13052019 - NSITF: Kokori, Labour tackle Presidency

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8—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 13 , 2019 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 FG'll deal with AMCON debtors —Osinbajo NIGERIAN INVESTORS DAY: From left, MD/CEO, CSCS Plc, Haruna Jalo-Waziri; CEO, FMDQ OTC Exchange Plc, Bola Onadele Koko; immediate past President, Association of Asset Custodians of Nigeria, AACN, Mrs. Kemi Adewole; Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; CEO, Rand Merchant Bank Limited, Michael Larbie; and MD/CEO, First Registrars Limited, Bayo Olugbemi, at the 8th Annual Nigerian Investors Day organised by AACN, in London. Corruption allegation: PDP, APC in war of words over Bulkachuwa By Soni Daniel, Omeiza Ajayi & Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA— PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, to clear the air on allegations of corruption against Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, President of the Court of Appeal. But Department of State Services, DSS, also, yesterday, denied ever indicting Justice Bulkachuwa of any financial crime. However, PDP in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, noted that on account of the allegation and the nefarious plot to bring its name into its narrative, charged the Buhari-led Presidency to come clear on the corruption allegation it opened on Justice Bulkachuwa. The statement read: “The party says since the Buhariled Presidency has alluded to issues of corruption against Justice Bulkachuwa, contrary to issues raised in the PDP petition bordering on bias, it behoves on the Presidency and the APC to make public the corruption issues they have alluded to. “The Presidency should also take a step further by pursuing these issues of corruption just as it did in its case of corruption allegations against the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, instead of dragging our party into issues that have no bearing on PDP. “Now that the Presidency has informed the whole nation that Justice Bulkachuwa has issues of corruption, we challenge it to do the needful rather than engaging in shadow-boxing against our party. “Moreover, in the face of corruption allegations, as has now been exposed by the Presidency, the burden still lies on the same Presidency to come clean. “In doing that, the Presidency will be ranching on its established course, having hit the records of harassing and intimidating judicial officials; abuse of court processes and disregard for court orders." We’ve not indicted Bulkachuwa — DSS However, the Department of State Services, DSS, has denied ever indicting Bulkachuwa of any financial crime. The open declaration by the DSS followed a report by a newspaper, which claimed that Bulkachuwa was purportedly indicted for bribery and corruption by a certain secret memo of the service. A statement by DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, read: “Consequently, the DSS categorically states that the said memo only exists in the imagination of the writers and should be roundly disregarded by the reading public. “It is unfortunate that the newspaper followed unethical ways to publish this falsehood. It is rather curious and, indeed, condemnable that the newspaper did not reach out to the service for its comments as would have been expected in a reportage of this nature. “The service has, nonetheless, launched a detailed investigation into the controversies surrounding the said newspaper publication. “It is the wish of the service that it is left out of the •Speak up on Bulkachuwa, PDP tells Buhari, Presidency, APC •We’ve not indicted Bulkachuwa over financial crime — DSS •PDP should look for something concrete to bring forward—APC maneuvers of politicians who are hereby advised to abide by the rule of law and respect the entire process of electoral litigation regarding the activities of the tribunal. “While the service will continue to collaborate with the media as strategic partners in nation building, it admonishes practitioners to be lawful and professional in the execution of their responsibility. "However, mischief makers, intent on causing disaffection in the polity, are warned to desist from such acts as the full weight of the law will be visited on defaulters." PDP should look for something concrete to bring forward —APC In his reaction, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, stated: “Do you think somebody should be responding to such hogwash. When will PDP sit to put down the names of all justices at the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal and trace their families so that we know how many of them who have relations who are in politics and should be disqualified, starting from the Supreme Court. ‘’Then they should point to what aspect of the Nigerian law that says that if you have a relation who is a politician, then you are disqualified. PDP is indirectly questioning the integrity of the people in the judiciary and is indirectly trying to intimidate that institution and undermine the rule of law. ‘’Hardly would you find anybody in the judiciary today who does not have a relation who is a politician. From the Supreme Court down to the Magistrate Court, hardly would you find any Nigerian who is a judicial officer who does not have somebody who is a relation that is a politician. ‘’The world has become tired of an opposition party that has failed in its TUC planning to plunge Nigeria into darkness, TCN tells IGP By Chris Ochayi A Transmission BUJA—The Company of Nigeria, TCN, has alerted the acting Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, to an alleged plans by Trade Union Congress, TUC, to cause industrial unrest, which may lead to the breakdown of law and order. The company alleged that documents were being circulated on social media by TUC purportedly to sabotage electricity supply in the country. It, therefore, invited the police authorities to take proactive measures to forestall any breach of public peace or breakdown of law and order, in the unlikely event that TUC insists on proceeding with its planned actions. A statement issued by the company’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, in Abuja yesterday, said: “TCN noted that issues for which the TUC has ill-advisedly declared an industrial action are already subject to a court action before the National Industrial Court Abuja Division, in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/121/19, which processes have already been served the TUC. “The matter is subjudice and TCN is constrained, by responsibility to even oppose, using logic and applying sense into what they are doing. I think they want to be in the news by all means but I think they should do better and look for something concrete to bring forward.” respect for the courts, to refrain from divulging further details, except to enjoin the parties to this pending action - the TUC and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Company, SSAEAC, to show utmost respect to the hallowed institution of the court by maintaining the status quo. We can still negotiate —TUC President In his reaction, President TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, said: “We are picketing from tomorrow and if picketing is what some people called throwing Nigeria into darkness, then that is caused by MD of TCN. “It has been a trade dispute case for over one year and he (MD TCN) has been recalcitrant. Ministry of Labour has invited him over time and he remained stubborn. "Obviously, picketing is our last resort but there is still room for negotiations. We are not interested in picketing what we want is a situation to find an amicable resolution to the trade dispute. And if there is anyone who is going to throw Nigeria into darkness, it is the MD of TCN.’’ By Babajide Komolafe A BUJA—VICE President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, weekend stated the resolve of the Federal Government to deal ruthlessly with institutions and individuals indebted to Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON. Osinbajo, who noted that one of the measures to be deployed against the debtors was stopping them from doing business with government, vowed that government would not fold its arms and allow AMCON debtors walk the streets free. “I think the time has come for us (Federal Government) to set some examples with some of these top debtors of AMCON, which I believe will set a good example and serve as deterrent to others,’’ the vice president said. He said the debtors had made it impossible for AMCON to resolve its outstanding N5 trillion debt, thereby holding the entire nation to ransom with their bad behaviour. Osinbajo disclosed this while addressing some board members and management of AMCON, led by the Board Chairman, Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN, at State House, Abuja. Osinbajo, who is the Chairman of Economic Council, said there were plans by government to set up an inter-agency collaboration framework that would comprise relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, and supervised by the office of the vice president to ensure that institutions and individuals that were indebted to AMCON were not allowed to do business with government henceforth. He said the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari will no longer fold its arms and allow a few individuals owing AMCON huge sums of money walk freely on the streets in the country. Osinbajo, who said he was impressed with the performance of the executive management of AMCON under the leadership of Ahmed Lawan Kuru for the recovery successes that have been achieved so far against all odds, also promised that the Federal Government would give AMCON whatever support that was necessary to enable it go after the obligors that have remained recalcitrant, despite the olive branch extended to them over the years by the recovery agency of the government.
Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 13, 2019—9 CBN dismisses fraud allegations against top officials By Babajide Komolafe CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, dismissed as false and misleading allegations of fraudulent transactions against its top officials with respect to a purported N150 billion bad loan in its accounts for 2018. In a statement issued yesterday, Director, C o r p o r a t e Communications, CBN, Isaac Okoroafor, said: “The Management of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has been notified of a purported audio recording of selective conversations between the CBN Governor, Deputy Governor and some senior UNILEVER'S AGM: From left—Non-Executive Director; Mrs. Abiola Alabi; Non-Executive Director, Mr. Atedo Peterside; Independent Non-Executive Director, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, and General Counsel, Ghana-Nigeria & Company Secretary, Mrs. Abidemi Ademola, all of Unilever Nigeria Plc, during the company's 94th Annual General Meeting. Insecurity: We’re up to task, Presidency By Johnbosco Agbakwuru A BUJA—THE Presidency has said despite security challenges in some parts of the country, the Federal Government is up to the task of reversing the trend. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, enumerated efforts by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to tackle the menace and affirmed that it was government’s responsibility to safeguard the lives and properties of the citizens. He said: “These are no officials. “Contrary to the headline-grabbing narrative that the discussion was about a fraudulent transaction, this conversation—the beginnings of which was omitted to create a different impression— was simply to proffer solutions to a misunderstanding that affected the Bank’s balance sheet. “As publicly known, the CBN was approached in 2015 by the National Economic Management Team and the National Economic Council, NEC, chaired by the Vice President, to assist state governments with conditional budget support in the aftermath of the significant nose-dive in doubt times of great security challenges for our country and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government is not leaving any stone unturned to restore sanity and calm.” The presidential aide also assured that the government remained committed to its goal of beating the criminals. Adesina said: “It is the constitutional duty of government to safeguard lives and properties. The Buhari administration remains committed to this, and despite recent spikes in the spate of crime and criminality, the evildoers will be beaten, and badly, too. “The ravening clouds can never be victorious. Soon, global oil prices and associated FAAC allocations. “In order to ensure that ordinary Nigerian workers got their salaries, pensions and gratuities, and that the economy continued to recover from recession, the bank provided about N650 billion in loans at 9% with a two-year grace period to 35 states of the Federation. “These monies were distributed to the states monthly with documented approval of the Ministry of Finance and the Presidency. “In closing the Bank’s 2018 accounts, external auditors in their draft account, erroneously classified about N150 billion of these loans as bad, which negatively they shall no longer possess the sky.” He listed some of the security initiatives taken since January to include Operation Puff Adder (Nigerian Police), Operation HARBIN KUNAMA 3 (Nigerian Army) and Exercise Egwu Eke 3 (Nigerian Army) launched to complement the existing Operations Sharan Daji (launched in 2016 by the Nigerian Army) a n d D i r a n Mikiya (launched in 2018 by the Nigerian Air Force). The statement read in part: “All of these operations are focused on tackling banditry and criminality in the North-West of Nigeria. “Operation HARBIN KUNAMA 3 was launched on April 1, to ensure the complete defeat of the bandits fleeing military affected the bank’s balance sheet and shareholders fund. “The selective conversation being circulated was simply a discussion to ascertain why the auditors took that position and next steps to resolving it. “Obviously, it soon became clear that a state government loan cannot be classified as “bad” or “irrecoverable” when the state still exists and getting FAAC allocations. “The bank then reached out to the Ministry of Finance and they jointly gave comfort to the auditors who accepted in writing that these monies would be repaid. “On this basis, the auditors reversed the operations in Zamfara and escaping into Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Niger and Sokoto states. “Hundreds of kidnappers and bandits have been arrested or killed since January, several camps/ hideouts destroyed; and hundreds of hostages rescued. “In a two-week operation in February (from February 4 to 14), 80 hostages were freed by the Nigerian Army, with 37 bandits killed. “Aerial bombardments of bandits’ camps have been intensified in recent months. A new Air Force Base — the 271 Nigerian Air Force Detachment (271 NAF Det)— was commissioned at Birinin Gwari in Kaduna State in May, to complement the 207 Quick Response Group, QRG, established in Gusau, Zamfara State, in 2017.” negative entry and the certified that the CBN’s 2018 accounts were a true reflection of the state of affairs. “Reconciliation of balance sheet items are regular conversations among senior management of many agencies and should not be misconstrued as anything but that. “Had the online media which released the selective recordings sought the comments of CBN as required of journalism practice, we would have provided it. “Clearly, those who listened to the audio can easily ascertain that the conversation had nothing to do with anything fraudulent as purported.” HEALTH TIPS By Sola Ogundipe Relief for indigestion WHEN you have indigestion, your belly hurts and you may feel sick. Indigestion affects the lining of the stomach in the upper abdomen and can be caused by lifestyle choices and medication. If you’re feeling the unpleasant symptoms of indigestion, there are simple tips for relief. A good start is to be aware of common causes that include spicy, greasy and fatty foods, as well as foods with a lot of acid like citrus and tomatoes. Keep a food diary. Note that it can take up to 72 hours for food to cause a flare-up of indigestion. Note what you ate and the time you ate it, it can help you deduce what it is that’s bothering your belly. Eat slowly. It’s not just what you eat that can cause indigestion; it’s also how quickly you eat. Sit down Army, ISWA in claims, counterclaims over Borno killings By Kingsley Omonobi & Ndahi Marama THE Nigerian Army and the Islamic State for West Africa, ISWAbacked Boko Haram insurgents were, yesterday, locked in claims and counter-claims over killings, weekend, in Borno State. While the Army said its troops, on clearance operations in the North- East, engaged Boko Haram terrorists in several communities in Borno, eliminating several of them and recovering several arms and ammunition with two soldiers sustaining injuries, the terrorists claimed that they killed 11 soldiers. However, the Army insisted that no soldier died. Giving details of the operations, Col Sagir Musa, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, said: “Troops of 121 and 192 Battalions of Operation Lafiya Dole in collaboration with Civilian JTF and local vigilantes, on May 10 continued with clearance operations to end Boko Haram terrorism.” when you eat your meals. Eat less. Over-eating can also trigger indigestion. Eating several small meals throughout the day can help. Avoid eating right before bed. Swallowing too much air while eating is also a risk. Avoid that by chewing with your mouth closed and talking less while eating. Avoid drinking with your meals. Try to limit drinking fluids to 20 minutes before or after a meal. Try sips of room-temperature water. Avoid taking soft drinks, alcohol and caffeine with your meals. Exercise at the right time after a meal. If indigestion flares, try a cup of peppermint, ginger or chamomile tea to neutralise stomach acid. Listen to your body. Pay attention to how specific meals make you feel—and take it from there.
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13052019 - NSITF: Kokori, Labour tackle Presidency

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