AS Nigeria joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Environment
Day WED, 2017, last week, environmentalists
and other stakeholders in the sector have emphasised the need to reconnect to
nature and protect the earth, just as they dismissed Donald Trump’s pull out of Paris
climate change accord struck in 2015. WED which is an annual event
is celebrated June 5 every year.
The Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim
Jibril, while speaking at the World Environment Day organised by Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with United Nationas Development Programme UNDP, in Abuja,
urged stakeholders to support the Federal Government in its efforts to protect the nation’s environment.
He said that the World Environment Day was aimed at mobilising
the general public to understand that everyone was responsible for safeguarding the environment, pointing out that the government’s
efforts to save the ecosystem, in partnership with the private sector,
would go a long way in achieving a sustainable and healthy
environment. The minister who disclosed that WED was set aside by the United Nations UN, to
raise global awareness about the importance of healthy and
green environment to human existence, added that the day
is also aimed at solving environmental issues by
implementing some positive environmental actions.
He listed the environmental challenges facing the country as desertification in the North, coastal erosion in the
South East and South West and oil pollution in the Niger Delta.
He therefore urged all stakeholders to come together and
make concerted efforts to protect the nation’s environment.
In her remark, Ms Harriet Thompson, United Kingdom’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, said
that the 2011 Climate Change Vulnerability Index indicated
that climate change could result in a loss in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product GDP.
She noted that it could result in six per cent and 30 per-cent GDP
loss by 2050, adding that the estimated cost of the loss was between 100 and 460
billion U.S. dollars.
“In addition to global climate risks, there are immediate local impacts of the carbon economy in Nigeria. We are pleased that one billion dollars has been committed by the Federal Government and international oil companies for the Ogoni cleanup.”
The Director-General of Nigerian Conservation Foundation NCF, Mr.
Adeniyi Karunwi at NCF forum to celebrate the Day, said WED celebration is a major
medium by which students express global environmental concerns within the peculiarity of the
nation, pointing out that “Our experience over the years has shown that students are ever ready to inform the public about environmental issues such as Climate Change, Waste Management, Ocean Surge, Deforestation, and other human activities that affect the environment.
“This has gone further to infuse values and eco-friendly ethics among the youthful participants.
WED has equally served as an advocacy tool for engaging stakeholders such as corporate
organizations, federal and state governments and the public, most of whom have already celebrated WED in Nigeria.
Some participants have taken on careers in environment-related disciplines as ambassadors due to their active participation in the past WED celebrations”, Karunwi.
For Prof. Oladele Osibanjo, the President, Waste Management Society of Nigeria WAMASON, there is the need for a new resource mobilisation and funding, to effectively implement environmental projects in the country.
Suspected kidnapping kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike,
a.okay.a. Evans, has once more dragged the Inspector Normal of Police,
and three others earlier than a Federal Excessive Court docket in Lagos over his alleged unlawful detention.
In the brand new go well with filed yesterday by a Lagos-primarily
based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, Evans is claiming N300 million as common and exemplary damages in opposition to the police for alleged unlawful detention and unconstitutional media trial.
Joined as respondents in his new originating movement
are the Nigeria Police Drive, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State and the Particular Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Police Command.
Evans had on Wednesday filed an ex parte utility with reference quantity FHC/L/CS/1012/2017, earlier than the identical court docket, looking for an order directing the
respondents to cost him to court docket. He had additionally in the choice, sought an order directing the
respondents to launch him unconditionally, the place no cost is
most well-liked towards him.
In an affidavit deposed to by his father, Mr.
Stephen Onwuamadike, it was averred that the applicant has been subjected
to media trial with none court docket order by the
respondents.
Onwuamadike additional averred that the media
trial and information orchestrated by the respondents have continued to generate reactions in each print and digital
media with out his son being afforded a good listening to earlier than a court docket of regulation.
He can also be in search of a declaration that his parade on June eleven earlier than journalists in Lagos, on the Lagos Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, with none
court docket order, is unconstitutional and unlawful and compelling
the respondents to jointly and severally, pay him the sum of N300 million as exemplary damages for unlawful detention and alleged
hurt attributable to the alleged media trial. No date has been fastened for listening to in his newest swimsuit.
In the meantime, the police yesterday gave
explanation why Evans determined to drag the Nigeria Police to court docket over his steady
detention. Police sources stated it was Evans’ gang members who’re but to be
arrested that sought for and received the companies of Ogungbeje
to frustrate additional investigation into the case. “They’re insisting that Evans needs to be charged to courtroom.”
It was, nevertheless, gathered that the police IRT group anticipated such a pointy transfer early sufficient and had secured an order of the Federal Excessive Court docket
to detain Evans for at the very least three months.
The order, police sources advised newsmen, was
secured final week Thursday.
ABUJA—THE Senate and workers unions in the oil and gas sector were, yesterday, up in arms against federal government’s unbundling of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
The protest paralyzed activities in the corporation.
Both the National Assembly and the workers accused the Federal government of violating the law establishing the NNPC.
According to them, the corporation was established
through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Act of 1977.
The NNPC Act specifically states that the Act or any part thereof can only be
altered, changed or otherwise amended by the Act of the National Assembly.
“It is also stated in CAP N123, laws of the Federation, 2004 that the NNPC is a creature of legislature; the NNPC Act or any part thereof can only be altered, changed or otherwise amended by an Act of the National Assembly.
While the Senate declared the action illegal and had begun probe of President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to undertake the unbundling, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and National Union of of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, shut NNPC offices in protest against the move, sparking off fears of worsening fuel scarcity.
There were, however, discordant tunes in the House of Representatives as some members kicked against the unbundling, while others saw nothing wrong with it.
However, rising from the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting yesterday, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group managing Director of NNPC, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, who announced the unbundling on Tuesday, said what the corporation did was not unbundling but mere re-organisation.
Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, APC, Osun Central, in a point of order on the floor of the Senate, yesterday, drew the attention of other senators to the unbundling of the nation’s agency in charge of the oil and gas sector in the country.
Adeyeye, who will formally present a motion on the matter today, where there would be extensive debate at the plenary, described the exercise as illegal as the federal government did not consult with the National Assembly to repeal the enabling law that set up NNPC before breaking it into different components.
Senator Adeyeye said: “We cannot afford a strike at this time and
the reason for the strike is because the NNPC has been unbundled, broken into parts that are not known to the laws which established the NNPC.
“The NNPC was established with a definite purpose and a definite structure to carry out that purpose.
“Throughout the last National Assembly, we worked very hard on the PIB bill so as to give our petroleum
sector an effective structure; we are still working on that.
I don’t think any director of any parastatal should act outside of the law.
“I, therefore, seek the permission of the Presidency of this senate and distinguished members that I raise the matter tomorrow( today) for consideration.”
NUPENG, PENGASSAN protest
Meanwhile, all operations of the NNPC were, yesterday, shut by
protesting workers as a result of the unbundling.
The workers, acting on the platform of NUPENG, and PENGASSAN,
shut the gates leading to the NNPC Towers as early as 6.30am and
prevented movement in and out of the towers.
The workers said they were not against the unbundling,
but insisted that it must be done in accordance with the law
of the land and that all stakeholders, especially PENGASSAN and NUPENG, must be
carried along.
Speaking on the action, acting General Secretary of PENGASSAN, Mr.
Lumumba Okugbawa, said the move by the government would be tantamount to policy somersault,
noting that it would discourage investors from
the nation’s oil and gas industry at a
time the nation needed foreign investment to grow the industry.
He lamented that the government did not take into
consideration the existing law that established the NNPC before
unbundling the corporation and called for an all-inclusive
stakeholders’ forum where all issues confronting
the industry could be resolved.
Okugbawa said: “The NNPC was established through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Act of 1977. The NNPC Act specifically states that the Act or any part thereof can only be altered, changed or otherwise amended only by the Act of the National Assembly.
“It is also started in CAP N123, laws of the Federation, 2004 that the NNPC
is a creature of legislature; the NNPC Act or any part thereof can only be altered, changed or otherwise amended by an Act of the National Assembly.
“This Act has many provisions that deal with structure and operations of the corporation. There are many issues such as pensions and transfer of the employees, which were provided for in the NNPC Act of 1977. What will happen to all these provisions of the law?
“For the government to do anything with the current NNPC, the Act must either
be repealed or amended. If not, it will amount to
lack of respect for the rule of law on the part of the government.
“There is the issue of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, expected to be the legal instrument for the ongoing reforms of the oil and gas industry. This will be meaningless if the government should introduce plans outside the reforms, The PIB is germane to the development of the nation’s oil and gas industry.
“Above all, the various stakeholders, especially the unions
were shocked to receive the news as every other Nigerian. There is confusion everywhere, no direction, no explanation about
anything. What happens to the head of subsidiaries like
Petroleum and Products Marketing Company, PPMC,
National Petroleum Investment and Management
Services, NAPIMS, even the refineries?”
Reps divided
But there were discordant tunes among members of the House of Representatives over the decision by NUPENG and PENGASSAN to embark on strike, following the unbundling.
While the member representing Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Micheal Adeniyi Omogbehin and Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion representing Ovia North East/South-West Federal Constituency of Edo State condemned the minister for being hasty in carrying out the proposal, Philip Shaibu representing Etsako Federal Constituency of Edo State, said the minister had not violated any law.
Omogbehin specifically wondered why the minister was in a hurry when the House of Representatives on Tuesday called for a suspension of the proposal, pending when it’s relevant committees on oil and gas submitted its report on the matter.
He said that the House which he described as Nigerian House had taken a decision, asking the minister to halt the proposal to unbundle the NNPC, pending when the committees should submit their reports but expressed surprise the minister ignored the resolution of the House.
His position was supported by Igbinedion, who wondered what it would remove from the minister if he should suspend implementation of the proposed unbundling of the NNPC, pending when the relevant committees concluded their investigations and submit their reports.
But Shaibu differed with his colleagues as he said that the proposal was for administrative convenience and effective management of NNPC, adding that there was no law known to him that had been violated.
He said: “I think what to my knowledge is the meaning of unbundling,
according to the minister, is for efficiency and proper management of that establishment, knowing that it is the hallmark of revenue generation, the
life wire of this country.
“It must be taken seriously more so with the level of corruption and mismanagement that have taken place in NNPC. There are lots of misnomer in NNPC that are already being investigated. Looking at what he has done from my perspective, it was just to create an avenue where he can manage effectively and also take advantage of enormous resources in this country and make sure that nothing is lost.
“By my little investigation so far, the Act of
1977 establishing the NNPC, does not have any where it stipulated how to unbundle NNPC as
he has done. For me, I call it demarcation like he has done.
The law, so far as I have seen, has not been offended.”
It’s mere re-organisation
However, rising from the FEC meeting, yesterday, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachukwu, stated that government has not unbundled the NNPC yet.
Explaining the development in the oil sector in an interview with State House correspondents after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the minister, who is also the Group Managing Director, GMD of NNPC, said what the corporation did was re-organisation.
He said: “We have not unbundled NNPC. We had a press conference, yesterday (Tuesday), where I explained this.
What we have simply done is re-organisation. We have five business entities focused on business: Upstream, Downstream, Refineries, Gas and Power that are there before.
“There are also ventures that capture all our little companies that were not having proper stewardship. They are run by individuals who report to the GMD.
“The NNPC is still a whole. There is nothing new that has happened.
I have tried to explain this and I am sure the NNPC workers are members of the
family, they will understand.”
‘’We are going to have a meeting, and they will be made to understand. Perhaps the engagement has not been good enough.
“NNPC has not been unbundled in the sense of breaking up NNPC into distinct institutions.
I am concerned. I don’t want the industry shut down. I am sure
we are going to resolve the issues very soon”.
Ekiti is a state in western Nigeria, declared a state
on October 1, 1996 alongside 5 others by the navy below the dictatorship of Common Sani Abacha.
The state, carved out of the territory of outdated Ondo State,
covers the previous twelve native authorities areas that made
up the Ekiti Zone of previous Ondo State. On creation, it took off with sixteen (sixteen)
Native Authorities Areas (LGAs), having had an extra 4 carved out of
the outdated ones. Ekiti State is without doubt one of the thirty-six states (Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria)) that represent Nigeria.
Ekiti State is reputed to have produced the very best variety
of professors in Nigeria. A number of pioneers lecturers are from the
state. Pioneers like Profs Adegoke Olubummo( One among the first Nigerian Professors in the sphere of Arithmetic), Prof.
Ekundayo Adeyinka Adeyemi(1st Professor of Structure in Africa, South of
Sahara). Others embrace famend lecturers like Profs
J.F. Ade-Ajayi, Niyi Osundare, Sam Aluko and others too many to
say.
Following a chronic political disaster, President Olusegun Obasanjo imposed a navy administrator (Basic Tunji Olurin) on Ekiti State in October 2006.
On April 27, 2007 Olurin was changed by Tope Ademiluyi.
Within the PDP major of 2006, 1st-place finisher, Yinka Akerele and 2nd place
Prof. Adesegun Ojo had been purported to
be in a run-off to find out who can be the nominee of the Nigerian ruling occasion when President Obasanjo summoned them to Abuja and imposed
the candidate who got here third – Engineer Segun Oni. He
was later elected within the 2007 election because the governor of
the state in an election marred by widespread irregularities and the AC candidate, Dr.
Kayode Fayemi challenged his election and compelled
a rerun in Could 2009.[2]
The Might 2009 rerun was characterized by even worse rigging and the election was disputed once more.
Finally, after three years, the election of Oni was
thrown out and Dr. Kayode Fayemi was declared the duly elected governor
of Ekiti State.
The Olofin, the sixteen kids and another beloved individuals continued with their journey, however after they obtained to a selected
lovely and flat land, the Owa-Obokun(the monachy of
Ijesha land) and Orangun of Ila determined to remain in the current Ijesha and Igomina land of in Osun state.
Whereas the remaining fourteen (14) youngsters continued with the journey and later settled in the current day Ekiti land.
They found that there have been many hills within the place and
so they stated of their mom’s language that that is
‘Ile olokiti’ the land of hills. Due to this fact, the Okiti later blended to Ekiti.
So Ekiti derived her title by means of hills.
The State enjoys tropical local weather with two distinct seasons.
These are the rainy season (April–October) and the dry season (November–March).
Temperature ranges between 21° and 28 °C with excessive humidity.
The south westerly wind and the northeast commerce winds blow within the rainy and dry (Harmattan) seasons respectively.
Tropical forest exists within the south, whereas savannah occupies
the northern peripheries.
Ekiti State consists of sixteen (sixteen) Native Authorities Areas.
They’re:
Present checklist of Native Authorities Space Chairmen.[Four]
Proposed 18 Native Council Improvement Areas (LCDAs)in Ekiti State The Ekiti State
Authorities is to create extra 18 Council Improvement Areas primarily based on the suggestions of the White Paper Committee arrange
by the federal government.
In a press assertion, the Commissioner for Info and Civic Orientation, Mr.
Tayo Ekundayo, mentioned the brand new council areas can be created
from the prevailing sixteen native authorities areas following a referendum by the State Impartial Electoral Fee (SIEC) and consideration of the result of the referendum by the State Home of Meeting.
They’ll function as Native Council Growth Areas (LCDAs)
pending the concurrence of the Nationwide Meeting,
which might accord them the standing of full-fledged native authorities councils.
In accordance with the commissioner, the brand new councils and their proposed headquarters as contained within the
White Paper and accredited by the State Govt Council are as
follows:
i) Ado West Native Council Growth Space- Okesha
ii) Ado-North LCDA——————————— Oke –Ila
iii) Ado-Central LCDA——————————– Ijigbo
iv) Ekiti North-East LCDA————————— Kota -Ekiti
v) Ogotun/Igbaraodo LCDA————————- Oke- Agbe
vi) Osi/Isokan LCDA ——————————— Ifaki
vii) Eka Meta LCDA———————————– Erijiyan-
Ekiti
viii) Okemesi/Ido Ile LCDA————————— Okemesi – Ekiti
ix) Gbonyin LCDA———————————— Aisegba
x) Irewolede LCDA——————————— Iloro- Ekiti
xi) Irede LCDA————————————— Ipoti-Ekiti
xii) Ikere West LCDA——————————- Anaye
xiii) Ajoni LCDA————————————–
Aiyedun
xiv) Ifelodun LCDA———————————– Igbemo –Ekiti
xv) Araromi LCDA———————————–
Iyin –Ekiti
xvi) Ero LCDA—————————————– Igogo
xvii) Ifesowapo LCDA——————————– Bamisile Land
xviii) Ifeloju LCDA————————————- Ilupeju- Ekiti
The Ekiti, whose ancestors migrated from Ile-Ife as a individuals,
type one in all the biggest ethnic teams in Yorubaland.
Ekitis are culturally homogeneous and so they communicate a dialect
of Yoruba language referred to as Ekiti. The homogeneous
nature of Ekiti confers on the state some uniqueness among the many states
of the federation. Slight variations are noticeable within the Ekiti dialects of the Yoruba language spoken by
the border communities to different states.
For instance, the folks of Ado native authorities space don’t communicate precisely the identical dialect with the folks of Ijero Native authorities space, whereas the folks of Ikole
space communicate one thing completely different from the folks of Ikere
space. The communities influenced by their areas embody
Otun (Moba land) that speaks a dialect near the one spoken by the
Igbominas in Kwara State. The individuals of Oke-Ako, Irele, Omuo communicate an analogous dialect to that of Ijesas of Osun State.
Nonetheless, a part of the uniqueness of the Ekitis is that the
place ever is your individual a part of the state, you’ll perceive nicely, when the opposite
Ekiti man/girl speaks, regardless of the dialectal variations.
As well as, all towns in Ekiti State take a typical suffix,
“Ekiti,” after their names. The primary staple meals of the folks of Ekiti is pounded yam with Isapa soup or vegetable soup.
Pure Sources Ekiti land is of course endowed with quite a few pure assets.
The state is doubtlessly wealthy in mineral deposits. These embrace granite, kaolin, columbite, channockete, iron ore, baryte, aquamine, gemstone,
phosphate, limestone,GOLD amongst others. They’re largely deposited in several towns and villages
of Ijero, Ekiti West, Ado – Ekiti, Ikole, Ikere, Ise-Ekiti and
different Native Authorities Areas.
Outstanding EKITI INDIGENS Prof. Akin Oyebode,Prof. Patrick Aina,Prof.
I. Orubuloye,Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), Femi Falana (SAN), Afeni Ayodele Ajayi, Michael Olusegun Oluwole, Oluwole Segun Michael, Prof.
Owa Afolabi, Prof. Akin Osuntokun, Prof. Ekundayo Adeyinka Adeyemi, Navy Capt.
Olubolade, Chief Michael Akin Omoboriowo, Chief Bamidele Olumilua, Maj.
Gen. Adebayo, Adeniyi Adebayo, Segun Oni, Paul Olatunde Alabi, D.
A. Adeyemo, S. Okay. Babalola, Prof. Tunde Adeniran,Prof.
Adesegun Ojo, Mr. Ayo Fayose, Dr. Kayode Fayemi,
Senator Olowoporoku, Prof. Aluko, Hon. Rufus Ayo Adakeja,
Pa. Paul Oluwole Jeje, Hon. Jeje (Writer Asa Ati Orisa Ile Yoruba).
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AS Nigeria joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Environment
Day WED, 2017, last week, environmentalists
and other stakeholders in the sector have emphasised the need to reconnect to
nature and protect the earth, just as they dismissed Donald Trump’s pull out of Paris
climate change accord struck in 2015. WED which is an annual event
is celebrated June 5 every year.
The Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim
Jibril, while speaking at the World Environment Day organised by Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with United Nationas Development Programme UNDP, in Abuja,
urged stakeholders to support the Federal Government in its efforts to protect the nation’s environment.
He said that the World Environment Day was aimed at mobilising
the general public to understand that everyone was responsible for safeguarding the environment, pointing out that the government’s
efforts to save the ecosystem, in partnership with the private sector,
would go a long way in achieving a sustainable and healthy
environment. The minister who disclosed that WED was set aside by the United Nations UN, to
raise global awareness about the importance of healthy and
green environment to human existence, added that the day
is also aimed at solving environmental issues by
implementing some positive environmental actions.
He listed the environmental challenges facing the country as desertification in the North, coastal erosion in the
South East and South West and oil pollution in the Niger Delta.
He therefore urged all stakeholders to come together and
make concerted efforts to protect the nation’s environment.
In her remark, Ms Harriet Thompson, United Kingdom’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, said
that the 2011 Climate Change Vulnerability Index indicated
that climate change could result in a loss in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product GDP.
She noted that it could result in six per cent and 30 per-cent GDP
loss by 2050, adding that the estimated cost of the loss was between 100 and 460
billion U.S. dollars.
“In addition to global climate risks, there are immediate local impacts of the carbon economy in Nigeria. We are pleased that one billion dollars has been committed by the Federal Government and international oil companies for the Ogoni cleanup.”
The Director-General of Nigerian Conservation Foundation NCF, Mr.
Adeniyi Karunwi at NCF forum to celebrate the Day, said WED celebration is a major
medium by which students express global environmental concerns within the peculiarity of the
nation, pointing out that “Our experience over the years has shown that students are ever ready to inform the public about environmental issues such as Climate Change, Waste Management, Ocean Surge, Deforestation, and other human activities that affect the environment.
“This has gone further to infuse values and eco-friendly ethics among the youthful participants.
WED has equally served as an advocacy tool for engaging stakeholders such as corporate
organizations, federal and state governments and the public, most of whom have already celebrated WED in Nigeria.
Some participants have taken on careers in environment-related disciplines as ambassadors due to their active participation in the past WED celebrations”, Karunwi.
For Prof. Oladele Osibanjo, the President, Waste Management Society of Nigeria WAMASON, there is the need for a new resource mobilisation and funding, to effectively implement environmental projects in the country.
Suspected kidnapping kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike,
a.okay.a. Evans, has once more dragged the Inspector Normal of Police,
and three others earlier than a Federal Excessive Court docket in Lagos over his alleged unlawful detention.
In the brand new go well with filed yesterday by a Lagos-primarily
based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, Evans is claiming N300 million as common and exemplary damages in opposition to the police for alleged unlawful detention and unconstitutional media trial.
Joined as respondents in his new originating movement
are the Nigeria Police Drive, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State and the Particular Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Police Command.
Evans had on Wednesday filed an ex parte utility with reference quantity FHC/L/CS/1012/2017, earlier than the identical court docket, looking for an order directing the
respondents to cost him to court docket. He had additionally in the choice, sought an order directing the
respondents to launch him unconditionally, the place no cost is
most well-liked towards him.
In an affidavit deposed to by his father, Mr.
Stephen Onwuamadike, it was averred that the applicant has been subjected
to media trial with none court docket order by the
respondents.
Onwuamadike additional averred that the media
trial and information orchestrated by the respondents have continued to generate reactions in each print and digital
media with out his son being afforded a good listening to earlier than a court docket of regulation.
He can also be in search of a declaration that his parade on June eleven earlier than journalists in Lagos, on the Lagos Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, with none
court docket order, is unconstitutional and unlawful and compelling
the respondents to jointly and severally, pay him the sum of N300 million as exemplary damages for unlawful detention and alleged
hurt attributable to the alleged media trial. No date has been fastened for listening to in his newest swimsuit.
In the meantime, the police yesterday gave
explanation why Evans determined to drag the Nigeria Police to court docket over his steady
detention. Police sources stated it was Evans’ gang members who’re but to be
arrested that sought for and received the companies of Ogungbeje
to frustrate additional investigation into the case. “They’re insisting that Evans needs to be charged to courtroom.”
It was, nevertheless, gathered that the police IRT group anticipated such a pointy transfer early sufficient and had secured an order of the Federal Excessive Court docket
to detain Evans for at the very least three months.
The order, police sources advised newsmen, was
secured final week Thursday.
ABUJA—THE Senate and workers unions in the oil and gas sector were, yesterday, up in arms against federal government’s unbundling of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
The protest paralyzed activities in the corporation.
Both the National Assembly and the workers accused the Federal government of violating the law establishing the NNPC.
According to them, the corporation was established
through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Act of 1977.
The NNPC Act specifically states that the Act or any part thereof can only be
altered, changed or otherwise amended by the Act of the National Assembly.
“It is also stated in CAP N123, laws of the Federation, 2004 that the NNPC is a creature of legislature; the NNPC Act or any part thereof can only be altered, changed or otherwise amended by an Act of the National Assembly.
While the Senate declared the action illegal and had begun probe of President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to undertake the unbundling, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and National Union of of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, shut NNPC offices in protest against the move, sparking off fears of worsening fuel scarcity.
There were, however, discordant tunes in the House of Representatives as some members kicked against the unbundling, while others saw nothing wrong with it.
However, rising from the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting yesterday, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group managing Director of NNPC, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, who announced the unbundling on Tuesday, said what the corporation did was not unbundling but mere re-organisation.
Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, APC, Osun Central, in a point of order on the floor of the Senate, yesterday, drew the attention of other senators to the unbundling of the nation’s agency in charge of the oil and gas sector in the country.
Adeyeye, who will formally present a motion on the matter today, where there would be extensive debate at the plenary, described the exercise as illegal as the federal government did not consult with the National Assembly to repeal the enabling law that set up NNPC before breaking it into different components.
Senator Adeyeye said: “We cannot afford a strike at this time and
the reason for the strike is because the NNPC has been unbundled, broken into parts that are not known to the laws which established the NNPC.
“The NNPC was established with a definite purpose and a definite structure to carry out that purpose.
“Throughout the last National Assembly, we worked very hard on the PIB bill so as to give our petroleum
sector an effective structure; we are still working on that.
I don’t think any director of any parastatal should act outside of the law.
“I, therefore, seek the permission of the Presidency of this senate and distinguished members that I raise the matter tomorrow( today) for consideration.”
NUPENG, PENGASSAN protest
Meanwhile, all operations of the NNPC were, yesterday, shut by
protesting workers as a result of the unbundling.
The workers, acting on the platform of NUPENG, and PENGASSAN,
shut the gates leading to the NNPC Towers as early as 6.30am and
prevented movement in and out of the towers.
The workers said they were not against the unbundling,
but insisted that it must be done in accordance with the law
of the land and that all stakeholders, especially PENGASSAN and NUPENG, must be
carried along.
Speaking on the action, acting General Secretary of PENGASSAN, Mr.
Lumumba Okugbawa, said the move by the government would be tantamount to policy somersault,
noting that it would discourage investors from
the nation’s oil and gas industry at a
time the nation needed foreign investment to grow the industry.
He lamented that the government did not take into
consideration the existing law that established the NNPC before
unbundling the corporation and called for an all-inclusive
stakeholders’ forum where all issues confronting
the industry could be resolved.
Okugbawa said: “The NNPC was established through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Act of 1977. The NNPC Act specifically states that the Act or any part thereof can only be altered, changed or otherwise amended only by the Act of the National Assembly.
“It is also started in CAP N123, laws of the Federation, 2004 that the NNPC
is a creature of legislature; the NNPC Act or any part thereof can only be altered, changed or otherwise amended by an Act of the National Assembly.
“This Act has many provisions that deal with structure and operations of the corporation. There are many issues such as pensions and transfer of the employees, which were provided for in the NNPC Act of 1977. What will happen to all these provisions of the law?
“For the government to do anything with the current NNPC, the Act must either
be repealed or amended. If not, it will amount to
lack of respect for the rule of law on the part of the government.
“There is the issue of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, expected to be the legal instrument for the ongoing reforms of the oil and gas industry. This will be meaningless if the government should introduce plans outside the reforms, The PIB is germane to the development of the nation’s oil and gas industry.
“Above all, the various stakeholders, especially the unions
were shocked to receive the news as every other Nigerian. There is confusion everywhere, no direction, no explanation about
anything. What happens to the head of subsidiaries like
Petroleum and Products Marketing Company, PPMC,
National Petroleum Investment and Management
Services, NAPIMS, even the refineries?”
Reps divided
But there were discordant tunes among members of the House of Representatives over the decision by NUPENG and PENGASSAN to embark on strike, following the unbundling.
While the member representing Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Micheal Adeniyi Omogbehin and Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion representing Ovia North East/South-West Federal Constituency of Edo State condemned the minister for being hasty in carrying out the proposal, Philip Shaibu representing Etsako Federal Constituency of Edo State, said the minister had not violated any law.
Omogbehin specifically wondered why the minister was in a hurry when the House of Representatives on Tuesday called for a suspension of the proposal, pending when it’s relevant committees on oil and gas submitted its report on the matter.
He said that the House which he described as Nigerian House had taken a decision, asking the minister to halt the proposal to unbundle the NNPC, pending when the committees should submit their reports but expressed surprise the minister ignored the resolution of the House.
His position was supported by Igbinedion, who wondered what it would remove from the minister if he should suspend implementation of the proposed unbundling of the NNPC, pending when the relevant committees concluded their investigations and submit their reports.
But Shaibu differed with his colleagues as he said that the proposal was for administrative convenience and effective management of NNPC, adding that there was no law known to him that had been violated.
He said: “I think what to my knowledge is the meaning of unbundling,
according to the minister, is for efficiency and proper management of that establishment, knowing that it is the hallmark of revenue generation, the
life wire of this country.
“It must be taken seriously more so with the level of corruption and mismanagement that have taken place in NNPC. There are lots of misnomer in NNPC that are already being investigated. Looking at what he has done from my perspective, it was just to create an avenue where he can manage effectively and also take advantage of enormous resources in this country and make sure that nothing is lost.
“By my little investigation so far, the Act of
1977 establishing the NNPC, does not have any where it stipulated how to unbundle NNPC as
he has done. For me, I call it demarcation like he has done.
The law, so far as I have seen, has not been offended.”
It’s mere re-organisation
However, rising from the FEC meeting, yesterday, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachukwu, stated that government has not unbundled the NNPC yet.
Explaining the development in the oil sector in an interview with State House correspondents after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the minister, who is also the Group Managing Director, GMD of NNPC, said what the corporation did was re-organisation.
He said: “We have not unbundled NNPC. We had a press conference, yesterday (Tuesday), where I explained this.
What we have simply done is re-organisation. We have five business entities focused on business: Upstream, Downstream, Refineries, Gas and Power that are there before.
“There are also ventures that capture all our little companies that were not having proper stewardship. They are run by individuals who report to the GMD.
“The NNPC is still a whole. There is nothing new that has happened.
I have tried to explain this and I am sure the NNPC workers are members of the
family, they will understand.”
‘’We are going to have a meeting, and they will be made to understand. Perhaps the engagement has not been good enough.
“NNPC has not been unbundled in the sense of breaking up NNPC into distinct institutions.
I am concerned. I don’t want the industry shut down. I am sure
we are going to resolve the issues very soon”.
Ekiti is a state in western Nigeria, declared a state
on October 1, 1996 alongside 5 others by the navy below the dictatorship of Common Sani Abacha.
The state, carved out of the territory of outdated Ondo State,
covers the previous twelve native authorities areas that made
up the Ekiti Zone of previous Ondo State. On creation, it took off with sixteen (sixteen)
Native Authorities Areas (LGAs), having had an extra 4 carved out of
the outdated ones. Ekiti State is without doubt one of the thirty-six states (Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria)) that represent Nigeria.
Ekiti State is reputed to have produced the very best variety
of professors in Nigeria. A number of pioneers lecturers are from the
state. Pioneers like Profs Adegoke Olubummo( One among the first Nigerian Professors in the sphere of Arithmetic), Prof.
Ekundayo Adeyinka Adeyemi(1st Professor of Structure in Africa, South of
Sahara). Others embrace famend lecturers like Profs
J.F. Ade-Ajayi, Niyi Osundare, Sam Aluko and others too many to
say.
Following a chronic political disaster, President Olusegun Obasanjo imposed a navy administrator (Basic Tunji Olurin) on Ekiti State in October 2006.
On April 27, 2007 Olurin was changed by Tope Ademiluyi.
Within the PDP major of 2006, 1st-place finisher, Yinka Akerele and 2nd place
Prof. Adesegun Ojo had been purported to
be in a run-off to find out who can be the nominee of the Nigerian ruling occasion when President Obasanjo summoned them to Abuja and imposed
the candidate who got here third – Engineer Segun Oni. He
was later elected within the 2007 election because the governor of
the state in an election marred by widespread irregularities and the AC candidate, Dr.
Kayode Fayemi challenged his election and compelled
a rerun in Could 2009.[2]
The Might 2009 rerun was characterized by even worse rigging and the election was disputed once more.
Finally, after three years, the election of Oni was
thrown out and Dr. Kayode Fayemi was declared the duly elected governor
of Ekiti State.
The Olofin, the sixteen kids and another beloved individuals continued with their journey, however after they obtained to a selected
lovely and flat land, the Owa-Obokun(the monachy of
Ijesha land) and Orangun of Ila determined to remain in the current Ijesha and Igomina land of in Osun state.
Whereas the remaining fourteen (14) youngsters continued with the journey and later settled in the current day Ekiti land.
They found that there have been many hills within the place and
so they stated of their mom’s language that that is
‘Ile olokiti’ the land of hills. Due to this fact, the Okiti later blended to Ekiti.
So Ekiti derived her title by means of hills.
The State enjoys tropical local weather with two distinct seasons.
These are the rainy season (April–October) and the dry season (November–March).
Temperature ranges between 21° and 28 °C with excessive humidity.
The south westerly wind and the northeast commerce winds blow within the rainy and dry (Harmattan) seasons respectively.
Tropical forest exists within the south, whereas savannah occupies
the northern peripheries.
The individuals of Ekiti State dwell primarily in towns. These towns embody: Ado, Ikere Ekiti, Awo Ekiti, Ayegbaju Ekiti Araromi Oke Ekiti,
Efon-Alaaye, Aramoko Ekiti, Temidire-Ikole Native Govt,
Igede Ekiti, Ikole, Ayede, Isan, Iye Ayede, Ire, Ijero, Ayetoro, Ipoti, Igogo, Ise, Itapa, Otun, Usi Ekiti, Ido, Emure, Iyin,
Igede, Ilawe, Ode, Oye, Omuo, Ilupeju, Ikoro,Iloro,
Ijurin, Ikun, Iye, Ijesa-Isu, Ayedun, Aisegba, Osin, Okemesi, Iworoko, Ifaki, Osan, Erinmope, Asin-Ekiti, Orin, Ilogbo
Ekiti, Osi, Igbole, Ora, Aye, Ikogosi Erio, [Igbara-Odo](Ogotun), Erijiyan Ekiti Iludun, Ilemeso, Otun, Itapaji,
Imojo, Ire Ekiti, Eda Oniyo, Gogo Ekiti, Odooro
Ekiti, Ijan Ekiti, Epe Ekiti, Usi Ekiti, Ijesa-Isu Ekiti
Ekiti State consists of sixteen (sixteen) Native Authorities Areas.
They’re:
Present checklist of Native Authorities Space Chairmen.[Four]
Proposed 18 Native Council Improvement Areas (LCDAs)in Ekiti State The Ekiti State
Authorities is to create extra 18 Council Improvement Areas primarily based on the suggestions of the White Paper Committee arrange
by the federal government.
In a press assertion, the Commissioner for Info and Civic Orientation, Mr.
Tayo Ekundayo, mentioned the brand new council areas can be created
from the prevailing sixteen native authorities areas following a referendum by the State Impartial Electoral Fee (SIEC) and consideration of the result of the referendum by the State Home of Meeting.
They’ll function as Native Council Growth Areas (LCDAs)
pending the concurrence of the Nationwide Meeting,
which might accord them the standing of full-fledged native authorities councils.
In accordance with the commissioner, the brand new councils and their proposed headquarters as contained within the
White Paper and accredited by the State Govt Council are as
follows:
i) Ado West Native Council Growth Space- Okesha
ii) Ado-North LCDA——————————— Oke –Ila
iii) Ado-Central LCDA——————————– Ijigbo
iv) Ekiti North-East LCDA————————— Kota -Ekiti
v) Ogotun/Igbaraodo LCDA————————- Oke- Agbe
vi) Osi/Isokan LCDA ——————————— Ifaki
vii) Eka Meta LCDA———————————– Erijiyan-
Ekiti
viii) Okemesi/Ido Ile LCDA————————— Okemesi – Ekiti
ix) Gbonyin LCDA———————————— Aisegba
x) Irewolede LCDA——————————— Iloro- Ekiti
xi) Irede LCDA————————————— Ipoti-Ekiti
xii) Ikere West LCDA——————————- Anaye
xiii) Ajoni LCDA————————————–
Aiyedun
xiv) Ifelodun LCDA———————————– Igbemo –Ekiti
xv) Araromi LCDA———————————–
Iyin –Ekiti
xvi) Ero LCDA—————————————– Igogo
xvii) Ifesowapo LCDA——————————– Bamisile Land
xviii) Ifeloju LCDA————————————- Ilupeju- Ekiti
The Ekiti, whose ancestors migrated from Ile-Ife as a individuals,
type one in all the biggest ethnic teams in Yorubaland.
Ekitis are culturally homogeneous and so they communicate a dialect
of Yoruba language referred to as Ekiti. The homogeneous
nature of Ekiti confers on the state some uniqueness among the many states
of the federation. Slight variations are noticeable within the Ekiti dialects of the Yoruba language spoken by
the border communities to different states.
For instance, the folks of Ado native authorities space don’t communicate precisely the identical dialect with the folks of Ijero Native authorities space, whereas the folks of Ikole
space communicate one thing completely different from the folks of Ikere
space. The communities influenced by their areas embody
Otun (Moba land) that speaks a dialect near the one spoken by the
Igbominas in Kwara State. The individuals of Oke-Ako, Irele, Omuo communicate an analogous dialect to that of Ijesas of Osun State.
Nonetheless, a part of the uniqueness of the Ekitis is that the
place ever is your individual a part of the state, you’ll perceive nicely, when the opposite
Ekiti man/girl speaks, regardless of the dialectal variations.
As well as, all towns in Ekiti State take a typical suffix,
“Ekiti,” after their names. The primary staple meals of the folks of Ekiti is pounded yam with Isapa soup or vegetable soup.
Pure Sources Ekiti land is of course endowed with quite a few pure assets.
The state is doubtlessly wealthy in mineral deposits. These embrace granite, kaolin, columbite, channockete, iron ore, baryte, aquamine, gemstone,
phosphate, limestone,GOLD amongst others. They’re largely deposited in several towns and villages
of Ijero, Ekiti West, Ado – Ekiti, Ikole, Ikere, Ise-Ekiti and
different Native Authorities Areas.
Outstanding EKITI INDIGENS Prof. Akin Oyebode,Prof. Patrick Aina,Prof.
I. Orubuloye,Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), Femi Falana (SAN), Afeni Ayodele Ajayi, Michael Olusegun Oluwole, Oluwole Segun Michael, Prof.
Owa Afolabi, Prof. Akin Osuntokun, Prof. Ekundayo Adeyinka Adeyemi, Navy Capt.
Olubolade, Chief Michael Akin Omoboriowo, Chief Bamidele Olumilua, Maj.
Gen. Adebayo, Adeniyi Adebayo, Segun Oni, Paul Olatunde Alabi, D.
A. Adeyemo, S. Okay. Babalola, Prof. Tunde Adeniran,Prof.
Adesegun Ojo, Mr. Ayo Fayose, Dr. Kayode Fayemi,
Senator Olowoporoku, Prof. Aluko, Hon. Rufus Ayo Adakeja,
Pa. Paul Oluwole Jeje, Hon. Jeje (Writer Asa Ati Orisa Ile Yoruba).