Ogun government, private school owners bicker over examination

The Ogun State chapter of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) at the weekend in Abeokuta, the state capital embarked on a protest ahead of today's Junior School Certificate Examination.

The grouse of the school proprietors was the intermittent interruption in the current academic session. They therefore asked that the scheduled examination should be postponed to a more convenient date.

The association's president, Basirat Alimi, threatened that the association would boycott the examination if the government went ahead with the planned date, arguing that the National Examination Council - Junior School Certificate Examination (NECO- JSCE) clashed with the proposed Ogun State JSCE.

Ms Alimi noted that since the academic session ends in July, such an examination cannot come up earlier than July.

"The present academic session had been interrupted by reasons of strike, voters' registration exercise, the just concluded election and the extended holiday,' she said. ‘The scheduled examination, if allowed to commence, implies testing students on the scheme of work yet to be covered by schools in Ogun State.

Moreso, the released time-table for Ogun State JSCE exam is loaded, with four subjects starting from 8am through 5pm per day, added to NECO's JSCE time-table, making a total of six subjects per day for the students. The protesters also alleged that the government had levied students in public secondary schools in the state N100 each for the 2011/2012 academic session for the examination.

But the state commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Yemi Akinwonmi, faulted the action of the private school proprietors and also denied allegation of N100 payment levy on the pupils.

"There is no government circular to the effect and the ministry does not intend to introduce this," he said.

He, however said government had approved a shift in date of the examination as a result of the current misunderstanding with the private school proprietors.

Jonathan pays tribute to Mrs Katsina-Alu

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, on Saturday, said that Mrs Victoria Mimidoo Katsina-Alu was a good mother, philanthropist and dedicated Christian, just as he prayed God to grant the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu and his entire family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

President Jonathan, who made the remark at the funeral of Mrs Katsina-Alu, held at the Local Government Education Authority Primary School, Tse Alu near Lessel, Ushongo Local Government council area of Benue State, said Mimidoo played her role well but left when the ovation was loudest.

While lamenting the deceased’s tragic death, he recalled that whenever he asked after her from the CJN, he would respond that his wife had gone to their country home to carry out the work of evanglism, winning souls for Jesus Christ.

Stating that Jesus Christ died at a very young age, he declared that those who God loves don’t live long.

In his welcome address, the host governor, Dr Gabriel Suswam, appreciated the enormous demonstration of concern, love and solidarity shown by the president on the death of the wife of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, adding that words were not enough to express the deep grief in his heart.

Mimidoo, he maintained, had the qualities of a wonderful partner and amiable wife and provided the desired support, strength and succour which kept her husband going noting that her sudden and tragic departure was a monumental blow to the family, the people and government of Benue State and Nigerians in general.

Court orders arrest of senator for forgery

For allegedly misleading the court into awarding judgment in his favour, a magistrate court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of Alphonsus Obi Igbeke, the senator representing Anambra North senatorial district.

The warrant, which was issued in Abuja at the weekend by the presiding magistrate,Attahiru Alkali, ordered all police officers who see Mr Igbeke anywhere to arrest him as he stood charged with forgery. Before the warrant was issued, the police had told the Federal High Court, Abuja, that Mr Igbeke forged the documents he presented to the court which led to the judgment that declared him the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the April 9th National Assembly election.

The Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Abdul Kafarati, in a judgment delivered on the 17th day of March, 2011, declared Mr Igbeke the authentic PDP candidate for Anambra North senatorial district. Dissatisfied with the decision, his opponent, John Emeka, took his case further to the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

Mr Igbeke had filed an application for the enforcement of his rights at the Federal High Court, Abuja, after the police wrote to the clerk of the National Assembly asking for him to be released for questioning.

Oyo ACN, Alao-Akala disagree over alleged last-minute looting

IS the outgoing admini-stration of Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala looting the treasury?

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) alleged it is.

But Alao-Akala denied the allegation, describing it as frivolous.

In a statement by its Secretary, Wasiu Olatubosun, Oyo State ACN said: "It is to the knowledge of the public that the out-going administration of Alao-Akala would go down in the history of Oyo State as the most corrupt ever, but events in the last few days have indicated that there is a grand plan to completely ground the state and ensure that the in-coming administration does not succeed, even as the governor-elect, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has indicated his resolve to fix the state socially, economically and politically in no time.

"Our party has been inundated with various reports of illegal withdrawals from state accounts, diversion of fertiliser stock, conversion of public properties to private assets, increased sponsorship of foreign trips for political office holders and "cooperating" career officers, among other illegal activities capable of milking the state dry.

"We call on relevant officials of the state, principal staff of commercial banks and other financial institutions to steer clear of any questionable order or arrangement aimed at stealing public funds further, as culprits and their accomplices shall be made to face the full wrath of the law sooner than expected."

Denying the allegation in a statement by his spokesman, Prince Dotun Oyelade, Alao-Akala said: "The allegations are frivolous and baseless. Why is the ACN fretting over illegal withdrawal of funds while it is quiet about various daily deposits into government accounts? This government will run and perform its duties till May 28.

"On the issue of fertilisers, ACN dwelled on half information. Government attention was called to a fertiliser purchase that had not been paid for. Government has ensured that a balance of N8 million will be paid to its coffers by Wednesday and 248 bags returned to the government’s warehouse.

Fayemi hails new OAU VC

Governor Kayode Fayemi has lauded the appointment of an Ekiti State indigene, Prof. Tale Omole, as the Vice Chancellor (VC) of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Omole, who hails from Oye-Ekiti in Oye local government, was a member of the Ekiti Education Summit and Visitation Panel.

In a congratulatory letter yesterday, Fayemi said: "This appointment is a confirmation of your pedigree as an outstanding scholar with robust managerial skills, whose rich experience would uphold the great virtues of the ‘Great Ife’.

"I’m confident that you have what it takes to build on these virtues and provide virile leadership that would push the university to a greater height of academic excellence with global exploits.

"The tasks are truly challenging but certainly not insurmountable for a person made of your stuff.

"On behalf of the government and the good people of Ekiti State, please accept my hearty congratulations on this well-deserved elevation."

Also yesterday, newly-elected members of the National and House of Assemblies from the state were urged not to execute projects during their tenures to ensure transparency and accountability.

This is one of the high points of a communiqué issued at the end of a retreat for the lawmakers-elect at Royal Parks Hotel, Iloko-Ijesa, Osun State.

The communiqué said it is not the duty of legislators to execute projects but to supervise them.

The legislators-elect were warned against ostentatious lifestyles and urged to sponsor bills that will impact on good governance.

Participants included Fayemi; his deputy, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka; retired bureaucrats and community leaders from the state.

Southsouth Senators back Mark, Ekweremadu

Southsouth Senators yesterday threw their weight behind the retention of Senators David Mark and Ike Ekweremadu as the Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

This brings to three the number of zones that have promised their votes for Mark in the past three days. The Northcentral and the Southeast caucuses had already announced their support.

Addressing reporters at the National Assembly, Deputy Senate Leader Victor Ndoma- Egba said the zone endorsed Mark and Ekweremadu because of their track record.

He said: "They have led the most remarkable tenure since 1999. They have brought dignity to their offices. They would be needed for continuity. More so as Nigerians are awaiting dividends of democracy, there is need for a strong senate to achieve all these."

At the conference yesterday were Senators James Manager, Alloysious Etuk, Emmanuel Paulker, Odion Ugbesia and George Thompson Sekibo and new senators-elect including Helen Esuene, Dr. Okowa, Pius Ewheredo and Hon. Eta Enang.

IBB faults PDP over power sharing

FORMER military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) has faulted leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over their inconsistencies on the principles of the zoning formula.

Babangida, who dropped his presidential ambition to support the endorsement of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as the consensus candidate of the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF), accused the PDP leaders of breaking zoning formula at will.

Faulting the leaders for sticking to the zoning principle after the just-concluded general elections, he queried why the party returned to a formula it earlier discarded for merit before the polls.

Babangida, who spoke through a statement signed by his spokesman, Kassim Afegbua, denied he was nursing the ambition of succeeding former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT).

He said there will be no hope for the country if those who double-speak, are made to preside over certain levels of government.

The national caucus of the had PDP last Tuesday retained the present zoning formula of the party.

The formula is as follows: President (South-South); Vice-President (North-West); Senate President (North Central);

Speaker (South-West); Deputy Senate President (South-East); Deputy Speaker (North-East); National Chairman (North East); SGF (South-East); Senate Leader (South-West);

House Leader (South-South); Senate Chief Whip (North-West); and the House Chief Whip (South-East).

Electoral defeat: We are undeterred, says Akala

Oyo State Governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, yesterday said that his defeat in the April 26 governorship election would not stop him from continuing with the good work he is doing for the state.

The outgoing governor had christened his campaign: “Ise rere o duro” (The good work continues).

The Director-General of his campaign organization, Chief Ademola Ojo, disclosed this at the inauguration of a vocational training workshop on Waste to Wealth as a means of tackling poverty being embarked upon by the outgoing government

The project is being undertaken by the Association of Local Government Chairmen (ALGON) and the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Ojo is also ALGON chairman in Oyo State.

The three-day training programme will see a minimum of 750 youth from each of the 33 Local Government Areas of the state trained in converting wastes from agriculture products to gum, adhesive and glue. Trainers are to be engaged from the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO).

Apart from empowering unemployed youth in the state, the vocational programme is also intended to reduce filth and waste materials in the environment.

Ojo, who is also the ALGON Chairman in the state, maintained that the training programme which is coming up barely three weeks to the end of the tenure of the present administration “is another manifestation of Governor Alao-Akala’s commitment to youth empowerment and poverty alleviation aimed at making the beneficiaries self-employed and self-reliant.”

He declared, “We have left everything to the hands of God as our principal, Governor Alao-Akala believes that the good programmes he had started must outlive him. And this seminar which is designed in a manner to empower the beneficiaries is aimed at lifting the spirit of the mass followers.”

Mark set for record senate presidency re-election

Some senators-elect from the north central region of the country converged Friday on the senate press centre to address journalists on their preferred choice of senate president for the next senate session.

It turned out that they want David Mark, the incumbent senate president representing Benue South senatorial district, to lead the seventh senate. This declaration of support is coming after the ceding of the post to the zone by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to the senators-elect, Mr Mark has led the national assembly successfully. "He was able to introduce the ‘doctrine of necessity' to resolve a near political crisis that almost tore Nigeria (apart) last year through his doggedness and commitment to ensuring that Nigeria moves forward," said one of them, Zainab Kure (PDP - Niger South).

The endorsement of the incumbent senate president to lead the next senate by senators-elect from his region was the climax of a series of public endorsements and antics by the incumbent senate president to ensure his re-election into office, which would be a record.

Mr Mark has had his sight set on leading the next senate from way back as the last quarter of 2010; he has carefully orchestrated his manoeuvres ever since.

His first endorsement came late last year when he supposedly entered into an agreement with the president for mutual support to reclaim their respective offices. The frequency of endorsements has surged since he secured re-election to be a member of the next senate.

Mr Mark is also said to have won the favour of his party for the job following a recent power-sharing deal which doled out the senate presidency to the north central region of the country.

Gunmen attack Benue A C N guber candidate’s convoy

Party faithful were thrown into mourning yesterday as unknown gunmen shot and killed a key member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Benue State, Charles Ayede at Kadarko on Lafia-Makurdi Road in Nassarawa State.

A stalwart of the party in the state, Senator J.K.N Waku, told our correspondent that another member of the ACN governorship campaign team, Adam Maagbe, was with the late Ayede in the same vehicle, heading to Makurdi from Abuja ahead of the ACN governorship candidate in the April 26 governorship poll, Prof. Torkuma Ugba.

After the killing of Ayede, Ugba, who was also coming from Abuja, was quickly alerted and he aborted his journey to Makurdi for safety reasons.

The journey from Abuja was said to have been smooth until they got to Kardako in Nasarawa State, where a car overtook them and sprayed their vehicle with bullets and killing Ayede on the spot, while Maagbe, a former NITEL Director sustained serious injuries and was receiving treatment in a private hospital.

The late Ayede worked with the Nigerian Television Authority (HTA) and the National Orientation Aagency (NOA) before joining Ugba’s campaign team in the last general election.

Okorocha shocks Ohakim, imposes embargo on Imo govt accounts

The out-going Imo State administration has expressed shock that the governor-elect, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has written to banks placing embargo on the state government’s accounts until he is sworn in.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Nze Elvis Agukwe, who made government’s stand known at a press conference in Owerri, also said that Governor IKedi Ohakim was not afraid of any inquiries that may be made about his activities during his tenure.

“You can imagine the level of shock with which the Governor received reports that the governor-elect, acting through his Chief of Staff, Prince Eze Madumere, has written to banks, holding the state government’s accounts,placing embargo on the accounts until Chief Okorocha is sworn in on May 29, 2011”, Agukwe fumed.

While saying that Okorocha’s action was illegal and unconstitutional, adding that there is nothing like the office of the governor elect and the Nigerian Constitution does not recognize two governors at a time.

“The action of Chief Okorocha is already grinding government machinery to a halt. As I talk to you, civil servants in the state are bcomin restive because banks, evidently acting under the instruction of Chief Okorocha, have refused to release cheques for their April salaries”, Agukwe said.

The Commissioner wondered why Okorocha was in a haste to frustrate Ohakim, even after he (Ohakim) has shown faith in the collective interest and aspiration of Imo people.

Ministerial list tears Osun PDP apart

The Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State is far from being on top of the crisis bedevilling it, as aggrieved members under the aegis of Osun PDP Rebirth are mobilising supporters against a list of potential ministers and other nominees for federal appointments purportedly forwarded by the party executive in the state.

The group, which has leaders and members across the 30 local government councils, have lately held several meetings, where they clamoured for immediate dissolution of the present EXCO.

The group wants an interim state working committee to be formed to oversee the affairs of the party before congresses are held and to also inaugurate a Truth and Reconciliation Committee which will rebuild the party from the ward to the state level in order to rekindle public confidence in the Osun PDP.

Since the the ruling PDP in the state was sacked in last November Appeal Court judgement, the party’s popularity has waned tremendously.

Senate presidency: Mark’s support swells up to 77 senators

Support for the re-election of Senator David Mark swelled further at the weekend as a total of 77 senators across the geo-political zones, political parties and senators from the North-Central yesterday threw their weight behind his re-election.

Addressing senate correspondents at the NationalAssembly yesterday , Senator Zainab Kure who highlighted the achievements of the Senate President David Mark in the last four years said Mark remains the only candidate who has the ability and experience to steer the leadership of the National Assembly for the next four years.

According to Senator Kure from Niger state, the mature way senator Mark handled proceedings and his outstanding leadership qualities made the amendment of the electoral reform possible.

She also said the ‘doctrine of necessity’, which saved the country from a political logjam occasioned by the ill health of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was achieved through the very vast experience of the Senate president David Mark.

“We believe that it’s our responsibility to support him because, we feel he is the best man for that position, he has done an excellent job as the senate president.

Reps Speaker: South West PDP Caucus Endorses -Ajibola

The Southwest Caucus of the PDP has endorsed the candidature of Muraina Ajibola for Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Reports say that the endorsement was made at a meeting held at the hill-top residence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo by the caucus in Abeokuta on Thursday.

It was learned that the meeting also deliberated on the petitions, filed by the party before various tribunals, challenging the outcome of the just-concluded general elections.

Sources close to the meeting told newsmen that Ajibola, a second-term member of the House of Representatives, hails from Ibarapa in Oyo State.

“With an experienced legislator like Ajibola, he is sure to hold all the members of the house together; he will not just be learning to climb the rope,” the source said.

Although none of those who attended the meeting was ready to volunteer information, it was, however, learnt that there was no strong opposition to the choice of Ajibola.

Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, the PDP National Vice-Chairman, Southwest, declined comments when approached by newsmen, advising reporters to seek audience with Obasanjo.

Jonathan , PDP governors in cold war over cabinet

Determined to put in place an efficient cabinet, President Goodluck Jonathan has decided to put all recommended nominees on equal footing.

He has directed the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party governors to submit their nominees through the National Secretariat of the party, a decision many governors are uncomfortable with. Until now, governors sent the list of nominees for ministers to the President-elect without any input from either the states or national executives of the PDP.

Investigation by our correspondent showed that many governors trying to forward the list of their ministerial nominees directly to the Presidential Villa were shocked when directed to route same through the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It was learnt that the President took the step to avoid undue pressure from the governors and place all nominees on the same benchmark.

PDP ratifies zoning formula .S’East loses bid for Senate President, Speaker . Ex-Governor Muazu tipped as PDP chairman

The enlarged National Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ratified the zoning formula of the party, signalling the possible re-emergence of Senator David Mark as Senate President while Hon. Muraina Ajibola (PDP, Oyo) is set to emerge as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. With this development, the South-East geo-political zone has lost its bid for the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The party has also set machinery in motion for the emergence of a new national chairman of the party from the North-East zone in March 2012. These were some of the key decisions taken late Tuesday night by the Caucus at its emergency meeting held in the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Impeccable sources at the meeting told National Mirror that the Caucus adopted wholesale the zoning formula presented to it by the National Working Committee.

The arrangement zoned the President of the Senate to the North-Central, the Speaker of the House of Representative to the South-West, the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) to the South- East and the National Chairman of the party to the North-East zone. The South-East is also to produce the Deputy Senate President. Already, the President has gone to the South- South zone while the North-West got the position of the Vice-President. With this development, the coast appears clear for Senate President David Mark to retain his position while Ajibola is set to emerge as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Court stops INEC from issuing certificates of return Two senators, 10 Reps-elect affected

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday refused to give 12 of the 53 persons elected in the just concluded general elections in Katsina State their certificates of return, following a court order. The 41 others were given their certificates of return by INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega. Among those denied the certificates were two Senators- elect and 10 elected members of the House of Representatives.

Jega said the commission was restrained by court to present the certificates to the 12 candidates. Jega, represented by INEC commissioner in charge of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, Ambassador Ahmed Moh’d Wali, said: “The commission, being one that recognises court order, has no option than to abide with the order.” He said 14 political parties participated in the elections in the state and that 10 contested for the governorship poll of which the ruing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won. He said nine parties contested for three senatorial zones which were won by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), while 11 parties participated in the state assembly election.

Those given the certificates of return include Governor Ibrahim Shema (PDP), Senator Abu Ibrahim and five elected members of the House of Representatives and 34 for the House of Assembly. Shema commended INEC for conducting credible elections, despite the huge challenges before the commission. He, however, condemned the post-election violence which erupted in some parts of the North in the wake of the presidential poll in which many people were killed, including some members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). In Borno State, 42 winners of the general elections were given their certificates of return. Among them were 28 elected into the House of Assembly, 10 elected into the House of Representatives, three senators-elect and the governor-elect. Presenting the certificate to the winners at the INEC head office in Maiduguri, the state capital, INEC Commissioner in charge of Borno, Yobe and Bauchi states, Col. Mohammed Hammanga, urged them to provide good governance to the people.

How Lawal, Ex-Minister, Stole N24.5 Billion - EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday informed a Federal High Court in Abuja how a former minister of works, Dr. Hassan Muhammad Lawal, allegedly stole N24.4 billion frm the federal government.

The anti-graft agency had brought Lawal to court on a 25-count charge and named Adeogba Ademola, Digital Toll Coy Ltd., Okala Philip Yakubu, Thahal Paul, Swede Control Intertex Ltd., Proman Vital ventures Ltd., PEB 04 Nig. Ltd., and Lassa Ltd as co-accused persons.

The EFCC had claimed that Lawal conspired with the other accused persons, using some firms as fronts to appropriate the public funds while serving as minister of works between 2006 and 2009.

The commission also alleged the accused persons conspired to defraud the federal government to the tune of N24.4 billion, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 17 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2004 and also punishable under section 14(1) of the same Act.

The N24.36 billion is the total amount of money meant to finance the construction of dual carriage bridge across River Benue at Bagana with equity participation between the federal government, Kogi and Nasarawa states.

The EFCC had alleged that the accused persons fraudulently converted the entire project sum through a proxy.

Reps summon Bankole over fraud allegations

Dimeji Bankole, the speaker of the House of Representatives, is to respond today to fresh allegations of fraud raised against him by his colleagues in an unprecedented move which has further highlighted the cracks within the house, barely weeks to its end of session.

Mr Bankole is expected to answer to allegations that he raised unauthorised loans from a bank - which in a way has led to the delay in the payment of members' allowances - and that he unilaterally ordered the suspension of the house's sitting last week.

Lawmakers agreed to delay a proposal for Mr Bankole's suspension until he personally answers to the accusations raised by Dino Melaye, the leader of a group of 11 members suspended last year for a similar allegation.

The speaker was also criticised for his decision to "unceremoniously" adjourn the house sitting last week, and for locking out members yesterday as they reported for plenary without notice.

"This house is a house of order and what happened is a breach of the rules of this house," Mr. Melaye told his colleagues when the house finally convened late afternoon after the deputy speaker, Usman Nafada, who presided, intervened. "There is leadership failure except you don't want to speak the truth." The rare decision, coming as the house draws nearer to its final plenary date of June 4, showcased the financial crisis that have rocked the lower federal legislature that has been troubled throughout its four year tenure, with scarcely investigated graft allegations.

Fayemi sacks heads of educational institutions in Ekiti

The Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, yesterday fired the Vice Chancellors of the three state-owned universities and the provost of the only College of Education in the state.

The government said their removal, which was with immediate effect, was in preparation for the commencement of the repositioning of the education sector in the state.

Mr Fayemi, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mojeed Jamiu ordered the vice chancellors to hand over to the most senior professor in their universities.

Those affected include the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD), Dipo Kolawole, who had just spent two out of his five-year term in the position. Others are the vice chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Ifaki-Ekiti (USTI), Samuel Oye Bandele and that of the University of Education, Ikere-Ekiti (TUNEDIK), Akin Ogunlade.

The acting Provost of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti has also been replaced Francesca Aladejana of the Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University , Ile-Ife , Nigeria in the sweep.