Dino Melaye, a disgrace to the Senate - Tinubu

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4—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 CRISIS: PDP holds stakeholders meeting today •We remain open to reconciliation —Makarfi •I'm the authentic chairman —Sheriff By Ben Agande ABUJA—A meeting of Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders is to be held in Abuja today to discuss the crisis in the party as well as the programmes put in place by the caretaker committee, headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, for the party’s convention and forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states. The meeting is coming on the heels of a call by Senator Makarfi on the former chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and his supporters to come back to the mainstream of the party. But Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, whose candidate for the September governorship election in Edo State was rejected by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Tuesday, insisted that he remains the authentic chairman of the party. He added that his candidate should be recognized by the commission based on the decision of Abuja High Court. Speaking on the stakeholders meeting, a member of the caretaker committee in charge of Publicity, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said the meeting, which will have in attendance governors elected on the platform of the party as well as members of the Board of Trustees, BOT, and the National Assembly members, would discuss the programme drawn up by the committee for the convention of the party Reps move to criminalise non-payment of workers' salaries By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA—THE House of Representatives yesterday moved to prescribe punishment for employers in the country who either fail to pay salaries to their workers or pay salaries, wages and pensions late. The bill, sponsored by the Majority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, was however, stepped down by the sponsor, following observations made by some members that the bill was not justifiable and could only come up through an Act. The speaker, Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the plenary, also in a diplomatic manner, advised the House Leader to have a second look at the bill and make all the necessary amendments on it, so it could be represented on the floor for consideration. The bill, entitled A bill for an act to prohibit late payment, nonpayment and under payment of workers’ wages, pension and other related emolument in Nigeria and prescribes penalties for violations and for other Fitch affirms Diamond Bank's ‘BBB'+ rating with stable outlook By Nkiruka Nnorom LAGOS—GLOBAL credit ratings and research agency, Fitch Ratings, has reaffirmed Diamond Bank’s strong fundamentals in its 2016 ratings Review of Nigerian banks. In the recently released 2016 ratings, Fitch affirmed a ‘B’ Rating, with stable outlook for Diamond Bank’s short-term and long-term Foreign Currency Issuer Default Ratings, IDR. The bank’s National Longterm Rating was also affirmed at ‘BBB'+ (nga)’; while the National short-term rating was which may hold in August. The meeting will also discuss preparations for the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo state. According to him, members of the caretaker committee are ready to hold the party’s convention within the specified time frame given to it at the party’s national convention in Port Harcourt. Meanwhile, chairman of the caretaker committee of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has again extended an olive branch to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to come back to the fold of the party. Speaking yesterday when he received state chairmen of the party from the North West geopolitical zone, Senator Makarfi said the problems in the party could not be settled through the courts, no matter the legality of court judgments. “So far, all legal intervention has been in favour of the decisions of the Port Harcourt national convention. That is not to say that the job is finished. ‘’In the past, I have said severally that the path of peace and reconciliation is the best path. Litigation can resolve issues on legal grounds but not between brothers and sisters. “We will never foreclose that window, even if the legal issue terminates at this stage. If the legal issue continues, we will not foreclose the window of reconciliation. I assure you that we will work very hard to do the needful. “I don’t want to talk too much on what we want to do because we are yet to be in full comfort zone. God willing, we will deliver to the satisfaction of PDP members,” he said. However, the man at the centre of the leadership crisis in the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has said that contrary to the news making the rounds, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had not formally notified him that it had rejected the candidate presented by his faction for the governorship election in Edo State. Speaking yesterday when he COMMISSION OF INQUIRY: From left: Secretary of the Commission of Inquiry into Nimbo herdsmen attack, Mr Emmanuel Agbo; Counsel to the Commission, Mr Richard Udeichi, and Counsel to Nimbo community, Mr Sadiq Nwabuezeh, during the commission's sitting in Enugu, yesterday. Photo: NAN. matters connected thereto” was slated for second reading yesterday before withdrawal. The House, after listening to the sponsor, resolved that since there was an existing minimum wage Act, the sponsor should convert it to an amendment to the minimum wage Act instead of coming as a fresh law. But in his lead debate, Gbajabiamila explained that the intention behind the bill was for “every employer of labour in Nigeria, whether private or public; and whether it is employing any worker on permanent or contract basis must ensure that all payment of wages, salaries, pensions and all benefits to workers are paid promptly without any delay weekly, affirmed at ‘F2 (nga)’. Viability Rating was affirmed at ‘b’; Support Rating affirmed at ‘4’; Support Rating Floor: affirmed at ‘B’; while the Senior unsecured notes Rating was affirmed at ‘B’/ ’RR4'. The ‘B’ IDR Rating indicates that Diamond Bank has the capacity to meet financial commitments, subject to the country’s business and economic environment; while the ‘BBB'+ (nga)’ National Ratings denote a “moderate default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country”. Further, the ‘F2 (nga)’ National Short-term Rating fortnightly, monthly, quarterly as may be agreed by parties in the contract of employment of the individual employee.” According to him, non-payment or delay in the payment of workers’ salaries and emoluments is an infringement on their rights as enshrined in the 1999 constitution. “indicates a good capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country”. These ratings were premised partly on Fitch’s downgrade of Nigeria’s sovereign ratings (to ‘B+’) on 23 June 2016, in addition to the bank’s strong capital, operational and liquidity positions. Reacting to the report, the bank’s spokesperson, Ayona Trimnell, said: “These ratings affirm the precision of our corporate strategy in deploying new technologies and digital applications to drive financial inclusion, convenient banking, enhanced customer friendly services and our overall retail banking approach.” IPMAN seeks probe of past leaders over alleged N10.9bn subsidy fraud By Mike Eboh A BUJA—THE Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, has called on the Federal Government to reopen the probe on the N10.9 billion alleged subsidy fraud involving IPMAN Investments Limited. Speaking at IPMAN’s Extra- Ordinary General Meeting in Abuja, factional President of the association, Mr. Chinedu Okoronkwo, said this became necessary as individuals allegedly involved in the scandal were currently fomenting trouble within the association. Okoronkwo stated that the Federal Government should probe IPMAN’s Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, imports into the country within the period the controversial and suspicious subsidy payments were made. According to him, individuals found culpable should be brought to book and made to answer for their wrongdoings. FG to increase Health Budget in 2017 —UDOMA By Emma Elebeke ABUJA—MINISTER of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, said yesterday that the Federal Government was determined to improve the health sector by providing adequate funds for it in the 2017 budgetary allocation. The minister disclosed this when he hosted the Regional Director of World Health Organisation, Dr. Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti, in his office. Udoma, said the administration was committed to provide adequate funds for quality health care delivery and would demonstrate same by scaling up the budget for health sector next year, compared to what was obtained in this year’s budget. “Will increase budgetary allocation to the health sector in 2017 budget in its commitment to improving the sector in Nigeria. ‘’This administration is committed to providing adequate funds for the health sector."
Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016—5 POCKET CARTOON VISIT: From left, President Muhammadu Buhari; Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello and Governor Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari of Zamfara State, during a courtesy call on the Emir as part of the President's working visit to Zamfara State, yesterday. Dino Melaye, a disgrace to the Senate —Tinubu Continues from page 1 His reaction came against the backdrop of last Tuesday’s shouting match between his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Melaye during the closed-door session of the Senate. Melaye, who represents Kogi West senatorial district in the Senate, had reportedly threatened to beat up the APC leader’s wife during the altercation between them, boasting allegedly that nothing would happen if he did so. But Tinubu in a statement by his spokesman, Sunday Dare, yesterday, warned Melaye that something would happen, if he dared it. “Dino Melaye sank to the lowest ever on Tuesday. From this point, it is downhill for him. A disgrace to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “If Dino thinks nothing will happen if he dares to beat up another senator, then he must be living in a fool's paradise. Things will happen,” Tinubu’s spokesman wrote on Twitter. Efforts, last night, to reach Melaye for his reaction failed as calls to his mobile number were not returned; he also failed to respond to text messages sent to his phone. Lagos senators warn Melaye However, senators representing Lagos State in the Senate, yesterday, warned Senator Melaye to desist from harassing and intimidating Senator Oluremi Tinubu or face their wrath. The senators, who described Melaye as lilly-livered, vowed to testify in court on the side of truth, as part of the resolution of any IT'S UP TO YOU BY AYO ADIO - 08104802192 LET your mind be at peace at all times because a still and quite mind is the creative engine of humanity. TAKE HEART BY ELLA RANDLE- O8084919482 Let go and let contentment come to you— Take Heart Quotes IF you’re going through the experience of rejection or disappointment, learn not to resist the taking away. Know what they represent, it's another chance to grow beyond limits, and see the million opportunities in the journey of soul to excel and thrive in divine love. And when you feel pain, it has a purpose. It is what jolts you into more awakening. Remember, joy is always present. Everything happens for you. SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE WHEN you follow the path of your father, you learn to walk like him. conflict in the Upper Chambers. Recall that Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, are currently standing trial over forgery of Senate Standing Rules. The Lagos senators, Olugbenga Ashafa (APC, Lagos East), and Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Lagos West), said in a statement: “We, the two senators representing Lagos East and Lagos West, having reviewed the recent happenings in the hallowed Chamber of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly at the executive session of July 12, 2016, which dwelt on the running of the Senate and now in the public domain without any denial from the affected parties, feel compelled to state as follows: “We deplore in very strong terms the use of abusive, threatening, uncouth, vulgar and unparliamentary language by any senator against any other senator, particularly our female colleagues. “As distinguished members of the Red Chamber, we are strongly in favour of resolving any conflict that has arisen in the course of our representation and national duty through dialogue and due process and we will not be part of any solution obtained through any form of coercion, threat, intimidation and ungentlemanly conduct of the distinguished office of a senator. “We dissociate ourselves from the comments and behaviour of Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West) at the executive session of July 12, 2016, as we represent people known for finer character and nobler culture of social interaction. “We equally state that we will be part of efforts to instill and enshrine decorum and gentlemanly conduct associated with the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “While condemning the use of any vulgar and un-senatorial language in all ramifications, we particularly take offence at the use of such abusive and denigrating words against the person of distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos Central) as such words greatly demeaned the female gender and the hallowed chamber of the Senate. “Finally, pursuant to the threat of physical abuse against Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos Central) by Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West), we state that we are not lilylivered and cannot be intimidated or deterred from our primary assignment of representing the good people of Lagos State and carrying out our national duties of lawmaking, even if it entails testifying in court on the side of the truth as part of the resolution of any conflict in the upper chamber.” Lagos APC asks Melaye to apologise to Tinubu Reacting to the development, Lagos State chapter of APC also, yesterday, condemned Melaye’s action, and called on the Kogi senator to apologise to Senator Oluremi Tinubu and her husband, Bola Tinubu. The party in a statement signed by Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, said: "Our attention has been drawn to a reckless and unguided statement credited to one Senator Dino Melaye from Kogi State, who said he will beat up our own distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central and that nothing will happen. "We take it that this is a slip of tongue but if it is, indeed, true that this statement came from the heart of Dino Melaye, we need a psychiatric doctor to examine the state of his mind. "Senator Dino Melaye has been in the news in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the wrong reasons. His actions and deeds in recent times have contributed in no uncertain terms to various setbacks we have witnessed in the 8th Senate since its inception on June 9 2015. "The hallowed chamber of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a prestigious place for the seriousminded, cerebral men and women of honour and integrity, those who can hold their heads when others are losing theirs, experienced but humble men and women. "It is not for lunatics, rascals, street urchins, ethically-challenged bigots or integritychallenged charlatans. "It seems to us in Lagos APC that Senator Dino Melaye has reached a point of diminishing returns. The unstable and funny man from Kogi State has reached a point where there is no other place to go but to go down irretrievably. "He can only go down with his likes and not with our own Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the highly revered, honoured and distinguished wife of our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. "Lagos APC wants Dino Melaye to move quickly to apologize to Senator Oluremi Tinubu and her beloved husband, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and have the statement credited to him withdrawn without any further delay." Okun Parapo disowns Melaye Also reacting to the issue, a socio-cultural group of the Yoruba speaking areas of Kogi State, Okun Parapo, berated Melaye over claims of threatening to beat up Senator Tinubu, saying Melaye had not been a good representative of the people of Kogi West senatorial district. The group, in a statement by Mr. Adekunle Adeite, lamented that the senator was making mockery of Okunland that boasts of eminent Nigerians as John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Prof Eyitayo Lambo, the late Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Gen David Jemibewon, Mr. Bayo Ojo, Darey Art Alade and Nike Davies- Okundaye, among others. The statement read: "Okunland in Kogi State, Nigeria can boast of many prominent and illustrious sons. Notable among them are: John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Shola Ameobi (soccer player), Eyitayo Lambo, David Jemibewon, Darey Art Alade, Bayo Ojo, and Nike Davies-Okundaye. How this great land ended up with a senator like Dino still beats me."
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Dino Melaye, a disgrace to the Senate - Tinubu

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