– The Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, and civil society allies set for protests againts new electricity tariffs – The demonstration will be held on Monday, February 8, in Abuja and around the country – But experts disagree with Labour’s protest call over electricity traffic hike

Industry experts at the weekend expressed
concern that the call by organized labour to
shut down the Power Distribution and
Generation companies over the Multi Year
Tariff Order that came into effect in February
would impact negatively on the Power Sector
and the nation’s economy.
According to the experts , the planned
disruption of the operations may have more
severe consequences than the new Tariff
which is aimed at ensuring cost recovery in
the power sector value chain, removal of the
fixed charge , encouraging power
conservation by focusing on metering before
billing and insisting that consumers are
billed for only what they consumed.
Some of the experts argued that any
disruptions at this time would negatively
affect the steady progress being made in the
sector in spite of challenges posed by gas
pipeline vandalism and other acts of
sabotage recently being recorded in the
petroleum and power sector.
It would be recalled that on February 2, the
Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry sent out
a peak of 5,074MW at 2130hrs – a record
setting figure that displays significant
improvement in the capacity of the
transmission system. This is the highest
figure ever recorded by the industry in
recent times.
The total energy sent out on February 2,
2016 was also a record setting figure of
109,372.01MWH (an average of
4447.88MWh/h).
According to industry statistics, the past
three months has seen a series of record
setting figures and incremental growth in
spite of very challenging operational
environment, with the previous peak figure
achieved being 4,883MW on 21:15h on
November 24 2015, and the previous
maximum total energy sent out achieved on
January 27, 2016 being 107,142.32MWH.
The experts noted that though a lot of work
remains to be done, such record breaking
figures are only achievable due to the
coordinated efforts of all stakeholders in the
country, from gas suppliers, generating
plants, the Transmission Company of Nigeria,
distribution companies and all citizens who
have been patient with the industry as work
towards improving the sector has been
intensified under the leadership of the
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr
Babatunde Fashola, SAN.
The progress and the fresh investment drive
into the sector being aimed at with the tariff
order may be jeopardized by any poorly
considered call for street protests or shut
down of operations rather than dialogue , an
energy expert noted.
Legal practitioners expressed the view that
the subject of change in tariff was not a
matter for labour agitation. According to
them, the statutory objective of a trade
union recognised under the Trade Unions Act
is to regulate the terms and conditions of
employment of workers. Price determination
is a product of market forces. Electricity is
like any other product and its price reflects
its cost of production.
Following the privatisation of the electricity
sector, the distribution and generation
aspects of the industry are now in the hands
of private investors. Consequently, price is
now determined by market forces in
accordance with the provisions of applicable
laws.
The law that regulates changes in tariff is the
Electric Power Sector Reforms Act and it
empowers the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory
Commission to allow a licencee to recover
the “costs of its business activities, including
a reasonable return on the capital invested
in the business” and “provide incentives for
the continued improvement of quality of
services” in the country.

– Governor allegedly collaborated with Kosovo, Turkey, Croatia and other countries – NMA believes the building of 27 new general hospitals in the state are evidences – Governor’s aide says case is old and is being investigated by the DSS

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has
been accused of allegedly collaborating with
Kosovo, Turkey, Croatia and other countries
to carry out human organs trafficking.
This accusation was made by the Nigerian
Medical Association (NMA), through the
chairman of the Private and General Medical
Practitioners in the state, Dr Philip Njemanze,
Nigerian Pilot reports.
Njemanze, who spoke during a press
conference after an emergency meeting of
the association in Owerri, the state capital,
said: “For the first time in human history, a
government has declared itself an organ
trafficking cartel. Imo state government is
using the state health facilities to facilitate
organ trafficking network.
“Foreign collaborators of the state
government from Turkey, Kosovo, Croatia and
others are already here in Imo to perfect
creation of the network. It is an international
network with Rochas as its local head. A
former prime minister of Kosovo is the head
of organ trafficking in Europe and he is a
friend of Okorocha.”
The aggrieved medical practitioner also
alleged that Governor Okorocha’s recent trips
to Turkey, Kosovo, Croatia and other Latin
American and Asian countries as well as the
building of the new 27 general hospitals in
the state, are testament to the fact that the
governor is party to organ trafficking
business in the state.
When contacted, Sam Onwuemedo, the
governor’s senior media adviser explained
through a text message that the allegation “is
an old story that is being handled by the
DSS.”
This allegation is coming following reports in
the state that a refusal of the governor to
recall the 3000 workers he allegedly sacked
will lead to a total shutdown of activities in
the state.
According to the Nigeria Labour Congress
(NLC), there would be a total shut down of
Imo state once the 14-day ultimatum issued
to the state government to recall the sacked
workers and tackle their unpaid salaries and
other benefits expires.
President of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and
Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Mr Igwe
Achese, a member of the 6-man action
committee set up by NLC to handle the Imo
crisis, told Vanguard that all measures had
been put in place for the planned action.

– President Muhammadu Buhari says he wonders why he came to power at this economic -challenging period – The president said with God’s help, the country will experience better days -The president addressed Nigerians in London on the state of the economy

President Muhammadu Buhari has wondered
why he came into government at this period of
economic challenges but expressed optimism in
the success of the administration with God’s
help.
The Punch reports that the president said this
on Friday, February 5 when he was addressing
the members of the Nigerian community in the
United Kingdom in London.
President Buhari said he always wondered why
oil, which used to sell for over $140 per barrel,
would reduce to $30 per barrel during his time
as president and why he wasn’t in charge when
the country was financially buoyant. He said he
however continue to pray to God to be merciful
to the over 170 million Nigerians.
“With the problems we have in this government,
I sometimes wonder. At least, this time around,
I asked for it, I prayed for it, I went round the
country and I asked for it. But the first time
under the military, I allowed the military to take
decision.
“But I say why me? Why is it that it is when
they have spent all the money, when they made
the country insecure that I returned?
“Why didn’t I come when the treasury was full?
Oil price was over $140 per barrel and when I
came, it slipped down to $30. Why me?
“I keep on praying to God to pity Nigeria and its
over 170 million people who are exposed to
climate change, illiteracy and poverty.”
Buhari said his administration had succeeded in
mopping up over N2.2trn as of January through
the Treasury Single Account arrangement. He
explained that although it was introduced by
former president, Goodluck Jonathan, he didn’t
know why it was not implemented.
“You know the condition we are in now. I am
sure with demands from home, in spite of what
your effort is, you know we are really in trouble.
“We have tried to impose what we call Treasury
Single Account. The reason is simple. This
government did not initiate it; it was initiated
by the previous government. But it was so
unpopular to the bureaucracy, so the previous
government for its own reasons, could not
impose it.
“But when we came and we found out that we
were broke, we said this is the way to do it.
“I will tell you two examples to convince you.
Firstly, the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation had more than 45 accounts.
Ministry of Defence had more than 70 accounts.
Tell me which Accountant-General can trace all
these accounts?
“So, we imposed TSA. By the end of December,
coming to January 2016, we mopped up more
than N2.2trn which would have been used
through bureaucratic system to raise vouchers
and sign cheques so that they don’t go into the
next budget.”
The president applauded the United States and
Britain for preventing the previous
administration from rigging the election. He
recalled that Samdo Dasuki, the national security
adviser had urged the service chiefs to tell the
Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) that they could not guarantee safety
during the polls. He said Professor Attahiru Jega,
the chairman of INEC had guarantee 60 percent
free and fair election at a point when the
country had only managed 45 per cent.
“Then we insisted that election must be done
according to the constitution.
“At this point again, I must hasten to thank the
United States for sending the Secretary of State,
Kerry, to go and read the riot act to the
previous government and speak to Prof. Jega,
the Chairman of INEC and speak to us as
opposition that the US would not tolerate any
election outside the Nigerian constitution.
“They maintained the pressure from that date
until after the election and the formation of the
new government.
“I think Nigerians honestly should thank the US
for this. The same thing with Britain, they used
all their experience and their powers to make
sure that the Federal Government did not rig
the last election.
“We thank God, we thank these super powers
and we thank technology. Why we thank
technology is because of the permanent voter
cards and the card readers.”
Meanwhile, t he president has handed over
power to Yemi Osinbajo, the vice president while
he is on a short vacation, a move that has
generated reactions from Nigerians

– The Senate president, Saraki was disappointed last week when the Supreme Court ruled that his corruption trial at the CCT should continue – Senator Marafa said while the trial continues, Saraki should save the image of the National Assembly by resigning – Another senator, Dino Melaye said there was no need for the Senate president to resign

Senator Kabiru Marafa, a leader of the Unity
Forum has urged Bukola Saraki, the Senate
president to resign honourably while his
corruption trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal
(CCT) continues, before he is disgraced out.
The Unity Forum, a caucus of All Progressives
Congress (APC) opposed to the emergence of
Saraki as the Senate president also includes
Suleiman Hunkunyi and Ahmed Lawan,who was
the favoured candidate for the position by the
party.
Speaking on Saturday in an interview with
Premium Times, Marafa said Saraki had the right
to be presumed innocent until proven
otherwise; yet, he said “before he is disgraced
out” he should “honourably” resign to save the
image of the National Assembly and salvage
national pride.
The outspoken senator was reacting to the
Supreme Court ruling that upheld the trial of
the Senate president at the CCT.
“ The Senate should have understanding with
Senator Saraki. What’s happening at the Code of
Conduct Tribunal has nothing to do with the
Unity Forum; it’s between him and the state and
country’s law says he’s presumed innocent until
proven to otherwise.
“By reason of omission or commission, Saraki
has pushed himself to a position of
disadvantage. By moving from one court to the
other up to the Supreme and got himself
knocked out, what it portrays is that the Senate
under Senator Saraki is fast losing credibility.
“The most honourable thing for Saraki is to
resign and face his prosecution. If he wins, the
seat is always there and he can be re-elected
again if those that supported him truly believe
he is the best person for the position. And if
not, he will remain a senator like he was in the
7th Assembly. Is it a must that he becomes
Senate President?” he queried.
Saraki had said he was disappointed with the
court shortly after the verdict was given.
Reacting to this, Marafa said the Senate
president had no respect for the Supreme Court
as the chief lawmaker of the country.
According to him, Saraki had done a lot of
damage to the Senate, saying, “How do you feel
to see your number 3 man being docked for
corruption charges.”
In response to Marafa’s comments, Senator Dino
Melaye (APC-Kogi State), who speaks for the Like
Minds caucus, a pro-Saraki group of lawmakers
said there was no cause for Saraki to resign.
He said: “ Marafa is a clown and perhaps lives on
cheap drugs. The case at the CCT is not about
Saraki; rather, it’s about the Senate. And we will
not fold our arms to mess up with the Senate.
The Senate is stable and Saraki has the support
of most of the Senators .”
Saraki is facing a 13-count charge of false assets
declaration, which he allegedly made in 2003 as
governor of Kwara state before the CCT.
He had approached the apex court to halt his
trial at the CCT by the federal government,
challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal on
the ground that it lacked jurisdiction to try him
and that it was not properly constituted.
The Supreme Court had on Friday, February 5,
dismissed Saraki’s appeal against the
competence and constitution of the CCT to try
him for a 13-count charge of false asset
declaration.

– About 14,600 pregnant women received anti-natal health care, psycho-social services and child nutrition support – About 1,200 severe medical cases which were referred to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for proper care

Reports have showed that not less than 1,500
women gave birth in Internally Displaced
Persons’ camps in Borno in 2015.
According to the State Primary Health Care
Management Board, about 14,600 pregnant
women received anti-natal health care,
psycho-social services and child nutrition
support.
Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr Sule
Mene, told the News Agency of Nigeria that
the deliveries were recorded between January
2015 and January 2016.
Also recorded was about 1,200 severe
medical cases which were referred to the
University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for
proper care.
The official said the agency had established
20 Integrated Primary Health Care Centres
for IDPs in all the camps to provide
integrated primary health care and referral
services.
“ The Borno Government has procured health
kits for each of the IDPs to help cater for
their immediate needs.
“We have equally distributed mosquito nets
to each and every one of them,” he said.
Dr Sule Mene said the agency, in
collaboration with Federal Road Safety
Commission, has trained its drivers to ensure
prompt response to expectant mothers to
access health facilities.

– He maintained that he does not regret featuring Davido -He said he does not need to ask to see his lyrics before he recorded – Davido addressed his baby mama issues on the song

Budding singer, Humblesmith has addressed
reports that Davido paid to feature on his hit
song, Osinachi.
Davido in the song had addressed his baby
mama issues but in an interview with Punch
newspaper, Humblesmith said Davido’s lyrics
in the remix does not deviated from the
original message of the song.
“No, I have not. Osinachi still means ‘From
God’ irrespective of the person that was
featured in the remix or the lines he
dropped,” he said.
“I don’t think he insulted anybody in the
song. Music is life, it is reality. It lets people
know what is happening in your life. Davido
said ‘My humble father sinachi, my loving
daughter sinachi, Dele Momodu sinachi, no
be by force to go Dubai’. That is what is
trending in his life. Don’t forget that there is
a place he said ‘I forgive and forget.”
He maintained that he does not regret
featuring Davido on the song and that he
does not need to ask to see his lyrics before
he recorded.
Debunking reports that he was paid,
Humblesmith said “that is social media for
you. I did not pay Davido and he did not
pay me also.”
He added that the remix will not have a
negative effect on his career.
“It is not going to affect my career in any
way. Some people love the original version
which has Phyno in it while others prefer the
remix with Davido. Different strokes for
different folks.”

– Ben Murray-Bruce, a serving senator of the 8th Senate, and Japeth Omojuwa, a top blogger and social media expert, exchanged blows over President Buhari’s latest interview with the UK Telegraph

On Friday, February 5, Muhammadu Buhari
said that Nigerians are responsible for the
poor image of the country, as they often get
involved in criminal activities around the
world. The quote sparked multiple
interpretations and reactions, including a
social media campaign
‘#IAmANigerianNotACriminal’.
Responding to JJ Omojuwa’s attack over
Buhari’s controversial statement, the Bayelsa
senator mentioned a minister who “spent
N80 million” on a dinner.
Your own minister spent ₦80 million on a
one day dinner, yet it is your citizens you
accuse of being criminals
#IAmANigerianNotACriminal
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce)
February 6, 2016
This obviously referred to January’s
revelations on the cost of Amaechi-Soyinka
three-hour dinner. The minister responded
through his twitter handle
@ChibuikeAmaechi, expressed doubts that
Ben Bruce should be in the Senate.
A coward who is not bold enough to
name the minister that he alleged
criminally spent N80M on dinner is unfit
to sit in our senate chambers —
Chibuike.R. Amaechi (@ChibuikeAmaechi)
February 6, 2016
Ben Bruce struck back, reminded Amaechi on
the recent loss of his ally, Dakuku Peterside
(APC), as the supreme court upheld the
election of PDP’s Nyesom Wike as the
governor of Rivers state on January 27.
When you have been Wike’d, you become
wicked! But you will always be my
beloved brother, no matter how much
you transfer the anger on me.
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce)
February 7, 2016
The transportation minister summarised the
twitter rant on Sunday, noted that the
senator prefers talking on Twitter, while he is
hardly visible during the sessions and
debates in the NASS.
I will not respond to innuendos. Be
courageous, name the minister. We know
you talk here & do ‘siddon’ look where
you are elected to talk
— Chibuike.R. Amaechi
(@ChibuikeAmaechi) February 7, 2016
It would be noted that the account used for
the replies has no verification mark and is
not really ‘alive’. However, PremiumTimes
has learnt the handle is really associated
with Minister Amaechi.

– President Buhari has justified his incessant foreign trips which according to him were taken in the interest of the country – The president was responding to his critics especially Governor Fayose who said his trips would not solve the country’s problems – Buhari who is on one week vacation added that his government was winning the war against terrorism

President Muhammadu Buhari has responded
to those criticising his incessant trips abroad,
saying there was always political and
economic justifications for them, The Punch
reports.
Fielding questions from some Nigerian
journalists on Friday shortly before he
commenced a six-day vacation, Buhari said:
“ Every one of my trips can be politically or
economically assessed. I recall that the first
trip I had was to go to Chad and Niger. The
trip was mainly because of Nigeria’s security.
“We campaigned based on three issues -
security, economy (employment) and
corruption. And then the G-7 invited me to
Germany. After that, I went to Cameroon. I
then went to the United Nations General
Assembly .”
Last week, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti
state had said the President’s incessant
foreign trips were unnecessary and already
bleeding the economy with about $1m being
spent per trip.
Buhari said none of his trips so far has been
frivolous, wondering how Fayose arrived at
the figure he gave.
He said: “ I have not seen any frivolous
journey that I undertook. I understand that
the governor of Ekiti state said that every trip
I make costs Nigeria at least $1m. I do not
know how he worked that out but every trip
that I have made, there must be economic
and political reasons that justified them.
“Those who do not see it the way the
government sees it have the right not to
agree and say whatever they like. But we will
try and give them the appropriate reply .”
Speaking on the ongoing war against
corruption, Buhari said his administration
was going to see it through, denying
allegations that it was selective.
He noted that the need for firm evidences
against corrupt persons was one of the main
challenges facing the war.
The president insisted that his government is
winning the war against terrorism despite the
killings being witnessed in public places.
On the missing Chibok girls, he said: “ We are
looking for reliable information on the girls’
whereabouts. Who is in charge of them?
Unless we get convincing and credible
intelligence about them, we cannot negotiate
with anybody.
“We will negotiate if the leadership of Boko
Haram is credible, bonafide and established.
Government is willing to discuss with them
to arrive at an agreement on how to recover
the girls.”
President Buhari added that he would rather
have people respect him than fear him.
President Buhari has travelled to over 20
countries since he took over power on May
29, 2015. He is presently out of the country
on one week vacation . Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo will perform the functions of the
president while he is away.
Many have criticised him for spending
majority of his time outside the country but
the presidency has said the foreign trips
were necessitated by the president’s desire
to block and recover funds looted out of
Nigeria.