Clinton - Leadership Has Failed Nigeria.

Abdulfattah Olajide, Charles Onunaiju & Aisha Umar

13 August 2009

American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday in Abuja said Nigerian leadership has failed at all levels, with poverty deepening and corruption firming its roots. On her first full day in Nigeria as part of a seven-nation, 11-day African tour, Mrs. Clinton called for stout action against graft as well seamless electoral reforms so that Nigeria could take up what she said was its rightful place in the international community.

Speaking at Town Hall Meeting jointly organised by the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, Mrs. Clinton said, "The most immediate source of the disconnect between Nigeria's wealth and its poverty is a failure of governance at the federal, state and local level."

"The lack of transparency and accountability has eroded the legitimacy of the government and contributed to the rise of groups that embrace violence and reject the authority of the state," she said.

Cutting off applause from a boisterous crowd mid-sentence, Clinton said that the United States supported Nigeria's entry in the Group of 20--the club of key rich and developing nations--but hesitated because of its corruption.

She said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which had been "doing good work in the past has fallen back in the past one year."

Clinton rattled off a string of figures, including a World Bank study that Nigeria's corruption and related problems had cost the country some 300 billion dollars over the past three decades.

"The raw numbers are staggering but they don't tell you how many hospitals and roads could have been built; they don't tell you how many schools could have opened, or how many more Nigerians could have attended college or how many mothers might have survived childbirth if that money had been spent differently," said an enlivened Clinton.

"Today I'm in Nigeria, a country that produces two million barrels of oil a day, has the 7th largest oil reserve than any country in the world. But according to the UN, the poverty rate in Nigeria has gone up from 46 per cent to 76 per cent over the last 13 years," Mrs. Clinton said.

She said the rising religious extremism, militancy and criminality in Nigeria were obvious signals of social exclusion, and said the key to lasting solution was effective governance, service delivery and social inclusion.

Mrs. Clinton told an audience that include civil society groups, opposition politicians and government officials that fixing Nigeria's electoral system is at the core of any meaningful political reform.

American top diplomat acknowledged that Nigeria has taken some meaningful steps in collaborating with relevant international agencies in curbing human trafficking, but said the country failed in electricity generation and tackling poverty.

The U.S. Secretary of State had earlier met with President Umaru Yar'adua at the State House Abuja, where Yar'adua admitted that Nigeria has good governance challenges and reaffirmed his commitment to rectifying the situation.

Briefing newsmen after the closed-door meeting between the president and Mrs. Clinton, Foreign Affairs Minister Ojo Maduekwe said Yar'adua acknowledged before Mrs. Clinton that Nigeria has challenges in the areas of corruption, rule of law and electoral reform and pledged to intensify efforts to address the problems.

Asked to explain how the president specifically reacted to Clinton's earlier remarks that Nigeria lacks good governance and good leadership, Maduekwe said Yar'adua told her that Nigeria shares U.S. President Barack Obama' s concern about corruption, flawed elections and bad leadership in Africa.

"The president's position about good governance, the need to fight corruption and the issue of the rule of law, it was clear to the Secretary of State that both President Yar'adua and President Obama are on the same page on these issues," the minister said. "It was a great conversation--electoral reforms and commitment to the rule of law, the fight against corruption. The president acknowledged that we have serious challenges there. The President made it clear that the whole thing goes even more than the rule of law. It's about attitude and this affects the integrity of the electoral process," he added.

He said Nigeria and the US government have resolved to establish a joint commission to address the leadership challenges facing the country. "One of the most powerful indications of that partnership is that the secretary of state has pledged the commitment of the Obama administration to evolve a special relationship with Nigeria that will warehouse in what could be known as US/Nigeria Bi-National Commission," the minister said.

He said the meeting between Clinton and the president was "very productive, the way you will expect it to be among friends. Honest, candid, encouraging, mutually inspiring, mutually re-enforcing and ultimately strategic".

Maduekwe denied reports that the American Embassy did not involve the Nigerian government in the planning of Clinton's itinerary while in Nigeria, saying the embassy consulted and collaborated with his ministry to ensure the success of the visit.

Mrs. Clinton leaves Nigeria today to Liberia. She will move on to Cape Verde before returning to Washington.

Copyright © 2009 Daily Trust. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

Dangote; the Big Fish that should be in Jail, now NSE President!

Written by Daniel Elombah
Friday, 07 August 2009 08:32
Article Index
Dangote; the Big Fish that should be in Jail, now NSE President!
NSE President

The appointment of Aliko Dangote as the 17th President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange after months of controversies, accusations and speculations, comes as a shock and huge disappointment to all that wished for the enthronement of an enduring business ethics and corporate governance in the Nigeria capital market.

Dangote, who, until his election, was the First Vice President of the NSE, emerged the President, following his appointment by the NSE Council members in Lagos by unanimous acclamation.

Prior to the AGM, there was heavy tension, as the capital market community was inundated with conflicting reports about the conduct of AGM. There were speculations that the AGM and elections would not hold, following controversies surrounding Dangote’s alleged involvement in the manipulation of African Petroleum’s Plc share price.

Different parties had called for the resignation of Dangote from the Council of the NSE, while other groups had gone to court, praying the court to stop the conduct of the elections.

Just a few months ago, in April 2009 to be precise, there were strident calls for Dangote to resign as vice chairman of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) following the murk and dirt that arose from the bitter rivalry between Nigeria`s richest oligarchs; Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola.

It was felt that Dangote should resign his post as vice chairman of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) over perceived conflict of interests in the financial saga that saw the SEC suspend and fine Nova Finances Securities owned by Eugene Anenih, a Dangote proxy.

The reason of the nasty money feud between Mr. Femi Otedola and Alhaji Aliko Dangote lie somewhere between the very origins of their stupendous wealth, the very nature of their merchandise and the peculiar rules of engagement in the jungle of primitive accumulation of wealth in which they navigate.

Their feud threatened to drown some major banks and obliterate whatever is left of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The stupendous wealth ascribed to these men was one of the predictable legacies of the Obasanjo presidency and its Yar’Adua aftermath. Through the manipulation of state power, Obasanjo either created or fed a carefully selected oligarchy of mega rich Nigerians.

Through a flawed privatisation exercise, carefully chosen national assets were sold to these cronies while lucrative licences, monopolies and concessions for telecommunications, petroleum products imports, and essential daily need items were generously handed out to a few individuals, much like the Russian Oligarchs.

Pressured to resign

Dangote, the billionaire businessman and Vice President of the Council of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, came under intense pressure to resign from the council before the Annual General Meeting of the NSE.

The Committee in calling dangote to resign, took into consideration Dangote's status, image and position in the country and felt it would be better to appeal to him to resign rather wait till August during the AGM when the council might vote on his eligibility to become the president of the NSE on moral and ethical grounds.

The council took the decision as a result of the market's perception of Dangote's alleged role in the price manipulation of African Petroleum Plc's shares early in the year.

What was the accusation against Dangote?

In a glaring case of Insider trading – a crime all over the world, The SEC suspended Nova Finance Securities last Thursday March 26, 2009 after investigations uncovered unethical practices. The SEC investigation triggered another investigation into Afribank Registrars; accused of aiding and abetting the unethical practices by Nova Finance Securities.

Afribank Registrars - who are registrar to AP plc – confirmed that the SEC'S complaint rests on the failure of Afribank Registrars' internal control mechanism to detect or prevent the dubious transactions by Nova Finance Securities and that its records were falsified to cover up the illegal transactions.

The suspension and fine of Nova Finances & Securities may not be evidence of the guilt of Afribank Registrars but it provides the clearest evidence of the complicity of the group of Dangote consortium partners in masterminding the fraud.

After several months of denial, the suspension of Nova Finances is a very sad illustration of the way business is done in Nigeria and the mindless audacity of some people in authority like Dangote.

Curiously, Dangote did not sever all his ties to Nova. In fact during the period under review, Dangote and Nova with the assistance of Afribank Registrars fraudulently swapped a total volume of five hundred thousand units of irredeemable non-cumulative convertible preference shares in ten different transactions, which were admitted to the daily official loss of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The ensuing panic and loss of share value created a scary scenario for AP investors.

The result was that shareholders lost of confidence in AP shares, leading to a massive exodus of existing shareholders, who hurriedly offloaded their AP shares and precipitating a sharp decline in its price.

This was a serious case of unethical practices, ie insider dealing and cross-share trading, “Nova and Aliko were just crossing shares between themselves, there were no money exchanged; rather they were even losing money by paying commissions for the swaps”.

The management of AP accused Nova Finance and Securities Ltd. and Alhaji Aliko Dangote of unethical manipulation of AP shares. This, the company claimed, had led to a decline in value of its shares. It is imperative to note that this type of negative stories is partly why many Nigerians have lost confidence in the stock market.

In the United States, Martha Stewart dipped her hand in the Cookie jar of insider trading, and the laws caught up with her, despite her riches and affiliations with the top echelons of the political class of the United States. As soon as she was indicted, her fellow big fishes abandoned her and left the law to take its cause against Stewart.

In a demonstration of the dictates of a country that not just mouths Rule of Law but practices it, Stewart paid the ultimate penalty for the crime after the verdict was handed over by the jury: Jail term for months.

But in the drama of this Dangote and Otedola insider trading mess, the big fish, Dangote can never go to jail for insider trading that he was accused of. He is a big fish, and big fishes never go to jail in Nigeria no matter what happens.

It took the vigilance of the management of African Petroleum (AP) Plc to spot and blow the whistle on the finagling with the price of the company's shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. But by the time it raised the alarm through advertorials in the print media in March, the company's estimated 160,000 shareholders had lost about N240 billion in the value of their stocks.

http://www.saharareporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3400:dangote-the-big-fish-that-should-be-in-jail-now-nse-president&catid=82:guest-contrib&Itemid=199

How ‘diverted’ N6bn UBEC fund aided Boko Haram crisis.

Date Published: 08/03/09

How ‘diverted’ N6bn UBEC fund aided Boko Haram crisis

Could the recent orgy of violence unleashed by the Boko Haram sect in some parts of Northern Nigeria have been averted if Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the principal agency of government vested with the responsibility of educating the Nigerian child up to tertiary level, had not diverted N6 billion meant for feeding indigent school children?

This is one of the many questions raised by top security officials in the wake of the sectarian violence in some parts of Northern Nigeria, which left over 700 dead and damage to property worth tens of millions of naira. A number of military and police officers also lost their lives to the crisis.

Sources close to the ministry told Pointblanknews.com that the minister of education, Dr. Sam Egwu, and his deputy minister, Mrs. Aishatu Dukku, are so unsettled by the consensus in security circles that the crisis could have been averted if Dukku had not approved a memo by UBEC for the diversion of close to N6 billion meant for the Home Grown School Feeding and Health Programme (HGSF&HP).

The security officials, Pointblanknews.com learned, are analyzing the confessional statements by several members of the Boko Haram sect arrested in the wake of the crisis, that they were lured by the daily free meals by the sect leader, Mohammed Yusuf, in addition to the Islamic education he offered. No government-run school had answers to their ever hungry stomachs, they had reportedly explained.

Initiated in 2005 by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, HGSF&HP was designed to feed indigent pupils in schools, particularly in the rural areas, to discourage them from dropping out of school. With the prospect of a meal every day, Obasanjo had thought, more children would like to enroll in school.

To fund the programme, the Obasanjo administration had earmarked five percent of the two percent of the Consolidated Federal Revenue used to fund UBEC. A pilot programme was then conducted in 2006 in 12 states drawn from the six geo-political zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and was adjudged “fairly successful.”

“So important is the school feeding programme,” a top officer in the ministry told Pointblanknews.com, “that the honorable minister (Sam Egwu) identified it as one of the most important ‘turn-around strategies’ in a road map to the success of education in Nigeria.”

Egwu in the 150-page road map had urged government to “Promote State-driven incentives, such as mid-day meals, uniforms, transportation etc” and “improve health and nutrition of pupils and students.”

But since assuming office as UBEC boss, Pointblanknews.com learned, Dr. Ahmed Modibbo Mohammed suspended all aspects of the programme on the grounds that it was not feasible and instead, diverted the steady stream of money for the programme into a special account.



Said an UBEC management staff: “Ever since the honorable minister got Mr. President’s approval on the road map, nothing has been heard of it because Modibbo and Dukku would rather it didn’t work because the state SUBEBs and not they would be involved in the implementation of the programme. Since not a kobo would come their way, the duo insists that, not only is it not workable, but impracticable. They have chosen to, instead divert the money into one of the 37 accounts they use to siphon money in UBEC.

According to this source, “not knowing what to do with the money, Dukku and Moddibbo sat down and craftily designed a plan to settle themselves, their cronies, and such members of the UBEC board who ‘have been of good conduct’” by initiating a contract for the supply of textbooks.

“The money in this special account has now swelled to about N5.7 billion, and it is this money that Modibbo and the minister of State, (Aishatu Dukku) have diverted to fund contracts awarded themselves and their cronies for the printing and supply of textbooks,” a source close to Dukku told Pointblanknews.com.

These contracts, Pointblanknews.com gathered, was in sheer defiance of the objection by the chairmen of 36 States Universal Basic Education Boards of Modibbo’s “guidelines for the implementation of FGN-UBE counterpart funds and illegal charging of fees.”

The UBEC boss had claimed in a recent memo to Dukku that, he had, at a recent retreat with 36 states’ SUBEB chairmen, sought and secured their approval to “centralize” or take charge of the purchase of textbooks and instructional materials. He had sought the minister’s permission to divert the home grown feeding money to pay for textbooks. Dukku promptly acquiesced.

But in a strongly worded letter, 36 SUBEB chairmen emphatically refuted all the claims by Modibbo, insisting on “the unambiguous provision of Section 11 (3) (of the UBEC Act) which states, ‘The administration and disbursement of funds shall be through the State Universal Basic Education Boards.”

The chairmen, in the letter declared: “The Forum therefore considers your statement that the retreat ‘unanimously resolved that professional development programmes for teachers and procurement of text book materials be centralized’ as a complete misrepresentation of the proceedings and decisions of that retreat.”

They concluded: “Hence the memo presented to the Federal Executive Council by the Honorable Minister of State for Education(Dukku) consequent upon the purported decisions of the report is unjustifiable (and) we maintain that the Federal Executive Council was misled in to giving its approval to the memo.”

The letter, dated 3 rd June, 2009, was signed by the Dean of the Forum of SUBEBs, Mohammed Aliyu Anka.

However strong their protest was, Pointblanknews.com investigation revealed that the anger of the chairmen of SUBEBs was not sufficient to stop the Ministerial Tenders Board to meet a week later to approve the contract for the award of contract for the supply of textbooks.

In a letter dated 22 nd June, 2009, the Ministerial Tenders Board authorized Modibbo to award contracts totaling N3.3 billion, with assurances that “the six items on Annex B of your submission has (sic) been forwarded for Federal Executive Council’s consideration, accordingly.” The letter was signed on behalf of the minister by one Mrs. J.M. Agwal.

The six items in Modibbo’s Annex B, Pointblanknews.com investigations reveal, are contracts whose value are in excess of N200 million, and they total N2.45 billion.

Pointblanknews.com gathered from Presidency sources that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is expected to give “express approval” to the “six items” on Modibbo’s memo to the Ministerial Tenders Board, totaling N2.45 billion.

According to the source, “we are not expecting any problems or objections when FEC meets on Wednesday because most members understand that to object would be courting the trouble of First Lady Turai (Yar’adua), Said Abba Ruma (Minister of Agriculture), and Yayale Ahmed (Secretary to the Government of the Federation), and the notorious smuggler Dahiru Mangal, whose interests are well accommodated in the contracts.”

Even as FEC meets to consider the “six items”, the list of successful contractors published by the Ministerial Tenders Board has continued to set tongues wagging. Insiders strongly opine that the main criterion for selecting the “successful” companies was their ties to top officials of the education ministry.

For instance, one of the successful bidders, Binani Enterprises, which won a N160 million contract for the supply of 109,943 copies of Macmillan Primary English course book 4 in Lot EMPR3 and contract for the supply of 320,000 copies of Think and Do: Activity Based Science Book for Primary Four, in Lot SCTDNC, is said to belong to Modibbo’s mistress, Aisha Dahiru.

Ms. Dahiru’s Binani Enterprises, according to investigations, is one of the main contractors/suppliers in UBEC as well as National Teachers Institute (NTI), where Modibbo served as Director for close to eight years. Binani handled the camping of 18,000 participants for the controversial National Teachers’ Scheme in which her lover, Modibbo, claimed over 40,000 participated.

Binani, Pointblanknews.com investigations reveal, had in the past handled events management, printing works, supply of office furniture, general cleaning services, catering, travel agency, recruitment consultants, among others, for UBEC. “So, this Binani woman has landed herself a printing job?” queried one UBEC official, adding, “well, don’t be surprised to hear one day that she has been appointed our ES (Executive Secretary.”
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Another source in the ministerial board who supplied Pointblanknews.com with documents, expressed confusion as to “why such reputable publisher like Heinemann and Evans Publishers didn’t qualify yet we had such funny names as Quest Ventures, Jomaco, Golden Crescent, Triangular Communications, Binwa, Al-Hazen, Ojunwa Press, Bancorp, Al-Mala, and Ginyike were asked to supply books worth billions of naira. Something just doesn’t add up.”

Pointblanknews.com also gathered from very dependable sources that Cigo-Vag, which won an N81 million contracts Lot SCTDSW to supply 300,000 Think and Do science textbooks, belongs to Modibbo’s elder brother, Yahaya Mohammed. “Cigo-Vag had in the past done tiling and consultancy jobs in UBEC,” said a top UBEC official.

Pointblanknews.com investigations revealed that the major problem with the UBEC “bazaar” may be that Modibbo and Dukku may be actually “out to settle themselves big time!”

The duo are believed to own over 80 percent of the “successful” companies, while UBEC chairman, Professor Tunde Adeniran, is believed to be responsible for the last minute inclusion of Ojunwa Press which, like Binani, won Lots to supply 105, 385 copies of “Macmillan Premier Mathematics” to Borno and Bayelsa States.

According to sources in the UBEC Procurement Unit, which Modibbo had “imported” from his former office in NTI haven redeployed key officers in UBEC’s procurement unit, “Oga and Madam Minister (Modibbo and Dukku) brought” Binani, Triangular Communications, Golden Crescent, Isani Ventures, Binwa , Al-Malal, Cigo-Vag, W.A Books and Bancorp.

Also listed as Modibbo’s fronts are Al-Hazen, Infinity Telecoms, Al-Mala and Ginyike.

Some insiders in UBEC’s procurement unit also faulted the Ministerial Tenders Board for what they said was arbitrariness in fixing the unit prices of the books and the cost of transportation.

“For instance,” said a procurement officer, “we cautioned them (Modibbo and Dukku) that it not justifiable for Cigo-Vag in Lot SCTDSW to charge N200,000 for transporting 300,000 copies of Think and Do Science textbooks to the South-west, while Isani Ventures in Lot SCTDSE is paid N500,000 for the transportation of 300,000 copies of the same books to the South-east.

Also, while contracts were awarded to Macmillan for the “printing and distribution of 80,250; 88,275; and 93,625 copies of 107 titles of Library Resources Materials of varying quantities” for North east, North west and North central states amounting to over N162 million, none of the three geo-political zones in the South were included.

http://www.pointblanknews.com/os1997.html

NTA Scam: 8.2 Billion Naira NTA Broadcast Equipment for Nigeria 2009

Written by BY CONCERNED NIGERIAN BROADCAST PROFESSIONALS
Monday, 20 July 2009 14:29
Dora Akunyili's N8.2 billion
Most of us don't think much about the images we look at when we watch TV,
flat-panel plasma or LCD display, or on a laptop or desktop computer screen; that is, we don't think about what comprises the image—because our eyes and brain merge all the elements of color, brightness and contrast into a "picture" we immediately see. The process is similar, but not exactly analogous, to what happens when we watch a movie.. We don't sit there and dissect the 24 still pictures presented sequentially every second (in the case of a TV program, 25 frames per second). Our visual system and brain merge the rapidly moving images into motion, and if the TV show or movie is any good, we're happy.

That is the picture, right? Not really.

Recently our Federal Executive Council approved the amount of N8.2 billion to ensure that the NTA meets the FIFA standards for ensuring that the world sees higher quality TV pictures in HD (high definition). That is Thirty Two Million British Pounds (#32,000,000) to ‘renovate’ existing facilities from Standard Definition to High Definition. This approval from the Federal Executive Council covers the ‘Renovation’ as stated on the approved invoice for the following facilities:

Renovate from SD to HD 6 x 12 Camera HD OB Van £25,777,571.24

Renovate from SD to HD 6 x 2 Camera HD SNG Van £4,389,798.89

Renovate and Upgrade 1 x IBC £1,952,722.26

TOTAL PROJECT COST APPROVED £32,120,092.39



NAIRA NGN N8, 351,224,022



GRAND Total Project @ 260 NGN = 1 GBP



Before we go into the cost issues, let us examine the issues of what is SD and HD, and if it is actually possible to renovate OB vans from SD to HD and what the processes are. This is very important.

In 2002-2003, the Federal Government of Nigeria invested more that USD28 Million to upgrade 8 x 10 camera Standard Television OB vans for the All Africa Games. Other facilities provided were the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) and other facilities, which included microwave links, earth stations and Digital Satellite vehicles in the same Standard TV formats. All these equipment are presently being used by NTA and are located in various parts of Nigeria including Abuja. It is these facilities we are informed would be renovated from SD to HD. Is this possible, and at what cost and what are the alternatives? Is this in the best interest of Nigeria, or is this a scam to milk the coffers of the Nigerian treasury? We will examine these issues in this memo, and hopefully provide an impartial and professional perspective to the current approval for these funds and leave Nigerians to decide if it is value for them as a people.

The dummy being sold to Nigeria is that these existing facilities would now be renovated to HD to ensure that Nigeria meets the demands and specifications of FIFA to cover and broadcast the U-17 Junior World Cup to the rest of the world, right? Let us look at the technical issues first.

Standard definition television (SDTV) is a digital television format that provides a picture quality of a lower resolution to High Definition. In Nigeria where we use the PAL signal, our Standard definition signal is 720 Lines of resolution and 4:3 aspect ratio. Standard and High definition television are the two categories of display formats for digital television (DTV) transmissions, which are becoming the standard around the world.

But how are these picture processed? Basically, the processing is the same. You must have cameras to acquire the pictures and process them. These signals must be manipulated, recorded, treated, audio and graphics added and then transmitted to your television. The keynote here is that if you acquire your pictures in Standard definition you will have to process and transmit your pictures in Standard definition.

You cannot adapt, manipulate or change any equipment within that Standard Definition equipment chain or renovate it and expect it will give you a High definition (HD) signal. It just does not work like that. So to say that you are renovating from SD to HD is not completely true.. Unless what is being said is that the present facilities will be completely turned into shells and new HD equipment installed.. And if that is the case, there are a few issues we need to look at.

Why are Nigerians being told that the facilities are being renovated, when clearly that cannot be done?

High Definition TV (HDTV) on the other hand provides a higher quality display, with a vertical resolution display from 720p to 1080i and higher and an aspect ratio (the width to height ratio of the screen) of 16:9, for a viewing experience similar to watching a movie. In comparison, SDTV has a range of lower resolutions. New television sets will be either HDTV-capable or SDTV-capable, with receivers that can convert the signal to their native display format. SDTV, in common with HDTV, uses the MPEG-2 file compression method. However, in Nigeria we are years away from this as more than 97% of TV sets in Nigeria can only receive Standard TV signals – Analog for that matter.



Clearly it is a misnomer for the Nigerian Government and Nigerian public to be given the impression that SD equipment is being renovated to HD. It cannot be renovated, as such the current OB vans and other facilities, which NTA have and which are Standard Definition, must be completely removed and a complete refit of the facilities carried out to meet the terms of the renovation as stated in the contract. That is REPLACEMENT, not renovation or “upgrade.”



Now let us look at some claims of “WTS-Sony,” the company that has been contracted for the job.

“NIGERIA'S broadcast and audio-visual production business environment is set to be strongly boosted following the planned investment of over £30 million (N7 billion) by a United Kingdom-based company, Well Trade Services (WTS) UK Limited in partnership with Sony Group, world leader in electronics and home entertainment manufacturing and production.


“World football governing body, FIFA has given its backing to WTS Nigeria as a best-in-class broadcast equipment supplier.

In a letter signed by Lucas Troxler, Manager Marketing Alliances, FIFA expressed its confidence on the ability of the Nigerian company equipment and services that would meet every standard for the cadre world tournament, being as it is a partner with world leader in broadcast equipment manufacture, Sony Broadcast.

The letter reads in part: "FIFA would like to herewith confirm that Sony is an Official FIFA Partner up to 2014 and we would like to inform you that Sony is working together with WTS (World Trade Services (WTS) with regards to the current broadcast equipment tender for the FIFA Under 17 World Cup in Nigeria. Please kindly be informed that FIFA supports the above."

Let us examine some of these claims by WTS and the content of this letter from FIFA and issues surrounding the award of this project.

(1). The project has been given to a WTS – Sony for N8.2 Billion as has been stated in National newspapers and TV media and confirmed by the Minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili. WTS has evidently stated that they are partners with Sony. This gives cause to believe they are working hand in hand with Sony the broadcast giant to renovate the facilities of NTA from SD to HD.



(2). The prices quoted by them are for renovation as stated on the approved budget and quotation. Also Sony on its own part also quoted directly to NTA for the same project.



(3). However, we need to note that the same Sony Broadcast, which WTS claim to be partnering, in quoting directly for the same project, refused to provide NTA a quote for renovation, as they believed that there was no value in renovating the present facilities. Instead, Sony provided a CHEAPER QUOTE for BRAND NEW EQUIPMENT to NTA.



(4) Even though WTS claims to be working with Sony, the actual truth is that Sony is not a part of their submission, and would not work with WTS in the renovation of the facilities in Nigeria. Sony as the manufacturer of the equipment would only supply their equipment to WTS and WTS would be responsible for renovating the equipment. Thereby all warranties emanate from WTS and not Sony.



(5). Now, let us look at this other issue. Whilst Sony’s quote for ‘New’ Equipment with the same specifications as WTS for renovation is less by 20% of the cost approved for WTS, one would wonder the rationale to renovate SD equipment to HD, when for a much cheaper price you could have had new equipment.



(6) What happens to all the equipment that is gutted from the current Standard Definition OB vans and facilities, and the investment made on these equipment? Where does the equipment go? Are they going to be disposed off or taken over by some private individuals?

(7) On the cost quoted by MTS for these facilities, let us examine the international pricing and quotation formula used for this contract. Why is it that the equipment quoted in the tender does not carry itemized pricing? The normal excuse for this is that what is being sold is a system. However, the equipments that make up a system are purchased from various manufacturers who sell at a price in the open market and these should have been indicated for transparency purposes. Normally, the WTS format is used only when the intention is to “load” contracts so that tenders may not be properly scrutinized.

(8) It would also seem that cost on the WTS and Sony bids (even if at lower price), are prohibitive and will see Nigeria losing Billions of Naira that will go into the pockets of unscrupulous Nigerian officials who do not care about their country. Let’s look at the cost of OB vans supplied to South Africa for the World Cup in 2010.





[Johannesburg, 9 September 2008] - The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has won the right to proceed with a R380 million contract with Sony SA.

The deal covers the provision of four outside broadcasting (OB) vans to broadcast the 2009 Confederation Cup and the 2010 Soccer World Cup in high-definition.

The specifications of these OB vans supplied for the World Cup are far superior to that of NTA and are as follows:

SABC will deploy all four of the new Obs. Identically specified, each 30-ton vehicle is equipped with 18 cameras, and wired for 24, including 3 super-slo HD cameras. The interior is divided into four main areas; Production, Sound, Video Tape Area (VT) and Vision Control.



Note that SABC OB’s are BRAND NEW vans, whilst WTS intends to ‘renovate’ the current NTA OB vans, which are more than 14 years old with HD Equipment. Let us examine this issue further...

The WTS approved tender is for 12 cameras and the facilities being provided are not as expandable as the vans to be supplied to SABC. This is obvious in what SABC ordered for, compared with what has been approved for NTA.

In terms of cost it would seem that the WTS OB vans are well over-priced, and not value for money. The total cost of 4 x 18 camera HD OB vans with far superior facilities to SABC is N6.3 Billion. This includes new equipment, new 30-ton vans, generators and towable equipment hauls.

Nigeria on the other hand is paying N6.7 Billion for renovating 6 x existing OB facilities supposedly from SD to HD, and with only 12 cameras (as against 18 in the SABC vans) and far inferior equipment are being supplied. Additionally, all equipment within the existing NTA OB’s will be removed, so no new vans are supplied, just the old ones being reused; no new generators, just a total overhaul of what has been on the ground for 14 years. And for that we pay a substantial amount and lose out on actually upgrading with new equipment totally.

Other additional costs of the WTS project include DSNG’s, the IBC and other facilities. However, we are certain that a proper investigation and evaluation of value for money will reveal that Nigeria once again is receiving the short end of the stick.

One of the advantages of the project that has been peddled is the Contractor Project Financing aspect of the project, where the government pays back to the contractor over a period of time with an interest rate of 5%. Whilst this does look very patriotic and a good deal, it must be said that when the cost of a project is already over-loaded, contractor-financing amounts to nothing, but profiteering when you charge interest on a project that is already over-loaded.

We would like to suggest that a proper investigation of what is best for Nigeria, and the value of this project for Nigerians be properly established. The simple manner in which this could be done is to request all manufacturers to provide detailed and line item costs that can be verified from the various manufacturers. We should also clearly establish what is being supplied and if renovation, refurbishment or new equipment is what we need and what is the real cost compared with international practices.

With Billions of Naira already being spent on an event which commands little international attention relative to the senior World Cup, it is pertinent to ponder what N8.3 Billion would do for Nigerian Universities, Hospitals, power generation, our roads, national security, pipe borne water and other essential and structural requirements of the Nigerian people.

It would seem that once again we are pushing flogging the horse again, and soon it will collapse.






REFERENCES:

Internet: Google

SABC Cost of OB vans

WTS
Standard TV and High Definition TV

FIFA Broadcast Standards

Sony Broadcast

Sony Reps for Nigeria

http://www.saharareporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3255:82-billion-naira-nta-broadcast-equipment-for-nigeria-2009-let-us-ask-the-right-questions&catid=42:exclusive&Itemid=160

N3.3 Trillion Vanished From Federal Coffers Between 2003 and 2008…

Considering the fact that the federal budget is N2.3 Trillion, it is ridiculous beyond belief to think that N3.3 Trillion of Nigeria’s money could have simply vanished into thin air between 2003 and 2008.

Vanguard

OUR governments ignore reports of missing, mismanaged, misappropriated and misapplied public funds. Hardly a day passes without media reports of fraud in government dealings. Governments just lament the situation.

It is not speculative to suggest that when the present governments are gone, accusations of non-transparent transactions would commence against them.

The latest in these missing funds is the report of the House of Representatives Finance Committee that Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, failed to remit N3. 3 trillion of revenue they generated over the past four years.

This report covered January 2003 to March 2008, it did not capture activities of MDAs in the first four years of our new civilian administrations.

If poor accounting is rampant at the federal level, it is only left to the imagination what goes on in the States and the nation’s 774 local government councils.

One way of putting the size of the federal waste in perspective is to note that it is bigger than the 2009 federal budget of N2.3 trillion. The unaccounted funds could be more, as the Presidency revealed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, did not account for N600 billion it used in subsidising prices of petroleum products.

The legitimate government agency on petroleum products pricing is the Petroleum Products and Price Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, not NNPC.

Mismanagement of public resources has become an integral essence of governments. Scandals swirling round public funds are normal. Those who are to use these funds for public good deploy them as they please. They get away with the infractions because the system tolerates them.

In the face of the unrestrained capacities of the authorities to place the public till at their disposal, a culture of impunity has multiplied over the years. It is important our legislators move from words to action in tackling the mismanagement (in some cases non-management) of public funds.

The only reason this may not be a prospect legislators would pursue with enthusiasm is that their own financial undertakings are equally cloudy. Legislators have powers to enforce accountability in these institutions, but their interests foreclose service to the common good.

As has become their practice, once the legislators throw up these figures, they consider their work done. The affected MDAs would ignore them. They know legislators would impose no sanctions, the two parties can do business together for their mutual benefit. The twaddle continues.

The Fiscal Responsibility Act, which seeks to enforce stringent financial regulations, is in limbo six months after the President signed it. There is no Fiscal Responsibility Commission to implement regulations the Act proposes. The President did not submit names to the National Assembly to screen for the Commission’s membership.

Solutions lie in a fiscal regime that punishes non-compliance in a manner that makes financial crimes unprofitable. Tame sanctions for looters of public funds motivate others to steal even more.

It is time we broke the circle, if we are to rescue the resources to run the country.

You Can't Bully Me. Fashola says ‘No’ to Yar’Adua.

Lagos councils: Fashola says ‘No’ to Yar’Adua – The Guardian

July 27, 2009 by tim

As the head of a State Government that is committed to the highest standards of Constitutionalism and legality, I regret that I am unable to accede to your request to alter the current status quo by stopping the operation of the 37 Local Council Development Areas.

With these words, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has called the bluff of the Federal Government’s threat through President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s letter to bring the weight of the apparatus of the federal state on Lagos if the state government did not revert to the old order of 20 local councils.

Indeed, Fashola also expressed shock at Yar’Adua’s tone and timing given that the letter , dated 14th July but published by newspapers yesterday asking Lagos to revert to the old order came berely 24 hours after militants attacked the Atlas Cove oil jetty in Lagos, a development which, curiously, has not merited the president’s single word of sympathy. The language was civil but the message was unmistakable: Don’t bully me! Follow the rule of law!

EFCC says Nigerian officials stole N250 billion in five years

By Elizabeth Archibong

July 25, 2009 01:50PMT

Former governors and other senior government officials have stolen over N250 billion since the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2003, a list released last week by the commission has shown.

The list, which has the names of 50 Nigerians, also shows the status of the cases against them. Top on the list are Ayo Fayose, Bode George, James Ibori, Saminu Turaki and Orji Uzor Kalu.

The commission, according to its chairperson, Farida Waziri, is also reopening in courts cases against some governors that appeared to have met a dead end.

The case of a former governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion, whose case was closed with a fine of N3 million out of an estimated N4.4 billion he allegedly embezzled, is one such case.

Mr. Ibori’s case, which is also feared to have died, has also been reassigned. There has been a lot of controversy on Ibori’s case, as his name was always missing each time a list of people being prosecuted was released.

Some Nigeria newspapers published a list of those being prosecuted about two weeks ago, and Ibori’s name was missing on the list.

A list without the right names

The EFCC spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the published list was not the one released by the commission.

“This was the original list passed out and I was not aware his name was not on the list that was published,” he said. “But this is the list I passed out.” An EFCC agent said while the new list might put to rest allegations that Mrs Farida was protecting Mr. Ibori, it also raises questions as to how Mr. Ibori’s name was always missing when the list was published by the media.

The case of Gabriel Aduku, a former minister of health, has also been put under the spotlight as the court judgment has been put under review.

According to the list, while some of the suspects are still remanded in prison custody, some have since been granted bail by the court but are still undergoing trial.

Nicholas Ugbane, Ndudi Elumelu, Mohammed Jibo, Paulinus Igwe, Samuel Ibi, Aliyu Abdulahi, Simon Nanle, Lawrence Orekoya, Kayode Oyedeji, Lawrence Orekoya, Garki Jahun, Molkat Mufwang, Micheal Aule, Andrew Epkanobi, Alexander Cozman, Tom Iseogohi, Mohammed Buba, Mike Okoli, Albert Ikomi and Yuguda Manu Kaigama were all remanded in prison custody and nearly all of them have been granted bail.

The EFCC said apart from the cases of the former government officials, the commission has, in the last 11 months, recorded over 65 convictions in other cases such as bank fraud, advance fee fraud and cyber crime etc.

It said this figure represents just about one third of the number of convictions recorded by the commission in the last five years.

“In the last 11 months, we have recovered funds and assets of about N50 billion,” the commission said. “We do not create drama for the purpose of sensationalism. We have chosen to work and let our work speak for us.”

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5438590-147/EFCC_says_Nigerian_officials_stole_N250.csp

NDIC gives Okiro 48hrs to pay N166m bank debt.

By Kamarudeen Ogundele
Published on 23/07/2009

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has accused the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro, of contributing to the liquidation of Lead Bank Ltd.

NDIC alleged that Okiro contributed to the bank’s insolvency by failing to repay credits of more than N166 million extended to him between 2000 and 2001.

The corporation alleged that Okiro secured the loan to finance a pipeline laying contract that he won from Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), adding that he used his family business enterprise, Hekiro Nigeria Ltd, to obtain the loans.
The police reacted swiftly to the allegation, which they described as "blackmail".

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has accused the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro, of contributing to the liquidation of Lead Bank Ltd.

NDIC alleged that Okiro contributed to the bank’s insolvency by failing to repay credits of more than N166 million extended to him between 2000 and 2001.

The corporation alleged that Okiro secured the loan to finance a pipeline laying contract that he won from Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), adding that he used his family business enterprise, Hekiro Nigeria Ltd, to obtain the loans.

The police reacted swiftly to the allegation, which they described as "blackmail".

In a July 20 letter to Okiro, NDIC lawyer Mr Okunade Olorundare (SAN), demanded re-payment of the loan within 48 hours. The corporation also accused Okiro of abuse of office and a breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers for using his office to secure the contract.

"Our client informed us that as at January 16, 2006 when the banking licence of Lead Bank Ltd was revoked, Hekiro Nig. Ltd, which was being run as your family business enterprise was indebted to the bank to the tune of N166,597,365.97.

"NDIC as a liquidator of Lead Bank Ltd wrote you a demand letter on May 9, 2007, asking you for proposal on how you would want to liquidate the debt. "By various documents submitted to us by our client, you personally guaranteed the loan by mortgaging your landed property at Abeokuta covered by certificate of occupancy number 022226 in the name of Mike Mbama Okiro, which you obtained while in Ogun State Command of the Police.

"From some of the documents passed to us, you signed as chairman, while in some, you signed as director for Hekiro Nigeria Limited.

"However, despite the fact that you are a police officer and knowing the implication of forging a signature, you signed as Bessy Okiro and which signature is consistent with your true signature as Sir Mike Okiro on some of the documents available to us.

"Apart from signing as Bessy Okiro, we have discovered that you did not declare your interest in Hekiro Nigeria Ltd to the Code of Conduct Bureau as required by the 1999 Constitution," the letter said.

Hekiro Nigeria Ltd, NDIC said, maintained a corporate account number 32620009260 with the Port Harcourt, Rivers State branch of the bank where the facilities were drawn.

The corporation said Okiro’s international passport number AO696925 was used in opening the account.

NDIC contended that after series of efforts to recover the loan, Okiro’s wife, Hera, paid N5million vide a Fidelity Bank cheque number 00553907 on April 30.

"Our instruction, therefore, is to demand for the immediate payment of the outstanding sum of N161,597,365.97 which was the accrued debt as at January 16, 2006.

"You are to deposit the above sum in our chambers or pay directly to NDIC, the liquidator of Lead Bank Ltd, within 48 hours from today.

"In addition to the above, it is our client’s further instruction to drag you before the Code of Conduct Tribunal and equally to write to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and related agencies to prosecute you.

"You are to comply with the above demand immediately, else, we shall carry out our client’s instructions to the hilt," the letter said.

Contacted, the Police Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the letter was directed to Okiro personally, adding that the alleged transaction was private not official.

Ojukwu said he recalled that the police had charged the NDIC management to court for alleged conspiracy and fraudulent deals with the recovered fund of Fortune Bank (in liquidation).

He said the allegation against Okiro could be a "hit back" by the corporation.

The police filed charges at an Abuja High Court against NDIC Managing Director, Mr Ganiyu Ogunleye and its Executive Director of Operations, Prof. Peter Umoh.

Also charged are two members of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) -Interim Management Committee for Fortune Bank, Dr Joe Emerson, and Mr Innocent Ilozumba, a manager with Fidelity Bank, Adedapo Agboola and a former chief accountant of Fortune Bank, Pius Obeleke.

The police alleged that Ogunleye, Umoh, Emerson and Ilozumba unilaterally granted 60 per cent interest waiver on the indebtedness of Nasarawa State Government to Fortune Bank without the approval of the then Finance Minister, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman.

They were also accused of dishonesty in depositing the N1.058 billion recovered from Nasarawa State Government with Fidelity Bank, instead of a designated Fortune Bank Account number 023-01236-41-55-3 with CBN.

The corporation, however, submitted that the criminal charge was "frivolous and a crude attempt to intimidate its officials and divert their attention from recovering the outstanding debt of N161.9 million, owed by Okiro’s family to Lead Bank".

NDIC said on November 12, last year, Okiro’s wife met with its officials and sought an interest concession on the loan which was not granted.

http://thenationonlineng.net/web/articles/11409/1/NDICgivesOkiro48hrstopayN166mbankdebt/Page1.html/print

A Nation In Perpetual Darkness...

Blinded by greedy unpatriotic blood and money thirsty vampires. Enemies of their own people and humanity.

Nigerians are not allowed here..

Nigerians are not allowed here
By Allwell Okpi
July 18, 2009 01:59PM
The entrance to Eleganza Estate is a huge iron gate that stands about five metres tall under a concrete arch. A concrete fence surrounds the estate. While residents show their passes at the gate, visitors have to fill a form at the security post which is manned by both uniformed private security agents and armed soldiers.

With uninterrupted power and water supply, marble floors, central air-conditioning, sauna, lush gardens, billiard room, tennis court, swimming pools and lots more, Eleganza Estate is fully serviced luxury living.

For expats only

In a newspaper published on June 29, 2009, the estate, located about one kilometre from Chevron, was advertised for expatriates. The advert read, ‘Accommodation for expatriates only'.

When contacted, Sophia Okoya, director, RAO Investment Property Company Ltd, the firm that manages the estate, said they do not intend to discriminate against Nigerians.

"That advert that you saw is a mistake," she said. "We are not discriminating against Nigerians. The problem is that when Nigerians hear the price, they will say they would rather go and build their own houses with the money. And you know, when these expatriates come, they like to live in a place that is akin to the lifestyle they left behind in their country. They love to live in a nice and secured environment."

Mrs. Okoya listed the rent for the different range of apartments in the estate. A one-bedroom apartment goes for N1.8 million per annum with N800,000 service charge, a three-bedroom flat goes for N3.5 million per annum with a N2 million service charge, while the four-bedroom duplex goes for N4.5 million per annum with a N2 million service charge.

When asked if Nigerians who can afford it would be considered, Mrs. Okoya said there is another estate that has been provided for Nigerians.

"We have another estate opposite (the) VGC," she said. "We are renting that one to Nigerians, and it's also very nice. If you have anyone who is interested, a three-bedroom flat in that one is N2.5 million."

While leading an inspection of one of the three-bedroom flats, an employee confirmed that all the tenants of the estate are expatriates. She said the advert is meant to get tenants to fill some of the apartments, which became vacant after the previous occupants left.

Reactions

Segun Olutade, Executive Director, Shelter Watch, a non-governmental organisation working in the area of affordable shelter and real estate development, condemned the advert.

"It's an insult," he said. "Do they mean Nigerians cannot live there? How can they discriminate against us in our own country? The problem is that our government will not do anything about it; their government abroad will not allow it. If we don't stop this, it will become a trend; before you know it other landlords will start renting their houses to only expatriates. I don't think it is right. In fact, this is apartheid."

According to Adebowale Adegoke, a journalist, renting accommodation to expatriates only is not new.

"It's really a shame," he said. "With this kind of thing happening, what are we rebranding? Well I'm not surprised, the estate is owned by Rasaq Okoya. I know when they built that estate about eight years ago, they were renting it for about $50,000. It is not only this one, most of the houses on Banana Island are dollarized."

In spite of the condemnation of the advert, William Odudu, former president of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers and also former president of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria thinks preferential renting is not wrong.

"I don't see anything wrong in someone building for a particular set of people whether expatriates only or Nigerians only," he said. "I guess they will take Nigerians who can live up to the standard of the estate."

Legality

Rasaq Akande, a lawyer, said the advert was discriminatory.

"I object to the use of the word ‘expatriates'," he said. "It is discriminatory. It is sad that we can read this in a Nigerian newspaper. I think advertising standards will have something to say about this. If it was in Britain, for example, there would have been an uproar.

"Although, the land law is not clear on this, the constitution prohibits all forms of discrimination. It's not very likely that anybody will sue them for this, but if they refuse to rent the apartment to any Nigerian who can afford it, I think the person can go to court and enforce his right."

Join The Revolution:: Speak Up Against Corruption::Support Light Up Nigeria.

Perfect Storm::Nigeria ranked 15 out of 177 nations..

• Somalia worst state, Norway best
By Abimbola Akosile, 07.16.2009

Nigeria was yesterday ranked the 15th most failed nation in the world, out of a total of 177 countries that were surveyed. The country moved upwards three places from 18th position in 2008; and 17th in 2007.
The newly released Failed State Index 2009 was published by the United States think-tank and an independent research organisation, the Fund for Peace, and the magazine Foreign Policy. This is the 5th edition, since 2005.
According to the detailed Index, Somalia emerged the most failed state, for the second time running, while Norway emerged the best or most sustainable state.
The index's ranks are based on twelve indicators of state vulnerability - four social, two economic and six political. The indicators are not designed to forecast when states may experience violence or collapse. Instead, they are meant to measure a state's vulnerability to collapse or conflict.
Out of the 15 most failed nations surveyed, ten were African nations. These include Somalia (1st), Zimbabwe (2nd), Sudan (3rd), Chad (4th), Dem. Rep. of Congo (5th), Central African Republic (8th), Guinea (9th), Ivory Coast (11th), Kenya (14th), and Nigeria (15th).
The best five nations, which were described as having the most sustainable state include Norway (177), Finland (176), Sweden (175), Switzerland (174), and Ireland (173). Ghana emerged the best state in Africa, ranked 124 and classified as moderate state, while USA was 159th and UK 161 on the survey list.



http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=148865&printer_friendly=1

Reps may probe minister over N120m wedding party.

Reps may probe minister over N120m wedding party, - I didn’t spend such amount - Minister
Bola Badmus, Leon Usigbe and Clement Idoko, Abuja
Tuesday, July 14, 2009

AGAINST the mounting criticisms of the conduct of the Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, in organising a lavish party to mark his 25th wedding anniversary, the House of Representatives is billed to debate a motion calling for the probe of the minister for allegedly expending the sum of N120 million on the said celebration.

Also, the motion is seeking to probe heads of tertiary institutions under the Federal Ministry of Education who participated in the celebration.

The motion, which has already been filed with the House Committee on Rules and Business, is sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Air Force, Honourable Halims Agoda, and will be debated this week.

The House agreed to debate the motion, following its introduction last week by its sponsor, Honourable Agoda, under Matters of Urgent National Importance.

Following the adoption, Speaker ‘Dimeji Bankole had directed that the motion be routed through the normal channel for debate during the next legislative day.

The motion has three prayers, including “a mandate for the House Committee on Education, in exercise of its responsibility, to thoroughly inquire into the sources of the stupendous N120 million reportedly lavished by the minister on the celebration of the 25th anniversary of his marriage.

“The committee was to further look into the sources of fund used by various university administrators, provosts of colleges of education, rectors of polytechnics and heads of parastatal agencies of the Federal Ministry of Education, who attended the wedding anniversary, in terms of expenses on transportation, travelling basic allowances and other logistics, including media coverage and recommend appropriate action to the House of Representatives,” the motion stated.

Also, the motion demanded an immediate and unconditional public apology from the minister “to Nigerian university students and their parents and guardians for conducting himself in a manner suggestive of contemptuous disregard for the current plight of Nigerian students.”

It is also asking the lawmakers to call on President Umaru Yar’Adua to “re-engineer his cabinet in order to give purposeful leadership to the country by cautioning his appointees whose conduct, actions or inaction portend a frontal onslaught on the sensibilities of the Nigerian people.”

The motion noted the seeming unending strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and its crippling effects on academic activities and regretted that the often cited cause of the strike was the alleged refusal or failure of government to sign a mutually negotiated agreement reached with ASUU three years ago.

According to the motion, the minister of education ought to proffer immediate and workable solutions to any industrial action in the education sector that could result in the collapse of the academic calendar of the universities.

The motion, therefore, lamented that “without due regard for this basic fundamental of the responsibility of the Education Minister, Dr. Sam Egwu, in a brazen show of contempt, insensitivity and a breach of acceptable social values, rather than get himself concerned with and involved in getting our universities re-opened, felt that it would serve greater public interest to tell Nigerians that his marriage is 25 years old with lavish celebrations.”

While they contended that Dr. Egwu “is entitled to luxuriate and sing praises to God for his 25 years, in the current challenges of his public service to the nation as the education minister,” it noted that, at a time, the universities were in a crisis, he should have exercise caution in “social frolic and solve the Federal Government/ASUU debacle.”

It will be recalled that opposition parties and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have already called for the sack of the minister over what they noted as his insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians.

Reacting, the chief press secretary to the minister, Mr. Alphonsus Okoroafor, said he was not aware that a sum of N120 million was expended on the said party, declaring that the allegation was unfounded, as he noted that the celebration was completely a private affair.

He declared that no parastatal agency or body under the ministry was made to contribute towards the event, adding that there was a circular by the ministry barring such bodies from making donations or contributions in that regard.

All Star List. Thieves CrookS And Liars Network.

TELEGUARD TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

teleguardtransparency@yahoo.ca

As a non-aligned organization, Teleguard Transparency International is concerned with good governance and the protection of democracies around the world. For many years we have been in the fore-front of monitoring Human right abuses, corruption, and abuse of power, by government and its agencies, particularly in Africa and other third world countries.

Our expositions in the past led to the attention that is now focussed on countries like Zimbabwe, South Africa, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote-de Voire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, etc for abuse of office and corruption.
Recent events in the African continent particularly in the West African sub-region has compelled us to once again alert the peoples of these countries on the serious behind the scene manipulations of their countries resources which could checkmate the ingredients of democracy and good governance.

Our attention in this last quarter of the year 2005 is focussed on Nigeria, where in the last two and half years our agents have been collecting varied information in the light of the anti-corruption crusade of the government. Our appraisal of the situation reveals a very engaging pattern of corruption at the Federal, states, government and public institutions. What we discovered is a systematic plundering of the resources of the country by those in positions of authority. The anti-corruption campaign of the government appears to be a ruse going by our findings. Whereas the anti-corruption agencies are tainted with so much bias, most government institutions are used as conduit pipes for siphoning huge amounts of money to foreign accounts. We discovered that there is abject poverty amongst the people, while unemployment has risen by more than 55% in the last two and half years. We hereby publish these "RATED" and unbiased findings in the belief that the Nigerian government and the people will be better informed of the state of their Nation.

HIGHEST CLASS OF MOST CORRUPT PUBLIC OFFICERS

President Olusegun Obasanjo
Vice President Atiku Abubakar & Wife Jennifer Atiku
Late Mrs Stella Obasanjo
ADC to the First Lady
Dr Peter Odili Governor Rivers State
Bola Ahmed Tinubu Governor Lagos State
Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki Governor Jigawa State
Lucky Igbinedion Governor Edo State
Chimaroke Nnamani Governor Enugu state
Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu Governor Nasarawa State
Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff Governor Borno State
Alhaji Ahmed Sani Yerima Governor Zamfara State
Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa Governor Sokoto State
Boni Haruna Governor Adamawa State
Alhaji Adamu Muazu Governor Bauchi State
James Ibori Governor Delta State
Diepreye Alamieyesigha Governor Bayelsa State
Obong Victor Attah Governor Akwa Ibom State
Otumba Gbenga Daniel Governor Ogun State
Joshua Dariye Governor Plateau State
Olagunsoye Oyinlola Governor Osun State
Chief Olusegun Agagu Governor Ondo State
Sam Egwu Governor Ebonyi State
Rev. Jolly Nyame Governor Taraba State
Donald Duke Governor Cross Rivers State
Chief Anthony Anineh BOT member PDP
Mr Andy Uba Special assistant to the President Domestic Affairs
Chief Chris Uba BOT member PDP
Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu Deputy Senate President
Senator Jonathan Zwingina
Senator Dalhatu Tafida
Prof. Abel Goubadia Former INEC Chairman
Tafa Balogun Former Inspector General of Police
Engr. Funsho Kupolokun Managing Director NNPC
Gauis Obaseki Former Managing Director NNPC

SECOND GRADE OF CORRUPT PUBLIC OFFICERS

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris Governor Kogi State
Chief Achike Udenwa Governor Imo State
Alhaji Adamu Aliero Governor Kebbi State
Chief George Akume Governor Benue State
Chief Ayo Fayose Governor Ekiti State
Alhaji Rasheed Ladoja Governor Oyo State
Dr. Chris Ngige Governor Anambra State
Alhaji Bukar Abba Ibrahim Governor Yobe State
Alhaji Abdullahi Goje Governor Gombe State
Olusola Saraki governor Kwara State

LEAST GRADE OF CORRUPT PUBLIC OFFICERS

Orji uzor Kalu Governor Abia State
Alhaji Umar Yaradua Governor Katsina State
Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau Governor Kano State
Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi Governor Kaduna State

MOST CORRUPT HEADS OF STATE

General Ibrahim Babangida Rtd
General Abdulsalam Abubarkar Rtd
Genearal Olusegun Obasanjo Rtd
General Sanni Abacha Late




THE LEAST CORRUPT HEADS OF STATE

Alhaji Shehu Shagari
General Yakubu Gowon Rtd
General Mohammed Buhari
Chief Ernest Shonekan
CORRUPT CORPORATE ORGANISATIONS

Dangote Group
Zenon Oil
Globacom
Virgin Nigeria
Transcorporation
Vmobile
Oando Oil
AP
Conoil
First Intercity bank
Temperance Farms
Bell Group of Schools
Zenith Bank
Oceanic Bank
UBA
Nigerian Breweries
Ajaokuta Steel Company
Delta Steel Company

ORGANIZATIONS USED AS CONDUIT-PIPES

NNPC
Ministry of Mines and Power
Ministry of Water Resources
Ministry of Works
Ministry of health (Using the National Polio immunisation)
Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA)

This information is being released in the hope that the Nigerian government will intensify its effort in fighting corruption. Such anti-corruption organs as the EFCC, and ICPC should be used for what it is meant for.
This organisation will continue to beam its searchlight on corrupt institutions across the Globe especially in Africa where the malaise has taken a totally new dimension, bringing with it hunger, high crime wave, prostitution and the rest to the populace.
More information will be made available to the public soon.




Michael Longe
For Teleguard International

OBAMA TO NIGERIA: END CORRUPTION, TYRANNY

ACCRA, Ghana — An American president who has "the blood of Africa within me" praised and scolded the continent of his ancestors Saturday, asserting forces of tyranny and corruption must yield if Africa is to achieve its promise.

"Yes you can," Barack Obama declared, dusting off his campaign slogan and adapting it for his foreign audience. Speaking to the Ghanaian Parliament, he called upon African societies to seize opportunities for peace, democracy and prosperity.

"This is a new moment of great promise," he said. "To realize that promise, we must first recognize a fundamental truth that you have given life to in Ghana: Development depends upon good governance. That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long. That is the change that can unlock Africa's potential."

The son of a white woman from Kansas and a black goat herder-turned-academic from Kenya, Obama delivered an unsentimental account of squandered opportunities in postcolonial Africa.

America's first black president spoke with a bluntness that perhaps could only come from a member of Africa's extended family.

"No country is going to create wealth if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves, or if police can be bought off by drug traffickers," he said

"No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20 percent off the top, or the head of the Port Authority is corrupt. No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery.

"That is not democracy, that is tyranny, even if occasionally you sprinkle an election in there," he said, "and now is the time for that style of governance to end."
Story continues below

He added: "Africa doesn't need strongmen, it needs strong institutions."

Obama was on a 21-hour visit to the West African nation to highlight that country's democratic tradition and engagement with the West. His visit, his first to sub-Saharan Africa as president, was greeted as a "spiritual reunion" Saturday by Ghanian legislators.

People lined the streets, many waving at every vehicle of Obama's motorcade as it headed toward a meeting at Osu Castle, the storied coastline presidential state house, before his speech to Parliament. "Ghana loves you," said a billboard.

He was also visiting a hospital and a one-time slave trading post, joined by his wife, Michelle, a great-great granddaughter of slaves.

The Obama administration sought a wide African audience for the president's speech, inviting people to watch it at embassies and cultural centers across the continent.

The 33-minute address was in part a splash of cold water for Africans who blame colonialism for their problems.

Obama spoke of the indignities visited upon Africans from the era of European rule. He said his grandfather, a cook for the British in Kenya, was called "boy" by his employers for much of his life despite his being a respected village elder. He said it was a time of artificial borders and unfair trade.

But he said the West is not to blame "for the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy over the last decade, or wars in which children are enlisted as combatants." Nor for the corruption that is a daily fact of life for many, he said.

"Africa is not the crude caricature of a continent at perpetual war," he said. Yet for "far too many Africans, conflict is a part of life, as constant as the sun. There are wars over land and wars over resources. And it is still far too easy for those without conscience to manipulate whole communities into fighting among faiths and tribes.

"These conflicts are a millstone around Africa's neck."

Obama started his day with typical calm. Wearing a gray T-shirt and gym pants, he walked through the lobby of his hotel almost unnoticed at 7:30 a.m. local time on his way to the downstairs gym for a workout.

A short time later, his motorcade left the hotel, passed under hovering military helicopters and arrived for a delayed welcome ceremony with Ghanaian President John Atta Mills.

"I can say without any fear of contradiction that all Ghanaians want to see you," Mills said. "I wish it were possible for me to send you to every home in Ghana."

Before the flight home, Obama planned to tour Cape Coast Castle, a seaside fortress converted to the slave trade by the British in the 17th century. In its dungeons, thousands of shackled Africans huddled in squalor before being herded onto ships bound for America.

The castle visit mirrored ones paid by Clinton and George W. Bush to the slave-trading post of Goree Island, Senegal _ with the added impact of Obama's mixed-race background and history-making election.

In Ghana, too, Obama followed in Clinton's footsteps. In 1998, a surging crowd cheered Clinton in Accra's Independence Square and toppled barricades after his speech. Clinton shouted, "Back up! Back up!", his Secret Service detail clearly frantic.

Bush's reception last year was less tumultuous, but equally warm. At a welcoming banquet, then-President John Kufuor noted huge increases in U.S. development aid and AIDS relief _ and named a highway after Bush.

Obama avoided scheduling large public events, wishing to keep emotions in check in a singular moment in African-American diplomacy.

The president pledged America's partnership in Africa's growth. Specifically, he said he would make sure U.S. aid gets to the people who need it most, such as farmers and entrepreneurs, not Western consultants and administrators.

That's why $3.5 billion in food assistance will focus on new methods and technologies for farmers, instead of simply sending U.S. goods to Africa, he said.

Obama flew to Ghana after the G-8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy, approved a new $20 billion food security plan. It aims to help poor nations in Africa and elsewhere to avert mass starvation during the global recession.

He also had a cordial first meeting with Pope Benedict XVI. In their half-hour private audience at the Vatican, the two reviewed Mideast peace and anti-poverty efforts, aides reported. They also discussed abortion and stem cell research at length, subjects of disagreement between them.

Looters Allstars Network::Bode George, Kalu, Ladoja, Dariye, 52 others looted N243bn -EFCC.

1. Bode George N100 billion
2. Saminu Turaki N36 billion
3. Patrick Fernandez N32 billion
4. Tom Isegholi, Mohammed Buba
and Mike Okoli (for The Transcorp Plc) N15 billion
5. Kenny Martins N7.7 billion
6. Rasheed Ladoja N6 billion
7. Roland Iyayi N5.6 billion
8. Babalola Borishade N5.6 billion
9. Eider George N5.6 billion
10. Chimaroke Nnamani N5.3 billion
11. Senator Nicholas Ugbane and nine other members of the House
of Representatives N5.2 billion
12. Orji Uzor Kalu N5 billion
13. Nyeson Wike N4.7 billion
14. 4 senior Zenith Bank Managers N3.6 billion
15. Michael Botmang N1.5 billion
16. Ransome Owan and 6 others N1.5 billion
17. Molkat Mutfwang and 3 others N636 million
18. Femi-Fani-Kayode N250 million
19. Jolly Nyame N180 million
20. Boni Haruna N93 million
21. Dr. Albert Ikomi N43 million
22. Dr. Yuguda Manu N17.5 million
23. Iyabo Obasanjo N10 million
24. Joshua Dariye (amount not stated)

Soji-Eze Fagbemi, Abuja - 10.07.2009

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the names of 56 Nigerians it alleged collectively removed over N243 billion from the nation’s treasury.

The names, some of which the EFCC Chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri, referred to as politically revered people in the international community, were contained in a list handed over to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), as the EFCC and NLC commenced their strategic partnership to intensify the fight against corruption in the country.

The list contained names of well-known politicians, former governors, ministers, permanent secretaries, civil servants, chairmen and members of parastatal agencies, local government chairmen, members of the House of Representatives and senators.

The EFCC boss had, on Tuesday, visited the Labour House, Abuja, where she briefed the NLC leadership led by its president, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, and revealed that a strategic meeting would soon be held with NLC to formally signal the beginning of their new partnership.

Lending credence to the statement by Mrs. Waziri, during the meeting, that some Nigerians were stealing in billions, the money stolen ranged from N10 million to N100 billion.

According to the list, only eight of the suspects allegedly stole in millions; 17 of them were alleged, by the EFCC, to have stolen in billions, while the amounts allegedly stolen by others were not specified.

Tagged “ongoing high profile cases” by the commission, all the listed cases are already in court in the different parts of the country. While 11 were instituted and handed over by the former EFCC chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the present chairman, Mrs. Wazri, commenced 22 of the cases.

The 56 alleged looters were taken to court under 33 high-profile cases and 33 of them have been granted bail by the court under various circumstances, while 19 were remanded in prison custody.

Two of them have been convicted; charges have been filed against one but the suspect has refused to put in appearance in court, while court judgment is currently under review in one of the cases.

Among the high-profile cases in which the suspects have been granted bail are: former governors of Jigawa State, Saminu Turaki, N36 billion; Joshua Dariye (Plateau) amount not stated; Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), N5 billion; Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo), N6 billion; Jolly Nyame (Taraba), N180 million; Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu), N5.3 billion; Boni Haruna (Adamawa), N93 million and Michael Botmang, (acting governor, Plateau) N1. 5 billion.

The EFCC also listed the cases involving a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Bode George, N100 billion; an Indian businessman, Patrick Fernandez, N32 billion; former Managing Director of FAAN, Roland Iyayi, N5.6 billion; former Minister of Aviation, Professor Babalola Borishade, N5.6 billion; an Austrian businessman, Eider George, N5.6 billion; and Kenny Martins of Police Equipment Fund (PEF), N7.7 billion.

Also on the list are: Tom Isegholi, Mohammed Buba, and Mike Okoli for the Transcorp Plc., N15 billion; Senator Nicholas Ugbane and nine other members of the House of Representatives, N5.2 billion; Iyabo Obasanjo, N10 million; serving Chief of Staff to Rivers State Governor, Nyeson Wike, N4.7 billion; former Aviation Minister Femi-Fani-Kayode, N250 million; four senior Zenith Bank managers, N3.6 billion; Molkat Mutfwang and three others, N636 million; Dr. Ransome Owan and six others, N1.5 billion; a retired Permanent Secretary, Dr. Albert Ikomi, N43 million, and chairman, Taraba State Civil Service Commission, Dr. Yuguda Manu, N17.5 million.