Presidency exposes oil marketers

~*~ WHAT a WICKED Country ???

*** Presidency exposes oil marketers

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* Lists 6 ways they defraud NIGERIA:

*** MORE facts have emerged from the report of the Presidential Task Force on Fuel Subsidy Fund management as a top presidency official has disclosed six ways the marketers defrauded the country as discovered by the Aig Imoukhuede review committee.
Speaking in confidence to the Nigerian Tribune, the official stated that the marketers operated a sophisticated ring, which was only uncovered by forensic experts engaged by the Federal Ministry of Finance, adding we were all shocked with the depth of the scam and the tricks adopted by the perpetrators.
Admitting that he was not authorized to release the details, the official, however, affirmed that disclosing the full details would allow Nigerians to appreciate the level of rot within the society and what he called the passionate struggle of Mr President and the coordinating minister for the economy to sanitize the economy.

# According to the official, the first approach in the defrauding process involved the importation of products to fulfill supply contracts to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and after presentation of documents to NNPC as evidence of supply, the products were then diverted to another vessel by ship to ship transfer.
Fresh Bill of Lading is generated, new Form M established and the same product is supplied to Nigeria a second time under the petroleum subsidy scheme. The products which have already been paid for by NNPC are then used to claim subsidy from the Federal Government. Effectively double dipping into the nation's pocket, he narrated.

# The second, which he called fake or false vessels declaration involved the identification of a dead or decommissioned vessel or using the name of live vessel which was not in Nigerian waters.
This, according to him, would be followed by the creation of Form M containing the fake or false vessel information while a Bill of Lading containing this false information, would also be generated, adding that no product is imported into Nigeria but fake vessel documentation is used to claim subsidy from the Federal Government.

# The third one the official called On-Shore Tank Back-Loading involved a genuine importation and discharge of products into On Shore Tanks in Nigeria while another vessel would berth at the jetty and the products would then be loaded back onto the vessel and exported out of Nigeria with the importer selling the product to recoup their initial funds outlay.
The original documents are then presented to Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and subsidy is claimed for products that were never sold in Nigeria, he said.

# The fourth approach is called the Land Border Smuggling through which a genuine importation of products would take place and the products trucked across a land border for sale outside Nigeria at near international market price while the shipping documents are then used to claim subsidy from Nigeria for products that were never sold in Nigeria.

# The Fifth approach also listed Bills for Collection Round Tripping as a common method adopted by the marketers, which involved the importer claiming that they had access to foreign credit facilities to finance their importation but would proceed to declare the fake vessel on the Form M alongside Bill of Lading containing false vessel information.
The documents are presented to PPPRA and subsidy is collected for products that were never imported into Nigeria.
The subsidy profit is then used to remit scarce foreign exchange out of Nigeria, he stated.

# The last method according to the official is the Rice and Beans method, which is perpetrated using the kerosene subsidy scam.
Because of the excessive profit made on kerosene imports, importers of kerosene illegally mix the kerosene with diesel (what is called Rice and Beans) to create adulterated diesel at a much lower cost than the landed cost of unadulterated diesel.
The adulterated diesel is then sold at slightly below diesel market price, the official narrated.

*** On what is being done to stop a re-occurrence of this scam, the top presidency official noted that President Jonathan had ordered water-tight procedure for verification of subsidy payments and the Finance Minister had got a marching order to scrutinise and closely vet claims.
The administration is putting in place measures that will never allow such practices to occur again.
The Minister of Finance is effecting presidential directive in that direction, the official stated.

SECURITY UPDATE

We will soon put insecurity behind us - IGP

In what look like rebirth of the Nigeria Police, Monday, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar assured Nigerians that the security situation in the country is heading for improvement, just as he charged 41 newly promoted senior officers to

halt the criminals plaguing the country.

Abubakar said In his congratulatory message shortly after he decorated the newly promoted officers with their new ranks at Force Headquarters, Abuja, that they must see their promotion as additional responsibility and impetus to bring the security situation under their control.

The IGP said that they are expected to justifiably account for their new positions, as a mark of appreciation to the Police authority, the government and people of Nigeria. He enjoined them to impart to their subordinates, the qualities of leadership that saw them merit their elevation.

Abubakar challenged the officers to key into the reformatory spirit of the present Police administration in the fight against corruption in all ramifications, the battle against terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery and criminality in all spheres and definitions.

The Nigeria police had suffered several defeats in hands of Boko Haram sect who over ran their stations and killed their personnel including everybody on site. The activities of the rampaging sect led to the removal of the former IGP Hafiz Rigim and the appointment of Abubakar.

Abubakar said that he is optimistic that Nigerians are about to witness “the emergence of a well-motivated and proactive Police Force, with capacity to adequately handle the security challenges of the nation; and that not long from now, the security situation in the country will improve substantially”.

The IGP used the opportunity to thank Nigerians for their cooperation with the Police in recent times, as evidenced in successes recorded in the fight against crime and criminality in different parts of the country. He also expressed his profound gratitude to the Federal and some State governments, for various supports given to spur the Force in the discharge of its responsibility. He assured Nigerians of the willingness of Force to perform even better, its duty of providing security for all, notwithstanding current challenges

The decoration followed the elevation of 41 police officers announced by the Police Service Commission on August 1,including one hundred and thirty-two (132) Senior Officers, ninety-one (91) Assistant Commissioners of Police who were elevated to the rank of Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs).

In addition to the newly promoted DCPs, is a list of 41 other newly promoted senior Police officers. A break-drown of the list showed that 1 Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) was promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), while 8 Commissioners of Police are elevated to the rank of Assistant-Inspectors General of Police (AIGs). Also promoted are 32 Deputy Commissioners of Police, to the substantive rank of Commissioners of Police.

The newly promoted DIG, Philemon I. Leha, MILR, psc+ was born on 14th January, 1954 at Numan, Adamawa State. He began the pursuit of his education at Bille Primary School in 1959 and thereafter proceeded to Bronnum Secondary School, Numan, in 1967. At the end of his Secondary School career in 1971, he gained admission into Bauchi Teachers’ College, Bauchi and obtained his Grade II Teachers’ Certificate in 1973. Philemon I. Leha proceeded to Federal School of Arts and Science, Mubi in 1975, where he obtained his Higher School certificate (HSC) in 1977 and went to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, to bag his B.A. (Hons) in History. Young Philemon Leha did his National Youth Service at Ijesa-Isu-Ekiti Community Secondary School in 1980/81. After a break, he returned to the academia in 1991 to obtain a Masters Degree in Industrial and Labour Relations from the University of Ibadan.

In pursuit of his strong desire to serve his fatherland, DIG Philemon I. Leha enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police on 1st December, 1981 and has continued in the service of the Force, in different parts of the country, in various capacities and responsibilities, till this memorable day of his decoration as a DIG. He ran through the ranks to attain his present rank. He was promoted to Commissioner of Police while serving in acting capacity in the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Force Headquarters, Abuja and was shortly after, deployed as CP to the Anambra State Police Command. Leha was redeployed to the Office of Commissioner of Police in-charge PMF, in FHQ-Abuja, where fortune smiled on him with promotion to the rank of AIG. This resulted in his redeployment to Kano as the AIG in-charge of Zone 1 of the Nigeria Police Force (comprising Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States), where he served until his present elevation to the exalted rank of DIG.

DIG Philemon I. Leha has attended several professional Courses in various Institutions, including the prestigious Police Staff College, Jos where he had his Cadet ASP Course and several other courses, including Senior Command Course, in 2001. His commitment to duties, diligence, dedication and hard-work earned him several Awards and Commendation in the Force, including Peace Ambassador by World Peace Federation, among others. His promotion to DIG, it needs be said, is a product of divine destiny.

Among the eight newly promoted and decorated AIGs, are two specialists. The first is AIG Alex E. Okeke, a pharmacist who currently heads the Police Medical Services. He is first Police Pharmacist to rise to the rank of AIG. He is also the first Police Pharmacist to head the Police Medical Services. The second officer is AIG Julius A. Ishola, a Veterinary Doctor who heads the Police Animal Section. The remaining six AIGs are General Duty officers who before now were Commissioners of Police in-charge of various Police Commands across the federation.

London Olympic Flop; Lagos ACN Demands For Immediate Probe Of Sport Ministry And Other Public Sectors

London Olympic Flop; Lagos ACN Demands For Immediate Probe Of Sport Ministry And Other Public Sectors

NIGERIA ETHNIC GROUPS

NIGERIA ETHNIC GROUPS

The ethnicity of Nigeria is so varied that there is no definition of a Nigerian beyond that of someone who lives within the borders of the country.
The boundaries of the formerly English colony were drawn to serve commercial interests, largely without regard for the territorial claims of the indigenous peoples. As a result, about three hundred ethnic groups comprise the population of Nigeria, and the country's unity has been consistently under siege: eight attempts at secession threatened national unity between 1914 and 1977. The Biafran War was the last of the secessionist movements within this period.

The concept of ethnicity requires definition. Ukpo calls an "ethnic group" a "group of people having a common language and cultural values". These common factors are emphasized by frequent interaction between the people in the group. In Nigeria, the ethnic groups are occasionally fusions created by intermarriage, intermingling and/or assimilation. In such fusions, the groups of which they are composed maintain a limited individual identity. The groups are thus composed of smaller groups, but there is as much difference between even the small groups; as Chief Obafemi Awolowo put it, as much "as there is between Germans, English, Russians and Turks".

The count of three hundred ethnic groups cited above overwhelmingly enumerates ethnic minority groups, those which do not comprise a majority in the region in which they live. These groups usually do not have a political voice, nor do they have access to resources or the technology needed to develop and modernize economically. They therefore often consider themselves discriminated against, neglected, or oppressed. There are only three ethnic groups which have attained "ethnic majority" status in their respective regions: the Hausa-Fulani in the north, the Ibo in the southeast, and the Yoruba (Soyinka's group) in the southwest.

We must be very careful to avoid the use of the term "tribe" to describe these ethnic groups. "Tribe," Ukpo points out, is largely a racist term. The Ibo and Hausa-Fulani of Nigeria are each made up of five to ten million people, a figure comparable to the number of, say, Scots, Welsh, Armenians, Serbs or Croats. Yet we do not refer to the latter groups as "tribes." The term "tribe" is almost exclusively, and very indifferently, applied to peoples of Native American or African origin. It is a label which emerged with imperialism in its application to those who were non-European and lived in a "colonial or semi-colonial dependency...in Asia, Africa and Latin America". As we are attempting to discard the prejudices of imperialism it is in our best interests to discard the use of the term "tribe" when referring to the ethnic groups of Nigeria.

With that in mind, we should dabble in brief definitions of the major ethnic groups of Nigeria. The majority groups, as stated above, are the Hausa-Fulani, Ibo and Yoruba.

Ghanaian President, John Atta Mills died at 68

Ghana's president, John Evans Atta-Mills, has died suddenly, aged 68.

Mills, who was only months away from completing his first term in office, cancelled meetings and was taken to hospital at midday on Tuesday suffering from an unspecified illness.

A statement from the president's office, signed by the chief of staff, confirmed his death several hours later, after growing speculation and a near communications blackout in the capital city, Accra.

"It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sudden and untimely
According to media reports, Mr. Mills, 68, suffered from throat cancer and died in a hospital in Accra, Ghana’s capital.

He had ruled the West African country since 2009.

President Mills will be remembered for his statesmanship and years of dedicated service to his country.

MPs were summoned to Ghana's parliament house to swear in John Dramani Mahama, the former vice president, and given reassurances that the death of Mills would not spark a constitutional crisis. No president has ever died in office in the history of Ghana, which gained independence from Britain in 1957.

Mahama, who made an emotional speech describing Mills as a "father, friend, mentor and … senior comrade", said that the country was "deeply saddened and distraught" and declared one week of mourning in Ghana.

News of the president's death follows weeks of rumours about his health, prompted by a decline in public appearances and a medical trip to the US, which he insisted was for a routine check-up.

When Mills was elected in 2009, questions were raised about his fitness to lead the country. At least two false reports announcing his death have previously circulated in Ghana.

Mills was preparing to seek a second term in elections due in December.

Mills, a professor of tax law for 25 years, who studied at the University of London, was expected to lead a close contest for the ruling party, the National Democratic Congress.

The news has shocked other African countries, where there have been a number of deaths in office in recent years. Nigeria's president Goodluck Jonathan, who succeeded president Umaru Yar'Adua after he died in office in 2010, expressed his condolences.

A statement from the Nigerian presidency said: "On behalf of himself, the government and people of Nigeria, President Jonathan extends sincere condolences to late President Mills' family as well as the government and people of Ghana.

"The president assures the people of Ghana of the sympathy and solidarity of the people of Nigeria as they mourn late President Mills who did his best during his tenure to carry forward the process of democratic consolidation and socio-economic development in Ghana."

Ghanaian commentators praised the relative speed with which Mills' death was announced, two hours after doctors at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra failed to resuscitate him.

Nigeria’s first female Chief Justice,Alooma Mariam Mukhtar, was sworn in.

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday said that he is confident that the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Alooma Mariam Mukhtar will reform and reposition the judiciary for the effective and efficient discharge of its constitutional mandate.

The president was speaking in the presidential villa after swearing in the CJN in the presidential villa.

He said that Justice Mukhtar is presiding over the judiciary at a time of profound changes that demand united response but that he is confident that the challenges can be confronted head on.

Mr Jonathan pointed at security challenges and the terrorism, and called on the three arms of government to work together to overcome the threats.

He asked the CJN to rise up and provide the necessary support to address corruption pointing out that the complain about lengthy trials especially in cases of corruption, terrorism and other matters of serious public concern should be considered to avoid the delay in justice for all.

Justice Dahiru Musdapher on Sunday bowed out as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) having attained the retirement age of 70 years.

Edo State election - Governor Adams Oshiomhole a true Comrade

Senate salutes Oshiomhole, says people’s will remains sacrosanct

SENATE spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has described the re-election of Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, as the wish of the people, stating that the Nigerian upper chamber was happy that the election reaffirmed the people’s will.

In a statement, on Sunday, Senator Abaribe said that respect for the will of the people remained the recipe for a sound and enduring democracy in the country.

He further stated that the Senate believed that success of the July 14 poll was a signal of better things to come and evidence that the true tenets of democracy were fast taking roots in Nigeria.

Senator Abaribe stated that the Senate was thrilled by the outcome of the election and its manifest reflection of respect for the sanctity of people’s will and their appreciation of outstanding performance of the governor.

The senator said: “The Senate is particularly happy over the peaceful conduct, massive turnout of the Edo voters, respect for their preference and the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in ensuring fairness and transparency during the election.

“The Senate is happy that the victory of Governor Oshiomhole is a true testament that the electorate are ever alert and will ever recognise and reward good work.

“There is no doubt that respect for the will of the people, as exemplified in the Oshiomhole victory, remains the driving force of our country's democratic evolution.”

He, however, enjoined Governor Oshiomhole to be magnanimous in victory and to seek to unite all divergent interests in the state, while also doubling his effort at delivering democracy dividends to the people.





Oshiomhole’s re-election, triumph over evil forces - NLC

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that the landslide victory recorded by the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, at the just concluded governorship election in Edo State was not only a triumph of light over evil forces but a victory foretold.

The NLC made the submission in a press statement issued and signed by its president, Abdulwaheed Omar, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, on Sunday, adding that Oshiomhole, despite all odds, defeated his closest rival by clinching 75 per cent of the valid votes cast with 477,478.

The release, which noted that his closest rival, Major General Charles Airhiavbere (retd) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), only garnered 144,235 votes, said it was a signal to the money bags and their godfathers and all those who believed in buying their ways into office to loot the public treasury and consign the working people and Nigeria’s poor to eternal poverty and deprivation that the day of reckoning had come.

It added that it was a victory well deserved for the people of the state and a triumph of democracy.



Oshiomhole campaign organisation lauds Edo electorate

THE Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation, on Monday, lauded Edo people over re-election of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, saying they had demonstrated very peculiar courage and determination that election was not about money contrary to claim that “money plays significant role in election in this part of the world.”

The campaign organisation also said the voters had shown that integrity and honesty of purpose were essential attributes that money could not buy, even as it declared that the re-election of Oshiomhole had put paid to ethnic and divisive politics in the state and “stamped the moral authority of the people as the authentic deciders of political power.”

The organisation said this in a statement signed by its director of media and publicity, Prince Kassim Afegbua and made available to the Nigerian Tribune.

The campaign organisation, while expressing its appreciation to Edo electorate in general and other stakeholders, particularly the traditional institution led by Omo N’oba Ereduawa, said it was sacrifice made in the face of outright threat and intimidation to ensure that the will of the people was freely expressed at the polls.

According to the body, the poll that witnessed the victory of Oshiomhole “has been such a soul refreshing exercise and the outcome has once again reaffirmed Edo State as the real heartbeat of the nation.

“It has opened new vista in electioneering campaigns and outcome. It has doggedly registered the mantra of one man, one vote as the key symbol of representative democracy.”

Finally, the Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation paid tribute to candidates of other parties, including General Charles Airhiavbere (retd) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for their acceptance of the outcome of the election as a true reflection of the wishes and aspirations of the people.



Gov Orji congratulates Oshiomhole •Mukhtar, M. D. Abubarkar, too

ABIA State governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has congratulated comrade Adams Oshiomhole

of Edo State on his re-election.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ugochukwu Emezue, Chief Orji said Oshiomhole’s re-election was a manifestation of the confidence his people reposed in him. He urged him not to disappoint them.

The governor also congratulated the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Aloma Mukhtar, on her appointment.

Chief Orji said that she deserved it, having proved her worth in the judiciary over the years.

According to Chief Orji being the first female Chief Justice Nigeria of the country, he had no doubt she would do the nation proud.

He urged her to go the extra mile in taking the judiciary to higher heights.

Governor Orji also applauded the confirmation of M. D. Abubarkar as the Inspector General of Police.

He urged the police boss, whom he described as a hard working officer, to continue his fight against insecurity with greater zeal as all Nigerians are praying for him.



Oshiomhole’s victory proves Nigerians can redirect their destiny - Group

A pan-youth organisation in Nigeria, The Youth Arise for Nigeria (YAN), on Monday, stated that the landslide re-election victory of the Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for another four years was an evidence that Nigerians could still redirect their destiny in the 2015 polls.

YAN, while commending the people of Edo State for their resolve at the poll last Saturday to usher in another four years of human and infrastructural development and prosperity in the state, hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC, the Nigeria police and the army for ensuring that the election was peaceful.

YAN’s national coordinator, Oluwarotimi Macnobleson, in a statement by the group’s national publicity secretary, Liborous Oshoma, said the results of the Edo State governorship poll showed that the sovereignty was still with the people and that Nigerians couldn still change their own destiny come 2015 by kicking out the corrupt ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

Comrade Macnobleson said the Edo State election was a lesson to all public office holders that only the people have the power to reward good service and hard work and also confirm that the people were watching and ready to kick out all corrupt politicians in 2015.

While commiserating with the people of the state over those who lost their lives in Ologbo boat mishap, during the early hours of the election on Saturday, YAN called on Governor Oshiomhole not to see his second chance as a time of mere consolidation of projects.