President Bola Tinubu, on Monday evening, returned to Abuja after a two-day official visit to Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, for the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

President Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 6:30p.m., aboard the NAF 001 Boeing 737 jet.

While in Bissau, the President was unanimously named the new Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, making him one of the fastest into that office, after the election into office as President of any of the member-states.

After accepting the role of Chairman of the Authority, Tinubu pledged to bear the responsibility of the office and run an inclusive administration of the regional organisation.

He warned that terrorism and the persistent pattern of coup d’etat in the region had reached alarming levels, demanding urgent and concerted action.

He argued that insecurity and creeping terrorism were stunting the progress and development of the sub-region, necessitating collective action from member-states.

While decrying the emerging pattern of coup d’etat in West Africa, Tinubu charged ECOWAS to stand firm in defence of democracy.

“There is no one among us who did not campaign to be a leader. We didn’t give our soldiers resources, we didn’t invest in them, in their boots, in their training to violate the freedom of the people,” he said.

According to him, the military turning its guns against civil authorities violates the principles upon which they were hired, which is to defend the sovereignty of their nations.

“We must not sit in ECOWAS as toothless bulldogs,” he added.

He urged his counterparts to strengthen their respective democratic institutions and ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Tinubu said his one-year tenure “will enhance engagements with the countries in transition (Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso) to ensure their quick return to democratic rule.”

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd in a statement on Monday confirmed that a private security contractor engaged by the corporation intercepted a suspicious Vessel with a Cargo of Crude oil.

The NNPC Ltd in a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Garba Deen Muhammad said the cargo was heading to Cameroun with the Cargo on board when it was apprehended at an offshore location.

According to Muhammad, the vessel has been carrying out the illegal operation for the past twelve years.

The statement added that preliminary investigation has it that the oil cargo onboard was illegally sourced from a well jacket offshore Ondo State, Nigeria. There was no valid documentation for the Vessel or the Crude Oil Cargo onboard at the time of the arrest.

The Captain and Crew members were all on board when the arrest was made.

Below is the full statement by the NNPCL on the arrested vessel as made available to Naija News.

PRIVATE SECURITY CONTRACTORS INTERCEPT 800,000 LITRE CAPACITY VESSEL WITH STOLEN CRUDE OIL

“Following the receipt of credible intelligence, a Private Security Contractor engaged by NNPC Ltd., Messrs. Tantita Security Services, intercepted a suspicious Vessel with a Cargo of Crude oil on board on July 7, 2023.

“The Vessel, MT TURA II (IMO number: 6620462), owned by a Nigerian Registered Company, HOLAB MARITIME SERVICES LIMITED with Registration Number RC813311, was heading to Cameroun with the Cargo on board when it was apprehended at an offshore location (Latitude: 5.8197194477543235°, Longitude: 4.789002723991871°), with the Captain and Crew members on board.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the crude oil cargo onboard was illegally sourced from a well jacket offshore Ondo State, Nigeria. There was no valid documentation for the Vessel or the Crude Oil Cargo onboard at the time of the arrest.

“Further investigation into the activities of the vessel at the NNPC Ltd. Command and Control Centre also revealed that the Vessel has been operating in stealth mode for the last twelve (12) years. The last reported location of the Vessel was Tin Can Port in July 2011.

“Details of this arrest and the outcomes of the investigations were escalated to the appropriate Government authorities, upon which it was concluded to destroy the Vessel to serve as a strong warning and deterrent to all those participating in such illegal activities to cease and desist.

“Destroying vessels involved in transporting stolen crude oil is of paramount importance as a strong deterrent. The illegal trade of stolen crude oil not only inflicts significant economic losses on Nigeria and legitimate stakeholders in the oil industry, but also perpetuates a cycle of corruption, environmental devastation, and social instability.

“NNPC Ltd. assures Nigerians that we will sustain the momentum in the war against crude oil theft until it is brought to a halt.”

The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has said that Nigerians witnessed the worst phase of corruption under the last administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said this while delivering a keynote speech at the 60th call to bar anniversary celebration of legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola, in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State on Monday.

Bishop Kukah noted that even though corruption did not start under the last administration, they amplified it in moral, financial and other terms.

“We have seen the worst phase of corruption in Nigeria, Femi Falana, my friend here will speak about that because he has published a series of articles talking about what happened under the Buhari administration.

“They were not the ones who caused corruption but I think in the last administration, we saw the ugliest phase of corruption whether in moral terms, financial terms and other terms,” Kukah said.

The clergyman lamented that Nigeria is sharing its sovereignty which is guaranteed in the constitution with bandits and other terrorists.

He said that nobody is excited now about being a Nigerian even if they are President or Senators, as the country is literally being held hostage by people who threaten the very existence of our democracy and country.

Kukah noted that a lot of Nigerians have lost faith in the judiciary but added that he considers the judiciary a victim the same way every other institution in Nigeria is suffering a crisis.

According to him, Nigeria should not yet assume that it is a democracy but instead assume that it is matching towards democracy, which means rebuilding Nigeria “after the kind of mess the last administration has left the country.”

The Bishop said it is time to rebuild the country, adding that no matter what happens at the Supreme Court concerning the election, he is convinced that Nigerians have put the “ugly past” behind them.

The event celebrating 60 years at the bar of the founder of the Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti, attracted a host of dignitaries including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Femi Falana, SAN, former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku among others.

The Chief Spokesman for Obi-Datti Campaign Council, Yunusa Tanko has berated media newspaper [Not this platform] for publishing a false report about the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi.

Naija News reports that the newspaper had written about a purported interview where the former Anambra governor revealed his plans to become president in 2027.

However, the Labour Party Spokesperson, Tanko in a statement released on Monday stressed that Peter Obi never granted any interview at home or abroad about plans on becoming president in 2027.

He also cautioned the newspaper to desist from fabricating lies against its party’s flag bearer.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a publication in the media newspaper [Not this platform] and some social media networks on an interview granted by His Excellency Peter Obi to Arise tv.

“We want to quickly point out that this is the highest level of yellow journalism taken too far all in a bid to change the narrative as there was no time HEPO granted such a nebulous interview to Arise tv.

“HEPO arrived Nigeria from an overseas trip just this weekend and for any reputable media organisation to publish such a fallacy and complete fabrication calls to question the kind of journalism some Nigerians are practicing.

“For all avoidance of doubt, HEPO did not at anytime grant such an interview to any media organisation in Nigeria or outside the country. Please note!”

A notable human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has advised President Bola Tinubu to take a stand against corruption.

He expressed concern about high-profile politicians currently facing corruption charges, yet visiting the Presidential Villa.

Falana voiced his concerns during a commemorative event in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Monday, July 10, 2023, celebrating Aare Afe Babalola’s 60 years at the Bar.

“Some of those who are going in and out of the Villa are standing trial for looting the treasury of this country,” he declared.

“So, wrong signals must not be sent to our people and the international community.”

The respected lawyer urged the President and his administration to demonstrate effective leadership.

His call to action was not only directed towards the President but to other influential figures present at the event as well, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku.

Falana proposed a return to an era of integrity, where anyone accused of corruption, with a case pending before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), would not be appointed to an authoritative position.

Taking a cue from First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s remarks at the 2023 Presidential Inauguration Interdenominational Church Service, Falana urged the President to lead a campaign against corruption.

He was referring to Mrs Tinubu’s statement: “God has blessed my family. We don’t need the wealth of Nigeria to survive but to do the right thing.”

He believes that with such a campaign, led by the President, Nigeria can “take its rightful place in the comity of nations”.

Falana highlighted the severity of corruption in Nigeria, describing it as having reached a “very dangerous dimension”.

According to him, influential public officers are stealing funds intended for the development of public infrastructures, causing an alarming amount of suffering and death.

He concluded, “So when a country gets to that stage, corruption is now a crime against humanity.”

The Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, has relieved all political office holders in the state of their duties.

The appointees whose appointment are terminated are those appointed before May 29, 2023.

The state government announced the development in a statement in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman on Monday.

According to the statement, Governor Bago ordered the dissolution and termination of the appointments with immediate effect.

They should go to court – Fayose reacts to critics’ allegation of funds misappropriation
The governor also dissolved all statutory Commissions, Boards, and Parastatals in the state.

The SSG further explained that Commissions, Boards, and Parastatals that are tenured or not tenured are also affected by the dissolution and urged concerned officials to comply immediately with the directive.

While recognising their positive contributions to the development of the State and the affairs of their office, the SSG directed those affected by the dissolution to hand over all Government properties including official vehicles in their possession to the most senior directors in their respective organisations.

The governor wished the affected members of the dissolved Commissions, Boards, Parastatals, and Political Appointees success in their future endeavors.

The governor had on July 3 dissolved the state electoral commission.

In a statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, Governor Umaru Bago ordered the dissolution of the state’s electoral body with effect from May 29, 2023.

According to the SSG, “Members of the Commission were directed to hand over all properties of the State Government in their possessions to the most senior Director in the Commission with immediate effect”.

The Niger State House of Assembly had, on September 27, 2022, sacked the chairman of NSIEC, Baba Aminu, over alleged misconduct.

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has directed former ministers, ex-lawmakers and other political office holders to declare their assets within the next three months.

The directive is in conformity with the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the bureau to vet the assets of public officers.

In line with the constitution, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have declared their assets.

Also, the 36 governors have followed suit.

On May 31, Buhari returned his asset forms with a statement that he has “taken no loans and he has no liability.”

A CCB source said: “These former public officers have a deadline of three moths to do so. We are hopeful that they will adhere to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution or else they will face the wrath of the law.

Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution empowers the CCB to receive asset declaration by any public officer.

From the list in Part II of the Fifth Schedule to 1999 Constitution, about 16 categories of public officers are bound by the Code of Conduct.

They include the President, Vice President, the President of the Senate, Deputy President of the Senate, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and all members of the legislative houses, governors and deputy governors.

Others are the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justices of the Supreme Court, the President and Justices of the Court of Appeal, all other judicial officers and all staff of the court of law; the Attorney-General of the Federation and Attorney-General of each state.

The list covers the Ministers of the Government of the Federation, and commissioners of the governments of the states, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chairmen and board members of all government agencies, Ambassadors, High Commissioners and other officers of Nigerian missions abroad.

Other officers affected are the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff and all members of the Armed Forces of the Federation

The constitution says: “Subject to the provision of this Constitution, every public officer shall within three months after the coming into force of this Code of Conduct or immediately after taking office and thereafter (a) at the end of every four years; and (b) at the end of his term of office, submit to the Code of Conduct Bureau a written declaration of all his properties, assets, and liabilities and those of his unmarried children under the age of eighteen years.”

“The Bureau shall have power to receive declaration by public officers made under paragraph 12 of part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to this Constitution.

“Examine the declarations in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct or any law.

“Retain custody of such declarations and make them available for inspection by any citizen of Nigeria on such terms and conditions as the National Assembly may prescribe.

“Ensure compliance with and, where appropriate, enforce the provisions of the Code of Conduct or any law relating thereto.

“Any statement in such declaration that is found to be false by any authority or person authorised in that behalf to verify it shall be deemed to be a breach of this Code.

“Any property or assets acquired by a public officer after any declaration required under this Constitution and which is not fairly attributable to income, gift, or loan approved by this Code shall be deemed to have been acquired in breach of this Code unless the contrary is proved.”

“Receive complaints about non-compliance with or breach of the Provisions of the Code of Conduct or any law in relation thereto. Investigate the complaint and, where appropriate, refer such matters to the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”

The bureau said it has recorded 99% success from office holders.

It also issued advisory to all the 37 Chief Judges in the country not to allow any political office holder to take the oath of office without asset declaration.

But the bureau said Tinubu and other declarants are at liberty to either or not release the details of their assets to the public.

According to investigation, the Chairman of CCB, Prof. Isah Mohammed personally coordinated the asset declaration procedures for the President and his deputy.

It was learnt that all other Federal Commissioners of CCB were deployed in the six geo-political zones to coordinate asset declaration by governors and others.

Findings revealed that as at the time the CCB took stock of compliance at the weekend, about 99% success rate was recorded.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “From the CCB records, the President and Vice President have declared their assets. The CCB chairman personally met with the two officers and gave them the forms which they promptly filled and returned.

“In fact, they complied with the law before their inauguration. They said they preferred to lead by example.

“But we cannot release the contents of the forms because the CCB is constrained by law not to release the assets to the public. There is however a provision in the constitution on how to have access to their assets.”

To ensure compliance at the state level, the CCB sent an advisory to all the 36 state Chief Judges and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) not to administer oath of office on any governor or public officer without declaration of assets.

The source said: “I think the measures put in place by the CCB Chairman and his board members have really worked. The bureau has so far recorded 99% compliance with asset declaration provision in the constitution.

“All the Chief Judges cooperated with the bureau and the method has worked because all public officers were asked to respect the law.

“The advisory to the CJs is still subsisting because more appointments may be made at the Federal and state levels.”

When contacted, the Chairman of CCB, Prof. Isah Mohammed said: “CCB has achieved 99% compliance. We have recorded drastic improvement on all the procedures we put in place.

“In fact, since 2019, Asset Declaration by public officers have been encouraging.”

Findings however revealed that some former Ministers, Senators, members of the House of Representatives, state lawmakers and other office holders have been slow in filing asset returns.

It was learnt that former President Muhammadu Buhari, has however, led the first set of those who have declared their assets after completion of tenure.

Buhari on May 26th, 2023 directed all his cabinet members and aides to declare their assets.

He said no one was excluded.

Ondo lawmakers have approved an extension of the medical leave of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

No date was fixed for the resumption of the Governor in the new extension.

Governor Akeredolu last month began medical leave and said he would resume duties on July 7.

The new extension, according to Speaker Olamide Oladiji, was based on the doctor’s advice on the need for the Governor to take adequate rest after recuperating.

Oladiji said Governor Akeredolu forwarded the letter of extension on medical leave in line with section 190 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Oladiji said the Governor, in the letter, said his Deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, would continue to act as Governor until a written declaration to the contrary is made.

The Speaker, who expressed appreciation to God for the speedy recovery of the Governor, expressed optimism that he would soon resume his duty.

Recall that in the governor’s letter, dated 5th June 2023, had informed the Assembly of proceeding on medical leave and was expected to resume on 6th July, 2023.

Also, the Organised Labour, in the state, has asked the governor to take some rest before resuming work.

They said “Despite his speedy recovery, we strongly urge our dear governor to prioritize rest and complete recuperation before resuming his duties.

“We understand his inclination to resume work promptly due to his strong work ethic, but we implore him to allow himself more time to rest and fully recover.

A Manchester United scout has passed away at the age of 61.

Tommy Moller Nielsen was a talent scout with the Red Devils since 2016 after retiring from playing and entering a career in coaching.

The son of former Denmark manager Richard Moller Nielsen, he was a popular figure in Dutch football having played for the likes of Odense Boldklub and Kjobenhavns Boldklub.

He also featured for Boldklubben 1909 and Odense Kammeraternes Sportsklub in Denmark before taking the step into coaching.

During a long coaching career he spent time at the likes of Rangers, Aberdeen and FC Vestsjaelland before making the move to England under Jose Mourinho.

Moller Nielsen was appointed first team coach at Rangers in 1997, handed the opportunity by Walter Smith.

He stayed on board with the club under Dick Advocaat and was part of the coaching staff that helped the club win the league title in 1999 from arch rivals Celtic.

After a short spell with Aberdeen, he moved on to take the reigns as a manager again having led the likes of Boldklubben 1909, firstly back at the club before managing Viborg and HB Koge.

Rangers led the tributes to the Dane on social media, posting: 'All at Rangers FC are saddened to hear of the passing of our former first team coach, Tommy Moller Nielsen, at the age of 61. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.'

 

Rangers led the tributes to the Dane on social media after his passing was confirmed

Aberdeen added: 'Everyone at AFC is saddened to learn  of the passing of Tommy Moller Nielsen at the age of 61.'

Odense Boldklub, meanwhile, also offered their condolences following his death.

They posted: 'It is with deep sadness that we have received the message that the former first team player and OB ambassador Tommy Møller Nielsen has passed away.

'All our thoughts go out to Tommy's family and friends at this difficult time.'

[DailyMail]

Barcelona have made two first-team signings so far this summer with Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez arriving earlier this month.

While the official announcements have been made for both their signings, the club has yet to present either of them as their new players.

And now Mundo Deportivo is reporting that Barcelona have set the dates for the official presentations of Gundogan and Martinez following their summer arrivals.

Gundogan was the first of the two signings to be confirmed, with the midfielder arriving from Manchester City on a free transfer after his contract expired.

The 32-year-old has signed a two-year contract with an option for a third depending on the number of appearances he makes in his second season.

Now, MD is reporting that Barcelona will officially present Gundogan at the club’s Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper complex next Monday, July 17.

The midfielder has been given an extended break after his involvement in international fixtures last month and will be joining the pre-season camp next week, which is when he will be presented officially as a Barça star.

As for Martinez, his signing was officially confirmed only last week and the defender, who also signed for free from Athletic Club, has already started pre-season training under Xavi.

The 32-year-old left-footed centre-back has signed a two-year contract with the Blaugrana and his presentation is set to take place this coming Thursday, following a double training session on Tuesday and the afternoon session on Wednesday.

The transfer business is far from done for Barcelona though as they have all but confirmed the signing of Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense, although his arrival could be delayed until January 2024.

Oriol Romeu is another player who is understood to be close to joining the La Liga champions in the near future while work is also being done to rope in Ivan Fresneda.

[barcauniversal]