Vista to buy DH Corp. for $2.03 billion, combine with Misys

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Vista Equity Partners LLC agreed to buy DH Corp. in a deal that values the Canadian financial services provider at about C$2.73 billion ($2.03 billion), aiming to create a financial technology powerhouse by combining it with Misys Ltd.

The C$25.50-a-share cash offer announced Monday is an 11 percent premium above DH Corp.’s closing price Friday of C$23.04 a share, and 36 percent above where shares closed on Dec. 5, before reports that the company was exploring strategic alternatives. Including debt, the transaction for the Toronto-based company is valued at C$4.8 billion.

The takeover underscores a series of purchases intended to help DH Corp. pivot into a financial technology firm as demand for its traditional check-printing services declined. In 2015, DH Corp. agreed to buy payment-technology provider Fundtech Ltd. for $1.25 billion as part of that effort. The company was founded in 1875 as Davis + Henderson.

Vista is paying about 15.5 times DH Corp.’s trailing 12-month earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That’s in line with similar deals in the industry, including Vista’s 2016 acquisition of software maker Solera Holdings Inc. for $6.5 billion including debt.

Hedge fund Elliott Management Corp.’s private equity unit, Evergreen Coast Capital Corp., is helping finance the transaction by providing preferred equity, according to a person familiar with the deal who asked not to be identified as the details aren’t public.

Share Moves

DH Corp. shares rose 9.2 percent to C$25.16 in Toronto Monday. Shares of DH Corp. had fallen 37 percent in the year through Friday, as the decline in its check-making business accelerated faster than anticipated. The company’s services are used by 8,000 banks, specialty lenders, credit unions, governments and corporations, according to its website. It has more than 5,500 employees worldwide, with revenue of almost C$1.7 billion in 2016.

Vista, which has offices in Austin, Texas, Chicago and San Francisco, focuses on software and technology investments. It pulled the planned initial public offering of Misys in October, citing market conditions. Vista took Misys private in 2012 for 1.3 billion pounds ($1.6 billion).

The deal brings the total value of private equity transactions involving Canadian targets this year to about $3.5 billion, slightly above the $3.1 billion announced during the same period in 2016, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Morgan Stanley, Barclays Plc and Citigroup Inc. advised Vista on the transaction, with Kirkland & Ellis and Goodmans providing legal advice. DH Corp. worked with Credit Suisse Group AG and Royal Bank of Canada, and received legal counsel from Stikeman Elliott and Cravath Swaine & Moore. Misys was advised by Evercore Partners Inc.

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Osinbajo’s performance as acting president

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Vice preisdent Yemi Osinbajo flanked by Chief Edwin Clark and Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa during as the vice president addresses leaders of the Niger Delta during his visit to the region recently. PHOTO: TWITTER/PRESIDENCY

The first time I saw Vice President Yemi Osinbajo up close was on Sunday April 5, 2015 on the occasion of the Seventh-day Fidau prayers for my late friend Muheez Olayinka Bello in Lekki Axis of Lagos State. Muheez died in a boat mishap at Epe on March 28, whilst returning from an electoral voyage where he journeyed to, to deliver his ward for President Muhammadu Buhari in the presidential election. He was the APC chairmanship aspirant for Epe Local Council. Osinbajo then a Vice-President-elect delivered a tribute. He didn’t big-foot himself into the occasion like most politicians do; there was no fanfare and he appeared so humble to me without carrying regal airs. I wondered then why a man on such a pedestal would come to the Fidau prayers of a young man who was a Moslem (Osinbajo is a Christian, my late friend was a Moslem) and I concluded therein that unlike many people Osinbajo doesn’t work with imaginary lines. After all,  people on pedestals are lured by blandishments everywhere other than to pray.
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The appraisal of Osinbajo’s performance as acting president has given me so much concern especially since it comes from very highly revered people who should know Great leaders all through history became great by being autonomous. As mentioned elsewhere by this writer, “ to be president of a country one must be a place-holder, an ideologue, who pursues causes that gladden the hearts of all. He must also have strength of character. To attain high office, a candidate needs one of these qualities or all of these qualities.”
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One president Nigeria missed not having in the Fourth Republic is Dr. Alexander Ekwueme. He is a place-holder, an ideologue, has strength of character.

There are only a handful of persons in history that are blessed with all three qualifications and who became presidents, A fourth quality, which is not common in the political corridor of civilised democracy, is that you must be lucky, some say “fated to be.”
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A peep into the presidential history of Nigeria in The Fourth Republic is quite revealing.
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President Olusegun Obasanjo, in spite of the fact that he trounced Chief Olu Falae to become president, only managed to do so because he was a place-holder and not an ideologue. Like Dwight Eisenhower, Olusegun Obasanjo’s persona was needed for stability of the country. Especially after the raucous aborted Third Republic and the death of M.K.O Abiola. Chief Olu Falae would have made a better president but the establishment didn’t see him as a place-holder. The establishment is responsible for the running of a country and a place-holder’s mandate most times is to restore peace and provide solutions to a country’s problems.

Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, many analysts say, were fated to be presidents. They had a date with their predestined apogee. Some say they were lucky. For this reason, they never wanted to be president but got the job by providence and by being at the right place at the right time. Every human being needs that element of luck sometimes. After all, credentials alone do not qualify people for elective office. There are preferred candidates and qualified candidates. Sometimes the preferred candidates aren’t the qualified candidates.
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President Muhammadu Buhari became president owing to his strength of character, not because he is a place-holder, ideologue or lucky. Presidents with strengths of character strive to be autonomous but most times collide with the establishment.
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Presidents who are ideologues believe in winning the hearts and minds of the masses. I prefer those who rally nationalistic causes over those who choose regional and ethnic pabulum. Ronald Reagan was an ideologue who spoke to the hearts of Americans. While Carter spoke about the harshness of nature, economy and life, Reagan mythologised the American dream. Small wonder, he served two terms as president. Regrettably, Nigeria is yet to produce an ideologue as president. Two factors determine who becomes a vice-presidential candidate: geography and ideology. The second is rarely considered. Balance in most cases is appreciated more than ideology and is the reason all vice presidents in this Fourth Republic were treated as whippersnappers by presidents. This is not peculiar to Nigeria. When Albert Einstein transmitted a letter to F. D. Roosevelt that he had found a way through an experiment to split the atom, Roosevelt gave him the go-ahead but shielded the information from his vice president, Harry Truman. Truman never knew about the atomic bomb until after the death of Roosevelt close to the end of the Second World War.
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Lyndon Johnson was picked as running mate to J. F. Kennedy for balance. He was from the south. It is an open secret that he was never a member of the inner cycle of Kennedy’s administration until after the latter’s death when he became his own man and even won a landslide in the election against Barry Goldwater. Lyndon Johnson secured the presidency in 1964 by defeating Barry Goldwater 486 electoral votes to 52.
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Mike Pence was picked as running mate to Donald Trump to please the evangelical Christians without whom it might have been difficult for Trump to have won the election. The closest the U.S. got to having ideologues as vice president  was the Bill Clinton/ Al Gore presidency.

Both sync ideologically and was the reason Al Gore could dissociate himself from Clinton whom he saw as a liability during his own campaign for President as a result of the Monica Lewinsky scandal .
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While the combination of Buhari and Osinbajo is perfect, well groomed soldiers dominate and conquer their environment; a well-trained lawyer works with the asymmetry of morality, law and the algorithm of what is best for polity, but the country needs both men to be ideologues. That way, there wouldn’t be unnecessary need for comparison because the vice president can act out the script of the president without squirming in the absence of the latter.
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Ideologues know their purpose for being in politics. Even when they are appointed by The Heavenlies, they do not subordinate the discharge of their duties to The Heavenlies but to self.
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They communicate from the inside. Osinbajo did. Is it too much for a politician to do? Aren’t they supposed to solve our problems? Have they? So why cavort and praise endlessly?

Politicians today do not inspire anybody because they believe in love of power and authority, not power to love. People follow leaders who inspire them because they want to and not because they have to and those leaders must speak from the heart.

Simon Abah writes from Port Harcourt
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Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mGN1WJ

Court adjourns breach of agreement suit to May 3

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United Bank for Africa

A Lagos High Court in Badagry, has adjourned the case between a Lagos-businessman, Alhaji Lasisi Ayomumoye and United Bank of Africa (UBA) over breach of property agreement to May 3.

Ayomumoye, a businessman and property owner, took UBA to court, claiming N36.8 million for a breach of deed of the property he sub-let to the bank.

In a statement of claim filed by counsel to the claimant, Mr Qudus Mineye, he stated that a deed of sub-lease, which commenced on October 1, 2006, was breached by the bank on his building situated at Plot 15, Aina Layout, Lagos-Abeokuta Road, Dopemu, Lagos State.

He said that contrary to the deed of sub-lease, UBA wholly demolished the property and erected a new structure without the claimant’s consent or approval.

At the resumed hearing of the matter, Mineye submitted the technical report on the building as evidence to the court.

However, the defence counsel, Mr Collins Obona objected to the filing of the evidence, noting that it was filed in anticipation of the case and that the witness intends to gain from it financially.

But cousel to the claimant said that the objection was premature, arguing that the document was founded on two primary legs. He said: “It wasn’t made in anticipation and the witness has no financial gain, so it is relevant to use this because the case of the claimant is the change of the structure of the building and the document backs up that
claim.”

In response, Justice Okikiolu Ighile noted that the document was relevant and admissible. “The objection of the defense counsel is hereby overruled,” he ruled.

The case was adjourned till May 3 and 4 for continuation of trial.

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Jeff Bridges revives ‘The Dude’ at John Goodman tribute

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Actor Jeff Bridges attends a ceremony honoring John Goodman with the 2,604th Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 10, 2017 in Hollywood, California. Alberto E.Rodriguez/Getty Images/AFP<br />

Jeff Bridges hilariously resurrected his iconic slacker character “The Dude” from “The Big Lebowski” Friday as he honored his friend John Goodman at a celebration of the actor’s glittering career.

Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winner Goodman, 64, had invited his co-star in the 1998 Coen brothers’ movie as his guest speaker as he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Instead of reading out the usual sober tribute celebrities get, along with their star, Bridges took to the stage in the famously laid-back Dude’s knitted cardigan and recited a riff on the character’s graveside eulogy from the movie.

Describing Goodman as “a man of his times, a man of our times” and “a legend,” Bridges finished with a twist on the film’s most famous line — “Goodnight, sweet prince,” itself a nod to Shakespeare’s Hamlet — as he commended the star to the Hollywood Boulevard sidewalk.

“A star for you, a star because we love you so well… what time is it? Afternoon? Good afternoon, sweet prince,” he said, before the actors shared a warm embrace.

“Lebowski” is one of the many highlights of a 34-year movie career that has seen Goodman acclaimed for comic and serious performances in five Coen brothers movies, as well as “King Ralph” (1990), “Arachnophobia (1991) and last year’s “10, Cloverfield Lane.”

His Walk of Fame ceremony coincided with Friday’s release of his latest film, “Kong: Skull Island,” in which he portrays an explorer who enlists a military escort for a dangerous mission to a forbidden island.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t mention, this week especially, the women without whom I would not be here,” Goodman told the crowd, which included his “Kong” co-star Brie Larson.

“A mother who had to scrape by on survival wages to raise two kids by herself. The many teachers who tried to knock some sense into me. Some of it worked.”

Born June 20, 1952, in St. Louis, Missouri, Goodman discovered acting while he was on an American football scholarship at what is now Missouri State University.

He thanked Roseanne Barr, with whom he starred in the ABC television sitcom “Roseanne” from 1988 to 1997, earning seven Emmy nominations.

“I don’t think I’d be up here if it wasn’t for her. She really took a lot of heat, but she was always right, and I love her,” he said.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2neh0qg

AMCON takes over debtor hospitality firm

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Managing Director, AMCON, Ahmed Kuru

Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), at the weekend, took over the assets of Mustasons Guest House Limited, as well as obtained an order, which froze all identifiable and/or traceable accounts both in Nigeria and abroad.

The move became necessary, according to AMCON, as the debt, estimated at nearly N500 million, was long due and all efforts to resolve the matter without going to court and reaching this stage were not successful.

Justice Babs O. Kuewumi of the Federal High Court Lagos Division granted the injunction against Mustasons Guest House Limited on Ajose Adeogun Street in Victoria Island, Lagos on the application of AMCON.

Justice Kuewumi, the presiding judge while granting the order on the application of Mr. Idowu Ibrahim, counsel to AMCON, restrained Mustasons Guest House Limited and Alhaji Wushishi, “their directors, staff, management, employers, agents, officers, privies or any other person or group of persons whatsoever under the respondents’ authority or any other authority (however derived or sourced) from tampering with, selling, leasing, removing from the jurisdiction of the court or dealing in whatsoever manner with the respondents’ assets/properties situate at Mustasons Guest House Plot 91, Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island Lagos and Plot 1111B, Amichi Close, Victoria Island respectively owned by the respondents.”

Meanwhile, the court also granted AMCON the powers to take possession of the assets/properties of Mustasons Guest House and freezing accounts, but mandated all the banks and financial institutions to furnish AMCON the details of the respondent’s accounts domiciled with them within seven days of the service of the court order.

The Head, Corporate Communications, AMCON, Jude Nwauzor, said: “Having exhausted all avenues of peaceful resolution, there was no other option available to us than to commence enforcement action against Mustasons Guest House Limited and its promoter as provided under Section 49-52 of the AMCON Act.”

Earlier in the year, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AMCON, Ahmed Kuru, said the Corporation would sustain its tempo in recoveries, which began last year by strategically focusing on value enhanced exits of its portfolios.

The strategy, he said, encompasses negotiations and resolution of loans through cash recoveries, asset forfeitures through negotiation or enforcement; capital restructuring for short to mid-term exits, as well as joint venture arrangements for asset operations and land development.

The Head, Corporate Communications, AMCON, Jude Nwauzor, said: “Having exhausted all avenues of peaceful resolution, there was no other option available to us than to commence enforcement action against Mustasons Guest House Limited and its promoter as provided under Section 49-52 of the AMCON Act.”

Earlier in the year, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AMCON, Ahmed Kuru, said the corporation would sustain its tempo in recoveries, which began last year by strategically focusing on value enhanced exits of its portfolios.

The strategy, he said, encompasses negotiations and resolution of loans through cash recoveries, asset forfeitures through negotiation or enforcement; capital restructuring for short to mid-term exits, as well as joint venture arrangements for asset operations and land development.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mhgtiv

How we designed PDP to rule for 60 Years, says IBB

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Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida

Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has said that right from inception, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was conceptualised to rule Nigeria for 60 years and beyond.

The former leader stated this, when the chairman and members of the party’s strategy and intra-party committee paid him a visit at his Uphill mansion in Minna, yesterday.

He said retired military officers were solidly behind the party. “From formation stage, I saw the PDP as IRA (Irish Republican Army). We are the military wing of the PDP. We took a lot of interest. When I say we, I mean my boss, T.Y. Danjuma, Obasanjo, Gen. Aliyu Mohammed and I. We started it,” he explained. “I thank God we came up with the old concept. I believe one of our compatriots, who said PDP would rule for 60 years.”

Babangida expressed confidence that the party can still rule for 60 years, if they put their house in order. Presenting a copy of the report to the former leader, chairman of the committee, Professor Jerry Gana called on Babangida and other well meaning Nigerians to prevail on the ruling APC to stop muzzling opposition parties, with the aim of turning the country into a one-party state.

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IPMAN protests illegal increase in fuel pump price, adulteration

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PHOTO: GOOGLE.COM/SEARCH

The Imo State Head of Operations of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), under the office of the National Coordinator of Anti Pipeline Vandalism and Product Adulteration, Mr. Henschel C. Nwaozuzu, has sent a petition to the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, to investigate the alleged unwholesome practices of some independent petroleum marketers in the state.

In the petition, Nwaozuzu urged the officials of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), to step up its duties and sanction the offenders. He alleged that some fuel stations located in Owerri metropolis and environs, sell either above pump price or adulterated products or engage in meter adjustment and racketeering of petroleum products.

The Guardian survey revealed that some stations were dispensing petroleum products at above the stipulated prices.

The State Chairman, Independent Fuel Marketers, Chris Amadi, said the products were purchase and transported at higher costs.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mOfYR3

New FAO report projects millions of Nigerians going hungry

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A food retail market in Lagos SOURCE: Google

Govt Denies Threat To Food Security

The newly launched United Nation Food and Agriculture Cadre Harmonisé report has revealed that nine million people in 16 northern states may experience food insecurity between the period of March and August 2017.

The investigation carried out in 16 states of Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Kastina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Taraba, Zamfara, Benue and Jigawa revealed that 10 percent of the population in the states might be affected.

The report explained that seven million people, representing seven percent of the population in the 16 states would be food insecure between March and May, while nine million people would be affected between June and August.

The report admitted that though the level of food insecurity has largely improved since last Cadre Harmonisé analysis in the country, however, the problem is still alarming in Northern Nigeria and humanitarian assistance needs to be escalated in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States to save lives, as well as reduce consumption deficit of the worst affected populations.

It further stressed the need to scale up humanitarian assistance in other 13 states Crisis experiencing levels of food insecurity (Cadre Harmonisé phase 3).

The report attributed the food insecurity in the country to the consequences of conflict in the North-eastern states, which have led to an increased IDPs influx and movement, as well as disruption of market supply and infrastructures compounded with high food prices caused by currency inflation, which have significantly limited the population’s access to food.

The FAO Officer in Charge, Patrick David, who spoke during the presentation of the report in Abuja, said assisting the most vulnerable people and increasing households’ resilience to food security threats will contribute to saving many lives.

He said: “It’s very important to know who these people are, where they are and what they need. The Cadre Harmonise would be very helpful in making strong recommendations to decision makers to know how much food and livelihood support to be provided for them.”

The Deputy Country Director, World Food Program, Douglas Mercado said Cadre Harmonise would provide the basis for them to work with. The federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has, however, denied the report by the Food and Agricultural Oganisation, maintaining that the international community is only trying to undermine the present administration’s efforts at improving food production in the country.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mxo4eI

EFCC ransacks Ogbia palatial mansion of Jonathan’s aide (Read full details)

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EFCC

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at the weekend invaded Ogbia town, where they ransacked the palatial mansion of Mr. George Turnah.

Turnah was a Special Adviser to immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who also hails from the same town.

The operatives were said to have stormed the multi-million naira Kolo Creek Villa, located in Kolo town, Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State at around 5pm on Saturday, with over 30 armed mobile policemen and soldiers in tow.

The Guardian gathered that the armed mobile policeman and soldiers surrounded the house, while the men of EFCC broke into the compound in search of the former coordinator of the Jonathan/Sambo Youth Vanguard.

Sources disclosed that the visit was futile, as the man they came for had strolled out of the compound barely five minutes before their arrival.

When The Guardian visited the Kolo creek villa, the house had lost the usual boisterous outlook; just as attempt to gain access to the building was prevented by the police security mounted at the gate.

The policeman, who confirmed the invasion, disclosed that the operatives came around 5pm and laid siege to the house till around 10 pm, adding that they arrived few minutes after the owner left.

Sources added that the operatives ransacked the offices, bedrooms and sitting rooms, just as they broke into some of the rooms where they could not find the keys and went away with some sensitive documents, including chequebooks belonging to the young businessman.

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Makarfi fears for PDP survival, commends Jonathan

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Goodluck Jonathan

Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has said he does not know what will befall the party if the political solution put forward by former President Goodluck Jonathan fails.

Makarfi, who spoke against the background of the recent meeting between PDP Governors and the former president, commented on fears that a new political party may spring out of PDP if both the judicial and proposed political solutions to the crisis fail.

Tasked on specifics about moves by some PDP stalwarts to form a new party, Makarfi said: “We have not sanctioned any particular measure in that respect. But, you know in politics you cannot also say exactly what people may do or may not do. It is about interests.”

He added, “There are those who may have made up their minds, depending on what happens. It is based on individual choices. But, I would not be surprised if some people within PDP feel that they should make effort to register a new party. Equally, I won’t be surprised if some people move to the party in government or some other platform.”

The Caretaker chairman commended the meditative role of Jonathan and other stakeholders of the party to save it from disintegration, stressing, “when you are in touch with leaders you don’t come out to continue talking about what you discussed.”

Makarfi added: “the base line is that overwhelming majority do not trust Sheriff to conduct convention. Sheriff does not trust me to conduct convention. Therefore none of us should conduct the convention. That is the baseline. Not only that, the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt restored virtually all past national leaders, that is the judgment.

“Some of them their tenure will expire in 2018. That all of them should now resign and our lawyers should look at it and draw an indemnity so that they would not go to court again challenging that their tenure had not ended.”

The embattled caretaker chairman recalled that when a northern leader intervened and said both he and Sherriff should go, that he made it clear that his exit was not an issue.

“I said I can go, but the problem is beyond him and me. I know that there is the problem of tenure of about twenty something people. So, you can’t just take out one and leave twenty problems,” Makarfi pointed out, saying that that is what people try to lose sight off.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mFlQwF

Lawyers seek a reformed judiciary under Onnoghen (Read full details)

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Lawyers

Legal Practitioners have expressed optimism that the issue of judicial reforms and speedy dispensation of justice would fare better under the newly appointed Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen.

Senior lawyers, who spoke to The Guardian in separate interviews, including Mazi Afam Osigwe, Solo Akuma, Dafe Akpedeye and Paul Ananaba, said the CJN should not only address the delay in justice administration, but also enhanced welfare packages for judges.

Former Secretary General, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Barrister Osigwe, urged the CJN, among other demands, to address the problem of delay in administration of justice, so as to curtail unnecessary influences and corruption of justice.

Osigwe expressed the hope that Onnoghen would put in place measures that would reduce corruption in the judiciary, improve perception of the judiciary as a less corrupt organ of government, as well as, increase people’s confidence in the third arm of government.

He said the CJN would find help by implementing certain positions earlier adopted by the body of lawyers, adding: “If people feel that it is a waste of time going to court, it means they have no confidence in the judiciary. The court must not necessarily convict. Court should convict if a case has been made and if there is evidence that the accused person is indeed, guilty of the offence charged, but not because the prosecution insists that the person must be convicted.

“He should engage the executive on how the judiciary can achieve financial autonomy as contained in the Constitution and as contained in the two judgments in favour of allowing the judiciary to have financial autonomy, so that the executive will not use the issue of release of fund to the judiciary to erode its independence.”

The NBA ex-scribe noted that “where heads of courts have to go to beg governors or ministers or the President for funds to be released to them, impression would then be created that the judiciary is not, after all, independent.”

On his part, a Senior Advocate of Nigera (SAN), Akuma tasked the CJN to address the issue of welfare of judges so as to discourage them from being distracted by finances from other sources, pointing out “if their welfare is adequately taken care of, a decent judge will close his eyes to corruption.”

Akuma enjoined the CJN to device means of fast-tracking hearing and disposition of appeals in the Supreme Court, so that appeals other than election petitions and criminal matters should not last more than more two years.

He regretted the fact that some appeals filed in 2005 or even earlier are still pending at the Supreme Court, stressing that there is urgent need to amend the Constitution to prevent certain cases from coming to the Supreme Court.

Similarly, another senior advocate and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Delta State, Akpedeye, called for the automation of the judicial process, arguing that since “we in an internet age and it is very important that the judicial sector is not left behind.”

Expressing confidence in Onnoghen’s capacity to move the sector forward, Akpedeye said: “I listen to him during his response to questions from the National Assembly and he depict a man with experience and who knows the problem of the judiciary.”

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INEC wants to rig 2019 poll

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Nyesom Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has alleged that the redeployment of some Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) electoral officers in the state is a ploy to rig the 2019 General Elections.

Wike stated this yesterday, while on a thank you visit to Etche Local Government Area for their support to the PDP during the Supplementary Elections.

“INEC is planning to rig the 2019 General elections. ‎They claim they are re-deploying the 23 Electoral Officers in the state. But we have authentic intelligence that INEC has consulted APC and they plan to post Electoral Officers from APC states to Rivers State.

These pliant Electoral Officers being handpicked from APC states are to help in rigging the elections in 2019,” he said.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mSgfjw

All set for closure of Abuja Airport amid anxiety (Read full details)

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Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja

• Workers Not Sure Of Deployment
• Kaduna Airport Too Small To Accommodate Landing, Parking Of Aircraft
• Foreign Airlines Remain Adamant
• FG Deploys Health Facilities On Abuja/Kaduna Road

All now seems set for the closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIN), Abuja and the diversion of all flights to Kaduna Airport, to enable the Federal Government rehabilitate the runway, which has of recent gone bad and pose great danger to aircraft and passengers.

The Federal Government has announced that the Abuja airport will be closed for six weeks with effect from March 8, during which rehabilitation work on the runway would have been completed.

Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma told The Guardian that the new terminal building of the Kaduna airport has been completed and ready for operations, saying all the facilities have been upgraded to ensure passengers have seamless travel experience while flying in an out of Kaduna.

Despite FAAN’s claims, there are challenges being envisaged with the Kaduna Airport. For instance, there are fears that the airport does not have the capacity to accommodate many aircraft. The airport is smaller compared to Abuja airport.

National President of Nigerian Association of Airport Pilot Engineers (NAAPE), Mr Isaac Balami said: “If all the private jets in Abuja would have to move to Kaduna airport there may not be enough space for the landing and parking of other aircrafts, except they would have to wait for one aircraft to move, so that another one lands.”

Balami however, gave thumbs up for the runway, saying it is in perfect shape for the landing of any type of aircraft.

Also, despite efforts of the Federal Government to force a change of mind, most foreign airlines operating the Abuja route have remain adamant in resolve to shun Kaduna airport during the temporary closure of NAIA, Abuja.

The foreign airlines, which cited security and logistic challenges in rejecting the Kaduna alternative, at the weekend, confirmed that nothing has changed. Except for Ethiopian airline that has pledged to fly to Kaduna, others are either on the brink of suspending Abuja operations for the six-week period or have their Abuja-bound flights diverted to Lagos.

While the domestic airlines are preparing for the Kaduna diversion, some of their foreign counterparts are winding down operations.

A Regional Manager told The Guardian that there is no going back on the matter. He said while they recognised efforts of the government to upgrade the Kaduna airport to international status, the no-fly decision was that of its hub and the airline’s home country.

It will be recalled that British Airways has informed of plans to divert Abuja-bound flights to Lagos while the six-week closure last.

British Airways’ Country Manager, Kola Olayinka, said the Lagos alternative was the best option for its customers during the closure of the runway.

Olayinka said several factors were considered before the decision was reached, which include the safety and security of its passengers, as well as key operational issues.

German carrier, Lufthansa also told reporters of the Kaduna no-fly zone plan.

South African Airways, in a letter to the authorities, said it would be suspending Abuja operations for the period.

The airline has notified that its last flight into Abuja will be on March 6. Acting Chief Commercial Officer, Aaron Munetsi, said the operations to Abuja would resume on April 18, 2017.

According to Munetsi, “SAA commends the Nigerian authorities concerning the planned repairs of the NAIA runway. However, due to network and fleet operations planning, SAA regrets to advise that the airline will suspend its Abuja operations with effect from March 6, until the April 18, 2017.”

Sequel to the Minister’s meeting with airlines like Air France, Air Côte D’Ivoire, Asky, British Airways, Egypt Air, Saudi Air, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, among others, only Africa’s largest carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, pledged to fly it’s Dream Liner aircraft to Kaduna,

Traffic and sales manager of the airline in Abuja, Firiehiwot Mekonnen, disclosed that the airline’s team of experts had inspected the airport, with some areas already identified to enhance smooth operation in Kaduna.

Meanwhile, despite the assurances of FAAN, there is also the fear that necessary logistics for the movement of personnel to Kaduna have not been done.

Some staffers of the agency said at the time of filing this report, the computer systems that would be used in kaduna have not been installed and the staff to be deployed not yet informed on their deployment.

This development, a staffer said has undermined housekeeping preparation affected staffers would need to make concerning their families.  He said if a family man would be leaving his wife and children for six weeks, for a national assignment and he is yet to be informed three days to his departure, then something is amiss.

He also said passengers landing in Abuja airport from other countries at the moment are without return tickets. He said the situation stemmed from the fact that they do not know the airport they would be departing from.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2lM4bzd

EFCC ransacks Ogbia palatial mansion of Jonathan’s aide

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EFCC

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at the weekend invaded Ogbia town, where they ransacked the palatial mansion of Mr. George Turnah.

Turnah was a Special Adviser to immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who also hails from the same town.

The operatives were said to have stormed the multi-million naira Kolo Creek Villa, located in Kolo town, Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State at around 5pm on Saturday, with over 30 armed mobile policemen and soldiers in tow.

The Guardian gathered that the armed mobile policeman and soldiers surrounded the house, while the men of EFCC broke into the compound in search of the former coordinator of the Jonathan/Sambo Youth Vanguard.

Sources disclosed that the visit was futile, as the man they came for had strolled out of the compound barely five minutes before their arrival.

When The Guardian visited the Kolo creek villa, the house had lost the usual boisterous outlook; just as attempt to gain access to the building was prevented by the police security mounted at the gate.

The policeman, who confirmed the invasion, disclosed that the operatives came around 5pm and laid siege to the house till around 10 pm, adding that they arrived few minutes after the owner left.

Sources added that the operatives ransacked the offices, bedrooms and sitting rooms, just as they broke into some of the rooms where they could not find the keys and went away with some sensitive documents, including chequebooks belonging to the young businessman.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mFn1ft

Obasanjo Presidential Library, first in Africa commissioned (Read full details)

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National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (left); Former Commonweaith Secretary -General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Acting President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo; President, African Development Bank, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina and Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo during the Grand Opening of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, in Abeokuta, Ogun State….yesterday.

Boasts Of 15 Million Documents, Two Million Books, 4,000 Artifacts
Nigeria made history, yesterday, with the commissioning of the first Presidential Library in the African continent.

The multi-billion naira Library complex, facilitated and owned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo is located in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

Eminent personalities across the globe witnessed the epoch making ceremony. The roll call included, Liberian president, Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson-, presidents Faure Gnassingbe of Togo, Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone, ex-president Boni Yayi of Benin Republic and ex-president Joyce Banda of Malawi,

Others were, Prince Michael of Kent, former United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Kofi Anan, Prof. Akin Adesina, former president of Ghana, John Kuffour, former president Goodluck Jonathan, Ernest Sonekan, AbdulSalam Abubakar, Emeka Anyaoku, Namadi Sambo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Olusegun Osoba, former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwakwaso, among others.

The commissioning was part of activities to mark the 80th birthday of Obasanjo, who was Nigeria’s President between 1999 and 2007. The Library was launched in May 14, 2005. It is modeled along the American Presidential Library.

The co-chairman of the Library’s Board of Trustees, Christopher Kolade disclosed that the library has preserved over 4,000 artifacts, two million materials in books and 15 million documents to cater for the needs of students from all over the world. He also disclosed that the library complex has employed over 500 youths.

Sirleaf-Johnson, chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo in their speeches extolled the virtues of Obasanjo and urged other African leaders to emulate his leadership qualities “by preserving the history and culture of their countries for posterity sake.”

Osinbajo described Obasanjo, who is the Chief Promoter of the Library as a world Statesman, a detribalised Nigerian and a gift to Nigeria and Africa in various ways.

The Acting-President who was full of praises to Obasanjo for preserving the history and culture of Nigeria, said the library would go a long way in teaching, not only young Nigerians but also adults, especially those aspiring to be future leaders.

Osinbajo said, “Baba Olusegun Obasanjo is certainly one of those rare human beings. There are at least two advantages to writing history, there is a personal one, you write a few nice things about yourself. But the most serious advantage is that it is one sure way of preserving the lessons, the failures and the successes of the past and also that we can approach the future with more sure-footedness and less pains.”

Sirleaf urged other African leaders to emulate Obasanjo and also do the same.

Her words, “History will bear truth to this precedent setting occasion in Africa that will spell a long legacy of successful retiring Presidents to record and preserve the history of nation building for prosperity and for the benefit of today and future generations.”

She advised “African children, adults, scholars everywhere and friends of Africa worldwide to visit this Presidential library as we have experienced today, feel the exhibits from the life and times of a great son of Nigeria and Africa, more importantly read, see, hear, feel and interact with history and culture.”

Obasanjo said the library was in fulfillment of his vision and mission he had in 1988 to collect and keep vital materials of the civil war.

He described the library as a centre of knowledge said the Library would also sustain culture and encourage tourism.

“Together we are making history today”, he said and commended former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Governor Ibikunle Amosun for the roles they played in the actualisation of the Library.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2mFklyf