Home Blog Page 3370

Nigeria To Privatise Refineries In 2014

Editorial
-
0
Nigeria To Privatise Refineries In 2014

The Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, says it will privatise the four refineries in Nigeria next year as part of the ongoing oil sector reforms.

This is the second time government is disclosing plans to privatise its refineries as the minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, had earlier said that the four government-owned refineries would be privatised in the first quarter of next year.

“The plans are currently at the preliminary stage, where the blueprint of the policy will be decided…We are working with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources on this. We are just in the preliminary discussion with them and very soon, we will make public the work plan for the processes, including the engagement of advisers, to advise us on the transaction,” head of public communications at the bureau, Chigbo Anichebe, said.

Anichebe said that the privatisation would be handled in line with the usual strategy of the bureau, which is to sell a certain percentage of shares and reserve a certain percentage for the workers, host communities and the Nigerians public.

He urged Nigerians not to be apprehensive about the refineries’ sale because only capable and visionary investors would be considered in the privatisation process.

“People should not be edgy about this transaction because we have done this over and over again. When we first started with the telecommunications sector, people were worried that we will give it to the wrong people…People were also worried about the security implications and all that. I believe that whether these companies end up with local or foreign investors, what is important is the efficiency of whoever is handling it,” he explained.

According to him, foremost considerations will be that the buyers have the financial force and technical know-how to run the companies.

“We don’t bother about where they come from, as long as they are coming with clean money to invest in our economy. So, when we are doing our evaluation of investors for the transaction, that is what we will look at,” he stressed.

The bureau, he said, would also begin the privatisation of the housing sector, Abuja Security and Commodity Exchange Plc. as well as the transportation sector in 2014.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo approved the sale of the refineries during his administration in 2007 but late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s government  reversed the sale of the refineries for lack of transparency in the transaction.

12 Feared Dead In Latest Boko Haram Raid In Borno

Editorial
-
0
12 Feared Dead In Latest Boko Haram Raid In Borno

By Musdapha Ilo

No fewer than 12 persons are feared dead in Borno State after suspected members of deadly Boko Haram sect attacked Sandiya village in Damboa local government area, setting ablaze several buildings and shooting at escapees.

An unknown number of persons have also been displaced. It was gathered that some residents of the village opposed to the activities of the sect leaked information about them to the military who used the intelligence to record success in recent confrontations.

The gunmen were therefore believed to have embarked on a revenge mission to the community which had declared itself an enemy by exposing their activities.

READ ALSO:

Eyewitnesses said the fully armed gunmen numbering about 30 stormed the village in three Hilux vehicles and motorcycles and shot sporadically at helpless and unarmed residents, killing at least 12 persons and inflicting bullets wounds on many others.

Confirming the incident in an email message to journalists, the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Tanko Lawal, said, “The story is true, hoodlums invaded the community and killed 12 people, burnt houses, steal vehicles and motorcycles.”

Damboa, approximately 85 kilometres south of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, has witnessed several deadly attacks by the sect.

Civilian JTF Tasked On Discipline

Editorial
-
0
Civilian JTF Tasked On Discipline

Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

The Nigerian Army has admonished members of the youth vigilante group, popularly referred to as the Civilian JTF, to remain disciplined and continue to complement the efforts of the military in phasing out insurgency in Borno State.

The General Officer Commanding 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Obidah Ethan, a major general, gave the charge when he visited to the training camp of the over 800 youths presently undergoing empowerment training.

Ethan said the conduct of the vigilante youths so far has been commendable, adding they have proved to be formidable partners in the fight against insurgency.

He also commended the Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, for steps taken by his administration towards giving the youths of the state reorientation through the Borno State Youth Empowerment Scheme, BOYES.

Ethan equally acknowledged the efforts of the trainers and resource persons from the military, police, paramilitary organisations and other security agencies at the training camp for equipping the volunteer youths with the necessary skills required to further improve their efficiency on the field.

Akhigbe Is Buried Amid Tears, Eulogises

Editorial
-
0
Akhigbe Is Buried Amid Tears, Eulogises

Edo state was consumed with grief on Friday as the body of the late Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe, who died in New York on October 28 at the age of 67, was returned home for burial.

The body of Akhigbe arrived at his country home in Fugar, Estako Central local government area of Edo State and residents, including school children, market women, and commercial motorcyclists lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the hearse conveying his casket.

The motorcade stopped briefly at the Akhigbe family house where relations and sympathisers wept profusely.

Thereafter, Akhigbe’s remains were taken to his private residence for lying in state and service of song.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole has described the late Vice Admiral as “a quintessential military officer who even as a military man recognised that power belonged to the people.”

Oshiomhole recalled that the deceased and the then head of state, Abdusallam Abubakar, repealed some obnoxious decrees enacted by the late General Sani Abacha.

The governor noted that the repeal of one of the decrees made him eligible to contest the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC election.

“Anyone who had the opportunity to interact with our late brother closely, will know that he will live forever wherever he is today. The story of my journey to Edo State Government will not be complete if not for the contribution of this truthful man, a complete gentleman,” the governor said.

“Admiral Akhigbe during while he was Chief of General Staff during the administration of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, repealed the decrees which forbid people like us then from contesting the position of the NLC President…He did not do that because we came from the same area but because that administration respected human rights, and it was the freedom they created that led to the democracy we started enjoying in 1999,” Oshiomhole added.

He advised the children to of the late Vice Admiral to exhibit the values inculcated in them by their father, who was always ready to render selfless service to the nation and humanity.

A requiem mass officiated by the chaplain of the Edo Government House Chapel, Andrew Obinnya, was held for the deceased at the Government House chapel.

Similarly, former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, in an eulogy termed “Akhigbe: Death, A Thief Forever” said he still could not absorb the shocking news and thus was short of words to convey his heartfelt condolence to his family and the nation.

He said Akhigbe was an extra-ordinary officer amongst his compatriots and will be sorely missed, not only by the Nigerian military but every Nigerian who understands and appreciates the capacity of the human intellect to contend with situations.

“There are too many anecdotes to recall about Mike Okhai Akhigbe, which I would have loved to share with our fellow country men and women, but my mood even as I write this, is forlorn” he said.

Anambra Election Will Not Be Cancelled – JEGA

Editorial
-
0
Anambra Election Will Not Be Cancelled – JEGA

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Attahiru Jega, has said that there was no substantial evidence to support the call for the outright cancellation of the November 16 gubernatorial election.

Jega, who announced this on Friday at a news conference in Abuja, said that the call by the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the cancellation of the election, which is premised on the party’s petition to the commission, was not tenable and would not make the commission to cancel the election.

“We regret that there is no other decision that could be taken by the Commission other than to conduct a supplementary election in areas where elections were cancelled,” the INEC chairman stated.

He, however, said that the allegation of disenfranchisement of voters by the APC would be investigated, adding that the commission would ensure that all matters arising from the poll will be looked into.

“There is no substantial evidence to support the cancellation of the election as substantial majority of the allegations that have been made cannot be substantiated,” he said.

According to him, supplementary election will hold on November 30.

Jega also expressed regret over the commission’s shortcomings in the Anambra election, but added that the commission did its best.

“We regret shattering the expectations of Nigerians, but we did our best under very difficult circumstances to have free, fair and credible election,” he said.

He further said that a majority of those alleged to have been disenfranchised during the election must have been people who might have done multiple registrations, or those who did not have their names in the electronic register.

“The electoral act is very clear and our guidelines are very clear that, if on presentation of your voters’ card your name is not on the register you will not be allowed to vote,” he maintained.

Jega stated that the commission had handed over the electoral officer who compromised the election in Idemili North to the police, adding that he is currently being investigated and would soon be charged to court

He said too that about 183 election offenders were arrested for various miscellaneous electoral offences during the election and would also be made to face the law.

Police Shake Up: Five AIGs, Two Commissioners Redeployed

Editorial
-
0
Police Shake Up: Five AIGs, Two Commissioners Redeployed

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, on Friday announced the redeployment of five assistant inspectors-general, AIGs, of police and named new commissioners of police (CP).

The information is contained in a statement issued by the police public relations officer, Frank Mba, in Abuja.

Those affected in the redeployment are AIG Ballah Nasarawa, who will take charge of Zone 9, Umuahia Abia State, AIG David Omojola who takes charge of  Zone 11, Osogbo Osun state, and AIG Tambari Mohammed who moves to Zone 1, Kano State.

Others are AIG Mohammed Gana, Zone 12, Bauchi state while AIG Edgar Nanakumo takes charge of the Animal Branch of the Police

The new CPs for Anambra and Kogi are Usman Gwary and Saidu Madaki respectively.

The statement said the redeployment was in line with efforts at building a people-friendly police for the rendering of an effective and efficient service delivery.

According to the statement, the posting takes effect immediately.

Moderate Earthquake Hits Iran

Editorial
-
0
Moderate Earthquake Hits Iran

An earthquake measuring 5.4 in magnitude struck western Iran near its border with Iraq on Friday morning and relief teams have been deployed to the area.

The extent of damage is not immediately clear, but there has been no report of casualties and an assessment team is on ground taking stock of the initial situation for emergency and rescue services.

The epicentre of Friday’s quake was the town of Qasr-e Shirin, the capital of Kermanshah province, lying just 10 kilometre from the Iran-Iraq border.

READ ALSO:

Tremors were also felt over the border in Iraq’s northern provinces of Diyala and Sulaimaniya as well as in parts of Baghdad, witnesses said.

Iran sits on major geological faultlines and has suffered several big earthquakes in recent years.

In April, a 7.8 magnitude quake near its border with Pakistan is thought to have killed hundreds of people.

Nigeria To Supply Water To Niger For Irrigation

Editorial
-
0
Nigeria To Supply Water To Niger For Irrigation

Nigeria is set to assist Niger Republic with bulk water to facilitate irrigation projects in Niger.

Minister of water resources, Sarah Ochekpe, announced this while meeting with a delegation from the Republic of Niger in Abuja.

Ochekpe said the meeting was aimed at deepening cooperation on water resource management between the two countries

“This is to finalize the modalities and necessary agreement that would facilitate equitable utilization of water as there is notable high interdependency between our countries for industrial purpose, irrigation agriculture, energy and other uses. Also to share information and data to come up with better ways of implementing and monitoring the protocols and agreement to ensure mutual benefits.”. she said

Ochekpe further explained that Nigeria will consider the release of water to Niger for irrigation purposes as requested, but Niger on its part would construct big reservoir that would contain the volume of water released from Nigeria to avoid waste.

In his remarks, the leader of Nigerien delegation, the minister of agriculture, Abdu Labo, said the purpose of their visit was to seek for assistance from Nigeria in the area of bulk water for irrigation in order to fight drought.

According to Labo “Nigeria granting the request to us is just like assisting fellow brother .The relationship between Nigeria and Niger was not only in the areas of Ambassadorial appointment or the operation of Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission, but a blood relationship, a large number of population living in Niger have relatives in Nigeria and vice versa, therefore, the assistance is necessary for the two countries to benefit from agricultural and economic activities.”

He, however, urged the two countries to implement the decision that would be reached at the Technical Expert Meeting and assured that Niger would abide by the agreement that would fast track and cement the cooperation between the two countries.

Police Disrupts Walk Against Impunity In Abuja

Editorial
-
0
Police Disrupts Walk Against Impunity In Abuja

Men of the Nigeria Police on Thursday disrupted a peace walk organised by civil society groups in Abuja.

The Groups included the Stop Impunity Nigeria, SIN, Campaign, Citizens Wealth Platform and Say No To Corruption.

The protesters, comprising hundreds of Nigerians with women in majority, had mobilised at the Millennium Park in Abuja to embark on a peace walk to the National Assembly to protest wasteful spending and impunity in public finance management, when they were dispersed by the police, using teargas.

It was gathered that in the process of dispersing the peaceful men and women, one Tule Tatiana sustained serious injuries and has been hospitalized.

Tear-Gas-Victim-at-the-SIN-peace-walk-in-Abuja-smallReacting to the incident, SIN has expressed regret at what it described as “the descent into lawlessness and anarchy that has become an art of governance in recent times.”

According to the group, the police led by a very senior officer claimed to be acting on orders from above to disperse the protest and tore the banners and posters used for the walk.

“We recall that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 guarantees the right to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of association and freedom of movement to all Nigerians. We further recall that these rights are guaranteed in a multiplicity of domestic and international instruments binding on Nigeria,” the group said on its website.

It said further that “A walk against fiscal impunity has been met with aggravated physical impunity that threatens the lives and limb of innocent citizens who have been subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment. A Police that turns its guns and arsenals on its employers is not a Police fit for a civilised nation, while an administration that fails to allow peaceful display of banners and placards cannot be described as democratic.”

SIN has therefore demanded “an unequivocal public apology, compensation and guarantees of non repetition,’ from the police.

The police is yet to respond to the accusation, but it would be recalled that it had earlier this month banned gatherings, receptions and carnivals in and within all airports across the nation.

According to the force spokesman, Frank Mba, the ban was part of a deliberate effort aimed at averting any security breach.

It is not clear now whether the ban extends to all gatherings suspected to be against the present administration as some Nigerians now perceive the clampdown.

On September 23, the police stopped a meeting of the leadership of the Abubakar Baraje-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bauchi, sealing off Awala Hotel, venue of the meeting and preventing officials and members of the faction from gaining entrance, saying it acted on order from higher authorities.

Another meeting of the G7 governors, this time in the Kano State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro area of Abuja was on November 4 disrupted after men of the Nigeria Police stormed the venue of the meeting.

Nasarawa Gets One Day Kid Governor

Editorial
-
0
Nasarawa Gets One Day Kid Governor

By Godwin Ojoshimite

In a gesture that is purely symbolic and reminiscent of the rule of Bola Tinubu in Lagos State, governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on Wednesday stepped aside for the Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, Richard Aga for a day.

The ceremonious hand-over of government by Al-Makura took place at the government House Lafia.

Speaking at the event, the one day governor thanked Al-makura for giving him the opportunity to act in the capacity.

He frowned at the incessant crisis that has been bedevilling the state in recent time.

“I also wish to address you on behalf of my immediate constituency, that is, children of Nasarawa State. All of us children regard all adults as our parents. We are not happy that elders are fighting one another across the State on the basis of religion, tribe or politics”, Aga said.

He added: “We children believe that we are of the same religion, the same tribe and share the same dreams and aspirations. But, it must be realized that our dreams and hopes start and end with a better Nasarawa State for all”

The young governor reminded indigenes of the state that those who fought for the creation of the state achieved it with unity.

Aga, therefore, urged all and sundry to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance. He also disclosed that the short time he has in office would be used to visit relevant stake holders in the state for peace talks.

1...3,3693,3703,371...3,440Page 3,370 of 3,440