its very nature, the video has nothing to do with Nigeria, its setting and characters were of Asia extraction, yet, the meaning and import was so skewed to capture the undercurrent political shenanigans between PDP and APC.

As it were, an eating competition ensued between the two parties. Guided by ulterior motives and petty jealousies obviously, each ostensibly schemed on how to outsmart the other. The PDP delegate has clandestinely bribed the competition’s umpire, but the APC candidate had his own devious plans too. Now, a slice of watermelon was handed down to each party ambassador at the august event and the rule was, whoever finished eating first, won.

With his nefarious acts perfected, the PDP representative came to the venue well satisfied. He thought that victory was a done deal. The plan to attain this was quite simple. The corrupt umpire who stood behind the contestants apparently with an already eaten slice of watermelon well concealed, was to quickly exchange with the PDP rep as soon as the competition began. But something went amiss. What was it? The plan leaked whilst PDP basked in euphoria.

Acting according to plan, the umpire kept his own part of the bargain but as soon as the PDP representative turned to fulfil his, the APC candidate replaced and deftly took away the already eaten watermelon supposedly belonging to PDP camp and was immediately declared winner to the chagrin of his competitor. The robbery was quick and the dexterity so extraordinary that the PDP rep was dazed. As I speak, he has not recovered.

What is the morale of this story? Following the outcome of multiple failures including witch-hunting of opposition by APC-led government, a friend told me that even at that, PDP shouldn’t complain because they are being paid in the same coin that they used while in power. Like seriously? So, we are back to square one. It never ceases to amaze how some people reason.

In my previous article “Prophets of Yesteryears” of Wednesday, January 17, 2018, which is a prototype of the above scenario between PDP and Nigerians on one hand, and between APC and Nigerians on another, I made mention of the fact that in the build up to the 2015 general elections, most Nigerians were fed up with the PDP-led government of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Of course, it was highly perceived and believed in some quatres by the greater majority of Nigerians that the administration of Jonathan failed on several grounds, the most visible of which were: “Unfulfilled promises, failure to tackle corruption, the Chibok girls’ saga, and inability to contain the menaces of Boko Haram insurgence,” among others.

The then Opposition party, APC, unlike Rehoboam (cf. 1 Kings 12:1-20) did not tell Nigerians that they were going to worsen their predicaments for had they, the consequence was obvious, rather, they cashed-in on the perceived failures of Jonathan’s administration and sold change mantras to Nigerians, which they quickly bought into. Today, the rest is history and APC is in power.

Since APC’s emergence as the ruling party, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi alleged in the Daily Post of Tuesday, May 16, 2017, that 80% inherited projects from the previous administration have been continued. Further, the Premium Times of Saturday, December 30, 2017, has it that “there has been higher Customs-generated revenue.” We heard too that presently unlike before, there is rapid promotion trend in the civil service.

Also, under the aegis of the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, in recognition of the deep weaknesses of the Nigeria’s economy and the potential for further weakening, the Federal Government has developed an Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) for the period 2017–2020. This aims at economic recovery in the short-term, and structural reforms aimed at diversifying the economy to set it on a path toward sustained and inclusive growth.

On the flip-side, going by the sixth chapter of Achebe’s seminal work, The Trouble With Nigeria, he beamed a searchlight on Social Justice and Cult of Mediocrity; and explicitly noted the devastating effects of tribalism and mediocrity. I will replicate him for emphasis.

Achebe said, “Let us take a hypothetical case where two candidates ‘A’ and ‘B’ apply to fill a very important and strategic position. ‘A’ has the right qualification of competence and character but is of the ‘wrong’ tribe, while ‘B,’ less qualified, belongs to the ‘right’ tribe, and so gets the job. ‘A’ goes away embittered. ‘B’ throws a party and then messes up the job.”

Achebe concluded thus: “The greatest sufferer is the nation itself which has to contain the legitimate grievance of a wronged citizen; accommodate the incompetence of a favoured citizen and, more importantly and of greater scope, endure general decline of morale and subversion of efficiency caused by an erratic system of performance and reward.”

Achebe’s testimony seems to have borne fullest manifestation in APC-led government of President Muhammadu Buhari. In the recorded history of Nigeria, no other administration has a track record in the eyes of the masses of taking lies, grand deception, incompetence, mediocrity, hypocrisy, corruption, irresponsibility, ineptitude, gross disregard to the Rule of Law, travesty of justice, nepotism, cronyism and tribalism, to a state of art as Buhari’s.

For instance, writing on THE PUNCH on Thursday, July 21, 2016, on the topic “I belong to everybody. I belong to nobody,” the Secretary General, National Prayer Movement, Abuja, Mr. Gbemiga Olakunle, took President Buhari and the APC government to cleaners.

Mr. Olakunle recalled that ‘I belong to everybody. I belong to nobody,’ speech made by President Buhari on Friday, May 29, 2015, at his inauguration at the Eagle Square, Abuja, has proven to be hypocritical because “the President actually belonged to the North (especially the Hausa/Fulani) where he hails from.” Well, that coded phrase was not original to him.

Soonest, the President really proved his lack of basic understanding of the dubiously plagiarized phrase, corroborating Olankunle’s allegations. On Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at the United States Institute of Peace, during his official state visit to the United States, he delivered a speech covering security and counter-terrorism issues in Nigeria and West Africa.

After his brief talk, members of the audience were invited to ask questions in a session moderated by former Undersecretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson. One of such questions came from Dr. Pauline Baker whose question bothered on Niger Delta crisis.

To the amazement of all, abandoning the question completely and playing to the gallery, President Buhari shockingly looked at Dr. Baker and said to him, “I hope you have a copy of the election results. The constituents, for example, (that) gave me 97% (of the vote) cannot in all honesty be treated (same way) on some issues with constituencies that gave me 5%.”

From his subsequent actions, one is inclined to align with Felix Akam in his Saturday, February 3, 2018, online publication, Buhari Apologists, You’re on Your Own, that the “only people Buhari has never disappointed are those who never believed him.” Most of his ardent followers are even disheartened by his imprudent actions and inactions and have lost their voices.

Clearly, stemming from lop-sided appointments under President Buhari’s administration, Mr. Olankunle’s previous statement seems to have fully manifested and keeps manifesting. The clear cut lop-sidedness in appointments into boards, parastatals, key sectors of the economy, and the various security agencies has been raising a lot of eyebrows.

Could one sincerely say this was what Nigerians hoped for when they voted in APC in 2015? What exactly has changed since the advent of APC? A lot! However, Nigerians still deserve better than what they are getting. The current bizarre situation in the land must change for better. Two wrongs don’t make a right. APC shouldn’t capitalize on past failures of PDP and keep dragging Nigeria to the mud.

The electorates who voted APC thought that changing government would bring about a change of tactics and policies. However, they have been bitterly disappointed! Yes, they have been hoodwinked and now, it is the turn of Nigerians to say to APC “Now baby understand (I understand) that I forgive you. And I ain’t gonna forget that you brought me pain.”

Albert Einstein is broadly credited with exclaiming “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” If both PDP and APC have failed, isn’t it time to try another option?

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General manager, State Agency for Community and Social Development Project, CSDP, Dr. Maximus Asogwa, has disclosed that seven communities in.Enugu State, have benefited from World Bank developmental projects worth over N70 million naira.

Asogwa who addressed newsmen yesterday after the formal presentation of first tranche of 30 percent of the total fund to leaders of each of the seven benefitting communities, said that the projects include an extension of electricity, rehabilitation of roads/bridges, construction of classroom /Principal office blocks, boreholes, market and civic centres.

The CSDP boss at the end of the four- day tour of the communities, explained that the projects are community driven, listing the lucky communities as Ameke- Oduma, Amanasato-Oduma both in Aninri Local Government Area of the State.

Others are; Emeora and Mbuluowo in Enugu-East Local Government Area while Etiti-Ozalla is in Nkanu-West Local Government Area and Amagu Okachamma is in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the State.

While speaking in each of the communities visited, Dr Asogwa took time to reiterate the need for judicious use of the funds provided to them, stressing that accountability remains the watch word of the International donor as well as the State Government under Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi whose policy on infrastructural development is in tandem with the World Bank.

“This is a project you must hold to your hearts. We in CSDP have sensitized you before now on how effective you must be while embarking on this project. You gave us the area where you need our intervention.

Happily, the World Bank in conjunction with the Enugu State Government has come to your rescue. The funds are ready in our office. When you utilize the first tranche of 30 percent as expected, second tranche of 50 percent will be disbursed to you while the third tranche of 20 percent will be given for completion of the project. Nobody is expected to divert the money for private use. There should be transparency”, he added.

Community leaders who during the tour to their community commended the World Bank, State government, Management and staff of CSDP for their timely intervention, adding that the projects had rekindled their confidence in government.

The State Commissioner for Rural and Human Development, Ozo Benjamin Onuzuluike, Igwes Donald Nwochi, Igwesi Igwesi, Honourable Uwakwe Linus Amobi and the Isi-Uzo Local Government Chairman, Dr Benjamin Edeoga in their respective remarks, extolled Governor Ugwuanyi for creating an enabling environment to attract the projects to their areas, adding that that they would fight for his re-election in 2019 to reciprocate the gesture.

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Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmud Yakubu is to appear before the joint leadership of the National Assembly today (Tuesday) for possible approval of the N242billion budgeted for the 2019 general elections.
Reliable source in the office of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki disclosed yesterday in Abuja that the meeting is slated for Room 301 of the Senate wing by 1pm.
The meeting, according to the source, will pave way for possible reconvening of sittings of both chambers this month for consideration and approval of the N242billion budgeted for conduct of the elections.
President Muhammadu Buhari had before the National Assembly went on its ongoing recess in July, forwarded it for approval, N242billion budget estimates from INEC for conduct of the elections.
The President, in the virement seeking letter, explained that out of the proposed N242, 445, 322, 600.00 billion estimated funding of the 2019 general elections, N164.104billion should be appropriated for by the National Assembly through virement while the balance of N78.340billon would be provided for in the 2019 budget provisions.
He explained further that the N164bn needed by INEC this year, should be expeditiously appropriated for by the legislature for early and effective preparations for the elections.
But the National Assembly, a week after receipt of the letter precisely on July 24 adjourned for its yearly long recess without considering the request, making the presidency, to clamour for its reconvening before the fixed resumption date slated for September 25.
Members of the NASS leadership expected to converged at today’s meeting slated for 12noon before the planned interface with the INEC boss are the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, his deputy, Kasun Yusuf and the remaining 16 principal officers from both chambers.
The meeting, according to the source, would put to rest the rumoured forceful reconvening of the Senate by the All Progressive Congress, APC senators on one hand, and whether the entire National Assembly need to reconvene before the September date for consideration of INEC’s budgetary request for the 2019 elections.

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“As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, ‘What you are about to do, do quickly.’” John 13.27 (New International Version of the Holy Bible)

Those who are conversant with the verse of the Bible quoted supra would remember very vividly what happened and the context in which Jesus made the statement. But for those who are not, what transpired was that the time that Jesus Christ would be crucified was at hand and it has been written that one man, Judas, a son of perdition, who would fulfill a negative prophecy, would betray him to those who sought to carry out his arrest for the purpose of His trial and crucifixion.

Jesus knew from the outset of creation that Judas had been predestined to accomplish that task in human history. Judas, therefore, did not have the grace to resist the supernatural obligation to keep that grisly appointment with destiny. He caved in to the allure of filthy lucre and perfected an unholy alliance by which he betrayed Jesus to the arresting soldiers of the High Priest Caiaphas, who then turned Jesus over to the Pontius Pilate’s soldiers.

Judas had thought that his plan was known only to him and those who had procured his services and conscience, not knowing that it was a course of history designed before then by the supernatural God, whom he was dealing with in the form of man as God’s son. The essence of this biblical allusion is not necessarily to draw a parallel between Judas and the dogs of war, otherwise referred to as mercenaries by the APC national chair, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, that have visited losses on the party, but rather to nudge those who are still holding back to do quickly what they want to do: defect. That will enable the party to know who are really committed to its change and progress philosophies.

Many “mercenaries” had jumped ship, leaving the APC for the PDP and some for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and many too had moved from the PDP to the APC. The game of losing and attracting mercenaries continues to define the shape and texture of the political build-up towards the forthcoming 2019 general election. The exodus from the APC happened despite the effort by the party leadership to dissuade the elements that defected. The biggest of them was the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who while leaving on July 31, 2018, confirmed the unsuccessful effort made by Comrade Oshiomhole and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to reconcile the differences he had with some powerful forces in the APC-led federal government.

Fourteen senators and 37 House of Representatives members acted the dogs of war, trying to viciously discount APC’s electoral base and fortunes. Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue, along with ten APC state legislators, 13 local government chairmen and 276 councilors, was out of the APC. Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara had moved with Saraki. He defected with 23 House of Assembly members but one and the entire local government council structures in the state. Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto did his own theatrics. He moved with 18 members of the State House Assembly. 12 members refused to move. His deputy governor also did not move.

It would appear that the excitement associated with defections had climaxed with the movement of Saraki, until the rumours about the planned defection of the leader of the minority Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, caucus in the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, began to do the rounds. The gambit of Akpabio, who is the immediate past two-term governor of Akwa Ibom state, has already caused ballyhoo in the opposition PDP. But unlike the obvious issues some leaders of the new PDP group were having in the APC that could somewhat validate or justify their decision to egress, Akpabio’s plan to leave the PDP for the APC was like a bolt from the blue, unable to find credible and understandable justification.

His defection, which is slated for Wednesday, this week, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Akwa Ibom state, is the latest and, perhaps, the biggest deal in the context of political treacheries, the kind that Judas’ action typified. Akpabio was not known to have irreconcilable differences with his state governor, Udom Emmanuel, whom he helped to power. Feelers indicated that the only issue between them was the decision by Governor Emmanuel to reconcile with all the political forces that Akpabio fought to install him as governor. That could have been sorted out. In fact, that was the initial reason, according to the grapevine, that Akpabio allegedly gave to the PDP national leadership, for planning to dump the party.

But, afterward, the real reason was said to have been independently ferreted and his alleged massive financial misappropriation was indicted in the decision of the APC-led federal government to turn the heat on him. Akpabio had been allegedly under intense pressure of harassment, intimidation and blackmail and the only way to mitigate the collateral damage of his potential prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was to strike a deal that would give him a soft landing. Defection to the APC was the only practicable, reasonable, self-serving and damage-mitigating option. Regardless, another dog of war is, indeed, set to cross over, this time, from the PDP to the APC, in a grand style.

Akpabio is the biggest fish yet, being the leader of the PDP in the Senate, that the net of the fishing APC has caught. The APC apparatchiks are understandably excited that, at least, they are paying back the PDP in its own coin. But, Nigerians are eager to see the number of elected and appointed PDP officials that will defect with him to the APC and the extent of damage that his action will inflict on the PDP in Akwa Ibom state, which is a traditional PDP stronghold, especially given the fact that Governor Emmanuel is still in the saddle and providing the PDP with necessary bootstraps.

Indeed, the gale of defections is spreading countrywide, no doubt. The ranks of the dogs of war are swelling by the day. Double dealings, under-the-table agendas and treacheries have been characteristic of the nation’s cloak-and-dagger politics, especially ahead of the electioneering for the 2019 presidential poll. Loyalty to leadership and followership has become an anathema. Commitment to political norms and mores is a misnomer while proclivities to ideological leanings have become farcical and fallacious.

Politics continues to don the garb of filthiness, obviously and unarguably shorn of morality. Like prostitutes, in fact, more than dogs of war, politicians in preservation of their enlightened self interests are wont to jump ship, shift loyalty and allegiance capriciously. And yet, they lay claim to superior patriotic commitment to nation-building and the issues of development, welfare and security of citizens in the context of our nationhood over the rest of us.

But, we will continue to watch and interrogate their ways, odysseys and gambits in the political choices that they present before us and the decisions that we make in the determination of their fates eventually through the ballot, that is, assuming that the totality of our votes counts.

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-As Okagbare task FG to invest in future talents

African athletes that competed at the just concluded African Senior Athletics Championship, tagged Asaba 2018 expressed delight for the hospitality, friendliness and love shown them by Nigerians especially the Local Organizing Committed, LOC .

The foreign athletes and official also expressed satisfaction with the level organization, good officiating and the electric atmosphere inside the Stephen Keshi Stadium since the competition began on Wednesday.

There has been a huge turnout of fans at the stadium since Day 1 and the African stars on parade have given thumbs up to the Asaba fans.

Africa’s fastest man at the moment, Akanni Simbine who won the 100m event said it was not only a delight to win the gold medal but to also be in Nigeria.

Simbine described Nigeria as a sports-loving country, owing to the level of interest shown by the people since the commencement of the ongoing 2018 Africa Senior Athletics Championships in Asaba, Delta State.

He said: “If Nigeria can start preparations on time by putting good logistics in place and doing all the necessary things, they can host the
rest of the world in athletics”.

According to him, “The fans here are wonderful and very cheerful, which is also part of the glamour of major athletics meets in the world. So, if Nigeria can get the other things right, they can host the world”.

Caster Semenya who won the gold medal in the 400m Women’s event also hailed the high spirits of Delta state fans that have been thronging the Stephen Keshi stadium in large numbers since Wednesday, the 1st day of the championship.

The Nigerian Female 4×100 meters relay team maintained its dominance in Africa after racing to a time of 43.77 seconds to beat Kenya and Cote d’ Ivoire to second and third place with the South African male team picking the gold in the men event after clocking 38.25 seconds to beat Nigeria and Burkina Faso to second and third place.

Reigning Commonwealth Games Long Jump champion, Ese Brume maintained her stranglehold in the women’s category in Africa after leaping to 6.83 meters in the event to beat Marthe Koala of Burundi and Lynique Beneke of South Africa to second and third place with African mid distance champion Caster Semeya maintaining her dominance on the continent after clocking a time of 49.66 seconds to win gold in the 400 meters women event beating Christine Botslegwe of Botswana and Yinka Ajayi to second and third place.

Nigeria claimed double medals in the women Discus Throw after throwing Onyekwere Chioma and Okoro Chinwe threw 58.09 meters and 57.37 meters to claim gold and silver in the event with Ischke Senekal of South Africa who threw 53.82 meters to third place.

Amos Nigel of Botswana claimed the 800 meters gold after running one minute forty five point two zero seconds to beat Emmanuel Korir of Kenya and Smaili Mustafa of Morocco to second and third place.

However, Nigerian golden girl Blessing Okagbare Ighoteguonor was on the tracks in the Day 3 of action at the ongoing African Senior Athletics
Championships and she made her presence count; helping Nigeria to a gold medal in the 4x100m women’s event.

The gold medal-winning quartet for Nigeria had youngster, Joy Udo-Gabriel starting off in grand style before Okagbare took the second leg and handed nicely to Tobi Amusan and Rosemary Chukwuma held her own to give Nigeria a precious gold medal ahead of the Ivorian quartet led by Ahuriele Ta Lou.The Nigerian ladies posted an impressive time of 43.77secs.

Okagbare told journalists after the race that, “We thank God almighty for our team winning the gold, this is a collective effort, we all put in our best to give Nigeria gold and we are happy we delivered,”

Blessing Okagbare further called on the Federal Ministry of Sports to invest in the future talents that abound in the country if Nigeria was keen on remaining a major player in African Sports in particular and the world in general.

The sprint queen who had earlier inspired the Nigerian women 4×100 meters relay team to win gold at the 21st edition of the African senior Athletics’s Championship tagged Asaba 2018 said in a few years she would leave the stage and the nation may not have a strong contender in the international circuits if things are not improved upon.

She decried poor funding as the band for the development of young sports men and women, stressing that athletes needed regular funding and competitions to be among the best in the world.

She revealed that only few of the talented athletes get to make to the international stage and most times it is through hardworking and dedication.

She however apologised again for failing to represent Nigeria in the 100 and 200 meters events, stressing that she was nursing an injury and wouldn’t want to aggravate the situation.

She pledged her continued love for her fatherland and was willing to at all times adorn the nation’s colours.

She also commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for completing the Stephen Keshi Stadium, asserting that he had left a legacy that would be remembered by generations yet unborn.

The former fastest woman in Africa also called on the young athletes in the state to avail themselves the opportunity of the stadium, saying that the facility was of international standard.

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Chikwe Ihekweazu, The Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Chikwe Ihekwazu has said that Nigeria needs N4 billion to tackle infectious diseases.
Mr Ihekweazu said this at the launch of Alliance for Epidemic Preparedness and Response, A4EPR, in Lagos
The launch of A4EPR is aimed at getting major stakeholders in the health sector to combat infectious diseases.
The alliance is an initiative of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, PHN, and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC.
The PHN is in alliance with NCDC and a coalition of private sector which has in its fold: Dangote Group Plc., MTN Nigeria, Total Nigeria, Shell Foundation and Tony Elumelu Foundation.
The mission of the group is to seek a way forward in bringing intervention to the risk of infectious diseases, draw attention to the need of innovative partnerships in health emergency.
The group also seeks to introduce to the private sector and key stakeholders to the alliance of A4EPR and secure forward commitment and pledge of private sector toward health security.
The NCDC boss, who stressed the need for urgent moves to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, said “Nigeria actually needs about N4 billion to combat infectious diseases. This does not mean that all the monies must come from government; the private sector has a role to play.
“There is the need for financial assistance in critical segments of combating infectious diseases such as infrastructure and equipment which needs about N1.8 billion.
“The infrastructure and equipment are responsible for the machines and test variables while we also need response and logistics of about N700 million.
“In Emergency Stockpile, we need N600 million, for Technology and Innovation segment, we need N600 million, Capacity Development needs N200 million, while Advocacy and Community engagement will require N100 million.”
Mr Ihekweazu said that the agency was mandated with the task of enhancing the country’s preparedness and response to epidemics.
He added that “we are responsible for the prevention, detection and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
“The core mandate of the NCDC is to detect, investigate, prevent and control diseases of national and international public health importance.
“We played leading role in the response to the outbreak of Lassa fever, Cerebrospinal Meningitis, CSM, Cholera, Yellow Fever and Monkey Pox.
“For now, we need to be deliberate in our actions because we are not sure of the next outbreak, so we need to have all the facilities intact and also get enough funding.” NAN

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Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, NRFF has appointed South African Bronson Weir as new national coach and called up 30 players to camp ahead of their clash with Super 16 champions, Niger Republic slated for Niamey on August 11.

Disclosing this during a press conference where he gave a scorecard of his administration in the last one year, President of the federation, Kelechi Mbagwu said the hiring of the South African was to build a strong national team that will be ranked amongst the first three in the continent.

“We decided to engage the services of a foreign coach in order to reposition the game and help our team to not only beat Niger which is a prelude to getting good ranking in the continent but also perform well at Africa Regional Championship in Cote d’ Ivoire from September 15-16 and the fourth coming international friendly with Ghana later in the year,” he stated.

According to him, the first one year of his administration has brought about the much need reconciliation with the former presidential contestant in the last federation election, Martin Crawford appointed Director of elite rugby, while the federation’s constitution has been approved and rectified with Rugby Afrique, lifting the ban placed on the country.

He stated that as part of his achievements, league matches have been organised in three zones of the country, namely South West, South-South/South-East and North- East/ North-Central, even as he stated that the board is taking the issue of grassroots development serious with plans not all to introduce the game in schools but to ensure that it is played in more states of the federation from the present 13 states that are presently involved in the sport.

On plans to have a more functional federation, Mbagwu announced that a rugby house is now fully in place with Mark Archer as the General- Manager, while plans are also underway to have a data base of all rugby players in the country.

The federation boss, while appealing to the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung to make rugby a medal awarding event at the next National Sports Festival announced that as part of plans to develop female rugby, the female national team (Ladies Stallions) will next year travel to Las Vegas, while there will be a special rugby award night in December this year.

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Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom Mr Moses Ekpo has debunked reports from a section of the media that he has resigned from his position.

He has also described as false reports saying he has defected from the PDP to the All Progressive Congress, APC.

A statement endorsed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekikere Umoh Monday in Uyo and made available to Nigerian Pilot described the reports as false and malicious adding that it was deliberately meant to cause upheaval in the PDP.

“The attention of the Office of the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State has been drawn to certain rumours and misrepresentations in a section of the media to the effect that the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Moses F. Ekpo, has resigned from office.

“The reports particularly from the online community further make allusions to the effect that the Deputy Governor has also defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

“Given the temperament of the times and the implications of such innuendos, we are constrained to categorically state as follows: There is no iota of truth in the story making the rounds. The purported report is therefore nothing but a poorly concocted piece of a malicious hatchet job and a pack of lies, and should be appropriately ignored.

“It is instructive to note that currently, His Excellency, the Deputy Governor is representing the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as Special Guest of Honour at the 2018 International Convention of Ati Annang holding in New York, United States of America, and is yet to return to the state.

“In his reaction to the rumour from New York on phone today, the Deputy Governor said “I have not resigned. I have no reason whatsoever to resign or jump ship from a government that is both responsive and performing optimally, while giving practical meaning to democratic dividends for the people of Akwa Ibom. I cannot, and will not jump ship.” It explained.

The statement called on Akwa Ibom people as well as the PDP family in the state to remain resolute and committed to support the Governor Udom Emmanuel to take Akwa Ibom to the next level.

Nigerian Pilot gathered that the rumoured resignation and defection may not be unconnected to the planned defection of Senator Godswill Akpabio to the APC.

Akpabio single handedly nominated Ekpo to the position of Deputy Governor against the wishes of other more popular politicians from his Ikot Ekpene senatorial district in 2014.

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In the past few months several aspirants jostling for the presidential ticket of the PDP have been touring the various states to woo potential delegates to the party’s national convention. In a chat with MIKE ODIAKOSE, Spokesman of Atiku Campaign Organisation, Segun Showunmi, gave insight into why Atku remains the best option for PDP if the party is desirous of winning the 2019 presidential election. Excerpts:

Recently there has been mass defection of politicians from one political party to another ahead of 2019 election, especially in APC. How do you see this development?

It is unfortunately, really. No descent democrat will be happy that political parties disintegrating before our very eyes but you have to know, perhaps, there is perhaps a reason why it is happening. The APC was a party formed towards 2015 general election and they didn’t form their party with the intention of recruiting people individually. They formed the party with the intention of bringing people together in blocks. So, there was a CPC block that came as CPC, ACN block that came as a group, the new PDP block that came in as n-PDP, the ANPP block that also came and so on and so forth. What it appears they are now unable to do is to leave this their block sentiments behind and become a party and that is why you see that once the centre cannot hold in the blocks it is taking them a lot of energy and stretching their wits. Unfortunately for them they also did not run an inclusive government where every member of their party can feel a part of it. I will give you for example some of the mistakes that they made. One, they took forever to start off their government. Then they are not able to fill up their boards. That has not allowed them to put their people in positions that can help them to stabilize their party at the base. On top of that their president has been aloof; he is not really presented himself or make himself accessible to leaders of the party. Then there are tendencies that are strong that lord it over the others. If people are not afraid of Tinubu tendency they are afraid of Buhari tendency or CPC tendency. Those of then that have not been able to have been adopted within any of these two tendencies have been given the short end of the stick to hold. Worst is that they have not come up with is strategies to allow their members feel the processes are free, fair and transparent. So, everybody who is enjoying anything in their party, either elective or appointive position has not earned it on merit but at the behest of some godfather or interest group. Those who ordinarily merit some appointments in their party have also been stopped by some of their godfathers. So, it was foretold crises. They made it difficult for their people to stay there.

On top of that they are not even doing well with the economy; they are not doing well with creating jobs. We have lost more than 12 million jobs. They have made Nigeria the poorest country in the world, miserably poorer than India. Is that normal? They have depressed the economy, they just tell you stories about what they are doing that we are not seeing, that you cannot feel. So, some of those leaders will ask themselves what are they doing in this type of environment especially when they are hounded; treated badly; coercive instrument of the state have been unleashed on them and unfortunately it is difficult for anyone to rationalize it. It seems that anyone that is not friendly with them is the one on the opposite side of the law and anyone that is friendly with them can do anything and get away with it or get away with a slap in hand even when they have committed blue murder. I can give you some examples. There is somebody that said he cut grass with huge funds that became a scandal and nothing significant has happened; another one collected N500 million from MTN and nothing significant has happened; they brought another one that should be facing trial over pension scam but was promoted; another one has forged her NYSC discharge certificate and she is still sitting pretty. So, everybody can see through the hypocrisy. Yet the same government was persecuting Saraki who was a member of the party just because he is not from caucus that is favoured. Look at what is happening in Benue. Just because Governor Samuel Ortom is no longer in the party they say he is corrupt. If EFCC had that information before Ortom defected why didn’t they charge him? It is just a mess. Occupiers of the presidency that also doubles as the leader of the party don’t know how to run democratic institutions and that is a major problem. It is unfortunate that people are defecting but they left them with no choice. They have tried to give them impression that they are not useful. They have made a lot of them have impression that no matter what they do they are not acceptable or have a say in the party. That was why Senator Dino Melaye sang the song “Oh my home, when shall I see my home, when shall I see my beautiful PDP, APC suffer me oh.” That sums it up.

Don’t you think what is happening in APC can have negative effect on PDP, can PDP manage the crowd that is defecting to the party?

PDP is a very big, robust and stable party. The PDP has gone through so many stages that ordinarily if it was not a party that has a lot of resilience it would have disappeared. You remember we went through a very difficult period up to the Supreme Court during the Ali Modu Sheriff saga and we survived. The party is still standing. So, if people are coming in to join the party that cannot be dangerous for the party. The main thing is that we know the party has reformed and the party has asked everybody to go their base and go and play their politics there. How can the party be destabilized if it is going to do free, fair transparent exercises at different levels? When everybody knows the rules and everybody knows the rules will be applied transparently it becomes easier. Most of them (defectors) are good politicians and they understand what it takes to play politics. And f they come in they come in they should not expect that those who have been in the party, who have been holding the party, will simply just disappear. No, that is not going to happen. We will slug it out. There is no joiner, there is no partner in PDP.

The preponderance of opinion out there is that Atiku Abubakar is the aspirant to beat in PDP and will likely win the primaries. But there are also concerns that PDP may not give Atiku its presidential ticket. What is your take on this?

Yes preponderance of opinion is that Atiku may get the ticket. Atiku is the candidate that can in a free, fair primaries, will get the ticket. Atiku is the only candidate that you can put out there that people will listen to now. What exactly are the other aspirants bringing to the table? I don’t want to mention names so that it doesn’t appear I am demarketing them but the fact is that you need recognizable by the Nigerian electorate. The Nigerian electorate needs to know that this who you are and this is what he stands for and Atiku has demonstrated over the years that he is a democrat. Atiku has demonstrated over the years that he has tenacity and he knows how to build teams. Atiku has demonstrated over the years that he knows that the centre issue that borders Nigerians today is job creation and he has sufficient experience. Atiku has demonstrated over the years that he is sufficiently connected with every section of the country and therefore he can unite Nigeria. Atik has demonstrated over the years that he knows how to look for opportunities and expand our opportunities. Have you forgotten that Atiku sat over the leadership of pension reform so as to sanitize pension? Atiku was the one that sat over the privatization programme to make sure that we can expand the economy. Atiku is the one everyone knows can get the job done and he has a lot of experience in the private and public sectors. Some of the other aspirants have never worked in the public sector and don’t know how to run bureaucracy. Atiku has both experiences in the Customs as deputy director which is a lot and he was also a former vice president. It is even good that he has been out for 12 years that that has given him opportunity of seeing things from broader perspective so that if there are one or two mistakes they made in the past he will be able to correct it.

In any case, Atiku is a recognizable brand in leadership and politics. Atiku is very big in education; you can see the evidence all over. Atiku is big in manufacturing. Atiku is very big in publishing. Atiku is very big in adding value to farming. He is very big in real estate. Atiku is very big in logistics; he is very big in catering. He is the kind of person that add value to everything he touches. We want that kind of person that can add value to the country and unleash the potentials of Nigeria.

Atiku is one of the people that understand why we need to restructure the country. He has been pursuing this for 12, 14 years. That kind of man is the person that Nigeria needs as president for now, he is candidate Nigerians are waiting for now. So, PDP must ensure the primaries are free and fair and am sure they know this is the candidate that can win the election for them. They must do a research to find out who can win the election for them. If you go South West and give them Atiku and any other candidate they will go for Atiku. The people of South South if you give them Atiku and any other candidate they will vote for Atiku, he has been with them for more than 30, 40 years. The people of South East if you give them Atiku and any other candidate they will vote for Atiku; he is their in-law. If you go to the far North the people and the royalty will key in for Atiku, he is the Wazirin of Adamawa, the kings are comfortable with him. If you go to the Christian community they will go for someone like Atiku; his views are known that he is a very moderate person. He is not given to extremist religious opinions that can pitch Nigerians against themselves. Atiku is the person that can make everybody comfortable and get Nigeria working again.

PDP has to understand that we are not in the election for election sake. We are in the election to win it. Therefore we need candidate that can win the election for us and that candidate is Atiku.

I must add that Muhammadu Buhari is not easy to win because he is also a recognizable name. He has his own people and he has also transformed into a sort of democrat. Of course, a democrat in APC standard. On the other hand Atiku is a name that is well known all over the country. If you go to some markets you even have Atiku cloth; just to let you know there is brand recognition for the name. They have known him as a diplomat, a democrat. They’ve known him as a consensus builder. They’ve known him somebody who stands where the people want to stand. Atiku has always stood with the people and the people are ready to stand with Atiku.

Are you not apprehensive that PDP will do what it used to do in the past by imposing a candidate and Atiku may lose out if this happens?

I trust 100 percent that our national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, the Total Chair, led-NWC will never do that. Anytime I see Prince Secondus my spirit tells me that this is a very honest and upright man. This is a man who understand where he is standing at this point of our history; a man who wants to win the general election; a man who wants to contribute something that forever people will remember him as a man who allowed democracy and transparency to reign. Prince Secondus is a man who wants to make sure that he kills impunity in the party. You saw how he organised the Ekiti and Osun governorship primaries. It was transmitted live on television so that everybody could see how transparent it was. You saw what happened in Osun election; the difference between the winner and runner up was just merely seven votes. That is how to conduct transparent, credible, free and fair election. So, anyone who wants PDP ticket should be running around now canvassing for the votes of the delegates. Atiku is already doing that. PDP has taken a curve in the right direction. People will not be running to the PDP if they know PDP will not give them credible primaries. Everybody now knows that the PDP, over and above the fact that they are on a mission to rescue Nigeria from this mess, is the party that is going to allow free, fair and transparent primaries.

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Former federal permanent secretary and aspirant to the just concluded Bauchi South senatorial primary election under the APC, Dr. Safiya Ilyasu Mohammed has thrown her weight behind the party’s candidate to the August 11, 2018 bye-election.

Dr. Safiya Ilyasu disclosed this over the weekend at a press conference in Bauchi, pointing out that her decision was in the build-up to the 11th August, 2018 bye-election and commended the leadership of Governor Mohammed Abubakar in the state, calling on her teeming supporters to come out en-masse for the bye-election with a view to electing the APC candidate.

“When there is a contest, there would be a winner and a loser. 10 of us went into APC primaries for the bye-election, one of us emerged winner, all of us are APC loyalists. I therefore call on all of us to unanimously support the winner of the just concluded party primary election”, Safiya said.

She explained that as party loyalists they want development to continue in the country and they have seen how the APC government in the state performed in the past three years, hence the need to leave differences aside, let live together for a solid foundation to move the party forward.

Safiya also drew the attention of her fellow contestants to give their support so as to move the state forward and make APC the party to beat in Nigeria, while urging all electorates to do the needful to have a free and fair bye-election for APC to emerge the winner.

Dr. Ilyasu however promised to re-contest during the 2019 general elections as she is ready to give her best towards the development of the state.

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In order to prevent flooding in some areas that are prone to flood disaster in the FCT, the FCT Administration has declared that it would soon commence demolition of buildings on water ways to open up space for runoff water that is being expected this season.

Already, the Department of Development Control yesterday in Kubwa and Dawaki took an on the spot assessment of the situation and are taking steps to prevent any disaster or imminent danger of flooding.

The exercise was against the backdrop of heightened downpour, causing flash floods in parts of the FCT.

Observations yesterday revealed that most of the affected structures earmarked for demolition in Kubwa and Dawaki are residential and commercial buildings, including worship centres that are built on flood plains and high power lines along Arab Road and other adjourning places.

As expected, Development Control officials yesterday stormed the settlements, and carried out final marking and sensitization before the demolition.

Speaking during the sensitization campaign, Director, Development Control Department, Muktar Galadima said the government had served adequate abatement notice on the affected areas.

He decried the attitude of land lords and tenants who are bent on living and trading in dangerous and unapproved places, despite awareness campaign against the menace.

He therefore, reiterated that the resolve of the government to sustain the exercise, in order to forestall disaster in the nation’s capital city.

He warned those having illegal structures across the nation’s capital, especially in flood prone areas to remove those structures by themselves, else his men and bulldozers would be unleashed to clear them.

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It is no doubt that the history of our country since independence has clearly indicated the need for unity amongst our people in all ramifications and in every sense of human endeavour.

And the demonstrated fact that no cultural or geographical entity can exist in isolation paved way for the establishment of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme which was created in a bid to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the Nigerian Civil war. The Gen. Gowon’s led administration of 1973 capitalizes on the unfortunate antecedents to establish the National Youth Service which is one of the functional national schemes today.

General Gowon’s priority for peace, unity and national progress after the war consequently gave rise to the birth of the scheme. Undeniably, the establishment of the scheme materialised the reconstruction agenda of the then government for the fact that it projected the reality of a united, strong and self reliant nation.

However, the scheme is not loudly applauded today in the sense that issues in the Gen. Gowon’s military era which overtime have become secondary problems of the country is being prioritised by the scheme instead of focusing on the primary problem of the country which is unemployment.

Yes, the youths have answered the clarion call to serve their father land under the sun or in the rain, but how about their future? Should they go to their villages after the service empty handed?

The number of graduates is increasing rapidly on a daily basis in Nigeria so also the number of unemployed youths. I begin to wonder if the government is pro-actively ready to limit the ever growing number because if she dose;

After the 21 days of NYSC orientation programme, the government should use the over 700,000 that is budgetted for a corps member per year to make them financially independent by settling them to start any business of their choice afterwards. If this is done 70 percent of the yearly graduated students will become financially viable and by that the primary problem of the country which is unemployment will drastically reduce. Until this is done, the Nigerian youths are not benefiting anything from NYSC scheme.

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-As Algeria host next CAA edition in 2020
As Deltans lists benefits derived from hosting the 21st Africa Senior Athletics Championship, tagged Asaba 2018, Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Delta State Council, Chief Ifeanyi Obi said the multiplier benefits of hosting the continental event cannot be quantified.

Chief Obi stated that members of NURTW were actively involved in movement of facilities such as commuters from one location to the other, disclosing that the drivers were enlightened on the need to project the state and the country in good light while carrying out their duties.

According to him, “we cannot wait for Asaba to host another event of this magnitude, our people, members of National Union have been thanking our Governor, Dr Okowa for creating such an opportunity for the championship to hold. He is a visionary leader who has used this hosting to open Asaba and our state to a world of opportunities as investors and tourists will have confidence visiting the state.”

“From those who drove taxis to keke riders are thanking God for giving us Dr Okowa, our Governor has placed our state as one that can successfully host an international event, everywhere was peaceful, the visitors patronized our markets and they moved around freely, enjoying themselves as Africans,” he said.

Chief Obi continued, “Our Governor has done so much for us, the roads are fixed and the drainages well-constructed and this will make our vehicles to have longer lifespan as they will no longer pass through flooded roads.Our Governor also put up great showing at the 40th anniversary celebration of NURTW in Abuja.”

Chief Obi who also commended the National President of NURTW, Alhaji Najim Usman Yasin for organising the 40th anniversary, observed that Deltans showed wonderful outing at the ceremony with Governor Okowa represented at the event by his Political Adviser, Chief Festus Ochonogor.

Meanwhile, Athletes and officials of countries that participated in the just concluded 21st African Senior Athletics Championship have started departing Asaba for their various destinations.

Nigerian Pilot Sports learnt that airplanes were made available for the traveling contingents who
all expressed delight at the hospitality and great championship which was heavily supported by the Delta State Government.

The departing athletes and their officials commended the Asaba 2018 Local Organizing Committee for all their hard work geared at seeing that the African championships was hugely successful.

Members of Team Kenya who emerged as the overall champions after five days of competition at the newly-completed Stephen Keshi Stadium said they would always have fond memories of Asaba as it turned to be a ‘lucky’ ground for them.

Despite not finishing tops, members of Team South Africa, South Sudan, Eretria and others who all left Asaba yesterday said they were happy to be in Delta State, adding that they had a swell time in the peaceful city of Asaba.

The Confederation of African Athletics, CAA has already announced Algeria as the next host of the African Senior Athletics Championships in 2020.

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Federal government has reiterated its commitment to improve the nation’s business environment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises MSME, to strive in the country.

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council PEBEC, Secretary and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr.JumokeOduwole, stated this in a statement issued by the Strategy and Communications Adviser, to the Minister of Industry, Mr. Bisi Daniels yesterday in Abuja.

Daniels said Oduwole stated this during the presentation of the “2018 Making Business Work Report” at PEBEC meeting, to which he said it would continue to accelerate its efforts to ensure better public service delivery and improved business environment SMEs in the country.

According to the statement, ”Nigeria must improve its ranking by 45 places in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index over the next two years to achieve its goal of attaining the top 100 by 2020″.

“Such an ambitious goal requires accelerated and focused execution of Government Executive Order and National Action Plans NAP.

She added that, “It is clear that Nigeria must now intensify its reforms; and the PEBEC will continue to work closely with the public and private sectors to institutionalise its reforms, cascade them to state level, refine and improve the business environment”.

Oduwole said that according to the “2018 Making Business Work Report,” the current reform cycle is focused on three pillars to accelerate and expand the impact of completed reforms.

One of the pillars is deepening existing reforms through the completion of pending initiatives and ensuring implementation of completed reforms launched in 2017, including communication and consequence management;

Others are making the reforms sustainable; through several measures being put in place to ensure progress is sustainable; and providing support reforms with a robust operating model to accelerate change and build capacity within MDAs.

Oduwole said:  “Nigeria has come a long way over the past two years, bouncing back from significant macroeconomic distress, and is on the way to becoming a textbook example of how an African country can turn its business.”

She added that as part of its implementation strategy, PEBEC was building the capacity of the MDAs to deliver and strengthen them for the long-term and to sustain the improvements on an on-going basis.

Oduwole  added that the council was also fostering cooperation between the MDAs and across States, National Assembly and the private sector to ensure effective coordination between all the relevant to ensure proper planning to eliminate the critical binding constraints.

According to her, in the second half of 2018 and into 2019, the PEBEC will focus primarily on regulators, an Omnibus Bill on business facilitation, and consolidating gains for the economy through the deepening of the subnational Ease of Doing Business project.

She said that PEBEC, chaired by Vice President YemiOsinbajo, was inaugurated in July 2016 as the administration’s flagship initiative to reform the business environment, attract investment and diversify the economy to reduce the nation’s reliance on oil.

According to her, the PEBEC’s principal goal is to make it easier for MSMEs to do business, grow and contribute to sustainable economic activity, and provide the jobs.

”One of the key indicators of success will be Nigeria’s performance on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business indicators, which provide a global snapshot of a country’s business environment in comparison to its peers.”A report on an independent impact assessment of PEBEC Reforms from January 2017 to May 2018 released by Financial Derivative Company Limited in May 2018 shows the impact of some of the council’s reforms.

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