DR KALU IDIKA'S THOUGHTS ON ABIA STATE

A former minister of finance and economic planning, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, has expressed his dissatisfaction at the state of infrastructure in Abia state. Kalu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in his country home, Ohafia, that the euphoria that greeted the creation of the state 22 years ago seemed to have waned due to under-development. he feels that the way things are in Abia State, has falling short of the aspirations of its founding fathers. "When Abia was created, I felt so proud not because I thought we should be split into so many states, but because I thought we had the potential to place Abia as one of the top states in the nation. "As a commissioner then in the old Imo State, I remembered coming into Aba when they were opening the NTA office in the town and we had lots of designers there. "Take for an example people in the textile and garments industry, these are people that need just a little support to get to the global stage of designing,” he said. He alleged that "22 years down the lane, no meaningful development has taken place in the state". "We have not lived up to expectations and we still have a long way to go to create viable agriculture, industries and proper infrastructure. "There is no question that we need to do a lot more and part of the problem is that we have not really had time to amplify our resources beyond the ones we know. "Abia State had oil and gas territories which were ceded to other states. We still have a golden opportunity to look at these things radically and isolate ourselves whether as governors, senators or members of the house," he said. Kalu said what the people needed was a system that would bring about growth, development, stability and progress. He added that such proper steps would reduce the poverty level among the people to the barest minimum. * well, I am no longer in Abia State but I have been hearing of some of the things going on in the State. Ok , Lets hear what you have to say even if you are not in Abia State presently. At least you should have something to say.*

Another year has come

Hello frieds, we thank God for bringing us into a brand new year. I believe we have in our hearts some things we intend to achieve this year. My advice is, dont just make resolutions and leave it at that; take steps in making it happen. The year has started runnig already.Today is the 2nd day of January. What am saying in essence is, make procrastination your enemy. Think of all the things you want to achieve and start doing them NOW. You may wish to write them down to make them more concrete. Stay focussed. Happy new year.

Women in Politics , How well?

Do you believe that women can do well in politics in Nigeria? Two female senators ,Messrs Helen Usuene (PDP Akwa Ibom South) and Aisha Al- Hassan (PDP Taraba North) on Wednesday, declared their ambition to contest the 2015 governorship election in their respective states. This was at the joint conference held at the National Assembly.                                                         Esueme said "we are not saying that we are better than the men that have been occupying these positions over the years in the two states and intact across the 36 States of the federation. We are only saying as responsible women, we shall be less distracted  in office like any of the men that served in the capacity with attendant highly focussed and development driven governance ".            I believe them. Lets support women in politics and see if they will bring the desired change we need.                                  

ICPC warns.

To all taxable individuals and Companies. How "faithful" are you in paying your tax?  This question may sound funny now but the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission,(ICPC) will be taking stricter measures against tax defaulters.

The Commission has called for prompt and regular tax payment by taxable individuals and companies.
They also warned against patronage of tax touts in and outside tax offices. This is the practice by most Nigerians and Companies who like cutting corners. It will soon backfire. The commission has started a
nationwide investigation of corrupt prone processes in personal and company income tax payment. This became necessary following the high incidence of presentation of fake and tax clearance certificate.

" Preliminary investigations indicated that about 156 of these Companies may face prosecution for using fake clearance Certificates", the anti graft statement read in part.

Speak out.

I personally feel it is very wrong to keep quiet in cases of sexual assaults by the victims or by people directly related to them just because they want to avoid stigmatization. It shouldn't be.

A 70 year old man was arrested in Adamawa for sexually abusing boys aged between 13 and 15.
The spokesman for the Command, DSP Mohammed Ibrahim told Journalists in Yola on Wednesday that the suspect had been engaging in unlawful sexual relationship with four boys who he enticed with money.

"The father of one of the children took his son who sustained injury in the act to a private clinic, which prompted the doctor to alert the police." He said.  DSP Ibrahim commended the doctor and noted that the parents of the boy had wanted the matter dropped for fear of stigmatization.                                 Now that's the problem I have. Why would the father want to let an issue of this nature to be swept under the carpet? It doesn't make any sense me.

ASUU appeals to God.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities , yesterday declared a three day fasting at the Union's congress held at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan.

The Union listed three prayer points: the need for God to touch the heart of the Federal Government to be committed towards funding public education and develop the nation; that God should protect ASUU leadership as they travel and for the purpose of the strike to be actualized.

The Union Chairman, Dr. Ajiboye, said the Union has the machinery to set aside the strike action once the gray areas in the resolution is sorted out.                                                  

Teacher flogs Child to death.

This violence issue is our schools is unbecoming.
In Ondo, a four-year-old female pupil of Falaye Memorial Nursery and Primary School, Elizabeth Wanogha was allegedly beaten to death by her school teacher, Alade Adebayo in Ondo State, Vanguard reports.

The teacher, Adebayo was arrested by the Ondo State Police Command after the father of the pupil reported the incident at the police station.

The father of the pupil said Elizabeth died from the injuries sustained after the teacher beat her into a state of coma for allegedly being recalcitrant.

Police said the teacher will remain in detention for further investigation.

So sad.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan visited London for a meeting of Nigeria’s Honorary International Investors’ Council. He is said to  be indisposed and was not physically present at the opening of the meeting today.

His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati disclosed this in a statement he issued yesterday in Abuja.

 Jonathan had already been examined by competent medical practitioners and advised to rest for a few days.

"The Presidency wishes to assure all Nigerians that President Jonathan’s condition is nothing serious and that the medical attention he has sought is only precautionary " the statement said.

 The president is billed to preside over a three-day meeting of Nigeria’s Honourary International Investors’ Council in London.

Issues on the agenda of the meeting  include generating long-term affordable finance for Nigeria’s real sector, developing Nigeria’s private equity and venture capital sectors to attract more foreign investments as well as  Nigeria’s information and communications technology master-plan.

The meeting of the council is coordinated by Baroness Lynda Chalker and will also feature a review of Nigeria’s existing investment policies by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Paris-based international organisation dedicated to the promotion of policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.

Members of the council include the CEO of the Investment Corporation of Dubai, Mr. Mohammed al Shaibani, a former South African Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr. Alec Erwin, the Vice President of Hewlett-Packard’s Enterprise Group in Europe, Middle-East and Africa, Mr. Olivier Suinat, a former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shaukat Aziz and the Director of Shell’s International Upstream Business, Mr. Andrew Brown.

A call to prosecute the Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner.

 Still on the Anambara just concluded governorship election.
 A petition has been sent by the  All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Attahiru Jega head of the electoral commission,  for the prosecution of the Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Chukwuemeka Onukogu and the cancellation of the Anambra state elections  .

 According to Vanguard, APC sent a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) requesting   for the discontinuance of the  planned supplementary polls, and a conducting a new elections.

 The  party complained said that voters in their candidate’s (Senator Chris Ngige)  stronghold, were disenfranchised,

APC also pointed out that the commission had the power  to reject the results and order for fresh elections.

PDP accuses APC of violence

Abuja - The Anambra post-election tension still on with the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) accusing the All People's Congress (APC) of violence and ensuring the atmosphere was not conducive to hold a free and fair poll.

"The arraignment in court of the 182 armed thugs imported into Anambra by the APC to cause mayhem and disrupt the elections has justified PDP's earlier commendation to security agencies for providing adequate security and the enabling environment to ensure that election held peacefully and without violence in spite of the plan by the APC to turn the state into a theatre of war and bloodshed," stated PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh.

"APC having discovered that it will lose in 2015, has hatched a heavily funded plot to use the instrumentality of blackmail, lies and propaganda to discredit the electoral system and cause massive uprising immediately after the 2015 general elections. The APC is a party of desperate politicians who are now deeply pained that Nigerians have rejected them. It is on record that APC since its formation has not won any election be it at the local, state or national level," Metuh also stated.
Though the winner of  the just concluded governorship election had not been announced, it appeared neither of the two parties were on course to win. Preliminary results showed All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate, Willie Obiano,
had the lead with more than 170 000 votes, followed by PDP's Tony Nwoye securing about 95 000 votes. Chris Ngige of APC had 92 300 votes.

The new wigs.

Good day my learned friends. Do you think it is important for new wigs to undergo the pupilage stage before setting up on their own?

Personally, I think it's very  important for every new wig  to practice under a senior lawyer.    Dear new wigs, get a good firm to kick start practice. You will not have regrets ,ever. It has a way of paying off later in life. The cash may not start rolling in now but whatever practical knowledge  acquired under a learned senior will be put into play in handling the big briefs.

Pro bono?

I was at the Magistrates' court today 13-11-2013 when this particular accused person was arraigned. Despite claiming he could understand English, it was obvious he did not understand the implications of taking a plea of guilty. Yes, he pleaded guilty and people were shocked. Obviously,he didntt know that he was entitled to a legal practitioner. He didnt have a lawyer representing him in court.

Other lawyers( including me) were still shaking there heads in pity while another counsel sprang up and informed the court that he didn't think that the man understood the charges read to him and the implication of the plea he had taken.(though the Magistrate entered a plea of not guilty for him) the counsel announced appearance for the man and applied for a bail on the man's behalf and His honour granted same .(He was charged with stealing which is a bailable offence).

 Before i left the court, i noticed that the man's relations had rallied around the lawyer working out the conditions of bail. Hmmm, at that moment I can bet you that the man was the happiest man to walk the surface of this earth.

The whole scenario got me thinking: did the lawyer undertake to defend the defendant  out of good will or was he hussling for clients? ( Ambulance chasing)

was the Magistrate right in entering a plea of 'not guilty' in a non capital offence where the plea was unequivocal ?(The accused said he understood the Charge before he made his plea).

 don't mind me. those were my thoughts at that moment. Lawyers, over to you.

A comeback

Hello all. Its really been a while out here. So sorry for disappearing from this blog, not intentional at all . Ihave been sufficiently busy of late. phewww. shout out to all legal minds, lawyers and non lawyers alike. I am back now and promise to keep you posted. Shout out to all those who got concerned about my absence from the blog; all is well, just been busy. I look forward to having you guys here as well. so lets set the ball rolling. You can post your comments right here or send a mail to thelawyersgist@gmail.com. lets go!

Ondo declares a 7 day mourning for Agagu

On his part, Senator  Goje  in a statement by  his media aide, Ahmed Yaro, said: “It came to me as a shock, a very rude shock. Dr. Agagu was an absolute gentleman, quite brilliant, and very patriotic.
“When we ran the Power and Steel Ministry together, you could see his passion for the country. He was very dedicated and committed. It must have been these qualities that the people of Ondo State saw in him, and for which they elected him governor in 2003.
TUC in a message by its President and Secretary General, Bobboi Kaigama and Musa Lawal respectively, said they were saddened by the fact that we have had cause to condole five prominent Nigerian families in less than two months over the death of their loved ones who were snatched away in their prime by the cold hands of death
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/09/ondo-declares-7-day-mourning-as-more-tributes-pour-in-for-agagu/#sthash.FhoHAkA2.dpuf

On his part, Senator  Goje  in a statement by  his media aide, Ahmed Yaro, said: “It came to me as a shock, a very rude shock. Dr. Agagu was an absolute gentleman, quite brilliant, and very patriotic.
“When we ran the Power and Steel Ministry together, you could see his passion for the country. He was very dedicated and committed. It must have been these qualities that the people of Ondo State saw in him, and for which they elected him governor in 2003.
TUC in a message by its President and Secretary General, Bobboi Kaigama and Musa Lawal respectively, said they were saddened by the fact that we have had cause to condole five prominent Nigerian families in less than two months over the death of their loved ones who were snatched away in their prime by the cold hands of death
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/09/ondo-declares-7-day-mourning-as-more-tributes-pour-in-for-agagu/#sthash.FhoHAkA2.d

On his part, Senator  Goje  in a statement by  his media aide, Ahmed Yaro, said: “It came to me as a shock, a very rude shock. Dr. Agagu was an absolute gentleman, quite brilliant, and very patriotic.
“When we ran the Power and Steel Ministry together, you could see his passion for the country. He was very dedicated and committed. It must have been these qualities that the people of Ondo State saw in him, and for which they elected him governor in 2003.
TUC in a message by its President and Secretary General, Bobboi Kaigama and Musa Lawal respectively, said they were saddened by the fact that we have had cause to condole five prominent Nigerian families in less than two months over the death of their loved ones who were snatched away in their prime by the cold hands of death
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/09/ondo-declares-7-day-mourning-as-more-tributes-pour-in-for-agagu/#sthash.FhoHAkA2.dpuf

 

 Governor Olusegun Agagu.

The governor of Ondo State, governor Olusegun Mimiko  has declared 7- day mourning for his immediate predecessor Dr. Olusegun  Agagu who died last Friday, even as more condolences poured in for the deceased.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Senator Danjuma Goje, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Nigeria Medical Association, NMA and Bode Olajumoke, were among those that sent in their condolences, yesterday.

 Tambuwal, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, said the deceased was a nationalist who championed unity and tolerance among the people.

He described him as a fulfilled gentleman who shared his vast knowledge and experience with many politicians within and outside his state.
 Tambuwal prayed to God to give the deceased’s family fortitude to bear the loss.

Governor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, described his death as a painful loss to the country, Ondo State, which he served for years and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. 

Akpabio, who is also the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, in a statement by his Special Assistant Media, Mr. Jackson Udom said “Agagu was a revered leader whose wealth of experience would have been effective in reclaiming the South-west states for the PDP.

”I am shocked by this death. It is a great loss to the country because he was a leader with a vast experience, having served as a Minister of Aviation and later governor. 

But the loss is heavier to the PDP family, especially at a time that it needs experienced politicians like Agagu to chart the course for the complete reconciliation and subsequent electoral victory of the party in the South-west region.” 

Governor Mimiko in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola ordered that condolence registers be opened at the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, the state’s liaison offices in Lagos and Abuja and the headquarters of the 18 local government areas of the state.

The governor also called on indigenes and residents of Ondo State to remember the Agagu family in their prayers.

 

Governor Mimiko in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola ordered that condolence registers be opened at the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, the state’s liaison offices in Lagos and Abuja and the headquarters of the 18 local government areas of the state.
The governor also called on indigenes and residents of Ondo State to remember the Agagu family in their prayers.

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- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/09/ondo-declares-7-day-mourning-as-more-tributes-pour-in-for-agagu/#sthash.FhoHAkA2.dpuf

Governor Mimiko in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola ordered that condolence registers be opened at the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, the state’s liaison offices in Lagos and Abuja and the headquarters of the 18 local government areas of the state.
The governor also called on indigenes and residents of Ondo State to remember the Agagu family in their prayers.

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- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/09/ondo-declares-7-day-mourning-as-more-tributes-pour-in-for-agagu/#sthash.FhoHAkA2.dpuf

Governor Mimiko in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola ordered that condolence registers be opened at the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, the state’s liaison offices in Lagos and Abuja and the headquarters of the 18 local government areas of the state.
The governor also called on indigenes and residents of Ondo State to remember the Agagu family in their prayers.

Share    Print

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/09/ondo-declares-7-day-mourning-as-more-tributes-pour-in-for-agagu/#sthash.FhoHAkA2.dpuf

Former Military President inaugurates N 610m new presidential Villa in Sokoto.

Former military President Ibrahim Babangida on Monday inaugurated the new presidential villa acquired, and furnished with N610 million by the Sokoto State Government.

The former Military governor said “Sokoto sai Aliyu,” meaning Sokoto is for Aliyu, refering to Gov. Aliyu Wamakko.

Babangida, while expressing happiness, commended Wamakko for “a job well done”.

Wamakko in return described Babangida as”our leader who has retired but not tired”.

Wamakko said the former military president’s name would be written in gold “anytime one writes the history of Nigeria”.

”The present administration wants to leave far-reaching legacies as Sokoto is renowned as the home of exemplary leaders in the country,” he said.

According to Wamakko, leadership requires absolute sacrifice, “I am a leader with unique grassroots support.” He said.

The governor said that the presidential villa was aimed at providing an ultra-modern edifice for the”honourable hosting of visitors coming to the state daily”.The governor said the structure had been adequately furnished and would be routinely maintained to provide comfort for those who would be residing in it.

”The structures will also be protected from all forms of abuse to make sure that they last longer,” Wamakko added.

”The structures will also be protected from all forms of abuse to make sure that they last longer,” Wamakko added.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Sahabi Gada, commended Wamakko for his “foresight on issues of good governance”.

Babangida also inaugurated some township roads constructed by the state government in Sokoto town and its environs.

The roads are in Gwadabawa, Lapai, Talata-Mafara and Anka areas.