news Don’t end amnesty programme in Dec, Bayelsa elders caution Buhari 44
Taiwo Adisa - Abuja
T
HE Bayelsa Elders Council (BEC), a committee of elders and traditional rulers in Bayelsa State, rose from a consultative meeting on Sunday, and resolved to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend the planned termination of the Amnesty programme in December 2015. The BEC, in a statement by their chairman, Chief Francis Doukpola (MFR), chairman and the publicity secretary, Chief TKO Okorotie(OFR), said that ending Amnesty programme in December, would have serious security implications for the Niger Delta area. In a four-point communique released at the meeting with Governor Seriake Dickson and his deputy in
Wednesday, 18 November, 2015
attendance, the elders also welcomed the decision to deploy soldiers for the December 5 polls, adding that they would not oppose the move as far as the soldiers were deployed for “lawful security duties.” The BEC stated in the communique that “Council also resolved to advise against the proposed dissolution of the Amnesty programme by December 2015 by the Federal Government as such a move will have far reaching security implications in the Niger Delta Region.” The BEC also blessed the governorship ambition of Governor Seriake Dickson,
after he had presented his Restoration Agenda to the council. The communique further read: “In the interest of peace and security of the state, council urges all political parties to ensure that their candidates, leaders and followers to be of good conduct in accordance with the Peace Accord signed between the candidates and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and not to disrupt the prevailing peace in the state, before, during and after the election of December 5, 2015. “Council welcomes deployment of soldiers to Bayelsa State for the De-
cember 5, 2015 elections provided that they are soley for lawful security duties. “His Excellency Hon. Chief Henry Seriake Dickson presented the Restoration government’s scorecard, himself and his deputy for a second term. Consequently, council blessed them in a short ceremony by the first class traditional rulers led by the chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers.” The Elders, who attended the meeting included the chairman, Chief Francis Doukpola, (MFR) the chairman, Bayelsa State
Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM King Alfred Papapriye Diete-Spiff, their Royal Majesties Kings Joshua Igbuguru, Joshua Igbagara, Jonathan Kubor, G.A Lawson, Mala Sasime, Napoleon Orianze, amongst other royal fathers, Chief A.M. Aduba, Deputy Cghairman of the council, Senator Inatimi Spiff, Sen J.K. Brambaifa, Prof. T.T. Isoun, Hon. Chief T.K.O. Okorotie, OFR, Dr. Georgina NgeriNwagha, Chief Alex Ekiotenne, High Chief J.A. Eseimokumor, Major Andrew Oputa, Hon. Augustin Lugbenwei, Elder Zee Debekeme, among others.
Appeal Court reserves judgment in suit challenging Mark’s victory JohnsonBabajide-Makurdi THE Court of Appeal in Makurdi has reserved judgment in the case between the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Daniel Onjeh and former Senate President, Senator David Mark. Onjeh had filed Notice of Appeal against the decision of the national and state assembly election petition tribunal, which upheld the election of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) David Mark. Mark, PDP and INEC, however, while adopting their briefs, urged the Court of Appeal to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit. According to Mark’s lead counsel, Mr Kenneth Ikonne, where figures or scores of an election is challenged, such evidence must come from officers at the election in line with Section 126 of the Evidence Act, adding that it was not the case in the instant subject of appeal. He, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the appeal with cost and affirmed the election of Mark. While counsel to the PDP, Chris Alechenu drew the attention of the Appeal Court to issue six of Onjeh’s brief which he said was deemed abandoned since same was not argued, urged the court to dismiss the appeal for want of merit.
Professor Osundare loses mum Mother of Professor Niyi Osundare, Mama Lydia Fasimia Osundare, is dead. She died on Monday, November 9, 2015 at the age of 96. She is survived by Professor Niyi Osundare, Dr Foluso Osundare and Dr Abiodun Osundare, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Album launch AN album entitled “Breakthrough” by Adebayo Amos a.k.a Mr Melody Oganla is slated for launch and dedication on Sunday, November 22, 2015 at Genesis Event Centre, Challenge, Ibadan, Oyo State, at 1.00p.m prompt with a red carpet by 12noon. The chief launcher at the event is Otunba Rotimi Ajanaku while the chairman on the occasion is Mr Adekunle Aminu. The album launch will also feature Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma a.k.a Oganla ( ljoba). Other invited guest artistes expected at the event are Yinka Ayefele, Tayo King (Mr Toaster), Femi Fadipe (Femolancaster), Yinka James (Adonai), Tiri Leather (Oyinlomo), Demola Famose (Osha), Phaddy blaze and 2bush.
From left, Chancellor, University of Ibadan and Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III; Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, an awardee of honorary degree; Professor Ayo Banjo; representative of the Minister of Education, Professor Julius Okojie and the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, at the convocation of the University of Ibadan, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN.
Revenue collectors’ clash claims 10 in Edo Banji Aluko-Benin City Clash between two groups of tax collectors in Edo State left about 10 people injured in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Tuesday. The clash was between a group led by the chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Osakpamwan Eriyo and a private revenue collector called Destiny Enterprise. The two groups are both laying claims to the right to collect revenue on behalf of the state government of Oredo Local Government Council. It was gathered that trouble started when the Eriyo group stormed the Oba Market located within the premises of the Oba’s Square at about 11.30 a.m; where they met men of the Destiny Enterprise on ground collecting revenue. There was pandemonium on Wednesday, at the Oredo Local Government secretariat area as well as Ring
Road, following a clash between the two groups of revenue collectors in the local government. Youths armed with dangerous weapons, participated in the ensued fracas before policemen were deployed to the location. Edo State Police Commissioner, Chris Ezike, told journalists that some
of the youth sustained injuries, and appealed to the state government to resolve the crisis. “One of the groups said it has the authority of the state government; one said it has the authority of the local councils. Some people were assaulted and I have asked my DCO in New Benin to investigate
the matter and go after the suspects who assaulted those people. Chief Executive Officer of Destiny Enterprise, Shaba Adams, in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, accused the leader of the transport employees’ union of encroaching on a task which he said was contracted to his company.
Reps donate N10,000 each to fallen heroes JacobSegunOlatunjiand Kolawole Daniel - Abuja The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, resolved to dole out N10,000 each for the Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem as contributions to the efforts of Nigerian soldiers who died while fighting for the country. The House resolution was sequel to a motion moved by the House Leader, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, where he proposed the said sum. Honourable Gbajabiamila while moving his motion noted that President Muhammadu Buhari launched
the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem on Monday, at the Presidential Villa with N10 million on behalf of the Federal Government, adding that it was good that the lawmakers emulate the president in supporting the fallen heroes. According to him,“just yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari launched the Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem. Mr Speaker, I can see the emblem on your chest too. I want to move that we join hands with the president to recognise the efforts of our fallen heroes. “Mr speaker, the president
donated N10 million for the launch and I therefore move that the House collects N10,000 from every member and the speaker to make it up to N5million. We should also observe a minute silence in honour of all the fallen heroes,” he stated The motion was unanimously adopted when the Speaker Honourable Yakubu Dogara put the motion to voice vote. Meanwhile, the House Committee on Army has pledged its readiness to work with the Nigerian Army in order to increase its strength and modernise its operations.
Adebayo Amos
CHESTRAD to present ‘I will give’ to Nigerians THE Centre for Health Sciences Training, Research and Development (CHESTRAD) International, a Pan-African notfor-profit development institution, will next month (December), formally present ‘I Will Give’, an innovative platform for the mobilisation of resources for social development in specific areas to the Nigeria public. ‘I Will Give’ platform, is a unique solution to expand domestic financing through organised private giving in support of social development and key activities in education, health, youth development and women empowerment.