Nigerian group petitions GAVI, seeks suspension of Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment

A Nigerian civic group has petitioned the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization, GAVI, requesting that the organization suspend the recent appointment of Nigeria’s immediate past Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as chairperson of its Board of Directors.

In the petition signed by its chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the Civil Society Network Against Corruption, CSNAC, said its call for a review of Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment was based on the circumstances surrounding the suspicious refund of $2.2 million paid by Nigeria to GAVI.

While noting that the appointment of the former minister as chairperson of the Board of Directors of GAVI brings to fore a case of conflict of interest in the refund of the money, the group noted that, “the appointment also shows that she was being rewarded for her “loyalty” to the organisation at the detriment of her country.”

The refund made without consultation with the Ministry of Health also exposes the gross abuse of office by the former minister, according to the group.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how GAVI rewarded Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala after she worked against Nigeria’s interest in a controversial refund of a $2.2 million allegedly mismanaged by Nigerian officials.

“In view of the above, CSNAC is therefore by this petition, requesting that the recent appointment of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as chairperson of the Board of Directors be reviewed and suspended until all the spurious allegations against Nigeria under this audit are proven by GAVI and the circumstances surrounding the suspicious and unpatriotic refund of the $2.2m are resolved,” Mr. Suraju said.

Giving its narration in the petition, the group said that, “In the wake of media reports of indictment by the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) against the Federal Government of Nigeria over alleged misuse of funds through the Federal Ministry of Health and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) for the purpose of children vaccination in the country, we petitioned the NPHCDA to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demanding a thorough investigation into the allegations that has globally dented the image of the county.

“Following our petition on this matter and reportage of same by local and international news media, we received a response, accompanied with evidences, from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), controverting claims that were contained in the GAVI’s Cash Program Audit (CPA).

“Through voluntary support of volunteers, partners and members of our network, we undertook independent investigation of the allegations contained in the CPA report and, confirmation of assertions and proof provided by NPHCDA. These included independent and unannounced visitation to site of incinerators in Borno, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Kano, Kaduna by these volunteers. However, our investigations revealed findings at variance with basis of fraud allegations contained in the report of GAVI, through its Cash Program Audit (C.P.A) on cash grants allocated to Nigeria from 2011-2013.

“We also found a letter written by the New York office of UNICEF, a UN agency and an internationally reputed organisation, officially debunking claims in the GAVI report, as it concerns their transactions with NPHCDA under the contract. The Federal Inland Revenue Services did wrote to acknowledge receipt of taxes deducted by NPHCDA, as against position of GAVI. The Corporate Affairs Commission further provided evidence controverting malicious claims NPHCDA award of contract to fictitious and unregistered company, as contained in the CPA report.

“The Alliance further continued with its smear campaign of Nigeria by misinterpreting the Letter of Understanding dated October 17, 2014 written by the former Minister of Health Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu as an admission of guilt in the alleged mismanagement of $2.2m, whereas, he had demanded a joint post audit reconciliation of the disputed CPA report and also committed the government to refund any unused fund discovered after the joint reconciliation with GAVI.

“Our several requests to GAVI for evidence to corroborate the spurious allegations in its indicting report were rebuffed. Despite huge facts that emerged from our investigation and that of the EFCC, controverting GAVI’s claim to fraud in its dealings with Nigeria under the audited period, the immediate past Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, under a questionable manner, unprecedented in the history of the country, went ahead and discreetly refunded the controversial $2.2m to your organization without recourse to NPHCDA or the EFCC,” the petition read.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/

NATIONAL NO BRA DAY

National No Bra Day is observed annually on October 13. This is a day to leave your bra at home.

National No Bra Day is meant to promote breast cancer awareness and to help raise money for research. Many women who have survived breast cancer are unable to go without a bra as they need it to hold their prosthesis after surgery. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and National No Bra Day should serve as a reminder for all women to be screened for breast cancer.

OBSERVE

Make an appointment for a mammogram. Use #NoBraDay or #NationalNoBraDay when posting on social media.  Make a contribution to the American Cancer Society or Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

HISTORY

Within our research we were unable to find the origins of National No Bra Day.http://nationaldaycalendar.com/

Senate ready for 50% pay cut – Kurfi

The Senate has agreed to the decision of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to review downward the salaries and allowances of federal lawmakers at the National Assembly by 50 per cent.

This was disclosed yesterday by Senator Umaru Ibrahim Kurfi ( APC Katsina Central) during a chat with senate correspondents.

The Senate had recently rejected the pay cut in their salaries and allowances by suspending consideration of the report of its Finance Committee following sharp disagreements among senior lawmakers over recommendation by the committee.

But Senator Kurfi said the upper chamber of the National Assembly had agreed to the 50 per cent pay cut in line with the policy of President Muhammadu Buhari administration to ensure prudence in public spending and restore dignity to governance in the country.

“The Eighth Senate is doing its best to ensure the success of the present administration. In line with policy of President Muhammadu Buhari to eradicate corruption in all sectors of the economy, we (senators) have already agreed to implement 50 per cent salary cut.

“We are in a change regime and we are ready to key into the zero tolerance for corruption policy of the present administration. Similarly, we have agreed to support all other policies and programmes being embarked upon for the benefit of Nigerians”, Kurfi said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain assured that the Senate would continue to help the executive arm to build on democracy, implement the change promised Nigerians by the party and ensure that President Buhari surpass the records of his predecessors.

He allayed the fears of some Nigerians that the APC-led federal government would not spread the dividends of democracy across Nigeria, saying the President as a man of integrity would ensure even development of the country.

On the crisis in APC since the party came to power, he said the leadership has not been leaving any stone unturned in keeping the party as one despite “misunderstanding among some leaders over certain issues”.

“We are trying hard to ensure that things take shape in the party. We are not divided, what we have is just misunderstanding among some leaders. Misunderstanding is bound to take place in any large party like the APC and this will be settled”, he assured.

Senator Kurfi expressed hope that democracy would thrive with more development in the country under President Buhari, saying “he is an honest, transparent and Godfearing leader that will make things work again in Nigeria”.

He therefore urged Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion and political party affiliation to rally round the number one citizen to succeed for the benefit of all.

https://www.today.ng/news

Ex-Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, arrested in London

The immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, was on Friday arrested in the UK National Crime Agency, PREMIUM TIMES can exclusively and authoritatively report.

The former minister, who was one of the most powerful officials of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, was arrested Friday morning alongside four other people by the British law enforcement agency.

The identities of the four other people arrested along with her could be immediately ascertained.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt she was arrested for offences related to bribery and corruption being investigated by the UK National Crime Agency.

Two top British officials in London have however confirmed the development to this newspaper. They requested not to be named because they have no permission to speak on the issue.

The British High Commission in Nigeria confirmed that some arrests were made Friday but declined to disclose the identities of those involved.

Joseph Abuku, Press and Public Affairs Officer, said, “This morning, five people between the ages of 21 and 60 were arrested on suspicion of bribery and corruption offences. The crimes are being investigated by the National Crime Agency.

“The National Crime Agency does not confirm identity at arrest nor provide information that could be used to corroborate the identity of an arrested individual.”

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/

Soldiers kill Boko Haram kingpin in Borno –Army

Troops involved in the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in the North-East have killed a terror kingpin around Kwatarha and Torikwaptir area of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in a statement on Tuesday that the terror kingpin, said to be wreaking havoc in the area, was gunned down during a shoot-out with soldiers on Monday afternoon.

The Acting Army spokesman added that the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle from the killed Boko Haram commander.

He said that four other suspected terrorists escaped with gunshot wounds during the encounter.

Usman added that the troops of the 3 Division arrested a suspected Boko Haram kingpin in Yobe State.

He gave the name of the arrested terror suspect as Alhaji Tijani Usman Damagum.

According to Usman, the terror suspect was tracked by the troops who arrested him at Damagum, Yobe State.

He said that the suspect, who was undergoing interrogation, had led several Boko Haram attacks in Yobe State.

“In an offensive operation to clear Boko Haram terrorists’ enclave around Kwatarha and Torikwaptir area of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, a notorious Boko Haram terrorist who had been wreaking havoc on communities was gunned down by our troops on Monday afternoon.

“During the operation, four other terrorists were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds. One AK-47 rifle was recovered from him.

“In a related development, the troops of 3 Division have arrested a suspected Boko Haram kingpin, Alhaji Tijani Usman Damagum. He was tracked down and arrested at Damagum town, Yobe State yesterday (Tuesday).

“A high profile Boko Haram terrorists’ group member, he had led Boko Haram members on various attacks especially in Yobe State. The suspect is currently undergoing interrogation with a view to arraigning him soon,” the statement read.

http://www.punchng.com/

This can only happen in my country, Nigeria

Not only will you see the masses giving jungle justice, how about our judges giving life(years) imprisonment to a pickpocket and a 'TOKEN BAILOUT' to treasury looters.
M y country...my country!!!

New Ooni of Ife to Emerge from Giesi Ruling House in ‘next 42 Days’…

The Ile-Ife kingmakers have put to rest the conflict regarding the appropriate ruling house to produce the next Ooni of Ife, disclosing that the new paramount ruler would emerge from the Giesi ruling house.

They also stated that the new Ooni would emerge in the next 42 days.

The succession battle began after the death of Ooni of Ife, Okunade Sijuade, at a London clinic on July 28.The Obalufe of Iremo, Folorunso Omisakin, told journalists at the Ooni’s palace on Monday that a letter had been written to the Giesi family to forward their candidates. He said the selection would be done according to the order of the Ooni Chieftaincy Declaration of 1980. The Obalufe noted that it was the turn of the Giesi to produce the Ooni, urging the other ruling houses to wait for their turn.

“We, the 16 traditional rulers making up kingmakers according to Ife traditional rules and customs, hereby unanimously declare and affirm and confirm that 1980 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration is the one in existence now and we affirm as follows.

“Section 19, Sub section a (3) [says] that it is the turn of the Giesi Ruling House to present a candidate/candidates for the vacant stool of the Ooni of Ife Chieftaincy.”

Mr. Omisakin pleaded with the people of the town, as well as all religious bodies  to maintain peace. The other ruling houses are Osinkola, Ogboru, and Lafogido families who had at different times in the past produced the Ooni of Ife.

The declaration of the Kingmakers was long awaited after candidates from other ruling houses, including Ogboru ruling house, which produced the immediate-past Ooni, began to agitate for the stool. 

Their agitation was seen by observers as against the established order, which pointed to the Giesi ruling house as the next in turn to produce the traditional ruler. There are four ruling houses in Ile-Ife – Lafogido, Giesi, Ogboru, and Oshikola.

Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who reigned between 1980 and 2015, is of the Ogboru royal lineage. The Giesi ruling house last produced an occupant to the position – Ooni Derin Ologbenla – between 1880 and 1894.

The other royal houses have also taken turns to produce Obas for the ancient town at various times.

The Ogboru lineage produced Oba Adelekan Olubuse I, who reigned between 1894 and 1910, with the Lafogido ruling house producing his successor, Oba Ademuluyi Ajagu (1910-1930).

Oba Sijuwade’s predecessor, Adesoji Aderemi, who reigned between 1930 and 1980, came from the Oshikola ruling house. But the Adetipe family from the Amodo clan of the Ogboru ruling house curiously said it had already submitted an expression of interest for the Ooni stool, saying Oba Sijuwade’s time on the throne should not be counted for the Ogboru ruling house.

The development had raised the tempo of the contest for the traditional stool, with fears that getting a new traditional ruler for the ancient town might not be tension and crisis-free after all.

http://osbcng.org/