We’re in Bayelsa to forestall the threat of secession – Military

The Nigerian military says it has deployed troops and equipment to Bayelsa State in response to the threat of secession.

It would be recalled that a group known as the Adaka Boro Avengers had threatened to declare independence on Monday, but said it shelved the plan after the intervention of leaders including former President Goodluck Jonathan.

In response, troops and military hardware were deployed to Kaiama in Bayelsa through the joint military force responsible for security in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe.

According to Joseph Okojie, a Rear Admiral and commander of the joint operation, the force would however remain professional and civil in dealing with security the issues adding that the deployment of troops and equipment noticed was part of normal operations to keep the region safe.

Okojie, who briefed journalists after a meeting with unit commanders within Operation Delta Safe in Yenagoa, said the military had the freedom to be in any part of the country saying there was no cause for alarm.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria belongs to all of us and the armed forces have the freedom to be at any part of Nigeria at any time, we are merely doing our normal duty within our mandate,” he said
“We were in Kaiama to show that Operation Delta Safe was on ground to ensure that the report by some faceless organisations about creating a ‘territory’ to themselves is not allowed to happen.

“The heavy presence being noticed in parts of the Niger Delta is part of our routine duties to guarantee the safety of law abiding that people of Niger Delta and ensure atmosphere conducive for economic activities.
“I am sure that we did not molest or intimidate anyone, we shall be professional and civil in the discharge of our duties.
“Our presence is part of our normal duty to reassure the people that there is no cause for alarm.

Court adjourns hearing on Dasuki’s motion to October 5

Sambo Dasuki

 

A Federal Capital Territory (FTC) High Court, Maitama, on Monday adjourned a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki’s, motion for consolidation of two cases against him to October 5.

Dasuki, Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the NSA, and Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former Executive Director at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) were arraigned for alleged diversion of N13.6 billion.

Also being tried were two firms – Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.
At the last sitting, the motion was not moved due to the absence of Salisu’s counsel, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN).

Dasuki’s counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN) and Mr. Solomon Umoh (SAN), Counsel to Baba-Kusa, had said the motion should be moved in the presence of Olujimi.

Sequel to their submissions, the presiding judge, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, adjourned the case to July 11.
However, High Courts in Nigeria commenced their annual vacation on Monday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
All counsel in the case and the defendants were in court on Monday to pick a new date for hearing on the motion.

SPE unfolds strategies to withstand low oil prices

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has unveiled strategies to weather the current low oil prices in the sector.

The Lagos section chairman for SPE, Ernest Mkpasi, disclosed this during its yearly general meeting, board inauguration and awards night in Lagos.
“We organised a maiden workshop on strategies to weather the current low oil prices and implemented efficiency measures like increasing the number of webinars to minimise cost and reduce time required for members,” he said.

During the event, new section board members were introduced and cash prices were awarded to outstanding students in a Catch Them Young (CTY) examination with the purpose of helping students understand the application of scientific principles in the oil and gas industry.
He said the SPEs vision is to share technical knowledge needed to meet the world’s energy needs.

“Our key strategy involved continuing with existing technical and other programs including those for young professional, university students and the basic publics education in spite of the reduced funding to society occasioned by industry cost-cutting amid the prevailing global low oil prices,” he said.

Furthermore he spoke on the pervious board that focused on the young profession programme (YP) while considering the strategic importance of the YP population in scheme of things in the industry.

“Other than the technical programs, the developing the right competences for career success webinar, the managing career transition and tapping into the world’s greatest super-computer workshop were targeted at the YP’s and the area of support to the student’s chapters under SPE’s purview: Covenant university, LASU, UNILAG, OAU and UI.

“Our members delivered lectures during their annual SPE week while the students were invited to our technical meetings to help them in building the much needed for them to excel in the industry. Efforts are ongoing to register the student chapters of Ladoke Akintola and federal university of Tech Akure.”

Budget padding: APC wades into Dogara, Jibrin feud

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has waded into the crises rocking the House of Representatives over alleged padding of the 2016 budget.

Yesterday, members of the national executive committee (NEC) of the party met behind closed doors with the sacked chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, who fired the first shot.

APC ‘s Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawan Shuaibu, who specifically arranged the parley, disclosed that it was aimed at ending the feud between Jibrin and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, and the three principal officers of the lower legislative chamber.

Shuaibu claimed that he, alongside members of the national executive committee (NEC) of the party had earlier in the day met with Speaker Dogara to achieve the objective.
Meanwhile, Jibrin yesterday submitted a written statement to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on his involvement in the budget imbroglio.
The lawmaker was seen at the Force Headquarters on Monday, where he stayed for more than two hours before he left.

But yesterday’s visit was different as the former Chairman House Committee on Appropriation sought audience of Police investigators, when he showed up towards evening at the Force Headquarters and gave a statement of what he knows about the budget-padding debacle.
The source said that “even though it is an offence bordering on morals, Jibrin intends to put everything on record, follow due process and feel he is doing the right thing by coming to give a statement as the matter is to be investigated.”

At the APC parley were national secretary of the party, Mr. Mai Mala Buni, the national vice chairman of the party (North west), Mr. Inuwa Abdulkadir and the national treasurer of the party, Mr. Ibrahim Gwagwarwa.
“We discussed extensively on the crisis in the House of Representatives. We will continue to discuss and engage ourselves, I will continue to honour the invitation of our party and I am sure that whatever we decide you will eventually know,” Jibrin told waiting newsmen

Niger Assembly confirms Justice Dzukogi as new Chief Judge

Niger State House of Assembly has confirmed Justice Maria Dzukogi as the new Chief Judge of the state, following the retirement of Justice Fati Lami Abubakar recently.

The new Chief Judge who appeared before the House of Assembly yesterday, was unanimously confirmed and was allowed to bow and go after a brief rendition of her profile.
The confirmation, however,

was based on a motion by the member representing Paikoro constituency,Hon Abdulmlik Kabiru Makun, who stated that Justice Dzukogi should be confirmed as the new Chief Judge of the state.

He was seconded by the member representing Gurara constituency, Hon Binta Mohammad.
The Speaker, thereafter, presented the motion before the House and the motion was unanimously adopted by the members.

Justice Maria Dzukogi, 62, started her career as an associate magistrate in the state in 1979, and rose through the ranks to become the Solicitor General of Niger State, a position she held till 1991.
In 1991, she was appointed High Court Judge.
She graduated from Ahmadu Bello University with a Law degree.

Delta govt immortalises ex-Gov. Felix Ibru

Felix Ibru

 

The Delta State secretariat complex in Asaba was, yesterday, named after the first civilian governor of the state, the late Felix Ibru.
Also to be named after the deceased is the senate building of the Delta State University, Abraka, subject to approval by the institution’s Governing Council.

Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who made the disclosure at a valedictory session, held at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, described Olorogun Ibru as a “pioneer, visionary, accomplished professional, entrepreneur par excellence, astute politician and strong leader.”

Okowa said Ibru’s greatest legacy is that Delta, besides surviving as a state, has continued to flourish as a key component of the Nigerian project, adding: “Felix Ibru will be remembered as a patriot, a man of courage and an extraordinary leader who always stood on the side of the people. His life reminds us that wealth and service are not antithetical to each other; that our true wealth lies in our willingness to give ourselves, our time and resources for the common good.”

Going down memory lane, Okowa said Ibru’s political acumen shone brightest during his tenure as executive governor when he weathered storms to keep the multi-ethnic state united.“It was in this tense political atmosphere that Ibru assumed leadership of the state. It fell on him to douse the tension and mutual distrust that threatened the successful takeoff of the new state.

“It was his noble disposition, steely resolve and unrivaled commitment to fuse the different ethnic groups into a unified, coherent entity that undoubtedly laid the foundation for the growth and development of Delta State,” Okowa said.

Paying glowing tributes also was Senate President Bukola Saraki, whose letter of condolence to the bereaved family was read by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North).
He described Ibru as a revered and illustrious leader who would be greatly missed by all.
Former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator James Manager, former Deputy Governors Amos Utuama, Benjamin Elue, and Simeon Ebonka, also praised the life and times of Ibru, describing him as a nationalist who believed in peaceful approach to achieving results.

Uduaghan said Ibru was a passionate Deltan, who worked relentlessly to ensure development in the state, crediting him with promoting unity in the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU).

“He believed strongly in the fact that the Urhobo must live in harmony with their immediate neighbours and other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta. As UPU President General, he was very concerned with the physical, economic, political and cultural development of the Urhobo people. Of major concern to him also was the level of environmental degradation that was going on in Urhobo land and other parts of the Niger Delta,” said Uduaghan.

The tribute by former Governor James Ibori was read by Eriatake, his daughter and member of the Delta State House of Assembly (Ethiope West).
Breaking down in tears, she described Ibru as detribalised, saying the state and the country would miss his virtues.

Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, former military governor of the defunct Midwest and Bendel States, from where Delta State was carved, said Ibru contributed immensely “to what is celebrated as the Midwest miracle.”
He described the deceased as an excellent architect and humane administrator, and prayed God to grant him eternal rest.

Earlier in a sermon, the Bishop of Asaba Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Justus Mogekwu, called on Christians to examine themselves and be conscious of where they hope to spend eternity.
“Your life should be centered on Christ. In whatever you do, know that the world is not a permanent place,” he said, admonishing Christians, especially politicians, to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, warning they would account for their deeds.

Senator James Manager (Delta South Senatorial District) said Ibru was a man of honour and integrity, adding: “He displayed exemplary dedication to duty, commitment and was never late to any assignment.”

Woman arrested for begging with borrowed twins

The Rescue Operations Team of the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development yesterday paraded one Adiza, who was picked up last week for begging with a set of borrowed twins at Costain area of the state.

Adiza, who hails from Niger State, was thereafter taken to the Rehabilitation and Training Centre in Majidun, Ikorodu for shelter and further social investigation.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Adiza was not the biological mother of the babies, who were about a year old.
The babies were given out to her by their biological mother, Aminat, who is Adiza’s sister.
Adiza would usually take the children out for begging after her sister, Aminat, must have breastfed them. Aminat, in turn, gets paid daily from the money made.
According to Adiza, she makes an average of N600 daily. “On good days when I make N1,000, I give their mother N600 while I keep N400,” she told newsmen.

However, efforts by the ministry to invite Aminat, the biological mother of the twins to the state secretariat at Alausa, had proved abortive, as she had since gone into hiding for fear of being arrested.
Reiterating the state government’s zero tolerance for street begging, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, said: “Begging is not allowed in Lagos. What future do we have for our kids when they start to beg as toddlers. The law will take its due course and. Anybody caught should be ready to face the full wrath of the law.”

She warned Lagosians to desist from giving alms to beggars, “rather, they should channel their support to orphanage homes or identify those in their immediate environment in need of help them.
“Being physically-challenged does not make you a beggar. I urge all physically-challenged persons to come in through the proper channel provided by the state government for necessary assistance.“