The former Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Chief Henry Seriake Dickson, has expressed deep sadness and grief over the death of celebrated banker and foremost political leader, Chief Francis Doukpola.
Governor Dickson described Doukpola as a rare gem, a man òf high integrity, an exemplary Bayelsan citizen of honour and great lover of the Ijaw nation.
The former Governor said in a statement on Wednesday that the late Chief Francis Doukpola lived a lifetime of dedicated commitment and service to God and man.
Chief Dickson said further that the late Political leader would be remembered for his wonderful services as a banker of repute to the good people of Rivers and Bayelsa.
He said that Chief Doukpola was a role model who was indeed a major pillar of support to him throughput his eight years as Governor of Bayelsa State.
He lamented that Bayelsa lost a dependable and humble leader who was readily available to provide stability in the state through rendering the needed guidance and support at all time as he did during his period as Governor.
He said, “My family and I received the news of the death of our leader, Chief Francis Doukpola, with great shock and pain.
“Bayelsa State and indeed the Ijaw nation have lost a great son, brother and leader who put years of dedicated commitment to the service of humanity.
“He was one elder and leader who was always present to give quality advice and was indeed a stabilizing force throughout my two tenures as Governor of Bayelsa State.
“As a man of proven integrity and accountability I did not hesitate for one minute before entrusting sensitive responsibilities to him and he never failed.
“While we are pained, we should be consoled by the fact that he lived a great life worthy of emulation.
“I pay for the eternal repose of the soul of this great Ijaw son and and for God to give his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
Congratulations! To the glory of God, His Excellency, Dr Kelechi Eric Igwe, the amiable Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, is 50.
I plead with my friends, fans, admirers and associates world-wide to join me to celebrate a man whose life defines humility and loyalty.
As if describing the special attributes of this unassuming, indefatigable and humble son of Ebonyi State, renowned Chinese philosopher, Lao-Tzu (533 BC), credited with founding Taoism, noted: “I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others, and you can become a leader among men.”
When I was appointed Technical Assistant on Media in 2016 by the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Apostle Dave Nweze Umahi, and was introduced to Dr Kelechi Igwe, the deputy governor, I wondered how someone so educated and occupying the second highest office in a state could be so humble. It was then that I took special interest in him and found out the traits that separate him from his peers. I began to appreciate the words of John Ruskin, when he stated: “I believe the first test of a truly great man is in his humility.”
Dr Igwe, an astute and consummate politician, was sworn in as Deputy-Governor of Ebonyi State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on May 29, 2015. This politician who enjoys the trust and confidence of his boss, Governor Umahi, was born on June 17, 1970, to the family of Chief Francis Igwe of Onu-Nwakpu, Ndufu-Alike in Ikwo Local Government Area. He attended Umunneato Central School, Oun-Nwakpu, Ndufu-Alike, where he secured his First School Leaving Certificate before he went to Abakaliki High School (former Presbyterian Secondary School, Presco) in 1988. He obtained both the General Certificate of Education (GCE) and Senior Secondary School Certificate same year. An alumni of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State (1989-1993); from there he attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos (1994-1995). He went to University of Jos where he obtained an M Sc in Human Resources Management, and in 2015 he obtained Ph D in Law.
Dr Kelechi Eric Igwe
Igwe was a member of Governing Council, University of Jos, between 2010 and 2011. He also served as special assistant, Operations and Mobilisation to the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Presidential Campaign in 2007; special assistant to the Minister of State for Industry between 1999 and 2002; Principal Partner, Kellys Chambers, from 2002 until his election as deputy-governor of Ebonyi State. He was also served as personal assistant to the National Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abuja from 1998 to 1999. A member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Institute of Credit and Risk Management of Nigeria, Igwe also served as executive director, Dr Sam Egwu Presidential Campaign. He is married to elegant Nnenna Igwe, and they are blessed with three children.
JOURNEY TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE
John Stott, one of the known philosophers of our time, could be attributed to have defined the force behind the rise of Igwe to his present status. He said: “The authority by which the Christian leader leads is not power but love; not force but example, not coercion but reasoned persuasion. Leaders have power, but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve.”
But in case Scott didn’t satisfy you, see how renowned businessman and philanthropist, Bill Gates, captured it: “As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” Thousands of Ebonyians who have benefitted one way or the other from this child of God could attest to the fact that Igwe lives and loves the art of giving, which is the hallmark of his boss, Governor Umahi. The partnership of the two great sons of Ebonyi is the testimony of the great feats and remarkable changes currently taking place in the state.
The account as told by Governor Umahi and Senator Egwu of how they formed prayer quartet against erstwhile governor, Chief Martins Elechi, through which Igwe rose to the office of the deputy governor of Ebonyi State is like a fairytale. But, the testimony below should truly amaze you.
Umahi and former governor, Egwu, narrated how they outwitted Elechi and his allies to emerge victorious in the April 2015 elections during a thanksgiving service by Egwu, who is the current senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial zone, in Umuebe, Ohaukwu Local Government Area. They stated that they formed a prayer quartet and handed over their struggle to God, and the results are the current offices that they are occupying today.
Egwu, who was the first to disclose this, described Umahi as the arrow-head of the struggle. He recalled: “I remember a particular day, myself, Pius Anyim, David Umahi, and Kelechi Igwe sat down in the dining room of the former SGF (Anyim) and we prayed about our mission. We asked God to support us in the mission we had embarked upon. We knew it will be difficult – very, very difficult – but we committed it into the hands of God. Four of us prayed that we were going by the grace of God to contest the elections. We prayed that Engr David Umahi becomes the governor of Ebonyi State; myself to be senator, and Kelechi Igwe to be the Deputy Governor.
“Of course, Senator Anyim said he was not going for any position, but he would solidly be behind us. We thanked God for answering our prayers. But, I must hail Governor Umahi and Senator Anyim who were the force behind our victories and the face of the struggle in Abuja. With what God did in our lives, I must call on political office-seekers to always seek God’s endorsement.”
Governor Umahi, in his own account, also narrated the struggle with former governor Elechi, even after he (Elechi) was advised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to allow Egwu and himself to contest the elections. He disclosed that after their prayers at SGF’s home, they became stronger and more determined to contest the elections.
“We can’t thank you enough our dear Anyim; we can’t thank you enough. You got all the important personalities to help us; you also brought the funds needed alongside with your friends. At a time, we were more interested in former governor Egwu going to Senate than myself going for governorship position. I must praise Eunice Egwu for lending her support to the struggle as she was our main political consultant,” Umahi noted.
Finally, ex-SGF Anyim said: I am elated because our prayer for Umahi to become the governor of Ebonyi State, Kelechi Igwe as the Deputy Governor of the state, and for Egwu to become a senator was answered by God.”
UMAHI, IGWE AND 2019 PROJECT
Contrary to the experiences of most deputy-governors, both in the past and present in Nigeria, on how they are treated shabbily and reduced to nothingness; but, in Ebonyi State, the story is totally different. In this regard, Umahi, the wonder working governor of Ebonyi, in support and approval of the inputs of his supportive deputy have declared to the entire world, that he is happy with his deputy, Kelechi Igwe; and would pick him as his running mate during the 2019 gubernatorial elections.
Explaining further, the people’s governor – during a civic reception to honour Igwe organised by the people of Ikwo-Noyo, Igwe’s home clan at Onuebonyi Echara in Ikwo Local Government Area – described Igwe thus: “Igwe has been very special; he has been extremely loyal and honest. He has assisted me greatly within these three years in office. I am lucky to have Igwe as deputy,” adding: “His position is not negotiable, and by God’s special power, both of us will continue together beyond 2019.”
The governor who can be described as the modern Emancipator of Ebonyi – considering his relentless efforts to develop every area of the state during the event – stated: “In Dr Igwe’s honour, I shall extend the 18-kilometre road that traverses the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), to the rice mill in the area. Work has already commenced on this project since March, 2018.”
He directed the LGA chairman to “rehabilitate” those that defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC), “so that they will appear differently after defecting to the People’s Democratic Party.” The governor, during the reception, also appealed to Ikwo people to re-elect both members of the Ebonyi House of Assembly from the area in 2019, saying that both had garnered useful experience that would help the lawmaking process.
“I will be here, again, to beg you to return Chike Ogiji (PDP, Ikwo South) and Humphrey Nwuruku (PDP, Ikwo North), because I want the House of Assembly to be intact beyond 2019,” he said.
Chief Austin Umahi, the PDP South-East Zonal Vice Chairman, in his remark, urged the governor to listen to the clarion call of the people and seek re-election in 2019. “I am a member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and will not allow it assign you greater roles in 2019, because Ebonyi people need you more.”
On his part, Senator Obinna Ogba (PDP, Ebonyi Central) promised that National Assembly members from the state would support the governor’s re-election bid in 2019, saying that they were all proud of his achievements. Chief Onyekachi Nwebonyi, the State PDP chairman, said that the governor’s good work had endeared him to the people, making his re-election bid easy.
The governor was given the traditional title of Okwuoha I (peoples’ benefactor) of Ikwo, in addition to a bus, a horse, several tubers of yam, among gifts during the reception.
EBONYI STATE POLITICS IN THE EYES OF IGWE.
One could capture the mind of this great son of Ebonyi State on what he thinks about the future of the state when he opened up on why Ebonyians embarked upon massive rallies in almost all the local government areas of the state. According to him, “The rally evolves from the people of the state to show solidarity to the state governor, Chief Dave Umahi for the good works he is doing in the state and also support the construction of that ring road. The ring road is very important for an Ebonyi man; whether you are from the Central, North or South, because that ring road is a key to unlocking the economic potentials of the state. People have been clamouring and calling on the governor that we learnt that some people went to court to challenge the effort of the government to reconstruct that road and people of Ebonyi are saying: ‘Governor, please make yourself available, we want to show you solidarity, we want to show you support.’
“Unfortunately, the governor was not around. He has travelled for a meeting with Mr President. The people are saying that they want to converge at the local government areas to demonstrate their support for the construction of the ring road and we cannot stop them. What we can do as government officials are that if we have the time, we will go to various local governments and see what the people are saying, to see whether they are speaking from their mouth or they are speaking from somewhere else.”
“Government and governance was ‘come and chop’. They felt they needed to fight back and return to power so that Ebonyi State can be looted once more; so that this government can have nothing to show. Knowing that if the ring road is completed, added to the newest project that the state government has constructed, it will be a very tall order for anybody to rise up and say he wants to contest for the office of the governor of Ebonyi State. In knowing that, they think that one of the strategies to confront them will be to raise a campaign against the approval of that fund.”
Conclusion
Igwe, an astute and charismatic politician and a seasoned administrator with an amiable personality, is a phenomenal reformist whose cult-followership stature among the youth and God-fearing people puts him as a leader to be admired, watched and associated with. Indeed, he has become legendary for showing limitless benevolence to the downtrodden, associates, colleagues and practical display of immense love and compassion to everyone that has crossed his path in life. I thank God for allowing me cross the golden path of this great son of Ebonyi State. I will like to conclude this by quoting Rick Warren: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others.” And John Maxwell, posits that “Authority is not the power a boss has over subordinates, but rather the boss’s ability to influence subordinates to recognise and accept that power.”
Happy birthday, your Excellency, Happy birthday, most humble and loyal deputy-governor in Nigeria! Happy birthday to one of the most educated deputy-governors in Nigeria. God bless you for us and grant you better and greater years ahead.
The OPEC Secretariat will kick off the commemoration of its diamond anniversary by hosting a special technical workshop, titled “OPEC at 60”, on Tuesday, 23 June 2020, via videoconference.
The objective of the workshop is to reflect upon the Organization’s achievements over the last six decades and shed the light on how OPEC has evolved since its establishment. The workshop will review the Organization’s contributions to the global economy and energy markets, in addition to its efforts in ensuring stability in the global oil market. It will also look into the future of the Organization and how it can maintain its status as an integral part of the global economy in an ever-changing world.
Topics of discussion will include energy access, energy poverty eradication, environmental protection, sustainable development and post COVID-19 world.
OPEC Secretary General, Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, said: “Over its six decades of existence, the Organization has accumulated a vast, commendable history and the 60th anniversary offers us an opportunity to review this momentous journey and learn from its lessons to look forward to the future.”
The Secretary General added: “This special workshop will provide a platform to reflect on OPEC’s accomplishments to this day and contemplate the Organization’s bright and promising future. I have no doubt that OPEC’s best days lie ahead of it.”
OPEC was established in September 1960 when its five Founding Members met in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.
The meeting witnessed OPEC’s Founding Fathers – Dr Fuad Rouhani of Iran; Dr Tala’at al-Shaibani of Iraq; Ahmed Sayed Omar of Kuwait; Abdullah Al-Tariki of Saudi Arabia; and Dr Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonzo of Venezuela – write a new chapter in the history of international cooperation and the oil sector, leading to the birth of the Organization.
No fewer than 40 civil society groups, on Tuesday, shutdown Otukpo, Benue State in an awareness rally to end the scourge of RAPE in the community.
The group, which staged a peaceful protest under the aegis of Benue Coalition Against Rape, (BeCare), lamented that the area had recorded 8 new rape cases in the last one week, describing the development as worrisome.
Convener of the coalition, Prince Yemi Itodo, while addressing the gathering said the match was to create awareness about the dangers of rape and the need to put an end to the menace.
“This rally is aimed at speaking to the conscience of those who take pleasure in raping our women and to tell them its time to turn a new leaf.
“In the last one week, about 8 helpless girls were raped across various local government areas in Benue South, with only 3 suspects in police net”, Itodo lamented.
He specifically mentioned the case of Ene and Dorcas in Otukpo; Maria and one other victim in Okpokwu and little girl that was raped inside the church in Orokam, Ogbadibo LGA, calling on the security agents to bring the suspects to book.
On her part, the Managing Director of Joy FM Otukpo Amb. Christabel Iyanya said the psychological trauma victims of rape go through should be enough reasons to end the menace.
“Just imagine the short and long term effect of the trauma, and trying to get them out of the trauma is always a big challenge.
“We want to appeal to mothers, please bring up your children in the fear of God and when they grow up they will not depart from it. That is the easiest way to permanently address the menace,” she said.
Founder of Restorer of Paths Care Foundation, and caregiver of a deceased rape victim, the late Ochanya Ogbanje, Evangelist Enuwa Soo decried the rising cases of rape in the Benue south district stressing that the protest would help create awareness about the dangers of rape in the district.
The protesters who bore placards with inscriptions such as, “we want strict law against rape”, “say no to rape”, “all rapists must face the law”, “justice for rape victims in Benue”, etc, were mainly women, girls and boys, representing various organizations, including People Living with Disabilities (PWDs).
One of the PWDs, Mary Ejeh, who spoke to journalists, said they were the worst hit of rape, adding that, herself and others have been sexually molested by some male in the society.
The group matched through the town to the Otukpo Area Police Command; the Och’Idoma Square; Otukpo local government council secretariat and the palace of the first class chief, Otukpo/Ohimini; where everyone condemned the act and invoked the spirit of ALEKWU (gods of Idoma land) on perpetrators of RAPE.
The OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) covers major issues affecting the world oil market and provides an outlook for crude oil market developments for the coming year. The report provides a detailed analysis of key developments impacting oil market trends in world oil demand, supply as well as the oil market balance.
In an effort to continuously enhance the service provided to our readers, we are pleased to announce that the analysis provided in the OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report is now more accessible than ever. As of March 2017, the electronic version of the report includes a bookmark feature, allowing readers to access individual sections directly from the table of contents, to make navigating the report as easy as one click.
Additionally, as of February 2019, key tables providing the latest information on the world oil demand and supply balance, including monthly revisions; OECD oil stocks and oil on water; non-OPEC supply and OPEC natural gas liquids; and world rig count – as contained in the MOMR appendix tables – will also be made available on the OPEC Website and can be downloaded in Excel, for ease of use.
Click the link for the full OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report; OPEC_MOMR_June_2020
…Says any other person who parades himself as acting party Chair’ll be violating valid court judgement …Says Chairman’s office is zoned to S’ South and any other opinion’ll be a violation. ….Describes all appointments and actions taken by Oshiomhole from March till date as invalid ….Commends Giadom for steps taken so far to bring sanity to the party
Following an Appeal Court Judgement delivered on Tuesday night, which upheld the suspension of former Edo Governor, Comr. Adams Oshiomole, as National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, and the recognition of Chief Victor Giadom as Ag. National Chairman of the party in line with the decision of an FCT High Court delivered on March 16, 2020, congratulatory messages has continued to pour in on the former Rivers Works Commissioner, who has been saddled with the responsibility of administering the party pro tempore.
In his message of felicitation, Chieftain of the APC and erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, described the judgement as a good recipe for peace in the ruling party which has been enmeshed in a litany of internal hostilities and abateable tinderboxes orchestrated by the self-style leadership and administrative incompetence of Adams Oshiomole.
By the Court’s verdict, the party chief said all appointees of Adams, masquerading as elected officers of the APC are to go with the former chairman as Victor Giadom legally & physically takes charge of the party & its secretariat.
He dismissed insinuations that Sen. Abiola Ajimobi is armed with statutory powers to administer the party as the next highest ranking officer from the South-South, stressing that all those appointed and all actions taken by the suspended Chairman, Mr. Oshiomole are products of illegality and a total nullity and therefore cannot stand the heat of the judgement.
He said Chief Giadom, as the next highest ranking member of the NWC from the South-South Zone, in compliance with the court’s ruling assumes duties as Acting National Chairman of All Progressives Congress.
“Any other person parading himself as Acting National Chairman is doing so at his peril and should be regarded as an agent of destabilisation”. Eze said.
In the same vein, the party chieftain congratulated the Court for its sound judgement which ousted Oshiomhole both as National Chairman and as a member of ruling APC, lamenting that the former Edo Governor appropriated more powers to himself than the Constitution provides and as a result, navigated the party into a seeming unending imbroglio which culminated to the disenfranchisement of party faithful and electoral loss in, Zamfara, Bauchi, Adamawa, Bayelsa and Rivers and other key states and constituencies across the country.
Eze express sadness that Oshiomhole messed the opportunity given him to become a statesman and only succeeded in making mockery of himself by exposing his very many leadership deficiencies without remorse.
Eze commended the APC in Edo State for exposing Oshiomhole as an undemocratic, divisive character not worthy of leading a great party like the ruling All Progressives Congress.
While appealing to stakeholders to rally round the Ag. National Chairman, Chief Victor Giadom to reposition the party, he said South South leaders will not for any reason succumb or tolerate anybody scheming to take over the office zoned to the region for any reason whatsoever.
Congratulating Giadom for his new office, Eze urged him to consult widely to achieve the target of rebuilding the party brick by brick, while praying for God’s guidance and direction as he opens a new chapter for the All Progressives Congress.
Eze in conclusion quoted the Acting National Chairman of APC in his inaugural speech thus, “consequently, I bring to your notice that on the 16th of March 2020, Hon Justice S.U. Bature in suit no FCT/HC/M/6447/2020 had ordered that, with the earlier suspension of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomohle, I Chief. Hon Victor Giadom should act as National Chairman of our great party. That Order could not be immediately effected at that time because of the temporary reprieve Adams Oshiomohle got from the Court of Appeal on the same date. However, having removed the temporary reprieve yesterday by the Court of Appeal and considering the fact that we cannot allow for a vaacum, I most humbly inform you that I have assumed office as Acting National Chairman of our great party in compliance with the order of the court.
Our party, the All Progressives Congress, will no longer allow local quests for the control of power to influence our decisions. As your Acting National Chairman and presiding officer in the NWC, we therefore cancel the decision of the Screening and Appeal Committees of the former Chairman of the party on the Edo primaries. This is in strict compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that forbids anyone who is interested in a cause to be a judge in that same cause.
In addition to the above the Deputy Organising Secretary of the All Progressive Congress, Hon. Muhammad Sani Ibrahim, shall immediately resume office as the Acting. National Organising Secretary in compliance with the judgement of the Federal High Court in suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/733/2018 which removed the former National Organising Secretary Mr Emmanuel Ibediro since 24th of September 2018. This is to ensure strict compliance with the Rule of Law.”
Eze supports all these positive steps so far taken by Chief Giadom to bring sanity to the party and urges some illegal and drowning members of NWC of APC who think otherwise to call themselves to order before they fall guilty of a valid court judgement.
The erstwhile acting National Secretary of the All Progressive Congress, Victor Giadom has resumed office as the acting National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress.
Giadom who had on arrival to the APC Secretariat as early as 9.00 am, headed into the office, to take over in acting capacity in Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s absence and in line with the High Court ruling granting him such prayers.
The suspended embattled chairman, Oshiomhole, seems to have respected the court ruling as he stayed out the secretariat.
There was however mild celebration among the staff of the secretariat as they were seen in groups discussing the removal of Adams Oshiomhole.
Addressing newsmen, Giadom, ordered the cancellation of all the activities concerning the screening of the aspirants for the Edo State governorship election primaries.
He also ordered that the aspirants would be rescreened, announcing that each aspirant will be informed of when to make appearance, just as he ordered the suspension of the National Organising Secretary, Emma Ibediro, ordering his deputy to assume his position.
The Director, Monetary Policy Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr, Hassan Mahmud, on Tuesday advised West African countries affected by COVID-19 pandemic to look inward and use their domestic resources to revamp their economies.
Mahmud gave the advice at a diagnostic Webinar organised by the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the meeting had as its topic: “The Impact of COVID-19 on the Economies of WAIFEM Member Countries.”
The countries concerned are: Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
According to him, most advanced economies have started looking inward because of the externalities and shocks that they have experienced.
“We should start looking inward at the regional level and at the country level to see that we are revamping our Agricultural sector, the Small and Medium Enterprises and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, such that we can be able to aggregate our domestic demand level to meet our supply capacities,” he said.
Mahmud urged countries to consider perfecting or improving the value chain of agricultural sector from the primary production to the end user.
According to him, when this is done, there will be a vertical integration that will revamp a lot of our economies living it less-dependent of external financing.
Earlier, the countries gave very detailed analysis of the state of their economies and their responses to COVID-19, and the story from each representative was more or less the same.
They said the beginning was a health crisis which translated to an economic crisis and then to issues that had to do with fiscal and monetary development.
However, they predicted a recession in 2020, expressing optimism that their economies would get back to recovery path in 2021. (NAN)
The APC Deputy National Secretary, Chief Victor Giadom has said that he is the authentic acting national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), following a ruling of the FCT High Court.
Giadom is the highest ranking official following the ruling of the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, which upheld Oshiomhole’s suspension and declared all his actions since his suspension, null and void.
A statement issued by Wole Afolabi, the counsel to the plaintiff in the suit filed at the FCT High Court, reads:
Our attention has been drawn to a Statement purportedly issued by the Publicity Secretary of the APC to the effect that Senator Abiola Ajumobi is to act as the National Chairman of APC following the suspension from office of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the Court of Appeal.
We wish to state that the statement must have been issued in complete ignorance of the order of the FCT High Court issued on 16th of March, 2020, by Hon. Justice S.U Bature in Suit No. FCT/HC/M/6447/2020 to the effect that Chief Victor Giadom is to act as the National Chairman of the party due to the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as the National Chairman.
The order was given the same day that the Court of Appeal earlier gave Oshiomhole a temporary respite by staying the execution of the said order suspending Oshiomhole. Now that the Court of Appeal has affirmed the order of suspension, it is only proper that the Order recognizing Chief Victor Giadom is implemented.
Consequently, we have written to all law-enforcement agencies to implement the said order and any one who attempts to parade himself/herself other than Chief Victor Giadom as the Acting Chairman of the APC would be facing contempt of court proceedings.
A group known as ‘Concerned Maritime Stakeholders’ has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to recover N16.1 billion from the Lagos Free Zone operator.
The group’s position followed the allegation by the Nigerian Ports Authority that it revoked the land lease agreement signed with the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base because LADOL shortchanged the Federal Government.
LADOL was also accused by the NPA of violating the terms of the land lease at Tarkwa Bay, near Light House Beach in Lagos.
Though President Muhammadu Buhari had directed NPA to restore LADOL’s 25-year lease agreement, CMS has urged Buhari to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe NPA’s allegation, recover the underpayment and prosecute all those involved in shortchanging the Government.
Secretary of the group, Mr. Idris Sanusi, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, urged the new Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari to draw the attention of the President to NPA’s sensitive allegation.
Sanusi alleged that before Prof Gambari came on board “they had misled Mr. President to believe that LADOL’s only infraction was that it subleased 11.2426 hectares of the land to a third party. They concealed the real fact from Mr. President.
“We have it on good authority that Mr. President does not have the facts of the issue at the Lagos Free Zone. They misled Mr. President to believe that NPA’s only grouse against LADOL was that it subleased part of the land to a third party without approval from NPA. That is not the whole story. They failed to tell Mr. President that LADOL collected outrageous $45 million (N16.2billion) from the third party for the 11.2426 hectares of land for which it paid only $524,105 (N37.73 million) to NPA.
“This side of the story was concealed from Mr. President. It is very curious that they hid this fact.
“We call on Mr. President to ask EFCC to recover the money. We hope that Mr. President doesn’t act based on wrong advice. We are not against any associate of LADOL contesting for presidency in 2023 but the funding for the election should not come from our common purse.
“Prof. Gambari and EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu have a track record of integrity and we are hopeful they won’t allow the President to be misled,” Sanusi explained.
“Since NPA made the allegation publicly, LADOL has not come out to deny the allegation.
“So, EFCC should recover the balance of N16.16billion.
“We will pursue this matter to its logical conclusion. President Buhari’s no-nonsense posture on the issue of corruption is unprecedented and Magu has demonstrated that he is a good ally to Mr. President in the fight against corruption.
“We are counting on Prof. Gambari’s unblemished record both nationally and internationally, to draw Mr. President’s attention to this alleged monumental fraud which is an act of economic sabotage to the Federal Government, the statement concluded.
