I only received campaign funds from private sources not public funds - Femi Fani-Kayode

I read with amusement the allegation that was made in the media report that I was given 1.7 billion naira cash by President Goodluck Jonathan. This is false. A few hours later they changed their story and said that I received 1.7 billion naira from the office of the former NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki. This is also false.

I have never received one kobo from President Jonathan himself, Colonel Dasuki or any other member of President Jonathan’s government. I have not ever been in receipt of any public funds and neither was I the beneficiary of any payments in cash, transfer, cheque or otherwise from any government official during the tenure of President Jonathan.

As Director of Media and Publicity of the Jonathan/Sambo Campaign organisation I received money on behalf of the Directorate of Media and Publicity which I headed from private individuals and companies during the election campaigns but these were not public funds but rather private contributions specifically for the Presidential and other campaigns.

Such moneys were transferred into my account by the Director of Finance of the Presidential Campaign Organisation and that account was specifically set up for the purpose of running the publicity and media aspect of the campaign for the whole country and my Directorate.

These private individuals and companies paid their contributions into a designated account which was provided and controlled by the Director of Finance and from there she transferred it to the accounts of the various Directors and various individuals that were running for public office that the PCO supported.

The money that was sent to me for my Directorate by the Director of Finance was used in a lawful and responsible manner and by the time the campaigns were over my Directorate had paid all of its bills for services rendered and was not owing any media house or anyone else one kobo.

The Presidential candidate of our party President Goodluck Jonathan, the D-G of the PCO, the Auditor of the PCO, the Advisor to the PCO and the Director of Finance of the PCO all received reports and saw the results of the efforts of my Directorate. Not only were they satisfied with our efforts but they also commended us.

Those private individuals and companies that were kind enough to support and fund President Jonathans presidential campaign with their hard earned money were perfectly within their rights to do so and they were more than happy with our efforts as well.

They also commended us. Even though we ended up losing the election we fought a very virile, strong, visible, historic and aggressive campaign and the Nigerian people can attest to this. The encounter with the APC was an epic one and it was probably the most active and gruelling electoral battle in the history of our country.

Not one kobo of public funds was spent by or given to my Directorate during the campaign and as far as I am aware not one kobo of public funds was spent by or given to the PCO. Presidential campaigns all over the world cost huge amounts of money and Nigeria is no different.

This is especially so when it comes to publicity and media. My Directorate was difficult to run and our work was capital intensive. We did not use marshmallows, pebbles, and grass to pay for all the services rendered to us and all the television and newspaper adverts were fully paid for with money.

Nothing was done or given to us free of charge by anyone. This should not be a surprise to anyone as the APC and President Buhari’s campaign organisation did the same.

I opened an account specifically for the funds that were used to run my Directorate and fund all our activities in order to ensure accountability and transparency.

We also audited our accounts regularly and insisted on the highest level of professionalism from all those that worked for or with us.

Since when such matters have become a crime or subjects of criminal investigations I don’t know. If it was a crime to speak up for Jonathan during the campaign they should just say so.

If it is a crime to be a member of the PDP and to be in opposition they should just say so. If it is a crime to speak up for and defend President Jonathan and key members of his government after he has left office they should just say so.

If it is a crime to oppose the Buhari administration and speak up against his gross violations of human rights that they are indulging in and the violation of court orders they should just say so.

During the 2015 elections the PCO and my Directorate spoke up and campaigned for many PDP members who were running for public office and we funded and worked for them too. That was our job and I am very proud of the PCO and the role we all played despite limited resources.

I am particularly proud of the efforts of my team at the Directorate and I can assure all those that care to listen and that refuse to be misled by the government propaganda machine that we did nothing wrong. All we did was run an effective campaign and we did so with private funds and not funds from the government.

I am aware of the attempt by the government and my enemies to discredit me, smear my name and silence me by alleging all manner of wrongdoing but I am not in the least bit perturbed. As always my innocence will fight for me and my God will never forsake me.

I know that this government is capable of doing anything, of inducing anyone to say anything and that they have no sense of decency, justice or fair play. They are prepared to charge anyone just for breathing the air if needs be and they can attempt to frame up anyone that they believe is a thorn in their flesh.

I have always known this yet I refuse to run away or to be silenced and I will not be cowered. Though I have been warned and told over and over again by those amongst them who care for my well being that I have been listed down and targeted for persecution I am not in the least bit concerned about their evil plans for me. My life and destiny is in the hands of God and not theirs and He will fight for me and vindicate me.

As I have always said, the night may be dark but joy comes in the morning. If it was a crime to use moneys that were freely donated by private individuals from lawful and legitimate sources to fund the Presidential and other campaigns let them say so.

“No election campaign anywhere in the world, including that of President Buhari was run with just words, goodwill, grass and pebbles and neither were we given free campaign adverts or air time. All these things were run and paid for with large sums of money.

This is especially so with publicity and media because that was the lifeblood of the various campaigns. I repeat, there is nothing that we did in the campaign organisation or that my Directorate did that Lai Mohammed, Buhari and the APC did not do in theirs. As a matter of fact they spent far more than we did but I have no idea where they got their money and whether they were private or public funds.

Most importantly my Directorate and, as far as I am aware, the Jonathan Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation did not receive any public funds from any government official or office to run our campaign. Of this I am absolutely sure and I am very confident because I made a point of asking and insisting that this must be so. These are the facts and I eagerly await my accusers, persecutors and detractors.

Meanwhile I shall continue to live my life in peace, I shall not be intimidated by the boastful threats of the enemy and I will continue to live my life in the usual law-abiding manner that I have always done.

It is expedient and necessary for me to speak out now even though the EFCC has not said a word on this matter or even confirmed that there is indeed an investigation going on. This is because the modus operandii of the Commission of late is to leak their intentions to SaharaReporters before they strike and abduct their victims.

This has happened on a number of occasions and sadly they use such mediums to tell all manner of lies about the case and the accused to the public. By the time they finish they would have convicted their victim in a vicious smear campaign and media trial which is usually plagued and fuelled by lies and falsehood.

“It is for this reason that I have taken this opportunity, whilst I am still at liberty, to tell the Nigerian people the truth and let them have all the facts. I sincerely hope that my statement will help to clarify matters in the eyes of the public regardless of whatever lies that they will soon be inundated with by a desperate, weak and wicked government. I fear them not because my life is in God’s hands. 

God bless Nigeria.

Femi Fani-Kayode

Customs boss constitutes management team

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) has charged members of the new Management of Nigeria Customs Service to re-dedicate themselves to hardwork and commitment to nation building through efficient and effective service delivery.

The Comptroller gave this charge after the decoration of 14 new members of management at the Customs headquarters.

While congratulating them, he expressed happiness that the newly decorated officers were appointed purely based on merit devoid of lobbying and any external influence.

The ceremony which marked formal constitution of a new management for the Service, brought on board 6 Deputy Comptrollers-General namely: Suleiman Idris, Ukaigwe Paul, Umar Iya, Ugo Daniel, Warikoru Austin and Adeyemo Grace.

Also decorated were eight Assistant Comptrollers-General following a restructuring process that led to the retirement of some members of the former management.

To the new team the CGC said “We must deliver on our mandate and work towards making 2016 the best year in the Nigeria Customs Service”.

Responding on behalf of the newly promoted Officers, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in-charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Service, Idris Suleiman expressed gratitude to God for providing the type of leadership in the nation and the NCS in particular.

He said with a leadership that leads by example as exemplified by the CGC, it becomes easy for well-meaning subordinates to key in and work towards the achievement of the Service mandate.

While thanking the President and Commander in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Comptroller-General of Customs, DCG Suleiman assured the CGC of their unquestionable loyalty and dedication to the course of nation building through hardwork and commitment to honest Service delivery.

Source: DAILY POST NG

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode Receives Tribunal Report On LFTZ Killing

…Says Report Will Be Given Prompt Consideration 

…Tribunal Made Recommendations On Remote Causes Of Crisis – Chairman

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday received a report of the five-man Tribunal of Inquiry which investigated the civil unrest in Ibeju-Lekki area of the State on October 12, 2015 that led to the death of the Managing Director of Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu.

Governor Ambode had on October 22, 2015, inaugurated the Tribunal chaired by a retired Lagos State High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi, with the mandate to inquire into the origin, factors and circumstances leading to the breach of peace, as well as make recommendations to government based on the findings.

While describing the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) as an important project to the economy of the State because of its strategic importance to the job creation drive of his administration, Governor Ambode said he was prepared to do everything to ensure its success.

The Governor therefore vowed that any issue concerning the success of the project would be treated with dispatch.

According to him: “The Report of the Tribunal has been submitted today and the State Government will give serious consideration to the recommendations of the Tribunal and take decisions to ensure that such an incident does not recur.

“Let me assure members of the public and investors alike that this Government will always uphold the Rule of Law and continue to provide a conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive,” he said.

Governor Ambode also thanked members of the Tribunal for diligently carrying out the assignment within the time frame given, and expressed hope that they would be willing and ready to serve the State in future when called upon.

Earlier, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, said it was noteworthy that the Tribunal had the inaugural sitting on November 16, 2015 and completed the assignment with the forty-five days given to it.

Kazeem said the civil disturbances which led to Disu’s killing in the Okunraye Community had slowed down the development of the LFTZ, and that the Tribunal was set up as part of efforts to ensure safety of lives and property, prevent recurrence and enhance the economic wellbeing of the State.

In his remarks, Justice Olateru-Olagbegi said the Tribunal received a total of 22 memoranda and 33 witness statements, including those from eminent Nigerians.

He added that the Tribunal made a total of 24 recommendations which covered many issues including the question of who pulled the trigger that killed Disu, as well as the remote and immediate causes of the civil unrest.

Justice Olateru-Olagbegi also said that the Tribunal recommended the measures to adopt in forestalling a recurrence as well as other miscellaneous matters incidental to the unrest, adding that there was no majority or minority report, but just one team report of the Tribunal.

He said: “We took time out to visit the Lekki Free Trade Zone. We visited the Dangote Industries, Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited, the villages and communities in the area including Okunraye where the trouble began.

“We saw a lot and we learnt a lot. From what was presented to us, from what we saw with our own eyes, our view is that Lekki Free Trade Zone has vast potential to transform the economic landscape of Lagos State in terms of generating massive employment, creation of wealth, generating revenue and so on.

“Our findings reveal that the transformation would be on a scale that is hitherto unparalleled in Africa,” Justice Olateru-Olagbegi said.

Refineries Producing 6.76 Million Litres of Petrol per Day – NNPC

…To Ramp up Production to over 10 Million Litres by Month End

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has announced that the nation’s three refineries in Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri have attained a combined daily production of over 6.76 million litres of petrol per day which is projected to increase to over 10 million litres per day by the end of January 2016.

A statement by the NNPC which gave a breakdown of the premium motor spirit, PMS, (also known as petrol) yield from the plants indicates that while Port Harcourt Refinery which was re-streamed a week earlier is producing some 4.09 million litres, the Kaduna Refinery is contributing some 1.29 million litres and Warri which was re-streamed on Sunday is posting a yield of some 1.38 million litres.

The Corporation confirmed that the PMS volumes from the refineries which are currently operating at an appreciable percentage of their nameplate capacities will help stabilize the fuel supply and distribution situation in the country.

OHI ALEGBE

Group General Manager

Group Public Affairs Division

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

NNPC Towers, Abuja

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode Appoints Ex-FIRS Boss, Omoigui-Okauru, Others For N25bn ETF Board

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday appointed a former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru to head the Board of Trustees for the N25billion State Employment Trust Fund (ETF).

The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, also approved the appointment of nine others to serve as members of the Board of Trustees of the ETF, which is geared towards addressing the challenge of youth unemployment as well as promote wealth creation through entrepreneurial development in the state.

Other members of the Board include Mr. Dele Martins, Mrs. Bilikis Adebiyi-Abiola, Mr. Otto Orondaam, Mrs. Olufunmi Olatunde Daudu, Mr. Tunde Bank-Anthony and Mr. Micheal Popoola Ajayi.

Governor Ambode also approved for the Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mr. Tunde Durosinmi-Etti and his counterpart in Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi to be part of the Board, while Mr. Akintunde Oyebode is to serve as Executive Secretary of the Board.

The Employment Trust Fund, it would be recalled, was signed into law by Governor Ambode on Tuesday, according to him, was in line with keeping faith with the promise he made to the people during the electioneering campaign.

The Governor had expressed optimism that the Fund will address the challenge of unemployment and promote wealth creation through entrepreneurial development, adding that an annual contribution of N6.25billion will be injected into the Fund by the State Government for 4years totaling N25billion.

In a separate development, Governor Ambode, also inaugurated a new board of the Lagos State Law Reform Commission, restated the commitment of his administration to deepen democracy and rule of law especially by carrying out periodic review of obsolete laws in the State to bring them in tune with current realities for relevance and effectiveness.

The Governor said such periodic review was important especially to his administration in achieving the goal of creating an enabling environment for investors, entrepreneurs and making Lagos globally competitive.

While alluding to the fact that all modern and civilized societies thrive on the qualities of laws which regulate and guide the actions of government, organizations, individuals and institutions, Governor Ambode charged members of the Commission to hit the ground running by expediting action on the creation of electronic portal that is aimed at providing access to laws of the State online from anywhere in the world.

“This is a major project which the new Board has a responsibility to deliver in record time. It is very vital to the success of our drive to attract investors to our State,” Governor Ambode said.

Chairman of the newly inaugurated board is Professor Gbolahan Ellias (SAN), while members are Dr. Omogbai Omo-Eboh, Mr. Demola Sadiq and Mrs. Tola Akinsanya. The Executive Secretary is Mrs. Ade Adeyemo.

Speaking earlier at the inauguration, Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem said the past board was inaugurated on March 12, 2012, and was dissolved by Governor Ambode on June 15, 2015 in accordance with the provision of the law establishing the Commission as amended in 2012.

Responding, Professor Ellias, who spoke on behalf of other members, thanked Governor Ambode for the confidence reposed in them and assured that they would do all within the confines of the law to executive the mandate fearlessly and conscientiously.

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode Appoints Professor Fagbohun LASU Vice-Chancellor

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday approved the appointment of Professor Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun as the 8th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU). Professor Fagbohun, a Professor of Environmental Law, was until his appointment Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of Lagos.

The appointment was contained in a statement signed on Wednesday by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.

According to the statement, following the expiration of the tenure of Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University on 31st October, 2015, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Fidelis Olisamedua Njokanma assumed the position of Acting Vice-Chancellor.

A Professor of Environmental Law, Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun, was born on 19th October, 1966 and hails from Akesan in the Alimosho Local Government area of Lagos State. Professor Fagbohun joined the Faculty of Law of the Lagos State University (LASU) as an Assistant Lecturer in January 1991. He rose through the ranks and by the year 2004, he was appointed Associate Professor.

He studied Law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). He obtained his Master’s of Law Degree at the University of Lagos and attended the Obafemi Awolowo University for his doctoral degree programme.

At different times, he served as a member of Senate of the Lagos State University; Head of Department of Business Law and later Department of Private and Property Law; Coordinator, Law Centre; Coordinator of the Department of Environmental Law and Allied Disciplines of the Centre for Environment and Science Education of the Lagos State University, and was, for several years, the Editor-in-Chief of the LASU Law Journal.

Professor Fagbohun is a member of several academic and professional bodies, and a fellow of a number of national and international institutions.

FG denies withdrawing 2016 Budget proposal

The Federal Government on Wednesday denied withdrawing the 2016 Budget proposal presented to the National Assembly in December.

Reports, especially on social media, had attributed the purported withdrawal to suspicious bloating of budgetary votes in the proposal.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said the allegations were false.

Mohammed said: “When somebody from the Daily Trust called me, I told him categorically that there is nothing like that. When a story like this breaks out, I believe it will help all of us to actually be able to pin point the source.

“I know for a fact that this administration has not withdrawn the budget from the National Assembly.”

He also denied the accusation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled government plans to exterminate the opposition.

He said: “I think the first point to make is that this government is not micro-managing any of the anti-graft agencies. I know for a fact that they don’t contact the President or anybody before they do their job. I think the media also has to do more than they are doing right now, they should investigate these allegations and also make their independent judgment about it.

“Honestly if the EFCC or ICPC says that they are able to trace certain amount of money to my account, I don’t want you to believe it, I want you to also ask for proof, do your investigation. I can assure you that this government, no functionary in government micromanages or directs the EFCC or ICPC on who to arrest and who not to arrest.”

Speaking further on the alleged withdrawal of the 2016 Budget proposal, Adeosun said: “Let me just speak to you about the budget process. You know the budget is presented to the NASS and then there is what we call an interactive budget approval process and you know the agencies will still go and defend their budget at the NASS.

“So ordinary in budget processes anywhere in the world, there can’t be amendments to the budgets arising from that interactive process, which is normal. But let me make it very clear the budget is not being withdrawn or replaced, the budget has been presented and will go through normal process whereby MDAs defend their budgets.

“It is possible in the process of that, because as you know the legislature is not a rubber stamp, their job is to scrutinize the budget and to approve that budget. So there may be some changes that occur as a result of that interactive process. But that process is normal everywhere in the world where a budget is presented. So I think it is important to make that clarification.”

Source: The Nation

Lagos State Government Commences Transformation Of Oshodi Market, Bus-Stops

…Shuts Owonifari Market Loop

The Lagos State Government has shut the Owonifari market within the notorious loop of Oshodi and relocated affected traders and shop owners to the newly built Isopakodowo market stalls at Bolade area in Oshodi. The government has also commenced the fencing-off of the set-back on Agege Motor Road that stretches from Ilupeju end of Oshodi all the way to the PWD/Ikeja GRA end of the area.

In a statement signed by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the move is geared towards the need to sanitize and beautify the entire Oshodi area and bring transformation, in particular, to the Owonifari loop as well as the entire bus stop terminals, which have somewhat constituted a menace and an eyesore within the locality.

According to the statement, the Owonifari loop will be transformed into an ultra modern bus terminus with new bus shelters that are befitting of a structured park in a mega city.

It added that the fencing-off of the long stretch of the set-back is being undertaken to assist the Federal Government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation in particular with a view to beautifying it and safeguard lives along the railway corridor by discouraging street trading and indiscriminate use of the space.

Ayorinde said the ongoing fencing-off and beautification of the road set-back from Ilupeju bypass to PWD/Ikeja GRA would constitute the first phase of the transformation of the Oshodi area. The second phase, he added, would begin from PWD/Ikeja GRA and stretch all the way to Agege/Pen cinema axis.

He stated further that Lagosians should expect from this transformation exercise, a new Oshodi that will be sane and safe and where both traders and commuters would be pleased to visit and trade. He assured that the traders being relocated have been properly allocated shops within the Isopakodowo market and that the demolition of the loop is in the best interest of the people who should expect a world-class bus terminus there.

The commissioner reiterated Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s commitment to bring development to every area of the state. He therefore urged the Local Council Development Areas and other stakeholders to cooperate with the State Government in achieving the governor’s vision of making the 2016 budget work for every citizen in the state.