Dangote to bankroll 15 new professors for Kano University

KANO – The pro Chancellor, Kano University of Science
and Technology, Wudil, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has offered to bankroll salaries and emoluments of 15 new Professors for the state owned tertiary institution for 4 years.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Shehu
Musa told Reporters during an interactive session to mark its 15 years anniversary, explained that the philanthropic gesture was part of effort to boost manpower of the science based institution.

Professor Musa revealed that the pro Chancellor has also elected to provide 15 housing units to accommodate the new hands settled for academic rigour.

The Vice Chancellor said Aliko Dangote has also completed arrangements to provide the university with industrial bore holes that would cater for 30,000 population.

He disclosed that Dangote has further made necessary
provision that would link the University with Integrated
Power Project, pointing out that before now, the science based Institution was being powered by stand by generator.

Professor Musa while cataloguing Dangote’s gesture to the University further announced plan by the business mogul to sponsor the schools Agriculture master plan that would accommodates 1 million farmers.

The Vice Chancellor commended TETFUND for its high
impact intervention totalling N3billion, further stressed
that the University currently boast of 56 capital projects He said private individuals had also contributed to the University success story, as he added that Kano State Government alone invested N7billion on capital project at the institution within the past 12 months.

Commenting on the challenges confronting the University, Professor Musa revealed that the institution is been threatened by flood and erosion.

But he however disclosed that adequate representation
has been made to ecological Fund for its intervention
adding that “at the moment we need emergency
intervention from the ecological fund to save the institution”.

Former Governor of Kano state, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso established the University during his first term in office in year 2000.

Buhari reluctantly approves N70m for Independence celebrations

ABUJA-APPARENTLY disturbed by the dwindling revenues of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari approved only N70million for this year’s Independence celebrations.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF made this revelation.

According to the SGF, Buhari reluctantly approved the
N70m after complaining that he would have preferred the money is diverted for the payment of workers salaries.

He said the president had argued that the money was too much to be spent on frivolities such as celebrations when Nigerians are grappling to survive the present day economic stress .

He further explained that “this year’s celebration is,
indeed low key because the present administration
appreciates the economic hardship that Nigerians and the nation is confronted with today and he almost slashed it downward from N70m”.

“To address the situation, government has adopted a
general policy to be very prudent in the management of
our financial resources, so this year’s celebration is,
therefore, in consonance with the cost-saving policy
direction of this administration”.

Towards a successful celebration the SGF said “four
events have been approved by the president to manage
the entire celebration process”.

“The events are: Jumat prayers, international
thanksgiving service, ceremonial change of guards and a children’s party”.

“Apart from these four events the president will also
address the nation on Oct 1”.

“To ensure a successful commemoration, four sub-
committees have been constituted to handle the
preparations for each of the four events”.

Obasanjo writes children story book on peace

ABEOKUTA – Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, launched a children’s story book on peace to celebrate the the 2015 International Day of Peace, The former president said he decided to launch the story book entitled, “Peace Story for Children” to ensure the entrenchment of sustainable peace in the country.

Obasanjo, while launching the 14-page booklet illustrated with various cartoons at an event held at the OOPL, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, attended by pupils from different secondary schools in the state, said that it had become imperative to sow the seeds of peace in the minds of children whose minds were more receptive to ideas.

Obasanjo, who was represented at the launch of the
booklet by the Director of the OOPL Centre for Human
Security, Prof. Peter Okebukola, noted that since the
youths were the leaders of tomorrow, imbibing the
essence of peace when young should be vigorously
pursued.

Addressing the pupils from the various schools who also participated in a debate with the theme, “Whose
Responsibility Is It to ensure peace? Is it the people or
the government?”, Okebukola disclosed that Obasanjo
called him overnight to tell Nigerian children to imbibe the culture of peace while still young.

Commissioner–nominees, others to write aptitude test

Nominees for appointments as commissioners in Cross
River State are to undergo mandatory integrity and
aptitude test, even as the state governor, Prof. Ben
Ayade, has already set up a selection committee to
oversee the process.

A statement by the Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the Governor, Mr. Christian Ita, said the nominees would have to undergo the aptitude test before their names would be forwarded to the state House of Assembly for confirmation.

The statement disclosed that appointment of chairmen and members of boards, agencies and parastatals and even special advisers would go through the same routine.

“Governor Ayade wants all nominees for appointments as commissioners to undergo integrity test. They will also write an aptitude test,” the statement said
According to the statement, the governor believes that
every would-be appointee in the state must be subjected to ethical measurement to ascertain whether or not they can function in the new order, where accountability and transparency are the watchwords.

Consequently, the governor has set up a selection
committee to oversee the process.

According to the statement “Renowned Abuja-based
lawyer, Mr. Paul Erokoro, is the chairman of the
committee which has prominent woman leader and
politician, Mrs. Grace Ekanem and Chief of Staff to the
Governor, Mr. Martin Orim as members.”

In another development, Governor Ayade has terminated the contract for the evacuation of refuse in Calabar.

This follows the inability of the contracted firms, PATSON and PACLISON to evacuate refuse from the streets of Calabar.

It will be recalled that during a tour of the metropolis
shortly after assuming office, Governor Ayade had given the contractors a three-month ultimatum to improve on the sanitary condition of the metropolis with a view to restoring its rightful status as the cleanest and greenest state in the country.

Army approves promotion for 5,000 soldiers fighting Boko Haram

Abuja—The Nigeria Army has approved the promotion of 5,000 soldiers fighting insurgents in the North-East and others involved in other operations, as part of steps to boost their morale.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, made the announcement yesterday in Abuja, at the opening of the 2015 Chief of Army Staff Third Quarter conference at Army Headquarters.

He said that the approval of the promotion of the soldiers was one of the many measures introduced by the Army under his command to boost troops’ morale and reposition its operations.

He added that it was also in line with the vision of the
Army command to reward gallant troops in any way
deemed fit to boost their combat readiness and
willingness to serve fatherland.

He said that troops serving in the North-East and in other operations in the country would regularly receive rewards from the Army High Command for their selfless service to the nation.

Lt.-Gen. Buratai said: “Since we came on board, we have introduced several measures aimed at encouraging our troops to give their best in the service of their nation.

“The approval of the accelerated promotion of 5,000
soldiers was to redeem the promise made by my
predecessor to the troops fighting insurgents in the
North-East.

“It is my belief that this promotion, coupled with other
incentives, will encourage our troops to fight for our
country.”

The COAS charged the officers and all personnel of the
Nigeria Army to constantly maintain the required level of physical fitness.

Amaechi, Fayemi, Fashola Fail Anti- corruption Test

As the screening of President Muhammadu Buhari
ministers continue, some appointees have reportedly
failed to pass anti-corruption test.

The Department of State Service (DSS) recently received a much awaited list of 36 ministerial nominees for security screening.

While DSS carries on the screening indications appeared that three immediate past governors, Babatunde Fashola, Rotimi Amaechi and Kayode Fayemi, have supposedly failed.

Three former governors worked hard for Buhari’s
presidential campaign to and were seen as top candidates for positions in the government.

Nigerian Pilot reports that the DSS did not clear three
ministerial appointees based on claims of corruption
brought against them before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC).

The source said that the security agency supposedly
denied to clear Amaechi, Fashola, Fayemi because of a
series of petitions written against them over accusations bordering on money laundering, fraud and misuse.

The insider further added that when the trio appeared
before the screening committee, they were opposed with the appeals and other related documents attached to the petitions.

They reportedly have received orders from Buhari that any of the appointees with any harmful and fraud related issues should not be cleared by the security agency.

Festus Odimegwu, a former managing director of Nigerian Breweries Limited, and a former presidential candidate, Pat Utomi, are also among the ministerial appointees that have been screened.

Those already said to have been screened as nominees for President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet also include a former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; and a Lagos-lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN).

Also on the list are a former Chief of Army, Lt.-Gen.
Abdulrahman Dambazu (retd.); an ex-chief executive of the Federal Inland Revenue, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okaru; a former finance commissioner in Lagos State, Mr. Wale
Edun; and a former National Legal Adviser to the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

According to some sources Falana was favoured by a camp in the party to emerge as the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation.

A top APC chieftain said the Vice President, Prof. Yemi
Osinbajo and the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, had persuaded Buhari to appoint Falana.

Tinubu and Osinbajo were said to have told Buhari that
appointing Falana, who he jailed over 30 years ago, would boost his image as a ‘converted democrat.’

It was, however, learnt that Malami was being favoured by the President.

The APC has three former governors in Ekiti State: Niyi
Adebayo, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi.

“Falana has already been screened by the DSS. However, Buhari is closer to Malami who is from the North,” a source from APC said.

Utomi, a famous economist and former presidential
candidate of the African Democratic Congress, had been screened by the DSS and the police.

Edun, who served under former Tinubu as Lagos state
governor, had also been screened by security agencies.

Odimegwu, nominated by the president, fell out with
former president Goodluck Jonathan when he openly
criticised the federal government.

Odimegwu is also close to former President Olusegun
Obasanjo. Oyinlola, a one-time secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, defected to the APC shortly before the Osun State governorship election and he is a close associate of Obasanjo.

Another appointee, who asked not to be named, said:
“Although I have met the director-general of the DSS
twice, I don’t think such visits could be regarded as
screening.

“I understand the service has done its research on
ministerial nominees. For now, nobody is sure of anything until the names are announced.”

See full list below:
1. Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Osun State governor and ousted PDP national secretary.

2. Chief Bode Mustapha, former PDP National Auditor and an APC chieftain from Ogun state

3. Engineer Segun Oni, former Ekiti state governor and
APC deputy national chairman (South West)

4. Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past governor of Ekiti
state

5. Abba Ruma, a former Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources

6. Chief Kanu Agabi, a former Minister of Justice.

7. Donald Duke, a former Governor of Cross River state

8. Babatunde Fashola, the immediate past governor of
Lagos state

9. Yinka Folashade Oredola

10. Rotimi Akeredolu, a former gubernatorial candidate in Ondo state.

11. Rotimi Amaechi, the immediate past governor of Rivers state

12. Engineer Funsho Kupolokun, former Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

13. Rabiu Kwankwanso, immediate past governor of Kano state

14. Bisola Adegbenro

15. Isaiah Danjuma, son of General Theophilus Danjuma
from Taraba state.

16. Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation.

17. Kehinde Lawanson, a former executive director of First Bank.

18. Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), former Minster of Justice

President Buhari had in Ghana reassured Nigerians and the international community that his cabinet is a must in September.

In the lists of supposed ministers, which were circulating in the media , Fashola was predicted as AGF/Minister of Justice, while earlier he was supposed as minister of works and housing.

Under the former governor state administration beholden $1.02bn which signifies 33.86 % of the country’s total sub-national external debts.

Ex-governor of Rivers state was set to become new
secretary to the government.

Amaechi was also accused of dropping state into massive external indebtedness by a coalition of non-governmental organisations interested in transparency and responsibility in governance.

Former governor of Ekiti state was also expected to play a key role in Buhari’s cabinet.

Buhari doesn’t want to be stabbed like Jonathan — Ebigwei

Dr. Sylvan Olisanye Ebigwei (MON), consultant dental
surgeon, is President-Emeritus, Aka Ikenga, the Igbo
socio-political organisation. In this interview, he says the Igbo’s vote for former President Goodluck Jonathan was calculated to unite the former Eastern Region. He wants MASSOB to change its name to be relevant. He also spoke on other national issues. Excerpts:

The North wanted power and they now have it. What is
your take on that? Nigeria is too complex for one section to usurp all that the country has without reaction. Nigeria today is not the Nigeria of yesterday. There is a level you can pursue a man, the man will stop and start pursuing you. So, whatever the North wants today, if they want Nigeria to be one, they must make sure that there is equilibrium in governance and appointments in critical areas.

Already, there is disequilibrium in what is happening today and we cannot hide the fact. And that was why the South-South met last week. The President is from the North, the Chief Judge is from the North, the Senate President is from the North, the Speaker of the House of Representatives is from the North. This cannot go on because people will react. So, if the Northerners think they can do this and get away with it, Nigerians will react.

Right now, I can say the period we are in now is a period of honeymoon for Buhari. By the time he sets up his government, people will start looking into critical areas. Buhari government has been described as government of probes. How far can be go?

If you want to probe, probe everybody, because Jonathan merely ruled this country for five years or thereabout. By the time he came in, Nigeria was in tatters Nothing was functioning. The roads were not there, power was not there, people were just stealing money anyhow. All these stealing did not start during the Jonathan era. Jonathan came in and met a rotten Nigeria. Where was he to start from? It was the people, who destroyed this country that surrounded him. Cleaning up Nigeria was an enormous task. Even those arrested for corruption, how many were jailed? EFCC will make a lot of noise, take suspects to court and that’s the last we hear because the judiciary itself was not helping matters. Had it been we had a strong judiciary, people would sit up. But when people steal, they say, okay, this is my own, this is for law enforcement, the other one is for the judiciary. With that mindset, people started acting with impunity because they know that criminals are not being visited with adequate punishment. That was the reason Jonathan did not succeed.

A cursory look around shows some parastatals like NEPA suddenly come to life. We know Buhari government has not awarded any contract yet. What happened? People are wondering what is happening. It shows how evil and how rotten people have gotten in this country.

Buhari government is not in place, it has not run any
budget, he has not spent a dime in re-positioning PHCN, but look at us today. In my office, I have been enjoying uninterrupted power supply for nearly three weeks now, thereby saving money to feed my family. What it portrays is that during Jonathan’s administration, no matter how Jonathan tried, he was being sabotaged.

Power generation

Men of evil abound in this country. And because of this
sabotage, despite all the billions of dollars poured into
power generation, the power is there, gas is there, but
evil people refused that the country should work. But
they know what they are gaining. It shows complete
sabotage. And these are the people, the present administration should fish out. If they did it to sabotage Jonathan, they can still do it to sabotage the government of Buhari.

Looking critically at Buhari’s appointments so far, people say he is side-tracking the Igbo. How do you view this? Buhari is being afraid of what happened to
Jonathan. If I am in Buhari’s shoes, I will not appoint people who will betray me.

Because Nigeria today is not like Nigeria of yesterday. People are no more honest. The value system of the
average Nigerian is poor. We don’t trust people. Critical
appointments have not been made. The appointments he is making are of domestic issues, people who will surround him. You don’t get people who will stab you at the back and put them to follow you. No. Jonathan did that and they stabbed him. That was why he got angry and told them he had had enough. That was why he threw in the towel even before they finished counting the votes.

Because he discovered that he was totally betrayed. So, Buhari knew what happened to Jonathan, he would not want it to happen to him.

MASSOB is being threatened everywhere. What is their
undoing? As President of Aka Ikenga, I told MASSOB that there is no need for a man to run a good race but outside the track. Igbo man is being marginalised, we know that. But when you want to fight for your rights, you must find a decent way to do it, so that you can have the sympathy of all.

Many of us do not believe in the disintegration of this
country. I told them then that there is no other country
they can fit in except in Nigeria. I told them, this agitation you are doing, find another name and put on it. You will have the sympathy of everyone in Igbo land because without pressure we cannot get what we want in this country. Change the name MASSOB. What is in a name?
Find another name, continue with your agitation, so that you can have followership among Ndigbo. No Igbo man wants to get separated from this country.

You are President Emeritus of Aka Ikenga. We hear there is an agenda to unite the Igbo from all the Igbo speaking South. What impact can this have?

As President of Aka Ikenga, our mind set then for
supporting Jonathan was to use his platform to extend
true hands of fellowship towards the old constituents of the old Eastern Region. Aftermath of the civil war, the core Igbo became almost a pariah to their brothers and sisters of old Eastern Nigeria, as well as the Ikweres in Rivers and the Anioma people in Delta State. What we did was to show solidarity with the Ijaws so that in future the Ijaw man will know that when they had a problem, in their hour of need, the core Igbo man came to his aid. That was our mindset.

So whatever transpired, whether he ruled well or did not rule well it has worked, because you can now hear the South-South are meeting with the South East, etc. As recent as last week, there was a meeting of the whole of Southern Region of Nigeria to look into their common interest in the present dispensation.

And they came out with a communiqué, advising the
President what to do and the negative aspect of his
administration so far. So that solidarity is working, that unity is working, that brotherhood is working.

Are you saying the Igbo have no regret over how they
voted at the last elections? Yes, the Igbo have no regrets. Some people are saying the Igbo lost, No. To us, the Igbo didn’t lose because the mindset of supporting Jonathan is different from the mindset of quite a lot of people. Igbo didn’t lose under Jonathan, they had a fair share of governance.

Fair share of governance The only problem was that many government appointees of Igbo extraction were selfish. They did not empower their own people. Look at the North, the express rail between Kaduna and Abuja, that will open up the whole area and bring Kaduna and adjoining states nearer to the seat of
power. Roads were constructed in the North. Look at the Almajiri schools. Nobody ever thought the almajiris
should go to school. These are all the handiwork of
Jonathan. Look at the Abuja Airport, Kaduna Airport, not to talk of Murtala Mohammed Airport. They have all been elevated and modernized. A lot was achieved. Anyim Pius Anyim was SGF, and that was a powerful position. You can use the position to build up capacity for your own people. So, you cannot blame Jonathan if those he put in power could not use such positions to better their own people.

I passed through Asaba bridge, I see that work is going
on at the second Niger Bridge. Before now, it was all
rhetoric. During the Obasanjo era, it was all rhetoric, but now you can see that something is being done.