21102019 - BORDER CLOSURE:‘How neighbouring countries worked against Nigeria’

More documents

Recommendations

Info

10 — VANGUARD, MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019 THANKSGIVING—Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde (middle), his wife, Tamunominini, and his Deputy, Rauf Olaniyan, dancing during a Special Thanksgiving Service at Winners Chapel, Basorun, Ibadan, yesterday. APAPA: Task team, NURTW, others on extortion spree as gridlock worsens •Police helpless as motorists, commuters stranded for hours •We've concluded our assignment—Task Team source By our reporters LAGOS—AFTER few weeks of respite following the decongestion of the Apapa-Oshodi gridlock between Ijesha and Berger Yard by the Presidential Task Team, the chaotic situation on the expressway, caused by the menace of articulated trucks, has returned with full force, taking its toll on commuters and motorists, who ply the road. On May 22, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari had issued a directive for the immediate decongestion of the Apapa gridlock and the restoration of law and order to Apapa and its environs. The directive mandated the immediate removal of all trucks from the bridges and roads within the Apapa axis. But yesterday’s gridlock grounded all human and vehicular activities along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, as motorists and other road users were stranded in traffic for several hours due to activities of trucks and articulated vehicle operators, who took over the entire expressway. In fact, the situation appears to get chaotic each passing day since last week, as the Task Team officials seem to have compromised with truck drivers who believe that because they have settled the officials, they have the right to take over the entire service lane meant to serve motorists and commuters plying Apapa axis. Yesterday was particularly chaotic for motorists and commuters, who were navigating the Apapa axis from Mile 2, as the entire expressway was on lockeddown. Not even pedestrians could navigate their way to their destinations as trucks moving towards Tin- Can occupied every available space on the only service lane that serves road users without consideration for others. Task team, NURTW on extortion spree The Task Team officials seem to have lost control of the situation as tanker and truck drivers behaved unruly on the service lane without being called to order. It was indeed pathetic, yesterday, as motorists spent an average of four hours between Mile 2 and Berger Yard. Some Vanguard staff, who got to Mile 2 by noon, did not get to the office till about 4 pm. While in the lockdown, our reporter observed how money exchanged hands between truck drivers and officials of the Task Team and officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW in the heavy downpour yesterday. The extortion, however, caused lawlessness on the road. The situation also becomes uncontrollable at night after the Task Team officials have collected money from truck and tanker drivers. The truck drivers park indiscriminately at every available space on the road without consideration for other road users. It was also observed that the task team officials pretend to be controlling the truck drivers. Besides, some miscreants at Mile 2 have taken advantage of the gridlock to attack motorists and commuters on the road. Investigations carried out by a team of Vanguard reporters, however, revealed that the gridlock, which eased off a few weeks back, resurfaced due to the massive extortion. Investigations also revealed that Naval personnel, members of the Presidential Task Team, National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas, NUPENG and the police stationed in all the strategic sections of the road, were involved in the extortion. The ongoing extortion spree has spread to Old Ojo road, Satellite Town where naval personnel took over the control of traffic completely thereby, sidelining policemen entrusted with the responsibility of controlling traffic. Task team, Navy, Police trade blames Inquiries made at the NIMASA area of Kirikiri revealed that both the police and naval men were at daggers drawn over who would control the chaotic traffic situation. While some truck drivers laid the blame on officials of the Presidential Task Team for releasing trucks for loading indiscriminately, thereby, compounding the already bad situation, an official of the Task Team hinted that their problem is the naval men and policemen who have prominently positioned themselves at strategic areas where they are busy extorting money from trucks and tanker drivers. Agitated motorists and commercial drivers told Vanguard that the whole area has been militarized to the extent that both navy and army personnel are seen openly escorting motorists and tankers against traffic after the payment of an agreed sum of money ranging from N5000 to N10,000. They disclosed that truck drivers pay more along the road linking old Ojo in Satellite with Kirikiri and from Second Rainbow bus stop to Mile-2 Bridge and up to Berger Yard bus stop. Motorists lament A motorist, Mr. Adeyinka Alabi, said: “I have been stranded in gridlock for the past 3 hours to move from Mile-2 end to Berger yard, Kirikiri Road. The entire road was completely blocked as tankers and container laden vehicles took over the road without any movement. “The driver of a container-laden vehicle, who was driving in front of me, due to the lack of movement, abandoned the vehicle on the road. The driver later resurfaced about 30 minutes later before we could move again. There was no security personnel to control or remedy the ugly situation. Many people are left to grind their teeth in agony.” We’ve concluded our work— Task-team source An effort to speak with the Vice-Chairman of Presidential Task team, Kayode Opeifa, was unsuccessful at press time as he was unavailable for comment. But a senior official of the team, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Vanguard that: “Our job is completed in Apapa. What we are doing is just extra work. You can read the presidential order. LASTMA is to enforce traffic management in the area henceforth.” ASUU mobilises members against FG over IPPIS By Ola Ajayi I Academic BADAN—THE Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, yesterday, disclosed it has started mobilising its members against the federal government over planned imposition of Integrated Personnel Payroll System, IPPIS. The leaders of the Union had summoned an emergency National Executive Council meeting of the Union where they agreed that the leadership of the Union at university levels should begin mobilisation of members across the country for action against President Muhammadu Buhari-led government. APC, PDP trade words over Ekiti cargo airport project By Rotimi Ojomoyela A Peoples DO-EKITI—THE Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State, yesterday, engaged in verbal war over the ongoing construction of agro-allied cargo airport in the state. Governor Kayode Fayemi had laid the foundation for the Ekiti Airport, aimed at boosting the state’s agricultural, tourism and educational endowment, a couple of days ago. The PDP described the airport project as another ‘silly approach’ to transform the state’s economy, saying “Governor Fayemi is not just insensitive but cruelly demonstrating curable ignorance of the reality of the yearnings of Ekiti people.” But in a swift reaction, the APC said the criticism was a “display of viciousness and ignorance”, noting the opposition party was a retrogressive agent who could sacrifice the growth of the state at the altar of petty politicking.” The PDP State Chairman, Chief Gboyega Oguntuase dismissed the airport project as “insensitive, illconceived and anti-people, President Buhari had reportedly directed that any worker not on the IPPIS would no longer receive a salary. The Chairman, University of Ibadan Chapter Professor Deji Omole, said that the union was not against accountability but would resist the attempt by the government to violate existing laws and autonomy of the University. Omole said ASUU has offered to help the federal government design the appropriate template that will factor in the peculiarities of university lecturers in the IPPIS but the government seems bent on using the world-bank designed exploitative template. amidst excruciating economic hardship occasioned by the alleged incompetence of Fayemiled administration.” Oguntuase said: “It is a silly approach to economic restructuring. It is crystal clear that Governor Fayemi doesn’t understand the yearnings and plight of the people. “I wonder when people are suffering and all roads in Ekiti state are in deplorable condition and Fayemi-led government is embarking on a white elephant project. This shows that the APC was insensitive to the plight and yearnings of the people. “Airport is not the immediate need of the primitive economic realities in Ekiti where young girls are now venturing into prostitution to make ends meet. What are they talking about and how do we answer before God?" PDP should bury its head in shame — APC The APC Publicity Secretary, Ade Ajayi said: “It is time the PDP faced reality and cooperate with Fayemi in moving Ekiti forward rather than playing politics of bitterness at the detriment of the state."
Vanguard, MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019 — 11 Teachers lament youths’ hatred for teaching profession ...as Fayemi pays N4bn UBEC counterpart funds By Rotimi Ojomoyela AAcademic DO-EKITI—THE Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, in Ekiti State, yesterday, expressed worry over declining interest in the teaching profession by the youths, due to the impression that those in the profession are poorly remunerated. This came as Governor Kayode Fayemi disclosed that payment of counterpart funds by his administration will facilitate the transformation of basic education in the state. The teachers regretted that this accounted for a low level of enrolment for education-related courses in all Nigerian universities, especially in the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, examinations. The Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Music producer accuses Shoprite of copyright violation By Henry Ojelu ABUJA—AN Abuja based music entrepreneur, Mr. Faruk Adamu, has accused South Africa retail outlet, Shoprite, of copyright infringement. He also accused the Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, of alleged failure to investigate and compel the management of Shoprite to pay him his 60 per cent rights to a jingle he made for the company. Mr. Adamu’s claims were contained in a petition TUC, in Ekiti State, who also doubles as the Chairman of ASUSS, Mr. Sola Adigun, said this in Ado Ekiti while honouring 60 ASUSS members who recently retired from the state teaching service commission after 35 years of service. Expressing sadness over the perceived strong aversion the youths have for the teaching profession, Adigun said: “Obviously, the manner other professions, including military are able to attract young persons, the teaching profession is not, because it has been made so unattractive, yet, the future of the society depends on the quality of knowledge acquired by its young generation who are molded by reluctant and unmotivated teachers.” Adigun said: “I blame the development of society’s poor perception about teachers and government written to the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) titled “Petition against the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) For failure to reinstitute criminal charges against Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited (SHOPRITE) for copyright infringement/a request to investigate an alleged fake contract of employment presented by Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited (SHOPRITE)”. Adamu said he had agreed with an artist, Friday Emeh, also known unfriendly policies towards the teaching profession and education generally. “The theme of this year’s Teachers’ Day celebrated a couple of weeks ago, which centred on Young Teachers, the feature of the Profession showed that the government was already aware of this ugly trend.” Citing reasons for the ugly trend, Adigun frowned on what he described as a discriminatory treatment against teachers, saying it was wrong to peg teacher’s terminal grade on level 16, whereas their counterparts in the Civil service with the same qualification retire at Grade level 17. Fayemi pays N4b UBEC counterpart funds Meanwhile, Governor Fayemi, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, disclosed that payment of N4 billion counterpart funds to the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, will change the face of basic education in the state. The governor disclosed this in Ido Ekiti while commissioning a block of six classrooms at Ekiti Parapo College as part of activities marking the first anniversary of his administration in office. as G-Kase, who was under his management to compose a jingle for Shoprite to boost the retail outlet sales. But according to him, South Africa owned retail store was making use of the said jingle without fulfilling their financial rights. He observed that the inaction of the NCC in failing to make seizure of the said jingle from Shoprite since it was reported prompted the continuous use of his work to date. Adamu claimed that he had approached the NCC Ondo govt, PDP in verbal exchange over Akeredolu’s absence By Dayo Johnson AKURE—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Ondo State government were yesterday, engaged in a war of words over the alleged ill health and absence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in the last three weeks. Governor Akeredolu, who proceeded on his annual leave, was expected to resume on October 4th but failed to do so. However, the governor, on Saturday, made a surprise appearance in Abuja to receive the African Governor for Innovative Leadership Award by the African Stride International, in conjunction with the Centre for Africa Development and International Studies. Governor Akeredolu and RE-LAUNCH: From left—Aare Hope Gbagi, Head of Sales, Intercontinental Distillers Ltd., IDL; Mr. Paul Obazele, Nollywood Producer/actor; Chief Patrick Anegbe, Managing Director/CEO, IDL; Nancy Isime, Nollywood actress; Mr. Umoren Akpan, GM, Audit/Control, IDL, and Mercy Johnson- Okogie, Nollywood actress, during the Re-launch of Teezers, and Company's Customer Awards, in Lagos. We’ll end Oyo’s reliance on federal allocation —Makinde I BADAN—GOVERNOR Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, yesterday, expressed the determination of his administration to improve the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, through enhancement of tax collection procedures. This resolve, Makinde noted, was targeted at ending the state’s reliance on federal allocations. In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted Makinde as making the declaration during a thanksgiving service held at the Living Faith Church, Bashorun, Ibadan. He said an increased IGR will engender his administration’s resolve to fulfill his promises in Education, Health, Security and Economic expansion, through the Agric value chain. He said: “We want to ensure that the era of going cap in hands to Abuja to beg for allocation will soon be over in Oyo state. “We want the people of Oyo state to be able to have dividends of democracy right on their doorsteps. “The four cardinal programmes of this government include education that is why free and qualitative education has come to stay in Oyo state. “For our WAEC Students, we should be starting intervention lessons for them shortly. “We also want to fix our health care delivery system and to improve the security system, as we want all of us to operate in a secure environment, so that we can be safe to pursue our aspirations.” to investigate the matter but an agreement was reached by both parties to settle the matter out of court because he had the video proof of the infringement. He noted that the management of Shoprite refused to honour the out of court agreement which made the matter to be taken to the court. He, however, said the court delivered a no-case submission due to the statement given by the NCC that contradicted his artiste’s written statements. his wife Betty, according to his media handlers, “cut short an official engagement to receive the Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale, Head of Service, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye, other cabinet members as well as the Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan after receiving the award. We demand Akeredolu’s health status—PDP But the PDP Director of Media and Publicity, Zadok Akintoye, in a statement, demanded the true health status of the Governor. Akintoye said the people of the state are worried that the governor and his deputy Agboola Ajayi were absent during last week’s meeting of the Niger Delta governors with President Muhammadu Buhari. The statement reads: “The import of the absence of Mr. Governor and/or his Deputy at the meeting of Niger Delta Governors with the President last week, underlines our concern, as Ondo state (being one of the Niger Delta states and a major stakeholder in the happenings at the NDDC) was not adequately represented. “We take note of a report by an online news medium (Roving Reporters) which published an alleged rumor that the absence of our Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, from the public, maybe due to food poisoning and ill health. “If true, we express our concern on the state of health of the governor and do wish him quick and perfect recovery. "Our party also wishes to request that the true status of the health of the Governor is made known to the public as soon as possible and that if he is incapacitated in performing his duties, the Ondo House of Assembly should ensure that the process of governance is not impeded by the Governors’ ill health. “Once again, our prayer goes to the Governor and we wish him perfect recovery (if this allegation is true).” Gov not poisoned —Ondo govt But reacting to the PDP’s allegation, the Information and Orientation Commissioner Donald Ojogo denied the ill health or alleged poisoning of the governor. Ojogo said that the exigencies of office had kept him (Akeredolu) in Abuja for a while and would soon return to the state. He said: “These are insinuations of those that do not mean well for the state. He is entitled to his annual vacation. “When his daughter was getting married, he had to cut short his annual vacation to attend to domestic issues. His leave ended on October 4. When he came back, a series of meetings were already lined up. “He had to stay back in Abuja to attend the meetings. He cannot just be jetting in and out of the state, hence his reason for staying back in Abuja. “The same scenario that played out with the imaginary wedding of the president that never took place is being played out in Ondo State. They are a totality of unsubstantiated lies.” Why we allowed people to initiate devt projects —Gov Abiodun By James Ogunnaike , A BEOKUTA— GOVERNOR Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, yesterday, hinted that people of the state were allowed to list priority projects they want in the 2020 Budget, saying his government is about people. Abiodun further noted that the Town Hall Meetings provided a unique opportunity to initiate developmental projects that would have a direct positive impact on the people. The governor stated this at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, venue of the Ogun Central Town Hall Meeting, held to harness the inputs of the people of the state in preparation for the 2020 Budget and Medium Term Expenditure Framework 2020-2022. Abiodun, while appreciating the people for their huge participation and inputs, said their contributions had validated his position that the process would facilitate participatory democracy for all-inclusive governance, assuring of even distribution of democratic dividends to all parts of the state.
Page 1 and 2: Foreign portfolio investment in equ
Page 3 and 4: Vanguard, MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019
Page 5 and 6: 4 — Vanguard, MONDAY, OCTOBER 21,
Page 9: Vanguard, MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019
Page 13 and 14: VANGUARD, MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019
Page 21 and 22: FINANCIAL VANGUARD Continues from p
Page 27 and 28: 26—Vanguard, MONDAY, OCTOBER 21,
Page 31 and 32: 30 — Vanguard, MONDAY, OCTOBER 21
Page 43 and 44: 42— VANGUARD, MONDAY, OCTOBER 21,
Page 45 and 46: 44 —Vanguard, MONDAY, OCTOBER 21,
Page 49: Vanguard, MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019

21102019 - BORDER CLOSURE:‘How neighbouring countries worked against Nigeria’

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?