Stop Whipping Up Public Sympathy, Respond To Charges Against You, Presidency Tells Sanusi - Se

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Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

The Presidency on Wednesday asked the suspended Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to simply respond to charges against him instead of misinforming Nigerians about his fate.

A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said: “We have noted with disappointment, the unrelenting attempt by the  Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to falsely portray his recent suspension from office as an attempt by the Presidency to bury his allegation that huge sums of money due to the Federation Account are unaccounted for by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).”

The statement reaffirmed  that  Sanusi’s suspension has “absolutely nothing to do with his unproven and inconsistent claim that $49.8 billion, $12 billion or $20 billion is missing from the national treasury.”

It added: “As was clearly stated in the letter suspending him from office and confirmed by President Goodluck Jonathan in his last Presidential media chat, Mallam Sanusi’s suspension was wholly based on the need for him to step aside while the weighty charges of financial recklessness, gross misconduct and persistent disregard for laid down rules and regulations in the management of the Central Bank made against him by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and others are properly investigated.”

The statement said “instead of trying to provide some reasonable response to the clear and unambiguous query of his official conduct as Governor of the Central Bank, Mallam Sanusi  has cynically chosen to whip up public sympathy for himself and anger against the Federal Government by deliberately misleading unwary Nigerians and the international community into believing the falsehood that he is being punished for exposing corruption.”

According to the statement, “In recent days, the suspended CBN Governor has, following in the footsteps of others who have an axe to grind with the government, taken to spreading his false claims and allegations through gullible foreign media correspondents, telling them among other things that his threat to force commercial banks to open up their books to unravel the whereabouts of the “missing” funds whether $49.8 billion, $12 billion or $20 billion, ultimately led to his suspension.

“He also continues to make the mischievous claim that the government is somehow involved in a scam to divert huge sums of money from the Federation Account through the misappropriation of kerosene subsidy funds.”

Maintaining that Sanusi’s allegations are patently untrue, the statement said  “Government is making no effort to bury them as he falsely claims.”

It however disclosed that “relevant committees of the National Assembly are still investigating the claims and the suspended CBN Governor remains free to give evidence before them in support of his allegations.”

It added: “Furthermore, in keeping with its avowed commitment to full transparency, openness and accountability in governmental affairs, the Federal Government has authorised the engagement of reputable international firms for the recommended forensic audit of NNPC accounts.”

While condemning Sanusi’s resort to playing politics with serious national issues, the Presidency said “His suggestion that the phantom missing funds may have been diverted to fund campaigns for next year’s general elections is mischievous, irresponsible and designed to incite other political parties and members of the public against the Federal Government.”

Maintaining that the  claim  amounts to cheap blackmail against the government and was clearly made in furtherance of a selfish personal agenda, the Presidency said it is most unbecoming of someone who still holds the High Office of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“The Presidency would not ordinarily have wished to join issues with Mallam Sanusi who as CBN Governor remains an appointee of the President, but the very unacceptable manner in which Sanusi has been misinforming the public made it imperative that this statement be issued,” the statement added.

Delta Guber:: Zoning’ll Promote Mediocrity, Laziness – Ochei

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As the political calculations for the 2015 Delta State governorship begin, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Victor Ochei, has advised that zoning or ethnicity should be jettisoned in selecting candidates, saying these promote mediocrity and laziness.

He said what should be paramount is the choice of “the best man for the job” and “a man who will take Delta to the next level.”

Ochei, who insisted that “zoning” has always promoted laziness and mediocrity, however stressed that if that is the only option left for a particularly area to have a shot at the plum job, then it should be accepted.

This, according to him, is not because power must shift from one place to the other but because the system allows it to either pacify or give some people a sense of belonging.

Specifically, he said zoning or rotation of power should not be an issue in Delta State, maintaining that the constitution allows anyone who is qualified to run.

Ochei, who spoke during a chat with newsmen at the weekend said he is interested in ensuring that the initiative started by the incumbent governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, particularly the “Delta Beyond Oil” policy which he described as the best thing to happen to the state is developed and sustained.

“These are things we need to look at, we shouldn't be looking at whether the man is coming from the west or the east because that is not important.

“Once you have the best man for the job, you don’t remember where the man is from because the man will ensure there is equitable distribution of projects, ensure that there is a plan to improve on what you have and do it well,” he said.

Ochei said he believes in healthy competition in the political arena because it brings out the best saying “once you are competing, people tend to put in more efforts.”

According to him, “when you talk about zoning, it has a way of promoting laziness and mediocrity but that is not to say that if in a particular area, we see the need to allow for rotation, I don’t call it zoning but rather rotation so that everybody can be part of it.

“The man who will ensure that ethnicity is not our basis for our everyday drive. The man who will ensure that at the end of the day. there is peace and quiet in Delta State and there is massive development in the state.”

Ochei said he believes in the economic diversification of the state, saying “we must develop those diversities to be our source of strength and the moment we can achieve that I can tell you that Delta State would go beyond the skies.”.

According to the Speaker, “I believe so much in that and not about zoning or whatever you call it. Most importantly is to ensure that you have the right man for the job.”

He declared that it would be too early for him to say if he will contest in 2015 or not, saying however that he is still consulting and would only make any pronouncement on his next political ambition after the consultation.

Ochei said he is touching the lives of ordinary Deltans on the streets and by way of legislation, promoted bills that would ensure the socio-economic well being of Deltans.

Fresh Gun Battle Threatens Ugborodo Peace Deal

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Delta State

Fierce fighting between rival youth groups in Ugborodo, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, is threatening the peace deal in community.

This is coming as personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta,  in conjunction with soldiers attached to Joint Task Force, on Wednesday arrested a man with AK47 rifle while on a mission to breach the peace in the community.

The suspect, simply identified as Enisuru Monrovapac,   alongside others now at large, were arrested after a gun duel late Tuesday in the community.

In the fresh violence, the militia youths suspected to be mercenaries from neighbouring Ilaje communities had allegedly engaged perceived ‘enemies’ of their paymaster in a gun battle in a bid to force the government to back off   the peace deal.

Under the peace deal, the government had reportedly agreed with the feuding factions in Ugborodo to send ten persons to represent them in the interface committee between them and the Federal Government.

Our correspondent  gathered that the faction allegedly loyal to David Tonwe, Alex Ideh and Pa. Johnson Ayomike were said to have disagreed over the arrangement, insisting that they alone should be nominated into the committee.

The contention is over a whopping $16 billion Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project being sited at Ogidigben by the Federal Government.

The peace deal which was reached between the stakeholders in Abuja was pushed into a near close after the Tonwe’s faction reportedly refused to turn up for meetings called by the authorities, a source said.

The shooting on Tuesday night which led to the arrest by a joint patrol of Navy and soldiers who are stationed in the Delta waterways is evident that some militia youths who are on the payroll of ‘rivalry chieftains’ are set to cause mayhem in the area since the peace deal is not favourable to them.

When contacted on phone, the Commanding Officer of NNS Delta, Capt. Musa Gemu, confirmed the arrest of one of the mercenaries. 

He said the Navy personnel alongside soldiers of the Joint Task Force who were on patrol in the waterway got information that some youths were fighting in Ugborodo.

Gemu said  his men moved in immediately to quell the fighting and stop it from escalating.

He said in the course of combing the area after the youths had fled, one of the warring youths was found with an AK47 rifle and was arrested.

The suspect was still with the Navy undergoing preliminary interrogation before  being  transferred to the Police Area Command in Warri.

A source said   the suspect was one of the mercenaries allegedly being used by the Tonwe’s faction to foment trouble in the community.

Chairman of a local youth organisation in the area, Ogidigben Youth Group, David Mamah, who is believed to loyal to Thomas Eriyitomi, one of the arrow heads of the crisis, claims that the arrested suspect is of the David Tonwe faction.

“Before yesterday, they have been threatening to attack people in the community, Mamah said, adding “I was in my compound yesterday when some of my boys ran to me with injuries. This is a matter over which we have all signed undertaking.

“But some persons crossed from other side shooting and wounding people with cutlasses,” he said.

He added: “The Navy came and it is calm now but a lot of residents have fled into the bush for fear of their lives. They are always attacking us, and no one knows when they will come again.”

But a member of another faction  loyal David Tonwe, who simply gave his name as Ovie Otionwe alleged that it was Eriyitomi faction’s loyalists that perpetrated the latest attack,saying  “They first attacked one Edwin at Akpakpa, near the Shell Beach  Tuesday afternoon.”

Jonathan In Closed-Door Meeting With APC Governors From South West

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President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday evening (GMT) met behind closed doors with Governors of All Progressives Congress (APC) from the South West.

The main opposition party’s governors that attended the meeting which held inside the Presidential Villa were Mr. Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, (Osun), Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), and Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

It was not clear what the President discussed with the opposition governors as at press time.

President Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been consulting with political and religious leaders on his almost certain bid to seek re-election in 2015 general elections and needs an overwhelming victory in the South West mainly controlled by the APC to return as President.

Uduaghan, in London, tells investors Nigeria is a profitable haven

Press Release

March 12, 2014

Uduaghan, in London, tells investors Nigeria is a profitable haven

With the deepening of the privatization of state enterprises and investment in the development of critical infrastructure, Nigeria now offers the best destination for investments in Africa, Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has said.

Speaking in London where he addressed British investors at the Institute of Directors (IOD), Uduaghan said the Nigerian government has effected a paradigm shift from reliance on crude oil as the driver of the economy. According to him, investment in power sector, agriculture and manufacturing offer investors new vistas with yields that may not be obtainable anywhere else.

He spoke in a keynote speech at an event marking the Commonwealth Day Observance Service and the Nigerian Centenary celebration Tuesday in London and asked British investors looking to invest in Africa to come to Nigeria.

In Uduaghan’s words, “there are strong reasons for anyone to invest in Nigeria at this time, because the country is a haven for profitable investment.

“There is a bright future for Nigeria in terms of investment. The environment is right and is truly a destination for those investors heading to Africa.”

Uduaghan who spoke on “Perspectives on Sustainable Development in Nigeria’s Delta: The Delta Beyond Oil Initiative” said while oil remained a major resource, “we recognise its finite characteristic and that dependence on it in the way we have done, since it started to create wealth in the country would deny us other opportunities.

In a press release issued in London by the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, who accompanied Uduaghan on the investment drive, the governor illustrated the concept of his Delta Beyond Oil initiative which has become a template for the transformation of Nigeria’s economy. The initiative is designed to harness the potentials in other sectors of the economy to boost agriculture, boost small and medium scale enterprises and create employment.

“We know that examples abound around the world of countries that have tapped mainly human endowment to jump to the front ranks of societies in the world. The concept of Delta Beyond Oil was harnessed to mobilise the citizens, statesmen, lawmakers, civil servants, college professors, students, professionals, farmers and artisans that oil and gas may be good for now, but the future belongs elsewhere in the powers of the mind to generate wealth and well-being for ourselves and generations to come.”

Uduaghan said his government is providing enabling environment for investment in Delta State by focusing on infrastructure and human capital development as well as peace and security.

He told British investors at the meeting that the federal government has been of tremendous support to the state as part of a drive to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for the country as a whole.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria working closely with the Delta State Government is also building a multi-million dollar landing jetty in Okwagbe, a community located along the tributaries of the River Niger to support the state’s transport infrastructure,” he explained.

He listed one area where investors can partner with the state as tourism sector. According to Uduaghan, investors are now taking the advantage of the peaceful environment in Delta State to invest in tourism.

“Following our sustained drive in this area, a lot of tourism and hospitality industries are now springing up in the state. The biggest is the $240 million Delta Leisure Park by a private investor in partnership with the state government. We are also encouraging medical tourism by improving on the quality of secondary and tertiary hospitals just as we are encouraging private investment in healthcare.”

The IOD Director General, Simon Walker praised Uduaghan and other Nigerian leaders effort at repositioning the country for the future, saying “It has been remarkable one hundred years for Nigeria. It is befitting that during the centenary celebration we should celebrate Nigeria’s economic progress, the demography, the opportunities and the challenges that Nigeria face. I have no doubt that during this century we will be talking about Nigeria as one of the largest economy of the world.  I hope that our two countries can come together to take advantage of these opportunities.

Also, Lord Watson of Richmond said, the population of Nigeria and its diversity is what any investor should be concerned with. “When people think about Nigeria, they don’t think about the past, they focus entirely on its present. That is of great importance.  The population and diversity are source of strength for any nation. Nigeria and its dynamic growth and population are something that is in the mind of everyone who thinks about Africa.”

 He explored the relationship between Nigeria and United Kingdom as good opportunity to consider by British investors saying, “our two nations are characterised by diversity. There is always a tension between diversity and unity, but the truth is we must tolerate each other and move beyond tolerance to protection.

The Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo who attended the event impressed the audience with the strides that Nigeria is making in the power sector with the privatisation of the electricity company.

He said that with the current investment in power plants in the country by the government and the private sector, in a few months the power generation and distribution in the country will make Nigeria the best economy in Africa.

Signed:

PIUS MORDI

Special Assistant to the Honourable Commissioner

PDP not Committed to Fighting Corruption- Gov Fashola

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has lambasted the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), accusing it of lack of commitment to the fight against corruption, stressing that recent suspension of Governor of Central Bank, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who alerted the nation about fraud in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) was just one example.

Fashola who was speaking at the maiden summit of the APC in Abuja said the party will not talk about change but that it is going to embody change adding that Nigerians have a choice either to accept a government that cannot account to them or change it and build a new Nigeria.

“Let there be no doubt about the link between corruption and jobs. If we had a Government that is serious about fighting corruption, there would be financial resources to create jobs. Instead of stopping this corruption, this government pardons those convicted of corruption and removes those who point out corruption. Corruption has drained our national strength and we need change”, he added.

He charged the party members to ensure over the next year that the nation joins the party and makes the same choice, adding that Africa is waiting for them to play the leadership role and the rest of the world is also watching.

He added that the future that is envisioned by the party is a future that will be built together by everyone and not just for one political party, not for one region, not for one community but for all Nigerians.

Governor Fashola who described the event as a historic one, added that it is about building a future for Nigeria when there are jobs for everyone who wants to work, a future without leaders who deprive the very families they are supposed to protect and a future of peace and stability.

He added that it is about a future when Nigeria can feed its families; a future when a Nigerian education is as good as any education in the world and a future when the high prices of food and fuel don’t undermine every family’s quality of life.

He described the APC as a home for all Nigerians, maintaining that it is already happening with the turnout for membership registration exceeding even the largest projections and has been a turnout of Nigerians of diverse backgrounds all across the country who shared a belief in the need for change.

“It was a turnout of Nigerians who shared a belief that together we can build a New Nigeria. It was a turnout of people who have had enough of division in our country. People tired of the politicians who turn one group against another for their own political gain. We’ve all seen it. We all know how it works. We all know how demeaning it is to our nation”.

“When one takes a look around our country, Governor Fashola added, the question to ask is what has division brought to the nation? Has it brought peace or brought prosperity? Or the future that people want for their families and children, but it has not, reiterating that the only recipe is for Nigerians to come together, work together and live in peace together and choose unity.

“And today, we declare that, we make it clear to the nation that the APC chooses Unity, this room is a living testament to that choice and that commitment, this room is a celebration of the cultural diversity that gives our nation such great promise”, he stressed.

He added the party believes that the Nigerian nation must be economically and socially vibrant, must be peaceful, just and secure and that corruption must no longer be tolerated in any corner of the nation, not in political life and not in business or civic affairs.

The Governor reiterated that the APC also believes in investing in the people because they are the most important assets of the Nation and believes that every person deserve work that enables them to provide for their families, to contribute to the community and to have a favorable, quality of life.

Fashola also stressed that in the history of Nigeria, no party in more than fifteen years has done what the APC did on Thursday by publicly, and most importantly, together as a party, telling Nigerians what it believes in a meeting, not in a rally or in the middle of a political campaign.

“Systematically and transparently – we want people to know what we stand for, we want people to know about the change we are offering; we want people to join us in building a New Nigeria. A nation of progress, a nation of hope, a nation of opportunity. A nation together. One Nigeria”, he emphasized.

Governor Fashola maintained that the new nation that everyone wants which is the dream New Nigeria is only possible through unity, is only possible if each person values each and every person and hold tight every child as his or her greatest asset, adding that it is only possible if respect is given to every person’s choice of faith.

“It is only possible if we commit ourselves to one rule of law for everyone, if we commit ourselves to fairness and opportunity for all, if we commit ourselves to a strong system of government at the federal, state and local levels. It is only possible if we bridge our inequalities and if we put our nation back to work. There cannot be true freedom when there are not enough jobs. There cannot be shared opportunity when there are not enough jobs. There cannot be peace and justice when there are not enough jobs”, he emphasized.

He said the set of principles must guide the people’s path when times are tough, when people’s pathway becomes hard to navigate, when forces block the way forward, when challenges stand in the way of the nation’s vision, when hope seems just out of grip.
He stressed that when people make inquiries about the APC and what makes it different, the answer they will get is that APC has a Code of Ethics, it also has a Roadmap to the future and that Nigeria is a great nation that has been misdirected.

“We will tell them that no nation, no people are more hardworking but that we need jobs. We will tell them that our youth are ready to do great things, to make history, to lead our nation, to lead Africa, but they need opportunity. We will tell them that when we come together, celebrate our diversity, accept each other and stand together as One Nigeria, there is nothing we cannot achieve. We will tell them the APC is ready to build a New Nigeria”, he stated.

The Governor said what is being deliberated upon is the future of Nigeria and that the people can either accept the Nigeria they have or build a new Nigeria or accept a stagnant, jobless economy or resolve to build a new Nigeria.

He gave a commitment that the APC is not going to abdicate that responsibility as the event is going to be an exciting and illuminating day together as it heralds the beginning of the people’s journey to a new agenda.

He also acknowledged the contribution of national leaders of the APC like Major General Mohammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu and Chief Bisi Akande as well as members of the Interim National Executive Committee and the Governors while not forgetting members of the party’s Strategy Committee.

Olejeme praises Jonathan on women rights and empowerment

Press Release

Chairman, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme on Saturday praised President Goodluck Jonathan for taking the greatest step in Nigerian history towards gender equality, women rights and empowerment.

In a statement issued in Asaba to mark the 2014 International Women’s Day by the Deputy Director General, You and I Foundation, Barrister Raymos Guanah, Olejeme described President Jonathan as an embodiment of progress, peace and prosperity in Nigeria.

The NSITF boss urged women to think of ways of claiming more space and opportunities in future.

She thanked the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan for championing gender equality and women’s empowerment.

She also urged the women to support her advocacy for women’s advancement and gender balance in Nigeria.

‘We need to work towards increasing the number of women in decision making positions, parliament and other governmental positions in future. We need to create more awareness and support women seeking elective positions. We need to   train our children’’ she said.

“Women have proved over the years that they can be trusted” she added.