04042019 - Nigeria 7 other nstions home to world's hungriest - UN

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8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019 COURTERSY VISIT: From left, Acting Chief of Training and Operations, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Francis Isaac: Indian Defence Adviser to Nigeria, Colonel Sachin Dubey; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas; Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Abhay Thakur; Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Begroy Ibe-Enwo and a Director at Naval Headquarters, Commodore Aminu Hassan, during the visit of Indian High Commissioner to CNS, at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja. 2019 budget: Reps query Federal Fire Service over N60m increase in recurrent expenditure By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA—HOUSE of Representatives, yesterday, demanded explanation from the Federal Fire Service over N60 million increase in recurrent expenditure for the 2019 budget. The House noted that the service proposed N473.9 million for recurrent cost in a budget proposal of N9.4 billion for the 2019 fiscal year. In 2018, N413.5 million was appropriated for recurrent expenditure while N343.5 million was released and the service utilised all the N343.5m released. At a budget defence organised by House Committee on Interior, members queried the acting Controller-General, CG, Federal Fire Service, Mr Liman Ibrahim, on the rationale for the increase. A member of the committee, Shehu Musa (APC-Bauchi) said: “I have a question which is on page 18 of the budget document where you have your recurrent cost for 2019. “In the recurrent expenditure, I noticed that it jerked from N413 billion as at 2018 to N473 billion as at 2019, which means there is a significant increase of N60 million. “So I want to know whether the CG has a plan of widening his scope by establishing more stations, more outfits, having more responsibilities because this is what it implies. I really want to know what you want to do with the money?” Also speaking, Linda Chuba-Ikpeazu (PDP- Anambra) expressed disappointment that Onitsha, a city in Anambra State, had no fire fighting :Vanguard News station. She noted that the state relied on help from Asaba, Delta State during emergencies. Service to acquire 44 new trucks Responding, the acting CG said the increase in the budget was to enable them acquire 44 fire fighting trucks. He noted: “And by the time they arrive in the country, we are going to open additional fire stations in the zones. Currently, we have stations in six zones and we want to increase the number to 12 zones. “So with more stations, we need additional hands. So those are the three reasons for the increase. We are at the zones to complement the efforts of the state fire services. I am sure Onitsha falls under Anambra. “We gave Anambra zonal office and they abandoned us and we have to move to Enugu. So, currently, our zonal office is in Enugu. Such international market is supposed to have what we called fire post and fire trucks. If it is not supplied by the state government, the market association should buy.” Buratai demands N472.8bn for 2019 operations By Emman Ovuakporie ABUJA—CHIEF of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai, yesterday, made a request for N472.8 billion for its 2019 operations. He made the disclosure to Rimamande Shawhulu (PDP, Taraba) led Committee on Army while defending the army’s 2019 budget. He also said the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force did not have any form of conflict as being alleged in some quarters. On the breakdown of the budget, he said N350.5 billion was set aside for personnel emoluments, N43.6 billion was for overhead costs while N78.5 billion was for its capital budget of the Nigerian Army in 2019. He said: “The clamour for an air wing for the army had begun before now and it has not led to any form of conflict between the two security agencies. "We support ourselves with both tactical and logistical support and having an air wing like the Navy, Immigration and the police will further compliment our operations. :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 “To adequately fight insecurity, we must spend money on all fronts as we are already recording a tremendous progress in this regard." On the incessant abduction of Nigerians on Kaduna express road and Nasarawa states, COAS said: “We need intelligence from the indigenes to enable us get the perpetrators because they live among the indigenes. If they cooperate with us, before you know the issue will be a thing of the past.” He told the committee that the fund budgeted was for the prosecution of ongoing war against insurgency in the North East and criminality in the North-West as well as other parts of the country The Army Chief further told the House Committee that the percentage performance of the Army personnel emoluments was 100 percent as well as other components of the 2018 budget. PRIMORG launches programme for investigative reports AS part of its mandate to promote citizen’s engagement, popular participation and inclusiveness in governance in Nigeria, Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development, PRIMORG, with the support from MacArthur Foundation has launched a radio programme to amplify corruption related investigative report. A statement by the organisation’s Executive Director, Augustine Agbonsuremi, said the programme, which will also be disseminated using the social media, seeks to deemphasize unethical practices and address lack of accountability in Nigeria’s public and private sector Agbonsuremi said the project was underscored by the fact that corruption was identified as one of the greatest threats to democracy in Nigeria today. He said: “During the twoyear period of the project, PRIMORG will produce and air the radio programme, public conscience in select radio stations in Nigeria. The programmes will also be relayed on the various social media platforms." Presidency clarifies status of SEZ company By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA—THE Presidency, yesterday, explained that Nigeria Special Economic Zones Company, NZESCO, was incorporated as a special purpose vehicle to deliver Project MINE (Made in Nigeria for Exports), a presidential initiative. A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, explained that the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP, identified the development of Special Economic Zones as a major strategic tool to accelerate the implementation of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, NIRP. According to him, “Project MINE was envisioned by the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, MITI, to develop SEZs to world-class standards and position Nigeria as the pre-eminent manufacturing hub in sub- Saharan Africa and a major exporter of made in Nigeria goods and services regionally and globally. “Indeed, Project MINE was necessitated by the following factors: Lack of operating competitiveness that limits the growth of the zones, despite the presence of generous fiscal and regulatory incentives.” He said Project Mine therefore, sought to support structural transformation of the Nigerian economy by increasing the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP to 20 percent by 2029 and contribute to sustainable inclusive growth by creating 1.5 million new direct manufacturing jobs in the initial phase of Project MINE. It also seeks to increase and diversify foreign exchange earnings to at least $30billion annually by 2029, by increasing manufacturing sector exports and create local models of global best practice in the provision of world class infrastructure at competitive costs connecting SEZs to international and regional markets with transport links, uninterrupted power, ICT, water, sewage and other services to ensure smooth and efficient operation of SEZ businesses. More female teachers needed in North to help encourage girls’ enrolment —UNICEF By Joseph Erunke ABUJA—TO achieve considerable improvement in girls’ enrolment and arrest the growing rate of out-of-school children in the North, government at the state and the federal levels in the region must step up employment of more female teachers, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has said. The body, which asked the federal and state governments to employ more female teachers in schools in Kidnapping, armed banditry: Air Force to provide air support to police, DSS, others By Joseph Erunke ABUJA—THE Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has pledged to provide air assets to the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Service, DSS, and other security agencies to arrest the worsening cases of kidnapping and armed banditry in the country. The measure, according to NAF, was part of inter-agency cooperation to address security challenges in the country, especially the issue of kidnapping and armed banditry on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway and Kaduna-Birnin Gwari axis. Chief of Air Staff, Air northern Nigeria, said the development would no doubt raise girls’ enrolment in schools and eradicate the out-of-school children growing population. Its two reports on the Effect of Female Teachers on girls’ Enrolment and Retention in Northern Nigeria, and C4D Assessment in Basic Education, in Abuja, UNICEF said the effects of female teachers on girls’ enrolment and retention in Northern Nigeria were positive. Marshal Sadique Abubakar, made the disclosure in a statement by NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, while playing host to the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, and DSS Director General, Yusuf Bichi, in his office. Abubakar reiterated NAF’s “commitment to support the Nigeria Police, DSS and other security agencies with real time geospatial and imagery intelligence.” He assured that NAF will make “available its air assets for the conduct of tactical air support missions and increasing the frequency of air reconnaissance in the affected areas.
VANGUARD, THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019—9 Onnoghen denies EFCC's bribery allegations •As NJC sends investigative report to Buhari ...declines to reveal outcome •CCT fixes April 15 for adoption of final argument A B By Ikechukwu Nnochiri U J A — SUSPENDED Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, has denied allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that he collected bribe from some lawyers. This came as the National Judicial Council, NJC, yesterday, said it had forwarded the outcome of its investigation into corruption allegations against Justice Onnoghen and the Acting CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad to President Muhammadu Buhari, for action. The council in a statement by its Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye, said it convened an emergency meeting to consider the report of the five-man committee it constituted to investigate allegations of misconduct that were levelled against Justice Onnoghen and Justice Muhammad. “The NJC reconvened today (yesterday) in an Emergency Meeting to consider the Report of the Five-Man Committee constituted to investigate the allegations of misconduct made against Justice Onnoghen, and Justice Muhammad. “Council decided that the allegations relating to assets declaration that were levelled against Onnoghen, were subjudice and therefore abstained from considering them. “Council reached a decision on the petitions :Vanguard News written by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and others and conveyed its decision to President Buhari. “Council also resolved that, by the nature of the decision reached, it would be inappropriate to publicise it before conveying it to Mr. President,” the statement read. EFCC raising malicious, speculative allegations against me —Onnoghen Meantime, Onnoghen in his response to the NJC’s queries, challenged the competence of two petitions the EFCC lodged against him. Onnoghen, who was suspended from office by President Buhari on January 25, accused the EFCC of raising “malicious and speculative” allegations against him, contending that contrary to the allegations, he never received any Mercedes Benz Gl 450, valued at N7 million, from Mr. Joe Agi, SAN. He noted that Agi had also testified before the NJC panel to the effect that he was duly paid for the car. He insisted that the car was never a gift to sway him to compromise in the discharge of his judicial duties. According to Onnoghen, “Agi, in his appearance as a witness, had informed this committee that the car issue happened in 2008 and that His Lordship ordered for the car and paid for it by :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 VISIT: President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki with the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, when the latter visited him in Abuja yesterday. instalments. “The referenced case was in December 2010. Joe Agi, SAN, also stated that the car was neither a bribe nor a gift but was purchased by His Lordship. “He stated that he was the one that informed the EFCC voluntarily about the car His Lordship bought through his U.S Company, which has a car dealership licence in the United States so to illustrate his long standing relationship with His Lordship. Surprisingly, the EFCC then turned around to label it as a bribe.” Onnoghen maintained that it was not tenable that he could collect a car gift to pervert justice in a case that was decided by a five-man panel of Justices that included the immediate past CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed and the current acting CJN, Justice Muhammad. “It is thus malicious to link the appearance of Joe Agi, SAN, before the Supreme Court in the above matter to any purported gift to one of the Justices who sat on the Panel,” Onnoghen argued. Monetary gifts came during my daughter's wedding, says Onnoghen Though the CJN admitted that he indeed received monetary gifts from five lawyers, he insisted that it was not a bribe, but a goodwill gesture and an unsolicited support that was extended to him during the wedding ceremony of his first daughter in 2015. To substantiate his claim, Onnoghen, tendered the wedding invitation card in evidence before the NJC, contending that gifts that followed were part and parcel of the customs and traditions of the people he said judicial officers were by law, allowed to receive. According to Onnoghen’s defence team, by Rule 13.5(2) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial officers (Published February, 2016), a judicial officer is permitted to accept: “Personal gifts or benefits from relatives or personal friends to such extent and on such occasions as are recognized by custom.” The CJN argued that linking the gift to cases that were handled by the Supreme Court was baseless since he did not even sit on one of the cited cases. He gave names of justices that handled the case EFCC referred to in its petition, as Musa Muhammad, (presided), Clara Ogunbiyi, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Ejembi Eko, and Sidi Bage. More so, Justice Onnoghen noted that whereas the goodwill gesture was extended to his daughter in 2015, the said case was decided by the Supreme Court in 2017. CCT fixes April 15 for adoption of final argument Meanwhile, Justice Onnoghen, also yesterday, shelved his earlier resolve to produce three witnesses to debunk the allegation that he did not declare his assets as prescribed by the law. At the resumed proceeding on the sixcount charge the Federal Government preferred against him before the NASS leadership: Saraki, Dogara scheming to frustrate APC’s zoning formula —Nabena By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA—A national officer of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Yekini Nabena, has warned of continued scheming by Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and House Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara to truncate the zoning arrangement put in place by the party for constituting the leadership of the 9th National Assembly. Speaking with journalists, yesterday, in Abuja, the Bayelsa State, born APC chieftain cautioned Saraki and Dogara to steer clear of the tussle in both legislative chambers. Nabena also cautioned lawmakers on the need to abide by the decision of the party, saying the party remained supreme. CCT, he announced his decision to close his defence with only the testimony of his driver. Justice Onnoghen’s driver, Mr. Lawal Busari, had last Monday, testified before the tribunal as the first defence witness, DW- 1. The witness had in his Evidence-In-Chief, told the Mr. Danladi Umar-led CCT panel that he personally drove Onnoghen to Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, in 2010, to submit his assets declaration form. His evidence was contrary to the allegation that the defendant failed to declare his assets between 2006 and 2016. Meantime, despite plea by Onnoghen’s lawyer to be granted at least 14 days to file a final written address, the CCT Chairman, Mr. Umar, declined and slated for April 15 for the parties to adopt their briefs of argument. The tribunal said it would after the parties have adopted their final addresses, fix a date for judgment and to deliver two rulings that are pending in the matter. Whereas one of the pending ruling is challenging jurisdiction of the tribunal to entertain the charge, in his second application, Onnoghen, asked the CCT Chairman to recuse himself from the matter, alleging bias. Specifically, the suspended CJN had queried the validity of the charge against him, contending that FG failed to respect established judicial precedents by not allowing the NJC to firstly investigate the allegation against him, before it rushed the matter to the CCT. “The decision of the leadership of the APC on the selection and zoning of principal offices in the incoming 9th National Assembly is supreme and must be respected by the party’s legislative caucus and opposition federal lawmakers. “The APC has learned its lesson from the outgoing National Assembly when impostors masquerading as party men sabotaged our party and hijacked our mandate. Affliction shall not rise up the second time. “The efforts by the Adams Oshiomhole leadership of the party are commendable in achieving a fair selection and zoning arrangement that appeals to a greater section of the party stakeholders." Avocats Sans Frontières France condemns execution of Nigerian woman in Saudi Arabia By Innocent Anaba LAGOS—Avocats Sans Frontières France, ASF France, has condemned the execution of a Nigerian woman by the Saudi government for drug related offences on Monday April 2, 2019. ASF France in a statement by Angela Uwandu, Head of Office, called on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to refrain from further executions of foreign nationals. It recalled that drug related offences do not fall within the ambits of the ‘most serious offences’ under international law and urged the Saudi government to repeal the death penalty from its statutes book and especially for drug related offences. It also urged the Nigerian government and mission in Saudi to ensure full adherence and respect of the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations for the about 20 Nigerians facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. “This is to ensure these Nigerians receive effective legal representation and fair trials accorded them," it noted. ASF France also called on the Nigerian government to review its own laws prescribing the death penalty if other countries such as Saudi Arabia are to take seriously the call of the Nigerian government to refrain from executing its nationals.
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