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.”

FG charges Iranian, three others for arms importation

The federal government yesterday arraigned one Iranian and three Nigerians before a Magistrate Court in Abuja, for allegedly conspiring to import and importing containers loaded with assorted calibers of prohibited fire arms into Nigeria.

The accused persons are Azim Aghajani, an Iranian; Ali Usman Abbas Jega; Aliyu Oroji Wamako; and Muhammed Tukur Umar.

Campaign team slams Atiku on economy

The Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organisation has condemned the claim by the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar that the economy under President Goodluck Jonathan is declining.

Mr Abubakar had, during a press conference last Tuesday,alleged that the president was mismanaging the economy. He also criticised the depletion of the excess crude account and the poor performance of the budget.

But the director of research and strategy of the organization, Mike Omeri said yesterday that Mr Abubakar merely displayed stark ignorance on the performance of the economy.

Mr Omeri, who described the former vice president as a mischief maker, said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF)has since acknowledged the upward movement of our economy and has rated it buoyant. “We maintained that Nigeria’s external debt at the point of exit in 2005 was $3.5 billion dollars and only rose to $4.5 billion dollars in 2010,” he said. “Only this month, the IMF confirmed that the economy of sub-Saharan African will be among the best performing in the world this year and next, lagging only behind those in emerging Asia. IMF also raised its growth forecast for Nigeria’s economy to 7.4 percent in both 2010 and 2011 from 7 percent and 7.3 percent respectively.” He added that at the moment, the nation’s public debt to Gross Domestic Products(GDP) is 11.8 percent, while that of the United Kingdom(UK) is 68.20 percent, United States of America (USA) 53.50 percent and Brazil59.50 percent.

Mr Omeri said the Jonathan administration’s economic policies are sound, citing international global rating as basis for faulting the position of the former vice president.

“In fact, we are the third fastest growing economy in the world today by IMF and World Bank. Anybody can go the internet and download this information. Our economy rating since Obasanjo administration till date has remained B.B rating,” he said.

“We have not been downgraded. With all the respect, Atiku displayed emptiness and ignorance on our economy, and such a man should not dream or contemplate managing an economy he knows next to nothing about.”

Focus on issues

He also alleged that Mr Atiku mortgaged the Nigerian economy when he held sway as vice president between 1999 to 2007.

“We are all witnesses to the kind of economy Atiku ran as Vice President when he mortgaged our common heritage to himself and his cronies. Atiku is the least person to talk about an economy he ran aground. He lacked the moral standing and should be schooled on basic economics.

Mr Omeri asked Mr Atiku to focus his campaign on issues instead of engaging in mudslinging.

Police arrest 50-year-old over lover’s death

A 50 year old man Wahab Oyesina, has been arrested by the police over the death of one Bilikisu Muideen, At an undisclosed hotel in Ibadan.

The suspect was said to have checked into the hotel with the lady and had fled the hotel room, leaving the victim behind, when he noticed some complications in her condition. With nobody to assist her, the deceased was said to have struggled from the room to the reception while foaming in the mouth and died shortly after. The woman’s death made eye witnesses to run after the fleeing man and eventually arrest him.

The matter was immediately reported to the Yemetu Divisional Police office in Ibadan. The police quickly stormed the area and took the corpse to the Adeoyo State Hospital Mortuary.

Olatunji Ajimuda, state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said the information available suggested that the suspect, who was still being kept at the Yemetu Police station yesterday, had not made love to the victim before she developed health complications.

He said the woman, according to the information from the IPO, slumped after leaving the room they had both booked “If it is malicious act, the man will be charged accordingly; but all will depend on the on-going police investigation,” he said, while explaining that the autopsy on the corpse will reveal the truth about the incident.

EFCC raids Halliburton office in Lagos

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission this afternoon conducted a raid on the Victoria Island, Lagos office of Halliburton.

During the raid, backed by a contingent of armed policemen and soldiers, officials of the company said EFCC officials ransacked their offices and pushed the staff around. They later left with documents and some officials of the company.

Speaking to Next about the raid, Femi Babafemi the commissions' spokesperson, said the raid was as a result of new discoveries and latest development on its investigation of American oil services firm's alleged corrupt practices.

"I don't have the details yet, but I know that three MD's of Technip and Halliburton, three of them were arrested," Mr Babafemi said.

Halliburton is implicated in a multi-billion dollar scandal involving the Nigerian Liquified Gas industry. As NEXT reported in past editions, at least three former presidents, Sani Abacha, Abdusalami Abubakar and Olusegun Obasanjo received millions of dollars in bribes from American and European contractors retained to build Africa's first liquefied natural gas plant in Bonny, Rivers State, according to US law enforcement officials.

Today's raid, which started at about 12pm, according to Mr. Babafemi, is related to the ongoing case.

"It is the same Halliburton case. We just go back into the case based on fresh information that we have," he said.

Neglect of Liberia peacekeepers shocks visiting lawmakers

Shocked by the state of the equipment used by the Nigerian soldiers on peacekeeping operations in Liberia, the House of Representatives committee on defence, yesterday, stated its determination to continue with its investigation into how N23 billion was spent by the ministry of defence on equipment for the operation.

The renewed plan to launch the investigation is coming after a tour of the committee to Liberia. The committee was accompanied on the tour by the Speaker, Dimeji Bankole.

Consequently, the defence minister, Adetokunbo Kayode, is billed to appear before the committee to explain how the money was expended.

A source in the committee said that during the visit, the lawmakers discovered to their chagrin that in spite of the huge sum expended on peacekeeping operations in Liberia since the minister assumed duties, the Nigerian contingent is the least equipped among the nations that contribute to the United Nations peacekeeping operations in that West African country.

It reportedly discovered that the paucity of the equipment was the main reason the reimbursement from the UN to Nigeria has greatly reduced. The committee also found out that Nigeria has so far lost about 1000 soldiers, and spent over $40 billion on peacekeeping operation in Liberia since 1990.

The legislators were also said to have demanded the total overhauling of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and the United Nations on her involvement in peacekeeping operations.

Next stop, Sudan

The committee chairman, Wole Oke, confirmed the visit of the committee to Liberia during a telephone interview yesterday. He also said Mr. Kayode will appear before the committee to discuss the issue with its members, adding that they will visit Dafur, Sudan, soon to check on Nigerian troops there.

Meanwhile, Mr. Oke has urged the Liberian House of Representatives to legislate to ensure permanent peace and unity in the country, even as he promised to convey the country’s request for further assistance on its 2011 poll to President Goodluck Jonathan.

He stated this when he paid a visit in company of defence committee members to the Speaker of the Liberian parliament.

207 Runners Set For Obudu Mountain Race

An array of international runners from nine countries will take part in the sixth edition of the Obudu International Mountain Race next Saturday.

Reports say that organisers of the annual race in the Cross River State holiday resort say 207 runners comprising 131 Nigerians and 76 foreigners will take part in the race.

William Archibong, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said in a statement that runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Colombia, Austria, Israel, Egypt and Cameroon would vie for honours in the 11-km race.

Archibong said all arrangements for a hitch-free race had been completed, adding that Gov. Liyel Imoke was satisfied with the logistics for the race.

He said the experience gained by the organisers since the inaugural race six years ago had been of immense benefit in preparing for Saturday’s race, which would be run uphill to an altitude of 1,575 metres above sea level.

He commended the state government for the opportunity accorded the committee to ensure the success of the annual race.

“Without doubts, the tremendous backing we have received from the governor has galvanised us into organising what the President of World Mountain Running Association, Bruno Gozzelino has called a perfect race so far.

“This is a confirmation that the organisation of the race has been of international standard,” Archibong said.

“We can only get better and want to assure Nigerians that we shall continue to project Nigeria in positive light to the rest of the world through a perfect organisation of the annual Obudu International Mountain Race.

“This is a perfect image laundering tool for Nigeria,” he added.

The LOC chief described the Obudu Mountain Race as the highest paying race in the world with $50,000 on offer each for the men and women winners.

In another development, the Media Officer of the race, Patrick Ugbe, disclosed that the governor had approved the increase of the total prize money from $245,500 to $278,000 for the men’s, women’s and children races.

Ugbe attributed the increase to the number of events, which had been increased.
He said that the women would participate in the championship for the first time in this year edition

Anxiety over new wage as govt mulls options today – The Guardian

Ahead of today’s meeting on the new National Minimum Wage Bill by the National Council of State (NCS), there was apprehension among stakeholders amid speculations that the advisory body to the Federal Government may endorse the proposed law.
The bill, which President Goodluck Jonathan has pledged to promptly transmit to the National Assembly for passage, stipulates N18,000 monthly for the least paid Nigerian worker in both the public and private sectors. There is however a specified number of workers a private outfit must engage before it can be made to pay the new wage.
The alleged favourable disposition of the Council to the new pay is, however, being opposed by some state governors, who claimed that they lack the resources to implement the new salary structure.
And for about three hours yesterday, workers of the National Assembly under the platform of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) staged a peaceful protest and barricaded the main entrance to the complex over alleged poor conditions of service in the federal legislature.
The protest, which began at 9.30 a.m. lasted till noon and stalled activities at the National Assembly including a public hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market. A meeting scheduled by the Ahmed Aliyu Wadada-led House Committee on Information in the morning was also put off.

Ibori’s wife, Nkoyo, jailed for five years in London

THERESA Nkoyo Ibori, wife of the former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, was yesterday convicted by the Southwark Crown Court, London.
Ibori is being detained in Dubai by the United Arab Emirate (UAE) authority, awaiting the outcome of his appeal against a court ruling, which okayed his extradition to the UK.
If Ibori loses his appeal, he will be extradited to the UK to face a set of three trials relating to money laundering and sundry misapplication of state funds between 1999 and 2007.
She was found guilty of the money laundering charges preferred against her.
Nkoyo may spend the next two to five years in prison, it was learnt yesterday.
The London jury gave its verdict after she was found guilty on two counts of money laundering.
Her husband’s United Kingdom (UK) lawyer, Mr. Bhadresh Gohil, who was also on trial with Nkoyo, has been found guilty on all counts of money laundering.
He has been remanded in police custody.
Gohil will be sentenced after the conclusion of another trial involving the laundering of proceeds of V-Mobile shares by James Ibori, Henry Imashekka, David Edevbie and former Akwa Ibom governor, Victor Attah.
The trial will start next Monday.
In a previous trial, the court had also sent to prison Ibori’s sister, Christine Ibori-Ibie; and his mistress, Udoamaka Okoronkwo-Onuigbo.

FBI training for EFCC, SSS, police officers

BARRING any last minute changes, another batch of officials from the United States (U.S.) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are due in Nigeria this weekend.

Their mission is to commence a five-day training programme on strategies to combat hostage taking and negotiation for officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and officers of other law enforcement agencies such as the police and State Security Service (SSS).

Assault: Plateau police command arrests 4 peace corps members

Four members of the Peace Corps of Nigeria have been arrested by the Plateau State Police Command for assaulting a police detective during a recruitment exercise by the organisation, even as the command said activities of the organisation are illegal.

The Police Public Relation officer, Mohammed Lerama who said the recruitment into the organisation was illegal because of its earlier banned, added that the police decided to investigate it when it got wind of recruitment into the organisation last week.

According to him, on getting to the field where the recruitment was being carried out, some staff of the organisation descended on the police officers who was investigating the recruitment exercise and manhandled him.

In the raid that followed, the police arrested four staff and three applicants and items recovered include two sacks of T-shirts, 18 rolls of face cap, two LG coloured television, one desk-top monitor, one UPS, one printer, a bundle of peace corps pamphlets, one banner and one signboard.

In a related development, one Alhaji Idris Isah had been arrested for impersonating the Taraba State Commissioner of Education, while attempting to collect N13,000 to give the “press a contract”

The command also disclosed that an internet fraud star who threatened one Mr Etukudoh Sunday with death if he fails to deposit a N1.9 million into a bank account in 30 minutes or loss his life and a descript “investigation, one suspects, Stephen Jonah was arrested in Kogi state” and is deeply involve in the case, he said.

Delta acting gov sacks commissioners

The acting governor of Delta State, Prince Sam Obi, on Monday dissolved the state executive council.

Last week, a list of six commissioner - nominees was sent to the state House of Assembly by the acting governor for confirmation. The nominees are expected to be screened by the House today.

Announcing the sack of the commissioners in a statement, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Beatrice Omeni, directed them to hand over the management of their various ministries and government properties in their possession to the permanent secretaries or the most senior director, where there was no permanent secretary.

Dr Omeni conveyed the acting governor’s appreciation to the commissioners for their contributions towards the growth of the state, even as a new executive council would soon be put in place.

The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the dissolution was aimed at getting rid of technocrats, while most of the affected ones are likely to return.

Meanwhile, the state government has constituted a nine-member council of Delta State School of Marine Technology, Burutu, headed by Professor Ben Okaba.

The Acting Provost of the school is Mr Ditimi Johnson Adjekota, while Mr Izonwe Oteheri Solomon is to serve as Acting Registrar.




In another development, the acting governor, Prince Obi on Monday admonished religious organisations to continue in prayers, as this was needed to make the state and country better.

Reactions to Atiku’s nomination

Ibrahim Babangida-

“The IBB Presidential Campaign Organisation commits itself to all the elements of the Consensus Agreement and understanding. On behalf of His Excellency,General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR, we wish to congratulate His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON as the Consensus Candidate,” Raymond Dokpesi, the director general of the Ibrahim Babangida Campaign Organisation,who signed the statement, said in the statement.

The organization said that the outcome of the two-months exercise should be applauded because of the rogours the committee went through in search of a consensus candidate.“The outcome of the consensus exercise which the Adamu Ciroma Committee selflessly imposed upon itself in the past two months must be loudly applauded for the rigour of their search, conduct, and foresight.

It said,“The Committee inaugurated a process to tackle a challenge the result of which will outlive the politically induced crisis which called the Committee into existence.The outcome of the Consensus Exercise has truly humbled all the Presidential Aspirants.

“We once again, thank everyone of the membership of this committee. We all know the gravity of what the Aspirants have done. We know that in doing what they have done,this great nation and all Nigerians shall manifestly be served.“They did not submit themselves to this exercise so as to fail, far from it. The machinery of success which they inaugurated previously has become further strengthened and deeply rooted. It shall be well with the Consensus Outcome, and it shall manifestly be well for all Nigerians.

” Goodluck Jonathan-

Fellow Nigerians, as you notice an upswing in political activities I want to assure you that not only will I focus on my sworn commitment of providing leadership for ALL Nigerians, I will also run and encourage others to run a national campaign devoid of sectionalism because leaders ought to unite not divide.Again, the only difference we should look for in Nigeria is between good and bad not North and South.

Bukola Saraki:

ABS 2011 campaign organization, in the spirit of peace, national unity and sustenance of democracy in our great country, has accepted the decision of consensus committee set up by Northern Political Leaders forum,

(NPLF) under the chairmanship of Mall Adamu Ciroma. The committee has chosen former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to be the consensus candidate of the PDP aspirant from the North.ASB 2011 campaign organization thereby congratulates Atiku Abubakar and pledges to abide by the cooperative arrangement of the process that produced him. Our candidate Dr. Abubakr Bukola Saraki also salutes and profoundly thank his campaign team and supporters across the Country for their prayers and loyalty.

Aliyu Gusau:

The Aliyu Gusau Campaign Organization has congratulated His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar for emerging as the consensus candidate, picked by the Adamu Ciroma- led committee. In a statement issued by the organization, it reiterated the initial pledge and commitment of its principal. Rtd Lt- General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau to respect the verdict of the committee and give unqualified support to whoever emerges as the committee’s candidate. “Without the slightest equivocation”, the statement reads “the principal and the entire campaign organization stand by this pledge. The statement recalled the oft- repeated statement of General Gusau that electoral contest should not be a do or die affair, stressing that he was in the race fundamentally to serve.

The statement paid tributes to the members of the committee for the pains and sacrifice they undertook before arriving at this significant event. It equally noted that the committee members have, by their extensive consultations and unique contributions helped to moderate the stress and intense partisanship which could have governed the political campaign process. While extending its hand of fellowship to the preferred candidate, Atiku Abubakar and its campaign organization, the statement urged the vast followers of General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau to remain calm and undeterred by this outcome, urging them to await further directives.

Nuhu Ribadu:

“Our campaign organization received the news with interest. While we understand the matter as purely a PDP affair,

we nevertheless wish them luck in their coming primaries, hoping in the process that the PDP will ultimately give consideration to a national imperative as a guide to their party processes”.

Aghanya Denni:

Congress for Progressive Change- The emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the consensus presidential candidate of the Northerners in the PDP is an expression of a people’s wish and no two ways about it. The struggle is premised on the fact that promises are meant to be kept.

If there was an agreement of zoning at a point, it should be kept. If his choice is a popular choice of the Northern PDP members, so be it.

2nd Alteration Bill: Houses of Assembly submit resolutions - Nigerian Observer

Another milestone in the history of Nigeria’s constitutional development was yesterday achieved, when the Conference of Nigeria Speakers submitted their state Assemblies resolutions on 2nd Alteration Bill 2010 of the Nigerian Constitution to the National Assembly.

Making the symbolic handover to Senate President David Mark, Chairman of the Speakers Conference, Barr. Haruna Gbana, commended NASS for their decision to appeal the recent judgment concerning the 1st Alteration Bill.

“It is my humble opinion that because of the anxiety generated by this judgment and the likelihood of this matter heating up the polity as we get nearer to the May 29th handover date, the Judiciary should in the national interest accelerate the process of taking a final decision on this matter”, he said.

This is even as Senate President Mark submitted that the inclusion of a clause that makes members of the NASS automatic members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of their parties is not self-serving as the Act would outlive them in office.

“How can it be self serving; does it mean that after the tenure of this National Assembly, the Act would be thrown away? No, when passed into law, it would be a law that will outlive all of us.

There is no need for people to castigate members of the National Assembly; we will always abide by Superior argument; I advise all Nigerians to come to Public Hearing ahead of the Electoral Bill; whatever the majority views are would be binding on us; there is nothing secret”, Sen. Mark continued.

He stressed that the National Assembly welcomes constructive criticism and that “it helps us perform better, but must be based on sound reasoning”, asserting that the NASS now understands the due process of Constitution amendment and praised
the 36 State Houses of Assembly for living up to the expectations of Nigerians.

By so doing, Senator Mark added that members of the State Houses of Assembly have exhibited uncommon patriotism and commitment to nationhood.

Earlier, the chairman of conference of Speakers, Istifanus Gbana had also told the NASS that the State Assemblies had to fast track the process of the alteration including shelving their holidays in order to meet the time frame for the 2011 polls.

With this alteration, Gbana said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no reason to delay the process of conducting free, fair and credible elections.

“The state legislatures for sure cannot be blamed for whatever may stand in the way of achieving the much talked about free, fair and credible election come 2011”, he added.

Nigerian militants deny army raid in oil delta

Nigeria's main militant group said on Monday that one of its commanders arrested over the weekend had surrendered in return for the promise of a financial reward and denied that the army had raided his camp.

The emailed statement from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is the latest salvo in a propaganda war with the military which risks tarnishing President Goodluck Jonathan in the run-up to elections next April.

Nigeria's army paraded a militant commander known as Obese and 60 of his followers before the media on Saturday, saying they had been arrested and five AK-47 rifles, 12 machine guns, ammunition and bullet-proof vests seized.

"There was no exchange of gunfire and these individuals handed themselves over to the military in expectance of a reward, as promised by Jonathan," MEND said in the statement, describing the president as a "spineless stooge".

"Weapons surrendered by these persons were less than 30 in number. Items displayed by the Nigerian military did not come from that camp. This was staged."

Obese, 25, whose real name is Tamunotonye Kuna, was believed to be responsible for the kidnapping of 19 oil and construction workers freed last week, including two Americans, two Frenchmen, two Indonesians, one Canadian and 12 Nigerians.

The authorities have described the freeing of the hostages and the arrest of Obese as a key victory in the Niger Delta.

Analysts said the weapons seizure did appear small for what was said to have been a major camp.

Resurgent unrest in the Niger Delta risks undermining the credibility of Jonathan, who is the first head of state from the oil region and who brokered an amnesty last year which led thousands of gunmen to lay down their weapons.