NIGRSHINE IND. LTD V GAOXI ONG: Madumere decries planned move to resort to self help

The Managing Director of NIGSHINE INDUSTRY LTD Ugochukwu Madumene has has decried plans by the Managing Director of GAOXI ONG, Chen Xiao Meng to used some Nigerian security agents to carry out an act that is capable of undermining the nation.

Mr. Madumere said he has it in good authority that Mr Meng has perfected plans to go with some plyable security officers to brake into a warehouse against an order of a court of competent jurisdiction to break into a warehouse carte away good seized by the court in a matter which is still pending in court.

He said, Mr Meng took his company to court sometimes in 2014 over patent rights of a particular goods they trade on. And after some time he (Mr Meng disappeared when he sensed that the case was not in his favour and only to re-apear recently in the same matter he abandoned some years ago.

According to him an appeal court ordered that the goods in Mr Meng’s warehouse belong to his company NIGSHINE INDUSTRY LTD, saying that they owned the patent rights of the said goods.

“The appeal was entered and the record was transmitted at the court of appeal on July 2022 that the goods in Mr Chen warehouse in Lagos should be transfer to my company and after we started carrying out the court order he (Mr Chen) the police went to court and seek for an injunction to enable them investigation further on the case which court granted exparte application of three months.

“But, to our surprise, Mr Chen in collaboration with the law enforcement agency is interested in tampering with the subject matter of appeal despite being aware of the date for hearing. (March 9 2023)

However, Madumere said, the police is aware of the fact that defendant is accused of forgery, and there is warrant of arrest against him having purportedly forged a document of Trade-mark belonging to my company and was formally charged in Lagos state Magistrate court for same Offence .

Therefore, we are calling on security operstives to be weary of Mr Chen and also note that any attempt to apply self help on a matter before the court in dusregard to the proceeding of the apellate court will attract contempt Charges.

It will be recalled that the Nigeria court has step up it operation and has no regards for whosoever, adding that recently the Inspector General of Police was sentenced to prison for contempt

Meanwhile, the case is being investigated by Anti-Fraud Force CIID Area 10 Abuja.

CCPC Tribunal Chairman clarifies why Commission is yet to remit to Consolidated Revenue Fund

CCPC Tribunal Chairman clarifies why Commission is yet to remit to Consolidated Revenue Fund

Hajiya Saratu Mama Shafii, Chairman of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) Tribunal, on Monday said the revenue generated by the tribunal has not been remitted to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) because it has not been captured on the remita platform.

Indeed, Mama Shafii added that the tribunal has written several letters to the Acting Accountant General on the issue.

The chairman made this known at the budget defence of the Senate Committtee on Trade and Investment held in Abuja.

“The Revenue generated so far has not been remitted to the consolidated Revenue fund because, the tribunal has not been captured on the remita platform, we have written several letters and we have also spoken to the Acting Accountant General on the issue” she said.

Mama Shafii spoke while responding to questions by the committtee on the tribunal’s 2022 budget performance, work plan for the year 2023, current revenue profile and actual amount generated and paid to the consolidated revenue fund.

She explained further that following the provision of releases, the tribunal received the sum of N87.5 million representing about 58 percent and N675m representing about 75 percent for the overhead and capital expenditure respectively.

“So far internally generated revenue we have just N162,000 which was IGR we were able to get from fees and fines”.

Presenting a breakdown of the 2023 budget to the Senate Committtee, she noted that “the key fact in the budget for 2023, personnel cost we have a total of N154million which is to cover payments for salaries and allowances. That is a slight increase to that of 2022.

“For overhead cost we have N159million, and this is an increase of 6.5 percent of 2022. For capital expenditure, we have N586million for on going projects and programmes, there is 35 percent reduction from what we got in 2022”.

NAMA Is A Critical Safety Agency That Cannot Be Ignored – Hon. Nnaji

NAMA Is A Critical Safety Agency That Cannot Be Ignored – Hon. Nnaji

The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Honourable Nnolim Nnaji has described Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, (NAMA) as a critical safety arm of the aviation sector that should not be ignored.

Honourable Nnaji stated this during the committee’s 2023 budget defence meeting with the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika who led the Ministry officials to the National Assembly Tuesday .

The Chairman’s remarks were prompted by the omission of the agency in the 2023 appropriation Bill which according to him would be corrected.

He however stressed the need for the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika to give clarification on the exclusion of NAMA in the 2023 Federal budge even as he added that his Committee was already deliberating on the issue with Senate committee counterpart to ensure that the anomaly was rectified during appropriation process.

Honourable Nnaji noted that the prevailing security challenges have put enormous pressure on the available infrastructures in the industry and as such the country could not afford to neglect the needs of a safety agency like NAMA.

The committee chairman disclosed that the committee would critically examine the performance of the Ministry’s budget from 2020 to 2022 because some of the projects had been on-going since 2020.

He stressed that the committee expected that the current budget performance report should comprise the full implementation details of the two previous budget years.

Labour Party Will Reverse Infrastructural Decay In Enugu – Edeoga

Labour Party Will Reverse Infrastructural Decay In Enugu – Edeoga

By Tai Agbo

The gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party, (LP) in Enugu State Barrister Chijoke Jonathan Edeoga has pledged to address the infrastructural decay in the state if elected into power in the forthcoming general elections.

He berated the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) led government for paying lip service to issues of development in Enugu State adding that Labour party would liberate the state from the maladministration of the party.

Barrister Edeoga was addressing the people of Enugu North in Nsukka during the flag off of the Zonal rally of the party which was attended by a marmot crowd at the Nsukka High School premises on Saturday.

The Labour Party Governorship Candidate promised to rebrand Enugu State and rescue it from the 23 years of economic strangulation by the PDP’s bad governance.

“Labour party will run an all inclusive government, promote rule of law and ensure equity, fairness and justice ” Barrister Edeoga assured urging the people vote out PDP in Enugu State

He promised to give Nsukka the needed face-lift adding that the zone had remained the least developed among the three senatorial zones of the state despite hosting one of the oldest universities in the country.

He stated that the Labour Party has as part of its cardinal objectives, war against corruption and insecurity which his administration would key into to bring down cost of governance and attract investment into Enugu State.

Edeoga equally pledged to pay attention to education, health and uneemployment adding that his government if voted into power would support small and medium scale enterprises to serve as engine growth for the economy of the state and provide employments for the youths.

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N92bn Abuja Airport 2nd Runway To be Delivered In 6 Months

The National Assembly joint committees on aviation had been assured of the completion of the N92 billion second Abuja International Airport Runway before the exit of the current regime.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika gave the assurance on Thursday during an oversight visit to the airport by the joint committees of the Senate and House of Representatives led by Senator Abiodun Olujimi and Honourable Nnolim Nnaji.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika who conducted members of the committees of the two Chambers of the National Assembly round the on going projects at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport disclosed that the contractor for the second runway, Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company, (CCECC) had been fully mobilised.

Both chairmen stressed that the Construction of the second Abuja Airport’s runway was long overdue considering the strategic importance of the airport to the nation.

Honourable Nnaji who sought the commitment of the contractor that the project would be completed on schedule observed that Abuja being the admistrative capital of Nigeria coupled with its growing economy could no longer cope with a single airport runway.

The CCECC project manager, Yang Yantao in responding to Honourable Nnaji’s demand for assurance that the runway would be on stream on schedule stressed that with proper funding, the CCECC would deliver the runway and all the components in six months.

Senate Olujimi also used the occasion of the visit to assure the Honourable Minister that the committees of both Chambers would do whatever possible to restore the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, (NAMA) back on Federal Budget because of its critical role to the safety of air navigation.

Senator Sirika had earlier in his remarks applauded the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation for their continued supports to the aviation sector.
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The legislators equally inspected the airport’s cargo terminal and the multi story car park both of which were at the advance stages of completion before departing back to the National Assembly.

NASS Committees Call for More Fundings For Aviation

NASS Committees Call for More Fundings For Aviation

The National Assembly joint committees on aviation have emphasized the need for adequate funding of the sector to enable it cope with the increase in demands for air travel.

The two chairmen of the committees of Senate and House of Representatives, Senator Abiodun Olujimi and Honourable Nnolim Nnaji made the observation during an oversight working visit to the Accident Investigation Buteau, (AIB) and the Nigerian Airspace Management put enormous pressures on the existing aviation infrastructures which required that more investments should be made in the sector.

Both chairmen specifically pledged to look into the alleged exclusion of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, (NAMA) in the 2023 Federal Budget to see what could be done to redress it.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Mathew Pwajok had in his welcome remarks appreciated the committees of both Chambers of the National Assembly for their interest and concerns on matters affecting the aviation industry.

He acknowledged their swift passage of the six Executive Bills on the industry as a true reflection of their commitment to the progress of the air transport sector in the country.

At the AIB the members of the joint committees were impressed with the progress so far made in the upgrade of facilities and manpower at the bureau which has led to the reduction of accidents in the country to the barest minimum.

Honourable Nnaji, the House Committee Chairman stressed that members were impressed that for the past seven years now, the country had not recorded any fatalities apart from the helicopter accident which occurred at Opebi in Lagos early 2022.

The Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau, Engineer Akin Olateru had informed the legislators during his welcome remarks that the drastic reduction in aircraft accidents in the country has brought down the insurance premiums paid on operating aeroplanes in Nigeria

According to the Commissioner, the high safety records so far achieved by the country in the last couple of years have brought the insurance premiums on wide body aircraft from $800,000 a year to between $150,000 and $200,000.

He also informed the two committees of the National Assembly that the Bureau has set the pace in air safety in Africa by establishing the first training institution for accident investigators in the continent.

6 Killed as Isreal Targets Militants in West Bank Raid by Ada Nkong

6 Killed as Isreal Targets Militants in West Bank Raid by Ada Nkong

Five Palestinians, including at least three gunmen, have been killed in a major Israeli raid against a militant group in the occupied West Bank.

A sixth Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli troops who were attacked with stones in a protest against the raid, Palestinian medical sources say.

The operation in the northern city of Nablus targeted the recently formed Lion’s Den group.

The group killed an Israeli soldier in a shooting earlier this month.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had locked down Nablus for the past two weeks amid an intensive search for the killer of an Israeli soldier. Staff Sgt Ido Baruch, 21, was shot dead in an ambush near an Israeli settlement about 8km (five miles) away.

There has been an intensification of violence between Israel and Palestinians in the West Bank in recent weeks amid an ongoing Israeli operation to root out militants following a wave of deadly attacks against Israelis earlier this year.

What will worry the watching diplomatic community, the BBC’s Tom Bateman reports from Nablus, is that this raid saw exchanges of fire between Israeli troops and members of the official, internationally backed Palestinian security forces.

On entering the city on Tuesday, our correspondent found the road littered with the debris from the overnight clashes – rocks were strewn on the tarmac and fire crews were pumping water over smouldering tyres.

Nablus is now on strike. Shops and restaurants are shuttered along street after street usually busy with markets and children heading out from school, he says, the quiet broken only by the sound of gunmen returning from the funerals still firing into the air.

The Lion’s Den group was formed following near daily arrest raids by Israeli forces targeting militants, concentrated in the northern West Bank. It is believed to number a few dozen members and has carried out, or attempted, attacks around the Nablus area and as far afield as Tel Aviv, according to the Israeli military.
Source: BBC News

Disclose The Value Of Ethiopian Airline’s Equity In Nigeria Air, House Tells Sirika

The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation headed by Honourable Nnolim Nnaji has asked the Ministry of Aviation to furnish it with the actual financial value of the 49 percent equity being ceded to the Ethiopian Airline in the proposed Nigeria Air Limited.

The Committee made the demand during a metting with the Minister of Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika and the representatives of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, (AON) which had expressed concerns over the structure of the planned national carrier.

The Minister had in his submissions disclosed that the Ethiopian Airline would hold 49 percent shares while the Nigerian Government and the Nigerian public would retain 5 percent and 46 percent equities respectively.

The Minister also informed the committee that the 49 percent shares would be held by a Consortium being spearhead by Ethiopian Airline.

On the issue of the value of the shares, Senator Sirika assured the committee that the full busines case, (FBC) which would be out in six weeks time would spell out the details of the shares.

The Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Nnaji had equally stressed that the essence of the interaction was to ensure that Nigerians were not shortchanged.

The committee equally urged the Minister to ensure that the members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria that were willing to acquire shares in the national carrier were accommodated.

” You must also ensure that the Nigeria Air when established will not have undue advantage over the local airlines” the committee stressed urging the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) to ensure a level playing ground for both the national carrier and the other indigenous airlines.

2023: Obidients Movement Spreading In The North – Tanko

2023: Obidients Movement Spreading In The North – Tanko

Obidients movement has taken over the entire northern states like wild fire as both old and young people have embraced Obi/Datti candidacy.

The Chief Spokesperson of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, (LPPCC) Dr Yunusa Tanko who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja boasted that, “those crying over Afenifere’s support for Peter Obi should wait for a shocker as Obi’s supporters in the north is growing by the day –

Dr Tanko while thanking Afenifere for their patriotic support for Peter Obi, disclosed that the Labour Party Candidate’s supporters in the north was growing astronomically by the day, especially after the Arewa Joint Committee’s character contest.

Dr Tanko said that, “presidential election is like beauty contest, you have to choose from among the candidates. You cannot go to the spectators’ stand to elect a more beautiful girl.

“Obi is not a saint, but in character, competence, and capacity, he is not only a Pan-Nigerian candidate, albeit he is head and shoulder above the three leading presidential candidates.

“For our dear Compatriots, they trust Obi more than the rest in his capacity to salvage our dear country from dangerous slide into failed state.”

In the rumoured threats to Obi’s life, what’s Tanko declared, ” we have heard of this security threat severally; however to us Obi’s life is in the hands of Almighty God, and is in God we trust. Obi depends solely on Almighty God and our security agencies.

“We believe sincerely that our security agencies are also earnestly yearning for a more productive and prosperous country, which Obi is prepared to engender.

Hon Ogene expresses shock over horrific boat accident, loss of lives in Ogbaru

Hon Ogene expresses shock over horrific boat accident, loss of lives in Ogbaru

Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, has expressed shock and deep sorrow, over the unfortunate boat mishap in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra state, that
claimed the lives of several people.

The tragedy took place on Friday, October 7, 2022, at Umunnankwo community. Eye witnesses said that the ill-fated boat, which had about 85 persons on board, took off from Onukwu Bridge and was heading to Nkwo market, Ogbakuba before it capsized. So far, unofficial reports indicate that between 20-30 persons are yet unaccounted for.

According to Hon. Pascal Aniegbuna, Transition Committee Chairman, Ogbaru Local Government Area, while some of the passenges were rescued, several others, unfortunately lost their lives.

Ogene, who is the Labour Party 2023 House of Representatives candidate for Ogbaru Federal Constituency, in a statement on Saturday, in Awka, said that Ogbaru is devastated and in shock over the horrendous boat accident that took the precious lives of some of its sons and daughters.

He said: “This sad news of this terrible accident is numbing and painful to me as a person and must be very devastating, especially to the immediate families of the victims. This is a collective loss for Ogbaru as a whole and we are united in sorrow.

“My condolences go to the affected families and also Ogbahu people and communities, who have in recent times found themselves in the jaws of severe flood disaster that has practically submerged all our communities and displaced thousands of people.”

Ogene had earlier made an appeal in a press statement issued on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to come to the rescue of the people of Ogbaru over the flood disaster in the area.

According to Ogene, in the earlier statement, houses, farms and other businesses in Ogbaru, have been swallowed by the horrendous flood, leaving many people in dire agony, sorrow, tears and hopelessness.

He named some of the affected communities as Ogwu Ikpele, Akili Ogidi, Obeagwe, Ossomala, Ogwuaniocha, Umunankwo, Ogbakuba, Ochuche, Umuzu, Akili Ozizor, Atani, Ohita and Odekpe. Other areas devastated by the ravaging flood include Amiyi, Iyiowa, Ogbeukwu, Okoti and parts of Okpoko.

Said the ex-lawmaker after a visit to the area last weekend:”It is pathetic. It is a terrible sight in Ogbaru as a result of the flood disaster. The human and environmental conditions here are absolutely pathetic and requires urgent action from government in order to alleviate the sufferings of the despondent victims, most of whom have lost all their belongings to the flood disaster.

“These flood victims that cut across several communities, urgently need relief materials and other assistance from government and it’s agencies, such as NEMA and SEMA. I therefore call on these agencies to rise up to its responsibility and bring urgent succour to the people of Ogbaru, who are currently besieged by flooding, so as to avert the outbreak of health challenges associated with such incident.

“Most of them urgently need food, clothing materials, beddings, medical supplies and shelter.

“I also call on the Anambra State Government, to liaise with the Transition Committee Chairman, Hon. Paschal Aniegbuna and President Generals of Ogbaru communities, to coordinate relief efforts to ensure that there are prudently and transparently distributed in the best interest of the victims.

“Please, NEMA, SEMA and state government, should consider this as a serious and desperate SOS message and treat it with the urgency, humaneness and responsibility that it requires.”

Sadly, besides the setting up of four Internally Displaced Persons(IDP) camps and a Flood Committee, no material assistance – besides the provision of 100 foams – has come the way of the people, before yesterday’s disaster.