The father of the newly born quadruplet, Mr. Matthew Ukwuegbu has
finally heaved a sigh of relief following his automatic employment by
the management of Imo Transport Company (ITC). The Company also
bank-rolled the hospital bills as well as hand-over an undisclosed
amount of money to the parents for the upkeep of the newly born
babies.
The Managing Director of ITC, Mr. Emeka Duru, who led other members of
his team to Federal Medical Center (FMC) where the quadruplets were
born, said the management was moved by the plight and poor living
standard of the parents of quadruplet.
“We are here in the name of His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to
extend his rescue mission to the parents of the quadruplet and join
many others in thanking God for the wonderful gift. Obviously, the
couple has some challenges and difficulties and we today decided to
give some assistance to cushion their suffering.”
He further expressed that the management also resolved to give a long
term assistance by offering an employment to Mr. Ukwuegbu to enable
him provide the basic needs of life to the family.
In his words, the Deputy Managing Director, Ozuome Bank
Louis-Adebionu, said the gesture is in line with the Rescue Mission
and demonstration of the values and philanthropy emulated from Gov.
Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
“Our mission is to contribute to the survival of the special gift from
God. We have learnt much from our Leader, brother and boss, His
Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha on whose name we have come to
rescue the parents of the quadruplets as well as give an employment
opportunity to the man so as to further empower him to cater for the
family” he said.
The Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Center (FMC), Owerri,
Dr. (Mrs.) Angela Uwakwem commended ITC management for the kind
gesture extended to the parents of the quadruplet. She enjoined Mr. &
Mrs. Ukwuegbu to remain steadfast to God for the mercy and favour that
have followed them since the birth of the quadruplet.
The father of the quadruplets, Mr. Ukwuegbu expressed joy for the
gesture and promised to be dedicated to duty in his new job.
Catholic groups in the US are suing the Obama administration over a law obliging employers to provide workers with birth control coverage. Religious institutions argue that the bill forces them to violate Catholic doctrine or face steep fines.
Around 43 Catholic institutions across eight states have filed lawsuits against the regulations which are part of the Obama administration’s healthcare reform law. Bishops have planned to launch a campaign for religious freedom, protesting the contentious legislation in the run-up to the fourth of July holidays.
“We have tried negotiation with the administration and legislation with the Congress, and we’ll keep at it, but there’s still no fix,” said New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. “Time is running out, and our valuable ministries and fundamental rights hang in the balance, so we have to resort to the courts now.”
Last August, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ordered all health insurance plans to include birth control for women as part of the Affordable Care Act.
President Obama had previously pledged to soften the new regulations to accommodate the beliefs of faith groups, but religious leaders are dissatisfied with progress.
The original law did not include churches or other houses of worship on the basis of religious objections, but did not exempt religious non-profit organizations, provoking the ire of church leaders. They argue that such interference in clerical matters crosses the boundary between state and church.
In an effort to appease the US Catholic church, Obama toned down the law in February decreeing that insurance companies would cover the costs for religious organizations.
Under the mandate, religious institutions can apply for an exemption from the bill if their purpose is to spread religious belief and they primarily employ people of the same faith. US Catholic university Notre Dame said that it was not clear whether they could apply for an exemption given their commitment to employ and serve people from a myriad of different faiths.
The department of health and human services has refrained from commenting on the legislation.
Jane Belford, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Washington joined the lawsuit and claimed that the new legislation was an attempt to redefine religious expression.
“While this mandate paid lip service to the rights of conscience and religious liberty, it created a definition that was so narrow, even the work of Mother Theresa would not have qualified as religious,” Belford said.
While Jennifer Dalven, a lawyer at the American Civil Liberties Union rounded on religious critics, saying the bill was not new and is already active in 28 states.
“The lawsuits make it seem like taking a job is the same as joining a church. But organizations that participate in the public sphere are supposed to abide by public rules,” Dalven said.
The lawsuits represent an escalation in tensions between President Obama and Catholic leaders during the presidential election year.
The Pew Research Center found that following the legislation’s introduction, Catholic support for Obama fell from 53 percent to 45, dropping to 37 percent among white Catholics. Given that Obama won 54 percent of the Catholic vote in 2008, the standoff with the Church could lose him valuable support in this year’s presidentials.
A bill seeking to make it mandatory for the inclusion of cassava in the production of all flour in Nigeria was rejected by members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Members were vehement in their rejection of the bill and not a single voice was raised in its favour when the voice vote was taken by the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha at the end of the debate.
The bill titled: “A bill for an act to provide for the mandatory inclusion of cassava in the production of all flour in Nigeria and for other matters connected therewith,” subsequently failed to pass second reading.
The bill which is an executive bill had proposed that it was incumbent on the parliament to enact a law that would make its inclusion in all flours compulsory as it will not only be in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s initiative on cassava bread, but also because cassava was produced in large quantities in the country.
The Minister of Agric had projected a saving of over N250bn in foreign exchange which would have otherwise gone to the importation of wheat and wheat flour.
President Jonathan had formally presented the commercialized cassava sample bread at the State House in Abuja earlier in the year.
According to the president, the government was putting in place measures that will stimulate the manufacturing of large scale cassava plants across the country to the tune of 1.3 metric tons of cassava flour.
A member Peter Edeh (PDP, Edo) spearheaded the opposition against the bill.
According to him, over 30 percent of Nigerians from 40 years are diabetic, adding that making it compulsory for manufacturers of flour to include cassava will be detrimental to their health.
Weaning South Africa off Iranian crude oil could cost the country jobs, Energy Minister Dipuo Peters warned.
Briefing the media at Parliament ahead of debate on her department’s budget, she said Cabinet would pronounce “on the most South African-appropriate response” to U.S. and EU sanctions on Iran at the end of this month.
Noting that local refineries used Iranian crude, she said changing suppliers would not affect just them, but would have an “impact on the total value chain”, including distribution and retailers.
“So it’s the total value chain that we’re worried about and the number of jobs that South Africans will lose.”
More than a quarter of South Africa’s crude oil is imported from Iran.
Peters said a government task team was “looking at a range of options” with regard to the looming June 28 deadline – imposed by the U.S. – for countries to significantly reduce their imports of Iranian oil.
The energy department’s deputy director-general, Tseliso Maqubela, said South Africa was currently talking, “on a daily basis”, with the U.S., Iran and the EU on the matter.
These discussions were “cordial” and there was no “confrontational approach”.
The department was confident it would find a solution that would work for South Africa.
“There are a range of response options,” he said, but did not elaborate.
Asked what the “worst-case scenario” might be, Maqubela said this would be economic.
“The worse-case scenario is… an economic [one]. It is not a security of supply worst-case scenario. It’s [one] where companies that operate in the country are impacted economically.
“There are options that can ensure we continue to [get] supply, but I think the issue is at what cost. The worst-case scenario is the cost; the escalating cost to those companies of the alternatives,” he said.
from George Oraeki
A chieftain of the Arewa consultative forum ACF,in the south/south Alhaji musa saidu has decried the huge Indebtedness of N1.6billin owed him by the dredging International company,operating in the Niger Delta of Nigeria.
Alhaji saidu who is the chairman of Arewa consultative forum in the region,in an interview with newsmen in Abuja revealed how the dredging company milkes Nigerian resources of 65million dollars on every seven months.
He said his romance with dredging International dates back 20 years ago,in the Niger delta.he is a scrap dealer who patronizes the company.
His commitments to the fortunes of the company,earned him admiration from the belgium Ambassador,especially when he was able to secure the release of four expatriates kidnapped by militants in 2007,without paying a dime to the militants.
following the services he rendered to the company,the Belgian Ambassador and its government opened a dommicilliary account for him in Belgium,and also secured him a six months visa,in addition to a memorandum of understanding MOU,was reached between him and the company to pay him 2 percent of 65 million dollars on every seven months.
Alhaji saidu explained that at the wake of late president musa umaru yarAduas administration,he met the late president at katsina,he approved a huge sum for dredging International.their first payment was paid to them by Alhaji hassan Dankwambo,the then Accountant General of the Federation.
Trouble started,when one of the official of the dredging International stephen pope told him to tell lie,to the Belgium Government that the Nigerian authorities demanded for a bribe of 500million naira.
Alhaji saidu as a patriotic Nigerian told stephen pope that he can not do such an evil to tarnish and bring the high reputation of the Nigerian government to the mud.
Stephen pope on taking over the dredging International management as its General Manager,stopped his monthly allowance of 200,000 naira.his 2 percent of 65million dollars,cut off,he boasted to him to go to court.that afterall Nigerian judiciary are corrupt entity.
Alhaji saidu is calling on the federal government of Nigeria to assist him,using diplomatic means to get his legitimate money from the belgium company.
Dredging International,is on the business of dredging,sandfilling,overhauling of pipelines.their sister company Bonny channels company BCC,clears the rubble in front of the Liquified Natural gas bonny Island.
The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Abdulahi Inde Dikko has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to come to the aid of his Service in tackling the rising tide of smuggling in the country. He said this on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012 during a courtesy call on the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde at the Headquarters of the Commission in Abuja. Dikko said smuggling of vehicles should no longer be blamed on innocent buyers but on the dealers. He threatened that Customs officers found harassing motorists over smuggling will henceforth be arrested. “Innocent people are harassed along the road while driving their vehicles which they bought legitimately from car dealers. The dealers that really smuggled these cars are left displaying the vehicles along the road with impunity. I will like to seek the assistance of the EFCC to attack the disease rather than the symptoms. The person who bought such cars innocently does not deserve the harassment being meted out to him by our officers. Honestly, such harassment is illegal. I have sent a message to officers harassing innocent persons on this issue that they will also be arrested”, he promised.In his response, Lamorde expressed appreciation to Dikko over his visit and promised stronger inter-agency collaboration and support between the Customs and the EFCC. He commended the Customs boss over visible improvement in revenue collection by his officers across the country and noted the cooperation extended to the Commission by Customs officers at various airports in checking the smuggling of counterfeit financial instruments to Europe and America. The EFCC boss urged Dikko to be more proactive in making his officers check bulk cash shipment out of the country stressing that the practice was becoming embarrassing. “We have made some few observations of recent, especially in the area of bulk cash shipment out of Nigeria. It is becoming a huge embarrassment for the country. I know that no single security arrangements in the airports can handle such situation. We have to come together in order to handle such embarrassing situation which is the affecting the image of Nigeria”, he said. Lamorde also urged Dikko to do something drastic about overtime cargo. He explained that there are rising complaints by members of the public about the auction. “The complaints are becoming embarrassing. Letters of allocation people are parading some dated 2007, 2008 and 2009 are quite embarrassing. I think we should form a team to look at where the allocations are coming from. Are the money paid into the coffers of the government? Are the allocations receipted? Or are they forged documents being paraded?” He suggested the designation of desk officers to handle relations between the two agencies, as their chief executives might be too busy to respond speedily to request for assistance.Dikko was accompanied on the visit by Mr. Musa Tahir, Assistant Comptroller General, Headquarters; Barrister Mohammed Umar, legal adviser and Joseph Attah, Public Relations Officer.
Delta State Governmentis to establish ten (10) industries this year to promote Medium and Small ScaleEnterprises in the state.
Announcing this duringa Town Hall Meeting with owners of SME’s in Asaba, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan listedthe industries to include four Fish Feed Mills and six Cassava ProcessingPlants.
He said governmentwould establish the industries but they would be managed by private investorsto make them viable and ensure efficient management.
Dr. Uduaghan who alsoannounced that the state government would set up Small Industrial Parks inurban centers in the state with emphasis on the establishment of IndustrialParks for shoe manufacturers in the state.
He disclosed that hisadministration has made adequate arrangement to partner with Germany on YouthDevelopment Program where the youths would acquire technical skills on variousfields of endeavour.
He therefore gaveassurance that infrastructures would be provided at various Industrial Parks toencourage investors to establish Industries.
The Governor said thatthe state has acquired 130 transformers and expressed the hope that whendistributed the current epileptic supply of power would be checked.
Dr. Uduaghan asked thebusiness community to invest and take risk explaining that the state has a lotof potentials which they could explore.
In an opening address,the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Mr. Kingsley Emu explained that theOne Billion Naira Loan to SME’s in the state was provided for by the stategovernment and the Bank of Industry (BOI)
He stated that theMinistry recorded about 80% default after the disbursement of 20% of the Onebillion naira loan noting that the Ministry had stopped further disbursement tomap out strategies on how to improve on the process.
Mr. Emu highlightedthe reasons for the default by Co-operative Societies to include lack ofability to appropriately manage the loan and lack of adequate monitoring andsupervision by the Financial Institutions.
Speaking further, heobserved that strategies have been put in place to ensure that the process ofdisbursement and refunding of the loan was improved upon to benefit moreDeltans.
“One of thestrategies, we have put in place is to encourage banks to assist SMEs withfunds and reduce their interest rate to enable them pay back within thestipulated period of two years.
One of theparticipants enumerated the problems they are facing as Small & MediumScale Entrepreneurs to include epileptic power supply, high interest ratecharged on the loan by Banks and equipping Vocational Centers in the state.
Another participant pleadedwith the governor to ensure that these loans are given to genuine SME’s ratherthan politicians usurping the available spaces for their candidates.
Gen Mohammad Buhari and Nasarawa Governor, Al Makura
The coming of the Congress for Progressive Change [CPC] governor of Nasarawa State came as nirvana to the people of Nasarawa State and to the members of the newly formed political party led by the former military leader of Nigeria, General Muhammad Buhari. The feeling on the day of swearing-in of the CPC governor on May 29, 2011 spelt nostalgia amidst the heavy turnout of the people of the State to witness a history in the making. To many, it was a euphoric dream come true. And to many, it dried teary eyes for the simple ejection of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] out of the governor’s seat.
But with nearly one year having gone by, the nostalgia appears to have begun a quick dissipation to give way for the realities of the newly sworn-in governor’s inabilities and/or probable in-capabilities in administrating the state affairs. The CPC governor who rode on the goodwill of the leader of the CPC, General Mohammad Buhari to gain his way into the hearts of Nasarawa people, made many promises to the people of what he will deliver within his first year in office. Like a trusting sheep of the shepherd, the people of Nasarawa accepted the governor’s promises. Unfortunately, after one year in office as the governor, Al-Makura found difficulty fulfilling any of his lofty promises.
Cursory examination of the activities within the various ministries reveals plenty.
Education Ministry –
Activity at the education ministry appeared null. The governor’s office exhibits acute symptoms of maladministration at this ministry. Independent investigation conducted by 247ureports.com showed limited activity at the ministry. On the first level, there appear no infrastructural projects on ground. There were no evidences of infrastructural development at the primary school level, secondary school or tertiary level. At the Nasarawa polytechnic, the workers and students have been on strike over nonpayment salaries. At the Science Secondary school in Lafia [the governor’s hometown] where 2,000 students attend school, only two Science teachers are on staff to handle the 2,000 students. To add muster, the Governor stopped the awards of scholarships to indigenes to study abroad or at foreign institutions.
Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives Ministry –
One of the governor’s promises was to revamp commerce and industry in Nasarawa State. In particular, he promised to build an airstrip in Lafia and cargo airport in Karu – but the promises lost its way to fruition. Cursory inquiry showed that there are no technical designs for the development to date and no readily available evidence that work has begun or that work will begin. Gov Al Makura promised to fix the fertilizer blending plant located in Lafia – that was built by former Gov A. Adamu – but the plant has yet to receive the promised attention. The said scenario plays out with the soap industry in Agwanga and the Karu International market. The Farin-Ruwa Hydro power project was one of the well received promises of upgrade and/or rehabilitation. The governor acted to appoint a company to rehabilitate the plant – but to date; there remains no activity resembling the start of work. The plant remains shut as a result.
Water Resources and Rural Development Ministry –
Financial handicapped farmers and residents of the rural communities Nasarawa State were promised rural electrification and a 33KVA extension to the national grid for all the Local Government Areas [LGA] headquarters. Cursory investigation shows that none of the LGAs has received the said 33KVA. Rural electrification has yet to commence at Duduguru and Igga. The water problem in Nasarawa State has been near epidemic, particularly the towns of Lafia, Nasarawa Eggon, and Nasarawa. In an effort to remedy the water shortage problem, the governor ordered for the overhauling of the piping system – guided by the belief that the problem was with the piping system. After the completion of the overhaul, the water shortage continued.
Finance Ministry –
The “state is bankrupt” exclaimed staff attached with the State Finance Ministry. Prior to arrival of Governor Al Makura, the State Finance ministry, according to official State figures, collected N250million monthly of Internally Generated Revenue [IGR] but with the arrival of the Al Makura, the IGR collection have averaged N600milion monthly – an increase over 130% revenue. In addition, the state, according to official state figures, received N97billion from a combined federal allocation, excess crude, NNPC differential bonus, dollar excess crude, VAT, etc. The supplementary budget of 2011, the year before his arrived, had a surplus of N12billion. In summation the governor, for his first year in office received in excess of N116.2billion. But salaries in the State remain unpaid – as the governor engages in a mass sack of workers [7,000] – through the guise of a worker’s screening exercise. For two months, there has been no disbursement of monies to the LGAs.
The Judiciary –
The judiciary receives the worst assault. A Court in Doma LGA in Nasarawa State operates under a tree [a cowshed] because they were evicted from their official court premises due to lack of rent payment. In Karu, Nasarawa State, a grade ‘A’ area court also operates under a tree [a cowshed].
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Interestingly, the governor who is reportedly prepping for an elaborate festive occasion to celebrate his first year in office has earmarked the sum of N915million for the event amidst a litany of promises lingering unfulfilled.
The governor promises failed him at the sport stadium which he told he told his people he will upgrade. The sport stadium at Lafia, Agwanga, Keffi – till date – bares no evidence of work being done. The sports academy at Agwanga is reportedly under decay.
Few months of assumption to the governor’s office, the governor shared 10 brand new Toyota Camry vehicles to friends and supporters [cronies]. Some of the recipients of the vehicles include – Attajiyah Rikiyah, Commissioner for Sport, and Youth [Daniel Ogazi], SA media’s dad and others. The cronyism of the governor was not limited to the bazaar of cars. He took daughter-in-law and placed her at the position of Executive Secretary of State Universal Basic Education Board [SUBEB]. He also took his sister-in-law and placed her at the position of Commissioner for woman affairs.
It begs the question where the N116.2billion has gone? With General Buhari preparing for the presidential contest of 2015 against the PDP, how much of the Nasarawa State’s funds [N116.2billion] may have found its way to the Buhari Campaign treasury?
Today, the House of Representatives announced it will summon the Honorable Federal Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji and the Chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission [NERC], Sam Amadi to appear before the House Committee on Power to explain the rationale behind the planned increase in the electricity tariff. According to information available to 247ureports.com, both men were summoned today.
As gathered, the House committee on Power reached the decision to summon the power Minister and the NERC chairman following a motion moved by Yakub Balogun [ACN, Lagos] citing a planned increase in electricity tariff. As Hon. Yakub Balogun explained, the increase in electricity will cause “untold hardship on consumers in Nigeria” The Speaker of the House of Representative, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal agreed that there was a need to invite the minister and the chairman to the house committee on power to brief them on why the increase in electricity tariff.
Official reports indicate that the electricity tariff is scheduled to increase starting from June1, 2012. The chairman of NERC, in a recent public address to private investors reechoed the need for the tariffs to be adjusted to accommodate the increased cost of producing electricity in present day Nigeria.
Sources within the National Assembly [NASS] tell our correspondent that the invitation sought by the Action Congress of Nigeria [CAN] legislator from Lagos State, Hon Balogun may have not been in true faith. It is understood that the invitation is laced in political undertones tuned a possible macabre dance. The lawmaker is said to be in preps to attempt to soil the “clean integrity” of the Power Minister and the Chairman as they face the house committee on power. “Their target is the President’s agenda on power”, said the source who serves as an aide to one of the North East legislators.
Independent inquiry by 247ureports.com into the pending increase in electricity tariff revealed the power generation in Nigeria has been in the ‘red’ for a longtime. Power has been generated at a huge financial lose to the country. Official figures show that the Power Holding Company of Nigeria [PHCN] generated monthly revenue [through electricity tariffs] of N14billion to N18billion.
In December of 2011, it recorded a high of N18billion but in January of 2012 it recorded a low of N14billion owing partially to the oil subsidy strikes and internal transfer of workers from within the PHCN to other place – resulting to an internal strike at the PHCN.
At peak performance, PHCN generates monthly revenue of N18billion. But an official source within the Ministry revealed to 247ureports.co that PHCN “cannot meet her obligations” even at sustained peak performance. “PHCN needs to generate a minimum N22.5billion monthly to break even”. Presently, the PHCN owes debts to energy companies that will require repayment.
A few of the companies which the PHCN owes include –
Shell – $78million
AGIP – N50billion
Nigeria Gas Company [subsidiary of NNPC] – N10billion
Niger Delta Power Holding Company – N6billion
Ibom Power – N300million
The debt profile is reported to be on a steady increase according to experts at the Ministry of Power. They indicate that the debt will continue to increase until the monthly revenue is increased through either hiking the electricity tariff or clogging the uncontrolled loss in revenue to recipients of electric power without a metering device. It is estimate that the PHCN loses over 40% of its revenue to non-metered electric supply.
Acting on consultative capacity, the Ministry of Power detailed to the NERC chairman of the numbers involved in the production of electricity. It is gathered that the Power Ministry does not have the constitutional powers to increase electricity tariff –according to the 2005 Power Reform Act. The power rests with the NERC which operates as an independent entity. The Chairman is appointed by the Presidency along with the 5 Commissioners of the NERC which are selected from the various geo-political zones.
The invitation to the house committee on power may not serve the two men the opportunity to express themselves – as to the need to revise the tariff charges. His is because of the growing frustration within the residents of Nigeria who is yet to see the transformation of the power sector in real terms. It is believed that the opposition within the NASS are cognizant of the frustration – and so would pander to the frustration when the two men show up.
Sudan Council of Churches, Sudan Aid in South Darfur state shuttered without explanation
SOUTH DARFUR, SUDAN – (ANS)– Compass Direct News (CDN) is reporting that security agents in Sudan’s South Darfur state have closed down the Nyala offices of the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC) and relief group Sudan Aid, sources said.
CDN says that agents from the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) arrived at the organizations’ compound in Nyala at 8 a.m. on April 22, ordered SCC staff members to hand over keys of offices and vehicles and, without explanation, ordered them to leave immediately, an SCC staff worker said.
“Three staff members from Sudan Aid were arrested in the course of the closure and were taken to an undisclosed location, the source said,” the CDN story went on to say. “NISS agents also closed down a church clinic that was serving the needy in the area.
“The actions came as Christianity is increasingly regarded as a foreign faith to be excised from Sudan, which has begun transporting ethnic South Sudanese to South Sudan following the latter’s secession last year.”
An estimated 350,000 ethnic South Sudanese, many of them Christian, remain in the Islamic north, with many having never lived anywhere else. Sources told Compass the incident left churches in South Darfur, one of five states that makes up the Darfur region, deeply disturbed and frightened.
Sudanese aerial forces bombed a Sudanese Church of Christ building on March 28 in the al-Buram area of South Kordofan state, eyewitnesses from the area told Compass by phone. The sources added that life is becoming more difficult for Christians in South Kordofan as the Sudan government mobilizes Arab tribes, arming them with guns to kill the ethnic Nuba people.
