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14 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020 BREAKFAST—From left: Treasurer, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), Raheem Olabode; Publicity Secretary, PRCAN, Bolaji Abimbola; Secretary General, PRCAN, Tokunbo George- Taylor; Guest Speaker & Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane; President, PRCAN, Israel Jaiye Opayemi and Vice President, PRCAN, Adedayo Ojo during the PRCAN Breakfast Meeting on the 2020 economic outlook and its implications for the marketing communications sector in Nigeria held in Lagos yesterday. Shi’ites storm NHRC over killing of journalist Alex Ogbu, others ... Seek probe into rights violations during Free-Zakzaky protests By Luminous Jannamike A BUJA—MEMBERS of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, yesterday, marched to National Human Rights Commission, NHRC’s head office in Abuja, to press for investigation into last week’s killing of a journalist, Alex Ogbu, during a Free-Zakzaky protest in Abuja. They decried the conduct of the police during the protest for the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El- Zakzaky, from a Kaduna correctional centre, saying the clampdown on demonstrators had resulted to scores of deaths and other casualties. While acknowledging suffering other injuries during their protests, the Shi’ites were specific in demanding probe into the death of Ogbu; another journalist, Precious Owolabi; and a police officer, DCP Usman Belel. It will be recalled that Owolabi and Belel died on July 22, 2019, under controversial circumstances, at a Free- Zakzaky protest near the National Assembly. Abdullahi Musa, the Secretary of IMN’s Academic Forum, who spoke at NHRC head office, said: “On receipt of the news of the passing away of the journalist Alex Ogbu, we became deeply sad and pensive. “Alex was found dead at the twilight hours of January 21, 2020, around the flyover at Berger, Wuse, Abuja after a brutal police crackdown on Free- Zakzaky protesters. “The spokesman of the FCT Police Command, Anjuguri Manzah, had admitted the death of Alex but insinuated that the Police killed him in response to attack from Free-Zakzaky protesters. “He purportedly claimed that the protesters assaulted police operatives and innocent citizens, and that the victim was killed during police reprisals. Such misguided statement will always do more harm than good, N IGER—GOVERNOR Abubakar Bello of Niger State yesterday alleged that some moles in the state divulge government classified information on security issues to bandits resulting in attacks on some Local Government Areas. Bello spoke in Minna during a briefing on the recent order by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Nigerian Air Force to tackle suspected hideouts of bandits in the state. Recall that since 2016 six Local Government Areas; Paikoro, Munya, Shiroro, Rafi, Rijau and Mariga have been under the siege of armed bandits and recently Mashegu made the list also. The governor said that the Presidential order on the security issue was supposed to be confidential but some because the protesters are citizens with inalienable right to demonstrate and voice their grievances. “The entire situation was quite avoidable had the Police eschewed violence in favour of a good conduct and professionalism. However, instead of shielding lives and propertys of the citizens, the Police continue to gun them down recklessly. “The protest of that Tuesday was part of the daily Free-Zakzaky protests staged in demand for the unconditional release of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife. “It began from Utako Market and ended without any hitch at the underpass of Berger bridge. But, the police all-of-a-sudden arrival to the scene ushered in the brutality directed towards the clusters of innocent citizens through firing teargas canisters and live ammunitions at random. “The NHRC is fully aware that the Police have been, and are still, attacking the Free- Zakzaky protests. Often times, they use live bullets, not only on the protesters but also on journalists and passersby.” Moles undermining government efforts on security in Niger —Bello people leaked the information to the bandits ahead of the operation. According to the Governor, “the bandits have informants everywhere; even in this room we are gathered. This is a fact that we must accept, although disturbing we must accept it. When the President gave such orders it was supposed to be confidential but some people have politicised it now to serve their political interest or indirectly informing the bandits of government plan. Therefore it will not be out of place to call for this press briefing to inform the public on the situation. Bello alleged that the bandits operated with the assistance of some people within and outside government, informing that “Recently somebody exposed my report on how to use vigilante to assist the security agencies. I believe that the Department of State Services has commenced investigation on how to fish out the person.” The governor said the state government had been providing logistics such as vehicles to support various operations by security agencies and the vigilante toward ending the menace of bandits in the state. He noted that the security forces tackling the issue are short of personnel as they are overstretched and stressed that the state government would continue to support the security agencies and the vigilante in stamping out the criminals. Bello appealed to newsmen and other members of the public to collaborate with the security agencies to enable them win the war against criminals in the state. Kuje budgets N7bn for 2020 A BUJA—THE Chairman of Kuje Area Council, FCT, Mr Abdulahi Sabo, yesterday, presented a budget of N7 billion for 2020 to the Council’s Legislature for approval. Sabo, while presenting the budget said N4 billion was for capital expenditure while the rest was for recurrent expenditure. On sectoral allocation, he said Works and Housing had the highest allocation of N1billion followed by Administration with N836 million. Sabo said that N478 million was allocated for Primary Healthcare Department and N215 million for Agriculture and N39 million for Audit. In his presentation, the Chairman, who tagged the budget: “To move Kuje Foward; noted that his administration placed much emphasis on capital projects to meet the needs of the people. According to him “Accordingly, the budget has critically examined all the problems associated with poor management of finances and violation of regulations. A budget that has all the parameter of By Sam Eyoboka ABUJA—THE World Council of Churches, WCC, and the Lutheran World Federation, LWF, have expressed grief over the unending violence in Nigeria and urged the Nigerian government to protect her citizens, especially in Northern Nigeria. The two bodies in a joint letter, signed by Dr Olav. Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of WCC, and Dr. Martin Junge, General Secretary of LWF, among others said “The recent execution of Rev. Lawan Andimi by Boko Haram, one of the latest atrocities in a long and painful history of extremist violence in the region and despite the proclaimed defeat of the insurgents, impels us to convey this appeal to you. If the clergy are targeted, ordinary community members are even more at risk.” They condemned all the senseless killings and attacks that target innocent citizens – Christians and Muslims alike – on the basis of their religious identity, saying “Your government says that it has defeated the insurgency of Boko consolidating on our moderate achievements to our dear council. “Our mandate to deliver the much expected dividends of democracy to the electorate, is seriously threatened by the gloomy financial profile of previous administration.” The chairman noted that the 2020 budget was prepared with a positive vision, noting that the council’s plans was projected towards achieving success in spite of possible economic challenges. He said that his administration was hopeful and intended to reinforce and build on good governance that would be attained with no distraction. “From the break down given, it is clearly evident that we have placed much emphasis on the capital expenditure for development. “We are determined and fully prepared to overcome the challenges to ensure that we uplift the area council to a higher level,” he said. Also speaking, the Speaker of Kuje Legislative arm, Mr Aminu Ibrahim, said the lawmakers would ensure the speedy passage of the budget. Insecurity: WCC, CC, LWF beg FG to protect Nigerians Haram,” reads the letter. “And yet attacks, kidnappings, extortion, sectarian killings, rapes and the abduction of young girls by these and other extremist groups continues unabated. “Faith in the commitment and effectiveness of your government for the protection of Nigerian citizens belonging to these targeted communities has reached a very low ebb,” “Among other things, we urge you to reform the security apparatus, and ensure that senior security officials are representative of the diversity of communities in Nigeria and that their actions are effective in protecting all the c o m m u n i t i e s concerned.” The letter added that the current situation in Nigeria required resolute leadership to end these atrocities, stressing that “The risks for the future of Nigeria in the absence of such leadership and action are grave. We pray that God grant you wisdom, resolve and strength to confront challenges.” these
Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020—15 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 BRIEFING: From left: Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, Mr Fidelis Ogarebe; Chief Superintendent of Police, Mr Mishat Danladi, and Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Mr Ahmed Abdurrahman, during a news conference and presentation of suspected criminals to the public by the state Police Command, in Enugu, yesterday. Photo: NAN. 50 years after civil war: Nigeria better as one nation —Osinbajo By Ugochukwu Alaribe & Eric Ugbor UMUAHIA — Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said that in spite of challenges and differences, Nigeria is better as one nation. Speaking at a town hall meeting on the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian civil war at the National War Museum, Umuahia, Abia State, organised by the Ken Nnamani Centre for Leadership and Development, Osinbajo said the lessons of the war should assuage feelings of wrong doing and make the country better. He, however, lamented that the country did not take advantage of the engineering and creative feats of the Biafrans who manufactured weapons, refined crude oil through local technology, among others. The vice president described the war as a defining national tragedy, saying the essence of the remembrance was to recall the bitter lessons of the war and resolve that it would not happen again. He insisted that the cost of resolving differences through war was far more than resolving them peacefully. Osinbajo further urged Nigerians not to see the setback as reason for hopelessness, stressing that the mission of the Buhari administration was to build a great nation where the teeming youths would express their creative energy. He said: “The most crucial task is to ensure that issues of fairness, justice and equity are entrenched in the polity and ensure that the younger generation does not see Nigeria with the lenses of the war era.” He noted that the South East zone of the country was the centre of entrepreneurship and creativity as well as the hub of industrialisation. In his remarks, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State said priority should be given to areas under serious bombardment during the war in infrastructure development. He noted that events like the town hall meeting should afford the opportunity to be in terms with the injustice and injuries of the war and apologise to one another. The governor wondered why it was faster to achieve true reconciliation and healing of wounds of the Rwandan civil war than in Nigeria 50 years after. Earlier, the convener of the Town Hall meeting and former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, said it was through such meetings that enduring reconciliation could be actualised. “We should learn to refrain from the bitterness and grievances of the past. Nigerians should exercise restraint in their conduct to avoid a repeat of the past." NECO clears Ifeanyi Ubah, says he passed 7 subjects By Henry Umoru ABUJA —THE National Examinations Council, NECO, has cleared Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, senatorial candidate of Young Progressives Party, YPP, in Anambra South, confirming that he passed seven out of the eight subjects he wrote in 2003. The confirmation of NECO yesterday, followed a widespread certificate forgery allegation levelled against Senator Ubah by Obinna Uzoh. NECO has, however, confirmed the certificate he presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as original and authentic. In a letter NECO/R/LGS/ 20/003, dated January 23, 2020 and addressed to YPP, the examination body released the result details and cleared the air. The Head of the Department of Legal and Board Affairs of NECO, Comfort Kolo, addressed the letter to the National Secretary of YPP, Vidiyeno Bamaiyi, explaining that the letter was in response to a request by the YPP, seeking details of the result of Ubah, who is a leader of the party. NECO explained that Ubah was issued a statement of result in June 2003 containing the subjects he passed and the grades. The result included English Language (C6), Mathematics (C6), Government (C6), Economics (C5), Literature in English (C5), Commerce (C5) and Christian Religious Studies (C6). The examination body said Biology was not included in the statement of result because Ubah scored F9 in it. In the letter responding to the request, NECO confirmed that Ifeanyi Ubah took a total of eight subjects, had credits in seven and failed one, just as it explained that the conventional and obtainable practice among examination bodies is that the failed subjects are not recorded in the certificate, although they remain in the examination body’s database. In simple language, examination bodies do not issue certificates for failed subjects. The letter read: “In all, we state with every sense of duty and responsibility that both the statement of result and the certificate are genuine. They both emanated from the council and correspond with the records in our database.” I was not given fair-hearing —Ubah Meanwhile, addressing journalists, yesterday, in Abuja, Senator Ubah who noted that he didn’t get any fair hearing from the court, which gave a judgment in favour of Uzoh, said he was never served or given any opportunity to defend himself. Ubah who noted that the judgment would not stand, as he had already appealed the case, said he needed to clear his name and set the records straight. He said: “It is also a wellknown fact that I submitted my certificate to INEC and not my statement of result. It is very obvious that those trying to malign Senator Ifeanyi Ubah are mischievous and ignorant elements who do not understand the difference between a “certificate of result” and “statement of result” because over 20 million Nigerians are aware of the fact that this practice is not only obtainable in NECO, but WAEC also. “This is because certificates are honorariums, which shouldn’t carry failed subjects, as opposed to the statement of results which only serve record purposes in the institution(s) database.” NSCDC queries suspected killer of AA senatorial candidate in Imo By Chinonso Alozie O WERRI—The Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Service Defence Corps, NSCDC, Imo State, Raji Ibrahim, yesterday, issued a query to a member of the civil defence, who allegedly shot dead a 2019 Action Alliance, AA, senatorial candidate, Ndubuisi Emenike in Imo State. It will be recalled that Emenike was shot during the victory celebration of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Miriam Onuoha,in the just concluded Okigwe North re-run election. The NSCDC boss, who confirmed the shooting said among others that a query has been written and waiting to be handed over to the Experts brainstorm on Finance Act 2019: Underlying challenges By Olayinka Ajayi TO address the challenges that have besieged taxation practice across Nigeria, Okwudili Ijezie & Co, a Chartered Accountants firm, with niche in taxation practice has held a seminar to address the underlying challenges. In a release by the head of the firm, Okwudili Ijezie, the financial experts that graced the seminar, which took place at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos on January 23 and 24, 2020 included “President/ Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria,CITN, Dame Olajumoke Simplice, who was the keynote speaker; while the chairman of the seminar was Chief Preye Ogriki, Pioneer Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Bayelsa State. “Other professionals were former Deputy General Manager, Zenith Bank, Dr. Patrick Modilim; Dr. suspect immediately he is released from the police custody. He added that NSCDC does not accept accidental discharge in an issue like this. He explained that the suspect was clearing the road when his rifle was hit by another person and the bullet went off and hit Emenike. He said: “It was on January 26, about 5pm, when we had the information that there was an ugly incident at Umunachi in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area home of Onuoha, that somebody had been shot by our man. “I called Abuja and my commandant quickly asked for the immediate arrest of the guy. “He was arrested and is in the police custody for proper investigation". Udochukwu Ogbonna, past Executive Chairman, Abia State Internal Revenue Service; former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Ekiti State, and former Managing Director /CEO, United Bank for Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Tunji Adeniyi; Chief Executive Officer of I & I Investments Limited, Chief Blakey Ijezie, and Alhaji Musa Mamman Kolo, Chief Executive Officer, Armlink Ventures and former General Manager/GCFO, Continental Reinsurance Plc. The seminar targeted professionals like Chief Financial Officers, CFOs; Management Accountants, Tax Managers and Consultants; Financial Controllers; Internal and External Auditors, Finance Administrators/Analysts in SMEs and start-ups, Microfinance; Commercial, Mortgage and Merchant Banks; officers of various states Internal Revenue Services and Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, among others.
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