Delta EXCO Members Grumble As Okowa Raises His Expenditure Approval Limit To N250m

(URHOBOTODAY) – In what appears to be a well thought out plan to corruptly enrich himself and his cronies without prying eyes, Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has increased his expenditure approval limit to N250 million from N50 million which his predecessors, Chief James Ibori and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan set throughout their tenure in a bid to limit abuse, financial recklessness, entrench fiscal discipline and promote accountability in the disbursement of the state’s finances.

The move will allow the Governor unilaterally approve and pay for projects without scrutiny, examination and recourse to the state’s Executive Council so long as the cost is under N250 million.

The implication of this is that Okowa can singlehandedly expend over 80 percent of the state’s budget without the input or approval of the Executive Council since the state cannot embark on any multi-billion naira projects because of shortfall in allocations from the federation account.

THEWILL investigations also revealed that the governor has cut the expenditure approval limit of Commissioners in the state to N200, 000 (Two hundred thousand naira) from N1m set by the previous administration.

These controversial actions according to sources close to the government would allow Okowa effectively shut out exco members from the scheme of things and confer absolute powers on himself to expressly approve contracts for self using cronies and his close political associates by deliberately keeping contracts below the N250m limit in what is popularly referred to as contract splitting.

Some of the projects that the governor has already approved without recourse to EXCO according to THEWILL checks include: N177m for the purchase of vehicles for newly appointed top functionaries, N127m for purchase of vehicles for himself, N132m for two Lexus 570 bullet proof vehicles for the deputy governor, N226m for purchase of vehicles for commissioners, N140m for furnishing of offices for DTHA members, N208m for health projects in Abavo, Agbor amongst several others.

THEWILL sources further revealed that most of the purchases were allegedly made in cash through Government House after jobs were awarded to family members, fronts and cronies.

THEWILL further gathered authoritatively that some commissioners, heads of parastatals and boards have been irked by the new policy and see it as Okowa’s design to make them redundant and create an empire for himself using state resources.

An angry member of EXCO who spoke to THEWILL anonymously said, “After he was sworn in as Governor, Okowa swiftly told Deltans that he inherited over N600 billion in debt and contractual agreements from the Uduaghan administration.

What he is yet to declare to Deltans was how much cash he inherited from Uduaghan because it is open knowledge that the State Accountant-General, Mr. Cyril Agbele went underground two weeks before Uduahan’s exit, practically shutting down that government only to resurface immediately Okowa was sworn in.
Or could the Accountant-General had run away with debts?”
Festus Keyamo, a rights activist and lawyer expressed disgust in his reaction to the development during a phone conversation with THEWILL correspondent. “What Governor Okowa has done by sidelining EXCO is an abuse of office and Deltans must rise against it.”
 
With this development, only the Governor, Commissioner whose ministry a project is coming from, Commissioner for Finance, his counterpart in Economic Planning and Accountant-General will have knowledge of these approvals, excluding other EXCO members.

One source who spoke about the contentions expenditure approval limit policy on condition of anonymity, said that government projects and programmes are oftentimes below N250million.

The reviewed policy, which an insider said is an abeyance to the idea of state’s EXCO, has been in operation since Governor Okowa came on board and granted the Governor excruciating monopoly to the point that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs are subjected to the whims and caprices of the Governor’s approval for projects in view, particularly the ones that fall under the scope of the Ministerial Tenders Board.

With this development, THEWILL gathered that the MDAs are all required to obtain the prior approval of Governor Okowa before applying the instrumentality of the Ministerial Tenders Board to projects that come within their scope, thus making it possible for the Governor to add and subtract or cancel any projects before the instrumentality of the Ministerial Tenders Board is applied.

THEWILL was however told by an Okowa supporter with knowledge of the development that the governor came out with the reviewed policy for more effective service delivery and to reduce the time and cost of implementing projects in the state.

But, another source, who picked holes with the policy, said that it was unjust for the governor to formulate a policy that would corruptly enrich himself and his cronies under the guise of being for effective service delivery and to reduce cost and time.

“This arrangement is an abeyance to idea of state Executive Council because when you say State EXCO it means all relevant persons who are EXCO members are suppose to be involved in running of the government but a situation where the governor decides to expand his powers for approval limit, it means EXCO will just be a mere formality.

“This kind of thing happened probably because the Governor doesn’t want every file to be going to EXCO, because in there every commissioner has access to files of a particular project that is being proposed, it therefore means that every project that will be approved by the Governor each commissioner has its own copy.

But if it doesn’t go to EXCO, then it means it is a single file, and so it moves from the ministry straight to Governor, to Commissioner for Economic Planning, then back to Governor and Commissioner for Finance for release of funds.

“So, it is just for about four-five persons that will know about it and the rest are shut out. They will only be hearing about it.

For instance, if he wants to embark on infrastructure, it means the whole business will be between the governor, Commissioner for Work, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Commissioner for Finance and the SSG.

Sometimes the SSG could even be sidelined,” the source said.

Our source, who queried the purported excuse that the reviewed policy was to cut cost and time of service delivery, said “the impression that it is to cut cost and time is questionable because I don’t see how a Governor will call an EXCO meeting and say this is what I want and somebody will sit on it. I don’t think it is possible!”

Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah in his reaction to this report said there is no infighting amongst members of the cabinet over the Expenditure Approval Limit policy.

SOURCE: THEWILL

NIGERIA'S TROUBLES

Ophikpokpo Enivwenaye Augustine·

Secret 1914 Amalgamation Document Finally Exposed .

 “Fredrick Lugard Created Nigeria to Last for 100 Years Only – IBB” .

”By Lugards 1914 Amalgamation Document, Any Region Can Secede in 2014 – Shuluwa” .

Most of the nations with ethno-religious and inter- ethnic disagreements and failed to do a Sovereign National Conference, are either in armed conflict (Congo DR) or have since disintegrated – Yugoslavia, Sudan, Eritrea (from Ethiopia), and even Scotland, from the UK, was on the verge of opting out of an unpleasant union and had a failed referendum.

Amalgamation document | 1914 . December 31st 2013 – January 1, 2014, was the last 24 hours for an amalgamated Nigeria according to records trumpeted by significant Nigerians, not excluding ex-military ruler Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB). . Perhaps that was why we heared things like:

”A Northerner Must Emerge in 2015 Or Nigeria Will Divide – Lawal Kaita” . But long before then was this quote: “Since 1914, the British Government has been trying to make Nigeria into one country, but the Nigerian people themselves are historically different in their backgrounds, in their religious beliefs and customs and do not show themselves any signs of willingness to unite … Nigerian unity is only a British invention”

– Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa who was reported by the TIME MAGAZINE of October 10, 1960 to have said there was no basis for Nigerian unity and it was only a wish of the British. . The word NORTH (AREWA), in Nigeria, is the most echoed in the polity. It must have be echoed a zillion times since January 1914 when allocation of political and economic resources in this vast land with vast opportunities and natural endowments, began. .

“The British needed the Railway from the North to the Coast in the interest of British business. Amalgamation of the South (not of the people) became of crucial importance to British business interest. He said the North and the South should be amalgamated“. . “What is critical and important are the reasons Lugard gave in his dispatches. They are as follows: He said the North is poor and they have no resources to run the protectorate of the North. That they have no access to the sea; that the South has resources and have educated people“

. “When the amalgamation took effect, the British government sealed off the South from the North. And between 1914 and l960, that’s a period of 46 years, the British allowed minimum contact between the North and South because it was not in the British interest that the North be allowed to be polluted by the educated South. . Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN) recounted not long ago, “I entered Parliament on December 12, 1959. When the North formed a political party, the northern leaders called it Northern Peoples Congress (NPC). They didn’t call it Nigeria Peoples Congress.

That was in accordance with the dictum and policies of Lugard. When Aminu Kano formed his own party, it was called Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) not Nigerian Progressive Union. Northern Peoples Congress was, back then, still exists in one form or another in 2011- not without a Northern-prefix! Sometimes, you still read Northern Elements Political Forum! Indeed, these elements have not changed! 50 years later, we are still being confronted with a Northern Consensus Candidate.

Yar´Adua´s purported message to Nigerians from his death bed via Hausa BBC in Hausa language! Northern this, Northern that! Not Nigerian! . Various anecdotal records also show why the need for a SOVEREIGN NATIONAL CONFERENCE is imperative for peace and development. . Late Harold Smith apologized to Nigerians with this landmark confession: .

“Our agenda was to completely exploit Africa. Nigeria was my duty post. When we assessed Nigeria, this was what we found in the southern region; strength, intelligence, determination to succeed, well established history, complex but focused life style, great hope and aspirations… the East is good in business and technology, the west is good in administration and commerce, law and medicine, but it was a pity we planned our agenda to give power “at all cost” to the northerner.

 They seemed to be submissive and silly of a kind. Our mission was accomplished by destroying the opposition at all fronts. . The west led in the fight for the independence, and was punished for asking for freedom. They will not rule Nigeria! Harold Smith confessed that the Census results were announced before they were counted. Despite seeing vast land with no human but cattle in the north, we still gave the north 55 million instead of 32 Million.

This was to be used to maintain their majority votes and future power bid. He stated that the West without Lagos was the most populous in Nigeria at that time but we ignored that. The north was seriously encouraged to go into the military. According to him, they believe that the south may attend western education, but future leaders will always come from military background. Their traditional rulers were to be made influential and super human. The northerners were given accelerated promotions both in the military and civil service to justify their superiority over the south. Everything was to work against the south.

We truncated their good plan for their future. . “I was very sorry for the A.G; it was a great party too much for African standard. We planned to destroy Awolowo and Azikwe well, the west and the east and sowed a seed of discord among them”. We tricked Azikwe into accepting to be president having known that Balewa will be the main man with power. Awolowo has to go to jail to cripple his genius plans for a greater Nigeria. ‘’Looking at the northern leaders now , If they have any agenda in Nigeria at all, sadly it is only for the north, and nothing for Nigeria….’’ . Now this same census figures, very important in allocation of positions and power within the Sovereign called Nigeria, have been disputed historically: .

 ”On the conduct of the census in the East, Dr. M.I.Okpara, says he gave strict instructions that the figures were to be absolutely true to the actual population and he is sure that this was done. To those who tried to ridicule him by saying that he had announced the discovery of a new village in the course of the census so as to inflate the figures in Eastern Nigeria, Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara says,

” It as a little fishing village in Eket that had been overlooked. It was not discovered and it was a village of only sixty people or more, which could not have made much difference in our overall population. The real test was that when the exercise was repeated, our figure was the same and the figure for the north had almost doubled. .

 Courtesy: Facebook/Nigerian Election Debate Group.

WHO OR WHAT ONISHE ANI AHABA WILL NEVER REPRESENT

OKONTA EMEKA OKELUM

All true ani ahaba children ( I don't mean ndi asaba, who to a great extent are far from what we, Nwa Ani Ahaba, repesent, believe in or hold sacred, as holy tenets handed down to us through oral tradition from generation to generation) consciously or unconsciously live each day with a deep seated feeling about the supreme efficacy of ONISHE ANI AHABA.

To all Nwa Ani Ahaba, whether at home or abroad, whether had or not set their feet at the holy courts and temples of our mother supreme, Nwanyi-Alangbologodo, Onishe Ani Ahaba, lives with a deep and un-expressible and unutterable impulse.

Such impulse leaves us weak or not ready to engage in debates, arguments or defence of Nne Anya, Onishe Ani Ahaba.

With steady, occasionally influence and massive population upsurge that has recently besieged Ani Ahaba, it is pertinent that the records about who Onishe Ani Ahaba Truly was, is and remains be made straight, updated and shared with the world.

Not to score any academic point nor to pose as foot soldier's defence but just to share information that can correct a seekers ignorance and lay the very foundation of truth.

It is most regrettable that those who are not of the Ani Ahaba Traditional and cultural heritage, out of ignorance and sheer attempts to speak ill of a glorious endowment they know practical nothing about, deceive others into believe that our generationally handed over heritage is an exercise sandwiched in crude anti human rights practices or tendencies.

I make bold by reason of this academic research piece, and by virtue of my many years of personal historic study, quest for truth and too many cross and counter examination of all beliefs, claims and articles of faith handed down to my generation through oral tradition.

Nothing is left at my disposal than to believe like my progenitors did that they never felt, thought, taught, spoke nor acted in error.

My resolve to believe like they did is never nor will be traced to all the gamut of traditional religious following but my resolves are casted on the personal revelations of all deep exoteric, philosophical, mystical, spiritual and eternal relationship of Nwa Ani Ahaba to all forms of living and non living elements around.

Of a truth, now is the time to share with the world what or who, our mother supreme actually represents.
Onishe Ani Ahaba was not, had never and will not be associated with all wrong expressions and identify, those not of Ani Ahaba stock parade or attempt to spread.

That an idea is popularly accepted, does not mean such idea is true or valid, just as the fact remains that examination is not the true test of knowledge.

Nnem Onishe Ani Ahaba is not a demon, devilish spirit, a fallen angel nor an Alusi.

She is a spark of divinity.

To be continue..............

Ibekwe Ferdinand Emerges new National President of Anambra Students

The National body that unites all the Anambra State students in the Institutions of Higher learning has recently elected its new president in the person of Mr. Ibekwe Ferdinand Uzoma of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The election which was held at NOBLE Suites, Awka on the 27th day of February, 2016, had three aspirants contest keenly for the position of President.

One of the aspirants, Mr. Jude Anyichie of Enugu State College of Education and Technology later stepped down for Ibekwe Ferdinand while Patrick Mozie of Anambra state University went to the polls with the eventual winner.

In attendance were many higher institutions across the country where the sons and daughters of Anambra are based. These schools include;

University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Ibadan, University of Portharcourt, Federal University of Technology, Owerri,  Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka,  Federal Polytechnic Oko,  Enugu State University of Technology(ESUT),  Institute of Management & Technology (IMT),  Enugu School of Dental, Enugu.

University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, University of Benin, Enugu State College of Education, Technology (Escet), Abia State University, National Open University of Nigeria, Nekede Abia Poly, Imo Poly. Ebonyi State University, Afikpo Anambra State University, MSP Auchi Poly, Godfrey Okoye University, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike FUNAI.

According to the report gotten from the electoral bodies, We have all these contestants and the positions they contested for below…

For President:

1. Uzoma Ferdinand Ibekwe (Unizik) from Abagana, Njikoka L.G.A

2. Patrick Mozie (ANSU) from Oba, Idemili South L.G.A

3. Jude Anyichie (ESCET) from Achina ,Aguata L.G.A

For Vice President:

1. Onyia Maureen Ada (Unizik) from Obagwe, Ogbaru L.G.A

2. Muoma Blessing Uju (ESUT) from Ukpor, Nnewi South L.G.A

3. Ekunie Jane (NOUN Nekede) from Nimo, Njikoka L.G.A

For Secretary General:

1. Ozoemena Cyriacus (Uniben) from Umuchu, Aguata L.G.A.

For Financial Secretary:

1. Okoye Amos (Federal Polytechnic Oko) from Ekwulobia, Aguata L.G.A.

For Director of Socials:

1. Udeze Raphael (Unizik) from Otolo Nnewi, Nnewi North L.G.A.

For Welfare:

1. Okorie Johnkennedy (ABSU) from Umunze, Orumba South

For Treasurer:

1. Umeh Austin Chiemerie (Uniport) From Uga,Aguata L.G.A 

SUMMARY OF THE ELECTION PROCESS

Mr Ferdinand Uzoma won the post with 52 votes out of 79 registered voters from all the accredited chapters and Blessing Mmuoma emerged the vice president with 47 votes out of 79 registered d contenders

The election was monitored by the Nigeria Police, DSS and other relevant agencies as wellas NANS. 

Culled from Ifeadinmesi Blog

Will Nigeria Survive Muhammadu Buhari’s Government?

The 9-month span of Mr. Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency is not long enough to pass final judgements on his stewardship but long enough to predict the future of Nigeria. Nigerians should start thinking whether the president has the right temperament to govern a complex country like Nigeria; whether he understands convoluted relationships between the federal government and states, between the government and citizens, between dictatorships and democracies, etc.

 The country should consider if the president understands the differences in the last sentence; does he have the nuances necessary to maneuver though these intricate relationships; does he have the judgement to implement his understanding; and most importantly, is he capable of carrying the whole country with him.

A few examples would illustrate the fear for Nigeria after PMB’s administration. It is reported that last week members of the Department of state Security Services (DSS) invaded Ekiti House of Assembly and kidnapped four legislators who were in the peoples’ house doing peoples’ business.

If the report is correct there cannot be any more impunity than this. How can a federal force invade a state legislative body and forcibly remove state law makers? In Nigeria there is defined state boundaries and federal boundaries of authority. Each, sacred and sacrosanct. If some Ekiti legislators violated federal laws, they should be apprehended outside the state legislative building. I am aware that the people of Ekiti like their counterparts in Anambra have well-educated and bold citizenry who publicly express their views no matter the circumstances but that does not give DSS any right to violet the protection that their membership in the state legislature provides them.

They are immune from harassment inside the building doing state duties. Anambra and Ekiti stand as the last bulwark against dictatorship from federal authorities. Anambra stood against Obasanjo’s regime just as Ekiti is standing against PMB’s.

If the alleged incidence in Ekiti is not frightening enough, consider the reported interview that Mr. President gave to Al Jazeera television. It was reported as follows:
Responding to question about how he plans to deal with the issue of Biafra, Buhari said, Biafra quest is a joke he added “At least two millions Nigerians were killed in the Biafra war. And for somebody to wake up, may be they weren’t born. Looking for Biafra after two millions people were killed, they are joking with the security and Nigeria won’t tolerate Biafra.”

This is the most undiplomatic and unrefined way to handle a delicate political situation involving human rights, freedom of speech and international laws. It is not within his powers to not tolerate different opinions. He must indeed tolerate different opinions about Nigeria’s future so long as the views are expressed in words. Even if otherwise all he can do/should do is to bring the matter to the courts.

Nowhere in the constitution is he the arbiter of disagreements of opinions and views. These types of statements call into quest PMB’s judgement. If a people suffered loss to the tune of 2 million lives and are still pursuing the same goals, does that not say something? The Igbo say that ebe nwata n’ebe akwa aru aka; nne ya anohia nna ya anoria, where a baby is crying and pointing to must hold his father or mother.

But if the Biafrans statement is reason to question PMB’s judgement, his insinuation that he has a saboteur/s in his administration drives home the question. Nigeria waited for six months to know who would help run the country, PMB’s spokesmen said that he was ensuring that he has the right people who are, above everything else, trustworthy and are not corrupt. To imply that he has within his carefully selected team one who is not trustworthy after a mere three months makes one wonder. Was his judgement of these people wrong after so much care had been taken? How reliable will it be in the heat of battle?

There are other things that give room for worry in this administration; it is the fact that no segment of the population is gong-ho about the direction of the country. Take the case of the skirmish (is it still a skirmish if 10 dead people are counted) in Lagos this past week. It is being billed as a Yoruba/Hausa conflict.

Whatever it is called and however it started and no matter who is to blame, the important lesson is that the nation is sitting on a tender box. Any little thing can ignite it and if it is not properly handled it could spin out of control. The incidence in the outskirts of Lagos was not properly handled. The security operatives came late and left too early making it possible for each side to regroup and come back the next day for vengeance.

And because of the distrust of the security agencies some people saw support of SS for one side which may or may not be true. But perception is the reality for the perceivers. It is what led to the brief shout of “we want Oduduwa Republic.

Another minor incident that creates anxiety over Nigeria’s survival after this administration is what ought to minor incidents. It is the assertiveness of cattle farmers who violently enter into other farmers land and with AK47 rifles intimidate the land owners. It has happened often in NC, SW, and SE. There are two concerns with this: one is how these herders carry weapons can so openly when guns are banned for all civilians? And march from Kano to Lagos without interruption, no arrests even when they have used the guns to kill and no questions asked by the government?

The other issue is where did they get these guns and bullets? The protests of land owners do not seem to matter leaving the impression that the cattle men have a god father above.

The points made above serve as the tip of the iceberg. If Nigeria is to survive PMB, there should be evidence of understanding or societal relationships: relationship between the FG and the state governments; between government and individuals, between one citizen and another.

 There ought to be a belief that our government is for all of us and not for s a segment; there must be respect for all human rights and the right to a free expression of unpleasant thoughts; the understanding of which matters belong to the executive and which is for courts and legislatures to handle

Our government must understand how things are handled in a democracy as distinct from how it is handled in a military dictatorship and which is now in effect in 2016 Nigeria.

Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba
Boston, Massachusetts
March 6, 2016
baduba54@aol.com