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4 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnewsNEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 From left: Ms. Funke Opeke, 2022 The Nigeria Prize for Science (NPS) Judge; Prof Christian Agbo, Chairman, Panel of Judges; Prof. Barth Nnaji, Chairman, Advisory Board, NPS; Mr. Andy Odeh, NLNG’s GM, External Relations & Sustainable Development; Prof. Mohammed Magaji, NPS Judge; and Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer- Ikuku, Ag. Mgr Corporate Communications & Public Affairs during the announcement of winners for the 2022 edition of the prize, yesterday in Lagos. PDP crisis: Ayu must go — Makinde By Dapo Akinrefon, Adeola Badru, Ademola Adegbite & John Alechenu IBADAN—THE crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may be far from over as Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and some party leaders from the zone, yesterday, called for the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu. The PDP presidential candidate, Abubakar Atiku, and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State have been engaged in a frosty relationship over Ayu’s removal. Also, Senator Ayu had insisted that he won’t resign his position. But joining the growing number of opposition to the PDP chairman, Governor Makinde, who announced the decision of the party in the zone at the PDP Southwest stakeholders meeting with the Presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, held at the popular Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University Teaching Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, said the stand of the party in the zone was for the National chairman to step down. He said Ayu’s removal becomes imperative in line with the party's aim of forming an all-inclusive government of national unity. Leaders present at the meeting were Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Osun State Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke; former Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose; Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, PDP governorship candidates of Lagos, Oyo and Ogun states and a host of others. Our position on Ayu — MAKINDE The Oyo governor said the country could only be unified if the PDP toes the path of honour. He, however, noted that for the opposition to regain power in Nigeria and restructure the country, it must first look within and restructure itself. His words: "The truth is that we do not have any issue either with our party or our candidate. If there are challenges they must be tabled. •Nigerians won't trust us if we remove Ayu, says Atiku•Ayu’s removal is not about sentiment — PARTY SOURCE•Crisis not yet over — SOURCE•There’s no cause for alarm---ATIKU’S CAMP "We are supposed to give hope to our people, we want them to listen to us. Our party wants to rescue Nigeria and our candidate is a unifier. He wants to restructure Nigeria. "Eight years of the All Progressives Congress, PDP, has left us sharply divided. The issue is that we must practice what we preach. If we want to unify Nigeria, we must unify the PDP first. "If we want to restructure Nigeria, we must have the willingness to bring inclusiveness to the PDP. Do we have the capacity? The answer is a resounding yes. "The message from the South-West PDP is that what we are asking is that the National Working Committee of the PDP should be restructured. "We are asking the National Chairman to step down so that the South will be fully included. That is the message." Nigerians won’t trust us if we remove Ayu— Atiku But the PDP Presidential candidate said the party stood the risk of losing the trust of Nigerians should it heed the call to remove its National Chairman. Atiku, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, said: “Atiku, who led other leaders of the party to Ibadan on Wednesday on an interactive session with stakeholders of the PDP said that the call for the recomposition of the National Working Committee was not impossible, but only when the constitution of the party has been amended to accommodate such demand. “The Peoples Democratic Party is the oldest political party in Nigeria since the return of democracy and even before then. It is a party that has laid down rules and regulations. “I have been a member of the party since when it was formed and I am still a member of the party up to the point of what it has grown to become.” In a direct response to the demand by stakeholders of the party in the South West as expressed by Governor Seyi Makinde, the former Vice President said: “There is nothing any individual can do to change the outlook of the National Working Committee of the PDP. “The PDP is a party where there are laid down rules and regulations. “What Governor Makinde is asking for is possible only when we have amended our party’s constitution. “As things stand today no single individual has the power to tamper with the NWC of the party. Doing so will be illegal and it will be against our rules in the party. “Nigerians will not trust us to govern by the tenets of rule of law if we take such arbitrary action against our own party.” Ayu’s removal is not about sentiment —PARTY SOURCE Also, Vanguard gathered that Atiku first met with Governor Makinde as well as other party elders behind closed doors in the early hours of yesterday before meeting with a larger audience later in the afternoon. A source privy to what earlier transpired behind closed doors, who spoke in confidence said: “The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere. We presented the position of the South West which is the need to address the current imbalance within the party. “It is not an issue of being sentimental, the entire south which the South West is a part of, would feel a greater sense of inclusion when practical steps are taken to address our concerns. “The governor and most of us agree that our interests, as individuals and as a party, are better addressed within the PDP, should we lose the 2023 elections-God forbid, it would mean an end of our great party because the last eight years did a lot of damage which we are yet to recover from. “We are willing to do our bit to ensure that we win. As stakeholders and representatives of our people, we also demanded to know what is in Atiku/ PDP administration for Nigeria and Nigerians in general and the South West in particular. “ Crisis not yet over — SOURCE Meanwhile, a former member of the National Working Committee, NWC, who spoke to Vanguard in confidence, said: “Contrary to the impression given to party members that the crisis will be resolved, yesterday’s event in Ibadan indicates that the crisis is just beginning. If the constitution is followed, it means there is nothing, Ayu won’t go. It means the crisis is still on.” No cause for alarm— Atiku’s camp But a source within the Atiku camp said the former Vice President’s camp remains optimistic that the issues at stake will be resolved amicably. He said: “This is the PDP. We have a way of resolving our disputes this one too will be resolved sooner than later, there is no cause for alarm.” JAMB seeks hike of exam registration fees to N5,000 By Levinus Nwabughiogu Tackle insecurity, inflation, collapsing education system, Anglican Primate tasks FG By Chidi Nkwopara & Luminous Jannamike THE Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, His Grace, Henry Ndukuba, yesterday asked the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the insecurity, fuel crisis, collapse of education system and inflation in the country. He also expressed regret that some people, in recent times, wrongly believed that shedding of innocent blood and destruction of property remained the best way to go about legitimate demands for equity, fairness and self-determination. The Primate stated this on a day President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said Nigeria would rise from the current state of despair and pain posed by insecurity and economic woes to abundance and prosperity. The Anglican Primate, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the Church of Nigeria Standing Committee Meeting (Anglican Communion) with the theme, ‘‘Your Kingdom come, your will be ABUJA-The Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Ishaq Oloyede, has asked the federal government for permission to upwardly review the fee of its entrance examination from N3,500 to N5000. He said the review was the only way the Board would remain financial viable and make appreciable remittances to the public coffers. Appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, yesterday, Oloyede who also appealed for financial autonomy for the board informed that in 2017, they reviewed the fees downward after remitting N7.5 billion to the government. According to him, the board should revert to the N5000 to enable it meet up with the current economic realities. He said: "There is nowhere that government funds this type of examination. They actually provide some support for the institution because students pay some token as registration fees and from it, they bear the responsibility of salaries and provide some succours. “We are comfortable to be taken off the budget but there are conditions. One of done’', said it was saddening that Nigerians, unlike other oil producing nations, could not benefit from increased oil prices, in spite of OPEC’s increase of her output quota. ”We call on the relevant authorities to expeditiously address this sharp fall in remittance by NNPC. We re-emphasise the urgent need for a lasting solution to the lingering abused fuel the conditions for example, when students registered in 2016, we collected N5,000 and that had been on for 5 years before I joined. When we came in, we remitted N7.5 billion. ''We felt it was too much and approached the federal government to reduce the fees. We have not added a Kobo since. “I believe we should revert to the N5000 we were charging. Given the inflation, if we charge N10,000– I am just giving it as example, nobody will ask the federal government for one kobo. ''I am not aware of anywhere in the world, except maybe Finland— that charges as low as JAMB is charging. In Finland, we know that everything is free. “We are hearing that you are planning to borrow billions. We are all going to sink at the end of the day. If there is any way anybody believes he can save this country, we should start doing that. The earlier we start the better for us.'' In his remarks, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Saidu Abdulahi, argued that N5000 would be a huge economic burden on both the students and parents. The committee, however, commended the registrar for running the board prudently transparently. Old PH Refinery will become functional by December this year — FG By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA-THE Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, said yesterday that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery would become functional by December this year. The Minister disclosed this when he briefed State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council FEC, meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja. Sylvia said the development of the compressed natural gas, CNG, was still in progress. The minister, who was responding to a question on the state of the ongoing repairs at the nation’s refineries, said one of the two refineries, the old one with 60,000 barrels-per-day capacity, would be functional by the end of 2022, adding that as works were also progressing on both the Warri and Kaduna and refineries. He said: “The rehabilitation of the refineries is ongoing. As we said earlier, the old refinery in Port Harcourt, which is about 60,000 barrels per day capacity, will be functional by December and, of course, we still have some time in the contracting time to conclude the rest of the Port Harcourt Refineries. “Works in the Kaduna and Warri refineries are also in progressing very well. We will soon be embarking on an inspection visit and some of you journalists will be will be able to go with us to ascertain for yourselves what the extent of work is." On the country’s CNG development programme, the minister said progress was being made, adding that it was one of the steps that must be achieved before the removal of petrol subsidy. He said, “On the CNG development, it's very much in progress. That is part of the promises we made, part of the things we want to put in place before the removal of subsidy. subsidies and persistent oil theft of our national oil infrastructure. ”Government must show the political will to curb this malaise and leverage on technology to protect these assets ”We demand more transparency and accountability by NNPC in the management of this key national wealth.''
Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 — 5 POCKET CARTOON N-Delta militants at war over pipelines surveillance contract •Tompolo insatiable, sidelined me, other leaders —DOKUBO•PPP arrangement with Global West Vessel Specialist, not Tompolo —SOURCE •Reverse contract or wait for anarchy, Lori-Ogbebor tells FG •Ignore Lori-Ogbebor’s call to revoke contract —IPDI By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South- South & Emmanuel Elebeke ASABA — Militant leaders of the Niger- Delta region are currently at war over the N4.5 billion monthly pipeline surveillance contract awarded to former leader of Movement for the Emancipation of Niger-Delta, MEND, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, by the Federal Government, with Alhaji Asari Dokubo, yesterday, alleging that he (Tompolo) bluntly refused to involve him and other exmilitant leaders in a $144 million coastal protection contract ex-President Goodluck Jonathan gave to all of them during his tenure. Dokubo, leader of Niger- Delta People’s Volunteer Force, NDPVF, has launched series of verbal attacks on Tompolo since the Federal Government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, awarded the pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo and other contractors in the Niger-Delta. •Asari-Dokubo It will be recalled that Commander of defunct MEND, Victor-Ben Ebikabowei, aka Boyloaf, and other ex-militant leaders and stakeholders of the Niger Delta, had on Monday, lashed out at Dokubo over his recent outburst against Tompolo over the pipeline surveillance contract. The Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, the South- South regional group, and Ijaw National Congress, INC, the umbrella sociocultural body of Ijaw ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta, had also intervened in the simmering feud. This came as Niger Delta activist and Itsekiri leader, Chief Rita-Lori Ogbebor, yesterday warned the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, withdraw the pipeline contract awarded to Tompolo, describing it as invitation to anarchy. Reacting, yesterday, Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI, a rights group in Niger-Delta, yesterday, urged FG to disregard the call by Lori-Ogbebor to revoke the pipeline surveillance contract awarded •Tompolo Tompolo. Defunct MEND commander, Boyloaf, who spoke for other ex-militant leaders had said on Tuesday: “I condemn the attack on Tompolo by Dokubo- Asari. This is unacceptable and unexpected of a leader of his calibre. ‘’He is qualified for the contract and Dokubo-Asari did not oppose when somebody else from Edo State, the late Capt Hosa Okunbo did a similar contract in Rivers. His company still operates in Rivers.” •Boyloaf Tompolo just a technical partner — Source Vanguard could not reach Tompolo for comments on Dokubo’s allegations yesterday, but a source familiar with the matter said: “Maybe he is talking about the Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limited’s $103 million security contract with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NI- MASA. “Besides, the job was not a contract, it was a PPP arrangement which Global West provided platforms to shore up NIMASA’s revenue base above 50 per cent, and only shares from the remaining 50 per cent in the ratio of 60 per cent to Federal Government and Global West — 40 per cent. “It is common knowledge that President Muhammadu Buhari ended this very contract shortly after he assumed office. Tompolo, as a technical partner, was affected and could not have been involved as Dokubo thought.” Jonathan confirmed job is for us —Dokubo However, Dokubo, who did not hide his anger over the Tompolo contract, in a Facebook video, said the Amanyanabo of Okirika, King Ateke Tom, Victor- Ben Ebikabowei, a.k.a. Boyloaf, he, and other ex-militant leaders visited former President Jonathan while he was in office, and confirmed that the contract was for all of them, adding that Tompolo stuck to his guns. Though Dokubo admitted executing and receiving payment for a pipeline surveillance contract under Jonathan, he said this in a conversation with Tompolo after he sealed the current contract. In addition, he spoke about why he (Dokubo) will not go to Oporoza to meet Tompolo. He said: “Many people have called me about Tompolo getting a contract. I do not have a problem with Tompolo having a contract, never, and I will never have a problem with Tompolo or any other person. “Tompolo had been doing contracts, I never complained. Now, during the time of Goodluck (former President), he awarded through NIMASA a coastal protection contract to Tompolo, Amanyanabo Ateke Tom, myself, Boyloaf, Egberipapa, Farah and everybody went to meet with the former President and he said the contract was for all of us. And we left that place. We tried to communicate with Tompolo. He said the contract was exclusively his. We did not want to raise an eyebrow over the $144 million that they gave him per year. He did that contract for two years. He did not give anybody a dime. “Today, they lied that the Trans-Nembe line contract was the Olu of Warri’s, who has Rivers State; it is a lie. I am talking of Kalabari, I am not talking of Rivers State. 83 kilometers of pipeline pass through Kalabari, through my native Kula, my native Ilama to Cawthorne Channel. They gave it to him. “People said he is not a greedy man. If a man can take $144 million that the former President gave us, Goodluck is alive, let them meet him. Boyloaf was there, Ateke was there, ask them. I will not try to please anybody; he vehemently refused that the contract is his, that he will involve nobody and did not involve any of us. “I do not need anybody’s respect, you do not have to respect me, I will say the truth. You cannot take what is Gbaramatu’s, after taking Gbaramatu, you want to take Kalabari’s own (portion). I do not want to talk about these things but when you make comments, I will talk about it, and I will clarify issues. “So, if the Olu of Warri has taken Rivers State, he took this, he took that, what was the approach of Olu of Warri to the people from where they gave them and the approach of Tompolo? Did Tompolo reach out to anybody when he got the contract? He assembled small boys at Oporoza and people started complaining, and he said we should come to Oporoza. Why I will not go to Oporoza “I spoke to him on the phone; I am older than him; that I should take my two legs, enter a boat, and go to Oporoza. Amanyanabo Ateke should take his two legs, enter a boat, and come to Oporoza. All the others should come, they went because they want the money, I cannot condescend to that level because of money and go to Oporoza. “What is the approach of the Olu of Warri to the people within the area that he operates, how has the Olu of Warri been reaching out to the people? Did he sit somewhere Continues on Page 26 By Yinka Latona Assessment of LASG ban on okada in more LGs, LCDAs I did not fully support the ban of okada because it is like multiplying the transportation problems currently facing Lagosians. Not all of us can afford to get a vehicle as a means of mobility to our destinations because, for now, okada is still an affordable and accessible means of transportation for most Lagosians. —John Shokoya, Health worker Banning commercial motorcycles without providing an alternative means of transportation is counterproductive. My business has been facing serious challenges since the ban of okada in my area. Governor Sanwo-Olu should please provide alternate means of transportation for us. —Blessing Sunday, Entrepreneur Okada ban in Lagos State is good and bad in my opinion. First, the government is trying to reduce the rate of crime in the state which is a very good one. But they failed to take into consideration the frustrating traffic situation in some areas in Lagos State before taking the decision. —Funmilola Adesegun, Businesswoman Most of these riders use the bike as their only source of income, and they have families to take care of. Most parts of Lagos State are easier to access using bikes due to traffic issues and bad roads. It is also a source of extra income for some of the bike riders. —Ukuedojor Comfort, Businesswoman Countless numbers of bike riders are graduates, but they ventured into okada business as a means of making ends meet. The Lagos State Government should try and fish out the bad ones among the okada riders instead of throwing away the baby with the bath water. —Comfort Adeoye, Caterer My questions to Lagos State Govt are; What are the alternatives for the teeming masses of the unemployed who take to riding motorbikes to tide over hard times? And what means of transportation are available to commuters, particularly those in the rural areas with unmotorable roads? These are some of important concerns that the government must address. —Oluwaremilekun Ojo, Teacher
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15092022

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