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Jet seizure: We’re ready to negotiate with Nigerian govt — Chinese firm

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By Francesca Hangeior.

 

The Chinese company, Zhongshan whose export processing zone management contract was revoked by the Ogun State government in 2016, expressed its readiness to settle its dispute with the Nigerian government.

It could be recalled that the company, Zhongshan on Thursday, 15th August 2024 sent a statement emphasised its confidence in the legal process and the arbitral ruling in its favour.

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The statement reads “Zhongshan has only ever sought to assert its rights under international law and is confident in its case. The independent arbitral panel found unanimously in its favor, and courts in multiple countries have upheld the view that the panel’s compensation should be enforced. The French court was fully aware of the facts when it reached its decision.”

The company further highlighted the international significance of the Ogun Free Trade Zone, which had been recognized by the Economist Intelligence Unit as a key global investment.

Zhongshan reiterated its willingness to engage in serious negotiations with the Nigerian government to reach a settlement, but noted it is still waiting for a positive response from the authorities.

Tribune online earlier reported that a French court authorized the seizure of three presidential jets linked to the Nigerian government. The court’s decision comes as part of enforcement efforts to ensure that Zhongshan receives $74.5 million in compensation, awarded by the arbitration panel. Bailiffs have served legal papers preventing the movement, sale, or purchase of the jets until the compensation is paid.

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Reacting to the court’s decision, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the French court’s order as an “arm-twisting tactic” by the Chinese company. He claimed Zhongshan had misled the French court by withholding vital information. Onanuga further explained that the presidential jets were in France for routine maintenance when the court order was issued, arguing that as sovereign assets, they are protected by diplomatic immunity and should not be subject to foreign court rulings.

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Clark To Northern Govs: Stop Arrogance Of Power, Tax Reforms Must Go On

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Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has faulted the pushback by the 19 northern governors against the tax reform bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu.

“As far as I am concerned, that tax bill must go on,” the nonagenarian said on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.

The new tax bills introduced by the Tinubu administration have been enveloped in widespread controversy and sparked scathing criticisms and stiff opposition from many including the 36 state governors under the aegis of the National Economic Council (NEC).

The 19 governors in northern Nigeria have also unequivocally rejected sections of the bills and called for the withdrawal of the bills from the National Assembly.

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Clark, the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), faulted the stance of the northern governors after NEC took a position.

“I was so shocked when I learned that the 19 governors of the north have met again. If 36 of you met, why are you meeting again? The northern governors, most of them, don’t realise what they are doing. So, the double standards, this arrogance of power must stop,” he said.

The PANDEF leader said the President needs wisdom to govern Nigeria “because certain individuals want to run this country as their own country. When they decide to share, they must ask where the money they are sharing comes from. So, you must pay tax”.

Clark also expressed displeasure over the stance of NEC on the tax bills, saying the governors and Vice President Kashim Shettima are turning the council into an executive body.

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He said, “I was shocked when the 36 governors under the chairmanship of the vice president discussed that Mr President should set aside the bill for further consultation. Not only that, the 19 northern governors came together and met but they should ask themselves what have we gained for dividing Nigeria. 19 governors, 17 governors, Today you have Progressive Governors, PDP Governors. These are not helping Nigeria.

“That body (NEC) is a constitutional body set up by the constitution of Nigeria as an advisory council under the chairmanship of Mr Vice President should meet with all the governors attending but today the governors have converted that council to an executive body. They have now gone into politics.

“The question is who are they going to consult? How many times have they consulted their people? They don’t stay at home. They are always in Abuja thinking that they will get more money.”

Clark said Nigeria does not belong to the President and he should stop appointing his allies as ministers.

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“I think the leadership should embrace everybody in this country…But today, you look for all your friends, whether they are competent, whether they are honest; it’s wrong.

“Nigeria does not belong to Mr President; Nigeria belongs to everybody. Every Nigerian is equal. And unless we believe that every Nigerian can rise to the top of the position, otherwise there will be no Nigeria, the problems will be there,” he said.

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PDP Slams Tinubu, Says Food Stampedes Show Alarming Hunger

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the three recent food stampedes in Nigeria as “an ugly testament to the alarming level of misery, poverty, hunger, starvation, sense of hopelessness and desperation for survival currently plaguing our nation” under the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

In a statement on Sunday, PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba said the tragic stampedes at private food distribution events in Oyo and Anambra states as well as Abuja which claimed the lives of over 60 citizens could have been averted.

The PDP commiserated with the families of the victims of the three food queue stampedes and called for urgent medical attention for the survivors.

The party said, “The PDP is devastated that the APC-led administration has wrecked our once thriving economy and pushed millions of Nigerians deeper into abject poverty and hunger with many citizens, not being able to afford their daily meals, now resorting to suicide and desperate measures including slavery mission abroad and fighting for crumbs for survival.

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“It is heartbreaking that despite our abundant resources as a nation, Nigerians have been subjected to agonizing life where they die struggling for food.”

The PDP said the APC administration should wake up and not continue in “arrogant false performance claims including empty assurances of food sufficiency while deliberately failing to make the required investments to boost the productive sector, particularly in agriculture and food production”.

The party said the Tinubu government should immediately “review the hasty implementation of the suffocating policies of abrupt increase in the price of petroleum products and the floating of the Naira, despite the crippling consequences on the productive sector and life-discounting effect on the citizenry”.

The PDP called on Nigerians to hold the Tinubu-led APC administration responsible for the remote cause of these tragic occurrences for which it must recompense.

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“Our Party insists that any administration that is sensitive and cares for the people would have since introduced intervention programmes to ease the suffering and improve on the welfare of the masses which is the primary purpose of government,” the PDP said.

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Breaking: Atiku emerges new Deputy Clerk to National Assembly

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Sokoto-born seasoned technocrat, Mr. Ibrahim Atiku has been appointed as Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly (DCNA), with effect from February 2, 2025.

This was contained in a letter dated 19th December, 2024 and signed by the Executive Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Engr. Ahmed Kadi Ahmshi.

Ahmshi said the decision was taken during the just concluded 616th Meeting of the Commission, held on Thursday, 19th December, 2024; in recognition of his “hard work” and “administrative competence”.

“The National Assembly Service Commission, at its 616th Meeting held on Thursday, 19th December, 2024, approved your appointment as Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly with effect from 2nd February, 2025.

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“This Appointment is in recognition of your hard work and administrative competence. It is therefore expected that you will continue to uphold the confidence reposed in you.

“While congratulating you on your appointment to this exalted position, please accept assurances of our highest esteem”, the letter reads.

Until his appointment, Mr. Atiku was the Director, Finance and Account, House of Representatives, in National Assembly.

He is an Alumnus of Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, and fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management. Atiku also obtained a Masters degrees in legislative studies as well as a Ph.D. in Legislative Studies.

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Atiku also attended various courses home and abroad, among them are, the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Harvard University, USA, JF Kennedy School of Government USA, Duke University USA, West African Institute of Finance and Economic management, (WAIFEM), Harvard Business School USA, RIPA International UK. among others.

Recall that the NASC had last month, approved the appointment of Barr. Kamoru Ogunlana as Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA).

Both Ogunlana and Atiku are billed to resume their respective offices Feburary 2, 2025, when the current occupants of the offices shall be due for retirement.

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