Explosion destroys missionary school in Umuahia

A huge fire from an explosion at Saclux Paints Industry in Umuahia, Abia State, on Sunday destroyed a missionary school building in the neighbourhood.
The owner of the school, known as Love for Africa Mission, Mr. Emeka Okereke, told the News Agency of Nigeria that a tanker, allegedly bearing ‘black oil,’ exploded inside the company’s premises around 1pm.
He said the fire started with an explosion shortly after they ended the Sunday service at the school.
“We ended the Sunday service around 12:15 pm and I was trying to lock up the gate, when I heard a heavy explosion, accompanied with billows of heavy smoke and fire moving up the sky.
“The incident caused panic and stampede as everyone of us scampered into different directions, including the nearby bush, for safety,” he said.
He said the fire later spread into the school building, which doubles as his family residence, when oil from the exploded tank spilled into the compound.
He said that as the fire raged, some youths in the area made attempts to move into his building in order to rescue some valuables.
Okereke said he restrained them because he feared they might be trapped inside the building.
“But when they insisted and attempted to pull down the entrance gate, I gave them the key with which they entered the compound,” he said.
He said the sympathisers succeeded in pushing out the two jeeps that were parked in the compound, adding that he could not ascertain the extent of the damage, as no other property was recovered from the building.
An eyewitness account said fire fighters from the state fire service came to the scene but could not control the fire due to insufficient water.
NAN gathered that the fire fighters returned to the scene and eventually put out the fire with the assistance of a commercial water tanker driver in the area.
Some residents of other buildings close to the factory evacuated their belongings for fear that the inferno would spread to their houses.
One of the fire fighters, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said they encountered “logistics problems” in their efforts to put out the fire.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the state, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the incident to NAN on phone.
Ogbonna also said no life was lost in the incident and that the fire was successfully controlled. (NAN).
PN

Nbillion Zuma and Johnson's Status SERAP wants Okorocha Probbed

A human rights advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, says it has submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission against the Governor of Imo State, Rochas  Okorocha.

The group said it wanted Okorocha probed for abuse of office on account of his erection of statues for the South African and Liberian presidents, Jacob Zuma and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, respectively, in his state.

SERAP said both statues might have cost N1bn, adding that it was concerned that they might have been funded with public funds.

The group particularly questioned the legality of Okorocha’s involvement in his Rochas Okorocha Foundation, while holding public office as Imo State governor.

Its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said the group’s petition, dated November 10, 2017, seeking Okorocha’s probe, was copied to the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

SERAP wondered whether spending N1bn to erect Zuma and Johnson-Sirleaf’s statues was in the public interest, especially at a time that Imo State owed its teachers and pensioners.

It maintained that Okorocha must be jointly probed by the three anti-graft agencies “to minimise the risks of bad government by public officials.”

SERAP said, “The spending on statues and apparent misuse of public resources may have violated constitutional provisions and international standards on code of conduct for public officers.

“The initiatives cannot be justified under any circumstances whatsoever, especially at a time when Imo State is unable or unwilling to pay teachers’ salaries and pensioners’ entitlements.

 “Inviting Zuma and Johnson-Sirleaf to attend the opening of his foundation and then ‘honouring’ them with statues suggest abuse of office and apparent conflict of interest situation, as such acts, were undertaken by Governor Okorocha in the exercise of his public functions to presumably promote and advance the commercial and other interests of the foundation.

 “SERAP believes that rather than serving the common interest of the public, spending over N1bn, possibly of public funds, on Zuma and Johnson-Sirleaf in the context of their participation in the opening of the Rochas Okorocha Foundation would seem to put Governor Okorocha in a conflict of interest situation.

“SERAP notes that the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and the United Nations Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party prohibit conflict of interests and set ethical standards for public officers.”

Source: Punch news

Okoroch aappoint sister as commissioner for happiness and Couple fulfilement in Imo State

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has sworn in 28 new commissioners and 27 Transition Committee Chairmen for the 27 local government councils in the state.

He charged them to prove their worth in the service of the state and her people. One of the commissioners sworn in by the governor is his biological sister, Mrs. Ogechi Ololo (nee Okorocha). She is now the state’s Commissioner for Happiness and Couples’ Fulfillment.

Ololo, who is married to Chuks, an engineer, was the All Progressives Congress’ candidate into the House of Representatives for the Owerri Federal Constituency seat in 2015 and she has served in various capacities since Okorocha became the state governor in 2011.

She had, before her new appointment, served as her brother’s Deputy Chief of Staff  and Special Adviser on Domestic Matters.

Swearing in the  new commissioners and the Transition Committee Chairmen on Monday at the Imo International Convention Centre, Owerri, the governor charged them to leave their marks in their respective ministries and local governments.

He urged them to see themselves as men and women on a rescue mission.

The governor added that they had come to be part of the success story of his administration.

Okorocha said, “You are the privileged group that has the opportunity to make names for yourselves. I want to remind all of you that this appointment is not business as usual. We shall not tolerate any sharp practice or corruption of any type. Neither shall we accept indolence or laziness. You have been called to duty to help us to achieve our vision in the Rescue Mission Project.

“At this moment, I charge you all to be good ambassadors of the Rescue Mission wherever you find yourselves. To the Transition Committee Chairmen, you must ensure that ongoing projects must be completed especially the schools, chapels etc.”

He reiterated that what his administration had achieved so far had exceeded all that the previous administrations in the state, both civilian and military put together, had achieved.

The commissioners sworn in and their portfolios are: Prof. Nnamdi Obiaraeri (Information); Lady Ugochi Nnana-Okoro (Agric and Food Security); Gertrude Oduka (Primary and Secondary Education); Dr. Jones Uzoka (Niger Delta Affairs); Uchendu Mark (Public Utilities); and  Gerald Okolie (Rural Development).

Others are Dr. Cyril Okafor (Tourism); Emmanuel Ojinere (Trade and Investment); Chief Lasbery Anyanwu (Transport); Onwueyiagwu Valentine (Youth Development); Mrs. Ngozi Njoku (Gender and Social Development); Chief Josephine Udoji (Works); Achilike Nwawuike (Internal Resources and Pension Matters); Prof. Emenalo Chizoba (Tertiary Education); Nwamerenini Chukwuka (Labour); and Dr. Iyke Njoku (Planning, Budget and Statistics).

The Transition Committee Chairmen sworn in include Okechukwu Onyechere(Ideato South); Sir Anyehe Okeneme (Ikeduru); Julius Onyeneho (Isiala Mbano); Akas Paschal, (Isu); Steve Odoemena (Mbaitoli); Eke Chidi (Ngor Okpala); Aloysius Onwuegbuchulam (Njaba); and Paschal Onwukaike (Nkwerre).

Source: PunchNews

N5.3bn fraud: Court orders arrest of ex-Enugu gov, Nnamani

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday issue a bench warrant against a former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, who was charged with an alleged fraud of N5.3bn.
Justice Chuka Obiozor issued bench warrant against the ex-governor for failing to appear in court on Monday for his scheduled re-arraignment.
The judge held that Nnamani’s counsel failed to give a tenable reason why his client was absent from court.

PDP must be rebranded to win 2019- Senator Umar

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The aspirant for National Secretary position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Umar Tsauri, says the party will be rebranded and modified  in order to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

Tsauri, who was in Sokoto to meet with the party’s delegates from Sokoto and Kebbi states ahead of the party’s December 9 national convention, assured the PDP members of his readiness to work for the success of the party if  elected as national secretary.

FG to begin implementation of 2017 revised import, export guidelines next month

Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.

The Federal Government said it will commence the implementation of the 2017 Revised Import and Export Guidelines in January 2018, in efforts to enhance the ease of doing business in the Nigerian economy.
When this takes effect, it becomes mandatory for both import and export goods to be palletinised in containers as done globally.
The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, disclosed this at a sensitisation workshop on the 2017 Revised Import and Export Guidelines in Lagos.
She explained that the date was fixed after due consultations with relevant stakeholders, and assured that imports already prepared for shipment into the country were not affected.
The Minister, who was represented by the Director, Home Finance, in the Ministry, Mrs Olubunmi Siyanbola, said the Federal Government has considered all concerns expressed by the trading public regarding the palletisation policy.
She explained that the review of the Nigerian Export and Import Guidelines was motivated by the desire of the present administration to deepen the ease of doing business in Nigeria, in line with the Executive Order 1.
Adeosun said attention has been focused principally on measures to ensure drastic reduction in the time spent on processing of exports, to ensure 24 hours clearance of imported cargoes, and block leakages of revenue accruable to the Government.
The Minister said Nigeria has moved to the 145th position out of the 190 countries in the World Bank’s ease of Doing Business Index for 2018, adding that Government has adopted a number of measures to improve trading across the country’s border.
The measures include reduction of documentation requirements from ten to seven days for exports; and from 14 to eight days for imports, while additional responsibilities have also been given to the Nigeria Customs Service, and Nigeria Ports Authority, and sanctions have been introduced to enforce compliance.
Adeosun described the Sensitisation Workshop as, “an auspicious start to interaction with trading public and is tailored to enlighten the relevant stakeholders on the major provisions of the 2017 revised Import and Export Guidelines.”
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, noted that until the recent review, the Export and Import Guidelines had become obsolete, and had constituted a huge administrative impediment to smooth export and import operations in Nigeria.
He said the Export Guidelines came into effect in 2007, while the Import Guidelines had been in existence since 2013.
Isa-Dutse, who was represented by the Director of Information in the Ministry, Salisu Na’inna Dambatta, expressed optimism that the revised guidelines will eliminate the bottlenecks that have militated against efficient conduct of trade across the country’s borders, which had contributed to the declining ranking of the country in this regard.
source: Guardian News

NNPC says no plan to increase fuel price

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Monday in Abuja reiterated that there was no plan to increase the prices of petroleum products.
In a statement, Ndu Ughamadu, the corporation’s Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, said there was no plan to increase prices at the ex-depot level and pump price ahead of the forthcoming yuletide.
NNPC had on Nov. 30, issued a statement saying there was no plan to increase fuel price at the depot and at filling stations.
There had been a rift between the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria and the Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association over discrepancies in ex-depot prices of petroleum products.
Ughamadu said that the ex-depot petrol price of N133.38 per litre and pump price of N143/N145 per litre had not changed.
He assured the public that the corporation had enough stock of petroleum products to ensure seamless supply and distribution of products across the country, especially during the yuletide.
He urged motorists and other users of petroleum products to disregard trending rumours of an impending fuel price hike.
“The NNPC has the full commitment of all downstream stakeholders, including petroleum marketers and industry unions to cooperate in achieving zero fuel scarcity this season and beyond.
“We enjoin motorists not to engage in panic buying or indulge in the dangerous practice of stocking petroleum products in jerry cans at home.
“The Petroleum Products Marketing Company and NNPC Retail Limited are fully geared up to ensure that motorists enjoy uninterrupted access to petrol throughout the nation,’’ Ughamadu said.
Meanwhile, queues are reported to have surfaced in filling stations in Sokoto metropolis and its environs, creating hardship for motorists and commuters.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the queues, which were first noticed in few stations on Saturday, spread to more outlets on Monday, forcing motorists into panic-buying.
Some of the filling stations belonging to members of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have increased the price of a litre of petrol from N145 to N150.
At NNPC Mega Stations and others operated by major marketers, the queues were longer as they maintained the official price of N145 per litre but were reluctant to sell to motorists.
Some motorists on queue expressed displeasure about the situation and urged the government to act fast before it degenerated into a major problem.
source.GN

ASUU National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi

NASU, SSANU, NAAT fault allocation of funds NormalL life and academic activities in Nigeria’s universities will be disrupted by workers’ industrial action from today.The three non-academic staff unions have declared a trade dispute over failure of government to keep to the terms of its own agreement with the workers.
The industrial action is coming at a time teachers, under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have returned to the classroom after a series of disputes with the Federal Government over previously agreed welfare packages and funding.
Non-teaching staff are now raising the same issues. President of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Mr. Samson Igwoke, who also chairs the Joint Action Committee of the three unions — comprising SSANU, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) — said in Abuja yesterday that the strike would begin in all Federal Government-owned universities today (Monday).
Igwoke explained that government had not shown seriousness in addressing the same issues that forced the workers to call an industrial action on September11, 2017.
Chief among the complaints lodged by the workers were government’s failure to implement the December 5, 2016 judgment of the National Industrial Court on university staff schools, payment of arrears of earned allowances, arrears of salary shortfalls and funding.
The unions said there were discrepancies in allocation of funds, a gap that was “pointedly” brought to the attention of government but had not been acknowledged by the Ministry of Education.
“For the first time in the history of fund allocations to federal universities, the ministry of Education allocated funds to both the universities and their unions.” Igwoke alleged. He said, “there is disquiet among non-academic unions” regarding the parameters used in arriving at the sharing formula.
For example the unions wondered how the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) got N328 million, while the University of Ibadan was given N105 million (less than one third of FUTA’s).There is even more disquiet on the fate of the University of Lagos which was allocated N23 million.
“The questions that the unions are asking are: Is the staff strength of non-teaching staff in FUTA bigger than that of UI? Or is it that FUTA has 15 times the number of non-teaching staff in University of Lagos?”
The Federal Government had approved N23 billion for payment of arrears of earned allowances of teaching and non-teaching staff in federal universities. It was then agreed that the trade unions under JAC would update the templates already given to the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) and submit them to the Federal Ministry of Education by Thursday September 21, 2017.
The workers also explained that, two months after a memorandum of settlement was signed, the situation that necessitated the strike in September remained unchanged.In declaring the strike, the unions said: “Having considered the sorry situation we find ourselves vis-a-vis the brazen injustice being meted out to us and the refusal of Government to respect the contents of the Memorandum of Terms of Settlements reached with our Unions on the September 20, 2017, we are constrained to inform you that effective 12.00 midnight of Sunday 3rd December 2017, the Joint Action Committee of NAAT, NASU and SSANU shall be resuming its earlier suspended strike.
“The strike action shall be comprehensive and total. There shall be no provision of services, either on skeletal or ad hoc basis. This strike, like others before it, is not our making or desire. No responsible union goes on strike without considering its implications on the system. However, we find ourselves in a sorry plight where strike appears to be the only option.”
The unions had, in announcing the suspension of their previous industrial action on September 21, 2017, given a one-month moratorium within which the Federal Government should address their concerns or they would return to the trenches.
The three unions subsequently resumed work on Monday, September 25, 2017.Monday’s return to the path of war will halt academic work in universities as long as the industrial action lasts, especially as all academic records and home-keeping activities for teachers and students would be kept on hold.
SOURCES: GUADIAN NEWS

Breaking News! Kaduna state to Sart taxing residence for Borehole

Kwara gov swears in LG chairmen

The Kwara State governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, yesterday swore-in 16 newly elected local government chairmen with a pledge to work harder and closer with them to find a sustainable solution to the salary crisis at the grassroots.

Speaking during the swearing-in at the council chamber of the government house, Ilorin, Governor Ahmed charged the chairmen to synergise with all relevant stakeholders to raise internally generated revenue to meet their statutory responsibilities.

The governor expressed concern over the plight of local government workers, pensioners, basic education workers and other workers experiencing salary and pension delays.