Land Use Charge Law Of 2018: Things You Need To Know

What is Land Use Charge (“LUC”)?

• Land Use Charge (“LUC”) is a Lagos State property tax backed by the Land Use Charge Law of 2018.

• LUC is a consolidation of ground rent, tenement rate, and neighbourhoodimprovement levy.

Is LUC a new form of tax?

• LUC is not a new form of tax.

• The Law backing LUC was first enacted in 2001.

What is LUC based on?

LUC shall be payable in respect of all real estate property situated in Lagos State (“the State”).

What was the rationale for repealing and re-enacting the LUC Law?

• The LUC Law was repealed and re-enacted to address some identified challenges which include:

1. Lack of clarity on the LUC formula to support self-assessment;

2. Obsolete rates which had not been reviewed in over a decade;

3. Need to improve LUC administration efficiency; etc.

• The new LUC Law also provides a robust legal and regulatory framework to support ongoing LUC administration reforms aimed growing the State’s economy.

Who benefits from LUC revenue collected?

• Revenue generated from LUC is shared between the State Government and all the 57 Local Government/Local Council Development Areas.

Which Government agency is responsible for administration of LUC?

• Administration of LUC is under the purview of the Lagos State Ministry of Finance (“MoF”).

Who is liable to pay LUC?

• Responsibility for payment of LUC is on:

1. Owner of property for owner-occupied property

2. Lessee of property –in case of long term lease of not less than 10 years


Could you please explain the concept of self-assessment and its implication?

• Self-assessment essentially means that payers can compute the amount of LUC payable on their respective property by themselves.

• What this means is that, since the formula is now easy to understand, you do not need to wait to receive a demand notice on your property before making payment; from the comfort of your home, you can calculate the LUC payable and are able to make your payments promptly.

• We expect that this will drive up compliance, improve the timeliness of collections and minimiseleakages.

What was the situation under the old Law without self-assessment?

• Before now, the formula/basis for LUC determination were not clearly defined thereby creating room for subjectivity in the computation of LUC amount payable.

• Furthermore, payers were only able to make payments of LUC based on demand notices served by the State Government.

• However, due to administrative challenges, including inadequate enumeration, LUC demand notices were not served timely/regularly in most cases.

• This meant that, if you did not receive a demand notice, you were not likely to pay LUC thereby resulting in lost revenue to the State Government.

How often is LUC payable?

• LUC is an annual tax which becomes payable from the first day of each new year (i.e. from 1 January).

How is LUC derived?

• LUC payable on a property shall be arrived at by multiplying the Market Value (“MV”)of that property by the applicable Relief Rate (“RR”)and Annual Charge Rate (“CR”), using the prescribed formula.


What is the formula for calculating LUC?

The formula that shall be used to determine the annual amount of LUC payable is:

LUC = (Land Value + Building Development Value) x Relief Rate x Charge Rate


How is the LUC formula interpreted?

• The formula can be interpreted as:

LUC = [(LA x LR) + (BA x BR x DR) x RR x CR]

•Where

LA= area of the land parcel in square metres

LR= average Market Value of a land parcel in the neighbourhood, on a per square metrebasis in Naira based on Market Value property as determined by professional valuersappointed the Commissioner for Finance for that purpose

BA= the total developed floor area of building on the plot of land om square metres, or total floor area of apartment unit in a building where the apartment has a separate ownership title

BR=average construction value of medium quality buildings and improvements in the neighbourhood, on a per square metrebasis in Naira based on the market value of the property as determined by professional valuersappointed the Commissioner for Finance for that purpose

DR= the Depreciation Rate for the buildings and improvements of land which accounts for the building being of higher or lower value than the average buildings in the neighbourhoodand which also accounts for the degree of completion of construction of the building

RR= rate of relief from tax (if any) applicable to the owner-occupier in the circumstances shall be determined by the Commissioner and published in the State Government Official Gazette and in one or more newspapers circulating within the State and reviewed by the Commissioner once every five years

CR= annual charge rate expressed as a percentage of the assessed Market Value of the property and which may, at the State Government’s discretion, vary between:

a)owner occupied and other property;

b)residential property and commercial (revenue-generating property);

c)physically-challenged persons; and

d)persons who have been resident at the same location for at least 12 years, minor, retired owners and occupiers, on the one hand, and other owners and occupiers on the other.

What is the specific Annual Charge Rate applicable to eligible property?

• The Annual Charge Rateto be applied to eligible property in Lagos State shall be as follows:

1.Owner-occupied residential property–0.076% per annum of the assessed property value

2.Owner-occupied pensioner’s property–Exempted from LUC

3.Lagos State Government property–Exempted from LUC

4.Industrial premises of manufacturing concerns–0.256% per annum of the assessed property value

5.Residential property (owner and third party–0.256% per annum of the assessed property value

6.Residential property (without owner in residence)–0.76% per annum of the assessed property value

7.Commercial property (used by occupier for business purposes)–0.76% per annum of the assessed property value

8.Vacant property and open empty land–0.76% per annum of the assessed property value

Are there any form of reliefs available for LUC payers?

•There are various forms of reliefs that are available to payers of LUC.

•The reliefs include:

a)General reliefof 40% (applicable to all property liable to pay LUC); and

b)Specific reliefsapplicable to property owners and leases of 10 years and above for:

I.Pensioners (60 years and above)–100% for owner-occupied property

II.Persons with disability–10% for owner-occupied property

III.Aged persons(70 years and above) –10% for owner-occupied property

IV.Age of property–10% for property aged 25 years and above

V.Long occupation by owners–5% for 12 years and above

VI.Federal and other State Government property–20% for non-revenue generating property

VII.Partial relief under the LUC Law–20% for non-profit-making organisations

How can payers take advantage of the available reliefs?
•To enjoy the available reliefs, payers will need to provide relevant documentary evidence to support their relief claims.

How can payers apply for the reliefs?
•All application for reliefs can be made to the Commissioner for Finance for approval and supported with relevant documents.

What do the payers stand to benefit from early payment of LUC?
•All LUC paired within 15 days of receipt of Demand Notice will enjoy a timely payment discount of 15%.

What is the minimum LUC payable?
•The minimum LUC payable on any given property shall not be less than ₦5,000 irrespective of any LUC relief granted on the property.

Who is responsible for the property enumeration and valuation?
•The Commissioner for Finance is empowered to appoint such Property Identification Officers, Professional Valuersand other persons as may be considered necessary for the purpose of assessing the charge applicable to a property.

Are there any property exempted from LUC?
•The following category of property are exempted from LUC:

1.Property owned and occupied by a religious body and used exclusively as a place of worship or religious education;

2.Public cemeteries and burial grounds;

3.Property used as a registered educational institution certified by the commissioner to be non-profit making;

4.Property used as public library or as a private library certified by the commissioner to be non-profit making;

5.Any property specifically exempted by the Executive Governor by notice published in the State Official Gazette; and

6.All palaces of recognised Obas and Chiefs in the State provided that if any of the exempted property is leased out to private entities for revenue generation, it shall forfeit its exemption status as contemplated under the provisions of this Law.

What are the offences and penalties?
•Any person who:

1.Refuses or neglects to comply with any provision of this Law when required to do so by the Property Identification Officer or an Assessor;

2.Prevents, hinders, or obstructs any Property Identification Officer or an Assessor in the course of lawful duty; or

3.Removes, damages or destroys a Property Identification plaque on any Property or building,

commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of two hundred and fifty thousand naira only (₦250,000) or to a maximum term of imprisonment for aperiodod three (3) months or both.

Is there any penalty for people who incites others to refuse to pay LUC?
•Any person who:

a)incites another person to refuse to pay LUC; or

b)Incites or assists any person to misrepresent in any way the person’s chargeable property;

commits an offence and shall on summary conviction be liable to a maximum fine of two hundred and fifty thousand naira only (₦250,000) or to a maximum term of imprisonment for a period of three (3) months or both.

What dispute resolution mechanism has been put in place?
The new LUC Law establishes an Assessment Appeal Tribunal (“the Tribunal”) in each division of the State to treat all appeals and resolve any potential disputes.

Who makes up the Assessment Appeal Tribunal?
•Each Tribunal shall consist of:

1.A Chairman who shall be a legal practitioner of not less than 15 years post-call experience;

2.A representative of the Attorney-General;

3.A registered town planner;

4.A registered land surveyor;

5.A registered estate valuer;

6.A representative of the Lagos State Valuation Office;

7.A person with cognate experience in accounting and taxation; and

8.Two (2) persons from the private sector.

Under which circumstance can one make an appeal against an LUC demand notice?
•A person may make an appeal to the Tribunal if aggrieved by:

1.A decision that the property which the person owns is a chargeable property, or that the person is liable to pay LUC in respect of such property; or

2.Any calculation of an amount which the person is liable to pay as LUC, and the Tribunal shall make such decision as it deems fit.

What is the mediation process under the new LUC Law?
•In resolving disputes arising from the provisions of this Law, the parties shall submit to a confidential mediation in an effort to resolve such disputes.

•Where the mediation does not resolve the dispute within 45 working days of the first session or when the mediator declares an impasse, the mediation shall be deemed inconclusive and parties shall be at liberty to resolve their dispute formally at the Tribunal or through any other lawful means.

























































Rainbowgist

Suspects arraigned for alleged N1.6m visa fraud

The police yesterday arraigned a woman, Esther Nnachi and a man, Moses David, at a Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, for alleged N1.6 million visa fraud.

Nnachi of 22, Kukwaba Street, Kubwa and David of 96, New Maitama Juji Street, Kubwa, are facing a three-count charge of joint act, criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The prosecutor, Mr. Dalhatu Zannah, told the court that Ekwelem Solomon of Ikedere Amaimo, Owerri, Imo State, reported the matter at Utako Police Station on February 24.

He alleged that sometime in March 2017, the complainant paid N1.6 million to the defendants to procure Australia visa and ticket for him.

Zannah said the defendants collected the money and promised to deliver the job within 16 days.

He alleged that the defendants refused to deliver the job but converted the money to their own use, adding that they absconded.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 79, 322 and 312 of the Penal Code.

The defendants denied committing the offences.

The Judge, Mr. Abubakar Sadiq, admitted them to bail at N600, 000 each and a surety.

He said the sureties must be level 10 officers.





























































Punch

Over 1,000 houses burnt as Kaduna mayhem worsens

No fewer than 1,000 shops and several vehicles were torched in the violent clash that occurred between Christian and Muslim youths in Kaduna on Monday over girls, as the death toll rose to 12 yesterday.

When our reporter visited the scene yesterday, the large scale destruction that trailed the clash which engulfed Kasuwan Magani town in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state was benumbing.

Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Austin Iwar, who disclosed the new death toll yesterday, said 18 people had also been arrested.

Addressing journalists after a fact-finding and assessment visit to the area, the Police Commissioner vowed that no stone would be left unturned in unravelling the immediate and remote causes of the crisis.

The Police Commissioner, in company of the General Officer Commanding I Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Major-General Mohammed Mohammed and state commandant of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps, Modu Goni, expressed shock at the scale of destruction.

He said: “It is unfortunate. As we can see, the level of destruction is very high, some people were killed and properties were destroyed. This is not what we wish for our state, Kaduna.













































































Vanguard

Man U regret signing Sanchez

• 
  

Members of Manchester United’s board reportedly regret signing Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal in January.

The North-West outfit caused a shock in the winter window when they swept under Manchester City’s nose to steal the Chile international.

Sanchez was widely expected to join Pep Guardiola’s side, but in the end he moved to Old Trafford in a swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Since moving to United, the 29-year-old has not yet made a huge impression on the team having scored just once in seven appearances in all competitions.

According to El Pais, some members of United’s board have told Premier League executives that they regret signing Sanchez for three reasons.

The hierarchy reportedly feel that the player would have been much cheaper had they secured his signature in the summer when his contract at Arsenal expired.



















































































Vanguard

Man Sets Himself Ablaze In Gombe Over Buhari's Rejection Of Peace Corps Bill

A middled-aged man in Nappe, Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State on Tuesday, reportedly set himself ablaze following the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the bill for the establishment of Peace Corps of Nigeria

The victim whose name was given as Gambo Timothy Dogo, was until his demise a voluntary member of the corps.

It was  gathered that Dogo, a father of two, who hailed from Borno State committed suicide by setting himself ablaze in his one room apartment on hearing that the President has turned down the PCN establishment bill.

An eyewitness told Ehido that Dogo had attempted suicide the last time news broke out that the bill was rejected.

Our source said Dogo gave reason for his action in a text message sent to his colleague simply identified as Ahmed Tuesday afternoon around 3pm before embarking on the suicide mission.

When contacted, Public Relations Officer (PRO) Gombe State command of the Peace Corps said she was not authorized to speak on the incident. In the same vain, the national spokesperson of the organization, Milicent Umoru neither picked nor returned our calls.

Meanwhile, the Gombe State Police command is yet to react to this incident at the time of filing this report.




































































Idomavoice

Williams Uchemba, ‘Nollywood star’ builds magnificent building

A well known social media user, philanthropist, Nollywood actor and a comic star, Williams Uchemba has built a superb edifice.

On his official facebook account (@Williams Uchemba), Williams noted that the house will be for him alone till he marries. He equally hopes to complete the building by placing the necessary interiors in due time.

“So since I’m not yet married this is going to be for me, myself and I…Let’s get to work with Furnishing”, he said.

The Nollywood star attributed his success to Gods faithfulness and increasing blessings.

His words, “MY NEW CRIB!!! Ladies and Gentlemen… still in the first quarter of the year and God’s faithfulness keeps increasing everyday”.


















































































Rainbowgist

Apostle Suleman Gifts Wife Shopping Mall, Petrol Station And Transport Company

The beautiful wife of the founder of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Dr Lizzy Johnson Suleman celebrated her birthday on Sunday at the International Headquarters of the church in Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria.

As usual, Apostle Johnson Suleman surprised everyone with a splendid birthday gift for the wife he made a huge promise to when he started his ministry.

Apostle Suleman presented an ultra – modern Shopping Mall, a Petrol Station and a Transport company to Dr. Lizzy Suleman as the Woman of God celebrated her birthday in glitz and glamour.

Apostle Johnson Suleman, is the Senior Pastor of Omega Fire Ministry Int’l and CEO Hosanna Conglomerate which has vast interests in Oil and Gas, Real Estate and Mining.







































Rainbowgist

TIPS ON HOW TO KEEP YOUR HUSBAND

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD READ THESE 30 RULES FOR GODLY WOMEN-----------

1). Never raise your voice for any reason to your husband. Its a sign of disrespect.(Prov 15v1)

2). Don't expose your husband's weaknesses toyour family and friends. It will bounce back at you.You are each other's keeper.(Eph 5v12)

3). Never use attitudes and moods to communicate to your husband, you never know how your husband will interpret them. Defensive women don't have a happy home.(Prov 15v13)

4). Never compare your husband to other men, you've no idea what their life is all about. If you attack his Ego, his Love for you will diminish.

5). Never ill treat your husband's friends because you don't like them, the person who's supposed to get rid of them is your husband.(Prov 11v22)

6). Never forget that your husband married you, not your maid or anyone else. Do your duties.(Gen 2v24)

7). Never assign anyone to give attention to your husband, people may do everything else but your husband is your own responsibility.(Eph 5v33)

8). Never blame your husband if he comes back home empty handed. Rather encourage him.(Deut 3v28)

9). Never be a wasteful wife, your husband's sweat is too precious to be wasted.

10). Never pretend to be sick for the purpose of denying your husband sex. You must give it to him how he wants it. Sex is very important to Men, if you keep denying him, it is a matter of time before another woman takes over theat duty. No man can withstand sex starvation for too long(even the anointed ones) (SS 7v12)

11). Never compare your husband to your one time sex mate in bedroom, or an Ex-lover. Your home may Never recover from it if you do.(SS 5v9)

12). Never answer for your husband in public opinion polls, let him handle what is directed to him although he may answer for you in public opinion polls.(Prov 31v23)

13). Never shout or challenge your husband in front of children. Wise Women don't do that.(Eph 4v31)

14). Don't forget to check the smartness of your husband before he checks out.(Prov 12v4)

15). Never allow your friends to be too close to your husband.

16). Never be in a hurry in the bathroom and on the dressing table. Out there your husband is always surrounded by women who took their time on their looks.( 1 Sam25v3)

17). Your parents or family or friends do not have the final say in your marriage. Don't waste your time looking up to them for a final word. You must Leave if you want to Cleave.(Luke 21v16)

18). Never base your love on monetary things. Will you still submit to him even if you earn more money than him?

19). Don't forget that husbands want attention and good listeners, never be too busy for him. Good communication is the bed rock of every happy home. (Gal 6v9)

20). If your idea worked better than his, never compare yourself to him. Its always teamwork.(Gal 6v10)

21). Don't be too judgemental to your husband. No man wants a Nagging wife.(Eph 4v29)

22). A lazy wife is a careless wife. She doesn't even know that her body needs a bath.(Prov 24v27)(Prov 20v13)

23). Does your husband like a kind of cooked food?, try to change your cooking. No man jokes with food. (Prov 31v14)

24). Never be too demanding to your husband,enjoy every moment, resource as it comes.(Luke 11v3)

25). Make a glass of water the very first welcome to your husband and everyone entering your home. Sweetness of attitude is true beauty. (Prov 31v11)

26). Don't associate with women who have a wrong mental attitude about marriage.(Prov 22v14)

27). Your marriage is as valuable to you as the value that you give it. Recklessness is unacceptable.(Heb 13v4)

28). Fruit of the womb is a blessing from the Lord, love your children and teach them well.(Prov 22v6)

29). You are never too old to influence your home. Never reduce your care for your family for any reason. (Prov 31v28)

30). A prayerful wife is a better equipped wife, pray always for your husband and family(1 Thess 5v17)
Have a lovely day..... God bless u all.































Rainbowgist

Hausa Jealous Wife Attacks Her Husband With Acid After Hot-S@x In Kaduna Over Infidelity (Graphics)

According to reports, this woman (pictured) got an information that her best friend is pregnant for her husband. On February 15, 2018, when her husband returned from work, this woman pretended as if she was not yet aware of the secret relationship between her husband her best friend.

She served him food, seduced him and they made love that night. After the sex the man quickly slept off not knowing what was in stock for him -(his wife bought acid from one Kabir the battery charger and kept it under their bed).

After she notice that her husband has slept off, she poured the acid on her man’s genitals. The man was rushed to a nearby hospital by neighbors but the hospital rejected him and referred him to FMC where he eventually died on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 Zaria.


Police in Kaduna confirmed that the woman is in their custody and she will be charge to court for murder as soon as they conclude their investigations.

“I love my husband so much, I was not intended to kill him. It was so painful to me that he got my best friend pregnant and he could not tell me, I knew about it from outsiders. I know I have over reacted but I want his family, our children and government to forgive me, I never planned to kill him, the alleged murderer stated.”*

























































Rainbowgist

JSS 1 pupil, others arrested during cult initiation

A 15-year-old pupil, Idris, has been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly belonging to the Aiye Confraternity.

Idris, a Junior Secondary School one pupil at a private school in the Orile area of the state, was paraded along with 56 other suspected cult members at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja on Monday.

It was learnt that the suspects were rounded up on Thursday at Elemoro, in the Ajah area by the police and members of a vigilance group in the community.

The cult had gone inside a bush some distance away from Eleko Beach, Ajah, to perform initiation rites for new members, including Idris, who had tattoos on his chest and hand.

They were about to complete the rites when the operatives swooped on them around 4am.

Two locally-made cut-to-size guns, three live cartridges and 22 expended cartridges were reportedly recovered from them.

 Idris, a resident of Arowoyabuna Street, Orile, told our correspondent that an unnamed neighbour had approached him on Wednesday and taken him to a bar to drink.

He said, “A man in my community bought a drink for me. After we finished drinking, he asked me to follow him to Eleko Beach for a party. When we got there, they covered my face and took me inside a bush. They used an object to pierce my thumb and collected some blood.

“As we were about to leave around 4am on Thuursday, I heard gunshots and the police arrested us. I have not been told the name of the cult.”

He said the inscription, ‘Baba Bose,’ tattooed on his chest, was an expression of love for his girlfriend, identified as Bose.

Another suspect, 23-year-old Eze Michael, explained that his friend, one Kelechukwu, lured him into the bush on the pretext that they were going for an event.

The Ebonyi State indigene said, “Kelechukwu invited me to an event at Eleko Beach. When we got there, he said we would have to wait till late evening. When it was 10pm, he took me inside a bush. I met so many people there. They beat us. They told us to lie down and raise our hands.

“They threatened to shoot us if we did not cooperate. Immediately they cut my thumb, I heard gunshots from the police and everybody started running helter-skelter.

 “Some OPC members beat us up. Kelechukwu did not explain anything to me before we got to the bush. But I learnt the group is Aiye Confraternity.”

Adedayo Obabiyi, 25, from Ogun State, said he and his siblings had attended a birthday party at the beach and were returning home when some hoodlums attacked them.

“They collected our phones and ATM cards and blindfolded us. They took us to an unknown place. When we got there, I heard a lot of voices. They pierced our thumbs,” he added.

The state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, lamented increasing involvement of youths in cultism.

He, however, said the command had initiated a clampdown on cult members, adding that those arrested would be prosecuted.

The CP said, “Based on credible intelligence that members of the dreaded Aiye Confraternity were performing their initiation rites at a shrine in a thick forest in Abule Egbanu, in the Elemoro, Aja area of Lagos, the Divisional Police Officer, SP Mohammed Limawa, mobilised his men. The DPO received support from the undercover operatives of the Area J, Elemoro, and the men of the Anti-Cultism Unit of the command. Together, they stormed the area and arrested 57 members of the notorious Aiye Confraternity.

“Some of them were not in their right senses at the time of the arrest due to drug overdose. Items recovered from the suspects include two Suzuki mini buses with number plates, LND 893 XV and EPE 189 XV, respectively, one Volkswagen bus, one Mitsubishi space wagon marked, SMK 455 AL, and two Toyota Camry cars with number plates, BD 760 DH and LSD 506 EC.”

Imohimi also paraded three suspected members of a cult that allegedly killed an official of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Monsuru Bolaji, on Wednesday in the Aguda, Surulere area of the state.

He said the suspects, Muyideen Bello, Wasiu Adio and Nurudeen Odofin, had confessed to participating in the murder of the father of two children, noting that an axe and a knife with bloodstains reportedly recovered from them had been sent to a forensic unit for analysis.

“It is interesting to note that one of the suspects, Wasiu Adio, aka Trouble, further confessed that he was a senior member of Eiye Confraternity and that he and members of his group killed one Timothy in Aguda, Surulere, sometime in October 2017. Investigation into the case is in progress and further findings will be made public. The suspects will surely have their day in court at the end of investigations,” Imohimi added.

But the suspects denied involvement in cult activities and in the murder of the LNSC official.

Bello claimed that Bolaji was his friend and that he took him to a hospital for treatment after he was attacked on that day.

He said, “After he died, I took him to the Aguda Police Station from the hospital.  He (Bolaji) was my childhood friend; we went to the same primary school.”

Odofin, 39, said he was the chairman of commercial motorcycle riders in Aguda, while Bolaji was the secretary, aside from being a security official.

He stated that some cult members had been on their trail since December 2017 for allegedly giving the police information about cult activities in the area.

He said, “After I observed Ishai (Islamic 8pm prayers) that day, I was relaxing in front of my house when I heard gunshots. A boy came to tell me that some cult members were running after somebody on the street. After about 15 minutes, I heard that somebody had been killed.

“I ran to the scene and discovered that Monsuru (Bolaji) was the victim. It was Gafar, Adura and their gang members who killed him. In October 2017, they also killed one boy called Timothy. That was when the problem started because the boy’s father was related to me. They started chasing Monsuru and me. We reported at the Aguda Police Station and the LNSC office.

“They said anytime we saw those boys we should report them. We didn’t see them until that evening when Monsuru was killed.”

The third suspect, Adio, said he was a family friend of the deceased, adding that he was at home when some LNSC officials arrested him for Bolaji’s death.














































Punch

Order of elections: Pro-Buhari Senators face one year suspension

STRONG indications have emerged that the ten pro- Muhammadu Buhari Senators who had last week Wednesday, kicked against the new sequence of elections adopted by the apex legislative chamber, following amendment of the 2010 Electoral Act, will be suspended for one year.

According to a source in the Senate, the Senator Samuel Anyanwu, PDP, Imo East led Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions is set to meet this week on the matter, just as the source said that the 10 senators who opposed the bill could be placed on one year suspension.

It was gathered yesterday that the one year suspension is coming not withstanding apologies rendered on the floor of the Senate on Thursday by Senator Ovie Omo- Agege, APC, Delta Central.

It would be recalled that on February 14, and angered by what happened at the Senate chamber and while sitting was still on- going, ten Senators of the All Progressives Congress, APC walked out on the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki while he was still presiding, went straight to the Senate Press Corps Centre to address Journalists, expressing their reservations and vehemently kicked against the bill.

According to them, the action was not only a trash, but a rush, self-serving and targeted at the President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid, adding that the amendment was carried out in very bad faith which will not stand.

The ten aggrieved Senators were led by the immediate past Chairman of Northern Senators Caucus and former governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu whose argument against the bill was truncated at the plenary session by Saraki.

Other Senators that joined Senator Abdullahi Adamu in the protest were Abu Ibrahim (Katsina South); Ali Wakil (Bauchi South); Abdullahi Gumel (Jigawa North West); Umar Kurfi (Katsina Central); Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North); Binta Garba Masi (Adamawa North); Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central); Andrew Uchendu (Rivers East); and Benjamin Uwajimogu (Imo North).

The protesting senators who had claimed to be 59 in number, said that others could not join them because they were attending to some official matters at different locations.

Also recall that despite the apology, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session asked Omo-Agege to make his case before the Committee.

It has, however, emerged that any indicted Senator on account of that investigation would be suspended for one year.

Also recall that outside Omo-Agege, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who was last week relieved of his position as Chairman of Northern Senators Forum was said to have turned down the option of apologising to the Senate in plenary.

He was said to have met with Senate President Bukola Saraki and the latter was said to have advised him to follow the footsteps of Omo-Agege.

Sources, however said that the Saraki’s camp has linked the impeachment plot being orchestrated against him to the uprising of February 14.

According to sources in the chamber, loyalists of the Senate President have decided to nip the uprising by dealing with anyone who erred and linked to the plot.

The source said, “Recall that earlier in the year, some top members of the ruling party met at different locations to plan the removal of the Senate President. At least two of those who staged the walkout have been linked to the assignment and that is why a decision has been taken to deal decisively with anyone harbouring the operation of “axis of evil” in this Senate.”

It was gathered that unless the culprits are able to convince the Senate Committee that they never meant to bring Senate into “disrepute” any of those indicted would serve a one year suspension.

But the said impeachment plot appears to have collapsed following indications that the numbers are not adding up.

It was also gathered that the plan was to secure as many senators required to remove the Senate President by presenting the plot as an APC agenda, unfortunately, many of the Senators approached were said to have backed out, while the Senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have opposed the plot.





































Vanguard

Chinese girl rides bicycle from Morocco to Lagos, recounts ordeals

A Chinese female cyclist, Huang Shuang, who rode from Morocco to Lagos, Nigeria, within five months, says she is convinced that anybody can achieve anything he or she determines to do.

Huang, also known as CICI, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Monday that she was inspired to embark on “cycling around the world’’ after riding around her country.

The cyclist said that her experience in China motivated her to begin global cycling in America where she covered about 5,500 km in two months.

“I am glad that I have also been able to ride from Morocco to Lagos, Nigeria. This is an indication that irrespective of our sex, we can achieve anything we set out to do.

“The whole idea about my cycling started when, one day, I decided to embark on a cycling trip around my country, China.

“After the trip around China, I was motivated to take my first cycling around the world to America, where I covered about 5,500km in two months.

“Now, I am in Lagos from Morocco, after I flew from America to France, where I cycled around Europe for four months, before taking a ferry from Spain to Morocco,’’ she said.

Huang said that she always travels with money, noodles, tent, sleeping bag, clothes and bicycle repair accessories.

The cyclist, who left Morocco for Lagos on September 6, 2017, said her trip was fascinating though she experienced tiredness, robbery, accidents and had had to sleep under bridges and in gas stations.

Huang told our reporter that she crossed the desert within six days and was well received by many African villages.

The cyclist said sometimes, she happily ate local meals made by the villagers.

“I have happily sung and danced with children in different African villages and communities where I passed the nights or stopped to cook.

“I have seen the most beautiful sunset, the most stunning mountain views, breath-taking lakes and virgin forests across Africa.

“My trip has also exposed me to many African children still living in poverty, hunger, without education and basic amenities,’’ she said.

The Chinese said she would be cycling to about 33 countries in the next three years, adding that she would continue her cycling from Lagos to Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, East Africa and some other countries.

Huang said her cycling was also informed by her desire to interact with children in African communities before inaugurating a free lunch for them in 2018.














































































Rainbowgist

It’s not about Buhari’s age, Nigeria needs courage, vision —Ibori

Chief James Ibori, former governor of Delta State, has said that Nigerians should be more concerned with whether the youths are ready to lead, rather than a mere generational shift at the nation’s helm of affairs.

According to him, what the nation needs is courage and vision, as “age has nothing to do with good leadership.”

In  an article he wrote, Politics is a game of ideas and numbers, Ibori said that Nigerian youths need to pay the required price.

He argued that the call for President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election so as to pave way for a youth to lead the country is unjustified.

“The choice we face is not that of ‘paedarchy’ or ‘paedocracy’ versus gerontocracy.

“This age-related argument should not be aimed at Buhari. The constitution gives him the right to seek the Presidency for two terms. The argument for and against him should be based on his record of achievement.

“The young ones need to make the necessary sacrifice, study the problems facing the society, master how to solve the problems of the various parts of the Nigerian federation.

“Have the youths trumped the old in behaviour, morality, leadership, integrity and frugality? How have our youth fared in the professions, the military and the civil service? Do they even hold out any hope for the nation?” Ibori asked.

















































































































































Vanguard

Shock as man weds 17-year-old blood sister in Anambra church, gives reasons

A mathematics teacher in a secondary school in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chiadikobi Ezeibekwe, has married his 17-year-old biological sister.

He claimed that God told him to do so.

Ezeibekwe claimed that he had a revelation where God told him to marry his sibling.

He further quoted Bible passages in Deuteronomy to illustrate that siblings could marry each other.

He said, “One advantage of doing this is that it discourages divorce. It also retains family values and norms.”

The teacher said he did not pay any bride price to anybody in respect of the marriage.

“I don’t feel guilty. I don ’t feel ashamed. I don ’t feel intimidated in any way. Only God can stop us,” he said.

According to reports, the wedding was conducted by Chiadikobi’s elder brother, Chijioke Ezeibekwe, who is the priest of Dwelling Fullness of God Church, Agba, Ekwulobia.

However, the youth of the village had set ablaze the church, Dwelling Fullness of God Church, where the wedding was conducted.

Reacting to the issue, the traditional prime minister of Ekwulobia, Gabriel Ezeukwu, said, “Agba village youths, who saw the marriage as an abomination, set ablaze the church where the wedding took place.

“I restrained them from further action against the man and his family. If it were in the past, the entire family would be burnt down because this is a grave abomination and sin.”

The eldest son of the family, Emeka Ezeibekwe vowed to resist their union.

He said, “It ’s over my dead body that they will call themselves husband and wife. It can’t happen.”

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Nkeiruka Nwide, said that she heard the story “unofficially.”


























































Rainbowgist

14 Year Old Female Arrested For Drug Dealing

A 14 year old grade nine learner at a high school in Verulam was arrested by members of Reaction Unit South Africa after she was found in possession of 24 wrappings of dagga this morning.

At approximately 09:30 Reaction Officers received information that the female scholar was in possession of the narcotics and intended on selling it to other pupils during their lunch break. Acting on the information a female Reaction Officer accompanied by an educator from the school proceeded to the grade nine learners class. When she noticed the Officer enter the classroom she removed a pink pencil case from her bag and placed on the desk of the pupil seated next to her. When the RUSA Officer opened the pencil case she discovered the 24 wrappings of dagga inside.

The Amoutana resident confessed that the dagga was given to her by her 17 year old sister who is in grade 11 at the same school. She went on to explain that due to her older sister being absent from school today she was asked to hand over the pencil case to another learner who would approach her during the lunch break and assist her to sell the drugs to other learners for R5.00 each. The pupil was handed over to Police for further investigation.

Educators at the school claimed that drug use among learners was on the increase. Although attempts are made to clamp down on the use of drugs students often found innovative ways of smuggling the narcotics onto the school property.

Last week 9 pupils took ill at the school after a student had mixed dagga in his lunch which he shared with his friends.





































































Rainbowgist

Nigerians Shun Obasanjo’s Coalition For Nigeria

Indications have emerged that the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM), said to have been formed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, may have been rejected by politicians in Nigeria. Weeks after the inauguration of the movement in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), checks across the six geo-political zones show that Obasanjo has a long journey ahead to make impact on who he thinks could become the country’s president in 2019.

In Lagos State, the CNM is yet to become visible, neither can a specific individual be pointed as the coalition’s henchman.


However, a different coalition, the National Intervention Movement (NIM), being spearheaded by a former national president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is mobilising tremendously among youths and civil right organisations in the state. Being the home of Nigeria’s civil activism and mass movement struggle, NIM organisers, who have repeatedly called themselves the authentic “third force” as against Obasanjo’s CNM, have used Lagos to mobilise large followership of youths who now register online to be members.

But despite continuous denials, sources who understand the workings of the NIM confirmed that there were plans to meet Obasanjo on possible ways of harmonising the goals of the two groups.

Already, Agbakoba, who is the arrowhead, is said to have recently concluded “a global mobilisation” effort for the movement to enjoy international appeal.

A statement signed by the director of communication of the NIM, John Ekwuyasi, read, “Dr. Agbakoba is back in Nigeria following extensive consultations with both Nigerians in the Diaspora and a variety of global leaders desirous of seeing a secure Nigeria to re-attain democratic leadership in Africa and reliability as a member of the 21st century’s progressive international comity of nations.”

According to him, Agbakoba, accompanied by Dr. Abdul Jhalil Tafawa Balewa, NIM co-chairman, has since commenced further nationwide consultations with all like-minded Nigerian leaders and groups, with the intent of partnering in the creation of a “Super-Coalition of Groups and Parties determined to bring about real sustainable change to the present politico-economic status quo.”

In Benue State, the coalition is yet to open any office, but many people are already aware of the movement.

A respondent, James Ejiga, said he was aware and would support the activities of the coalition if it opened an office in the state so as to spite the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, which, in his estimation, had failed Nigerians.

In Borno State, Obasanjo’s CNM seems unheard of among the majority. In practice, even if not in principle, no political or any other influential figure in the state seems to be associated in whatever form with the movement. And it has not opened its office yet in the state.

“You have just reminded me of it,” Umar Sanda, the youth leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) replied mockingly when Daily Trust on Sunday asked him.

“I don’t see how it will succeed because it departed from the tradition of forming successful coalitions set in 2014 when the coalition to oust the then President Goodluck Jonathan from power was made up of political parties and famous politicians like Kwankwaso, Murtala Nyako, Tinubu, Wamakko and many others.

“This Movement, right from its formation, has been just a mere pack of nonentities, and no percentage of even the governors, senators or representatives has shown any inkling of joining,” the opposition party youth leader said.

In Kano, the Obasanjo-led coalition has no office, and majority of the local politicians interviewed by our reporter were ignorant of the coalition.

Alhaji Ibrahim Sanusi Isa said, “I only heard about the coalition over the radio, and since then, I have not heard anything about it again. This is an indication that Obasanjo and those supporting him are not serious.”
Aminu Tukur Yakasai said, “It is high time Nigerians stopped entertaining anything that comes from Obasanjo because the old man is not serious at all. All he wants is to control the man at the centre (president) from outside, which is not possible.”

Yusuf Isyaku, a tea seller said, “I will not waste my time and energy listening to Obasanjo because he is the causative agent of the situation we found ourselves in today. What did he do during his time? Everybody is aware of the money this country got during Obasanjo’s regime; but what did he do with it?”

Checks in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, showed that the coalition had not yet opened any office, and there is no known point man at the moment.

Few people who claimed to have known the coalition said they read about it in the media.

Speaking to our correspondent about the coalition in Yenagoa, chairman of the Civil Liberty Organisation in Bayelsa State, Chief Nengi James, said he read the letter where the former president mentioned the formation of the coalition, but the issue of contesting for a second term is at the discretion of President Buhari because he has the constitutional right to contest again.

He said, “You know, President Buhari is fighting the issue of corruption and people are afraid that if he comes in for a second term, he may not spare anybody. To a large extent, Obasanjo is among those who have been accused in the Malabu deal and the presidential library issue. And this issue has been reoccurring. During Buhari’s second term, he may want to act on the issue of corruption. Many people are afraid of his second term because it will be a witch-hunting period for so many leaders in this country,” he said.

In Oyo State, the coalition has not been launched, even though the state is expected to be the political headquarters of the South-West, where major political decisions are taken in the region.

Although many people who spoke with Daily Trust on Sunday said they were aware of the recent launch of the coalition by the former president, they were not comfortable with such arrangement, saying Obasanjo cannot be trusted and cannot continue to decide for Nigerians.

The chief of staff to the Oyo State governor and an Associate Professor of Comparative Politics, Dr. Gbade Ojo, said the coalition was dead on arrival.

He said no serious politician would go into coalition or alliance with Obasanjo, who has a military background without regretting it.

A political analyst, Mr. Ademola Babalola, said with the limited time frame before the 2019 general elections, such coalition may not work again.

Also, in Jigawa State, the coalition is unheard of, and there is no office in either the state capital or any of the local government areas of the state.

A resident of Dutse, Safiyanu Sani, told Daily Trust on Sunday that since the time the idea about the coalition was muted, he never heard of it again.

Also, Danladi Babayo from Maigatari Local Government Area said he knew when it was launched, but since then, there has not been anything new.

However, unlike what obtains in other places, the Obasanjo coalition is already gathering momentum in Ondo State, with Demola Ijabiyi, a former commissioner under the late Governor Olusegun Agagu as state coordinator.

The movement, according to Ijabiyi, has started registering members in the 203 wards in the state.

The former commissioner told our correspondent that since the coalition is not a political party for now, it does not have leaders. They have, however, appointed coordinators who will serve as facilitators at local government levels.

According to him, the movement has acquired an office located at Morris Building, opposite Police A division in Akure, the state capital, where they now operate.

He said they had sent 100 forms to each ward, but was surprised at the demand as some wards keep demanding for more.
“In all, apart from those who registered on line, about 20,000 have been registered,’’ he said.

When Sunday Trust on Sunday went to town to sample people’s opinions in the sunshine state, they reacted with mixed feelings.

Ikuomola Ajibola, an IT consultant and farmer said he was aware of the coalition but does not believe it could work.
“It is a coalition of deceit,” he said, adding that only restructuring can move the country forward.

Mr Temitope Josua, a student, said he was aware of the letter Chief Olusegun Obasanjo wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari not to contest for second term, but not aware that there is a coalition already.

He, however, said he was eager to join them because what is happening in the country is not palatable.

Mr Muyiwa Ojo, a taxi driver in Akure, said he expected so much from this government, but he is now disappointed with what is happening. He said politicians were all the same, “coalition or no coalition.”

It was gathered that most of those in the coalition in the state included those of the old PDP members who left the party when Governor Olusegun Mimiko crossed from the Labour Party, and some aggrieved members of the APC who left the party after the last primary election.

In Kogi State, no office has been opened for the much talked about Obasanjo’s coalition. For now, those behind the coalition in the state are not known.

A Lokoja-based political analyst, Kabiru Yusuf, described the coalition movement as a project dead on arrival.

He said Obasanjo was only coming out with the movement for his selfish interest and not that of Nigerians. Yusuf, who accused Obasanjo of running Nigeria aground, urged him to return to his “Ota Farm” and live Nigeria alone.

























































































Dailytrust

Isha Sesay: Missing Dapchi Girls A National Disgrace, Not Disaster

•                  

CNN’s anchor, Isha Isatu Sesay, has faulted President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement on missing Dapchi School girls.

Buhari in a statement on Friday confirming the abduction of the girls described the situation as a national disaster while assuring parents of safety of their wards.

Reacting, Sesay via her tweets said the case of the missing girls was not a national disaster but a national disgrace.

Her tweets read; Nigeria‘s President#Buhari calls abduction of#DapchiGirls “a national disaster.

“That’s an understatement – it’s a national disgrace. More girls taken – again?? Yobe, ChibokGirls.

“I want to live in a world where the lives of the #DapchiGirls are held to be just as important as those of kids in other places.

“A world where everyone is talking about schoolgirls being stolen by terrorists. Is that too much to ask ?Nigeria..”

Rainbowgist

Governor Gaidam Offers 38 First Class Students Of Yobe University Automatic Jobs

Yobe State Governor, His Excellency, Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam has offered automatic graduate assistant jobs to 38 students of Yobe State University (YSU) who have graduated with first class degrees in their various areas of study.






















































































Rainbowgist

2019: PDP Governor Plots With Buhari’s Men

A bi-partisan, bilateral deal to allegedly produce the governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwanbo as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential standard-bearer, is reportedly generating intense disquiet in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Interestingly, the governor is not a party to the “loading” arrangement.

He is being worked into it because of his perceived limited national reach and network.

The deal, allegedly facilitated by certain power-brokers pushing the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, is said to be giving certain chieftains of the ruling party overnight greying hair, with the deal set to compromise their own relevance and influence.

A leading PDP governor in the southern part of the country (name withheld) is said to be cooperating and collaborating with this wheeling-dealing corner of Buhari’s re-election agenda.

The president said last week he needed more time to make his re-election decision.
Various groups have however engaged in open solicitation to him to seek the office for another four year.

Governors elected on the platform of the party have also urged him to run for re-election.

It was gathered that though the president is yet to make an open declaration, his men are already strategising on how to ensure he doesn’t go the way of his immediate predecessor-in-office, President Goodluck Jonathan, by suffering defeat as the sitting president.

With the perceived unfavourable vote arithmetic in three geopolitical zones of South-West, North-Central and South-South which are high voting areas, strategists close to the president were said to have reached out to the main opposition for a deal that could lead to a perceived “weak” candidate, facing the president in February next year.

The thinking was that despite the plummeting national popularity of the president, he could still coast home to victory with measurable ease, if PDP’s ticket goes to a candidate without national pedigree and political network.

Dankwambo was the nation’s Accountant General before he ran for governor in Gombe, succeeding Danjuma Goje who is now a stalwart and senator of the APC.

A top source in APC, who was privy to the collaboration, confirmed to Sunday Tribune, the meeting between the Buhari campaigners and the top PDP governor took place in London, United Kingdom.

Three top strategists of the president (names withheld but all from the Northern part of the country) who are also believed to have his ears, allegedly coordinated the meeting, but were not physically present at the said meeting.

The governor was reportedly “in town” (London) for a celebratory engagement and later participated in an intellectual jaw-jaw (venue name withheld).

The open events were said to have been used as a cover-up for the high-profile bi-partisan meeting, where encouraging exploratory talks reportedly took place.

Representatives of the president’s self-appointed strategists, according to findings, are likely to again meet the said governor outside the shores of Nigeria to smoothen the alleged grey areas in the deal.

The governor was allegedly targeted for his massive influence on the “current crop of party leaders.”

He is believed to be positioned in a way to influence the outcome of the main opposition’s presidential primaries to meet the aspiration of the president’s men.

Incidentally, the governor has been projected into the 2019 presidential race by bookmakers, though more realistically, as a running-mate to a candidate from the North.

The governor is also believed to be working on an alliance with a sitting APC governor from the North for a joint ticket.

The governor is rumoured to be on his way to the opposition party.

Dankwambo is also getting decent mentioning in the race, as the only second term PDP governor in the entire North.

The other PDP governor in the North, Taraba’s Darius Ishaku, is on his first term.

While the rapprochement was said to have been well-veiled from PDP’s top-shot, it is known to be an open secret to some leaders of the ruling party and a man-Friday of the president, who isn’t part of the deal, is reportedly fuming, alongside his supporters.

The deal is said to be primed in a way that the opposition leader “without doubt will have an edge over him (Buhari man),” Sunday Tribune source volunteered.

The source added, “They (Buhari campaigners) know [the said Buhari’s man-Friday] is a loose canon. He can scatter whatever they are doing without blinking an eye. Wait and see what will happen if what they are doing, continues”.

The scorned and side-stepped colleague of the Buharists isn’t likely to disappoint, Sunday Tribune learnt, as he had fired a broadside to the shadowy figures, believed to be behind the deal.

In an undisguised contempt for what the personalities represented politically, the said Buharist went after them in an unrelated issue, but in a way to mobilise public opinion against them.

Neither the group nor any of its member replied to the anti-development accusation.

Our source pointed out that it was their internal political and campaign war being fought in governance realm.

If the PDP governor receives federal support over his avowed political enemy, the latter, alongside his political family, despite being of the ruling party, may be permanently extinguished from the political space being contested by the duo.
Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Jigawa governor, Sule Lamido are also seeking the PDP’s ticket.


















































































































































Tribune

Air Peace sets new record as B777 aircraft arrives

Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace on Friday set a new record with the arrival of its newly acquired Boeing B777-200 aircraft, becoming the first and only Nigerian airline to procure and register the brand of airliner in the country.

The development is coming weeks after the airline took delivery of two Embraer 145 aircraft on January 31 and February 9 respectively and made history with the setting up a subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper to organise its short-haul operations in line with its no-city-left-behind project.

The 274-capacity aircraft, which touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 3.45 pm on Friday, is the first of two Boeing 777 airliners Air Peace recently acquired in preparation for its Dubai, Sharjah, London, Guangzhou-China, Houston, Mumbai and Johannesburg services. The airline is finalising talks to add two more B777 aircraft to its fleet soon.

The aircraft with registration mark 5N-BVE bears “Ifechukwu”, the middle name of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema.

The aircraft, which was flown in by the Chief Pilot of the airline, Capt. Victor Egonu and Capt. Simon Donoghue, arrived to a rousing welcome by an excited team from Air Peace led by Onyema and and enthusiastic crowd of top aviation personnel as well as security operatives.

Speaking on the arrival of the aircraft, Onyema assured that Air Peace, which launched its its Banjul, Freetown and Dakar services on February 19, would soon start flights to Dubai, Sharjah, Guangzhou-China, London, Houston, Mumbai and South Africa.

“Air Peace is ready to begin operations on these routes as soon as we get the cooperation of our aviation agencies, our home governments, and the outside governments of the countries we are going to. As soon as we get their cooperation, we will make it happen, ” Onyema said.

The feats Air Peace had recorded in just three years of its flight operations, he insisted, were a proof that Nigerian airlines could compete with and even outperform the legacy airlines if there was a level-playing field.

His words: “This is the first time a Nigerian carrier is acquiring a B777. What we have had in the past were through leases which were not favourable to the airline operators. So, I don’t believe that Nigerian airlines cannot compete favourably with others. What we have been lacking is the necessary support.

“Within the last three years, we have been able to increase our fleet size to 24 aircraft. That is rapid growth and we are still growing stronger.”

Onyema dismissed insinuations that Nigerian airlines were not safe, stressing that Air Peace spent up to $2.5 million annually in maintaining a single aircraft on its fleet.

“So,” he contended, “in terms of safety, we can assure our guests of the very best because even our technical partner is a firm from the United Kingdom.

“Air Peace cannot be said to be weak or indebted and if there are airlines that are going through that, they should come out and name them instead of generalising.”

The Air Peace boss said he remained opposed to the Single African Air Transportation Market (SAATM) initiative, insisting that Nigeria had little or nothing to gain from it.

Onyema explained that most African airlines that would take advantage of the SAATM window to operate in the country lacked attractive destinations Nigerian airlines would reciprocally operate into.

He added that some of the countries on the African continent were imposing high charges in a bid to discourage Nigerian airlines from operating into their routes.


































































































Rainbowgist

Think outside box’ to end fuel scarcity, NUPENG advises FG

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has told the Federal Government to “think outside the box,” to end the persistent fuel scarcity in Nigeria. NNPC The President of the Union, Mr Igwe Achese, told labour correspondents in Lagos yesterday that government must resort to paradigm shift to resolve the energy crisis which had plagued Nigeria for decades. Nigeria is Africa’s top crude oil producer but a combination of factors has thrown up complex problems, including scarcity of gasoline that has left the population at the receiving end. “Government should realise that NNPC alone  cannot sustain petroleum supply in the country,” Achese stated. He warned that NUPENG would shut down the  oil sector if petroleum marketers went ahead to sack their workers, referring to a threat by another oil sector union to down-size about 10,000 workers. The labour chief, who spoke to reporters after a meeting of NUPENG Elders Stakeholders, warned that the Union would respond to any threat to its members. He said that NUPENG would be at the receiving end of the problem if the grievances of oil marketers were not promptly addressed. “The problem will not only affect workers but tanker drivers; hence if it happens,  we will react to protect our members”. Achese warned. “We have always said that for fuel crisis to end in the country, our refineries must return to full stream. If we are importing fuel that should only be a stop gap.” The Unionist restated that the option of modular refineries should be given special thought, pointing out that government should ensure that those given licences commenced operations immediately. On February. 20, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) gave the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to pay N650 billion owed its members.




















































Vanguard