Too late for Nigeria’s disintegration – Renowned author, Awosika

 

Ibukun Awosika says the dissolution of Nigeria is not an option as the country “is already many decades too late to disintegrate”.

The Chairman, First Bank Board of Directors made the remark on Thursday in Kaduna at a Town Hall Meeting on National Security.

Awosika noted that those who fought for the independence of Nigeria did not come from the same tribe.

The renowned author said Nigeria comprises many tribes, ethnic groups, culture and tradition and the combination, according to her, long provided the opportunity to develop talents, diversity, natural and human resources.

“When you look at what Nigeria represents in terms of the size of market and population, the country is richly blessed”, NAN quoted her as saying.

Awosika said as a Christian, many of her family members, friends, business associates are Muslims and they live in peace and harmony.

She blamed the political leaders for not doing enough and for playing politics with the issue of Nigeria’s break up.

Awosika, however, warned that if the politicians succeed in destroying the country, there would be nothing left to govern.

The motivational speaker urged the political class to “review the approach of gaining power”.

News Nigeria inaugurates Police Public Complaints Committee, announces Special Investigation Unit

 

The federal government has inaugurated the Nigeria Police Public Complaints Committee (PPCC).

Police Minister, Muhammad Dingyadi called the body a “permanent structure” that will give Nigerians the opportunity to channel their grievances on the misconduct of police personnel.

The committee comprises the Ministries of Police Affairs, Justice, Police Service Commission, National Human Rights Commission, National Intelligence Agency, a non-government organization (CLEEN Foundation), Nigeria Police Force, Police Community Relations Committee and the Department of State Security Services (DSS).

Addressing the team, the minister said President Muhammadu Buhari approved the formation to perform PPCC oversight functions on the activities of police personnel and their interaction with the public.

The minister added that PPCC will have a sub-committee to be known as the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), a division of professionals.

He admitted that most complaints lodged at police stations and commands did not produce the desired solutions for aggrieved Nigerians.

“Once the PPCC becomes operational, I will expect it to swing into action by embarking on wide sensitization campaigns to enable Nigerians be aware of its existence.”

Dingyadi urged the committee to decentralize its structure to ensure that Nigerians have easy access at all Local Government headquarters.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Temitope Fashedemi, described the PPCC as an additional layer for the protection of people’s rights whenever there seems to be an infringement or abuse of power by police officers.

 

Politics Ohanaeze division: Ex-Imo Gov Ohakim drags Ozobu, Ibeh, Isiguzoro to court

 

Former Imo Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, has commenced a contempt proceeding against Richard Ozobu, Chidi Ibeh, Uche Okwukwu and Okechukwu Isiguzoro over the parallel election of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

In January, the apex Igbo organization broke into two after separate elections were held in Imo.

The one conducted by Ozobu produced Ibeh, a former Commissioner in Imo, while the other produced George Obiozor as President-Generals.

Okwukwu and Isiguzoro emerged Deputy President-General and Secretary-General of the Ibeh faction.

But Obiozor, who was declared the winner at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, is widely regarded as the authentic leader.

Former President-General, Nnia Nwodo set up the electoral committee chaired by Gary Igariwey.

President Muhammadu Buhari and several prominent Nigerians recognized Obiozor, a former Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).

“I have little doubt that his election is well-deserved and will serve not only the interest of Ndigbo but also that of his fatherland”, Buhari said.

Barrister Aloy Ejimakor filed the originating suit on behalf of the plaintiff, Ohakim. The ex-governor is seeking an order to commit the respondents to prison for “having disobeyed the order of this court made on the 5th day of January 2021”.

In his sworn deposition, he said the court had restrained the respondents and their cohorts from “interfering with the election of officers of Ohanaeze Ndigbo or from conducting a parallel election of the officers of Ohanaeze pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction fixed January 11, 2021”.

The accompanying motion said Ozobu, Ibeh, Okwukwu and Isiguzoro disobeyed the court and that by parading themselves as officers of Ohanaeze and shutting the group’s secretariat, the respondents had committed contempt of court.

In the supporting affidavit, Ohakim said he had taken out Form 48 (Notice of Consequence of disobedience of court order) on March 8, 2021, against the respondents/contemnors, warning them to retrace their steps, which was served on them by the bailiff on March 9, 2021.

He said in ignoring the court Ozobu, Ibeh, Okwukwu and Isiguzoro are indirectly saying that the “court lacks the powers to restrain them from continuing on this part of disobedience of the said order of this court, thus necessitating this application.”

Ohakim said in the interest of justice the court should grant this application to commit the respondents to prison for contempt “as it furthers the overall integrity of orders of court and respect for the judiciary.”

The matter is set for hearing on May 5, 2021. Ejimakor confirmed that the contemnors have been served by substituted means, including by publication in a national newspaper.

Politics Anti-Buhari Graffiti: Demonstration of public resentment to APC misrule

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the appearance of anti-Buhari graffiti in some major cities in the country is a demonstration of public resentment to the misrule of the Buhari Presidency.

This was contained in a statement on Thursday.

The statement which was issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, the National Publicity Secretary of the party said it appears Nigerians have lost hope in President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC), given the devastation, violence, poverty and economic hardship that has enveloped the country under their watch.

“The party asserts that the graffiti which demands that “Buhari Must Go”, is a loud remonstration against the impunity, divineness, high level incompetence, massive corruption as high-level insensitivity of the APC and its administration to the sorry situation they have plunged our dear nation.” According to the statement,

“The Nigerian youths, by the graffiti, are demonstrating against the failure of President Buhari and the APC to take decisive steps to address the incessant mass killings, high-level unemployment, poverty and economic hardship that their administration has foisted on our country.

“The graffiti is also an open aversion to the looting of over N15 trillion by APC leaders at the time our nation is battling with 33% unemployment rate; at a time over 40 million Nigerian have lost their means of livelihood due to APC misrule and where most families cannot afford the basic necessities of life.”

The PDP stressed that “It is an open aversion to the reported looting of trillions of naira meant for the purchase of arms to secure our nation, at a time terrorists, bandits and kidnappers are having a field day ravaging our communities and killing our compatriots.

“Moreover, the use of political graffiti by citizens is a global practice to express themselves, particularly in a democratic setting.

“It is, therefore, a mark of intolerance, disdain and insensitivity to the plight of the people that instead of accepting and taking steps to address their anxieties, the APC chose to unleash their thugs to flog and dehumanize Nigerian citizens exercising their right to freedom of expression, as witnessed in Kogi State.

“The PDP rejects the pedestrian allegations of trespass as a basis for the attack on the youths, as anybody aggrieved in the direction being claimed, have the court as a lawful channel for redress. ”

“The PDP recalls how in 2014, President Buhari, then as Presidential candidate of the APC, led other leaders of his party to take to the streets and disrupted public activities in the exercise of such freedom and nobody hired thugs to attack or flog them in public.

“While urging Nigerians to remain calm despite these provocations, the PDP cautions the APC to note that its resort to suppression of freedom of expression cannot obliterate the fact that the people are only waiting for the next general election to flog them with their votes.” The statement further added

Politics ”Say the truth about Ogun N58bn debt” – Fmr Finance Commissioner tells Abiodun

 

The immediate past Commissioner for Finance in Ogun State, Mr Adewale Oshinowo, has challenged Governor Dapo Abiodun to say the truth about the N58.4 billion debt, which appeared to have been incurred within 18 months of his administration.

 reports that the latest report published by the Debt Management Office (DMO) showed that Ogun State’s domestic debt profile had increased from N95 billion in June 2019 to over N153 billion in December 2020.

However, Governor Abiodun had in a reaction on Monday denied borrowing N58 billion in 18 months.

He accused former Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s government of not disclosing N50 billion in unpaid pensions, gratuities and outstanding staff salaries, which he claimed were added to the debt profile to arrive at the N153 billion published by the DMO.

Reacting in a statement, the former Finance Commissioner, Oshinowo said the previous government did not want to join issues with the current administration in Ogun State.

However, he said, “the State Government, in its wisdom, chose to call us out with its tons of lies and misinformation carelessly crafted to obfuscate issues and concerns raised by the Debt Management Office (DMO) in the just-released Data on Debt Figures of the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT, where the figures showed the Ogun State’s skyrocketing debt at a time when by general acclaim, nothing is on the ground to justify such huge debt.”

According to him, “the claims of the Ogun State Government on the issue of its debt profile are deliberate lies. The alibi offered by Ogun State Government in response to the DMO report is a laughable red herring that bothers on financial illiteracy and calculated mischief.

”They were lies spurned to cover up inexplicable inadequacies.”

“For the records, and particularly for the benefit of our people and posterity, we say clearly that we did not owe or leave any liability not captured in our end of tenure and handover report. We said that much and laid out the figures during an earlier publication on September 28, 2020, made in response to Ogun State Government claims on the workers’ general strike.

“It appears that the Dapo Abiodun administration has the penchant to wish away issues and crisis by simply hanging same on the necks of the immediate past administration. Like they say in popular parlance, things never work or get resolved by buck-passing,” the former Commissioner stated.

Oshinowo maintained that “the Government of Ogun State should be sincere and factual to tell the good people of Ogun State the truth on the N58.4bn difference between June 2019 after we left office and December 2020 and how much debt it has accumulated in the period under review.”

He urged Ogun people to “wait for DMO figures by June 2021 and December 2021 when all the lies and manipulations of the present Administration will further come to light.”

Our Position, as contained in a publication authored by Mr Tokunbo Talabi, Secretary to State Government dated Thursday, 17 September 2020, the records, notes and accounts detailed in our End of Tenure report were validated in paragraph 1.1 of the publication. What is more, the same records were captured in the Ogun State Government returns to the DMO save for the two columns on Pensions and Gratuity arrears, and Salaries arrears and other claims. Deliberatively, and with a purpose to serve, these two heads contained misleading records and returns designed to mislead.

”For clarifications, our Administration cleared 18 months arrears of deductions and 3 months of unpaid salaries owed by the Administration that we succeeded. For other agencies and tertiary institutions, we cleared several months in arrears, in some instances two years and more.

”Relatedly, we paid full salaries, pensions and other emoluments between 29 May 2011 to 29 May 2019. The records also show that verifiable gratuities arrears owed by us stood at N22.48 billion, out of which N10.8 billion was released to the current Administration in the first week of July 2019. By the time we align these figures, the net outstanding liability on gratuity left by our Administration was below N12 billion. Save for the two queried columns, our figures tally with the accounts of Ogun State Government as contained in its publication under reference and with DMO figures.

“With all due respect, we invite the current Administration to come clean of how much they had paid in gratuity since they took office, and more importantly, how much more they had accumulated. If for instance, the DMO records show that Ogun State Government already owed N10.839 in salary arrears as of December 2020, it is left to see what the figures will climb to in December 2021.

“The DMO mandate typically covers and reports on institutional debts and long-tenured structured loans (between 10 and 20 years) not operational and routine obligations like salaries, pensions and gratuities. We are curious as to the true intentions of the Ogun State Government in this attempt to transfer these routine obligations to DMO. Were they deliberately accumulating debt stock to prepare the grounds for more liabilities? Time will tell.

“For us, we stand by our figures as contained in our Hand Over notes and End of Tenure report. We do not want Ogun stakeholders and the general public to be misled or fed cruel lies by an Administration that is inwardly and outwardly deficient in governance and idea.”

Why I’ll always be grateful to Harry Redknapp – Yakubu Aiyegbeni

 

Former Everton striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, has disclosed he will always be grateful to former Tottenham Hotspur manager, Harry Redknapp, for believing in him and allowing him to play.

Redknapp signed Aiyegbeni from Israeli club Maccabi Haifa to then Championship side Portsmouth in January 2003.

Aiyegbeni eventually led Portsmouth to promotion to the English Premier League, EPL.

The former Nigerian international went on to become a prolific striker, scoring 95 EPL goals while starring for the likes of Everton, Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough under different managers.

“I will always be grateful to Harry Redknapp for giving me the opportunity to play,” Aiyegbeni told Planet Football.

“He always believed in me. He always motivated me, and his man-management was unbelievable. He would say, ‘Just go and destroy those guys. They are not good enough. Your quality is much better than theirs.’ And I did it.

“When I crossed the white line, I wanted to give my best. I didn’t want to let myself or my family down. Harry was the one who gave me the opportunity to show myself, and I did it, thanks to him.”

Aiyegbeni retired from football on 22 November 2017.

‘I’m curious’ – Bayern Munich CEO, Rummenigge pays tribute to Marina Granovskaia

 

Bayern Munich CEO, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, has paid tribute to Chelsea Director, Marina Granovskaia, for the job she is doing at Stamford Bridge.

Granovskaia is Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich’s right-hand woman at the west London club.

The 46-year-old has grown to become one of the most powerful leaders in world football.

She has built a reputation for her smart dealings in transfer transactions.

Speaking to the Athletic, Rummenigge said, “I am curious to see if there will be one club in Europe that can break even this season.

“It will be challenging, even for us. We have lost €4m to €5m per game, you can work out what that means in total.

“After more than 1 year without fans, the income loss has been much greater for the big clubs. Some of the smaller clubs, who rely on selling, will sustain real damage as well. There will be maybe 2, or 3 clubs who are able to buck the trend.

“Chelsea’s numbers, for example, look very positive. Marina [Granovskaia] has done a very good job. But we won’t see any all-time-high records tumble this summer, that is for sure.”