8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 24, 2012
Govs vow to kill autonomy for Local Government BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME, PH GOVERNORS in the country have vowed to kill any move to grant autonomy to local governments in the country. Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, governor Chibuike Amaechi who spoke yesterday at Government House, Port Harcourt when the House of Representatives Committee on Youth and Social Development visited said governors would not support any effort to accord local government a federating status in the constitution. “There are only two federating units in most countries in the world …. In Germany, there are two federating units. In America, there are local governments but there are only two federating units – the states and the federal government. The local counties (or what we call councils) are not part
of the federating unit. So I want to urge the National Assembly to disregard this talk of autonomy for Local Government Councils that would make the Councils one of the federating units. We will not support it. Governors will not support Continuing, the governor urged the National Assembly to ensure only two federating units are created by the constitution He further called for a constitution that would see the federal government shed off more of its responsibilities to state governments. He said at the moment, the federal government was carrying too much, adding that the excess load was affecting its successes in most areas. The governor who noted the achievement of the federal government in several areas said more could have been recorded if most of the responsibilities being handled by the government were
constitutionally assigned to state governments. “The Federal Government is making the state governors not to keep to their responsibilities to their states. We are carrying too many responsibilities that belong to the f e d e r a l government. Like for instance, it is not our (state) responsibility to take care of the NYSC but I would renovate the current NYSC camp in Onne, Rivers State and build more hostels. This is not my responsibility or that of any State governor. It is the responsibility of the federal government.”
OBJ w oos Nor th with N350m mosque, woos North Arabic school in Abeokuta BY DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta
A
HEAD of 2015 gen eral election, former President Olusegun
CJN swears in Jombo-Ofor, Acting PCA •Bars Journalists from attendance BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja
S
EQUEL to the direc tive of the National Judicial Council, NJC,
the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mariam Aloma Muhktar, yesterday, elevated Justice Ifeoma Jumbo-Ofor to the Appeal Court Bench. However, the CJN, who
GCU Old Boys plan luncheon party
T
HE Old Boys’ Asso ciation of Government College Ughelli (GCUOBA) Lagos branch has finalised plans to organise its annual luncheon party on December 2, 2012 at the Banquet Hall, Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja by 1.30p.m prompt. A statement by the Association’s Committee Secretary, Akeju Akintomiwa, said the luncheon which is expected to attract prominent members of the group and other eminent Nigerians will also provide an opportunity to raise funds for other laudable projects in the school. Akintomiwa disclosed that Chief (Dr) Newton Chukwukadibia Jibuno, former Chairman, Managing Director of Costain West Africa Plc has been elected to preside over the event as Chairman. The secretary stated that the choice of Chief Jibunor as the Chairman of
the event was predicated on his meritorious profile. Akintomiwa however disclosed that in the last five years, the association has supported the Delta State government by committing over N120 million to the provision of much needed facilities in the school. He said that the Association in partnership with the Exxon-Mobil Nigeria Limited built and equipped an Information and Communicating Technology (ICT) Laboratory valued at over N23 million in the school.
From left: Chioma Gabriel, Editor, Saturday Vanguard; Ishola Balogun of Vanguard who won the Celebrity Media Award, CMA Best Investigative News story 2011 Award and Mideno Bayagbon, Editor Vanguard Newspaper, after receiving the plaque recently.
was visibly embittered by plethora of criticisms that trailed her earlier refusal to administer oath of office on the new Appeal Court Judge owing to her declared state of origin, barred journalists from covering the event. It would be recalled that the CJN had on November 5, declined to swearin Justice Jombo-ofor alongside eleven other newly appointed Justices of the appellate court. Though Justice JomboOfor, who on that day, came to the apex court auditorium, venue of the swearing-in, with her friends and relatives, abinitio got the nod of both the NJC and President Goodluck Jonathan to ascend to the appellate court, however, she was directed to vacate the seat reserved for the new Judges, barely few minutes to the swearing-in ceremony.
Obasanjo on Friday wooed norther people especially Muslims as he laid the foundation of three hundred and fifty million naira ultra modern central mosque and arabic school within the premises of his Presidential Library in Oke-Mosan Abeokuta. Saturday Vanguard reliably gathered that, Obasanjo decided to construct a mosque within the premises of the controversial Presidential Library so as to make the place look international and as well erase the impression that, he hates notherners and their religion which is Islam. An insider at the
HE Church of God Mission International has urged the federal government to provide enabling environment for enterprise and citizens to maximise human and natural resources. In a communiqué is-
sued and signed by both Rev. Efosa Akenzua and Rev. V. Iyawe after the church 40th international convention held in Benin City, Edo State, with the theme: “Dare to Believe” said Nigeria is blessed with natural resources
makko, Katsina state governor, Sheu-Shemma Shetima who was represented by his deputy.All of them donated N20 million each for the construction of the mosque. Among those that contributed to the Obasanjo’s mosque and arabic school were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal who pledged N2 million, Chairman of Damngote group of companies ,Alhaji Aliko Dangote who also promised N25 million, former governor of Kebbi State,Senator Adamu Aleru who also pledged N10 million.
Deployment of Nigerian troops to Mali will halt spread of Boko Haram — Salamatu Suleiman BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI, Abuja
F
OLLOWING wide spread complaints and apprehension about the deployment of Nigerian troops and officers of the Nigerian Police Force to spearhead the quelling
Church makes case for maximum human resources
T
Obasanjo hiltop building hinted that, the four governors in the north held a closed door meeting with Obasanjo before the event where the 2015 election top the agenda and how President Goodluck Jonathan would be either convinced or stopped from re-contesting to pave way for Northerner as the next President. Eminent peronalties who were at the foundation laying and fund raising of Olusegun Obasanjo Baytus Salam central Mosque were four governors from the North. They are Kebbi,Usman Dakingari, Kano State, Rabi Kwakwanso, Sokoto, Aliyu Wa-
and great potentials that should be utilised. Advising Nigerian youths, the church urged youths to learn and develop entrepreneurial skills instead of searching for white collar jobs which seems not to be available.
of the deadly Malian Crises, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mrs. Salamatu Suleiman has said the mission is to checkmate the spread of Boko Haram and movement of Al Qaeda groups into Nigeria and neighbouring countries. Suleiman made the disclosure just as the minister of state for Defence; Erelu Olusola Obada disclosed that terrorism is an international crisis that should be nipped in the bud especially in Mali which is in Nigeria’s backyard so that it does not spread to other parts
of the continent. Speaking to Saturday Vanguard on the vexed issue, the ECOWAS Commissioner, a former minister of state for foreign affairs, said, “Firstly, Nigeria ’s territorial and national interest is at stake. Another thing people should know is that it has been proven that Boko Haram terrorism which is rocking Nigeria today, originated from Mali . Nigeria is able to survive it because of her endowment and capable security agencies but same cannot be said of smaller countries around hence the need to stop the spread”.