Saturday, 20 June 2015

Only enemies of Ndigbo would call for Ekweremadu’s resignation – WIC

Ike Ekweremadu
The World Igbo Congress, WIC, a global network of Ndigbo has congratulated the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu on his re-election into office, declaring that “anyone asking him to resign his position is an enemy of the Igbo people”
Also, the Enugu USA, an umbrella body of Enugu State people residing in the United States of America, has poured encomiums on Senator Ekweremadu, describing his re-election as historic and well deserved.
In a statement signed by the Secretary-General of the WIC, Dr. Agatha Anosike and the Media Director, Dr. Acho Orabuchi, the global body under the leadership of Joe Nze Eto, felicitated with Senator Ekweremadu and all the Governors of Enugu, Imo, Abia, Delta, Ebonyi, and Rivers States on their successful election and inauguration.
It urged them to brace up for the implementation of their campaign promises in order to improve the quality of life of their people.
Continuing, the WIC said: “We congratulate Dr. Ike Ekweremadu for his selfless service to the country, as well as his unparalleled leadership in the Senate and ECOWAS. We are strongly behind him and will do everything to support him in office”.
It noted that the current dicey economic status of the nation and the slippery slopes for our region in Nigeria’s political terrain call for immediate, strategic, all hands on deck, team approach by the leaders of the zone towards its transformation.
On its part, the Enugu USA in a statement signed by its National President, Dr. Sinachi Ugwuonye, described Senator Ekweremadu’s re-election as most deserving.
The US-based group said: “In this position, our own Super Hero, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu has been tested and found highly worthy. Though this was a hard-to-believe outcome of the National Assembly elections, considering the political setting of current Nigeria, we are not surprised, as we know that we have a rare phenomenon in the person of this honorable man, fondly and largely known as IKEOHA”.
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Wike probes Amaechi, seeks Buhari’s support

                                    
                                                 Wike and Amaechi
Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday commenced probe of the administration of his predecessor, Chibuike Amaechi as he constituted a seven man Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice George Omereji to investigate alleged sale of some state assets as well as the projects for which funds were allegedly released but not executed.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry which has 23 terms of reference has one month to turn in its report.
Wike’s action was coming against the backdrop of claims by Amaechi’s former Deputy, Tele Ikuru that the former administration under which he served was the most corrupt in the state
Ikuru alleged that his former boss allegedly spent N812 million to furnish his private residence.
The former deputy governor spoke at Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday while handing over the final report of the transition committee he chaired adding that the former government also spent N4.96 billion on the proposed Justice Adolphus Karibi Whyte Hospital with no structures on the ground.
However, inaugurating the commission of inquiry, Wike said, “In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Section 2 (1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Law of Rivers State (Cap 30), 1999 and all other powers enabling me in that regard, I Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Governor of Rivers State, hereby constitute and appoint a Judicial Commission of Inquiry for the investigation of the administration of Governor Chibuike Amaechi”.
He asked the Commission of Inquiry to investigate the sale of Omoku 150 MW Gas Turbine , Adam 360 MW Gas Turbine, Trans-Amadi 136 MW Gas Turbine as well as the Eleme 75 MW Gas Turbine.
The Commission of Inquiry is also expected to investigate the mono rail project and the sale of the Olympia Hotel by the Amaechi administration as well as the non execution of the contract for the construction of the Justice Karibi White Hospital after the former administration had paid $250 million to the contractor.
He further directed the Commission of Inquiry to investigate the expenditure of N96 billion from the Rivers State Reserve Fund without compliance with the extant laws as well as make appropriate recommendations that would assist the state government recover proceeds from the gas turbines sold by the former administration.
Furthermore, the commission also has the mandate to recover alleged funds wrongfully disbursed on the failed Justice Karibi White Hospital; the alleged funds illegally withdrawn from the state’s Reserve Fund and the alleged N2 billion illegally disbursed under the Agriculture Credit Scheme.
Responding, Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, Justice Omereji assured the governor that the panel would carry out its assignment diligently and in line with the terms of reference, pointing out that, at the end of the day, the Rivers people would be happy with the job of the commission.
Other members of the Commission of Inquiry include Dr Edith Chukwu, Chief Monday Ekekenta, Rev. Canon Alex Usifo and Elder Ignatius Piegbara. Mrs Florence Fiberesima is to serve as secretary while Dr Zacheaus Adango would serve as the counsel to the Commission.
Meanwhile, receiving the report of the transition committee he set up from the former Deputy Governor Ikuru, Wike asked President Muhamadu Buhari to support his bid to recover funds allegedly stolen by the past Amaechi’s government.
He said : “ I am confident that President Buhari will support my administration in the quest to tackle the massive corruption that characterised the Amaechi administration.
“We are aware that the immediate past administration and her officials will resort to blackmail and propaganda for the purpose of diverting attention from their corrupt practices. We shall remain focused on the task of getting back Rivers State resources and assets.”
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Govs forum: PDP hails Mimiko




The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed the PDP Governors’ Forum for the smooth transition of leadership, saying the development reflects the unity and sense of purpose within its fold, especially at this period of rebuilding.
The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh on Saturday said Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko as a seasoned administrator and a highly organized person is eminently equipped for his new role as the Chairman of the Forum while commending the governors for their continued commitment towards the party as it reengineers and repositions to regain power in 2019.
The leadership said recent political events in the country have continued to vindicate the PDP as “the only true national platform committed to the national interest, where all citizens as equal partners are free to hold opinion and aspire to any position, no matter how high, without regard to creed, class or ethnic considerations and in which no individual or group of individuals can claim ownership or attempt to appropriate control.”
Stating that it has since overcome the setback of the last general elections, the PDP said as a party founded on the principles of freedom, equality, justice and national unity, its spirit “is still alive and stronger, now more than ever before, in the minds of most Nigerians and families in all the nooks and crannies of the country”.
The leadership therefore charged its members in all the wards, local government and states of the federation to close ranks, double their efforts and continue to work with their leaders at all levels to ensure that the PDP comes out stronger to regain power at the center and in its traditional states come 2019.
 It also thanked the immediate past Chairman of the Forum, former Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio and other past governors of the PDP for their stewardship, while urging the present governors to continue to work together and make PDP states models of development and good governance in the country.
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APC crisis: Saraki, others seek Obasanjo’s advice




The Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki stormed Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, Friday and held a closed door meeting with former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in his residence.
The meeting which lasted for two hours commenced immediately Saraki who came with some of his supporters and colleagues in the Senate arrived at 9:10am and ended at 11:10am
Saraki emerged from the meeting which had in attendance former acting national Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Kawu Baraje , former governor of Osun state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governors of Zamfara and Gombe states; Ahmed Yerima and Danjuma Goje who are now Senators.
Other prominent personalities who were on Saraki’s entourage include; Senator Andy Uba and Senator Tayo Alasoadura .
The closed door meeting with Obasanjo, according to findings was not unconnected with the circumstances that surrounded his emergence as the Senate President.
Though, the content of the meeting was not disclosed, a source at the meeting hinted our correspondent that, Saraki came to seek support of Obasanjo.
After the meeting, Obasanjo posed for pictures with Saraki and others, but, did not grant any interview with newsmen who had besieged his residence.
While fielding questions from newsmen, Saraki said his visit to Obasanjo was for consultation and to tap from the wisdom of the former President.
When asked why he was at Obasanjo’s residence, Bukola Saraki replied “I’m here with some of my colleagues. Since I’ve been the Senate President, as one of our fathers, the former president, we are here to pay our homage to him, to seek his advice, to get his blessing and also to consult. We all know President Obasanjo’s value to this country and we are here to tap from his wisdom and that knowledge and that experience”.
On the crisis between him and his party , Saraki said “as you can see, things are moving smoothly. Definitely, be rest assured that all that would be put behind us very shortly. We are very confident about that”.
On his view over the planned downward review of legislators’ salaries and allowances, the Senate President said “Well, I think already that is in progress. If you remember last time, it was about N150billion and it’s coming down to N120billion.
I think the situation in the country deserves that every public servant must make sacrifices and whatever sacrifice that is necessary, we will do it. And that is being done. So, be rest assured that we are sensitive, we are aware of the situation in the country and if we are going to lead, we must lead by example. And we would do that”.

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APC crisis: Saraki, others seek Obasanjo’s advice

The Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki stormed Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, Friday and held a closed door meeting with former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in his residence.
The meeting which lasted for two hours commenced immediately Saraki who came with some of his supporters and colleagues in the Senate arrived at 9:10am and ended at 11:10 am.
From right Alhaji Danjumu Goje, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Senatoe Bukola Saraki, Senate President and Alhaji Sanni Yerima in group photograph during a visit to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for Former President of Nigeria at his Hill Top Mansion, Presidential Hill, Abeokuta on Friday
From right; Alhaji Danjumu Goje, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Bukola Saraki, Senate President and Alhaji Sanni Yerima during a visit to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for Former President of Nigeria at his Hill Top Mansion, Abeokuta on Friday
Saraki emerged from the meeting which had in attendance former acting national Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Kawu Baraje , former governor of Osun state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governors of Zamfara and Gombe states; Ahmed Yerima and Danjuma Goje who are now Senators.
Other prominent personalities who were on Saraki’s entourage include; Senator Andy Uba and Senator Tayo Alasoadura .
The closed door meeting with Obasanjo, according to findings was not unconnected with the circumstances that surrounded his emergence as the Senate President.
Though, the content of the meeting was not disclosed, a source at the meeting hinted our correspondent that, Saraki came to seek support of Obasanjo.
After the meeting, Obasanjo posed for pictures with Saraki and others, but, did not grant any interview with newsmen who had besieged his residence.
While fielding questions from newsmen, Saraki said his visit to Obasanjo was for consultation and to tap from the wisdom of the former President.
When asked why he was at Obasanjo’s residence, Bukola Saraki replied “I’m here with some of my colleagues. Since I’ve been the Senate President, as one of our fathers, the former president, we are here to pay our homage to him, to seek his advice, to get his blessing and also to consult. We all know President Obasanjo’s value to this country and we are here to tap from his wisdom and that knowledge and that experience”.
On the crisis between him and his party , Saraki said “as you can see, things are moving smoothly. Definitely, be rest assured that all that would be put behind us very shortly. We are very confident about that”.
On his view over the planned downward review of legislators’ salaries and allowances, the Senate President said “Well, I think already that is in progress. If you remember last time, it was about N150billion and it’s coming down to N120billion.
I think the situation in the country deserves that every public servant must make sacrifices and whatever sacrifice that is necessary, we will do it. And that is being done. So, be rest assured that we are sensitive, we are aware of the situation in the country and if we are going to lead, we must lead by example. And we would do that”.
- See more at: http://9jianews.blogspot.com

Friday, 19 June 2015

Tanker fire disaster:How angels of God saved me at the mention of Jesus – Survivor

ONITSHA— For an upward of five years now, auto crashes had consistently occurred at the sloppy Upper Iweka axis on the Onitsha end of Enugu/Onitsha expressway, with attendant high rate of casualties. The crashes usually occurred at quarterly or yearly intervals and in most cases, heavy duty vehicles fully loaded with goods usually developed brake failures and end up with disastrous consequences.
Mrs. Ihezie, a survivor
Mrs. Ihezie, a survivor
However, this particular incident of Sunday, May 31, 2015, appeared to have turned the most tragic among similar incidents in the previous years as the number of casualties ranged between seven and 18 as the case may be. But to the chagrin of all and sundry, this latest fuel tanker carnage claimed up to 70 lives at a stretch, according to the figures released on the spot by both the officials of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, NRCS, and the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC.
The NRCS and FRSC officials were among those who joined hands with the police and other security agencies in carrying out both rescue operations and evacuation of the deceased and injured ones to different hospitals and morgues for depositing and medical attention.
Although, the management of Onitsha General Hospital quoted its own casualty figure as only 43, eye-witnesses and survivors said the figure was even more than the 70. The Chief Consultant-In-Charge of Onitsha General Hospital, Dr. Mercy Ebelechukwu had stated that contrary to the 69 and 70 casualty figures quoted by voluntary agencies, the correct figure of the dead stood at 43, while only six were injured.
According to her, 22 corpses were brought to the General Hospital morgue on the fateful day, while 20 other corpses remained at Toronto hospital morgue, adding that out of the seven injured ones, one more died on the way to Anambra State University Teaching Hospital, Awka and the corpse was brought back to General Hospital morgue bringing the number of corpses at the General Hospital Morgue to 23.
She further explained that out of the 20 corpses deposited at Toronto Hospital morgue, 12 were moved to General Hospital morgue to bring the total figure now to 35, while the remaining eight were still in the Toronto morgue, adding that out of the remaining six injured ones at Toronto, one was transferred to Awka Teaching Hospital, apart from three other injured ones who were rushed to Menax private hospital, out of which one had been discharged.
She expressed the fear that the situation might lead to mass burial because most of the corpses were burnt beyond recognition and as a result, they had already started decompo-sing to the extent that if more time was wasted, there could be an out-break of epidemic, in spite of the chemical contents being poured on the corpses to curtail the odour.
The Chief Medical Director of Toronto Hospital, Onitsha, Dr. Emeka Eze, attributed the high death-toll during the fuel tanker incident to stampede.
Speaking when the leader of Progressives People’s Alliance, PPA, in the State, Chief Godwin Ezeemo, led a delegation of his party to the hospital to sympathize with victims hospitalized there, Dr. Eze added that there were still corpses, to be claimed by their relations which could not be easily identified.
Eze, who noted that state government had sent pathologists take samples of the dead, added that the prompt intervention of both the Federal and state governments when the incident occurred, showed that the present leaders had the interest of their people at heart.
He also attributed burns to the increase in the death-toll, adding, “we have isolated the victims. They would have died if not that we isolated them. We heat up the rooms where they are kept because they have no skin in them and feel cold.” Responding Ezeemo said he felt bad when he heard of the incident and resolved to come and sympathise with some of the survivors.
onitsha-tanker-accident
onitsha-tanker-accident
Extending his sympathy to the Obi of Onitsha, HRM Alfred Achebe at his palace, Ezeemo urged him to use his position to prevail on the authorities to help look for better locations for motor parks instead of having them along the Express way.
However, one of the survivors, Mrs. Virginia Ihezie, a newspaper vendor, trading under the name of Obura News Agency, told newsmen how one of the buses knocked down by the tanker trapped her on the ground. She said the bus held on her two laps and as she was shouting for help as people were running away from the scene.
According to her: “As the bus was holding me on the laps, I tried to pull myself out but I couldn’t. Rather, the more I struggle, the more blood was gushing out from the laps and when I saw a man running away and I begged him to come to my rescue, he simply told me that he could not lift up the bus alone and as I continued begging him to call others, he left me and fled the scene.
“As I continued crying and shouting the name of Jesus Christ, I became unconscious at a stage and was beclouded by some strange fellows dressed in snow white garments.I noticed that the fellows were angels of God sent by Jesus Christ to rescue me. At once I started hearing a voice telling me to pull out. As if the bus was being lifted up gradually, I began to pull myself out until I stood up and jumped the fence.”
Two minutes after I jumped the fence, bleeding profusely, I heard a very big bang as the tanker exploded and caught fire, while I ran from place to place in search of medical treatment. I went to Menax Hospital but was told that the doctor was not around.
However some of the nurses treated me and I went home. Ever since then, the medical personnel my husband engaged have been coming to my residential home to dress the wounds. Therefore, I must confess that I am a living testimony to that incident.
“Before that incident, I was in my news-stand and when I discovered that my GSM battery was low, I decided to go and look for where to recharge the battery but as I just stood up to go out, the incident occurred and I was trapped. So, when my fellow newspaper vendors were calling my number, my phone did not ring because of the low battery and they concluded that I was among those burnt by the fire.
“Then, they called one of my daughters who lives with her husband in far away Port Harcourt, Rivers State to inquire from her if I had a second phone number but the time they were calling my daughter co-incided with the time she was in a labour room in a hospital waiting to be delivered of a baby and as such, she was not responding to them effectively.
“So, by the time the news of my narrow escape was broken to her and her delivery was broken to me, we all sang praises to God. However, up till now, I have not seen my younger brother, Ifeanyi who was helping me in my news-stand and my conclusion is that he was among those burnt beyond recognition.”
Another witness, who identified himself as Evarist Anyanwu, declared: “I watched the fire ravaging one woman, popularly known as Mama Ejima (Twin’s Mother) and her husband, Papa Ejima and their twin children, adding that this type of disaster had ‘’repeated itself on an annual basis within that particular spot.”
One other witness, who simply identified himself as Nelson, attached to a popular transport company based in Onitsha, called on the state government to ban petrol tankers from plying the roads during the day to avoid future occurrence. He said that if the incident had occurred at night, there might be little or no casualty at all, adding that he would like to correct the impression that the tanker swooped on many vehicles in the park and killed all the passengers.
He stated that as an eye witness, “what actually happened was that the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle as a result of suspected brake failure, rammed into a bus carrying few passengers, killing few of them and trapping others, but when sympathizers thronged the scene and wanted to rescue the few passengers trapped on the bus, the liquid content now exploded and spread the fire on the sympathizers, the vendors and those reading newspapers at their news-stand and roasted them.”
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Unpaid Salaries: Osun Risks Peoples’ Revolt – PDP Warns

Rauf-Aregbesola-of-Osun-State-being-cheered-by-All-Progressives-CongressThe Osun State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday warned that the state may be plunged into serious security crises, if workers’ salaries are not paid within seven days.
This is just as the party warned Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s aides against insulting people that are making efforts to bail the state out of the “quagmire”, which it said the governor had already admitted the state is in.
In a statement issued in Osogbo, the state capital by its spokesman, Prince Diran Odeyemi, the PDP said from all indications, the June 30 deadline for the payment of salaries by Aregbesola, rather than solving the problem, is heightening tension among residents.
According to the opposition, the situation was not helped by the demands of Ramadan period and urged Mr. Aregbesola to ensure workers are paid by 21st of June to stem rising tension among the residents.
The PDP said: “We have rightly been informed that crime rate is on the rise, no thanks to the economic crises Ogbeni has plunged the state into. Many more people are taking to crime because of cash crunch.
“And despite the concerted efforts by the police that have resulted in arrests, these criminals cannot be kept for more than 24hours because courts are under lock”.
Making reference to the response of Osun State Government to some tweets by Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, who announced the donation of half of his wardrobe allowance to unpaid Osun workers, the PDP said Gov. Aregbesola risks popular uprising because of insulting replies to those that are willing to bail the pauperised Osun people out of the jaws of hunger.

Nigeria, USA game third most watched ever



Super Falcons players
The game between Nigeria and USA at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada has been recorded as the third most-watched women’s football match ever.
Despite registering just a lone goal, the match has surpassed other highly-rated games from past tournaments in terms of viewership.
The game ended 1-0 in favour of the Americans, marking the end to the Super Falcons’ campaign at the tournament. The African champions had drawn 3-3 with Sweden before losing 2-0 to Australia in their second game.
FOX Sports said the match broke multiple records in viewership on it network.
“The US Women’s National Team beat Nigeria 1-0 in the teams’ third and final FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 group stage match in Vancouver to advance to the round of 16. And, like the team’s first two tournament matches, the FOX broadcast broke multiple audience records,” it said in its report.
“The match attracted 5 million viewers on FOX, making it the most-watched FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage match ever and the most-watched soccer match ever on the network, breaking the marks set Friday for USA-Sweden (4.5 million) by 11%.
“USA-Nigeria is the third most-watched women’s soccer match of all time, trailing only the USA-China 1999 Women’s World Cup Final (17,975,000) and the Japan-USA 2011 Women’s World Cup Final (13,458,000). The Brazil-USA 1999 Women’s World Cup semi-final drops to fourth (4.9 million), followed by USA-Sweden 2015 Women’s World Cup group stage (4.5 million).”
Audiences for each US group stage match this tournament grew, beginning with 3.3 million for USA-Australia, which was televised on FOX Sports 1, to 4.5 million for USA-Sweden and 5 million for USA-Nigeria. The growth from Match 1 to Match 3 is 52 per cent.
The audience for USA-Nigeria (5 million) is +285 per cent better than the audience for the third USA Women’s World Cup group stage match on ESPN in 2011 (1.3 million).

APC working to resolve crisis – Odigie-Oyegun


National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has assured that the party is working round the clock to resolve the crisis that has rocked it in recent times, in order to pave the way for the party to fulfill its campaign promises to Nigerians.
 
”The party has reached out to all interested parties, and when the National Assembly resumes next week, Nigerians will see one harmonious, happy APC family,” Odigie-Oyegun said in a statement he issued in Abuja on Friday.
 
”We owe it to our party, our teeming members and supporters and indeed all Nigerians who reposed so much confidence in us by voting us into office to quickly put the unfortunate incidents of the recent past behind us and forge ahead,” he said.
 
In the meantime, the APC Chairman has risen to the defence of the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who is being vilified in his home state of Kwara for signing the statement conveying the party’s reaction to the election of the National Assembly leadership on June 9th.
 
Odigie-Oyegun said Alhaji Lai Mohammed’s statement was issued with the knowledge and consent of the party, hence it would be wrong for anyone to make him a sacrificial lamb for carrying out his party responsibilities.
 
”The party is aware that its National Publicity Secretary has been grossly misunderstood by virtually everyone, especially in his state, just because he carried out his duty by signing the said statement by the party.
 
”At a personal risk and putting the party’s interest above his own, he issued that statement which reflected the position of the party at that particular time. The party is solidly behind him, and it will be wrong for anyone to interpret the statement as representing his personal opinion,” the APC Chairman said.
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Chad arrests foreigners following Boko Haram attacks

Chadian Prime Minister, Kalzeube Deubet, on Friday, said that following the recent Boko Haram attack in two suicide blasts in the capital, N’Djamena, which killed 37 people, government would commence rounding up of foreigners in that country.
The premier did not give details on whom the raids would target and where.
He said those detained would be placed at centres in Baga Sola on the shores of Lake Chad.
Deubet said the North-Central African country wanted to get rid of terrorists “once and for all.”
He said Chadian government had earlier announced other security measures, such as bans on the burqa, an article of clothing that covers the entire body, and on public gatherings.

Former Rivers commissioner whose SUV was taken by new govt releases statement


Former Rivers commissioner whose SUV was taken by new govt releases statement



esterday June 18th, the SUV belonging to one of former Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi's commissioners, Ibim Semenitari was taken by the new Rivers state govt who sent police to her house to recover the car. (Read story here). Mrs Ibim has released a statement on the matter. Read below..
On Thursday June 18, 2015, over 10 policemen armed with machine guns and in two trucks - One Ford Transit and One Hilux arrived my residence, No 12 A Ernest Ikoli Street, Old G.R.A Port Harcourt. Without either a search warrant, letter or precious information, they forced their way into my premises. 
 My security guard on duty requested to know their mission and who sent them. They refused to disclose either, but went round taking photographs and videoing my premises. The security guard got in touch with my assistant who spoke with the men, explaining to them that I was out of town and again requested to know their mission and purpose. Again they declined insisting on seeing me first. She then got in touch with me by phone as we were uncertain as to the identity of the policemen in question.

Upon further investigation and after about 3 hours of them laying siege on my premise, I was told that they were from Rivers State Government House and had been sent to recover vehicles in my possession. They attempted to break into a Range Rover Jeep belonging to my Husband and bought long before I was made Commissioner in Rivers State Government, damaging the front door. The vehicle in question contrary to the lies being paraded is not an armoured vehicle and has never at any point belonged to the Rivers State Government nor its agents including myself as Commissioner of Information.

By the time I finally made contact with them and expressed my displeasure, they insisted that they would take away a Lexus jeep duly allocated to me as Commissioner of Information and which by law I am entitled to leave with upon leaving office.

The monetization policy of the government allows public officers to leave government with their official vehicles as this is in lieu of vehicle, allowance, transport and other allowances, which they cannot draw because of the monetization policy of 2002. Mr. Nyesom Wike served as Chief of Staff, and upon departure left with all the vehicles he used as Chief of Staff. This has been the practice since this democratic dispensation when President Olusegun Obassanjo instituted the monetisation policy.

Having served as Commissioner for two tenures, I am entitled to my status cars and have proof of allocation. While I understand that Mr. Wike feels a dire need to destroy the reputation of Governor Amaechi and all those worked with him, it is unacceptable that he will engage in brigandage, thuggery and underhand tactics to do so. A simple letter from any government official requesting me to make a submission or tender documentation would have been the appropriate way to go and I would have willingly tendered all the relevant documents to them.

Breaking into my home, invading my privacy, damaging my property and removing property from my premises is inappropriate and illegal.

I have chosen however to put out these details in the public space as it is apparent that for some persons only a destruction of my hard earned reputation would do and this I would not accept. My records in the Ministry of Information are crystal clear I hope that Mr. Nyesom Wike is able to say same about his tenure in every office he has held.

Forcing their home into my home unlawfully isn’t the appropriate way for any government that claims legitimacy to behave.
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APC, federal lawmakers in fresh face-off

ABUJA—A sequel to the still unsettled crisis in the All Progressives Congress, APC, arising from last week’s National Assembly leadership contest, another crisis may be in the offing as lawmakers take up battle with national officers of the party over the appointment of principal officers of the legislature.
Ahead of next week’s resumption of the Senate and the House, informed sources disclosed pressures from the party to be given the privilege to appoint principal officers of the two chambers and some key committee positions.
The development, it was learnt, had again reignited supporters of Senator Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara who last week outfoxed the party’s leaders to emerge Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively.
Senators peeved by the pressure were, yesterday evening, enclosed in a meeting in one of Abuja’s five-star hotels on how to resist the pressure.
APC Joint Leadership Meeting:  From left, National Publicity Secretary of APC Alh. Mohammed Lai, National Chairman John Oyegun, National Auditor Chief Morgan, Senatorial Candidate of APC, Hon Dino Melayi  and APC Presidential Campaign Organization and River State Governor Rotimi Amechi discussing during APC Joint Leadership Meeting held in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.
APC Joint Leadership Meeting: From left, National Publicity Secretary of APC Alh. Mohammed Lai, National Chairman John Oyegun, National Auditor Chief Morgan, Senatorial Candidate of APC, Hon Dino Melayi and APC Presidential Campaign Organization and River State Governor Rotimi Amechi discussing during APC Joint Leadership Meeting held in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.
House members equally agitated by the pressure were also threatening to flout the party’s directive.
High-level sources in the Senate and the House disclosed, yesterday, that informal contacts have been made with the new leaderships as part of the process of restoring amity between the party and the leadership following the ‘rebellion’ that enthroned Saraki and Dogara last week.
The sources, who were seething over the development, said that it was another attempt by the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party to diminish the power of the Senate President and the Speaker.
Against the procedure of parties zoning the principal offices in the two chambers and allowing the party caucuses to produce the officers, the APC leadership, it was learnt, was now putting pressure on influential members of the House close to the Senate President and Speaker Dogara to allow the party to appoint the officials.
Compounding the fury of the legislators is the alleged plan by the party leadership to also appoint loyal officers into key committee positions.
The four principal offices to be filled by the APC in the Senate and the House of Representatives are Senate/House Leader, Deputy Senate/House Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip.
What obtained in the past
The procedure in the past was for the party to zone the offices to the geopolitical zones and for the party members from the zones to elect from among themselves the persons to fill the positions given them.
Given that the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are from the Northeast and the Southwest, it is expected that the Northwest, Southeast, North-Central and South-South would produce the remaining key principal officers in the House.
In the Senate, given that the Senate President and his deputy are from the North-Central and the South-east, it is expected that the remaining principal officers would come from the North-west, North-east, South-west, and South-South.
What the party wants
“The party wants to appoint principal officers for us and this is going to be part two of the crisis and it is unheard of for the party to tell members who will be their principal officers,” a returning member of the House who was pivotal to the rebellion that saw Dogara emerge as speaker told Vanguard yesterday evening.
“We will resist it especially because the caucuses have a role to play in the election of their officers,” the member said on the condition of anonymity.
Another high level source in the House saw the party’s interest in the appointment of members into key committees as an attempt to undermine the speaker and his deputy who have the leverage in appointing committee officials.
Traditionally, the Senate President and Speaker have used the privilege of appointing committee chairmanships as a leverage in mustering support with appointments into juicy committees going to the speaker’s power base.
One associate of the speaker said yesterday that the move was apparently being made to ridicule the speaker and degrade his privilege in the 8th House and open the legislative chamber to further crisis.
Meanwhile, it was learnt, yesterday, that the issue was already causing a division in the NWC of APC as some members were opposed to the party’s efforts alleging that having burnt its fingers in the election of presiding officers, the party should restrain itself this time.
A ranking senator who traced the problem to the determination of a clique around a prominent national leader of the party said yesterday:
“Some of us were just called by some members of the NWC, intimating us of details of a letter forwarded to the body that it should just fill the remaining four leadership positions in the Senate.
Senators fight back
Ranking Senators are, however, fighting back and there are strong indications in the APC Senate caucus that some Senators have already met with some NWC members familiar with the parliamentary tradition and rules and have impressed it on them to “ignore the letter.”
The ranking senator from North West continued, “It’s not done. The tradition is that zonal caucuses which did not produce the Senate President and deputy would meet, nominate among themselves and then, if there is more than one nomination, there would be an election and whoever has the highest votes for the particular office would be the candidate.
“Thereafter, after the positions have been filled, the caucus would now write the party on the preferred candidates. There are so many factors to be considered in choosing Senators that would be in leadership. It is not the duty of the party in this case.”
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Critics say ICC’s focus on African leaders inappropriate

Critics of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) actions in Africa are of the view that ICC may have been set up only to tackle Africa, asserting that the actions of the agency appear unfair to the African continent, adding that the ICC is discriminating in its selection practices.
Saturday Vanguard’s investigations into the issue revealed that the agency may have been acting under bias condition, otherwise, why should a good number of notable critics accuse the ICC of acting immorally by discriminating against Africa and Africans in deciding which situations or not to investigate and prosecute.
African Heads of State at the AU summit in South Africa
African Heads of State at the AU summit in South Africa
Furthermore, this large numbers decisions provide a seemingly sufficient argument why all situations and cases under investigation or prosecution by the ICC are basically in Africa, while many others argue that the ICC’s work has interfered with efforts to realising peace in the African continent.
According to report, since the establishment of ICC in 2002, the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the ICC has investigated about 8 situations involving alleged violations of international criminal law.
It disclosed that each of these investigations relate to situation in Africa and often dissatisfying.
In addition, report stated that the OTP has received information on alleged abuses in other parts of the world, such as Iraq, Venezuela, Palestine, Colombia, and Afghanistan, and has decided not to open investigations into those situations or has kept them under preliminary examination.
Similarly, critics note that the OTP has yet to open an investigation into crimes allegedly committed in a territory or by nationals of States that are wealthy and powerful and argue that the failure to do so has contributed to dampening support for the ICC from African countries, as they give the impression that the agency is partisan.
Many wondered reasons OTP have opened investigations only in Africa, even as many situations of concern simply do not fall within the ICC’s jurisdiction.
In other words, many are of the view that the ICC actions appear inappropriately unfair to Africa, otherwise, it should provide sound reasons and justification for why all of the situations currently under investigation or prosecution happen to be in Africa.
Although the agency’s investigations into African situations were opened at the request or with the support of African states and or self-referred, critics still maintained the agency is biased in its actions.
Most recently, Mali referred to the ICC the crimes occurring on its own territory and this was supported by ECOWAS.
True talk that Africa does not want to uphold atrocities, but the situations involving African countries investigations by ICC’s OTP may have gingered the drama involving Sudanese President Omar al Bashir’s arrest warrant.
Observation
Bashir, who came to power in 1989, became the first sitting president to be indicted by the ICC.
The court issued an arrest warrant for him on March 4, 2009, for war crimes committed during the civil war in Darfur before the referendum that divided Sudan and South Sudan.
Bashir was attending African Union talks in South Africa when a local court issued an interim order stopping him from leaving the country until it hears application for his arrest.
He is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes.
He reportedly defied the court order and left South Africa despite two pending warrants from the international criminal court for his arrest, following which a high court in Johannesburg mandated the South African government to file an affidavit explaining how president Bashir left the country.
His action raised ripples, leaving many accusing the South African government of defying a court order and violating its own constitution and others portraying the ICC as an instrument of Western imperialism.
Notably, President Bashir was in South Africa at the invitation of the AU, which does not have sanctions over him and arresting him would amount to weakening and dividing the AU.
In other words, arresting him would have simply implied that African Heads of state and governments are unable, and or unwilling to protect the AU when necessary.
And by comparison, the US government does not arrest foreign Heads of State and Government, even when it has sanctions over them when they attend the UN General Assembly.
For a fact, such action, without doubt, is capable of weakening and eventually destroying the UN where they do so.
Meanwhile many have condemned Botswana government for saying that Bashir should be arrested and handed over to the ICC, asking why the ICC is unfairly targeting black presidents and no one has been arrested for war crimes in Iraq and so on.
Those familiar with the situation on ground posited that Africa’s hatred for the West may be deepening by the day, hence the decision to allow Sudanese president accused of war crimes to ignore the ICC arrest warrant.
Bashir had travelled to South Africa for an African Union summit chaired by Zimbabwe’s president, Robert Mugabe, who has urged African leaders to pull out of the ICC.
African states accuse the court, which is based in The Hague, of only targeting political leaders on their continent and failing to bring those responsible for war crimes in the Middle East and elsewhere to justice.
However, the Sudanese officials reportedly stated that the court order had no value because Bashir was invited by the South African government, saying that claim that the South African government has shamefully flouted ICC and domestic court to free man wanted for mass murder of Africans, is inconsequential.

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Seyi Shay grabs 2 nominations at MAMAs 2015

Top Nigerian singer, Seyi Shay has bagged two nominations at the forthcoming MAMAs 2015 which is billed to take place in South Africa next month. The “Jangolover” crooner has been nominated in two major categories as the “Best Female” and the “Video of the Year” for her single with Wizkid “Crazy”.
Seyi
Seyi
Seyi Shay receives global and continental recognition as she makes headway in African music’s biggest night for the first time with nominations in two major categories. She also gets to rub shoulders with the biggest names in African music like Wizkid, Davido, Diamond Platnumz, Mi Casa, Sauti Soul and Uhuru as all will be in attendance hoping to pick up a win in their different categories.
Seyi Shay has been pitched against Davido, Riki Rick, Bebe Cool and Prime Circle for the video of the year award and she’ll be tussling head on with Yemi Alade, Bucie, Vanessa Mdee and Busiswa for the Best Female award. After the nominations were made public, the excited Seyi Shay took to social media network to express her appreciation to her numerous fans.
Hear her, “I thank the almighty God for this platform to express my talents. I also thank you my fans and friends for your support and your belief. I could not do this without you and I can’t win without you. Let’s make Africa proud! I need your votes! I won’t let you down”

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