Breaking: EFCC releases Innocent Chukwuma, Innoson MD

December 21, 2017

The Ecomonomic and Finacail Crime Commission has released the Managing Director, Innoson Groups/Motors Limited, Chief Innocent Chukwuma who was arrested yesterday.

The EFCC, on Wednesday flew Chief Innocent Chukwuma, to Lagos wearing only shorts and a shirt.

He was flown on Air Peace airline that left Akanu Ibiam International airport at 1:45pm after Chukwuma was driven in convey from the EFCC Enugu office where he was detained beyond 24 hours after his forceful arrest in his Enugu residence. The EFCC in a statement on the release said ‘Chief Innocent Chukwuma was released on bail and that he was arrested on Tuesday at his Enugu residence, following his refusal to respond to invitations by the Commission, after initially being granted administrative bail by the Commission, while his surety could also not be found. The agency also said that him nd his brother, Charles Chukwuma (who is still at large), were being investigated by the Insurance and Capital Market Fraud Section of the Commission’s office in Lagos over matters bordering on N1, 478, 366, 859.66 fraud and forgery and other infractions. The statemet read thus ‘Unfortunately the industrialist resisted arrest and stirred controversy by bringing six truck-loads of thugs to block the entrance to his Plot W1, Industrial Layout, Abakaliki Road, Emeni, Enugu, home. ”This was after he initially misled the Police Command by informing them that his home had been invaded by armed robbers and kidnappers despite the fact that operatives of the Commission duly identified themselves to policemen guarding his home. ”His unruly thugs encircled and manhandled operatives of the Commission who had gone to effect the arrest. Consequently, a distress call was sent to the Commission’s Enugu Office for reinforcement. In all of this, the Commission’s operatives acted with decorum and civility. ”No one was manhandled or assaulted by the EFCC team, and not a single shot was fired, despite the provocation. ”Chief Chukwuma and his brother, Charles Chukwuma (who is still at large), are being investigated by the Insurance and Capital Market Fraud Section of the Commission’s office in Lagos over matters bordering on N1, 478, 366, 859.66 fraud and forgery. The industrialist, among other infractions, allegedly used forged documents to secure tax waivers.

SOURCE:VANGUARD

INC gives EFCC 48 hours to release Innoson ON DECEMBER 20, 2017

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December 21, 2017

The Igbo National Council, INC, Wednesday gave the Economic Financial Crime Commission, EFFC, forty eight hours to release the Chairman of Innoson Motors, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma. founder and chairman of Nigeria’s automobile company, Innoson Motors, Innocent Chukwuma.

INC made their position known in the issue in a release to Vanguard in Owerri. The group also alleged that the a bank was involved in the process that led to the arrest of Chukwuma. It went further to say that after the 48 hours deadline and Chukwuma was not released that it would commence a global campaign to call on the Igbo people to start closing their accounts in the bank. In the release, “The Igbo National Council (INC) have read and followed the story of the arbitrary arrest of Innocent Chukwuma – Chairman /CEO Innoson Motors by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) without formal official invitation by the commission.

“Since we heard about the sad news, INC has made several contacts with prominent Igbo elites and major stakeholders in Nigeria to sample their opinions on the matter. “INC wishes to reiterate that Innocent Chukwuman’s arrest was ill motivated and bone out an orchestrated conspiracy by a political cabal in collaboration with the management a bank to intimidate the Chairman / CEO of Innoson Motors. “Consequent upon the above, INC therefore call on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to unconditionally release Innocent Chukwuma within the next forty (48) hours from now. “Failure to release Innocent Chukwuma within the stipulated time frame, INC will commence a nationwide campaign to call on the Nigerians of Igbo extraction to close their account with the bank.
SOURCE :VANGUARD

Fuel shortage: Depots dry up despite NNPC’s claim of increased fuel allocation

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December 21, 2017

Despite claims by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), that it has increased fuel allocation to Abuja from the initial 70 trucks to 170, and Lagos 300 trucks, vehiculars queues still dotted filling stations across the two cities.

The increase for Abuja, which represents about 142.8 per cent has, however, failed to impact the motoring public given the long queues of consumers at the filling stations.

A breakdown of the 300 trucks to Lagos translates to 9.9 million litres while the 170 trucks for Abuja amount to 5,610,000 litres.

In Lagos, yesterday, most of the depots visited were out of stock with no hope in sight that they will get supply anytime soon, an indication that 300 daily truck out figure announced by NNPC also failed to impact the current fuel shortage.

In Abuja, transportation fares rose dramatically in what many say was a sign of a bleak Christmas, if the government fails to urgently bridge the supply gap.

Wuse-Lugbe shuttle which was N150 now goes for between N250 and at peak periods.

A civil servant, Stella Nnamdi, while lamenting on the development said the government has remained insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday claimed it has 21 days sufficiency of petrol.

A marketer who spoke to Daily Sun in confidence yesterday, said a vessel, Bong Akrious, had berthed at NIPCO depot with 35 million metric tonnes and was already discharging.

He said part of the 35 million metric tonnes would be shared among Total, Mobil, Conoil and Aiteo, stating that when the discharge process was completed, there might be slight improvement in the days ahead.

But the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said that the Corporation has 21 days sufficiency of petrol, which translates into 750 million litres of white product.

Ughamadu explained that the petrol stock was also boosted by supplies from Port Harcourt Refinery as well as Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, which are autonomous business units of the Corporation.

He enjoined motorists and other consumers of petroleum products to desist from panic buying, while also warning marketers not to engage in hoarding as defaulters would be prosecuted.

Already, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), has said it will impose a N20 million fine on those selling petrol above approved ex-depot price including closure of such facility for three months while the PPMC shall also exclude the erring depots from coastal supply allocation for at least a period of one calendar year.

DPR Lagos Zonal Controller, Mr. Wole Akinyosoye, equally said depots selling petrol to bulk buyers without verifiable retail outlets risk a fine of N10 million and closure of the erring depot for at least six months, after the products in the depot are sold off.

For those hoarding at retail outlets, a fine of N200.00 per litre would be imposed on the hoarded product and the erring station would be closed for at least six months. In addition, the recovered product would be auctioned off free to the public.

In the case of those selling above the price cap at retail outlets, six-month closure of the erring station while the product being sold above the cap price would be auctioned off to the public, it stated.

Anambra market fire: Obiano promises to assist victims

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December 21, 2017

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, yesterday, promised to assist victims of last weekend’s fire disaster at Onitsha Drug Market, Bridge Head, Onitsha, Anambra State, whose goods and cash valued over N100 million were burnt to ashes.

This followed sympathy visit to the fire scene by the commissioners of Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike and his Commerce, Industry, Trade and Wealth Creation counterpart, Mrs. Amaka Ilobi, who were sent by the governor to assess the extent of damage.

The fire incident was suspected to have started from a faulty electrical installation in one of the shops and spread to six other shops before the timely intervention of fire fighters from Onitsha Main Market and Building Materials International Market at Ogidi which brought the situation under control.

One of the victims, Mr. Ebuka Chidubem Uzochukwu, was said to have lost about N7 million worth of goods as he reportedly took delivery of some goods a day before the inferno.

Another victim of the incident, Mr. Chidubem Uzochukwu, was also said to have lost about N2 million cash left in the safe of his shop, which he intended to use to pay for some goods on arrival in few days time before the incident, as well as goods worth N13 million.

Akabuike and Ilobi expressed their heart-felt sympathy over the losses, adding that they were sent by Governor Obiano to ascertain the extent of damage and how to prevent future occurrence.

SHAMELESS EZES , SHAMELESS ADULTS IN LAGOS

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December 20, 2017

I revolved in utter anger when a friend of me invited me for what he described as a very important occasion. His name is, Biodun Daramola . He asked me to come over to the Ikeja residence of Gani Adams, to see how my traditional rulers and leaders of my land would disgrace themselves and make mockery of their positions.

I arrived the Abule Palace of the newly AreO Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Gani Admas and took a wait. Few minutes later, the following men wearing red caps arrived; Eze Ndigbo of Ikeja, Mr Uche Dimgba; the Eze Ndigbo of Gbogbo, Mr Livinus Chimezie; Eze of Coker/Aguda, Mr Jude Ezego; Eze of Ojodu, Mr Augustine Ebisi; Eze Peter Umeh of Mushin, Odiolowo, Iganmu land, Ejigbo, Agbado Oke odo and the Eze of Iba among others.

They came to pay homage to Gani Adams, pledging to work with him. They stood up before Gani. Each of this claimant talked grossly tracing his history and sojourn in Yoruba land and his various escapades. They came short of acknowledging that life would have been meaningless to them without Lagos.

I sat somewhere watching these men make mockery of the beads, the staff and the cap they adorned. I watched as adults struggle for bottles of Hennessy 2.0 and campari. I grieved when men who ordinarily would have known better reduced themselves before a celebrated tout. Gani, a street guy knew the game well well. He called each of the Ezes one after the other, to be sure that they came with their senses. He made each stood up for three to five minutes. At the end, he told them that the Igbos in Lagos must support OPC
Gani Adams was a cobbler; an opportunist who found his name during the long agitation that followed the June 12. He was a street guy; an omonile sort of, a locally brought up dude who became protected by the Yoruba intelligentsia. With half education and exposure, he became the leader of a terrorist group; the Odua Peoples Congress.

Unlike Nnamdi Kanu, Gani never went beyond JSS 3 and never traveled farer than Benin. His group is armed; declared her republic, adorns her offices with her flags; has her national anthems and other insignia; runs a parallel court, police and security. Odua People’s Conference was twice listed by the United Nations Congressional Arms Inquiries as terrorist group. It was noted as a ;very dangerous group that resist government programmeS and activities in South West.

Odua People’s Congress has been fingered in virtually all crises in Yoruba land. The group fights both the traditional and political groups in the land. They are either kicking against the policy of a given state government or working against one paramount Oba or the other. They burnt police stations, sacked Local government councils, intimidated the judiciary and ransacked public offices. In all these, neither the South West governors nor the Federal government has declared them a terrorist group.

The Eze ndi Igbos, in Lagos visited ani Adams and pledged allegiance and loyalty to him. This is shameful.

These Ezes are disgrace to the Igbos. This visit is avoidable and reprehensible. For what purpose.

The traditional leadership in Igboland abandoned Nnamdi Kanu and his IPOB claiming that he disrespected them. Does OPC and Gani Adams respect Yoruba Obas

The Alafin of Oyo who honored the terrorist, Gani Adams with the highest title in Yoruba land was a victim of his impunity. We know the incidence that took place at the Maro Hall, Ibadan in 2016, when thugs loyal to the OPC leader removed the crown of the Alafin.
The Igbo elites criticise Kanu and accused him of being self opinionated and pompous. What do we say about Gani Adams. I am yet to read from any Yoruba writers on the excesses of Gani Adams.

The same Ibo leaders who abandoned Kanu have converged at the palace of Gani Adams.
All these men, these hungry adults who made this journey should be banished. These are the same group of people who will keep working against the interest of Igbos in Lagos State. They are ready to sell their people in order to get temporary favours in Lagos State. Without shame and with no subject; with no legitimate means of livelihood, some of these Lagos Ezes sniff around for any place where they can gulp down a bottle of Campari on any sunny day. SHAME ON THESE FELLOWS. I am sure to meet any of these Ezes some other place soon.

~ curled from Modesty Vitus M Ezenwa

White God Vs Black God

bvichannel1

December 20, 2017

We are striving for functional theology for a society bedeviled by moral decay by functional theology, I mean understanding of the nature of God that drive and resolves our moral conflicts whenever it is encountered.

I keep the Commandments meticulously not because of the fear of God but my distaste for hurting so great a friend, companion, and benefactor. It is an intimate relationship that means everything to me and as I have grown in love of God so have I been rewarded with peace, wisdom, and happiness that the world cannot give.

But the average Christian doesn’t have to be a theologian and philosopher. They need a God they can fear, relate to, love, and be an ever present help in times of crises.

Since the Whiteman sold their own understanding of God to us, our society has degenerated.

Their emphasis is on a merciful God, slow to anger and abounding in bottomless mercy. It is no longer Yaweh who is terrible to the Kings and Princess of the earth but God who forgives all vices. Gone is the concept of retribution and natural justice. God forgives is the emphasis.

That emphasis on an ever merciful God has created permissiveness that has hurt Igboland so deeply.

And here is why.

The Whiteman destroyed our criminal justice system and gave us his District Courts. It worked when he colonized us. It works in their country. The moment he left, we corrupted every bit of it. With a little money to bribe everyone from Police man to Judge, anyone can commit murder and go free.

In the days of our forefathers , high crimes carried instant punishment . .it was automatic .. oso ochu or expitiation. We feared Eze Chukwu Okike. His agents are terrible.

The point is that we do not understand the concept of the rule of law that works so well in the Whiteman’s world.

So now we have a God that we don’t fear. But unlike the Whiteman, we also have a criminal justice system that we don’t fear.

The result is moral decadence of extreme proportions.

So this is not about antipathy towards Christianity. Mba. We need to understand that the Whiteman’s theology does not work for us.

Our forefathers anchored their criminal justice system on Eze Chukwu Okike administered ever so vigorously through his manifest agents.

The Whiteman displaced all that and gave us a soft hearted father God who weeps for our sins rather than punish us gravely for them.

What am I saying? I am saying that theology has to be functional and it should start by indigenization of Christianity to align with the way we think.

Incidentally, Constantine indigenizated Christianity and it became the Roman Catholic Church. The British people indigenized Catholicism and it became the Anglican Church. The Germans did the same and it became the Methodist Church.

I really do not see anything radical about Igbo indigenization of the Christian Church as clearly as it now appears that the Whiteman’s theology is not working for Ndiigbo.

Aniedobe

Innoson group Vs GTBank-The Story

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December 20, 2017

*Innoson group Vs GTBank : 30 Key Points you need to know about their dispute :*

*1* – At all Material time , Innoson Nigeria Ltd operates a Current Account with GTBank .

*2* – Innoson obtained , and had repaid same , a loan of N1.3billion from GTB Which was secured with a legal mortgage of its properties valued at more than N1.4billion .

*3* – Innoson discovered that GTBank imposed excess and unlawful charges in its Current account .

*4* Innoson Group Complained to GTBank on his discovery of access charges on his account .

*5* – Both parties ( Innoson and GTBank ) agreed to invite an independent auditing firm that will be agreed by both parties .

*6*- At the end , MULTI-WINGS Consulting Firm of Auditors was invited to properly audit Innoson Nigeria Ltd Current account No 0043753636 domiciled with Nnewi Branch of GTBank . The audit covers a period from March 2004 to Dec 2011 .

*7* – After the account was audited , it was discovered that GTBank has been illegally deducting excess bank charges on its overdraft facility to the Innoson to the tune of seven hundred and Eighty-Six Million, Two Hundred and Five Thousand , Nine Hundred and Fifty-Five Naira , Ninety Nine kobo ( N786,205,955.99).

*8* – GTBank was shocked at the audit report when the report was forwarded to it .They replied in their letter to Innoson on 20th January , 2012 that it will investigate the issue raised and will get back to Innoson on the Conclusion of its investigation .

*9* – In the month of September 2012 , GTBank wrote to Innoson that from their personal audit report , the excess bank charges was Five Hundred and Fifty-Nine Million , three Hundred and Seventy-Two naira ,Nine kobo ( N 559.3Million).

*10* – Innoson agreed to their version and decided to accept payment from it in the spirit of amicable resolution.

*11*- Innoson also requested that the said agreed amount of N559.3million be paid with a 22% interest rate because Innoson had been repaying all his loan with GTBank at 22% interest rate.

*12* – GTBank refused and said that the best they can repay excess and illegal deduction is at 7% interest rate . This led to another disagreement between Innoson and GTBank .

*13* – As a result , in 2012 , Innoson sued GTBank at Federal High Court Awka with Suit No : FHC/Awk/Cs/2012 .

*14* – Federal High Court, Awka delivered Judgement in favour of Innoson in excess of N4.7billion against GTBank.

Delivering Judgement in suit no : FHC /Awk/ CS / 139/2012 , the FHC awarded N4.7billion to Innoson Motors against GTBank .
*The court also ordered GTBank to pay 22 % (percent ) interest on the Judgement debt until all the payment had been made to Innoson .*

*15* – In 2013 , GTBank appealed against the judgement to the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, appoxite appeal No: CA/E/288/2013 .

*16* – The Court of Appeal , Enugu in a Considered ruling ordered GTBank to pay the Judgement debt of N6billion Inclusive of the accrued interest and any interest that would subsequently accrue thereon into an interest yielding account in the Name of the Chief Registrar of the Court .

*17* – In its various affidavits, particularly at the Court of Appeal in suit no : CA/E/288/2013 , GTBank deposed that if it pays the outstanding Judgement debt of N6billion , much less the N8.5billion , it could go bankrupt and be out of business .

*18* – GTBank went to the Supreme Court .The case is still in the Supreme Court , while the Judgement debt is about N8billion now to be paid to Innoson by GTBank .

*Another Cases:*
IBADAN Cases : Innoson /GTBank/Nigerian Custom Service :

*19* – Nigerian Customs Service Auctioned Innoson goods .

*20* – Innoson challenged the action Nigerian Custom Service for auctioning its goods at Federal High Court , Ibadan .

*21* – On July 29 ,2011, In a Garnishee Order Absolute , the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan ordered GTBank to Pay Innoson #2,048,737,443,67 (#2billion) from Nigerian Customs account in GTBank .

*22* – Rather than Comply with the Garnishee Order Absolute of the Court , GTBank on February 6, 2015 appealed the Judgement , but the Court of Appeal in Appeal no. CA/1/258/2011 affirmed the Judgement of the Federal High Court and ordered GTBank to pay the Judgement debt of #2,048,737,443.67 (#2.048billion) to Innoson .

*23* – GTBank , instead , appealed to the Supreme Court against the Court of Appeal’s decision where GTBank claimed through a motion in suit no : Sc /694/2014, that the Court of Appeal Judgement in Ibadan (CA/I/258/2011) was procured by suspicious means .

*24* – On May 12, 2017 , Supreme Court in its wisdom and rightly , dismissed that unfounded and exasperating claim of GTB against Innoson .

*25* – As a result , Innoson commenced a N400 billion suit against GTBank , in the suit No: FCT /HC/CV/2448/2017 at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja .

*Another issues :*

*26* – Consequently , in order to save itself from paying the outstanding Judgement debts to Innoson , the GTBbank filed a petition against Innoson alleging forgery which led to the suit No : FHC /L/565C/2015 by Police .

*27* – On February 17, 2016 , Police properly and Competently withdraw the charges against Innoson , saying they needed to properly investigate the bank’s complaints first and see if they had merits .

*28* – On September 1 , 2014 , GTBank secured an ex parte order on Innoson Nigeria Limited, dated September 1, 2014 with suit no FHC/L/CS/1119/2014 , filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos , between GTBank and Innoson Nigeria Limited , issued by *Justice Okon Abang* , ordering that , pending the hearing and the determination of the substantive suit , all Commercial Banks in Nigeria were restrained from accepting in any manner whatsoever to any mandate or instruction presented to them by Innoson Companies or any of its agents or nominees for withdrawal of any sum of money standing to the credit of any account maintained by the company in all the banks.

*29* – However , on June 10, 2015 , *Justice Saliu Saidu* of the Federal High Court , Lagos , in a Considered ruling set aside the ex parte order of September 1, 2014 , by Justice Okon Abang and the writ of summon as well .

*30* – Innoson then slammed a N30 billion suit on Guaranty Trust Bank for what it had suffered in monetary terms and reputational terms during the months when the accounts of its companies in all Nigerian banks were frozen.With Innoson winning both cases at the High Court and both cases at the Appeal Court, and GTB appealing, both cases are awaiting the verdict of the Supreme Court. Meanwhile the fresh N30 billion naira suit has just gone to the High Court to start its legal journey.

In all , Innoson has won two High Court cases and two Appeal Court cases all against GTBank .

Innoson as at today has Judgement debt over about N10billion based on 22% interest rate against GTBank .

*Questions for EFCC :*

*(i)* Now where is the EFCC coming from in all these ?

*(ii)* Does EFCC actually understand their duties here ?

*(iii)* Is EFCC by their action not sabotaging Nigerian economy ?

*(iv)* If EFCC should to arrest any of the parties , shouldn’t GTBank who dubiously deducted Innoson money from his account and have debt of about N8billion to pay Innoson that they should arrest ?

Source :Whatsapp

Biafra: I ‘ll sabotage another war on Igboland – Nwodo

Queen Madu

December 19, 2017

PRESIDENT-General of apex Igbo Socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia, has vowed to sabotage any attempt to levy war on Igboland in the name of agitation for Biafra. Chief Nwodo made the vow, yesterday, while addressing Ndigbo in Lagos at the practice pitch of the National Stadium.

Recalling how he lost his best friend at the war front during the Nigeria-Biafra war, how more than two million Igbo lost their lives and how many dreams were aborted, Nwodo said as a leader he would not fold his arms and watch his people suffer such destruction again. Nwodo said he is not against the agitation for Biafra self determination and cries of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB because the Igbo are truly marginalised and oppressed in Nigeria.

However, he said is opposed to the methodology of the agitators because it cannot work in Nigeria as currently constituted. The only way out, he argued, is restructuring and enthronement of fiscal federalism which will allow the states to control their resources, handle issues like police, education, health, mineral resources, etc while the Federal Government handle functions like immigration, customs, central banking, aviation and external affairs.

Nwodo declared his opposition to another war in Igboland when pro-Biafran youths wielding placards stormed the venue while he was addressing the crowd. Pleading with the security not to deal with the protesters, Nwodo said: “Nobody should touch these youths. They are my children. When I was their age, I was in the trench fighting for Biafra.

My best friend died at the battle front. More than one million people were killed in the battle, one and half million people starved to death…you can’t be a youth then without going to the battle front. I can’t allow that to happen to my people again. That is why I will be a saboteur in any attempt to levy another war on Igboland.

That is why Ohanaeze wants restructuring of Nigeria.” Noting that Southern leaders, southern governors and senators, and the Middle belt have agreed on the need to restructure Nigeria, he said the rejoinder of Northern senators to the Southern senators’ call on President Muhammadu Buhari to restructure the country was watery. “Northern senators issued a rejoinder to our position on restructuring, that we are heating the polity but they did not address the points we raised,” he said.

On the leadership crisis in Lagos chapter of Ohanaeze, he said the recent election remains nullified because it was held in breach of the directives of Ohanaeze National Executive Committee, NEC. He urged all Igbo in Lagos to end their differences, unite and go a fresh elections, which he assured will be transparent, free and fair.

He Lamented that disunity is the major reason Igbo are not getting their fair share in the affairs of the state in spite of being over four million in population and contributing about 40 per cent of taxes paid in Lagos.

Notable Igbo leaders at the gathering include: Chief Guy Ikokwu, Agunze Chibueze Ikokwu, Chief Sylvan Ebigwei, Eze Hycinth Ohazulike, Chief Eric Ebe, Prince Emeka Ogbu and Chief Fabian Duru.

source: vanguard

PADDED BUDGET UNCOVERED BY THE SENATE

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December 19, 2017

The Senate Committee on Power has queried the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Mustapha Baba Shehuri and the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Loius Edozien, over alleged duplication of items in the 2018 budget estimates of the Power ministry.

In the details of the ministry’s next year’s budget, which were made available during yesterday’s budget defence, N120 million, N480 million and N288 million, respectively, were allocated for the purchase of utility vehicles by the Power ministry.

The ministry also voted N100 million for transfer and management of office files and documents. Lawmakers complained about the ministry’s penchant for repetition of projects. They said every year, the ministry presents the same items in its budget and asks for more funds to execute the same projects.

Trouble started when Senator Clifford Ordia, who represents Edo Central senatorial district, queried duplication of purchase of utility vehicles, captured in three separate pages of the ministry’s budget.

He also instructed the minister of state and the permanent secretary to explain how the ministry plans to spend N100 million to transfer files, in spite of another huge provision for ICT.

“I need to understand this thing. Look at the marked N120 million, N288 million and N480 million for the purchase of vehicles. I do not understand. Are these vehicles different? If you add up this figure, it gives you about N888 million.

“You also said you want to spend N100 million on transfer of office files. How do you intend to do that? The people in your office, what have they been doing? I can also see, from your estimates here, that you captured another item for ICT, different from the N100 million for transfer of files. You need to explain these things,” Ordia said.

Senator Hassan Mohammed from Yobe State said lawmakers are tired of being bombarded every year with the same line items in the budget. He urged the Ministry to put its house in order.

Committee Chairman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who presided over the budget defence, revealed that the ministry’s 2017 capital budget only recorded 18 per cent performance.

“We will take it that the 2017 budget was abysmally low, at only 18 per cent performance. This is unacceptable and I need to put it on record,” said Abaribe.

There was mild drama when Shehuri could not respond to questions posed to him by the committee members. Instead, he appealed to them to allow Edozien provide answers on his behalf.

His appeal was rejected by lawmakers.

“You were sent here to represent the minister. It means you are here to respond to our questions. Last week, we invited the permanent secretary to respond. Today (yesterday), it is your turn.

“My colleagues asked me how come you are the person here and not Fashola? But, I told them since you are also a minister, you could be here too, on behalf of your minister,” Abaribe told Shehuri.

Meanwhile, the substantive Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, did not show up for yesterday’s budget defence.

There was no official explanation from Fashola on why he did not turn up. Instead, Shehuri said Fashola was attending to other state matters.

Last Thursday, senators walked out Fashola, over alleged “unpreparedness to face the committee for his 2018 budget defence.”

The Abaribe-led committee maintained that Fashola was not ready to face members since he did appear before them, with necessary documentation.

Abaribe also added that the committee should have been furnished with necessary documentation, to enable members peruse them while the defence would be ongoing.

But, speaking on Fashola’s non-appearance, yesterday, Abaribe said: “Maybe Fashola decided to snub us because of some media reports last week. But, he ought not to have been angry by that. I am sure that was why he sent you because he did not want to come here.

“I said it was deliberate that Fashola did not show up. What we need to scrutinise the budget was not provided. We needed some things to make the process easy. Nobody is satisfied with these vague items. We are going to have to adjourn this meeting, pending when we will get these submissions from you.”

He told the Shehuri and Edozien to inform Fashola that he must present himself at the next scheduled budget defence session.

“We are asking you to inform the minister to be here, to properly respond to all the questions we need to ask. We will do a comprehensive letter asking for explanations on items where we have raised questions. That will guide you in giving your submissions. We need you to be prepared when next you come,” the committee chairman said.

The minister of state and other officials of the ministry, were then told to go back and return prepared for another session.

SOURCE : SUN

Zik’s widow disagrees with IPOB, preaches one Nigeria

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December 19, 2017

Wife of Nigeria’s First President Nnamdi Azikiwe, Prof. Uche Azikiwe, has insisted on the indivisibility of Nigeria, a position that is contrary to that of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

While IPOB members in South East are insisting on leaving Nigeria, Nigeria’s first First Lady is eulogising her late husband’s contemporaries for their sacrifice for the unity of the country.

She insists on the unity of Nigeria and commended late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and others, who sacrificed a lot to build Nigeria.

She urged Nigerians to remain united in honour of the memories of the nation’s founding fathers.

Her position is contrary to the rave in the east where some youths are clamouring for the disintegration of Nigeria.

Azikiwe made the plea on Monday at the Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi during the institution’s 2nd Convocation Lecture with the theme, ‘National Reconciliation and the Role of Universities’.

According to the nation’s former First Lady, Azikiwe was in the forefront in the fight for the unity of Nigeria.

“The country should not be allowed to disintegrate during our time because if it does, my husband and his contemporaries would turn in their graves.

“These founding fathers sacrificed a lot for us to be one irrespective of their differences, and this should make us to collectively find solutions to the problems threatening to disintegrate us,” he said.

Mrs. Azikiwe callled reconciliation among various warring groups in the country to ensure the desired peace.

“We should call upon God in solving the problems and seriously address issues of injustice, inequality, among others which threaten our corporate existence as an entity.

“The nation’s political class should also be called to order because we gave them the mandates to lead us but unfortunately, they are not doing so rightly,” she said.

Chief Nnia Nwodo, President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo-Socio Political group, said the nation’s universities should play a major role in ensuring that the nation remains indivisible.

“The universities should thrive to save the country from the obvious and present dangers promoted by gaping sense of hopelessness while returning us to the part of national reconciliation and growth.

“Universities by their nature, are supposed to be places for research, growth of ideas and solution oriented contributions for advancement of mankind,” he said.

He noted that to achieve these goals, the universities should be adequately funded, well managed and intellectually honest.

“I am a product of the university education both in Nigeria and United Kingdom but must confess that most of them in Nigeria have presently fallen below the required standards.

“Universities are staffed and grown by products of primary and secondary schools and if the teaching quality in these schools is poor, the quality of students and graduates of our universities would be correspondingly low,” he said.

He noted that entrances into universities and the West African Examination Council (WAEC) qualifying examinations have been characterised by massive examination leakages and cheatings.

“I taught constitutional law briefly in a Nigerian University and appalled that some students could not even express themselves in readable English and therefore, lack the wherewithal to crystallize answers to basic examination question,” he said.

Prof Chinedum Nwajiuba, the University’s Vice Chancellor noted that the lecture was its contribution to solve nagging questions of unity confronting the country.

“We would continue to produce students who would contribute in the development of the country in all sectors while ensuring the realization of the dreams of our founding fathers,” he said. (NAN)

source: Sun

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