[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he attention of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Imohimi Edgal, was drawn to an online news credited to OAKTV Online on Instagram with the caption ” A yet-to-be-identified man has allegedly been shot by operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS ) at Chinese town, Ojota area”. Based on this report, the CP Lagos immediately activated the Command X-Squad section in collaboration with the Divisional Police Officer, Ogudu Division, CSP Gbenga Olorunfemi, to fish out the policemen involved in the matter.
Their findings revealed that the victim by name, Ademuwagun Temitope Solomon was not shot by operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) as reported by the online media but suffered from the inhalation of tear-gas spray a.k.a pepper spray occasioned by a neighbourhood police patrol team attached to Area-H- Command, Ogudu, Lagos. The infamous patrol team was led by Inspr. Momoh Sulaiman assisted by Sgt. Monday Emmanuel. The victim had been revived. However, the investigating team had arrested and detained the policemen involved, on the orders of the Command Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal. Their trial has commenced since on the 9th of June, 2018, and if found guilty of the offence of incivility to a member of the public and unlawful exercise of authority, they could face punishment as severe as dismissal.
[dropcap]R[/dropcap]astafari, which is sometimes termed Rastafarianism, is an Abrahamic religion that developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. Rastafarians in Ebonyi have concluded plans to hold candle light procession for departed Nigerian Reggae icon, Ekeleke Onwubuya, popularly known as Ras Kimono.Kimono died on Sunday at the Lagos Lagoon hospital of an undisclosed ailment at the age of 60.Scholars of religion and related fields have classified it as both a new religious movement and a social movement.
The reggae artists told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Monday that the procession was to honour Kimono “because of his great contributions to the development of the brand of music in the country.” James Okoh, alias Rasta Omege, said he would coordinate the activities to ensure that Kimono was given a befitting tribute by Rastafarians in the state. “We would immediately convene a meeting to deliberate on ways to honour our departed father and further propagate the reggae gospel in the state and the country. “We would also organise candle light procession, hold road-shows, music concerts, Rastafarian-night, among other activities, to give Ras Kimono a befitting farewell.”
Another Rastafarian, Charles Nduka, alias Rasta Iree, said Kimono’s contributions to the development of music, especially reggae and the entire social sector of the country, was unparalleled.He added that “Kimono inspired young musicians in the country to embrace reggae and this helped in some of the positive changes witnessed in the society. “Kimono, through his songs, ensured that music was given its pride of place in the country and corrected the wrong notion that it is a venture for school drop-outs and never do wells.” Bede Asomugha, alias, Ras Uncle, noted that he had a personal experience with Kimono in 1997, shortly after the death of late Afro-beat music icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.Ras Uncle said “I was a drug addict and was resident at Fela’s African Shrine with others affected by the demise of the late afro-beat star. “Kimono encouraged me to return to Ebonyi after I had shun drugs one year earlier. I am a living example of Rastafarian not engaged in drug abuse.” Christy Mbaleke, a Reggae fan, urged the federal, state and music organisations not only to immortalise Kinomo but enhance the welfare of artists in the country. She said “Ras Kimono used his songs to fight apartheid in South Africa, military dictatorship in Nigeria, poverty, oppression, among other malaise in the society.“Relevant stakeholders should look into the welfare of artists and the entertainment industry to check the rising cases of death among them.” Some of Kimono’s hit songs include: Whats Gwan, Rumba Stylee, Natty Get Jail, Senseless Killings.
[dropcap]O[/dropcap]gbueshi Alex Okolo is a man with the divine prowess of touching lives in a very positive way. He is humble, unassuming, intelligent, articulate, a philanthropist per excellence and above all, a titled high chief in Asaba the Delta State capital his home town. Ogbueshi Alex Okolo is the Admin Manager Mainland Oil and Gas limited Calabar, Cross River State. Recently, delegates of the Grassroots Newspaper Publishers paid him a courtesy visit at his Calabar Tank Farm office where he shed more light on several issues bordering on the contributions of Mainland Oil and Gas to the economic development of Nigeria, challenges of the downstream sector, his drive towards alleviating the sufferings of the needy and less privileged in the society and how he wished to be remembered.
Hear him:
Ogbueshi Alex Okolo Admin Manager Mainland Oil and Gas limited Calabar
Tell us the contributions of Mainland Oil and Gas to the economic development of Nigeria.
Mainland Oil and Gas is a company that is participating in the distribution of the Petroleum products. In other words, I think that’s what is called the downstream sector. The challenges of creating depots or Tank Farms came up when the Federal Government started having challenges of maintaining pipelines supplies to their various NNPC depots for onward delivery to petrol stations. With that, they only use vessels to move products to their various depots and those ones that are not close to the sea shore where the vessels can berth and discharge where having some basic issues. Before now, the design was to refine products and pump products from the refineries to the various NNPC depots; from there, trucks can come and pick products to their various stations where they pay the required amount for the products. But when these failed, private depots came in to bridge the gap and Mainland happens to be one of such depots.
We came into the business in December 2012 and for the short period we have spent to other participants in that sector of the business, it looks as if we’ve been there for so long because of the way we took off. We were serious about it, got our plans well articulated that when we took off, the normal teething problems that most organizations have we didn’t really have much of it. It’s not as if we were perfect but we were able to hold our own. And that is how the business is. So, Mainland Oil and Gas has helped in ensuring that petroleum products get to the final consumers with ease. This is because from her depot we supply products to most of the eastern parts, middle belt and northern parts of the country from Calabar here. That’s basically what happens. And then for those who do far distance like in the north and middle belt, government compensates them with what we call Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF) so as to ensure that issues of logistics doesn’t lead to price increase in order to sustain pump price for petroleum products in any part of the country. That’s what government is trying to achieve by introducing PEF. So, Mainland Oil & Gas happens to be one of such depots in Calabar because everybody cannot go to Lagos or Port Harcourt. Taking the advantage of Calabar River, we bring in our products, kerosene, diesel, petrol and gas stations come to buy from us so as to be able to deliver to final consumers.
How do you get your products? Is it through the vessels or pipelines?
We pick our products either from the refineries or from Cotonou waters or from Lagos through either the NNPC; if we pay, we pick up products from NNPC. When it was good and okay from us to import, when the dollar rate was not too high, whatever one pays is better, we either pick products from companies like Petroclam, Dettol, who import products in larger vessels of about 30,000 to 50,000 metric tons. We then pick about 10,000 to 15,000 metric tons from them which is approximately 10 to 15 million litres. We bring it here with our vessel. The logistics of bringing it down here are run by us. So, if you factor this in; that’s why we used to have petroleum pricing and marketing company who normally fix prices considering the logistics that is involved and then what you might have spent in excess of what is estimated that you must bear. The government pays it as subsidy before now. But when the prices of petroleum products go up internationally, government made efforts to scrap subsidy. But considering the facts that these product prices are very unstable, it can go up at any time or come down. When the prices go up, people find it difficult to buy and sell at the recommended depot price. So, basically NNPC to be specific, become the major importers of the product. So, if you want to buy, you buy through NNPC so that you buy at a controlled price so that you can be able to sell at fix depot price. That’s what is happening in the market.
If you put in all these logistics in getting the supply and delivery, the current pump price in Nigeria, is it conducive for the Oil marketers?
Clearly speaking, the Minister of Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachukwu, has made it clear that the landing cost of petroleum products (imported petroleum products) in Nigeria is not less than N170 per litre. So, if that landing cost is N170, what it means is that for us to get it at the recommended price of N145 somebody must bear the excess cost. And since most depot owners don’t have the capacity to bear such loss and the government is insisting that products must be sold at N145 at the stations, all it means is that government would be the sole importer, bear the price difference and sell at a price where the depot owners will sell to stations so that stations can sell at N145. In other words, even though they’re saying there’s no subsidy, one way or the other, the government bears the excess cost. I don’t know whether to call it subsidy now or not. Hahahaha!!!!! This is because they made it clear to us that there’s no more subsidy. And going through the budget it is clear that they don’t make provisions for subsidy. So, how they’re managing the difference is what NNPC has to explain to the Nigerian public and tax payers.
You people are restricted to delivery and sales to tanker drivers who deliver to stations. What is then the relationship between Tank Farm and the Filling Station Owners? How do you check if the petroleum products taken from here get to the final station for dispensing?
The fact is that each of these units is independent on its own. The owner of the petrol station is there to do business; the owner of the depot is there to do business. As far as the depot owner is concerned, once you pay for your products and pick your products, his hands are off. Whatever happens to your products along the way is your business. What the depots owners must so is to ensure that they sell products to only those licensed to buy petroleum products. Otherwise, any individual that you’re selling to must provide evidence that they’re licensed by DPR to buy or sell such products.
Let’s go down to the grassroots in terms of what you’re doing to the less privileged. What can you say that prompted you in this direction?
Well, I’ll just say that basically, it has to do with one’s nature. Nature in the sense that it’s not as if I have more than I need. But definitely, there must be one way or the other you let certain things go in other to put smiles on somebody’s face especially when you observe that that little thing you can do to that person can change lots of things in that person’s life and the person will not forget you. Just like I said, it doesn’t mean that you have so much. You might just see a family that has people who have at least School Certificate, they don’t have jobs and they can’t go back to school. One of the things you can do is to engage them in doing this or that and getting paid to sustain them. You’ve put a smile in that person’s face while you encourage the person by saying what are you thinking of going back to school? Because that job that he is doing with his school certificate may not be able to see him through after some time when he starts having families. So, you need to actually ensure that he has an ambition to go beyond what you have given him. The other option is, if the parents does not have the capacity to send them to school and you noticed that the child is brilliant and intelligent and is doing well in school, definitely, there are private schools and public schools and if you can pay for the child to attend at least an average public school, you’ve done a lot in that child’s life as long as the child understands that this is the challenge he has and this is the person that is supporting him and he’s doing well in his academics, it means that within the next 5 to 10 years you’re likely to be through with that assignment and the child will never forget you. So, if you want to wait until you become a Dangote before you support somebody that time will never come and Dangote may never see everybody that needs this help. So, if you touch somebody’s life somehow, no matter what it is, you may not do it with the intention of announcing to the public that you’re helping this person. Just do it on your own or make somebody comfortable.
As a titled chief from Asaba, how do you feel?
Well, it’s a great honour to be a title holder on your community. It’s a great recognition. My people will say, if you’re grown up, then, you tell people that you’re grown up. But basically, I’m from a royal home. The Nwamu family in Asaba is known just like the Edozien’s, the Azinge’s. It’s well known in Asaba and I took the title, not when they asked me to come and do it. Initially, I was looking at it as, for you to be a title holder, you must be elderly. How can I be rubbing shoulders with my Uncles and my grandfather’s brothers and all that? They’re the title holders; we just stay aside and support there in one way or the other. But when the time came, nobody told me. That recognition was already there but you need to accept a title so that you can talk and be listened to in your community. Otherwise, no matter what you have, in a meeting where title holders are seated, you will be the last they’ll listen to. It so happened that even if you’re the most elderly, the most junior title holder there in your mist will finish taking anything there before you. It’s not what they share there that matters but for the fact that it’s a family and you’re in that community and you’ve not taken your rightful position could be embarrassing. So, when the issue came up after several years of persuasion and the persuasion to take it up from the late Odogwu of Asaba, Chief P.I Nwamu. When I lost that my Uncle and I did not do this thing while he was alive, I just said, let me go and take this title. But I realized again that I did not do it for myself. In fact, when it done on me that I did it for the family more than what I thought I was doing for myself, that’s when I appreciated the fact that I accepted to get it done. I have a younger brother that could be very naughty but the excitement that I agreed to take the title and that I was doing it made him conduct himself orderly throughout that period. My title name is ‘Ogbueshi Ukpechukwu-munya’ meaning, “God’s light” and the full name is “Ukpechukwu-munya, Madu ama-tinyua”. In other words, when God puts on the light, nobody can put it off. It’s this particular brother of mine that gave me the name. the meaning was very significant that I couldn’t resist but take it. It’s a thing of joy honestly!
What would be your legacies to be remembered when you’re gone?
I want people to remember me for my touch on human lives, for the little things that I would have done to bring positive change to my family, community and my friends around. Because it’s not all about title neither is it all about spending money. Word of advice to some people or guidance or opening up space for people to see that they can’t be limited. That’s what I want people to remember me for. Not for the type of car I drive or my chieftaincy title. After all, in my family I have people who are even junior to me, who feel I’m a blue blood, I’m supposed to be wearing a crown and walking round the street. But even though I got to that level of taking the title early, I did not see it as the basic thing to do. There are other better things that can improve our lives and that of the people around us. And you get that done, people will appreciate it more than taking title. Thank you!
Comptroller Uba Garba Mohammed CAC, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he inability of Sarki- Kebbi Mustapha , Comptroller of Western Marine Command, WMC, to effectively mobilise his officers to police the waterways and Creeks in the south west geo-political region appears to have given a leeway to the Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos Roving team, to step in . Sarki-kebbi and hiss officers may have failed in their responsibility to adequately police the waterways and Creeks in Lagos and other states in the region had been attributed to lack of functional h Crafts. A visitor to the Command would be surprised at the number of broken Crafts which littered the premises water-side.
Over the years smuggled goods from the Republic of Benin had entered into the Nigeria market from different places within the Command’s jurisdiction such as Yekeme Creek, Gbao Creek, Choki Creek, Ijofin Creeks, Aseke Creek, market waterside, Badagry axis, Alaba market water-side, Zamare water front, Ere water ways, Wekan axis and Idiroko water front among other. The Republic of Benin based smugglers may have been succeeding in taking their smuggled rice and other items into the Nigeria market through the Creeks but luck ran out of them on Wednesday May 23, 2018 at Oyigbo water side in Lagos mainland local government area.The smugglers may have found the waterways and the creeks in the southwest a safe haven to carry out their nefarious activities of smuggling rice and other prohibited items banned from coming into the country through the land border areas by the government as the anti-smuggling officers of the FOUs in Lagos, Owerri, Bauchi and Kaduna, are swarming like bees across the major highways and notorious routes used by smugglers in the border Communities across the country . the situation is so bad in the south wst that the rice smugglers appear to have found their way to the use of unknown Creeks to WMC officers to carry out their nefarious trade.
Acting on credible intelligence before jetting out to Abuja, for a meeting at the Customs Headquarters on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, Mohammed Uba, the Comptroller of FOU,Zone A, had drawn the attention of of Riks Lura, a Chief Superintendent of Customs and the in-charge of the Command Roving to be on the alert to forestal smugglers who are coming through the Creeks within the Lagos axis with their smuggled rice loaded into two big locally built ships with various Compartments to accommodate the items.
Mohammed was said to have put his ears on the ground to know the Creek or waterside the alleged smugglers would berth to discharge the goods. When it became obvious that t The smugglers would be berthing at Oyigbo waterside, the Comptroller and Riks kept it a closely guided secret.
The FOU, Zone A, Lagos Roving team boss , on the orders of the Comptroller was said to have sent an advance team which laid ambush on the Oyigbo axis to know when the smugglers would sail to the water side wit their smuggled rice. He was said to have prepared his officers who were armed with AK.47.rifles for the operation. He was also said to have reached out to the Commander of Operation MESA, the military wing of Rapid Response , for backup in case of any resistance by the smugglers.
Given the seriousness of the operation, the FOU, Zone A, Roving team leader was said to have led the operation and was the first to step out from their patrol van with his rifle when they arrived at the scene at about 11 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 208. He has his reason of stepping out first from the branded Customs patrol vehicle before any other officer in the team at the site to direct all attacks at him.
But the smugglers were not in a position to confront the Customs personnel involved in the operation as they were forced to abandon the ships and their content and flee for their safety, thus paving the way for Riks and his team to take possession of it.
A source disclosed that 7000 bags of ”50 kg” foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil and other items were found in the two ships .
An insider informed us that the Oyigbo operation was just one out of too many of such operations that had been led by the officer in the past. The source cited the Ere operation in Ado-Odo-Otta local government government Ara of Ogun state. The Ere operation may have brought out Riks as a very courageous and fearless officer who could dare smugglers even at the risk of his life. This is because the Ere axis in the state is regarded in both official and unofficial circles as a no go area for unformed men including Customs personnel because of the aggressiveness of the youths of the area who believes that smuggling is their legal right as indigenes of border Communities.
He was also said to have been instrumental to the celebrated eight tucks of rice intercepted by the then Lagos Roving team of the Command led by Jack Okpabi, a Chief Superintendent of Customs and now officer in-charge of the Command Rapid Response team at Iseyin axis in Oyo state last March. This is in addition to the interception of three trucks of rice intercepted by the team at Ogbomosho, also in Oyo state.
Riks , who was the then officer in-charge of Ijebu-Ode Surveillance team was said to have mobilised his officers to intervene in the Ogbomosho operation , when information leaked out that the Jack led team had been driven back by the aggrieve youths of the town. He was said to have led the Ijebu Ode team to Ogbomosho to provide a back up to the Command Lagos Roving team which eventually took possession of the three trucks load of rice from the smugglers.
Another successful intervention of the Ijebu-Ode Surveillance team led by him was the operation at Lafenwa, outskirts of Abeokuta, which translated to the dispossession of the smugglers of over 2,000 of ”50kg” bags of foreign parboiled rice.
May believe that Riks may have carved a niche for himself in anti-smuggling operations at the FOU, Zone C, in 2016, where he successfully led a team that raided Ikang Community in Bakassi local government Area of Cross River state and carted away 8000 ”50” bags of foreign parboiled rice which were loaded into 13 trucks and transferred to Customs warehouse in Calabar. The bags of rice were said to have been smuggled into the Bakassi Community through Cameroun. The Bakassi operation may have exposed him to Dangladima .A., the Deputy Comptroller General, DCG, Enforcement and Investigation as a courageous officer who should be saddled with tough assignments.
It was not surprising why his name was always on the lips of the DCG to lead the team for any operation initiated by the Headquarters but handled by the FOU, Zone A, in the south west. A senior Customs officer who spoke to us disclosed that he led the pack of the officers of the FOUs, nation-wide in 2014, in the seizure chart and may likely repeat the feat in 2018 going by the seizures he had so far made in the last five months.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he new excise duty for alcoholic beverages and tobacco earlier approved by President Muhammadu Buhari will take effect from Monday, June 4, 2018, says the Federal Government. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls on Sunday that the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, in March announced that the president had granted a grace period of 90 days to manufacturers of the products.
Adeosun said the new excise duty rates would spread over a three-year period from 2018 to 2020 in order to moderate the impact on prices of the products.According to her, the upward review of the excise duty rates for alcoholic beverages and tobacco was to raise the government’s fiscal revenues.
She said that it would also reduce the health hazards associated with tobacco-related diseases and alcohol abuse.
Adeosun said the new duty rate on tobacco was a combination of the existing ad-valorem base rate and specific rate while the ad-valorem rate was replaced with a specific rate for alcoholic beverages.She said that under the new rates for tobacco, in addition to the 20 per cent ad-valorem rate, each stick of cigarette will attract one naira specific rate per stick; that is N20 per pack of 20 sticks in 2018.
She said that in 2019, tobacco will attract two naira specific rate per stick or N40 per pack of 20 sticks.
The minister said that by 2020, tobacco would begin to attract N2.90 kobo specific rate per stick or N58 per pack of 20 sticks.
Adeosun explained that Nigeria’s cumulative specific excise duty rate for tobacco was 23.2 per cent of the price of the most sold brand. This is as against 38.14 per cent in Algeria, 36.52 per cent in South Africa and 30 per cent in Gambia.
She said also that the new specific excise duty rate for alcoholic beverages cut across beer and stout, wines and spirits for the three years, 2018 to 2020.
Under the new regime, beer and stout will attract 0.30k per centilitre (Cl) in 2018 and 0.35k per Cl each in 2019 and 2020. Wines will attract N1.25k per Cl in 2018 and N1.50k per Cl each in 2019 and 2020, while N1.50k per Cl was approved for spirits in 2018, N1.75k per Cl in 2019 and N2 per Cl in 2020.
The Director-General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mr Babatunde Irukera, said the decision to increase the excise duty on these commodities was consistent with prevailing global practices.
He said he was convinced government’s approach would foster consumer confidence, provide regulatory clarity and prioritise safety, to reinforce the mandate of the council.
Also, Akinbode Oluwafemi, the Deputy Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action of Earth Nigeria, described the decision to increase excise duty on tobacco as praise-worthy.
“We applaud the federal government for making tobacco products priced beyond the reach of our kids and the poor who are unfortunately targeted by the tobacco industry through their cheap but lethal products.
“Considering the looming tobacco menace in Nigeria, it is necessary to take stringent measures to halt the deliberate marketing of tobacco products to kids,” Oluwafemi said.
However, the President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dr Frank Jacobs, expressed fear that the proposed hike may lead to close of factories and loss of jobs in the country.
NAN also recalls that the ECOWAS Council of Ministers had at its 62nd and 79th Ordinary Sessions in Abuja in May 2009 and December 2017, issued directives on the harmonisation of the ECOWAS Member States’ Legislations on Excise Duties.
Similarly, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its 2017 mission report advised Nigeria to raise the excise duty on a stick cigarette to N5, which is five times the approved amount.
“The low tax level prevails even though Nigeria is the highest alcohol drinking country in Africa and leads the top 10 largest beer drinking countries,” the Fund said.
The new rates also fall short of the more aggressive recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Article 6 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which suggests 70 per cent excise on tobacco products.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie Oyegun has said that he will not be seeking reelection to the Party’s national chairmanship position during the June 23rd national convention of the Party billed to hold in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
The former Edo State governor stated this in a press statement he personally signed. This clarifies has further helped to clear the way for the emergence of the immediate past governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole as the national Chairman of the Party.
Oyegun who was said to have been under intense pressure by opposition elements within the Party to seek reelection as part of their grand plots to sabotage President Muhammadu Buhari’s reelection bid had to make his decision public in order to clear any doubts about his loyalty to the President and majority of Party members who feel that the Party needs a younger and more proactive National Chairman in order to reposition her for greater success in the upcoming 2019 general elections.
It is expected that all the current members of the present NWC of the Party will follow Oyegun’s lead by declining reelection, no matter the amount of pressure put on them by opposition contractors within the Party.
Grassroots Publishers recalls that Chief Odigie-Oyegun’s silence since meeting with the governors after President Buhari had openly indicated support for former governor Adams Oshiomole had appeared not enough to convince political watchers that he had given up the ambition of remaining at the helms of affairs of the party beyond the 2019 general elections.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has declared null and void the ward, local government and the state congresses of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held on the May 19, 20 and 21 respectively.
Some aggrieved members of the APC loyal to Senator Magnus Abe had approached the court for succour on the allegation that they were shut out of the ward congress of the party in the state on May 5 and sought an injunction restraining the party from going on with the congresses until their grievances were addressed.
On the resumed sitting of the court on May 11 when the court was to rule on the issue of injunction, youths suspected to be members of the party, with the assistance of the police, invaded and sealed the gates of the state High Court Complex in a bid to stop the court from sitting.
However, when the court was re-opened later that day, the presiding judge, Justice Chiwendu Nwogu, issued an interlocutory injunction stopping the party from using the outcome of the congress on May 5 to hold the local government congress of the party on the May 12 and adjourned till May 29th.
But the party went on with the local government congresses on May 12, insisting that it has not received any court order stopping it from going on with the exercise and that no injunction could stop the congresses as it was a process that had long begun.
However, the national leadership of the APC on May 18, announced the cancellation of the ward and local government congresses conducted in the state on the earlier dates.
In a memo signed by the national chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun, the party directed that the ward, local government and state congresses of the party in the state should hold on May 19, 20 and 21 respectively.
Following the directive of the national leadership of the party, the state APC held the congresses in which Hon. Ojukaye Flag-Amachree was elected through consensus as the new chairman of the party in the state.
Members of the party loyal to Senator Abe boycotted all the congresses.
At the resumed sitting of the court Wednesday, counsel for the aggrieved members of APC, Henry Bello, told the court that he had been duly served the motion on notice, adding that there was nothing to show that the person who served him was not counsel for the party.
But, Tuduru Edeh, who told the court that he has the mandate of the APC to represent them in court, insisted that Chieme Chiweikpe, who has been standing for the political party, had no authority to represent the party, having been suspended from office as legal adviser of the party since last year.
Edeh also told the court that the defence had not been served and that an appeal has been entered on the matter, urging the court to step down the matter till the appeal is heard.
After listening to the arguments, the presiding judge, Justice Chiwendu Nwogu, said there was no evidence to prove that appeal has been entered, adding that even the court registrar could not also confirm the development.
Nwogu in his ruling, stated that the cancellation of the result of the APC congress held in the state on May 5 and 12, and rescheduling the same congresses for May 19, 20 and was to make the matter academic.
He ruled that it was wrong for the APC to go against the order of the court, noting that the political party had earlier attempted to lock the gate of the court in order to stifle justice.
He stated that the attitude of the APC holding the same congresses barred by the court on a later date was contempt, stressing that it was targeted at arm-twisting the judiciary.
Nwogu described the congresses of the APC in the state in the face of the order as an act of disobedience, noting that the conducts of Tuduru Edeh, who had come to take over the matter, was unprofessional.
He said he was satisfied with the reports of the court which shows that all the parties in the matter had been duly served, noting that no record could prove that the matter has been entered for appeal.
Nwogu also said the order of the court meant that the parties should maintain the status quo and not to renew dates or events, adding that the attitude of APC amounts to contempt.
“The order was made to maintain status quo and not to renew dates or the events. The attempt of cancelling the earlier congress and holding same on later date is to frustrate this suit and make the matter an academic exercise.
“It is a way to declare the judiciary moribund. I hereby annul the congresses of the APC held on the 19th, 20th and 21st. I declare it as null and void and also stop them from holding any other congress in the state pending the outcome of the suit,” Nwogu held.
He stated that the ruling was to restore the status quo of the parties in the suit and adjourned till June 26 for hearing of the originating summons.
But in its reaction, the state chapter of the APC insisted that the congresses that produced the new executive of the party was not before any court.
The newly-elected chairman, Flag-Amachree, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt Wednesday, insisted that the APC ward, local government and state congresses that took place May 19, 20 and 21 respectively which saw to his emergence as the state chairman were not a subject of any court action.
“The reported annulment must be connected to the matter relating to the disputed May 5 and 12 Ward and local government APC congresses of which our lawyers have actively been pursuing. As far as we are concerned, we were not served any fresh cause of action against the May 19, 20 and 21 congresses. It is unthinkable and unimaginable because no such linkage exists,” he stated.
He said it was absurd for anyone to talk about the new set of congresses even when the party’s counsel had filed a notice of preliminary objection against the jurisdiction of the court and the notice of appeal to that effect brought to the notice of the court over the May 5 and 12 congresses that the national leadership of APC eventually cancelled.
“We believe that the court knows that it is its duty to determine the matter of preliminary objections and other motions filed by APC counsel before it can question subsequent congresses or actions of the party. At this moment, there is no court action and/or order on the state Exco or all those that emerged at different levels of the party on May 19, 20 and 21 congresses,” he said.
[dropcap]D[/dropcap]eputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Friday commissioned multiple road projects in Delta State, describing the state Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as a man who represents hope for Nigeria’s democracy.
Ekweremadu, who commissioned Nsukwa/Ndemili, Agbor-Alidinma roads, that criss-cross Aniocha South, Ndokwa West, Ika North-East and Ika South local government areas of the state, also, commissioned the Bonsaac, Nze Francis Street/Uche Wenwembu Street/Onwa Nwachinemelu Street in Asaba, Oshimili South local government area of the state.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, his Deputy, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, members of the National Assembly, members of the Delta State House of Assembly, commissioners, political office holders, traditional rulers, among others witnessed the commissioning exercise which made the Deputy Senate President to transverse parts of the oil-rich state for more than 5 hours.
“I feel very pleased that you are instilling in the people what purposeful leadership is about, with your performance in Delta State, from what we are seeing, there is a future for our country, there is hope for Nigeria and you (Governor Okowa) represent that hope,” the Senate Deputy President stated.
He continued, “I consider road infrastructure as the most important for our people because, I experienced the effects of bad roads for decades, I want to thank you (Governor Okowa) for changing the story of these communities where these roads are constructed, roads attract development as we can witness from the Petrol Station being constructed at the junction (Nsukwa Junction).”
“We must continue on the part of excellence and I want to thank the people for their support for Governor Okowa’s administration, you (Governor Okowa) are a man of the people and to God be the glory,” he stated.
Governor Okowa at places where the roads were commissioned amidst thunderous ovation and chant of Ekwueme (Okowa’s chieftancy title) stated, “we make promise and we keep to our promises, I am happy that we have finished this road and drainage (Bonsaac, Nze Francis Street/Uche Wenwembu Street/Onwa Nwachinemelu Street in Asaba), a lot more will be done, because of the dense population of people in Oduke, we have acquired land for the construction of Oduke Secondary School, continue to support this administration because, we will never let you down.
“I thank the Senate President for coming to commission projects in Delta State, we have constructed a lot of roads across the state, we have stayed very strong on our youth empowerment programme, we train and equip them to become entrepreneurs, there are lots of success stories that we are moved to do more; we will continue to construct roads, build schools, encourage agriculture, our health insurance scheme have more than 200, 000 registered people as we believe that the state can show example that Nigerians can be beneficiaries of health insurance scheme.”
Chairman of local government councils, representatives of different communities, among others who spoke at the venues, lauded Governor Okowa’s people-oriented programmes that are impacting positively on the communities and the lives of Deltans
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has reassured that it is committed to releasing results of its 2018 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates in 45 days. The council’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr Damianus Ojijeogu, disclosed this in an interview on Saturday in Lagos.
The council, he said, was satisfied with the conduct of the just concluded examination for school candidates nationwide. The WASSCE for school candidates commenced on March 27 and was concluded on May 15.
“We are indeed happy that the examination was conducted in a hitch free manner.
“Right now, we have commenced coordination, briefing and subsequently, marking.
“We are looking at releasing the results in 45 days or earlier than that time.
“It has been the commitment of the council to always give quality service delivery in line with the Head of National Office, Mr Olu Adenipekun’s promise to reduce the waiting days from 90 days to 45 days, ” he said.
Ojijeogu said that technology had been deployed to some marking venues to assist in scanning the scripts. He said that this would facilitate the marking of the scripts.
According to him, this will also impact positively in the early release of the results.
The council had also said it would deploy technology that would help detect malpractice in its objective questions.
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]embers of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) yesterday announced the suspension of their six weeks old strike.
In a Communiqué signed by Com. Biobelemoye Joy Josiah and Com. Ekpebor Florence, National Chairman and Secretary of JOHESU respectively at the end of the National Executive Council meeting of JOHESU and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) at Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria National Secretariat in Abuja, the group disclosed that the NEC in session approved that the six (6) weeks old strike be suspended with effect from Thursday, 31st May, 2018 because of the sympathy the Unions have for the suffering Nigerian masses and also to pave way for further negotiations to continue on Monday 4th June, 2018.
The Communiqué read in part,” Due to the intervention of His Excellency, the Senate President, Senator (Dr.) Abubakar Bukola Saraki who through his love for the suffering masses displayed high level of statesmanship and sincerity of purpose by putting some machineries in place with a view to permanently resolving the issues in contention. JOHESU having considered his intervention after holding just two meetings with leadership, where serious progress were made.
“The various gains from the meetings with His Excellency, the Senate President were presented to the NEC of JOHESU, after an exhaustive deliberations and discussions, the NEC in session approved that the six (6) weeks old strike be suspended this day Thursday, 31st May, 2018 because of the sympathy the Unions have for the suffering Nigerian masses and also to pave way for further negotiations to continue on Monday 4th June, 2018”.
It recalled that the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) embarked on a nationwide strike action on midnight of 17th April, 2018 owing to the failure of Federal Government through the Ministry of Health to honour agreements wilfully signed with the unions on 30th September, 2017, after due notice of sixty six (66) cumulative days.
”Following series of meetings (8) with the Federal Government team under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMoL&E) and Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) other agencies of Government such as Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Federal Ministry of Finance (FMoF) National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Department of State Security Services (DSS), and others.
“We note with dismay the insincerity and unseriousness exhibited at the negotiation table by the Government negotiating team which led to the breakdown of further negotiations and unnecessarily prolonged the strike action.
“It is on record that it was during the period of late Barr. James Ocholi (SAN) who was the chairman of the committee set up by Federal Ministry of Labour that JOHESU demands was sincerely and passionately looked into with a view to permanently resolving it amicably but the expectation was short lived due to the cold hands of death. We salute his spirit and dedication to service of his father land”, it stated.
It hailed the intervention of His Excellency Alh. Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Executive Governor of Kano State for his spirited efforts in intervening for the peaceful resolution of the crisis that has bedeviled the Nigeria health sector even as it commended the governments of Kano, Lagos, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Delta and Edo states for their proactiveness in addressing the labour concerns of members in their domain imploring other states to emulate the aforementioned states.
It continued,” After the failure of the Federal Government negotiation team to resolve this impasse an NGO seek and got an ex-parte Court order directing JOHESU to suspend the strike within 24 hours and report back to work.
“Our legal team challenged the ex-parte motion at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) and subsequently filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal with a view to quashing the order and taking it away from National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) to the Court of Appeal for adjudication.
“However, at the first hearing where our legal team challenged the jurisdiction of the NICN to entertain the matter filed by the NGO, the presiding judge ruled as follows:
Court takes over the Negotiations between JOHESU and Government in its Alternative Dispute resolution (ADR) centre.
JOHESU and Government side are to nominate their representatives in the ADR process within 24 hours of the NICN judgment. The Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Ministry of Labour shall nominate officers that have authority to negotiate on its behalf i.e the Honourable Minister of Health and Honourable Minister of Labour shall not be part of the committee.
The agreement reached at the ADR centre will be registered in the court as judgment binding on both parties.
JOHESU is to initiate the process of allowing normalcy to return to hospitals within 3 days.
Both parties were ordered to maintain status-quo ante bellum while negotiation lasts”.
While stating that JOHESU strike actions was neither ill nor politically motivated but in a bid to save the health sector from imminent collapse, the Communiqué noted that JOHESU was not unmindful of the various threats letters and circulars emanating from the Federal Ministry of Health and Managements of hospitals across the country urging members to remain peaceful and law abiding in the face of intimidation and report any form of harassment to the National leadership.
“We appreciate Nigerians for their patience and solidarity during the course of the avoidable strike. The Nigerian health sector shall witness a paradigm shift for the benefit of health care consumers”, the Communiqué concluded.
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“Kimono, through his songs, ensured that music was given its pride of place in the country and corrected the wrong notion that it is a venture for school drop-outs and never do wells.” Bede Asomugha, alias, Ras Uncle, noted that he had a personal experience with Kimono in 1997, shortly after the death of late Afro-beat music icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.Ras Uncle said “I was a drug addict and was resident at Fela’s African Shrine with others affected by the demise of the late afro-beat star. “Kimono encouraged me to return to Ebonyi after I had shun drugs one year earlier. I am a living example of Rastafarian not engaged in drug abuse.” Christy Mbaleke, a Reggae fan, urged the federal, state and music organisations not only to immortalise Kinomo but enhance the welfare of artists in the country. She said “Ras Kimono used his songs to fight apartheid in South Africa, military dictatorship in Nigeria, poverty, oppression, among other malaise in the society.“Relevant stakeholders should look into the welfare of artists and the entertainment industry to check the rising cases of death among them.” Some of Kimono’s hit songs include: Whats Gwan, Rumba Stylee, Natty Get Jail, Senseless Killings.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie Oyegun has said that he will not be seeking reelection to the Party’s national chairmanship position during the June 23rd national convention of the Party billed to hold in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has declared null and void the ward, local government and the state congresses of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held on the 
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has reassured that it is committed to releasing results of its 2018 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates in 45 days. The council’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr Damianus Ojijeogu, disclosed this in an interview on Saturday in Lagos.
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]embers of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) yesterday announced the suspension of their six weeks old strike.
