Galadima defends CAF nomination

FORMER chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Ibrahim Galadima, has described his nomination to contest the CAF executive committee seat vacated by Amos Adamu as an act of God.

Adamu has been suspended from all football activity for the next three years by FIFA for his part in the cash-for-vote scandal following a sting operation by a British tabloid.

Adamu has since launched an appeal in a bid to clear his name, but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) promptly nominated Gala-dima to contest his seat at next year's CAF elections.

“This is the work of God. I am humbled because there are so many Nigerians who are more quali-fied than me for the opportunity,” Galadima told SuperSport.com.

The former chairman of the Kano Pillars said he could have been in the CAF committee much earlier but decided to be patient.

“During my tenure as NFA chairman, our board had the prerogative to select a candidate for the post. If I wanted to be selfish, my name would have been put forward.

"We decided to be prudent about the whole thing and Dr (Amos) Adamu was nominated instead. So my nomination was divine because I see it as something God had destined to happen at some stage in my life,” he said.

Customs intercept tanker load of drugs

A tanker loaded with drugs worth over N10million, vegetables and other essentials was intercepted by men of Nigeria Customs Service in Kaduna and handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

While receiving the seized fake drugs and products, the NAFDAC deputy director in charge of the North-West, Dr Eric Iful, said that samples of the seized drugs had been sent to the laboratory for analysis, adding that the seized drugs were considered to be fake because they had not been registered by NAFDAC.

The driver of the tanker which was painted in the colour of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation with NNPC inscribed on the body, was said to have run away while investigations were on to arrest the culprits.

Speaking while conducting newsmen round the seized goods at the customs office in Kaduna, the comptroller in charge of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B, Mr Abubakar Gusau said they had also realised about N1.3 billion revenue and made 577 seizure of contraband since January 2010.

Alleged 25% expenditure on NASS: Senate demands apology from CBN gov

THE Senate, on Monday, demanded an apology from the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, over his statement that “25 per cent of total annual overhead cost of the federal budget are allocated to lawmakers”

The upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly described the statement as embarrassing and unfounded, and was set to summon him before the end of the week.

Mallam Sanusi had, at the weekend, at the eighth annual lecture of the Igbinedion University, Okada, in Edo State, said over 25 percent of the Nigeria annual total overhead cost is expended on lawmakers.

The Senate, however, said the CBN governor was misquoted, adding that if not, we expected that he should retract “this very fallacious and very damaging report with an apology.”

Senate spokesman, Senator Ayogu Eze, insisted that what Sanusi said was on the contrary, adding that “ I want to state categorically that it is not true. The total budget figure for the year 2010 as amended is N4,427,184,596, 534.

“The entire budget of the National Assembly for the year 2010 is N158,916,167,627. If you reduce this to mathematics, what the National Assembly get is 3.5 per cent of the entire budget.”

FG to unban vehicle, furniture, textile importation

TIRED of annually losing billions of naira in revenue to a non-effective ban, the Federal Government, it has been reliably gathered, has fine-tuned an amendment to the import prohibition list, with the aim of unbanning the importation of furniture items, textiles and toothpicks.

In a move that may also result in a significant collapse of prices of cars, the government is also set to endorse the importation of cars not more than 15 years old.

The Minister of Finance, Mr Olusegun Aganga, according to impeccable sources, in a signed endorsement on November 19 to port service providers, has also removed cassava, among other items, from the much criticised long list of import ban.

In a dramatic shift from the hitherto age limit on imported vehicles which was pegged at 10 years, the Federal Government has approved that imports should be extended to 15 year-old automobiles, since the ban on vehicles above 10 years had not been effective, but had encouraged the smuggling of cars across the borders, resulting in severe loss of revenue.

The import trade policy reviews were contained in a memo from the Federal Ministry of Finance to the Comptroller-General of Customs and the three Destination Inspection Service providers - Cotecna Inspection limited, Global Scan System and Societe Generale de Surveillance.

Captioned “Revision of Schedule Three-Import Prohibition List (Trade) of the 2008-2012 Common External Tariff (CET),”, the memo which was signed by Aganga on November 19, 2010, however, failed to give any clue as to why government was finally bowing to importers and agents prayers at a time when everyone had seemingly given up hope on the issue.

By implication, this means that textile fabrics and other articles of similar characteristics that fall within the Lace and Embroideries under the various HS Codes, except the African prints, can now be imported with a duty charge of 20 per cent and a levy of 20 per cent.

Similarly, furniture which was under Harmonised System (HS) Code 9401.100.00-9401.9009.00 and 9403.100-9404.9000, would now attract 20 -per cent duty and 20 per cent levy, respectively, while cassava, under HS Code 0714.100, would now attract 20 per cent duty and 15 per cent levy, respectively.

Toothpick importation (HS Code 3926.9090.91) would similarly attract 20 per cent charges both as duty and levy.

The changes on the 2008-2012 Common External Tariff (CET), according to the minister’s memo, would take effect from the date of the memo.

When the Nigerian Tribune called the Customs high command’s deputy spokesman, Joseph Attah for confirmation, he said he was aware that the minister had indicated that the import prohibition list was due for amendment, but he was yet to be acquainted with items that were going or those that would stay.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government is set to phase out chloroquine for treatment of malaria at the end the year.

The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, made the announcement on Monday.

Chukwu, at a programme in Abuja, said “the FG had phased out chloroquine since 2004, so there is the need to effect this policy.”

He called on Nigerians to stop taking the drug, adding that the ministry was working with the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control to stop its importation.

“The use of chloroquine as treatment against malaria is no longer effective, so Nigerians need to get used to using Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT).

“The launch is to communicate quality, accessible, affordable and available effective malaria treatment with ACT within 24 hours of onset of symptoms to the populace,” he said.

The minister said ACT was free and available in all government-owned hospitals and at primary health centres across the country.

“The Federal Government has made the provision of the drugs in government hospitals free. So l want to urge private hospitals to ensure that the dosage price should not be more than N75,” he said.

The minister said the intervention strategy was in partnership with the Global Fund, to reduce malaria mortality by expanding access to ACT.

Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), Dr Babajide Coker, said the organisation had intensified its efforts at eradicating malaria in the country

Petroleum tanker drivers strike

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers wing of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), yesterday, embarked on a nation-wide warning strike to protest what they term the "indiscriminate victimisation" of their workers by soldiers and the "mysterious" disappearance of petroleum products.

NUPENG's Lagos Zone chairman, Tokunbo Korede, said the seven days warning strike is coming after a 21-day ultimatum elapsed on November 26, 2010, following a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), the Minister of Labour, and the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Mr Korede said the failure of the government officials at the meeting to apprehend and prosecute the army officials behind the assassination of a tanker driver in Jos and the disappearance of several tankers, along with their petroleum products, within military installations has necessitated them to push their case.

Litany of intimidation

"It is true," he said. "It started this morning (yesterday) after the 21-day ultimatum we gave elapsed. It is a nationwide action with only PTD on strike now. Our member died instantly at a joint check point of army and police officers at Jos because he refused to be extorted. The culprits ran to Bauchi Garrison Command, where our truck was taken. But up till now the culprits have not being brought out and the tanker and the product are no longer to be found."

The union leader mentioned other incidents, in the month of November, in which tankers and products were seized by army personnel, only for them to vanish "with no trace". "In Ibadan, the army seized our truck," he said. "After a week our truck disappeared with no trace. Also, this November in Port Harcourt, the army and police stopped a luxurious bus on the road and that is how the tanker driver ran over some people. The army immediately took our truck to the barracks. We even paid compensation to the people that died. But after some time the truck and the product were no more to be found."

The NUPENG boss says if the federal government does not take the warning strike serious, it could affect the 2011 general elections. "For how long are they going to take to fish out those criminal uniformed men who are behind all this?," he said. "This is a seven-day warning strike for those saying we are working on it to bring out a solution. They need to take us serious because it will be too disastrous for the coming elections.

Public say no to bill

A resounding ‘no’ from an array of stakeholders has greeted an attempt by federal lawmakers to legislate their way into the leadership councils of their various parties.

Virtually every member of the public who attended a public hearing on the proposed bill Monday, at a meeting room of the House of Representatives in Abuja, opposed the proposal to make almost every lawmaker a member of their party’s National Executive Committee.

From the chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to women organisations, attendees criticised the legislation as contrary to its stated intent, which is to bring the internal democracy to party leadership structures.

PDP chairman, Okwesili Eze Nwodo, denounced the proposed law as a naked power grab. If lawmakers pass the law, it will give them excessive influence in decision making in the PDP,” he said.

Mr. Nwodo pointed out that 48 lawmakers already are present on his 64-member NEC, and any addition would mean its complete hijack by the legislative caucus.

“We want a balance in NEC that will not swallow the elected members of NEC. If we have a volume that swallows it, it will affect debates in our NEC,” Mr. Nwodo said.

He also urged the lawmakers to drop the bill because currently, it is the party’s convention that is the highest decision making body of the party, instead of the proposed NEC.

Although the 2010 electoral act amendment bill is not all about making the lawmakers members of their party’s NEC, most members of the public focused on this particular provision on the proposed structure and composition of NECs.

Maxi Okwu, leader of the Forum of National Chairmen of Political Parties, which comprises about 14 smaller parties, also opposed the provision. He described it as “untidy” and urged the lawmakers to desist from making such laws.

He argued that even though the lawmakers reserve the right to make laws for the nation, they should discard that aspect of the amendment because it will make the governance of all political parties uniform, bringing back the military regimentation which Nigerians dread.

“This uniformity is a military hangover. We are seeking that you leave parties to run themselves; you cannot regiment it, it won’t work!” ,” Mr. Okwu said.

He argued that widening the scope of political party’s NEC should be an exclusive preserve of the parties and the composition of NECs should also be left to the parties.

Notwithstanding the mounting opposition in the conference room and protests by different groups outside the Assembly complex against the bill, the lawmakers stood their ground, arguing that of all the parties that have representatives in the National Assembly, only two do not currently have their lawmakers as members of their NEC.

Both chambers of the National Assembly are expected to consider the positions of the public and make their final decision within a fortnight.

Labour leaders condemn 25% annual budget spent on lawmakers revenue - Nigerian tribune

Labour leaders on Monday, condemned the high percentage of Nigeria’s annual budget spent on National Assembly members.

The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said on Saturday, in Okada, near Benin, that 25 per cent of government’s annual budget went to the National Assembly.

Sanusi described the trend as unhealthy and called for a cut if the country must develop.

Labour leaders interviewed in Lagos by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) called for a national conference to discuss the salaries and allowances of the federal legislators.

They were unanimous in calling for a reduction of the lawmakers’ pay to avoid chaos in the country.
Mr Peter Esele, President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), said it was regrettable that rather than serve the people, members of the National Assembly were serving themselves.

“It is sad that our lawmakers appropriate salaries to themselves without thinking about the nation. It is a problem that we all need to sit down and discuss.

“It is bad for democracy. It shows there is tyranny in the land and this is sad for the Nigerian people who do not have good infrastructure or adequate means of livelihood,” Esele said.

He advised the legislators to, as a matter of urgency, review their own salaries.

In his reaction, Mr Dele Akinyanju, General Secretary, Railway Workers Union of Nigeria, said that the issue must be discussed by every Nigerian as the money paid to the legislators was tax payers’ money.

“Their annual pay should be reduced. Nigerians from all sectors of the economy should deliberate what should be paid to legislators and the monthly salary should be made public,” Akinyanju said.

Mr Olusoju Salako, President, Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), called on Nigerians to condemn the amount spent on the lawmakers.

“It is sad that the lawmakers are serving themselves and their families and not the people that elected them. People should begin to condemn this now to avoid unrest,” he said.

Salako described as criminal the 25 per cent spent on about 500 lawmakers out of the money that should be spent on 150 million Nigerians.

Obasanjo is ‘comical,’ says Atiku Campaign Organisation

Obasanjo is comical says Atiku Campaign Organisation *Makes new appointments By Festus Owete November 29, 2010 Ben Obi had barely been formally named the campaign chief for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar before he aimed a few salvos in the direction of the man everyone loves to hate, Mr. Abubakar’s estranged former boss, Olusegun Obasanjo. Mr. Obasanjo, who was president when Mr. Abubakar served unhappily as his deputy, is little more than a jester, Mr. Obi said Monday at a news conference in Abuja, in response to Mr. Obasanjo’s stated reaction to news that his former deputy had emerged as the “consensus” candidate for the North. Mr Obasanjo had last Thursday laughed off the selection of Mr. Abubakar while talking to reporters in Abuja. Asked to respond to the news, the former president had simply said, in pidgin, “I dey laugh.” “We look at him and said the man is always comical with his comments,” Mr Obi said. “We don’t need to engage him, we don’t intend to engage him in matters of that nature.” Mr Obi, a former senator, also dismissed suggestions that the former vice president will face challenges to his membership in the PDP, as indicated at the weekend by the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio. He described Mr Akpabio as a busybody who should not be taken seriously since he is neither the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nor its spokesman. “I am happy you refer to him (Akpabio) as Akwa Ibom State governor and not the chairman of the PDP. He does not double as the spokesman of the PDP. That is a busybody,” Mr Obi said. Mr Obi will run an Atiku campaign that has just absorbed the campaign organisations of his three other rivals, all from the political North, who have agreed to step down for him. These were former military strongman Ibrahim Babangida, the former national security adviser Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, and the governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki. Mr. Obi said the Atiku campaign also has appointed several officials from the erswhile rival campaigns. These include Chris Mammah, who will serve as principal spokesman for the campaignand Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, who will run campaign operations.

Court strikes out criminal suit against Aregbesola - Nigerian Tribune

AN Abuja high court, on Monday struck out a criminal charge filed against Mr Rauf Aregbesola, who was last week declared winner of the 2007 governorship election in Osun State and his lawyer, Olayinka Okedara.
Justice Abubakar Talba gave the ruling after listening to an application by Aregbesola’s counsel, Mr Kunle Adegoke.

In his argument, Adegoke said, “there is a new development requiring the termination of this matter. The first accused person (Rauf Aregbesola) was declared governor of Osun State last Friday by the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan. Being one incident of judicial notice, I’m resting on the provision of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution; I invoke the jurisdiction of this court to strike out the matter. Based on the fact that the provision in issue is the one clothing this matter within the ambit of immunity, hence I apply that the matter be struck out.”

The prosecuting counsel, Mr Bashir Olatunde, while agreeing that Aregbesola could no longer be prosecuted, said the same could not be said of the second accused (Okedara).

Asked by the trial judge if the accused persons could be prosecuted separately since they were charged together, Olatunde replied that he was ready to amend the charge so that the second accused could continue to face trial.

Justice Talba said, “court can’t even take the application because it involves the first accused (Aregbesola),” who is already clothed by immunity, adding that “it will be an exercise in futility. The moment the first accused is not in this matter, that is the end of the charge.” Justice Talba said since the accused “were charged jointly, it is not in doubt that by the declaration of the first accused as governor of Osun State, the charge has become defective.”

“It is not only the charge that is affected, the leave obtained to prefer the charge is also voided. The charge brought against the two accused is hereby struck out.”