Politics

Save Enugu Group (SEG), an NGO, has urged the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to organise a one-week prayers and fasting for the ailing governor, Chief Sullivan Chime This is contained in a statement signed by the leader of the group, Chief Maxi...

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara is in support of the plan by Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed to purchase 15 additional aircraft for the state owned International Aviation College.

The party’s state Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Mas’ud Adebimpe, said this in reaction to condemnation from some political parties.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Ilorin, Adebimbe described CPC's condemnation of the plan as mischief.

He said that the plan by the governor to buy the aircraft was in line with the policy of the PDP-led government to diversify the economy of the state.

``For the avoidance of doubt, the kernel of the Shared Prosperity Programme of the PDP administration in Kwara State is to create a credible platform for the emergence of highly trained manpower,” he said.

Adebimpe explained that the International Aviation College is the only non Federal Government driven Aviation College in Nigeria and one of the best in Africa.

He advised opposition parties to appreciate the fact that the PDP-led government in Kwara was forward looking and remained committed to the transformation of the state.

He said the governor remained ``responsive and responsible'' to the needs of the people and would not do anything to jeopardise their interest.

He said,``the PDP and the government are serious minded and profoundly committed to uplifting the standard of living of the people of Kwara State and will not be distracted by spurious allegations.

``Our covenant with the people of Kwara is to improve their economic well being through strong support for commercial agriculture, job creation and economic empowerment for the ever growing population.

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), has challenged PHCN workers to work ``very hard’’ so as to rake in more cash to sustain the company.

``The Federal Government has stopped funding the PHCN and the challenge is for us (workers) to redouble our efforts and get the money to keep the company afloat,’’ Mr Anthony Sule, NUEE Zonal Organising Secretary (North-East) said in Jos on Wednesday.

Sule was speaking at the inauguration of the union’s caretaker committee to oversee the workers’ affairs in the newly created business units in Jos.

He pointed out that PHCN had been funding itself, and advised the workers to brace up for the challenge by putting in additional efforts.

``As it is now, every worker must work harder for his or her pay. We must jointly encourage each other to put in our best,’’ he said.

The NUEE official dismissed allegations that PHCN staff were working to frustrate the ongoing power reforms.

``Any such claim is a blatant lie. These are some of the blackmails used against us. We are Nigerians and we belong to the system. It is our desire that the issues be quickly resolved so that we will happily pull out,’’ he said.

On why NUEE was inaugurating new officials when PHCN was being privatised, Sule said, ``although PHCN is folding up, electricity is not folding up.’’

``Our trade union will not fold up because union activities will continue even in the private sector.

``As I speak, NESCO (a Jos-based power generating and distributing firm), is not PHCN, but there are union activities going on there,’’ he said.

He said that with the creation of two new business units Laranto and Anglo-Jos out of the Jos business unit, it was necessary for the union to set up its structures there to effectively cater for the welfare of members.

``We sought the permission of our national secretariat and they gave us the go ahead to put in place a caretaker committee pending the election of substantive officials for the units,’’ he explained.

Sule revealed that with the inauguration of officials in the new units, the union now had branches in 20 business units under the Jos Electricity Distribution Company.

``The new structures will reinforce the union as the branches have the leadership to handle their issues locally without traveling distances as it used to be in the past.''

Mallam Sulisu Umar is to head the Laranto unit, Emmanuel Ameh to head Anglo-Jos, while Peter Ocheme is to head the committee for the Jos business unit.

The FRSC  on Wednesday in Abeokuta  launched a new licence for commercial drivers operating in Ogun. Speaking at the launching in Ita Oshin Motor Park, the state’s  Sector Commander, Ayobami Omiyale, said the introduction of the ne...

The Community Radio Station of the Federal University of Technology, Minna has been razed down by fire on Wednesday putting the station completely off the air.

The Information Officer of the institution, Mrs Lydia Legbo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna that the station went into flames at 12 a.m.

She said that one of the students on duty noticed a spark from the electrical connection at the IBB Library complex.

She said that the student immediately raised alarm, adding that the university's fire service officers rushed to the scene to put the fire off.

`` The studio was completely destroyed but we are lucky that it was put off before spreading to other parts of the library complex.

``Nobody was, however, injured in the inferno but the station will remain off air until it is reconstructed and equipped," Legbo added.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Musibau Akanbi, has urged Gov. Babangida Aliyu to assist the institution by constructing a new studio for the radio.

He told the governor during a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Minna that investigation on the incident had already commenced.  

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  has said there is nothing personal in the decision of its chairman to ask its deputy national secretary, Solomon Onwe, to take over from Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola as acting national  secretary. Describing ...

Ex-Ghanaian President, Mr. John Kufuor, President Goodluck Jonathan and a host of governors across the federation are billed to storm the Amphitheatre, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) for a civic reception in honour of Chief Olusegun Obas...

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru, on Monday called for more support for members of the Nigerian Legion in appreciation of their contribution to the peace and security of the nation. Ashiru made the call at the launching of the Arm...

Mr Ifeanacho Oguejiofor, the Director of Publicity, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), on Monday in Abuja expressed the party’s readiness for the April FCT council polls.

Oguejiofor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that candidates for the FCT elections had emerged in various council areas.

`` We are going to contest elections where we have strong base, areas like Abuja Municipal, Kuje, Bwari and Gwagwalada area councils.

`` We do not want our votes to be scattered, so we decided to concentrate in areas where we are sure we will emerge victorious,” he said.

He said the party had the wherewithal to contest the elections, adding that it was already campaigning.

`` The problem is that most people look at the Federal Government as if it is the only government in power.

``We want a situation where by if voted into power, we will be able to bring the government closer to the people.

`` We should be able to know the yearnings of the people and be ready to embark on programmes that have direct bearing on their lives

`` As you can see, items in the market are very expensive, this is because there are no access roads to bring those goods to the city centre,” Oguejiofor said.

According to him, ``we are going to sink bore holes, construct access roads in order to enable the indigenes to transport their farm produce to the cities without going through any stress''.

He said corruption was the major factor militating against meaningful development within the FCT and promised that if voted into office, the party would tackle it headlong.

Oguejiofor promised the people that the party would use all revenues and other funds to execute projects with transparency and accountability.

``Look at the wonderful works our party is doing in Anambra and Imo, we promised to do same in the FCT, if voted into power, ” he said.

He described the party as mass-oriented and progressive, adding that it had the interest of the people at heart and Nigerians in general.

He, however, urged the Federal Government to create a conducive atmosphere for the conduct of the elections to guarantee free, fair and credible results. (NAN)

The police in Lagos have arrested a NITEL Manager and 16 others for allegedly stealing NITEL cables worth N50 million from its warehouse in Victoria Island, Lagos.

A very reliable source at Victoria Island Police Station, who disclosed this on Monday to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that the suspects were arrested at about 12:30a.m. on Sunday at NITEL Warehouse, Saka Tinubu, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“We have been on surveillance for about two months for the suspects-- after we got intelligence report about their activities.
"The ring leader, one Safui, had promised one of the police officers in the station N2 million, so as to assist them to steal the cables.

“Some officers were posted to keep watch over the facilities.

"They (suspects) came in with a disguised truck, with NITEL stickers, so as to suggest that they were NITEL staff.

“They were about driving out when our men swooped on them. A NITEL Warehouse Manager, one other NITEL staff and 15 others, were arrested on the spot.

“The truck and the cables are currently kept at the police station,” the source told NAN.

The police source said that the suspects attempted to bribe the police officers with N700,000, after their arrest.

“The suspected ring -leader also threatened to use his influence to post the officers from the station to other areas if they did not co-operate with him,’’ the source added. (NAN)

A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Peter Edeh ( ANPP-Ebonyi), on Monday in Abuja faulted INEC over request for full autonomy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC had proposed amendments to the Electoral Act to enable it disqualify candidates and political parties with flawed primaries from contesting elections.

Edeh said in an interview with NAN that there was the need for caution in trying to empower the commission.

"I do not share the opinion to allow INEC to have power to disqualify candidates in elections," he said.

According to him, if such powers are given to the commission, it will be abused by some chairmen with dictatorial tendencies.

He said that it was out of place for the commission to request for sweeping powers in carrying out its constitutional mandate.

"There is no authority in this country that is not subject to the supervision of any authority," he said.

He said the proposed request for amendments of the Electoral Act by INEC would be considered on its merit if it was brought to the House.

The legislator said that in spite of the achievements of the current chairman, certain powers should not be given to the commission.

Edeh described the nullification of election of 10 members of the National Assembly by a Federal High Court as democracy in action.

NAN recalls that a Federal High Court on Jan. 11, nullified the Certificate of Return issued to 10 lawmakers, members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) representing Katsina State in the National Assembly.

He urged political parties to imbibe the culture of fair play by adopting internal democracy where every member would be given equal opportunity during primaries.

The legislator enjoined the members involved to accept the verdict and allow the country's democracy to grow. (NAN)

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Monday in Abuja condemned the renewed attack on its facilities at Arepo in Ogun. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the System 2B pipeline at Arepo was again vandalised on Saturday barely...

Armed men yesterday abducted the 78-year-old mother of the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Friday, Mrs. Betinah Okunwa Benson.

The gunmen,reportedly arrived the residence of the Speaker's mother in  Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state at about 12.30am.

According to a statement issued by the Media Aide to the Speaker,Mr.Preye Kiyaramor, the gunmen who came in two speed boats shot sporadically into the air to scare away people before going away with their victim,"The incident has been reported to the police. No contact has been made with the kidnappers at the time of sending this report."

While supporters of the Assembly Speaker are pointing accusing fingers at the  Sacked Five Council Chairmen following the Speaker's claim last week of an alleged sponsored impeachment plot against him,Others claimed the crisis rocking the Speaker's community over his involvement in the tenure elongation of the Community Development Executives may have been responsible.

The Coordinator of the Media Centre of the Joint Military Task Force code named Operation Pulo Shield,Lt.Col. Onyeanka Nwachukwu said he was not aware of the incident. But the spokesperson of the Bayelsa Command of the Police,Mr.Fidelis Oduna,confirmed the incident,"Yes,the Mother of the Bayelsa Speaker has been kidnapped and we have dispatched our men into the area with a view of unravelling those behind the kidnap".

In this chat with SEFIU AYANBIMPE, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Olumo Sunday Akere, speaks on the activities of the present administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola in the state. He dismisses the criticisms of the opposit...

It is time for the country to embrace electronic voting in order to ensure the integrity of its elections, the ACN has said. In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said with electron...