Okoro Chinedu
09:48 02/07/2015
Lagos - The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) alleged it had unearthed plans by Governor Nyesom Wike to obtain
loans worth N100 billion, saying this would plunge the state into debt.
According
to the allegations, the governor “in the few months he will be in
power” plans to collect the said amount in tranches within a period of
two months.
“APC, Rivers State Chapter has uncovered a strategic
plan by Governor Nyesom Wike to obtain loans totaling N100b in the few
months he is expected to be in power as the governor of Rivers State
thereby plunging the state into an abyss of debt and economic
servitude,” Chris Finebone, APC State Publicity Secretary, said.
Finebone
said meanwhile, within the past two weeks, Wike had already sought and
gotten the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly to obtain N10
billion and N20 billion loans from Zenith Bank PLC and Access Bank PLC
respectively.
Information APC
was privy to strongly indicated that the governor and “his men” had
started negotiation with Heritage and Eco Banks to obtain another loan
of N30b in the coming week or so.
“This
will bring the total amount of loan obtained by the embattled governor
to N60 billion in less than 45 days as Governor of Rivers State,”
Finebone said.
“The
APC can only agree that the good people of Rivers State have ended up
in the notorious Lagos buses used in robbing unsuspecting citizens
popularly called ‘one chance.’ With the short-term Wike-led government
of Rivers State, indeed, we have all entered a ‘one chance’ bus.”
Finebone
said beyond the argument Wike was borrowing to complete projects which
he has been selling to Rivers people, the real intention of Wike’s
borrowing was to provide funds for alleged cronies “who have started
showing signs of disenchantment and the need to deepen his war chest
preparatory to a re-run election that is looming.”
APC is contesting Wike’s election and is confident the Election Tribunal will overturn the result as schedule a re-run.
Amid
the uncertainties Finebone thus slammed the borrowing by the state
government, whose officials could not be reached for comment.
“As
long as the scheme of this governor succeeds, we and our children yet
unborn will be eternally tied to the apron-strings of those cavalier
banks that are conniving with the governor while he walks free after
being sent packing as governor in a few months time.”
News, Events, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty, Inspiration and yes... Gossip! *Wink*
Thursday, 2 July 2015
April 11 election: Ambode hails tribunal ruling
10:45 02/07/2015
Lagos - Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday described the confirmation of his victory at the polls as a reaffirmation of the mandate given to him by the people of the state.
Ambode said this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Habib Aruna while reacting to the ruling of the State Election Petition Tribunal headed by Justice Mohammed Sirajo.
“I am elated at the ruling of the tribunal which is an affirmation of my victory at the polls.
"On April 11, 2015, the people of Lagos spoke with their votes about continuity and that is what the tribunal has just reaffirmed.
“The task ahead requires concerted efforts from everyone," he said.
Ambode urged all his opponents to put the election struggles behind them and in the spirit of sportsmanship, join hands with him to take the state to the next level.
“It was needless in the first place for the PDP to have petitioned my election which was adjudged to be free, fair and credible.
"Now that the right thing has been done, which of course the people expected, we should all come together above partisanship and move the state forward," Ambode said.
The tribunal on Wednesday struck out the petition filed against the election of Ambode by the PDP candidate, Jimi Agbaje following a preliminary objection filed by the governor's counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun.
Lagos - Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday described the confirmation of his victory at the polls as a reaffirmation of the mandate given to him by the people of the state.
Ambode said this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Habib Aruna while reacting to the ruling of the State Election Petition Tribunal headed by Justice Mohammed Sirajo.
“I am elated at the ruling of the tribunal which is an affirmation of my victory at the polls.
"On April 11, 2015, the people of Lagos spoke with their votes about continuity and that is what the tribunal has just reaffirmed.
“The task ahead requires concerted efforts from everyone," he said.
Ambode urged all his opponents to put the election struggles behind them and in the spirit of sportsmanship, join hands with him to take the state to the next level.
“It was needless in the first place for the PDP to have petitioned my election which was adjudged to be free, fair and credible.
"Now that the right thing has been done, which of course the people expected, we should all come together above partisanship and move the state forward," Ambode said.
The tribunal on Wednesday struck out the petition filed against the election of Ambode by the PDP candidate, Jimi Agbaje following a preliminary objection filed by the governor's counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun.
Six students killed in Lagos boat mishap
10:45 02/07/2015
Lagos - Six students died on Wednesday in the Ojo area of Lagos when a boat conveying them capsized, reports Vanguard.
Eight other students, including the driver were , however,rescued.
The incident occurred after a fibre canoe reportedly ran into the passenger boat at about 9 a.m.
The bodies of dead students were yet to be found.
Five of the survivors have been taken to the Igando General Hospital and three discharged to go back home.
Read more at Vanguard.
Lagos - Six students died on Wednesday in the Ojo area of Lagos when a boat conveying them capsized, reports Vanguard.
Eight other students, including the driver were , however,rescued.
The incident occurred after a fibre canoe reportedly ran into the passenger boat at about 9 a.m.
The bodies of dead students were yet to be found.
Five of the survivors have been taken to the Igando General Hospital and three discharged to go back home.
Read more at Vanguard.
Buhari commended for appointing first female INEC chairman
11:47 02/07/2015
Lagos - Most Rev. Adebayo Akinde, the Archbishop of Lagos Mainland, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, on Wednesday expressed satisfaction with the appointment of Amina Zakari as the acting Chairman of INEC.
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday appointed Zakari, as INEC chair in an acting capacity following the expiration of Professor Attahiru Jega’s tenure.
The cleric said that he was not surprised by the appointment of Zakari as "females seem to be taking the positions" in almost every aspect of Nigeria’s life.
"We thank God for the phase in which Nigeria is; if you look at every aspect of our nation, females seem to be taking the positions down; so am not surprised."
Many females have occupied eminent positions and have held their own sway.
"So appointing a female as an acting INEC chair, I have every confidence she will deliver; Nigerian women, excellent."
Until her recent appointment, Zakari, a pharmacist from Jigawa, was a National Electoral Commissioner with INEC.
She attended Queens College, Lagos and in 1980, graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Pharmacy from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
After her National Youth Service, she worked as a pharmacist in various hospitals between 1983 and 1996.
She served in various capacities as a consultant in health and social services from 1997 up till her appointment as National Commissioner in INEC.
Lagos - Most Rev. Adebayo Akinde, the Archbishop of Lagos Mainland, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, on Wednesday expressed satisfaction with the appointment of Amina Zakari as the acting Chairman of INEC.
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday appointed Zakari, as INEC chair in an acting capacity following the expiration of Professor Attahiru Jega’s tenure.
The cleric said that he was not surprised by the appointment of Zakari as "females seem to be taking the positions" in almost every aspect of Nigeria’s life.
"We thank God for the phase in which Nigeria is; if you look at every aspect of our nation, females seem to be taking the positions down; so am not surprised."
Many females have occupied eminent positions and have held their own sway.
"So appointing a female as an acting INEC chair, I have every confidence she will deliver; Nigerian women, excellent."
Until her recent appointment, Zakari, a pharmacist from Jigawa, was a National Electoral Commissioner with INEC.
She attended Queens College, Lagos and in 1980, graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Pharmacy from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
After her National Youth Service, she worked as a pharmacist in various hospitals between 1983 and 1996.
She served in various capacities as a consultant in health and social services from 1997 up till her appointment as National Commissioner in INEC.
PDP rejects Zakari as acting Chairman of INEC
19:44 01/07/2015
Abuja - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has kicked against the appointment of Amina Zakari as the Acting National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), reports Punch.
Zakari was appointed as the acting head of the commission on Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari following the expiration of the tenure of Prof. Attahiru Jega.
The party noted that Zakari was too close to the Presidency to occupy such sensitive position.
Olisa Metuh, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary stated his party’s position at a crowded press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
He noted that Zakari needs to convinced Nigerians that she merits the position by explaining her closeness to the Presidency and one of the governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the North-West.
Read more at Punch.
Abuja - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has kicked against the appointment of Amina Zakari as the Acting National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), reports Punch.
Zakari was appointed as the acting head of the commission on Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari following the expiration of the tenure of Prof. Attahiru Jega.
The party noted that Zakari was too close to the Presidency to occupy such sensitive position.
Olisa Metuh, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary stated his party’s position at a crowded press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
He noted that Zakari needs to convinced Nigerians that she merits the position by explaining her closeness to the Presidency and one of the governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the North-West.
Read more at Punch.
Commercial taxi drivers protest in Bwari over alleged harassement
21:41 01/07/2015
Bwari - Members of the Commercial Taxi Drivers Union in Bwari, FCT, on Wednesday staged a protest against what they called harassment and maltreatment by Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO).
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Ushafa Community, the drivers said that the activities of the road traffic officials caused road crashes.
The drivers said that their protest was triggered by the death of a pregnant woman last Saturday in a car accident caused by officials, who tried to maltreat a commercial driver who was in motion.
While some of the drivers carried tree branches, some others ensured they forced passengers in painted taxis to disembark to allow their colleagues to participate in the protest.
Mr Mohammed Daudu, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said they were protesting to attract the attention of the Federal Government and to demand its intervention to stop the incessant harassment.
"They disguise themselves in mufti to arrest defaulters.
"The officials waylaid a driver on Saturday and in their bid to catch him, they hooked the hand break in the vehicle.
"The incident resulted in the car hitting an electric pole; that was the main cause of the death of a pregnant woman who was a passenger in the vehicle.
"We have embarked on the strike to press home our protest that no commercial vehicle will carry passengers from Bwari to the central area.
"We appeal to the government to intervene in the matter and also help us to recover the 20 impounded vehicles belonging to our members from the officials.
"The officials must release our vehicles and give them back to us.
"The officials should wear their uniform when on duty instead of wearing mufti and disguising as passengers intimidating us."
Speaking with NAN, the Divisional Police Officer of Bwari, Mr Danladi Isa said that the protest, which started at about 6 a.m., attracted security operatives, who went to the scene to ensure the safety of lives and property of citizens.
According to him, normalcy has been restored to the community and everybody can go about their business.
Early hours of this morning, we received information that the taxi drivers union (was) demonstrating at Ushafa junction.
I quickly mobilised my men and I am still on ground; I have addressed them and they have complained about maltreatment by the officials and that was the basis of their protest this morning.
I have talked with them on the need to conduct themselves peacefully; a lot of them have dispersed; the road is clear and commuters are moving without hindrance on the highway.”
NAN reports that an attempt to get the view of the Chief Officer of the VIO, Bwari Branch on the matter did not yield result, as he rebuffed all efforts to have him speak.
Bwari - Members of the Commercial Taxi Drivers Union in Bwari, FCT, on Wednesday staged a protest against what they called harassment and maltreatment by Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO).
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Ushafa Community, the drivers said that the activities of the road traffic officials caused road crashes.
The drivers said that their protest was triggered by the death of a pregnant woman last Saturday in a car accident caused by officials, who tried to maltreat a commercial driver who was in motion.
While some of the drivers carried tree branches, some others ensured they forced passengers in painted taxis to disembark to allow their colleagues to participate in the protest.
Mr Mohammed Daudu, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said they were protesting to attract the attention of the Federal Government and to demand its intervention to stop the incessant harassment.
"They disguise themselves in mufti to arrest defaulters.
"The officials waylaid a driver on Saturday and in their bid to catch him, they hooked the hand break in the vehicle.
"The incident resulted in the car hitting an electric pole; that was the main cause of the death of a pregnant woman who was a passenger in the vehicle.
"We have embarked on the strike to press home our protest that no commercial vehicle will carry passengers from Bwari to the central area.
"We appeal to the government to intervene in the matter and also help us to recover the 20 impounded vehicles belonging to our members from the officials.
"The officials must release our vehicles and give them back to us.
"The officials should wear their uniform when on duty instead of wearing mufti and disguising as passengers intimidating us."
Speaking with NAN, the Divisional Police Officer of Bwari, Mr Danladi Isa said that the protest, which started at about 6 a.m., attracted security operatives, who went to the scene to ensure the safety of lives and property of citizens.
According to him, normalcy has been restored to the community and everybody can go about their business.
Early hours of this morning, we received information that the taxi drivers union (was) demonstrating at Ushafa junction.
I quickly mobilised my men and I am still on ground; I have addressed them and they have complained about maltreatment by the officials and that was the basis of their protest this morning.
I have talked with them on the need to conduct themselves peacefully; a lot of them have dispersed; the road is clear and commuters are moving without hindrance on the highway.”
NAN reports that an attempt to get the view of the Chief Officer of the VIO, Bwari Branch on the matter did not yield result, as he rebuffed all efforts to have him speak.
El-Rufai inaugurates 16 man committee to end killings in Southern Kaduna
21:41 01/07/2015
Kaduna - Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Wednesday inaugurated a 16-member committee to find solutions to the incessant killings in the Southern part of the state.
The committee, headed by retired Gen. Martins Agwai, a former Chief of Defence Staff, had 30DAYS to unravel the causes of the attacks.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that statistics released by the National Emergency Management Agency showed that 23, 890 people were displaced by communal clashes in Kaura, Kachia and Sanga Local Government Areas of the state in 2014.
El-Rufai said that government was determined to end the circle of violence through dialogue.
"The circles of killing in Southern part of Kaduna have been a source of great concern to us.
"We are concerned because communities that have lived together for hundreds of years have suddenly turned against each other.
"We know this problem can only be solved through community dialogue so as to get to the root of the problem and bring everyone to the table and hear their side,’’ the governor said.
According to him, the setting up of the committee is part of the government's multi-dimensional approach in finding lasting solutions to the problem.
"The idea behind the committee was started by the previous administration, but for some reasons the committee never took off.
"When we came in and saw the idea, we thought it is a very good idea that can contribute in no small way in resolving the problems that had resulted to the killings in Southern Kaduna.’’
El-Rufai commended Agwai for agreeing to serve, and hoped that he would deploy his experience in crisis management at national and international levels, to end the conflict in the area.
He pledged that the administration would use the committee's recommendations and that of the Peace and Reconciliation ``to lay the foundation for sustainable peace, reconciliation and progress in the state’’.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Agwai pledged to deliver on the mandate given to them.
"I promise that we would do our best and meet the 30 days deadline to come out with the report on the findings,’’ Agwai said.
Kaduna - Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Wednesday inaugurated a 16-member committee to find solutions to the incessant killings in the Southern part of the state.
The committee, headed by retired Gen. Martins Agwai, a former Chief of Defence Staff, had 30DAYS to unravel the causes of the attacks.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that statistics released by the National Emergency Management Agency showed that 23, 890 people were displaced by communal clashes in Kaura, Kachia and Sanga Local Government Areas of the state in 2014.
El-Rufai said that government was determined to end the circle of violence through dialogue.
"The circles of killing in Southern part of Kaduna have been a source of great concern to us.
"We are concerned because communities that have lived together for hundreds of years have suddenly turned against each other.
"We know this problem can only be solved through community dialogue so as to get to the root of the problem and bring everyone to the table and hear their side,’’ the governor said.
According to him, the setting up of the committee is part of the government's multi-dimensional approach in finding lasting solutions to the problem.
"The idea behind the committee was started by the previous administration, but for some reasons the committee never took off.
"When we came in and saw the idea, we thought it is a very good idea that can contribute in no small way in resolving the problems that had resulted to the killings in Southern Kaduna.’’
El-Rufai commended Agwai for agreeing to serve, and hoped that he would deploy his experience in crisis management at national and international levels, to end the conflict in the area.
He pledged that the administration would use the committee's recommendations and that of the Peace and Reconciliation ``to lay the foundation for sustainable peace, reconciliation and progress in the state’’.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Agwai pledged to deliver on the mandate given to them.
"I promise that we would do our best and meet the 30 days deadline to come out with the report on the findings,’’ Agwai said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)