Monday, 22 September 2014
1bn for ‘BH’: Loan or supplementary appropriation?
I want to improve on our achievements – Umeh
As the September 30 election into the Nigeria Football Federation Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation draws near, outgoing First Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh sees himself in a pole position ahead of other contestants for the NFF presidency.
Umeh and Maigar
Umeh and Maigar
Umeh has the uphill task of warding off what is expected to be stiff contests from the likes of Amanze Uchegbulam, Amaju Pinnick, Taiwo Ogunjobi, Shehu Dikko and Dominic Irofa to the NFF hot seat. But the Anambra FA Chairman said he is not cowed by the calibre of the other contestants, pointing out that he had the advantage of being the incumbent Vice President. “As the incumbent Vice President, I should be the number one candidate then others will follow,” Umeh said in Lagos yesterday.
He hopes to ride on the back of the achievements of the Aminu Maigari-led board to the secure victory at the poll, pointing out that “we as a board were very lucky because we surpassed the achievements of all the boards before us.”
Continuing, the former Chairman of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu said, “I hope to dwell on our achievements because they were areas we did very well and certainly there were others that needed improvements. SoI hope to improve on our achievements.”
Umeh is confident the Super Eagles will improve and eventually secure a ticket to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. “Nothing good comes easy,” he said in reference to the Super Eagles poor start to qualifiers. “We have to put all that behind us and forge ahead. I know if the team puts its acts together, we will qualify.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/want-improve-achievements-umeh/#sthash.OkmwF80Q.dpuf
Regulators must protect consumers by firm and fair regulations — Loremikan
Shina LOREMIKAN is a seasoned human and workers’ rights activist who has struggled on social-based issues, including democratic and constitutional processes, for over two decades alongside prominent civil rights activists such as Barrister Femi Falana and the late Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, etc.
The Coordinator of the Campaign Against Impunity, he has also worked as the Secretary of the Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights (CDHR), and is with the Consumer Rights Advocacy Network of Nigeria. In this interview, he tackles one of the important concerns of the consumer in Nigeria…
You have been on a campaign against pirate marketing in the alcoholic beverages industry, which involves two of the biggest players in the sector. What is your concern with this?
Thank you very much. It’s good that you observed that this act of pirate marketing involves two heavyweights in the alcoholic beverage industry, with one seeking to gain an edge over the other through unfair practices. Naturally, in marketing there is competition, particularly between or among those who offer a similar range of products and services, which cater to about the same needs or wants.
Shina-LOREMIKAN
Shina-LOREMIKAN
Every company is struggling to gain a larger market share and hence profits, but one should not seek to gain advantage over the competition through unscrupulous or underhand means. That definitely violates certain codes, principles and legislation that protect the marketing of goods and services in the country.
All cannot be said to be fair in war, as even the Geneva Convention has clauses that seek to protect groups like prisoners and the weak during the physical acts of combat between nations. That is basically our concern.
We have a situation in which one of the two major breweries you referred to has embarked on a conscious and deliberate programme of de-marketing the other, which is its close competitor in the alcoholic beverages sector.
This situation leaves me with no option but to describe the affected competitor as the ‘assaulted brewery,’ because of the perceived underhand method by which the aggressor brewery goes into meeting with major retail outlets across the country and inducing them with juicy incentives not to stock, display or sell the products of the assaulted brewery.
We reliably gathered that some of the incentives offered include branded promotional materials like refrigerators, coolers, seating sets, larger discounts on sales and regular supply of crates of free products.
This becomes a concern for us because consumers are being manipulated and coerced into switching allegiance, out of necessity or availability, and made to patronise brands of beer and malt drinks that might not have ordinarily been their first choice. This is an unfair creation of artificial scarcity.
How did you get to know about this?
The Consumer Rights Advocacy Network of Nigeria (CRANN) is a coalition of NGOs and civil society groups who have come together to monitor and intervene in trends relating to how consumers in Nigeria perceive or are satisfied with the goods/services being offered across board by corporate organisations and other levels of entrepreneurs.
We came about as a result of a general climate of dissatisfaction with a lot of goods and services in Nigeria, and due to the observation that there is a general weakness in regulation that makes several organisations or entrepreneurs get away with the provision of bad products/services.
We operate through support for the activities of our different member organisations on consumer-based issues, and we also have an office where people can report incidences that infringe their rights as consumers. Once we receive genuine complaints, we take these up with the relevant organisations involved and seek redress.
We became aware of this issue of pirate marketing in the alcoholic beverages industry because many people complained to us in their capacity as consumers and potential consumers. Equally, a number of complaints came through our member organisations from various parts of Nigeria.
Can you expatiate on how this has become an issue for consumer rights advocacy?
Essentially, within most marketing spaces, the sanctity of the consumer’s ability to choose from a range or variety of products is usually guaranteed and protected by legislation.
The consumers’ space for choice should ordinarily be expansive and protected, and most organisations offering goods and services are generally aware of this, which is why we have fair competition and anti-competitiveness laws in our legal books in Nigeria.
However, it becomes insidious when a corporate organisation endeavours at de-marketing its competition by offering those manning the distribution channels incentives as a way of monopolising the market and earning more revenue at the expense of competition.
It is like turning marketing into a crude war strategy, instead of a refined strategy that promotes products, grows their brand identity, and ensures their success within a context of fairness. Our position is that even if our hardworking marketers of products have hard-pressing targets, they must still strive to win by fair means.
We strongly believe this to be highly unethical, as it narrows the space for choice in what ought to be an open and free market place. Why should the consumer be forced to compromise his or her choice and patronise only what is available?
For us at CRANN, unethical marketing practices leaves the consumer unsatisfied and short-changed, and is a corporate crime that needs to be addressed in very strong terms. It must be stopped to allow for the growth and development of the alcoholic beverages sector and the Nigerian economy, and as a way of ensuring investor confidence in our country.
Does this sort of marketing portend negative consequence for the national economy in any way?
Certainly, Anti-competitive marketing always has very negative consequences for any economy that fall victim to it because it kills competition and entrenches monopoly. This is bad for sectoral growth and development, while also jeopardising the livelihoods, incomes and tax-paying capacities of the numerous people who are part of the income-chain tied to the other levels of the competition, which is the alcoholic beverage industry in this case. Sadly, it is this sector today, but it might be another one tomorrow, as people, including marketers are always looking out to replicate models that appear to work, whether it is ethical or not.
So, how do you think that this situation can be resolved and justice granted to the organisation you refer to as the ‘assaulted brewery’?
This is clearly a case for regulation, signifying a playing ground that is not level, where the underhand practices of certain organisations are not sanctioned or penalised. There is need for fairness in marketing practices, predicated on allowing industry players in the sector freedom to operate on a level ground, according to the same rules and on equal terms, while guaranteeing appropriate and unbiased regulation by concerned agencies.
This necessitates firm, fair, acceptable and impartial regulation as a way of checking the tendency of corporate bodies to act in unethical and unscrupulous ways. Only efficient institutions promote growth and development in the economy, and the country as a whole.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/regulators-must-protect-consumers-firm-fair-regulations-loremikan/#sthash.yQfi9sFm.dpuf
I threw away SIM cards worth millions of Naira — Tobi-Williams Dimoji
He has never done anything else but business. His experience traversed from tel e-communications to shipping and now publishing, properties and computers.
Okey Tobi-Williams Dimoji is popular in his line of business with headquarters in Anthony Village , Lagos where a street is named after him.
The graduate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka is currently undergoing his P.hd programme in the same University after an eight year sojourn in the United Kingdom where he ran a shipping business. Here, he talks about his business experience.
Excerpts.
What is your business story?
Tobi-Williams Dimoji
Tobi-Williams Dimoji
Really, I have a media background. Both my first and second degree were in Mass Communication. I started my business with telecommunications. Before the advent of GSM, we were a leading telecommunication company in Nigeria. The company then was called, ROYAL STRIDE Nigeria LTD.
I would say that we laid the foundation for the take off of GSM in the country. Of course, this is an age of public relations and every one will like to be recognized, so, we are also into public relations and publishing and we handle events for people. We were deep in telecommunication in Nigeria and ushered in the GSM business.
Explain how you ushered in the GSM business?
Before the GSM came into Nigeria , there were a lot of noise about its coming and a lot of people look forward to its coming. Apart from MTEL, which was a major player, there were nothing like, MTN, ETISALET, AIRTEL and others. MTEL then had something they called agents and you must be accredited before you can play a role then.
We were one of those agents and then at that point, we had almost about 15 branches in the country. And before the advent of GSM, we had serious seminars where we invited most of those network providers. But then, somewhere along the line, most of those agents who were accredited by MTEL at that time were already used to a certain regime in which the network provider for instance was not a player in the retailership of their services.
A lot of people thought it was going to be the thing. But then, when the GSM network came, the game was quite different. They became marketers. A lot of agents as well because of their anticipation of what GSM was going to be went to borrow money from the banks to support their business. Unfortunately for them, these banks were supporting the networks. Until CBN sanctioned them, the banks were selling GSM inside their banking halls.
So, you go around to borrow money from a bank to do business and you go back there next time to discover that the bank was doing the same business that you are doing. At the end of the day, the networks did not play the roles the way they were being played under the MTEL era. The resultant effect was that you found yourself competing with the network providers who have not as at that time streamlined what their operations was going to look like. It is only now that they have found their level and of course, have streamlined everything.
For someone like me at a time, one of these network providers did what they called, “Buy One, Get One Free, BOGOF”. What we did was that we bought a bundle of mobile phones with SIM cards and paid like N20,000 and before you know what was happening, the prices of SIM cards were crashing.
Sometimes, you got stuck with the ones you have. And if you notice, when GSM came for the first time, SIM cards were sold for N10,000, N5,000, N2,000 then but now, they are sold for N100. Some of us were hoping that there was going to be an official scarcity sort of so that we could sell and recover our money because in those days when there was an official scarcity of goods, you could rocket your prize. But this thing kept crashing until it was sold for N100. This affected 100% of all the former agents and that was why they all crashed.
Including your business?
Yes, we had to pull out because the thing affected everybody. Just like I said, the network providers were as at that time trying to streamline themselves and have a good framework under which the agencies could work. So, those who are really surviving now are those who were never part of the former NITEL era.
How much did you lose during this period?
We lost a lot of money. I remember throwing away over N2 million worth of SIM cards because, we bought these phones and SIM cards and before you know what was happening, the prices crashed.
Why did you not sell them at give-away prizes then?
There was this constant hope that things would change but they didn’t. They kept crashing and you didn’t know what the next day would look like. It was only recently that anybody who wants to enter into the business knows what he or she is going in for.
Even at that time, the networks were finding it difficult to operate. That was why networks like ECONET has undergone so many changes. Afterward, we moved on to so many things. I was in UK for eight years and I ran a very successful shipping company. The business is still there in the UK.
Why did you decide to leave a very lucrative business like shipping in UK in the hands of other people to come back to Nigeria?
Nigeria is my country and they say home is haven. Shipping is a very vast area and it all depends on the branch of shipping you’ re doing. I am doing international shipping. The branch of shipping I wanted to do was the one that required my presence, so I was there for eight years. But then, Nigeria is our country and we cannot be in another man’s land for ever. That is why I have decided to come back. The business is still there and we are running that with a good management but I have decided to invest in some other things too.
What other things are you into now?
I am into publishing. Now, that is my course of study in the University. We are also into public relations and advertising under the company name, Wesley & Bryan Limited. Publishing is something I studied for seven years. I have a BA and an MSC in Mass Communication. I have also, enrolled to do a PHD programme in University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
I saw a copy of Computer Village Weekly published by you? What is the inspiration for it?
I noticed that a lot of things goes into the market which the major newspapers in the country would not be able to capture. The market is a billion dollar market and I discovered that the main stream media might not be able to cover a lot of their activities. That was why we decided to float that. It is meant to capture what goes there since that is where major telecommunication companies in the country comes to market their products. So, we feel that as long as you use a mobile phone or a computer, you cannot do without the computer village. So, the paper is sort of a community paper.
How would you compare running a business in Nigeria to running a business abroad?
Of course, there are a lot of advantages about being in Nigeria to do your own thing, whether you like it or not. Here you meet your old school mates, your acquaintances, you also, meet people who are very connected to people. And don’t forget that Nigeria is a developing country and this means that you have a chance to be part of that development.
So, when you are in a country like Nigeria that is developing, you should know that we are not just a developing country but we have resources. There are lots of developing countries that do not have resources but Nigeria is a developing country with resources.
The important thing is for you to simply sit down, analyze the country and ask yourself, where you can key in. It is not going to be that easy because the country is not just an easy place. But by the time you are able to understand the place and key in properly, every other thing will fall into place.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/threw-away-sim-cards-worth-millions-naira-tobi-williams-dimoji/#sthash.qwatXHVn.dpuf
Nigeria needs better enforcement against fake, unregistered products — Emeka Ajoiyi
Mr. Emeka Ajoiyi is the Country Manager, Inbisco Nigeria Limited, the commercial arm of Mayora Group. Noted for his remarkable business inclinations which came to light at a very young age, Ajoiyi was determined to reach the skies.
Shortly after his university education, he ventured into entrepreneurship, then manufacturing of a good number of food products in the country.
His voyage into manufacturing of quality food products in Nigeria endeared him to many other notable food products manufacturers across the world.
In this chat with Vanguard, he opens up on his journey into manufacturing, what he thinks about the sector, why he became Country Manager, Inbisco Nigeria Limited, and lots more.
Excerpts:
Background
Mr. Emeka Ajoiyi
Mr. Emeka Ajoiyi
After obtaining his Higher National Diploma (HND) in Marketing from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu in 1997, Ajoiyi went on to the University of Calabar where he obtained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management.
Not done yet, Ajoiyi who is a member of the Chattered Institute of Marketing (CIM) United Kingdom, member, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Associate Member, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) etc., proceeded to ESUT Business School in Enugu where he obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in Marketing all in his bid to sharpen his entrepreneurial skill and be on top of his game. He worked with Cadbury Nigeria PLC so many years before moving to Inbisco Nigeria Limited
What we do
According to Mr. Ajoiyi, Inbisco Nigeria Limitedprovides Nigerians with “safe, delicious and affordable food products such as candies, chocolate, wafers, biscuits, cookies etc., mostly to the delight of Nigerian children as well as children all over the world.”
Job creation
He said the business which is less than three years old, currently employs about 40 qualified Nigerians.
“It is also providing secondary employment to almost 1000 citizens of this country. This is apart from the quality and affordable food brands that Nigerians enjoy from the stables of Inbisco.
Challenges
Speaking on the challenges facing the business, Ajoiyi regretted that despite being a good corporate citizen that complies with all regulations especially declaration and remittance of taxes, Inbisco Nigeria, like every business has its own challenges.
“Every business comes with its own start-up challenges. In our own case, we had enormous challenges starting up the business in Nigeria.
First was cost of funds. It is unattractive to borrow from within Nigeria when compared to other parts of the world and this puts the business under a lot of pressure.
Another issue is start-up regulatory bureaucracies that force one to skip timelines more than once; there is lack of credible data to aid commercial planning. Finding the right people to employ is always challenging although our business is more of an equal opportunity type of business and does not discriminate against any set of individuals. Once an individual is qualified in his/her field, he/she has the chance of becoming relevant to his society.
“There is also the market challenge or the challenge of competition.
It is rather funny that you never get to meet these challenges the way you left them the day before. Thankfully, our products are of mass appeal for all ages and social economic classes,” he said.
Sourcing raw materials
“We never had much constraints in this regard and on many occasions, we source abroad as we are looking forward to consistent supplies here in the country.
Business regulatory requirements
“Being a food company, all our products go through NAFDAC registration.
This forms part of the initial regulatory requirements we comply with before bringing any brand to the market.”
While appealing to government to assist businesses by providing basic infrastructure, Ajoiyi said: “In general, I think we need to emulate some countries in infrastructure development especially power. We also need to form strong institutions that can confront our national challenges as they occur.
The importance of security to investment cannot be overemphasized.
For the food industry in particular, there is need for better enforcement against fake and unregistered product entry and distribution in Nigeria. The market is currently flooded with food products that no one can attest to their safety and unsuspecting consumers are mostly at risk,” he stated.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/nigeria-needs-better-enforcement-fake-unregistered-products-emeka-ajoiyi/#sthash.wsxeqcLP.dpuf
Thursday, 18 September 2014
Oboli thanks fans, says doing something new a bit scary
After a successful two weeks in cinemas ‘Being Mrs Elliott’ the highly anticipated movie from Nollywood actress, director and producer, Omoni Oboli has lived up to expectations in the cinema with high box office sales.
Speaking on the acceptance rate of the movie at the cinemas, Omoni said “the rate at which the movie was accepted is overwhelming. It was really worth all the sleepless nights and hard work, just to see the way ‘Being Mrs Elliott’ was accepted. During the premiere, the cinema release, I felt so loved and appreciated.
According to her “I couldnt have done it without all lovers of Omoni. Doing something I had not done before was a bit scary. But seeing the love, acceptance, encouragement, prayers and calls, I know that I am on the right path. Even at the cinemas, people were always telling me “Omoni, you did well”, “congratulations” “way to go girl”, and I am indeed grateful.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/something-new-bit-scary-omoni-oboli-confesses-thanks-fans/#sthash.FADQfLe2.dpuf
Kcee, Harrysong, surprise Nazareth Jesse on birthday
Beautiful and sexy Nollywood actress, Nazareth Jesse Bako, who has featured in over 50 films added a year on Monday, September 15, but chose Sunday, September 14 to entertain a few friends at a soiree she intended to keep as close and simple, as few friends and close associates like her Godfather.
According to her, she wasn’t expecting anything elaborate and definitely wasn’t expecting anything grand.
But when the likes of Kcee, Harrysong, Gordons and others showed up, she knew she had an occasion on her hands. And was she happy about it? She was gleeful, but quick to add that it was her Godfather the singers came to see and confessed that the relationship between her and Kcee or Harrysong is anything but close.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/kcee-harrysong-surprise-nazareth-jesse-birthday/#sthash.vMw4PGdz.dpuf
Pregnant woman falls out of ambulance
Port Elizabeth - Two South African medics were Thursday suspended after a pregnant woman they were ferrying to hospital fell out of a moving ambulance and suffered a miscarriage, an official said.
The ambulance door opened while the vehicle was moving and the 19-year-old woman plunged to the ground.
The drivers only realised on arriving at the hospital in the remote southeastern village of Ntabankulu, that their patient was missing.
She was picked up by a passing motorist and rushed to hospital. But she had suffered multiple injuries from the fall and miscarried.
The medics “were negligent and they have been suspended with immediate effect,” Eastern Cape provincial health department spokesman Sizwe Kupelo told AFP.
The two are to face disciplinary action and possible dismissal, he added.
“We condemn their actions in the strongest terms. We make them work as a pair so that one guards the patient while the other drives the ambulance,” he said.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/pregnant-woman-falls-ambulance/#sthash.TJw61QRH.dpuf
Appiah exposes Ghanaian can of worms
Ex-Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has broken his silence over what wrecked Ghana’s 2014 World Cup campaign revealing that several failed promises by government over when the Black Stars appearance fee would be paid led to the team’s dismal showing.
“Before we played the USA game, they were told that the money was in a flight coming to Brazil. After that game, it took some days for the players to ask again,” Appiah said on Metro TV.
Kwesi Appiah
Kwesi Appiah
“Before the Germany game, they were promised again that they will get their monies right after the game and that was also not true. So they decided not to train two days to the Portugal game.
“By that time, they were fed up with my continuous pleas. So they insisted. And I knew we would have challenges.
“So during the Portugal game, you could see that the players were psychologically down.
“The money had really pre-occupied their minds. So we actually couldn’t progress because of those external factors which was the appearance fee,” he concluded.
Ghana finished bottom of Group D of the 2014 World Cup with Portugal, USA and Germany in the group.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/appiah-exposes-ghanaian-can-worms/#sthash.BYc6Mto9.dpuf
Samsung to release Note 4 ‘phablet’ on October 17
San Franciscon – The South Korean consumer electronics titan credited with being the first major manufacturer to blend tablet and smartphone features said it will begin taking orders for the coming model on Friday, the same day rival Apple launches its new-generation iPhone 6.
“Samsung created the large screen smartphone category with the Galaxy Note and we are on our fourth generation, a category others are just entering,” Gregory Lee, Samsung’s Telecommunications America president, said in a statement.
“The Galaxy Note 4 delivers a refined Note experience, and the latest technology that consumers want in their smartphone.”
In what was seen by some as a direct shot at Apple, Samsung promised that anyone ordering a Note 4 by October 16 would be entitled to a trade-in value of $200 for any working smartphone.
The Note 4 boasts a 5.7-inch high definition screen, improved front and rear cameras, speedy charging, and an “S Pen” to write, draw or edit on the touch screen more naturally.
Samsung has been poking Apple in ads portraying the California company’s latest iPhones — the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus unveiled last week — as inspired by the Note’s size.
The new iPhone 6 models also boost screen sizes in what some see as the tech giant catching up to the “phablet” trend.
The iPhone 6 will have a screen of 4.7 inches and the 6 Plus will have one of 5.5 inches, allowing Apple to adapt to consumers’ apparent preference for bigger displays.
Apple said Monday it had received record pre-orders for the new models, and that some customers will have to wait for the larger-screen versions of the smartphones.
The announcement means Apple may see shortages and long lines at its retail stores when sales begin on Friday.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/samsung-release-note-4-phablet-october-17/#sthash.XodfnrlC.dpuf
Nigeria Police Force refutes Amnesty International report, says torture is prohibited
The Nigeria Police Force has faulted the report of Amnesty International, saying that torture is prohibited. In a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Ag.CP Emmanuel Ojukwu, it stated that there is a zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of power, stressing there is no Immunity for impunity in Nigeria Police Force.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
The attention of the Nigeria Police has been drawn to an on-line publication entitled ‘Welcome to Hell-Fire’: torture and other ill-treatment in Nigeria.
While we do not question the freedom of Amnesty International to earn its relevance and bread, the Nigeria Police takes serious exceptions to some blatant falsehoods and innuendoes contained in that report.
For one, it smacks of indecency and intemperate language to liken our dear nation Nigeria, to hell fire. That cannot be true. We believe that Nigeria is a growing nation, green and largely peaceful.
While the Nigeria Police and other operators in the criminal justice sector are undergoing systematic reforms, and aligning themselves with the demands of democracy, there is no gain saying the fact that the Nigeria Police Force has since improved its operational efficiency and effectiveness. Since the dawn of democracy in 1999, the Nigeria Police Force has significantly improved on its human rights records, owing largely to training and re-training, community policing, attitudinal change and structural transformation.
In its report under reference, Amnesty International did admit in its methodology that it visited some Police Formations and interviewed some family members of suspects. At no time in its report, did Amnesty speak or interface with the Police authorities. This obviously shows their disdain and apparent lack of character where the democratic tenets of fair hearing are concerned.
The report covered a seven year period of 2007-2014. I dare say that some of the issues raised have since been dispensed with and settled.
Of a truth, torture or ill-treatment is not, repeat, NOT an official policy of the Nigeria Police.
The Code of Conduct of Officers, as well as our Regulations prohibit torture and incivility to members of the public. We are versed with international best practices, and the dictates of the Nigerian Constitution as regards human rights. So the Police do not routinely torture suspects. It is not systemic or endemic. Whenever instances of human rights abuses are brought to the notice of superintending officers, the offending personnel are promptly sanctioned in line with the laws and regulations. For the avoidance of doubt, Nigeria Police Force has a zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of power. There is no Immunity for impunity in Nigeria Police Force.
Besides, the Nigeria Police is women-friendly. We do not target sex workers, nor routinely adopt rape as a weapon. Instead, the Police has established a family and human trafficking unit to protect the rights of women, children and the vulnerable members of our society.
However, the Nigeria Police Force shall meticulously scan through the document, and investigate any current human rights abuses linked to any officer or formation. Any identified and established case of malfeasance or misconduct shall be treated in line with the laws and regulations.
We crave the indulgence of Amnesty International to, for the first time, furnish the Police with specific details of its allegations to enable us reach the ends of justice for the alleged victims, and to improve our service delivery.
The Nigeria Police Force remains responsive to the yearnings of Nigerians for improved safety and security.
The Police is your helper and friend.
Ag.CP EMMANUEL OJUKWU, psc
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/nigeria-police-force-refutes-amnesty-international-report-says-torture-prohibited/#sthash.QtnSBD8B.dpuf
Ekiti ace musician, Elemure is dead
By Gbenga Ariyibi
Ado-Ekiti – A leading Ekiti traditional musician , Chief Peter Ogunyemi, popularly known as Elemure, 70, is dead.
Ogunyemi died in the early hours of Thursday.
A family source told our correspondent that the ace musician may have died of undisclosed ailment.
While alive, Elemure Ogunyemi’ traversed the length and breath of the country, trilling his fans with his music usual laced with Ekiti dialect.
His sudden demise on Thursday shocked residents of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital where he operate his musical prowess.
The ace musician was born in Ikole Ekiti on August 23,1944. and started his elementary education at Saint Peters Catholic Primary School, Ikole-Ekiti where he finished his Standard Six.
He proceeded to Lagos and worked briefly with the Federal Ministry of Finance in 1976.
He moved down to Ekiti State finally in 1979 where he had his musical headquarters.
Elemure released about 46 albums.He is Elejoka of Isaba He is survived by children and many grand children
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/ekiti-ace-musician-elemure-dead/#sthash.wYFmwRyt.dpuf
TB Joshua says victims of Synagogue building collapse are martyrs of the Kingdom of God
Lagos – Nigerian preacher TB Joshua on Thursday broke his silence over a building collapse that killed 80 at his Lagos megachurch but denied lack of cooperation and stuck to his theory of possible aerial sabotage.
The popular televangelist, known as “The Preacher” or “The Man of God” to his thousands of followers in Nigeria and around the world, also indicated that other overseas nationals were involved.
TB Joshua suggests sabotage over deadly building collapse
TB Joshua suggests sabotage over deadly building collapse
South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday said that 67 of his compatriots were killed when a guesthouse for foreign followers of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) came down last Friday.
The death toll from the tragedy climbed after 10 more bodies were pulled from among the twisted metal and shattered masonry of the building on the sprawling SCOAN compound.
Joshua had not directly commented on the deaths and had only published Bible quotations on his Facebook site and Twitter account.
But in a statement he extended his sympathies to victims’ families and described those who died as “martyrs of the Kingdom of God”.
“The pain of one is the pain of all. It is indeed a sad and painful moment for the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones,” he said.
“To all those who lost family members and loved ones, please accept our heartfelt commiserations.”
Joshua said “Nigerians, South African and citizens of other nations were affected” but did not specify which countries or say whether they were among the dead, 131 injured or both.
South Africa’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lulu Mnguni, said 17 of his compatriots were unaccounted for and the church had set up a hotline in Johannesburg for concerned relatives.
“It (the death toll) can’t all be South Africans,” he told AFP. “There were also Nigerians who were working.”
Two children were pulled alive from the collapsed building but both their mother and father were among the missing, he added.
“They were under the rubble together with their father. Their father kept them talking to each other,” he said.
- ‘Good Christians are good citizens’ -
TB Joshua inspires an almost fanatical devotion from his thousands of followers around the world, who are drawn to his services by claims of miracle-working and prophecies.
But rescue workers have complained of a lack of cooperation from Joshua and the church authorities, which included preventing the emergency services from accessing the site until Sunday.
The southwest coordinator of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) said SCOAN officials had not disclosed the identities and nationalities of those in the building at the time.
Joshua rejected the lack of cooperation claims as “inaccurate”.
“Contrary to this, we want to categorically state that the church has provided assistance when and where required and continues to do so: good Christians are good citizens,” he said.
Engineers have suggested that the addition of extra floors on top of the existing building for foreign followers of the Pentecostal church overloaded the structure, causing the fatal collapse.
On Wednesday, the Lagos State government ordered urgent structural checks of all buildings on the SCOAN site while NEMA said that rescue operations could wind up on Thursday.
In South Africa, Zuma rejected criticism that his government was slow to respond to the tragedy.
Joshua, whose followers include heads of state and top-level politicians such as Malawi’s former president Joyce Banda, again suggested that a low-flying aircraft may have been to blame.
“This incident was preceded by the appearance of a strange aircraft which flew very low over the building four times and then disappeared,” he stated.
“The church views this tragedy as part of an attack on The Synagogue Church Of All Nations and in particular Prophet TB Joshua.
“In due course, God will reveal the perpetrators of this unfortunate tragedy.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/synagogue-victims-martyrs-kingdom-god-tb-joshua/#sthash.Vn0xpH83.dpuf
Man arrested for selling wife for human sacrifice
Lagos - A Nigerian man has been arrested for selling his wife to black magic practitioners who wanted to sacrifice a virgin, police said Thursday.
The deal in the central Nigerian state of Plateau was cancelled at the last minute, however, when the ritualists realised she was married.
“The man lured his wife to a bush under the pretext of fetching firewood and sold her to two ritualists for 800,000 naira (about $5,000), Plateau state police spokesman Abuh Emmanuel told AFP.
He said the man from Kwalla town lied to the ritualists that the woman was a virgin and had been given part of the money.
“When the ritualists discovered that the woman was the man’s wife, they asked her to go because she could not be used for the sacrifice,” he said.
Emmanuel said the man and his two accomplices were arrested after the woman reported the incident to the police.
“The suspects are in our custody and will be taken to court for criminal conspiracy and an attempted murder,” he said.
Belief in black magic and witchcraft is common in Nigeria.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/man-arrested-selling-wife-human-sacrifice/#sthash.aOHd4siC.dpuf
FG releases list of National Award recipients 2013/2014
FG releases list of National Award recipients 2013/2014
The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, has approved the award of National Honours to the following Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, in various categories as listed below:
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION
LIST OF 2013/2014 NATIONAL HONOURS AWARD RECIPIENTS 2013 AND 2014 NATIONAL HONOURS AWARD
S/NO
NAMES
STATUS
CLASS OF MEDAL
AIR MARSHAL ALEX SABUNDU BADEH
CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF
CFR
MAJ. GEN. KENNETH MINIMAH
CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF
CFR
REAR ADMIRAL USMAN JIBRIN
CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF
CFR
AIR VICE MARSHAL ADESOLA AMOSU
CHIEF OF AIR STAFF
CFR
ALHAJI SULAIMAN ABBA
ACTING INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE
CFR
HON. JUSTICE BOLARINWA O. BABALAKIN
FMR. SUPREME COURT, JUDGE
CFR
HON. JUSTICE ABUBAKAR BASHIR WALI
JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, (RTD)
CFR
HON. JUSTICE IBRAHIM TANKO MUHAMMAD
JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT
CFR
HON. JUSTICE CHRISTOPHER M. CHUKWUMA – ENEH
JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT
CFR
HON. JUSTICE MUHAMMAD S. MUNTAKA COOMASSIE
JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT
CFR
HON. JUSTICE JOHN AFOLABI FABIYI
JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT
CFR
HON. JUSTICE OLUFUNLOLA OYELOLA ADEKEYE
JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT
CFR
MOHAMMED SAMBO DASUKI
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER
CFR
BUKAR GONI AJI
FORMER HEAD OF SERVICE OF THE FEDERATION
CFR
MR. DANLADI I. KIFASI, OON, mni
HEAD OF SERVICE OF THE FEDERATION
CFR
AMB. AYO OKE
DIRECTOR-GENERAL, NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
CFR
HRM OBA DR. VICTOR ADEMEFUN A. KILADEJO
TRADITIONAL RULER
CFR
CHIEF PHILIP C. ASIODU
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVANT
CFR
BRIG. GEN. JONES O. AROGBOFA (RTD)
CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT
CFR
HRH ALAYELUWA OBA (DR.) JIMOH OYEWUMI A.
TRADITIONAL RULER
CFR
CHIEF KOLAWOLE BABALOLA JAMODU, OFR
FORMER MINISTER/ PRESIDENT OF M.A.N.
CFR
CHIEF OLUDOLAPO IBUKUN AKINKUGBE
ENTREPRENEUR
CFR
CHIEF (DR.) EMMANUEL C. IWUANYNWU
BUSINESS MAN
CFR
JIMOH IBRAHIM FOLORUNSHO, OFR
ENTREPRENEUR
CFR
ALHAJI IBRAHIM ADEJOH IDRIS
FORMER GOVERNOR
CON
HON. JUSTICE OLATOKUNBO ODUYINKA OLOPADE
CHIEF JUDGE, OGUN STATE
CON
HON. JUSTICE ALOY NWEKE NWANKO
CHIEF JUDGE, EBONYI STATE
CON
HON. JUSTICE ISUA IDONGESIT NFEM BASSEY
CHIEF JUDGE, AKWA IBOM STATE
CON
HON JUSTICE NASIRU A, AJANAH
CHIEF JUDGE, KOGI STATE
CON
HONOURABLE JUSTICE HAKILA YALAH HEMAN
CHIEF JUDGE, GOMBE STATE
CON
HONOURABLE JUSTICE KATE ABIRI
CHIEF JUDGE, BEYELSA STATE
CON
ALH. ABDULKADIR SAIDU TAMBUWAL
GRAND KHADI, SOKOTO STATE
CON
HON. JUSTICE AMINA ADAMU AUGIE
JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF APPEAL
CON
HON. JUSTICE ABUBAKAR JEGA ABDUL-KADIR
JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF APPEAL
CON
DR. PETER ODILI
FORMER GOVERNOR
CON
ENGR. MUHAMMED ABBA GANA
FORMER MINISTER
CON
CHIEF THOMAS IKEOKWUADEM AGUIYI-IRONSI
FORMER MINISTER
CON
HM OBA (DR.) FREDRICK E. OBATERU AKINRUNTAN
TRADITIONAL RULER
CON
AMB. DAN SULEIMAN
FORMER AMBASSADOR
CON
OLOROGUN FELIX O. IBRU
BUSINESS MAN
CON
CHIEF OLUSEGUN OLADIPO OSUNKEYE
CHAIRMAN, NESTLE PLC
CON
HON JUSTICE ALI UMAR ERI
FORMER C.J. KOGI STATE/DG NATIONAL JUDICAL INSTITUTE
CON
HAMIDU GAMBARI ERUBU
RETIRED CIVIL SERVANT/ PROMINET EDUCATIONIST FOR OVER 50 YEARS
CON
JUSTICE OBANDE FESTUS OGBUINYA
JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF APPEAL
CON
CHIEF JOHN E. KENNETH ODIGIE OYEGUN
FMR. GOVERNOR
CON
CHIEF TOM IKIMI
POLITICIAN/FMR. MINISTER
CON
AHMAD RUFA’I SANI
SENATOR /FMR. GOVERNOR
CON
HRH MUHAMMODU ISA MUHAMMADU
TRADITIONAL RULER/EMIR OF JAMA’A
CON
ERELU OLUSOLA I.A. OBADA
FORMER DEPUTY GOVERNOR/FORMER MINISTER
CON
MR. MUTIU OLANIYI A. SUNMONU
M.D. SPDC
CON
HON. JUSTICE P.D. DAMULAK
CHIEF JUDGE, PLATEAU STATE
CON
CHIEF (DR.) MICHAEL OLAWALE COLE
FORMER PRESIDENT, NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT
CON
CHIEF (DR.) MRS. ONIKEPO AKANDE
FORMER MINISTER
CON
SEN. NKECHI J. NWAOGU
SENATOR
CON
SEN. CHRISTOPHER BABAJIDE OMOWORARE
SENATOR
CON
DAME VIRGY N. ETIABA
FORMER DEPUTY / ACTING GOVERNOR/EDUCATIONIST
CON
SENATOR IYIOLA OMISORE
FMR. SENATOR/FMR DEPUTY GOVERNOR
CON
SEN. MARAFA KABIR GARBA
SENATOR
CON
UMAR AYINLA SARO
BUSINESSMAN
CON
FUNSO K. LAWAL, OON
INDUSTRIALIST
CON
CHIEF (DR.) THEODORE AHAMEFULA ORJI
GOVERNOR
CON
MALLAM ISA YUGUDA
GOVERNOR
CON
BARR. SULLIVAN IHEANACHO CHIME
GOVERNOR
CON
DR OLUSEGUN MIMIKO
GOVERNOR
CON
ALHAJI SA’IDU USMAN NASAMU DAKINGARI
GOVERNOR
CON
DA DAVID JONAH JANG
GOVERNOR
CON
SENATOR IBIKUNLE AMOSUN
GOVERNOR
CON
DR JOHN KAYODE FAYEMI
GOVERNOR
CON
BRIG. GEN. RAJI RASAKI (RTD)
FORMER MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR
CON
MALLAM IBRAHIM SHEKARAU
HON. MINISTER
CON
PROF. CHINEDU O. NEBO, OON
HON. MINISTER
CON
MRS. SARAH RENG OCHEKPE
HON. MINISTER
CON
ARC. MIKE ONOLEMEMEN
HON. MINISTER
CON
MR. LABARAN MAKU
HON. MINISTER
CON
HAJIYA ZAINAB MAINA, MFR
HON. MINISTER
CON
ARC. MUSA MOHAMMED SADA
HON. MINISTER
CON
AMB. BASHIR YUGUDA
HON. MINISTER
CON
MR. EZENWO NYESOM WIKE
HON. MINISTER
CON
SENATOR FEMI OKUNRONMU
SENATOR
CON
MR. OLATUNDE JOHN AYENI
CHAIRMAN, SKYE BANK PLC
CON
MR. GODWIN EMEFIELE
GOVERNOR, CBN
CON
SENATOR GEORGE THOMPSON SIKIBO JP
SENATOR
CON
MAJOR GEN. SURAJ ALAO ABDULRAHMAN
FORCE COMMANDER, LIBERIA ARMED FORCES
CON
DR. ABDUALLAHI UMAR GANDUJE
DEPUTY GOVERNOR, KANO STATE
OFR
AMB. (DR.) MARTIN IHOEGHIAN UHOMOIBHI
PERMANENT SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
OFR
KOBIS ARI THIMNU
SSG, ADAMAWA
OFR
ALH. SAHABI ISA GADA
SSG, SOKOTO STATE
OFR
PROF. MKPA AGU MKPA
SSG, ABIA STATE
OFR
GARVEY ACHEN YAWA
SSG, TARABA STATE
OFR
HANNATU INTI UGAH (MRS)
HEAD OF SERVICE, KADUNA STATE
OFR
MAJ. GEN. SHEHU USMAN ABDULKADIR
PIONEER FORCE COMMANDER, FIRST AFRICAN UNION AND ECOWAS PEACE MISSION IN MALI
OFR
BOLAJI AYORINDE, SAN
LEGAL PRACTITIONER
OFR
ENGR. (CHIEF) AMIN IBRAHIM MOUSSALLI
GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR AIM GROUP LTD
OFR
CHIEF GAFAR KAYODE ANIMASAHUN
GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR AIM GROUP LTD
OFR
PA. MICHAEL TAIWO AKINKUNMI
DESIGNER OF THE NATIONAL FLAG
OFR
MIKE AGBEDOR ABU OZEKHOME (SAN)
LEGAL PRACTITIONER
OFR
CHIEF SIMON NSUNNDU OKEKE
FMR. CHAIRMAN POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION
OFR
HRH. ABUBAKAR UMAR SULEIMAN
TRADITIONAL RULER
OFR
CHIEF VICTOR UMEH
POLITICIAN
OFR
ALHAJI BUHARI BALA
FORMER MINISTER
OFR
SENATOR UMAR ABUBAKAR ARGUNGU
SENATOR
OFR
PROF. OLOYEDE IS-HAQ OLAREWAJU
FORMER VICE CHANCELLOR UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN
OFR
DR. GREGORY IKECHUKWU IBE
VISITOR GREGORY UNIVERSITY
OFR
CHIEF JOE KYARI GADZAMA, SAN, MFR
LEGAL PRACTITIONER
OFR
SIR EMMANUEL N. MADUEKWE
CHAIRMAN FIRST TARZAN MOTORS LTD
OFR
CHIEF ADENIGBA F. FADAHUNSI
RTD CUSTOM OFFICER
OFR
HRH. PRINCE AL WALEED BIN TALAL
FOREIGN INVESTOR
OFR
JUDE NNODUM, SAN
LEGAL PRACTITIONER
OFR
DAFE AKPEDEYE, SAN
LEGAL PRACTITIONER
OFR
DR. IGWE AJA-NWACHUKWU
PRO. CHANCELLOR, EBONYI STATE UNIVERSITY
OFR
MR. ERICO MONFRINI
LEGAL PRACTITIONER
OFR
PROF. PETER T. AKPER, SAN
LEGAL PRACTITIONER
OFR
ENGR. BEKINBO R. DAGOGO-JACK
CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON POWER
OFR
AMB. GODSON ONYEMACHI ECHEGILE
FORMER AMBASSADOR
OFR
PROF. WILLIAMS BARNABAS QURIX
VC, KADUNA STATE UNIVERSITY
OFR
ALAHAJI SANI SIDI
D.G . NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (NEMA)
OFR
SHEIKH ABDULHAFEEZ ABOU
RELIGIOUS LEADER
OFR
BRIG. GENERAL NNAMDI OKORIE AFFIA
FORMER D.G. NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS
OFR
RT. HON. BATHEL NNAEKA AMADI
SPEAKER, PAN AFRICAN PARLIAMENT
OFR
DR. ALEX C. OTTI
M.D. DIAMOND BANK PLC
OFR
ENGR. M. A. K. ABUBAKAR, MFR
DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT
OFR
LT. GEN. CHIKADIBIA ISAAC OBIAKOR
CHAIRMAN UNITED NATIONS BOARD OF INQUIRY IN ABIYEI
OFR
MR. MIKE OMERI AGBO-OMERI
DG. NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY
OFR
UKURA SAMUEL TYONONGO, FCA
AUDITOR GENERAL FOR THE FEDERATION
OFR
MR. JONAH OGUNNIYI OTUNLA
ACCOUNTANT GENERAL OF FEDERATION
OFR
BASHORUN SEINDE AROGBOFA
EDUCATIONIST/AUTHOR
OFR
MR. JOHN KENNEDY OPARA
PUBLIC SERVANT
OFR
DR. VALERIE AZINGE
SECRETARY, NATIONAL CONFERENCE
OFR
MR. DAVID SHIKFU PARRADANG
COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF IMMIGRATION
OFR
HONOURABLE ARUA ARUNSI
MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
OFR
PROF. BARTHOLOMEW OKOLO
FORMER VC, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA
OFR
MRS. CATHERINE UJU IFEJIKA
MANAGING DIRECTOR, BRITENIA–U NIG. LTD
OFR
FAITH TUEDOR MATHEWS
GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO MAINSTREET BANK
OFR
PROF. KIMSE AMAEBI BIYE OKOKO
CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE OF PRO-CHANCELLORS
OFR
PROF. EPIPHANY AZINGE
DIRECTOR-GENERAL, NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL STUDIES (NIALS)
OON
DIG SULEIMAN DAUDA FAKAI
DIG
OON
ATIKU YUSUF KAFUR
DIG
OON
EMMANUEL ONYEDIKACHI UDEOJI
DIG
OON
PETER YISA GANA
DIG
OON
DIG. MARVEL ENAJERO AKPOYIBO
DIG
OON
ABDEL RAHMAN OLAJIDE AKANO
DIG
OON
PHILEMON IBRAHIM LEHA
DIG
OON
JALAL AHMAD ARABI
STATE HOUSE COUNSEL
OON
HON. JUSTICE GABZIU ADEMOLA BAKRE
RTD. JUDGE
OON
MAJ. GEN. FELIX O. A. IORSHASE (RTD)
FORMER PROVOST MARSHAL NIGERIA ARMY
OON
ADAMU MUHAMMED GARIN GABAS
PERMANENT SECRETARY IN JIGAWA STATE
OON
CHIEF (DR.) FABIAN NWAORA
BUSINESS MAN
OON
PROF. OSITA OGBU
ACADEMICIAN
OON
MR. AKINSANYA SUNNY AJOSE
RETIRED HEAD OF SERVICE, LAGOS STATE
OON
MAJ. GEN. SUNDAY NLEMCHUKWU CHIKWE
FORMER GOC 81 DIVISION, NIGERIA ARMY
OON
PROF. ISRAEL OLATUNJI ORUBULOYE
ACADEMICIAN
OON
PROF ANDREW JONATHAN NOK
ACADEMICIAN
OON
PROF. CYPRIAN OGBONNA ONYEJI
VICE CHANCELLOR, ESUT
OON
PROF. OPEOLUWA OLADEINDE ADEKUNLE
MEMBER POST GRADUATE COMMITTEE, ACADEMIC HEALTH SERVICE COMPUTER OF EASTERN CAPS
OON
MR. OSCAR ONYEMA
CEO, NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE
OON
DR. PATRICK I. OKPAH
BUSINESS MAN
OON
AMB. ALIYU DALA HASSAN
DIPLOMAT
OON
FOLUSHO OLANIYAN (MRS)
MANAGING DIRECTOR, UTC NIG. PLC
OON
MOHAMMED SANI KALLAH
RESEARCHER
OON
OTUNBA THEOPHILUS OLUWOLE AKINDELE
ENGINEER
OON
BEN MURRAY – BRUCE (MR)
BUSINESSMAN
OON
HRM. OVIE RICHARD L. OGBON
TRADITIONAL RULER
OON
SIR STEVE B. OMOJAFOR
CHAIRMAN ZENITH BANK PLC
OON
MR. CHUKWUEMEKA GODSWILL ONWUKA
CHAIRMAN ENTERPRISE BANK
OON
ALH. SULEIMAN YAHAYA
CHAIRMAN NAHCO
OON
CHIEF (SIR) EMMANUEL UMEOHIA
CEO, EMABUMEH AND SONS LTD
OON
ABUBAKAR LADAN ZARIA
MUSICIAN
OON
MR. BERNARD O. N. OTTI
GED FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS NNPC
OON
DR. AMINU LADAN SHAREHU
DG/CEO, NATIONAL TEACHERS INSTITUTE KADUNA
OON
MR. JOSEPH OLUREMI AKANDE
COMMISSIONER FCSC, ABUJA
OON
AMB. CHUKWUDI N. OKAFOR
NIGERIA’S AMBASSADOR TO THAILAND
OON
MR. ADEYEMO M. TUNDE
ACCOMPLISHED CIVIL SERVANT
OON
DR. SHEHU YAHAYA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB)
OON
CECILIA AKINTOMIDE
SECRETARY, ADB TUNISIA/ IVORY COAST
OON
MAHMOOD AHMADU
CEO. OLS SERVICES
OON
DR. ADO JIMADA GANA MUHAMMAD
CIVIL SERVANT
OON
DR. ABDULLAHI Y. SHEHU
DG. INT. GOVT. ACTION AGAINST MONEY LAUNDRING IN WEST AFRICA
OON
AMB. BINA CITIP SELCHUM
DIPLOMAT
OON
AMB. ESTHER AUDU (MRS)
NIGERIA’S HIGH COMMISSIONER TO THE GAMBIA
OON
MANU GARBA (MFR)
CHIEF COACH, UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
OON
MRS. BEATRICE E. JEDY-AGBA
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY NAPTIP
OON
OBONG MICHAEL A. AFANGIDEH
ENTREPRENEUR/ POLITICIAN
OON
HIS EMINENCE IME A. UMOETTE
RELIGIOUS LEADER
OON
HRM OFFONG (ENG) EFFIONG ROBIN ASABI
TRADITIONAL RULER
OON
ALHAJI MUHAMMADU NADADA UMAR
FORMER DIRECTOR-GENERAL SMEDAN
OON
ALHAJI GIMBA YA’U KUMO
MANAGING DIRECTOR, FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA
OON
BOMA OZOBIA, LLM
FORMER PRESIDENT COMMONWEALTH LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
OON
PROF. SHEHU ARABU RISKWA
FORMER VC, USMAN DANFADIO UNIVERSITY, SOKOTO
OON
DR. (CHIEF) DAVID OGBA ONUOHA
ENTREPRENEUR
OON
IBRAHIM MOHAMMED MERA
PUBLIC SERVANT/DCG CUSTOMS
OON
PETER DEDEVBO
COACH UNDER 20 NATIONAL FEMALE FOOTBALL TEAM
OON
DR. AKILU NDABAWA
SECRETARY PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL CONFERENCE
OON
PROF. ABDU IGANIYU AMBALI
VC UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN
OON
IDRIS ABIODUN JAWANDO
RETIRED DIRECTOR ENGINEERING CIVIL AND SANITARY INFRASTRUCTURE
OON
STELLA UGBOMA
PROMINENT LAWYER, FMR. PRESIDENT OF FIDA
OON
MRS. KATHERINE PHILIP ADAMU
CHIEF CATERING OFFICER, STATE HOUSE
MFR
HAMALAI JUMMAI GWALEM
HOUSE KEEPER, PRESIDENTIAL WING, NNAMDI AZIKIWE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
MFR
MR. FELIX IKUMAPAYI, FDC
DIRECTOR, DIRECTORATE OF STATE SERVICE (DSS)
MFR
OLALEKAN ODUGBEMI, FDC
DIRECTOR, DIRECTORATE OF STATE SERVICE (DSS)
MFR
HON. FARUK MALAMI YABO
HON. COMMISSIONER IN SOKOTO STATE
MFR
HON. GABRIEL HAMADAMA
HON. COMMISSIONER, IN ADAMAWA STATE
MFR
ELDER (DR,) MRS. HANNAH ODEPO-YAMA
RETIRED SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
MFR
MR. KNUT ULVMOEN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DANGOTE GROUP
MFR
ENG. YUVAL LEVY
GM. SCC NIGERIA LTD.
MFR
HAJIYA ZAINAB ABU BELLO
EDUCATIONIST
MFR
ALH. KABIR ALKALI MUHAMMED
ACCOUNTANT
MFR
PROF. HAFEZ ABUBAKAR
EDUCATIONIST
MFR
DOUKPOLA FRANCIS AMAEBI
BANKER
MFR
ALH. NUHU ABDULKADIR
TRADITIONAL RULER
MFR
MR. N. G. PATEL
INDUSTRIALIST
MFR
AMB. ADAMU SAIDU DAURA
POLITICIAN
MFR
CHIEF (MRS.) LEILA EUPHEMIA APINKE FOWLER
LEGAL PRACTITIONER
MFR
KENNETH EMEKA NWABUEZE (ENGR.)
CONSULTANT
MFR
BARR. JOEL SABO ANINGE
TRADITIONAL RULER
MFR
BLESSING OKAGBARE
ATHLETE, GOLD MEDALLIST 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
MFR
BISHOP DR. (MRS.) IREYEESORISEONE AKUMAGBA
CLERGY
MFR
CHHIEF (DR.) CHRISTIAN OBIDINNA OGEDAZI, BL
LEGAL PRACTITIONER
MFR
IDRIS IBRAHIM GINSAU
DIRECTOR IN JIGAWA STATE CIVIL SERVICE
MFR
CHIEF (MRS.) DOHERTY BOLAJOKO BIMBOLA
EDUCATIONIST
MFR
MR. UDEME ONOFIOK UFOT
BUSINESSMAN
MFR
PROF. OLUWOLE DANIEL MAKINDE
SCIENTIST
MFR
MRS. MAIDEN IBRU
PUBLISHER GUARDIAN NEWS PAPER
MFR
MR. IMEH USUAH
TAXI DRIVER
MFR
DR. JOE OKEI-ODUMAKIN
HUMAN RIGHT ACTIVIST
MFR
PROF. NIYI AKINNASO
LECTURER
MFR
ALH. AHMAD BADAMASUIY
RETIRED CIVIL SERVANT
MFR
CHIEF (DR.) MURTALA ADEBAYO
LEGAL PRACTITIONER
MFR
PROF. KEVIN MICHAEL OGON ETTA
EDUCATIONIST
MFR
RT. HON. ATOZA IHINDAN
POLITICIAN
MFR
ADEDAPO OLUSEUN ABIODUN AKANDE
BUSINESS EXECUTIVE
MFR
MR. EBERE YOUNG ACHARAIKE
MEDIA CONSULTANT
MFR
CHIEF (MRS.) MOJI MAKANJUOLA
JOURNALIST
MFR
ELDER URUM KALU EKE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PUBLIC SECTOR, FIRST BANKS PLC
MFR
MUHAMMAD BABANDEDE
DEPUTY COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF IMMIGRATION
MFR
DAVOU TIMOTHY PWAJOK
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF AFRIMINES LTD
MFR
HRH. HARUNA TANKO JIBRIN KUJE
TRADITIONAL RULER
MFR
HRH. ALH. HASSAN ATTAHIRU BUNGUGU
TRADITIONAL RULER
MFR
EMMANUEL AMUNEKE
ASSISTANT COACH, UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MFR
NDUKA UGBADE
ASSISTANT COACH, UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MFR
EMEKA AMADI
GOALKEEPER TRAINER
MFR
MR. ENGENIUSZ LAC HOWSKI
CHAUFFER, NIGERIA HIGH COMMISSION, CANADA
MFR
PATIENCE OKAEME
CAPTAIN, UNDER 20 NATIONAL FEMALE FOOTBALL TEAM
MFR
CHIEF MRS. NKECHI OKEMINI MBA
NATIONAL PRESIDENT, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN SOCIETIES
MFR
HAJIA RAMATU BALA USMAN
FORMER NATIONAL PRESIDENT, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN SOCIETIES
MFR
MR. KENNETH NNEBUE
ACTOR
MFR
OMOTOLA JALADE EKEINDE
FILM MAKER /ACTRESS
MFR
AJOKE SYLVA JACOBS
ACTRESS
MFR
NNIMMO BASSEY
ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST
MFR
CHIEF OLADEJI FASUAN
RETIRED PERMANENT SECRETARY
MON
SE-ALABO (AMB) DAGOGO CLAUDE-WILCOX
FMR. AMBASSADOR
MON
ABRAHAM NDANA YISA
LEGAL PRACTITIONER
MON
HASSAN MUHAMMAD LIMAN ESQ, SAN
LEGAL PRACTITIONER
MON
CHIEF (DR.) SYLVANUS O. EBIGWEI
MEDICAL DOCTOR
MON
SALIHU SINTALMA ABUBAKAR
PUBLIC SERVANT
MON
ALIYU OMAR
CIVIL SERVANT
MON
HRM. OBA JACOB OLUFEMI OMOLADE JP
TRADITIONAL RULER
MON
HRH. EZEKWO SAMUEL
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT
MON
ONUH ISAAC MICHAEL
HEAD, PRESIDENTIAL STEWARDS
MON
ADO AHMAD G. DABINO
PUBLIC SERVANT
MON
CPL. SOLOMON DAUDA
TRAFFIC WARDEN
MON
MRS.MAIRO I. LONDON
EDUCATIONIST
MON
ODO CLAIRE KALANGO
ADMINISTRATOR
MON
DR. NATHANIEL CHIDI NWANERI
ACCOMPLISHED TEACHER
MON
OBA MICHAEL ADESINA
TRADITIONAL RULER
MON
ALH. SHITU MUHAMMED
BUSINESS MAN
MON
YUSUF KUNLE
POLITICIAN/YOUTH MOBILIZER
MON
EGBAIYELO TEMITAYO
TEAM SECRETARY, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
AYODEJI OLARINOYE
TEAM DOCTOR, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
GABRIEL OYENUGA
TEAM PHYSIOTHERAPIST, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN
TEAM MEDIA OFFICER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
SULEIMAN ABUBAKAR
TEAM COORDINATOR, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
MOHAMMED KAFA
EQUIPMENT MANAGER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
MUSA MUHAMMED
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
SUNDAY ALAMPASU
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
ABDULAZEEZ ABUBAKAR
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
UZOHO ODINAKA
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
ZAHARADEEN BELLO
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
ALIU ABUBAKAR
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
OBASI CHIGOZIE
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
MUSA YAHAYA
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
SAMUEL GODWIN OKON
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
CHIDIEBERE NWAKALI
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
AKINJIDE IDOWU
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
SALIHU A. BABA
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
GODWIN SAVIOUR
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
ALFA ABDULLAHI
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
MAKANJUOLA HABEEB
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
CHIDERA EZEH
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
SUCCESS ISAAC
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
KELECHI IHEANACHO
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
AWONIYI TAIWO
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
DENNIS OKON NYA
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
JAPHET RAYMOND
PLAYER, 2013 NATIONAL UNDER 17 FOOTBALL TEAM
MON
PROF. ALASHILE ABIMIKU
EDUCATIONIST
MON
ASISAT OSHOALA
HIGHEST GOAL SCORER, 2014 UNDER 20 FIFA FEMALE FOOTBALL COMPETITION
MON
AMINAT ADENIYI
GOLD MEDALLIST 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
MON
ABDULAZEEZ IBRAHIM
GOLD MEDALLIST 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
MON
ESE BRUME
GOLD MEDALLIST 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
MON
LOVELINE OBIJI
GOLD MEDALLIST 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
MON
MARYAM USMAN
GOLD MEDALLIST 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
MON
ODUAYO ADEKUOROYE
GOLD MEDALLIST 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
MON
OLUWATOYIN ADESANMI
GOLD MEDALLIST 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
MON
PAUL KEHINDE
GOLD MEDALLIST 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
MON
ADEKOYA JAMIU
POLICE INSPECTOR
FRM I
SGT. JAFARU WADZANI
POLICE OFFICER
FRM II
2. The Investiture holds by 9.00 a.m. on Monday, September 29th, 2014 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
3. All Award Recipients are entitled to come with two guests only.
4. All Award Recipients and Guests should be seated by 8:30 a.m. prompt.
5. There will be shuttle bus services for all Award, Recipients Guests and invited Government Officials from the Eagle Square to the International Conference Centre.
6. Attendance is strictly by invitation.
7. Please note that the accreditation of all Award Recipients and the Media will be done from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September, 2014 at Agura Hotel Abuja, beginning 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. daily.
8. For further enquiries or clarification, please contact DR. ADEYEMO, M. TUNDE, Director (Special Duties Office) OSGF, on the following Tel. numbers: 08039568845, 08055058600, and 08036320141.
SIGNED:
Dr. Adeyemo, M. Tunde, MNIM, FCIA
Director(Special Duties Office)
for: Secretary to the Government of the Federation
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/fg-releases-list-national-award-recipients-20132014/#sthash.g5kpXFwe.dpuf
Minister urges Nigerians not to panic over fuel scarcity
Abuja – The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, on Thursday in Abuja urged Nigerians not to panic over the current fuel scarcity in the country.
Wogu made the call while speaking with newsmen on the ongoing strike by the oil and gas sectors.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Monday shut down operations nationwide.
The unions had shut down operations nationwide over alleged irregular funding of their pension scheme, which had led to about N85 billion deficit.
Other demands of the workers are the call for immediate steps to carry out Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) on the four refineries as agreed between government and the two unions and restoration of crude supply to the refineries
The minister said that talks were still ongoing with the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the in house unions of PENGASSAN and NUPENG.
“ Everything is under control, discussions are going on, talks started yesterday and are still on.
“There should be no need for panic buying of fuel and I am positive that the issue will be resolved soon, ‘’ he said.
Most filling stations in Abuja are not selling the commodity while there are long queues at the few stations selling. (NAN)
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/minister-urges-nigerians-panic-fuel-scarcity/#sthash.EiV12YKm.dpuf
Jonathan accepts PDP’s adoption, says I ‘am really humbled
Obasanjo, Tambuwal absent at NEC meeting
By Henry Umoru. 18-9-14
ABUJA- AHEAD of his formal declaration for his return bid and the Party’s National Convention fixed for December 6, the National Executive Committee, NEC of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Thursday adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s sole Presidential candidate for 2015 Presidential election.
Rising from its 66th NEC meeting Thursday at Wadata Plaza, National Secretariat of the Party, the party’s highest body explained that the move became imperative because no serious party would change a winning team like President Jonathan who has performed with his transformation agenda which has changed the face and well being of Nigerians.
President Goodluck Jonathan wave to the crowd shortly after the conferment of se -lo-lia (Star of the Nation) on him during the courtesy visit to the king for the burial of the first Lady's mother , Madam fynface Oba in Okireka , River state ...yesterday
President Goodluck Jonathan
As a preclude to the adoption of President Jonathan by NEC, yesterday, Governor of Niger State and Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum, NSGF, Muazu Babangida Aliyu who spoke first and on behalf of all the PDP governors told NEC members that at the meeting of the governors held on Wednesday at the Akwa Ibom Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, the governors had unanimously adopted endorsed President Jonathan as the party’s sole candidate for next year’s election without any dissenting voice.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan who accepted the endorsement as the sole candidate by all the organs of the party which culminated in that of NEC, said that he was really humbled, overwhelmed and promised not to disappoint the PDP governors, the leaders, stakeholders and members of the party.
He said, “Let me really say that the events of yesterday, starting with BoT meeting last night and what has just happened today, with the various motions adopting me as sole candidate of the party has really humbled me.
“Let me specially thank our governors that initiated that action, let me thank members of BoT, let me thank the senate president and members of the National Assembly, let me appreciate the PDP women for their position and the NEC, because no matter whatever anybody does, if NEC, you will be on your own.
” Adopting me as the sole candidate of the party has humbled. me; I am totally overwhelmed. When the governors came up in a jointly signed paper, though House of Representatives started it, governors intervention was like an atomic bomb, I commend all departments of the NEC.
“I am so overwhelmed that I lack words to express myslef. I leave it for another day. For today, for you to have that kind of confidence, I am extremely challenged. It means that whatever we had done inthe past three years, we tripple it. That is the only way Nigerians will appreciate it. I promise I will not disappoint you.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/jonathan-accepts-pdps-adoption-says-i-am-really-humbled/#sthash.nqQojlJD.dpuf
60% of aircraft operated by Nigerians are on lease – NCAA
Ikeja – The Acting Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr Benedict Adeyileka, on Thursday said that more than 60 per cent of the aircraft operated by Nigerian airlines were on lease.
Adeyileka spoke in Lagos through NCAA’s General Manager, Airworthiness & Standard, Mr Kayode Ajiboye, at a seminar organised by Aeroconsult with the theme “Sustaining Safety in the Nigerian Aviation Sector’’.
He said that most airlines preferred aircraft lease financing to reduce their operational cost.
Adeyileka said that many Nigerian financial institutions also preferred to support business aviation at the expense of commercial aviation.
“According to financial institutions, their argument is that business aviation has less risk when compared to commercial aviation,” he said.
The NCAA chief noted that one of the major challenges for airlines in the country was that lease rates were paid in U.S. dollars while passengers’ fares were in Naira.
Adeyileka advised the airline operators to adopt a merger plan to sustain safety standards in the aviation industry.
He said that when airlines operating two or three aircraft merge, the level of safety will be better sustained, urging them to also work as partners by embracing code sharing and interlining.
The NCAA boss said that airlines should embrace the safety culture that comes with the Safety Management System and avoid cutting corners in safety critical areas.
“Following the introduction of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 19, NCAA is currently developing the regulatory requirements for safety management system for all service providers,” he said.
The NCAA boss said that exchange of safety critical information between the authority and service providers was another way of sustaining safety in the sector.
Also, Capt. Dele Ore, President, Aviation Round Table, said that airport runways and facilities should be upgraded to meet the ICAO and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards, codes and conventions.
He said the challenges faced in the sector include debts owed by domestic airlines, revenue leakage, lack of integrated economic intelligence database, decaying airports terminals and lack of aeromedical ambulances.
Ore said that steps should be taken to overcome the challenges to enhance safety. (NAN)
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/60-aircraft-operated-nigerians-lease-ncaa/#sthash.qtA2Lo4M.dpuf
Military issues red alert, says terrorists plot to use auto-mechanic, car wash as IEDs’ loading points
Military issues red alert, says terrorists plot to use auto-mechanic, car wash as IEDs’ loading points
By KINGSLEY OMONOBI
ABUJA – Aftermath the heavy defeats inflicted on Boko Haram insurgents in recent weeks, indications have emerged that the group are recruiting auto-mechanic and car wash operators across the country with a view to using their centers as loading bays to plant IEDS’ on vehicles of unsuspecting members of the public to cause havoc.
The objective is to hit at some top government establishment and functionaries as well as military and police locations in other parts of the country outside the North East epicenter of the insurgency to divert attention from the increasingly successful onslaught on the group in recent days.
Towards this end, Intelligence sources told Vanguard that the Boko Haram group have infiltrated the ranks of many of the operators and bought them over with very mouth watering sums of money to look the other way when the explosives were being planted on the vehicles.
According to the source, the terrorists knowing that many vehicle owners hardly find time to spend with their mechanics or car wash operators, have concluded the plot to fix improvised explosive devices on such vehicles while they are with the mechanic or cash wash.
When the unsuspecting owner of the car comes to carry his or her car, he will drive off with an explosives laden car that has been programmed to explode within minutes or an hour as the case maybe and in the process; he may be consumed by the havoc the explosion will cause.
A signal confirming this development and addressed to all military formations in the country said, “Boko Haram Infiltrates Auto-Mechanic and Car Wash Centers’. It said the group was planning to use vehicles of unsuspecting members of the public, especially prominent persons and top functionaries as bomb explosive carriers”.
The targets of such dastardly plots according to the signal are official government quarters, military barrack and public centers.
The public, vehicles owners and users are therefore urged to be vigilant and watchful especially when giving and collecting their vehicles from auto-mechanic and car wash centers; the military warned.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/military-issues-red-alert-says-terrorist-plot-use-auto-mechanic-car-wash-ieds-loading-points/#sthash.oIr15oIl.dpuf
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)