BY OLA AJAYI
Ibadan—The ripples generated by the alleged money laundering by the
wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Florence are yet to settle as an
opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state said the
public is waiting to get the accurate number of times that Mrs. Ajimobi
travelled since her husband, Senator Abiola Ajimobi assumed office.
The First Lady in the state had denied that she had traveled 52 times as alleged by the publication.
PDP through its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Lukuman Agboluaje, said in
as much as it would not want to join issues with the governor’s wife on
the money laundering allegations, there were more salient issues which
should not be glossed over.
According to the party, it is improper for the governor, who had made
much noise about quality free education to now send his daughter abroad
for a mere secondary education.
Agboluaje said: “As much as we are not in a position to join issues with
Mrs. Ajimobi on the alleged money laundering charges as reported by a
local newspaper using an online publication as its source, we are
constrained to ask some fundamental questions, especially from her own
defence on arrival.
“We are aware of the free education policy of the present
administration in the state and our concern is the inability of the
state’s first couple to allow their kid daughter enjoy the free
education being dished out to the populace rather than for the First
Lady to incessantly visit her daughter every three weeks in a UK
secondary school.”
This, the party went further, was more so critical as the First Lady,
though, had promised to tell the public the number of times she
travelled abroad since her husband’s assumption of office 17 months ago,
up till now the public was still waiting.
Another thorny issue which the PDP claimed was more curious to learn
through the online publication was that the State Agency for the Control
of Aids, SACA, was now placed under the office of the First Lady.
Wondering why this could be, Agboluaje said it was an indication that
either Mrs. Ajimobi was more qualified than officials of the
supervising Ministry of Health or that the ruling Action Congress of
Nigeria, ACN, in the state was suffering from dearth of qualified
politicians that could be saddled with such sensitive responsibility.
The release further stated that it was a good thing that Governor
Ajimobi had sued the offending medium to the law court as the public
was very much interested in knowing how the case goes in court.
“This is more so important when it is realised that a major
shareholder of the offending publishing house, Independent Communication
Ltd, is Senator Bola Tinubu, National leader of the ACN and the
godfather of Governor Ajimobi,” the release added.
Vanguard
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Why we suspended recruitment of teachers – Oshiomhole
BY SIMON EBEGBULEM
BENIN – Edo State Government has suspended the recruitment exercise by the state Post-Primary Education Board, PPEB, following the allegation of fraud that marred the exercise.
In a statement by Mr. Peter Okhiria, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the government said: “Preliminary investigations into the exercise revealed that it was fraught with unwholesome practices as the exercise sacrificed merit on the altar of selfish motives.
“Consequently, in accordance with our commitment to transparency and accountability, the exercise is suspended and the appointment letters issued are hereby revoked. All those purportedly offered appointment through the exercise are advised to stay away.
“Government will review the entire exercise and give room to all to re-apply and only those who scale through the fresh test which will be transparently conducted, will be offered appointment.”
Vanguard
BENIN – Edo State Government has suspended the recruitment exercise by the state Post-Primary Education Board, PPEB, following the allegation of fraud that marred the exercise.
In a statement by Mr. Peter Okhiria, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the government said: “Preliminary investigations into the exercise revealed that it was fraught with unwholesome practices as the exercise sacrificed merit on the altar of selfish motives.
“Consequently, in accordance with our commitment to transparency and accountability, the exercise is suspended and the appointment letters issued are hereby revoked. All those purportedly offered appointment through the exercise are advised to stay away.
“Government will review the entire exercise and give room to all to re-apply and only those who scale through the fresh test which will be transparently conducted, will be offered appointment.”
Vanguard
Corruption In Judiciary
WAS Justice Olufunmilola Adekeye’s parting shot as she
retired from the Supreme Court intended to exonerate judges from the
corruption in the legal system?
She said at a book presentation that politicians sought out judges who they offered bribes on election petitions. She said nothing new, though Nigerians only speculated it.
Corruption in the judiciary is not only on election cases. From land disputes to murder cases, those who disagree with the decisions resort to allegations of corruption against the judge.
Election petitions are a class apart. The stakes are higher, as election winners have access to more national resources than their fantastic earnings. Elections have become the most profitable business for contractors (including legal consultants) and the winners.
When Adekeye made her case, she pressed the role of judges in the matter as passive. Few things can be further from the truth. Was she unaware that a federal high court judge was retired years back for accepting bribes on behalf of his colleagues handling election petitions? Or the more recent legal foxtrots between former Chief Justice of Nigeria Aloysius Katsina-Alu and former President Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, where allegations of interference with election petitions are still being traded? Were politicians the sole participants in these cases? There are more that did not assume prominence.
Corruption in the judiciary is an expressway with all the characteristics of such a thoroughfare. Judges and politicians are familiar with the applicable laws on the route. There may be politicians over speeding, just as there are traffic officers who refuse to enforce the law.
With all the allegations about politicians attempting to induce judges, “through their relations, friends and close associates”, there is no case of a judge ordering the arrest of a politician, or his contact for offering bribe, which ordinarily is an offence, moreso when intended to skew the judicial process.
Politicians are ruthless in their bid for power, but we also hear about the growing levels of desperation among judges to be included in panels that hear election petitions. Why would election petitions appeal more to judges than other cases? The judiciary requires higher standards for its integrity.
“We must always stand up and defend our judges and protect their integrity. It is a pity that most times, even the political class does not understand the role of judges in democratic settings,” Justice Adekeye suggested.
She may be right about a general ignorance of the role of judges. However, Nigerians know about integrity of the judiciary.
Judges accused of corruption, get soft treatment from fellow judges who recommend their retirement, usually with full benefits. Nigerians will not defend this type of integrity.
Vanguard
She said at a book presentation that politicians sought out judges who they offered bribes on election petitions. She said nothing new, though Nigerians only speculated it.
Corruption in the judiciary is not only on election cases. From land disputes to murder cases, those who disagree with the decisions resort to allegations of corruption against the judge.
Election petitions are a class apart. The stakes are higher, as election winners have access to more national resources than their fantastic earnings. Elections have become the most profitable business for contractors (including legal consultants) and the winners.
When Adekeye made her case, she pressed the role of judges in the matter as passive. Few things can be further from the truth. Was she unaware that a federal high court judge was retired years back for accepting bribes on behalf of his colleagues handling election petitions? Or the more recent legal foxtrots between former Chief Justice of Nigeria Aloysius Katsina-Alu and former President Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, where allegations of interference with election petitions are still being traded? Were politicians the sole participants in these cases? There are more that did not assume prominence.
Corruption in the judiciary is an expressway with all the characteristics of such a thoroughfare. Judges and politicians are familiar with the applicable laws on the route. There may be politicians over speeding, just as there are traffic officers who refuse to enforce the law.
With all the allegations about politicians attempting to induce judges, “through their relations, friends and close associates”, there is no case of a judge ordering the arrest of a politician, or his contact for offering bribe, which ordinarily is an offence, moreso when intended to skew the judicial process.
Politicians are ruthless in their bid for power, but we also hear about the growing levels of desperation among judges to be included in panels that hear election petitions. Why would election petitions appeal more to judges than other cases? The judiciary requires higher standards for its integrity.
“We must always stand up and defend our judges and protect their integrity. It is a pity that most times, even the political class does not understand the role of judges in democratic settings,” Justice Adekeye suggested.
She may be right about a general ignorance of the role of judges. However, Nigerians know about integrity of the judiciary.
Judges accused of corruption, get soft treatment from fellow judges who recommend their retirement, usually with full benefits. Nigerians will not defend this type of integrity.
Vanguard
Ojude Oba: Display of tradition, culture
The
dance steps were entertaining, different shades and colours of fabrics,
elegant horse riders and different age grades paraded before the king
felicitating with him and expressing their delight for yet another year
and successes.
The streets were filled with canopies from Folagbade Junction to Moborode Junction a distance of about one and a half kilometres and the whole of Olisa Street.
The Gbelegbuwa road, leading to the palace and the palace extension, was completely blocked to traffic by law enforcement agents leaving only Very Important Personalities to pass through while all the sides of the roads also had canopies.
Music blared from within the canopies leading to a cacophony of noise. The streets were filled with people.
From exotic lace fabrics to assorted shoes, bags and other fashion accessories, the venue of the celebration is always sparked with a display of colours. The traditional Etu, Aso Oke always come alive. It is a mixture of the ancient and modern when some men came out in Aso Oke mixed with damask fabric. Ojude Oba can also be tagged a parade of fashion.
Groups made up of different age grades like the Otunbas and Oloroguns [war chiefs], other categories of chiefs and people of the town came out en_masse gaily dressed to pay homage to their king.
Streets were filled with canopies, roads virtually blocked, exotic cars on display and rare show of opulence on display by the people. The celebration was a study in display of tradition and culture wrapped in modernization.
With about 5,000 capacity pavilion, guests were comfortably seated in an enclosure which looked like a modern sports arena.
The age grades, called Regberegbes, had enough space to sit while guests were also comfortably accommodated.
The Awujale sat at his side of the pavilion which had 650 customized seats provided by Globacom, the GSM service provider owned by a prominent Ijebu son, Dr. Mike Adenuga. The horse riders had enough space to display in front of the Awujale and the guests.
Sponsors for the festival have also grown with Globacom, the official sponsor parading prominent music stars that thrilled the mammoth crowd. First City Monument Bank [FCMB] too among others.
As early as 7.30 a.m., indigenes and invitees started trooping into the arena in anticipation of the commencement of the festival slated for 10.a.m.
Such were the features of the annual Ojude Oba, a ram slaughtering festival of the Muslims peculiar to indigenes of Ijebu Ode in Ogun State. This festival has emerged a rallying point for not only sons and daughters of Ijebuland but to non natives alike as they converge on the ancient city to rejoice with their king, the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland.
Age group creates the spectacle at the expansive lawn that separates the king and his guests from the crowd. The Gbobaniyi group; middle-aged men, which has former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel as its patron, has one of the most special appearances by dressing in rich traditional Aso Oke clothes.
The Ojude Oba festival is usually held in two days after the Ileya. The festival shifts from Ijebu Ode to Ijebu-Isiwo for another three day celebration after the Ileya fundamentally to honor their king and do obeisance.
Historically, the festival started with an Islamic cleric, alongside members of his family, paying a courtesy call on the Awujale as a way of showing appreciation to the traditional ruler for allowing Islam to grow peacefully in Ijebu Ode.
This festival which has survived for almost a century has emerged as a dominant cultural festival anticipated by the people. Corporate organisations too are not left behind as they have added values to the celebration with their different promotional strategies aimed at putting their brands on a vantage position.
Prominent among these conglomerate is the Globacom company. Prior to the festival, the telecom company said it is committed to elevating the Ojude Oba festival to an enviable cultural fiesta capable of attracting investments in tourism in Ijebu land.
It promised to introduce milestones to stimulate local and international investment in tourism in Ijebuland in particular and Ogun State in general. True to its promises, Glo donated a block of fully equipped classrooms to Ijebu Muslim School as part of the activities marking the 2012 festival. Globacom had during the Ojude Oba festival last year promised to deliver the block of classrooms with ICT equipment to the school.
Dr Mike Adenuga, Chairman of the telecoms giant, Globacom, said the festival had grown in importance and scope and had emerged as the melting pot of culture, glitz, fashion and panache, adding that it afforded the Ijebu people, home and abroad, the opportunity to contribute to the development of the land.
Responding, Oba Adetona praised the company for injecting pomp into the festival, adding that the telecoms firm had brought many innovations and had turned the carnival to a world class.
He described the chairman of the company, Dr Adenuga, as a pride, not only of Ijebuland, but Nigeria as a nation.
The Senate President, Senator David Mark who was a special guest at the event pledged his support for the actualisation of Ijebu-State.
Speaking at the 2012 Ojude-Oba, he said that one of the ways to achieve rapid development in the country is when more states were created.
The Senate President who was reacting to the plea of the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona on the need for Ijebu State, said he had received various delegations from agitators of state creation, saying that one of the highest delegations was from Ijebuland.
He said: “I support the creation of Ijebu State, the National Assembly must work to actualise it, we know that it is through it that government can move closer to the people, and I pledged that when next I shall be coming here, the dream would have been actualised.”
The festival is competitive because financial gains are attached to it, hence, age grades try as much as possible to outshine the other. Six age grade groups won awards at the ceremony. Egbe Olugbadebo Okunrin won a trophy and cash prize of N750,000; Egbe Mafowoku Okunrin and Egbe Bobagbuyi Okunrin won N500,000 and N300,000 respectively.
Egbe Arobayo Obinrin won the star prize of a trophy and N750,000, while Egbe Obafuwaji and Egbe Bobajolu Obinrin Basiri won N500,000 and N300,000 respectively.
Many of the groups names is related to the king such as Gbobaniyi, Obafuwaji, Bobakeye, Gbobayo, and Gbobalaye. The parade of the Baloguns and Eleshins is usually the most colourful and breathtaking event of the festival.
A Balogun or Elesin is a direct descendant of the war heroes who gained notable victories for the Ijebu nation during the inter-ethnic Yoruba wars in the pre-colonial history of Nigeria. It is commonly believed that it was at Ojude Oba that the families of the war heroes led by the reigning Balogun and deputies, exhibited their prowess by simulating mock battle shows and displays.
It is always a spectacle to behold as each Balogun and Elesin families take their turn to pay homage to the king amidst martial music, jubilation and gun shots, passing through the town with participants, visitors and tourists.
In reality, this year's festival underscores the importance of peaceful co-existence among Nigerians, despite their differences in language or religion. The festival was indeed a celebration of the unity of the people and a show of Nigeria's rich cultural heritage.
NigerianCompass
Tofa: Jonathan Has Legal Right to Seek Re-Election in 2015
Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa
By Ibrahim Shuaibu
The former Chairman of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) Elders
Committee, Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa has disclosed that President
Goodluck Jonathan has the right to contest the 2015 if he wishes to do
so.
Tofa said: “The decision to contest or not to contest the 2015 presidential election lies on President Goodluck Jonathan and no other person has the right to demand his exclusion from that race”.
Speaking in Kano on Thursday, Alhaji Tofa said “the way I see it, if the President intends to seek re-election in 2015, it is his legal right, if he also decides not to contest again it is his right”.
He also condemned those calling on the President to resign his office on account of the state of insecurity in the county, adding that the call is not only baseless but reckless”.
ThisDay
Tax Evasion: Edo Revenue Board Disrupts First Bank’s Operations
Governor Adams Oshiomhole
Adibe Emenyonu
Hundreds of customers of First Bank of Nigeria Plc in Benin City, Edo State, were stranded Thursday as they could not transact business with the bank because the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) sealed all branches of the bank over alleged tax default.
But reacting to the development, Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, First Bank, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, insisted that the bank is up to date in terms of fulfilling all its tax obligations in Edo as well as other states where it is located.
Workers of the bank were seen gathered in clusters at their various branches discussing the matter. They, however, declined to comment on the issue.
Some of the customers, who could not make withdrawal or deposits vented
their anger on workers who were seen around, while others banged on the
gates of the bank, raining unprintable words on management of the bank
for failing to pay their tax.
Customers worst affected were those paying in or posting money. Some of those making withdrawals, however, resorted to Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at branches with the machines outside the bank building.
Customers worst affected were those paying in or posting money. Some of those making withdrawals, however, resorted to Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at branches with the machines outside the bank building.
"This is very, very irresponsible and disappointing. Why will First
Bank, of all the banks, fail to pay the tax they deducted from their
staff salary? It is embarrassing, disgraceful, disappointing and against
national interest. How do they expect the state government to complete
most of the projects they are working on, most of which are also to the
benefits of the bank and its workers.
"How do I transfer this money to my daughter who needs the money at
school this morning? Do they expect those who came to deposit large sum
of money to move about with their money? That is risky and unsafe," said
Kate, one of the customers.
The bank's indebtedness in tax default could not be ascertained as calls made to the mobile phone of the Chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Oseni Elamah for confirmation was not answered.
The bank's indebtedness in tax default could not be ascertained as calls made to the mobile phone of the Chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Oseni Elamah for confirmation was not answered.
However, Ani-Mumuney, said: “The management of First Bank hereby states
that it remains an institution that has held the finest tradition of
good corporate citizenship since its inception in 1894. The situation in
Edo is purely legal and all parties are working towards resolving the
issue amicably. We urge our esteemed customers to bear with us; normal
banking activities will be restored shortly.”
ThisDay
Bakassi: Biya sends emissaries to Jonathan •Offers olive branch
by Leon Usigbe and Bolaji Ogundele
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan
Nigerian Tribune learnt that a letter of summon had been dispatched to the governor, directing him to come with Kalabari elders for a meeting scheduled for tomorrow at the Presidential Villa.
The president was said to be upset that he had apparently been targeted by the protesters over a dispute which predated his administration and was convinced Governor Ameachi was the one orchestrating the scheme.
The bone of contention is the possible transfer of 300,000bpd producing oil wells from Kalabari in Rivers State to Nembe in Bayelsa State, over which the Kalabari elders openly accused President Jona-than of masterminding the plot to cede parts of their kingdom to his state.
Kalabari kingdom stakeholders, including traditional rulers, political leaders, youths, academia and elders, had initially addressed a press conference in Port Harcourt, to protest what they said was injustice, oppression and marginalisation of their area.
The elders, through the Kalabari National Forum, later took their protest to Abuja, drawing the ire of President Jonathan, who reacted angrily in a statement issued by Dr Reuben Abati, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the president rejected the accusation that he was interfering in the boundary dispute between Rivers and Bayelsa States.
Meanwhile, Kalabari people have expressed reservations against comments by Dr Abati, demanding an unreserved apology.
A Kalabari High Chief from Kula kingdom, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, speaking on the ongoing face-off from his Abuja base, demanded that Abati retracted his statement and tender an unreserved apology to Kalabari people or face the consequences.
According to him, “it was insulting for Abati to use a gutter language on the Kalabari people, including a respected personality like Alabo Graham-Douglas.”
He noted that alternative moves were being made to sort the dispute out quickly, as renowned Ijaw figures, including the Bayelsa State governor, Mr Seriake Dickson and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, had approached Kalabari elders on the matter.
He warned concerned federal agencies not to distort historical facts about communities in the region, adding that the affected communities belong to Kalabariland.
NigerianTribune
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