IBB, Atiku pushing Nigeria to the brink- EX- MEND commanders

The zoning debate within the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has assumed a dangerous dimension with former commanders of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), warning of the imminent break-up of the country.

Former Military President, Ibrahim Babaginda, and former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, had during a National Stakeholders’ Conference organised by the Adamu Ciroma-led Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF) on Wednesday warned of dire consequences if the PDP abandoned the zoning principle.

President Goodluck Jonathan has sounded a note of warning to those making inciting statements, challenging Nigeria’s sovereignty as a nation and warned his government would no longer “take that kind of rubbish lightly.”

The president, who was speaking at the decoration ceremony of some newly promoted Nigerian Navy and Air Force Admirals and Air Vice Marshals yesterday in Abuja, said those who made such incendiary utterances were always the first to take their families abroad to stay until other people’s children and families suffered and died as a result of their mischief.

He was apparently reacting to perceived inciting statements by former president Ibrahim Babangida and former vice president and presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku had, while speaking at the National Stakeholders Conference organised by the Adamu Ciroma-led Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF) in Abuja, on Wednesday, warned the Federal Government on the likelihood of violence in next year’s election, saying, “those who make peaceful change impossible, make violent change inevitable.”

President Jonathan warned: “We will no longer allow that kind of culture. I will not allow anybody to take the country for a ride. And sometimes, I frown at some people making statements, especially those of us who are politicians making statements, challenging the sovereignty of this nation.

“Government will no longer take that kind of rubbish lightly. Because when we have crisis, we lose army officers, police officers and some of us who are the cause of the trouble are the people flying to the United States to go and stay until other peoples’ children will die, other people’s wives will suffer then they come back to be our leaders. We will no longer allow that kind of culture. I will not allow anybody to take the country for a ride.”

President Jonathan, while decrying inciting utterances by some politicians in recent times, said Nigeria was bigger than any individual. He called on those guilty of such inciting statements to focus on how to move the country forward and not toe the path of destruction. The president commended the role played by the Nigerian military to keep the nation one, saying but for the role played by the Nigerian Armed Forces in international peace support operations all over the world, Nigeria would not have been recognised as the giant of Africa.

He said the country, more than ever before, was ready to take her rightful place in the African sub-region, adding that the whole world was looking up to Nigeria to settle the political situation in Cote d’ Ivoire. “We have to thank the military for keeping the country together. You have shown leadership in the whole of Africa.

As for what is happening in Cote d’ Ivoire everyday, presidents all over the world are calling on me because they feel it is only Nigeria that can solve the problem of that country. That tells you how others rate Nigeria and we have no reason to derail. “I have to commend the military for doing that. We have that standing role in the society because of the role the military is playing.”

The president, who personally decorated the first female rear admiral in the Nigerian Navy with her new rank, said his administration was conferring with the leadership of the Nigerian Armed Forces to commence the admission of women into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to be trained as regular combatant officers.

Seller wants Indian hemp smoking legalised

When Alonge Bolaji, a native of Kogi State was first arrested by the men of the A Division police station penultimate week, he did not show any remorse that he has committed any grievous offence.

He was so bold that he told journalists that selling Indian hemp was not a big deal. Bolaji, was arrested in a residential building along Leo area of Akure metropolis, Ondo State with 28 bags of Indian hemp stock-piled in sacks

England or Nigeria: Siasia meets Onuoha

Nigeria’s Coach, Samson Siasia, flew out to Europe on Thursday night to meet with a number of players, and will also hold discussions with Sunderland’s defender, Nedum Onuoha.

On his way to the Abuja Airport on Thursday afternoon to fly to Lagos, where he boarded a British Airways aircraft to London, Siasia said: “I intend to discuss with Nedum (Onuoha) and see what is possible. I believe he will commit to Nigeria”.

Jonathan warns IBB, Atiku over inciting statement

President Goodluck Jonathan has sounded a note of warning to those making inciting statements, challenging Nigeria’s sovereignty as a nation and warned his government would no longer “take that kind of rubbish lightly.”

The president, who was speaking at the decoration ceremony of some newly promoted Nigerian Navy and Air Force Admirals and Air Vice Marshals yesterday in Abuja, said those who made such incendiary utterances were always the first to take their families abroad to stay until other people’s children and families suffered and died as a result of their mischief.

Pandemonium as pipeline explodes in Lagos

But for the quick intervention of fire fighters, petrochemical fire from pipeline explosion could have wreaked monumental havoc at Isheri in Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State yesterday.

Daily Sun learnt that the explosion, which started at about 12:30p.m. at the back of Diamond Estate, along LASU-Isheri Road, was caused by the activities of fuel scoopers.
The fire burnt fiercely until about 4:00p.m before a combined team of the safety officials from the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Ejigbo and the Lagos State Fire Service put it under countrol.

GOODNIGHT ENAHORO

One of Nigeria’s surviving foremost nationalists, Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro, yesterday passed on in Benin at 87. He died at about 6 a.m. in his residence, No.10, Aideyan Street, Benin.

Enahoro went into coma in October and was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where he was diagnosed of diabetes. According to family sources, he was discharged from hospital two weeks ago. Only yesterday, he issued a statement in which he condoled with Governor Adams Oshiomhole over the death of his wife, Clara.

Nigeria's prodigal National Assembly and Sanusi's revelation

Only a couple of weeks ago, the country was awakened to the embarrassing revelation that 25.41 percent of Nigeria's annual total overhead cost is spent ...
on the nation's lawmakers at the National Assembly (consisting of the upper chamber, the Senate; and the House of Representatives -- the lower chamber).  The revelation was made by Mallam Lamido Sanusi, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), while delivering a convocation lecture at the Igbinedion University, Okada, near Benin-City, Edo State. He was invited by the premier private university to speak on the topic, “Growth Prospects for the Nigerian Economy”.
Without mincing words, Sanusi told his audience and, by extension, Nigerians that no meaningful economic development can be achieved except our leaders address their minds to the critical issue of judicious management of the nation's vast resources. He was concerned about the lack of progress that has characterized Nigeria's national development since independence which has led to Nigeria trailing far behind the emerging Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, China, India and Indonesia, noting that Nigeria was far ahead of these countries in the 70's.

Union Bank Staff stage protests

Union Bank workers on Tuesday paralysed activities at its headquarters in Lagos to protest the "high-handedness" and the "poor attitude" to their welfare ...

by the management, led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Olufunke Osibodu. Osibodu and her team were appointed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last year.

Senate passes electoral act, drops NEC clause

The Senate yesterday bowed to public pressure and dropped the controversial section of the 2010 Electoral Act amendment bill which sought to make ...

all federal lawmakers members of their parties’ executive council.

The Senate withdrew section 87 (11) which has caused a lot of uproar and charges that National assembly members plan to hijack the parties and make themselves the most powerful block in Nigerian politics.

Investors stake N1.3bn in Banking sub sector

Investors on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Tuesday staked N1.299 billion on 146.067 million shares recorded in 3,305 deals of the banking ...
stocks, just as market capitalization closed at N7.765 trillion, while the All Share-Index ended at 24,306.83 points.

The banking sub sector led the activity chart in turn over volume, with Zenith Bank Plc recording the highest number of shares, put at 30.83 million worth N441.13 million.

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc followed with a turn over of 23.832 million shares valued at N404.068 million and Oceanic Bank International recording 17.654 million shares worth N41.200 million.

Nigeria has lost a great son in Enahoro

rich tributes were paid to late elder statesman, Chief Anthony Enahoro, on Wednesday by Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva. Sylva expressed ...

deep grief and sorrow over the passing away of Enahoro whom he described as a “dedicated and sincere nationalist.”

Police audit reveals massive fraud, recovers N6bn

The massive fraud perpetrated by police pay officers and accountants in all the states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, was on

Tuesday revealed by the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim. Already, some pay officers with Abia State Police Command have been arrested and are being quizzed over their roles in the financial scam.

He said an audit directed by the Ministry of Police Affairs has uncovered thousands of ghost officers in the Nigeria Police Force and billions of naira stolen by police pay officers and accountants. The exercise, which commenced in September 2010 allegedly uncovered bank accounts through which monies were being stolen by pay officers and their collaborators. Ringim said N6 billion have been recovered within two months.

Addressing pay officers and accountants at the Force Headquarters on Tuesday, Ringim said the consultant discovered that the staff strength of the Force was not up to the 377,000 official figure.

“The audit also established the fact that bank officials connive with police pay officers to steal money. Investigation had commenced and any officer indicted would be prosecuted and jailed. Pay officers often delay the payment of salaries unnecessarily while complaints of variated salaries and allowances by officers in some state commands are rife. Some pay officers have been found to have made multiple payments into accounts,” he said.

The IGP said that in one instance, about N15 million was paid into some accounts monthly while cheques were also cashed, in flagrant violation of government regulations that all payments must be done through e-payment. He recounted his experience when a pay officer in one of the state commands where he served attempted to give him money, but he said he declined the offer.

“On a daily basis, we receive complaints from men in Abuja and outside that their pay have been unduly cut. Some state commands pay constables N16, 000, some pay N18, 000 without reasons. Some accuse the Mechanised Salary Section (MSS) and pay officers. We are going to change those responsible for this. Government money is not a free thing for all to be converted to personal use.

“I have received complaints over and over that police salaries are deliberately delayed. It shouldn’t happen in police because it is an embodiment of law and order. All policemen that have served in MSS for two years must be changed as well as civilians. Salaries and emoluments that should have been paid by 27 and 28 of the month drag on and on. I will stamp out this fraud completely. I have low tolerance for such conduct,” Mr. Ringim further said.

Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim

The commissioner in charge of Special Investigation Unit, Ali Amodu, who presented a preliminary report of investigations into the scam, said salaries were being paid to ghost workers and that monies meant for 10, 000 men were paid into fraudulent bank accounts.

He said some unscrupulous pay officers and accountants opened over 20 accounts where monies were paid monthly, stressing that his investigations revealed fraud on a large scale.

PDP NEC meeting breaks up in chaos

The 54th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ended in chaos after only 20 minutes yesterday in a row over the presence of the Enugu State chairman of the party who was purportedly removed by the National Chairman. The meeting was adjourned to tomorrow [Thursday] to enable the party bosses to sort out the problem.

When stakeholders met over Lagos-Ibadan expressway

The deplorable state of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and the attendant loss of lives and property have continued to be a source of concern to many — especially stakeholders. Adebayo Waheed reports.
The carnage on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway has continued to give concern not only to the users of the road but the Federal Government. As a result of this, stakeholders gathered recently under the auspices of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to fashion out ways  to  ameliorate     the deplorable condition of the road.
It is said that in the past, it took motorists 45 minutes to travel from Ibadan to Lagos  but now the reverse is the case as motorists spend between one hour and one hour 30 minutes due to the deadly potholes that have taken over the road.

Who will save the world from this monster?

On December 9, 2010, the world, with one voice, condemned corruption in very strong terms. Chukwuma Okparaocha, in this report, exposes the breeding spots of corruption.
CORRUPTION has been described in many ways; some see it as a monster threatening to tear any society apart right from its roots; others say it is a quagmire in which the more one tries to extricate oneself, the more one sinks, yet other people have described corruption simply as a gross act of financial insincerity and indiscipline which often starts in a subtle and innocuous way until it becomes uncontrollable like a wild fire which destroys everything in its path.
Corruption has also been described as a dishonest or illegal behaviour, especially of people in authority. In their publication “Institutional Working Divination of Corruption,” Obert Chinhamo and Gabriel Shumba defined corruption as “the abuse or complicity in the abuse of private or public power, office or resources for personal gain.” Corruption can also be seen as moral perversion, depravity and dishonesty, especially bribery.
“Corruption threatens peoples and their governments. It makes societies unfair,” S.C. Bansal stated in his publication “causes of corruption,” adding that “there is no more power engine of injustice and cruelty, for bribery destroys both faith and state. The serious consequence thus is not only state capture but also mind capture.

Pardon for 27 soldiers

At last, the Nigerian Army Council has granted pardon to the 27 soldiers attached to the 323 Artillery Regiment, Owena Barracks, Akure, Ondo State, who were sentenced to life imprisonment, and later reduced to seven years jail term, for demonstrating violently over unpaid duty allowances.

However, in granting them full pardon, the Army Council, which said that the affected soldiers would be paid all their full benefits, also discharged them from service.

The affected soldiers, who served in the 15th Battalion of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, demonstrated in the streets of Akure over non-payment of the allowances meant for peacekeeping operation in the West African country from September 2007, to April 2008.

Jonathan to present N4.2 trn 2011 budget today

Ahead of President Goodluck Jonathan’s presentation of the 2011 budget before the National Assembly today, Daily Sun can authoritatively report that the Federal Government has proposed N4.2 trillion budget with the crude oil benchmark pegged at $62 per barrel. Daily Sun findings reveal that capital expenditure is expected to take N1trn while the recurrent expenditure will gulp N3.2 trillion.

It was also gathered that contrary to earlier reports of plans to cut the recurrent expenditure in the budget, government is proposing its commencement from the 2012 financial year.
Daily Sun further learnt that before government could conveniently cut the recurrent expenditure, it would have to cut down on certain expenditure including the downsizing of the workforce in the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government,  merging of ministries, and parastatals. It was also gathered that government was considering voluntary retirement and payoff of civil servants who are willing to leave the service.

“All these are cost saving measures but they are things that cannot be done overnight. It is not a six- month thing. Government would have to do this gradually and over time,” a top presidency source said yesterday.
Already, the ministry of finance, as part of steps towards the auditing  staff of the civil service and MDAs has already spent over N12 billion in building a database of staff in 16 MDAs with the drive to cover all the MDAs and paratstatals of government by the end of the 2011 financial year.

According to the source, “These processes require time. People who would be laid off would have to be paid off and in other cases, alternative jobs would have to be provided for such people. It has to be planned carefully in order for it not to have a back lash effect.”
The disproportionate budgeting pattern has been a subject of concern to the Minister of Finance, Olusegun Aganga, consequently, in September, he set up a committee to among other things review the expenditure pattern and advise government appropriately.
The Committee, which was said to have some of the best Nigerians with excellent financial track records as at the time of finalising the budget proposal.
turn in its report.

NOT YET OFF THE HOOK

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Jacques Rogge, has said on Monday that the organisation has strict ethical rules for dealing with any of its member, who “has become tainted” after past allegations are proven.

“The whole issue is about the reputation of the IOC potentially being tainted, if facts are proven for a person that was not an IOC member at that time,” Rogge said.

The IOC Ethics Commission asked the BBC two weeks ago to pass on the evidence aired in a TV documentary alleging that Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Issa Hayatou, took a kickback from FIFA’s former marketing agency in 1995. Hayatou became an IOC member in 2001.

The Cameroonian declined to be interviewed for the BBC’s “Panorama” programme. The day after the broadcast, Hayatou said the payment of about $20,000 was a donation to CAF.
“We have asked for clarification from the BBC and then the Ethics Commission will look into the matter and will then decide which persons have to be investigated,” Rogge said.
The IOC president did not confirm which of the members are involved, citing the need to “respect the total autonomy and confidentiality of the work of the Ethics Commission.”

The BBC investigation also alleged that former FIFA President, Joao Havelange, received secret payments. The 94-year-old Brazilian is the longest-serving IOC member with 47 years in the movement.
FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, who joined the IOC in 1999, was not accused by the BBC of receiving kickbacks.
Rogge said on Monday that Blatter kept him informed in recent weeks, as FIFA dealt with accusations of bribe taking and vote rigging in the process of choosing hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Two voters from FIFA’s Executive Committee, plus four past members, were suspended from all soccer duties by its ethics court, which was created in 2006 in the image of the IOC’s own ethics body.

Jonathan, Atiku in photo finish race in C’River

Cross River State can be described as a one-party state as demonstrated in the last local government elections in which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) swept the polls with opposition parties trailing behind with just five councillorship seats out of 196 wards.

Besides, Governor Liyel Imoke’s politics of accommodation and humility in service have weakened the hitherto political bigwigs who were poised to oppose PDP and his administration. This, of course, has made it virtually impossible to have dissenting voices and has brought all shades of opinion into the ruling party. The fight now is within the party.

With this development, the race for the 2011 presidential election in Cross River state seems a one-way win-win for President Goodluck Jonathan. The political class and major power blocs in the state have all collapsed for the emergence of the incumbent in the forthcoming PDP primaries.

Investigations by Daily Sun reveal that all the political heavy weights in the state are either directly or indirectly involved in the Jonanthan/Sambo 2011 project. For instance, there are three major groups including Goodluck Support Group (GSG), South-South Democratic Voice (SOSODEV) and Jonathan Consolidation 2011. They have spread their tentacles in all nooks and crannies of the state drumming support for Jonathan.

Co-ordinated by Mr. Eko Atu, Lord Silver and Bassey Ibor respectively, these groups have been mobilizing seriously. The Goodluck Support Group is said to be one of the pet projects of Imoke, and to ensure the success of the groups, elected officers in the state are said to be contributing heavily to their funding.
Speaking to Daily Sun on their activities to install the president, the state co-ordinator of the Goodluck Support Group, said, “Within the next few days, President Jonathan team will know that Cross River is in support of him and his team. That is authentic.

Now that the time-table is out, we will go into works because we are not leaving anything to chance”.
Atu, who is one of the loyalists of Imoke and the Director-General, state Rural Development Agency(RUDA) contended that “the group was already mobilising delegates across the country ahead of the PDP National Convention to face any contenders for the party’s presidential ticket and we are waiting for anybody to challenge him (Jonathan) at the convention. We are sure he will win the PDP ticket.”

Not relenting, he said the group will also mobilise people to take part in the next voters registration and elections, stressing that “we will do everything possible to work towards a credible elections”.

Equally drumming up support for Jonathan’s presidency, Ibor, who is the Cross River State co-ordinator of Jonathan Consolidation 2011, said “for Cross River, President Goodluck Jonathan will definitely complete the 8-year term joint ticket which he started with his late boss, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua because we will vote for him en masse.”

The group stated that “any attempt to stop a faithful and committed leader as President Jonathan, would be seen as an act of disservice to the collective psyche of Nigerians and would be a big disappointment to many Nigerians. Vowing to fight on until he clinches the PDP ticket.”
To show total support for Jonathan, the Cross River Elders Forum in an enlarged meeting held recently unanimously endorsed Jonathan/Sambo ticket for 2011, and passed a vote of confidence on the administration.