28032019 - NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP:All clear for Lawan; fresh crisis brews over Gbaja

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32—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019 TRAINING: From left—Head, Planning, Research and Strategic, BPP, Mr. Adebowale Adedokun; Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Civil Service Commission, Mr. Onuh Yunusa; Director, Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Caiafas, and Director, Energy Infrastructure, BPP, Engr. Babatunde Kuye, at the first batch of procurement conversion training for procurement officers in ministries, departments, agencies and commissions, at the Digital Bridge Institute, Ikeja, Lagos State. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi. Adamawa APC makes U-turn, to participate in gov re-run THE ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Adamawa State, has called on its supporters in the state to prepare for and participate in the governorship supplementary election slated for today. Alhaji Ahmed Lawal, state Organising Secretary of the party, gave the directive in Yola, yesterday. Lawal said the party reviewed its earlier decision to boycott the poll and had By Michael Eboh, with agency report A BUJA—NIGERIAN National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, said the first phase of its ongoing recruitment exercise had been concluded with the shutting down of the application portal, while the By Ike Uchechukwu C ALABAR— INDUSTRIAL Training Fund, ITF, has revealed that owing to lack of requisite technical and soft skills, about 925 trades were difficult to fill in the country’s labour market. Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, Sir. Joseph Ari, made this known while briefing newsmen, yesterday, during the interface with Cross River State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Calabar. Ari said: “Despite our resolved to fully participate. He, however, said in spite of the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC’s refusal to heed their call to re-schedule, APC would still win the election. He appealed to the APC family and supporters not to be deterred by INEC’s action, but to go out en mass to vote for the candidate of the party. According to him, “having consulted all the party stakeholders, we efforts and those of the Federal Government, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, report of the third quarter of 2018 revealed that just as the number of the economically-active working age (15 to 64 years) grew from 110.3 million to 111 million, the number of unemployed equally appreciated from 11.9 in the first quarter to 15.99 in the third quarter. “Despite the fact that a skills gap assessment in six priority sectors of the Nigerian economy, which was conducted by ITF in conjunction with United have resolved to participate in the supplementary election fixed for tomorrow(today). “Our earlier boycott threat was not out of fear, but to encourage participation by other political parties who had been taken unawares by the date. “To us, we will participate and win the re-run even as INEC has refused to rescind its decision to hold the re-run tomorrow (today). “We appeal to APC No tech skill to fill 1,000 vacancies—ITF Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO, that was presented to stakeholders in Abuja, 2018, showed that although vacancies existed in all sectors surveyed, they are being filled by persons other than Nigerians, because of lack of requisite skills. “The report noted that 15.7 percent of all hard to fill vacancies were due to lack of technical skills; 11.8, lack of basic IT skills; 9.2, lack of advanced IT skills, between 9.2 and 7.5percent of the vacancies were due to lack of soft skills.” supporters to come out and vote for APC massively so as to ensure victory in the election. Adamawa is an APC state and with the development strides recorded by Governor Mohammed Bindow, it is a sure qualification for winning an election." The re-reun was fixed for today sequel to the vacation of a court order restraining INEC from conducting a governorship supplementary election in the state. NNPC closes recruitment portal, as lawyer threatens court action over criteria second phase commenced immediately. This came as an Abujabased lawyer, Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, has threatened to drag NNPC management to court following what he described as “discriminatory” recruitment process. Olajengbesi, in a letter addressed to the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, on March 26, vowed to approach the court to ensure protection of the fundamental rights of Nigerians who were qualified to apply, but were barred from participating because of age criteria. Olajengbesi, however, pointed out that the criteria and process violated Section 3(e)(iv) of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure), 2009 which protected the public interest of Nigerians. On the closure, a statement in Abuja by NNPC's Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, disclosed that the second phase of the exercise involved short listing of qualified candidates. He explained that the qualified candidates among the applicants would be invited to participate in computerbased aptitude tests. According to Ughamadu, the tests would be administered in about 50 centres across the country, while noting that those who emerged successful in the tests would subsequently be invited for oral interviews for final selection. Ajobena faulted over outburst on Kachikwu By Perez Brisibe UGHELLI— THE 4+4 Niger Delta Believer’s Council, a pressure group within All Progressives Congress, APC, has taken a swipe at a chieftain of the party in Delta State, AVM Frank Ajobene, for accusing the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, of being a “mole” in the party. National Coordinator of the group, Sir Fred Magada, described his comments as “unguarded outburst,” stating that Ajobena, like an elder statesman that he is, should not portray himself as a political stooge. Magada, in a Freight forwarders suspend strike, engage CRFFN FREIGHT forwarders, yesterday, agreed to suspend their planned shutdown of ports across the country. Speaking on behalf of the freight forwarders, Mr. Ndubisi Uzoegbu, outlined their grievances to include multiple customs checkpoints, bad road network leading to high cost of transportation, high cost of demurrage making the 24 hours cargo clearance a mirage. He also lamented that the recent deployment of a special team from Abuja to inspect third party cargo at the ports was worrisome. However, in a statement in Abuja, Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFFN, P R O J E C T management and consultancy firm, Best Charter Limited, will hold a summit for leaders and executives this year. Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Felix Ugbechie, said in a statement that the summit will be a gathering of 500 select leaders and executives in the public space and top establishment as well as up and coming organisations, to discuss Nigeria’s economy, opportunities and risks. Ugbechie added that the CEO summit will also be an opportunity statement yesterday, pointed out that it was Dr. Kachikwu, as the arrowhead of the party, that acted as the uniting factor with the series of meetings he conveyed at his country home that resulted in the prevailing peace currently being experienced in the party. He said: “Rather than consolidate on the gains of the past election as a statesman, Ajobena is calling leaders of the party names. "He should note that while the crisis within the party lingered, Kachikwu was practically in Delta every weekend to unite warring factions. “If not for the efforts of Kachikwu, APC in Delta State would have been like a fatherless baby.” disclosed that the group suspended the planned strike after meeting with the Registrar of CRFFN, Mr. Samuel Nwakohu, and gave CRFFN 14 days to resolve the impasse. Nwakohu expressed appreciation to the group for honouring the invitation and resolved to make the appropriate representation on the issue to appropriate quarters with a view of finding a lasting solution. He further enjoined all aggrieved freight forwarders not to contemplate acts that could affect the economy adversely without recourse to the Council, and called for their support and co-operation to reposition the sub-sector. Nwakohu reiterated the resolve of his regime to Firm plans summit for leaders, executives for engagement between the executives, legislature, CEOs, investors, entrepreneurs and top executives of businesses. A major feature of the summit will be the public presentation of a compendium on 250 of Nigeria’s best performing companies and their CEOs. He added that the summit will be rounded off with a gala night which will feature the Distinguished Persons and Good Governance Award, to celebrate some outstanding individuals of African descent who had impacted on humanity in the course of their career.
Vanguard, THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019—33 Oba of Benin advocates tough sanctions for human traffickers By Alemma Aliu BENIN—THE Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has called for a global sanction on syndicates that are still involved in human trafficking as well as the receiver-countries. He made the call when he received the United States Charge d’ Affairs, David Young, in his palace, saying there seems to be high demand for trafficked persons in Europe, which he said has been responsible for the boom in the illegal business. Oba Ewuare II urged the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, to step into the fight against human trafficking and the rehabilitation of victims, just as he called for support in the form of grants to enable the Oba Ewuare II Foundation rehabilitate victims of human trafficking. The monarch also urged the United States Charge d’Affairs to support his call for the return of Benin artefacts, adding that they would be used to establish Palace Museum in Benin Kingdom. Earlier, Young said they were at the palace to appreciate the monarch for his pronouncement against illegal migration and human trafficking. He described human trafficking as the most horrific human rights violation all over the world, pointing out that Oba Ewuare II’s pronouncement has had great impact in bringing freedom to the victims. Young explained that those who perpetrate the crime must be brought to justice, just as he said that American government had already adopted an approach of prevention, protection and prosecution in the fight against human trafficking. COMMISSIONING: From left— Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Insititute, Prince Adewale Ojora; Vice Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government, Wajud Bashorun; Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr, Kweku Tandoh; Chief Operating Officer, Axxela Limited, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, and Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Babatunde Bank- Anthony, at the commissioning of Axxela’s Greater Lagos IV, GLIV, gas pipeline and the refurbished Elegbata Sports Complex, Lagos Island, yesterday. Army, thugs killed over 35 at Abonnema—Wike’s aide By Egufe Yafugborhi PORT HARCOURT— SPECIAL Adviser to the Governor of Rivers State on Infrastructure, . Otonye Briggs, has said over 35 lives were lost to the Presidential election day killings involving the Nigerian Army and thugs in Abonnema, Akuku Toru Local Government Area of the state. Briggs was apprehended by soldiers about 7a.m., from his Abonnema Hotel place before he could cast his vote on the March 9 governorship election and has been through military and Police detentions, but was released last week on the orders of a court. The Army, which lost a Lieutenant in the Abonnema election violence, declared killing six persons in the incidence. But Briggs in a statement alleged that the soldiers “with a known criminal collaborator killed more than 35 indigenes and strangers living in the community. “Abonnema was in such mourning that the people and chiefs had to hold a memorial service which took place on March 6, at the Nyemoni Lutheran Church, Abonnema. “It is sad that the Amayanabo of Abonnema and the Council of Chiefs were compelled to summon All Progressives Congress, APC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, politicians on March 7 to a peace pact against repeat of February 23 mayhem, By Davies Iheamnachor PORT HARCOURT— THE amalgamation of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, has described as unnecessary and misguided the indictment by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and allegations of professional misconducts on the Nigerian Army during the suspended polls in Rivers State. The coalition also apologised on behalf of people of the state to the Army “over the unguided and only PDP attended and signed the peace pact. “APC bluntly refused, maybe because they were planning more evil.” On his ordeal in military and Police custody over his arrest, Briggs said: “I was moved to 130 Battalion, Harry’s Town, Degema LGA, before being whisked to the 6 Division Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt. “I was detained till the statements against it by some politicians in the state,” presenting a letter to the GOC, 6 Division. Col. A.D Abubakar, who received the solidarity letter for the GOC, 6 Division, noted that the document would be forwarded to the appropriate office. Chancellor of International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, ISSJHR, Dr. Jackson Omenazu, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, during a solidarity walk to the 6 Division Headquarters with placards, said: “We following day, deprived of voting and duty as collation/ returning agent of PDP for the governorship. “The following day, being March 10, the military moved me to the 6 Division, Bori Camp, detained me in their dungeon till March 19, when I was bundled to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Port Harcourt, without justification.” Indictments of Army on Rivers polls misguided—CSOs are here to condole and commend the 6 Division, Nigerian Army for being professional in your conduct during the polls and for the loss of your officers. “Without your presence and intervention, the election would have been characterised by killings, just like what we had in 2015 when the state was described as a theatre of war. “We are standing by the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 6 Division for providing adequate security during the election in the state.” Asaba Int'l Airport has best runway in Nigeria—Delta govt By Festus Ahon A SABA—DELTA State government, yesterday, said Asaba International Airport has the best runway and landing equipment in the country. Special Project Director in charge of the airport, Mr. Austin Ayemidejor, who stated this at the airport to bid the Egyptian football team farewell, said: “The airport is strategically located to cater for the travel needs of a lot of people.” Reiterating that work had already commenced at the cargo portion of the airport, he said: “With all the facilities in working condition, its strategic location in a serene environment, as air travel will become so Akpabio'll reclaim mandate—Umoren By Harris Emmanuel U YO—FORMER Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Sir Etekamba Umoren, has expressed optimism that Senator Godswill Akpabio will reclaim the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial seat at the tribunal. Umoeren, a close ally of the former governor, said: “Everybody is saying that Senator Akpabio won the election, except INEC. There are incontrovertible evidence to prove that Akpabio won the Ogboru faulted on claims of rigging, violence in Delta gov polls By Agbonkhese Oboh TEAM Hilary for Okowa has faulted claims by Chief Great Ogboru, Delta State All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, that the election in the state was marred by malpractices, killings and maiming of members of the party. In a statement by Director General of the group, Daniel Ossai, Team Hilary said the allegations were far from the true reflection of what transpired on the day of the election, as voters willingly re-elected Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a second term. Ossai said: “Chief Great Ogboru and his much easier for travellers as well as tourists” The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, who also spoke, described the successful landing and take-off of international flights from the Asaba International Airport as clear attestation of the success story of Governor Okowa’s administration. Meanwhile, the pilot of EgyptAir Boeing 737, Mr. Ramy Mansour, who flew into Asaba about 7:57a.m., to pick the players, said it was a wonderful experience landing at the airport. Mansour said: “We had a nice experience landing at the airport. The runway is very good and the greenery was a very nice view from up. It is six hours from Asaba to Cairo and we will like to land here again.” election. “Results collated from the field clearly showed that Akpabio won in all the 11 wards of the Essien Udim Local Government. But where APC won results were cancelled.” Ekpenyong, in his reaction, said he would not lose sleep over Akpabio’s petition, as he is ready to defend the mandate given to him by the people of the district. He urged his supporters to “remain calm as your mandate has been rescued by the divine arrangement for peace, development and even spread of the dividends of democracy to thrive.” party are wrong. The reelection of Okowa for a second term in office was a clean, clear and fair process that involved Deltans across the 25 local government areas of the state. “It was a pan-Delta affair and to bring it down to the level of malpractice is cheap blackmail coming from those who will not accept the truth that Deltans went for what they considered appropriate. “Deltans have, once more, expressed their love for a proactive approach to governance in contrast to the lip service and mediocrity that the opposition wanted to plunge the state into.”
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28032019 - NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP:All clear for Lawan; fresh crisis brews over Gbaja

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