Jumia

Saturday, 30 May 2015

Blatter Re-elected As FIFA President

Sepp Blatter was on Friday re-elected
President of FIFA in a vote
overshadowed by arrests and corruption
allegations.
According to BBC , Blatter’s rival, Prince



A
Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan withdrew
after the first round of voting.
Blatter fell seven short of the two-thirds
needed, but Prince Ali opted not to
contest further.
Seven top officials were arrested in
Switzerland on Wednesday as part of a
US prosecution that indicted 14 people.
Blatter, 79, has faced calls to resign,
including from UK Prime Minister David
Cameron, who said in Berlin on
Thursday that the FIFA President should
quit “the sooner the better”.
But Blatter hailed his victory, thanking
all those who voted from him and his
rival, Prince Ali.
The Swiss said, “I am not perfect,
nobody is perfect, but we will do a good
job together I am sure.”
He also hinted that this term in office,
his fifth, could be his last, saying, “At the
end of my term I will give up FIFA in a
strong position.”
In conceding, Prince Ali said, “It’s been
a wonderful journey… And I want to
thank in particular those of you who
were brave enough to support me.”
Global citizens’ movement Avaaz, which
started the #BlatterOut campaign,
quickly condemned the re-election.
Campaign director Alex Wilks said,
“More dirty dealings in FIFA’s halls have
crushed the hopes of billions of football
fans.”
The vote took place at FIFA’s congress in
Zurich. In the first round Blatter won
won 133 to Prince Ali’s 73, just short of
the 140 votes needed for an outright win.
The two candidates had earlier delivered
final appeals to the electors.
The current and former FIFA executives
indicted include Rafael Esquivel, Nicolas
Leoz, Jeffrey Webb, Jack Warner,
Eduardo Li, Eugenio Figueredo and Jose
Maria Marin
Prince Ali, 39, said questions had been
raised in recent days “about whether our
FIFA family is morally bankrupt”.
“There are no easy answers and no
blame that can be cast that will wash
away the stain that marks us all,” he
said.
Blatter said, “I am being held
accountable for the current storm – so be
it, I will shoulder the responsibility. I
will take it upon myself and I want to fix
FIFA together with you.”
To applause from a large number of
delegates, he said, “I would like to stay
with you. I would like to continue with
you.”
The vote comes two days after seven top
officials were held in Zurich in a US
fraud inquiry that indicted 14 people.
They are accused of bribery,
racketeering and money-laundering
involving tens of millions of dollars since
1991.
The aim of the bribes was to influence
the outcome of bids to stage football
tournaments such as the 2010 World Cup
in South Africa and the 2016 Copa
America in the US, prosecutors say.
Swiss prosecutors have launched a
separate investigation into the bidding
process for the World Cup tournaments
in 2018 in Russia and 2022 in Qatar.

Small Countries Are To Blame For Blatter Re-election’



A leading official in European football has slammed a “rotten system” and has hinted that
a breakaway competition for major nations could be formed
KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Union) CEO
Bert van Oostveen says football’s
“smaller nations” should form their own
organisation after slamming their
influence on the re-election of Sepp
Blatter as Fifa president.
The 79-year-old beat challenger Prince
Ali of Jordan on Friday, meaning he will
be serve for a fifth term, despite a host
of leading Uefa nations voting against
the incumbent.
Fifa’s voting system means each
nation carries the same weight,
regardless of a country’s standing within
the game.
As a result, Blatter retained his
presidency thanks to the backing of
multiple smaller countries.
Van Oostveen said: “This can’t go on.
With all the respect to everyone that’s
here today: it is always the small
countries that create the majority. But it
is countries like France, Germany,
England, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands –
and a lot more – that are making the
global football big.
“They should have to take a blank sheet
and create a new Fifa organisation with
each other. I know that outside
Europe, in America, Canada, Australia
and a few countries in Asia, people think
like this.
“There are no concrete plans. The only
thing I can say is that this can’t go on.
This system is rotten. We have to
continue our protest.”
Van Oostveen did not dismiss the idea
of pulling out of the 2018 World Cup in
Russia and even hinted breakaway
nations could form a brand new
tournament.
“A boycott of the World Cup in Russia? I
don’t exclude anything at this moment.
But it only has an impact when you take
action as a collective. Then you will
make a serious statement.
“A separate tournament away from the
World Cup is an extremely interesting
thought.”
Blatter has been urged to step down by
Uefa president Michel Platini and
Portugal legend Luis Figo after Fifa
became embroiled in two serious
criminal investigations earlier this week.
On Wednesday, US authorities arrested
seven Fifa officials in Zurich, while a
further 14 were indicted on suspicion of
corruption and bribery.
A separate investigation launched by
Swiss officials will investigate the
bidding process for the 2018 and 2022
World Cups.

Gunmen kill 19 bus passengers in Pakistan attack




Islamabad – Gunmen killed at least 19
passengers they had forced off buses
travelling from the western Pakistani
city of Quetta to Karachi on the southern
coast, said the home minister for the
restive province of Baluchistan, where
the attack took place.
The assault occurred late on Friday in
the town of Mastung, around 40 km
south of Quetta.
“The armed men were wearing the
uniforms of the security forces,”
Sarfaraz Bugti told Reuters. The bodies
of 19 passengers had been found so far,
he said.
Security officials said around 25
passengers were taken off two buses,
and an operation began to find them.
The bodies were discovered in nearby
hills, the officials said.
The circumstances of their deaths could
not immediately be established, and the
motives of the assailants was unclear.
Separatists have been fighting a low-
intensity insurgency in Baluchistan, of
which Quetta is the capital, for decades.
They are demanding an end to what they
see as the exploitation of their resources
by people from other parts of Pakistan.
Islamist militants also regularly attack
civilian and military targets, and earlier
this month at least 43 commuters were
killed on a bus in Karachi by a group
that has declared allegiance to Islamic
State.
All of the victims in that attack were
Ismailis from Pakistan’s minority Shi’ite
community, but one security official said
the Mastung incident was unlikely to
have been a sectarian attack.
As well as the 19 killed, one person was
injured and five more people rescued
unharmed.

Ambode Creates Ministry Of Employment, Two Other Offices In Lagos



OUTGOING Governor of LagosState,
Babatunde Fashwola, yesterday, handed
over the administration of the state to
Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, as the 8th
elected governor of the state alongwith
his deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule at a
colourful and well attended inauguration
and swearing-in ceremony, held at
TafawaBalewa Square, TBS, Lagos Island.
The dignitaries at the ceremony were
former governors of the state; Brigadier
Mobolaji Johnson, Alhaji Lateef Jakande,
Rear Admiral Nduisi Kanu while former
deputy governorsin attendance were;
Mr. Femi Pedro and Adebisi Sosan.
Also Senator GbengaAshafa, Senator
Remi Tinubu and Senator Solomon
Adeola, Oba of Lagos Rilwanu Akiolu,
members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Captainsof Industries, state lawmakers,
All Progressives Congress, APC, stalwarts,
members of trade associations, students
among otherswere in attendance.
Ambode, decked in white attire
(Agabada) with a red cap to match, was
sworn in by the Chief Judge of Lagos,
Justice Funmilayo Atilade, at about
11.25am
Ambode:
Ambode’s deputy, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule,
had been sworn in at about 11.19am by
Atilade.
The governor, after inspecting the guard
of parade mounted by members of the
Nigeria Police Force, said, “As we
collectively face the challenge to make
Lagos abetter place to live in, we must
recognize our strength in diversity. A
common national identity where
everybodycounts. I shall run an open
government of inclusion that will not
leave anyone behind. No matter your
age, sex, tribe or any other Status, as
long as you reside in Lagos, we will make
Lagos work for you.
“I want to assure all of usthat I will make
your taxes work for you. You will surely
get a transparent and incorru-ptible
government that will give you good value
for your taxes paid.
“We shall embark on continuous reforms
in the public service. I am determined to
demonstrate that the government
belongs to the citizens. You have put us
here as servants to serve you and not
you servingus. Today we are committed
to that creed.Moving forward, the Civil
Service will be strengthened and made
to respond to the needs of all citizens in
the same manner, quality services are
rendered in the private sector.
Creation of new ministry, offices
Highpoint of the inaugural speech which
attracted ovation from the crowd was
the announcement by the newly sworn
in governor of the creation of a new
ministry and two offices.
According to Ambode “I want to assure
the business community and corporate
Lagos that the ease of doing businessin
Lagos will be improved upon earnestly.
Lagos is open for greater business.
To this end, a new Office of Overseas
Affairs and Investment (LAGOS GLOBAL)
shall be created under the Governor’s
Office.
“We want you to fly into Lagos, start
your business, find your way, live, work
and enjoy in Lagos.
“As part of our reforms, a new Ministry
of Wealth Creation and Employment
shall be established. This would
specifically address the promise I made
during the campaign on employment
trust fund, labour exchange and
entrepreneurship. This goal, we shall
pursue vigorously.
“Allso, the Office of Civic Engagement
shall be created under the Deputy
Governor’s Office to strengthen and
enhance our promise on government of
inclusion. Everyone must have a voice in
my administration.”

Szczesny Hits Back At father over Arsenal criticism

London – Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech
Szczesny has become embroiled in a war
of words with his own father over
controversial comments his parent made
about Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and
his team-mates.Szczesny is likely to start
for Arsenal in the FA Cup final against
Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday
despite losing his position as the club’s
first-choice goalkeeper to David Ospina
earlier this season.
But Wenger has only played the Poland
international in cup competitions after
catching him smoking in the showers
following Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat at
Southampton on New Year’s Day.
Szczesny’s father Maciej, himself a
former Poland goalkeeper, accused
Wenger of being disloyal towards his son
earlier this year and claimed the
smoking story was “exaggerated” by the
media.
He also said Arsenal’s defence was to
blame for a number of goals they have
conceded this season and singled out Per
Mertesacker as a guilty party, claiming
the German defender had “the agility of
a rhinoceros” in an interview with
Polish newspaper Przeglad Sportowy.
Those quotes infuriated Szczesny and he
published a response on his Facebook
page on Friday.
“Really shouldn’t be dealing with this
one day before the cup final but my
father leaves me no choice,” he wrote.
“I have not spoken to him in more than
2 years and just like everybody else I
have had enough of his idiotic comments
about the football club and the manager
I owe so much to!
“Therefore please do not consider his
comments as my shared view. Thank You
for your understanding!”

Govt Udom Emmanuel Set To Continue With Akpabio’s Legacies



The new governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has pledged to consolidate the
transformation of the state initiated by the immediate past administration in the course of
his government.
Gov. Emmanuel, in his inaugural address
after he was sworn in with his deputy,
Mr Moses Ekpo, by the acting Chief Judge
of the state, Justice
Stephen Okon, assured the people of his
commitment to bringing to fulfilment all
the promises he made during his
campaigns.
“I stand before you today not as a
master, but as a servant and not as a
boss, but as a co-labourer. I accept, with
great humility and sense of
responsibility, the mandate you have
freely given to me to hold power in trust
for you as your governor. You have kept
your part of the covenant and I intend to
keep my part by executing the
programmes I enunciated to you during
my official declaration to run for the
office of the governor,” he said.
The governor mentioned the areas he
intends to intervene to include;
security, transformation of the economy,
upholding the tenets of democracy,
promotion of unity amongst the people,
empowerment of the women and youths,
ensuring rural development, promotion
of trade, commerce and tourism between
the state and other parts of the country,
among others.
While expressing his gratitude to those
who stood by him in his pursuit to the
hilltop mansion, Emmanuel called on
others who contested and lost the
governorship of the state to lay aside
their grievances and join hands to build
the state. “I urge them and their
supporters to let partisan feelings yield
to patriotism. We hold out our hands to
them. It is the planting season in the
Akwa Ibom family and they are invited
to come and plant with us. We do not
have to see eye to eye in order to work
hand in hand,” the governor urged.
The immediate past governor of the
state, Chief Godswill Akpabio, while
giving his valedictory addressed,
admitted that he did not deserve the
encomiums poured on him by the people
as he was not the one behind the
transformation of the state, but “God
Almighty,” urging the people to give
praises to God.

I Can’t Thank Nigerians Enough – Jonathan



Bayelsa State Government on Friday held
a grand civic reception in Yenagoa, the
state capital, for the immediate past
President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan.
Men, women and youths trooped out in
their numbers to give Jonathan and his
wife, Patience, a rousing welcome.
Speaking at the civic reception which
was held at the Gabriel Okara Cultural
Centre,Yenagoa, the out-gone President
expressed gratitude to Nigerians for
giving the opportunity to serve.
Jonathan, who went down memory lane
on how he was “brought into politics
from obscurity” by the former Governor
of Bayelsa State, Diepreye
Alamieyeseigha, said he would not be
able to pay back the much that Nigerians
had given him.
He said he would remain grateful to the
people of Bayelsa, the Ijaw nation and
Nigeria for the rare privileges they
bestowed on him over the years.
Jonathan reiterated that he would
dedicate his future to peace building
across the land.
“I remain grateful to all Nigerians. I
remain grateful to the people of Bayelsa
for the rare privileges. Nigerians have
given me so much that I can’t pay back”,
he said.
Expressing gladness at the honour done
him and his wife by the government and
people of the state, he noted that such
honour was not common because
“sometimes you are afraid to go home
because you may not have satisfied
every one”.
He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari
for declaring that “he does not belong to
any clique” in the country and expressed
the hope that the new administration
would work with all Nigerians for the
development of the nation.
In his remark, the Governor of Bayelsa
State, Seriake Dickson, described
Jonathan as “the hero and father of
modern democracy in Nigeria”.
While welcoming Jonathan back home,
he said he was,however,saddened by the
fact that this would be last time he would
receive Jonathan as President.
Dickson warned that it was too early for
those mocking the Ijaw nation to laugh,
stressing that “we may be down but not
out”.
Also speaking, the chairman of the state
Traditional Rulers Council and first
military administrator of Old Rivers
State, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, remarked
that the late Obafemi Awolowo craved to
govern Nigeria for only one day but
Jonathan got the uncommon privilege of
governing the country for six years.

Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi has charged his teammates to beat Chad mercilessly ahead of the team’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kaduna. Onazi, who was still embittered with the team’s failure to qualify for the 2015 showpiece, revealed that the team must play well if the team must achieve its desire goal. He expressed indifference with suggestions of scouting out opponents before games. ”I don’t really need to know how good they are, we must respect every opponent, we respect them and do what we’re supposed to do. ”If you must want to show you are bigger than a team, you play well and beat them well. As a matter of fact this is what we have in mind and that’s what we’re going to do,” he said. Meanwhile, Super Eagles winger, Ahmed Musa insists the team must work extremely hard if the team must overcome Chad at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna. The team will play Chad on June 13 and will be aiming to start its Nations Cup campaign on a bright note. “It is good to start the qualifiers at home against Chad, we the players have to work very hard to see that we win the game well in other to make our fans happy again,” Musa said. “We know it is not going to be a victory that will come on a platter of gold because it is Chad as minnows don’t exist again, so we have to be focused and determined to crush them and show that we are the better side.”



Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi
has charged his teammates to beat Chad
mercilessly ahead of the team’s 2017
Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in
Kaduna.
Onazi, who was still embittered with the
team’s failure to qualify for the 2015
showpiece, revealed that the team must
play well if the team must achieve its
desire goal.
He expressed indifference with
suggestions of scouting out opponents
before games.
”I don’t really need to know how good
they are, we must respect every
opponent, we respect them and do what
we’re supposed to do.
”If you must want to show you are
bigger than a team, you play well and
beat them well. As a matter of fact this is
what we have in mind and that’s what
we’re going to do,” he said.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles winger, Ahmed
Musa insists the team must work
extremely hard if the team must
overcome Chad at the Ahmadu Bello
Stadium, Kaduna.
The team will play Chad on June 13 and
will be aiming to start its Nations Cup
campaign on a bright note.
“It is good to start the qualifiers at home
against Chad, we the players have to
work very hard to see that we win the
game well in other to make our fans
happy again,” Musa said.
“We know it is not going to be a victory
that will come on a platter of gold
because it is Chad as minnows don’t
exist again, so we have to be focused and
determined to crush them and show that
we are the better side.”

Multiple Taxation, Killing Small Scale Business – Mrs.Bintu



Alhaja Adenola Bintu Amusat is the Chief
Executive Officer of Bintol Enterprises, a
business venture that has spanned almost
two decades transiting from sales of
fabrics to distributorship of confectionery
products such as sausages. In this
interview, she tells Olamide Bakare her
experience, foray into sales
distributorship of confectioneries as well
as the contending challenges confronting
the business.
More often than not, those who are in
one gainful employment or the other are
regularly confronted with the dilemma
of life after retirement. In most cases,
they end up doing nothing when the
retirement period eventually beckons.
But for Alhaja Amusat that was not the
case. At the time when she was about
retiring in the workforce, she had her
plan cut out. Having seen the challenges
confronting retirees, she knew it was not
going to be a bed of roses as she set out
to establish a business of her own.
Speaking on the journey into
confectioneries business, Binta says it
has been a road filled with mixed
blessing
She says” I deal with snacks of various
kinds. I have been in this business for
over 15 years now. I retired 17 years ago
as a banker working with Union Bank
Plc.
Before now, I was trading in fabrics.
That was what I was doing immediately
after I retired as a banker. I was
engaged in the trade for a number of
years before I realized that things were
not going well with the business. When I
realised that there was a fall in demand
for lace materials which were mostly in
vogue at that period, I decided to
diversify which led me to venture into
confectioneries. Since then, I have not
looked back. I I noticed that there was
great demand on consumables and I
thought confectioneries was the best
option. At the moment, I have
abandoned the fabric business ,focusing
my attention on confectioneries. I don’t
know if things turn out for the better, I
may have toreturn back to the business
once again.”
No doubt, the business must have had its
fair share of challenges, Bintu says,
aside the problem of power supply and
economic problem in the country, all
other issues hardly affect the business.
She said” I think the major challenging
affecting the business is not peculiar to
us but also takes its toll on most business.
This challenge is no other than power.
As you can see, the Ogba environ has
been in total darkness for the past three
days. We are no longer hopeful because
it has become the norm not only in this
area but Nigeria generality. I am sure
you would be wondering how does
power supply affect the business?. You
know that if there is no electricity,
chilled beverage drinks needed to enjoy
the snacks won’t be available. Once the
customer realised the drinks are not
cold, they abandon the snacks.
Sometimes, they resort to other options.
So, my advice is that as the new
government takes off, power supply
should be its utmost priority. Unless that
is done, I don’t see us going anywhere. I
believe if they can solve the problem of
electricity, more than 60% of the
problems confronting Nigeria would
have been solved. If there is electricity,
all artisans would be fully engaged. If
you notice in recent times that a lot of
businesses have been closing down due
to power outage. So, I am imploring the
incoming administration to also ensure
that corruption is wiped off. Take for
instance, the power situation we are
referring to have remained unsolved not
because money were not accrued but as
a result of corruption or mismanagement
of funds accrued to NEPA.
One other challenge hampering the
growth of this business is multiple
taxation. As we speak, we pay taxes on
all sort of things. I understand that
businesses are supposed to pay tax but
what we go through in the hands of
government is constituting a serious
drain on the business. As we speak, we
pay tax on virtually everything ranging
from television, land use, sign board to
trade permits. These are some of the
policies biting hard on small businesses
generally”.
Asked for the amount of funds invested
into the business, Bintu disclosed that
her retirement benefit was all that she
needed to set the business running
She notes” I invested a rough estimate of
N2million .I actually got the slush fund
through my retirement benefits and
other savings. This was immediately
after retiring as an accountant in the
bank. The whole fund was purely
invested in the fabric business .It was
later on that I veered into other areas
when the business was no longer
forthcoming .I am a distributor to
virtually all the retailers in this environ.
We have about 40 items of snacks that
we supply. I am grateful for the success
recorded so far. We have a whole lot
some of which include cookies, banana,
plaintain, sweet potato, cheeseball. I am
the first to engage in wholesale of
confectioneries product in this area.
Business itself is about risk. You win
some, and lose some.”
However, if there is anything that has
proved helpful in the last 15 years, Bintu
says her experience as a banker has
been quite handy in solving issues
relating to customers.
She says” I have had experience handful
of  about credit while working as a
banker. That explains why I have not
had issue with my customers.”
Asked if she had encountered any
problem with any of the companies,
Bintu singled out Chi Limited saying
plans are at advanced stage to engage a
lawyer to take legal action against the
company for a breach of business
agreement.

Full List of Courses offered In Nigerian Defence Academy




The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) is
not an institution where admitted
candidates only undergo military
training. Admitted students also undergo
sound academic training as Officer
Cadets for duration of 5 years.
On successful completion of training,
graduands will earn a university first
degree (BSc, BEng, BA) and a commission
into the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Below
are the courses being offered at NDA.
Check: How To Apply to NDA for
2015/2016 Admission
Courses Offered at NDA with
Requirements
Course General
Requirements
Compulsory
Credits Relevant Credits
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
BSc Economics
5 credit passes in
not more than 2
sittings including
English Language
and Mathematics
English
Language,
Economics and
Mathematics
Accounts,
Commerce,
Government,
Geography,
History, French
and Arabic
BSc Accounting
5 credit passes in
not more than 2
sittings including
English Language
and Mathematics
English
Language,
Accounting and
Mathematics
Accounts,
Commerce,
Government,
Geography,
History, French
and Arabic
BSc Geography
5 credit passes in
not more than 2
sittings including
English Language
and Mathematics
English
Language,
Geography and
Mathematics
History,
Economics,
Government,
Accounts,
Commerce,
French and
Arabic
BA History
and
International
Studies
5 credit passes in
not more than 2
sittings including
English Language
and Mathematics
English
Language,
History and
Mathematics
History,
Economics,
Government,
Accounts,
Commerce,
French and
Arabic
BSc Political
Science and
Defence
Studies
5 credit passes in
not more than 2
sittings including
English Language
and Mathematics
English
Language,
Government
and
Mathematics
History,
Economics,
French,
Geography,
Accounts and
Commerce
BSc Psychology
5 credit passes in
not more than 2
sittings including
English Language
and Mathematics
English
Language,
Biology and
Mathematics
Economic, Health
Science,
Government and
Agric Science
Faculty of Engineering
BEng Civil
5 credit passes in
not more than 2
sittings including
English Language
and Mathematics
English
Language,
Mathematics,
Physics and
Chemistry
Technical
Drawing, Further
Mathematics,
Biology and
Geography
BEng Electrical
and
Electronics
5 credit passes in
not more than 2
sittings including
English Language
and Mathematics
English
Language,
Mathematics,
Chemistry and
Physics
Technical
Drawing, Further
Mathematics,
Biology and
Geography
BEng
Mechanical
5 credit passes in
not more than 2
sittings including
English Language
and Mathematics
English
Language,
Mathematics,
Chemistry and
Physics
Technical
Drawing, Further
Mathematics,
Biology and
Geography
Faculty of Science
BSc Biological
Sciences
5 credit passes in
not more than 2
sittings including
English Language
and Mathematics
English
Language,
Mathematics,
Biology and
Chemistry
Physics, Agric
Science,
Geography and
Health Science
BSc Chemistry
5 credit passes in
not more than 2
sittings including
English Language
and Mathematics
English
Language,
Mathematics,
Chemistry and
Biology
Physics, Health
Science, Agric
Science and
Geography
BSc
Mathematics
5 credit passes in
not more than 2
sittings including
English Language
and Mathematics
English
Language,
Mathematics
and Physics
Chemistry,
Additional/
Further
Mathematics,
Biology and
Geography
BSc Computer
Science
5 credit passes in
not more than 2
sittings including
English Language
and Mathematics
English
Language,
Mathematics
and Physics
Chemistry,
Additional/
Further
Mathematics,
Biology and
Geography
BSc Physics
5 credit passes in
not more than 2
sittings including
English Language
and Mathematics
English
Language,
Mathematics
and Physics
Chemistry,
Biology,
Technical
Drawing and
Geography

I Am President For All Nigerians – Buhari



In his inaugural speech shortly after
taking the oath of office as the sixth
democratically-elected president of
Nigeria, Mr. Buhari allayed fears that he
was returning to power nearly 30 years
after his military rule, to settle old
scores.
“I belong to everybody, and I belong to
nobody,” he declared. “These fears
(about going after perceived enemies)
are groundless. There will be no paying
off old scores,” he added.
The new president, who took time to
review the problems that the country
was facing as he assumes office,
identified insecurity, pervasive
corruption, unemployment, seemingly
unending fuel and power shortages as
the immediate concerns, and promised
to tackle them head on.
He said the challenge of resolving Boko
Haram’s insurgency would be given the
most immediate attention, adding that
despite the progress made in recent
weeks by the security forces, the
approach would have to change for
better results.
Part of the changes, he said, would be
the immediate relocation of the military
Command and Control Centre in Abuja
to Maiduguri until Boko Haram is
completely subdued.
Describing Boko Haram as “a mindless,
godless group who are as far away from
Islam as one can think of,” Mr. Buhari
said they were a typical example of
small fires, which, if not properly
handled, could cause large fires.
He blamed official bungling, negligence,
complacency and collusion for the
continued growth of the insurgent group
into a terrifying force that has taken
tens of thousands of lives and capturing
several towns and villages within the
Nigerian territory.
After the insurgent group has been
subdued, he said a sociological study
would be commissioned to determine its
origins, remote and immediate causes of
the evil movement, its sponsors and the
international connections to avoid a
recurrence.
He said his government would also take
steps to redress the other security issues
the country was facing, including
kidnappings, armed robberies,
herdsmen/farmers clashes and cattle
rustlings.
On the Niger Delta amnesty programme,
he assured that although it was due to
end in December, government intends to
invest further in the projects and
programmes currently in place to make
it more effective.
On the economy, the president blamed
the country’s poor economic
performance over the years on the poor
power situation, describing it as a
national shame that an economy of 180
million people could generate only 4,000
MW of electricity, and distributing even
less.
Continuous tinkering with the structures
of power supply and distribution for
which about $20bn was spent since
1999, he said, have only brought
darkness, frustration, misery, and
resignation among Nigerians.
“We will not allow this to go on,” he
said. “Careful studies are under way
during this transition to identify the
quickest, safest and most cost-effective
way to bring light and relief to
Nigerians.”
He said the country’s economy was in
deep trouble, in the face of depleted
foreign reserves, falling oil prices,
leakages and huge debts, pointing out
that government would require careful
management to bring a turnaround.
To tackle unemployment, he said, his
administration would revive agriculture,
solid minerals mining as well as credits
to small and medium size businesses to
kick-start small and medium-scale
enterprises.
“We shall quickly examine the best way
to revive major industries and accelerate
the revival and development of our
railways, roads and general
infrastructure,” he said.
To achieve these objectives, the president
said his administration would
consciously work the democratic system
by ensuring that the three tiers of
government focused on their
constitutional roles to enable them serve
the country optimally and avoid the
confusion currently bedevilling
governance.
“The Federal Executive under my watch
will not seek to encroach on the duties
and functions of the Legislative and
Judicial arms of government,” he said.
“The law enforcing authorities will be
charged to operate within the
Constitution.
“We shall rebuild and reform the public
service to become more effective and
more serviceable. We shall charge them
to apply themselves with integrity to
stabilize the system, while the legislative
arm must keep to their brief of making
laws, carrying out over-sight functions
and doing so expeditiously.”
The judicial system, he said, needs to
reform to cleanse itself from its
immediate past, while the judiciary must
act with dispatch on all cases, especially
on corruption, serious financial crimes
or abuse of office.

Sandra Lawson: First Black Openly-Lesbian To Be Ordained Rabbi



Sandra Lawson just finished her fourth
year at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical
College outside Philadelphia with the
help of an online GoFundMe campaign
Sandra Lawson is a former military
police officer turned personal trainer
who recently converted to Judaism as is
hoping to be ordained Rabbi soon.
If ordained , Lawson will become the
first black lesbian rabbi.
Religious News Service reports that
Lawson just finished her fourth year at
the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
outside Philadelphia with the help of an
online GoFundMe campaign.
She plans to marry her girlfriend and
spend the fall semester in Israel. If all
goes according to plan, she will celebrate
her ordination in 2018.
“Sandra,” explained Josh Lesser, the
rabbi who presided at her conversion,
”is an ‘all-in’ kind of person.”
When Lawson, now 45, told him that she
wanted to be a Jew 11 years ago, he said
he didn’t know she would wind up in
rabbinical school, but that “some kind of
leadership would emerge from this.”
Lawson will be a free-spirited rabbi who
takes the Jewish imperative for tikkun
olam (“healing the world,” in Hebrew)
seriously, her friends and fans say. No
one — including Lawson herself, who
earned a master’s degree in sociology
while a personal trainer — is quite sure
whether she will lead a congregation,
pursue chaplaincy, lend herself to a
progressive cause or focus on teaching.
But just by being herself, they say, she
will expand people’s ideas of what a
Jewish leader looks like.
Her sexual orientation, Lawson said, has
not thrown up obstacles in her path
toward Judaism or the clergy. But race
comes up in her Jewish circles in a way
that being gay doesn’t. There are no solid
figures on the number of black Jews in
the U.S., but it is by all accounts
relatively small.
No one has been purposefully mean or
rejecting to Lawson, but too many of her
co-religionists ask for her conversion
story first off, she said, before they get to
know her as a person or a Jew. Not long
ago, a stranger saw her in a store,
noticed her yarmulke and asked her if
she was Jewish. She said she was and
asked him the same question.
“He looked shocked,” Lawson said of the
man who turned out to be Jewish. “Like I
was not allowed to ask him what he had
just asked me.”
And though race relations may not
become the centerpiece of her rabbinate,
it will shape her career, she said.
RECENT POSTS
Rev. Mbaka Beaten Up Over Land
Dispute
Hajj 2015National Hajj: commission of
Nigeria appoints Jaiz Bank for collection
of pilgrim sacrifice
Sandra Lawson: First Black Openly-
Lesbian To Be Ordained Rabbi
I Am President For All Nigerians –
Buhari
FRSC Promotes Over 1, 026 Officers
Buhari Vows To Enforce Accountability
in States And Local Govts.
Otuoke Hails Jonathan’s Return
SPONSORED LINKS
MOST VIEWED MOST COMMENTED
1. Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime Feared
Dead
2. Obasanjo Will Prevent Jonathan From 2015
3. Sanusi May Resign
4. Breaking News: Kaduna Governor Yakowa
Dead In Helicopter Crash
5. Gov Akpabio Owns $45 Million Private Jet
Facebook
Our Page
RSS Feed
Subscribe
WIDGET TITLE
LIKE MEDIA NIGERIA
Find us on Facebook
Media Nigeria
7,671 people like Media Nigeria .
Facebook social plugin
Like
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE
NGN USD EUR GBP
1 NGN = 1.000 0.005 0.005 0.003
1 USD = 198.954 1.000 0.912 0.654
1 EUR = 218.213 1.097 1.000 0.717
1 GBP = 304.221 1.529 1.394 1.000

Hajj 2015National Hajj: commission of Nigeria appoints Jaiz Bank for collection of pilgrim sacrifice



A letter of appointment signed by the
commissioner of policy, personnel
management and finance of the
NAHCON, Yusuf Adebayo Ibrahim,
mandated the bank to collaborate with
the Islamic Development Bank (IDB)
based in Jeddah to ensure the success of
the collaboration
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria
(NAHCON ) has appointed Jaiz Bank Plc to
serve as its agent to receive from
intending pilgrims Qurbani (Sacrifice)
collection for the 2015 Hajj.
Leadership News reports that a letter of
appointment signed by the commissioner
of policy, personnel management and
finance of the NAHCON, Yusuf Adebayo
Ibrahim, mandated the bank to
collaborate with the Islamic
Development Bank (IDB) based in Jeddah
to ensure the success of the
collaboration.
The letter read, “I have the honour to
convey the approval of the commission
for the appointment of your bank as the
Hadeya agent for the Nigerian pilgrims
for the 2015 Hajj.”
It was gathered that based on the
appointment, Jaiz Bank is to provide the
required manpower to supervise the
project, including visits to
slaughterhouses in Saudi Arabia to
confirm implementation of the Hadaya
scheme.

Rev. Mbaka Beaten Up Over Land Dispute



The priests, who attempted to stop the
operation were severely dealt with and a
fight ensued between the church
members and the Enugu State Housing
Corporation (ESHC) staff.
Men of the Enugu State Housing
Corporation (ESHC), led by their boss,
Vitalis Emeka Onah, laid their tough
hands on clergy men who tried to stop
them from carrying out their duty.
The men were instructed by the state
government to re-possess the land
belonging to the Enugu Anglican Church
Communion.
The priests, who attempted to stop the
operation were severely dealt with and a
fight ensued between the church
members and the Enugu State Housing
Corporation (ESHC) staff.
According to eye witness reports, Rev.
Mbaka Peter, Rev. Collins Odoabuchi, Rev.
Eugene, and Rev. Maxwell Onyia were not
spared by the angry staff of the housing
corporation.
The situation would have gotten out of
hand, if not for the timely intervention
of the Enugu state Commissioner of
Police, Muhammed Abubakar Adamu.
Speaking also on the peace efforts
initiated by the Enugu state police chief,
the priest in charge of the church,
Venerable N. Aghadi said, “We have talked
at length and discussed very
progressively. The commissioner of police
is requesting that we should please go
home and rest. He has promised that the
matter is in good hands and that
immediately the archbishop returns, he
will have a meeting with him.”
The land which was purchased by the
Enugu Anglican Church Communion, was
dedicated by His Grace, the Most
Reverend C. J. Patterson, the then
Archbishop of West Africa and Bishop of
the Niger, in 1965.
While speaking to newsmen, the
Commissioner of Police, said “We have
discussed with the church. If anybody is
injured we will not take it lightly. We
have already asked that a formal report
be made and we will follow it up. We have
agreed on a peace move and we are
following it up.”

PDP Wishes Pres. Buhari Success




The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
congratulated General Muhammadu
Buhari as he took office as President,
yesterday.
The party, in a statement signed by the
National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa
Metuh on Friday wished the new
President success in piloting the affairs
of the country in the next four years.
“The PDP wishes president Buhari a
successful tenure as President of our
dear nation. Indeed, we appreciate the
fact that his success would be to the
benefit of Nigeria as a nation. It is
against this backdrop that we wish him
good health, vigour and wisdom to pilot
the affairs of the nation in the next four
years.
“We also join millions of Nigerians and
the international community in
commending and applauding immediate
past President Goodluck Jonathan for a
smooth transition as well as his
democratic credentials and enduring
legacies in ensuring the stability of the
nation”, the statement said.
The PDP underscored that as a party that
has nurtured and sustained democracy
in the last 16 years, it would remain
committed to the democratic ethos as
well as the unity, stability and
prosperity of Nigeria at all times.

We Should All Support Pres. Buhari – David Mark





The president of the Senate, David Mark,
has enjoined Nigerians not to despair by
the snail speed and challenges of
democracy just as he urged them to
support the new administration to
succeed.
Senator Mark, in a press statement
issued by his chief press secretary, Paul
Mumeh, said “in spite of the
imperfections, there is no alternative to
democracy because it gives power to the
people and they make the ultimate
decision.
“I have been an active participant
during the military era and the current
democratic dispensation. I am in a
position to say without fear of
contradiction that democracy is the best
kind of government.
“It is a product of the wishes of the
people; it is representative and
participatory. Indeed, people have a say
and determine what they want through
the ballot boxes.”
Senator Mark yesterday marked the
Democracy Day at St. Mulumba Catholic
Chaplainy Apo in Abuja.
Mark implored citizens to give the new
administration the needed support and
cooperation to enable it achieve its set
goals uninterrupted.
He stressed the need for all to be agents
of peace and unity of Nigeria, saying
that “We all owe it a sacred duty to
ensure peace and unity of the nation no
matter how high or low our positions
may be.”
The senate president advised the
incoming administration to embark on
people-centered policies and
programmes that would improve on the
welfare and security of the people.
According to him, such policies and
programmes include but are not limited
to addressing the insecurity situation,
unemployment and epileptic power
supply in the country.
In doing so, he advised the
administration to be guided by the fear
of God, apply the rule of law, have
respect for human rights, freedom of
expression as well as justice and fairness
to all.
Earlier in his homily, the Parish Priest of
the Church, Rev. Fr. Innocent Jooji,
praised the resilience of Nigerians that
have sustained and improved democracy
so far, urging them not to rest on their
oars.
Jooji told political leaders to make
service delivery to the people the centre
of their policies and programmes,
pointing out that leadership is only
worth its name if the welfare and
security of the people are guaranteed.

Probe Opened After Borno Suicide Attack kills 6

Abuja – Police have commenced investigations into the death of six
people following a suicide bomb attack at a wedding fatiha in Tashan
Alade in Hawul Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.
State Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Opadokun, confirmed the
incident late Friday.
He said 30 people were also injured during the attack.
“I confirm the report on an alleged suicide bombing in Tashan Alade in
Hawul LGA. The incident was reported to be at a wedding fatiha.
Presently, six persons all males whose identities are unknown are
confirmed dead, while 30 others were injured,” he said.
Opadokun said that the police had commenced investigations on the
issue.
“Investigation are in progress on the issue” he said.
Opadokun meanwhile added that the inauguration of Governor Kashim
Shettima for a second term of office, held in Maiduguri on Friday
afternoon, was was peaceful.

Obama Congratulates President Buhari, Pours Out US Support



president, Barrack Obama yesterday congratulated President
Muhammadu Buhari on his emergence as the Nigeria’s new president
and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces.
Obama who sent his congratulatory message in a press statement
obtained by our correspondent in New York, also promised that his
administration would maintain healthier and stronger ties with the
government of Nigeria.
Speaking further, President Obama said that the American government
would continue to build on the US-Nigeria relationship which began in
2010, stressing that he should not relent in his effort to ensure that
Nigeria remains united.
Obama, also lauded the former president, Goodluck Jonathan, for his
sportsmanship during the presidential election which he lost to Buhari.
He also said the maturity displayed by Jonathan during the
announcement of the March 28 presidential election averted post
election political crisis in Nigeria.

Wednesday, 20 May 2015

Onyeka And Ozokwor Deny Quarrelling Over Access To Aso Rock




Veteran musician, Onyeka Onwenu, has
denied reports that she had a shouting
match with Nollywood actress, Patience
Ozokwor, over access to the Presidential
Villa.
Onyeka described the online media
report as a “lie from the pits of hell”,
adding that it was concocted to tarnish
her image.
NAN reports that the two were said to
have fought over Nzokwor’s alleged
access to the presidential without the
knowledge of Onyeka, who is the
Director General of the National Centre
for Women Development.
She expressed shock and disappointed
with the report, saying it was meant to
damage her hard-earned reputation.
“Let it be placed on record that the said
story is false in its entirety.
“It is obviously a figment of the
sponsor’s depraved imagination, as Lady
Onyeka Onwenu does not control access
to Aso Rock, nor was involved with the
disbursement of funds to any group,” a
statement by her Special Assistant, Lami
Makoji-Ojo, said.
“Onyeka was never in a meeting with
Patience Ozokwor or any artist for that
matter and was never involved in a
quarrel or fight with anyone, the
statement added.
Similarly, Ozokwor, in a statement also
denied the allegation.
“I really don’t know why people write
what they can’t investigate. Ms. Onyeka
Onwenu and I don’t have any issues.
“I have never been to her office before
and she has never been to mine.
“We see at different functions and greet
ourselves with respect accordingly. Why
should they write false stories about us
just to sell their papers?
“Anyone who stains my name that I have
struggled to build will have to answer to
God in heaven.
“I am not a new act that will be looking
for scandals on the internet.
“If I have issues with anyone, I walk up
to the person, call him or her, and trash
it out and then move on,” Ozokwor said.

Pres. Jonathan Incurred N5tn Domestic Debt In Five Years’



Abuja – The Federal Government has borrowed N5.04trn from the domestic debt market in
the over five years that President Goodluck Jonathan has been presiding over the affairs of
the country, Punch reports.
Records at the Debt Management Office
showed that the domestic debt of the
Federal Government stood at N3 466 360
000 000 (N3.47tn) as of March 31, 2010.
The latest debt statistics from the DMO as
of March 31, 2015 showed that the
domestic debt   had risen to N8 507 545
474 000 (N8.51tn).
This means that in the last five years, the
Federal Government had borrowed
N5.04tn from domestic lenders. It also
means that within the period, the
domestic debt of the Federal Government
grew by 157.48 per cent.
Jonathan became President on May
6,2010 following the death of President
Umaru Yar’Adua on May 5,2010. On May
29, 2011, he was sworn in as an elected
president.

Oil Facilities Shutdown: NNPC In Talks With Labour Unions

The Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC) has said it is in talks
with the leadership of the Petroleum and
Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of
Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National
Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas



The labour unions, yesterday, directed
employees of the Nigerian Petroleum
Development Company (NPDC) to
shutdown indefinitely their locations
and all oil production facilities
nationwide in a bid to force the federal
government to reverse the transfer of
operatorship on the oil mining leases
(OMLs) 42, 40 and 30.
According to the unio

ns, the assets which
were previously operated by the Shell
Petroleum Development Company (SPDC)
were allegedly transferred in a manner
that fell short of due process, claiming it
would affect the fortunes of the NPDC
and its workers.
But speaking exclusively to LEADERSHIP
yesterday, the group general manager,
Public Affairs Department of the NNPC,
Ohi ALegbe, maintained that the process
followed industry best practices as
obtainable all over the world. He stated
that the transaction is not an outright
sale but a joint operatorship between the
NPDC, which holds 55 per cent shares of
the assets on behalf of the federal
government, and the private companies
which jointly hold 45 per cent stake in
the assets.
Alegbe, who stressed that it was wrong to
refer to the transaction as an outright
sale, said, “It is a joint operatorship
which is what is obtainable everywhere
in the world as industry best practice.
The NPDC holds 55 per cent share in the
OMLs while the other companies hold 45
per cent,” he explained.
He also disclosed that the corporation
engaged the labour unions all through
the entire process of the operatorship
transfer and wondered why the unions
would take this drastic decision of
shutting down production platforms to
express any conceived grievance. Alegbe
also disclosed that the corporation had,
last week, held a meeting with the labour
unions where they pleaded with them to
reconsider their decision to embark on
strike but the plea failed to yield positive
result.
However, he said that in order to resolve
the present situation, the corporation is
still in talks with the labour leaders and
they are handling the issue as a matter
of urgency.
He said, “We are meeting with them, we
met with them last week not to go on
strike but they still went ahead.
However, we are handling the matter
and talking to them to call off the strike.
We hope to resolve the matter quickly.”
According to details of the now
controversial transaction, Elcrest
Exploration and Production Nigeria
Limited, a joint venture with Eland Oil
and Gas Plc, was awarded the
operatorship of OML 40 while Neconde
Energy Limited and Shorline Natural
resources Limited were equally awarded
operatorship of OML 42 and 30
respectively.

Crime: EFCC Arraigns Man For Forging Okonjo-Iweala’s Recommendation Letter

The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one
Obiejogo Raymond Azuka before Justice
Muawiyah Baba Idris of the High Court
of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in
Gwagwalada, Abuja on a six-count
charge bordering on forgery.
LEAVE A REPLY
Name (required)
E-Mail (will not be published) (required)
Website
Submit Comment
Confirm you are NOT a spammer
6 × eight =
Notify me of followup comments

The spokesperson of the EFCC, Wilson
Uwujaaaren, said, “Obiejigo, a Higher
National Diploma holder from Federal
Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra allegedly
forged a reference letter purportedly
from the minister of finance, Dr. (Mrs)
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, alongside his
curriculum vitae, requesting for
employment into the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC);
Tertiary Education Trust Fund
(TETFUND) and Nigerian Security
Printing and Minting (NSPM) company.”
He said the accused pleaded not guilty to
the charge when it was read to him,
adding that in view of his plea, the
lawyer to the EFCC, Halidu Mohammed,
urged the court to fix a date to
commence trial and also to remand the
accused in prison custody.
“However, the defence counsel, J. E
Chukwuemeka, through a formal
application, asked the court to admit the
accused to bail but his application was
opposed by Mohammed who asked the
court for time to respond.
“Justice Idris adjourned the case to June
2, 2015 for hearing of the bail
application and commencement of trial
and ordered the accused to be remanded
in Kuje Prison custody”, he added.

Court Stops Jonathan From Assenting To Amended Oil & Gas Bill



Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High
Court in Lagos yesterday barred
President Goodluck Jonathan from
assenting to the bill for an Act to am


The judge further restrained the National
Assembly and the clerk of the National
Assembly from forwarding the bill for
an Act to Amend the Oil and Gas Export
Free Zone Authority Act. Cap. 05 to
President Jonathan for assent.
The court also stopped the defendants,
their agents and privies from
prohibiting the usage of the plaintiff’s
facilities located on Snake Island
Integrated Free Zone for Oil and Gas
cargoes destined for use in the free zone.
The court gave the order after listening
to a motion ex-parte filed before it by
Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun on
behalf of Nigerdock Nigeria Plc, SIMCO
Free Zone Company and Nigerdock
Nigeria Plc-FZE, who are plaintiffs in the
suit.
The court order also affected the Clerk of
the National Assembly, the Attorney-
General of the Federation, Minister of
Industry, Trade and Investment, the
Honourable Minister of Transport, and
the Nigeria Ports Authority.
In an affidavit attached to the suit and
sworn to by Yusufu Abdullahi, a director
of SIMCO Free Zone Company, the
deponent averred that Nigerdock Nigeria
Limited is a promoter of Snake Island
Integrated Free Zone, SIIFZ, and that
SIMCO is a company saddled with the
responsibility to develop, market,
manage, operate and administer SIIFZ.
Abdullahi averred that SIIFZ was
approved as a privately owned and
managed Free Zone by a Presidential
declaration in January 2005, and that it
was duly licensed by the Nigeria Export
Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) in
April 2005.
The deponent also claimed that SIIFZ is
operated by SIMCO Free Zone Company,
under the direct supervision and
monitoring of NEPZA. He added that
other regulatory agencies such as Nigeria
Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Customs
Service (NCS), the Nigeria Immigration
Service (NIS), the Nigeria Police Force
(NPF) and State Security Service (SSS) are
present within SIIFZ to ensure due
compliance with all laws and that
appropriate security is maintained.
Abdullahi also averred that at
privatisation, one of the representations
that the federal government as beneficial
owner made to the core investor who
purchased the federal government share
in the Nigerdock Nigeria Plc was that the
federal government shall take all
necessary steps to co-operate fully with
the purchaser to ensure that the
purchaser obtains all benefits under
Nigerian Law as a strategic Core investor
in the company.
He averred that in November 2014, the
plaintiffs became aware that a Bill for
An Act to Amend the Oil and Gas Export
Free Zone Authority Act, Cap. 05, Laws of
the Federation of Nigeria, had been
presented to the Senate of the national
Assembly. And that the plaintiffs were
not invited to the Public hearing that the
Senate of the national Assembly had in
respect of the bill.
He further stated that the plaintiffs,
however, submitted a petition to the
Senate when they became aware that a
public hearing had been conducted. He
added that the petition was aimed at
sensitizing the Senate on how the
amendment will negatively undermine
the plaintiffs and violate their
constitutional rights.
The deponent averred that Section 5(3)
of the bill seeks to expand the powers of
OGFZA such that it can without further
assurance take over and perform the
functions hitherto performed by NEPZA.
While Section 10 of the Bill further seeks
to confer the rights to handle oil and gas
cargoes only at approved oil and gas
concessioned ports, with freedom to
investors to choose ports of discharge of
their cargoes within designated terminal
at Onne, Warri and Calabar ports.
He stated that the Bill did not define
what constitute “oil and gas related
cargoes”. And that this will give room to
situations where cargoes intended for
SIIFZ are wrongly classified as oil and
gas relates cargoes.
The deponent further averred that, it is a
known fact that a total of twenty-four
ports were concessioned to private
investors, with 14 and 10 in the western
and eastern zones of Nigeria Ports
Authority respectively.
That only one of the ports
Concessionaires, Integrated Logistic
Services Limited, INTELS, operates in
Warri, Onne and Calabar ports. And that
the amendment proposed in Section 10
will confer a right of monopoly only in
INTELS, which he said, would be to the
detriment of other port Concessionaires
and free Zones.
He stated that there are indications that
the Senate has passed the Bill and is
seeking to hurriedly present same to
President Jonathan for assent. He added
that the hurried passage of the proposed
Bill is meant to foist a situation of fait
accompli on the incoming
administration at the Federal level, and
that unless the defendants are restrained
by the court, the defendants will confer
an undue advantage on ports being
proposed to be designated as oil and gas
Free Zone, and divert traffic from the
Free Zone and Port Development
operated by the plaintiffs with
devastating social and economic
consequence.
Justice Saliu Saidu has adjourned till
May 26, 2015, for hearing of originating
summon of the suit.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council And Its New Mandate



In the beginning
Established in 1978, the Nigerian
Shippers’ Council was primarily charged
with the responsibility of protecting the
interests of Nigerian shippers. This, it is
expected to do through provision of
adequate and up-to-date trade
information to Nigerian importers and
exporters as well as the international
business and shipping community.
The Council also has a Shippers’
Complaints Unit, through which it
attends to the numerous needs of
shippers. It also operates through the
Shippers’ Associations that have been
created all over the country.
The Council has also had to take on other
responsibilities that are adjunct to the
execution of its immediate mandate. One
of such is the conceptualization of Inland
Container Depots (ICDs) and Container
Freight Stations (CFS).
The Council was also the arrowhead of
the creation and nurture of the Council
for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding
in Nigeria (CRFFN).
But, in its efforts to protect interest of
Nigerian shippers, the Council was for a
long time erroneously perceived as a
toothless bulldog.
It is a known fact that for many years,
the Shippers’ Council fought
unsuccessfully to check the arbitrary
imposition of charges by suppliers of
shipping services – the multinational
shipping lines. For years, the shipping
agents successfully dared the Council.
It was usual to see the various shipping
lines/ agents take on the Nigerian
Shippers’ Council at will and dared it to
punish them.
The inability to successfully call the
shipping lines to order in the face of
glaring arbitrariness rubbed the Council
of the much-needed respect as
opportunists took advantage of the
loophole in the Council’s enabling Act.
Port Concession Without Regulation
This went on and even the flag-off of the
Federal Government’s port reform
programme in 2006 did not make much
difference as defiant providers of
shipping and terminal services continue
to rip-off Nigerian importers.
The Government noticed that the service
providers were taking advantage of the
vacuum created by lack of a post-
concession regulator of the port system.
It acknowledged that there was absence
of an Economic Regulator that will act as
a referee in port activities.
And as an answer to this, the Federal
Government in February 2014 appointed
Nigerian Shippers’ Council as the
Economic Regulator of the ports.
It is significant to note that this new role
came just few months after Barrister
Hassan Bello was appointed as the
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive
Officer of the Council.
Regulation
Specifically, the new role includes
assessment of options for competition,
deciding on entry rules, regulating
pricing freedom and monitoring the
outcomes.
Effective regulation requires much more
than just competent economic and
financial analysis, but it must also
manage often complex interaction with
the regulated firms, consumers,
politi¬cians, courts, the media, and a
range of other interests. It is essential
that the regulator provides a level
playing field among the various actors.
A Regulator needs to be independent,
transparent, legitimate and credible,
bearing in mind that the transition to a
competitive market is a major
reg¬ulatory challenge. It is also germane
that the regulatory pro¬cess is fair to all
parties, by not taking arbitrary decision
and by balancing the needs of
stake¬holders.
Exhibiting a good understanding of its
new mandate, the Council’s Executive
Secretary; Mr Hassan Bello said:
“Effective regulation requires much
more than just competent economic and
financial analysis, but must also manage
often complex interaction with the
regulated firms, consumers, politicians,
courts, the media, and a range of other
interests”.
And apparently conscious of the
challenges of the role of the Council, he
acknowledge that: “In our capacity as the
Port Eco¬nomic Regulator, our role is to
consult, coordinate, moderate and
harmonize the various processes and
procedures with a view to achieving
operational efficiency at our ports.
Where there is unreasonable resistance,
we shall not hesitate to apply
appropriate sanctions to ensure
compliance. We shall remain open,
independent, neutral and consul¬tative
and all decisions will be based on the
buy in of stakeholders. We are also to
assess options for competition; to decide
on entry rules; to regulate on pricing
freedom; to monitor outcomes and all
that”.
Carrying everyone along
The involvement of stakeholders is an
important source of legitimacy and
public acceptability for regulatory
agencies and their decision-making
procedures.
As a start-off, the Nigerian Shippers’
Council met with all stakeholders,
including freight forwarders, shipping
agents, importers, private terminal
operators, all of whom acknowledged the
need to have an umpire to regulate
activities of the various players.
As a follow up, the Council has also met
and received the support of the Nigeria
Ports Authourity (NPA), whose managing
director; Mallam Habib Abdullahi
affirmed that: “it would amount to
failure on the part of NPA if the Nigerian
Shippers Council fails”.
At the meeting, the Managing Director
assured that the NPA is ready to
cooperate and support the Shippers’
Council in its new role as the economic
regulator of the nation’s port system.
In similar vein, the CEO of Shippers’
Council has held similar consultations
with the Nigeria Customs Service and the
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). At these
meetings, the CEOs of the agencies gave
assurances of their support.
The New Port Order
While giving an insight into what the
Shippers’ Council is doing to further
entrench its new role and espouse a new
port order, he disclosed that it is
establishing a new plat¬form for
everyone to integrate.
Experts explain that the new port order
involves a situation where the cargo is
scanned before it is stacked. As the ship
is discharging, the cargo is also being
scanned, and the im¬age is used by the
Nigeria Customs Service to commence
clearing process in terms of segregating
the cargo for whatever line of
inspection, such as: green, yellow and
red light, as the case may be.
On the new port order, Bello says: “We
are working with the CBN, Customs and
other relevant stakeholders so that every
payment made in the maritime domain
is reflected on the platform. In doing
this, we have designed a tem-plate and
standard tariff system that will ensure
30 to 40 percent reduction in cost to
achieve harmony in tariff. This involves
all service providers. The system
harmonizes every transaction in such a
way that transfer of containers to off-
dock terminal does not attract extra
charge in terms of payment of royalty to
the terminal operator.” He insists that
transfer of containers to off-dock
facilities should not attract extra charge,
and assured that the “practice will be
discontinued as it amounts to double
charges to the shippers”.
He explains further that, “the idea of
harmonizing the system creates
transparency as the importer trades with
certainty as to how much to pay and how
long to take delivery of the goods. This
new port order will eliminate all the
wastages in the system so that the cost of
doing business is re¬duced. Part of the
arrangement is that the owner of the
cargo should know when his cargo
arrives to prepare him to make
arrangements to clear his goods in good
time”.
“We are also working to streamline and
professionalise freight forward¬ing to
strengthen its position in the ports. We
prefer to have them in companies rather
than individuals”, he said.
According to him, in doing all these, the
Nigerian Shippers’ Council is not
competing with any Government
regulatory agency, but thrives to
actualize the mandate of making
Nigerian ports to become the sub-
regional hub and an international
logistics centre.
Flexing Muscles
But, the first confirmation of the
Shippers’ Council’s resolve came in
October 2014, when in consonance with
its new roles, it published notices
directing shipping companies and
terminal operators to reduce certain
charges, increase free storage time and
also announced interventions in other
levels of pricing.
Wanting to test the will of the Economic
Regulator, shipping companies and
terminal operators filed two separate
actions against the Nigerian Shippers’
Council and obtained interim orders of
injunction restraining the Council from
implementing the directives contained in
its notices to them. The substance of the
actions challenged the exercise of powers
of economic regulation by the Council
and questioned the validity of the
Council’s appointment as the Economic
Regulator by the President of Nigeria.
Not done yet, 12 shipping line agents
under the umbrella of Association of
Shipping Line Agents, filed an
originating summons wherein they
sought the court’s declaration that the
Nigerian Shippers’ Council does not have
the power to introduce or impose local
shipping charges on them, and that the
notices that were issued by the Council
were illegal. In the counter-claim, the
Council had sought for the ‘Shipping
Line Agency Charge’ levied by the
Plaintiffs to be declared illegal, and for
payments collected thereby to be
refunded.
Delivering judgment on the two similar
matters, Justice Ibrahim Buba of the
Federal High Court agreed with
arguments of counsel to the Nigerian
Shippers’ Council; Mr. Emeka Akabogu
that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council was
properly appointed and empowered by
virtue of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria to undertake its role
as an Economic Regulator. He ruled that
in the clear absence of any existing law
in Nigeria making provision for an
economic regulator for the ports, section
5 of the Nigerian Constitution was
adequate basis for the President to issue
orders in relation to the subject, as
government exists for the welfare of
citizens. The court thus affirmed that the
Nigerian Shippers’ Council was validly
appointed as the economic regulator for
ports in Nigeria and could exercise
powers in that regard.
The court further ruled that the
‘Shipping Line Agency Charge’ (SLAC)
being collected by the shipping
companies is illegal. The court therefore
ruled in the case filed by the shipping
companies that the Plaintiffs should
render account and refund all money
collected under the heading of ‘SLAC’,
declaring that it is illegal.
Responding to the court cases, Hassan
Bello said, “We’ve resisted attempts to
in¬crease charges and we said no to
impunity, economic brigandage, fleecing
of Nigerians”.
Regulation’s a win –win for all
Surprisingly, the terminal operators who
have been up in arm against the
Shippers’ Council will be top
beneficiaries of the emerging port order.
Part of the benefits is the protection of
their investments from undue
interfer¬ence. This on its own leads to
guaranteed return on investment and
increased profitability; predict¬ability
in processes and procedures; assurance
of level playing ground; availability of
Common User Informa¬tion Service
provided by the Regulator; strengthening
of complaint and arbitra¬tion
mechanisms among other benefits.
Apart from the private terminal
operators, the government will also
enjoy improved revenue generation;
improved infrastructural development;
creation of efficient market; reduction of
cost of doing business; improve¬ment of
the nation’s Global Competi¬tive Index
and consequent attraction of Foreign
Direct Investment (FDI).
For the shipping companies, there will
be im¬proved delivery of marine and
terminal handling services leading to
reduced turn-around time of vessel and
re¬duced cost of vessel operations. There
is also the benefit of improved image
due to increased customer confidence;
transparency, efficiency and
effective¬ness and consequent
improvement in image. The presence of
an economic regulator ensures the
strengthening of complaint and
arbitration mecha¬nisms; prompt
issuance of Ship Sail¬ing Certificate and
the consequent avoidance of demurrage
accumulation against shipping
companies and other effects.
For the freight forwarder, it en¬sures
professionalization of freight
for¬warding practice. This on its own
leads to elimination of touting,
sanitization the port environment; and
harmoniza¬tion of clearing processes
and proce¬dures and the consequent
reduction of clearing charges. There is
also the strengthening of complaint and
arbitra¬tion mechanisms.
The Nigerian Ports Authority will also
enjoy the effect of the presence of an
economic regulator because it will lead
to enthronement of clearer Standard
Operating Procedure (SOP) derived from
International Laws (Con¬ventions) and
Practices. The NPA will also enjoy
transparency, efficiency and
effectiveness and consequent
improve¬ment in image; improved
revenue generation; improvement of
com¬petitive advantage in the sub-
region; strengthening of complaint and
arbi¬tration mechanisms, and more.
For the Nigeria Cus¬toms Service, the
emergence of the Economic Regulator
will translate to improved revenue
collection, enthronement of clearer
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
derived from International
Conven¬tions and Practices, improved
level of compliance by importers,
exporters and freight forwarders and
others.
Above all, the ultimate beneficiaries are
the consumers. The Economic Regulator
will ensure harmonization of clearing
processes and procedures and the
consequent re¬duction in cost and time
of cargo clear¬ing; reduction of Cargo
Duel Time, in particular, and generally
the trade cycle; strengthening of
complaint and arbitration mechanisms
etc.
When the new port order comes full on
stream, providers of haulage services
will also enjoy decon¬gestion of port
access roads leading to improved truck
transit time at ports; there is also the
ability of re-fleeting of rickety trucks;
installment of electronic gating and call
system guaranteed loading opportunity
for truckers.
Conclusion
It is apt to conclude that the emergence
of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as the
Economic Regulator and the consequent
enthronement of a new port order is a
win-win situation for users and
providers of shipping and terminal
services. A little empathy and and
understanding is all that is required.

Monday, 18 May 2015

We Don’t Need Your Advice, APC tells Aliyu, Lamido

The All Progressives Congress on
Saturday urged the Niger State Governor
Babangida Aliyu and his Jigawa State
counterpart, Sule Lamido of the Peoples
Democratic to keep their advice on how
best to run the country.
The party said the two governors were
not in a position to offer the incoming
government any piece of advice, adding
that they were part of those who tried to
resist change during the March 28 and
April 11 general elections.
In a statement issued in Lagos by its
National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Lai
Mohammed, the APC described the duo’s
advice as “ill-intentioned.”
APC said, “Nigerians have switched from
pre-election to post-election mode,
making the unsolicited advice and the
rehash of the vitriolic electioneering
campaign rhetoric from the two
governors totally out of tune with reality.
Our commitment to Nigeria is
sacrosanct, irrespective of the state of
the economy. Hence, we do not need any
cheeky advice from Governors Aliyu and
Lamido. We are not making any excuses,
but we will let Nigerians and indeed the
world know how much the economy has
been wrecked and the role of anyone in
bringing the economy to its knees.’’
The statement also accused the PDP
which the two governors belong of
dividing Nigeria along ethnic, religious
and regional lines, adding that the two
governors refused to join the APC when
it was leading the crusade for change.
“They made a wrong choice and lost out,
and they must live with the
consequences of their choice, instead of
continuing to snipe at some imaginary
enemies. The chance to be part of a
historic opportunity to rebuild Nigeria
was offered to the two governors on a
silver platter, but they chose to put their
personal interests above national
interest,” the party stated.
The APC stated further that despite the
state of the economy, it would redeem its
campaign promises.
However, it pointed out that the change
that Nigerians had voted for would not
come “overnight but through gradual,
painstaking and consistent acts of good
governance, discipline and
perseverance.”
It noted, “We are, therefore, calling on
our compatriots to give their unalloyed
support to the incoming administration
as it embarks on charting a new path for
the long-suffering nation, while
shunning the naysayers who, in their
own time, frittered away the opportunity
to rebuild Nigeria.’’
SUBSCRIBE
Subscribe For Latest Updates.
Name:
Email:
RECENT POSTS
We Don’t Need Your Advice, APC tells
Aliyu, Lamido
Naval Command Arrests 30 Illegal Ships
APC Denies Ministerial List
SHOCKING: 2015 Budget: National
Assembly’s N150billion enough to fund
capital votes for 20 Federal MDAs
Xenophobia: South Africa Repatriates
5,645 Immigrants
El-Rufai Nags Over Inheriting Bankrupt
Governments
Probe Army, Police In Rivers, Amaechi
Tell Buhari
SPONSORED LINKS
MOST VIEWED MOST COMMENTED
1. Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime Feared
Dead
2. Obasanjo Will Prevent Jonathan From 2015
3. Sanusi May Resign
4. Breaking News: Kaduna Governor Yakowa
Dead In Helicopter Crash
5. Gov Akpabio Owns $45 Million Private Jet
Facebook
Our Page
RSS Feed
Subscribe
WIDGET TITLE
0
LIKE MEDIA NIGERIA
Find us on Facebook
Media Nigeria