Ex-First Lady earned N700, 000 as Perm Sec—EFCC

The corruption allegation against former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan gets more intriguing, as it was disclosed that the former president's wife earned N700,000 salary monthly as a Permanent Secretary, in Bayelsa State.

 This information came out while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, tried to find out how she allegedly acquired  nine houses, two hotels and one plaza during the tenure of her husband, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

The Nation reports that the anti-graft commission has retrieved her monthly salary records and other allowances accruable to a Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State.

But a source from the EFCC told the Nation that the pay package  still does not seem to tally with the properties credited to the ex-First Lady.

Although Patience Jonathan allegedly claimed that the $15million in her accounts was a gift, the EFCC might demand records of those who showered her with the cash gift.

It was however unclear  whether or not the EFCC will seize the affected properties in line with Assets Forfeiture Clause in its 2004 Establishment Act.

We arrested 80 fraudsters, recovered N57m – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Zonal Office, on Thursday said it recovered over N57m from suspected fraudsters in the South-West between February and September 2016.

The Zonal Head, EFCC, Mr. Akaninyene Ezima, explained that apart from the amount, 80 suspects were arrested during the period, while six vehicles were seized. He added that eight of the suspects have been charged to courts.

“During the period, we also received over 200 petitions out of which 123 are under investigations. We recovered N57, 316, 607. 15.

“For us, the recovered money indicates a steady progression in our activities and commitment to the commission’s mandate. For the record, the Ibadan zone is not limited to official corruption cases. 

We are at the advanced stages in the investigation of some advanced free fraud cases and other forms of infractions.”

While appealing to members of the public for cooperation, the anti-graft agency said the fight against corruption and financial crimes needed consistent information on the activities of fraudsters.

* Story is by Punch

All arms of Nigerian government are corrupt, says Osinbajo

Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo dropped a bombshell on Saturday when he said that the three arms of government in Nigeria are corruption.

The executive,judicial and legislative arms are all corrupt , the Nation quoted him as saying as he presided over the  4th convocation ceremonies of the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti.

Osinbajo said it was for this reason that the Buhari administration is currently fighting corruption in the country.

He said corruption has polluted every stratum of the society, bringing  along with it poverty and other social vices.

“All the institutions of government, I mean the executive, legislature and the judiciary are corrupt. What we need is serious reorientation,” he said.

“That is why the ABUAD is a great  university because it teaches learning, character and morality. So, value reorientation is a key weapon to fight corruption.

“That was why the present federal government is intervening because if we refuse, every facet of the country will fail.  We must act fast and deal with the situation as quickly as possible.”

 “I have great respect for Chief Afe Babalola because of his stand against corruption. Sometimes in 2001, Chief Babalola argued the case for the establishment of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) where he let the court realized that corruption is the greatest problem of our nation.”

Osinbajo urged the graduands   to learn skills that will enhance their value and also develop and maintain integrity.

Flooding in Lagos: NOA charges residents on proper disposal of Pure Water Sachets

Mr. Ishola in the middle

The National Orientation Agency, NOA, has again enjoined Lagosians to behave responsively by properly disposing pure water sachet after drinking the water inside it.

 Mr. Waheed Ishola,the Lagos Director of the NOA, stressed the point an interaction with newsmen in Lagos.

Ishola explained that pure water sachets and other nylon materials which are non-degradable are the major causes of flooding by blocking drainages.

He lamented that despite grass root sensitization exercises by the agency and other related organisations, people still found it difficult to stop disposing refuse indiscriminately.

He also called on the need to start holding commercial water producers accountable for the environmental disasters caused by the materials they used in packaging the products.

Story by Innocent Onoh

LOKOJA—The National Orientation Agency, NOA, has disclosed that 53 persons lost their lives in eleven states across Nigeria due to the 2015 flood disaster. NOA also revealed that 100,420 persons were displaced between August and September this year as a result of the flood disaster.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/10/53-dead-100000-displaced-in-2015-flood-says-noa-boss-omeri/

LOKOJA—The National Orientation Agency, NOA, has disclosed that 53 persons lost their lives in eleven states across Nigeria due to the 2015 flood disaster. NOA also revealed that 100,420 persons were displaced between August and September this year as a result of the flood disaster.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/10/53-dead-100000-displaced-in-2015-flood-says-noa-boss-omeri/

UN's plans for released Chibok girls, other victims

The released girls filled with emotions as they meet their parents about 2 years after abduction

UN Sec General

The United Nations has restated its unflinching support to Nigeria to enable the country overcome its security challenges and to properly re-settle millions of displaced persons, especially in  the north East region, which is  ravaged by the Boko Haram Islamic terrorist group.

This came from the Director of UN Information Center in Nigeria, Mr. Ronald Kayanja in an interview  with our correspondent on the 21 of the abducted Chibok girls that regained their freedom.

According to Kayanja , "although there is a lot publicity around the 221 Chibok girls that were abducted, there are  too many others who have been abducted.

"There are millions of children , women and even men who have been displaced and  who need a lot  of support. And there are even a lot more children who can't get enough food to eat.

"We are supporting and we will keep supporting Nigeria We are working very closely with government agencies including the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA to make sure they are re-settled and well taken cared of".

Kayanja who described the security problem in Nigeria as a nightmare and  something that should not be happening in the country ,  stated that the UN was happy to receive the news about the release of some of the girls and encouraged the government to continue in its efforts so that the others are also released.

"We received the news of the release of the Chibok girls like anyone else , from the media. We are so happy that this happened.

"As you can see, their parents are celebrating after what could be described as a nightmare for the parents and the community involved.

"We encourage the government to continue so that the others are also released. So we are very happy that this happened and we believe that the others will also come out.

"And we are also working to ensure that the girls who are released receive maximum support , so that they are integrated in the society.

"We are very much willing to support in whatever way that the United Nations can support Nigeria to make it overcomes this challenge. This is a nightmare indeed to the parents and the community. This is not something that should be happening in Nigeria".


Meanwhile , a statement made available to news men by the UN National Information Officer, in Lagos Nigeria , Mr. Oluseyi Soremekun, says the Secretary-General welcomes the reported release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls, following more than two years of captivity.

 It further says that Mr. Ban Ki-Moon ki-Mon  remains deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of the remaining schoolgirls and other victims of abduction by Boko Haram, who are still in captivity.

"The Secretary-General welcomes the reported release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls, following more than two years of captivity.  He remains deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of the remaining schoolgirls and other victims of abduction by Boko Haram, who are still in captivity.

"The Secretary-General urges the international community to continue supporting the government of Nigeria in its efforts to secure their release, rehabilitation and re integration. He calls for increased efforts to ensure additional humanitarian access in the north-east of Nigeria, and reiterates the continued commitment of the United Nations in this regard.

"The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, in his capacity as High Representative for Nigeria, continues to engage with the Nigerian authorities and international partners on this matter".


By Innocent Onoh

KAI Gives Stern Warning To Roadside Traders

Lagos Traders display wares on Roadsides ( Pix used for illustration)

Officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline Brigade, KAI, in Lagos State, today decried the continued flouting of the state's law against roadside trading, especially by business men and women in Obalende.

They said the attitude of the traders was sabotaging efforts to instill decency and cleanliness in the strategic Lagos town.

The officials who stormed the area in their numbers this morning, expressed regret that although they regularly come there for enforcement, the traders immediately returned to the roads and blocking them with their wares, as soon as they leave the vicinity.

According to our correspondents, the angry KAI officials, one of them named, Mr. Adeosun Adewale yelled at the traders and threatening to seize their commodities.

"Why are you people behaving like this. You will block everywhere. This was a place we tidied the other day; now everywhere has been covered with all manner of wares", said Mr. Adewale.

  

The officials, said even after flouting the laws against road side trading, some of the traders went ahead spreading untrue rumours that KAI officials intimidated them without any cause.

  "If we return to this place and still find these things, (pointing at a heap of fruits and nuts displayed for sale by a woman), we will seize everything. This is how you people show disregard to the laws; but when your wares are seized , you go about carrying false rumours and even reporting to the police and your relatives in authority , that KAI has arrested you without committing any offence", he concluded.

Our correspondent reports that, as early as 6 am, the traders have already covered the newly cleared open places at Obalende bus stop, with assorted types of wares including books, different types of fruits and nuts, and bottled drinks.

By Innocent Onoh