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DTSG To Sustain Partnership With ASCON In Management Training

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DTSG To Sustain Partnership With ASCON In Management Training
Mr Reginald Bayoko
Head of the Delta State Civil Service

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he 2019 edition of the Seven-Weekend Management Training Program for senior management staff in the Delta State Civil Service has opened in Asaba with a charge on the participants to see it as a catalyst for them to acquire the requisite knowledge to enhance their managerial capability.

The Head of the Delta State Civil Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko, who gave the charge in Asaba on Friday while declaring the training course open, said that was the only way the participants could contribute to the growth and development of the State Civil Service.

Mr Bayoko noted that since the training program began 15 years ago the capacity of seniir management staff in the State Civil Service had witnessed unprecedented improvement and by extension improved service delivery.

He said each year participants were given the opportunity to share experiences from their various establishments and to leverage on modern techniques and skills required to tackle ever increasing challenges of public administration in a complex society.

The HoS pointed out that the senior management course was part of the overall policy of capacity building in the state, adding that it was designed to equip participants with the knowledge of modern management concepts, skills and tools and how to apply the knowledge to their duties.

Mr Bayoko added that the course was also aimed at enhancing the ability of participants to appreciate and respond promptly to the enormous societal demands on the present day civil service, and to provide a veritable platform for the cross fertilization of ideas among officers. He expressed the hope that at the end of the seven-weekend program the participants would give a good account of themselves and implored them to make judicious use of the opportunity provided by the program.

Earlier, the Director General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria,  ASCON,  Mrs. Cecilia Gayya, said the fact that the course had held for 15 years demonstrated the high premium the Delta State government placed on training and human capacity development of its workforce.

Mrs Gayya said ASCON was proud of its collaboration with the Delta State government because the state through the Office of the Head of Service had for 15 years consistently supported the course in its effort to transform the state’s machinery of government.

She implored the participants to see the opportunity to be part of the course as an invaluable investment made on them by the state Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

The Unending battle for Supremacy between Gandunje and Sanusi

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The Unending battle for Supremacy between Gandunje and Sanusi

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he battle for Supremacy between Abdullahi Gandunje, the governor of Kano state and Sanusi Lamido Sanusi ,Ii, a former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and now the Emir of Kano , who incidentally is a Cheveni Scholar, which put him  above all his Contemporaries, is far from being over.

Ganduje may have reopened the  old wound  to undermine the Authority of Sanusi II,i, in hosting the yearly  Durba . The religious  Sallah festival  was usually organised    during  eid el Kabir and eid el Fitri  festival  celebrations.

Going by the  tradition over the  last two centuries, it , it begins with prayers, which must be attended by who is who in  the old Kano Emirate  instate including the governor and other prominent  top government officials. Gandunje, the state governor,  was said to have attended the eid el Kabir  prayer at the Kofar  Mata Central Eid  ground Last Tusday  which was led  by the Kano Monarch, according to tradition. The governor may have shocked many people in the state when he showed up at the  prayer ground  as he was the least person expected   because  the feud  between  the duo over the last one year .

The Emir may have used the opportunity provided by the  Eid el Kabir prayer to  ‘’call on Nigerians  to continue to  leave in peace  with one another so as to foster peace , love and unity in the country’’  The people of the state and the governor were said to have listened attentively to  his message  after the prayers  when he  enjoined people of all shades of political opinion and religious inclination to promote peaceful Co-existence to ensure  economic growth  and development of the country.

Many believe that the  governor may have attended the  eid el Kabir, prayers, to give the Kano Monarch the impression that he has nothing against him.  But unknown to them  the  governor , who has the ears, of president Muhammadu Buhari,  was waiting for an opportunity to  get back  at the revered Monarch. The opportunity came with the  Durba Parade , after the  Prayers.

Perhaps to remove the glamour of the Sallah religious festival   from  the  Kano  Emirate, he was  said  to have ordered the District Heads  who ought to have  relocated to Kano Emirate Council to pay their allegiance to the Kano Monarch to  join their First Class Chief in their respective  Emirates to celebrate the Durba.

Sanusi, Emir Of Kano On Durba Parade

The governor  who may not have hidden  his dislike for Sanusi, the Emir of Kano , was said to have ordered  the Districts, who make the occasion look  glamourous not leave their Emirate Council to honour  any  invitation that may be  extended to them by the Kano Monarch   going  by  the tradition  to attend the  Hawan Daushe  in his Palace.  The governor , who may not have forgiven the Monarch, for allegedly  opposing his  re-election  bid, , according to  sources may have been instrumental for Abba  Anwar, the Chief Press Secretary , CPS, Statement  that  the district Heads   must shun  the Kano Emir annual  Sallah Durba.

In a Statement that was said to have been   isued by the CPS, the governor had directed  the District Heads of  from  Bichi, Rano, , Karaye and Gaya Emirate Councils,  to attend the Sallah religious festival   with their respective first Class Emirs. The governor’s involvement in a purely traditional matter  to further  whittle down the Authority of Sanusi over  the newly installed Emirs from  the four  additional  Emirate Council created in the state , political analysts said  was  a big blow to the Monarch

Political watchers believe that he  had expected to use the opportunity provided by the  Sallah Durba to reach out  to the Gandunje installed  Emirs Aminu Ado Bayero  of Bichi Emirate  Council,  Tafida Abubakar ,  Rano Emirate,  Ibrahim Abubakar II,  Karaye and Ibrahim  Abdulkadir  of Gaya Emirate  and their Districts Head in order  to resolve their  perceived   differences for peace to reign in the state  traditional institution.

His hopes of reaching out to the  other  new Emirs and their Districts Head  at the   Kano Emirate Council  Sallah Durba  may have been dashed  as most  of  the districts Head from the new  Emirates were said to have   bowed pressure from  tGandunje  to join ranks  with their respective First Class Emirs to hold  Hawan Daushe  in their respective Emirates to give opportunity to their  people  to troop  out in their thousands to watch their Emir  and District Heads , participate in the Sallah religious festival . This may have worked out as  Bichi, Rano, Karaye  and Gaya   played host to thousands of  people  who had showed up to watch their  Emirs participate in the Durba parade.

The governor may have had the feelings that he had  dealt   a devastating blow  on Sanusi , the Emir of Kano, that would force him to show remorse over his past actions and to be welcome back to  the fold of the governor’s  friends in the state, he got it wrong.

Eyewitness account, disclosed that absence of  most of the Districts Head of  Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaye at the Kano Emirate event at the instance of the governor  was not noticeable   as Durba Parade involving the Emir was said to have attracted the usual Crowd from all walks of life.  The police, a source confirmed had a difficult time Crowd who were  struggling to catch a glimpse  of the Sanusi and his District Heas  embark on the Horse ride .

Insiders  informed The Value News that in spite of the governor’s efforts to  force the District Heads of the  new Emirates  to shun Sanusi’s invitation to participate in the Hawan Daushe  in his Emirate Council, , some of them still found their  way to Kano Pologround to participate in it because of their allegiance  to him.

, There are indications that the renegade Districts Head who  failed to  comply with the governor’s order to stay within their Emirate Council  to join rank ranks  with their First Class Emirs may not have owed any loyalty  to them because of the circumstances that led  to the creation off the Emirates and their appointmnts.

The refusal of some of  the  District Heads  in the  four new Emirate Councils to celebrate the Sallah religious festival with their first Class Emirs may have sent a signal to the governor that he has a lot of job to do to calm frayed nerves in the state to avoid a  repeat next year.

Customs Has Remedy For Irregular Migration- Mohammed Garba

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Customs Has Remedy For Irregular Migration- Mohammed Garba

Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba
CAC, Seme Customs Command

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]ustoms Area Controller of Seme Command, Mohammed Garba Uba in this interview with selected journalists led by Ajibola Abayomi, speaks on contributions of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to the economy.

Perspective On Migration

It is a reaction to the economic crisis in the world. In Africa, it is a reflection of failure of leadership coupled with massive corruption of financial institutions thereby leading to capital flight that gave room for investment into more stable economies. The capital flight negatively affects the African economy with most border communities lacking in basic amenities like road, school, hospital, industry and others. Lack of these facilities puts pressure on border residents to join the trade of smuggling, human and drug trafficking, prostitution and illegal activities. These vices also encourage rural-urban drift. If these facilities are made available it will curb the rate of crime because migration is part of security risks. In Nigeria however, the government has solution if only those engaging in irregular migration can look in the direction of the NCS. For instance on locally produced goods for exportation there is  tax free policy to encourage local industries to thrive.

Customs Incentive

Products like cassava, yam, fibre and others are tax free for importation with additional 30% cash incentive on total exportation to be paid by government to the farmers. We are pleading with the media to make the information available to Nigerians so that they can take the advantage to earn revenue to improve their living conditions and help the country to earn additional foreign exchange too. There is also tax holiday approved by the government for those who can import facilities to produce locally consumed products in Nigeria. All these will help to prevent capital flight. Customs has a dedicated desk to enlighten Nigerians on importation and to protect this economy. There is one year of tax holiday on exercise duty for those producing in Nigeria. Importation of fertilizer by farmer is tax free. Machine for industrialisation is free only spare parts are 5% charged by the customs. So we need information to assist the people.

Security

Security is very important. Where there is irregular movement of people, there is tendency for security breach. Wherever there is no security, capital don’t stay. At Seme we have one-stop boarder post with global standard. It started in Africa in 2000. In 2004, the first of its kind was inaugurated in the east Africa between Zimbabwe and Zambia called joint border for movement of persons and goods to facilitate trade. There are 80 types of the border at implementation stage. Seme joint border was inaugurated in October 2013. We have seven of its kind in West Africa. This one-stop border eliminates delay of goods and services through joint assessment between agencies of nations at the border. By the time, the Seme/ Badagry Express Road is completed, all the customs check points will vanish. The essence of joint border post is to encourage domestication of the economy. Countries that do not have land for this type of border post go to wherever it is cited to work without molestation.

Inter-border Transactions

All we do is keeping of records of people crossing the border. Irrespective of the composition of the border you can see truck pusher doing business across the boundary between Nigeria and Benin Republic. The essence of border post is not to destroy businesses but to facilitate it. There are three main sections at the border. We have cargo, individual/ private and ministerial sections. So we work to add values to lives and business transactions and not to crush or hinder people who are residents at the border. It is one country, one entrance and one exist.

Activities as CAC

As a student at Ahmadu Bello University, I am used to long hours of operation. In my days at the university, I was part of movement for the progressive Nigeria where we used to hold debate for over 24 hours non-stop. Customs has revenue generation target and implementation of government policies as community service. Along the line we have the mandate to seize banned and contaminated goods according to section 158 of customs and exercise law, anywhere in the country. If these banned goods are allowed into the nation, it would affect the health of Nigerians and make development stagnant. That, we don’t want. This is my 18th transfer as customs officer. I have signed to work for Nigeria diligently irrespective of any condition I find myself at my duty post. I am used to the South-south, South-west and other parts of the nation.

Challenges With  Border Communities

It is very demanding sometimes to get people to understand that they must conform with the law because they are used to the unlawful ways of transacting business. We need  more advocacies to make them understand otherwise one would keep dealing with angry people but law is not a respecter of any person. There were cases where we needed to arrest people who were smugglers in some communities and we discovered they had ammunition with population to attack customs officers, on such occasion, we have no choice than to tactically withdrew and wait for another time because we don’t want innocent citizens to be harmed.

Free Trade Zone Agreement

Customs is an implementation agency. What the federal government had signed as the 53rd nation concerning the agreement was in the best interest of Nigeria whenever it is passed for implementation we shall do just that. Let me state categorically that the Comptroller General of the NCS never said the ban on car and rice importation through the land border was lifted. Every smuggling operation would be dealt with according to the Nigerian law.

Orientation On Irregular Migration

NCS may not necessarily have the capacity to do that but with collaboration with the media through our public relation unit a lot can be achieved.

Smuggling Activities At The Border

There can be no concluding chapter in trade so also there can never be total success for smuggling operation at any level. At some points the law will always catch up with the smugglers especially when the customs confiscate their wares. It pays to do legitimate business.

Multiple Customs Checks Points

Out of about 360 million residents of West Africa, Nigeria has over 200 million. You don’t expect that we shall fold our arms open our border to danger. The NCS has three line of defence, the commands, federal operation unit and the strike force. There is no way any smuggler can escape the three teams at once. In any case, if one set comprise for one reason or the other, the other team will effect arrest of the smugglers.

Customs Officers Safety

It is regrettable to see some frustrated smugglers attacking or killing customs officers leading in some instances. We are very sad about the development because we don’t want to lose any officer or Nigeria citizen as a result of our operations. The NCS under the leadership of Comptroller Hammed Ali is working hard to ensure safety of our men. Again let me state categorically that we place premium on safety of life than seizure. Where the environment is not conducive for action, we have counseled our men on what to do but certainly criminals won’t have their way in Nigeria no matter what.

EFCC Beam Searchlight On Banks Over Private Placements

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EFCC Beam Searchlight On Banks Over Private Placements

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, war  against money laundering    appear  to have taken a new dimension as the anti-graft agency beam their searchlight on the Banks over private placements running into billions of naira.  The Commission may have used the  on-going trial of Maurice Iwu, a Professor and former Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Akiwumi Ambode, a former governor of Lagos to expose the Banks of accepting Company and Individual placements bothering on money laundering .

The agency  had arraigned on Thursday, August 9, 2019,  the former INEC Chairman, under  former President Goodluck Jonathan Administration  at a  Federal High Court  in Lagos  on a four -count  charge  on money laundering  to the tune  of over N1.2  billion.. The agency investigators  had reported   that the money was  Concealed   in the  Bioresources  Institute  of Nigeria , BION, limited, United Bank of Africa , UBA, plc, Account No. 1018603119.

The  agency had  reported  that the amount which was lodged in the UBA Account  by the Company which was  linked to Iwu,  were proceeds of fraud. According to the Commission the Amount was  domiciled in the UBA , Account    between December 2014 and March . 2015. The Amount,  the Electoral Umpire insists  were part of  the N23.29 billion  slush fund  that were said to have been  shared by  Dezani Allinson- Madueke , a former minister of Petroleum Resources, to enhances of then President  Jonathan of winning the 2015, Presidential  election but he lost to President Muhammadu Buhari of ruling All Progressive Congress APC.

Prof. Maurice Iwu: Breathes Air Of freedom As Court Grant Him Ba

The former INEC  helmsman may be facing the same problem as Akinwumi Ambode, a former governor of Lagos state.  The governor  had  been arraigned earlier on Monday , August 6, 2019. For operating a scheduled  Accounts to the tune of about N10 billion lodged  in First City Monument  Bank, FCMB.Zenith and and Access.   Given an insider information on the Accounts,  the Commission  disclosed  that FCMB, lodgment was domiciled in Account No.5617984012, Zenith-1011691254 while the Access Account No. was 0060949275.

Though the duo have denied the allegations, describing it as damn lies , the Commission may have dragged  the former top government functionaries   to Court and exposed their  lodgments s in these  various Bank   Accounts to prove a point that the Banks are giving coverage to  individuals and Companies involved in money laundering in the country to boost their deposit. The case involving Iwu an Ambode , a former governor of Lagos  may have been instituted by the agency to give the  four  high profile Banks a bad name and to further  send signals   to other  prominent  Nigerians  who have held political office  who have private  placements running into billions of naira  in the Banks that they are coming for them soon

But the Banks are not ready to allow the  EFCC, break into  the Banking oath of secrecy by exposing their  high profile Customers to ridicule. They believe that the  proper way which the  agency  could follow to obtain any information on any of the high profile suspects would have been to write  the Bank  which are in a position to make  such Information available instead of using their powers to go go through the baack door to obtain the information. This may have informed  why the Banks have tightened  up security to protect  their Customers Confidential information.

Political watchers believe that  Iwu, the former INEC, boss arraignment may not  really have  much  to do with the Bank lodgments but  his alleged involvement  in the last general election.  He was alleged to have  linked  Atiku Ababakar ,the PDP presidential Candidate , in the 2019. Election, to  anonymous INEC officials, who may have helped him  to obtain an  unofficial print out copy of the result which  was said to have given him victory.

Atiku, according to party sources, is still holding to it that he won the 2019, Presidential election  based on the Computer print out. He had given the impression  at the five –man Tribunal  set up by  Mohhammad Tanko, the Chief Justice of Nigeria , that the Commission electronically  transmitted  the results  of the February 23, 2019  poll to the its Central Server. But the Commission would not agree that the Computer print out of the alleged election was real, insisting that  the  results of the election  were Collated  and declared manually. It maintained  that it kept no such Server where such electronically transmitted results could be obtained  by the likes of Atiku.

The PDP and Atiku,  its  Candidate in the election, had argued at the Supreme Court also that that  the Commission has a functional Server , urging the Court to grant them access to the Server and the smart Card  readers used  in the conduct of the election  but that was how far the party could go.

Officials of the Commission may have thought that they would keep Iwu, described as a big fish in political circles, in their Custody , for as long as they want . They got it wrong as Chuka Obiozor, a Justice and presiding Judge  of the  Federal High Court , Ikoyi, Lagos. After listening to the arguments of the Lawyers , hired by the two parties   granted bail to  Iwu, a Political Science Professor and the former INEC, boss, in the sum of N1 billion last Friday. It was a big relief to the Professor who has bee in the EFCC, Custody  for days.

Who will Speak for Obono-Obla?

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Who will Speak for Obono-Obla?

[dropcap]B[/dropcap]efore he was given the heave-ho, Okoi Obono-Obla, ex-chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the recovery of Public Property (SPIP), bagged notoriety as a ”serial power abuser” and a ”carefree violator” of due process.
Obono-Obla’s success is, perhaps, more in the aspect of motoring controversy and bringing attention to the public property recovery panel than in fighting corruption.
In March 2018, before his latest knotty involvements with the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), a London-based private ‘investigator’, Victor Uwajeh claimed he was hired by the panel to trace the hidden assets of public officers abroad. But in May that year, he was fired.

The investigator, though being a man with a controversial past himself, made a perturbing claim on why he was sacked. He alleged that the Obono-Obla-led panel was targeting certain personalities, and that he was given a charge to only investigate these select ‘’individuals’’.
He reeled out a list of politically-exposed persons that the panel had pencilled down for ruffling.

His words: “After meeting in London on 18th April, 2018 with some officials during the CHOGM, it was evident that I will not bulge in my position not to go against the ethics of my profession by investigating only the opposition.

It was the procedure of the panel to courier documents to me from Nigeria for dispatch to various agencies in the United Kingdom and worldwide.

“Soon after, I realised that the panel has a mindset towards certain individuals and groups by the documents it sent to me.’’
Although the claim could have been an unavailing rant of a dismissed employee, but the names the investigator mentioned became sports of SPIP’s circus of shaming soon after.

In a relentless pursuit of notability, Obono-Obla took giant leaps out of the bounds of his brief. The panel he led wrote letters compelling public officers to declare their assets before it, even after they had done so before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

The question then was ‘’does the SPIP have the power to demand that public officers
declare their assets before it? And is declaration of assets not done every four years at CCB?’’ The panel trudged further into illegality by threatening to seal off and sealing off the property of those who refused to comply with its directive.

But Obono-Obla’s fate was sealed when his men raided the residence of Aisha Usman,
general manager at PEF, and allegedly concealed $30,000 recovered from the hunt.  Ms Usman is said to be the elder sister of the chief of defence intelligence and also with a strong circle of influence.

Clearly, Obono-Obla bit off more than he could chew on this one. The Presidency, which had been stoic, could not condone his crusades any longer. Though several petitions against him had been ignored by his employers, including that of the Human Rights Writers Association bordering on allegations of forgery of WAEC result, which he claimed he used in gaining
admission to study law at the University of Jos, the comatose allegations regained
consciousness.

A WAEC official had testified at the House of Representatives that Obono-Obla did not sit for Literature in English, a prerequisite subject to study law but the Presidency did not take any action thereafter, despite pressure from federal lawmakers.
However, a climactic end came on Tuesday when the SPIP office in Asokoro was sealed off; police security attached to the panel withdrawn and its honcho given the boot, and asked to surrender himself to the ICPC for investigation over allegations of forgery and financial impropriety.
Is this a case of an anti-corruption ‘crusader’ becoming a victim of the ‘crusade’? I believe,
Obono-Obla may have his shortcomings, but he was hitting a home-run with the uncovering of N3 billion in the bank accounts of some officials of PEF. His exit should not signal the end of this case; that will be a death-blow to the war on corruption.

Who will speak for Obono-Obla?

By : Emeji Noble

PROPOSED GAS FLARING SITE IGNITES CRISIS IN NDOKWA COMMUNITY

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[dropcap]C[/dropcap]risis is currently brewing in Ogbeani community in Ndokwa West LGA, Delta State over the ownership of a parcel of land being mapped out for the gas flaring site in the ongoing construction of LPG refineries in the area.

The parcel of land, which has Certificate of Customary Right of Occupancy dated 1985 and bearing the name of Chief Federick Ojumah, is approximately 100 acres.

Meanwhile, the first son of late Federick Ojumah, who is the custodian of the land, Mr. Ojumah Lucky told newsmen in Kwale that he has been in possession of the land with his uncle, High Chief Moses Etu Ebenuwe since his father died years ago, utilising the fertile land for farming peacefully.

He said crisis however came in few months ago after the management of Sterling Global the owner of the LPG site paid them some royalties for taking possession of the land.

He explained that: “Some part of the land has Certificate of Occupancy, a proposed farm land by my late father Frederick Ojumah who did it to attract foreign investors many years ago. We have cash crops in some parts of the land, ponds, old wells and family deity that was managed by my grandfather Pa Obodi James Ojumah now being handled by my uncle High Chief Moses Etu Enebuse.

Continuing he said: “We are four families in Umuachi-Ossai and everybody owns his properties independently. Since my father died, I have been in possession of the land, the people I have boundaries with know me and I know them. I wondered why Pastor Enemosa Ameachi who migrated from Utchi in Ndokwa East LGA, recently began to lay claims that his father jointly owned the land with my father”, he added.

Mr. Ojumah revealed that when the matter was discussed at the Okpala-Uku in Council of Ogbeani community, the entire councils reaffirmed the true ownership of the land to be that of his late father, saying the last two meetings which were held at the family of Umuachi-Ossai larger house and another one at the Okpala-Uku’s palace, were all recorded on tape for reference purposes.

“As i speak with you, Pastor Ameachi has boosted severally to deal with me as he is highly connected. Not satisfied with the verdict of the council of chiefs of Ogbeani community, he petitioned me to EFCC alleging that the family of Achi Annie diverted funds meant for the family. All efforts they made also proved abortive again at the EFCC Benin headquarters. Now he is recruiting some youths to threaten me to pull out of the CDC executive for Sterling Global after being nominated for the office,” he lamented.

Corroborating Lucky Ojumah’s position, High Chief Moses Etu Ebenuwe recounted that: “We are three subfamilies in Udomeh Ossai family in Umuachi-Ossai larger family in Ogbeani community. They are Chukwuma Ajieh, Olodu Anani and Achie Anie.

“There is never a day we shared the same land or farm land, because from time immemorial our lands differ. When pastor Ameachi came back from township he never came to me to give him farm land.

Continuing, he said: “After Sterling Global paid me for my land, i was surprised to see Enemosa family came to my house to demand for their share of the money. I was shocked because i know we don’t have the same land both in Ogbeani community and our farm land in Bogaribo. I directed them to go and meet Chief Nja Onwuka, because they all share same land.”

As a further action to set the records straight and settle the matter beyond doubt, the Okpala-Uku of Ogbeani Kingdom, HRH, Onyeazor Samuel Ikuni and the Spokesman of Ogbeani, Chief Gilbert Enebuse, the CDC Chairman, Chief Daniel Oba-Ogu, as well as the General Secretary, Mr. Peter Enemuwe, in a letter addressed to the Sterling Global and dully signed by them and others, reaffirmed that Enemosa Ossai family does not have land in Bogaribo.

“That all rights and benefits of the said land should be directed to Achi-Annie family represented by High Chief Moses Etu Ebenuwe and Mr. Ojumah Lucky Enuekwe,” the letter affirmed.

Meanwhile, all efforts made to speak with pastor Ameachi proved abortive as his telephone line could not be connected just as the representative of Sterling Global failed to comment on the matter when contacted on phone.

By : Emeji Noble

KANDY SEA SET TO LAUNCH NEW ALBUM, UNVEIL STATE-OF-THE-ART MUSICAL EQUIPMENT, AUGUST 31

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KANDY SEA SET TO LAUNCH NEW ALBUM, UNVEIL STATE-OF-THE-ART MUSICAL EQUIPMENT, AUGUST 31

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]ll is now set for the Launching of a new musical album from the stable of a renowned reggae maestro, Mr. Cyril Eziomume Nwaodi a.k.a Kandy Sea.

The new Album titled, “Lead Me On”, is billed to be launched on Saturday, 31st August, 2019, in a well planned event that will be chaired by the Honourable member representing Aniocha North State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Emeka Emmanuel Nwaobi.

Speaking on the event, Kandy Sea revealed that the album launch, which will have the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial district at the national Assembly, distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, as the Father of the Day, will be an avenue where his newly acquired latest state of the art musical instrument will be unveiled and presented.

He further said that the event, which will be coordinated by Sandrich Promotions, has been scheduled to hold at the prestigious DOWNTOWN HOTEL & SUITES, located at Plot 16, sewage road, Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos, adding that the immediate past Delta State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Chief Emma Bazim Chinye, is expected to grace the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour and Chief Igbinazaka Ugowe doubles as the Chief Host.

The Anioma born reggae music icon assured that arrangement has been concluded for maximum security to be put in place at the event which starts by 3 pm, even as he noted that new talent will also be discovered at the event.

Shedding more light on the album, the reggae crooner revealed that the new musical treat will be a blend and fusion of dancehall and what will be described in Ajegunle parlance as galala or swo made popular by the likes of Daddy Showkey, Baba Fryo, Daddy Fresh, Father U-Turn, African China and Original Stereoman, and a few others who were flag bearers poster boys at that time.

The title song of the album, Lead me on, is a call for unity and peaceful co-existence, which is key to development and growth and entire album also celebrates brotherly love as the main attribute required for success no matter the obstacles.

While encouraging everyone, particularly the youths to do things rightly, the reggae maestro also philosophizes that everything in life is a process which all must prepare to follow, adding that the youths must avoid the get rich quick attitude and embrace the principle of hard work and endurance before pleasure.

“Most rich people you see today suffered before becoming what they are. But many will not believe it. So, the youth must work harder to attain their goals in life,” Kandy Sea said,

Appraising the fortunes of reggae music in Nigeria, especially with hip-hop and R&B dominating the music scene, Kandy Sea, who noted that reggae was still very popular globally, was however quick to indict reggae artistes in the country including himself, for allowing the genre to fade away so fast after the buzz of the 80s/90s, when reggae music was the toast of every radio station across the country.

“I have been saying this without mincing words; I blame the reggae artistes in Nigeria including myself for allowing reggae not to be felt like before. We relaxed; this is the industry we have been controlling. It is like when you are winning in a football match, when you relax, the small boys will begin to defeat you.

“Check it very well; there is no artiste that has sold like reggae musicians in Nigeria. People still want to hear reggae; Radio stations play it. But we are not following up with the modern reggae. I don’t know if most of the top reggae musicians in Nigeria are playing reggae music. I must admit that there was a little bit of relaxation. Reggae music is not all about protest alone; it expresses love, genuine love. We are coming back to it,” he stated.

Born on 16 April, 1972, to Mr. and Mrs. Nwaodi of Ogbe Obi Quarters, Onicha-Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria, Cyril Eziomume Nwaodi, aka Kandy Sea, attended Ugba Primary School, and Boys Secondary School, all in Onicha Olona. He later proceeded to Ezi Secondary School in the same Local Government Area where he continued with his SS 1 and SS11, however, as a result of family decision, again he moved to New Bethel Secondary School, Isulo, in Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State, where he obtained his Senior Secondary Certificate.

While in New Bethel Secondary School, Isulo, the highly determined and resourceful young Cyril started his music career.

His first Album titled, “Enough Is Enough hit the airwaves in 1990 and the market performance was exceptional and impressive. This motivated him to intensify more effort in his music career and in 1992/1993 he hit the Nigerian Music scene with another album, HUMBLE LION which had some unforgettable tracks like, He Gives Me Joy, Kandy Sea Has Come and Lots of others.

The market performance of this same album was excellent and the proceeds realized from the sales, made him an instant millionaire.

HUMBLE LION was applauded as one of the best reggae music ever waxed in Nigeria, to the extent that it was nominated as one of the best Gospel Album of the year and also nominated as one of the best Reggae Jam of the year, which he later won.

The encouragement and popularity he got from this Album propelled him to go into research for the third album, NO ONE KNOWS TOMORROW. The Album gave his musical career the first international facelift as he was invited by so many music lovers to come to overseas for performance.

Kandy Sea who is a cousin to the late Reggae Icon and Ambassador, Ras Kimono, is renowned for his inspirational music and he has featured in many International musical Concerts.

With six albums to his credit, Kandy Sea or Humble Lion ass he is popularly addressed by friends and admirers is no longer a rookie in the Nigerian music space, and with the launch of the new album, Lead me on, the maestro of great reggae dancehall and airwaves favorites like “Enough is Enough” and “No one knows tomorrow” is set to rekindle the excitement and acceptance which made reggae musicians the toast of the music industry and took the country and airwaves by the storm, with its pulsating rhythms.

Trouble for El Rufai: Cabal Turns Heat Against Presidential Ambition

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Trouble for El Rufai: Cabal Turns Heat Against Presidential Ambition

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he recent declaration by the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru El Rufai over rotation arrangement for the top seat in the nation may have come under contemptuous circumstances. This is as information available to grassrootspublishers.com indicates the Governor of Kaduna State finds himself enmeshed in a latent battle with the cabal within the Presidency against the 2023 presidential ticket.

Governor El Rufai who was once considered a darling of the cabal within the presidency has fallen out of favour. This is following the supposedsuccess scored by the President’s men at theelectoral polls – of which Governor El Rufai playeda prominent role with the believe the position of Chief of Staff was reserved for him.

El Rufai was promised the position by President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, the victory at the polls changed the power play at the presidency. Many within the cabal began to view El Rufai as a potential threat who may not be a team player once bestowed with the power of the President. With this realization, the cabal turned their campaign against El Rufai – and coerced President Buhari out of appointing him as Chief of Staff.

With the announcement of Abba Kyari as the Chief of Staff for the second

term, a protest against the appointment followed spontaneously in Abuja. The protesters accused the presidency of recycling failed personnel back in the presidency. The protest was financed by Governor El Rufai.

The protest further worsened the situation between the presidency and the Kaduna…

By : Emeji Noble

POLICE ARRESTS REV. Fr. MBAKA’S IMPERSONATOR IN ONITSHA

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POLICE ARRESTS REV. Fr. MBAKA’S IMPERSONATOR IN ONITSHA

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]nambra State Police Command has arrested a man, who allegedly impersonates the Catholic Priest of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Reverend. Father Ejike Mbaka, to defraud unsuspecting members of the public. The suspect, whose name could not be ascertained as of press time, was arrested in Fegge, Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The alleged impersonator, it was gathered, had reportedly swindled a businessman in the area of the sum of N3m.

Briefing journalists on the development, the Fegge Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Rabiu Garba, a Chief Superintendent of Police,  said the suspect was helping the police in their investigation.

Mr. Garba said N2m had been recovered from the suspect, while efforts were being intensified to retrieve the balance.

The DPO said detectives have also arrested members of a syndicate, who duped a building materials dealer of N1.2m worth of goods in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra state.

 

By : Noble Emeji

Army Acquires Mine Resistant Anti-Ambush Protected Vehicles To Fight Boko Haram

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Army Acquires Mine Resistant Anti-Ambush Protected Vehicles To Fight Boko Haram

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigerian Army has inducted, operationalised 4 newly acquired Mine Resistant Anti Ambush Protected vehicles(MRAPs) in the North East theatre of operation to enhance fire power & protection of troops fighting Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) Terrorists.

The vehicles were unveiled on Tuesday at the Army Headquarters in Maigumeri super camp in Maiduguri by the Chief of Army Staff [COAS], Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai who was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Maj.-Gen. Enobong Udoh.

Recall that the Nigerian Army in partnership with Proforce Nigeria Limited, an indigenous Armour Vehicle Manufacturing Company based in Ode-Remo in Ogun State had delivered the first ever Nigerian Army -Proforce locally manufactured MRAPs, four of which were inaugurated on August 1, 2019 by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.

Buratai said the MRAP vehicles would offer increased firepower, enhanced force protection against small arms as well as improved capability.He said that the induction ceremony was a boost to operational capability to decisively prosecute the ongoing counterterrorism operations.

He, however warned that deploying the equipment without strong will and determination by men, cannot win war.

“You must therefore remain resolute in the discharge of your duties while strengthening your commitment to end this war in no distant time.

“Let me assure you that we shall continue to give due priority and attention to specialised training as well as improve welfare for effective employment of special forces.

“You will recall that the Nigerian Army Special Forces Command was established recently to coordinate deployment and employment of all Special Forces across the country.

“This has brought about effective and efficient utilisation of special forces within the theatre of operation.

“The recent recapture of Baga by the special forces is most instructive in this regard,” he said.

While commending efforts of the special forces, Buratai said their acts of gallantry, selfless sacrifice and professional conduct had been instrumental to numerous successes recorded by the army in recent time against Boko Haram Terrorists.

He pledged that the army authorities would not stop at providing them the needed equipment, training and resources to deliver on thier mandates in the defence of the nation.

Earlier, the Commander, Special Forces Command, Maj.-Gen. Mhounday Ali, said the provision of the MRAPs would spur the command to ensure that remnants of ISWAP and Boko Haram were swept off Nigeria’s territory. He said the command had resolved since its establishment in 2018 to look inward in fabricating the needed weapons and vehicle spares.

According to him, the command has also resolved that the hunt for ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists and their leaders will continue to soar until it is brought to an end in favour of the country.“The provisions of these dearly required armoured vehicles has further buttressed the Chiefs unflinching support to the command.

“It is against this backdrop that, I on behalf of officers and men of the command wish to reiterate our commitment and assurance that, we will not relent in our effort to shape the battle situation in the theatre.

“To my Muslim brothers in whose honour we are gathered this morning, I pray that, Allah will answer our supplications, give us the strength, wisdom and knowledge to execute this war to a logical end in our time.

“I also pray that God Almighty will forgive and grant our colleagues who have paid the supreme price in the course of this war against the terrorists,” he said.

By : Emeji Noble

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