A group at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, operating under the auspices of Concerned Academic Staff Academic Staff Union of Universities (CASUU), has stated that its members are ready to resist unnecessary politicisation and unhealthy rivalry in the union to prevent it from being ruined by power seekers.

This was as the FUOYE chapter of the union has now been split into four groups due to high-wired politics among contending forces namely: Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) headed by Dr. Akinyemi Omonijo, Congress of Nigeria Academics (CNA) , CASUU and New Academic Staff Union of FUOYE (NASUF).

ASUU, FUOYE chapter, has been embroiled in crisis triggered by the anti-management stance maintained by the Omonijo-led ASUU which didn’t please some members.

A couple of weeks ago, CNA was inaugurated in the university due to the existing cracks among members.

Addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, the CASUU members, which spoke through its Chairman, Prof Sola Omotola and spokesman, Dr. Wasiu Oyedokun-Ali, accused ASUU, Akure Zone of fuelling factional crisis in the university.

Oyedokun, who read the text of the speech delivered by embattled members, said it was wrong for the ASUU Chairman, Akure Zone, Prof. Olufayo Olu-Olu to have taken side initially when the bedlam started to brew before it festered to this level when no fruitful mediation was made.

The group said they decided to take the bull by the horn to rescue the union from those who have decided to run it like a ‘cult’.

He debunked allegations of illegal promotions, mismanagement of funds and gross incompetence, among other grievous accusations levelled by the Omonijo-led ASUU against the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Kayode Soremekun, describing them as baseless and unfounded.

Oyedokun said: “Our members felt the problem was not really about ASUU, it is about one man, Dr. Omonijo. To us, impeaching him have been the only option through which we can progress and that was where we stand.

“The Congress under the ASUU had earlier met in October where they resolved that Dr. Omonijo must be removed . The motion was moved and resolution taken to this effect but efforts to realize this has been sabotaged by Zonal ASUU under Prof Olu-Olu, because he stalled the letter we sent to ASUU National Executive Committee.

“Despite this, we insist that the Congress is supreme and we decided to assert its supremacy and we proceed with the impeachment and on
that we stand.

“Our focus is to rescue ASUU and make it functional again because over 50 of our members had withdrawn financial contributions to ASUU. The union seems factionalised and it needs urgent rescue mission.

“Though, politics has crept to all strata of our society but we won’t allow unnecessary politicization of ASUU, because it is a credible academic and pressure group”, he stated.

Olu-Olu had, while addressing pressmen, said his allegations that Prof Soremekun has been acting like emperor was real, while also dispelling the insinuation that he was igniting crisis in the university by hobnobbing and protecting Omonijo.

The Professor of Physics said ASUU would stop at nothing to restore normalcy in the university by putting the management on its toes.

“The Zonal ASUU is not interested in causing tension or crisis in FUOYE, we are here to restore the real academic culture. How can someone who is not a PhD holder be promoted a professor? Why must you asked students to pay money to buy reagents? All these are anomalies we want to correct,” he said.A group at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, operating under the auspices of Concerned Academic Staff Academic Staff Union of Universities (CASUU), has stated that its members are ready to resist unnecessary politicisation and unhealthy rivalry in the union to prevent it from being ruined by power seekers.

This was as the FUOYE chapter of the union has now been split into four groups due to high-wired politics among contending forces namely: Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) headed by Dr. Akinyemi Omonijo, Congress of Nigeria Academics (CNA) , CASUU and New Academic Staff Union of FUOYE (NASUF).

ASUU, FUOYE chapter, has been embroiled in crisis triggered by the anti-management stance maintained by the Omonijo-led ASUU which didn’t please some members.

A couple of weeks ago, CNA was inaugurated in the university due to the existing cracks among members.

Addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, the CASUU members, which spoke through its Chairman, Prof Sola Omotola and spokesman, Dr. Wasiu Oyedokun-Ali, accused ASUU, Akure Zone of fuelling factional crisis in the university.

Oyedokun, who read the text of the speech delivered by embattled members, said it was wrong for the ASUU Chairman, Akure Zone, Prof. Olufayo Olu-Olu to have taken side initially when the bedlam started to brew before it festered to this level when no fruitful mediation was made.

The group said they decided to take the bull by the horn to rescue the union from those who have decided to run it like a ‘cult’.

He debunked allegations of illegal promotions, mismanagement of funds and gross incompetence, among other grievous accusations levelled by the Omonijo-led ASUU against the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Kayode Soremekun, describing them as baseless and unfounded.

Oyedokun said: “Our members felt the problem was not really about ASUU, it is about one man, Dr. Omonijo. To us, impeaching him have been the only option through which we can progress and that was where we stand.

“The Congress under the ASUU had earlier met in October where they resolved that Dr. Omonijo must be removed . The motion was moved and resolution taken to this effect but efforts to realize this has been sabotaged by Zonal ASUU under Prof Olu-Olu, because he stalled the letter we sent to ASUU National Executive Committee.

“Despite this, we insist that the Congress is supreme and we decided to assert its supremacy and we proceed with the impeachment and on
that we stand.

“Our focus is to rescue ASUU and make it functional again because over 50 of our members had withdrawn financial contributions to ASUU. The union seems factionalised and it needs urgent rescue mission.

“Though, politics has crept to all strata of our society but we won’t allow unnecessary politicization of ASUU, because it is a credible academic and pressure group”, he stated.

Olu-Olu had, while addressing pressmen, said his allegations that Prof Soremekun has been acting like emperor was real, while also dispelling the insinuation that he was igniting crisis in the university by hobnobbing and protecting Omonijo.

The Professor of Physics said ASUU would stop at nothing to restore normalcy in the university by putting the management on its toes.

“The Zonal ASUU is not interested in causing tension or crisis in FUOYE, we are here to restore the real academic culture. How can someone who is not a PhD holder be promoted a professor? Why must you asked students to pay money to buy reagents? All these are anomalies we want to correct,” he said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/06/ASUU-may-be-killed-by-unhealthy-rivalry-politics-members-warn/

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has sacked his Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Arome Adoji and approved the appointment of 16 new aides.

A statement issued in Lokoja on Wednesday by Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folashade Ayoade, confirmed the removal of Adoji but did not give reasons for the action.

Ayoade said that Dr Paul Ugbede Ebije had been appointed by the governor to replace the sacked commissioner. According to the statement, Mr Aliyu Salami has also been appointed as the new chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service.

Salami, is replacing the former chairman, Alhaji Yakubu Oseni, who is now the Kogi Central senatorial candidate of the of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 election. Chief Gbenga Asagun and the state’s former Head of Service, Dr Moses Atakpa, were also appointed to serve as chairmen of Elders Advisory Council for Kogi West and East senatorial districts respectively among others, the statement said.

Other aides appointed included Mr Umar Abdulshi and Mr Mudi Yusuf, as members of Lokoja and Ofu local governments administrative councils. Also appointed are Mr Suleiman Abubakar, Mr Segun Aberepran, Mr Yahaya Halilu, Mr Mathew Malik, Mr Abubakar Abdulkarim as Senior Special Assistants while Mr Salihu Idachaba, Hajia Halimatu Amodu and Mr Nda Aron were appointed Special Advisers to the governor

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/06/governor-bello-sacks-commissioner-appoints-16-new-aides/

•President: those fanning embers of discord in Nigeria ‘re illiterates

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in O?wi?cim, Poland, where he paid tribute to Holocaust victims.

After an hour and 10 minutes guided tour of the Museum devoted to the memory of the victims, who died at both camps during World War II, President Buhari penned a hand-written tribute in the visitor’s book, quoting Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”: “The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones”.

The President, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also laid a wreath at Block 11 of the museum, known as the ”Death block.” Here, according to an epitaph in the Block: ”Male and female prisoners from all parts of the camp complex were held in this building…following brutal interrogations, they were in most cases sentenced to death by shooting.”

Before leaving the museum, which includes the Nazi concentration camps Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, Buhari fielded questions from State House correspondents traveling with him

He described those fanning embers of discord in Nigeria as “illiterates and ignorant”.

The President is on Day Four of his visit to Poland, where he had attended the opening of the UN Climate Change Conference in Katowice, delivered his national address at the 12-day meeting of COP24, met with several world leaders and visited the impressive Nigerian pavilion at the climate summit.

The President had earlier attended a town-hall meeting with Nigerians in Poland, a day after his arrival in the country.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/05/buhari-pays-tribute-to-holocaust-victims/

Counsel to Ikem Uzoezie, factional Speaker of Anambra Assembly, Chief Emeka Agbapuonwu has said that no fewer than 26 of the 30 members of the Anambra State House of Assembly signed the impeachment resolution that removed Mrs Rita Maduagwu as speaker.

Agbapuonwu told newsmen at the Federal High Court in Awka that 21 members were physically present at the House session where it was adopted on Nov. 13 and Uzoezie was unanimously elected to take over.

He decried the occupation of the Assembly complex by Policemen which made it impossible for the members to sit on Nov.15.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Agbapuonwu told the court that his client wished to remove Gov. Willie Obiano as a defendant in the suit he filed at the Federal High Court Awka.

Uzoezie had joined Obiano as the third defendant in the suit against Mrs Rita Maduagwu, the embattled speaker from parading herself as speaker, having been impeached by members of the Anambra House.

He is seeking an injunction restraining Obiano from recognising any other person as speaker, other than himself.

Chief Emeka Agbapuonwu, counsel to Uzoezie said Obiano was in the executive arm who did not have a role in who became speaker of the State House of Assembly.

Agabapuonwu said the governor did not need a court order to recognise whosoever members of the House of Assembly have elected as their Speaker. counsels to Maduagwu and Umar respectively said they had no objection to the discontinuation of the case against Obiano.

Justice Bature Gafai granted the application and struck out the name of Obiano from the matter.
Agbapuonwu further told the court that he got about four processes including affidavits of two lawmakers Edward Ibuzo and Uchenna Okafor who no longer wished to be part of the impeachment.

He said another process was challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to sit on the matter.

The Plaintiff’s counsel prayed the court to give time to enable him respond to each of the processes.
In his response, Ikpeazu said he had no objection to the application for adjournment.

Justice Gafai adjourned to Dec. 6 for hearing.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/04/26-lawmakers-signed-maduagwus-impeachment-counsel-to-factional-speaker/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the International Police, INTERPOL.

The memorandum is part of a collaboration aimed at tackling corruption in the country.

The acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, received the INTERPOL delegate led by Commissioner of Police, Shola Subair, CP INTERPOL, at the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja on Friday and expressed his appreciation for the initiative.

He said the move will go a long way in checkmating the activities of fraudsters across the globe and Nigeria in particular.

Magu said the MoU will further create a greater technical teamwork and allow the EFCC to be connected to the 194 member countries of the organisation, stressing the need for the Nigerian leading anti-graft agency’s staff to be seconded to the Interpol.

Magu also used the opportunity to explain how the Database can be used in tracing the movement of looters in an out of the country and also how this collaboration will give EFCC access to the 194 member countries of the Interpol.

“All sort of criminality is taking place and looters are everywhere, now that the EFCC is going for extradition of looters outside the country, there is no better time than now, EFCC will use it opportunity judiciously”, Magu said, adding that the MoU will strengthen the EFCC’s efforts in areas of monitoring illegal assets.

He further added that, with the elections fast approaching, “the EFCC is on the watch out. We would not fold our hands and allow people move illicit funds indiscriminately in the name of vote buying.

Nigeria is blessed with both human and natural resources. It is high time the generality of Nigerians is rewarded for God-given natural resources that abound”.

Subair, who led the delegation, stressed the importance of the INTERPOL/EFCC partnership, as it would further strengthen the anti-corruption efforts of the anti-graft agency.

He said: “INTERPOL provides a wide range of policing expertise and capabilities, supporting three main crime programmes: Counter-terrorism, Cybercrime, Organized and Emerging Crimes. We are mobilising for the enlistment of all law enforcement agencies in Nigeria, and we consider to kick-start the assignment at the EFCC.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/30/efcc-interpol-sign-mou-on-corruption/

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Thursday revealed the first job he did as a youth.

Addressing tricycle operators yesterday, the governor said he became a bus conductor after dropping out of school in 1972.

The tricycle operators, acting under the umbrella of Benue Tricycles Association, had visited Ortom at the state’s Government House.

The operators assured the governor of their support for his re-election.

Speaking, the governor urged the operators to shun the use of drugs and wayward life so God can bless them.

He said, “I started as a bus conductor, when I dropped out of school in 1972.

“Later, I became a driver and I am proud to say this anywhere. Since God made it possible for me to be what I am today, be rest assured that hope is not lost.

“The only thing that can hinder one’s destiny is when one lives a wayward life and takes to drunkenness.

“So, I encourage you not to indulge in any drug like Tramadol, it is deadly.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/30/gov-ortom-makes-shocking-revelation-about-himself-first-job-after-dropping-out/

The Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN) has inducted the Chairman of Board of Directors, Polaris Bank Limited, Mr. Muhammad Ahmad, as a honorary Fellow of the Society.

Ahmad, was conferred with the fellowship award at the 2018 President’s Dinner/Induction Ceremony of the Society, held in Lagos recently.

In his citation read at the event, the SCGN said Ahmad was honoured in recognition of his professional records in the public and private sectors as well as positive contributions to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

The group described the Polaris Bank chairman as an astute professional with impressive footprints across various public-sector organisations and financial services institutions where he played strategic roles and acted as the catalyst for the entrenchment of good corporate governance.

Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, Dr. Pascal Dozie, said the conferment of the honorary fellowship on Ahmad and three other recipients was in line with the key objective of the body.

“The Society is a registered, not for profit organisation and is committed to the development of corporate governance and best practices.

“Leadership, accountability, collaboration, diversity and quality, integrity of character remain the pillar of this organisation. Since its inception 13 years ago, the Society has contributed to the development of good corporate governance in this country.

“The society prides itself in research work some of which have been published in the journal of corporate governance”, he said.

Responding on behalf of the other fellows, the Chairman of Polaris Bank expressed delight at the recognition and said they would continue to remain the ambassadors of professional excellence.

“For every society, there are professional standards. And professional standards worldwide are more onerous. Therefore, for us, we are taking additional responsibility. Having been made fellows, what it means is that we should be consistent; we should ensure that whatever the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria stands for, we should stand for as well”, he affirmed.

Commenting, Group Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Tokunbo Abiru, said the award was a celebration of the exemplary leadership capabilities of the Polaris Bank’s Chairman.

Ahmad boasts of about 35 years professional experience leading and working in various public-sector organisations and financial services institutions in Nigeria.

Amongst others, he was the pioneer Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Pension Commission, and also a pioneer staff of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), where he rose through the ranks to become the Managing Director.

He has served on the boards of various corporate and not-for-profit organisations including a Non-Executive Director of FBN Holdings Plc until 2017.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/29/polaris-bank-chairman-now-corporate-governance-fellowship/

Nigeria’s national women football team, Super Falcons remained on course for their 9th Africa Women Cup of Nation (AWCON) crown following a spirited 4-2 victory on penalties against Cameroon to reach the final of the ongoing AWCON 2018 in Acrcra, Ghana, yesterday.

The victory earned the Nigeria’s team automatic qualification to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, while Cameroon will have to slug it out for third place to also book their flight to the world soccer showpiece.

Ngozi Ebere scored the decisive spot-kick after Cameroon twice missed, once through star player Gaelle Enganamouit. The match in Accra had ended goalless after extra-time.

It was the first shoot-out in the competition in 10 years.

A quiet game finished with great drama as Enganamouit’s soft penalty was comfortably saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, before Genevieve Ngo Mbeleck’s effort went wide.

Nigeria have won the last two tournaments, beating Cameroon on both occasions in the final.

Meanwhile, the minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung has lauded the Nigeria’s girls for picking one of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup tickets billed for France.

He congratulated the players for their hard fought victory describing the game as a nail biting semifinal.

“The match went into extra time and penalties and that showed how difficult it was for the girls to achieve success. The Super Falcons were determined and disciplined and qualified for the final through hard work, team work and their doggedness.

“I am happy with the team and the technical crew for putting Nigeria on the global map once again with their qualification for the World Cup next year. However, the final test comes on Saturday when they play the last and decisive game. They have won this competition a record eight times and I have no doubt that they will bring back the trophy to Nigeria for keeps.”

Barrister Dalung is currently in Tokyo Japan attending a ‘Country Meeting’ with Tokyo 2020 organizers, where countries are expected to make final decisions on their participation at the next Olympics.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/28/falcons-beat-cameroon-to-reach-awcon-final-2019-world-cup/

The winner of the recent governorship election in Osun State and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gboyega Oyetola has been inaugurated as Governor of the state.

Oyetola officially took over from his predecessor, Rauf Aregbesola, in Osogbo, the state capital, after he was sworn-in by the Chief Judge of the state on Tuesday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Oyetola winner of the governorship election in state.

The INEC Returning Officer in the state, Prof. Joseph Adeola Afuwape had announced that Oyetola garnered 255,505 votes to defeat his main rival, Senator Ademola Adeleke of the PDP, who polled 255,023 votes.

The swearing-in event had in attendance: governors from the South-West, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, the Ooni of Ife, among others.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/27/apcs-gboyega-oyetola-sworn-in-as-new-osun-governor/

President Muhammadu Buhari has told the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to allow aggrieved members of the party express themselves.

He said anyone who feels deprived of their rights, should be at liberty to approach the courts for redress.

President Buhari was reacting to the position of the APC leadership, which recently forbade members from dragging the party to court.

In a statement forwarded to DAILY POST by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari said it was wrong to deny people their rights.

He said, “We can’t deliberately deny people of their rights. We agreed that party primaries should be conducted either through direct, indirect or consensus methods, and if anyone feels unjustly treated in the process, such a person can go to court.

“The court should always be the last resort for the dissatisfied. For the party to outlaw the court process is not acceptable to me.”

The APC, in a decision ascribed to the National Working Committee, NWC, had last week threatened to punish members across the country who had dragged the party to court over various issues.

According to a statement, “The Party intends to activate constitutional provisions to penalise such members as their action is capable of undermining the Party and hurt the Party’s interest.

“We hereby strongly advise such members to withdraw all court cases, while approaching the appropriate party organs with a view to resolving any outstanding disputes. In addition to this, aggrieved members are urged to take full advantage of the reconciliation committees the Party has put in place.

“APC members should understand that as a progressive party that operates on the principle of change, it is not a matter of choice to keep to the rules.”

In a related development, President Buhari has also advised members to work with the reconciliation committees empanelled for the six geo-political zones by the APC, and not a purported Presidential Committee on Reconciliation, stressing that the Party is the only body authorised to constitute such committees.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/26/apc-crisis-you-cant-stop-aggrieved-members-from-exercising-their-rights-buhari-tells-oshiomhole/

Femi Fani Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation has reacted to the recent killing of some Nigerian soldiers by Boko Haram sect along the Nigeria-Chad border on Sunday.

Fani-Kayode queried Buhari government’s claim that the insurgent group has been defeated.

He criticised President Buhari over his ‘lackadaisical’ attitude towards the situation.

Fani-Kayode on his Twitter page wrote: “100 soldiers killed by Boko Haram on Sunday and Buhari maintains that Boko Haram has been “technically defeated?”

“Worse still he refuses to commend the gallantry and sacrifice of our soldiers or express his regrets and condolences to the families of those that have been killed.”

Recall the Senate had earlier taken notice of the killing of the soldiers and suspended plenary in honour of the slain officers.

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/boko-haram-fani-kayode-slams-buhari.html

When Mr Dominic Adesegun lost his vehicle at gun point along the Benin-Ore road, he thought it was end of the world not only for the vehicle, which he thought could not be recovered but for the obvious misconception about the seeming ineffective security architecture in the country.

He was so traumatised by the missing vehicle, his laptop and other vital documents that his job output was on the decline for three weeks. However, he narrated his bitter experience to some friends who advised him to visit the nearest office of the Federal Road Safety Corps with evidence of vehicle ownership, sworn court affidavit and Police extract on the missing vehicle.

He reluctantly heeded this advice and was amazed at the prompt and positive outcome of his visit. After studying his vehicle papers and other supporting documents, the FRSC operative carried out a search through the verification portal and behold, Dominic’s vehicle details were not only flagged on the platform but also unveiled were his personal details including house address, place of registration, place, time, status of his vehicle as at time of registration and other relevant details.

The incident was also pushed into the public domain and within 24 hours, he was invited to a Police Station along Idiroko to identify his vehicle.

You can imagine his joy when he dashed to the police station and saw his vehicle though with a dented bonnet as the fleeing armed robbers rammed the vehicle into a stationery truck. According to the police, it was the FRSC communication gateway that enabled them contact Dominic, who found his laptop and other documents intact.

Dominic’s case is similar to that of many Nigerian vehicle owners who have already keyed into the new number plate. Other unfolding circumstances have no doubt, brought to the fore, the need to build a credible and sustainable framework and capacity to bolster our national security framework to ensure public safety.

This underscored the presentation by the special guest of honor at the formal launch of the new drivers’ license and vehicle number plates on September 2, 2011 when he said, “Today’s launch is of great significance to all Nigerians as we all strive towards building and sustaining a reliable national data base that would enhance the nation’s security architecture and improve on public safety.

The Western Experience

The evolution of the United States of America’s military and civilian intelligence operations and public safety can be traced to the civil war, which marked the first American use of systematic military intelligence collection such as aerial reconnaissance, signal intercepts and the establishment of intelligence as a distinct unit of the army in order to enhance public safety and to protect the nation from external aggression.

In the same vein, many European countries now employ public video surveillance and backroom database backup to monitor population movements and to prevent terrorism.

Years before the cameras were installed, an average of 58 crime-related offences were usually recorded on the estate but two years after the installation and with increased public consciousness, no crime was reported. In 1995, the national government budgeted and released up to $3.1 million in matching grants to cities and towns in the UK to strengthen the capacity to contend with crime and corresponding legislations which led to an abrupt decline in social malaise such as 69 per cent reduction in Berwick burglary and 57 per cent in Northampton. Scotland and Liverpool also posted 68 per cent and 25 per cent respective reduction in traffic laws violation, shop lifting, prostitution and other non-violent offences.

In Harrods and Victoria station, video images of two men who were at the scene of a bomb explosion, was effectively used for their arrest and subsequent prosecution.

Interestingly, the Canadian custom agents and British Columbian Highways use close circuit camera to keep tab of every vehicle that passes their boarders.

As for the French Transportation system, video surveillance is used with database backup to regulate traffic laws and detect traffic jams in the municipal. Since science and information technology are two critical elements presently driving global activities and policies, which cannot be ignored, Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind.

For example, while the United Nations global report on countries with the safest road transport placed Nigeria on the 91st position of 161 deaths per 10,000 vehicles, countries such as Spain posted 2.8 deaths with Japan and Norway accounting for 1.7 and 1.2 deaths respectively.

Taking a leaf from the positive international experience of Western countries, Nigeria has decided to develop a robust and reliable vehicular database to boost national security and road safety through the introduction of the new number plates under the National Uniform Licensing Scheme.

According to the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, “the FRSC acting as the lead agency in the nation’s road safety management and traffic administration, has instituted a mechanism that would strengthen highway security agencies and the federating states traffic management, with commitment to meeting the goals of the Accra Declaration, United Nations Declaration on road safety which seeks to achieve 50 per cent reduction in road crashes by 2020 and the Vision 20:2020 aimed at making Nigerian roads one of the 20 safest roads in the world by the year 2020. As part of our comprehensive reforms of the licensing scheme, we have designed new number plates which are tied to individuals and not vehicles, machine readable identification tag and proof of ownership tied to insurance number”.

In the words of the Corps Marshal, “the goals of the new vehicle number plates include a revamp of the national vehicle identification database to ensure the integrity of motor vehicle data, create a central repository for vehicle data that can be utilised for monitoring and planning and ultimately improving the safety of all citizens and the Corps’ supply chain management, in order to meet the demands of the Nigerian public through the establishment of two new production plants in Gwagwalada (FCT) and Awka (Anambra state) to complement the existing plant at Ojodu (Lagos State) which has been upgraded to meet the new number plates standard”.

The issue of national security calls for collective efforts and collaboration by relevant stakeholders such as the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Army, Federal Road Safety Corps and National Intelligence Agency to harness material and human resources to build a veritable and sustainable mechanism to effectively discharge statutory functions.

It is instructive to note that apart from being a fulfilment of the provisions the FRSC Act 2007 (Section 10 sub-section 3d and 3f) which empower the Corps to design, implement and produce items of the Uniform Licensing Scheme like Number Plate, driver’s license and their components, the new number plate scheme was midwifed by credible and legitimate stakeholders such as the Joint Tax Board, the National Economic Council, the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council after a full and critical evaluation of its merits as a value added initiative for national growth and improvement on national security.

For the avoidance of doubt, pursuant to the introduction of the new number plate, the Federal Road Safety Corps duly informed the public of the new regime through robust media advocacy and further gave time for the replacement of the old number plate.

In the same vein, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, also ensured that the Corps undertook a public enlightenment on the security benefits of changing from the old to the new number plate at the point of renewing their vehicle documents, which has only one-year validity period.

It is also on record that item 4 of the communiqué issued at the end of the 136th meeting of the Joint Tax Board (JTB) held on the 28th November, 2016 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, stated categorically that the renewal of vehicle particulars on the old number plates will be discontinued with effect from the next due date as measure to check fraud and enhance revenue collection, thus confirming that the on-going drive to inject order and control in the nation’s motor vehicle administration was resolution from properly constituted government agencies and not the sole initiative of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

—Kazeem is the Corps Commander, Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/new-number-plates-national-security-and.html

Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho has told the club’s board led by Ed Woodward to sign one of Fiorentina star Nikola Milenkovic or Sampdoria centre-back Joachim Andersen when the January transfer window opens, according to Sky Sports Italia.

Manchester United defence has let in 21 goals in 12 league matches so far this term.

Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof have been first choice in that position but the Portuguese has little confidence in them and wants reinforcements in January.

The Red Devil’s board will hand Mourinho significant funds and the former Chelsea boss has told Woodward to sign Milenkovic or failing that Andersen.

Fiorentina bought Milenkovic from Partizan Belgrade in 2017 and the Serie A giants had turned down a £36million move for him last summer.

For Andersen, he has emerged as a growing talent in Italy since his move from Twente to Sampdoria

Juventus and AC Milan have also shown interest in the 22-year-old, while Tottenham are also thought to be admirers.

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/epl-mourinho-gives-manchester-united.html

Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-president Muhammadu Buhari, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of plagiarizing his campaign agenda and logo: “Next Level”.

According to him, the President and his campaign organization “stole” the logo from a thesis authored by Kelly Costner, an Associate Professor of Winthrop University in South Carolina, USA.

Omokri said this is not new, claiming that Nigerians already associate the President with plagiarism after he allegedly copied a speech by “the legendary French leader, Charles de Gaulle (‘I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody’).”

Omokri, in a statement on Tuesday, said, “My attention has been drawn to the fact that the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organization has been established to have plagiarized their campaign agenda and logo titled Next Level, from a thesis authored by on Kelly Costner, an Associate Professor of Winthrop University in South Carolina, USA.

“Even though Nigerians already associate the Buhari administration with plagiarism and lack of originality ever since they plagiarized a speech by the legendary French leader, Charles de Gaulle (‘I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody’), it still comes as a shock to us that the All Progressives Congress would be so brazen as to steal the intellectual property of an institution and pass it off as its own.

“This act clearly shows that the entire Next Level document is built on a lie and Nigerians are warned that the Buhari government has no Next Level plans. Rather, they only have copy and paste plans! This administration had three and a half years to prepare for their second term campaigns.

“It is sad that after almost three years of taking Nigeria in the wrong direction, the Muhammadu Buhari led government has no future plans and hurriedly packaged lies and deceit as its plans.

“This latest dishonest behaviour is the most recent episode of a pattern of dishonest behaviour that included arranging a fake Martin Luther King Jr. award to be bestowed on President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, announcing a fake Air Nigeria and plagiarizing the logo, and most embarrassing of all, lifting the ‘Change Begins With Me’ speech almost word for word from a speech by former US President, Barack Obama.

“Nigerians are invited to contrast the stolen ‘plans’ of the Buhari Campaign with the Atiku Plan which is original, workable and will Get Nigeria Working Again.

“Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s plans are the brainchild of a man who has succeeded in his private business. A man who has a plan to restructure Nigeria.

“A man who has a plan to proactively double the size of our Gross Domestic Product. A man who has a plan to provide Nigeria’s youth with a world class education (as he has successfully done in his private schools). And a man who has a plan to reduce maternal mortality to the barest minimum.

“Hard work brought Atiku Abubakar Jada to Lagos in the early 60s. Smart work helped him succeed in both public and private business. By a combination of hard work and smart work, Atiku Abubakar will achieve for Nigeria what God helped him achieve for himself.

“I, Reno Omokri, therefore call on Nigerians to follow the man with the plan and not the man with plagiarism.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/2019-presidency-jonathans-ex-aide.html

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has seized 241 million Tramadol tablets in 11 containers, weighing 118 metric tonnes.

Head of Public Affairs of the agency, Mr Jonah Achema, said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that the seizure was made at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

The agency had earlier uncovered 340 million Tramadol tablets in 12 containers on November 15 at the port.

The containers had been on the watch-list of the NDLEA since November 2017.

They were taken to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for search, based on the agency’s reasonable suspicion that they contained the drug.

Achema said that there were 39 more containers that were lined up for search as the agency strongly suspected that they contained illicit drugs.

“This brings to 581 million Tramadol tablets uncovered within two days of the search. The search is still ongoing. We shall continue tomorrow as well,” he said.

Achema added that the agency would not relent until the country was freed from drug abuse and consumption.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/ndlea-intercepts-581-million-tramadol.html

The Super Eagles will take on South Africa on Saturday, in their penultimate fixture of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.

Nigeria are currently top of Group E with nine points, from their first four fixtures.

Bafana Bafana on the other hand, drew 0-0 with Seychelles in their last match and are in second position with eight points.

The game kicks off 2pm Nigerian time.



Saturday, November 17

2pm: South Africa vs Libya

http://www.ebiscoo.com/70/south-africa-vs-nigeria-livescore-from-2019-afcon-qualifier-in-johannesburg#136

50 Cent put down his troll amour for once to console his rival, Diddy following the death of Kim Porter .

He wrote

R.I.P to Kim Porter, I send my condolences to her friends and family. She was loved and will be missed dearly. I know puff is hit right now he loved her for real, soul mate type shit. Chin up puff, Positive vibes only.



Kim,47 was found unresponsive in her home and TMZ reports the 911 call posted her condition as a cardiac arrest .

She had reportedly been battling with pneumonia for a while .

Kim and Daddy have three children together . Though they split in 1999, they have remained so close, even going on vacations together .

http://www.ebiscoo.com/47/50-cent%E2%80%99s-message-to-diddy-following-kim-porter%E2%80%99s-death#111

Worried by the spate of violence in marriages that have led to the break-ups and deaths of many young spouses, entertainment personality, Toke Makinwa has hit out at those who stay in violent marriages, urging them to leave.

Makinwa, who clocked 34 last week, is also a victim of a broken home, as her marriage to Maje Ayida crashed two years ago, with Makinwa accusing her former husband of infidelity.

The TV and radio host, who was yet to reveal the new man in her life, in one of her posts on Twitter, spoke against the violent marriages that have continued to put many people’s lives in danger.

According to the vlogger, marriage is not by force, just as he said that no one should go around hitting anyone all in the name ofmarriage.

The author of the popular book, On Becoming, insisted that if any spouse was tired of their partners, they should rather move out than hit their partners.

“Marriageis not by force; no one should go around hitting anyone. If you are tired, leave. Go, remove yourself by all means, but don’t hit your partner,” she urged.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/marriage-not-by-force-toke-makinwa.html

The Senator representing Abia South, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has written the Nigerian High Commissioner to Israel, His Excellency, Enoch Duchi, to confirm if the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is in Israel.

Abaribe wrote through his lawyer, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, SAN.

The Senator was one of the three individuals who stood surety for Kanu, when he was granted bail by an Abuja Federal High Court.

Kanu is standing trial for treasonable offences in the Federal High Court.

The letter dated November 7, 2018 was sent through the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema.

It is entitled “Is a citizen of our country Nnamdi Kanu in Israel?”

It reads in part: “We are the counsel to Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Abia South Senatorial Zone in the 8th Senate of National Assembly of Nigeria.

“As a pronounced patriot, he recently, against all odds, put life into our constitutional provision of the liberty of an accused as well as eased tension in our polity by standing surety to Nnamdi Kanu (who is on trial on allegations of treasonable offences in CHARGE No. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015.)

“In fact, to situate you properly into the salient realities involved in this national tragedy, the Nnamdi Kanu is the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

“On 28th April 2017, the Hon trial Court granted him bail on medical grounds and Sen. Abaribe was one of the three sureties who executed the bail bond for his release.

“Your Excellency would recall that sometimes in 2017, the Nigerian Army High Command announced publicly that they were going to commence a military operation code-named “OPERATION PYTHON DANCE “(EGWU EKE) 11 in the whole of the South East Zone of Nigeria from 15th of September to 14th of October 2017.

“Curiously, selectively and tragically, from 11” to 14″ September 2017, well before the announced scheduled dates, the Nigerian Army, with truck loads of heavily armed soldiers, armoured tanks and other intimidating offensive military weapons, embarked on massive military operation exclusively at the Nnamdi Kanu’s town, lsiama, Afaraukwu lbeku Umuahia, Abia State and at his residence (the PALACE of HRH EZE ISREAL KANU) where at the material time of the tragic invasion, he was staying with his royal parents.

“There and then as the invading Army left, the Nnamdi Kanu along with his parents were never seen or heard from again till today.

“This explains his absence from his trial since that time till now.

“Your Excellency, already before the Hon. trial Court is an Affidavit deposed to on 17th November, 2017 to the effect that:

i)This fatal military invasion of town and residence of the Nnamdl Knnu climaxing on 14″ of September 201 7 resulted in high casualties as corpse’s littered all over the vicinity including In the PALACE.

ii) The Nnamdi Kanu and his parents were In the PALACE at the time of the tragic invasion of the town and PALACE.
iii) During the invasion, the Nnamdi Kanu and his parents were never again seen or heard from either privately or publicly till date.

iv)The Nnamdi Kanu and his parents were allegedly whisked off by the invading soldiers.

“The Hon. Court had now ordered each of the three sureties to show cause why each would not forfeit the respective bail bond of one hundred million naira (N100, 000, 000:00) or go to prison for their alleged failure to produce the Nnamdl Kanu for the on-going trial.

“Your Excellency, in the midst of this quagmire, our attention has been drawn to ongoing news making rounds on the social and online media to the effect that an Nnamdl Kanu was sighted at the Wailing Wall during a prayer session in Israel.

“In view of this, we humbly request your Excellency to use your good office to painstakingly inquire from the Government of Israel as follows:

a) If there is any Nnamdi Kanu, a Nigerian citizen in their country, Israel?
b) Where there is, is that person the same as the Nnamdi Kanu standing trial in CHARGE No. FHC/ABI/CR/383/2015 and that was never seen again during the tragic military invasion of his home on 14″ of September 2017.
c) If the Nnamdl Kanu that was never seen again during the tragic military Invasion of his home is the one in Israel, please find out from the government of Israel how he arrived there and the circumstances that led to that? What of his royal parents?
(I) Finally, Your Excellency, where there is an Nnamdl Kanu in Israel, as the Law Firm representing Sen Abarlbe, we are ready to assist you in a necessary DNA procedure to enable you verify whether the alleged Nnamdl Kanu said to be in Israel is same as the Nnamdl Kanu standing trial In CHARGE No. FHC/ABI/CR/383/2015.

“As citizens and or counsel, we all have the duty to assist our courts with the truth and the established facts.

“We therefore urge Your Excellency to, under oath, verify your findings as per A to D above and to the effect that they are from the Government of Israel.

“This is because I will be submitting them on the Nnamdi Kanu to the Hon. Court.

“We look forward to hearing from your Excellency soonest. “Kindly, accept the assurances of our highest regards.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/biafra-abaribe-writes-nigerias.html

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, has said state governments should be allowed to implement the proposed new minimum wage based on their income.

He made the remark while stating that the new minimum wage should not be under the Federal Government.

El-Rufai spoke on Wednesday at the 2018 National Peer Learning Event organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, titled: “Mobilising Domestic Finance for Development” in Abuja.

The governor, who also stated that personal income tax should be collected by the states, emphasised the need for amendments in the constitution so that some items can be removed in favour of the states.

Reacting to a question on why personal income tax should be given to states, the governor said: “I agree with you completely that in a federation there should be taxes that are national while others are sub-national.

“But if you look at our history, you will see that we come from civilian-military regimes and many of these personal income taxes Act were done by the military.

“For instance, I do not agree that national minimum wage should be under the federation, it should be done by each state, according to the level of income.

“If you look at the 1963 Constitution, minimum wage was not in the inclusive list, it was added during the military rule. There are number of laws that were enacted during the military rule and there is a need to do something about them.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/new-minimum-wage-why-states-should-pay.html

Hon. Usen John Akpan, the councilor representing Etim Ekpo Ward II in Akwa Ibom State has lost his seat for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, over the weekend.

The councilor is from the country home of former Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio.

It was gathered that the councilor’s action provoked the ward chairman of Etim Ekpo Ward II Mr. Aniekan Linus Umoh who on behalf of the party petitioned Etim Ekpo Legislature, prompting an emergency sitting of the House yesterday.

The remaining nine lawmakers, during their sitting, declared the seat of Hon. Usen John Akpan vacant, citing section 32 (I) (g) of the Local Government (Administration) Law of Akwa Ibom State CAP 80 as Amended.

The leader of Etim Ekpo Legislative council Hon. Ifiok Amos explained that the extant law made it mandatory that “A member of a council shall vacate his seat in the council if being a person whose election to the council was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before expiration of the period for which the council was elected.”

According to him; “By the virtue of the Power conferred on me and in pursuant of the law, the legislative council hereby declare the seat of Hon. Usen John Akpan, councilor Ward II Etim Ekpo vacant.”

The councilors urged the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) to immediately conduct a bye election in the area within the time specified by law to fill the vacant seat.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/akwa-ibom-pdp-lawmaker-loses-seat-for.html

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole’s recent apology, on his behalf, to the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Anthony Obinna, as a cheap blackmail.

Governor Okorocha said he has no problem, whatsoever, with the Catholic Church and wondered how Oshiomhole came up with the apology.

Okorocha, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “The National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, was reported in the media to have apologised to the Catholic Church in Imo State and the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Diocese, Bishop Anthony Obinna, for whatever ‘Sin’ Governor Okorocha must have committed against them. The APC national chairman did not mention the sins that warranted the apology. He kept his audience guessing.

“In responding to that deliberate blackmail, we won’t toe the path of Oshiomhole. We recognise the fact that he is the national chairman of a ruling party, which President Muhammadu Buhari is the leader. We would not, therefore, throw caution to the wind like he did, when he abused or attacked governors in his party as if he was the publicity secretary of any of the political parties in opposition.

“If he had asked questions, he would have discovered that members of the Catholic Church in the state constitute the bulk of Governor Okorocha’s supporters, especially at the grassroots. They voted for him overwhelmingly in 2011 and 2015. And he has never taken their support for granted. He has shown gratitude in several ways, which cannot be catalogued in this response, including making them majority in his cabinet.

“And for Archbishop Obinna, the governor holds him in high esteem and has no personal problem with the outstanding man of God. But, the truth is that the archbishop, perhaps, expects the perfect leadership expected in heaven to be established in Imo, which is not possible. And that could be the reason he had issues with Col Tanko Zubairu, Achike Udenwa and, indeed, Ikedi Ohakim.

“The archbishop is the spiritual father of the governor. And the governor has never let him down. Oshiomhole should find out from President Buhari whether Governor Okorocha took him to the archbishop in 2015, when he came on campaign for a private meeting that lasted more than an hour. To us, that was a high demonstration of respect and regard. But, guess what? Two days after, the newspaper owned by the archbishop came up with a banner headline “Alhaji in Government House” and part of the story was that the governor was taking young Igbo to the North to be Islamised. All these were part of the campaigns to discourage Imo people from voting for him, APC and President Buhari. These are the issues.

“So, Oshiomhole’s apology was a badly tailored blackmail and somewhat inciting. He is only trying to justify the blunder he contracted and dispatched Ahmed Gulak to commit in Owerri.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/apc-crisis-oshiomholes-apology-to.html

The Islamic Movement of Nigeria a.k.a Shiites have released the names of 34 of its members allegedly killed by Soldiers of the Nigerian Army between the periods of October 27 and October 30, 2018.

It will be recalled that members of the movement clashed with Soldiers in Abuja last week. The Sect, in a statement on Sunday, revealed that more names will be released and called for an investigation into the matter.

The Nigeria defense headquarters had earlier issued a statement that it was only three members of the sect that were killed during the violent protests. Below is the full list of Names;

Abdulaziz Ibrahim (Maigana, Kaduna State)
Rabi’u Abdulwahab (Malumfashi, Katsina State)
Minka’ilu Shu’aibu (Kudan, Kaduna State)
Muhammad Hussain (Sokoto, Sokoto State)
Abdu Dijana (Suleja, Niger State)
Ukasha Dayyabu (Madalla, Niger State)
Faru’q Ahmad Garba
Sulaima SK
Muhammad Soje
Fatima Yahaya Musa
Malam Abu Qasim (Gaji, Bauchi State)
Surajo Adam (Garu, Borno State)
Ja’afar Yusuf (Keffi, Nasarawa State)
Saeed Adamu (Awe, Nasarawa State)
Lawal Ibrahim (Tudun Baushe Maraban Kafanchan, Kaduna State)
Kamal Muhammad Haruna (Kaduna, Kaduna State)
Al-Kasim Minka’il
Huzaifa Musa
Abdulaziz Haruna (Bauchi, Bauchi State)
Muhammad Sani Awwal (Bauchi, Bauchi State)
Zangina Muhammad Garba (Bauchi, Bauchi State)
Isma’il Shu’aibu Alramma (Bauchi, Bauchi State)
Aliuu Munnir (Mutum Biyu, Taraba State)
Hamisu Muhammad (Zaria, Kaduna State)
Abbas Muhammad
Munnir Muhammad (Samaru Zaria, Kaduna State)
Sa’id Zubairu (Maraba Abuja, FCT)
Abdullahi Sabo Muhammad (Yauri, Kebbi State)
Umar Abdullahi
Mansur Lawal (Bauchi, Bauchi State)
Umar Abdullahi Dogon Haris (Adamawa State)
Abubakar Dadda’u (Gombe, Gombe State)
Imrana Abdullahi

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/breaking-shiites-release-names-of-34.html

Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, in Bauchi State, Engineer Mohammad Barde has confirmed that his party has so far received about 15,000 defectors from the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2019 elections.

He however advised the PDP to be careful while receiving APC defectors to its fold, alleging that some of the decampees were being sponsored to destroy the opposition party.

Barde stated this in an interview with DAILY POST on Saturday in Bauchi.

He said the crisis rocking APC in the state was an advantage and an opportunity for the NNPP to floor the ruling party during the 2019 elections.

“We have so far received about 15,000 APC members to the NNPP fold with the crisis rocking the party in Bauchi state,” he said.

The chairman stated that it has since discovered an alleged plot by the APC to destroy opposition political parties by contracting mobs to cause friction, stressing that those who recently left NNPP for other political parties were the type of people sent by APC

“Some of them left because they were sponsored by APC to destroy NNPP but we have discovered it and mend fences,” he said.

The chairman then warned PDP to be careful while receiving decampees from the APC to its fold, saying they were sponsored to infiltrate the opposition ahead of the 2019 election

“Failure of the ruling party to provide effective development to the citizens of Bauchi state has forced APC to mobilize mobs to join the opposition” he said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/2019-nnpp-receives-15000-defectors-in.html

A woman late last night allegedly killed her husband, three children and also took her own life in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.

DAILY POST gathered that the sad incident occured at their residence on Vandeikya Street in the state capital.

A source said the ugly incident may have been as a result of a misunderstanding between the couple.

It was gathered that the windshields of the vehicle belonging to her husband was also smashed.

Until his death, the husband, Nicholas Adetsav was an administrative staff of the local government service commission.

Several calls to the Benue State Police PRO, ASP Moses Yamu were not picked as at the time of filing this report.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/breaking-benue-woman-kills-husband.html

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government for adopting the “Every Child Counts” education policy initiated by his (Saraki’s) administration 10 years ago.

Saraki claimed to have adopted the policy when he was the Governor of Kwara State.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, and forwarded to DAILY POST on Friday, the Senate President applauded the government for keying into his decade-old vision for education reform, which was initiated to resuscitate public education in Kwara State by ensuring an improvement in teaching quality across the state and building strong educational institutions in the state through the development of the Ministry of Education, the Teaching Service Commission and strengthening the State Education Management Information System, EMIS.

“I commend the Federal Government for adopting and modifying the ‘Every Child Counts’ programme that we began in Kwara State in 2008 for the entire country. This shows that this administration values such time-tested ideas that leave a positive impact on the lives of our people – especially our young children.

“Right now, our nation is suffering from a rising epidemic. We have over 10.5million out of school children across the country. In order to systematically and strategically cut down on this number, we must work to implement the ‘Every Child Counts’ policy across the country,” the Senate President stated.

Saraki also emphasised that the Federal Government must work to ensure that improving the quality of teachers through constant training and re-education – which was a central focus of the Kwara State model – must play a central role in the Federal Government’s policy approach.

“Teachers are the bedrock of our educational system. The better and more equipped our teachers are, the smarter and more educationally sound our young children across the nation will be. Hence, it is important that as we work to build strong educational institutions through this repackaged policy, we must also work to enhance the individual capacities of our teachers to meet the demands of a constantly changing world,” he said.

Saraki called on other states across the nation to study and emulate the Kwara State model, while also commending his successor, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, for sustaining the model that his administration began in 2008.

“Right now, we must look beyond our political affiliations to address the issues that are important to our people. Other states across the nation should key into the successes of the Kwara State model, as the Federal Government has done, to ensure that we not only get our students back in the classrooms but also to improve the quality of their education through strategic and holistic reforms,” the Senate President stated.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/saraki-applauds-buharis-government.html

The Bayelsa State Government has assured workers in the state of its readiness to implement the N30,000 minimum wage being proposed by organised labour unions in Nigeria.

Sir Luka Obiri, the State Head of Service, gave the assurance yesterday when the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, led a peaceful protest to the state’s Government House in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Obiri stated that the state Governor, Seriake Dickson has instructed his office and State Finance team to work out modalities to implement the payment of the proposed N30,000 minimum wage.

According to Obiri, “We hear that government and labour unions are still meeting over the issue but be rest assured that the state government would implement any decision that is arrived at the meeting.

“The governor has directed me to tell you that the State Government is in full support of the struggle for the improved minimum wage for workers across the country.

“He also directed me to announce to you that the State Government will implement the N30,000 minimum wage that has been agreed upon by the labour unions and the Federal Government.

“He has directed the office of the Head of Service and the State Finance Committee to work out modalities for the implementation of the new minimum wage.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/n30000-minimum-wage-what-gov-dickson.html

A witness of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) , Mr.Uchenna Igwe, on Tuesday told a Jos High Court that the disputed N2 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) fund, for which the commission had dragged the immediate past governor of Plateau State and Senator representing Plateau North, Jonah Jang to court, was not at any point paid into senator’s account.

Igwe, a Senior Manager with Zenith Bank was the Branch Manager of the Bank’s No.5 Beach branch when the aforementioned money was paid.

He said that the money, though was meant to be paid into Plateau State

Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (PLASMEDA) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), it was paid into Plateau Project account.

While being cross-examined by the Defense Counsel, Robert Clarke (SAN), the bank official said, “When I noticed it, I immediately notified the state Commissioner of Finance and Accountant General. An instruction was raised by the Accountant General to move it into PLASMEDA account, and I complied on the 20th of March, 2015.

“Another instruction came from the same Accountant General to the effect that the money be moved back to Plateau Project account on the 24th of March, 2015, and that was done.”

He said that thereafter, the money was disbursed in tranches into various accounts including state’s Central Salary Account, Office of the Secretary to the State Government (OSSG), Government House Administrative account, and Plateau State House of Assembly Account, noting that no money was paid into the personal account of the 1st Accused person, Jonah Jang.

The Bank Manager also disclosed that before the N2 billion was paid into the Plateau Project Account, the balance in the account was N839,398,474.39, adding that with the N2 billion, the account balance was raised to N2,839,398,474.39.

Speaking earlier, another EFCC witness, Dr. Mudashiru Olaitan, Director, Development Finance Department with the CBN presented by the EFCC Counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) said two accounts were provided to the CBN; Plateau State Project Account and PLASMEDA account, but added that it chose to pay into Plateau State Project Account on the instruction of the State Governor, being the Chief Financial Officer of the state, even though there was a counter letter by the General Manager of PLASMEDA instructing the CBN to pay the N2 billion into PLASMEDA account.

Olaitan said the CBN had to write to the state government when its monitoring team observed that the N2 billion was not disbursed to the beneficiaries of the MSMEs scheme.

Twenty two communications between the CBN, Zenith Bank and the State Government were brought as exhibits to the court and the Judge admitted them in evidence and were marked exhibit P1 to P22.

Olaitan said though he was sure that the money was not disbursed for MSME purpose for which it was meant, he was not sure of what the state government diverted the fund for.

However, the presiding judge, Justice Daniel Longji, after listening to the witnesses, the prosecution and defense Counsels, described the court section as interesting, and adjourned to Wednesday for continuation of hearing on the matter.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/alleged-2bn-fraud-disputed-msmes-fund.html

A Federal High Court in Lagos Monday, fixed Nov. 13, to take video evidence in a suit seeking final forfeiture of about 8.4 million dollars, and N7.4 billion found in bank accounts linked to a former First Lady, Patience Jonathan.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had secured an interim order of forfeiture, before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun on April 20, through an exparte application (without notice).

In the suit, EFCC joined as respondents: Patience Jonathan, Globus Integrated Services Ltd, Finchley Top Homes Ltd., Am-Pm Global Network Ltd, Pagmat Oil and Gas Ltd and Magel Resort Ltd and Esther Oba.

When the case was called on Monday, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo announces appearance for the EFCC.

On the other side, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) appeared for the first respondent, Mr Gboyega Oyewole (SAN) appeared for the second respondent, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) appeared for the third to sixth respondents, and Mr Ige Asemudara appeared for the seventh respondent.

After respondent counsel had moved their various motions for regularisation of processes, the court asked the applicant to move his motion for final forfeiture.

Moving his application, Oyedepo informed the Court that the application for final forfeiture was dated May 8, seeking an order of the Court for a final forfeiture of the sums of money listed in the application.

He supported his application with an affidavit deposed to on May 20, by Mr Orji Chukwuma, an operative with the commission, and told the court that he relies on the written averments, as well as exhibits EFCC 12 and 13, in support of his application.

Oydepo told the court that he also relies on the written address attached to the application, and urged the court to grant the application for final forfeiture.

Meanwhile, arguing his processes in opposition dated July 24, Adedipe, counsel to first respondent, urged the court to refuse the application for final forfeiture on the grounds that sufficient facts had not been placed before the court to warrant a final order.

According to Adedipe, the sum total of the applicant’s case is that, it found monies in the account of the first respondent, which it said are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

He argued that same respondent was neither invited by the commission, charged nor even prosecuted.

Adedipe argued that the applicant failed to take these preliminary steps, and instea, headed straight to seek for an order of forfeiture. He said that such practice fell short of prosecutorial procedures.

He argued that the depositions by the applicant that the funds represented proceeds of unlawful activities, has not been substantiated, as section 36 of the constitution provides that a person shall not be convicted of an offence, unless the offence is defined and punishment prescribed.

According to him, there is no crime known as “statutory suspicion” and so, the onus rests on the EFCC to prove that the respondent has such amount of money, and that same was obtained under false pretences or fraud. He said that although there are depositions that the funds were obtained from “Women for Change” and Bola Shagaya, there are however, no evidences before the court to show that the funds were stolen.

He submitted, that the application against the respondent is vindictive, and urged the court not to allow itself to be used as a vehicle for pressure and injustice. In the same vein, counsel representing third to sixth respondent, (Ozekhome), argued that going by the provisions of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act, the applicant’s motion for final forfeiture is premature, as the affidavit of the third respondent to show cause, has not been taken.

He argued that it is only when same has been argued, and the court finds no merit in it, that the applicant can be justified and better placed to bring such final application.

According to him, the third to sixth respondents filed affidavits to show cause, deposed to by one Ubong, with exhibit attached labelled F1 to F6. He said that these exhibits shows that the third respondent is a company, shows its certificate of incorporation, its board resolution that Patience Jonathan be made a signatory to it, and bank document evidencing that company’s account are signed by other persons who are also signatories.

Besides, Ozekhome told the court that the third respondent makes money from selling items such as grocery, drinks, lightening among others, adding that exhibit F5 shows video clip evidence of various outfits, legitimately run by third respondent.

He urged the court that the said video exhibit be allowed to be displayed in the open court, adding that exhibit F6 also shows manuals, catalogs, and hand bills, which also shows the legitimate ongoing concern of the third respondent. Ozekhome adopted similar arguments for the fourth, fifth and sixth respondents.

He said: ” it is trite, that whoever alleges, must prove, and on our part, we have proved that we are entitled to this money they seek to forfeit; so, the onus is on them to show otherwise,” Other respondent counsel aligned themselves with the submissions of the the learned silks. After listening to all parties Justice Olatoregun adjourned the case until Nov.13 for the respondent to properly apply and exhibit its video evidence before the court. The EFCC will reply afterwards. (NAN)

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/court-fixes-nov-13-to-take-video.html

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Friday issued what he said was a “final warning” to those who would endanger Turkey’s borders, saying Ankara was determined to focus its attention on Syrian Kurdish fighters east of the Euphrates.

Erdogan, who was speaking to a group of provincial leaders of his AK Party in Ankara, said Turkey would focus its attention east of the Euphrates in Syria, rather than the Manbij area, citing the presence of the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia. Turkey regards the YPG as a terrorist group.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/turkeys-erdogan-issues-final-warning-on.html

Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state has appealed to the State House of Assembly to enact laws for the creation of cattle routes across the state.

The appeal was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Muazu Dakingari, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

“We appeal to the House of Assembly to enact laws for the creation of cattle routes across the state,” he said.

The statement also quoted the governor as saying that the state government had secured a loan of N1.5 billion to boost activities of herdsmen and fishermen in the state.

“Out of the N1.5 billion secured, N900 million will be used to uplift the living condition of Fulani communities while N600 million will be used for fishermen, all through economic empowerment as well as to boost the economy of the state,” it added.

Bagudu said his administration would continue to give priority attention to the provision of water, education as well as agriculture and livestock production in the state.

“We urge farmers and herdsmen to continue to sustain the prevailing tranquility as well as safeguard harmony and avoid taking laws into their hands as authorities will not relent in taking appropriate action for complaints by any aggrieved member of the society,” he said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/gov-bagudu-appeals-to-assembly-to-enact.html

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammad Bello, has stated that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has become the corner stone in the rebuilding process of the project Nigeria with charming attractions for a seamless cultural mix which as it were, reflects the unifying and integration force which its founding fathers sought to achieve by its creation.

The minister made this known yesterday at the swearing in ceremony for the 2018 Batch C Stream 1 Corps members yesterday at the Orientation camp, Kubwa, Abuja.

According to the minister who was represented by the chairman, NYSC FCT governing board, Mallam Bashiru Mohammad, he assured the Corps members that the path they have chosen will not only go down the annals of history but shall regenerate their sociocultural, economic and political exposures. Adding that, hate speech and fake news are serious threats to national security and the nascent democracy.

He noted that the federal government and every patriotic citizen frowns furiously at it and urged Corps members to join hands with government to disarticulate, condemn and exterminate the dreaded virus of hate speech from becoming entrenched into norms and values. “Your welfare and security remains a top priority to government and I can assure you, we are on top of our game”.

Similarly, the NYSC, FCT coordinator, Ballama Bello stated that the scheme considers the welfare and security of Corps members an uncompromising obligation and would rest on its oars, within the best of their parameters and necessary resources and materials to address Corps members welfare and security.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/nysc-scheme-corner-stone-in-rebuilding.html