BAYELSA STATE GOVT SUSPENDS , STOPS SALARIES OF 3,403 STAFF

The Bayelsa State Government has suspended and stopped the salaries of 3,403 workers in the ongoing public service reforms.

The State’s Head of Service, Rev. Thomas Zidafomo, directed that salaries of 222 staff of Bayelsa State-owned media houses and 3,181 non-teaching staff of the State Universal Basis Education Board be suspended.

Zidafomo, in a letter dated April 6, 2018, directed that the withheld salaries of the affected workers listed as “excess workers” be remitted to the Accountant General of Bayelsa State.

But the unions have kicked against the action and urged the government to rescind its decision.

The protest of the unions was contained in a statement jointly issued by John Ndiomu, Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress, and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress, Tari Dounana.

The labour noted that withholding of salaries of workers listed for redeployment was strange and urged the government to carry out the reforms in compliance with Public Service Rules.

The statement said: “Labour wishes to draw government’s attention to the ongoing public service reforms. It is proper to note that redeployment of staff is a norm but stoppage of salaries is not in line with civil service rules.

“Labour therefore calls on government to review its directive on the stoppage of salaries as it is against the public service RULES. “We also wish to remind government of its pledge that the reforms would not lead to job losses and ask that it abides by it.”

The Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions of SUBEB on Monday also urged the government to reverse its decision.

NASU with 3,181 non-teaching staff affected in the reform issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to rescind its decision or face a strike.

The Bayelsa State chapter Chairman of the union, Geku Ebiwari, in a statement after an emergency congress of the union, noted that the workers were not under any trial to warrant the suspension of their salaries.

Ebiwari said noted that there was no need to stop the salaries of the workers if the exercise was a re-deployment as claimed.

However, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, said there was no going back in the reforms.

Iworiso-Markson said the government would pursue the policy to a logical conclusion.
He maintained that the reform was necessary to “rid the public service of an excess workforce and in the process deliver a leaner, smarter and productive workforce that is better equipped to serve the state”.

Iworiso-Markson allayed fears that they had been sacked and explained that the affected workers would be trained and deployed to other areas of need.
According to him, those found unsuitable in the public service will be eased out with financial assistance to start off their businesses.

He further said that Governor Seriake Dickson is scheduled to receive the report of the state Public Service Reforms Committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (retd), on Tuesday.

The submission of the report is preparatory to meeting between the governor and leaders of the organised labour on Wednesday.

BUDGET 2018: SENATE GIVES STANDING COMMITTEES 1 DAY TO SUBMIT REPORT

The Nigerian Senate has given twenty (20) of its own standing committees that are yet to submit their budget defence reports to do so unfailingly on Friday. The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, announced the ultimatum at plenary on Thursday.

President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki He listed the defaulting committees as Defence, Army, Air Force, Navy, Industry, Federal Capital Territory, States and Local Government, Culture and Tourism, Petroleum Downstream, Petroleum Upstream and Niger Delta. Others, according to him, are Sustainable Development Goals; Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases; Health; Capital Market; Tertiary Institutions and TETFund; Federal Emergency Road Maintenance Agency; Works; Power and Cooperation and Integration. “I am sorry to have chosen this method. I have no alternative than to list these committees so that these chairmen can know that they are holding all of us back. “The listed committees have not submitted and they must submit unfailingly tomorrow. “These 20 committees must ensure that their reports are submitted on Friday.

We have a deadline which we have committed to. You can’t hold us back. You must submit unfailingly by Friday,’’ he said. 

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/budget-senate-gives-committees-1-day-submit-report/

FEDERAL GOVT RELEASES MORE NAMES OF ALLEGED LOOTERS OF THE NATIONAL COFFERS

Lai Mohammed

The Nigerian government has released more names of alleged looters of the treasury during the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, in a statement released to the press, also criticised the opposition PDP for its reaction to the first names of alleged looters he released.

The fresh list by Lai Mohammed contains 23 names.

Read the full statement by the information ministry below:

The federal government has said the list of alleged looters which it
released earlier was based on verifiable facts, including the amount
involved, the date the amount in question was collected and from
where it was taken.

Releasing a fresh list of alleged looters, in a statement issued in
Lagos on Sunday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also said those complaining that the list was too short
apparently did not understand that it was strategically released as a
teaser.

”At the press conference where the list was released, I did say it
was a tip of the iceberg. Apparently, this does not mean anything to
people whose style is to comment on issues they barely understand, or
just to shoot down anything coming from the government,” he said,
adding that the Federal Government has a large number of alleged
looters on its list.

Lai Mohammed slammed the PDP for daring to challenge the Federal
Government over an issue that the party knows is its weakness: Looting
of public treasury.

”What was the PDP expecting when it challenged the FG to name the
looters of the public treasury under the party’s watch? Did the PDP
actually believe that the massive looting under its watch was a joke?
Did they think it is April Fool?” he queried.

The minister said the PDP’s reaction to the looters’ list has shown
that its recent apology is an election-induced act, contrived to
deceive unsuspecting Nigerians to vote for the party in the 2019
general election, even when it has not come clean on its looting spree
during its time in office.

”The hysterical and panicky reaction from the PDP has shown that the
party is not at all sincere about its choreographed apology. Were it
not the case, the party would have followed in the footsteps of one of
its leaders, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, who simply owned up to his role in
the party’s rigging in the past elections and said he had turned a new
leaf.

”It is said that a true confession is done in humility with an
attitude of repentance. It is clear that the PDP does not know this,
hence its resort to hubris instead of humility and genuine
penitence,” he said.

Mr Mohammed said the federal government will neither be
intimidated nor blackmailed into silence, adding that it will also not
rest until all those who looted the public treasury have been brought
to justice.

SECOND BATCH OF ALLEGED LOOTERS AND THE AMOUNT ALLEGEDLY EMBEZZLED

1. Former NSA Sambo Dasuki: Based on EFCC investigations and findings
alone (this is beside the ongoing $2.1 billion military equipment
scandal), a total of N126 billion, over $1.5 billion and 5.5 million
British Pounds was embezzled through his office. A good number of
these monies were simply shared to persons and companies without any
formal contract awards.

2. Former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke: In
just one of the cases the EFCC is investigating involving her, about
N23 billion is alleged to have been embezzled. She is also involved in
the Strategic Alliance Contracts of the NNPC, where the firms of Jide
Omokore and Kola Aluko got oil blocks but never paid government taxes
and royalty. About $3 billion was involved. The Federal Government is
charging Omokore and Aluko and will use all legal instruments local
and international to ensure justice.

3. Rtd. Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah: N13.9 billion. N4.8 billion
recovered by EFCC in cash and property

4. Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika: N4.5 billion. N29m recovered by the EFCC so far.

5. Alex Barde, former Chief of Defence Staff: N8 billion, and EFCC
recovered almost N4 billion in cash and property already.

6. Inde Dikko: former CG Customs: N40 billion, and N1.1 billion in
cash recovered in cash and choice properties.

7. Air Marshal Adesola Amosun: N21.4 billion. N2.8 billion recovered
in cash. 28 properties and 3 vehicles also recovered.

8. Senator Bala Abdulkadir, former FCT Minister: N5 billion. Interim
forfeiture order on some property secured.

9. Senator Stella Oduah: N9.8 billion. Interim forfeiture order on
some property secured.

10. Former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu: N1.6 billion – from NSA.

11. Senator Jonah Jang, former Plateau State Governor: N12.5 billion.

12. Bashir Yuguda, former Minister of State for Finance: N1.5 billion.
$829,800 recovered.

13. Senator Peter Nwaboshi: N1.5 billion

14. Aliyu Usman: Former NSA Dasuki’s aide: N512 million

15. Ahmad Idris: Former NSA Dasuki’s PA: N1.5 billion

16. Rasheed Ladoja: Former Oyo Governor: N500 million

17. Tom Ikimi: N300 million

18. Femi Fani-Kayode: N866 million

19. Hassan Tukur, former PPS to President Goodluck: $1.7 million

20. Nenadi Usman: N1.5 billion

21. Benedicta Iroha: N1.7 billion

22. Aliyu Usman Jawaz: Close ally of former NSA Dasuki: N882 million

23. Jonah Jang, former Plateau State Governor: N12.5 billion

24 Godknows Igali: Over N7 billion.

UNCERTAINTY IN APC AS PRESIDENT BUHARI SAYS NO TO TENURE ELONGATION OF ITS CHAIRMAN, JOHN ODIGIE-OYEGUN; MEMBERS FEEL BETRAYED AS PARTY MEETING ENDS IN A ROWDY PATTERN

- Some APC Members feel Betrayed as Party Meeting end in chaos

APC meeting ends in chaos as party members feel betrayed. Recent update reveals in details of what transpired at the National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday in which President Muhammadu Buhari voiced his rejection of party chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun’s tenure elongation have emerged.

According to reports, members of the party felt betrayed by Buhari’s sudden stance that the elongation of party chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun was unconstitutional as he was part of the last NEC meeting where the decision to extend NWC’s tenure was taken.

One of NEC members, who spoke to The PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said, “The session became rowdy at some point when members of NEC shouted down the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Doguwa, for saying there was no need to debate the issue since the President had spoken.

“The noise was so much that security details of the President stepped into the hall as a precautionary measure.

“At this point, the National Chairman (Odigie-Oyegun) stood up and threatened to use his powers to walk out members if they continued to be rowdy.

“He said if anybody had a better argument he should raise his hands and be recognised to speak. He also asked us all to have respect for the President who was at the meeting.”

The source explained that earlier, the party’s National Legal Adviser, Muiz Banire, SAN, had “tried to dismiss the constitutional queries raised by the President on the tenure elongation.

He said, “Our legal adviser said NEC relied on powers conferred on it by Section 13.3 of the party’s constitution. He argued that the President’s position was sub judice, because the matter was already in court.

After he spoke, the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, aligned himself with the legal position espoused by Banire.”

The source explained that the Ondo State governor added that the decision was subjected to a vote with 104 members voting in favour and four against the decision.

After he spoke, Doguwa, asked members of NEC to stop the debate on the matter since the President had made his position known.

The source said, “It was at this point that the meeting became rowdy with NEC members shouting him down. This prompted security details attached to the President to rush into the meeting room to prevent a security breach.”

According to the party source, the President’s decision took everybody by surprise.

He said, “I must say, it was a civilian equivalent of a coup. “We attended the National Caucus meeting at the Presidential Villa on Monday and the President did not give us any hint about his new position because he was part of the last NEC meeting where the decision to extend NWC’s tenure was taken.

“Some of us felt betrayed because this is not how to treat party leaders.”

Another member of NEC who spoke to The on the issue explained that the party’s chairman spoke about setting up a committee to review the President’s position “but no committee was named.”

The source who is also a member of the party’s NWC, said, “After tempers cooled down, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, spoke.

“He made reference to an August 2015 Supreme Court judgment in the case of two Kano State House of Assembly seats won by the APC.

“The VP said we lost that case because the litigants based their argument on the process that produced the candidates not the outcome of the elections.”

He said, “Osinbajo essentially spoke in favour of Mr. President. He felt it would be easier to deal with internal crisis arising from party primaries than a crisis emanating from a breach of the constitution.”

CAR-WASH ATTENDANT SELLS CUSTOMER’S CAR TO FINANCE HIS WEDDING FUNDS

Chado

A car-wash attendant, Mohammed Chado, has been arrested by the police in Abuja for allegedly selling a Toyota Camry that was given to him for washing.

The suspect, who worked at a car-wash outlet in Apo, Abuja, allegedly ran away with the customer's car and subsequently sold it for N450,000, which he used to marry a wife.

Chado is 29 years of age and was among other 40 suspects paraded by the Nigeria police in Abuja on Wednesday.

The police boss said, “Chado was arrested at Batafe village in Niger State where he hid after he sold a Toyota Camry that was given to him for washing.

“He escaped with it, sold it for N450,000 and used the money to marry a wife, Chao said. The stolen car has been recovered.”

Chado explained that out of the proceeds, he spent N300,000 on his wedding and expended the balance on feeding and other needs.

The suspect said, “I sold the car for N450,000 and spent N300,000 on my wedding. I gave the money to my family to buy the needed wedding items. I spent the balance on feeding myself for one year.”

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Abuja,  Sadiq Bello, said the command recovered from the other suspects 38 pump-action guns, 13 locally-made guns, one fabricated revolver, 25 fabricated modified pump-action guns, one double-barrelled gun and 22 cartridges.

Other exhibits allegedly recovered were 11 vehicles, three cutlasses, eight fabricated pistols, nine plasma television sets, one desktop monitor, three knives and one gun, believed to be toy.

NIGERIAN HOUSE OF REPS MEMBER'S SON SHOT DEAD IN THE UK

        
Abraham Badru

The Lawmaker representing Lagos Island 1 in the federal House of representatives and a member of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Hon. Dolapo Badru on Sunday lost his son, Abraham Badru, to gun shot in London.

Abraham Badru, the 26-year old son of the lawmaker, Hon. Dolapo Badru has been shot dead near his family’s London home in the latest round of bloodshed in the city capital.

Abraham Badru, who was given a police bravery award as a teenager for saving a woman from a sex attack, was gunned down in the street in Dalston, Hackney, just after 11pm on Sunday.

Abraham, who worked as a football coach after earning his Masters degree in sports coaching from the University of Gloucestershire in 2015, was found slumped on the pavement by police called to reports of a loud gunshot.

He was pronounced dead a short time later. His mother, who had rushed to his side, was seen by witnesses collapsed in tears on the pavement.

Abraham’s father told the Standard that his “quiet and hard-working” son once saved a young woman from rape on the estate and later gave evidence which led to her attacker being jailed.

He said: “A few years ago, a girl was raped on the estate and Abraham fought them off. He went to court to testify against them and the police gave him an award.”

Friends paid tribute to Abraham as a “bubbly and outgoing” young man who was “making a life for himself” after completing his studies.

They said he had a fiancee in Nigeria and had volunteered with the Team Nigeria UK football coaching charity, and had been due to coach at an open trial in Charlton on Tuesday (today).

A volunteer said: “He’s such a wonderful guy full of life and very hard-working.”

Abraham had previously worked with Bristol council as a sport development officer, according to his LinkedIn profile and had interned at non-league Gloucester City FC during his degree studies at the University of Gloucestershire.

In a statement, his former club Almondsbury FC, near Bristol, said: “The club are shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of former striker Abraham Badru.

“We would like to send our thoughts and prayers to Abraham’s family during this difficult time.”

Neighbours said Abraham had been to church earlier that day and was getting out of his car when he was shot.

One neighbour said: “As soon as I heard the bang, I knew it was a gunshot. I went to my balcony and saw a man slumped over on the ground at the back of a car.

“There was just one shot and a cry of pain. No speeding scooter and no speeding car.”

Another said: “His mother came out and saw him on the floor. It was terrible listening to her collapse crying on the floor. She was just screaming.

“Everyone was very upset and I had to go away, I couldn’t take it. It happened on our doorstep and I had to say a little prayer for the family.”

A school friend added: “He had just finished studying a masters in sport at university. He was a bubbly guy and worked so hard. We went to the same church as kids.

“His mother is a devout Christian. I’m lost for words. I just cannot believe it. He was the nicest guy, very happy and outgoing.”

A police cordon remained in place in Ferncliff Road this morning as detectives continued to investigate the shooting.

Abraham’s mother was being supported by family members at the her home, around 100 yards away. The family were too upset to speak this morning.

A neighbour said: “They are a lovely family, church going and loving. Everyone is stunned this could happen to Abraham.

“He was a gentle, respectful young man and I pray for his family who are in pain right now.”

The murder is the third in Hackney this year and comes as 19 young men under the age of 25 have been killed in the capital in 2018.

Detective Chief Inspector Larry Smith, from Scotland Yard’s murder squad, said: “We are appealing for information so we can establish the circumstances which led to a young man losing his life.

“Anyone with information who hasn’t yet spoken with us should come forward without delay. Your call will be treated in the strictest confidence.”

There have been no arrests yet as at time if this report.

MALTA LEGALISES CANNABIS AS MEDICINAL PRODUCT PRESCRIPTION TO PATIENTS

         
cannabis-sativa

The Mediterranean country of Malta has on Tuesday legalised prescription of cannabis products for medicinal purposes by general practitioners.

The new law means that patients would be able to access non-smoking forms of medicine at pharmacies with a doctor’s prescription after a control card has been approved by the country’s Superintendent of Public Health.

Patients with the following three conditions are eligible to be prescribed with medicinal cannabis: chronic pain, spasticity in multiple sclerosis and side effects of chemotherapy.

Malta’s parliament started debate on the new medicinal cannabis law at the beginning of the year.

The laws were relaxed in 2015, through legal amendments which allowed cannabis to be prescribed by specialists, under very strict conditions.

That meant cannabis remained difficult to access by most patients.

In addition to the legalisation of prescription of medicinal cannabis, the Mediterranean island country is also in the process of regulating the manufacture of medicinal cannabis products, with five companies having already been issued licences manufacture cannabis for medicinal purposes.

Photo by ©Shutterstock.com/Atomazul

The term medical marijuana refers to using the whole, unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts to treat symptoms of illness and other conditions.                                                                          You recall that in the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine. However, scientific study of the chemicals in marijuana, called cannabinoids, has led to two FDA-approved medications that contain cannabinoid chemicals in pill form. Continued research may lead to more medications.                                                         Marijuana plant contains chemicals that may help treat a range of illnesses and symptoms, many schools of thought still argue that it should be made legal for medical purposes. In fact, a growing number of countries have legalized marijuana for medical use.

NIGERIAN FEDERAL GOVT CHALLENGES PDP TO RETURN LOOTED FUND TO COMPLETE APOLOGY

   
                    Alhaji Lai Mohammed
             Minister of Information and Culture

The Federal Government says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should complete its apology to Nigerians by returning all the funds looted from the public treasury during its 16 years in power.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also challenged the party to show the genuineness of its apology through a discernible change of attitude.

”The PDP presided over an unprecedented looting of the public treasury, perhaps the worst of its kind in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world.

“Therefore, the best evidence of penitence for such a party is not just to own up and apologise, but to also return the looted funds as anything short of that is mere deceit.

The minister said with the paucity of funds, the administration had spent an unprecedented amount of money on infrastructural development and Social Investment Programme, among others.

He added that returning looted funds would provide more money for the programmes and make life more meaningful for Nigerians.

Mohammed also reminded the PDP of the quote: ”If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging,” saying it applies to the PDP at this time.

”PDP, press the reset button. Stop sabotaging the work of this administration, which is packing the mess you left behind, through your reckless statements and unfounded allegations.

“Play responsible opposition politics. Put Nigeria’s interest over and above partisan interest.

“Temper your desperation to return to power. Spend quality time in the purgatory and you will be forgiven,” he said.

The PDP had on Monday reflected on its 16 years stewardship and admitted it made mistakes and asked Nigerians to forgive its wrongdoings.

National chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, who spoke at a public discourse, had said the party was sorry for its mistakes.

EFCC FINALLY ARRESTS MAN IMPERSONATING STAR ACTOR, MIKE EZURUONYE

An impersonator of handsome Nollywood actor, Mike Ezuruonye, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

According to reports, actor Mike Ezuruonye petitioned the police after having his image dragged in the mud by criminal elements who use his name to defraud unsuspecting fans.

One of the alleged culprits was apprehended by the EFCC. The suspect is identified as Osigbovo from Benin, Edo State.

He is currently in the custody of EFCC for collecting large sums of money from female fans of the actor. He allegedly used Ezuruonye’s image and videos and superimposed his own voice to deceive these women.

Stay updated with the latest Nigerian news from Information Nigeria.

DΣΣ-DΣΣ's βLΩG: SERGEI MAVRODI IS DEAD: NIGERIANS CELEBRATE AS MMM FOUNDER DIES OF CANCER, MORE DEATH WISHES FOR HIS ACCOMPLICES

DΣΣ-DΣΣ's βLΩG: SERGEI MAVRODI IS DEAD: NIGERIANS CELEBRATE AS MMM FOUNDER DIES OF CANCER, MORE DEATH WISHES FOR HIS ACCOMPLICES