Probing Senator Andy Uba’s Performance at the Senate

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The electoral victory of the senate seat representing the south senatorial district of Anambra State came as a long awaited august visitor for the former Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Matters to the former President of the federal republic of Nigeria, General Olusegun Obasanjo. The victory, to most informed observers, came at the sensitive end of a long drawn out battle for the opportunity to serve at a leadership capacity for Senator Andy Uba. The opportunity brought to a temporary close the passionate struggle for Senator Uba to join the political ranks in Anambra.

Mounting the seat of Senator representing the people of southern senatorial zone in Anambra State presented what many suspect may become a Greek gift to the Uga born politician while other believed the Uga born politician may have ability to deliver a stellar performance. As at the swearing in on 2011, many of the informed spectators were unsure of the form his senator-ship will take. But it was certain the eagerness on the part of the Uga born politician was solid.

Senator Andy Uba’s arrival to the senate saw him take on the position of Chairman of the Senate House committee of Electoral Matters – a sensitive position for a new incoming senator.

However a cursory examination into Senator Andy Uba’s performance measured in terms of his ability to cater to his constituency through developmental program – shows what appears a latent inclination towards a pragmatic transformation of Anambra southern senatorial district. This is evident through the number and nature of constituency projects housed in the same senatorial district. Examination of the 2012 Appropriation Bill confirms the ongoing pragmatic transformation.

According to the 2012 Appropriation Bill, N349.47million worth of projects were cleared to be carried out at the constituency represented by Senator Andy Uba – through the efforts of the Uga born politician. Specifically, the Anambra south senatorial district felt the impact of democratic dividends under five categories namely, Energy Commission, Education, Water Resources, Lands and Housing, and Millennium Development Goals [MGDs].

Energy Commission –

N78million worth of work project – that comprise of Solar Street lights:

  • Ekwulobia                                                                           N16million
  • Okongwu Memorial, Nnewi North                                 N12million
  • Umunze                                                                              N10million
  • Ozubulu                                                                              N10million
  • Eziama-Mgbachi Market                                                  N7million
  • Nanka/Oko/Omogho-Ufuma road                               N13million
  • Azigbo-Amichi/Ebanafor                                                  N10million

Education –

N43million worth of work project – that comprise of building of classroom blocks:

  • Nwagwa primary school Uga                                              N12million
  • Obioha central school, Nnewi                                           N5million
  • Community school, Umuomaku                                         N5million
  • Premier [boys] secondary school, Ogbunka                   N5million
  • Gov’t technical college Umunze                                        N5million
  •  Central school, Adazigbo, Nnewi                                      N5million
  • Girls secondary school, Ukpor                                           N6million

Water Resources –

N42million worth of work project – that comprise of borehole installation and overhead tank:

  • St John Ekwulobia                                                                N10million
  • Nkwo Uga Market                                                                N5million
  • Nkwo Okija Market Square                                                N9million
  • Isseke Central School                                                          N9million
  • Umuonyiba village, Ufuma                                                  N9million

Lands and Housing –

N105.5million worth of work project – that comprise of Transformers/Solar Street Lights/Classrooms:

  • 500KVA Transformer at Aguluezechukwu                      N8.75million
  • 500KVA Transformer at Nkpologwu                                 N8.75million
  • Solar street light at Nnewi North                                       N12million
  • Solar street light at Nnewi South                                       N12million
  • Solar street light at Ekwusigo                                             N12million
  • Classrooms/Staff rooms/Dinning at Ajalli                         N14.5million
  • Classrooms/Staff rooms/Dinning at Umunze                 N14.5million
  • Classrooms/Staff rooms/Dinning at Okija                        N14.5million
  • Classrooms/Staff rooms/Dinning at Ukpor                      N14.5million

Millennium Development Goals [MGDs] –

N80.97million worth of work project – that comprise of Transformers/Solar Street Lights/Classrooms:

  • 500KVA Transformer at Umuowerre, Ekwulobia                                                                           N7.5million
  • 500KVA Transformer at Nkwo Market, Umunze                                                                            N7.5million
  • 500KVA Transformer at Iyaba Ngo Ozubulu                                                                                   N7.5million
  • 500KVA Transformer at Mkpoka Okpuno, Nnewichi                                                                     N7.5million
  • 500KVA Transformer at Umobinwa/Egwe/Ogwu Umuagbuci                                                      N7.5million
  • 500KVA Transformer at beside Ezinifite divisional police station Enugwu-Awor                     N7.5million
  • 3 classroom blocks with VIP toilets – Isigwu-Nwagu Central School. Ifite Nanka                      N17.47million
  • Solar Street light – St Cletus Church road, Otolo, Nnewi                                                              N6million
  • Solar Street light – Umoru, Uga                                                                                                         N6million
  • 300KVA Transformer at Ohukabia, Nawfijah                                                                                   N6.5million

See enclosed document below for more details…

In all, the work project sums to a little under N400million for the fiscal year of 2012.  Aides to the Uga born politician anticipate the Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year 2013 will draw on the strength of 2012 – to enable sustain the momentum of development in southern senatorial district of Anambra State.

Senator Andy Uba is currently in preps to vie for the seat of Governorship in Anambra State come 2014 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP].

PhotoNews: Vice President Namadi Sambo’s Daughters’ Wedding In Kaduna‏

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How a Robbery Gang Uses Sleeping Drugs on Unsuspecting Passengers on Commercial Buses

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For those who accept water or other food items offered by unknown passengers in commercial vehicles, you must be careful as there are robbery gangs that now make use of this opportunity to rob unsuspecting passengers.

This has been discovered after the arrest of five members of a notorious robbery gang by operatives of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police Command. The gang specialized in drugging unsuspecting passengers in commercial buses before dispossessing them of their valuables. Unlike their other partners who use their vehicles to perpetrate the heinous crime, the arrested suspects, as gathered, would board commercial buses and position themselves strategically to actualize their devilish act.

The way they operate includes trailing their targets either from the bank, or public places, right into a commercial bus. According Crime Guard, seven members of the gang would board same bus with their target while another would pose as a sachet water hawker. Unknown to their target the sachet water have all been sedated. One of them would then pretend to buy a sachet water from their gang (hawker), offering N20 note, only to be told there is no N10 note for his balance.

Pretending to be nice, the buyer would take another sachet of water and offer to their target, with the explanation that he did not want his money to be left with the hawker. And immediately their target drinks the water, he would fall asleep and in the process, have his valuables dispossessed of.

The gang however met its waterloo after a failed attempt to sedate one of its victims in Ikeja area of the state recently. Consequently, three members of the gang were apprehended. A Police source at SARS said “We have been on their trail for two weeks now. We got information that the same gang had robbed someone on his way from Ikeja to Yaba and the case was reported at Sabo police station. Driver of that bus and his conductor were initially accused of conniving with the robbers but after proper investigation, they were released with stern instructions to be on the look-out for members of the gang.

“Unfortunately for the gang, they boarded the same bus last week Tuesday and the bus conductor who was vigilant noticed them and raised alarm. They were about seven but three of them were arrested while four others escaped. But during interrogation those arrested provided information that aided the arrest of two others. We are currently making effort to apprehend the gang leader who is currently at large,” he explained.

Culled from the Vanguard

Oshiomhole holds mass for late wife

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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.

Printed N1,000 Notes Worth N2.1 Billion Missing At Mint

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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 condemns US for subcritical nuclear test

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Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast

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.”

Justice Jombo Offor and the aborted travesty of Justice – By Eddie Onuzuruike

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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.

Governor Obi tastes students’ food as Bishop expresses surprise

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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.

Ijaw Youths Seize Chevron Facility In Delta, Chase Out Workers

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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.

** Reporting by Joe Ogbodu in Warri, Delta State.

PhotoNews: Burial of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Junior Brother

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