Sarah Jubril accuses Saraki of enslaving Kwara

Sarah Jubril accuses Saraki of enslaving Kwara

News Nov 17, 2010 By Victoria Ojeme
ABUJA—A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential aspirant, Mrs Sarah Jubril, has slammed a chieftain of the party in Kwara State, Chief Olusola Saraki, for politically enslaving the people of the state, insisting that he was only using his children to swindle the political liberty of Kwarans.
Mrs Jubril, in a chat with newsmen, noted that it was treachery against the poor and women, “if women now come out and say Gbemi should not be governor.
“People will say women are working against women.  Are other women in Kwara State not capable to contest for House of Representative and Senate or even governor, so why must it be the Sarakis alone?
“Please, check the roots of Sarakis. I beg you, did he not come out one time to say he is allegedly from Mali?
“Please check the magazine where it was published because I have it. We are not sure of the indigeneship of Dr Saraki, so in the name of Allah that he worships, let him be fair to Kwarans. Has he not enjoyed enough support and political dividends from Kwarans?
“Kwara must not continue to be imprisoned politically; Nigeria is 50 years now, it is jubilee also for Kwarans; they should stop enslaving Kwarans,” she said.
Commenting on her involvement in PDP, Mrs Jubril stated that she was on a rescue mission to the party.
She said:  “The reason I came back to the PDP is that I am on a rescue mission of PDP, on the rescue mission for the women of this country, rescue mission of the youth of this country and the generation yet to be born.”
“We cannot continue to run a democracy of double standard and large hypocrisy and by occultism and moral irresponsibility, we cannot run a democracy on culture of corruption, if we all believe and hope in this country.”

Oil firm blames industrial sector problems on govt

Oil firm blames industrial sector problems on govt

News Nov 17, 2010 By Demola Akinyemi
Ilorin—Manage-ment and staff of Lubcon, one of the foremost indigenous oil and gas industries in the country, has expressed great concern over the lackadaisical attitude of leaders towards solving problems in the industrial sector, saying that the surviving ones are doing so at a greater cost and sacrifices.
The company   urged the Federal Government to particularly intensify efforts on the refurbishing of the nation’s oil refineries so that production of oil and gas locally could be made easier and less costly and the industries could survive at a lesser cost and thrive at a greater speed in the overall interest of the nation’s economy.
The Managing Director of the Lubcon, Mr Taye Williams said this in a chat with newsmen at the corporate head office of the company in Ilorin, Kwara State on the international award given the company in Paris.
On the quality commitment  award in the platinum category, having earlier received Gold category award in 2007, Mr. Williams expressed delight that the company had once again been recognised international for its commitment to quality.
Mr. Willaims, who noted that the award was conferred on the company by B.I.D. a Spain-based body which monitors commitment of companies across the globe to qualities and innovations, assured that the award will spur the company to be more resilient in its untiring efforts to be producing quality products of world standard.
The Lubcon boss who stated that his company was about the only one in its sector in West Africa which received the award said that the award would improve the image of the country as a nation where quality products are encouraged.
He stressed    that owing to the non_function him of the most of the refineries the Lubcon which produces industrial, automotive and marine lubricants has over the years relied on foreign purchase of base oil which forms about 90 per cent of its products.
According to him if the refineries are working, the raw material would be locally available while the company and others in the same business would be relieved of the financial implication of importing the commodity.
Williams who said his company along side some others in other sectors received the latest award in Paris last October quoted the president of B.I.D, José E. Prieto to have said that the awarded companies were symbols of commitment to leadership, technology and innovation.

Fayemi asks LG caretakers to imbibe probity, transparency

Fayemi asks LG caretakers to imbibe probity, transparency

News Nov 17, 2010 By Gbenga Ariyibi
ADO-EKITI—Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has vowed not to hesitate to remove any of the newly inaugurated caretaker committee who contravenes the existing laid down rules and order of the administration of councils in the state.
This came as the governor plans to set up a monitoring team to watch the activities of the newly-appointed council executives to ensure probity, accountability and transparency.
The caretaker committee were inaugurated by the governor following the ratification of the dissolution of the councils by the State House of Assembly.
Speaking after presiding over the swearing-in of the council chiefs, Dr. Fayemi who noted with regret the manner in which the former council chairmen had looted the treasuries of their different local government, said the present administration would not tolerate such criminal act.
The inauguration was witnessed by eminent citizens of the state and top government functionaries including the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka; the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Ganiyu Owolabi, the Chief of Staff, Mr. Yemi Adaramodu and the Head of Service, Mr. Femi Adewumi.
Others include  Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe; the Deputy Chairman, Chief Dele Falusi; the Secretary, Mr. Bayo Idowu; a member of the House of Assembly, Hon. Abiola Olowookere and the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti, Oba Sunday Ajiboye.
The governor lamented that the ex-council chiefs had turned the councils into what he called a “cesspool of corruption” and urged the new appointees to be guided by the Ekiti core values of integrity, service and commitment in the discharge of their duties.
To put a halt to the continued mismanagement of the council funds, the governor promised to raise a team saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the activities of the newly-appointed council executives to ensure probity, accountability and transparency.
Dr.Fayemi who explained that those appointed were picked based on their loyalties and hard work, describing the appointment and the inauguration of the new chairmen as “one of the most critical steps” taken by his administration so far, the governor noted that the ratification of the dissolution of the councils and the approval of the appointment of new helmsmen for the 16 councils.”
The governor also warned the new caretaker chairmen not to be intoxicated by power and their new-found status,  but to be guided by compassion in administering their councils to fulfill the dreams and aspiration of the people at the grassroots.
He said:  “We have not appointed you to insult the ordinary people in the grassroots or take the law into your hands. We have appointed you to represent the Ekiti core values of integrity, loyalty, commitment, service and compassion for the ordinary people of the grassroots.
You are appointed to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of our people. We are not sending you on a reprisal mission, you should not go on a revenge mission because you are going to be chairmen over all people in your council areas irrespective of their political affiliations.
We will make sure that there is proper monitoring of the new caretaker chairmen and I want to remind you that is a temporary appointment and I want you to remember that election will still hold in your council areas.
You should not see yourselves as the lords and masters of the people in your council areas. Your constitutional supervisor is the Deputy Governor whose office oversees the affairs of the councils”.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the new caretaker chairman of Ikole Local Government, Chief Biodun Akin-Fasae,a veteran journalist promised not to disappoint the people at the grassroots and work for all the people irrespective of their political leanings.
The council boss who described the day as a “milestone and a birthday gift of 30 days in office to the new administration,” pledged that the new local government chiefs would ensure fiscal discipline.

Lack of transparency in contract, cause of restiveness in N-Delta – Okonjo-Iweala

Lack of transparency in contract, cause of restiveness in N-Delta – Okonjo-Iweala

News Nov 17, 2010 By Omoh Gabriel
LAGOS — Managing Director, World Bank, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said in China yesterday that lack of transparency and secrecy in government award of oil blocks led to the frostier relationship between multinational oil companies operating in Nigeria and the host communities.
Speaking to Chinese investors with focus in Africa, she warned against secrecy in contracts award and lack of transparency in procuring mining leases.
Dr Iweala said: “If the public does not know what you do, they will turn against you as they do not see the benefits of the investment or when accidents happen. My own country Nigeria may serve as an example.
Dysfunctional relationships between the local community and oil companies led to disruptions in operations in the Niger Delta, and the cost of investment increased exponentially due to security issues.
“The need for transparency is even greater when mining contracts are awarded in exchange for infrastructure and other investments. Today, many big Chinese construction companies are developing infrastructure projects in Africa.
Some of them have proposed infrastructure investments to be backed by mineral resources.  We all would agree that support for infrastructure is much needed as the continent faces an infrastructure financing gap of $31 billion a year.
“But investments in infrastructure in exchange for long_term contracts for minerals are inherently difficult to value. It is precisely in these cases that the agreements must be fully transparent so that citizens can form their own judgment on the basis of full information.
Make investment consistent
“The first core principle is to make investments consistent with national development priorities. If you want a country to welcome you, think smart and think of the country’s overall development agenda. Ask yourself how your investment fits within the country’s overall development objective and strategy.
Above all, this means to create jobs locally. The only labour brought in from outside must be those people whose skills are clearly missing in a country. This is the path to help ensure governments fully welcome your investments as an integral part of their economic development agenda.
Host country needs credible devt plans
“For this to happen, the host countries need to have credible development plans. So, for the ministers here today from African nations and other developing countries, I hope you are armed with your countries’ development and investment plans, and are ready to work within them to identify opportunities consistent with your needs and priorities.
“The third principle of smart and responsible investment is supporting the development of a value chain. Mining companies should not just come in to extract natural resources in a raw form and ship them away. This is colonial history. Today, they should establish some degree of processing adding value to the raw materials.
This creates employment, develops skills, and leads to more buy_in from the local people. Development in the mining sector also provides growth opportunities for other linked sectors.
“If all the associated services can be sourced to domestic providers such as domestic food production for miners, uniforms made from national cloth by local manufacturers, and domestic transportation services, it would put your investment squarely in the centre of local economy,” she argued.
Pay what is due, do what is right
Dr Okonjo Iweala further said: “The fourth and very important principle is to pay what is due and do what is right. Investors must pay taxes and avoid falling into well-known tax evasion techniques such as transfer pricing or bribes to a few high level officials.
Bribe paying is not only abhorrent but is counterproductive in the longer term. Many developing countries need tax revenue to invest in their people — a move which will lead to easier investment for you, but for that to happen, you must pay your proper taxes and royalties.
“It is impossible to imagine today with all the mining going on in DRC, for example, that the revenue to GDP ratio is only 8 percent. We owe the people of DRC more. To do business in Africa, you don’t have to pay bribes. My good friend, and one of the most successful African businessmen, Mo Ibrahim, is a living proof of that.
Mo was the founder of Celtel, which is now one of Africa’s largest mobile operators worth some $10 billion with some 20 million subscribers in 15 countries. He can tell you that successful investments can be made with clean hands.
The EITI principles
“In July this year, the U.S. finally passed the financial reform bill that requires oil, gas and mining companies to disclose payments they make to foreign governments. We hope other countries do the same.
At the World Bank, we are working with countries to encourage them to sign on to the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) principles.
“This requires they publish revenues from mining resources and agree to use these resources efficiently for the benefit of the people. Today, twenty African countries have signed on to these principles. When I was the Finance Minister in Nigeria, one of the key actions I took to restore people’s belief in their government was to work on a sound public financial management system and publish what the government earns and spends.
Investors also benefit from the EITI guidelines on how to conduct transactions transparently and legally. I encourage you to support and sign on to EITI if your company has not already done so,” she said.

ELECTORAL ACT: Senators, Reps surrender

ELECTORAL ACT: Senators, Reps surrender

Headlines Nov 17, 2010

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor
LAGOS — THE National Assembly is set to backtrack from the legislative proposal in the two chambers that all Senators and more than half of the members of the House of Representatives become members of the National Executive Committees of the political parties following strong objection from governors.

NASS ready to dialogue with Govs
While guarding its constitutional duty of lawmaking, the two Houses were yesterday proclaiming their readiness to yield to a constructive engagement with the governors who, like many Nigerians have, vehemently opposed the proposal.
Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State, the outgoing Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF had Monday raised the objection of governors to the proposed amendments which he said was a law that will not “impact positively on the country and its citizens.”
“As leaders, we should always see to it that the welfare and interest of the electorate are ahead of our own and that is why we (governors) will never support this constitutional aberration which comes in the name of Electoral Act Amendment,” Saraki had said during a courtesy call on the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu.
The proposed amendment to the Electoral Act (2010) in Section 87 aims to make all Committee Chairmen and their deputies in the National Assembly members of the NECs of their political parties.
It would practically mean that all Senators, who are all presently either chairmen or deputies of the Senate’s 54 Committees and more than half of the 360 members of the House of Representatives would be members of NEC. The House of Representatives has more than 70 committees.
Oppositions
The proposal has equally attracted vehement opposition from the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN which described it as selfish.
Several others had criticised the proposal as a move by the legislators to take over the running of parties by their numerical strength as the bill, if successful, would make governors irrelevant in the NEC.
Responding to the strong opposition of the governors as mouthed by Saraki on Monday, Senate spokesman, Senator Ayogu Eze, denied that the bill was already a law as he said the legislators were ready to receive the opinion of other Nigerians on the issue.
House spokesman, Rep. Eseme Eyiboh, speaking in the same vein said the proposal, which he claimed was originally framed to deepen democracy through positioning the representatives of the electorate in the NECs, could be reconsidered at the forthcoming public hearings.
He expressed the willingness of the House to go into a constructive engagement with the governors and all other stakeholders.
Public hearing
“This is a law that is still in the process of being made and the opinion of Nigerians are welcome because we are going to hold a public hearing on it and all the views will be taken on board and at the end of the day we will make a law that will reflect all the views of Nigerians,” Senator Eze told Vanguard yesterday.
“We represent them and we need to see that we are not making a law that is serving ourselves. You should also know that apart from one or two of these political parties, members of the National Assembly are members of the National Executive Committees of their parties. By the end of the day we will be guided by the views of Nigerians and the debate is indeed very healthy.”
Welcoming the notice of a meeting between a delegation of governors and the National Assembly leadership as given by Governor Saraki, Eyiboh said the meeting would be a “constructive engagement.
“That constructive engagement is indicative of the separation of powers and the recognition of the independence of the legislature and the legislature on its part too, we are not trying to assume the position of an all knowing institution but unfortunately, the thing is getting to the point it is getting now,” he said.
That meeting, Vanguard learnt, is to hold after the Sallah holidays.
Public debate
While insisting that the NECs should be expanded in order to provide a forum for robust contribution which he said would “reduce conflict and reduce the matter of injustice,” he expressed the readiness of the legislature to subject the proposal to public debate from stakeholders.
“If it is on the issue of the number. It is, therefore, incumbent on all stakeholders to sit down and discuss and agree on what number should constitute the NEC instead of saying that you want to throw away the baby with the bath water.
We are open to constructive engagement and that is why we are talking about public hearing so that people will be able to bring in their opinion. You don’t bring in your opinion on the pages of newspapers. There is need for constructive engagement,” Rep. Eyiboh said yesterday.
“The end goal is to enrich the process of democracy by making sure that consultations, decisions and all that is broad based and it should be a true representation of not just government as we are, but also the people because the political parties is the vehicle which the people are using to leverage on governance,” he said.

Sallah: Jonathan, Mark, others tasks Muslims on peace

Sallah: Jonathan, Mark, others tasks Muslims on peace

News Nov 16, 2010 By Sam Eyoboka, Inalegwu Shaibu, Demola Akinyemi, Kolade Larewaju, Dayo Johnson, Daniel Idonor & Henry Umoru
ABUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday predicted that Nigeria will make quicker progress towards the fulfilment of its great potentials as a nation if its citizens foster peace, security and stability.
In his sallah message on the occasion of the Muslims’ festival of Eid-El-Kabir, President Jonathan said, “Nigeria will make quicker progress towards the fulfilment of its great potentials as a nation if its citizens foster peace, security and stability which are essential for development by showing greater respect for national safety and public order laws”.
He congratulated all Nigerians who successfully performed the Hajj this year in fulfilment of a key injunction of their faith. He also urged Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of commitment, dedication and obedience to higher authority inherent in Prophet Ibraheem’s willingness to sacrifice his son in deference to the will of God which Eid-El-Kabir commemorates.
Affirming his Administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law at all times, the President promised that the Federal Government will continue to do all it can to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
Sambo Calls for Unity of Nigeria
Meanwhile, Vice President Namadi Sambo, in a message on the occasion, urged muslims to use the occasion to strengthen the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria.
“To our Pilgrims in the Holy Land, I pray fervently that your ibadat be accepted as you continue in your spiritual journeys towards the fulfilment of the pilgrimage rites”.
He called on Muslims “to co-operate with Government towards the attainment of our collective objective of a greater Nigeria.
“I enjoin you to be steadfast and observe the traffic rules and regulations during and after the festivities as Nigeria needs you”.
Nigeria at a critical political crossroads—IBB
Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida in his own message said that Nigeria as a nation was at a critical political crossroads that requires Muslims across the country to pray for the country more than ever before. Babangida who also stressed the need for Nigeria as a country to re-invent and  set our priorities right, said that as a country , we must also take more pro-active measures that would help us confront multi-faceted problems of kidnappings, bomb blasts, armed robberies, arms proliferations, smuggling, unemployment, youths restiveness and decaying infrastructure if confidence and faith in the unity of the country must be restored.
He siad ‘’We ask the Almighty Allah to give us leaders that will honour agreements whether written or verbal, whether documented or otherwise, so that we can collectively nurture a God-fearing society with sound moral values, ethics and rule of law.
‘’At this year’s celebration, we need more prayers and total dedication now than ever before. Nigeria is at a critical political crossroads coupled with our prostrate economy. We need strong leadership that is prepared to address the greater challenges confronting the country at the moment.
‘’We must be bold to tell the truth in the interest of our country and her people. Our dear country needs capable and result-driven leadership to steer the ship of state in the emerging new world order which places premium on breaking new grounds to create opportunities for our teeming population.”
‘’As we speak, the security situation of the country is nothing to write home about. The spate of kidnappings, bomb blasts, armed robberies, arms proliferations, smugglings, unemployment, youths restiveness and decaying infrastructure calls for worry particularly in a society where the moral values have taken a nose dive.
Senate President, Senator David Mark
Senate President, Senator David Mark in his message asked Muslim faithful to pray for the success of the 2011 general elections as they celebrate. In statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, Mark said: “I want to urge our Muslim brothers to always be guided by the attributes and lessons from the life and times of Holy Prophet Mohammed which symbolizes piety, peace, love, tolerance and good neighbourliness. We must put Nigeria first in all our endeavours.”
Senator Mark further enjoined politicians to abhor campaign of calumny, mudslinging or character assassination of opponents as the 2011 general polls debate gathers momentum.
He said: “What should be paramount to all aspirants is how to sell his or her programme and convince the electorate about them and not mudslinging. I think we have passed this level of campaigning based on mundane issues.”
Pray for the unity of Nigeria
In his own message, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole urged Nigerians to work for the unity and progress of the country, saying that the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration calls for repentance and forgiveness of one another, especially now that the country was preparing for general elections.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Bakare, Bankole enjoined Nigerians to be steadfast in love to one another, adding that it is in doing so that we can be committed to what is just and right for our nation.
He urged Muslims to faithful pray for peace in the country, noting that the fervent prayers by various religious bodies and individuals has accounted for the peace that we enjoy as a nation in recent times.
Buhari, Atiku  call on Nigerians to eschew religious violence
Former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have also called on Nigerians to eschew political violence and embrace unity at Sallah.
This is contained in separate goodwill messages to Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir festival by the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation and the Buhari Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, in Abuja.
The statement from the Atiku Campaign organisation enjoined Nigerians to demonstrate the spirit of tolerance, unity and forgiveness and compassion for compatriots. It urged the Muslim community in the country to be worthy ambassadors of the faith by exemplifying all of the virtues that distinguished Prophet Mohammed.
“I extend warm greetings to the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria as they celebrate Eid-el-Kabir Sallah festival. As Muslims savour the joy of the occasion, I call on them to demonstrate the spirit of tolerance, unity, love, forgiveness and mercy,” it added.
In a similar message, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, advised Nigerians to eschew religious and political violence.
Adding that Nigerians should rather channel such efforts toward rebuilding the country.
“As a Muslim, Christain or what have you, we shall be all accountable to our creator for negligence of our responsibilities in any form at the appropriate time,” the statement added.
It called on leaders and the led to therefore have the responsibility to offer the desired leadership and followership, adding that ‘’we all have the duty to ensure that our society is ideal for all.”
The Christians Association of Nigeria, CAN, also enjoined Muslims to use the opportunity of this year’s Eid el Kabir to offer prayers to God for peaceful co-existence among different ethno-religious groups in the country as well as peaceful conduct of elections come next year.
In a statement signed by the National President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the umbrella body of Christians in Nigeria congratulated the Muslims for the success flag off of this year’s Hajj to Mecca, hoping that the pilgrims will use the occasion to pray for the country’s development.
Wishing the Muslims a happy Sallah celebration, he charged adherents of Islamic to continue to live up to the tenets of their faith through acts of charity, peaceful co_existence with their neighbours, obedience to the injunctions of Holy Qu’oran and sacrifice as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim whose spirit of obedience was demonstrated through his submission to the will of Allah even in very difficult circumstances.
Oritsejafor also cautioned politicians to refrain from taking advantage of the high rate of unemployment in the country to recruit the nation’s youths for thuggery during the forthcoming election or employ their services to maim opponents in the name of religion.
Gov. Bukola Saraki of Kwara State in his Sallah message called on religious leaders in the country to continue to preach peace and unity to their followers and display love towards one another noting that it is only these attributes can make Nigeria  attain greatness and return to her glorious era.
Dr Saraki, further in his  message to all Muslims in the state to mark this year’s Eid_el_Kabir celebration, expressed appreciation to the people of the state for their massive support during the last local government election in the State and enjoined them to continue to eschew politics of bitterness and destruction as the nation approaches the 2011 general elections.
From Abeokuta came the report that the Ogun State governor, Otumba Olugbenga Daniel, has appealed to the Muslim Ummah to use the occasion of this year’s Eid el Kabir to pray for the  development of the country as well as the peaceful conduct of the next general elections.
The governor urged all Nigerians, irrespective of their faith to eschew violence and live in harmony, saying: “Our brothers and sisters in Islam should use this period to pray for our nation as we intensify preparations for the next elections. We should not allow sectarian or ethnic considerations to divide us and set back the wheel of progress of the nation”.
The Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko in his message, called on Moslem Ummah and Nigerians in general to use the occasion to pray for the development of the country as well as the peaceful co_existence of its inhabitants.
Dr Mimiko who, however, enthused that it was gratifying to note that the nation had enjoyed peace in the past year stressed the need for all and sundry to continue to live in peace and harmony in order to make Nigeria a great nation.
Also, a Labour Party aspirant in Ondo State, Olufemi Adekanmbi tasked Muslim faithful to continue to pray for the peaceful co_existence of the nation and the success of the forth coming General Elections.
Adekanmbi who is eyeing the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency said Nigerians without religion affiliations must all pray for the nation, stressing that the peace is key to the growth of any society.
Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State also urged the Muslim faithful to imbibe the spirit of charity, forgiveness and sacrifice as they celebrate this year’s Eid_el_Kabir festival.
In his Sallah message, the governor said: “I wish the good people of Edo State and Nigeria the joy, peace and blessing of the season. Eid_el_Kabir is an occasion to celebrate the love of God and to rekindle our faith in Almighty Allah.
It is a season of charity, making peace, forgiveness and the celebration of our common humanity as God’s children. We must remember to fend for the poor, the disempowered and the needy in line with God’s injunction to be our brother’s keeper.”

Arms shipment: Nigeria, Iran disagree

Arms shipment: Nigeria, Iran disagree

Headlines Nov 16, 2010 Henry Umoru, with agency reports
ABUJA —Nigeria yesterday disagreed with Iran that the issue of shipment of 13 containers of arms intercepted at Apapa port where Iran was accused of complicity has been settled.
Iranian Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki who visited Nigeria last week and held a meeting with his Nigerian counterpart, over the matter said yesterday in Tehran that the issue of an alleged Iranian arms shipment intercepted in Nigeria was a “misunderstanding” that has been settled.
“A private company which had sold conventional defence weapons to another country in West Africa had transferred the shipment via Nigeria which raised some doubts with relevant officials,” Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters.
Mottaki said an Iranian national who was in Nigeria as the representative of the company “had offered explanations to Nigerian authorities and I believe the misunderstanding has been cleared up.”He did not specify whether the firm was Iranian.
Investigations ongoing
A spokesman for Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry, Mr Ozo Nwobu however said “investigations are ongoing to determine the level of Iranian involvement and it will be inappropriate for us to comment before allowing them to be concluded”. The spokesman declined to comment on Iran’s assertion that the issue was the result of a misunderstanding and that it had been resolved.
In the heat of the row between Nigeria and Iran over the arms shipment, Iran last week replaced her ambassador to Nigeria. Mottaki did not however say whether the replacement was connected to the weapons case. Spokesman of the Nigerian Foreign Ministry also said the new ambassador’s appointment had no connection with the arms seizure.
Nature of misunderstanding
In Iran, Mottaki did not elaborate on the nature of the misunderstanding or how it was resolved. His statement was the highest-level Iranian comment so far on the case. In late October, Iran’s then ambassador to Nigeria, Hussein Abdullahi, said there was no clear evidence linking his country to the shipment.
Nigeria said the artillery rockets and other weapons, found at a Lagos port last month in shipping containers labelled as building supplies, originated in Iran and may have been destined for Nigerian politicians intending violence if they lose in 2011 elections.
Nigeria also said last week it would take action against Iran if an investigation shows it violated international law and U.N. sanctions, suggesting it might report Tehran to the world body.
An international shipping company based in France, CMA CGM, said it had picked up the containers in which the weapons were hidden in the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. The shipment stopped in Mumbai, India, before heading to Lagos.
Some time last month the shipper sought to have the containers reloaded and sent to Gambia, a tiny West African country wedged inside Senegal, according to the firm.
Nigeria’s intelligence agency said it had been monitoring the shipment, which was disguised as building materials, before it arrived in the country.
It also said the shipment’s destination was Nigeria, and “any argument that the cargo came into the country by mistake is false”.
Last Friday Nigeria threatened to report Iran to the UN Security Council if the arms shipment, which included rockets and grenades, violated sanctions over its sensitive nuclear programme.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia said Iranian officials confirmed the consignment originated in Iran.
During his visit, Mottaki cleared the way for Nigerian security officials to interview one of two Iranians who Nigeria said organized the shipment, Ajumogobia said. The two Iranians, according to Nigeria have taken refuge in the Iranian Embassy.
But Mottaki yesterday depicted the tensions as eased. He said he and the Nigerian foreign minister had held talks on bilateral relations and that Ajumogobia would visit Tehran. Mottaki said the appointment of a new ambassador to Nigeria would “create new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.”
Weapons had no intended destination
Diplomatic and security sources outside Iran said the intended destination of the weapons had not been clarified yet, but they added that investigations have focused on two Iranians believed to be senior members of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards.
A Security Council resolution bans Iran from “supplying, selling or transferring directly or indirectly from its territory or by its nationals … any arms or related material”. Nigerian security agents questioned one of the two Iranian men involved in the arms shipment but could not meet the second because he has diplomatic immunity.
Diplomatic sources outside Iran said the two are believed to be members of al_Quds, an elite unit of the Revolutionary Guards that specialises in foreign operations on behalf of Iran, French_based shipping group CMA CGM said the containers carrying the arms shipment, which was labelled as building materials, had been loaded in Iran by a local trader.
In a sign that tensions continued between the two countries, Nigeria postponed a soccer match against Iran’s national team scheduled for Wednesday in Tehran. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in a statement said “The NFF wishes to regrettably announce the postponement of its planned international friendly with the Iranian national team,” it said in a statement.
“The reason was due to the non availability of key players that pulled out from participating in the international friendly at the last minute.”
Iran’s football chief Ali Kafashian earlier said NFF had “apologised for this cancellation.”
“We must and will claim compensation for the cancellation of this match,” Kafashian was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency.
Nigeria had said late last month that it would bring a 20-man squad to Tehran for the game, including 13 players who ply their trade in European leagues.
Meanwhile the Islamic Republic of Iran has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to be a friend to the Islamic country, just as Nigeria officials have been invited to attend the Organisation of Islamic Conference, OIC.
Nigeria and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to work out close cooperation geared towards the removal of those grey areas of misunderstanding emanating from the incident of arms shipment seized in Lagos.
Nigeria, Iran issue communique
A statement issued yesterday from the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the end of the meeting between the Iran’s Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki and Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Odein Ajumogobia noted that issues of mutual interest including bilateral, regional and international cooperation formed the discussions.
Other issues raised according to the statement was the condemnation of the October 1st bomb explosions by the Iranian government, just as the government of Iran emphasised the importance of stability, security and prosperity of Nigeria with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The two Ministers also agreed on the commencement of the 4th Meeting of the Joint Economic Commission of the two countries in Tehran in future, promotion of commercial and trade relations up to two billion dollars, expansion of mutual cooperation on areas of oil, gas, energy and electricity production as well as the promotion of cooperation at the regional and international organisations.
According to the statement, ‘’the two Foreign Ministers agreed on the necessity of close cooperation for removing any possible misunderstanding emanating from the recent incident.
‘While the Iranian Foreign Minister acknowledged the development process taking place in Nigeria, he expressed the intention of the Islamic Republic of Iran for constructive contribution in this on_going economic development process
At the meeting, the Iranian government and the government of Nigeria stressed the need for active participation in regional conferences being held by both countries, even as Nigeria’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism was invited to the Ministerial session of the Organization for Islamic Conference slated for 28_29 November in Tehran which Ajumogobia warmly accepted and promised to visit Tehran soon.