Photos: Recession: Why I can’t stop blaming Obj, Yar’Adua, Jonathan – Buhari

President Buhari says he will not stop blaming PDP for the current state of the nation. Speaking at the launch of a pictorial book entitled ‘Buhari a new beginning’ by his personal photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo in the state house Abuja, President Buhari said

“I’m going to bore you with what we met. I know I’m being accused in the papers of passing the buck, but passing the buck is sometimes absolutely necessary, to remind people who take things for granted.
The youth must watch our elite, the condition we found ourselves. It is unpatriotic for anybody to pretend that economically we don’t have a problem. We have gone into the farms. I congratulate some of the governors and by the grace of God by the end of this government we will be exporting rice and grains. So all the money alleged to have been used to import will be available to sustain development. I have bored you with this long explanation because there are things that could be hidden from you by those that have mismanaged the country in the last 16, 17 years. I assure you that we will set the ball rolling in terms of security, industrialisation, manufacturing and food security. I said it years ago and I still mean it, we have no other country than Nigeria, we will stay here and salvage it together”he said

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Photos: Troops rescue kidnap victims in Bauchi, kill two kidnappers

Troops of 33 Brigade Nigerian Army on patrol at Mai Hari village, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State yesterday afternoon, Sept 29th, had an encounter with armed bandits and kidnappers.

After fierce exchange of gun fire, the troops killed 2 of the kidnappers and rescued 4 women and a child earlier kidnapped. The victims were reunited with their families at about 2.00pm yesterday. 

Photos: VP Osinbajo in Zamfara state, commissions some project

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo visited Zamfara state this morning to commission some projects as part activities to mark the 20th anniversary celebration of the state.

Buhari sends 6 names to Senate for confirmation as INEC commissioners

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, sent six names to the Senate for screening and confirmation as national commissioners of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.The President also sent names of five persons for screening and subsequent confirmation as national commissioners of National Population Commission, NPC. Buhari in two separate letters to the Senate, which were read at plenary by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, said his appointment of national commissioners for both INEC and NPC was in accordance with the provisions of Section 154 (1)   of the 1999 Constitution   (as amended).
The names of the INEC national commissioner nominees were given as Prof. Okechukwu Obinna Ibeanu,  Anambra State;
May I. Agbamuche-Mbu, Delta State;

AVM Ahmed Tijani Mu’Azu, Gombe State; Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Niger State;
Dr Adekunle Ladipo Ogunmola, Oyo State; and Abubakar Ahmed Nahuche, Zamfara State.

Those nominated for NPC include; Engr. Benedict Ukpong, Akwa Ibom State; Gloria Fateya Izonfuo, Bayelsa State;
Barr. Kupchi Patricia Ori Iyanya, Benue State;
Dr Haliru Bala, Kebbi State; and Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji, Oyo State. In the letters, Buhari thanked the Senate in anticipation of the early consideration and confirmation of the nominees.

Sheriff Not In Support Of PDP's Rejection Of Edo Results

 Disputed National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Modu Sheriff, has said he was not in support of Thursday’s rejection of the yet-to-be-declared result of Wednesday’s governorship election in Edo.

He said the rejection of the result ahead of its declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was preemptive.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PDP in Edo, at a news conference in Benin, announced its rejection of the result of the governorship poll.
The chairman of the party in the state, Dan Orbih, who addressed the media, said the outcome of the exercise had been pre-determined by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, at the time of the news conference, collation of results of the election was ongoing at INEC secretariat in Benin.

Speaking on behalf of Mr. Sheriff, Deputy National Chairman of his faction of the party, Cairo Ojougboh, said, “we will await the final announcement of the result, consult widely before making our decision public”.

He said the national leadership was concerned about issues arising from the election, and called for restraint from members and supporters.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Dayo Adeyeye, had in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday warned that the party would reject the result of the government poll if the antics of APC continued.
He accused the Edo Government of sponsoring massive irregularities in the election.
(NAN






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56th Independence Day; Nigerian Army To Conduct Show Of Force Parade In Maiduguri

 Headquarters 7 Division Nigerian Army Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri will be conducting Independence Day Flag March and Show of Force parade in Maiduguri metropolis on Sunday 1st October 2016 to commemorate Nigeria’s 56th Independence Day Celebration.
 The Flag March and Show of Force will kick - start by 0730am from Maiduguri International Airport and terminate at Murtala Mohammed Square, featuring personnel from all the security agencies in the state.

Stakeholders Call for Immediate Passage Of Digital Rights And Freedom Bill

Stakeholders from various platforms on the aegis of the Paradigm Initiative Nigeria has called for the immediate passage of the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill.The Bill which has passed second reading seeks to guarantee that the rights that apply off line also applies in the digital real Speaking at a stakeholders roundtable on the Bill in Abuja on Thursday, Gbenga Sesan said the Bill promotes freedom of expression, assembly and association online, guarantees the fundamental privacy rights of citizens and define the l framework regarding surveillance and seeks to protect the data of every Nigerian citizen. He said,

Photos: Gov. Shettima pays condolence visit to family of late commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Waziri Imam

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima on Monday morning condoled the family of his late commissioner for Environment Alhaji Waziri Imam, who died on Wednesday morning. The Commissioner, who is a younger brother to an APC national chieftain, Alhaji Kashim Imam, died after a brief illness in Maiduguri. He was aged 54 and is survived by a wife and six children. He was buried on Wednesday evening in Maiduguri amidst tears.

National Assembly staff seal Abdulmumin Jibrin's office

 National Assembly staff and security operatives today sealed off the office of sacked chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, who was suspended for 180 sitting days and also barred him from positions of authority in the House till the end of the 8th assembly.

Jibrin was suspended following his refusal to appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and privileges to address the allegations of budget padding he leveled against the Speaker and 13 other lawmakers

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Militants blow up another NPDC facility in Delta

Militants under the aegis Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate NDJM, today claimed responsibility for the attack of another Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC deliveryline in Delta State. The militants claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement released today by its self styled Gen Aldo Agbalaja.

The statement in part reads; “As a mark of our commitment to a just course and to prove to the wicked and ungrateful multinational oil companies and their Nigerian military allies, who have been forcefully taking our natural endowment, without any visible returns, that we own our lands, the Opudo Strike Team of the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, at about 01. 00 hour today , 29th Sept 2016, bombed the Unenurhie-Evwreni delivery line in ughelli south/north respectively operated by NPDC. We want to assure the oil multinational companies that we are determined to end their operations in our lands and this we shall if they fail to show the will to change their relationship with our people and their operational attitude in our lands.  For the avoidance of doubts, we want to say here, categorically, that no amount of military protection/presence can stop this whirlpool, no amount of shoddily arranged military operation can quell the will of our gallant army. The same way their Operation Crocodile Smile was sunken by our Operation Crocodile Tears is how all their schemes against our land and people will continue to be defeated. Like we have said, this will only stop when you turn a new leaf, adopt a sincere attitude, give back to our people what naturally should be theirs, advise thegovernment rightly, stop thinking there’s an army to protect you from justice, do these and all that you know are good. If you do these, be assured tohave a good relationship with our people and real protection for your personnel and assets across our lands. ”he said

FG declares Monday October 3rd public holdiay

The Federal Government has declared Monday, October 3rd as Public Holiday to mark Nigeria’s 56th Independence Anniversary. This was announced in a statement released and signed by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Muhammadu Maccido in Abuja today.

American institute names Dangote African Business Leader of the Year

The Africa-America Institute (AAI) has honoured Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote group, with the 2016 African business leader award.The US-based international organisation gave Dangote the award in recognition of his contribution to human capital development in Africa through the establishment of businesses across the African continent.

The business mogul received the award at a ceremony held on the sidelines of the United Nations Congress in New York city, alongside other prominent Africans such as Stephen Hayes, president and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) who won the AAI ‘2016 US business leader award; and Sunil Benimadhu, executive director of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEM), who won the AAI 2016 distinguished alumnus award. At the award gala themed: ‘Education: The key to Africa’s economic growth’, Dangote expressed delight that the institute brought education in Africa to the front burner, saying:  “I have always been passionate about education because I believe it is a weapon of liberation.”He said he identified himself with laudable initiatives that seek to promote educational growth and development, particularly in Africa.“As a matter of fact, I am a founding member of the Gordon Brown-led Global Business Coalition for Education. Education is also one of the cardinal areas that the Aliko Dangote Foundation focuses on,” he said. “I believe quality and affordable educationwill address the immense social and economic inequalities that often breed discontent in many parts of Africa. I also believe education will strengthen the human capital that will drive Africa’s development in the 21st century. “I am happy to note that AAI has been contributing to Africa’s development, through training and education, since it was founded 63 years ago. This award is coming at a time the Dangote Group is rapidly expanding its footprints across Africa, and into new sectors. “Last year alone, we commenced cement operations in Ethiopia, Zambia, Cameroon, South Africa, Senegal and Tanzania. By 2019, we will have operations in 18 countries with a total capacity of nearly 80MMTPA, thus making us the largest cement producer in Africa and the 6th largest in the world.“Over the next few years, we will be investing nearly $20billion in projects ranging from a petroleum refinery, petrochemicals, fertiliser, gas pipeline, and backward integration in sugar and rice production. These projects will createover 250,000 jobs and provide foreign exchange earnings and savings of$16billion for the country and help diversify our economy. Central to this developmental trajectory is the need for capacity building and ramping up of the quality of skills of a fast growing African workforce.“Despite the current economic challenges,we will continue to scale up the value of our investments not only in Nigeria but also across the entire continent, because we believe in Nigeria’s and Africa’s potential. We believe that it is only by sustained massive investments in infrastructure across the continent, supported with access to education, that Africa can reach its full potential. “This award will further encourage us to redouble our efforts as we work towards promoting Africa’s economic renaissance. We are grateful to the organisers for recognising our modest efforts to transform Africa.”

"If we sell national assets now, we’ll sell our coat of arms to fund 2017 budget" :Shehu Sani

Shehu Sani, lawmaker representing Kaduna central senatorial district, has frowned at the proposed sale of certain national assets to fund the 2016 budget.

Arguments for and against the possible sale of Nigeria’s assets emanated shortly after Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, advised the government to put the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) up for sale.Sani expressed his disapproval on Monday through his Facebook page, where he noted that if national assets have to be sold to fund the 2016 budget, worse would be done in subsequent years.He said: “If we have to sell our national assets to fund the 2016 budget, then we have to sell our coat of arms, national flags and anthem to fund the 2017 budget. “As for the 2018 budget, the nation movesfrom recession to receivership, then we auction the whole territorial land mass of our country to the Bourgeoisie class to raise cash, then we all live on tenancy. This is what our ‘lumpen capitalists’ want.”Sani had earlier hinted that those clamouring for the sale were only doing so for selfish motivation. “They don’t want to buy Ajaokuta steel company because it’s not profitable; they don’t want to invest in solid minerals, agriculture or science and technology”, Sani had said days ago, also on his Facebook page. “They don’t want to invest in the exploration of oil in Chad basin or Benue trough. They want to buy NLNG and NNPC.”

Senate tells Buhari to appoint 20 resident electoral commissioners

Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president,has blamed the spate of inconclusive elections across the country on absence of resident electoral commissioners in 20 states.In a motion on the floor of the senate on Tuesday, Ekweremadu urged the senate to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to nominate qualified persons to fill in the vacant positions at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)‎.He also urged the senate‎ to ask INEC “to immediately conclude all pending rerun elections in the country,” and to “constitute anad hoccommittee to hold a public hearing to review the performance of INEC in the past one year with a view toascertain the factors that may have caused the perceived decline of the electoral system”. “The senate notes with deep concern, thatat least 20 states of the federation have no resident electoral commissioners, contrary to section 14 (2) of Third Schedule of the 1999 constitution (as amended),” Ekweremadu said. “The senate further notes that INEC cannot function optimally without the full complement of members that will superintend the activities of other personnel. ”After his presentation, the senate endorsed the requests, and it called on the president to immediately fill in the vacant positions at INEC.

The Cable News

Gov Shettima passed the night in Askira-Uba another liberated Boko Haram Stronghold

 Governor Kashim Shettima on Tuesday passed the night in Uba town, once held by Boko Haram in Askira-Uba local government area of southern part of Borno State. The Governor left Bama on Tuesday where he had relocated for nearly one week to mobilize reconstruction works and return of civil authority in the town which was worst hit by the insurgent attacks.
Uba town was put to life when the Governor arrived the Emir's palace as he was received by obviously happy residents. Governor Shettima inspected destruction by insurgents during their occupation in the town and held meetings with locals towards enhancing community policing.

The Governor also inspected destruction in Lassa, another major town in Askira-Uba local government area during which he inspected houses, a the popular EYN church and gave directive for immediate reconstruction.

Arewa Pastors Forum For Peace In Nigeria Visit Police IG In Abuja

 The Arewa Pastors Forum for Peace in Nigeria on the 27th September, 2016 paid a courtesy call on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni, at the Police Force Headquarters Abuja

 2. Bishop John Richard who led the team expressed great delight at the reception accorded him and members of the forum by the IGP and his management team. The Bishop, in his speech said he and his team noticed the rapid improvement in the Nation’s security since the IGP assumed duty.

3. The clergy man informed the IGP that members of the forum were at the Force Headquarters to among other things congratulate and felicitate with him on his confirmation as the 19th indigenous Inspector General of Police and to encourage him to do more as his sterling qualities have inevitably raised the expectations of Nigerians in securing lives and property across the country.

Jibrin Says His Suspension Is ‘Inconsequential’, Goes To Court

Sacked chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, says he has instructed his lawyers to file a suit against the Speaker and the House of Representatives over his suspension from the house Wednesday September 28th.
Jibrin was suspended following his refusal to appear before the  House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and privileges to address the allegations of budget padding he leveled against the Speaker and 13 other lawmakers.  Speaking with journalists in Abuja after his suspension, Jibrin said he fears for the life o those around him as he is fighting a mafia'.

"What is very important also is that now they have done their worst, they have suspended me, what has it changed? Has it changed the fact that the speaker conspired with other principal officers to divert N40 billion out of N100 billion meant for constituency projects. Has it changed the fact that he inserted fraudulent projects worth 20 billion? Has it changed the fact that he diverted multi-million naira project to his personal farm? Has it changed the fact that he tried to use the running cost — money meant for running the offices of members — for a questionable mortgage? Has it changed the fact that he diverted FGN project to his farm. The most important thing is that Nigerians saw the entire process, how the motion was passed and what transpired at the level of the ethics committee and entirely the process was flawed and for me it’s a non-issue and complete nonsense and it is not going to stand anywhere in the world. As you are aware the matter is a subject of litigation. 

I have instructed my lawyer, Femi Falana SAN to file charges of contempt against Speaker Dogara and of course the house of representatives and I’m sure the matter will move over to the judiciary and decision will be taken. I’m pretty sure it will be in my favour. At this point, I must say they freed me up to concentrate on the matter in court; I know the suspension is not going to stand. Secondly, I’m going into a massive alliance with civil society groups, NGOs and well-meaning Nigerian to continue to press ahead. I have said it, not once, not twice that it is not going to be easy. I’m not worried about myself but I am more worried about people around me. I think this is a big issue; I’m fighting a group of mafia, and I know what they can do. 

The battle I’m fighting is what Nigerians have always wanted to do in the last 16 years when democracy came to bare, to open the house of representatives and I’m determined to ensure that justice is served on Speaker Dogara and the corrupt body of principal officers and beyond that, reforms are implemented so we can have a house that Nigerians will be proud of.”





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Fallen Hero: Tijani Who Went Missing In Borno For Over A Year Has Been Confirmed Dead

Another falling Hero, A soldier who went missing while fighting Boko Haram insurgents at Gudunbale area of Borno state -has been reportedly confirmed dead by the Nigerian army. According to multiple reports, Tijani a.k.a TJ was said to have gone missing last year August and hadn't been seen then -as his family and friends hoped for his return....

“There Come Another Love Story” Episode Six (September 28th 2016)

“There Come Another Love Story” Episode Six
September 28^th 2016

Read Previous Episodes HERE

Okasha knocked the door to Jamila’s compartment before remembering that she’d always told him to make use of the doorbell. She opened the glass door without frowning at his offense, rather, she wore a disturbed look.
“What is wrong?” Okasha inquired, before taking his seat. He wasn’t so sure if he had expected her to ask the same question.
“Okasha.” She started, refusing Okasha’s gesture for her to take a seat too; I have been feeling very dizzy these days.” Her arms were crossed at her chest.
“Yes?” He responded, now confident that the topic had nothing to do with his wife. He had expected himself to see bruises and scars on Jamila’s skin, as a sign of Tani’s visitation.
“I vomited twice last Friday and went to the clinic this morning.” She watched as Okasha shifted unsteadily in his chair. “I’m pregnant.”
Okasha jerked up from his sitting posture. Sweat suddenly clouded his forehead; he didn’t bother wiping those sweats with the back of his palm as he usually did when a handkerchief wasn’t available. “And what is mine about that?”

House of Representatives suspends Abdulmumin Jibrin

The House of Representatives has suspended Abdulmumin Jibrin, the sacked chairman of the House committee on Appropriation. Jibrin has been at logger heads with the leadership of the house after his suspension in July. He has overtime accused the speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, 3 principal officers and 9 other lawmakers of budget padding. At the reopening of the house last week, he was mandated to appear before the house committee on Ethics and Privileges but he failed to do so.The House today unanimously suspended him for 180 sitting and also barred him from positionsof authority in the House till the end of the 8th assembly.

PATIENCE JONATHAN’S $15.5m: Ex-aide wants court to reverse companys’ guilty plea

Aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa and one of his co-accused in an alleged $15.5 million fraud charge, Amajuoyi Briggs, yesterday, asked a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to reverse the guilty plea entered into by four firms, who were charged along with them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.The firms, Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Company, pleaded guilty through their representatives.They were represented by Friday Davies, Agbor Baro, Dioghowori Frederick and Taiwo Ebenezer respectively.EFCC boss Magu and Patience JonathanOn resumption of yesterday’s proceedings, before Justice Babs Kuewumi, Dudafa’s lawyer, Gboyega Oyewole, informed the court that he has filed an application seeking to set aside theguilty plea of the companies.Briggs’ lawyer, Tochukwu Onyiuke, also filed a similar application.

However, an argument ensued when the EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, said that the court should focus on the business of the day which is to review the facts of the case involving the four accused persons that had already pleaded guilty.Oyedepo argued that the applications were in breach of Section 271(b) of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA and that it is only after the prosecution has reviewed the facts of the firms’ case that the court can intervene.But the judge directed the defence lawyers to move their applications.Oyewole in his application, argued that the application which was filed pursuant to Sections 274, 396, 477 and 478 of ACJA 2015 is seeking for an order setting aside the guilty plea of the representatives of the four firms for being a breach of judicial process.He said the guilty plea was an abuse of thecourt process owing to the pendency of a suit filed by Mrs Patience Jonathan, against the EFCC, Dudafa, the four firms and Skye Bank, wherein she is laying claim to the ownership of the sum of $15.5 million, which the anti-graft agency claimed was laundered.According to him, “the EFCC should have taken care of the issue of the person laying claim to the money before foisting a guilty plea on the court.”Oyewole posited that one of the firms’ representatives, Taiwo Ebenezer, had also indicated in a statement that he has nothing to do with any firm, saying it was curious that that the same person can now come to plead guilty to an offence committed by a company he knows nothing about.He maintained that he has a duty to file the application because it is a joint trial and that the guilty plea will definitely affect other defendants negatively.

There Is No Presence Of Boko Haram Terrorists In Borno Villages"-- Nigerian Army

"This is a press release.

Yesterday, at about 5.00pm suspected elements of Boko Haram terrorists, scavenging for food, attacked Kwang village and Vigilantes from Dagu (which is about 4 kilometres from Kwang), responded and repelled the terrorists attack. During the fire fight that ensued, one of the vigilantes sustained gun shot wound on his hand and was evacuated to General Hospital Uba while the terrorists fled with gun shot wounds.Troops were eventually despatched to the area with clear orders to pursue and deal with the terrorists. They are still exploiting. Similarly, same day, at about 4.35pm some suspected remnants of Boko Haram terrorists attacked Boftari which is about 15 kilometres from Chibok town. On receipt of the information, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE stationed in Forward Operation Base Chibok, mobilized to the area. The troops encountered Boko Haram terrorists ambush site shortly before Kuburmbula village. They quickly cleared the ambush and proceeded to Boftari. Unfortunately, the terrorists had set some houses on fire and fled. The troops put out the fire and are currently on the hunt for the terrorists. It is imperative to state that contrary to rumours flying around some media reports, no life was lost. Additionally, there is no presence of the terrorists in any of the villages talk less of hoisting flags as alleged. The troops have continued to maintain high level of vigilance.

Thank you for your kind cooperation.
Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman Acting Director Army Public Relations

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Reps back state police in 36 states

THE House of Representatives Tuesday approved the establishment of state police inthe 36 states of the federation and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The approval of state police was contained in a bill seeking to alter Section 214 of the constitution to provide for establishment of state and community police in the country which passed second reading in the House.The Bill also seeks to replace the word “force” with “service” in its nomenclature.Speaking in his lead debate, the Sponsor of the bill, Dada Awoyele, said that there was urgent need for an amendment to the 1999 Constitution to allow the government establishment of a State Police in all the States.According to him, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as presently constituted was highly centralized and very far away from the people, adding that the alteration had become necessary given the rate of insecurity in the country.

2016 WAEC result: Faiza Abubakar Sani, Best student gets scholarship upto Ph.D

When Miss Faiza Abubakar Sani, 17, a former student of Olumawu School, Abuja, was writing her West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination, WASS-CE, few months ago, little did she knowthat the examination would earn her a scholarship to study any course of her choice in any university in the world of her choosing.As fortune smiles on her, Faizal’s scholarship as stated by the Kano State Government, where she hails from, will know no bounds, as it covers university education in any foreign country to whatever level she wants.Faizal, who was celebrated by her alma-mater, Olumawu School, Abuja; had nine A1 in the May/June2016 West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). She had A1  in English Language, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Computer Studies, Civic Education and Marketing. The result was adjudged by her school and Kano State government as the best ever in the state.Famous universities Faiza Abubakar Sani Faizal who spoke with Vanguard said: ‘’I will like to study Medicine in any of the famous universities abroad. Meanwhile, I have been offered

Boko Haram 'hoists Flag In Villages' - BBC

Boko Haram has hoisted its flag in three villages in the north-east after over-running them yesterday, a security source has said.

According to BBC, the terrorists slaughtered at least eight people, including a village elder, during the attack, the security source and residents said.

The villages - Kubirivour, Boftari and Kuburmbalah - are near Chibok town, from where the militants captured more than 200 schoolgirls in 2014.

Factional PDP chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff hold reconciliatory meeting with party caretaker chairman, Makarfi

 Factional PDP leader, Ali Modu Sheriff held a reconciliatory meeting with Makarfi- led Caretaker Committee today to end the crisis that has rocked the party for many months.

Photos: Emir of Kano M. Sanusi II meets with Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby in London

 Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, today met with Justin Portal Welby, the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury, at the Lambeth Palace - his official residence in London. Archbishop Welby said it was a pleasure to welcome and spend time with the Emir, whom he described as an old friend.

I’II Reply Tinubu After Edo Governorship Election – Oyegun

National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegunhas said that he will not respond to the allegations levelled against him by the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as regards the governorship primaries of the party in Ondo State until after the governorship election in Edo State.It would be recalled that Tinubu in a statement published in national dailies  called for the immediate resignation of Oyegun and also accused him of being a “fraud and a regressive element who caresnothing for the progressive ideas upon which the party was founded and is hell-bent on guiding it into the ditch. ”Oyegun who spoke yesterday in Benin City, said, “Asiwaju is a well respected leader of our party so I cannot be seen speaking evilagainst him. I have to consult properly withother leaders of the party before we make any definite statement. Again, you know we have a crucial election here in Edo which is my priority right now. “We don’t want to lose focus and I know Asiwaju also want us to win because we all have worked hard for this. So may be after the election if there is need I will speak, if no need I will relax. But all I can say now is that most of the things said in the papers about me are not true. I have always believed in internal democracy, that the credibility of primaries must be taken seriously. “I believe that if primaries of parties are notcredible, it may derail any democracy so I don’t play with these things at all. Everybody knows me and I don’t joke with my credibility and I have tried to maintain it. Like I said, Asiwaju is our leader and we all hold him in high esteem, so will never join issues with him. “But may be after Edo elections, after we must have emerged victorious, we may speak on some of the issues raised. So there is no problem at all. Edo is the focus for now and as you know this is my state so it is a very serious election for us. So I want to be allowed to remain focus then after the election we can speak” he stated.

Leadership

I’II Reply Tinubu After Edo Governorship Election – Oyegun

National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegunhas said that he will not respond to the allegations levelled against him by the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as regards the governorship primaries of the party in Ondo State until after the governorship election in Edo State.It would be recalled that Tinubu in a statement published in national dailies  called for the immediate resignation of Oyegun and also accused him of being a “fraud and a regressive element who caresnothing for the progressive ideas upon which the party was founded and is hell-bent on guiding it into the ditch. ”Oyegun who spoke yesterday in Benin City, said, “Asiwaju is a well respected leader of our party so I cannot be seen speaking evilagainst him. I have to consult properly withother leaders of the party before we make any definite statement. Again, you know we have a crucial election here in Edo which is my priority right now. “We don’t want to lose focus and I know Asiwaju also want us to win because we all have worked hard for this. So may be after the election if there is need I will speak, if no need I will relax. But all I can say now is that most of the things said in the papers about me are not true. I have always believed in internal democracy, that the credibility of primaries must be taken seriously. “I believe that if primaries of parties are notcredible, it may derail any democracy so I don’t play with these things at all. Everybody knows me and I don’t joke with my credibility and I have tried to maintain it. Like I said, Asiwaju is our leader and we all hold him in high esteem, so will never join issues with him. “But may be after Edo elections, after we must have emerged victorious, we may speak on some of the issues raised. So there is no problem at all. Edo is the focus for now and as you know this is my state so it is a very serious election for us. So I want to be allowed to remain focus then after the election we can speak” he stated.

Leadership

Dangote To Create 300,000 Jobs Amidst Recession

The Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Olakunle Alake, has disclosed that the Dangote Industries Group’s 17 billion-dollar refinery project will create over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs by the first quarter of 2019. Alake made the disclosure in an interview with the jourbalists in Lagos, recently, adding that the refinery, petrochemicals and fertiliser plants were in one location. He said the project would be the single largest stream in the world. “The refinery and fertiliser projects will create job opportunities for the communities and Nigerians when it becomes operational. It will have a refining capacity of about 650,000 barrels of crude a day,’’ he said. Alake also said the project would force down the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) in the country and save money spent on importation. He added that projects such as these would optimise government revenue and wean Nigeria from relying solely on oil. According to him, the best way to diversify Nigeria’s economy is through agriculture and the fertiliser plant is in line with that goal. The chief operating officer said the 98 per cent of basic engineering on the fertiliser plant had been executed, while the construction had progressed by 30 per cent. “By the time we finish our gas pipeline, it will be able to generate about 12,000 megawatt which can be exported to other African countries. We will have the capacity to store four billion litres of products and load 2,680 trucks per day. The project will aid the country with about 7.5 billion dollars forex savings on importation.“It will also generate five billion dollars forex earnings from savings and another 5.5 billion dollars export earnings,’’ he said.Alake gave assurance that there would be markets for the refined products, saying that only three countries in Africa had effective and functional refineries, while others imported. Alake said the projects would help the country save five billion dollars on oil importation when it became operational in 2019. “By the time we complete this project, there will be opportunity to take on agriculture and say bye to poverty becausethere will be jobs; no sector has more job potential than agriculture. Though the project is an ambitious one but when completed it will give Nigeria a new economic direction in its quest for economic diversification. Alake however said that access to foreign exchange posed serious challenges to the projects. “We aim to complete the projects within the time frame to assist in easing the forex problem. We appeal to the Federal Government to support these private initiatives by providing funding for the projects.“However, government through the Bank ofIndustry schemes has given us a credit facility of N50 billion to develop the fertiliser plant. “We have also gotten another N75 billion approval for the refinery, which we have not yet accessed,’’ Alake said.

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Emirates rejects naira in payment for flight

Emirates Airlines has rejected the Nigerian currency, naira, for payment by travellers to Brazil.The Dubai-based airline is rather demanding a credit card mode of payment from passengers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The development, which caught many passengers unawares, caused some of them to be left behind, despite having bought tickets weeks earlier.The Guardian observed that while some passengers were turned back by the airline’s officials at the counter for already buying tickets in naira, they also ensured that a passenger who had earlier checked in for the 5:55 p.m. Lagos-Dubai Sunday flight never boarded the plane.
The Emirates office in Lagos yesterday confirmed that the credit card mode of payment is indeed the company’s policy, though it would not explain the rationale.An official of the airline, Babatunde Yahaya, who explained the new policy to angry passengers on Sunday said the action was in line with a memo issued to them, demanding that any ticket issued on Emirates, for passengers travelling from Nigeria to Brazil, “must be by credit card and not cash.” Yahaya said the directive was issued on September 22 and took effect immediately.

Pres. Buhari approves new federal appointments

President Buhari has approved new appointments in 13 Federal Government agencies as follows:

1. Industrial Training Fund (ITF) - Director-General - Mr. Joseph Ari

2. National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) - Director-General - Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami)

3. Nigerian Content Monitoring Board - Executive Secretary - Engineer Simbi Kesiye Wabote

 

'Can I please take a selfie with you?' little girl to Kebbi state governor Atiku Bagudu

 A little girl and her sister were the center of attention at an event in Kebbi state -after walking up to the governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, to request for something "unusual". 'Can I please take a selfie with you?' the little girl boldly asked. And of course, the governor obliged as he took pictures with girls to the delight of those around

How a single Presidential directive led to defeat of Boko Haram- Burutai

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Burutai  extolled President Muhammad Buhari's leadership capability, stating that a single  presidential directive from him led to unprecedented victory against Boko Haram.

 Presenting a speech at a conference on Peace Building and Reconstruction in Lake Chad Basin held in Yola, Burutai said  the directive to  relocate the Army Command and Control Centre ‎to Maiduguri was key to military success in North East.

I’m ready to face probe —Emir Sanusi

Former governor of Central Bank ofNigeria, CBN and Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said weekend, he was ready for probe of his tenure in the apex bank, following allegations byLagos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, that he diverted government funds.Sanusi’s declaration came on a dayhis predecessor, Mr. Charles Soludo, described as blataAnt lies, Falana’s allegations that he unlawfully diverted $7 billion of thecountry’s reserves as loans to banks.The human rights lawyer had called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to probe both former governors of the apex bank over the allegations.Falana’s allegation“Sometime in 2006, former Central Bank Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, removed   $7 billion   from   the nation’s external reserves and doled it out to 14 Nigerian banks.  Two years later, the Central Bank Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (the current Emir of Kano), also gave a bailout of N600 billion   to the same   banks.‘’The request of some civil society organisations for the recovery of the huge loan of $7 billion and N600 billion from the commercial banks has been ignored by the management of the Central Bank.Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II“In the Appropriation Act, 2011, the sum of N245 billion was earmarked for fuel subsidy.  In violation of the Act, the CBN headed by Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, paid the sum of N2.5 trillionto a cabal of fuel

Katsina needs 13,000 teachers –Masari

Thirteen thousand teachers are needed to ensure high standards in primary and secondary schools in Katsina State.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari stated this Sunday shortly after inspecting ongoing renovation of Government Science Secondary School in Batagarawa council area.

Masari said as part of efforts to meet standards, government had given approval for the recruitment of 1,900 teachers mainly in science subjects.

Photos: EFCC Seizes Shema's Mansions & Properties

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) yesterday sealed three houses purportedly belonging to former governor of Katsina State Ibrahim Shema. Daily Trust reports that the three houses are located at Madoji Road in the GRA, at Madachi Road in Barhim Housing Estate and at Kirni Road in Makera Estate along Daura Road, all in the state capital metropolis. It was learnt that the officials of the commission stormed the houses and marked them in red paint, ‘EFCC under invest. ’The marked houses immediately became beehives for sightseers as people trooped in to catch a glimpse of them.Shema who was declared wanted by the EFCC, turned himself in accusing the state governor Aminu Masari of masterminding development. Masari had severally vowed to ensure all monies allegedly stolen by his predecessor amounting to about N76 billion was returned to the state coffers. In his remarks over the development, Shema’s media aide Oluwabusola Olawale said the EFCC should ‘shelve the political and media trial of Shema’ and ensure justice  and equity in the case.