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2019: Atiku’s Presidential dream hits the rock as Buhari blocks source of income, cancels contract with his company 

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In an apparent move to block a major source of income of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who has declared his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election, the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has directed the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to terminate the boats pilotage monitoring and supervision agreement that the agency has with Intels Nigeria Limited, a company co-owned by the former vice president.

Government says the contract with Intels, a leading integrated logistics and facilities services provider in the maritime and oil and gas logistics sectors of the country, was void ab initio.

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), in a letter dated September 27, 2017 to the Managing Director of the NPA, Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman, said that the agreement, which has allowed Intels to receive revenue on behalf of NPA for 17 years, violates the Nigerian Constitution, especially in view of the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy of government.

Intels, also co-owned by Mr. Gabriel Volpi, an Italian national who also has Nigerian citizenship, will lose several millions of dollars in the cancelled deal.

In the maritime industry, pilotage is compulsory for all ships of 35 metres overall length or greater unless a valid Pilotage Exemption Certificate is held by the ship’s master.

In return for the service, ship owners/companies are required to pay a pilotage fee, which Intels collects on NPA’s behalf and retains 28 per cent of the revenue as commission for the services rendered.

In the memo obtained by Thisday, Malami stated that the agreement violates Sections 80(1) and 162(1) and (10) of the constitution, and wondered that the parties – NPA and Intels – did not avert their minds to the relevant provisions when they were negotiating the agreement in 2010.

Section 80(1) of the constitution states: “All revenues or other moneys raised or received by the Federation (not being revenues or other moneys payable under this Constitution or any Act of the National Assembly into any other public fund of the Federation established for a specific purpose) shall be paid into and form one Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.”

Section 162(1) states: “The Federation shall maintain a special account to be called ‘the Federation Account’ into which shall be paid all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation, except the proceeds from the personal income tax of the personnel of the armed forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry or department of government charged with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

While sub-section 10 of the same section states: “For the purpose of subsection (1) of this section, ‘revenue’ means any income or return accruing to or derived by the Government of the Federation from any source and includes: (a) any receipt, however described, arising from the operation of any law; (b) any return, however described, arising from or in respect of any property held by the Government of the Federation; (c) any return by way of interest on loans and dividends in respect of shares or interest held by the Government of the Federation in any company or statutory body.”

In the letter titled: “Request for Clarification of Conflict Between Executed Agreement and Federal Government Treasury Single Account Policy,” the attorney general said: “I refer to your letter dated 31st May 2017, ref: MD/17/MF/Vol.XX/583 in respect of the above subject matter wherein you sought clarification on the legal issues implicated by the continuous implementation of the Managing Agent Contract Agreement dated 11th February 2010 executed between the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Intels Nigeria Limited for the provision of boats pilotage operations, in the light of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Treasury Singe Account (TSA) policy.

“Upon my review of your letter under reference and the relevant agreements, I have been able to conclude inevitably that the terms of the agreement as agreed by parties and the dynamics of its implementation which permits Intels to receive revenue generated on behalf of NPA ab initio, clearly violates express provisions of Sections 80(1) and 162(1) and (10) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). It is thus curious that parties did not avert their minds to the above provisions of the constitution whilst negotiating the agreement.

“The inherent illegality of the agreement as formed has since been expounded by the TSA policy issued by the Head of Service of the Federation on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria directing all ministries, departments and agencies to collect payment of all revenues due to the federal government or any of her agencies through the TSA.

“The objective of the presidential directive (TSA policy) in exercise of the executive powers of the president under Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) was in furtherance of the spirit and intent of Sections 80 and 162 of the constitution and to aid transparency in government revenue collection and management.

“NPA being an agency of the federal government is bound by the TSA policy and has not howsoever been exempt therefrom. Due to the constitutional nature of the TSA, where there is a conflict between the TSA and the terms of the agreement, the TSA shall prevail.

“Therefore all monies due to the NPA currently being collected by Intels and any other agents/third parties on behalf of NPA must henceforth be paid into the TSA or any of the sub-accounts linked thereto in the Central Bank of Nigeria (information of the account will be communicated in due course) in accordance with the TSA policy.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the agreement for the monitoring and supervision of pilotage districts in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Nigeria on terms inter alia that permits Intels to receive revenue generated in each pilotage district from service boat operations in consideration for 28% of total revenue as commission to Intels is void, being a contract ex facie illegal as formed for permitting Intels to receive federal government revenue contrary to the express provisions of Sections 80(1) and 162(1) and (10) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates that such revenue must be paid into the Federation Account/Consolidated Revenue Fund.

“In the premise of the above, the conflict between the agreement and the TSA policy presents a force majeure event under the agreement, and NPA should forthwith commence the process of issuing the relevant notices to Intels exiting the agreement which indeed was void ab initio.”

-PM News

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Interviews

“The Secret Of My Success As Classic Queen International’s Top Model”- Racheal George

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“The Secret Of My Success As Classic Queen International’s Top Model”- Racheal George

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That Delectable Racheal George believes the future holds out for those who believe in the future of their dreams. She dared to pursue her dream as a beauty queen in Classic queen International pageantry where she emerged 2nd runner up. In this exclusive interview, she opened up on her life, success story, and future plans…

 

 

 

 

 

“The Secret Of My Success As Classic Queen International’s Top Model”- Racheal George

 

 

 

Can you tell me about yourself and your background?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My name is Racheal George, I’m 27 years old and I’m a graduate of Crawford university, I studied political science and international relations, and I served in 2018//2019.

 

 

“The Secret Of My Success As Classic Queen International’s Top Model”- Racheal George

 

 

I own a logistics business and I decided to go into pageantry. My first pageant was CQI and I came out 2nd runner-up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you tell us how your journey into pageantry started?

 

 

 

 

 

How my journey into pageantry started is quite interesting, I usually follow pageantry like Miss World, and Miss Universe on television. So I loved it and I Normally tell myself I will go for this someday. I have never done pageantry before but I just knew that I love watching pageantry and I do tell myself I will go into something like this one day. So this year 2022, someone told me about a pageant called CQI. I said to myself that I was going to give it a try then that was how I went for the CQI competition because It is something I have always wanted to do, I gave my best in the camp and I was open to learning and I was always giving it my best during the rehearsal. I gave it my best at the finals and although it was something I wanted to give a try to know if I’m capable. So I did. Although it was not an easy journey, I put in a lot of hard work and was happy it ended well. I came out 2nd runner-up as CQI’s top model and I was grateful because I decided to give it a try, it was a success.

 

 

 

 

 

How did you feel emerging classic Queen?

 

 

 

I felt really good knowing I gave it a try and also put in my best and it ended well

 

 

 

 

 

What stands you out among others?

 

 

 

I will say my personality because I wasn’t the best at camp but I know I comported myself and was humble because I believe that as a beauty Queen, you should portray a good character so others can follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

\What is your source of inspiration?

 

 

 

 

 

My source of inspiration is when I see young people who are successful at what they do and I tell myself that one day I will become one of the most successful people in the world and be the best at what I do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are the challenges and how did you overcome them?

 

 

 

 

 

My challenges back then were that I’m a shy person and I do normally have stage fright and I’m not really outspoken but going for this competition has helped me build myself to what I’m now, I can boldly say I can talk confidently now and I’m no longer shy and I’m able to interact with people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s the pet project you plan to work on as Classic Queen Top Model?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Classic Queen’s top model, the pet project I plan to work on is helping the less privileged because while growing up, I have been passionate about helping the less privileged by giving to the poor and making sure they have a roof under their head and donating to orphanage home is what I plan to do as my pet project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s the secret of your success?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The secret of my success is putting in hardwork in whatever I’m doing and I’m always open to learning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who is your mentor or role model in pageantry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My role model in pageantry is Queen Tosin Adeduro. I have been watching her since she went for miss tourism Nigeria and she became the winner. She is representing Nigeria in miss tourism world 2020 and she came out 4th runner up. All I can see is dream comes true if you believe you can do it.

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ROME BUSINESS SCHOOL ENGAGES DR BABATUNDE ASENUGA

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From left, Dr. Babatunde S. Asenuga, Faculty Member, Dr. Adaobi Ariguzo the Program Director and Dr. Humphrey Akanazu, Country Director Rome Business School Nigeria.

Rome Business School (RBS) has engaged Dr Babatunde Asenuga as a faculty member in its Nigeria study Centre. This was announced by the Country Director Rome Business School Nigeria, Dr. Humphrey Akanazu on a press release. Rome Business School is an international managerial training and research institute of excellence with a target to develop strategic entrepreneurs, managers and professionals with a high level of excellence, competence and ethical approach to business and work in over 140 countries, Nigeria inclusive. Dr Babatunde Asenuga who is the National Coordinator, Society of Educational Administrators of Nigeria was engaged to further enhance strategic knowledge transfer goal of the business school towards developing professionals that will be globally accepted for different management positions. The highest levels of educational quality possessed by different faculty members will meet the scrupulous attention of the student’s needs in the business school.

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TALENTED YOUTHS CONTRIBUTING TO EXCELLENCE OF LAGOS –AMBODE

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…Marks Children’s Day With Special Evening Of Arts

 

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday evening acknowledged the efforts of exceptionally talented children and youths in contributing to the excellence which the State is known for, saying they deserved to be commended and celebrated.

 

Speaking at a Special Evening of Arts held at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja to celebrate Children’s Day, Lagos at 51 and the third anniversary of his administration, Governor Ambode said it was gratifying that the frontline position of Lagos in the area of performing arts was now globally acknowledged, and attributed the recognition to the young ones who are doing the State proud with their talents. 

 

Describing children in the State as the most cherished assets of his administration, the Governor said any nation desirous of realizing its full potential could not afford to toy with its youth, which according to him, was why deliberate policies were put in place to support them to use their talents for the benefit of the State.

 

“No nation achieves its full potential without the human capital that the children and youth represent. Our State as you know has the largest concentration of such beautiful, brilliant set of children and youths anywhere in the black world. Whether in education, in innovations, arts and literature or in sports, Lagos excels because of the exceptional talents of our young ones.

 

“This is why we have chosen to specially celebrate them this evening with one of the gifts that the world now acknowledges the frontline position of our State – performing arts. This of course is in line with our promise to make Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and the Arts together with Sports the centrepiece of our development agenda for the youths in our State,” Governor Ambode said.

 

He said it was satisfying that the critical stakeholders in the sector appreciated the efforts being made by his administration to nurture and grow the performing arts industry, just as he assured that no efforts would be spared to sustain the drive to place the State on a sound pedestal for growth and development via the sector.

 

“In three years of renewed vigour and commitment to the finer things of life like the Arts and Culture, we are pleased with the fact that our critical stakeholders appreciate our modest intervention and are encouraged to do more.

 

“This evening we have chosen four of such stakeholders today not only for the beautiful performance they have treated us with; but to also specially honour them too for their contributions in uplifting the standard of performing arts in our State, especially as it concerns children and the youth,” he said.

 

The Governor specifically celebrated the parents and members of the youth groups which performed at the event – The Dream Catchers, Dance Na The Main Thing (DNMT), The Q Dance Company and Footprints of David, among others, just as he urged them to keep up the good work.

 

“These children mean so much to me and I love them all from the bottom of my heart. I am and I reiterate once again committed to the upliftment of the culture and the heritage of Lagos. I will do it with it with all my strength and I also promise that I will keep the performing arts growing by investing in the sector.

 

“Already, we are in the process of having a Lagos Museum and we will do everything to create the atmosphere that will allow these young ones to thrive and also become additional celebrities that we want them to be,” the Governor said.

 

Earlier, Governor Ambode performed the official kick-off of the finals of the Channels International Kids Cup football competition held at Campos Mini Stadium, where he rewarded the top four teams with N5million.

 

The winner, LGEA Central Primary School received N2million; Baptist Primary School which took second place was given N1.5million, while Emmanuel Anglican Primary School in third place received N1million.

 

X-planter Private School from Lagos in fourth position was also not left out as the Governor rewarded them with a sum of N500,000.

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