‘Over 108m Nigerians are technically homeless’ (Read full details)

A slum in Lagos PHOTO: google

100,000 houses built yearly grossly insufficient, says bureau
The Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR) yesterday cautioned that urgent attention should be given to the housing shortage in the country which has made over 108 million Nigerians technically homeless.

The bureau described the 100,000 houses built yearly in the country as insufficient, adding that it is time for stakeholders to join government’s efforts in providing affordable houses for the people by taking advantage of the ongoing Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme.

The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently put the nation’s housing shortage at 18 million, a situation that has been described as not healthy for a developing country.

The Director-General of BPSR, Dr. Joe Abah at a forum titled, “The Federal Integrated Staff Housing Scheme and what it means for public servants” said providing housing for the people has become a great concern with the 189 million population in the country.

Abah urged stakeholders to confront the challenging in the housing sector such as insufficient funds, high cost of land and building materials so that Nigerians would have the opportunity to own their own houses.

The Executive Secretary of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board, Dr. Hanatu Fika said the government is seeking about N13 billion to give out as housing loans to civil servants.

$1b no longer realistic for Ogoni cleanup, says governing council (Read full details)

Ogoniland

The Board of Trustees on Ogoni cleanup has described the initial $1 billion earmarked for the project as unrealistic in the face of rising exchange rate of the naira.

The President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Mr. Legborsi Pyagbara, disclosed this yesterday after their meeting in Port Harcourt.

He said when the project was conceived in 2011, the exchange rate was much lower, adding that it had since risen to over N500 to a dollar.

According to him: “We had expected that the speed of the implementation process would be faster than what we are seeing. Under the existing circumstance, we need to revalue the exercise to do things properly, instead of being in a hurry and unable to accomplish the task at the end.”

Another member of the board, Dr. Peter Medee, said: “We must not be in a hurry to get the cleanup done, but ensure that the best is given to our people to ensure its sustainability.”

Medee explained that community sensitisation and training of personnel were ongoing in line with the UNEP’s recommendation, promising that other activities would start next week.

He explained that $200 million would be released in five batches each year for the next five years to cover the budgeted amount.

Medee urged the Federal Government to set up policies to generate funds from the multinational companies, instead of depending only on funds from donor agencies.

“Remember that a similar cleanup exercise in the Gulf of Guinea took $36 billion. However, when we receive the money, we would plan how best to utilise it,” he said.

Anyakwee Nsirimovu and Prof. Ben Naanen, who stressed the need for an environment centre in Ogoni, also attended the meeting.

New Lassa fever cases reported in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi (Read full details)

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) yesterday said that seven new cases of Lassa fever have been reported in Edo, Ondo and Bauchi states. There are four cases in Edo, two in Ondo and one in Bauchi.

Meanwhile, healthcare workers in the country have been advised to always apply universal precautions by insisting that medical personnel and patients alike must go for tests before the treatment of malaria as Lassa fever has very similar symptoms with it.

Speaking at the Lassa Fever Advocacy Meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, NCDC Deputy Director in the Surveillance Department, Mrs. Elsie Ilori, disclosed that there have been 44 confirmed cases reported since December 2016 in nine states namely, Ogun, Plateau, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, Nasarawa, Rivers, Ebonyi and Ondo, with some of them categorised as probable.

According to Ilori, “out of the 44 confirmed cases, we have 37 that were confirmed at the laboratory and seven that are probable. When we say probable, we mean cases we were unable to collect the laboratory samples but had all the symptoms of Lassa fever and they died and so they were linked to confirmed cases.”

She noted that fatality rate of Lassa fever, which was about 54.5 per cent, is high because people are not well sensitised enough on the disease. She added that Lassa fever was seasonal and could become endemic.

Ilori observed that states as well as local councils across the country, especially in the affected places, are expected to get their own drugs as the Federal Government had earlier given them seed supplies.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the centre, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, urged patients to desist from self-medication and ensure that heaps of refuse that could attract rats were properly collected and disposed.

To achieve this, he said individuals and organisations must be held accountable‎ as rodents, which are the primary vectors for Lassa fever always abound in such environments.

He disclosed that the centre has achieved 20 per cent reduction in Lassa fever-related deaths through people’s habits and positive response to sensitisation programmes.

“We have been able to prevent a lot of deaths. We want people to know that when they have fever, they should report immediately to the public health facilities. We have laboratories in Lagos, Edo and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja,” he added.

Kaduna relaxes curfew in Zangon-Kataf (Read full details)

Nigerian Army

•Maikori Apologises For Hoax Killings
•PFN Condemns President’s Silence Over Worrisome Deaths
•Buratai Pledges Neutrality Of Nigerian Army

Following the gradual return of peace to the troubled Southern Kaduna, the state government has relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on Zangon-Kataf Local Council of Kaduna State.

This is as the chief executive officer of Chocolate City, Lagos State, Audu Maikori, who is an indigene of the area, has apologised for tweeting about the alleged killing of five students of the College of Education, Gidan Waya, Kafanchan, by Fulani herdsmen.

Media aide to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement, yesterday, said that the 24-hour curfew has been relaxed, and it “is now in effect only between 6pm and 6am every day.”

According to him, the Kaduna State Security Council took the decision to relax the curfew following a review of the situation in the affected council.
Maikori, remarked that after the school and the state government refuted the alleged killings, he decided to further investigate the story in order to present the evidence to the authorities.

Things, however, took a different turn after his driver, who claimed his younger brother was one of the victims, failed to, upon his return from the purported burial, provide the deceased’s identity card and pictures of the casket to enable him (Maikori) buttress his claim, and clear his name.

“The long and short of this is that on February 2, 2017, I went in company of his relative to the Lekki Police Station for questioning after his inability to provide any concrete evidence of the death of his brother and fellow students.”

Meanwhile, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has condemned the killings of Christians in Southern Kaduna, just as it maintains that President Muhammadu Buhari, has kept silence over the killings for so long.

The body, however, commended the efforts of Federal Government in its fight against insurgency, stating that the menace of the Fulani herdsman could prove to be worse than Boko Haram.

Speaking at a conference in Lagos on the state of the nation, Chairman, PFN, Lagos Chapter, Bishop Sola Ore, said: “We are left with no alternative than to conclude that there is something in the offing that is not clear to many Nigerians. What is happening in Southern Kaduna presently is worrisome, to say the least.

“Who has been prosecuted for the killings of innocent lives in Kaduna if I may ask? Who has been sent to jail? As a matter of fact, which of the Boko Haram insurgents has been prosecuted? Is this government saying it does not know the masterminds of these dastardly acts?” he queried.

The chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, has said that the army, which is in Southern Kaduna to restore peace would not take sides in the conflict.

The Army chief made this known when he paid courtesy visits to the Chief of Kagoro, Ufuwai Bonet and Emir of Jema’a, Alhaji Muhammad Isah at their palaces, yester. He said: “We are not going to spare anyone that is fomenting trouble in the area, no matter his standing.”

Boundary Crisis: Taraba, Benue Governors sue for peace (Read full details)

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Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom

Darius Dickson Ishaku

Pledge To Maintain Status-quo

Not comfortable with the crisis that erupted between the people of Benue and Taraba States, following the recent boundary adjustment, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba and his Benue counterpart, Samuel Ortom have agreed to put aside the adjustment and maintain status-quo.

The governors, yesterday, embarked on a peace mission to Moon Village in Kwande Local Government of Benue State and Kashimbilla Village in Takum Council of Taraba State, admonishing the people of the affected areas to bury their hatchet as the state governments were leaving no stone unturned to restore peace back to the deserted communities.

The said boundary adjustment, which was recently carried out by the National Boundary Commission, ceded parts of Taraba State to Benue and parts of Benue State to Taraba, resulting in the affected communities taking up arms against one another.

Ortom said both states have a lot in common, beckoning on all those taking refuge in neighbouring states and local government councils to return home. On his part, Ishaku said the two governors have agreed to be on same page on the issue to ensure peace; aside they are working assiduously to make sure the problems are resolved amicably.

“We want peace to reign. We have sat and we have agreed to maintain status quo. The details of the boundaries would be worked out as produced by the boundary adjustments of 1923-1924.” The peace meeting, they agreed would be a continuous process.

Vandalisation: TCN contemplates using drones (Read full details)

Transmission Company of Nigeria

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is currently considering use of drones for monitoring of some of its installations at very dense locations nationwide.

Although TCN has not concluded on the available options for the protection of its transmission equipment nationwide, it said due to huge resources it would entail to acquire its own drones, it would either be on rent or contract basis, as the need arises, so as to minimise costs.

Seun Olagunju, TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, made the clarification, saying the proposed use of drones is only to cover some dense locations, where transmission equipments of TCN are, but not for the entire power sector.

She said: “It is not that we are buying drones. It is some sort of arrangement, whereby some people will provide it. The use is only for very dense areas, which people cannot easily access. But we are not buying drones.”

On whether it is TCN’s technical partner that is providing the drones, she replied in the negative. Although the exact value or cost of the vandalised equipment was not readily available, Olagunju explained that because of the timeframe of 18 months it takes TCN to replace vandalised equipment, people are advised to desist from the nefarious act.

Anti-Government Protest: Police warn Tuface, groups (Read full details)

Idibia, whose foundation, 2Face Foundation, is organising the protest said it would commence at 8am in Lagos and 9am in Abuja, asking participants to wear green attires.

• Organisers Insist On Going Ahead
• BBOG Dissociates Self

The Nigeria Police High Command, yesterday, warned Nigerians planning mass protest against the Federal Government to shelve such plans to avoid loss of lives and property.

But organisers of the protest led by hi-hop musician, Innocent Idibia aka Tuface, have insisted on going ahead with the protest slated for tomorrow in Lagos and Abuja.

Idibia, whose foundation, 2Face Foundation, is organising the protest said it would commence at 8am in Lagos and 9am in Abuja, asking participants to wear green attires.

The protest, according to the organisers, was to draw attention to the hardship in the country, and for the various levels of government to urgently address the economic challenges.

Lagos State police boss, Fatai Owoseni had warned against the planned protest, stating that hoodlums might hijack it and wreck havoc on innocent Nigerians. Also, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command said it has not been notified of the protest.

Spokesman of the police, Jimoh Moshood, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) in a statement late on Friday night, said: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to publications in the media on the planned protests slated for 5th and 6th February, 2017 in Lagos and other states by different groups, one to be led by the popular musician Innocent Idibia, Aka Tuface and other opposing groups.

“Nigeria Police Force is deeply concerned with the security implications with regard to the planned protest/demonstrations, and as the lead security agency in the country, is fully aware and recognizes the constitutional rights of every citizen (including Tuface and his group) to assemble and move freely in any part of the country.

“The Nigeria Police Force is currently in possession of credible intelligence reports that other interest groups are equally planning to hold a counter protest/matches on the same days at the same places/cities as the Tuface Group. If these various planned protests/ demonstrations are held as scheduled, that there may be breakdown of law and order, with attendant loss of lives and property.”

The statement warned people to stay off any act that would compromise the security of the nation under whatever guise, as the Police would not hesitate to use whatever means possible to maintain the peace of the country.

Meanwhile, Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria has warned the organisers of the protest to be wary of hoodlums that may want to hijack it to create confusion in the system.

The group of security practitioners said it was not against anyone expressing his views, but must be done within the confines of law. The Chairman of the Association, Mr. Wilson Esangbedo, who disclosed this during a press conference in Lagos, yesterday, said the present prevailing security situation in Nigeria does not encourage the planned anti-government protest at this time because miscreants and hoodlums may hijack the protest and unleash mayhem on members of the public.

Esangbedo said terrorists might see the peaceful protest as a soft target for terrorist activities. Also, the Bring back Our Girls (BBOG) has dismissed insinuation that it is in partnership with the organisers of the protest, saying though the general ideals of the march tallies with the good governance and accountable leadership the BBOG has been advocating for, it is not involved in the planned protest

However, Convener of the group, Dr Oby Ezekwesili said on her twitter handle that the Federal Government or police have no right to repress citizens who have decided to speak out against obnoxious policies.

Her Twitter handle, @obyezeks reads in part: “Please all join in praying for the #IStandWithNigeria Citizens that their march goes well & for the FG that it hears their agitation.”

Buhari’s arrival shrouded in secrecy (Read full details)

President Muhammadu Buhari at Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport Abuja . PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA

Barring any last minute changes, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to resume work on Monday, February 6, 2017, but his arrival in the country is still shrouded in secrecy.

Also, preparations for his arrival are still being kept secret, as nothing on ground yesterday showed that the president was being expected today. Hitherto, the President’s return after several days away was heralded with pomp and activities.

His Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina was not categorical when contacted by The Guardian regarding official preparations to receive the president at the expiration of his holiday. He simply said: “When the information is out you’ll be told.”

However, other sources in the Presidency confirmed on Friday that the president would be received by top government officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Meanwhile, workers of construction giant, Julius Berger were seen on Friday carrying out routine cleaning of the forecourt in the villa and putting other aesthetic touches on the building housing the president’s office.

Although there was no indication of a grand reception being planned, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), said it has mobilised no fewer than 15,000‎ of its members to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari at the Nnmadi Azikwe International Airport Abuja.

Malam Gambo Jagindi, Special Adviser on media and publicity to the President of NYCN made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

According to the statement, “ The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has concluded arrangements to mobilise not less than 15,000 of its members to be at Abuja airport on Feb. 6, to welcome President Buhari from vacation.”

Recall that President Buhari wrote to the Senate on Friday, January 21, that the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo would act on his behalf as President for the 10 days that he would be on medical vacation.

In a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, President Buhari said he was writing in line with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

According to the letter, which was read on the floor of the Senate at plenary by Saraki, President Buhari said he will be away from Monday 23rd January to Monday 6th February.

However, since President Muhammadu Buhari left the shores of Nigeria on Thursday, January 20 to the UK on a 10-day medical vacation, the country, indeed the media, had been inundated with the rumour of his death in a London hospital, with his media aides, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, battling to debunk the many fabricated news items that flooded the social media.

Ibori arrives, treated to heroic welcome in Delta (Read full details)

James Ibori

Allegedly Met With DSS

Former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, yesterday arrived the country aboard the British Airways, after serving his jail terms in the United Kingdom over charges bordering on corruption and money laundering.

Agency reports quoting an official of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, said British Airways plane conveying Ibori touched down in the airport early in the morning.

According to the reports, the former governor was picked up by some people to an undisclosed place. The identity of those who received him was not disclosed, but it was rumoured that he was briefly taken to the office of the Department of State Security Service for debriefing, before being allowed to leave for his home state.

At his home state, Delta, it was celebration, as his loyalists and notable personalities trooped to Osubi Airstrip, Warri to welcome home their hero.
They had massed at the airstrip as early as 9am, singing and dancing to give him a befitting heroic welcome.

Some of the personalities at the airstrip were former commissioners who served under Ibori, party leaders from various local councils and several hundreds of youths who happily branded themselves “Ibori Boys”.

At about 10 am, news filtered in that Ibori was already airborne and on his way to Warri. Every plane that landed was thought to be conveying the former governor; many loyalists were restrained by the airstrip personnel from running towards landing planes.

At about 2:27 pm after many people had waited for over six hours, the news filtered in again that Ibori’s flight had been diverted to Benin. A sudden feeling of disappointment immediately enveloped the airstrip. People lamented that they had been made to spend a lot of time at the strip, only to be told that Ibori would arrive through the Benin Airport.

As they made to leave, a commotion ensued when another plane landed and words quickly spread that it was Ibori’s flight that landed. Cars and jeeps started making a U-turn only to discover that it was a hoax and that indeed Ibori would land at the Benin Airport.

At Benin airport, he was shielded from the prying eyes of journalists who had besieged the airport as early as 9am, when news of his arrival filtered into the state.

At exactly 2.20pm, a private jet with black and red stripes marked 5N-IZY landed and Ibori and few persons believed to be family members alighted amidst tight security of highly kitted, stern looking and heavily armed mobile policemen and plain cloth operatives.

Indication that an eminent personality was being expected started when two unmarked Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps, an orange colour Murano jeep drove to the parking lot at the VIP wing of the airport, the occupants briefed other persons believed to be members of the entourage.

Few minutes later, an additional four other unmarked black Toyota jeeps and three Hilux vans, all loaded with security personnel drove into the airport complex.

Some persons believed to be aides, dressed in black jacket were the first to alight from the jet, then Ibori himself, who wore a black top on a black jeans came down and was accompanied into the VIP waiting room.

He was shielded into one of the stationed jeeps.The battle ready security men whose hands were on the triggers were apparently drafted to keep the few journalists around from getting close and taking photographs of the private jet and Chief Ibori.

Many of the airport staff and security were not aware of the arrival of Ibor. The convoy drove off at about 2:47pm on at speed with Chief Ibori’s vehicle leading the way.

It was learnt that the Benin airport was used as a decoy to divert attention of the mammoth crowd of family members, political associates, friends and well-wishers, who converged at the Osubi airport to receive him.

Meanwhile, his media aide, Tony Eluemunor, said the former Governor arrived his village Oghara at about 4:40pm local time to a well-planned welcome ceremony put together by his kinsmen.

Ibori was released from British prison in December after serving half of his 13-year sentence, taking into account pre-trial detention. Born on Aug. 4, 1959, Ibori was the governor of Delta from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

FG proposes N70m for training livestock rearers, cattlemen (Read full details)

The Federal Government has proposed N70 million in this year’s budget for Para-military training of 250 personnel, who would rear and care for livestock and cattle at the various ranches in the country.

The livestock include ostrich, horses and other species of birds that are commonly found in the seven parks of the National Park Service (NPS).

Owners or operators of a ranch are called ranchers, cattlemen or stock growers and their training, according to Conservator General of NPS, Abdullahi Hussein, is expected to cost N280, 000, as against the N1.6 million allegedly requested of them by the Nigerian Army for the training of each of the selected personnel.

He said the service had last year granted similar training to 200 of its personnel for N40 million.

Hussein revealed yesterday, while defending the agency’s N3.230 billion in this year’s appropriation and advocating support for enhancing N1.333 billion vote before the House of Representatives Committee on Environment and Habitat, in Abuja, chaired by Obinna Chidoka.

Hussein said going by the Army’s request, it would have cost the government N400, 000,000 to train the 250 of the officers, who he said would be drawn from NPS.

Components of the budgeted sum, he said, include procurement of uniform, footwear, berets and batches for the officers.

“In 2017, we are proposing N70 million for the training of 250 ranchers for all our ranches in the country.

“It is expected that the training of each of them will cost government N280, 000, an amount that will cover the purchases of boots, shoes, uniform, berets and batches for them.

“Since it is paramilitary training that is required, we approached the military to offer the training for the officers, but they asked us to pay them N1.6m for each of them, which we cannot afford,” he said.

He also announced the setting aside of N12. 010 million in this year’s budget for the stocking of the museum in the service, as well as N32. 674 million for the procurement of a 250 KVA generator.

In his remarks, Chidoka expressed satisfaction with the service’s implementation of last year’s budget, despite that only N98. 863 million was released to the agency as at December 31.

He assured that the House would consider the agency’s provisions in this year’s budget and seek ways of ensuring its optimum performance.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, recently revealed that the Army would be raising up cattle ranches in such a manner that in almost all the divisions and brigades, cattle will be reared.

He said in keeping up with modern cattle rearing tradition, he sent some Army officers to Argentina to look at how cattle were reared there.

Fashola decries state of Southeast roads, abandonment by contractors (Read full details)

Minister of Works, Power and Housing Babatunde Fashola

Disappointed by what he saw on ground, Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has decried the rate at which contractors handling federal government roads in the Southeast abandon jobs awarded to them.

The Imo State government, meanwhile, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the host communities of Ulakwo, Agbala and Ermii in Owerri North Council, where tipper, trailer and motor dealers and auxiliary shops would be located in the state.

Fashola, who expressed dismay during his visit to some federal roads in the state yesterday told the Governor Rochas Okorocha, represented by his Deputy, Eze Madumere, at the Government House to notify the appropriate quarters of such delays.

The minister stressed the need for both the state and federal governments to work in synergy towards roads rehabilitation and construction.

Okorocha described the volume of roads abandoned in the state as unimaginable, noting that federal roads needing attention transverse the three zones of Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe and urged the federal government to increase its tempo in the state.

He disclosed that the state government decided to rehabilitate some of the federal roads due to their economic importance, stressing that the Urban Renewal programme of the state involving both governments’ roads has paid well.

Okorocha urged the Federal Controller of Works in the state to work in partnership with the state government.

The minister, in company of the enlarged State Executive Council, visited federal roads in the three zones.

Signing the MoU in the presence of the three monarchs of the communities, Secretary to the Government (SSG), George Eche, commended the stakeholders for their support to the state government.

No government has the right to repress citizens, Ezekwesili (Read full details)

Former education minister and coordinator of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, Oby Ezekwesili has condemned the move of the Lagos state police command, which banned the February 6th nationwide protest in Lagos, convened by singer, Innocent Idibia, (2face).

Ezekwesili, through her tweeter handle @Obyezeks, yesterday said, “Citizens can decide to agitate on anything, as long as it is done within their constitutional rights. No government has the right to repress citizens. If the Federal Government and the Nigerian police have a shred of honour and regard for our constitution, they must recant their stance against #IStandWithNigeria protest.”

Warning of the danger in stopping law-abiding citizens from exercising their rights, she said, “Let the Nigerian government and the police desist from escalating tension in an already brittle public space. Stop threatening the #IStandWithNigeria Citizens. The same way the previous govt was held to the task is same way intelligent citizens are doing to this govt they voted in.”

NFF’s hammer falls on Rangers FC…See full details

Bobby Clement of Rangers challenges Enyimba’s Razak Aliyu during a past NPFL game. The defending champions will pay a N3.5m fine to the LMC as punishment for their fans’ malpractices. PHOTO: LMC.

Nigeria’s representative in this year’s CAF Champions League, Rangers FC of Enugu, yesterday came under the hammer of the Disciplinary Committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following the fracas that occurred during their Match Day 1 encounter with visiting Abia Warriors FC.

The Flying Antelopes was handed a total fine of N3.75 million by the committee as punishment.The committee said yesterday that after considering the available facts before it as contained in the written submission from both clubs, Match Commissioner and Referee’s Reports, it adopts and upholds the decision contained in the Summary Jurisdiction Notice of the League Management Committee (LMC).

Rangers FC was fined N750, 000 for its failure to ensure restriction of access by unauthorized persons from all restricted areas in the course of a match, and N1 million for encroachment and throwing of objects towards the field of play at the end of the match by the fans and supporters of Rangers FC.

The Coal City boys will also pay N500, 000 for ‘attempted assault’ and hauling of missiles at the match officials, and another N500,000 being compensation of N250,000 each to the two injured officials (the Match Commissioner and injured Mobile police officer).

The NFF Disciplinary Committee also slammed N1 million fine on Rangers FC, being cost for the Committee sitting in line with Rule E1.Rangers FC, which will fly the nation’s flag in this year’s CAF Champions League, was warned to ensure that there is no more incidents of fans throwing missiles either on the field of play or against match officials, failure for which the NFF Disciplinary Committee shall impose further sanctions that is not limited to ordering for a closed door home matches to be played by the team.

The NFF Disciplinary also advised all clubs to ensure that a separate sitting arrangement is made for supporters of away teams whereby they are clearly separated from the spectators of the home team.

Okonjo-Iweala, Sanusi begged us to save but we refused, says Obi (Read full details)

Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II

Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, yesterday said governors under the Goodluck Jonathan administration refused to save for a rainy day.

Obi said former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lamido Sanusi Lamido, now emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, begged the Federal Government to build its savings but the governors kicked against the idea.

Speaking on CNBC Africa, Obi said he was not against the Muhammadu Buhari government’s plan to borrow, but he was against borrowing without a plan.

“I was in government when the likes of Ngozi Iweala, Aganga, Sanusi were crying let’s save; we collectively said we don’t want savings, and we are now in this mess; we cannot afford to increase it by going to borrow without a clear road map on what we would use it for,” Obi said.

“People start saving in crisis. Go and check most nations that save, they started it in crisis situation, because they could see the point of not saving yesterday; and that is where we are.

“I have said it before that even if we saved five percent of all our oil earnings from 1960 to date, which is about $1.2 trillion, considering a compound interest of about five percent, we should have about 150 billion today.”

Obi said the country could put up a savings plan that helps prepare for tomorrow, and could possibly allow government to borrow today.

“Imagine what would have been happening if we were in that situation. That was 56 years ago; we have 44 years to our 100th year of independence.

“What I am saying is that if we decide today to save on 50 percent of our own budgeted output of 2.2 million barrels per day, we decide to save on just 1 million barrels per day, with our earnings at $50 per barrel, in the next 44 years, we would be at 50 to 60 billion dollars.’’

Speaking about Okonjo-Iweala’s effort, he said: “ I was in government when Okonjo-Iweala was crying meeting after meeting, let’s save money; we need to save for a rainy day. We said no. Some said this woman should not be found near this country.

“We even went to court as a body to challenge savings, and look at where we are today.

“Change that constitution that says we cannot save; what type of constitution is that? When we are talking about constitution amendment, we should amend things that are immediate.

“Issue of savings should be included in our constitution today; oil is a depleting asset, and we are not even saving for tomorrow,” Obi added.

He urged the Federal Government to embrace restructuring and let the country’s strength be found in its diversity.

Okonjo-Iweala, Sanusi begged us to save but we refused, says Obi

Italy oil firm, ENI to repair Port Harcourt refinery (Read full details)

Port Harcourt refinery

Plans are underway by the Italy-owned international oil company, ENI, to refurbish the Port Harcourt refinery.

In a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the oil firm and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Rome, Italy, yesterday, the company would also build the phase two of the Okpai Power Plant.

A statement by the Director, Press, Ministry of Petroleum, Idang Alibi, quoted the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who is in Rome, as urging international oil Companies (IoCs) to invest in building refineries in Nigeria.

Speaking at a presentation to top executives of ENI in Rome, Italy, Kachikwu enjoined the group to move beyond just the business of crude exploration to firmly supporting the vision of enhancing local production of petroleum products in Nigeria by building refineries in the country.

The minister stated that the major plan of the Federal Government is to stop importation of petroleum products in the long term and that it would be expedient that every IoC should invest in building a refinery with a chain of distributions.

Kachikwu assured that if IoCs build refineries within a short period of time, investment in the venture could be recouped by direct sales model.

He explained that the government desires to upgrade old refineries and build new ones, thus increasing local production capacity with an objective to reduce importation of petroleum products by 60 per cent in 2018, and by 2019 to become a net exporter of petroleum products and value-added petrochemicals.

In continuation of the ongoing investment drive in Italy, Kachikwu would also be meeting the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Economic Development of Italy to formalise the new trend of cooperation between oil majors and Nigeria.

Italy oil firm, ENI to repair Port Harcourt refinery

Court remands 45 IPOB members in Port Harcourt (Read full details)

Biafra agitators

Two Magistrate’s Courts in Rivers State have remanded 45 members of the indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) for holding rallies in support of the President of United States, Donald Trump.

According to the Rivers State Police Command, they allegedly committed “treasonable felony, which is punishable under section 516A (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume II Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.

They were arraigned on a two-court charge of conspiracy to commit treasonable felony and display of unruly behaviour.

While 35 of the suspects were arraigned before Chief Magistrate S. Andrew-Jaja in court 8, seven others were charged before Chief Magistrate A. O. Amadi-Nna.

According to the charges, the suspects conducted themselves “in a manner likely to force or compel President Muhammadu Buhari to change his status by displaying flags and other items of the Biafra Republic.

“The intention was calculated to take over the government of Nigeria by force, thereby committing an offence that is punishable under section 41 (c) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume II Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.”

Counsel to the accused, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, said they have overwhelming evidence against the security agents in the killing of pro-Biafra agitators.

He said the IPOB members had identified over 20 of its members who were killed by the security operatives.

The accused persons were remanded in prison till the adjourned date of January 30, 2017.

Court remands 45 IPOB members in Port Harcourt