24092020 - BLACK WEDNESDAY: 30 killed in Kogi petrol tanker explosion

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12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 AGREEMENT: From left, Mahendra Pratap, Business Head, Simba TVS, Nigerian football legend, Nwankwo Kanu, and Karthik Govindrajan, Head, Marketing, Simba Group, when Kanu signed as the company's Ambassador, in Lagos, yesterday. Allocating 13% derivation to govs fuelling N-Delta’s crisis, Enang insists •N20trn allocated to region in 15 years was mismanaged — HOSCON derivation should go for the N20trn allocated development of the oilproducing communities, to region in 15 through special purpose years was vehicles to be created. mismanaged “Since we have seen the — HOSCON way and manner the Also speaking, Chairman of governors had utilised the 13 HOSCON, Dr Mike Emuh, per cent derivation fund, I lamented that oil and gas think it is time we go back and bearing communities had obey the provisions of the been consistently denied their constitution and cause that rights in the area of the 13 per these monies be used for the cent derivation fund, stating development of oil and gas that paying the money to the producing communities states was against the law. directly for their development He appealed to Ita Enang so that this affliction would be to help escalate the demands arrested.” of HOSCON in the area of By Michael Eboh SENIOR Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, yesterday, insisted that the allocation of the 13 per cent derivation fund to the governors of oil-producing states was fuelling underdevelopment, bitterness and rancour in host communities and Niger Delta in general. Enang stated this in Abuja, when members of the Host Communities of Nigeria, HOSCON, producing oil and gas, visited his office to present a paper, stating their position on the 13 per cent derivation fund and other issues bordering on the development of oil-bearing communities. He said: “It will be inappropriate for the state governors to take the 13 per cent derivation money and apply it only for building new governor's lodge, buying private aircraft, increasing the number of vehicles in their convoys or doing any other things, which are sometimes obscene, making the oilproducing communities angry and forcing them to disrupt crude oil and gas production.” He noted that even the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, had considered, examined and concluded that the 13 per cent derivation fund was exclusively for the host communities and that there were a misapplication and misdirection of the fund. Enang stated that concrete steps needed to be taken at the federal level to redeem the oil-bearing communities from the squalor that they are faced with, noting that over the years, governors of the Niger Delta had treated derivation funds the way they treated local government allocation He said: “What ought to be done now is that the money is not given to the respective states. The governors should take the same allocation as other states of the federation, which is the statutory allocation, taxes and Value Added Tax, VAT; but the the derivation fund to President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as in the area of ensuring the setting up of a trust fund for the management of the gas flare penalty money and the award of pipeline surveillance and protection contracts to host communities. He bemoaned the fact that over the last 15 years, about N20 trillion had been allocated to oil and gas producing states without any form of accountability from the governors and concrete development in the Niger Delta. AkwaIbom@33: Emmanuel attributes achievements in healthcare, others to proactive leadership By Chioma Onuegbu UYO —GOVERNOR Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, has attributed the achievements of his administration particularly in heathcare delivery in the past five and half years despite the turbulent economic climate to proactive leadership. Emmanuel, yesterday, during his 7am state wide broadcast for the 33rd state creation anniversary, explained that the state recorded one of the lowest rates of infections and fatalities in the country because of the leadership provided by his administration. He said: “For more than five years, and counting, with your prayers and support, and despite the turbulent economic climate that has defined most of the years I have been in the saddle, we have experienced great and wonderful years of renaissance, of the reawakening of the Akwa Ibom identity. “We have seen five and half years of great developmental strides that have confounded the cynics, and drawn admirations even from those on the opposite side of the political divide. It could only have been God. Because we are a proactive government, the COVID- 19 pandemic did not meet us unprepared. “Our huge investments in healthcare delivery came in handy. Before the world was confronted with this pandemic, we had already set up a fully functional isolation centre equipped with the most modern amenities at the Ibom Specialist Hospital, supported by a functional Intensive Care Unit, ICU. “We did that because long before COVID-19 had arrived our shores, we were prepared for other deadly diseases such as lassa fever, chicken pox, monkey pox etc. Compatriots, in healthcare delivery, I am proud to announce that our investments have paid off. “As part of our completion agenda, healthcare will remain a key priority of this government because as I have always said, we need a healthy population to drive our industrialization agenda." Hike in fuel, electricity tariff, economic suicide —Ijaw leader By Etop Ekanem IJAW LEADER and GMD/CEO of Tamfel Global Resource, Chief Julius Babogha, has condemned the recent increase in prices of petroleum products and electricity tariff by the Federal Government, describing it as economic suicide. Babogha, while speaking with newsmen, appealed to the Federal Government to pay attention to the plight of the low income earners in the country. He said the hike in the prices of petroleum products and electricity was ill timed, "mostly at this period that the country is gradually recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, which has crumbled the country's economy." He lamented that the "common man will continue to suffer because the government of the day has deliberately refused to consciously produce petroleum in the country when it is the producer of the raw materials." He said it would be economic suicide and a calculated emotional blackmail to deregulate the downstream sector when the country has the capacity to own more refineries, reiterating that the country "has all it takes to export both petroleum products and raw materials to the whole world, and it is wrong for the country to be exporting crude only to import petroleum products to the country." We’ll resist implementation of Water Resource Bill, Urhobo youths tells FG By Perez Brisibe UGHELLI— YOUTHS from Urhobo ethnic nationality under the umbrella body of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, Youth Wing also known as Ukoko R’Ighele R’Urhobo, have described the insistence of the Federal Government to go ahead with the National Water Resource bill as insensitive and a threat to peace and insecurity in the country. Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had on Tuesday during a press conference on the government’s position on the bill amidst criticisms, insisted that “there is no going back on the bill.” President of UPU Youth Wing, Ovie Ebireri, while reacting to the outburst of the minister, advised the Federal Government to listen to the voice of reason and discard the proposed bill in the interest of national peace and unity, adding that as youths, he and others will resist its implementation in their areas. He said: “The insistence on the bill despite the outcry from Nigerians that has greeted it is insensitive and capable of causing more chaos and is a threat to the security and peace in the Niger Delta region. “The bill is capable of causing further discontentment and conflicts in Niger Delta, especially the Urhobo nation as it will dispossess our people of their inheritance, ancestral, traditional and cultural rights and ownership of her water resources, and we align with the stand of our fathers, UPU worldwide, in unequivocally and categorically rejecting this bill." Dikio resumes as PAP coordinator, vows to change narrative of programme By Davies Iheamnachor PORT HARCOURT — The new Interim Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Col. Milland Dikio (retd) has resumed duty at the Amnesty Office, Abuja. This was disclosed in a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by Dibiaezue- Eke Florence, Director, Information, Amnesty Office. Dikio, who addressed members of the senior staff of the office, promised to work with all stakeholders and complementary agencies to the PAP, to ensure that the programme benefits the people of Niger Delta. He said a lot of fictions and misconceptions had been put out in the public about what the Amnesty Programme is, adding that such narratives would be changed. Dikio, while noting that the new administration did not intend to dwell on the past, said: "We shall not neglect the lessons of the past; if we learn well, we will do better. “The programme will be focused on service delivery. The primary purpose shall be to focus on the reintegration of the ex-agitators and seek the input of relevant stakeholders in the region to realise the objectives for which this programme was set up. “PAP entails disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, DDR, a subset of the amnesty package. The amnesty package is a basket of government avowed plans to address and ameliorate the grievances that led to the agitations and subsequent armed struggle in the Niger Delta.” Delta monarchs urge govt to devise harsher measures to deal with fake traditional rulers By Onozore Dania THE Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers has urged the Delta State government and security agencies to adopt more stringent measures to curb the excesses of fake and selfimposed traditional rulers in various communities across Delta State. In a communiqué at the end of their meeting in Asaba, the monarchs applauded the current prosecution of some self-styled traditional rulers but called on the police to intensify its efforts at bringing the culprits to book. Chairman of the council and Obi of Owa, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor 11, who read the communiqué decried the “unwholesome activities of the fake royal fathers, whose actions tend to threaten the peace and security of communities across Delta State.” The royal fathers also questioned the integrity of town planners in Delta State Ministry of Land and Surveys, accusing them of compromising town planning laws for selfish reasons. The communique said the monarchs frowned “at inconsistencies arising from non-adherence to laid down rural and urban development laws. We insist that the rules should not be bent by town planning officers to the detriment of the economic interest of the Delta State and Deltans generally."
Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 — 13 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 HACKATHON: From left — MOJEC International MD/CEO, Ms. Chantelle Abdul; Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Olalere Odusote, and Chief Commercial Officer, Eko Electric Distribution Company, Mrs. Enobong Ezekiel, at the just-concluded Lagos Smart Meter Hackathon in Lagos. Oct 1: Ohanaeze backs IPoB's sit-at-home call By Peter Okutu & Chimaobi Nwaiwu A BAKALIKI—APEX Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has given support to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB's, directive yesterday, that Biafrans in Nigeria and the diaspora should observe a sit-athome order scheduled to hold on October 1st, 2020. Comrade Emma Powerful, Media and Publicity Secretary for IPOB in a statement said, "there is credible intelligence that terrorist groups are planning to slaughter our children should they venture out to celebrate or march on October 1st." The statement read in part: "We, the global movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to announce to all Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom all over the world that Biafrans across the globe shall observe a sitat-home in Biafraland and where permissible in the diaspora, join our Yoruba brethren agitating for Oduduwa Republic, in public protests to mark October 1, 2020. "We therefore, enjoin all Biafrans and every conscious Nigerian, especially those ethnic nationalities reeling from the triple double blow of state sponsored terrorism, bad governance and economic annihilation, to boycott every government organised ceremony designed to eulogise the failure that Nigeria has become. This is the time to let the world know how disastrously intolerable human existence is in Nigeria today. "If you want to see an end to terrorism and organised mediocrity, now is the time •To honour victims of terrorists, herdsmen, bandits to register your anger by ensuring that you and your household sit-at-home on October 1, 2020. Do not risk the lives and well-being of your children by allowing them to gather in groups in the open where terrorists may find it easier to blow them up or kidnap them. There is credible intelligence that terrorist groups are planning to slaughter our children should they venture out to celebrate or march on October 1st. "This order is to highlight our position and resolve as Biafrans that we are no longer interested in proping up a crumbling terrorist state. The leadership of this great movement in conjunction with supporters of Biafra freedom across the globe have concluded every arrangement to let the whole world know and understand that we are no longer part of this shambolic monument to terrorism and failure. "As this long expired man made contraption marks her abused independence on October 1st this year, we IPOB will appropriately declare our intention towards the full and irreversible restoration of Biafra sovereignty and independence for all oppressed ethnic groups in Nigeria. "Complete and total lockdown of Biafraland and other terror ravaged areas of the Middle Belt come 1st of October 2020 is sacrosanct, irreversible and non-negotiable! Wholesale slaughter of innocent Judeo-Christians and state sponsored ethnic cleansing cannot be going on in our land at the same time as fake jamborees are being organised by the same sponsors of terror attacks in order to deflect our attention from the imminent danger we are all in. "We therefore urge that all markets, schools and businesses in Biafraland and beyond be shut down as a mark of respect to all those who have died as a result of terrorism against innocent civilians especially Christians, ethnic cleansing in Southern Kaduna and elsewhere across the Middle Belt. Everywhere in Biafraland must be under lock for Nigeria and the world to know that we are all united in our march toward total freedom. There should be no public events or ceremonies in Biafraland to avoid any needless loss of lives. "We also advise those terrorists recruited into Nigeria's security forces to face the monster they created in places like Sambisa forest, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, Borno and other parts of the North where terrorists have been killing both soldiers and civilians in large numbers. "Nigerian army and police should direct their attacks on these northern terrorist groups and leave innocent and unarmed Biafrans alone. But should Enugu govt reopens all primary, secondary schools Sept 28 ENUGU—THE Enugu State Government has announced the phased reopening of all primary and secondary schools in the state, for 3rd term academic activities, on Monday, September 28, 2020. In a statement by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze, the decision was reached “following the Enugu State Education sector stakeholders’ consensus and gracious approval of His Excellency the Governor”. Prof. Eze pointed out that “it is important to note that necessary measures have been put in place in our schools for safe re-opening”. He added that “teachers/ Okpamen hails Obaseki's victory at the polls By Simon Adewale THE DIRECTOR Gener al of Esan youth coalition, Hon. Henry Okpamen has described Gov. Obaseki's victory at the Saturday poll as historic and well deserved, considering his achievement in the past four years as governor of Edo State. Hon. Okpamen in his congratulatory message to Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Philip Shuaibu and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the victory at the Edo State polls said the historic victory serves as a strong and unambiguous lesson to leaders;that the people of Edo have shown that they remain the key factor to Gov Obasaki's victory. He stressed that “Governor Obaseki has over the years, through his people-oriented .... Lauds Umahi over infrastructural devt By Peter Okutu ABAKALIKI—THE Presi dent-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, yesterday, commended Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State for changing the narrative of the state through Infrastructural development. Nwodo stated this during Ebonyi 2020 Business Summit at Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, when Silver Bird, Everyday Group and Computer Village Technology Merchants of Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU in the state. He expressed surprise that in spite the fact that Ebonyi State has the lowest federal they feel as usual to descend on the innocent on that day, they should know that the world will be watching and that we are a people that can never be obliterated from the surface of this earth." We're totally in support of it —Ohanaeze Ndigbo In a telephone chat with Ohanaeze's National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Uche Achi Okpaga, the group explained that there was nothing wrong for a people to sit at home provided they are not violating the law of the land. According to him, such practice was obtainable even outside the country. "If IPOB said so, we are supporting it. They are our children. We are supporting it since it is not against the law and so far as it is not a violent act. It is obtainable everywhere in the world. So, we are totally in support of it." allocation in the entire Southeast, developments were still ongoing across the length and breath of the state. According to him, "Governor Umahi combines his engineering acumen, his sense of frugality, his continuous jovial, social relationship which has a capacity to making you subdue your motive of profitmaking in order to admire Umahi who is out to make a difference in Ebonyi." In his words: “In five years of Governor David Umahi's leadership in Ebonyi State, there is unprecedented, phenomenal development never seen before. The developments are taking place in spite of the fact that Ebonyi State has the lowest federal allocated revenue in the entire Southeast. “I also know that capital developments in Ebonyi State are done at the cheapest rate. The cost of building a house may cost three or four times in other states more than the cost of building a house in Ebonyi State. “Governor of Ebonyi State combines his engineering acumen, his sense of frugality, his continuous jovial, social relationship which has capacity to making you subdue your motive of profit-making in order to admire Umahi who is out to make a difference in Ebonyi. “I don’t think that I have seen any building of this nature (the Ecumenical centre) in any other state in the southeast." students/pupils are therefore requested to ensure that they abide by the approved guidelines on COVID-19”, stressing that “no person will be allowed into any school without appropriate facemask/shield”. According to the commissioner, “strong monitoring teams at state and Local Government Areas have been constituted to monitor compliance with the approved guidelines for the safety of all that operate in our schools”. He therefore noted that “Primary six and Junior Secondary three students have completed their examinations and are not expected to be back to school”. programmes and policies, earned the goodwill and trust of the people of Edo expressed their power at the polls. Enumerating some of the achievements of Gov Obaseki across the state, Okpamen lauded the governor for his unparalleled human capital development, infrastructural development, even distribution of political appointments, accessibility and transparency in governance, that he is confident that his victory will bring greater fortune to the state. He noted that the margin of 84,000 votes at the polls showcased the beauty of democracy and the supremacy of the people; as he congratulated the South -South governors and leaders for their support and by standing firmly behind Gov Obaseki. AG Mortgage Bank partners Meg-Max Global on real estate devt By Dave Oso ABUJA—ONE of the leading mortgage banks in Nigeria, AG Mortgage Bank Plc has signed a multi-billion Naira joint venture agreement with Meg-Max Global Limited for real estate development in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Evangel Properties Limited will serve as developer for the project. The event which took place at AG Mortgage Bank Plc head office in Lagos, had in attendance, the MD/ CEO, Mr. Ngozi Anyogu and other senior management staff of the bank; representative of Meg-Max Global, Mr. Richard Chris Ekere and Evangel Properties Limited, a real estate development company. Speaking during the signing, AG Mortgage Bank's MD, Mr. Ngozi Anyogu said the joint venture is for the development of banks' land assets in Kubwa, Abuja, and aimed at adding 544 housing units in the first instance, to the existing housing stock in FCT, Abuja. Anyogu noted that the project is for low and medium-income earners and the Mortgage Bank shall be providing facilities to buyers of the housing units.
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24092020 - BLACK WEDNESDAY: 30 killed in Kogi petrol tanker explosion

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