N225m car scandal: Stella Oduah tells her own side of the story

Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah has responded to President Jonathan's query to her to explain her role in the purchase of the controversial N225million BMW armored cars. See her response below

Executive summary on the procurement of NCAA operational vehicles
“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, is the statutory regulator of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Industry.

Consequently, the NCAA is charged with oversight responsibilities over all civil aviation operations in the country, including safety, security and strict compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, SARPs, and Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, NCARs.

2. Towards the effective implementation of its statutory regulatory responsibilities, therefore, it is imperative that the NCAA is fully equipped with highly specialised tools and facilities, including adequate operational vehicles to cover all 22 national airports and over 400 airstrips. In keeping with standard practice, provision is therefore made annually for the replacement of obsolete, inadequate & unreliable monitoring equipment.

3.In the 2013 budgetary appropriation, provision was made for the procurement of specialised equipment (including operational vehicles) to complement and in some cases replace obsolete ones.

Furthermore, the fact that NCAA, as the regulator of the industry, often plays host to dignitaries from ICAO, IATA, US FAA, AFRAA, AFCAC BAGASO, CANSO, ACI and a host of others makes it necessary to have specialised operational vehicles.

4.With regard to the procurement of additional operational vehicles (including BMW Security Vehicles), the following due process was observed:
(I) By letter dated April 15, 2013, NCAA officially requested authorisation from the Federal Ministry of Aviation to procure 56 operational vehicles through lease financing. This option was proposed to the ministry to enable the NCAA make 36 monthly payments based on receipts from Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. 


The Ministry therefore granted due approval.
(ii)Based on the ministry’s approval, the NCAA invited Expressions of Interest from all Banks in Nigeria for the financing of the said vehicles. EOI was adopted because the procurement is two sided. First, the financier would have to be selected before the supplier is determined. This is in line with procurement best practices.
(iii) On May 24, 2013, the response received from the various banks to the Expression of Interest, EOI, request was opened publicly and minutes of the opening exercise was duly documented. During the EOI opening exercise, NCAA got commendation from one of the Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, approved by BPP who were invited for the opening exercise.
(iv)  The evaluation of the expression of interests was held on May 31, 2013 during which First Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc and Stanbic IBTC emerged most responsive. On the June 10, 2013 the above three banks were invited to submit Financial Proposals. Thereafter, First Bank emerged the highest rated responsive bidder.
(v)Between June 20 and 25, 2013, invoices were received from various accredited motor vehicle dealers during which only Coscharis Motors Limited quoted for BMW Security Vehicles.

(vi) On June  28, 2013, NCAA Parastatal Tenders Board approved the selection of First Bank Ltd for the Lease Financing as well as Metropolitan Motor Vehicles and Coscharis for the supply of the vehicles.  All  necessary approvals  were duly  sought  and  obtained accordingly.

(vii) Between  July 8, 2013 to August, 12, 2013 various meetings were held with First Bank Ltd, contract agreement was signed and necessary documentation executed.

Your Excellency is respectfully invited to note:
(i) The crucial statutory role of the NCAA in regulating civil aviation operations in the country, including safety, security and strict compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs).
(ii) The need for NCAA to be fully equipped with highly specialized tools and facilities (including operational vehicles) to enable the effective implementation of its statutory functions.
(iii) The procurement of specialized operational vehicles is duly provided for in the NCAA 2p 13 (IGR) Budget and the need for adopting instalmental lease payments over36rionths.
(iii) That Due Process was followed in the procurement of the said operational vehicles.

Please your Excellency my continued loyally and esteemed regards.
Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, OON, Honourable Minister.

Read More

Ex-PMAN president Mustapha Amego dies after battle with cancer

Former President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Mustapha Amego, has died after a long battle with colon cancer. The musician and former TV personality, who relocated to the US many years ago, died yesterday October 23rd in Baltimore, Maryland, US.

For those who don't remember him, he was one of the host of popular 90's weekly music-dance show, Sunday Rendezvous. Mustapha was also PMAN president  from 1993 to 1996. After his  tenure, he relocated to the US where he worked with the Discovery Channel as a content producer and editor.

He will be buried today according to Muslim rites. May his soul rest in peace...Amen.

Read More

Gunmen Kill 10 In Fresh Borno Attack

By Sadiq Abubakar, Kunle Olasanmi on October 22, 2013 - 5:25am

inShare

At least 10 people including three members of the civilian JTF died yesterday when gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members attacked two different settlements in Konduga local government area of Borno State, eyewitnesses said.
The attack came barely 24 hours after some gunmen dressed in military fatigue, also suspected to be Boko Haram members, attacked motorists and residents in Logomani village in Dikwa LGA, killing at least eight people.
According to eyewitnesses, the suspected terrorists invaded the villages of Kawuri district and Fori in Konduga, killing seven residents, even as three members of the civilian JTF who chased the attackers into the bush also died in the process.
Kawuri, a major village in Konduga LGA, is about 60 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
An eyewitness who didn’t want to be named confirmed to LEADERSHIP that he travelled from Bama village through Konduga to Maiduguri yesterday morning.
“Many houses and  public schools were set ablaze in Kawuri and Fori villages. I saw them still smoking as we drove by,” said the source who is a civil servant at the state’s Ministry of Agriculture.
A police officer in Konduga, who also pleaded anonymity, told LEADERSHIP in Maiduguri that “we had the report of about 10 people killed last night (Sunday) and some were injured. But I don’t really have exact details of casualties because I left Konduga early this morning”.
He stated: “But what we heard was that the gunmen were about 30 in number driving two Toyota Hilux and several motorcycles, carrying arms and ammunition, rocket-propelled launchers including improvised explosive devices (IEDs). They invaded the villages about 3am, ordered sleeping residents out, then opened fire on them. We heard a lot of explosions, which we later found out were used on buildings and schools.”
Efforts to get confirmation from the spokesman of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, Captain Aliyu Danja, proved abortive up until press time.

Read More

Strike: Jonathan Begs ASUU

By: Alo Abiola, Anayo Onukwugha on October 20, 2013 - 5:59am

inShare

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday pleaded with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end its four-month strike in the interest of Nigerian students. He made the appeal in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, when he commissioned the College of Engineering building of the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD).
The president said ASUU’s cause was just, but urged the union to be patriotic by calling off the strike, noting that the industrial action could endanger the destiny of Nigeria’s future leaders, if allowed to drag on.
President Jonathan said, “I want to beg ASUU to reconsider its stand on the current impasse rocking our universities, which has kept students out of the universities for four months. This hard stand and protracted crisis could endanger the collective destiny of millions of the future leaders, because the future of the country should not be derailed on the altar of industrial dispute.”
According to the president, it would have been different if his administration had not listened to the union’s grievances or was not ready to honour their agreements.
“We have promised that all agreements will be honoured, so they should reconsider their stand. If the strike is borne out of genuine intention, I want to believe that ASUU has been able to prove a point by keeping students out of school for four months. And if it is borne out of other reasons, they still need to believe that no sector of the economy is operating at its best,” he said.
Describing ABUAD’s engineering college as a masterpiece and a challenge to individuals and organisations, the president urged Nigerians to join him to build a better country.
Babalola disclosed that he had invested N60billion in ABUAD to make it a global university and appealed to the federal government to support private universities to offer quality education.
The minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, thanked the president for providing an enabling environment for education to thrive in the country, saying that over 12 private universities were issued licences and nine more federal universities were established by his administration.
The president also disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Aviation would soon commence work on the proposed local airport for Ekiti, which has an allocation of N400million in the 2013 budget, even as Governor Kayode Fayemi and Chief Babalola stressed the need for the government to build an airport in the state to fast track its development.
Fayemi appealed to the president to facilitate the release of the sum of N12billion spent by the state government to renovate federal roads.

Read More

2015: Atiku, Aliyu, Nyako In Secret Talks

By: Mohammed Ismail on October 20, 2013 - 3:34am

inShare

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar held a secret meeting with Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and his Adamawa State counterpart, Murtala Nyako at his Yola residence late Friday night on burning national issues.
Although details of the outcome of the meeting were sketchy as at the time of filing this report, sources said that among other things, it was in connection with how they could form a formidable force to check the alleged re-election ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
After the meeting, Atiku also held discussions with his associates in the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), a new political party with which he is believed to have a strong affinity.
Sources told LEADERSHIP Sunday that at the meeting, it was agreed that should President Jonathan declare his interest in the 2015 presidential race, northern leaders should mobilise forces and stop him.
The three leaders, who are still members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had been in a running battle with President Jonathan over perceived irreconcilable differences, which made them to break away from the mainstream of PDP to form the “New PDP”, led by Alhaji Kawu Baraje.
Governor Nyako had openly hosted a delegation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which many considered a pointer to where he would be pitching his political tent.
Governor Aliyu, who was ostensibly in the state to attend the turbanning of Talba Adamawa Daniel Bwala, was said to have been involved in a marathon meeting with his PDP associates in the state, in order to chart a course against the onslaught from the mainstream party, especially in the wake of two rulings by the courts, which declared the “New PDP” illegal.
In a speech he delivered at the Lamido Adamawa’s Palace shortly after he was crowned Bauran Adamawa, Aliyu had attributed the crisis bedevilling the PDP to the undemocratic attitude of some members of the party, who placed their personal interests above the collective interest of the country. He commended the role being played by Atiku, who he described as a true democrat, following his overtures with other democrats to ensure sanity in the PDP.
“I want to articulate my earlier appeal in Sokoto, where I urged you, former vice president to help us unify and unite northerners, to ensure that we have one northern entity devoid of primordial sentiments and differences. We need unity, peace and mutual understanding with a sense of responsibility. We need unity in our country,” Aliyu said.
The governor charged his comrades in the G-7 to remain steadfast despite the intimidation they faced in the course of ensuring that justice and fair play were entrenched in the polity.
“Many people did not understand what transpired when seven of us said we want true democracy to prevail in the ruling party,” Aliyu said, adding that they were fighting for the cause of ordinary Nigerians and to set the country off in the right direction, because any crisis in the ruling party portended disaster for the country.
“Whatever happens in PDP will surely affect Nigeria, because it is the ruling party and following the drift in the party, we the concerned members felt that we must make sacrifices in order to restore equity, justice and fair play in the polity. Those elders who are more concerned with achieving their personal interest than with the interest of the people were so bitter and rattled. I believe that the people have now begun to understand the issue, that we are really for the unity of the country,” he said.
LEADERSHIP Sunday discovered that Atiku held another meeting with the state chairman of the PDM, Alhaji Ibrahim Mijinyawa and all the 21 chairmen of the party at the local government level.
Reporters were prevented by security officials from entering the venue during the meeting, but Mijinyawa and the chairmen were seen being screened at the entrance of Atiku’s house before the meeting started.

Read More

Married But Forced Into Bachelorhood: Meet Abuja’s ‘Live-alone’ Husbands

By: Osby Isibor on October 6, 2013 - 4:09am

inShare

In this report, OSBY ISIBOR examines the challenges of ‘live-alone’ husbands in Abuja, the missing link between their family members and how they are contending with life.
It is a common sight to notice him in markets - a corporate gentleman haggling with the market woman pricing pepper, fish, okro, garri and vegetable oil. At other times, you see him in the high brow areas of major cities doing his shopping at the mall. If he is the high society type, he spends much of his time at the Club house. He lives a relatively quiet life at home – no chattering or running around of children. Except, perhaps, for the occasional female visitor, that is for those who want to keep body and soul together; the house environment has an uncomforting serenity. They learn to cope with mundane jobs like cooking, ironing, washing and other domestic chores. Loneliness, depression and unshared responsibility are among their other problems. Although a few claim they enjoy cooking, many of the live-alone husbands say they don’t find it funny going to the market.
The above scenario typifies the changing times for the family set-up, especially for ‘live-alone’ husbands in Abuja. These ‘forced bachelors’ on daily basis, bear the burden of their new found life and the missing link of not having their wives and family members around, with unusual equanimity.
Economic factor, especially employment, has largely been responsible for dispersal of many families, for example, a husband works in Abuja and the wife in Lagos, with dire consequences for family cohesion. With Nigeria’s worsening economic problems, many of these ‘forced bachelors’ find it difficult to keep two families. The situation has created a huge financial burden on them running two homes.
Prof.AdelaniOgunrinde, a former Vice-Chancellor, National University of Lesotho, while delivering the Second Commencement Lecture of Bowen University, Iwo on October 16, 2008, highlighted, almost in lamentation, this phenomenon of the dispersed family using his family as an example: He lives in Lesotho, the wife in Abuja and the children in North America.  He died about two years later, with the family still dispersed. In many cases, families are being fractured where men went about life without their family.
Engr. Olukoya, a civil servant, falls into the category of men living without their families. Having lived in Abuja for about 20 years now, he shuttles between Abuja and Ibadan. In 2009, I decided that I wanted to return to Ibadan. My teenage children, born in Lagos, refused to relocate to Abuja. Of course, they have their education to think about. My wife stayed with them and so I became a ‘Married Bachelor’. So I had to do my shopping, cooking and cleaning. House-helps, not reliable, second wife, out of the question, being a Christian. The loneliness was reduced by my involvement in church activities. I do travel regularly to see my family members. However, I still miss the presence of my wife and children’’.
Mr. KayodeAdeyemi, 45, an engineer with a construction company was transferred from Benin to Abuja early this year. One of his problems is that he finds himself discussing what he cooks for supper and breakfast with male friends. Loneliness is also the problem highlighted by Mr. Adeyemi. He has had to struggle to make ends meet. ‘‘Some men are actually using the opportunity of their job to run away from a woman that has never been there for them; if a woman has been good to the husband, no man will prefer to stay away and miss her wifely intimacy, love and affection. I won’t trade the care of a loving wife for anything! But you know, this is about my job and the family must go on. I love my family and I am always in touch with my wife’’.
One amazing phenomenon about this category of men living alone is that many are not contemplating taking a second wife. Even those in their early 50s who can still fool around avoid serious relationships, while those who contract temporary marriages soon abandon the venture.  LEADERSHIP Sunday check revealed that the decision against taking a second wife, for many, is generally financially based, given the rising cost of living in Abuja.
According to 60-year-old Alhaji Musa Ibrahim, whose wife and children are in the US, “How do you expect me to start training a child at this age”? He said he draws inspiration from more elderly people who are in their 70s and in a similar situation. He, however, conceded that he feels the absence of his family most during festive seasons.
There are those who take in house helps, often with unpleasant experiences.  An international NGO employee with a big house in upscale Asokoro area of Abuja said house helps can be so unappreciative of your assistance and can walk out on you anytime.  He narrated his ordeal where the driver threw the car key at him in the middle of nowhere, knowing that he had not driven for a long time.
Another common concern among ‘forced bachelors’ is the health hazard, the fear of falling ill in the middle of the night with no one to assist.
Mr. Owen Okparakwu has been living in Lagos for the past 20yrs, but now relocated to Abuja. With his family still in Lagos, Owen finds it difficult to cope with his new environment.
‘‘Since my job separated me from my family, it hasn’t been a pleasant experience at all. I had to get up early, prepare my breakfast before getting off to work. Then, when I’m back from work, I also prepare my dinner, which has been my daily routine. Weekends were not any better as I have to take care of other domestic issues. Sometimes you could fall ill and nobody is there to attend to you. This can be disheartening and dangerous.
Even though it wasn’t an easy task being alone, I however, got used to the lifestyle as I had no choice. I am able to cope well because my neighbours are understanding and sometimes give me some assistance.  All the same, I still miss my family.’’
Speaking to LEADERSHIP Sunday, an Indian and MRI specialist with a private hospital whose wife resides in India said his biggest challenge is trying to cope with high cost of living and learning Nigerian foods. He said he can’t eat Nigerian foods and has to cook for himself.  ‘‘Nigerians don’t know how to cook Indian foods, so I do most of the cooking and domestic chores. I go to the market and buy whatever I need and prepare them myself.
Indians leave their place of birth and adopt Nigeria as a second home. I guess this is the price one has to pay for a living (wherever GOD has destined for any individual). Now that I am getting to 40 years, my kids have gone to USA for education, my wife has decided to go back to India, due to horrendous cost of rent and living expenses. I need to shrink my expenses and compromise on the ordinary lifestyle, to further reside here’’.
Another forced bachelor who also spoke to LEADERSHIP Sunday on condition of anonymity, said apart from the usual feeling of nostalgia, life goes on all the same. According to him, he contracts a girl to cook for him and get paid. He said he pays as much as N5, 000 per pot of soup, depending on the type of soup. He revealed that the domestic contractor also cooks for other live-alone husbands.

Read More

Top 10 Tips for Approving Releases and Media Information

Top 10 Tips for Approving Releases and Media Information

Press releases and media info generally can be like like football – everyone has an opinion. But that can make approving a press release a tortuous path. It’s amazing how much time can be sucked and how many deadlines missed by to-ing and fro-ing.

In-house PR, agencies and clients might all benefit from the following tips for smoother-than-smooth, rapid approval.

1.      Keep the number of people invited to comment on media information to a bare minimum.

2.      If you absolutely must have more than one person approving a news release (in large organisations this is unavoidable) seek amends in stages. By that I mean one person at a time if possible with the most senior person
offering amends last.

3.      If you forward a release to two or more people at once you’ll rarely get the same amends back from each person. And they can conflict leaving a decision over which amend to action. The answer? See number 2 above.

4.      If you have PR support – let them handle the approval process. They should make it a priority to field opinions, chase feedback and action amendments to get approval. It’s a time sucker but this should be part of any self-respecting PR support.

5.      Make sure quotes are written before the approval stage. Don’t ask for quotes to be added by the person approving the release. This way, the writer can control the flow of the copy and ensure key messages are delivered. It also
avoids delays waiting for non-writers to supply quotes. It’s much easier for people to tell you what they don’t want to say than what they do!

6.      Consider online approval using applications like Google Docs. This way everyone in the approval chain can keep track of
how the changes are going.

7.      To those amending the media information: try and remember why the media information is sent. It’s to generate editorial coverage! Will your amendments really help to generate more coverage? Would the information be less likely to generate coverage if the amendments weren’t made?

8.      And try to avoid making amends based on style. Media information is written in a layered format. It doesn’t need to be stunning prose. It does, however, need to deliver a quick sharp fix of fascinating news irresistible to journalists.

9.      Do amend factual innacuracies and add more facts if you can. The more newsworthy information the better.

10.  Make and communicate amendments promptly.

Read More