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Tag: Minister

  • Minister resigns, protests anonymous threats to her life

    Minister resigns, protests anonymous threats to her life

    The Agriculture and Environment Minister for the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Christina Schulze Foecking, announced her resignation on Tuesday following months of anonymous threats to her life.

    Foecking said she was faced with criticisms related to the publication of videos of injured pigs on her family farm.

    Announcing her decision in Dusseldorf, the minister said she stood by all the decisions she had taken.

    She added, “I experienced threats against my person, my wellbeing and my life in anonymous letters and openly on the internet over recent months and weeks.

    “It had gone well beyond what anyone could tolerate.”

    In the summer of 2017, videos of pigs on her family farm with bloodied tails and showing signs of neglect appeared on the internet.

    A formal investigation was dropped, as there had been no infringement of animal welfare legislation.

    Foecking said the price paid by herself and her family was too high for her to continue in office.

    She was criticised on account of abolishing an office of environmental crime staffed by just one employee in her ministry.

    The office had compiled a file on the family business.

    However, Foecking denied the allegations, saying there was connection with political opposition.

  • JOHESU strike won’t stop port screening for Ebola – Health Minister assures

    JOHESU strike won’t stop port screening for Ebola – Health Minister assures

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole on Thursday affirmed that the ongoing Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) strike, would not hinder the Ebola screening of travellers coming into the country as health workers in the port would not be joining the strike.

    The minister disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

    Speaking on the effort the government is making to reduce the risk of the disease being imported into the country, Mr Adewole said mechanism has been put in place at the ports and borders to screen travellers coming in and going out of the country.

    “There will be screening at the airport and borders. We have also put in place a screening form to help track where people are coming from and go, as this will help improve surveillance,” he said.

    The screening form will be particularly for people coming from the west Africa and central Africa region. An emergency surveillance activities at all land and airport borders has been set up so that we can keep Nigerians safe, he added.

    Currently, there is an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo leading to some deaths.

    “Part of the new measures to be taken include screening passengers coming into the country. Not only that, we will be screening incoming passengers, particularly passengers from DRC and neigbouring countries.

    “We will also ensure we step up all activities screening people coming in so that we will not be caught unaware,” he said.

    Ebola, like other infectious diseases has a tendency of spreading across border through human migration, if not well monitored.

    In 2014, the disease was imported to Nigeria through a Liberian Diplomat who flew to Nigeria in an attempt to get to the U.S. after contacting the disease in Liberia.

    As a result of this, eight Nigerians died from the disease and many others were infected. Majority were health workers.

    The minister said to minimise the risk of importing the disease, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is currently coordinating a national working group that is assessing and managing the risk to Nigeria.

    While alienating the fears of Nigerians on the likely import of the disease into Nigeria, the minister advised Nigerians to cultivate the habit of personal hygiene and not just depend on hand sanitizers as prevention from the disease.

    He said hand sanitizers though good should not be solely relied upon as preventive mechanism for contacting the disease as hand sanitizer is not a means of preventing Ebola.

    Mr Adewole explained that Nigeria is in close communication with development partners, including the World Health Organisation, who are in Congo to monitor and respond to the situation.

    “The port health services unit has been placed on red-alert and will heighten screening measures at ports of entry.

    “Letters of alert have also been sent to all states to enhance surveillance activities and an advisory note for the general public,” he said.

    Mr Adewole said Nigeria has the capacity to tackle the disease because the country has learnt a lot from the 2014 outbreak which claimed eight people in the country.

    He said over the last few years,”we have strengthened our health security infrastructure to effectively prevent, detect and respond to infectious diseases including Ebola.”

    The Federal Ministry of Health says it remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of all Nigerians.

    The World Bank, through the regional disease surveillance systems enhancement (REDISSE) also released $90 million to help tackle surveillance and response of disease in the country and other African countries, the minister said.

    The Chief Executive Officer, NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, said Nigeria would not be having problem tackling the disease because there are health experts in who assisted Liberia to tackle the disease in 2014.

    He said REDISSE is focused on strengthening the disease preparedness and response architecture in West African countries, including Nigeria.

    He said the main priority for NCDC is to develop a robust public health emergency preparedness and response system in other to tackle any disease outbreak in the country.

  • Buhari’s minister hints on Donald Trump’s visit to Nigeria

    Buhari’s minister hints on Donald Trump’s visit to Nigeria

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama on Tuesday hinted that Nigeria may consider inviting the President of the United States, Donald Trump after the conclusion of the 2019 general elections.

    Recall that Trump had during a joint press briefing with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday at the White House said he would love to visit Nigeria considering the beautiful stories he had heard about the country.

    “I would very much like to visit Nigeria. It is an amazing country and in certain ways, I hear from the standpoint of the beauty of a country.

    “There is no country more beautiful,” Trump said.

    The Minister, however, noted that the visit may not happen any moment soon as it will take up to a year to prepare.

    Onyeama said in Washington DC that Trump also has a very busy schedule while Nigeria’s general election was also coming up.

    “Regarding the invitation, well if the programmers of the two presidents are very very intensive, it usually takes anything up to a year to prepare for invitation at that kind of level before they actually take place.

    “Of course in Nigeria you know we have elections coming up and a very very busy schedule as that of President Trump. Maybe sometime next year we could envisage something like that,” he said.

    Onyeama explained that Buhari’s outing at the U.S. was a win-win for Nigeria and the U.S. saying each president has 10 members of his delegation during the bilateral meeting between Messrs Buhari and Trump.

    He added that Buhari met with six Chief Executive Officers of U.S. agriculture companies and with a group of 10 U.S. business leaders from different sectors, including petroleum.

    “Areas covered were security, trade, governance issues. On trade, the objective was to increase the level of trade between Nigeria and the United States.

    “The two presidents agreed that concerted efforts will be made. The issues of market access in the context were discussed.

    “On security, the U.S. has been helping Nigeria, supplying military equipment in the fight against terrorism and there is agreement to continue the cooperation between the two countries in this context.

    “In the area of governance, the return to Nigeria in the area of large sums of money that has been siphoned out of Nigeria and lodged in banks in various jurisdictions around the world and the cooperative with the United States helping to repatriate these funds to Nigeria were also discussed. A commitment was made to me his cooperation in this regard.

    “So there were good wins, on the security side, continued cooperation and of course reparations of these funds and increase in trade,” he said.

     

  • EFCC quizzes former Aviation Minister over alleged N3.9b fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday interrogated a former Minister of Aviation Osita Chidoka over an alleged N3.9billion fraud in connection with the procurement and Installation of sensitive security cameras/ infrastructure in five International Airports.

    The contract was awarded to Bri and Bru Limited.

    Before Chidoka was invited, the EFCC had quizzed the Managing Director of Bri and Bru Limited, the managers of the five international airports, the managing director of the Federal Airports Authority Nigeria( FAAN) and some offiicials of the ministry of aviation.

    According to a top source, the ex-minister arrived at the 15 A Awolowo Road, Ikoyi Lagos office of the EFCC at about 12.30pm.

    As at 6.30pm, EFCC detectives were still grilling the ex-Minister, who is a former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

    A fact-sheet on the investigation said: “The former minister is being quizzed in a case of alleged conspiracy and diversion of public fund in the N3.9billion contract for the procurement and Installation of sensitive security cameras/ infrastructure at the five International Airports, awarded to a company named Bri and Bru Limited.

    “Part of the said contract sum was allegedly fraudulently diverted to the use of the company and its cronies rather than the execution of the project under the watch of Chidoka as minister.

    “In the course of investigation, it was discovered that upon awarding the contract, payments were to be made according to stages of job done and the first payment of 15 per cent was done via the company’s Heritage Bank Account and also another payment of 60 per cent was done which brought the total payment received by Bri and Bru for the execution of the project to 75 per cent or N2,865,961,323,19.

    “Investigators discovered that Bri and Bru sub contracted the project to another company Surcomtec Nigeria Limited owned by one Chibuzo Obi. The total sum of $4,370,365.00 which is the equivalent of N2,400,000,000.00 was traced to Surcumtec inc Account in America ostensibly for the purchase of equipment for the project.

    “From the account of the company various payments were made to the former minister and some of his family members, director of Consumer Investment Limited and his younger brother, Obinna Chidoka, who is a member of the House of Representatives.

     

  • How Jonathan’s minister, two others withdrew N450m cash, Witness tells court

    A prosecution witness, Annette Gyen, on Monday told a Jos Federal High Court how former Water Resources Minister, Sarah Ochekpe, and two others withdrew N450 million from Fidelity Bank Plc.

    Mrs Ochekpe, and the two others – Raymond Dabo, former Plateau PDP Chairman, and Leo Jatau, Coordinator of the President Goodluck Johnathan campaign in Plateau – are being tried by EFCC for allegedly collecting N450 million from former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in 2015.

    The anti-graft agency is alleging that the trio collected N450 million from one Annette Olije-Gyen, Operation Manager of Fidelity Bank, which exceeded the amount authorised by law

    The EFCC has also alleged that the offence contravened sections 18 (a)(d), 1 (a), 16(1)(d), and was punishable under section 16 (2) of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2012, (as amended).

    Ms Gyen, in her testimony, told the court that her boss, who was the then Group Divisional Head of Operations, Martins Ezuogbe, directed the bank cashiers to disburse the money to the trio.

    “On March 26, 2015, we obediently called the trio, who came to our office and were given the money.

    “After confirming the money, we gave them our bullion van with which they conveyed it.”

    She said that on January 8, 2017, the bank received a letter from EFCC asking for details of the transaction.

    “On January 11, we responded to that request,” she said.

    The prosecutor, Ahmed Munchaka’s request that the two letters be tendered as evidence was, however, vehemently rejected by the defence lawyers.

    Messrs Gyang Zi and S.O. Oyewale, lawyers to Messrs Ochekpe, Jatau and Dabo, argued that the letters should not be admitted because they were not original copies.

    “The bank should have produced original copies of the letters; the court cannot work with photocopies because they might have been tampered with. We can only accept original copies,” they argued.

    Mr Munchaka, however, insisted that the letters be admitted since they had been authenticated by all parties.

    “The letters are acceptable in law because they have been authenticated; they are as good as original copies,” he argued.

    He further argued that the documents should be admitted because they were “very vital letters in evidence”.

    After listening to the parties, the judge, Musa Kurya, adjourned the case till May 17 and May 18 for ruling on whether or not to admit the letters, and continuation of hearing.

  • What we are doing to stop killings in Kaduna, others – Minister

    The Federal Government is mapping out strategies to halt the incessant killings in Birnin-Gwari in Kaduna State, Interior Minister Abdulrahaman Dambazzau said on Tuesday.

    “The Federal Government is worried over continuous killings, kidnappings and cattle rustling by armed bandits in Birnin-Gwari and is already mapping out strategies to nab the bandits responsible,” Dambazzau said at the palace of the Emir of Birnin-Gwari, Malam Zubairu Jubril-Maigwari.

    Dambazzau was on a visit to the troubled area to assess the security situation.

    The minister was accompanied by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operation, Mr Habila Joshak, and Mr Austin Iwar, Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State.

    He said that government was very concerned about the situation in Kaduna State, particularly the Birnin-Gwari axis, and would do everything to restore order.

    In his remarks, Jubril-Maigwari decried the persistent killings of his people, and appealed to government to intensify efforts to rid the area of bandits.

    The emir said that the armed bandits hibernate in Zamfara State from where they invade his domain and rush back after wreaking havoc.

    He also decried the neglect of his emirate, saying that he had forgotten that Birnin-Gwari was part of Nigeria, until the minister visited.

    The royal father expressed optimism that the situation would improve with the minister’s visit, and urged him to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to rehabilitate the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari-Jebba road.

    “The Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road has been awarded for rehabilitation because top government officials like senators and governors ply it, but our road has not received similar attention because only peasants ply it,” he alleged.

    Recall that 11 soldiers were killed in the area on March 20, while nine persons, including a bride, were kidnapped by bandits who killed two persons on Friday, March 30.

     

  • How Lufthansa’s condition to Nigeria delayed takeoff of national carrier — Minister

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has said that the delay in the establishment of a national carrier was occasioned by the counter offer by the transaction advisers it earlier appointed.

    Sirika, while addressing stakeholders on Thursday at the 4th Aviation Stakeholders Forum in Abuja, said the Lufthansa Group earlier appointed by the Federal Government failed to accept the offer.

    He explained that the consortium failed to communicate its acceptance or rejection of the offer to the government six months after, leading to the delay in the process.

    The minister added that when the company eventually responded, it came up with a counter offer, which the government could not accept leading to the cancellation of the offer.

    He said that Lufthansa asked the government to open an escrow account abroad as well as requesting that transactions be carried out in foreign currencies.

    “In order not to rush and take wrong decision, we decided to take time to engage the consortium comprising Airline Management Group Ltd, Avia Solutions Ltd and Tianerro FZE.

    Airline Management is a UK-based firm with experience and expertise in Airline Start Ups and turn around, which has led to some of the most successful transformation and cost reduction programme in the Aviation industry.

    “The Transaction Advisers have all commenced work and are liaising with the Project Delivery Team to outline Business Case for adopting PPP methodology.

    “They are to develop a well-structured PPP procurement process and select a PPP Partner.

    “This is not the first time the transaction advisers are starting the job, they have been on ground but because the Nigerian public are eager to know them.

    “We decided to unveil them and let them talk to the stakeholders.

    “People want to know if those advisers are legally engaged, whether due process was followed in accordance with the ICRC regulations and like you heard from ICRC person, we followed the due process,’’ he said.

    Noggie Meggison, Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), urged the Transaction Advisers to always engage the stakeholders in the processes of all the projects.

    Mr. Meggison pointed out that the existing facilities owned by some private companies in the country like MRO should be taken into consideration when establishing a new one.

    He called for a win-win situation for all stakeholders in the industry, while urging the government to reconsider its position on the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative.

    According to him, it is good to sign an open sky agreement but the government must look at it to see how the country can take advantage of it.

    Ilitrus Ahmadu, National President, Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN), said the forum had afforded them opportunity to see how they could grow the industry.

    Mr. Ahmadu urged the government to come to the rescue of Aero Contactors to save jobs through Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), adding that government could do more.

    He explained that their earlier stance against the concession of airport was borne out of their struggle to save their jobs.

    “Our primary concern is the welfare of our members because we don’t want to go the way of the Nigerian Airways workers.

    “Let the concession be the model that suits everybody’s interest and we intend to engage the transaction advisers for the various projects,’’ he said.

    The Minister unveiled the Transaction Advisers for the national carrier, establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, Agro-allied and Cargo Terminals, Development of Aerotropolis (Airport Cities) and Establishment of an Aviation Leasing Company.

     

  • Minister banned from attending parliamentary proceedings after slapping lawmaker

    Zambia’s parliament suspended a cabinet minister on Tuesday from its proceedings for one month for slapping a fellow lawmaker within parliament grounds.

    Verbal abuse is common among members of parliament in Zambia but physical assault is rare.

    Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini said Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo was suspended for slapping outspoken lawmaker Chishimba Kambwili in October 2017.

    Kambwili has repeatedly accused government officials of corruption since his dismissal as information and broadcasting minister in November 2016 but the state denies the allegations.

    Kambwili complained after the incident that Lusambo had slapped him twice after accusing Kambwili of making false accusations against the government.

    Matibini said Lusambo was banned from entering parliament grounds and using its facilities during the period of suspension and would not be entitled to any allowances.

  • Nigeria’s 804-capacity prison has 4,204 inmates – Minister

    Nigeria’s 804-capacity prison has 4,204 inmates – Minister

    The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, has disclosed that the Port-Harcourt Prison which was built for 804 prisoners it currently accommodates 4204 inmates.

    Mr. Dambazau made the disclosure when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State in his office in Port-Harcourt.

    The minister told the governor that the Stakeholders Panel on Prison Decongestion recommended Rivers as one of the states from the six geopolitical zones for the construction of a 3000 capacity prison.

    He added that the federal government’s proposed prison project would be carried out on a land that was allocated to the Prisons Service in 1979 in Bori, Rivers State.

    In his remarks, Governor Wike promised to provide necessary supports and cooperation towards the commencement and completion of the new prison project.

    The governor further called on the federal government to complete the ongoing construction of a prison at Omoku so that it could decongest other prisons in the state.

    The Controller General of Prisons, Ja’afaru Ahmed, told the governor that the contractor handling Omoku Prison had been contacted to hasten the project for early completion.

     

  • Jonathan’s ex-finance minister, Okonjo-Iweala gets Commonwealth appointment

    Jonathan’s ex-finance minister, Okonjo-Iweala gets Commonwealth appointment

    Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been appointed into a High Level Group on Governance of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

    Prof. Ben Maloney, Communications Officer, Commonwealth Secretariat, said in a statement that the High Level Group would make recommendations on governance of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

    The Commonwealth, however, denied that the group was constituted to secretly begin considering who might succeed the Queen as its head.

    “At their last Summit in Malta, Commonwealth heads of government directed the Secretary-General to form the Group.

    “Today members are discussing the scope of the group’s work and the areas of governance it will examine over the coming months.

    “The process is open and the High Level Group reports to the heads.

    “The issue of succession of the Head of the Commonwealth is not part of the Group’s mandate,” the statement said.

    The group is chaired by Anote Tong, former President of Kiribati from 2003 to 2016.

    Okonjo-Iweala, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, is among the seven-member group.

    Others include Lord Howell, former British Energy Secretary; Louise Frechette, former UN Deputy Secretary-General; and Robert Hill, former Australian Defence Minister.

    Dame Miller, former Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados and Dr George Vella, former Foreign Minister of Malta are also members of the group.

    The group operates independently of the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat and would report only to the heads of Commonwealth governments.

    However, further members may be appointed, the Secretariat said.

    The group is expected to report to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London in April, which is likely to be the last that the Queen would attend.