Atlanta forward, Josip Illic consider quitting football after he caught wife cheating during a surprise visit

Atalanta forward,Josip Illicic found his Wife cheating when he went to surprise her in Slovenia and now he’s in depression considering to quit football.
Illicic is set to miss the Champions League Quarter Finals vs PSG, which is the biggest game of his career
Our thoughts are with him during this hard time.

More details to come…

Oyo government shuts factory where UI student died

Oyo State Government has directed all workers in the factory, where University of Ibadan student died, to exit the premises. Government officials later locked all the gates and sealed off the factory.

Speaking, yesterday, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Dr.  Bashir Olanrewaju, said journalists and ministry officials, numbering five, were on Thursday, held hostage by the factory management.

It would be recalled that Richard Gbadebo, a 300-level student of the Department of European Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, died in an industrial accident on Monday.

The 21-year-old Richard was said to have died after he fell into the factory’s soap-making machine. The deceased student was said to be on night shift. Nylon was said to have rolled round his hand and in the process of trying to detach himself, the nylon drew him into the machine, which was said to have crushed him.

The mild drama occurred, when officials of the Department of Pollution Monitoring and Quality Control of the ministry, led by Dr. Olanrewaju, got to the factory at Oluyole Estate Extension, to seal it to pave way for investigation.

It was learnt some of the workers resisted government’s move by holding them hostage for about 30 minutes, before the State Commissioner of Police, Nwachukwu Enwonwu, intervened and got them released.

Olanrewaju said: “The intention was to talk to them,  not necessarily to disgrace them, as they need to be producing under a very safe environment. It was also to investigate to know how it actually happened, with a view to preventing such in the future. 

“But the management resisted our men, when we got there. We were held hostage. I was one of those held hostage.  We invited the police and we were rescued, when the police came. Immediately, we called the police and they rescued us.

“We are conducting investigation. After that, we will decide the next line of action to determine their culpability, whether the accident was preventable or  not preventable, whether they made some mistakes and how the mistakes could have been prevented…”

Credit: Guardian

COVID-19: Charter airlines defy flight ban, fly rich Nigerians abroad

Some charter airlines have begun offering services to members of the public despite a ban on international flights by the Federal Government due to the COVID -19 pandemic ,

It was also learnt that some commercial flights that were contracted by foreign missions to evacuate stranded citizens from Nigeria were also being used to convey passengers at an extra fee.
According to multiple Ministry of Aviation and airline sources , several Nigerians and foreigners have been travelling in and out of the country via the private charter and evacuation flights .
A top source at the Ministry of Aviation revealed that the process of seeking approval from the ministry had become very easy and porous hence the current development.
While passengers with very deep pockets patronise charter airlines, others without the means join evacuation flights that have been commercialised .
“ If you have a valid American residence/passport or British visa and the right money, I get you on a flight by Sunday morning, ” a source in the ministry boasted.
When asked to explain , he stated, “ If you own a private jet, all you need to do is write a letter to the minister indicating that you need to travel for medical reasons. And you would be given approval almost immediately. Once you are given the approval, you can add people to the flight under the guise that they are your personal staff or family members .
“ These people who are supposed family members or personal aides are actually passengers who could pay you between $4, 000 and $8, 000 and sometimes $14, 000 depending on your destination and the kind of aeroplane you are flying . ”
The official explained that nobody really investigates who is being conveyed on the plane.
He recalled what happened in the case of Musician, Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley , who travelled with several others from Lagos to Abuja to attend a concert during the ban on local flights.
The official added , “ If you recall the case of Naira Marley , Executive Jet Services which flew him had received approval from the ministry under the guise that it was flying an Appeal Court Judge , Justice Adefope Okogie , from Lagos to Abuja .
“ The names of Naira Marley and nine others were on the list but different names were given to the control tower by the captain and everything went smoothly and they would have got away with it if not for the controversy generated by the concert . That is how things have been going on in the aviation sector lately. ”
On the evacuation flights, the official further explained that some officials of foreign missions were colluding with some international commercial airlines to fly Nigerians in and out of the country.
He explained that when some flights come for evacuation , they also take some Nigerian citizens at a different and more expensive fee.
The official stated, “ Most times , when they want to evacuate foreign nationals , the ambassador of the foreign country would write to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the approval is usually automatic , based on international law .
“ Once they get the approval, a letter is sent to the Ministry of Aviation which gives the final approval. These approvals are given automatically. Once the planes arrive , they evacuate their citizens along with Nigerians who have valid visas . Don’ t you find it strange that more evacuations are going on now than during the lockdown itself ?
“ Have you asked yourself why during this ban on flights , several artistes and VIPs have been travelling to give birth abroad ?
“ I know several international airlines that have been doing this . The two biggest culprits are based in Western Europe. They come on a regular basis under the pretext that they want to evacuate and then move Nigerians along with them . ”
A former chief executive officer of a local airline said many people he knew had been travelling in and out of the country in the past few months through the so – called evacuation flights .
The source said , “ I have a friend that has travelled three times to the United States of America in the past four months . He just left Lagos last night again on one of the European airlines which have been running evacuation flights. He has American permanent residence too . So it is easy for him to join the evacuation flights . ”
He added , “ It is common knowledge. Why do you have more evacuation flights these days when the lockdown is over? Some of the foreign airlines have commercialised it , even though those approvals come from their foreign missions . ”
Easy approvals for VIPs
A report by Sahara Reporters a few weeks ago showed that even during the lockdown , several VIPs and government functionaries took their families abroad .
For instance , the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria , Godwin Emefiele, moved his wife and two children to the UK on a chartered flight .
According to the manifest published by the media organisation, the jet owned by Executive Jet Services – which was later suspended for conveying Naira Marley – flew Emefiele’ s wife , Mrs Margaret ; and his sons – Godwin Pammichukwu Jnr. and Andrew Olisehike Emefiele on flight N 104DA from Lagos to the UK on June 1, 2020. The pilot was identified as Captain Kolawole King.
Seyi Tinubu, the son of a former Governor of Lagos State , also travelled on a private jet – a Bombardier Express 7000 with registration number VP – CBT –on June 7, 2020 from Lagos to Stansted Airport , London , to witness the birth of his son , Tobias. The plane was flown by Captain Giannetakis Michail .
Popular actress, Omotola Jolade-Ekeinde , on July 19 posted a video on Instagram of how her husband , who is a pilot , flew home their children from abroad .
She wrote, “ Thank you lord . My babies are home. When all fails and your dad has to fly a PJ ( private jet) to come get you himself. Captain Matthew Ekeinde, na man you be. This is to appreciate you for being such a superhero . Thank you lord for journey mercies. ”

Booking a flight
One of our correspondents who posed as a businessman, reached out to a travel service firm , Etam Avitat Services Limited , on the availability of flights to the UK.
He was immediately informed that a flight would be available for 2. 45pm on Saturday at a cost of $4, 500 and subsequently sent a Guaranty Trust Bank account number.

A correspondent was informed that a negative COVID -19 test result would suffice but it was not compulsory.
Some other travel agencies organising such flights include April Travels Limited and www. Wontra. com which offers economy, premium economy and business class services .
Two travel agencies, Global Links and Services Limited and FlyBoku, confirmed to one of our correspondents on Friday that they were conducting evacuation ( commercial) flights to London and South Africa respectively in separate inquiries.
An official of the Global Links and Services Limited told one of our correspondents on Friday that the Lagos to London flight was scheduled for August 2 and it was a charter flight with economy and business classes .
She said , “ On Lagos to London for Monday , let me make some inquiries and get back to you . There are some things we are trying to sort out tonight ( Friday) . There is economy fare at N 550, 000 for adults , N 499, 000 for children and business class for N 1. 1m . Just put that at the back of your mind. Let me get back to you because of this Sallah, we will need to sort out some things quickly. One thing that is sure is that we will still go .
“ If we don’ t go on Sunday , we will go during the week by next week ( this week) . If you don’ t hear from me on Friday, you will hear from me tomorrow ( Saturday) . Almost everything has been put in place . It is just because of the public holiday but let me just get back to you .
“ For Lagos to London flight , you will not need the COVID – 19 result but why we are asking for it is for the safety of the rest of the passengers . ”
Meanwhile, the official at FlyBoku, said , “ The one we did ( on July 31) was from Johannesburg to Lagos . For now , we don’ t have Lagos to Johannesburg. ”
On the Fly Boku flyer obtained by our correspondent, the fare charged for South Africa to Lagos was $1, 250.
NCAA begins investigation
When contacted to speak on what the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority was doing to sanction errant private jet owners and foreign airlines contravening the international flight ban of the Federal Government , the NCAA said it would investigate the matter .
The agency’ s spokesperson , Sam Adurogboye, requested for some of the adverts on such international flights and after receiving them , he promised to forward them to the appropriate directorate for further investigation .
“ Thanks for this . It will help our investigation . I will give you feedback thereafter , ” he told one of our correspondents.
The Director , Public Relations , Federal Ministry of Aviation , James Odaudu , said the ministry was not aware of such incidents at the moment .
“ As far as the Federal Ministry of Aviation is concerned , there are only two categories of flights that are allowed internationally into and out of Nigeria . And they include evacuation flights or those on essential services , ” he stated.
He , however , noted that the government would not hesitate to sanction any airline found culpable of breaching federal directives as regards international flight operations .
Meanwhile, towards the end of March this year , the Federal Government slammed a N 1m fine on a British charter carrier , FlairJet, for violating some sections of Nigeria ’ s Civil Aviation Regulations .
The Minister of Aviation , Hadi Sirika, said the carrier was also reported to stipulated authorities in the United Kingdom.
The Legacy 600 aircraft belonging to FlairJet with registration G – ERFX was impounded by the Federal Government at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos for conducting out commercial flight operations despite the ban on such flights in Nigeria .
After impounding the aircraft , the Federal Government quarantined the pilots and other crew members for 14 days, and declared that all necessary sanctions against the British aviation company would be applied to the fullest.
Travel agents selling flight tickets to survive , says ex- NANTA president
Commenting on the development, the immediate past President , National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies , Bernard Bankole , said most travel agents had been out of business for about five months .
Bankole also argued that there was nothing absolutely wrong with the actions by agents who sell tickets for such flights .
He said , “ When you are very hungry , if they give you garri , it becomes a suitable food , forget about the ban on international flights .
“ For how long are we going to continue like this ? Five months and counting, people have been out of business . This is the situation on the ground . ”
He said when approvals for such flights come from the Federal Ministry of Aviation after communication with the foreign affairs ministry , people use the opportunity to move passengers into or out of Nigeria , all in a bid to survive.
Bankole insisted that the situation on the ground warranted what was happening , adding that until international flights resume , operators in the downstream aviation sector would continue to seek measures to stay alive.
Charter airlines can operate private charter flights abroad — CEO
The chief executive officer of local charter airline, who spoke on condition of anonymity , argued if people had to pay for evacuation flights, then the flights could be commercialised after meeting the government requirements.
He said , “ These are chartered flights. Although international flights have been banned , you can always arrange group charters. That is what they are doing now . This means that they can get special flight permits for one flight and they will sell off all the seats in both directions.
“ The airspace is open and international flights have not yet been opened . The government can, however , allow international flights . They call them evacuation flights. Either way you look at it, it is commercial because the people have to pay money.
“ But as evacuation flights , the charters have to fulfil some requirements from the government . Technically , it is only scheduled international flights that are banned . Both for domestic and international flights, chartered flights can operate. What that means is that you can apply to the minister to get clearance after which you can operate your flights. That is how it is done . ”
Some Nigerians travel after clearance from three govt ministries – Pilot
A pilot with one of the airlines , who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the charter airlines are often patronised by Nigerians who prefer less crowded planes because of the fear of the COVID – 19 pandemic .
The pilot , who also does charter business , noted that although the country ’ s airspace was closed for international commercial flights , most of the rich Nigerians who were travelling abroad on their private jets or chartered aircraft , had got clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Ministry of Health and Ministry of Aviation .
He said , “ So yes , the airspace is closed for general commercial flights but we can call what is going on repatriation flights and private charter flights . They will advertise them and call for people to come . It is a special VIP flight . But they must have been approved by the Ministries of Aviation , Health and Foreign Affairs. The airline would be fined heavily if this is not done .

“ There are flights for repatriation but if the government is not paying, I have the right to choose the flight I want . A lot of people won ’ t go with crowded planes. ”
FG’ s special flights have been abused — Aviation stakeholders
The Secretary -General , Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative , and an aviation security consultant, Group Capt. John Ojikutu ( retd . ) , said the special flights plan of government had been abused.
He said there was a need to define what the government meant by special flights , as the aviation minister had earlier stated that only special flights were allowed to come in or move out internationally .
Ojikutu said , “ Now , are such flights evacuation flights ? Are the evacuations done by government or done by an individual ? And , of course , an individual cannot evacuate himself.
“ Evacuation needs to be done by government or an internationally recognised organisation such as the Red Cross, United Nations , who pay for the flight while moving people. ”
He added , “ But when an individual is now paying for his or her flight , I wonder what kind of evacuation that is , because such individual is now a passenger of that airline he is paying to . ”
Ojikutu insisted that the government of a country or a reputable organisation should pay for an evacuation flight and not for an individual to pay for his or her own ticket .
“ Now , I ’ ve also asked , are these airlines paying the statutory fees to government since the passengers are paying them for the tickets ?” he asked .
He added , “ Also the landing and parking charges, is FAAN collecting these stipulated charges? And this include chartered flights . ”
On his part, a renowned aviation analyst , Olumide Ohunayo, stated that what the foreign airlines were doing was wrong.
“ It is wrong to see that the process is ongoing despite the investigation that the NCAA has said that it will conduct, ” he said .
He noted that international operators now boldly advertised flights and wondered what some of these foreign airlines were doing at the airports when there was supposed to be a ban on international travels .
Ohunayo said , “ They are siphoning the funds of stranded Nigerians who need to get back into country .
“ The solution right now is that the opening of the international airspace is long overdue and the government should urgently address that. ”

Credit: Punch, SaharaReporters

China Sentenced And Executed 2 Politicians To Death For Taking Bribe

Two politicians from the most populated country in the world China, has been sentenced two politicians to death on the charges of bribery and corruption.
Two former vice-mayors were executed yesterday for corruption, as Beijing shows it is being tough on graft – which Communist Party General Secretary Hu Jintao has called one of the four dangers facing the party.
The two former officials, from the scenic and booming eastern cities of Hangzhou and Suzhou, took more than 250 million yuan (HK$321.4 million) between them in bribes from real estate developers in exchange for helping them acquire land and related preferential policies, the Supreme People’s Court said.
The criminals were both government leaders in charge of urban construction work, and their major crimes were related to land use and construction.

Lagos intensifies fumigation of public schools ahead resumption

Preparatory to the planned resumption of terminal secondary schools classes, the Lagos State Government has intensified the periodic fumigation/decontamination of all public secondary schools in the state.
A schedule released by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Mrs Aderonke Odeneye on Saturday stated that majority of the public secondary schools in the six educational districts have been reached.
She stated that the exercise was part of the resumption protocol/guidelines for the secondary school terminal classes in the State.
The schedule emphasized that the State has continued to adopt measures to ensure that the Covid-19 pandemic does not spread in the State.
“The fumigation exercise which is on-going preparatory to resumption next week for terminal classes will continue after the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) Exams,” it said.
The continuous exercise which commenced in late June has been effected in all the Model colleges across the six educational districts in the state.
According to the schedule, Oduduwa Junior Secondary School, Mushin, New Era Girls Secondary School, Surulere, Oriwu Junior and Senior Model College, Ikorodu are listed among schools that have already been fumigated.
Others listed are Lagos State Civil Service Senior Model College, Igbogbo, Igbo-Owu Junior and Senior Secondary School, Mushin and Junior Model College, Igbogbo among several others.
According to the schedule, school management are urged to make provision for water in the premises with a view to promoting washing of hands among the students.
It also mentioned that clear instructions should be issued to school management to avoid all sporting activities till further notice.
It also admonished school management to provide hand sanitizers in all classrooms and hostels as well as ensure that students are tutored on the need to constantly sanitize their hands after every educational activity in the classrooms and wear nose masks always.
“Schools are to enforce physical distancing where applicable and also provide facilities to reduce the risk of the infection among teachers and students”.
“Disinfection of shoes and feet should be strongly encouraged frequently for each student to reduce bacteria infection that could lead to any ailment during their stay in the school,” it said

Lagos to Allow Places of Worship Reopen on Friday

Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos will allow churches and mosques to resume in-person services from August 7, the state’s governor said in a press briefing on Saturday.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also said restaurants, social clubs and recreational centres will be allowed to reopen with limited capacity from August 14 as the state, the epicentre of Nigeria’s coronavirus outbreak, eases restrictions despite a continued rise in infections.
Lagos state, home to the megacity of the same name with 20 million people, has more than 15,000 confirmed cases and 192 deaths, by far the largest share of Nigeria’s 43,151 cases.
It ordered widespread closures and a lockdown in March to halt the spread of the highly infectious virus.
The lockdown was eased in early May, but Sanwo-Olu scuppered plans to reopen churches and mosques in June, citing a continued rise in cases.
Christianity and Islam are widely practised in Lagos and the rest of Nigeria, and houses of worship in normal times often host services with thousands of people.
Houses of worship will only be allowed to open for services once a week at no more than 50% capacity. Sanwu-Olu also increased the limit on public gatherings from 20 to 50 people.
Nightclubs, cinemas and some arcades will remain closed.

Seeking Justice For Richard, 21, UI Student Killed at Oluyole Factory, Ibadan.
The Facts, Controversies and Cover ups.
__By Segun Adesokan.

As for Richard Gbadebo’s tragic death, we won’t calm down! Never!
By this piece, I kindly crave the indulgence of every Nigerians, including Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and President Mohammadu Buhari, and by extention all relevant stake holders to rise up in defence of The Gbadebos and every other Nigerian workers who can’t breath, under the suffocation grip of Oluyole Industry foreign owners.
Its barely a month since the demise of one of Nigeria’s youngest shining stars in aerial military combat, Tolulope Arotile who was reportedly knocked down by a car, again Nigerians were on Tuesday treated to another shocking news of a killed 21 years old, 300 level student of University of Ibadan, Richard Gbadebo, having been involved in a fatal industrial accident at a soap making factory in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Richard, like any other hard working Nigerian youth, had decided to engage himself in a holiday job having been at home for close to four months, occasioned by Covid 19 halt to academic activities nationwide, by taking up a casual work at Henkel Industries Ltd, makers of WAW detergent, located at a Industry in Oluyole Estate, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Mrs Abosede Gbadebo, Richard’s mum had initially breathed a sigh of relief when his son opted to work as a casual labor, to bolster the family’s finances, especially offsetting his UI school fees which had not been paid as at the time of volunteering to seek employment, but little had Richard known what gruesome fate that await him.
Incidentally, the mum is also one of the staffers of this said Company where Richard has sought employment.
Until his death, he was a 300 level undergraduate of European Language, of the Faculty of Art, University of Ibadan. He was the only son of his parents.
Over the years, operators and owners of industries within Oluyole Industrial Estate axis had gained infamy and considerable notoriety as sets of terrible employers, and its industries tagged as unsafe places to work, even as some Ibadan residents had labeled Oluyole industries simply as spectacles of companies who operate reckless, tyrannical and repressive labor laws by its inhumane foreign owners, among which are Labanese, Indians, Chinese and others.
Members of the general public perception of ‘Oluyole Industries’ in Ibadan is summarized as thus: a slave camp with repressive labor laws, supervised by evil task masters.
My choice of words may be a little bit harsh, but I implore you to do some background checks from those who know some of the workers around the area. Nonetheless, a few industries within the area still have fair condition of service. I mean a negligible few number of industries have fair and safe labor condition, only that its army of grossly underpaid and pauperized work force of several other companies within Oluyole industrial Estates continues to groan hurtfully, under a deliberate traumatized condition of service by the employers, even as we speak.
While granting an interview with BBC Yoruba, Richard’s parent’s account of the incidence and observation within the premises of the factory, having been invited several hours after the incidence had poked a lot of holes in the company’s narrative, as a matter of fact findings according to Richard’s dad had confirmed that production and chains of other factory activities continued unhindered despite the sad occurrence, as revealed by some unnamed sources.
One very shocking sight that some observers and the dad find very hard to believe has to do with when the remains of Richard was unwrapped from the body-bag which had conveyed him to the mortuary. No single drop of blood was found on his body nor blood stains around the body-bag, according to the dad who witnessed the body at the mortuary, despite claims that the machine had shredded off a larger part of his hands and intestinal organs.
The begging question that has continued to defy logical answers is this: How could a machine whose height is only scaled through stairs would kill a staff by shredding hands and intestine alone, leaving out the head and chest areas. Even at that, considering the height of the machine, it could have taken a conscious leap to get into the machine and get killed, upon using the stairs.
How could an inexperienced casual staff be left unsupervised with a lethal industrial machine?
When the incidence occurred, why was he left stocked in the belly of the machine for longer number of hours to the point that no stains of blood were left in his body, nor blood stains when the body was unwrapped at the mortuary?
Or perhaps, was his death a conspiracy by some yet to be identified elements within the organization and why has the arrest of some members of staffs as claimed by the industry turned out to be a lie?
Few hours after the tragic incidence, the entire areas around the the industry was engulfed in a sporadic protests from members of University of Ibadan students’ body while many other concerned Nigerians feel outraged by contradicting claims of the Company. It took a sustained efforts of several law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and order after the incidence.
My Personal findings and interaction with a former staff of this same company had confided in me how badly and poorly kitted the staffs had been over the years. This source further disclosed that the company is owned by a French National, but most of its management staffs are Indians, who only provide protective gears to staffs only when there’s an anticipated visit by some special guests,from France. And after the visit, its business as usual. He also alleged that the first month salary of any of its staff is always withheld only to release only thirty percent, upon resignation, among other bad working conditions like poorly equipped clinic.
On this note, I strongly want to appeal to all well meaning Nigerians to stand in defence The Gbadebos in ensuring that justice is served, and by extension also Kickstart a process by which critical reforms would be initiated so that welfare and safety of Nigerians would be guaranteed, allow for more active labor unions, life insurance and improved condition of services for its teeming population of pauperized Staffs.
The remains of Richard had been buried on Wednesday while Oyo State Government has sealed up the premises of the Company, pending the final outcome of all investigations.
Oyo State Police Command had also assured members of the Public that a thorough investigation is ongoing, while it also appealed for peace from all concerned individuals.
Finally I want to use his medium to commiserate with the entire family of Gbadebos, staffs and students of Univeristy of Ibadan on the demise of Richard Gbadebo.

Segun Adesokan

Senate Uncovers Another Fresh Multi-Billion Naira Fraud In The NDDC, Set To Re-Invite The ‘Fainting’ Acting MD, Prof. Daniel Pondei

The Senate, has stated that it has received fresh fraud allegations against the Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Page 36 learnt.
The Red Chamber said that the new financial infractions were not captured in the list of the allegation of N40 billion reckless spending, which a whistle-blower brought against the NDDC to the Legislature recently.
The Senate noted that the fresh probe would be handled by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
The Chairman of the Panel, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, confirmed the development in an interview.
He explained that the Acting Managing Director, MD, of the NDDC, Prof. Daniel Pondei, would be summoned after the Senate Panel has concluded its public hearing involving the United Bank for Africa Plc, UBA, and the liquidators of the defunct NITEL/EMTEL, which would take place next Wednesday.
Akinyelure said: “There is a petition that has just been sent to my Committee by the Leadership of the Senate.
“I received it on Tuesday. It is about the alleged fraudulent practices of the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
“I will take my time to study the petition. Our Committee will invite him as soon as we conclude hearing on the case involving the UBA, which is before our Committee.
“We will invite the MD to come and explain to the whole world, how he allegedly misappropriated billions of funds as the Head of the Agency.”
Akinyelure, who did not give further clue into the content of the petition against Prof. Pondei, however, said that the embattled MD would also answer questions about allegations of contract scam against some Federal Lawmakers.
The Senator from Ondo Central said: “He (Pondei) will also tell Nigerians about the details of the Senators who allegedly took gratification and contracts from him.
“He must come and prove it beyond reasonable doubt. No Senator awards contracts. We can only facilitate project allocation for our various Constituencies.
“We do not even know when the Executive would advertise those projects.
“Our job is to ensure that the project is executed. If any Senator or House of Representatives member had gone to the NDDC Management to take money or contract, we will ask the MD to expose such a person.
“The NDDC should stop blackmailing the entire Senate. We have 109 members in the Senate. We are celebrated Nigerians.
“We were millionaires before we came into the Senate. We had jobs. All the allegations against us are fallacy of the highest order.”
Investigations revealed that the fresh petition against Prof. Pondei, was sent to the Leadership of the Senate, after the Chamber’s Ad-hoc Panel had concluded its probe of the NDDC, and even submitted its report.
The report of the Panel, led by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, was considered and approved by the Upper Chamber, before proceeding on its annual vacation, last week.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, however, gave a hint about some of the fresh allegations against Prof. Pondei, in a statement he signed last week.
He alleged that the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the NDDC under Prof. Pondei, paid N39.4 million to a Media outfit, Messrs Clear Point Consultancy, to defend Media attacks against Akpabio.
He alleged that Prof. Pondei’s IMC was using taxpayers’ money to launder Akpabio’s image.
The Senator also said that the IMC was allegedly paying N51.8 million every month, as an allowance to Prof. Pondei, while other members of the team were allegedly being paid N18 million monthly.
His words: “The above revelations are just a tip of the mind-boggling and reckless payments running into billions of naira by the IMC members to themselves, and expended with the approval of Mr. Akpabio.”

More later…

Credit: PressExpress

Nigeria’s assets that may be taken over by China

A few weeks ago, there was a deep outcry in Lusaka, Kitwe, Chingola, Ndola, Livingstone and all other Zambian cities and towns. What could be the problem in the land of KennethKaunda, that could have made people express this general deep anger throughout the country?
Zambians had woken up to the alarming news and were wondering how their best international airport would be taken over by another country. The country has defaulted in its debt repayment to China and consequently, China is about to take over the Lusaka International Airport.
As if that was not enough, a few days later, news went round the land of Chipolopolo that talks were underway for some Chinese companies to take over others priced assets: the power utility company, ZESCO, and other strategic national institutions and assets like KKIA, etc.
Nevertheless, Zambians were not really surprised, because they were aware that their government had been securing unending loans from China in recent years and many were also aware of Zambia’s indebtedness to China to the tune of $8 billion in the past few years.
The outcry was very strong, because Zambian state-owned TV and radio news channel, ZNBC, was already being run by the Chinese, who acquired 60% ownership that has given them influence over what should or should not be premiered on their stations.
The fear of China, the beginning of wisdom
The fear of China taking over national assets has now pervaded the entire African continent, as several African nations stand the risk of losing their sovereignty to this big creditor. The world’s most populous nation will seize national assets, once these owing governments default on the Chinese loans hanging round their necks.
Two weeks ago, Sierra Leone’s newly sworn-in president, Julius Maada Bio, cancelled a $400 million Chinese-founded project to build a new airport in the country. Former President, Ernest Bai Koroma, had signed the loan agreement with China, before he lost election in March; despite World Bank and IMF warnings that the project would impose a heavy burden on the country.
The decision comes amid concerns that many African countries risk defaulting on their debts to China, which might lead to the take-over of several assets funded by the project.
Nigerian projects that could be taken over by China if…
In the past three years, Nigeria has gotten over $5 billion loan from the People’s Republic of China, which has resulted in the execution of infrastructure projects across the country.
This was revealed by President Muhammadu Buhari last month in Beijing, at the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Round Table meeting, attended by African leaders and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Chinese loans now make up 8.5% of Nigeria’s external debt of $22.08 billion, as at the end of June 2018.
To be fair, Nigeria sets aside a reasonable percentage of its budget for debt servicing yearly, and most likely would not fail to service its Chinese debts. However, Nairametrics takes a look at key Chinese-loan-funded infrastructural projects in the country, which might be taken over by China, in case Nigeria defaults in its debt repayment to the Asian giant, depending on what is contained in the terms of the loan deals.
Abuja Urban Rail System
This $500 million rail project was constructed with loans sought from China and happens to be the first urban rail system in the entire West African sub-region. The rail was commissioned in July this year.
Abuja-Kaduna Rail System
This is another $500 million Chinese-funded rail system that has been completed and operational in Nigeria. The amount was borrowed to complete the project, which brought the total figure to $1 billion. The 180km rail line connects Abuja and Kaduna and was commissioned about two years ago. The rail line system is the first in Africa that uses modern Chinese standard and technology.
Investigations by Nairametrics revealed that the rail line is functioning efficiently with no issues, and one could only hope that it would not be taken over by China.
Upgrading of Airport Terminals
This is one of various on-going projects worth $3.4 billion that Nigeria is leveraging Chinese funding to execute across the country. This amount was jointly borrowed under the administrations of Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan.
In 2013, Nigeria secured a $500 million loan from China at 2.5% interest rate, for the construction of four international airport terminals in Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt, after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with China Exim Bank. The MoU for the loan was signed in Beijing, with the delivery of the four new International airport terminals to be constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
The new terminals, “designed to rival some of the best around the world”, were to be part of the achievements of President Jonathan’s administration, ahead of its 2015 re-election bid, however, none of the terminals were completed before he lost his re-election bid. The Port Harcourt International Airport terminal, part of the deal, was commissioned last week by President Buhari.
Lagos-Kano Rail Line
This is another project that is part of the recent $3.4 billion Chinese loan to construct infrastructural projects in Nigeria. Though the rail line is an extension of the Lagos-Ibadan standard rail gauge, it is to be funded with about $6.1 billion loan to be used on Ibadan-Ilorin-Minna-Kaduna- Kano line.
The railway will run parallel to the British-built Cape gauge line, which has a lower design capacity and is in a deteriorated condition.
Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project
This is a $1.2 billion loan power plant that is currently under construction by the China Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC). It was initially billed to be completed towards the end of 2019, but will now be completed in 2020.
The Hydro Power Plant will produce 700MW of electricity and it is a joint project between Nigeria and the Chinese government at a financial contribution ratio of 25/75 per cent respectively. It is expected to produce a yearly power generation of 2,640GWh and supply electricity to the National Grid.
Lagos-Ibadan Rail Line
This rail line is being funded by a $1.6 billion loan secured from the China Exim Bank. A sum of $1.6 billion was borrowed by the current government for the construction of this standard gauge Lagos-Ibadan rail line that will connect Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos to Ibadan. The project is a segment of the Lagos-Kano Railway modernisation project.
Fibre Cables for Internet Infrastructure
The Export-Import Bank of China provided a loan of $328 million to support Nigeria’s National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Phase 11 (NICTIB 11) between Galaxy Backbone Limited and Huawei Technologies Limited (HUAWEI). This project is expected to boost Nigeria’s Information and Communication Technology sector.
Furthermore, less than 3 months ago, Nigeria signed an additional $1 billion loan from China for additional rolling stock for the newly constructed rail lines, as well as road rehabilitation and water supply projects.
Can China take over these projects, if…?
The Federal Government hardly disclosed the full terms of its loan agreements with the People’s Republic of China. However, the Federal Government has dismissed insinuations of the possible takeover of the economy, by the Chinese Government, if it defaults on loan terms.
According to a statement issued by theDebt Management Office (DMO) last month, Chinese loans are cheaper compared to other international bodies and agencies and there is no risk of default on the Chinese loans.
“The public should be assured that Nigeria’s public debt is being managed under statutory provisions and international best practices, and there is no risk of default on any loan, including the Chinese loans.
“Thus, the possibility of a takeover of assets by a lender does not exist.
“For the avoidance of doubt, government’s borrowing in the domestic and external markets, including Chinese loans, are all backed by the full faith and credit of government, rather than a pledge of government’s assets.”
Nigeria won’t default in repayment
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari disclosed in Beijing last month, during the FOCAC meeting that Nigeria would repay the loans “as and when due”.
The president said:
“These vital infrastructure projects synchronise perfectly with our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. Some of the debts incurred are self-liquidating. Our country is able to re-pay loans as and when due in keeping with our policy of fiscal prudence and sound housekeeping.”
Experts’ Reaction
In her opinion, an economic expert, Sarah Pius, said:
“So far, China recently threatened to take over national assets in Zambia, for defaulting in loan repayment; then, what stops it from doing the same to Nigeria, if she fails to service the debts?”
An economist and former Director-Genera
l, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chijioke Ekechukwu, believes that Chinese loans are not totally bad. He said,
“I don’t have any problem with Nigeria borrowing from China. The only problem I have with Chinese borrowing is that the entire funds will eventually be repatriated to China.
“This is so because when the Chinese Government gives you loans for infrastructure, they will insist that only Chinese companies handle the construction.
“These funds end up going back to China instead of creating more wealth in Nigeria.”
However, speaking with Nairametrics, Kunle Bada, an Economics lecturer at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko differs. He said,
“I don’t believe the Nigerian government will be that naughty to include the takeover of national assets in its loan terms with the Chinese government. So, I don’t even want to think of possible takeover of our infrastructure, in case we default in loan repayment.”
Since the President has assured that loans will be repaid as at when due, one can only hope that Nigeria keeps to that promise, in order to prevent Nigerians from going through the agony and anger Zambians are still passing through.

Governor Wike distributes protective kits to 257 schools ahead of resumption

Ahead of resumption of schools for exit classes, the Rivers State Governor, Nyeson Wike, has distributed COVID-19 protective kits to 257 public schools in the state.
Wike, who distributed the items acquired by his government, said the move was in line with the guidelines for resumption.

Credit: PressExpress