Philippine Catholic Church Stands Firm Against Gay Marriage

The leadership of the Philippines’ dominant Roman Catholic church stressed its opposition to legalising gay marriage on Sunday despite last week’s landmark decision by the US Supreme Court.
The Philippine government meanwhile affirmed that under its law, marriage is still between a man and a woman and only an act of Congress can change this, unlike in the United States.
“The Church continues to maintain what it has always taught. Marriage is a permanent union of man and woman,” said Archbishop Socrates Villegas, the president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
“This is the way the Church has always read Sacred Scriptures. This is the way it has lived its faith, inspired by the Holy Spirit,” Villegas said in a statement on the group’s website.
“We will continue to teach the sons and daughters of the Church that marriage… is an indissoluble bond of man and woman,” he stressed.

Moves To Impeach Gov Aregbesola Gain Momentum

The Peoples Democratic Party has lauded the Osun state House of Assembly for commencing impeachment proceedings against Governor Rauf Aregbesola, describing it as a welcome development to save the state.

PHOTO: Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state

A judge in the state, Justice Oloyede Folahanmi, had earlier petitioned the state House of Assembly asking the members to institute impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy over alleged mismanagement of the state’s financial resources in accordance with Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 constitution.

Reacting to the proceedings, the PDP in a statement has berated the governor for his inability to pay the salaries of civil servants in the state, which it said were now “refugees in their own land, living on handouts from compassionate religious and corporate bodies.”

The party, according to Vanguard, says the governor is clueless on how to turn around the economic fortunes of the state, adding that Aregbesola himself had alluded to this in the past.

It urged lawmakers to go ahead with the impeachment process irrespective of the pressure on them, noting that their stand will save their constituents from economic disaster.

“We are aware of the tremendous pressure being brought upon the lawmakers by the insensitive leaders and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress within and outside of the state, but the lawmakers owe posterity and their generations unborn this moment of history to offer the state the last straw before it would collapse irretrievably,”  he said.

The party accused the governor of plotting to kill the impeachment proceedings against him by wiping up political sentiments.

Meanwhile, the Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation has asked the speaker of the Osun state House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, to ignore a petition seeking the impeachment of the governor.

--Naij.com

Why We Will Oppose Buhari On Subsidy Removal --- NLC

The Nigerian Labour Congress says it will oppose any plans by President Muhammadu Buhari to remove fuel subsidy because it is not the best way to to deal with corruption in the downstream sector.

PHOTO: NLC president Comrade Ayuba Wabba

NLC’s president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, made this known to newsmen in reaction to claims that the position of Labour on subsidy removal had changed.

Wabba said the best way to deal with the rot in the petroleum sector is to break up the cabal in the sector and opening it to fair competition, The Daily Independent reports.

“Our mass protest in January 2012 against an increase in prices of petroleum products opened up a can of worms in the sector prompting legal proceedings against some of the culprits, he said.

He regretted that none of the persons involved in corruption in the sector had been punished despite the overwhelming evidence against them.

He urged President Buhari to ensure that all persons culpable in the rot in the sector be prosecuted, adding that “the real solution to the crisis in the sector lies in ensuring that domestic refining is promoted”.

Shortly after President Buhari was sworn in on May29, the NLC had urged the his administration to pursue policies and strategies aimed at solving the many problems in the Nigerian economy, so as to win over the masses.

--Naij

Ohakim Alleges Threat To His Life

Former Imo State governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim has cried out against
alleged threats to his life.

Ohakim, in a statement made available to THISDAY on Saturday, said
throughout his tenure in office as governor of Imo State, there was no
political assassination, but that contrary to the goodwill that
existed while he was in office he has since become an object of
attacks and ridicule.

According to him,"Nigerians will recall that on May 15, 2014, directly
after I declared interest to re-contest the governorship election of
my state, my only house in Owerri was bombed in what was evidently, an
attempt to assassinate me. Still, let me state that in spite of the
misadventure of some of these elements who see me as their only
obstacle to'greatness', I remain committed to the peace, progress and
stability of Imo state in particular and Nigeria in general.

"Throughout my tenure as governor, we never hunted political
opponents. There was no political assassination, no arson, no official
of government disappeared. There was no impeachment of any kind or
threat of impeachment. No senatorial zone complained of
marginalisation," Ohakim said.

"On June 1, 2015, I travelled out of the country by LH 595 operated by
Lufthansa with seat number 04K to honour a medical appointment and
also attend my daughter's graduation at the Royal College of Surgeons
in Ireland. On June 02, 2015, a newspaper posted a headline that I had
been apprehended and taken to custody by the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC) for fraud and misappropriation of public
funds.

"On inquiry, I discovered that the story was taken to the newspaper in
question by an aide of a top politician in my state, Imo.
Instructively, the story was carried by only the newspaper in
question. A few days later, the same aide of the supposedly top
politician took another fake news to some media houses that I sneaked
abroad to dispose of my properties because of bankruptcy."

What is playing out, Ohakim said, began with a petition against him to
the EFCC by the same desperate politician in his state.

According to him,"The petition was written by a group he fabricated
that goes by the name, Alliance for Good Governance.

Those who are conversant with the politics of Imo state would recall
that it was this same group that constituted itself into a vicious
gang-up against my administration. It was this group, the Alliance for
Good Governance that sold the lie that I molested a Catholic Priest in
Imo state.

"It was the same group that carried out the failed public
demonstration against me in front of the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja."

It was the same group, led by this same politician, that was used by
those who were bent on denying me my victory at the April 26, 2011
governorship election, to kidnap an INEC returning officer, one Mr.
Ngozi Nwoko, and took him to Bolingo Hotel, Onitsha, Anambra state,
where he was locked up, thus preventing him from turning in the
results from Ohaji-Egbema local government area which put me in a
clear lead.

"The kidnap of Nwoko was the first script that led to the so-called
supplementary election of May 6, 2011 during which the final script
was acted out," Ohakim added.

—THISDAY Live

Protests Rock Anambra Over Alleged Relocation Of Boko Haram Detainees To The State

ANGRY youths, yesterday, brought commercial activities in markets in
Anambra State to a standstill following alleged plan by the Federal
Government to transfer suspected Boko Haram prisoners to Ekwulobia
Prison in Aguata local government area of the state.

Thousands of the youths blocked major roads in the state, including
the Head Bridge and the Enugu Onitsha expressway in Onitsha, as well
as the popular Zik Avenue in Awka, causing traffic gridlock for
several hours.

Though the protest was peaceful, policemen in Onitsha were later seen
firing teargas canisters to disperse the protesters. The security
operatives, later joined by soldiers stationed at the Uga junction on
Atani Road, were also seen removing the barricades used by the youths
to block the roads.

PHOTO: Youths protesting alleged planned relocationn of Boko Haram
prisoners to Anambra State in Onitsha yesterday.

In all the cities in the state, the youths waved placards with
inscriptions that read, "We don't want Boko Haram prisoners in
Anambra"; "Buhari, Igbos will not accept your prisoners"; "Anambra is
special and secured"; "Anambra is not a party to terrorists and should
not be involved in it"; "We say no to Boko Haram people in Anambra"
and "Buhari, why Anambra".

At the Ekwulobia Prison, which was named as the likely new abode for
the Boko Haram prisoners, there was nothing on ground to show that a
large number of inmates were brought in there. Some officials of the
prison however said that they heard a rumour that some prisoners from
the northern part of the country would be brought there.

According to them, "there was nothing on ground to show that new
inmates were being expected as the situation here has not changed."

President General of Anambra Markets Amalgamated Traders Association,
AMATAS, Dr. Okwudili Ezenwankwo, who addressed reporters in Onitsha,
said they had from a very reliable source that plans had been
concluded to bring suspected Boko Haram prisoners to the state, adding
that they would do everything within their power to resist it.

Pressed to say how they got information that such prisoners were to be
brought to the state, Ezenwankwo said: "We have our ears on ground and
that is the much we can say for now. We were informed that federal
government wants to transfer the Boko Haram to Anambra State and this
is unacceptable to us.

"If you visit the Ekwulobia Prison, you will discover that something
is going on there. We are not against President Muhammadu Buhari, but
we want him to keep these special prisoners where they belong.

"We know our president is a good man and he will not do anything that
will cause insecurity in this part of the country to add to the
existing one caused by Boko Haram insurgents. Anambra is peaceful and
we don't want Boko Haram to come and cause confusion."

According to Ezenwankwo, Anambra traders have already brought the
matter to the attention of Governor Willie Obiano, adding that the
governor was mandated by the traders to take their protest over the
matter to President Buhari.

Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Uche Eze,
said the situation was properly handled because the police was on top
of the situation.

—Vanguard

Okorocha Denies Suspending 40 Traditional Rulers

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has described as laughable,
allegations that he suspended 40 traditional rulers in the state for
misconduct.

The governor, who debunked the allegations in a press statement issued
by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, insisted that he had
never interfered in the affairs of the council of traditional rulers
in the state to warrant his suspension of the monarchs.

He explained that the state council of traditional rulers had issued
the suspension after deliberating and indicting the 40 monarchs of
gross misconduct and disobedience to the council.

Okorocha also said the purported restraining order obtained by the
monarchs from the court against their suspension was meaningless.

"The reported court order restraining me from suspending the
traditional rulers is questionable and even suspicious. We challenge
the traditional rulers to publish the reference court order for
Nigerians to read, because we strongly believe that an order cannot be
given in vacuum. It must be anchored on something", he said.

The statement further maintained that the council of traditional
rulers is established by law and the law establishing it credited some
functions to the leadership of the council independent of the state
government or the governor.

But the law it added, did not give the leadership of the council the
right to sack anybody as an Eze but can suspend any Eze from the
council and that he maintained, was what happened.

On the claim that the traditional rulers went to court to challenge
his alleged excesses, the governor insisted that the traditional
rulers are yet to tell Nigerians the "crux of the matter".

Okorocha said the traditional rulers in question are "only being
hunted by their miscalculation during the 2015 elections. They are
running when no one is pursuing them. They allowed themselves to be
deceived by the PDP".

Four monarchs, he explained in the statement, were suspended from the
council but not by him.
Okorocha also pointed out that the council law empowers him to
suspend, sack or dethrone any traditional ruler found wanting in the
discharge of his duties, but maintained that he has never taken any
action against any traditional ruler, especially those who went to
court.

—

U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Legalizes Gay Marriage Nationwide

- The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the U.S. Constitution provides same-sex couples the right to marry, handing a historic triumph to the American gay rights movement.

The court ruled 5-4 that the Constitution's guarantees of due process and equal protection under the law mean that states cannot ban same-sex marriages. With the landmark ruling, gay marriage becomes legal in all 50 states.

Immediately after the decision, same-sex couples in many of the states where gay marriage had been banned headed to county clerks' offices for marriage licenses as officials in several states said they would respect the ruling.

President Barack Obama, appearing in the White House Rose Garden, hailed the ruling as a milestone in American justice that arrived "like a thunderbolt."

"This ruling is a victory for America," said Obama, the first sitting president to support gay marriage. "This decision affirms what millions of Americans already believe in their hearts. When all Americans are treated as equal, we are all more free."

As night fell, the White House was lit in rainbow colors - a symbol of gay pride - to mark the high court's decision.

The ruling, the culmination of a long legal fight by gay rights advocates, follows steady gains in public approval in recent years for same-sex marriage. In 2004 Massachusetts became the first state to legalize gay marriage. But the decision may provoke fresh legal fights in some conservative, Republican-governed states.

Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing on behalf of the court, said the hope of gay people intending to marry "is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right."

"Without the recognition, stability and predictability marriage offers, their children suffer the stigma of knowing their families are somehow lesser," Kennedy wrote.

Kennedy, a conservative who often casts the deciding vote in close cases, was joined in the majority by the court's four liberal justices.

Appointed by Republican President Ronald Reagan in 1988, Kennedy has now authored all four of the court's major gay rights rulings, with the first in 1996.

The ruling is the Supreme Court's most important expansion of marriage rights in the United States since its landmark 1967 ruling in the case Loving v. Virginia that struck down state laws barring interracial marriages.

At least two states, Louisiana and Mississippi, said they would not immediately issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples while awaiting legal formalities. Supreme Court rulings generally take 25 days to go into effect.

"THREAT TO AMERICAN DEMOCRACY"

In a blistering dissenting opinion, conservative Justice Antonin Scalia said the decision shows the court is a "threat to American democracy." The ruling "says that my ruler and the ruler of 320 million Americans coast-to-coast is a majority of the nine lawyers on the Supreme Court," Scalia added.

Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts read a summary of his dissent from the bench, the first time he has done so in his 10 years on the court. Roberts said although there are strong policy arguments in same-sex marriage, it was not the court's role to force states to change their marriage laws.

"Five lawyers have closed the debate and enacted their own vision of marriage as a matter of constitutional law," Roberts wrote.

The dissenters raised concerns about the impact of the case on people opposed to same-sex marriage on religious grounds.

While the ruling only affects state laws and religious institutions can still choose whether to marry same-sex couples, Roberts predicted future legal conflicts.

"Hard questions arise when people of faith exercise religion in ways that may be seen to conflict with the new right to same-sex marriage," Roberts said.
There were 13 state bans in place, while another state, Alabama, had contested a court ruling that lifted the ban there.

The ruling is the latest milestone in the gay rights movement. In 2010, Obama signed a law allowing gays to serve openly in the U.S. military. In 2013, the high court ruled unconstitutional a 1996 U.S. law that declared for the purposes of federal benefits marriage was defined as between one man and one woman.

Reaction came swiftly. James Obergefell, the Ohio man who was the lead plaintiff in the case, told a cheering crowd outside the Supreme Court, "Today's ruling from the Supreme Court affirms what millions across this country already know to be true in our hearts - our love is equal, that the four words etched onto the front of the Supreme Court - equal justice under law - apply to us, too."

Obama telephoned Obergefell to offer congratulations.

Hundreds of gay rights supporters celebrated outside the courthouse with whoops and cries of "U-S-A!" and "Love is love" as the decision came down.

--Reuters

Nigeria Deploys 700 Soldiers To Liberia On Peacekeeping Operation

ABOUT 700 officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army have again been deployed on peacekeeping operation in Liberia, just as the Army authority warned the troops to prevent Ebola through hygienic living in that country.

The troops were also warned to avoid any act capable of dragging the image of Nigeria and Nigerian Army to the mud.

The military authority insisted that the Army would not accept a situation where its soldiers are seen as soft targets.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen Kenneth Osuji, gave the warning while addressing the troops at the graduation ceremony marking the end of their pre-deployment training in Jaji, Kaduna State yesterday.

Osuji, who is also the GOC of the 1 Brigade, made up of the Nigerian Battalion (NIBATT) 36 in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), said the soldiers must work within the rules of engagement of the mission and respect the cultural and religious sensitivity of Liberians.

He warned: “Be reminded that the Nigerian Army will not accept any situation where its troops are seen as soft targets or conducting themselves in unprofessional manner, such as trafficking in illicit substances of any kind, including alcohol and drugs.

“Additionally, you must respect the cultural and religious sensitivity of the people of Liberia.

“You must exhibit the highest sense of personal/environmental hygiene, as Liberia is just emerging from an Ebola epidemic.”

--TheGuardian

Buhari Fires NNPC Board, But ‘Afraid’ To Fire Service Chiefs Guilty Of War Crimes, Terror And Coup Plotting

While Nigeria’s new president, Muhammadu Buhari has failed to dismiss and investigate service chiefs accused of war crimes and aiding terror, the president has taken the responsible route with the nation’s oil corporation. This raising suspicion that Buhari is afraid of the service chiefs or signed adeal with them before he was sworn in, in fear that they may conduct a coup. No one knows for sure, but the president is obviously afraid of something.

SaharaReporters has reliably learned that President Buhari has dissolved the governing board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).The board was dissolved through a memo issued by Danladi Kifasi of the Head of the Nigerian Civil Service.

Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to Media and Publicity to President Buhari, told SaharaReporters that “you can’t make changes without having new leadership” and that the President remains “committed to cleaning up the system, and wants accountability and transparency in the oil industry.

”Mr. Adesina added that “people must be patient for the President’s next move.” Responding to public concern that the President is very slow to take action.News of Buhari’s action to dissolve the governing board comes at a time when the NNPC has been at the center of the controversial “Missing $20 billion” scandal, which involves the former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The President is expected to reconstitute the board with one of the ‘cleaner’ Deputy Managing Directors of the NNPC in a few weeks.

--SaharaReporters

Who Succeeds Jega, As He Bows Out?

CONSTITUTION TALLY by Tuesday next week, the five-year tenure of the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega will expire. The Kebbi-born academic-turned electoral umpire who was appointed the INEC chairman by President Goodluck Jonathan on June 8, 2010 and had his appointment confirmed by the Senate on June 24, 2010 will bow out of office.

His appointment was hailed by majority of Nigerians who believed that by his antecedents as an academic, and one time president of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), his choice was that of a round peg in a round hole. Unlike his predecessor, Jega and his team took off on sounding footing with a clear policy direction hinged on improving the country’s electoral system that many Nigerians have lost confidence in.

There is no doubt that Jega’s tenure of office has its ups and downs, but one thing is that the Commission under his stewardship has witnessed some innovations and improvements in the conduct of elections in the country.

Many believe that the innovations have helped in curbing some electoral irregularities that had always characterised the country’s elections in the past. Prominent among such innovations are the introduction of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and Card Readers; counting of votes and announcement of results at the polling units, and others. The development since 2011 has reduced the number of election petitions at various tribunals across the country.

The outgoing electoral umpire had broken record by being the first INEC Chairman to have conducted two general elections; 2011 and 2015 in the country. It was also under his tenure that the ruling party for first time in the country’s political history lost the presidential seat to the opposition party as witnessed recently.

Ahead of the last general elections, controversy, criticisms and commendations trailed the Commission’s decisions and actions under his watch. Common among such decisions was the introduction of additional 30,000 polling units, a move that was strongly rebuffed by Nigerians especially from the Southern part of the country who saw it as a move to favour a particular section of the country in 2015 polls.

After days of insistence and explanation, the Commission dropped the move, but that did not spare Jega from attack and allegation ahead of the polls. Several allegations of bias and corrupt practices were leveled against him by the PDP and the APC politicians who tried all gimmicks to drag the Commission to the mud.

Even when the presidential election result was being announced in Abuja, Jega was openly accused by former Minister of Niger Delta, Elder Godswill Orubebe of working for the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

But in the face of all these allegations and provocations, Jega and his team remained undaunted, focused and calm. Unlike his predecessor, Prof. Maurice Iwu, Jega never joined issues with his critics and accusers.

When it was expected that Jega would lobby for a second term in office which has become a tradition in the country’s public offices, he declined interest.

Speaking on his possible second term in office, Jega had in an interview with the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC Hausa) in Abuja after the March 28 poll said that having played his role in the political space for five years, it was time another person was given chance to contribute his own quota.

He acknowledged that the task of leading INEC was a difficult one, and said he was not interested in tenure renewal and would not accept an offer of extension.

“I am grateful to God. I was asked to come and contribute my own quota to the national development and I have done my bit to the best of my ability.

“Whatever assignment one will do for five years –
just like this difficult one, to me if one is able to successfully accomplish the task, someone else should be given the opportunity, because for me I am not interested and if I am requested to serve again, I will not do it, by God’s grace,” Jega said.

He noted that the introduction of the card reader device in the 2015 general elections had significantly helped to make the presidential election transparent, adding that there were few challenges that would be looked into in the forthcoming governorship/state assembly elections, including late coming attitude of electoral officials to polling units.

Commenting on the allegations of bias against him by PDP chieftain, Mr. Godsday Orubebe at the National Collation Centre Abuja, Jega said he was unperturbed because he knew he had nothing to hide.

“I maintained my calmness, because I knew all the allegations were false. There is nothing that frightens me or disturbs me because, of all our actions, we have explanations for them,” he added.

As Jega bows out next week, the questions are, who succeeds him, and of what qualities and antecedent. Already, some prominent names are being touted as his possible successor.

Prominent among them are former president Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami (rtd.); renowned lawyer, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba and an activist and immediate past Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini.

Salami was suspended from office by the then President Goodluck Jonathan at the peak of crisis of confidence between him and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Ignatius Katsina Aliu. He was not reinstated to office until he retires from the service, despite National Judicial Council (NJC)’s recommendation in that direction.

Agbakoba, an activist and legal icon is a respected Nigerian who has strongly canvassed for a reliable and strong electoral system that will guarantee free and fair elections.

Igini, a human right activist, and lawyer was appointed Resident Electoral Commissioner in 2010 by President Jonathan. He served in Cross River and Edo states. A dogged and fearless personality, he was among the resident commissioners that worked closely with Jega in reforming the country’s electoral system in the last five years.

--Guardian

Imo Lawmakers Seek Enforcement On Ogogoro Ban

THE Imo State House of Assembly have moved a motion mandating the Imo State government’s relevant agencies to enforce the prohibition of sale, consumption and distribution of locally made gin, also known as Ogogoro.

Meanwhile, the assembly has approved the request made by the state governor, Rochas Okorocha, to approve seven Special Advisers in his administration.

The motion endorsed by the members in the plenary in Owerri was sponsored by the member representing Ideato North constituency, Arthur Innocent Egwim.The lawmakers recalled with sadness the death of about 80 persons who were said to have consumed the local gin in Rivers State.

Before adjourning to June 30, the house expressed disgust over the poor sanitary condition of Owerri and other parts of the state. They also directed health and sanitary inspectors to carry out their duties.

The lawmakers urged those conveying wastes for disposal with vehicles to cover the back of their vehicles, reminding the Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) to carry out its functions.

--Guardian

Imo Baby Factory: Cops Parade Pregnant Trafficker

Imo State police command yesterday paraded a 20-year-old deaf and mute pregnant girl identified as Blessing Nwanbekee for alleged baby factory business. Also paraded were four other ladies also found at the same home owned by Chief Emmanuel Eke from Isiala Ngwa South in Abia State.
Briefing newsmen yesterday, the state Commissioner of Police, Austin Evbakavbokun, said that one Miss Ibuchi Okafor, 20, from Ihioma in Orlu local government area of Imo State absconded from her home with a nine month old pregnancy only to be discovered in the premises of the trafficker, Eke at Isiala Ngwa South, Abia State. He said that the lady in question had delivered and sold the baby at N500 000 to an undisclosed buyer.
Evbakavbokun said that the police who launched an investigation after a report of the missing Ibuchi, found four other pregnant girls, Nkasiobi Uchenna, 23, Ela David, 24 from Isoko Delta State, Oluchi Victor, 25, Isialangwa, Abia State, including the deaf and dumb waiting for delivery at the premises of Eke.
He said that on interrogation the owner of the baby factory confessed to have sold the baby delivered by Ibuchi at the tune of N500 000.
Evbakavbokun however, assured that the state police command would not relent till the child traffickers in the state and kidnappers are completely chased out.

--Daily Trust

FIFA Presidency: ‘I Did Not Resign' — Sepp Blatter

In what is becoming a regular pattern, Fifa has been forced to insist
hurriedly that Sepp Blatterwill not stand again for the presidency
and will "lay down his mandate" as promised.

Blatter sparked a fresh wave of speculation when a Swiss newspaper
reported him as saying: "I have not resigned, I put my mandate in the
hands of an extraordinary congress."

With a typically obtuse flourish, the 79-year-old added: "Only those
who know the past can understand the present and shape the future. Or
in other words: the ball is round – but only those who come from outer
space know the actual dimensions of our sport … For me personally, the
museum is a labour of love. But do not get me wrong: I'm not ready for
the museum nor for a waxwork yet."

Fifa said that his comments, at an event held at the Fifa Museum in
Zurich, were in line with his speech on 2 June when he did not
mention resigning but did promise to lay down his mandate at an
extraordinary congress between December and March.

In that same speech he said: "I shall not be a candidate," and said
the election, most likely in December, would be for his successor.
Fifainsiders were quick to insist that he would not be standing again,
despite the inevitable speculation that he might perform a U-turn
given his history.

He said in 2011 that his fourth term as president would be his last,
only to stand again in 2015 and win, before promising to step down
four days later given the maelstrom engulfing Fifa as a result of twin
US and Swiss criminal investigations.

The comments, and recent on-the -record quotes by his former adviser
Klaus Stöhlker, are being viewed by many as an attempt to destabilise
his opponents, including the Uefa president, Michel Platini.

Stöhlker, an adviser to Blatter during his re-election campaign, told
the Guardian that Blatter would reconsider "if there was no other
viable candidate" and that if he stood he would win.

The Fifa executive committee will meet on 20 July to decide a date for
the extraordinary Congress in what is expected to be the latest
staging post in the politicking that has followed the dramatic events
of late May, when 14 officials were charged in the US with a "World
Cup of fraud" on counts of money-laundering, racketeering and fraud.

Fifa has yet to confirm whether Blatter and his secretary general,
Jérôme Valcke, under pressure over what he knew about a $10m payment
from South Africa to the Caribbean via Fifa that US investigators
alleged was a bribe, would travel to Canada for the Women's World Cup
final, which takes place a week on Sunday. It had previously been
forced to deny claims that Blatter was avoiding the USdue to the
continuing FBI investigation. "The travel plans of both the Fifa
president and secretary general will be communicated in due course,"
said a Fifa spokesman.
—

Buhari’s Delay In Making Key Appointments Grounds Nigerian Govt

The delay by President Muhammadu Buhari to make key appointments more
than three weeks after assumption of office is taking a serious toll
on government businesses, PREMIUM TIMES authoritatively reports.

Apart from naming one protocol official: Lawal Kazaure (State Chief of
Protocol and three media aides: Femi Adesina (Special Adviser, Media
and Publicity), Garba Shehu (Senior Special Assistant, Media and
Publicity), and Laolu Akande (Senior Special Assistant, Media and
Publicity, to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo), Mr. Buhari is yet to make
any other key appointment.

Although the President was elected about three months ago and should
have long decided on key appointees, he claims he is bidding his time
to avoid making mistakes.

However, his delay in filling important government positions,
especially the office of the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation, is now hurting the smooth running of government
businesses, top officials say.

PREMIUM TIMES investigations revealed that the day to day operations
of the different ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) have been
weakened, while coordination of important government policies and
programmes has become a mess.

"The country can ill-afford further delay by the President to make
these vital appointments," a federal permanent secretary said on
Wednesday. "From the presidency to the ministries, departments and
agencies, everything has come to virtual standstill."

The official, who wished to remain anonymous, as he was not authorised
to speak on the issue, said although the President has since received
approval from the Senate to appoint 15 persons as special advisers, he
has only appointed two, and has yet to send his ministerial nominees
to the Senate for confirmation.

Mr. Buhari is also yet to appoint a Secretary to the Government of the
Federation and his Chief of Staff.

"Since the President assumed office on May 29, he has embarked on
series of foreign trips and held several consultative meetings with
various world leaders on a number of important issues bordering on
security and economic development," another official said.

"In the absence of the SGF, there has been no one coordinating and
pushing for implementation of the resolutions, decisions and
agreements from those meetings and visits for government."

The President's spokesperson, Femi Adesina, told PREMIUM TIMES
Wednesday that Mr. Buhari's slow pace was not impacting negatively on
governance in any way.

"Business need not be grounded at MDAs because the permanent
Secretaries and other technocrats are in place to take decisions," Mr.
Adesina said. "It is the prerogative of the President to make the
appointments. He will make them (appointments) at the fullness of
time."

Sources however disagree.
One of them, a permanent secretary, said the SGF is the engine room of
government business and that the delay in making appointment into the
position is doing incalculable damage to the country.

"The government has so far attended the G-7 Summit in Germany and the
meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Commission as well as other diplomatic
shuttles," he said.

"But there is so far no one coordinating resolutions agreed at those
meetings. It is also difficult for key agencies to link up with the
presidency to provide briefings on diplomatic and economic issues."

Although permanent secretaries are acting heads of ministries at this
time, the official said there are limitations to their capacities to
approve policy issues, particularly those bordering on the demands of
the security agencies to prosecute military assignments.

"The permanent secretaries cannot do much," a presidency official
said. "They are looking up to ministers, or in the interim an SGF, who
could give them direction on policy issues. A lot of files are pending
attention, particularly on the economy and budget, which they cannot
handle."

The absence of the SGF and a minister has triggered a crisis at the
Federal Ministry of Labour, as two persons are currently locked in
battle over who is the authentic director general of the National
Productivity Centre, Abuja.

While Faith Robert, a lecturer at the Niger Delta University in
Bayelsa, claim he is the authentic chief executive of the office on
the basis of an appointment letter he received from the former SGF,
Pius Anyim, his rival, Kashim Akor, is armed with a similar letter of
appointment signed by the former Minister of Labour, Joel Ikenya.

Although both nominees claim former President Goodluck Jonathan
approved their appointments, only Mr. Akor was allowed access to the
office to assume duties.

There is a logjam, and relevant officials who could help resolve the
crisis, are not yet in place.

—PremiumTimes

“I Will Make Imo Legislators Millionaries” -- Rochas

Imo Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has promised to put smiles on the faces of the law makers of the 8th House of Assembly led by Rt Hon Acho Ihim.
Speaking during his thanksgiving mass held at Holy Trinity Parish Ogboko his home town penultimate Sunday, the Governor disclosed that he will in few weeks time make the law makers millionaires adding that he will like to establish a cordial relationship with them in order to move Imo forward and make it a modern model state.
Okorocha who said he is going to eradicate poverty completely out of Imo state maintained that the 8th Imo House of Assembly members should partner with the Executive to maintain sanity adding that the law makers should endeavour to make sacrifices where necessary. Already the Governor has approved the lawmakers Visas to China for trade mission.
Any moment from now this paper learnt, the House members will depart to China for the economic summit. They are expected to speak with captains of industries over there and discuss on behalf of their constituencies. Many of them have already hinted that they will prefer Agro Allied Industries to be established.

--Trumpeta