FG Hands Over NITEL To Core Investor

After fourteen years and five failed attempts to sell the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, the Federal Government on Tuesday finally handed over the beleaguered first national telecommunications company to new core investor, NATCOM Consortium. At a ceremony attended by notable persons in the privatisation circle, the Bureau of Public Enterprises handed over instruments of ownership and licences of operation to the Chairman of the NATCOM Consortium, Mr. Tunde Ayeni, who said over $1 billion was required to revive the company.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Namadi Sambo, who chairs the National Council on Privatisation said the formal handover was a clear indication that where there is focus and determination, there is a way. Sambo who was represented by a member of the technical committee of NCP, Mr. Emmanuel Amadi, listed the several failures in the past and added that the success at this time was a reflection of the determination of the NCP and the BPE to increase competition in the telecommunications industry. He said, “It was the realisation that Nigeria will not attain the desired economic growth without adequate reforms and liberalisation of the telecommunications sector that informed commencement of the telecoms sector reforms in 2001.

“These led to the attempted privatisation of NITEL and M-Tel through strategic/core investor sale to Investors International London Limited. Unfortunately, that flagship transaction failed as the preferred bidder could not meet the deadline for the payment of the purchase consideration.”

He continued, “Failure of first strategic investor sale led to the execution of a management contract with Pentascope in 2005. The management contract did not improve the operational and financial position of NITEL and M-Tel and was terminated.

“Orascom Telecoms emerged the highest bidder with $256m during the second privatisation attempt. Its bid was however rejected by the Federal Government as it was below the reserve price.” NCP in 2006 adopted the ‘willing buyer-willing seller’ strategy.

The strategy which threw up Transnational Corporation as the core investor was adopted to shorten the transaction period since the financial position of NITEL was deteriorating. Following the inability of Transcorp to turn around the fortunes of NITEL, the NCP on June 1, 2009 revoked the sale of the telecommunications company and its mobile subsidiary.

In another strategic/core investor sale in 2011, both New Generation Communications Limited and Omen International Limited that emerged preferred and reserve bidders could not pay the purchase price and the transaction had to be cancelled again.

Consequently, NCP approved the privatisation of NITEL and M-Tel through guided liquidation. It also on November 11, 2013 approved the appointment of Chief Olutola Senbore as the liquidator of NITEL/M-Tel.

At the financial bid opening on December 3, 2014, NATCOM emerged the preferred bidder with an offer of $252.25m bid price. NATTAG which had been prequalified by BPE to participate in the process was disqualified as a result of the failure of the company to include a $10m bid bond as had been prescribed in Request for Proposal document. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Ayeni said immense gaps and opportunities still exist in the Nigerian telecommunications market despite the competition in the industry. According to him, with a good team of investors and management, NATCOM was ready to make the difference required to succeed. He indicated that the company would roll out services soon after rebranding.

Barring AIT from Covering Buhari Dangerous for Democracy, Says PDP

Olisa Metuh

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as unacceptable the Monday’s directive by the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to bar a television house, the AIT, from covering his activities. The PDP pointedly declared that the suppression of the media, under any guise, portends danger for the nation’s democracy.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh on Tuesday, said that after carefully studying the defence posited by General Buhari’s campaign spokesperson as well as the smokescreen statement by the APC to cover and mitigate his anti-media posture, the PDP and indeed all lovers of democracy are persuaded that the action was not only unjustifiable, but also unconstitutional and completely against the spirit of liberty and the rule of law in a democracy.

According to Metuh, “the PDP, as a party that has nurtured the nation’s democracy in the past 16 years, cannot afford to fold its hands and watch the constitutional rights, media freedom and personal liberty of Nigerians, the basic tenets of democracy being demolished.

“We ask: is this a beginning of the feared erosion of the freedom and personal liberty the media and Nigerian citizens have been enjoying in the last 16 years under the PDP led-administration?

“Has our dear nation finally fallen into the clutches of totalitarianism and impunity where government actions will based on egocentric decisions and impulses of individuals rather than the rule of law?

“While we assure the President-elect of our resolve to run a mature and responsible opposition based on issues, we are disturbed by this emerging development and reassure the Nigerian people that we will continue to stand with them on issues of democracy and freedom at all times.

“Perhaps, we need to remind General Buhari that part of the challenge of his new position, even as President-elect, is that he has lost his private life which is now subject to public scrutiny and media interrogation, as required of the custodian of the mandate of the Nigerian people.

“The PDP is not oblivious of the background of the President-elect especially as it relates to the freedom of the media, but we had thought that having declared to be a converted democrat, he would make himself amenable to the basic principles of democracy by following the due process of the law on any circumstance.

“General Buhari may also wish to be reminded that the Nigerian constitution upon which provisions he emerged President-elect, also gave the media powers to cover activities of public office holders while at the same time providing legal avenues for redress in the event of any violation.

 “If the right of the President-elect was in anyway violated by the AIT or any media house for that matter, he is expected to act within the law and seek redress in the courts otherwise one would have no option than to conclude that he is out for personal vendetta.

“The APC and the President-elect may have one or two lessons to pick from President Goodluck Jonathan, who though the most maligned and abused President in the history of our nation, even by the APC, allowed his actions to be sufficiently guided by humility, tolerance and the rule of law”, the PDP said. 

The party called on Nigerians not to despair but remain steadfast and unite in resisting any anti-democratic tendencies intended to instill fear in them and set the stage for a dictatorial order and the erosion of their personal freedom and liberty as citizens, which they have been enjoying in the last 16 years under the PDP.

Abacha’S $370m Loot; Switzerland to Assist Nigeria Recoup Money

The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Hans Rodulf Hodel, on Monday revealed that the new loot of $370 million traced to the former Military Head of State, late Sani Abacha has been discovered in Luxembourg, and promised that his country is ready to help Nigeria reclaim the money.

Hodel revealed that his country has tightened its monetary policies to avert deposits of ill-gotten money from foreign countries in its banks. The ambassador made this known to Journalists on Monday during a congratulatory visit to Nigeria’s president-elect, General Mohammadu Buhari in Abuja. “This is a long standing issue. Our laws are there to help all countries which are fighting corruption. We will help this government.

If you remember, many years ago we gave back the Abacha money to Nigeria. The situation in Switzerland has changed. The policy is no longer the same. In the past, people came to deposit money in Switzerland without too much controversy.”

“Now, it is not possible to deposit money in Switzerland because of legal origin. Before the bank has to prove that the money is illegal. But now, before you deposit money in Swiss bank, you have to prove that you have earned that money legally.

“If you are a wealthy businessman, you have money in billions legally, but if, for example as a Journalist, you come to Switzerland with two million dollars and say you earned it because you did a very good job, nobody will believe you.

“There was another request by Nigeria to the Swiss authority to look for Abacha money and some amount, 370 million dollars, has been found in an account, but in Luxembourg. That is now between the Abacha family and the government.

They have tried to find a deal so that this money can also come back.” He said When asked when the money would be released, the ambassador said it would only be when the Nigerian government makes official request for assistance. “The Swiss government is not involved. The Nigerian government has asked for legal assistance.

When the government makes a request to my government, we work together on it. But this case is different. That is the Abacha family directly with the Nigerian government finding a deal. “So, the Swiss government is not involved and the money is in Luxembourg. They have asked for legal assistance and we have provided the with this information.

If is not a classical case and we would have preferred a classical case where we can give the money back and make sure that if is used in the interest of the people. Now it is up to the Nigerian government”, he said. Also present was the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Trejo Sosa who said that Nigeria and Cuba share understanding in the area of health.

“First of all, Cuba’s collaboration with African countries is not new and not difficult. If you remember, a large number of Cuba people as doctors came to West Africa to fight Ebola, the first contingent of doctors.

We have doctors in almost all African countries, about six thousands Cuba doctors working in Africa. “We also have about 50,000 doctors working in Latin America and in some other places. So, it means that if requested by Nigerian government, we can come and share our experiences about the comprehensive system of health care. Cuba is not known to kill people but to prevent people from been sick”, he said.

Explosion Rocks Kogi Radio Station, Four Killed

A blast from suspected improvised explosives, Monday, killed many at Ta’o FM Radio station, located in Kuroko town of Adavi local government area of Kogi state, witnesses have told PREMIUM TIMES.

The radio station, which broadcasts mostly in Ebira language, is known for its radical stance on political analysis of the people of Ebira land.
The blast, according to witnesses, occurred at about 7pm after sporadic gunshots that lasted for about 10 minutes were heard by residents.

“The attack on Ta’o FM started at about 7PM when we began to hear series of gun shots and everyone began to scamper to safety before the blast went off. After the explosion everything became quiet. It was later that we heard that four persons within the FM station got killed and several others were injured. I saw many injured people being helped to the hospital by volunteers, most of them were soaked with blood”, said Medinatu Ajayi, a resident of Kuroko.

The incident is the first of such bombing in that part of Kogi state.

Helen Paul: I’m disappointed by Buhari’s statement on Chibok girls rescue

HELEN PAUL

In a country like Nigeria where people believe so much in spiritual powers, I expect someone to have used same power to rescue the girls, if they truly exist.

Hmmm… it’s one year and some days now since the Chibok girls have been missing. Yet, the days are still counting because we have no clue about their whereabouts. This is a very sad development indeed. No doubt, it was a disappointment that the outgoing government failed to locate and rescue the girls from the hands of their Boko Haram abductors.

As a mother, who knows what the pains of child labour and child upbringing are all about, I heaved a sigh of relief when Muhammadu Buhari emerged winner of the presidential election. It was not because I like him more than Jonathan, but because I listened to one of his campaigns, where he promised to bring back the girls if elected into office. Perhaps, Nigerians elected him on that premise.

I feel that, at least, it will be a great achievement for whoever locates and brings back the girls to their respective families. In fact, whoever achieves that will be celebrated as a hero all over the world. But then, I have seen another reason to believe that all politicians are the same.

Their modus operandi may only be different. A few days ago, exactly when it clocked one year that the girls had been missing, Buhari broke my heart, just like that of other Nigerians when he said his government could not promise to bring back the girls! I felt really devastated because that comment was a sharp contrast to the promises he made to all Nigerians and the world at large during his campaigns.

Honestly, I try not to be disappointed because you can always expect anything from Nigerians, politicians in particular. They can promise heaven on earth during campaigns, but the moment they get to power, they promptly renege on their promises. Such is life in this part of the world where we find ourselves.

I tried to put myself in the shoes of the parents, relatives and neighbours of the missing girls, who, perhaps, solicited votes for the retired General after hearing his campaign promise that he would bring back the girls. How will they feel now hearing him say something to the contrary?

There is an adage in Yoruba that says ‘omo eni ku san ju omo eni sonu lo,’ meaning that it is better for someone’s child to die than to be missing. I can imagine the different thoughts and imaginations that would have saddled the minds of those girls’ parents. If the girls are dead (which I don’t pray for anyway), the parents will mourn for sometime and recover, but that they are missing is another experience entirely.

More worrisome is the fact that the parents have to nurture the wound till this moment, and not even
with any hope of sort in sight. Wahala dey o! Come to think of it, where are those prophets, Imams and native doctors who claim to have all the powers in the world? Where are those native doctors we watch on Africa Magic who can disappear and appear to make things happen? Or they only exist on Africa Magic? Where are the prophets and Imams who always claim to us that they communicate directly with God?

Are they all sleeping or they have just been deceiving people all along? In a country like Nigeria where people believe so much in spiritual powers, I expect someone to have used same power to rescue the girls, if they truly exist. I have been thinking aloud on this issue for a long time.

Can’t the association of witches and wizards also do something about it with their powers? After all, Oyinbo men have witches and wizards to, but they use their own powers positively. Some of the results of it are the aeroplanes, computers and other things we call technology. But black men use their own witch and wizard powers to destroy fellow humans. They can be here in Nigeria and use spiritual powers to ‘control’ someone in faraway Australia, but they cannot ‘control’ ordinary Boko Haram here to release our precious girls. This is just my imagination.

Those spiritual powers may not be true anyway; perhaps we have such a mentality about them because of the movies we watch. But in every nonsense, there can be some iota of sense. I’m just thinking aloud with my ‘jargons,’ but I’m sure there are lessons we can learn from it. See you next week.

Man hangs himself after being duped of millions by ex-lover

Samsideen Akinwunmi, a carpenter based in Abeokuta has reportedly killed himself after getting jilted by his lover.

He was found dead after hanging himself on a ceiling fan in his room on Saturday, 23 August, in Aboaba Street, Itori-Odo, Abeokuta.

A witness said the middle-aged Akinwunmi around 2:45pm on the day of the incident, when he sent his children on an errand, after which he killed himself.
He said, “He indicated that his estranged lover had duped him of millions of Naira and that he had to kill himself.”

Chief Omolaso Ojedele, a community leader and Alapinni of Egbaland, reportedly described the suicide as a ‘tragedy’

Police have reportedly taken the corpse away, however, Muyiwa Adejobi, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, could not be reached for reaction.

Two children found dead in deep freezer in Delta state

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Oseni recently discovered the corpses of two of their children, David Oseni, 6, and Shedrack, 4, inside their parents’ deep-freezer, used for their ‘iced block’ business.

This occurred at Owa Alero, Ika North-east local government area of Delta State,
According to reports, the children were found frozen, having been there for some time. All efforts to revive them proved abortive, as they were confirmed dead from hypothermia.

Neighbours revealed that the parents had locked the children indoors and went to conduct their daily businesses after they came back from their holiday classes, only to discover the tragedy upon their return.

The father, Oseni,  said he had taken the generator for repairs and, upon returning, powered it on to confirm its state, before loading it for the next day’s business.

“After 25 minutes, I lifted the top to check if the freezer was working optimally, only to behold the lifeless bodies of David and Shedrack in the freezer. I raised the alarm, calling the public to the scene.

The children were immediately rushed to a private hospital where they were both confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. The police at the Divisional Office, Owa Oyibu, were contacted and investigations are on to unravel the mystery behind the tragedy,” Oseni said.

MORE DETAILS COMING SOON ON kelvinkash.blogspot.com

Finally, the 2015 budget has been passed by the Senate (N4.493 trillion)

The Senate has passed the sum of N4.493 trillion budget for the 2015 fiscal year.

The budget passage on Tuesday, came with an increment of N135.4 billion above what the executive arm of government earlier prepared and submitted to the National Assembly for approval.

The passage followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committees on Appropriations and Finance on the 2015 Appropriation Bill, tabled before the Red Chamber by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Ahmed Maccido during its plenary.

However, Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Ahmad Lawan hinted that in spite of the passage, the National Assembly was still be expecting the President elect, Muhammadu  Buhari,  to send a supplementary budget to the 8th Assembly, when he assumes power on May  29, 2015.

Lawan criticized the budget passed, saying there was no balance between capital allocation and recurrent expenditure proposed just as he regretted that the passage of the budget was carried out late by the legislature.

“You’ve lost the right to have privacy” – PDP addresses Buhari on the AIT issue

The Peoples Democratic Party has reacted to the alleged report that African Independent Television, has been barred from covering the activities of President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.
The former-ruling party admonished Buhari for attempting to stifle the freedom of the media, while adding that he ceased to be a private person since he got elected.

In a statement released by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, the President-elect was reminded that the Nigerian constitution gives power to the media to cover his activities.

The statement said: “The PDP as a party that have nurtured the nation’s democracy in the past 16 years cannot afford to fold its hands and watch the constitutional rights, media freedom and personal liberty of Nigerians, the basic tenets of democracy being demolished.”

“We ask, is this a beginning of the feared erosion of the freedom and personal liberty the media and Nigerian citizens have been enjoying in the last 16 years under the PDP led-administration?”
“Has our dear nation finally fallen into the clutches of totalitarianism and impunity where government actions will based on egocentric decisions and impulses of individuals rather than the rule of law?”

“While we assure the President-elect of our resolve to run a mature and responsible opposition based on issues, we are disturbed by this emerging development and reassure the Nigerian people that we will continue to stand with them on issues of democracy and freedom at all times.

“Perhaps, we need to remind General Buhari that part of the challenge of his new position, even as President-elect is that he has lost his private life which is now subject to public scrutiny and media interrogation, as required of the custodian of the mandate of the Nigerian people.”

“The PDP is not oblivious of the background of the President-elect especially as it relates to the freedom of the media, but we had thought that having declared to be a converted democrat, he would make himself amenable to the basic principles of democracy by following the due process of the law on any circumstance.”

“General Buhari may also wish to be reminded that the Nigerian constitution upon which provisions he emerged President-elect, also gave the media powers to cover activities of public office holders while at the same time providing legal avenues for redress in the event of any violation.”
“If the right of the President-elect was in anyway violated by the AIT or any media house for that matter, he is expected to act within the law and seek redress in the courts otherwise one would have
no option than to conclude that he is out for personal vendetta.”

“The APC and the President-elect may have one or two lessons to pick from President Goodluck Jonathan, who though the most maligned and abused President in the history of our nation, even by the APC, allowed his actions to be sufficiently guided by humility, tolerance and the rule of law.”

Hate Campaign: Buhari Fights Back, Bars AIT From Covering His Activities

Chief Raymond Dokpesi and President-elect Buhari

President-elect, General Mohammadu Buhari may have just started a revenge mission on the African Independent Television, AIT when, Monday, the security men attached to him barred the station’s correspondent, Bebei from covering Buhari’s functions, Vanguard is reporting.


It is gathered that the directive was discreetly given to the correspondent by an official at the Defence House where the crew had gone to cover the visit of Cuban ambassador to Buhari.

Gen. Buhari describes Boko Haram as a fraud

Nigeria’s president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari says Boko Haram will be denied a recruitment base the moment our local communities realize that its claim to being a religious group is nothing but a fraud.

In a statement issued and signed by Garba Shehu, Directorate of Media & Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign, Buhari said: “The fraud called Boko Haram can be defeated by denying it a recruitment base.”

This was General Buhari’s message to the leaders of Nasarawa State who came to congratulate him on his emergence as president-elect.

“No religion allows for the killing of children in school dormitory, in markets and places of worship. They have nothing to do with religion. They are terrorists and we are going to deal with them as they deal with terrorists anywhere,” he announced.

Buhari said he is greatly pained by the destruction of schools in Northeastern part of the country, an action he said could deny thousands of youngsters access to education and a better future unless something was done urgently to avert this tragedy.

“The worst thing anybody can do is to deny children access to education. That will be destructive to their lives and we are not going to allow that to happen,” the President-elect assured.

He announced that his government will help the states to get more money to improve infrastructure by ensuring that all federal collectible revenues are paid directly into the federation account and each tier of government given its due share.

“As at now, the government does not even know how many revenue accounts it has. We will give all the tiers what is due to them but will hold them to be accountable as we would the federal government.”

Buhari while describing Nassarawa state as his own “political laboratory”, meaning the only CPC-controlled state of the 36 others adjudged the experiment as having been a success.

“From one state, I now have 22 political laboratories.”

He commended Governor Al-Makura for surviving his many impeachment plots, saying “without Nassarawa, there would not have been an APC.”

Yes I Am Handsome but I Am Not a Womanizer – Vincent Opurum

Simply known as Vincent Opurum, is one of the rising hunks in the movie industry. A recent chat with the Imo State born actor revealed the other side of him which many yearn to know. The amiable actor who is also an ambassador of peace opens up about his life and why he sometimes likes to keep his personal life private.

Vincent Opurum

How did your journey to acting begin?

It started in Kaduna in the year 2000. I was in Kaduna when I had an opportunity to be part of a movie my very first movie actually called Pain of a teenage mother sponsored by the Ministry of Women Affairs Commission. The story was about teenage mothers and the pains they go through when they are denied by the society they live in. Before my first movie, actor, Ramsey Nouah was my role model and he visited Kaduna with Genevieve Nnaji back then for a movie that was directed by Lancelot Imasuen. I saw them on location doing their thing and instantly decided to be an actor. So when the opportunity presented itself, I made up my mind to follow my calling.

Did you continue with your career in Kaduna?

No I came into Lagos in 2003 to continue my career.

So which movie would you say gave you your big break?

Honestly I can’t tell because I acted in so many films at that time but I suddenly realized that people were beginning to take note of me and in no time the celebrity bug caught me too.

How would you describe your rise in the industry?

I will simply say, to whom is chosen by God, comes a King. I give God all d glory People say you are one of the most handsome actors in the industry right now.

How does that make u feel?

I am simply humbled

What do you look out for when accepting a script?

Anything that is not the norm. It has to be challenging.

How would you describe the transformation of Nollywood from the days of Living in Bondage till date?

It’s changing for the better now. The Nigerian movie industry has a long way to go, but with hard work and creative talents coming up these days , I am sure we will get soon.

What do you think are some of the shortcomings of the film industry in Nigeria?

We lack a standard to operate with amongst movie practitioners. It is high time mediocres shouldn’t be allowed to run the show.

Are you implying that the present crop of people into movie production are not professionals? 

What I said is a general food for thought. But if there is a standard in our movie industry, mediocrity won’t come in through the back door. We have a large number of well respected professionals in this industry but mediocres and pirates are our major challenge.

How much do you think is needed to shoot a standard Nollywood movie today? 

It all depends on the story line, number of casts, the locations, logistics etc. These are the primary things that your budget. So it’s not a stable budget.

How many movies would you say you have to your credit till date?

Honestly I have lost count.

But have you shot past the 100 mark?

Of course, it’s over hundred movies now and counting.

A lot of your colleagues have gone into movie production and directing. Do you have plans to follow suit ?

I have my plans and aspirations close to my chest and with time, you will see and hear from me.

Who are your role models in the industry?

Locally, like I said, it is Ramsey Noah. Internationally they are Leonardo Di Caprio, Russell Crowe, Al Pacino, and Denzel Washington.

So how would you rate the various award platforms for the film industry in Nigeria?

We will get there, there is room for improvements, at least Nollywood is now ranked 3rd in the world in terms of movie making.

What do you think the government should do to further assist Nollywood as a body to develop its steady growth ?

 It is obvious. We need an enabling environment such as building of a film village which is currently on going, make available financial assistance to help improve on what is already on ground. And if I may add, Power (PHCN) should be better improved to aid movie production better. And finally, to put Pirates in the place they belong to so that the industry will move forward.

Away from Nollywood what else occupies your time ?

My business

Which is ……..?

What I do isn’t for public consumption.

People say you are a womanizer citing your looks as a tool. Is this true?

My look has nothing to do with my attitude. I am a God fearing and helpful citizen of Nigeria. But there is no smoke without fire……. If you can point out a few of these victims then maybe I will agree with this saying. People just sit in their homes and concoct stories about other people with no proof. May I remind you that what you see on television is the total opposite of who I am. I am a humble person and even shy most times. I only do my best to interpret roles given to me, that’s all.

So are you saying that you have never broken any heart since you came to limelight?

Never. Tell me if you know any?

What lessons has life taught you as a person?

Life is a combination of the good, the bad, the ugly. All what we need is God’s direction and not to fall into the wrong hands. Though the road to success is full of mysteries, only God knows it all.

How do you relax when you aren’t on movie sets?

I love to play football, lawn tennis, table tennis, basketball, reading and watching movies.