FG to Earn U.S.$1.37 Billion From Cassava Chips Exports

The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinnwnmi Adeshina, has said that Nigeria will this year, earn between $802 million to $1.37 billion as exports of dried cassava chips to China and Europe, adding that Nigeria's earnings increased by N759 billion in 2012 through effective and aggressive Federal Government-led agricultural drive.
Adeshina said that proposed huge international earnings from the exportation of value-added dried cassava chips would be realisable through an effectively secured financing of over $200 million for 18 private sector-owned large scale cassava plants with 1.3 million metric tons capacity per year and the provision of agricultural inputs through Federal Government-backed Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) for small-holder farmers.
The minister, who delivered a keynote address at the 40th National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development held in Abeokuta lat week, explained that 100 million farmers had so far been registered by the Federal Government-led Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES), adding that Nigeria produced 1.79 million metric tons of cassava in both main and dry seasons last year.
He said that Federal Government, having observed the increasing Nigeria unfavourable balance of payment receipts, had intensified move on a strategic shift from oil-dependent economic status to agricultucure-based economy that would provide adequate leverage on where the country has a comparative advantage, which is agriculture, to diversify economy to create jobs and ensure food security.
He decried Nigeria's status of being a net importer of goods, just as he said that Nigeria spends 60 cents on importation of goods and services in return for every one dollar she earns from foreign countries of the world, but he, however, assured the populace that President Goodluck Jonathan-led agriculture initiatives will address all the perceived anomalies in the agricultural sector of Nigerian economy.
The minister added that, as part of Federal Government's efforts to intensify moves on large-scale and exports-based cassava farming and processing, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development would soon set up a large-scale cassava processing plant with a production of 70,000 metric tons at a location in Ogun State, adding that Ogun State Government had been a partner in progress as regards Federal Government's agriculture drive, especially on cassava production.

NLNG Accuses NIMASA Of Scuttling Out of Court Settlement

The Nigerian Liquefied and Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has accused the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) of frustrating its move to amicably resolve the protracted dispute between them.
NLNG and NIMASA have been locked in a fierce battle over the issue of non-payment of certain statutory levies and charges which NIMASA claims are due to it from NLNG.
On Thursday, Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court Lagos had granted a short adjournment for the parties to conclude their out of court settlement talks, a development that prompted the court to fix Friday for the report of settlement.
When the case however came up, Counsel to NLNG, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN) told the court that settlement talks had failed.
In an interview with Channels TV, Mr. Akoni alleged that NIMASA actually frustrated NLNG’s settlement efforts.
“It appears to us that NIMASA is bent on stifling our business. NLNG has paid dividends to the Federal Government in billions.
“We even offered to continue to pay but they rejected our offer,” Akoni explained.
Justice Idris, it would be recalled, had on June 18, 2013 in Suit FHC/L/CS/847/2013 between NLNG and Attorney General of the Federation and Global West Vessels Specialists, granted an ex-parte order restraining the defendants from charging, imposing, demanding or collecting the 3% of gross freight earnings or any other sums further to section 15(a) of NIMASA Act 2007 on all of NLNG’s international inbound or outbound cargo ships owned, contracted or subcontracted by it.
After Mr. Akoni’s submission, lawyer representing the Federal Government, Fabian Ajogwu (SAN) moved his application seeking to discharge the ex-parte order on the grounds that the order was essentially made against NIMASA, which was not joined as party to the suit.
NIMASA has also filed an application seeking to be joined as a party to the suit.
According to Mr. Ajogwu’ application, the government contended that NIMASA is a body corporate with statutory powers to sue and be sued in its own name and that its non-inclusion as a party was a violation of the principles of fair hearing.
Ajogwu added that the fact that the other side was not heard before the order was made was fatal to the case of NLNG.
He further contended that an order cannot be made against a person who is not a party to the suit as it is necessary that such party must be given the opportunity to present its case.
Besides, Mr Ajogwu added that the dispute that gave rise to the suit was essentially between NLNG and NIMASA, and that the non-inclusion was a deliberate move by NLNG to circumvent the provision of Section 53(2) the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act of 2007, which makes it mandatory for an intending plaintiff to give the statutory body a 30-day pre-action notice.
According to Ajogwu: “The reliefs granted the Plaintiffs ex-parte are indeed, in form and substance essentially the reliefs being sought in the substantive suit;” and that the Court would not have granted the exparte order if not for the misrepresentation, concealment and non-disclosure of material facts by NLNG.
Justice Idris has fixed July 8, 2013 for ruling.

Dethroned Obong Of Calabar To Re-Contest

The Obong of Calabar, Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu (V), who was sacked on Thursday by the Appeal Court, is set to re-contest for the traditional stool.
This is coming from the kingmakers of the palace, the Etubom traditional council, who insisted at a press conference in the Cross River state capital on Friday, that the plaintiff, Anthony Ani is not eligible to contest to be Obong of Calabar.
The Chairman, Etuboms’ Traditional Council, Etubom Bassey Okor Bassey Duke, told journalists at the Palace of the Obong of Calabar that “Chief Anthony Ani is not traditionally qualified and eligible to contest to be Obong of Calabar.”
The incumbent according to them, is a descent of an agnate origin of the founding fathers of the Efik Kingdom, and has also fulfilled the provisions of the constitution of Etuboms’ council 2002, to clinch the throne of Obong Stool.
The body maintained that capping is a fundamental, non-negotiable and mandatory requirement for a person to become eligible to contest for the throne of the Obong of Calabar which the natural rule of the land upholds a great deal stressing that, the challenger of the throne was never an issue.
They maintained that, the judgement is still been studied by the body and further pronouncements made to ensure conformity with the said judgement of the Court of Appeal will be disclosed in due course.
While awaiting the date and final proclamation of the Obong of Calabar, the traditional council urges the Efik kingdom to support the truth at all times.
The Appeal Court sitting in Calabar ruled for the removal of the monarch, stating that due process was not followed in the Obong’s selection.
Justice Garba then ordered the Etubom’s conclave of the Obong’s Palace to conduct another process of selecting a new Obong, in which all qualified candidates, including the sacked monarch can participate.

U.S. Says Nigeria Remains Indispensable Ally in Africa

Despite the ethno-religious conflicts facing Nigeria, the United States of America said the country had so much to celebrate but must embrace its differences to strengthen the democracy.
The US Ambassador to Nigeria Terence McCulley who spoke in Abuja at the 237th National Day celebration yesterday said Nigeria, like America could "find strength in its diversity."
"In Africa, Nigeria carries aloft this precious torch and with it the weighty responsibility to demonstrate that the Nigerian democratic experiment-like our American project-can find strength in its diversity of language, ethnicity and cultural traditions.
And for Nigerian democracy to continue to prosper, conflict must be addressed, differences must be embraced, and unity must be promoted as a core value. I, for one, am optimistic. I am confident that Nigerians-despite the challenges-will find a way forward, as Nigerians have always done.
"In America and Nigeria, the common issues we face, the common hopes we have, are all human issues, all human hopes. We seek stability in our lives.
We desire positive action from our leaders. We expect transparency in governance. We seek economic opportunity. We demand high quality education for our children. And we work to protect the environment so that our children and our children's children can enjoy the benefits of this bountiful planet.
"I am convinced that America and Nigeria share these common goals.
"And I am proud to say that we are friends whose relationship spans critical issues of global and regional import. And as friends, we have had some difficult conversations of late, about corruption, about human rights. But I wish emphasize to you that our strategic relationship remains as strong as ever, that the bonds that link our two nations remains solid; that Nigeria remains for America our indispensable ally in Africa', he added."

EU Supports Nigeria With N70 Billion to Fight Corruption

The European Union (EU) has offered the sum of N70 billion to support Nigeria's war against corruption and promote good governance.
Head of European Union's delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador David Macrae, who stated this yesterday in Abuja during the 2nd annual seminar on "The role of Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in a democratic Nigeria," organised by the Public Complaint Commission, also said that 99.9 per cent of Nigerians lacked access to justice.
In his remark on "Deepening human rights records in Nigeria as a benchmark for good governance: the EU's expectations," the EU ambassador disclosed that another N60 billion has been committed to help reforms to enable the nation's judiciary function well.
He mentioned that an independent and functional judiciary was essential to good governance because some people should not be allowed to benefit from impunity.
On corruption, the ambassador said that the EU has put N70 billion on the table to support Nigeria's fight against corruption and promote good governance.
He spoke against capital punishment and death penalty canvassed by President Jonathan thus: "EU's stand is that we value life, we don't agree that people should be put to death, since it is on the statute book, this makes it difficult, we will continue to encourage the reform of the law (death penalty) until it is no longer the case."
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, in his keynote address justified why he recently signed the death warrant of some condemned prison inmates in the state explaining that the two prisoners who were executed robbed raped and dismembered their victims.
He stressed that he did not sign the death warrant because President Goodluck Jonathan said so.
Oshiomhole noted that, "I am concerned about death as a Catholic and I am fanatical about the sanctity of human life. However, as governor, I subscribed to oath that I shall obey the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not resolution of the EU."

Immigration Arrest 147 Illegal Immigrants In Ondo

The Nigerian Immigration Service has arrested and deported  about 147 citizens of Niger Republic and Chad who are staying in Akure, the Ondo state Capital illegally.
They were arrested during an operation carried out by men of the Immigration Service to fish out those who are staying in the state without valid visas.
The 147 illegal immigrants were apprehended at Sabo, Shasha and Timber Garage areas with high concentration of Hausa residents.
A statement from the State Comptroller of immigration in the state, Sola Sessi, said two of the illegal immigrants were said to have allegedly attacked some officials of the Immigration Service during the operation.
They were accused of instigating other aliens to attack the officials by attempting to snatch their rifles.

DPP, Minority Whip Mourn Ewherido

National leadership of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) as well as the deputy minority whip of the Senate, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon have condoled both the Senate and the family of late Senator Ewherido who died on Sunday after a brief illness.
DPP chieftains led by its national chairman, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi while paying a condolence visit to the family of late Senator Pious Ewherido at his residence in Asokoro described the Senator as a very active member of the party who has raised the profile of the party before his death.
Senate minority whip and Senator representing Lagos West senatorial district, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon also described as a personal loss, the demise of Senator Pius Ewherido.
Solomon who says he was still in shock over the death said he was with Ewherido at the National Hospital, Abuja, where he had his first operation before the plan to fly him abroad but eventually gave up the ghost.

Ghana Stun Portugal in Five-Goal Thriller

Ghana have set up a FIFA U-20 World Cup quarter-final meeting with Chile after a thrilling, topsy-turvy 3-2 win over Portugal in Kayseri. Yiadom Boakye struck a dramatic late winner for the 2009 winners in a game of two comebacks and some tremendous goals.
Portugal had begun the match as strong favourites after their impressive group campaign and they should have been in front inside the first minute. That was when the normally reliable Aladje fired over from eight yards, failing to convert a great cross from Bruma, who had skilfully evaded the attentions of two defenders.
Ghana, however, steadily grew into the match and registered a noteworthy effort of their own on the quarter-hour mark, when a curling Moses Odjer shot forced a fine save from Jose Sa. It was a warning for Portugal of what the Black Satellites were capable of, and four minutes later they were provided with another, more costly demonstration.
A stunning goal it was too, fired home from 30 yards by Kennedy Ashia, whose ferocious shot left Jose Sa without a hope of keeping it out. Long-range shots were a feature of Ghana's play in the first half and so too was excellent defensive organisation, with Bruma - one of the tournament's undisputed stars - left to cut an unusually subdued figure.
The Portugal No11 was, though, involved when the Iberians first threatened in the second half, combining with Aladje to set Andre Gomes for a 25-yard volley that flashed just over. Ghana were dropping ever deeper and, as the pressure increased, it was no surprise when parity was restored with 19 minutes remaining.
The source of the goal was unexpected, however, with long-haired centre-half Tiago Ferreira smashing a terrific left-foot shot in off the underside of the bar after the ball had dropped loose inside a packed penalty area. Portugal's tails were up now and just two minutes later, after Bruma's deflected shot had struck the outside of the post, they moved in front.
Again, it was a defender providing a finish of which any striker would have been proud, with Edgar Ie bulleting home a textbook header off the inside of the post from Ricardo Esgaio's inviting right-footed cross. But Ghana weren't ready to accept defeat and six minutes later they found another goal of their own, Michael Anaba stabbing home from inside the six-yard box after Yiadom Boakye's initial effort was parried.
Then, with five minutes remaining, this dramatic match took one final twist. It seemed all but impossible that Boakye could score from a free-kick almost on the byline wide on the left, but the Portuguese wall split and the Ghana No20's fiercely struck shot sneaked in at the near post.

Banker fighting inside information fine: case against me based on my 'spin'

Ian Hannam says he made up claim or was spinning, and that email he sent 'cannot constitute inside information'

Ian Hannam, one of the highest-profile bankers censured by the City watchdog, insists he acted with honesty and integrity. Photograph: Luke Macgregor/Reuters

Ian Hannam, the City dealmaker fighting a £450,000 fine for disclosing inside information, may have fabricated the contents of incriminating emails that form the case against him, the banker told a tribunal .
The surprising defence emerged on the second day of the financier's appeal against his punishment – a case that hinges on two 2008 emails sent by Hannam about Heritage Oil, his longstanding client, to Ashti Hawrami, the Kurdish oil minister whose government was both a potential Hannam client and investor in Heritage. The evidence presented by the Financial Conduct Authority, formerly the Financial Services Authority, relies heavily on a 9 September 2008 email, in which Hannam attempted to coax Hawrami into a move by revealing Heritage was on the verge of a deal elsewhere.
Hannam argues that the talks he was referring to had stalled at the time, so cannot constitute inside information.
"Either I was making it up or I was getting it from Tony Buckingham [Heritage Oil's chief executive]," he said.
The FCA's counsel, Richard Bolton QC, responded: "Mr Buckingham is not going to make things up to you is he? You are his trusted adviser. The last thing Mr Buckingham would do is mislead you."
Hannam replied that he was "very close friends" with Buckingham, with whom he shares the "same DNA".
When pressed again about his email about a potential deal, he repeated: "I was either making it up or I was putting a spin on it."
The claims by the banker that he might have cooked up the content of his emails shocked the FCA as the defence was not mentioned in Hannam's own witness statement, released by his lawyers .
In that submission, he said of the September email: "By sending the email, I was doing my job as a corporate adviser. I was trying to keep up the momentum with the minister, to keep him interested in Heritage and to keep Heritage at the forefront of his mind. This is what Tony had instructed me to do … It was entirely appropriate and within the scope of the mandate to set out the information in the September email."
Nine days after Hannam sent the email, the Takeover Panel requested that Heritage make a statement to shareholders, in which it confirmed that a preliminary takeover approach really had taken place. The next day, Heritage shares rose 18%, although the deal never happened.
The comments to the tribunal by Hannam, who was supported in court by family and friends including former Conservative leadership contender David Davis, came as he painted himself as the victim in a case that has seen him become one of the most high-profile bankers ever censured by the City regulator.
He resigned from JP Morgan Cazenove last year after being hit with the fine in order to fight the case, a move that potentially meant he had to forgo £30m in bonuses. He was keen to repeat to the tribunal on numerous occasions that the regulator had not revoked his "fit and proper status and has accepted that I acted with honesty and integrity" and he has now set up a new City firm.
"I love my job," he said. " I particularly enjoyed my time at JP Morgan Cazenove. I would still be at JP Morgan. I had no reason to leave. They gave me immense job satisfaction".
Hannam's second contentious email, sent on 8 October, contained a postscript: "PS. Tony has just found oil and it is looking good."
This was at a time when news of drilling at Heritage's Warthog-1 well in Uganda was so sensitive that the group's staff had been barred from trading in company shares.
On 21 October 2008 Heritage announced to the stock market "a significant new discovery" at Warthog-1.
That day, the FCA told the court, shares in the exploration group rose 14.6%.
The tribunal hearing continues.

Egypt's Army Takes Power

Egypt's army took power from President Mohamed Morsi and suspended the constitution. Army tanks are surrounding the presidential palace, and Morsi's whereabouts are unknown.
The head of the constitutional court will be sworn in to run the county's affairs, form a technocrat government, and call for early elections, the Army chief said.
In a live televised statement, Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the action was taken to resolve the political crisis in Egypt.
Al-Sisi said the move had to be taken after Morsi refused the military's unlimatum to reach an agreement with Egypt's opposition.
The Army chief read the statement as the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the head of Egypt's Coptic Church and opposition leader Mohamed Elbaradei looked on.
Earlier in the day, a senior aide to Morsi called on Egyptians to peacefully resist what he described as "a military coup" underway.
In Washington, the State Department voiced concern about unrest in Egypt. But it said the situation remains fluid and it can not confirm that a "military coup" is underway.
In a statement issued hours before the deadline, Morsi proposed a consensus government and an independent committee to craft constitutional amendments as a way out of the crisis. But he also repeated he has no intention to step down, warning his electoral legitimacy is the only safeguard against instability.
The army's announcement could spark a violent showdown between the military and suporters of the Islamist president.
Now reportedly barred from travel, Morsi was Egypt's first freely elected civilian president since a group of army officers called "The Free Officers" toppled King Farouk on July 23, 1952.
Last year, Morsi pushed aside top military leaders of deposed president Hosni Mubarak, including the head of the Supreme Military Council and ther army's chief of staff.
In a speech late Tuesday night, Morsi defended his legitimacy and vowed to remain in office, even if it resulted in his death. He also demanded the military withdraw its threat to intervene in the country's political crisis.

Army Overthrows Morsi, Calls New Elections

Al Jazeera television carries live the broadcast by Egypt's armed forces chief, General Abdul Fatah Khalil al-Sisi, announcing the suspension of the constitution.

The Egyptian military deposed President Mohamed Morsi on Wednesday night.
The chief of the armed forces, General Abdul Fatah Khalil al-Sisi, announced in a live television broadcast:

• the suspension of the Egyptian constitution,
• the appointment of the head of the constitutional court as the country's interim leader,
• the calling of early new presidential elections, and
• the establishment of a national government of technocrats.

The army chief promised to empower Egyptian youth to participate in the political process, to protect free media within the context of guaranteeing national security, and to work towards national reconciliation.
Responding, Morsi accused the army of mounting a coup against him.
Live coverage by Al Jazeera television showed tens of thousands of anti-Morsi demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir Square celebrating his overthrow in scenes similar to those when former President Hosni Mubarak was driven from office. The broadcaster said Morsi's whereabouts were unknown.
AllAfrica news partner Aswat Masriya reported earlier in the day that the military had deployed forces in the vicinity of the massive demonstrations sweeping Cairo. Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Gehad El-Haddad was quoted as saying on his Twitter account that "there is a full military coup underway now in Egypt... Tanks have started moving through the streets."
At least 18 people were reported killed and 619 injured in violent clashes in the early hours of Wednesday near Cairo University, Aswat Masriya said, after clashes broke out between unknown assailants and supporters of President Morsi, who were protesting outside the university.
Also earlier, the presidency said it wanted a dialogue to reach national consensus. It said that "violating constitutional legitimacy threatens democracy and derails it from its righteous path."

IBB - I'm Proud of the June 12 Credibility

Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, in an interview with Aisha Wakaso expressed concerns about the state of the nation, saying his administration, despite the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, took the credit for the freest and fairest election in the country. Excerpts:
How do you feel about June 12?
Well, it has come and gone. Whatever I feel about it, at least, Nigerians agreed on one thing, that we, the administration succeeded in holding one of the best and freest elections ever held in this country. That remains the historical part. The consequence is something else but at least, something that people thought could not be done, we proved that it was doable. So, I can say I feel proud. We may not have achieved the objective but at least, we conducted an election that was not rigged, an election that was not marred by violence, an election that is still being referred to in the country.
Do you have any regrets about June 12?
Whatever happens, I kept on saying it; I accept full responsibility of June 12. I just told you that it was one of the best elections ever held in this country though it became problematic. It had its pluses and minuses. It is not really a regret but it could be approved.
Do you share the beliefs that June 12 or Abiola should be accorded a National recognition?
Sometimes, I wonder when people talk about recognition. Before June 12 and before Abiola went into politics, Abiola had been a recognised Nigerian in Nigeria because of the activities he had done. He succeeded in touching the lives of a lot of people, a lot of community both within his environment and outside his environment. As far as recognition is concerned, what he stood for will stand him out amongst patriotic Nigerians.
What is your opinion on the state of the nation?
As I have been saying, Nigeria is a developing country and like any other developing country, it has its own problems- problems of development; problems of not being experienced and so on. I think what we are experiencing now. We are following the part of what other countries went through. I think our ability to make a lesson out of what is happening now and to make the best use of it for the future of this country. This is what we should be doing now.

Etisalat, Others Pledge Support for Cashless Nigeria

Etisalat Nigeria, one Nigeria's telecommunications company, has restated its support for the Federal Government's cashless policy through innovative mobile solutions that supports cashless payments and transactions for the benefit of all Nigerians.

The company made the pledge in Lagos, at a two-day conference organised by De Novo, a strategy consulting firm, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, Etisalat Nigeria and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Director, Business Segments, Etisalat Nigeria Mr. Lucas Dada, stated that Etisalat as the most innovative network in Nigeria was poised to aid the successful transition of Nigeria to a cashless economy, in line with the realisation of the federal government's agenda to become one of the top 20 economies by the year 2020.
According to him, Etisalat from an innovative point of view has developed products that are reliable, safe and secure to support the cashless policy one of which is the Etisalat Easywallet, adding that Etisalat never fails to comply directly with the regulatory policy of the CBN.
He further noted that the Network launched Easywallet last year, a SIM application solution for mobile money payments and transfers, aimed at providing secure and innovative payment solution to its customers, offering the service in a more convenient and secure platform. Etisalat, he also said partnered some Nigerian banks including First Bank, GTBank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, and Zenith Bank, and has continued to support cashless transactions around the country.
Meanwhile, the Lagos state Governor, Babatunde Fashola, who was represented at the event by the Accountant-General of the state, David Sunmoni, noted that Lagos is at the forefront of the nation's transition to a cashless society and has already begun playing participatory and supportive roles.
He disclosed that in Lagos state, laws have started evolving to cover electronic transactions and offer protection against electronic fraud, while empowering security agents to investigate and prosecute online fraud in a bid to ensure safety of online transactions in the state.
"We have also done a lot to increase citizens' information and computer technology literacy. This is why we are introducing e-learning centers in all our institutions and the establishment of a digital village in Ikeja designed to foster computer literacy among the residents of Lagos," he said.
Also speaking at the seminar, Deputy Governor, Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Lemo, said the time was right for Nigeria to transit into a full cashless economy after a successful one year test-run in Lagos state.
According to Lemo, the cashless economy policy was designed to promote financial intermediation, enhance financial inclusion, minimise revenue leakages and increase the internally generated revenue and reduce drastically the incidences of robbery.
Representatives from Interswitch, NIBSS, NCC, Federal Ministry of Communication Technology also spoke on the various infrastructure put in place to support the successful nationwide launch of the cashless initiative.

Wema Bank Gets PCIDSS Certification

In compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN's) directive for improved data security, Wema Bank Plc Wednesday revealed it had received the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard certification (PCIDSS).

This was disclosed at the formal presentation of the PCIDSS compliance certificate to the bank in Lagos.
PCIDSS is a global security standard that helps in preventing card and data fraud by evaluating payment account data security and assessing an organisation's network architecture, software design, security policies, procedures and protective practices.
This certification, which was made mandatory by the central bank, states that all the banks must comply with the certification to improve card holder's security and privacy in line with international standards.
Speaking during the presentation of the certificate, the Managing Director, Wema Bank, Mr. Segun Oloketuyi, said: "Whilst many organisations may claim to be PCIDSS ready or compliant, Wema Bank went the extra step to get certified by control case.
"Control case, one of the world's best Qualified Security Assessors, did the validation and compliance because the bank believes that trust, which is one of Wema Bank's values, must always be maintained with the customer by providing them with secure services and protect their data anywhere, anytime."
He also said with this development, the bank was already pushing towards achieving the ISO certification in Information Security tagged ISO 27001/2.
The PCI requirements were developed by the PCI Security Standards Council, which includes the five major payment card issuers -MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover and JCB International, to help facilitate broad adoption of data security best practices worldwide.
The Chief Operating Officer, Digital Encode, Mr. Adewale Obadare, said the achievement was a positive development for the bank.
According to him, the security of card holders' funds and transactions had been further enhanced as the cashless policy gets traction, thereby boosting customers' confidence.
He explained that Digital Encode assisted Wema Bank to scale physical, administrative and technology hurdles required for the certification. He added: "Digital Encode had a strategic alliance with Qualys, a technology Approved Scanning Vendor and Control Case LLC, a United States-based Qualified Security Assessor that enables them audit organisations that store, process and transmit cardholders' details with the requirements to meet the PCIDSS certification standards.

NDDC - Intrigues As Jonathan Shops for New MD, Others

Less than two months to the dissolution of the current board and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), a heightened but discrete lobby for top jobs in the interventionist agency has commenced among stakeholders, LEADERSHIP gathered authoritatively.

Already, some governors in the oil-rich region who enjoy robust relationship with the presidency are engaged in what a source described as "zero-sum game" over juicy slots in the NDDC.
But lobbying stakeholders may have to contend with a hurdle. President Goodluck Jonathan, who is said to be "sniffing for a fresh team" has vowed that the next NDDC board and management will be manned by only competent and qualified persons, just as he has insisted on insulating the interventionist agency from partisan politics.
President Jonathan, LEADERSHIP learnt, has instructed some of his trusted associates to commence an "assessment of only competent and credible hands in the appropriate states of the region with a view to appointing only qualified persons with requisite experiences".
The governing board of the commission was reconstituted in November 2011 by President Jonathan following the exit of the Mr Chibuzor Ugwuoha-led management team, which was sacked as a result of irreconcilable differences among the top management shots, on September 13, 2011.
Sacked alongside the erstwhile board was Air Vice-Marshall Larry Koinyan, who was chairman, as well as most state representatives.
In place of the previous board, Dr Tarilah Tebepah from Bayelsa State was appointed as new chairman of the commission.
Others are Dr Christian Oboh (Rivers, managing director), Mr L. E. J. Konboye (Delta, executive director, finance and administration), Mr Edikan Eshett (Akwa Ibom, executive director, projects), Mr Edward Orubo (Bayelsa, member), Dr Ibitamuno Aminigo (Rivers, member), Chief Solomon Ogba (Delta, member), and Ima Obong Johnson (Akwa Ibom, member).
The list also includes Mr Peter Ezeobi (Imo, member), Dominic Edem (Cross River, member), Mr. Aloy Nwagboso (Abia, member), Mr. Omogbemi Oladele (Ondo, member) and Mr Osahon Imaru (Edo, member).

Sultan, Muslim Leaders Meet in Ibadan for Unity

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, is expected to lead prominent Muslims and Islamic organisations to a two-day meeting in ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State to discuss the unity of Muslim community in Nigeria.

The chairman organising committee, Alhaji Ishaq Sanni, said in a statement in Ibadan yesterdaythat the meeting was facilitated by the Nigerian Muslims and Democracy Conference (NMDC).
According to him, the two-day meeting would hold at Premier Hotel, Ibadan from Friday July 5 to Sunday July 7, 2013.
He said the key objective of the meeting was to facilitate the coming together of all Muslims in Nigeria in order to make life more meaningful for the Muslims and to make the country a peaceful place to live.

Constitution Amendment - Presidents, Governors to Lose Immunity

Public officeholders who hide behind the immunity clause to steal will soon be licking their wounds, as the House of Representatives is set to withdraw the contentious clause from the constitution.

This is one of the recommendations contained in the report of the House of Representatives ad-hoc Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution which is scheduled to be laid on the floor of the House today.
Among other things, LEADERSHIP gathered from a member of the committee who craved anonymity since the report has not been debated by the House, that the report also recommended, despite variance with the Senate, that two terms be maintained, with a four-year span for political officeholders including the president and his deputy.
On local government, the special committee headed by the deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, asked that a definite uniform tenure be provided for all local government officeholders in line with the request of the Nigerian public.
The committee had, last November, nationwide people's public sessions held in all constituencies to collect input of the public on constitution amendment, the results of which were announced in a public presentation at the National Assembly earlier this year.
Key elements in the template used for the opinion gathering exercise include the granting of full autonomy, including financial autonomy, to local government administrations and removal of immunity against prosecution from the president, vice president, governors and their deputies, , particularly as ıt relates to criminal offences.
Others include rotation of the office of the president, scrapping of state independent electoral commissions (SIECs), state creation, state police as well as autonomy to state legislatures.
Senators fight over state of nation address
Meanwhile, senators were yesterday embroiled in an ugly brawl over President Jonathan's rejection of certain provisions of the State of Nation Address Bill (2013) - a bill to make it mandatory for any sitting president to address a joint session of the National Assembly in July of every year.

Again, Disagreement Over Legal Representation Stalls Hearing of NGF Case

For the second time, the case filed by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), seeking to stop Governor David Jonah Jang of Plateau State from parading himself as the chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF) was Wednesday stalled at an Abuja High Court over legal representations by two lawyers.
Entangled in the legal tango are Chief Awa Kalu (SAN) who filed a memorandum of appearance for the registered trustees of the NGF and Mr. Friday Nwosu who also filed his appearance for the same body.
An indication that the case would be stalled started when the Kalu and Nwosu made claims and counter-claims to be the lawyer to the trustees and stuck to their guns in their claims of being the authentic counsel to represent the NGF trustees in the legal battle.
Kalu, who first addressed the court presided over by Justice Peter Affen, asked the court to recognise him on the grounds that he filed his own memorandum of appearance long before the sudden appearance of another lawyer.
He informed the court that the sudden appearance of Nwosu was a deliberate ploy to stall the expeditious hearing of the case.
But Nwosu in his own response, told Justice Affen that he was the only lawyer briefed by the registered trustees of the NGF to represent them in the suit and should be recognised in that capacity.
All efforts by the court and other lawyers to resolve the confusion proved abortive as both lawyers maintained their positions.
However, in a brief ruling on the claim and counter-claim, Justice Affen agreed that Awa Kalu (SAN) filed his memorandum of appearance 10 clear days before Nwosu came on board with his own.
The judge however said the issue of legal representation in a case was more than first come first serve and ordered that members of the board of trustees to individually swear to affidavit to nominate their lawyer to represent them in the case.
He said the affidavit must be submitted to the court and would be counted in the open court to determine the lawyer that will represent the body.
Justice Affen, who was not happy with the scenario, threatened to go ahead with the case if by July 17 the issue of legal representation for the NGF board of trustees was not resolved.
The judge said he agreed to adjourn the case again in order to give the registered trustees fair hearing by not shutting the body out in the determination of the case.
The case has been adjourned till July 17 to determine the priority of all the motions filed by parties in the suit.
Fasola had sued his Plateau State counterpart challenging his claim to be the chairman of the governors forum.
He asked the court among others for an order prohibiting Jang from parading himself as the NGF Chairman having lost in an election to pick chairman for the forum.

NUJ Panel On Blackmail, Extortion Probe Begins Sitting

The panel set up by the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to probe allegations of professional misconduct, blackmail and extortion levelled against the Publisher of Desert Herald magazine, Tukur Mamu, by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday began its sitting with a vow to execute its mandate dispassionately with a view to restore the glory of the journalism as an objective and trustworthy profession.

At the session, three top officials of the FCTA appeared and testified before the committee.
They are the Special Assistant (Media) to the FCT Minister, Mr. Nosike Ogbuenyi, the Director of Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), Hajiya Jamila Tangaza, and the Director of Treasury of the FCTA, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Bomai.
The sitting took place in at the NUJ Press Centre in Utako District, Abuja.
The officials strongly debunked the claim by Mamu that the N15 million payment he demanded from the FCTA via text messages was for advertisement and consultancy services.
They contended that contrary to the claim of Mamu, there was never a time any advertisement or consultancy contract was approved, negotiated or discussed with Mamu or his agents.
During the sitting, all the members of the three-man panel, namely Mr. Gbenga Onayiga, Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Idris, Member and Akin Orimolade, the Secretary and the Northern Regional Editor of Newswatch Daily Newspapers were present.
The panel members drilled the officials on what transpired between them and the Desert Herald publisher, Alhaji Tukur Mamu, which verged on professional misconduct, blackmail and attempted extortion of N15 million by the latter.
The FCTA officials were asked several questions concerning their interaction and dealings with the Desert Herald magazine and its publisher.
The officials, who appeared separately with their lawyers, answered questions put to them by the panel members during separate sessions that cumulatively spanned about three hours.

Jonathan Plans China Trip to Seek Investment

President Goodluck Jonathan will lead a high-powered team of governors, members of the National Assembly, ministers and representatives of the private sector to China next week, for talks with Chinese leaders and captains of industry aimed at increasing China's direct investment in the Nigerian economy.

Jonathan, who will leave Abuja on Monday, for the five-day state visit to China, is scheduled to hold separate meetings with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, Mr. Zhang Dejiang.
According to the Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the talks between Jonathan and in a statement Wednesday, the Chinese leaders would focus on greater bilateral cooperation in the areas of public infrastructure, oil and gas, power supply, agriculture, communications and tourism.
It was expected that before the conclusion of the visit on July 12, new bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) would be concluded and signed to guide and sustain future Sino-Nigerian relations in these and other areas of cooperation.
The statement added that the president would also participate in a special session of the Nigeria/China Investment Forum, which will be attended by leading Chinese investors and their Nigerian counterparts.
President Jonathan and his delegation would also hold separate meetings with the chairmen and chief executive officers of leading Chinese conglomerates such as Huawei, SINOPEC and ZTE.
His engagements in Beijing would also include inaugurating the new Nigerian Embassy building, laying the foundation stone for the residence of the Nigeria's Ambassador to China and meeting with members of the Nigerian community in China.
The president would be accompanied on the trip by the governors of Abia, Anambra, Gombe and Bauchi States as well as Senator Paulinus Nwagu, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tahir Monguno, and some ministers, including those of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Petroleum, Works, Agriculture and Aviation as well as the Minister of State for Defence.