Fuel scarcity hits Osun

Fuel scarcity has hit Osun State, crippling business activities in the state in the past few days, the News Agency of Nigeria  reports.

Attendants at some filling stations in Osogbo blamed the scarcity on what they described as a subtle protest by petroleum marketers, who were anticipating a downward review of the pump price of fuel.

A source familiar with the development said Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria in Osun had since directed its members to stop lifting fuel.

NAN reports that virtually all filling stations along Gbongan-Osogbo Road, including the NNPC Mega Station, had stopped selling fuel since October 6.

At the ancient city of Ile-Ife, long queues could be seen at various communities, while filling stations along Ede road were under lock and key.

Only one filling station was selling fuel at Ikirun but the station closed early on Saturday.

Long queues were also seen at Ilesa, Oke-Ogbo and Ijebu-Ijesa Road.

Kano PHCN pensioners petition FG over non-payment of entitlements

Some pensioners of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria in Kano State have petitioned the Federal Government over the non-payment of their four years pensions.

The petition was signed by the state Chairman, Nigerian Union of Pensioners in Kano, Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, on Saturday.

It stated that the pensioners had been suffering for over four years due to non-payment of their pensions, outstanding claims of 50 per cent bulk rent, among others.

“In 2012 after the privatisation of PHCN, all our outstanding arrears and subsequent payments of our monthly pensions were transferred to Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company.

“We only enjoyed smooth payments of our pension for a period of one year after the management of NELMCO plundered us into untold and continuous hardship,” it stated.

The petition also stated that the subsequent monthly payment became epileptic as the pensioners did not receive their pension for January and February 2014 until the middle of March.

It stated that April and May were paid in the middle of July, while that of June and July 2014 were paid in October 2014.

Kelechi Nwakali, Victor Osimhen top Nigeria U17 World Cup list

Emmanuel Amuneke did not spring any surprises with his selection for Chile, with the likes of Osimhen, Nwakali & Enogela making the cut

Nigeria U17 gaffer Emmanuel Amuneke has named his 21-man squad players for the Fifa U17 World Cup in Chile.
The Golden Eaglets would be hoping to defend the world title they won two years ago at the United Arab Emirates and have been drawn against Chile, USA and Croatia in Group A.
Regular suspects such as Victor Osimhen, Victor Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze who were part of the Niger 2015 African U17 Championship made the final list.

Tribunal nullifies Kashamu, six others’ election, orders rerun

Buruji Kashamu

The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta on Friday nullified the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Buruji Kashamu.

The tribunal also set aside the elections of a member of the House of Representatives and five other House of Assembly members on the platform of the PDP.

The tribunal’s chairman, Justice Tobi Ebiowei, however, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct fresh elections in 110 polling units in eight local governments in the Ogun East Senatorial District within the next 90 days.

The All Progressives Congress candidate, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, had dragged Kashamu before the tribunal and alleged that Kashamu’s election failed to comply with the 2010 Electoral Act.

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He said irregularities and malpractices characterised the March 28 election won by Kashamu.

Justice Ebiowei, who led a three-man panel to deliver the verdict, also ordered INEC to take into cognisance during the conduct of the fresh polls the 146,533 valid votes cast during the March 28, 2015 National Assembly polls in the Ogun East Senatorial District.

Tough time awaits ministerial nominees

Fashola, Fayemi, Amaechi

Tough times await ministerial nominees in the Senate on Tuesday as the Peoples Democratic Party senators on Friday vowed not to lower their guard during the screening at the upper legislative chamber.

Saturday PUNCH reliably gathered that although some nominees had indirectly contacted the senators across party lines, their efforts had not yielded desired results.

Investigations also showed that the PDP senators might stop the screening, unless President Muhammadu Buhari presents all the 36 ministerial nominees, as against 21 he submitted on Tuesday.

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It was learnt that the move by President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress and the senators to reach out to the PDP senators was being coordinated by his Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang.

Enang had on Wednesday jointly addressed a press conference with the Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio.

At the press conference, Enang had said, “Part of our job is to reach out to all the sections. And the past is gone, this is a new beginning. We are doing this in the interest of Nigerians.”

Akpabio, on his part, said, “Even though (we are) in the opposition party; we believe strongly in one Nigeria and we believe in the unity and progress of this country.

Diezani needs prayers – Family lawyer

Ex-Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke

A lawyer representing the Madueke family, Oscar Onwudiwe, has appealed to Nigerians to pray for the recovery of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who he said was battling with cancer.

A statement made available on Friday by Onwudiwe on behalf of the Madueke and Agama (Diezani’s maiden family) families, said Diezani’s health crisis had recently worsened, adding that she would undergo surgery next week in London, United Kingdom.

Onwudiwe, while refuting negative reports detailing corruption allegations against some members of the families, including Diezani, said, “The Madueke family, like most other families, have their own challenges. For instance, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke has been receiving treatment for cancer in the UK which started while she was in office.

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“The health crisis has unfortunately exacerbated in recent times. She completed months of chemotherapy just last week and she is scheduled to undergo surgery next week in London. The family has been bearing this challenge with prayers and as much grace and fortitude as possible; and would plead with all reasonable Nigerians to pray for her recovery so that she can face this allegation and give account of her stewardship. Yes, she can—and very well, too.”

Popular Fela Kuti dancer murdered in Lagos

Fela Anikulapo-Kuti
| credits: File copy

Femi Kuti is currently in a sober mood as he mourns the death of a dancer in his father’s band, Dodo Mayana.

Dodo as she was fondly called, was a popular woman at the Afrika Shrine and was one of Fela’s dancers until his death in 1997. She later joined Femi Kuti’s band as a cage dancer before she retired and started selling drinks at the Afrika Shrine.

According to a series of tweets from Femi, the dancer was knocked down by a hit and run driver. Femi said she died a questionable death.

He tweeted, “Heard that Dodo who sells outside the Shrine was hit by a car on her way home by Grammar sch. opposite Omole Estate. I’m so sad. Sounds more like Dodo was mugged ‘cos when we got to her, nothing was found on her, no money, no phone. Mehn sad sad sad.

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“Dodo was such a nice and friendly person RIP. May those who did this not go free. Unfortunately, our police might never find them. She was mugged they now say most likely she took first chance, killed, dumped by Grammar sch.”