Africa's Richest Woman Just Got Richer

Africa’s richest woman has added another slice of Angola’s economy to her portfolio.

Isabel dos Santos, daughter of the country’s president, has just secured a controlling stake in the oil-rich nation’s largest bank.

The precise details may seem unremarkable. A few shares are traded... and one company’s stake in an Angolan bank edges over the fifty percent mark.

But the result is that Africa’s richest woman is now reported to have taken control of another key piece of Angola’s economy.

The move has left observers pondering whether to applaud a savvy female entrepreneur or to bemoan the enduring power of the continent’s entrenched elites.

Isabel dos Santos is 43, ambitious, successful and unusual in a region where men still rule most boardrooms.

But Mrs dos Santos is also the oldest daughter of Angola’s President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, a man who has run the country since 1979.

Angola is one of the world’s least developed nations. In recent years it has benefited from an oil boom and Chinese investment. But corruption and poverty remain huge challenges.

The president’s daughter has repeatedly tried to shrug off allegations of nepotism, of the first family looking to form an economic and political dynasty that will live on after the President steps down, as he’s recently promised to do.

But Mrs dos Santos already controls Angola’s state oil company, and it’s largest telephone company. Now, with those extra shares, she’s added the country’s largest bank - BFA. The family’s dominant role in the country seems likely to endure.bbc.com

Where is Adamu Mu’azu, the ‘game-changer’?

Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, a former national chairman of the PDP, can be described as a politician who cannot withstand the shock of electoral defeat. After the shocking loss of the 2015 presidential election, the former Bauchi State governor could not pick the pieces and move on. Perhaps, he could not face the fact that he led the party that ruled the country since 1999 to its first major catastrophic defeat, coming when it was least expected. The party lost to Muhammadu Buhari, a candidate many thought had gone down the drain of his political career.

Since the loss of the March 28, 2015 poll, Mu’azu has really gone under, even more than the party’s presidential candidate and former president, Goodluck Jonathan. At least, Jonathan was seen in many fora and had commented on some national and global issues.

Indeed, the election of Mu’azu as the chairman of the party on January 20, 2014, was to bring prospects after the crisis-plagued regime of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. Mu’azu was to be the saviour of the PDP after five “powerful” governors of the party broke to form the newPDP, which the then President Goodluck Jonathan was not comfortable with.

However, the two-term governor of Bauchi was not able to knit the broken house but managed to forge forward. Nonetheless, the toga of being called the “game changer” did not manifest after all.

In his acceptance speech when he was nominated as the national chairman of the party, Mu’azu made a very strong statement, giving an impression of a war-lord.

He said, “As I take over as chairman of our great party, I want to assure you of my determined efforts and total commitment to restoring the lost glory of the PDP, with your total support. I have helplessly watched the dwindling fortunes of our party from 2003 to date, from controlling a record 28 states in 1999 down to 23 states currently.” According to him, the situation was unacceptable and must change, pointing out that Nigerians still loved the PDP and would continue to love and vote for the party as long as it met their expectations and aspirations. He promised to introduce reforms in the administration of the party to bring it in tandem with global best practices.

Mu’azu pointed out that party administration in Nigeria could not continue to be run as it was in the 19th century. “We must hurry up to be on the same page with advanced democracies, otherwise our elections will continue to be discredited by the international community. The beginning of credible, free and fair elections starts with credible, free and fair party primaries,” he said.

During the 2015 presidential campaigns, Mu’azu was also quoted to have made disparaging statements against the candidature Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Referring to Buhari and the APC in his twitter handle, Mu’azu said: “When power-drunk people get the chance to lead a country, instead of leading the people, they rule and lord over them like feudal kings. The little we know about governance in Nigeria is: never give a desperate man power because he will rule despotically and with an iron fist. Never again will Nigerians be ruled like slaves in their own country; enough of ruthless/wicked rulers and dictators.”

Apart from losing the presidential election, the PDP became the opposition in the National Assembly, and the states it controlled diminished.

Even before the inauguration of President Buhari on May 29, 2015, the blame game in the PDP reached a crescendo, with the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio leading a campaign for the resignation of the national chairman. This greatly divided the party and marked the beginning of Mu’azu going into oblivion.

Apart from the national level, Mu’azu was also humiliated in Bauchi, his home state, where the PDP did not make any gains; and he was the national chairman of the party.

As the PDP licked its wounds at the national level, Mu’azu faced another political squabble at home as the Bauchi PDP split into three camps. While he and his loyalists have their camp, the immediate past governor, Mallam Isah Yuguda, also has his group. Another camp is also led by the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed. The three camps opened old rivalries, leading to further disintegration of the party.

In fact, efforts to reconcile the estranged members also failed as Mu’azu and Yuguda were not always available. While Yuguda travelled to the UK, Mu’azu also left, but his whereabouts still remains speculative as he was said to have been shuttling between countries in Asia and the Middle East.

The former national chairman of the PDP was said to be in the habit of going away and later reappearing. For instance, it was gathered that after securing his first PDP governorship ticket, Mu’azu left the state, only to return for campaigns few months to the elections and won. He is also regarded as a person who has a passion for travelling. Immediately after his exit from power in 2007, the former governor also travelled out of the country, an action many believed was out of fear of possible humiliation and arrest to face alleged cases of corruption against him. His successor appointed a judicial commission of inquiry to probe his administration.

Others also believed that the former governor left the country because of the sour relationship between him and the then late President Umaru Yar’Adua. The former governor remained in self-exile until the death of Yar’Adua in 2010.

Presently, Mu’azu is said to have left the country under the pretence that he was attending the graduation ceremony of his daughter in a British school. He stayed temporarily in the United Kingdom before he reportedly relocated to Singapore, where he is believed to be writing a book to chronicle his stewardship as governor of Bauchi State.

He later attempted to be the national chairman of the PDP in 2011, but his attempt was scuttled by governors and some bigwigs from the North-East. He was defeated at the zonal election by Dr. Musa Babayo. However, Babayo was denied the opportunity to lead the party as Bamanga Tukur was allegedly imposed on them as national chairman.

It was alleged that he left the Wadata House national secretariat of the PDP without handing over or resigning, an action that threw the party into a deep leadership crisis. Since then, the “game changer’’ has remained elusive.

 

 

www.dailytrust.com.ng

NTDC Gets New Acting DG

Mrs. Mariel Rae-Omoh has been appointed as the new Acting Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC). She takes over from the former acting DG Boniface Ebuka, who was first appointed into the position following the removal of, Mrs. Sally Uwechue – Mbanefo by the Federal Government.

Until her new elevation, Mrs. Rae -Omoh, was the director of Hospitality and Travel Trade. She is a thoroughbred professional, who aside working in an international branded hotel in Nigeria, has spent most of her entire career life in NTDC where she has held various positions and responsibilities, including serving as the Zonal Coordinator of the former Calabar Zonal Office of NTDC.

Although no reasons were adduced for the change in leadership of the corporation given that Ebuka was less than one month in the office, sources said it might have been related to an error in the first appointment, as Mrs. Rae – Omoh is believed to be the most senior staff of the corporation but was initially overlooked for Ebuka.

 

thisdaylive.com

1,000 DAYS AFTER: PRESIDENT BUHARI RECOMMITS TO RETURN OF CHIBOK SCHOOLGIRLS

1,000 DAYS AFTER: PRESIDENT BUHARI RECOMMITS TO RETURN OF CHIBOK SCHOOLGIRLS

As the country, nay, the world, today commemorates the 1,000th day of the abduction of schoolgirls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, President Muhammadu Buhari has recommitted the Federal Government to securing the release of the youngsters kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents.

"We are grateful to God that on this landmark day, we are not completely in the depths of despair, but buoyed with hope that our daughters will yet rejoin their families and loved ones. Three of them have been recovered by our diligent military, while the freedom of 21 others was secured through engagement with their captors. We are hopeful that many more will still return as soon as practicable," President Buhari said.


He reiterated his pledge, pronounced many times in the past, that government would not spare any effort to reunite the girls with their families.

"I salute the fortitude of the distraught parents. As a parent also, I identify with their plight. Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, months turned to years, and today, it is 1,000 days. The tears never dry, the ache is in our hearts. But hope remains constant, eternal, and we believe our pains will be assuaged. Our hopes will not be shattered, and our hearts will leap for joy, as more and more of our daughters return. It is a goal we remain steadfastly committed to," the President said.

On the occasion of the 1,000 days, President Buhari commends all who have been in the vanguard for the recovery of the girls, both nationally and internationally, stressing:
"Someday soon, we will all rejoice together. Our intelligence and security forces are unrelenting, and whatever it takes, we remain resolute. Chibok community, Nigeria, and, indeed, the world, will yet rise in brotherhood, to welcome our remaining girls back home. We trust God for that eventuality."

FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
January 8, 2017

Adeboye: I Remain the Worldwide General Overseer of RCCG

Enoch Adejare Adeboye, a pastor and general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), only relinquished his position as head of the Nigeria church but will remain RCCG’s worldwide overseer, the church has clarified.

According to a statement signed by Leke Adeboye, the clergyman’s last son and personal assistant, the announcement of a new Nigeria overseer was made in compliance with the new legal requirements set up by the Financial Regulations Council for all registered churches, mosques, and CSOs, which stipulate that heads of non-profit organisations like churches now have a maximum period of 20 years to lead their organisations while in retirement.

Such heads are also not permitted to hand over to their families.

Leke Adeboye reiterated that Funsho Odesola, a pastor, will now serve as the new church secretary, Joseph Adeyokunu, another pastor, is the new church treasurer.‎

He advised all members of RCCG to “understand this new structure and go about their service to God and humanity in holiness and soul winning”.

“We appeal to members to educate people around them and not spread inaccurate information, as Pastor E.A Adeboye remains the General Overseer of RCCG Worldwide.”

 

thecable.ng

Buhari Picks Babalakin to Lead FG’s Negotiation With ASUU

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a 14-member team led by Wale Babalakin, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), to renegotiate the 2009 agreement with Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Adamu Adamu, minister of education, disclosed this in a statement, saying the team would also dialogue with the, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and Non Academic Staff Union of Associated & Allied Institutions (NASU).

He said this is geared towards ensuring sustainable peace and industrial harmony in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

Apart from Babalakin, other members of the team are: M.M. Jibril, pro-chancellor, Federal University, Lafia; Nimi Briggs, pro-chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja; Gbemisola Saraki, pro-chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke; Lawrence Ngbale, pro-chancellor, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, Alex Mbata, pro-chancellor, Imo State University, Owerri and Olufemi Bamiro, pro-chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun.

The team also has representatives, ministries of education, labour and employment, finance, justice, budget and national planning, National Salaries, Incomes & Wages Commission (NSIWC), and office of the secretary to the government of the federation (OSGF).

Buhari has also approved the reconstitution of the governing councils of university of Port Harcourt and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, which were dissolved following the crises that engulfed the two institutions.

The new governing councils would serve for a term of four years, in the first instance, effective from December 28, 2016.

 

thecable.ng

U.S. Intelligence Agencies: Putin Ordered Intervention In Presidential Election

Russia carried out a comprehensive cybercampaign to upend the U.S. presidential election, an operation that was ordered by Russian President Vladi­mir Putin and “aspired to help” elect Donald Trump by discrediting his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, U.S. intelligence agencies concluded in a report released Friday.

The report depicts Russian interference as unprecedented in scale, saying that Moscow’s assault represented “a significant escalation in directness, level of activity, and scope of effort” beyond previous election-related espionage.

The campaign was ordered by Putin himself and initially sought primarily to undermine public faith in the U.S. democratic process, “denigrate Secretary Clinton” and harm her electoral prospects. But as the campaign proceeded, Russia “developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump” and repeatedly sought to elevate him by “discrediting Secretary Clinton and publicly contrasting her unfavorably to him.”

The document represents an extraordinarily direct and detailed account of a long-standing U.S. adversary’s multi-pronged intervention in a fundamental pillar of American democracy.

Trump emerged from a briefing on the report by the nation’s top intelligence officials Friday seeming to acknowledge for the first time at least the possibility that Russia was behind election-related hacks. But he offered no indication that he was prepared to accept U.S. spy agencies’ conclusion that Moscow sought to help him win.

Instead, Trump said in a statement issued just minutes after the high-level meeting ended that whatever hacking had occurred, “there was absolutely no effect on the outcome of the election.”

Trump’s statement seemed designed to create the impression that this was the view of the intelligence officials, including Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. and CIA Director John Brennan, who had met with him.

But weighing whether Russia’s intervention altered the outcome of the 2016 race was beyond the scope of the review that the nation’s spy agencies completed this week. And Clapper testified in a Senate hearing Thursday that U.S. intelligence services “have no way of gauging the impact . . . it had on the choices the electorate made. There’s no way for us to gauge that.”

Trump’s statement came after his first face-to-face encounter with the leaders of intelligence agencies whose work he has repeatedly disparaged. Others who took part in the meeting included FBI Director James B. Comey and National Security Agency chief Adm. Mike Rogers.

All four of the spy chiefs have endorsed a classified report that was briefed to Trump and circulated in Washington this week that concludes that Russia used a combination of aggressive hacking, propaganda and “fake news” to disrupt the 2016 U.S. presidential race.

Trump appeared to acknowledge that hacking of Democratic and Republican computer networks had occurred, but was apparently not prepared to accept the consensus view of U.S. spy services that Russia sought to help him win.

“I had a constructive meeting and conversation with the leaders of the intelligence community,” Trump said. He acknowledged that “Russia, China, other countries, outside groups and people are consistently trying to break through the cyber-infrastructure of our government institutions, businesses and organizations including the Democrat National Committee.”

The session was seen as an early indicator of whether Trump could reach some sort of accord with U.S. intelligence agencies or is determined to extend his increasingly bitter feud with America’s spies and analysts into his first term.

In an interview with the New York Times before Friday’s briefing, Trump said the focus on Russian hacking “is a political witch hunt.”

In Thursday’s testimony, Clapper appeared to take aim at Trump and the stream of social-media insults he has targeted at the intelligence community over the Russia issue.

“There is an important distinction here between healthy skepticism, which policymakers, to include policymaker number one, should always have for intelligence,” Clapper said. “But I think there is a difference between skepticism and disparagement.”

The meeting, which was requested by Trump, comes on the heels of a series of revelations about Russia’s role and motivations in last year’s campaign.

The Post reported in December that the CIA and other agencies had concluded that Russia sought not only to disrupt the election and sow doubt about the legitimacy of American democratic institutions but also to help Trump win.

U.S. intelligence agencies based that determination on an array of interlocking intelligence pieces, including the identification of known “actors” with ties to Russian intelligence services who helped deliver troves of stolen Democratic email files to the WikiLeaks website.

U.S. spy agencies also monitored communications in Moscow after the election that showed that senior officials in the Russian government, including those believed to have had knowledge of the hacking campaign, celebrated Trump’s win and congratulated one another on the outcome.

Trump has rejected intelligence agencies’ unanimous conclusions about Russia, saying it could just as easily have been China or “some guy” in New Jersey.

Trump has seemed to court conflict with U.S. intelligence agencies on several fronts. During his campaign, he vowed to order the CIA to return to the use of waterboarding and other brutal interrogation measures widely condemned as torture. Since his surprise victory, Trump has skipped the majority of the daily intelligence briefings made available to him, saying that he has no need for sessions that he finds repetitive.

But the president-elect softened his message on Thursday, saying on Twitter that he is a “big fan” of intelligence, although, as has been his practice, he set off the word “intelligence” in quotes.

Trump’s designated national security adviser, retired lieutenant general Michael T. Flynn, has often participated in the president-elect’s intelligence briefings. If he attends on Friday, it could add to the tension and drama: Flynn was fired by Clapper in 2014 as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency.

 

www.washingtonpost.com

College of Nursing: Gov Bindow Fullfils Promise

In November 2016, Governor Bindow promised to renovate the College of Nursing and Midwifery Yola to give the staff and students a befitting environment for learning then matched his words with actions as works commenced in students hostels and other structures in the college.

Credit: Nuruddeen Kama

Oil Marketers Commend NNPC for Hitch-free Fuel Supply

The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) has commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for ensuring a hitch-free supply of petroleum products across the country during the end of year holiday season.

The Chairman of DAPPMA, Mr Dapo Abiodun, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led a delegation of the group’s members on a courtesy call on the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru.

“In the past, we were importing 70% of products while NNPC was importing 30%, being the supplier of last resort which is their responsibility. They moved to doing 50% and by November, they were doing about 90% of the volumes.

“So we have to come and appreciate them because in spite of the constraints that got them to take on the burden of increasing their importation from 30% to 50% and then 90%, there were no hiccups, there were no queues, there were no shortages. We think NNPC should be commended for that”, Mr Abiodun stated.

He said DAPPMA was concerned that despite the huge investments of its members in the downstream, they were not able to contribute much to efficiency in the system as certain operational exigencies have forced them to perform below capacity.

NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru who spoke during the visit of the association said NNPC was aware of the challenges being encountered in the subsector, stressing that, he was hopeful, appropriate government agencies would come to their rescue soon.

The GMD, while thanking the association for appreciating the efforts of NNPC to ensure stable products supply nationwide during the holiday season, stated that the group was part of the supply chain which made the feat a reality.

Dr. Baru said NNPC appreciated the cordial business relationship between it and the association, assuring that the Corporation would leave no stone unturned to ensure all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria are wet with white products at all time.




Ndu Ughamadu

Group General Manager,

Group Public Affairs Division,

NNPC, Abuja.

6th January, 2017.

Arik Air Threatens Disruptive Customers, Vows ‘All Measures’

Arik Air on Thursday lamented incessant attacks by some aggrieved passengers on its staff and property at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The airline made this known in a statement signed by its Communications Manager, Ola Adebanji.

The statement said the airline staff and property were attacked by the passengers on Wednesday while its flight operations were disrupted again on Thursday.

It said the issue started when the airline’s Lagos-New York flight was rescheduled from Wednesday to Thursday due to lack of aviation fuel.

“Our Lagos-Johannesburg service and Lagos- Accra service were also on ground awaiting fuel while the Lagos-New York service was standing by for fuel.

“Aviation fuel supply has been epileptic in the country over the past weeks where availability of stock and terms of service are not guaranteed on a consistent basis by the marketers.

“Arik Air pursued all possible options to source fuel for the international flights but when our Customer Service Manager approached the passengers to explain the situation to them, one of the passengers chased and attacked him.”

Mr. Adebanji said this was followed by a mob of passengers who brutally beat, kicked and chased the Arik Air staff through the terminal building up to the Immigration Section of the terminal.





He said the staff was later rushed to the hospital where he was treated for injuries sustained “during this reckless and inhuman attack”.

According to the spokesperson, Arik Air managed to source a small quantity of fuel and despite eventually sorting out the departure of the Johannesburg service, some of the passengers again on Thursday disrupted the airline’s check-in process.

He said this led to the cancellation of some of its international flights, including the Lagos-London Heathrow-Lagos service.

“Arik Air strongly condemns the incessant and increasing number of attacks on our staff and property in the recent months.

“As a flag carrier for Nigeria, the airline expresses it disappointment and dismay that the Aviation Security Department (AVSEC) of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and all the other security agencies in the country cannot ensure or guarantee the safety of our personnel when on duty across the various airports in the country.

“This serious breach of security and lawlessness by some of the passengers to assault and cause bodily harm to the airline’s personnel cannot and will not continue to be tolerated.

“Passengers continue to take the laws into their hands and the severity and frequencies of such criminal acts are on the rise due to lack of appropriate action or preventative measures from the security agencies.

“The resort to verbal or physical violence in any form by a passenger is not acceptable to Arik Air and the airline would henceforth deploy all measures necessary against any passenger who takes the law into his hands.”

It said the airline would also pursue legal action and engage local and foreign security agencies to investigate, identify and prosecute, to the full extent of the law, all of those passengers in Nigeria and overseas, involved in the attacks.

Mr. Adebanji said the airline also intended to formally address the regulators, security agencies and aviation authorities both in Nigeria and overseas to get an immediate resolution to this matter.

“Security at our airports ought to be improved to guard against unwarranted and uncalled for assaults on airline personnel and passengers.

“Despite repeated appeals and calls for intervention on numerous occasions, the airport authorities and security agencies have done nothing to protect the lives of staff and property of Arik Air in the wake of these attacks.

” The same authorities are however spontaneous in sanctioning the airlines whenever there is a service disruption without providing adequate support or security to prevent passengers from disrupting the service in the first instance.”

(NAN)

Cote D’Ivoire: Mutiny Hits Cities, Gun Shots Fired

Gunfire has been heard in two cities in Cote d’Ivoire in a suspected mutiny by soldiers, military sources and local residents say.

The mutineers seized weapons from two police stations in the country’s second city, Bouake, and took up positions at its entry points, according to reports.

Gunfire has also reportedly been heard in western Daloa town, Africa Review reports.

Cote d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara took power in 2011 at the end of a civil war.

Bouake was at the centre of the rebellion to oust his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, who is on trial at the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes.

A teacher in Bouake, Ami Soro, told Reuters news agency the city was deserted.

“Men in balaclavas are patrolling the city on motorcycles or in cars. They aren’t attacking residents… They told us to stay at home,” she is quoted as saying.

The reason for the unrest is unclear, but the soldiers appear to be protesting over pay, AFP news agency reports.

“It’s a mutiny by former fighters integrated into the army who are demanding bonuses of $8,000 each plus a house,” a soldier who asked to remain anonymous said.

An MP for Bouake, Bema Fofana, said that the soldiers did not appear to have a leader or spokesman, making it difficult to negotiate with them.

Most of the soldiers were former rebels who were integrated into the army after the civil war, he added.

The rebels swept into the main city Abidjan from their stronghold of Bouake in 2011, helping President Ouattara take power. (NAN)
 

www.dailytrust.com.ng

Passengers Beat Arik Air Manager Over Delayed Flight

There was commotion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday as some passengers, who have booked flights with Arik Air, went haywire over alleged termination of the flights.


In a video, which went viral on the Internet on Thursday, the enraged passengers descended on an official, said to be the customer service liaison manager of the airline. He was identified simply as Andrew.

The passengers shunned airport workers, who tried to prevail on them, beat up the Arik official and demanded that their fares be refunded.

“I don’t need any explanation. You cannot go anywhere. Give us our money back,” a passenger said.

“Follow am jor! Follow am (Follow him),” another aggrieved passenger exclaimed as the manager made to escape from the crowd.

One of them, who wore a white dress, went after the worker and pushed him down. The passenger pummeled him before he was rescued by his co-workers, who took him into an office at the airport.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the passenger had had his flight from Lagos to Johannesburg, South Africa, cancelled on three consecutive occasions without any explanation by the airline.

Another protester said, “You are mad! How do we get our money?”

Social media commentators blamed the occurrence on the inefficiency of the airline, and urged that it should be sanctioned.

A commentator on The PUNCH website, Michael Segun, said, “I hope the FG (Federal Government) and Minister of Aviation will take a firm decision to suspend the operations of Arik Air. Arrogant manager fought passenger.”

The Arik Air in a statement by its spokesperson, Ola Adebanji, said the change in flight schedule was due to shortage of aviation fuel.

“On Wednesday, January 4, our Lagos-New York JFK service which was to operate at 11.30 pm had to be rescheduled by 24 hours to operate at 11.30 pm on Thursday, January 5, due to the shortage in supply of aviation fuel. Our Lagos-Johannesburg service and Lagos- Accra service were also on ground awaiting fuel while the Lagos-New York service was standing by for fuel.

“When our Customer Service Manager at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, approached the passengers to explain the situation to them, one of the passengers attacked him. This was followed by a mob of passengers who brutally beat up the Arik Air worker.

“Arik Air strongly condemns the increasing number of attacks on our staff and property in the recent months.”

 

http://punchng.com/

PDP’s Lowest Point in 2016

As the party’s rank and file remain confused as to how to come to terms with their new status of the opposition party, the PDP was torn into two warring factions headed by former governors of Borno and Kaduna states, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

The crisis within the party deepened when its leaders held parallel conventions in Abuja and Port Harcourt respectively on May 21.

Sheriff, the then national chairman of the party was sacked at the Port Harcourt Convention while a national caretaker committee headed by Makarfi was constituted.

The Abuja convention appointed former deputy Senate president, Ibrahim Mantu and former minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, as co-chairmen.

The two conventions were non-elective because of a court order restraining the party from electing new officers of the party.

But while the Mantu and Adeniran-led group later collapsed into the Makarfi group, Sheriff, who was sacked by the convention in Port Harcourt, is still claiming legitimacy.

Makarfi and Sheriff are now locked in legal tussle leading to the closure of the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, by the police, on the instructions of the then Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase.

Similarly, many chieftains of the party were arrested and charged for various “financial crimes,” even as disaffection and tongue-wagging among PDP leaders reached a record high.

Sheriff had within the period under review, threatened to drag former minister of information, Prof. Jerry Gana before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged illegal withdrawal of N500 million belonging to the party.

This was after Gana and other party stakeholders, under the umbrella of Concerned PDP Stakeholders insisted that Sheriff must leave office after the expiration of the three months allotted him to complete Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu’s tenure.

At the time, Sheriff said through his media aide, Inuwa Bwala, that the Concerned Stakeholders of the party and other groups were free to leave the PDP if they were not comfortable with him, claiming that they no longer had relevance in the party.

Explaining why Gana was against Sheriff, Bwala said that the former minister wrote to him (Sheriff) to allow him nominate some people into certain committees, or allow them perform certain functions for the party, adding that whether these requests were granted or not was immaterial.

“But that is perhaps one of the reasons that he has taken the position against anything this man (Sheriff) does. This is the same man who recognized the national chairman, wrote to him on the need to submit the report on the finance committee which he headed.

“The chairman has been running away from receiving that report because it is on record that the same Jerry Gana on behalf of the party, without using the machinery of the party, collected the sum of N500 million from Skye bank on behalf of the PDP for which the PDP has been dragged to court and is being compelled to pay back.

“Leaders of thought in this party including some elders have prevailed on the chairman not to make this matter known and to save this man from public embarrassment. But as it is, the chairman may be left with no option than to drag Jerry Gana before the EFCC to explain his role in obtaining N500m facility on behalf of the party and let him also explain what he has done with the money,” he said.

Gana, the chairman of fund raising committee for the 2015 general elections, however, explained that the N500 million was used for the organization of a diner in Abuja, during the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration where about N21 billion was raised for the 2015 presidential campaign and for the completion of the party’s N11.5 billion national secretariat project, in Abuja.

Another low for the PDP was its lost of Ondo State to the All Progressives Congress (APC) even as it was defeated by the ruling party in the Edo State governorship election within the period under review.

For now, there are fears that unless the PDP fully reforms, or a new strong political party comes on board, the 2019 general elections may not be as interesting as the one held in 2015.
www.dailytrust.com.ng

Foreign Airlines Reject Kaduna Airport

Representatives of international airlines operators have rejected the Kaduna International Airport as alternative destination for Abuja flights to enable government carry out repairs on the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting yesterday, a representative of the international airlines operators, Mr. Osho Joseph said Kaduna international airport is not an option for them.

“We believe Kaduna may be an alternative for local operators but definitely not for international airline operators. But we will get back on this,” he said.

In his response, the minister of state for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika said it is an economic decision on the part of all stakeholders in the sector to fly to Kaduna during the six weeks required for repairs.

“On whether some of the international airline won’t fly to Kaduna, that’s an economic decision. But we will ensure they are comfortable if they chose to fly to Kaduna. Kaduna has the capacity to take jumbo jets and B777s” he said.

The minister said “what I have is not final. We are still open to new knowledge on this matter. At the end of our preparation, stakeholders will be invited to inspect Kaduna to ask further questions.”

On security, he explained that the federal government and the Kaduna State Government will provide “security within the airport, Kaduna Metropolitan City, enroute to railway station & along Kaduna- Abuja road.”

He also said air surveillance of the entire route will be provided by the Police and the Air Force even as road safety personnel will be deployed to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

He also assured that bad portions on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway will be fixed before the March 8 commencement date.

The minister also said he is already engaging with stakeholders and service providers like hoteliers with a view to improving service delivery.

He said passengers will be screened in Abuja, possibly at the old parade ground, Area 11 before buses will take them to Kaduna for free. However the passengers will be screened again at Kaduna airport.

On the scope of work to be done on the runway he said about 48,000 tonnes of asphalt by milling will be removed and reinstalled, over 400 shallow bases will be removed, about 20km of cables will be laid, 50 tonnes of asphalt reinforcement to be placed and the runway lighting system to be replaced and upgraded.

In addition to the buses that will be provided by Federal Ministry of Transport and other interested stakeholders, the train services will also be available and helicopter services for those who can afford it.

The minister ruled out carrying out repairs of the Abuja airport runway at night as suggested by some stakeholders saying “We know that option but we can’t possibly work at night on Abuja airport” the minister said adding that the entire running has failed.

The Abuja airport is scheduled to be closed on March 8 for six weeks to enable work on its runway which the minister said has failed.

 

www.dailytrust.com.ng

The Full Report That Clears SGF Babachir in Grass Cutting Contracts

Please click the link below

 https://dailynigerian.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SENATE-VS-BABACHIR.pdf

I was not Removed, I Finished My Assignment – SGF

The Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal has said that he was not removed as chairman of the presidential committee on the reconstitution of federal government boards.

President Muhammadu Buhari on 16 July 2015 dissolved the Governing Boards of many of the Federal Institutions and inaugurated an eight-man committee headed by Babachir on October 26 on the reconstitution of all the boards.

Other members of the committee are Alhaji Mai Mala Buni (North-East), Alhaji Zakari Idde (North-Central), Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir (North-West), Chief Hillard Etagbo Eta (South-South), Chief Pius Akinyelure (South-West), Chief Emmanuel Eneukwu (South-East) as members while Mr. Gideon Sammani is the Secretary.

Speaking through the Director, Press in the SGF office, Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, Babachir said it is natural for the president to act on the report of the committee which he chaired and that it is impracticable for him to still be the one to implement the recommendations of the committee if the president did not asked him to do so. He said the SGF committee successfully completed its assignment and duly submitted its report appropriately.

“If the committee satisfactorily completed its assignment as given by Mr. President and submitted its report, the same committee cannot still be the one implementing the report unless authorized by Mr. President to do so. And if Mr. President is taking actions on the report of the committee by a higher authority this cannot be taken as an indictment of the SGF or members of the committee that produced the report, or that he was replaced,” Adebiyi said.

He added: “There are many factors in the work of the committee, like others that may be asked to carry out a mandate. Mr. President may still have other inputs based on being contacted by persons or groups. After the submission of the committee report, it is the prerogative of Mr. President and not that the SGF committee to decide what to do with the report.

 

www.dailytrust.com.ng

Higher Oil Price Forces Marketers Off Import

THE foreign exchange scarcity and recent appreciation of the price of crude oil in the international market are threatening smooth supply of petrol in the country, Daily Trust has gathered.

Daily Trust gathered that for over three months now marketers have not been importing the product into the country due to the tricky nature of the situation.

“Right now government is not paying subsidy, even with the lower exchange rate of 285/$1, the increase in the price of crude oil has shot the landing cost of the refined product by about 40 percent,”, a marketer who asked for anonymity told Daily Trust yesterday.

“When the partial deregulation was announced last year the price of Brent crude oil was averagely at $45/ barrel but before the year ran out the crude price jumped to $56/barrel, the situation that pushed the price per metric tonne of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to rise from $400 to about $560 by the refiners”, the marketer said.

“Also, the gap between the current official exchange rate of N305/$1 and that of the petroleum import rate of N285/$1 at the liberalisation period left the marketers with the exchange rate differential of about $20 between the two rates.”

The partial liberalisation announced by the federal government in May 2016, had technically ended the subsidy regime, but the marketers say unless there is adjustment of price they can’t compete in the market.

With the country’s refinery operating in fits and start, Nigeria relies largely on the importation of refined products to meet its local needs of about 30 to 35 million litres per day.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday said it is targeting to make the country self-sufficient in product refining by 2019.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr Mikanti Baru told the officials of Media Trust Limited yesterday that his management have ordered for the complete audit of the four refineries and talks are at top gear to bring in original equipment manufacturers to the refineries for the turnaround maintenance.

“We are pushing together various programs to ensure that we achieve at least 60 percent local refining this year, there are changing procedures a little bit, we are focusing on the process licensors to come and audit the process units of our refineries and with designers of the refineries which some of them have started coming in..” we hope if we do these systematically, geared towards 80 percent by the end of 2018 and with other efforts from other refineries that are coming on board we want to quit importation”.

The NNPC boss however pointed out that at the moment, the corporation is almost the sole importer of petroleum products unlike the situation in September 2016 when private sector companies were importing up to 50% of Nigeria’s consumption.

Industry analysts who spoke to Daily Trust said the country is once again sliding into what one of them called a pseudo subsidy situation with the only difference that it is now government to government with NNPC being forced to ask for the payment of the differential between the landing cost of refined products especially PMS which is pegged at 145 Naira per litre.

The analysts went on to say that having been forced to nearly double the price of fuel mid 2016, it is now politically difficult for the government to consider another hike even when other oil rich countries like Saudi Arabia are going in that direction.www.dailytrust.com.ng

Photo News: Troops Rescue Another Chibok School girl

The Nigerian Army on Thursday said troops of Operation Lafiya Dole during investigation of arrested suspected Boko Haram insurgents discovered one of the abducted Chibok School girls, Rakiya Abubkar, with her six months old baby.

A statement from Army spokesman Brigadier General Sani Usman said according to preliminary investigation, it was discovered she is the daughter of Abubakar Gali Mulima and Habiba Abubakar of Chibok.

He said she further stated that she was a student of Senior Secondary School Class 3B (SS 3B), before her abduction along with her colleagues on 14th April 2014 by the Boko Haram insurgents.

Usman said Rakiya Abubakar is presently undergoing further medical investigation and would soon be released to the Borno State Government.

 

www.dailytrust.com

NUPENG Orders Total Fuel Depot Strike over Sackings

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) ordered on Thursday a strike at Total fuel truck depots across the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member nation in protest against sackings, Reuters reported Thursday. “We have stopped the operation of Total. We are at the table with Total discussing the situation of the workers,” Tokunbo Korodo, union chairman in the South-west of the country, said.

 

thisdaylive.com

PRESIDENT BUHARI ORDERS STRONG ACTIONS TO DEAL WITH VIOLENCE IN SOUTHERN KADUNA

President Muhammadu Buhari has, over the past week, given instructions for decisive measures aimed at bringing an end to the recurring acts of violence and destruction in the Southern part of Kaduna State.

On the directive of President Buhari, the Inspector-General of Police was in the region on Saturday and Sunday to assess the situation at first hand. In addition to the conventional policemen deployed in the area, a squadron of mobile policemen has now been stationed there.


The Nigerian army is also in the process of setting up two battalions in Southern Kaduna while the military continues to carry out air surveillance across flash points of the area.

President Buhari has equally directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to carry out a joint assessment of the situation with the sister agency in Kaduna, SEMA, to determine the level of response required for urgent aid to the victims of the violence.

These measures should soon ensure the return of normalcy to the region, while the Kaduna State government continues its peace building efforts.

The President commended efforts of the State government and the security agencies in the steps taken so far to curtail the violence.

President Buhari has, once again, sent condolences to the people of Southern Kaduna, who have lost loved ones in the recent violence.


GARBA SHEHU,
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media and Publicity),
January 05,2017