Great one ... and very realistic.

2023: Orji Kalu Has What It Takes To Lead Nigeria To Greater Heights - Tinubu

A former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described Senator Orji Uzor Kalu representing Abia North in the National Assembly, as a foremost and most respected Igbo leader.

Igbere TV reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader (Tinubu) said Senator Kalu, a former governor of Abia state, has what it takes to lead the country, Nigeria to greater heights.

Describing Kalu as a distribalised Nigerian at a recent event monitored by Igbere TV, Tinubu said the Senate Chief Whip is a well respected leader with the passion for a united Nigeria.

“Orji Kalu is one of the foremost and respected Igbo leaders with passion for a united Nigeria,” Tinubu said.

“If given the opportunity, Kalu has the capacity to lead Nigeria to greater heights,” he added.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has been an advocate of the Igbo Presidency, and remains one of the leading voices in the whole of Southwest Nigeria.

According to Kalu, every Igbo person is looking forward to producing a President from the South-East.

He has equally maintained that producing an Igbo president is a task every true Igbo indigene must key into.

“An Igbo president will bring prosperity to Nigeria, because the Igbo man or woman has the capacity for business and investment in areas outside their homeland”, he said.

Recently, Senator Orji Kalu said Northern political elites should not canvass an end to rotational presidency until the South-East zone had produced the President of Nigeria.

He was reacting to the call by a prominent governor in the North-West geopolitical zone, for an end to power shift in the country.

Kalu, while speaking with journalists, insisted that the Igbo must take their turn in the number one seat of the country.

The APC chieftain also explained that the agreement at the end of the 1978 national conference was that all the major ethnic groups in Nigeria must produce the President on a rotational basis.

Kalu said, “Calling for an end to the zoning arrangement now will not bring peace to Nigeria. We have to complete the zoning system. That was the agreement at the earlier constitutional conference.

“All the major ethnic groups must produce the President before we would all agree that zoning has ended”.

The former governor hinted that the emergence of an Igbo person as president would equally bring an end to protests in the South-East region.

He dismissed the insinuations that Igbos would divide the country if elected as President.

“It is the right thing to do, Nigeria is built on a tripod. You should allow the South-East to have the Presidency by 2023,” Kalu said.

http://igberetvnews.com/1176167/2023-orji-kalu-takes-lead-nigeria-greater-heights-tinubu/

Today Senate Chief Whip ; Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia-North) was pictured with other principal officers of national assembly , Deputy Senate Minority Leader; Senator Bwacha Emmanuel (Taraba South) and Senate Leader Senator Yahaya Abdullahi ( Nasarawa West) exchange pleasantries after a brief meeting as they depart the National Assembly (Senate Building) Complex today .

https://twitter.com/OUKtweets/status/1201907419393208320?s=08

President Buhari received encomiums at the four day 42nd African Parliamentary Union (APU) conference held in the East African Country of Djibouti, this was as the Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate and leader of Nigerian delegation to the conference,Senator Orji Uzor Kalu enumerated the Federal Government's social investment programmes and it's constitutional support for youth participation in governance in Nigeria.



Kalu while delivering his address at the conference ,canvassed for youth participation in governance in Nigeria and other African countries. He cited the Nigerian Federal Government's efforts at empowering youth in Governance through the signing of the Not Too Young to Run Bill by President Buhari in May 2019.



Senator Kalu further cited the Federal Government's school feeding and social reinvestment programmes like the N-Power all of which according to Kalu are aimed at empowering the youths via job creation.


Dr. Kalu's address on the President Buhari's efforts on youth Empowerment generated cheers and commendations from other African lawmakers gathered at the conference.


In his words "on the issue of youths President Muhammadu Buhari has already signed an act that constitutionally allows all youths of about 25 years and above contest for the house of representatives and other similar positions. In Nigeria we have many social programmes one of which is the N-Power programme in which youths are engaged in a paid internship skill acquisition programme by the Federal Government. We also have the school feeding programme where school children are fed daily. So we are giving the young men and women the opportunities to participate in all levels of governance in Nigeria"


"It's a partnership between the elders and the young people, we need to do a lot more to create a better environment where youths will be participatory in the democratic environment. So the environment needs to protect the youths so that we can create new jobs a new atmosphere and break new grounds. I want to thank the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for sending this powerful delegation to attend this conference and for giving us this opportunity of representing Nigeria and we shall continue to do better for the next four years. It is going to be interesting and interactive, we shall place Nigeria at a vintage position. President Buhari has asked us to go across the globe to make more friends for Nigeria and attract non-oil investment to the country and we are calling on our business men to support this drive.For me everything we are doing would be centred around economic diplomacy.


The four day conference concentrated on four areas of strategic importance to the African Continent such as Maternal/Infant Mortality and Youth Empowerment.


Also discussed at the conference was the issue of regional integration and the overall development of Africa which has been the core themes at various African summits and the 42nd session of the African Parliamentary Union in Djibouti,East Africa , legislators from Across 40 countries of the continent gathered with renewed energy vigour for the development of the continent as a whole and more inclusion of all segments of the African society .


Tarek Radwan Deputy Chairman , Exceutive Commiteee APU spoke on the disenfranchisement of women in governance he said that the time was now to give youths the opportunity to take up specific roles in various African countries.


In his words" We have seen a lot of segregation against women, I believe it's pay back time to give and empower youths to take the role in their countries.

happy to see an enthusiastic delegation representing sister countries and respectful country like Nigeria.Among these discussions was how to enhance the role of the youths in a special committee.Among these discussions was how to enhance the role of the youths in a special committee".


Canvassing significant youth participation in Africa received more attention at the African Parliamentary Union as delegates at the conference who are mostly leaders in their national parliament expressed displeasure with the level of youth involvement in the continent.

The Nigerian delegation led by Senator Orji Kalu conveyed a sideline meeting of the five major donors to the union. The meeting tagged G5 resolved to canvass for the establishment of a Youth Commiteee in African Parliamentary union for the first time. We shall organise them to make sure that Nigeria is involved because I found out that Nigeria is not involved in the scheme of things.

The G5 is also canvassing for strategic positions for the major financial donors like Nigeria especially with the vibrancy of the Nigerian delegation as described as the vice-chairman of the African Union executive committee. The union had already established other vital committees including that of women affairs.

https://www.ouk.com.ng/2019/12/african-lawmakers-laud-president-buhari.html?m=1


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYKQ0khgKig

Man United is next!!!!
Today!! Today !!! They will cry !!!

For the Update: Man U 0 - Aston Villa 1

Coming from Sahara Reporters , the pit of media lies , trash and propaganda. The more reason the Sowore will die in that DSS detention. The major aim of this trash called news is to stem public emotion and nothing else .

The day my Girlfriend threatened me with a knife saying that she would slit my throat , I decided to break up with her .

All is strategy... guess the Governor is scared of the Obaseki treatment .

Ugwuanyi is no doubt Nigerias best Governor.

Just look at the media that have been promoting these stories, Premium Times , Nation and Tribune all Yoruba. This is6he same Premium times that wrote that Orji Kalu has sold he shares in First Nation Bank . The very few of us Igbos that believe in this one Nigeria are now seeing clearer ... why now?? But it's fine !!!!

Kenneth Udeh, Abuja

The  Nigerian Senate on Thursday passed the Finance Bill which seeks to amend seven acts of the National Assembly related to taxes payable in the country.

The bill titled ‘Nigeria Tax And Fiscal Law (Amendment) Bill (Finance Bill) 2019’, sought the increment of the Value Added Tax (VAT) payable by Nigerians from 5 percent to 7.5 percent. Other amended Tax Acts as contained in the finance bill include: Company Income Tax, Personal Income Tax, Custom and Excise Tax, Stamp Duties Act and the Capital Gains Tax.

Related: Finance Bill not just for VAT increase –Senator Adeola

A majority of Senators expressed their opinions before voting commenced on the Finance Bill.

Senate Majority Leader Yayaha Abdulahi cautioned against partisanship, advising Senators not play politics with the country’s economic crisis.

“When the budget was presented by Mr President, I lead the discussion of the budget; I did not go through the normal process of giving praises, though that was the expectation that was placed on me as the Senate leader,” he said.

I toed the path of honor by noting that the majority problem of the economy is the problem of revenue, and I also noted that the issue of the economy is not what we should play politics with. Playing politics with the present economic crisis that we are faced with is very dangerous. I drew the attention of the chairmen of all the committees of the important role,  irrespective of political platform, that brought us to the Senate. I implore us to look at the issue that we are going to pass today in a very dispassionate and bipartisan way. We are talking about the future of this country.”

Senator Ibikunle, on his part, said that revenue generated from the taxes would be judiciously used, stating that there won’t be any looting. He emphasised that the amendments were necessary in order for the Federal Government to fund its projects.

“If we do not have the necessary wherewithal to fund all of there projects – infrastructure, education, health, power, agriculture – it would amount to nothing. The ammendment to the taxes are not targeted at the downtrodden. I can speak on stamp duty, for instance. We are not getting anything from it and all the various gamut of taxes that exist has been covered. All the money generated from the taxes will not be squandered, neither will it be looted. We can attest that all the monies generated are being judiciously used,” Ibikunle stated.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, however, objected to the hikes, saying that an increment in the petroleum tax would increase the pains of Nigerians, arguing that the petroleum industry was not developing.

“Let us be reminded of the motive and agenda of the 9th Senate, which is to create a legislation that works for Nigeria. [With regards to the] the Petroleum Profit Tax Bill, we can understand that petroleum is an important aspect of our livelihood in Nigeria and 60% percent of our revenue in Nigeria is channeled towards importation of petroleum products,” he said.

“The increase in the Petroleum Tax will be so bad for Nigerians because the industry is not growing. 97 % of petroleum imports is being controlled by the NNPC. The increment will add more pains to Nigerians and I want it reviewed,. Let me also note that there was no representative from the oil industry that attended the open debate of the committee.”

Senator Gabriel Suswam cautioned against the VAT increase. The former Governor stressed that Nigerians would be taken by surprise should the Senate goes ahead with the amendment, advising the Federal Government to provide social programmes that would soften the effect of the increase.

“I am concerned with the issue of VAT; some of the amendments in the Value Added Tax, no matter how you look at it, is going to affect all Nigerians. What I suggest is for the Federal Government to create some social safety net that will ameliorate the pains that the people might go through as a result of the increase, because it is coming as a shock to the people and, as their representatives, we have to speak on their behalf,” the Senator said in his objection.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia South) similarly objected with the VAT hike, saying that “Nigerians are suffering too much already,” arguing that “the rate of tax should be left as it is.”

Senator Abba Moro, in his remarks, stated that there was no justification for an increase in the VAT, stating that ” I understand that the amendments is due to lack of revenue, but the problem is not because we don’t have the revenue but because our revenues are not being properly managed . I don’t think there is any justification of an increase in VAT from 5% to 7.5%. We don’t create problems in attempting to solve a problem. What we need is policy implementation and proper management of our revenue.”

Mewnwhile, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, after the Bill’s passage, said that the amendments were necessary to support the Federal Government to fund the 2020 appropriation budget .

“The Tax amendments would provide additional revenue for the government to provide services and infrastructure to the citizens of this country. What we have done is very significant because this is to ensure that we not only have sources of funding very credible and of course reliable sources of funding for the 2020 appropriation budget, but also for subsequent activities of government. The revenue agencies have to sit up and the National Assembly would be mounting a lot of oversight to the revenue generating agencies to meet their targets,” the Senate President remarked.
Source
https://www.sunnewsonline.com/nigerians-to-pay-more-tax-as-senate-approves-7-5-vat-hike/

Please don't bore us with all these Rwanda this Botswanna that , if the country sweet you abeg travel go there ...

Orji Kalu Glows At Maiden UNIMAID Alumni Dinner/Awards Night.

Kenneth Udeh,Abuja

Chief Whip of the Senate ,Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, President of the Senate ,Ahmed Lawan and other members of the Senate were among other dignitaries who joined a host of other Alumni of the University of Maiduguri at its Maiden End of Year Dinner,Awards Night held on Friday at the Nation's Capital ,Abuja.

The event which took place on Friday at the prestigious International Conference Centre had in attendance Governors, Ministers, permanent secretaries and a host of many other personalities.

A high point of the event was when the event organizers reeled out the achievements of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as Governor to the admiration of the guests. Notably among the achievements mentioned was Dr. Kalu's role as Governor in leading Enyimba Football club of Aba to become two time back to back African Champions a record which has remained unbroken till date .

The thousands of guests in the hall were sent to further admiration when the event organizers mentioned that both the Senate Chief Whip , Senator Orji Kalu and Senate President Ahmed Lawan were shared the same room as students in the University of Maiduguri over 30 years ago. The announcement was followed by encomiums of admiration and round of applause for the former Governor.

The event was organized to honour accomplished members of the University Alumni which include; Governor Umaru Fintiri ( Adamawa State), Governor Babagana Unara Zulum (Borno State), Governor Abdulkadiri Mohammed (Bauchi State ) , Alhaji Mele Koloa GMD/CEO NNPC , Alhaji Abubakar Malami Minister of Justice to mention a few.

https://www.ouk.com.ng/2019/11/orji-kalu-glows-at-maiden-unimaid.html?m=1

Orji Kalu Advises FG on Agriculture Makes Reference to Ogbomosho Mango

Kenneth Udeh,Abuja

Chief Whip of the Senate , Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has called on the Federal Government to focus on the establishment of processing mini - industries in every state of the Federation to boost the Agricultural Sector of the economy.

The former Governor expressed that the mini - industries would ensure that cash crops like cashew, groundnut etc were processed into products thus creating a value chain for export and employment in the Agricultural sector.

Senator Kalu (Abia-North) who is also the Vice-chairman of the Senate committee Banking,Insurance and other financial institutions, commended the Federal Government's efforts in building Silos (storage facilities) across the country, he however pointed that most of them were not being put into use.

These formed part of Senator Kalu's contributions to a motion during the Senate plenary on Thursday sequel to the consideration of a motion on “The need for continuous implementation of policy reforms for the diversification of the Nigerian economy through the Agricultural and Solid Minerals Sectors.”
The motion was sponsored by Senator Ibikunle Amosun (APC, Ogun Central) and co-sponsored by 59 other senators.

According to Amosun, available statistics show that the contribution of crude petroleum and natural gas to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined from 14.95 percent in 2011 to 9.61 percent in 2015 while the agricultural sector contributed 23.35 and 23.11 percent, respectively, to the GDP during the periods.

Kalu in his contribution to the motion said;

"A lot of cash crops were produced but were neither sold nor consumed because the prices were going down in supporting this motion I would like to encourage the Federal government of Nigeria to also extend a mini - industry scheme for processing food either maize, groundnut, chew nuts and other cash crops that we produce in this country.

"During the early days of China they started by producing food for consumption only ans the people can be fed with and after feeding the people the next step was processing. As Governor in 2006 we produced a lot of cassava but the produce could not be exported. So I encourage the Federal Government to recapitalize the bank of Agriculture because the bank of Agriculture is not doing enough.

" For certain reasons the Bank of Agriculture are not doing anything, they are not doing enough in making available facilities , loans and so on to farmers. I also call on the Federal Government to pump more grants to Agriculture.

"In supporting this motion I want the mini industries that were established all over the states in Nigeria , like Mao of China was able to establish mini industries in China but when you produce a lot of these foods without processing and converting them to secondary matter, it ends up not being useful to society.

I know in the "Ogbomosho" Oyo State for example a lot of mangos are produced but we still end up importing mango juice into the country.

"If the Federal Government can provide a Special fund for the creation of Mini-Agro industries people in that area can process the mangoes or store them in silos( storage facilities). We have a lot of Silos that the Federal Government built all over Nigeria but they are not being put into use , but if you want to make use of it they will say no its owned by the Federal Government. I know one in Umuahia - Okigwe expressway. I have seen many and even applied to make use of it to store palm kernels but the request was not granted.

The market money was 500 Billion why do you want to give away 500 billion when 10 billion could have been given to states to establish mini industries and Agricultural plants so that they can process these crops and it could generate employment and create wealth.

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said heads of agriculture and solid minerals ministries should come up with road maps on what they wanted to achieve within the next four years on the diversification policy.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/kalu-advocates-creation-of-mini-industries-in-states-to-boost-agriculture/

Orji Kalu Visits Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu Expresses Delight Over His Health.

Chief Whip of the ninth Senate and Senator Representing Abia-North Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on Friday paid a courtesy visit to Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu representing Imo North Senatorial District.
Recall that Senator Benjamin was sworn-in as Senator on July 2019 , 3 weeks after securing a favourable judgment in court due to legal tussle. Benjamin had since been absent from plenary over a brief health related issue.

Senator Orji Kalu expressed his delight over his health, he noted that the Senate has eager to have him return fully .

He wrote on his official twitter handle @OUKtweets " Earlier today I paid a brotherly visit to my colleague @NGRSenate Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu.I was gladdened to see him beaming with smiles,a strong sign that he is good health.We can't wait for his full resumption to continue with his good works & contributions at the Senate"

https://www.ouk.com.ng/2019/11/orji-kalu-visits-senator-benjamin.html?m=1

Senators Rochas,Orji Kalu Meet Chart Way Forward For Igbo Nation

Former Governor of Imo State and Senator Representating Imo West Senatorial District, Rochas Okorocha on Wednesday evening played host to former Abia State governor and Senator Representing Abia North, Senator. Orji Uzor Kalu at his Abuja residence.

It was learnt that both Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who also doubles as the Chief Whip of the Senate and Rochas Okorocha engaged in discussions of national interest.

According to sources both leaders also discussed on a charting a way forward for the Igbo race.

https://www.ouk.com.ng/2019/11/senators-rochasorji-kalu-meet-chart-way.html?m=1

Thanks to all . To God be the Glory.

Senator Sani wants Nigerian Passports,West African Currencies Printed In Nigeria.

Kenneth Udeh Abuja

Chairman Senate Committee on Banking , Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Uba Sani has expressed the willingness of the 9th Senate to support the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting company to produce Nigerian passports locally. The Kaduna Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District also assured the Senate's resolve to ensure that monies being owed to the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) by some Nigerians were recovered.

Uba stated this in a brief interview in Abuja, shortly after the Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru and Abbas Umar Masanawa the Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting company (NSPMC) appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions led by himself (Senator Uba) and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

How would you rate the state of AMCON and the NSPMC

"The meeting went very well, as you are aware that both agencies very critical to the development of our country most especially AMCON, ours is to support and work closely with them to ensure that the money that has been with some few Nigerians are recovered.

Mr. President has just recently precisely in July decided to amend the AMCON ACT , so that they can operate in a better way and function better, because as I speak to you we have over 4 trillion naira which needs to be recovered from some few debtors. From our records, this amount of money is being dominated by less than 20% of debtors by application less than 300 people are holding that money which is the government's money and the government can also take over the debts from commercial banks so that they can save the banks from collapsing and the shareholders money will not just disappear. As we are speaking nine years precisely after the establishment of AMCON there has been very little or nothing.

"But with the intervention of Mr. President and our efforts here in the national assembly we will be to try and see how we will be able to move very fast to achieve the recovery. We believe that with the support of other agencies like EFCC , ICPC and other agencies the money can be recovered quickly and where it is not necessary.
We are at the National Assembly are of the opinion that AMCON should auction the asset instead of keeping them because keeping those assets will also mean that AMCON will continue to spend money to manage those assets . So by our direction today we are looking forward to implementing the new areas which we believe we can support AMCON to actualize their mandate within the shortest possible time.

"In the case of security printing and minting PLC we also aware that it is a very critical agency but the problem is that most of the security documents we are printing in the country today are being taken over by companies that are dominated by foreigners.
The issue of infrastructure is also very fundamental we also commend Mr. President's directive that all documents should be printed by Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company. I have no doubt in my mind if Mr. President’s directive is being implemented as it is at the moment the securities minting and printing would be more viable they can sustain themselves and even generate more money to the country.
Currently many countries that we have been to have most of their security documents printed by their government agency like security printing and minting and we need to encourage them.

"We also found out that they have the capacity to do that but most importantly all the staff of the security printing and minting are Nigerians. By that it means we can have our documents safe and well protected.

"We can even go beyond printing those security documents in Nigeria by printing the security documents of other African countries here in Nigeria and that is the target at the moment.

What's Your Opinion on President Buhari's directive to print Nigerian passports Locally ?

"The companies that were initially awarded those contracts, to print those passports were given up to December this year so I have no doubt in my mind that it won't be a problem,since their contracts have been given a limit.

"We may not have any problems of litigation so there is an obligation on the side of the Government to fulfil any contractual agreement and I think that it’s only the Nigerian immigration that needs to obey. I have no doubt in my mind that they will comply with the President’s directives and here in the national assembly we have committees from internal affairs and the committee that is also responsible to look into the case of Nigerian immigration services. Our committee will work together and for us to resolve any issue so that we can also allow the security printing and minting to move on with printing of new passports, because at the moment the passports are even scarce if you to the immigration office and you want to have your passport now you might not necessarily get it because there is this dispute going on and I believe that it would be resolved as soon as possible that is the only solution.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sunnewsonline.com/senator-sani-wants-nigerian-passports-west-african-currencies-printed-in-nigeria/amp/

Kenneth Udeh, Abuja

Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions and Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has tasked the nation’s financial and insurance institutions on service delivery.

Kalu, who co-chaired the Senate committee’s meetings led by Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna Central), held intensive interactive sessions with the country’s monetary, insurance and other related institutions which included the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Limited (NSPMC), National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) , Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN).

A larger chunk of the interactions of the concerned institutions centred on briefing the Senate committee on their activities, challenges and responses on pertinent national issues bothering on economic growth, finance and insurance.

Kalu, in his remarks called for proper auditing of the institutions. He made the call as Abbas Umar Masanawa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting company (NSPMC) appeared before the Senate Committee.

The Abia North senator also charged the NSPMC to see itself not as a government parastatal but a company in order to align its business orientation towards diversification and profit making.

“You need to realise that you are a company not just a parastatal. You must therefore see yourself as a company with dual identity. The NSPMC must see itself as a full private company to in order to make improved profits. From what you have told us, we would like to know if you made profit last year? We are also interested in knowing if you were audited by KPMG, PWC, Deloite or any other reputable firm or you just assumed with your internal accountants that the N14.6 billion you informed us about is all profit?” Kalu inquired.

In his response, Abbas Umar told the committee that the NSPMC made a profit of N14.6 b in 2018 while its turnover grew from N17.8 b in 2014 and N61.4b in 2018.

The state of the nation’s airline industry came into discuss as Senator Kalu lamented the high cost of airline operation in the country; he expressed concern over the long list of agencies and their financial demands from airline operators.

He made this assertion during the briefing of the Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru before the Senate committee.

He said: “You can’t cut corners, because airline operation is denominated in dollars. If an aircraft for example is due for a ‘B’ check (aircraft maintenance) there is no other option than going for the check, whether the operator is making profit or not . When it comes to airline operation, it is difficult to maintain because various regulators come up with different requirements and all these requirements attract costs. The denomination of charges within the local airports is not commensurate with the pricing of the airline.

“The most important is the pricing; if you want to pay the right price the airline industry will boom but because you are not paying the right price everything is denominated in dollars.

“Years ago in this county, an airline had 14 aircraft on the ground there were 737/400 and someone woke up one morning and cancelled and withdrew the license of the airline just because one aircraft is purported to have committed an offence, this is why people are afraid of going into airline transportation business.

“The major problem,” Kalu continued “is the cost of operation and it is very high. There is NEMA, NCIA, FAAN, etc and all these agencies demand money from the operators. So, how would they survive? It’s not going to be possible and it’s not going to be easy. We cannot operate that way. Every six weeks, an airline operator is mandated to check the aircraft for maintenance and they must pay because they can’t play with people’s lives and the captain is a human being too. If the aircraft is in bad condition, they will refuse to fly, including the co-pilot and attendants.

So the major problem of the industry is cost and not even the operators.

“An airline like Air Peace is not finding it easy to manage its business. Another major issue is the transparency among the entire industry, there is no transparency.”

Kuru in his response said the National Assembly must reform the aviation sector by reducing the different layers of charges by different agencies, which makes it extremely difficult for airlines to survive in the country.

He pointed out that Arik Airline had enough aircraft and facilities that can be used to set up a new airline.

The insurance sector was not left out as the chief whip questioned the efforts of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), at regulating and sanctioning insurance companies that renegade in paying it’s holders involved in accidents and other unfortunate incidents.

Kalu said: “People that engage in insurance of vehicles, houses and so on don’t get compensated by some of these big insurance companies when they have damages. How are you as a regulatory body, protecting the concern of these people? I have seen people who after they had accidents the insurance companies were not able to do anything. They were totally jettisoned despite the fact that they paid premiums. When you have an insurance, and you are involved in fire or water accidents or otherwise, they are not interested in coming to your aid. People end up paying premium without getting anything during unfortunate incidents. How is your organisation protecting the over 200 million Nigerians most of who after using their hard-earned money in paying premiums get nothing when they have problems?”

Acting Managing Director of NAICOM Mr Thomas Sunday, who had appeared before the Senate committee, spoke of the challenges faced by the insurance regulator, saying that limited powers in existing laws were responsible for “arm twisting” the commission from carrying out its enforcement and distress management duties of defaulting insurance companies.

He appealed to the 9th Assembly through the committee to pass a pending insurance executive bill into law in order to support the performance of the industry.

Godwin Emiefile, governor of the nation’s apex monetary institution was not left out of the report rendering session as Dr. Kalu commended the economic intervention efforts of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) boss. Senator Kalu urged Emefiele not to relent in fine tuning and introducing policies aimed at boosting the nation’s economy.

Earlier in his opening remark Emefiele described the 9th Senate as partners in progress, in what he described as a shared and joined responsibility to work together towards the development of the banking and insurance system in Nigeria.

He said: “We are very clear in saying that we are partners in progress – partners in the sense that we have the shared and joint responsibility to work together towards the development of the banking and insurance system in Nigeria and indeed the financial system in Nigeria.”

Other directors who presented themselves before the Senate committee included

Kabiru Mohammed, Managing Director Bank of Agriculture (BOA); Umaru Ibrahim, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC); Abba Bello, Managing Director Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM); Adekunle AbdulRazaq Oyinloye, Managing Director The Infrastructure Bank PLC and Tony Okpanachi, Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN).

Also present at the meeting were other members of the committee which include Senators Betty Apiafi (Rivers West), Muhammad Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) , Oyelola Yisa Ashiru (Kwara South), Onyewuchi Francis Ezenwa (Imo East) , Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central ) and others.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/orji-kalu-co-chairs-senate-committee-tasks-institutions-on-service-delivery/

I see no problem here , I actually had two extra years which made me graduate 3 years with a even a 3rd class after my set had already graduated. But by God's grace I never job hunted for a single day cos I got a job with a top firm same day of got my call up letter and in fact I'm even helping most people from my set to look for jobs using my connections.

It's just a matter of prayer, change of mindset and maximizing the opportunity. Everything depends on you.

Kenneth Udeh, Abuja

The Kogi State Government has requested the sum of N10.69 billion from the Federal Government for the settlement of debts incurred locally and refund for projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government.

President Buhari, in a letter written to Senate President Ahmed Lawan, which was read during Tuesday’s plenary, requested for the resolution of the Senate for the approval of the sum to be issued to the Kogi State Government.

President Buhari noted in the letter that the federal projects were duly verified by the Federal Government.

The letter read in parts:

“Dear distinguished Senate President,

Request for the resolutions of the National Assembly for the issuance of 10.69 Billion promissory Million Naira Promissory notes to Kogi State Government under the promissory notes programme and a bond issuance to certain inherited local debts and contractual obligations of the Federal Government to refund to states for project executed on behalf of the Federal Government.

“The distinguished Senate President will recall that based on my request for the resolution of the National Assembly approving the establishment of a promissory note programme and a bond issuance for certain inherited local debts and contractual obligations of the Federal Government, the 8th national assembly passed resolutions approving the issuance of promissory notes to refund state Governments for projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government.”

The Senate President further President Mandated the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts to handle the request and report back within two Weeks.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/kogi-state-seeks-n10-69-billion-from-federal-government/

We Have Commenced Payment of New Minimum Wage – Chris Ngige

Kenneth Udeh, Abuja

Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, has said that the N30,000 new Minimum Wage is “a reality”, asserting that the Federal Government has commenced payment of the new wage to workers at the lower cadres of the public service.

He argued that the current quagmire between the Federal Government and organised labour arose from adjusting the wages of government workers from grade level 7 to 14, with the two parties yet to agree on final figures. Collective bargaining, the Minister said, was the only way to end the tussle, and that once agreed other grade levels would start earning their new wages.

In an interview with Daily Sun‘s KENNETH UDEH in Abuja, Minister Ngige spoke on topical national issues, including Nigeria’s 59th Independence anniversary, social investment programmes and the impact of Nigeria’s border closure on domestic industries.

What is the Federal Government’s stance on the N30,000 new Minimum Wage?

I understand that the N30,000 Minimum Wage is a reality, that is why we have started the implementation. The N30,000 Minimum Wage is for the man at the lowest position in the job ladder, so we are already paying that. The public servants of those offices are already earning the new Minimum Wage. With the consequential adjustment, we have a problem with adjusting the wages of level 7 to level 14 workers. The problem is with negotiations, because the two parties [government and labour] are yet to agree on the figures. It is expected to happen because it is a negotiation. And anything that concerns wages and negotiations, you should be ready for hard negotiations, especially when the economy is not too good. The good thing happening now is collective bargaining, because it is a consequential adjustment. So, I do not see it as a problem that cannot be solved. We have to solve it. And once we solve it, other grade levels will start earning their new scales of wages.

Read More: https://www.sunnewsonline.com/we-have-commenced-payment-of-new-minimum-wage-chris-ngige/

The crime rate in Abuja is grossly under reported . As it stands Lagos is safer compared to Abuja. Once chance in Abuja is very rampant, in fact one in 15 Vehicles in Abuja is a once chance robber (s).

He has No Father... you know the meaning right ??

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Mao Ohuabunwa Under Investigation Over Electoral Fraud Risks Jail Term.

Group Calls For His Prosecution

Following the September 9 verdict of the National and State Assembly Election Petition tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia state, on Abia North Senatorial District election, a non-partisan body, Abia Frontiers (AF) has called on appropriate authorities to prosecute  Senator Mao Ohaubunwa of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for committing electoral fraud during the 2019 national assembly election.

Ohaubunwa, who was then a sitting Senator and the candidate of the PDP in the poll, had instructed his police details: Inspector Micheal Antai and Sergeant Okwudiri Ndukauba to snatch election ballot materials from officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on their way to deliver the election  materials to INEC office in Arochukwu LGA of Abia state during the national assembly election of February 23, 2019.

Ohuabunwa, who was thereafter arrested, interrogated and released on bail at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Abia state, filed an application before a Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia state with suit no : HU/25M/2019 and the case was dismissed on 3rd June , 2019 by Justice C. C Thomas Adiele.

According to the group's Chairman, Chief Adams Njoku, the embattled former legislator, also sent his cohorts to waylay INEC officials at College of Education road, Arochukwu before the election materials were hijacked and transferred to a black hilux van owned by Ohaubunwa and the culprits zoomed off.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Njoku, stressed that upon the dismissal of the suit filed against the Nigeria Police Force by Ohuabunwa, on infrigment of his human right, the police has the authority to put Ohaubunwa under check to prevent him from causing mayhem in future.

He said, " we are surprised with the judgement of the tribunal.
"During the national assembly election, Ohuabunwa was responsible for snatching electoral materials with the assistance of his police details and thugs.

" The judgement is not only worrisome and unfortunate but unacceptable and biased.

"We are optimistic that the Appellate court will review the position of the lower court in a bid to correct the anormaly" .
While urging the Nigeria Police Force to transfer the case of electoral fraud against Ohuabunwa from the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Abuja to State Criminal and  Investigation Department (SCID) Abia state for continuation of investigation, Njoku charged the electorate to shun violence and social vices during and after polling.

Read full story and find court papers at https://oukmedia..com/2019/09/tribunal-ohuabunwa-must-face.html

Breaking!!!!

The National & State House of AssemblyElection Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia,headed by Justice Cornelius Akintayo has declared a"supplementary rerun"in Abia-North.

The petitioner,Mao Ohuabunwa of the PDP had filed a petition against the current Senator Orji Kalu.

Details later

https://twitter.com/iamkennethcole/status/1171098541286141952?s=19

Action must be taken !

XENOPHOBIA: Nigeria should close its door on MTN, DSTV, Shoprite, others —Orji Kalu

September 4, 2019

Sen Orji Kalu, Chief Whip of the Senate, on Tuesday, while condemning attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, said the Nigerian government should close businesses owned by South African.

Among the businesses he mentioned were MTN, DSTV and Shoprite.

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by his Media Office, the former governor of Abia State questioned the essence of the renewed attacks on Nigerians.

“The gruesome killings, looting, arson of property belonging to Nigerians and attack of Nigerian Embassy in South Africa is ill-conceived, disheartening and wicked.

“How can any sensible person attack and burn a fellow human being just because he or she has a feeling to do so?

“Those mindless criminals who attacked and prevented law abiding Nigerians to freely conduct their businesses must be made to pay for their crimes.

“Arresting them is not enough,’’ he stressed.

Read also: No Nigerian was killed in fresh xenophobic attacks, Nigeria’s Consul General claims

While emphasising that South Africans lived and carried out their businesses peacefully in Nigeria, Kalu said there would be no reason to allow them operate further if the South African government failed to protect the lives, and property of Nigerians.

“If the South African government fails to do more to protect the lives of Nigerians, there should be no reason to allow them to operate freely in Nigeria.

“All their enterprises deserve to be closed down including MTN, DSTV, Shoprite among others.

“In the spirit of brotherhood, we have supported them. Our doors have always been open, but it’s time to retaliate by shutting our doors,” he said

The Senate Chief Whip, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for dispatching a special envoy to the South African government.

He urged the Federal Government to hasten the intervention process and institute stiffer measures against South Africa over the endless xenophobic attacks.

https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/xenophobia-nigeria-should-close-its-door-on-mtn-dstv-shoprite-others-orji-kalu/

Co-accused exonerates Kalu fingers Former -Chief of Staff.

Jones Udeogu, a co-accused of former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, in an alleged fraud charge, yesterday told Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos, that it was only the Chief of Staff to the former governor, T. A. Orji, who determined who got what from the Government House account.

Udeogu, a former Director of Finance in Abia State Government House, made the disclosure while opening his defence to prove his innocence of the allegations.

While being examined by his lawyer, Chief Solo Akuma (SAN), the accused, who spoke from the witness box, said based on Civil Service Rules, he had no direct contact with the former governor or took orders from him, but from his Chief of Staff, who also managed Government House funds.

“According to Civil Service Rules, nobody can bypass the Chief of Staff to see or take orders from the governor. All the directors take orders from the Chief of Staff, unit heads take orders from their various directors and it is only the Chief of Staff that can give approval for who gets what from the Government House bank accounts.

“My duty then was just to work out release of funds in any forms either by cash or cheque from the accounts,” he said.

He added that all the disbursements of funds in Abia State Government House were made pursuant to the approval of the Chief of Staff.

Udeogu also denied partaking in payment of any money to the account of the third defendant (Slok Nigeria Ltd).

“I did not partake in the payment of funds to the account of Slok Nigeria Ltd. as alleged in counts 34 to 38. I am also not a signatory to the account of Slok Nigeria Ltd.

“Neither me nor any other staff of Government House paid any money into Slok account. We also did not receive any Board Resolution from Slok requesting for any money to be paid into Slok account,” he said.

Udeogu was docked alongside Kalu and a company, Slok Nigeria Ltd., before the court on charges bordering on fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), but the trio pleaded not guilty.

Further hearing in the matter continues today.

Source : https://www.newtelegraphng.com/2019/08/co-accused-exonerates-kalu/

Former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, on Tuesday, denied allegations that he stole N7.2 billion while at the helm between 1999 and 2007.
He said Abia State under him had no such fund. 

Kalu made the denial while continuing his testimony before Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos to prove his innocence of the allegation level against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former governor, while responding to a question from his lawyer, Prof. Awa Kalu (SAN), over the allegation, disclosed that there was no way he could stole what was non-existence. 

“Abia State doesn’t have such amount. Even the day I was leaving, we borrowed money to pay salaries. Abia State didn’t have even a billion naira in any account at the time I was governor”, he said. 

To back up his denial of the allegations, the former governor, who is currently the Chief Whip of the Senate, also spoke about the difficulties he encountered in running the state with allocations from federal government. 

He said:  “The monthly allocation of Abia State when I took over in June 1999 was N168 million. It was averaging between N168 million and N172 million monthly. The first month that I came in, there was even no money to buy diesel. I spent my own money to run the state for six months. 

“In the year 2000, monthly allocation was between N170 million and N189 million. In 2001, it came to about N302 million to about N380 million. I can recollect in 2002, it was almost the same and in 2003 when the revenue allocation was changed, we were having about N400 million.

“The highest money I got as governor came from 2004 when we have about N1 billion and from that time up till May 2007 before I left, what we had was N1.6 billion. 

“Throughout my stay in office, I never owed salary and pension. When I took over as governor and before I left, we moved it up to N500 million. It was from this that we were able to do a lot of things”. 

Kalu had earlier in his evidence told the court that he has been a successful businessman before venturing into politics. 

Speaking on his line of businesses before he began his political journey, he said: “I was running a group of companies under Slok Nigeria Ltd and I have a big furniture factory in Maiduguri. I was also trading in cows. The cows were coming from Chad to Umuahia. I also had a vegetable oil factory in Aba supplying to people in Kano and Maiduguri. 

“I was also into shipping activities with major oil companies. We also have a very big corn farm in the East and Bauchi. 

“We were a major shareholder before another shareholder bought off First Bank. In 1994, the then Hallmark Bank had a problem and I later bought majority stake in the bank. We also had major interests in banks in DRC, Gambia, Sieria-leone, Liberia and the then Sudan before crisis set in”.

The former governor also disclosed that he also deals in buying and selling of property. 

He further disclosed that he made all his statements to the EFCC under bad treatment from some police officers. 

“When I learnt they were looking for me, I called Ibrahim Lamorde that I was in the United States and that I will show up upon my return to the country. 

“But when I returned to Nigeria, they were waiting for me at the airport and whisked me away to their office. After I was beaten up thoroughly by police officers, I asked them what was my offence and they told me I have been insulting President Obasanjo. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Ibrahim Lamorde later came to apologise to me”. 

Further hearing in the matter continues on Wednesday.

https:///A3vSRDtuOe

I will continue thanking God for taking me out of that overhyped place called Lagos .