Managing Director of the company, Mr. Emeka Duru, said in Owerri yesterday, that the gesture was to enable the parents to face the enormous challenges of raising the babies. Duru noted that the challenges before the family had “quadrupled” owing to the birth of the babies, adding that the company was moved by the poor living standard of the couple.

He also announced that the company had paid the medical bills incurred for the birth, and donated an undisclosed amount of money to the parents for the upkeep of the babies.

In his reaction, Ukwuegbu commended the company for the gesture, pledging to be dedicated to his new job.

The Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Center, Owerri, where the babies were delivered, Dr. Angela Uwakwem, commended the management of the transport company for the assistance.

Motlanthe told newsmen in Cape Town on Wednesday at the signing of a Memoranda of  Understanding (MOU) with Vice President Namadi Sambo that following the uncertainty of supply of oil from Iran, Nigeria’s oil was part of the option available.

The South Africa may be forced to comply with a U.S. sanction threat  on countries buying oil from Iran, from where it sources about a quarter of its oil.

“We would say to our Nigerian brothers that there will be demand for their crude oil because we don’t want to source our oil from areas that are likely to be unstable.

“Indeed, we are quite confident that Nigeria will become one of our trusted suppliers of crude,” he
stressed.

Motlanthe said PetroSA and private traders were expected to look at supply agreements for oil from Nigeria.

NAN recalls that the South Africa’s Minister of Energy Dipuo Peters last week said the government would decide
on its response to the threat  by the U.S. end of the month.

In his response Sambo said Nigeria was ready to offer economic support to South Africa in line with the economic cooperation between the two countries.

He said the agreement would help in strengthening and promoting the business environment in  the continent’s biggest economies.

The Vice President said the agreement would also enable the two countries to bring in business people from both countries to explore investment opportunities in the countries.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on economic and technical co-operation was also signed between, Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga and his South African counterpart Rob Davies.

Another MOU was also signed between Aganga and South Africa’s Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan, to offer
mutual assistance in customs administration of  the two countries.(NAN)

The speakers included the Grand Administrator and Director, Supreme Board, AMORC, Dr. Kenneth Idiodi; Mr. Ekanem Kofi-Ekanem; Professor T. A.T. Wahua of University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt; Professor M.Y. Nabofa, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State; Prof. John Idiodi,  University of Benin and Johnson Ikube, Managing Consultant/CEO, JI Global Solutions Limited.

Dr.Kenneth Idiodi, who spoke on ”Personal security through internal role-playing,” said the need for security was borne out of the instinct of self-preservation of life itself.

He argued that peace cannot be said to abide in a society where people are living in a constant state of alertness and cannot sleep at night with both eyes shut, figuratively speaking!

In his presentation on whether one world government is desirable,  Johnson Ikube argued that this is   possible in that the majority of people believed that the universe is one large system under one governance; that of the Supreme Being, God; and  also with the inspirations that led to the establishment of the United Nations. This vehicle is already here with us. Its operational modalities can be improved for better deployment; and also the formations of regional integration structures and mechanisms such as the European Union, African Union, the Americas.”

He said a one world government will see the whole world as its responsibility and, therefore, focus on holistic, accelerated growth and development in a sustainable manner ensuring partnership between man and nature according to the will of the owner.

However, for this to be possible, Ikube said ”there must be a need to eliminate and rename and reform the Security Council. Its focus should be global and individual member security concerns per se; remove all artificial sources of poverty, degradation and pain and also that the world must head for a universal common language. This will assist in eliminating one common source of suspicion and division.”

Inaugurating a 10-man steering committee for the take off of the scheme, at the State House, Abuja, Jonathan decried the dearth of qualified academic staff in the tertiary institutions.

He said that 60 per cent of lecturers in the 124 universities across the country had no Doctorate Degree, noting that the situation “is embarrassing and un-acceptable’’.

“The information I got from the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) is that about 60 per cent of our academic staff in our universities don’t have PhD. that is quite embarrassing, I belief the Professors here will also feel bad.

‘’We have 124 universities, Federal, States and private and that is not good enough.

‘`I will set up an inter-ministerial department to work with some of you in the academics to come up with policies for robust training so that young men and women who are interested in academics could go anywhere in the world, that over the years we must bridge that gap.’’

The President said the initiative, which he conceived while as Governor, was aimed at building human resources for sustainable development and national transformation.

He said the committee would commence the programme by selecting 100 beneficiaries on merit for post graduate scholarship in science and engineering courses in the best institutions in the world.

“Every year, we should tap from among our best brains, selecting our best brains, we are starting with 100 because we have not made adequate arrangement for funding but the number will increase when we make budgetary allocation for it in 2013.

“We select our best brain in the area of science, engineering and some areas of economics and expose them to the best facilities available in the world.

“The ministry of education and this committee will have to travel to these universities to negotiate for positions in the top 25 universities in the world.

“The idea is for you to benefit you must have a first class. It is based purely on merit, no quota. We are giving opportunity for best brains.’’

President said the beneficiaries of the scheme would, on completion of their studies, be mandated to work for the country for a period of five years as lecturers or researchers before they could be allowed to go in to their chosen careers.

Jonathan tasked members of the committee to ensure transparency and merit in the choice of the prospective candidates.

Responding, the committee’s Chairman, Prof Julius Okojie, thanked the President for the appointment and assured him that they would deliver on their mandate.

Other members of the committee include the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund,  Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Dr Jamaila Shuara and Mrs Iddatu Abdullahi of the Federal Schorlarship Board.

The rest are Professors Musa Alabe, Mohammed Sule , Mohammed Onogu, Olurotimi Tayo, William Okowa and Ikenna Onyibe.

The Deputy Director, Tertiary Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, will serve as Secretary.

Leading the arrays of artistes scheduled to perform is the music maestro- Tuface Idibia who will thrill fans at the very first concert, holding  at the Adamasingba Staduim, Ibadan, Oyo State. Tuface  popularly called Tu Baba will be joined by two other top  artistes, 9ice and Obesere.

The night’s show will also feature performances from the sparkling, recently crowned winners of Star Quest 2012, Crystals. The line up for the night will be completed with the appearance of Juke Box, the 2010 winners of Star Quest.

*Star Trek artistes

According to Omotunde Adenusi, Brand Manager, STAR, Star Trek 2012 would be bigger and better than previous editions. His words:  “When you talk about Star Trek, you are talking about the biggest, nationwide musical concert tour that parades the best of Nigerian music stars and touches every nook and cranny of the country.

In keeping with our tradition, we are taking the excitement to various cities across the country. We promised unrivalled entertainment.” On this year’s Star Trek, three female musical artistes will be performing on stage. They are Tiwa Savage, Omawunmi and Waje, regarded as the three top rated female musicians in Nigeria at the moment.

After the Ibadan show, the Star Trek train will move to Makurdi where Wande Coal, J.Martins, Naeto C, Ice Prince and Diamondz are billed to perform on May 26. Up next will be Lagos State where Wande Coal, 9ice, Obesere and J.Martins will perform at the Ejigbo Mini Staduim on June 1.

Ilesha, Osun State, will be the next location as Wande Coal, 9ice, Yinka Best and M.I are billed to perform on June 2.The train will move to the South-South zone where the Koko master- D’Banj, Flavour, Sound Sultan and Tiwa Savage will perform in Benin .On June 8. Sapele will come alive as Flavour, Sound Sultan, Omawunmi, Waje, M.I and The BEAT, 2011 winning band of Star Quest, will entertain  fans on June 9.

Music lovers east of the Niger, will also have a feel of Star trek as Flavour, D Banj, Sound Sultan, Mr Raw and Diamondz, will entertain fans in Awka on June  15; while the quiet town of Abakiliti will erupt in excitement with the visit of Flavour, Mr Raw, J.Martins, Naeto C and M.I  on June 16.

Uyo, capital of Akwa-Ibom State will play host to Star Trek’s array of superstars as Wande Coal, Wizkid, Mr. Raw and K.C will thrill revelers on June 22. The curtain will close on Star Trek in Calabar, Cross River State capital with Tuface Idibia, Wizkid, Wande Coal and K.C, wrapping the show up on June 23.

The choice of location and daily earning of about N500 by the subject do not reflect the harsh realities of Nigeria’s poor less so those of children who are the unfortunate beneficiaries of governments that plan Nigeria’s future without the children. If Nigerian children earned N500 daily, they would not be in the extreme poverty group with its consequences.

On 27 May, children will commemorate their day. Governments will make the same flowery speeches about the importance of children and their future leadership. Nothing has been done since last year beyond tokens like renovation of some schools, photo opportunities during immunisation, and speeches fit for different children-related occasions.

Statistics on the Nigerian child remain depressing. Our children are at higher risk of dying in the first five years of their lives, than most other African children, including those in Sudan that has been at war for more than three decades. These United Nations statistics are not getting better. Out of every 1,000 live births in Nigeria, 110 die before they are five years old.  Comparative figures are Egypt (29 deaths in 1,000 live births), South Africa (45) and war blistered Sudan (65).

Where our children survive, malaria, cholera, polio and malnutrition ensure they do not improve on the average life expectancy of 48 years. Professor Oladimeji Oladepo of the University of Ibadan, reported two years ago that 41 per cent of Nigerian children are stunted and about 25 per cent are underweight. Malnourished children with poor mental and physical development will lead Nigeria.

As if these were not enough, the poor maternal statistics tell another story of unfailing negligence of the future.

Save the Children notes that in sub-Saharan Africa, up to 20 per cent of women are “extremely thin”, possibly too unhealthy to breastfeed their children.

There is vicious cycle of maternal and child malnutrition. Susan Grant, its Nigeria Country Director said: “The 2012 State of the World’s Mothers shows clearly that this crisis of chronic malnutrition has devastating effects on both mothers and their children. We urgently need global leadership on malnutrition that results in key nutrition projects being rolled out for mothers and babies to ensure their health and survival.”

The Nigeria child is a haphazard product. Deprivation dominates its life. A profound appreciation of these is required for programmes that will create a future for our children. They will not work if governments neglect initiatives to save the Nigerian adult.

According to it, removing the CBN autonomy would not only weaken the apex bank’s regulatory roles but also make it ineffective as those in the helm of its affairs would place political and other considerations above policy decisions necessary to ensure an effective payment system and a generally stable banking sector.

Briefing journalists on the Fund’s recently published Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Outlook, in Abuja, yesterday, the IMF Country Chief and Senior Resident Representative, Mr. W. Scott Rogers, said if the autonomy was removed, CBN officials would be afraid to take policy decisions that might be unpleasant to certain interests that wield political powers.

His words: “The IMF has always argued for strong independence of the Central Bank. It provides them with the autonomy to depoliticize monetary policy actions.  Without a strong Central Bank you will not have an independent monetary policy.  Everything then depends upon the budget alone and as you can see now, without the Central Bank’s ability to do what it is doing, the results you are seeing won’t be there.

“It is primarily because of the Central Bank’s ability to tighten monetary policy which is the right thing to do.

“It is important for the Central Bank to have the autonomy to hire the people they need and to undertake modernisation that they need to manage payment system effectively. They should be able to do that without the fear of being penalised. Because they took an unpleasant decision on interest rate policy or because they decided they needed to close a bank. Those are decisions they need to take constantly.”

Time to build buffer

According to Rogers, the economic outlook of the region looks good with some of the countries in Africa, including Nigeria, having the fastest growing rates, globally, but that this is the time for Nigeria to undertake fiscal consolidation measures to strengthen the economy’s resilience “because we don’t know what will happen next.”

According to him, Nigeria must “prepare for future adverse shifts in global economy” by building safety buffers by maintaining fiscal surplus while oil prices are high.

According to the IMF chief, the country should prepare for slow-down growth in the near future as a result of the global economic crisis, especially in some countries in the Eurozone which will ultimately affect crude oil demand.

Need for financial discipline at the two lower tiers of  govt

Rogers observed that the Federal Government c ould not alone create the necessary fiscal surplus since it spends only about half of the federation revenue and that there was need for the states and local governments to do same.

“The Federal Government spends about half of the federation’s money.  The other half is spent by the states and the local government. So if the Federal Government is saving but the others are not it will affect the overall performance of the economy,” he said.

Structural reforms for the needed growth

The IMF Country Rep noted that for the nation to achieve the expected accelerate growth rate, the government must undertake structural reforms in key sectors of the economy, especially power, transportation, the gas sub-sector of the oil petroleum industry, water, education an security.

According to him, the government should move from direct ownership and operation of power to regulation and oversight functions, while in the gas sector, he advocated a reform that would make cost recovery possible with a view to making it attractive to foreign investors.

His words: “Long term growth in any economy is a function of the accumulation of machines, equipment and technology, education of your workforce.  This is where your long-term growth comes from.

“Reforming the power sector, reforming the gas sub-sector— moving from government direct ownership and operations to regulations and oversight functions. Targeting government spending at people who are adversely affected by such reforms.”

The lower House  pointed accusing finger  at the Director General of The Securities Commission, SEC, Ms Arunma Oteh over the development.

The anger of the leadership of the House was based on the fact that it is widely believed that Oteh must have used her connection as a statutory member of the EFCC to ensure Hembe was embarrassed.

Deputy spokesman of the House, Hon Victor Ogene, disclosed that the EFCC knew that the Capital Market probe was on-going yet the commission went ahead to arraign the chairman and his deputy.

He explained that “how on earth can you make available travel documents and estacode on October 19 and expect the person to travel same day?

“It is unfortunate that the Ethics and Privileges committee mandated to investigate the matter was still waiting for the probe to end when Hembe was arraigned.

“They are basing the whole thing on Section 308 and we know nothing will come out of it because we allow other arms of government to perfect whatever they are doing.”

“For instance we cannot dabble into the Salami issue until all investigations must have been concluded it is the business of the judiciary.”

Namibian housemate Jessica and her Liberian counterpart, Luke were the first housemates to have sex in the house.

*Jessica and her Liberian counterpart, Luke

The ‘bonking affair’ happened few hours before Luke was evicted last Sunday from  the house along with his Liberian partner Yadel and Sierra Leonean Dalphin.

While the housemates were sleeping, Luke and Jessica hopped into bed. Luke began giving Jessica a very sensual massage and shortly after, the two hit it off. They must have thought no one would see them as the lights were off but trust Biggie to have his infra-red cameras on stand-by.

However, since the ugly incident happened, viewers of the reality show have continued to react online with some questioning the rational behind the yearly programme.

Addressing the Central Council meeting of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Kaduna yesterday, the Sultan of Sokoto, who is President in council of the (JNI) said: “We must not relent in our efforts for the search of peace and security within our society.

“The current level of insecurity in the Northern states is not only a source of worry and concern to all of us but is also slowly but surely tearing apart the fabric of our religious, social and economic life. You must put in your best efforts to find an end to this bloodshed.

From left : Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero; President-General, Jama'atu Nasril Islam and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, at the Jama'atu Nasril Islam Central Council Meeting in Kaduna on Thursday (24/5/12). NANPhoto

“The north must come back to its  senses and declare firmly and resolutely that enough is enough of the  bloodshed. Each and every one of us must come to appreciate that we cannot continue on this destructive path.

“We must open active, meaningful and sincere channels of dialogue and communication to ensure that we listen to those who have real grievances and to take genuine efforts to address them.

“The Muslim Ummah must be resolute and stand against those who take advantage of this unfortunate situation to wreak havoc on society in pursuit of their narrow interests

“Allah is never indifferent to the plight of his servants and  will definitely put to shame those who seek to violate the honuor and sanctity of Muslims.

“I charge Traditional and religious leaders to counsel  those in position of authority at the federal, state and local government levels that governance must necessarily be equated with service to the people and the socio- economic development of the society.

The Sultan argued that “the   prosperity of the state must translate into the prosperity  of the entire populace, it shall not be the exclusive preserve of the few who happen to  have access to state resources.

According to him, “The current level of poverty, especially in the Northern states cannot be acceptable in any decent society. We must all work together to build viable community organizations to ensure that no man, woman or child is left to go to bed hungry regardless of his or her status and no individual is deprived of a decent education  or access to a functional health facility regardless of his or her economic circumstances”.

The committee is to recommend appropriate modalities to be adopted by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to effectively block the loopholes created in the system through Back Duty Investigation compliance.

The Senate took this decision following a debate on the need to improve internally generated revenue of the Federal Government through the implementation of back duty investigation.

The sponsor of the motion, Senator Bassey Otu (PDP-Cross River) noted that recent findings revealed various discrepancies and manipulations by some companies  in almost all the sectors of the economy in the payment of taxes.

Otu, who was Chairman of the Finance Committee, said ‘Back Duty Investigation’ was an anti-tax evasion tool applied by the tax authority in Nigeria to recover unpaid taxes.

He said this was obtainable when there had been an omission or error in the assessment or collection of taxes and where there had been falsification or doubtful claims or allowances or relief.

According to Otu, although  the FIRS has increased its efforts at investigating tax cases, the results are still insignificant to the population of all taxable Nigerians.

“Corporate companies operating in Nigeria have undeclared income in terms of Company Income Tax, Withholding Taxes and VAT which forms the major bulk of tax revenue to the government.

He decried the fact that state governments and some Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) had failed in their statutory obligations to remit Withholding Taxes and VAT deducted on contracts to the FIRS.

While contributing to the debate, Sen. Smart Adeyemi( PDP-Kogi) said it was unpatriotic and criminal for people to evade payment of taxes.

Adeyemi even accused some Senators of being culpable but Ahmed Lawan (ANPP-Yobe) in a swift reaction noted that senator’s taxes were deducted at source.

Lawan said  each senator was paying tax to the tune of N250,000, adding that it was an over payment.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary session, stressed the need for the country to revolutionise its tax collection system to enhance development.

He also said it was important for the country to increase its internally generated revenue outside the oil sector.

According to him, it was necessary for the country to build its statistics capacity in order to identify the people who were supposed to pay taxes and were evading or remitting below expectation.(NAN)

Adoke was allegedly beaten to death by TRACE officials on Wednesday over alleged traffic offence.

Vanguard gathered that the suspects have been detained at Eleweran Police Headquarters in Abeokuta after they reportedly made statements on  the unfortunate incident which occurred on the yet-to-be commissioned road at Sokori area of the town.

It was learnt that autopsy was being conducted on Adoke who was an employee of one of the  new generation banks in Abeokuta.

The result, it was learnt, would be ready in two days.

It will be recalled that the man allegedly met his death in the hands of the traffic officials numbering about 15 while plying a newly-constructed six-lane road scheduled for commissioning next week by Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

The officials were alleged to have fled the scene after the man died, but one of them was later arrested by the police.

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

Lagos – The National Industrial Court, NIC, Lagos Division, yesterday ruled that it had jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed by the Medical Guild against the Lagos State Government.

Delivering ruling on a preliminary objection filed by the state government challenging the court’s jurisdiction, Justice Benedict Kanyip said the subject-matter of the suit centred on industrial disputes.

According to him, “the jurisdiction of this court lies in the National Industrial Court Act and Section 245(c) of the 1999 Constitution that allows it to adjudicate on labour matters related to wages, strike or dispute between employers and employees.” Kanyip ruled that although the Medical Guild was not a registered trade union as claimed by the government, it was too late in the day for them to say so as they had always dealt with it as a body.

The judge said even if the Medical Guild had failed as a juristic body that could sue, the two doctors who had sued on behalf of the guild could sue because they were persons who were allowed by law to do so.

Justice Kanyip said,  “I am of the view that the suit is suitable and can be sustained, whether it succeeds comes after we go into the merit of the case. I think that justice of this court will give the parties the opportunity to hear this matter not to shut out the claimants as requested by the respondents.

”I hereby hold that the suit is competent and that the court has the jurisdiction to hear the case. The objection is dismissed and no cost is awarded to the claimants.” He adjourned the case to June 19, for trial.

LAGOS – GENERAL Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love and unity to enhance Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

Believing God is in control of the situation of the country, Pastor Adeboye said with the spirit of love and unity, the country will regain its lost glory and bounce back as the giant of Africa.

Speaking through the Assistant Pastor of RCCG national headquarters parish, Pastor Goke Aniyeloye, at a briefing to herald the monthly special prayer meeting of the church, Adeboye asked Nigerians to shun sins and other negative tendencies and work towards the betterment of the country.

According to him, “The number one thing Nigerians should embrace is love, let the Easterners love the Westerners, Northerners and vice-versa, without this we cannot be living as one nation but with different groups and minds. We should support those in leadership positions and through these the country will bounce back not only as the giant of Africa but giant of the world.”

Akala, one of his former aides, Senator Hosea Agboola and an Ibadan- based businessman, Mr. Femi Babalola, are standing trial over alleged N11.5 billion scam during the past administration in the state.

The case was earlier stalled when the counsel to the accused persons argued that the prosecution counsel was wrong to have asked another lawyer to represent him.

At the last sitting, EFCC counsel was represented in court by Otunba Olayinka Bolanle, but  Chief Mohammad Osman (SAN), told the court that he had no judicial power to represent the anti-graft counsel.

Bolanle told the court that he had been appearing along with Oblah since the commencement of the case and so he was qualified to represent Oblah.

In his ruling, Justice Akintunde Boade of court 2, ruled in favour of the defendants, saying the private counsel lacked the constitutional power to prosecute the accused persons since the fiat to prosecute the case was solely conferred on the lead counsel, Chief Oblah.