Governor Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, held a memorial in honour his wife, Mrs. Clara Oshiomhole, who died two years ago.
In a sermon, Rev Father Paul Enow, the priest of the St. Pauls Catholic Church, Benin City, where the mass was held called on Nigerians to persist in prayers for the nation to stem the tide of insecurity.
Rev Father Enow said “Let us pray for security consistently. We have to go on our knees and pray ceaselessly for God to save our nation from insecurity,” he noted.
The Cleric maintained that “we need to pray to God to show us the step to take to stem the tide of insecurity in Our nation.”
According to him, faith is needed to approach God and that entails persistent asking through prayers.
While commending the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the cleric said his works across the state are very visible even to the blind.
First daughter of the Governor, Dr. Winnie Owumi thanked the well wishers of the Oshiomhole family for joining them to honour her late mother who passed on two years.
The mass was attended by top dignitaries including the former of the State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Uyi Igbe, Chief Judge of the state, Hon Justice Cromwell Idahosa, federal lawmakers, politicians, among others.
The board of directors of the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) met yesterday over the scandal that rocked the establishment where it was revealed that a whopping N2.1 billion of newly printed N1,000 notes have mysteriously gone missing.
The board meeting, chaired by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, decided to expand the investigation and audit the production of other currency denominations to ascertain the quantity of money that has actually gone missing over the years.
We had exclusively reported that an acting managing director, Ahmed Bamali, had been appointed to head the Mint company while Ehi Okomoyon, who was the chief executive, was asked to proceed on indefinite leave.
A source with insider knowledge of what transpired at the meeting said that the suspension of Okoyomon as managing director on an indefinite basis until all investigations have been concluded was reaffirmed.
The head of security at the NSPMC, Emmanuel Bala, has also been asked to go on compulsory leave by the board of directors of the company. The general manager, management services, Obi Igoban is expected to write him the letter of suspension today.
It was also gathered that the board faulted the suspended MD for failing to disclose to it that such amounts of money had gone missing even though the company had set up an internal investigation after a mint staff was arrested in Lagos for being in possession of unnumbered bank notes.
The board meeting, which reportedly started at about 10am, did not end until 3pm. Other than the initial audit report, the board also discussed routine and budgetary issues.
The CBN had to set up its own audit team, whose findings were put to the board yesterday, and a unanimous vote affirmed that Okoyomon should continue on indefinite suspension.
Part of the CBN audit team’s investigation is to unravel why the management of the Mint company has consistently refused to place Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) in its Abuja and Lagos factories, and why other security measures were deliberately set aside.
Iran has condemned the United States for the subcritical nuclear test recently conducted in Nevada, saying the test undermines world peace and global stability and shows the United States’ hypocrisy on the issue of nuclear disarmament.
On Friday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said the test proves Washington is still following a policy based on reliance on weapons of mass destruction, disregarding international calls for total nuclear disarmament.
The test, known as Pollux, was conducted jointly by the Nevada National Security Site, the Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratories on Wednesday.
The US National Nuclear Security Administration said the 27th subcritical experiment was conducted to ensure that Washington “can support a safe, secure and effective stockpile” of nuclear weapons.
However, the experiment has drawn sharp criticism from residents of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which are the only cities that have ever been attacked with nuclear weapons.
“I wonder why [US] President [Barack] Obama, who said he would seek a nuclear-free world, carried out the test,” said Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui.
Hirotami Yamada, the secretary general of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors Council, said the experiment “is proof that the United States could use nuclear weapons anytime.”
Jumbo Offor was sworn in as a Justice of the Federal republic of Nigeria in the Appeal Court later than she was supposed to be. She was dramatically denied the well-deserved position on November 5th, 2012 albeit temporarily for no fault of hers.
This unpalatable dish served on a bonafide Abian was and is still reverberating through the Bar, Bench and political platforms of Abia. The shock and tremors that nearly led to a social earthquake was handled with exemplary equanimity by the Governor Sir T. A. Orji who calmed Abians to emulate him in his traditional and unquenchable belief in the court and Justice system of Abia and Nigeria.
If you need any reminder, Chief T. A. Orji was clamped into detention for a bailable offence he did not commit. All efforts seemed abortive and he had to be out of reach in a day the highest electoral body and the generality of Abians declared him fit to vote and be voted for.
The fact that he created a new record in electoral history of Nigeria that beats all imaginations surpassing the oddities and hazards of our colonial emancipation did not change the minds of his detainers is a case waiting to be investigated. At a point when hopes waned and truthful hearts dejected for the abject travesty, hope came proving Chief Jerry Obafemi Awolowo right that the darkest part of the night gives way to a pleasant dawn. To spare you the shock and anxiety of suspense, T. A. was released in the wee hours of his inauguration day on May 29, 2012. These are facts and that is the stuff that history is made of.
Sir T. A. Orji is an unshakable adherent of the courts ability to dispense justice no matter how long it takes, consequently when an election tribunal declared his seat vacant, he went back to court in a long and twisty appeal that dragged on for some time in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Some people suggested so many approaches and strategies as a way out for the Jombo Offor puzzle, most bothering on anarchic plots but T. A. calmed and comforted Abians like he did in the past during his trial, urging most of his supporters who wept more than the bereaved to sheath their daggers as he had infinite believe in the courts. According to the Governor “I have no doubt in my mind that the CJN who is highly respected as the first female judge to occupy the exalted position will swear in Justice Jombo Offor who is also an erudite Judge and a great Ambassador of Abia State”.
As emboweled in the Holy writ that faith can move mountains and change fates, Offor has taken her place in the Appeal Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Today, Justice Ifeoma Jumbo Offor has been sworn in but some questions are begging for answers, especially from feisty female and feminist groups with glaring evidence that Offor is an Abian of good standing buoyed by the constitutional provision and practice that indigeneship of a female can be altered by marriage. It is equally enshrined in our hallowed constitution of 1999, section 42 that there should be no discrimination of a Nigerian based on sex, religion or geographical location. Why then was she not sworn in?
What happens to her progression as a civil servant? Would the dates of swearing in not affect the nominal role giving an edge to her colleagues in terms of other opportunities?
Diverse sources have alleged that during this embarrassing standoff by the authorities, there was no formal correspondence or publication stating her shortfall if any.
At a point when we are trying to bridge the yawning and embarrassing gender gap, why was Jombo denied this Jumbo place in the Justice system which has through many publications and showings boasted fairness and forthrightness. The words of late Martin Luther king Jr can not be more emphasized elsewhere than the present scenario as he said, ‘injustice any where is a threat to justice every where.’
Had it been during the military era, the khaki boys would have drawn quanta of flak for this anomaly, so why do civilians, especially the justice system that seem to be the last hope of the oppressed be involved in such without explanation, apology or confession if it was not a well hatched idea to embarrass Abia State and shortchange our striving sisters.
Evident from the way Nigerians from all walks of life spoke out against it, an explanation, at worst, an apology can sooth some frayed nerves. We all know that to err is human. A procedure of delayed Justice has been enacted possibly unconsciously; all efforts should be made to deter a repeat performance. According to Leo Tolstoy, ‘it is far more honorable to admit one’s mistake than to let matters proceed to the irrevocable.
In continuation of his tour of all the Secondary schools, returned by Anambra State government to their original owners, Governor Obi yesterday toured another six schools namely Girls Secondary School, Oba; Girls Secondary School, Onitsha; Comprehensive Secondary School, Onitsha; Dennis Memorial Secondary School, Onitsha; St. Monica’s Secondary School, Ogbunike and Ogidi Girls’ Secondary School. At each of the schools, he tasted their food, visited their refectory, conveniences and other facilities and gave them N10 million Cheque each out of the N20 Million they will get for the rehabilitation of the schools for 2012
Obi said he could have easily delegated his Commissioners to tour these Schools but he decided to do it on his own in order to see firsthand the state of these schools to determine the extent of support the government would continue to render to them.
He expressed general satisfaction on the neatness of those schools but regretted how government ran them down after taking over from the Missionaries. With apologies, he assured that government must continue to do everything possible until the schools are returned to their former glory. He also expressed satisfaction that there is marked improvement since the schools were returned to the Missionaries.
In his own remarks, the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Most Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo, who accompanied the Governor to those Schools, expressed surprise that a Governor could make out time In Nigeria of today where governance has been bastardized to visit schools, taste students’ food and personally access the infrastructure in the schools. The Bishop commended the Governor for his interest in all the sectors, especially his partnership with the Church to restore education and improve health care delivery. He said that however the situation that what kept recurring was Governor Obi’s genuine interest in the development of Anambra State.
He recalled that the governor had earlier provided schools in the State with computers, Internet access, and buses; provided them with boreholes, generators and above all, equipped their laboratories. He assured the Governor that the Church will continue to remember him in prayers.
In her own remarks, the Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Dr, Mrs. Uju Okeke described Obi’s government as a glorious era for the State. She said that the level of development in the State could only be achieved by no other person than Governor Obi who she said was exceptionally committed to making the State the number one in Nigeria. She commended the Governor’s prudence which she said made it possible for the level of development to be achieved.
Angry Ijaw youths, Friday, took over Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) gas pipelines project after chasing away workers from the site in Abeteye, Escravos, near Warri, Delta State.
This came as the Nigerian Navy denied giving approval to any firm to commence the evacuation of petroleum products from wrecked vessels arrested by the military for illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region.
The protesting youths said they were against the recently renewed Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) between Chevron Nigeria Limited, Egbema/Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation and the Delta State Government in which their community was allegedly misrepresented.
They were also furious on the failure of Chevron to provide basic social amenities for their community.
The angry youths, numbering over 500, stormed the 16-inch gas pipelines being constructed for Chevron from the Abiteye Flow station to Escravos, seized it and chased out the workers.
The fierce-looking Ijaw youths said they were not comfortable with the GMoU and the foot-dragging of Chevron to sand fill Benikrukru community, pile it and sweep the canals in their community. They also protested what they described as the failure of Chevron to define their stake in the regional development council.
According to the youths, their representatives from Benikrukru community who signed the GMoU never got the approval of the community to do so. They added that besides the GMoU, Chevron failed to provide the community with amenities needed badly.
It would be recalled that at the wake of the signing of the GMoU, members of the Benikrukru community, after an emergency meeting held on November 13, sanctioned those who signed the GMoU and threatened to mobilise women and children in the days ahead to cripple the Abiteye Flowstation and other facilities of Chevron.
They made good this threat yesterday when they seized the multi-billion naira gas pipelines project of the oil giant being handled by an indigenous firm.
It was learnt that the protesting youths arrived the site with several boats and ordered all workers from site, but no one was hurt.
Chairman of Benikrukru community, Chief Jeffrey Ojogun, when contacted, described the action as a tip of the iceberg in view of what will happen to other facilities of the company in the coming days.
He claimed that Chevron was trying to cause disaffection and disunity in Benikrukru community, imploring the company to stop meddling in the affairs of Benikrukru community in the interest of peace.
“We want to warn that this is just the beginning of our planned action against Chevron Nigeria Limited, a company that has murdered sleep in our community and we have vowed not to allow the company to know peace,” he stated.
According to him, “Apart from the issue of the vexed GMoU, we are demanding from Chevron the sand-filling of our community, pilling of the community, sweeping of the canals and our stake in the regional council; and these demands must be addressed urgently by the company.”
All efforts to get reactions from Chevron officials proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the Naval Headquarters, Abuja has denied giving approval to any firm to commence the evacuation of petroleum products from wrecked vessels arrested by the military for illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region.
Making this clarification, the Chief of Training and Operations (CTOPs), Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogboi, noted that there was no truth in the claim by a firm, Fenix Impex Nig. Ltd., that an approval had been given for evacuation operation along the Delta coastal area.
According to him, “We have not issued approval to Fenix Impex or any other firm to commence the evacuation of product from any seized vessel in Niger Delta waterways and we do not intend to until the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) provided answers to very many questions we have asked them concerning this exercise.”
Ogboi, stated further: “We have been asking DPR to furnish us with detail information as to the nature of the product in these vessels, estimated quantities, the destination of the evacuated products and hazards posed in the course of the exercise. But up till now, we are yet to receive such information.
“We cannot therefore issue any approval to any company when we are yet to get these details, so it will amount to fraudulent act and mischief for any firm to come up to say the Navy has given it approval to commence evacuation.”
He described such claim as false, baseless and unfounded. He also advised security agents to be on their guard to ensure the arrest of any vessel seen on the waterways claiming to be on evacuation operation based on the approval from the Naval Command.
It would be recalled that in 2009, two vessels, MT Concept and Ezomo, came up with similar claim of evacuating a seized vessel at the Warri Jetty but such approval was later discovered to be fake.
Investigation revealed that the claim of evacuation was a diversionary tactics being used by illegal oil bunkerers to carry out their illicit oil deal, as they often present the approval document as a way of beating the watching eyes of security agents while embarking on their nefarious activities.
The vice president of Nigeria, Arc Namadi Sambo, according to information available to 247ureports.com will not attend the President’s event in Otueke Bayelsa State on Saturday December 8, 2012 for the burial of the President’s half brother. The vice president is reported to have a schedule conflict – two of his daughters are scheduled to be married on Saturday December 8, 2012.
As gathered, the wedding is slated to be a lavish affair – with the wives of 20 State governors already in Kaduna for the wedding.
Angry youths and commercial motorcycle operators numbering over 500 Tuesday invaded the headquarters of the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA) along PortHarcourt road, Owerri, destroying and vandalizing properties of the agency.
The rampaging youths believed to have been constituted largely by Okada operators plying their trade within and around the Umuguma area of the state capital, were allegedly armed with machetes, locally made pistols, broken bottles, clubs and other dangerous weapons.
The youths who also reclaimed and carted away impounded motorcycles in the custody of the OCDA numbering over 86 were said to have been reacting to alleged incessant harassment and impounding of their source of livelihood by the OCDA.
While the OCDA maintains that there is a law restricting the operation of commercial motorcycles in the state capital of which the impounded motorcycles ran foul; some of the youths insists that they operate only within unrestricted areas, accusing the OCDA of premeditated extortion.
Some of the operators who were interviewed by our correspondent around the Umuguma junction but craved anonymity, unanimously maintain that the OCDA officials were charging N10,000 for the release of impounded motorcycles.
They were angered by the fact that after paying the said N10,000, the same okada operator would still be impounded again and made to pay all over again.
Responding, the Special Adviser to the General Manager of the OCDA, Ikechukwu Akumonye denied their claims in its entirety saying that, ‘no kobo was collected from any okada operator as the impounded motorcycles were not to be released without the directive of the state governor. Our mandate was to impound, not to release’.
Commenting also, the General Manager, Rev. Johnson Ayozie stated that a taskforce was formed on the directive of Governor Rochas Okorocha to force the okada operators out of the city centre. He noted that before the taskforce went into operation, a meeting was held with the operators a mutual understanding was reached.
Said he, “Surprisingly, last Monday, over 200 okada operators attacked my workers around Chibyke filling station area near Naze and beat them to stupor for enforcing the Governor’s directive. Some of them were arrested and later released. We went back to work so it came as a shock to hear that they invaded our head quarters and thoroughly vandalized it.”
While some public commentators maintain that the OCDA has no business enforcing the restriction law of the state, Ayozie had this to say: “I work for the governor and all I know is that we were following the directive of the governor. And that is all that matters. Our mandate is to drive away every trash from the state capital and that is what we are going to do.”
The General Manager however informed newsmen that the governor has also directed that the police now join the taskforce.
Meanwhile, Police have confirmed the arrest of 10 suspects in connection with the attack on the OCDA. Speaking when he visited the OCDA for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation, the Imo state Commissioner for Police, Mr. Adisa Bolanta assured that the hoodlums who attacked the agency would not go unpunished as police have intensified investigations into the attack on the government facility.
The Federal High Court sitting in Awka and presided over by Justice M.T. Salihu, yesterday restrained the Inspector General of Police and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any of their proxies or whatever name called from authorizing, holding or organizing a rally or congress of whatever form or magnitude in Anambra state today or any other date whatsoever.
The order was sequel to a motion exparte application brought before the court by the state chairman of the party, Prince Ken Emeakayi in suit Ref FHC/AWK/CS/300?2012 against one Pastor Emma Obiora, Maurice Anolue and Chris Uche Okoye, respondents.
The order therefore restrained the trio above who were priding themselves as Chairman, secretary and the Chairman Planning Committee respectively of the Anambra state Fresh Congress Group of the party, from parading or holding out themselves or any other as such from convening or continuing to convene meetings and or rally of the Anambra state Fresh Congress Group of the PDP today Dec 8, 2012 at Emmaus House premises, Awka or any other location pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
