JTF uncovers, destroys 1,000 illegal refinery sites in the N-Delta

The Joint Task Force, JTF, on the Niger Delta codenamed Operation Restore yesterday destroyed over one thousand illegal refinery sites in the outskirts of Odiekhe community in the Ahoada West local government area of Rivers State.

Three large wooden boats referred to as “Cotonou Boat” by the locals, laden with crude oil, were also intercepted with four persons nabbed by the security operatives.

The operation to rid Odiekhe community of illegal refineries, which lasted about six hours, was launched in the early hours of the day by men of the JTF, led the Commanding Officer, Ibrahim Jafaru, and backed by MI-35 helicopter gunship.

One of the youths arrested identified himself as Peter Akpu an indigene of Afikpo North in Ebonyi State.

Two others, Friday Okirikeke (25) and Elo James, claimed to be from Isoko in Delta while another said he was from Abua community in Rivers State.

However, Akpu, 26, revealed that they were mere labourers and employed by a woman he identified as Madam Monica.

Akpu said “the refined product from here at Camp 1 and 2 are sold for N1,000 per 25 litres as against outside N2,500.”

Another suspect said the crude oil being refined at the illegal sites are procured from NNPC pipeline route along the Oluasiri creeks of Rivers State.

“After we load, we bring it to camp and cook (refine) it. We have many customers,”he said.

Speaking on the ongoing operation against illegal oil bunkering, the Media Coordinator of the JTF, Lt Col. Timothy Antigha, said the operation against illegal sites will be sustained.

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Prisoners escape as Warri prison is bombed

The lives of two prison warders and other security agents at the Warri Central Prisons, Warri, Delta State, hung in the balance yesterday after they were shot by prisoners who successfully staged a jail break at the medium security prison.  
It was gathered that the prisoners used a bomb, suspected to be HED (homemade Explosive Device), to blast an escape hole through the Oki Street axis of the nearly-30ft-high prison wall.
Although the Controller of the prison, Chris Okoye, could not be reached for comment, a source said, “He reported hearing the blast  about 5pm. He said before then there was a scuffle between some of the prisoners, which was obviously diversionary.”
He said the blast occurred in a cell holding hardened criminals, including armed robbers and kidnappers.
The explosion reportedly occurred about 5pm, during the heavy rain that fell in the city and other neighbouring towns. Residents of nearby Upper, Essi and Mission roads reported hearing heavy gunfire during the time.
Eyewitnesses said the escaped prisoners wielded sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, the source of which could not be ascertained at press time. 
It was gathered that they turned the weapons on the wardens and other security agents at the scene after blowing the escape route.  
The Nation learnt that scores of wardens and mobile policemen attached to the prison were seriously injured; two who were critically shot were being treated at a secret location in the oil city.
Our correspondent could not immediately ascertain at the time of this report last night the number of prisoners that successful escaped from the prison located on Okereke Road by Upper Erejuwa Junction but it was gathered that at least two inmates were yet unaccounted for. 
“They blasted a hole through the prison wall and shot randomly at the warders and policemen on guard at the prison as they escaped through the leeway. Although it was not clear how they got the equipment in, the way they were used took everybody by surprise,” said a source. 
Information that the masterminds had external and possible inside assistance could not be immediately confirmed as no relevant official could be reached for comment.
At the time of filing this report, a combined team of security personnel comprising soldiers, mobile and regular policemen had taken over the area, ostensibly in search of the escapees. 



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Police station, Bank attacked in Bauchi

Suspected members of Boko Haram over the weekend attacked a Divisional police station and a branch of a new generation bank in Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi state. 
The attacks were carried out with a convoy of five cars in the town, which connects Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba states.
They reportedly killed a policeman guarding the bank and carted away undisclosed amount of money. 
A bike rider and a teenager were also reportedly injured during the ensuing cross-fire with security forces who they overpowered. 
Residents scampered for safety following bomb explosions, which rocked the area leading to many injuries.   
 The attack threw passers-by and petty traders in the area into confusion on hearing gunshots and sound explosives as they ran for their dear lives with some injuring themselves in the process.
An eyewitness who identified himself as Ali said “the people came in three vehicles and attacked the bank. They didn’t kill any body but I believe they took away a very huge sum of money’’
‘’When they came out of the bank, they started throwing some of the money at people who were not far from the bank but people were afraid to pick the money’’.
Spokesman of Bauchi Police Command, Mr. Mohammed Barau, could not be reached for confirmation.  



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Ajimobi: Why I withheld Akala’s pay

Following the allegation by the immediate past governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, that his successor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, intentionally withheld his May salary, Ajimobi says, Alao-Akala lacked the moral right to make the claim, having violated a court order that forbade him(Akala) not to pay his severance allowance.

Ajimobi, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Dr. Festus Adedayo, explained that the non-payment of the salary of the ex-governor and that of his aides was informed by the minimum wage of N18, 000 paid to the workers in the state.

The governor said there was nothing left in the state treasury after paying the minimum wage, adding that, in contravention of an injunction taken against him by a law court, Akala flagrantly paid himself and his aides  300 per cent of their annual salaries, which equal three-year salary, as severance package, leaving the treasury dry after.

He stressed that the action and financial recklessness by the Alao-Akala government had literally brought the state on its canvass.

He said the former governor  disregarded a lawful court judgment obtained by some retired judges that he should stop from paying either himself or his political office holders their severance allowances.

Akala, he said, disregarded this lawful judgment and, with impunity, emptied the treasury to pay a package which, in law, was supposed to be paid by the incoming government.

According to  Ajimobi, payment of the May salary in the state came in the heat of labour agitations for increment of salaries and due to the paucity of funds and the governor’s decision to prioritize payment of the increment as agitated by workers, there was no money left to pay political appointees

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Angry workers suspend leaders over compromise on N18,000

The current disagreement between workers and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress over the yet-to-be-resolved minimum wage  has led to the suspension of the leaders by their followers.

The alleged suspension followed the failure of the leaders to appear at the union secretariat at Agodi Gate to explain the latest development on their meeting with the state government.

State Chairman of the union, Mr. Bashir Olanrewaju and other leaders witnessed the annoyance of their fellow workers as stones and other objects were hurled at them for alleged compromise on the N18,000 minimum wage.

At the state secretariat of the union yesterday, the workers waited fruitlessly for their leaders to come and give them further details on the issue, but the leaders did not show up.

After waiting endlessly for them, they were annoyed and announced their suspension with immediate effect. They promised to visit the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana on the wage issue.

The aggrieved workers then directed their colleagues to abandon their duty posts on Monday and assemble at the office of the union.
Responding to the alleged strike, the State Chairman, NLC, Mr. Olanrewaju said he and other leaders of the union were waiting for further directive from the national leadership for the union.

He said, “I did not foist myself on them as the chairman of the NLC. If members of both sectors meet and decide that they no longer want me as their chairman, I will leave. Those who met and claimed to have suspended us are from the public service. There is still the private sector.

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Don’t arrest Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, Court tells EFCC, IGP

A Lagos High Court, yesterday, restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and Inspector General of Police, from arresting former Director General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Prof Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, without first showing that she committed a crime.

Trial judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, in her judgment, held that it was fundamental that security agencies must first establish reasonable suspicion against a suspect before effecting arrest.

The judge counseled law enforcement agencies in the country to take a cue from their counterparts in other countries, and not being in a hurry to arrest suspects when investigations are on-going, adding that it would afford them sufficient evidence to secure conviction of suspects, whenever they were arraigned.

The judgment on a fundamental right enforcement suit against the EFCC, IGP, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and the Security and Exchange Commission, SEC, by Okekeke-Onyiuke, the court struck out the preliminary objection against the suit by the EFCC on the ground that it was defective.

According to the court, no responsible court would restrain law enforcement agencies from performing their statutory duties, but that there was no facts before the court to support that the anti-graft agency and the police exercised their rights to validly arrest Okekeke-Onyiuke.

The court added that the plaintiff, by her suit, did not seek to prevent her lawful arrest, but to prevent the violation of her right through acts of intimidation, harassment and threat of arrest, by the respondents, who were allegedly acting on the instigation of SEC.

Justice Phillips, noted that the plaintiff effectively established that there was imminent threat to the violation of her fundamental rights to life, against inhuman treatment, among others.

The court declared that the constant threat of arrest, intimidation and harassment of the plaintiff by the defendants as a violation of her rights and restrained the defendants from further engaging in the said acts.

The court also restrained the defendants from further engaging the threatening, intimidating and harassing her in a manner capable of breaching her rights.

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Edo discovers 40 dead pensioners on pay roll

Edo Gov. Adams Oshiomhole said in Benin on Thursday that the government  discovered 40 ghost pensioners on its payroll.

He said the discovery of the pay-rolling of the 40 dead pensioners was made possible as a result of the introduction of Information Communication Technology (ICT).

The governor made the fact known at the second Edo State Technology Day, with the theme: “Repositioning Edo State Using Technology”.

“Just last week, we found about 40 people who are dead and are still receiving pension because people in the Pension Board kept them alive for the pension payment,” he said.

The governor commended the ICT Unit of the government for eliminating wastages in the system, adding that governance was  cheaper when ICT tools were deployed in place of manual applications.

He said that with ICT, the government could exercise greater control of the process of governance.

Eyewall

The governor said: “when you know what is happening in the system, then you have greater control in terms of getting things done and identifying who is not doing what.”

He said that as a result of the introduction of ICT, the state government had plugged leakages and improved internal revenue generation.

Lagos State Governor, Mr  Babatunde Fashola, who chaired the occasion, commended the Edo Government for the technological initiative and urged that ICT should be deployed to all sectors of the economy to improve efficiency.

Fashola, however, said  that Nigeria must make genuine efforts to resuscitate technical colleges in addition to paying attention to the agriculture  sector in order to make  technological progress.

The Edo Executive Director, Directorate of Information, Communications and Technology, Mrs. Yemi Keri, said the annual event provided a platform for bringing stakeholders in the technology sector together to exchange ideas. (NAN)

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Don’t go on strike, NUC pleads with ASUU

The National Universities Commission on Monday appealed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities not to carry out their threat to embark on a nationwide strike. 

The commission, said through its Executive Secretary, Prof. Julius Okogie, that it was holding dialogue with ASUU and therefore urged its members to exercise patience with the federal government. 

Okogie, spoke shortly after the resumption of the re-appointed Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i in Abuja 

He, however, said ASUU was justified to threaten to go on strike. 

Okojie explained that everything was on course to ensure the speedy process of signing into law, the agreements between the government and ASUU to avert any industrial crises. 

He said, “Unions have a right to agitate. Our own is to go to where we think those problems could be solved. We have been in touch with chairmen of Senate and House committee on Education. They are very active on it. 

“These things you don’t do it over-night. But the issue of retirement age, there was one individual bill and the other one was a general bill, we crossed a lot of bridges. 

“If we have waited this long, what am saying is that there is no need to really go on strike. I don’t think they would go on strike. I am in touch with them. 

“Even if they are threatening, we will appeal to them. Honestly, I agree they really have a need to worry, because if it were me, I would worry too, but government has a way of doing its things. It has to go through the normal processes.” 

The Executive Secretary who spoke on behalf of other chief executives of paratstatals in the Education ministry, also applauded the minister’s reappointment.

He said, “With her coming back we are going to start from where we stopped. If it were a fresh person, he will start going round for familiarisation from one parastatatal to another. She has been on the ground. 

“She has a whole lot of four years to turn around this sector. We have seen what she was able to achieve within a period of one year.”

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Farmer discovers two AK 47 police rifles buried on farm

A PEASANT farmer in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Sunday Adeleye, has founded two police AK 47 rifles hidden in green leaves on his farm.

Bolanta, the farmer was said to have reported the strange discovery to the Police Area Commander.

State Commissioner of Police Mr. Adisa Baba Bolanta hinted of the discovery the hints yesterday in Ibadan while parading some suspects arrested in connection with various crimes in the state before reporters.

Among the suspects were a middle-aged man, David Olatubosun and his son, Abiodun, who allegedly cars, stole.

The said Olatunbosun and his son  were arrested at Mikky Spot, Randa, Ogbomoso, following the discovery of a stolen Toyota Camry car with registration number CV 756 MUS at the suspects’ home. It was recently snatched at gun point in Lagos. 

Bolanta said his men also discovered eight other vehicles in the house at Iyalode’s compound. 

Bolanta said the recovered vehicles included; a Nissan Jeep (CE 434 KSF), Toyota Camry (CF 256 RSH), Toyota Corolla (EM 562 ABJ), Honda Accord (AJ 681 LRN), Toyota Corolla (BV 848 APP), an unregistered CRV Real time Sport Utility Venicle (SUV), a Toyota Sienna Bus (BK 259 KUJ) and Honda Jeep CRV (DD 201 LSD). 

The police boss, who paraded all the vehicles alongside the suspects, also vowed to track down those who buried the  police rifles on the farm.

The two rifles are numbered; 535653 and 3604188 with their magazines containing 30 and 28 rounds. 

The rifles painted in police colours, according to the police boss, are still serviceable.
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Jonathan meets PDP leaders as Southeast insists on PDP chair

President Goodluck Jonathan is consulting  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, governors and other stakeholders on  the choice  of party  national chairman.

The battle for the job is between the Northeast and the Southeast, with most party leaders having preference for the Northeast.

It was learnt that to pacify the Southeast, there is a proposal before the presidency to concede more ‘juicy’ ministerial portfolios and strategic agencies to the zone to pave the way for the emergence of a new chairman from the Northeast.
A presidency source said: “The President has started consultations with our leaders in the Board of Trustees, governors who are influential members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and members of the Expanded National Caucus.
“The next 72 hours will provide insight into the direction of the party. A series of meetings between the President and party leaders and organs will hold on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Abuja to conclude the talks.
“The emergence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal (Northwest) and deputy, Emeka Ihedioha (Southeast) is causing a lot of problems for the party because its zoning formula is now distorted.

“Some of our leaders are saying that since the VP, the Senate President and the Speaker are from the North, the National Chairman of the PDP cannot come from the North again.
“The Southeast is insisting on its right to occupy the post in the light of Article 14(5) of the PDP Constitution.
The Article reads: “Where a vacancy occurs in any of the offices of the party, the NEC shall appoint a substitute from the zone where the officer originated pending the conduct of election to fill the vacancy.
“Ordinarily, if the Southeast goes to court, it will win the case based on the interpretation of the PDP constitution. But the President has initiated dialogue to avoid recourse to litigation.
“The Southeast that is complaining has also usurped both the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives meant for the Northeast by the party’s zoning formula.

The source confirmed PDP leaders’ preference for the Northeast and the cards being laid on the table for the Southeast whose right is being abridged.

He added:  “The truth is that the presidency is tired of bitter politics among Igbo, which has led them to produce two national chairmen in three years. So, everyone wants a change of taste.

“The odds favour either a former Governor of Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur or and a former National Chairman of the defunct The Grassroots Democratic Movement, (GDM), Alhaji Gambo Lawan (Borno).
“To resolve the impasse over Southeast’s demand, a proposal is already before the presidency to concede strategic ministries to this geopolitical zone in lieu of the office of the national chairman of PDP.
A strong PDP leader, who confided in our correspondent, said: “We met in Enugu and resolved to pursue this demand to its logical conclusion.

“They are joking with whatever proposal is in the offing. Our position is that the Southeast must complete its four-year tenure which began in 2008.”

In line with zoning realignment in PDP, the office has been slated for the Northeast but the Southeast renewed interest at the weekend to retain the post.

Before the renewed interest of the Southeast,  eight leading aspirants had emerged from the Northeast.
They are from the Northeast are Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Hassan Adamu, ex-Governor of the defunct Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammed Tukur; ex-Minister of Petroleum, Prof. Jibril Aminu (Adamawa); ex-Minister of Commerce, Ambassador Idris Waziri (Taraba); ex-Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Shettima Mustapha and  a former National Chairman of the defunct The Grassroots Democratic Movement, (GDM), Alhaji Gambo Lawan  (Borno); ex-Governor Adamu Mu’azu (Bauchi) and ex-Governor Danjuma Goje, who was recently elected a Senator from Gombe State.
But in a petition to the President and top leaders of the party, PDP Stakeholders Forum insisted that the slot should go to the Southeast, which has no single representation in the party’s National Working Committee at present.

Those recommended are: Chief Ojo Maduekwe; Hon. Mao Ohuanbuwa; Senator Ike Nwachukwu; Chief Olisa Metu; ex-Governor  Chinwoke Mbadinuju; Hon. Jerry Ugokwe; Ex-Governor Sam Egwu; Senator Emma Azu Agboti; Senator Sylvanus Ngele; Ex-Governor Jim Nwobodo; Enugu State PDP Chair, Chief Vita Abba; Ex-Minister Frank Nweke Jr.; Ex-Governor  Ikedi Ohakim; Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu; and Hon. Jeff Ojinika.

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New states ‘ll be created on merit – Tambuwal

Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu  Tambuwal, yesterday, said the National Assembly, would create new states based “on merit”, as well as review the present revenue  allocation formula and assign constitutional roles to  traditional rulers.

He added that  the Reps would re-introduce the controversial Internal Party Democracy Bill, which seeks to make all National Assembly members automatic members of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of their parties.

The Speaker  said this  in Kaduna at a Post-Election Violence Roundtable organised by the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.

Tambuwal said he had set up a committee to review the relevant sections of existing laws to make the job of amending the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution easier.

On  the occasion,  the former Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the  Federation, SGF, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the Sheik Ahmed Lemu-led Presidential Panel on Post-election Violence was preparing the ground for more crisis by creating the impression that government would give monetary compensation to victims of the violence, even as urged those he described as old politicians to give way for the younger generation to take over from them.

The Speaker was represented by Godfrey Gaya, representing Zangon Kataf/Jabba Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.

On his part, the paramount ruler of Bachama, in Adamawa state, the His Highness the Hamman Bachaman, Asaph Zadok, lamented that the introduction of monotheism by Arabs and Europeans into Nigerian religious space was responsible for the unprecedented level of hate, intolerance and violence in the country, adding that, in the past Nigerians did not kill themselves over the deities they worshipped.

“The Speaker has inaugurated a Constitution Review Committee and we want to look at the Electoral Act and those laws that divide us instead of uniting us; those laws that tend to devalue us instead of empowering us.

“For example, we still have a Constitution that does not provide a definite role for traditional rulers. We would amend the constitution to provide a definite role for our traditional rulers.

“There is no doubt that if the constitution is not reviewed, it will affect the states. Right now, states are finding it difficult to pay the N18,000  new minimum wage.

‘’We go to the same market and I can assure you that if N18, 000 is the only wage we can pay our workers, it is definitely not fair.

“So, we are looking at how to amend the Revenue Sharing Formula. There is no way the Federal Government can continue to enjoy 52 % of all our revenue while the states and the 774 local governments that we represent have about 42 percent.

“We are looking at the issue of states creation. Of course the Sixth NASS tried its best but was unable to do anything.
“Of course this time around, we are starting early and I am sure that before the middle of our tenure, we will be talking of new states; feasible states and those that are not feasible.

“We will also be looking at amending the Electoral Act and matters that relate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

‘’There are certain things for which you could not have blamed Mahmud Jega, INEC Chairman, because some of those bills were signed few weeks to the election and it was not possible for INEC to take total control of all that happened.

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One dead in Ibadan building collapse

It was a gory sight in Oleyo, Odo-Ona Elewe, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday as one person died and five others trapped when a storey building collapsed.
Four others were injured. It was learnt that the building went down at 10:30am while workmen were busy on the structure.


Shortly after the incident, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NCSDC); Federal Road Safety Commissions (FRSC); Oyo State Fire Service and other sympathisers swarmed the building to rescue the trapped workmen.


Only one man, identified as Baba Ibeji, was rescued as at press time yesterday.
The rescue workers were hindered by lack of tools to clear the debris. Baba Ibeji said other workmen were still trapped in the building. 


Moved by the disclosure by Baba Ibeji, an NSCDC official, Olujide Akindele, crawled through a narrow opening in the debris only to return and confirm that he sighted another trapped person, who was already dead. 


Among the rescuers was the former Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan.
Olaosebikan said the rescue workers should focus on how to rescue the victims. He said it was not yet time to apportion blame.

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37 cabinet members take oath of office in Lagos

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday,  presided over the administration of oath of office on the 37 newly appointed members of his cabinet. He also set agenda for them on performance.

The newly sworn-in members of the executive council, include 22 commissioners and 14 special advisers with Mr. Mukaila Babalola, returning as Chief of Staff, COS, and Mrs. Oluranti Adebule as Secretary to the State Government, SSG.

The new Commissioners and their portfolios are: Mr. Benjamin Akabueze, Economic Planning & Budget; Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, Physical Planning & Urban Development; Mr. Tunji Bello, The Environment; Mr. Kayode Opeifa, Transportation; Mr Obafemi Hamzat, Works & Infrastructure; Mr. Jide Idris, Health; Mr. Adeola Ipaye, Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adetokunbo Abiru, Finance; Mr. Wale Ahmed, Special Duties; Mr. Oyinlomo Danmole, Home Affairs & Culture; Mr. Oladisun Holloway, Tourism.

Others are: Mr. Ibirogba Aderemi, Information & Strategy; Mr. Bosun Jeje, Housing; Mr. Ademorin Kuye, Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs; Prince Gbolahan Lawal, Agriculture & Cooperatives; Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje, Science & Technology; Mrs. Florence Oguntuase, Establishment & Training; Mrs Oworu Senakpon, Commerce; Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, Rural Development; Mr. Adesegun Oniru, Waterfront Development & Infrastructure; Mr. Oshodi Enitan, Youths, Sports & Social Development; Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, Education.

Special advisers

The Special Advisers include: Mr. Jimoh Ajao, Housing; Mr. Dolapo Badru, Youths, Sports & Social Development; Mrs. Yewande Adesina, Health; Mrs Aderinola Disu, Central Business District, CBD; Mr. Oladiran Folami, Environment; Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, Public Private Partnership, PPP; Engr. Ganiyu Johnson, Works & Infrastructure.

Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, Rural Development; Mr. Olukoga Fatai, Education; Mr. Lateef Raji, Information & Strategy; Mr. Taofik Tijani, Mineral Resources; Mr. Seye Oladejo, Commerce & Industry; Mr. Adebayo Salvador, Parastatals Monitoring; and Mrs. Abimbola Sodipo, Taxation & Revenue.

However, commissioners and special advisers are yet to be appointed for the Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ministry, and Political and Legislative Bureau.

Speaking on the occasion, Fashola said the commissioners and Special Advisers were the privileged few to be chosen among the lots and that the hope of Lagos State residents depended on them.

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MINISTERIAL SCREENING: Okonjo-Iweala to appear before Senate today

 World Bank Managing Director, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will appear today before the Senate to be screened for a ministerial appointment, sources close the State Security Service, SSS, told Vanguard yesterday.

She flew into the country yesterday and went straight to the Presidential Villa to meet with the President.

According to the source, after her brief meeting at Aso Rock with the President, her name was immediately forwarded to the SSS for screening. She was said to have been screened and passed on to the Senate yesterday for confirmation today.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, a former Finance Minister who helped Nigeria to negotiate debt relief in 2005, is expected to return to her old position but with added broad powers over economic management, sources close to the negotiations said.

“She will appear before the Senate tomorrow as her name has already been sent to the Senate President’s office,” a SSS source said. The SSS gave Okonjo-Iweala clearance to be screened by lawmakers after a meeting at its office in Abuja.

President Jonathan, who was sworn in for his first full term on May 29 after winning April elections, has reappointed 12 ministers from the outgoing government to their old jobs, including oil minister Deziani Alison-Madueke.

The return of many familiar faces led Jonathan’s critics to question whether his new team will have the reformist credentials it needs.

Okonjo-Iweala’s inclusion in Jonathan’s cabinet would bring more credibility to his reform ambitions.
Okonjo-Iweala is presently a Managing Director of the World Bank. She was Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs from June to August 2006, overseeing Nigeria’s External Relations.

From July 2003 to June 2006 she served as Minister of Finance and Economy of Nigeria and Head of Nigeria’s much acclaimed Presidential Economic Team responsible for implementing a comprehensive home grown economic reform programme that stabilized the macro-economy and tripled the growth rate to an average of 6 per cent per

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