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- The Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, Pastor Tunde Bakare, says former President Olusegun Obasanjo is guilty of the sundry allegations he levelled against President Goodluck Jonathan in his (Obasanjo) recent letter to the President.
Bakare, who said this during his sermon in his church in Lagos on Sunday, noted that the former President’s letter to Jonathan painted a portrait of Obasanjo himself while he was in office as the nation’s helmsman.
Obasanjo had written an 18-page letter to Jonathan, calling the President’s attention to critical issues in the polity, which he believed could plunge the nation into chaos if not urgently addressed before they degenerated.
Jonathan had responded to the ex-President letter, where he tried to justify his actions and policies while calling Obasanjo to produce the evidence to back up his claims, especially the former President’s assertion that Jonathan was raising about 1,000 strong snipers against political opponents.
Speaking on ‘The parable of letters and the cacophony of voices,’ Bakare wondered why the ex-president could “turn around” to blame Jonathan for any of his actions when Obasanjo “imposed him and Yar’Adua” on the nation.
Admitting that Obasanjo marshalled his arguments well in the letter, the cleric faulted the morality of the letter, saying Obasanjo was as guilty of the allegations contained in his letter just as the person the letter was addressed to.
Bakare, who is the Convener, Save Nigeria Group, said, “Last Sunday, I told you that the President’s (Jonathan) reply was on the way; and expectedly, few hours later, it was already on the airwaves. Well, Obasanjo marshalled his arguments well in his letter. But, that is not the point. The point is how can Obasanjo turn around to accuse Jonathan of wrongdoing when they are both guilty of the same offence?
“Was it not the same Obasanjo that imposed (the late Umaru) Yar’Adua and Jonathan on the PDP and ensure that they emerged winners in the Presidential election? How can the same person be accusing Jonathan of wrongdoing? Besides, Obasanjo’s letter is just about himself; that is, he has written a letter that tells his own story.”
The cleric believed that the nation’s problems had its roots in the fact that “we have low people in high places.”
He added, “Shehu Shagari already decided that he wanted to be a Senator in the Second Republic; he had obtained and submitted his form for a senatorial seat. Then, they dragged him to be the President. Obasanjo was brought out of prison broke, but was sponsored and given money to become the President. In the same vein, Yar’Adua was about completing his two terms of eight years (as the Katsina State governor) and he just wanted to return to the classroom as a lecturer but they brought him to become the President, hiding his ailment from the rest of us.
“So, you have people, who ordinarily do not have any business in governance occupying sensitive offices. What do you want them to do? That is the roots of our problem.”
Bakare disclosed that he got cow gifts from the Presidency and the Ogun State Government during the Christmas, but appealed to the President to face the task of providing basic necessities of life for Nigerians rather than sending cow gifts.
“I was prevailed upon not to return the gifts like the late Gani Fawehinmi did to (Buba) Marwa, when Marwa was the military governor of Lagos State. I don’t eat such meat. That does not mean that I will not tell the President to face his work and do it well. We need good roads; not cow. We need water, power supply; not cow meat,” he said. - Rivers State Governor, Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, has predicted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would form the federal government by March, 2014.
He said the party was already gradually taking over the House of Representatives and that it would take over the Senate by the first quarter of next year.
Amaechi spoke while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt Friday night on reasons for his defection to the APC. He described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a drowning party and said the party paid deaf ears to his warnings.
“Most of you may have known that I have since left the PDP to a better party called the All Progressives Congress because the PDP is a drowning party and the facts remain that PDP is a drowning party,” he said.
Amaechi said, “For me, mis-governance or bad governance was one of the reasons why I left the PDP. I have been shouting and the PDP does not care. But this is the first time they will care. You cannot say it is opposition because we are gradually forming government.
“We have taken over House of Representatives and before March, I bet you, we will take over the Senate. Just watch out. The pressure will mount so much that you will see people move from the PDP into APC. For now, it is narrowing down closely on a daily basis. Watch out before March if we don’t have the numbers that we are looking for. So, you can’t call us opposition anymore because there are three arms of government and only two are electable; the executive and legislature. Yes, the PDP has the national executive, but we are inching close to having the legislature. If we have it (the legislature), who then would be called the opposition?”
He also said, “I can assure you that more governors will leave. They are quite uncomfortable; they need to take some shots to come out and by God’s grace, they will come. But the basic reason why we left is the resources of Rivers State. I have told all of you on several occasions that the wife of the president was not elected the governor of Rivers State. I was elected and I am not in any way the wife of the President; I am the governor of Rivers State and husband to Judith Amaechi.
Amaechi restated his opposition to Jonathan and said he would continue to fight the president since he had failed to serve the interest of Rivers State.
His words: “Some people accuse me of trying to subvert a South-south presidency and I ask who is a South-south president? For me, a South-south president is a man who feeds me. You have seen the work they are doing on the East-west Road. For them to do that East-west Road, I had to fight with the minister of Niger Delta. They said they were going to borrow money to do the road, but a South-south president should have borrowed that money to do the road since 2011 that he came in.
“Tell me one thing Rivers State has gained from being part of the South-south under Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency. I have spoken privately on several occasions with Mr. President and I ask him; what have you done for Rivers State that gave you nearly two million votes? No answer and till tomorrow, they won’t answer. Our sin is that we are just being vocal. They don’t like Rivers State, the - The Presidency Saturday said members of the National Assembly who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) would soon lose their seats.
It said over half of the members will not return to their seats after the expected by-election.
The presidency, through the Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said it was unperturbed by the “recent wave of orchestrated defection by PDP politicians especially members of the national assembly.”
Okupe, in a chat with THISDAY in Lagos, said it was unfortunate that the lawmakers chose to follow the dictates of their state governors who had in the last several months tried unsuccessfully to destabilise the PDP and create apprehension in the minds of the populace.
He said with the exception of Rivers State, a cursory analysis of the 2011 general election showed that the states where the defecting governors and the lawmakers come from contributed no significant vote to the presidential election.
The presidential aide, therefore, submitted that the exit of the members of the national assembly and their governors would bear no significant consequence to the 2015 presidential election.
Okupe said it was unfortunate that the lawmakers chose to toe the path of their leaders who are old brigades who have nothing to offer the country but desperation for power.
He lampooned the APC for being a party for all comers’ affair, saying that it had jettisoned progressive ideology and welfarism for crass political opportunism and desperation for power.
The presidential aide said members of the APC had not been able to convince Nigerians that they are alternative to the ruling PDP.
He boasted that the presidency was unperturbed by the party’s parade of eminent Nigerians, saying that it was evident that the party was suffering from a leadership deficiency and hence its penchant for embarking on journeys in search of leaders to give it direction.
He contended that what members the party were showing to Nigerians was their inability to market the new party on the basis of a manifesto, party programme or contemporary politics that can change the country.
Taking a direct swipe at former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) and former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, for not doing anything for the country and Lagos State when they were in power, Okupe said while “Buhari’s legacy was the issue of 53 suit cases and an exemplary demonstration of parochialism and corruption, Tinubu’s legacy was an administration which could not tackle the refuse which almost suffocated the state.”
According to him, “these features run through the entire leadership of the APC and totally precludes them any dream of being a party that rescue or sensibly find solution to Nigeria’s problems.”
The presidential aide said the party was made up of old men who have little or nothing to show for their several years in service to the nation. - SaharaReporters has discovered that the shady plan to sell off Nigeria’s four refineries to cronies of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has reached an advanced stage, with cronies of President Goodluck Jonathan and Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke in line to snatch some of the best assets.
Our highly reliable sources revealed that Jide Omokore, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been penciled down to “buy” one of two refineries in Port Harcourt in what a highly reliable source described as “a rushed privatization process.” Our sources, who are in the Presidency and oil sector respectively, also disclosed that the second refinery in Port Harcourt will be sold to Benny Peters, the owner of Aiteo Energy. Mr. Peters is one of the major beneficiaries from Nigeria’s notoriously fraudulent fuel subsidy payments. A well known crony of Ms. Alison-Madueke, he is also quite close to President Jonathan.
The sources told SaharaReporters that the Warri refinery will be handed over to Igho Salome's Televaras while the Kaduna refinery will go to Sahara Energy, an oil firm whose owners are also cronies of the Petroleum Minister.
Industry experts have questioned the Federal Government’s rush to sell the refineries when the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has not been passed by the National Assembly. The omnibus bill covers virtually every aspect of the oil industry and is currently being considered by the federal lawmakers. Various interest groups have protested and questioned several aspects of the proposed law.
“By rushing to make a pronouncement on the sale of the refineries, it does not need a genius to know that Alison-Madueke is up to something,” a source at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) told SaharaReporters. He added: “If you go to the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) today, honest officials will tell you that they are under pressure to proceed with the sale. The agenda is very clear.”
An official at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources said the major worry in the ministry was that most of those positioned toemerge as “preferred bidders” do not have any history in themanagement of refineries.
“Even though Madam (Diezani) may not listen to anybody, we believe that she should allow other players to come into the sector. All these favored guys are getting the juiciest assets in the country. The feeling we have here is that they are just fronting for her. She is basically going to sell these assets to herself. It makes sense to throw the process very open and allow new players to come in,” said the official, who added, “I am already a marked man because of the critical questions I have raised on these things.”
Last month, SaharaReporters had first exposed the scheme to hand over the national assets to friends and associates of the president and minister by any means necessary. Our sources revealed that Ms. Alison-Madueke had rigged the process to enable her cronies to emerge as the preferred bidders.
A BPE official confirmed to SaharaReporters that some of its officials were worried by the sudden haste in the privatization process, adding that the bureau was already feeling teleguided on the proposed sale.
“Under normal circumstances, and I am talking about the international standards we have adopted in this agency, the privatization would not have ended by the 2015 general election. That is if we want to do things normally. But we are being asked to sell as quickly as possible and this is certainly fishy,” the official said.
The official said, however, that he was not in support of the view that the sale of refineries should wait until the PIB is passed. He warned that “politics has already consumed the PIB and nobody knows for sure... <<<<<< N.B from Jumbotweet: auto-truncated at 4K characters on index page - Click here or on the "view" link to see entire jumbotweet! http://www.jumbotweet.com/ltweets/view/55728 - NPC Fraud: CBN Governor Sanusi To Proceed On Post-Retirement Leave In March
SaharaReporters has learnt that Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, will be forced to leave his post in March, 2014, two months before the formal expiration of his tenure. Two sources at the Presidency and a source at the Central Bank told SaharaReporters that Mr. Sanusi has been ordered to proceed on a post-retirement leave in March. All three sources concluded that the early exit for the CBN henchman was occasioned by Mr. Sanusi’s recent leaked letter to President Goodluck Jonathan detailing the theft of close to $50 billion in oil proceeds by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Last week, Mr. Sanusi revised the figure of missing funds down to $12 billion, but the damage to the Jonathan Presidency is considered massive. - I am not bothered about the touts that call themselves GDI.Or the members of the sinking PDP in the state.It is only them who will not bother that 41 oil wells in Etche has been ceded to Abia by the President we massively voted for despite my protest.Soku oil wells in core Kalabari land are ceded to Bayelsa. They are not bothered that President Jonathan told me face-to-face that he directed that Bonny NLNG Train Seven that would have provided jobs to over 10,000 Rivers people be stopped so that Brass NLNG in his state can be started and completed because that has been his dream since he was a Deputy Governor.I swore to protect Rivers People and their resources.The President is not bothered that Ogonis will soon go into extinction because of the President's refusal to implement UNEP report that will cost just One Billion Dollars.Yet the same Federal Government is yet to tell Nigerians how billions of Dollars can be missing from NNPC remittance according to the Sanusi and Okonjo Iweala's argument. FG says the allocations to states are reducing because of oil thefts.But two surveillance helicopters fitted with security cameras earlier approved by FG and bought by the State to fight the crime had been banned by the federal Government.-GOVERNOR AMAECHI
- The Super Eagles of Nigeria have just defeated Kenya 1-0 in a 2014 FIFA world cup qualifier in Nairobi
CSKA Moscow striker, Ahmed Musa scored the only goal in the 81th minute - The member representing Port Harcourt constituency two in the Rivers State House of Assembly Victor Ihunwo has decried the level of flooding in Port Harcourt.
The lawmaker Victor Ihunwo told correspondent Ruskin Amadi on telephone that the menace is as a result of the neglect of the state government due to the attention been paid to issued concerning the Nigeria Governors Forum election outcome.
The lawmaker Victor Ihunwo is therefore calling on the Rivers State governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to focus more on rendering services to people of Rivers State instead of issues about the Nigeria governor forum.
Meanwhile residents of Woji area of Obio/Akpor say floods are chasing them out of their homes.
One of the residents told our correspondent on telephone that they are scared following the signs of fresh rainfalls.
- Meanwhile another press statement issued by Oyagari Chime Emele who claimed to be the acting publicity secretary of ACN in Rivers State insisted that some key officers of the party have been suspended.
The statement also denied involvement of gubernatorial candidate of the party in the report of the suspension of the Acting Chairman of the party Esuku Esuku.
He also called on Dr. Abiye Sekibo to clarify if indeed he supported allegation of inducement of money against Esuku Esuku.
- The division in the fold of the ACN is now deepening with counter accusation from parties in the divides.
One of the officers reported to have been suspended the publicity secretary Jerry Needam in a statement said the acting chairman of the party was suspended for allegedly negotiating and accepting monetary inducement running into millions of naira.
Jerry Needam said the suspended chairman had always canvassed the need to work with the Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Jerry Needam also insisted that he remains an official of the ACN and that the last working committee meeting of the party attended by the National Treasurer and the party governorship candidate did not discuss suspension of members of the party.
- The United States government says Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau who fueled terrorism activities in Nigeria could be tried in the US when arrested.
The US acting assistant director of diplomatic security investigating and analysis directorate Kurt Rice said this at a joint tele new conference with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for African affairs David Guman.
Rice’s comment came a day after the united state offered twenty five million dollars reward for information on the location of leaders of the sect in Nigeria.
- The National Emergency Management Agency NEMA has alerted West African countries to put safety measures in place over an impending flooding this year.
The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency Dr. Sani Bidi said the 2012 flood was testimony to growing intensity of climate change related disaster.
- The Federal government says it will commence payment of severance package to workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN starting from June 17th.
The Minister of Power Professor Chinedu Nebo said this.
He also said core investors who emerged after biddings are expected to take control of the succession companies after the payment have been made.
- The court of appeal in Port Harcourt has granted leave to the four convicted principal officers of Ahoada East legislative assembly to appeal against their sentence by a Port Harcourt high court.
The four councilors were sentence to three months in prison with hard labour and an option of fine by Justice George Omereji for disobeying court order.
The lead justice of the appellate court Justice Ijembi Eko gave the councilors seven days leave to appeal against the conviction.
The legal representative of the councilors Ifedayo Adedipe told the court that the trial judge of the lower court denied knowledge of an appeal against the judgment and went ahead to pass the sentence against his client.
In his own submission, counsel to the impeached vice chairman of Ahoada East local government Agent Ihua-Maduenyi opposed the application for an appeal against the conviction of the councilors.
Correspondent Emeka Idika reports that the court of appeal adjourned till 11th of June 2013 to hear the appeal against the conviction of the four councilors of Ahoada East.
- The Rivers State government says more model primary schools will be fully functional in September.
The commissioner for education, Rivers state Alice Lawrence Nemi stated this during inspection of ongoing school projects across the state.
Alice Lawrence Nemi said the state government would ensure the speedy completion of the schools before the commencement of next academic season.
The commissioner noted that the state government is doing its best to ensure that no child is left out in its free education policy.
- Bayelsa State governor Henry Seriake Dickson has cried out over the increase cases of oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
Seriake Dickson told a delegation of Nigeria Agip Oil Company to Bayelsa state that government will set up a security outfit to Mann oil installations across Bayelsa State.
The Bayelsa State governor said it is sad that multinational companies operating in Bayelsa do not have offices in the state.
- Bayelsa State governor Henry Seriake Dickson has cried out over the increase cases of oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
Seriake Dickson told a delegation of Nigeria Agip Oil Company to Bayelsa state that government will set up a security outfit to Mann oil installations across Bayelsa State.
The Bayelsa State governor said it is sad that multinational companies operating in Bayelsa do not have offices in the state.
- Over one hundred and ten thousand youths from eight communities in Bayelsa State have renounced their membership from cultism and accepted the amnesty offered by the state government.
Bayelsa State governor Henry Seriake Dickson stated this at a forum with representatives of Youth Groups in Yenagoa.
Governor Dickson said willingness of the youths to jettison cultism was one of the achievements of the restoration agenda of his administration.
- The Minister of Interior Abba Moro has described the move by the United States of America to pay bounty for the capture of key leaders of terror networks in West and North Africa as a complementary effort to assist Nigeria in fighting against terrorism.
The minister of interior said this in a live radio programme in the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC.
Abba Moro also said the federal government has adopted a holistic approach with other security agencies to ensure that the Boko Haram sect don’t take root in Nigeria.
- The Super Eagles of Nigeria is about taking on Harambee Stars of Kenya in a 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Nairobi. The Super Eagles need an outright victory to keep their world cup dream alive. Nigeria is currently topping the group table with five points while Kenya is at the bottom of group F with two points. In the other group F match Malawi will take on Namibia.
- The United States government says Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau who fueled terrorism activities in Nigeria could be tried in the US when arrested. The US acting assistant director of diplomatic security investigating and analysis directorate Kurt Rice said this at a joint tele new conference with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for African affairs David Guman. Rice’s comment came a day after the united state offered twenty five million dollars reward for information on the location of leaders of the sect in Nigeria.
- The Minister of Interior Abba Moro has described the move by the United States of America to pay bounty for the capture of key leaders of terror networks in West and North Africa as a complementary effort to assist Nigeria in fighting against terrorism. The minister of interior said this in a live radio programme in the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC. Abba Moro also said the federal government has adopted a holistic approach with other security agencies to ensure that the Boko Haram sect don’t take root in Nigeria
- The Nigeria legion, Rivers State chapter has fixed tomorrow June 6th 2013 for the election of chairmen of state councils nationwide. The Permanent Secretary, Special Service Bureau in Rivers State Sovens Okari said the election will hold at the conference hall office of the SSG. The election is fixed for 12 noon.
- The National Emergency Management Agency NEMA has alerted West African countries to put safety measures in place over an impending flooding this year. The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency Dr. Sani Bidi said the 2012 flood was testimony to growing intensity of climate change related disaster.
- The Federal government says it will commence payment of severance package to workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN starting from June 17th. The Minister of Power Professor Chinedu Nebo said this. He also said core investors who emerged after biddings are expected to take control of the succession companies after the payment have been made.
- The Bayelsa State government has signed an agreement with an NGO formed by the former Director General of the National Agency for Food, Drug, Administration and Control, NAFDAC as part of the fight against the sale and distribution of fake drugs in the Niger Delta region. Our Correspondent reports that with the partnership, the foundation of the building of a national drug distribution center in Yenagoa was instituted. Professor Dora Akinyili said her NGO foundation for safe medicine is involved in setting up drug market for the sale of genuine drugs. Professor Akinyili said the objective of the drug market is to create an orderly network and conducive environment for the sale and distribution of wholesale pharmaceutical products and the supervision of professionals.
- Bayelsa State governor Henry Seriake Dickson has cried out over the increase cases of oil theft in the Niger Delta region. Seriake Dickson told a delegation of Nigeria Agip Oil Company to Bayelsa state that government will set up a security outfit to Mann oil installations across Bayelsa State. The Bayelsa State governor said it is sad that multinational operation in Bayelsa do not have officers in the state.
- Over one hundred and ten thousand youths from eight communities in Bayelsa State have renounced their membership from cultism and accepted the amnesty offered by the state government. Bayelsa State governor Henry Seriake Dickson stated this at a forum with representatives of Youth Groups in Yenagoa. Governor Dickson said willingness of the youths to jettison cultism was one of the achievements of the restoration agenda of his administration.
- Rivers State Governor and re-elected chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has vowed not to step down as chairman of Nigeria Governor Forum.
Governor Amaechi told journalists in Abuja that the mandate was freely given to him.
He called on the Jonah Jang led faction to bury their hatchet and come back to the fold for the interest of the country’s development and Nigerians.
The chairman of Nigerian Governor Forum Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi also assured staff of the NGF secretariat of job security and prompt payment of their salary despite the political crisis.
- The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Rivers State has debunked report of an order restraining the party from taking further disciplinary action against governor Amaechi.
The PDP in a statement issued by its publicity secretary Monday Onyezonwu said the report that Justice Emmanuel Ogbuji of the State high court issued an interim injunction against the party was false.
The statement said justice Ogbuji refused the interim injunction sought by governor Amaechi.
The PDP admitted that the order granted by justice Ogbuji was for all parties to respect the fact that the matter is pending before the court and desist from taking further actions that would jeopardize the matter.
- The Omuma patriotic forum has commended the five lawmakers loyal to the Felix Obuah led PDP for their position in the PDP crisis in the state.
The Omuma Patriotic Forum in a statement by its president Gideon Ukoha and secretary Godfrey Oluo called on the leadership of the Rivers State house of assembly to pay the five lawmakers all their entitlements.
The statement said the five lawmakers deserved automatic ticket for another term for their patriotism.
The Omuma Patriotic Forum also said the group will continue to stand by the lawmakers especially in their trying periods
- Today is World Environment Day.
5th of June is set aside every year to mark the day.
The theme for this year’s celebration is think, eat and save.
Meanwhile environmentalists in the state are calling for a mechanism to check food wastage as a way of securing the environment.
The environmentalist made the call at a forum organized by the African Center for Environmental Protection in Port Harcourt said this year’s celebration is to ensure no child goes to bed without food.
- The people of Rumupirikom community in Obio/Akpor local government area say they have not hired or given out any of their public halls or playground to the Chikordi Dike led caretaker committee in Obio/Akpor for the purpose of inaugurating the allocation of committee for the Obio/Akpor ultramodern market.
Chairman of the Rumuepirikom town council Prince Nelson John stated this in reaction to an announcement that Rumuepirikom is the venue for the inauguration of the Obio/Akpor ultramodern market allocation committee.
The chairman of Rumuepirikom town council Prince Nelson John said the caretaker committee of Obio/Akpor did not contact the community before going on air to announce their community as venue for the said market allocation committee.
The Rumuepirikom community therefore called on the Chikordi Dike led caretaker committee to keep clear of the community for the purpose of the inauguration of the Obio/Akpor ultramodern market stalls allocation committee.
- A chief of Boro community in Akuku Toru local government area of Rivers State Nath Kala-Ogbolo Ogbusukubo has alleged that some ex-militants invaded the community and took away useful materials from the community.
The chief who claimed to be the traditional ruler of Boro community told our correspondent that the ex-militants allegedly held the community under siege and carted away some traditional artifacts.
He called on the Rivers State police to investigate the alleged invasion of the community by the ex-militants.
In the meantime, another chief of Boro community Dumotein Koi Boro who is also laying claim to the stool of the community has denied report of invasion of the community by some ex-militants.
He said he and other chiefs were in the community for inspection of some projects in the area.
Dumotein Koi Boro said he is the one recognized by court as the paramount ruler of Boro community.
- The Syrian army has finally flushed out rebel fighters in the town of Quasar after weeks of heavy fighting.
Quasar, a strategic border town between Syria and Lebanon remains a weapon and fighters movement route for both rebels and Syrian government troops in their two year old battle. - The Obio/Akpor Caretaker Committee says the venue of the swearing in ceremony of the committee to allocate stalls in the new Obio/Akpor Ultramodern Market in Rukpokwu will now hold at Rumueprikom Town in Obio/Akpor local government area.
A statement signed by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Chikordi Dike said the date for swearing in of the market allocation committee remains Thursday June 6th, 2013.
- the Emolga Youth Movement has cautioned the 5- lawmakers loyal to the Felix Obuah led PDP against making inflammatory statements in the face of the PDP crisis in the State.
The President of the Emolga Youth Movement Mfata ThankGod in a chat with our correspondent Ofonime Okon condemned attacks on the office of the State Governor.
Mfata ThankGod advised the 5-lawmakers to respect the office of Governor Amaechi when making public statements.
The President of Emolga Youth Movement called on elders in the constituencies fo the 5-lawmakers to call to their representatives to other so as to maintain peace in the state. - A high court in Port Harcourt has fixed the 18th of June 2013 to hear a suit seeking to restrain the Rivers State house of assembly from making any impeachment move against the Rivers State governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Justice George Omereji of the State High Court fixed the date following an oral application by 5-members of the Rivers State House of Assembly asking for independent representation in the matter.
The legal representative to the five lawmakers Chinwe Aguma told the court that his clients do not share the same interest with the leadership of the house led by the Speaker Otelemaba Dan Amachree.
Counsel to the Rivers State house of Assembly Emenike Ebete told correspondent Emeka Idika that the court directed all parties in the matter to regularize normal court processes before the next adjourned date. - Members of the House of Representatives have passed a bill which seeks to remove ambiguities in the process of removal of the president from office on allegation of gross misconduct.
The bill which scaled through 2nd reading also seeks to provide for a more transparent and democratic procedure for impeachment and other matter connected.
Leading debate on the bill a member of the house Yakubu Dagara emphasized the need to curb corruption tendencies among custodians of public resources.
He said the essence of the bill is meant to hold the executive accountable to the people.
- President Goodluck Jonathan has formally approved the order declaring the Boko Haram sect as a terrorist organization.
A statement signed by special adviser to the president on media Reuben Abati said the order which has been gazette as the terrorism notice 2013 affects both Boko Haram and another group Jama’atuo Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan.
The proscription order warns the general public that any person participating in any form of activities involving the said groups will be violating the provisions of the terrorism prevention act.
- The Sokoto state police command has confirmed the killing of a member of the state house of assembly Muritala Wahoro.
Spokesman of the command Al Mustapha Sani said the decease was killed by gunmen in Mabiru area of Sokoto.
The late lawmaker was until his death representing Gada West Constituency in the Assembly since 1999 and was the chairman of the house committee on finance and appropriation.
- The Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar has commissioned the three hospital facilities in Lagos for the welfare of the officer in the state.
Abubakar said it is only a fit and healthy police officer that can secure the country.
The police IG assured that the force headquarters would ensure adequate maintenance of the facilities.
- The federal government says it is planning to explore renewable energy sources like solar and wind to boost power supply in the country.
The minister of power professor Chinedu Nebo told newsmen in Lagos that government was serious about using renewable energy sources.
Nebo said many people were coming up with solar and hydro sources that would empower rural communities in the country.
- The federal government says it is planning to explore renewable energy sources like solar and wind to boost power supply in the country.
The minister of power professor Chinedu Nebo told newsmen in Lagos that government was serious about using renewable energy sources.
Nebo said many people were coming up with solar and hydro sources that would empower rural communities in the country.
- Meanwhile the factional chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State Jonah Jang has launched a new website for the NFG.
The new site, www.nigeriagovernorsforum.org was unveiled in Abuja.
A statement released shortly after the unveiling said the new website reflects the new thinking perception, goals and orientation of the forum.
- Rivers State Governor and re-elected chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has vowed not to step down as chairman of Nigeria Governor Forum.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, Governor Amaechi said he will not step down because it was a mandate that was freely given to him.
He called on the Jonah Jang led faction to bury their hatchet and come back to the fold for the interest of the country’s development and Nigerians.
The chairman of Nigerian Governor Forum Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi also assured staff of the NGF secretariat of job security and prompt payment of thjeir salary despite the political crisis.
- The Nigeria legion, Rivers State chapter has fixed tomorrow June 6th 2013 for the election of chairmen of state councils nationwide.
The Permanent Secretary, Special Service Bureau in Rivers State Sovens Okari said the election will hold at the conference hall office of the SSG.
The election is fixed for 12 noon
- The crisis rocking the Action Congress party in Rivers State is now taking a new twist following report of the suspension of the Acting State Chairman of the party Esuku Esuku.
ACN in a statement signed by the State Secretary of the party Amonibia Akoko and the chairman of the Chairmen Forum Hope Onyeche said the decision to suspend Esuku Esuku was reached at an emergency meeting of the party today.
The Statement accused Esuku Esuku of allegedly working with the Rivers State government to register members on the proposed Rivers State APC registration.
It also accused Esuku Esuku of receiving bribe from the Rivers State government and misappropriation of the party’s money.
You will recall that Esuku Esuku had earlier announced the suspension of key officers of the ACN for anti party activities.
- The crisis rocking the Action Congress party in Rivers State is now taking a new twist following report of the suspension of the Acting State Chairman of the party Esuku Esuku.
ACN in a statement signed by the State Secretary of the party Amonibia Akoko and the chairman of the Chairmen Forum Hope Onyeche said the decision to suspend Esuku Esuku was reached at an emergency meeting of the party today.
The Statement accused Esuku Esuku of allegedly working with the Rivers State government to register members on the proposed Rivers State APC registration.
It also accused Esuku Esuku of receiving bribe from the Rivers State government and misappropriation of the party’s money.
You will recall that Esuku Esuku had earlier announced the suspension of key officers of the ACN for anti party activities.
- A high court in Port Harcourt has fixed the 18th of June 2013 to hear a suit which seeks to restrain the Rivers State house of assembly from making any impeachment move against the Rivers State governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Justice George Omereji of the State High Court fixed the date following an oral application by 5-members of the Rivers State House of Assembly asking for independent representation in the matter.
The legal representative to the five lawmakers Chinwe Aguma told the court that his clients do not share the same interest with the leadership of the house led by the Speaker Otelemaba Dan Amachree.
Counsel to the Rivers State house of Assembly Emenike Ebete told correspondent Emeka Idika said the court will give all parties in the matter fair hearing.
- Some prominent indigenes of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area are calling on security operative to ensure a stop to all inflammatory comments made in the ongoing Obio-Akpor political crisis.
The Secretary Akpor Political forum Clifford Ibe Worlu in a chat with our Correspondent said the comments are capable of disrupting public peace
- Former Minister of Education and first director general of the Bureau of public procurement, BPP Dr. Oby Ezekwesili has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to stop presiding over meetings that involves the award of contracts.
The former minister at a two day interactive session organized by the House of Representatives committee on public procurement also urged the president to steer clear from the proposed amendment saying it is against global best practices in procurement.
She urged members of the national assembly to kick against the proposed amendment of the public procurement act 2007 to make the president chairman of National Council on Procurement, NCP.
- The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Rivers State has debunked report of an order restraining the party from taking further disciplinary action against governor Amaechi.
The PDP in a statement issued by its publicity secretary Monday Onyezonwu said the report that Justice Emmanuel Ogbuji of the State high court issued an interim injunction against the party was false.
The statement said justice Ogbuji refused the interim injunction sought by governor Amaechi.
The PDP admitted that the order granted by justice Ogbuji was for all parties to respect the fact that the matter is pending before the court and desist from taking action that would jeopardize the matter.
- Egyptian politician are embarrassed after being caught suggesting hostile acts against Ethiopia to stop it from building a dam across the Blue Nile.
Ethiopia last week started diverting the flow of the river in preparation for the 4.2 billion dollar hydroelectric dam
- The Omuma patriotic forum has commended the five lawmakers loyal to the Felix Obuah led PDP for their position in the PDP crisis in the state.
The Omuma Patriotic Forum in a statement by its president Gideon Ukoha and secretary Godfrey Oluo called on the leadership of the Rivers State house of assembly to pay the five lawmakers all their entitlements.
The statement said the five lawmakers deserved automatic ticket for another term for their patriotism.
The Omuma Patriotic Forum also said the group will continue to stand by the lawmakers especially in their trying periods.
- The president of Burundi President Pierre Nkurunzi has approved a new media law which critics have condemned as an attack on press freedom.
The law forbids reporting on matters which could undermine national security public order or the economy.
The law marked a black day for freedom of information in Burundi campaign group of a Brotal Civil war in 2005.
- A non Governmental Organization, the Consensus for Democratic Advancement in Rivers State says Governor Amaechi was right in the decision to challenge his suspension from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in court.
The Coordinator of the group and former Chairman National Youth Council of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter Oko Jaja Bettel stated this while reacting to statement credited to the lawmaker representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency Evans Bipi, that Governor Amaechi erred for taking the PDD to court.
Oko Jaja argued that Governor Amaechi could challenge infringement of his right in court.
The Coordinator of the Consensus for democratic advancement also advised Rivers people to respect the office of the Governor in engaging on constructive criticism.
- A chief of Boro community in Akuku Toru local government area of Rivers State Nath Kala-Ogbolo Ogbusukubo has alleged that some ex-militants invaded the community and took away useful materials from the community.
The chief who claimed to be the traditional ruler of Boro community told our correspondent that the ex-militants allegedly held the community under siege and carted away some traditional artifacts.
He called on the Rivers State police to investigate the alleged invasion of the community by the ex-militants.
In the meantime, another chief of Boro community Dumotein Koi Boro who is also laying claim to the stool of the community has denied report of invasion of the community by some ex-militants.
He said he and other chiefs were in the community for inspection of some projects in the area.
Dumotein Koi Boro said he is the one recognized by court as the paramount ruler of Boro community.
- Meanwhile the Obio/Akpor Caretaker Committee has commenced a change in the venue of the swearing in ceremony of the committee to allocate stalls in the new Obio/Akpor Ultramodern Market in Rukpokwu.
A statement signed by the Caretaker Committee Chairman Chikordi Dike said the venue for the swearing in is now Rumueprikom Town in Obio/Akpor local government area.
The venue was earlier fixed for Obio/Akpor Liaison office in Port Harcourt.
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Chikordi Dike said the date for swearing in of the market allocation committee remains today Thursday June 6th, 2013.
- Reaction have begun to trail the statement credited to the Obio/Akpor chapter chairman of the Grassroots Democratic Initiative Collins Ordu that the Chikordi Dike led caretaker committee has no right to allocate stalls at the newly built Obio/Akpor Ultramodern market.
Collins Onunwor is quoted as saying the Chikordi Dike led caretaker committee is trying to cause problem by setting a committee to allocate stalls at the new Obio/Akpor ultramodern market built by the suspended Timothy Nsirim led executive.
However a body the Mgbe-Dulam Concerned Group said the Grassroots Democratic Initiatives is the one allegedly trying to create chaos by warning the Chikordi Dike led government not to allocate the market stalls.
The chairman of Mgbe-Dalam Concerned Group of Ogbogoro, Victor Nene said the Chikordi Dike led caretaker committee has the right to handle any affair concerning the people of Obio/Akpor as the legal authority in place.
The chairman of Mgbe-Dalam Concerned Group of Ogbogoro also said there’s no truth in allegations by Collins Ordu that the chief of staff Government house Tony Okocha is working towards acquiring a hundred million naira bank loan for Obio/Akpor council.
- Justice Adolphus Enebeli of another Port Harcourt high court has refused an application by the speaker of the River state house of assembly Otelemaba Dan Amachree to restrain the police from arresting him for investigation over his comment on alleged plot to assassinate governor Amaechi.
The court also vacated an earlier interim order restraining the Rivers State commissioner of police from inviting the speaker for investigation.
Justice Enebeli also dismissed a motion by the speaker seeking for leave of the court to serve the Inspector General of Police and the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Calabar.
- The Emolga Youth Movement has cautioned the 5- lawmakers loyal to the Felix Obuah led PDP against making inflammatory statements in the face of the PDP crisis in the State.
The President of the Emolga Youth Movement Mfata ThankGod in a chat with our correspondent Ofonime Okon condemned attacks on the office of the State Governor.
Mfata ThankGod advised the 5-lawmakers to respect the office of Governor Amaechi when making public statements.
The President of Emolga Youth Movement called on elders in the constituencies fo the 5-lawmakers to call to their representatives to other so as to maintain peace in the state.
- The five anti Amaechi lawmakers have joined in condemning the decision of Governor Amaechi to take the PDP to court.
The lawmakers Kelechi Nwogu, Evans Bipi, Michael Chindah, Victor Ihunwo and Martins Amaewhule also said no court has the powers to entertain an internal affair of the party.
One of the Lawmakers Kelechi Nwogu said he will continue to stand for the truth.
On his part, Victor Ihunwo said the leader of the house Chidi Lloyd deceived Rivers people when he said that no lawmaker has being paid their entitlement.
The lawmakers also said the action of the Speaker of State House of Assembly Otelamaba Dan Amachree in the face of the current political crisis in the state has shown that he is not capable of piloting the affairs of the assembly.
- viewpoint this saturday Will look at the series of events this week in the political development in Rivers state, we're particularly kneen for your reactions if you live in port harcourt. Do you think people are playing politics with the live of rivers people, leave your comment now on twitter #phpolitics, join the programm7.30am this saturday on rhythm 93.7
- As Nigerians celebrate democracy day Wednesday, residents of Port Harcourt the Rivers State capital, have lamented the inability of the State Government to mark the day due to the ongoing political crisis.
No government event was held to mark the day in the state capital and the 23 local government areas across the State.
- Sharks fc of Port Harcourt has won the 2013 FA Cup title.
Sharks fc defeated city rivals Dolphins fc one nil at the final played at Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.
The only goal of the game was scored by Thompson Stone in the first half of the encounter.
- The presidential adviser on new media Reno Omokri has alleged former president Mohammadu Buhari instructed CPC legislators in the national assembly to vote against emergency rule.
Reno Omokri in his twitter handle commended the CPC legislators for supporting the emergency rule.
He also condemned call by former President Buhari on President Jonathan to resign.
- Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala says despite present challenges Nigeria’s economy is waxing strong.
The finance minister at the midterm report presentation said the GDP has recorded significant growth with the dollar exchange rate now stable at between one hundred and fifty five and one hundred and sixty naira.
She also said agricultural produce and manufacture goods account for over thirty percent.
- Report says at least ten persons mostly students of the Niger Delta University are feared dead in a motor accident along the Amasoma Road in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The accident involved two buses.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that one of the buses was trying to overtake a truck when it collided with the other bus on high speed.
- President Jonathan has challenged critics of his administration to be objective in their judgment.
President Jonathan said this at the presentation of the mid term report of his four years transformation agenda.
The president also condemned some section of the media which he said has rated the performance in his Ministers low without making open the criteria used for the assessment.
- The senate has mandated its three committees on Army, Police and National Security and Intelligent to investigate alleged mass killing of civilians in Baga area of Borno state.
The senate President Senator David Mark gave the directive while reacting to the move by senator Maji Lawal to sponsor a motion on mass killing.
Senator Mark noted that the Federal Government has already ordered an investigation into the matter but that would not prevent the Upper from carrying an independent investigation.
The senate President also directed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Azubike Ihejirika to call his men to order and ensure that they keep to the rule of the engagement. - President GOODLUCK JONATHAN says government is working on a new blueprint for the eradication of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
The President said this while speaking to the executive director of the United Nations Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The President said the new blueprint must contain necessary milestone and define responsibility.
- he Nigerian Communications Commission has flagged-off the Mobile Number Portability service at a ceremony in Lagos.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Doctor EUGENE JUWAH said the service would deepen competition in the industry.
JUWAH said mobile phone subscribers can now migrate to a new network that offers better services without losing his existing number.
He however said there were rules to be followed for customers who desire to move from one network to another. - The Nigeria Union of Allied Health Care Professionals has threatened a showdown with the Federal Government, which could disrupt industrial peace in federal teaching hospitals across the country, beginning from the second of May.
The union wants the Federal Government to address alleged injustices done to its members, including marginalization in the appointment of individuals into leadership positions in teaching hospitals.
It also wants the post of Chief Medical Director of Teaching Hospitals to be re-designated as Chief Executive Officer, and made open to all health professionals.
- Protests have broke out in central Benin over yesterday's swearing in of fourteen local Government Chairmen elected from Saturdays Council Polls
.
An eyewitness of the protest this morning said the protesting Youths in their thousands blocked all entrants into the Kings Square chanting anti Government songs and asking that controversies surrounding the election be resolved before those elected are administered oath of office.
The protest took a different dimension when thugs led by a consultant to the state Government on revenue attacked the protesters with dangerous weapons inflicting serious wounds on them. - Members of the civil society community in Rivers State are not happy over the power tussle playing out in the People Democratic Party in Rivers State.
A Port Harcourt base rights activist and legal practitioner KEN ATSUWETE said the current crisis in the PDP in Rivers State has affected governance.
KEN ATSUWETE told our correspondent that government activities at the State Secretariat and at local government levels are now at lowest point.
- The Rivers State House of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of obiakpor local government area , TIMOTHY NSIRIM, his Vice SOLOMON EKE and the councilors representing the seventeen wards in the local government.
The Assembly said the suspension followed allegation of misuse of public fund and breach of security made by a community leader in Obio-Akpor.
The Chairman Rivers State House Committee on Local Governemnt VICTOR ODILI said his committee investigated the allegation and recommended the suspension of the Obio-Akpor Council Chairman and his executive to allow for conclusive investigation of the matter.
- Participants at a two day public hearing on the petroleum industry bill PIB in Port Harcourt are calling on the National Assembly to make law to ensure oil companies pay penalties for gas flaring to host communities.
The public hearing is conducted by the House of Representative Adhoc Committee on the PIB in all the Geo political zones for the purpose of collating the views of Nigeria.
Participants at the public hearing for the South South Zone held n Port Harcourt frowned at the present scenario whereby those affected by gas flare are shut out of the compensation.
The Rivers State University of Science and Technology RSUST says it will graduate six first class and over two hundred second class upper students out of the five thousand and seventy five students that will be awarded degrees of the institution during its 25th convocation ceremony this Saturday
The Vice Chancellor of the university Professor BARINEME FAKAE announced this at a pre convocation media briefing ahead of the silver jubilee convocation in Port Harcourt.
Professor BARINEME FAKAE said nineteen graduating students will also be awarded with doctor of philosophy.
He commended the graduating students for conducting themselves peacefully while in school.
- There are indications that the Godspower Ake led Peoples Democratic Party is planning to file an application calling for a stay of execution on the judgment delivered by Justice Ishaq Bello.
Sources said lawyers to the G.U. Ake PDP have already commenced work on the application.
Close associate of Godspower Ake described the judgment as a miscarriage of justice.
- The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN says it has not changed its position against the amnesty for Boko Haram.
CAN Secretary General Musa Asake said this in reaction to criticism by northern Muslims following CAN President Ayo Oritsejafor opposition to the amnesty for Boko Haram.
The CAN Secretary General Musa Asake said the Christian association is standing by its opposition to amnesty for Boko Haram.
- A federal high court in the FCT has ordered the immediate inauguration of Felix Amaechi Obuah as the duly elected chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State.
Justice Ishaq Bello of FCT high court three Abuja passed the judgment in a suit filed by Felix Obuah and Prince Ibibia Walter against the PDP National Exco, INEC and PDP Rivers State convention electoral panel.
The suit also has Godspower Ake and Adokiye Oruwari as joinders.
Justice Ishaq Bello also warned that the PDP would be acting in contempt of court if it failed to effect the ruling.
Counsel to Felix Obuah, Godwin Obla spoke to newsmen shortly after the ruling.
- The Rivers State government has denied a report published in a national daily which suggested that the cost of the two bell helicopters it purchased were inflated.
The Rivers State commissioner of information and communication Ibim Semenitari at a press briefing said the two bell armored helicopters fitted with cameras were purchased at cost of over twenty eight million dollars.
The Sunday Truth Newspaper had reported that the cost of the two helicopters was slightly above thirteen million dollars.
Supporting her comment with documents from the manufacturers of the helicopters the Rivers State Commissioner Ibim Semenitari said the federal government paid fifteen million dollars out of the twenty eight million dollars cost of the helicopters.
- The Rivers State government has inaugurated an agency to ensure quality and standard in the education sector in Rivers State.
The new agency known as the education quality assurance agency will as well evaluate schools in the state.
At the inauguration of the agency the Secretary to the Rivers State government George Feyii advised the agency to consolidate on the state investment in education.
- Governor Rotimi Amaechi has publicly called for the resignation of the state commissioner for power Augustine Wokocha over poor power supply in the state.
Governor Amaechi at a forum said the commissioner has failed to ensure steady power supply in the state despite the huge funds released to his ministry.
Governor Amaechi advised the commissioner of power, Austine Wokocha to either resign as a commissioner or deliver on the power needs of the state.
- The Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development says it has arrested and prosecuted nine persons over offence related to street trading.
The State Commissioner for urban development Tammy Danagogo said the people were arrested along the slaughter market and Sangama street axis.
The commissioner said the ministry’s taskforce on development control has been given the mandate to arrest who sales and buy at unauthorized market along traffic in Port Harcourt.
He said his ministry has resolved to end street trading in Rivers State.
- The Federal government says it will re-introduce sanitary inspectors in the country as part of measures to fight malaria and ensure cleaner environment.
The minister of health professor Onyebuchi Chukwu said this at a town hall meeting on malaria elimination jointly organized by the Rivers State government and ECOWAS.
- The Rivers State government has inaugurated an agency to ensure quality and standard in the education sector in Rivers State.
The new agency known as the education quality assurance agency will as well evaluate schools in the state.
At the inauguration of the agency the Secretary to the Rivers State government George Feyii advised the agency to consolidate on the state investment in education.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Education Alice Nemi said the creation of the new agency will ensure sanity in the education system in Rivers State.
In his remarks the chairman of the Rivers State Education Quality Assurance Agency Professor Otonti Nduka promised that the agency will fulfill the dreams and aspiration of the State government in the area of monitoring and evaluation of schools.
- The new chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area in Rivers State Austin Ahiamadu (Dr) says his new policy on internal security will address the upsurge of crime in ONELGA.
Austin Ahiamadu said this at the swearing in of the secretary of council Chief of Staff and the elected councilors of the 6th legislative council of ONELGA in Omoku.
He said his new administration will cooperate with security agencies in the local government to stamp out cases like cultism, robbery and kidnapping which has threatened the social and economic life of the people in the past.
Ahiamadu also said his policy on employment and economic empowerment is aimed at generating employment and build the human capital development of
- The Rivers State government says it has taken steps to check flooding in Rivers State following the Nigeria Meteorological Agency prediction of heavy rain fall this year.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication Ibim Semenatari told our correspondent that government has commenced the drilling of canals and creeks in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas to ensure smooth flood control in the state.
She also said the state government has directed the flood control committee to come up with a more holistic approach in flood control in the state.
- The management of the Port Harcourt refining says pipeline vandalism and oil theft are the biggest problems facing the refinery.
The new managing director of the Port Harcourt refining company Ian Udoh said this when he led other top managers of the company on a courtesy call on the Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi.
The new managing director of the port Harcourt refining company appealed to the Rivers State government to assist it in securing oil pipeline in Rivers State.
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