PHEDC staff electrocuted in Unical

A forty-one-year (41) old man from Atani-Adadama in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State has been electrocuted at the University of Calabar, in Cross River State.

An eyewitness, Edet Ekpenyong said the victim, Michael Enang Edu, a former staff of PHEDC was electrocuted while trying to restore power in the university with his colleagues.

He said, “the victim was trying to work on a faulty line when his colleagues inadvertently turned on the power that was earlier turned off and in the process he was electrocuted and later died.”

Consequent upon the incident, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the university, Prof. Zana Akpagu was alleged to have offered Michael Edu’s wife an automatic job.

But the Chairman, Board of Media and Community Relations of the University, Dr. Joseph Ekpang while confirming the incident said he doesn’t know about the automatic employment of the victim’s wife.

“Unfortunately, I cannot confirm the story about the VC giving a job to the late man’s wife. But I can confirm that the man was electrocuted while trying to reconnect UNICAL which had been disconnected in error.”

Late Edu died leaving two kids (daughters) and a pregnant wife.

Before his death, he lived with his family at Ediba Road, Opposite Assemblies of God Church, Ediba Qua, in Calabar. - Daily Post

Probe MTN’s operations in Nigeria, NLC urges NCC, EFCC, DSS, others

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Sunday asked government agencies to closely monitor the operations of MTN Nigeria, in the light of the Thabo Mbeki report on illicit financial flow.

NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that the Labour body has been vindicated by recent report by the Central Bank of Nigeria on the alleged illicit activities of the company and the tax invasion report of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation against the company.

Wabba said the congress had earlier highlighted labour laws, local content law and security breaches by MTN which led to fatalities of our security personnel in the North East conflict area.

He said “We at the Nigeria Labour Congress hereby urge MTN Nigeria to comply without further delay with the directive of the Federal Government to it to pay $2 billion in tax arrears as well as the $8.13 billion it was said to have illegally repatriated to South Africa over which four indigenous banks have been fined.

“We similarly urge the Federal Government to spare no effort in recovering this money as anything to the contrary will send wrong signals to other corporate organisations it had punished for lesser tax infractions.

“The need to enforce this order is all the more compelling when it is realised that workers pay taxes they can ill-afford, but religiously pay all the same. It is also worth noting that government’s tax reforms have been skewed in favour of corporate organisations, there is no reason for a default. After all, every taxable person is expected to pay their tax as when due.

“If companies default, with what is government expected to run the country or conduct its business? In our view, this incident does not just directly testy to the Thabo Mbeki Report on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa, it is a major crime against the government and people of Nigeria.

“On our part, we are not surprised by the unethical conduct of MTN. They are not only engaged in the exploitation of Nigerian workers and turning them into slaves, but have extended their frontiers to unwholesome economic exploitation and sabotage.

“The questions on every ones lips are: How many times has MTN done this? How many other companies are doing this? In our Tax Justice Campaign, we relentlessly and assiduously drew the attention of government and the entire citizenry to this humongous crime against the vulnerable people of Africa, especially  Nigeria, over 70 million of whom are said to be the poorest in the world.

“In our candid view, government should use this opportunity to send an  appropriate message to everyone especially corporate organisations who often pay taxes in the breach. Coupled with this, government’s tax reforms will only make meaning if they are judiciously and judicially executed.

“Finally, we feel vindicated by the latest discovery. While offering an explanation for picketing MTN  offices across the country in July this year, we highlighted labour laws, local content law and security breaches by MTN which led to fatalities of our security personnel in the North Easy conflict area.

“We exposed other acts of impunity by MTN in spite of the fact that 60 % of its global income comes from Nigeria.

“Coupled with demanding MTN obey our national laws by allowing unionisation, we urged critical government agencies such as NCC, EFCC, DSS, Immigration and Central Bank to closely look into the operations of the company, especially in light of the Thabo Mbeki Report. We are vindicated.” - The Nation

Falana asks police to reverse dismissal of officers who invaded Clark’s house

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, says the police officers who invaded the house of Edwin Clark, Ijaw leader, should not have been dismissed from the force.

Three of the four officers involved in the act were dismissed after they searched Clark’s residence based on a tip-off but did not find anything incriminating.
The police have since apologised to the Ijaw leader over the incident which the IGP the described as embarrassing.

In a statement Sunday, Falana said the police should have only suspended the officers since Clark has accepted the apology.
He added that the dismissal should be revisited by the Police Service Commission (PSC), saying it is the only body empowered to discipline erring officers.

“In a country where no security officer has ever been sanctioned for invading and searching the home of any citizen the dismissal of the three Police Inspectors ought to be revisited and reviewed by the Police Service Commission, the only body constitutionally empowered to dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over all serving police officers except the Inspector-General of Police,” he said.

“Since Chief Clark has graciously accepted the public apology tendered by the Police Authorities the dismissal of the policemen should be converted to suspension.”
The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said in the interest of national security, information concerning the importation and keeping of weapons in the homes of citizens should not be handled carelessly by police officers “for fear of dismissal from the service”.

“To prevent the violation of the right of citizens to the privacy of their homes by police officers and other security personnel the federal government should proceed to acquire the radar that has the capacity to detect weapons hidden in private houses or public buildings,” he said. - TheCable

Transfer news : Juventus ready to offer Dybala in exchange for Pogba

Italian giants Juventus are ready to offer forward Paulo Dybala in exchange for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.

According to The Mirror, via The BBC, Juventus are prepared to let the Argentine forward to move to England if it means they are able to land Pogba.
United signed Pogba from Juventus for a – then – world record fee and now  Juventus are looking to bring him back to Turin.

Dybala is yet to score this season for Juventus are scoring 26 goals in all competitions last season for the team.

Since joining from Palermo in 2015, Dybala has scored 52 goals in 100 Serie A appearances for Juventus.

The Argentine international would appear a real coup on paper, even if it meant them losing Pogba.

Pogba has also been linked with a move to Barcelona in recent months. - Read Sport

DSS DG: How Buhari may lead Nigeria into another civil war – Junaid Mohammed

A Second Republic lawmaker, Junaid Mohammed has warned that President Muhammadu Buhari’s actions and inactions may led Nigeria into another civil war.

He said this while lamenting Buhari’s refusal to prosecute former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari and the sacked DSS DG, Mamman Daura.


Mohammed’s above allusion was in response to Buhari’s appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi as the substantive Director-General of the Department of State Security, DSS, ahead of Seiyeifa.

DAILY POST had reported that Bichi’s appointment generated controversies from all corners, with many accusing the president of nepotism.

However, Mohammed, in an interview with DAILY POST, wondered why Bichi should be appointed when there are other fine officers still in active service who have a lot to offer.

The former lawmaker stressed that Seiyiefa should have been appointed as the substantive DSS boss despite approaching his retirement age

Reacting to a question on the appointment of Bichi ahead of Seiyiefa, Mohammed said, “I don’t care where Bichi is from but being brought out of retirement when there are a lot of fine officers in service who still have a lot to offer, that is wrong, immoral and an oppression.

“I also don’t believe that they have any faith in the current structure of the DSS, they should please pick the best and retain the best.

“Since Seiyiefa has few months to go, that does not mean that if he deserves something he should not be given. Until the last day of his retirement, the man must be allowed to perform his function.

“The decree of the DSS clearly states the powers of the DG either in acting or confirmed and the fact that few weeks after his appointment, Seiyeifa started getting treacherous, illegal and dubious insertion from Abba Kyari, Buhari’s Chief of Staff, shows that they don’t want somebody who wants to work professionally, they want somebody who will be their fan like Daura, but that is not good enough for the country.

“I also believe that some of the crimes committed by the Buhari administration under Daura should be brought to book and that include Abba Kyari, Daura and Babachir Lawal. Up until now, Buhari still believes he is innocent.

” I just hope that when they deal with him, they won’t include Nigeria because the way he is going, God knows, I hope he doesn’t drag us into another civil war.” - DAILY POST

2019: Thieves seeking votes – APC mocks PDP aspirants

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described aspirants on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as thieves.

The party urged Nigerians to return President Muhammadu Buhari next year to sustain the fight against corruption.

APC via its spokesman, Yekini Nabena, in a statement on Sunday, said it was aware “of a campaign of calumny against the anti-corruption efforts by the same opposition partisans and their proxies that ruined the country with their institutionalized corruption.”

“Sadly, these thieves have resurfaced to canvass votes of Nigerians for various elective positions, ostensibly to resume their stealing. Nigerians are neither gullible nor stupid.

“They have not forgotten the yoke they bore under the corrupt Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regimes and deserve no more of it.

“Public funds that could have improved the education, healthcare sectors and provided infrastructure to develop the economic and social life of Nigerians are sadly in the pockets of these thieves.

“While we alert Nigerians to the plot of some politicians to buy votes and deploy other illegal means to subvert the people’s will during coming elections, we urge relevant agencies to be proactively involved in tracking of election financing.

“The same people who criminally-diverted public monies to fund their political activities as brazenly displayed during past administrations must be prevented from doing same in the coming elections.” - Daily Post

PHOTO NEWS : Meet The Gang Looters of Nigeria's Treasury In The 80's

David and Babangida smiling over stolen wealth ...... While the hardworking masses are Suffering.

Atiku ‘saved Obasanjo from near bankruptcy’ before he emerged president

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar reportedly saved ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo from near bankruptcy before he emerged president in 1999.

According to a new book titled ‘Too Good to Die: Third Term and the Myth of the Indispensable Man in Africa’, Atiku made all his resources available for Obasanjo’s presidential campaign.

The book was written by Chidi Odinkalu, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and Ayisha Osori, author of ‘Love Does Not Win Elections’.

In the book, a copy of which was obtained by TheCable, the authors told of how Obasanjo beat late Alex Ekwueme to the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 1999 election.

Quoting an account from Atiku, the authors said the trio of Ibrahim Babangida, Theophilus Danjuma and Abdulsalami Abubakar wanted PDP to adopt Obasanjo as their presidential candidate “because they considered him the best person for the job”.

“Implicit in their position was their belief that they knew how to manipulate Obasanjo and the fact that Obasanjo did their bidding in 1979. They felt secure that he could be managed again,” the authors wrote.

Atiku was reportedly asked to join a team to Ogun to inform Obasanjo that he was going to run for the highest office in the land.

According to the book, “when Atiku and Obasanjo discussed the call to serve as president, Obasanjo said he could not be president because he was a nearly bankrupt ex-convict. Atiku, through General [Aliyu] Gusau, paid money into Obasanjo’s account to begin his financial rehabilitation.

“Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar helped out by granting him an unconditional pardon. Atiku put everything he had at his disposal to support Obasanjo’s emergence as the PDP presidential candidate and, when he joined the ticket as the vice-presidential nominee, continued to make his assets available to Obasanjo and the campaign.

“During a campaign stop in Atiku’s village, Jada, Adamawa state, Obasanjo spent a night in Atiku’s home. When he woke up the next day, he reportedly asked Atiku when he built the house and, to Atiku’s response, reportedly retorted: “[I] will never be poor again.”

Atiku served as vice-president to Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007. He aspired to succeed Obasanjo in 2003 but the elder statesman went ahead to complete another term.

By 2007 when Obasanjo’s second term ended, both men had fallen apart. Obasanjo’s plan to go for a third term was also said to have worsened their dispute.

Obasanjo recently kicked against Atiku’s presidential ambition, saying the former vice-president 'can never enjoy'  his support for a political office. - TheCable

How my preaching against tithes rendered me poor, jobless – Freeze cries out

Controversial On-Air Personality (OAP), Daddy Freeze has cried out over his poor financial status since he began to preach against payment of tithes in churches.

Freeze writing on his Twitter Page said that his campaign against tithe has crumbled his finances and affected his career.

According to him, since his ‘Free The Sheeple’ movement began, he had lost businesses, clients and opportunities.

The staunch ‘church’ critic said, ‘‘From my experience with these people who stop at nothing, if you dare speak out against the lies many of them are telling, you are in for a lot.

”They fought me on every realm. I lost every business client, I used to MC a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 events monthly and I used to charge more than a million Naira per event. I haven’t MCed in 2 years.

”They went as far as trying to get me sacked from work so I can be without much of a ‘crown’ and ‘frozen’.

”All I do now is teach the Bible from home online and in my weakness, his great strength prevails. My egbon, I pray that the river of truth that is flowing from your mouth NEVER ceases and in the weakness of whatever persecution may come, God’s strength in you will prevail.” - Daily Post

Britain restates commitment to spend £47.4m to strengthen democracy

The British High Commission to Nigeria has restated its commitment to spend £47. 4 million on Deepening Democracy in Nigeria Programme Phase 2  (DDiN2).

The British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs. Harriet Thompson said in Abuja at the weekend that the first phase of DDiN was implemented in 2011 with £33 million pounds of the total amount disbursed in the second phase from 2014 to 2020.

Mrs Thompson at an interactive session organised for journalists by the Commission, said that the event was part of the Commission’s activity to commemorate the 2018 International Day of Democracy with the theme, “Democracy under strain: solutions for a changing world.”

DDiN is a funded programme under the Department for International Development (DFID) arm of the Commission geared towards supporting democratic governance around the world with focus on Nigeria.

Thompson said: “democracy is key to development because it is a system whereby people can express their feelings on how they are being governed.

“The people of Nigeria know what they need and democracy creates such platform for them to be able to say what they want in terms of investment in basic amenities.

“We will ensure that people have the right to vote and be voted for, mobilise women, youths and people living with disability to exercise their franchise.

“We will also support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure conduct of credible elections in 2019.”

She, however, stressed that the British Government has no intention of influencing the outcome of the forthcoming general elections and also has no preference for any candidate.

The Head of DFID Nigeria, Mrs Debbie Palmas, said that DDiN2 is a six- year programme with strategic outcome to support growth of responsive electoral and democratic institutions.

She explained that DDiN2 would be focused on values of freedom and respect for human rights as essential elements of democracy.

She said there was a need to strengthen democracy and seek answers to challenges it faced.

According to her, the DDiN2 is to support well-prepared and well-administered national and state elections with measures in place for independent observation and to mitigate risks of violence.

Palmas said the project also aimed “To increase National Assembly’s capacity for responsiveness in law-making representation and oversight and to improve public participation in governance and electoral process, particularly women, youth and people living with disabilities.”