Nigeria Will Fully Rehabilitate Boko Haram Victims – PMB

Nigeria will diligently ensure full rehabilitation of victims of Boko Haram and find lasting solutions to combat threats of terrorism in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari, said Saturday in Nairobi, Kenya.

Speaking at the opening of the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), President Buhari in astatement by his senior special assistant, media, Garba Shehu  reaffirmed that Boko Haram terrorists have been degraded, even as the reintegration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country receives immediate attention.

Acknowledging Japanese assistance through UNICEF in the rehabilitation of the victims of Boko Haram, the President commended development partners for their work geared towards improving the lives of some two million IDPs in the country.

“The bottomline is that these problems are our primaryresponsibility. We must tackle them and find lasting solutions for ourselves,’’ he said.

President Buhari told the summit attended by Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, some 35 African leaders and chief executives of at least 80 major companies from Japan, that international cooperation with Nigeria was central in the decimation of Boko Haram terror group.

‘’I took over the mantle of leadership in Nigeriawhen the North-Eastern part of the country was being ravaged by Boko Haram. However, soon after assumption of office, our administration with the support of our immediate neighbours — Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin- and international partners including Japan, faced the challenge frontally.

‘’As I speak, the terror group has been decimated and life is beginning to return to normal in the affected region. The challenge we currently face which is also being addressed, is that of the IDPs which number over two million to get them re-integrated with their families and their original homes,” he said.

On global health issues, which is a major focal point of the summit, President Buhari expressed special appreciation to the government of Japan for its contribution of $800 million to the fight against malaria, tuberculosis among others.

The contribution is part of the $1.3 billion made available to the Nigerian Health Sector by the global fund.

On the gains of TICAD, the President noted that partnerships between Africa and Japan will help create and improve investment opportunities in industries, agriculture, information technology, science and technology among others for the good of the continent and investors from Japan.

‘’In view of the challenges Africa is facing, the imperative for a viable partnership like the Tokyo International Conference on African Development cannot be over emphasized. Today, many countries in Africa including the oil producing ones are wisely seeking to diversify their economies away from mono-cropping.

‘’In Nigeria, our Administration has already taken concrete steps to diversify the economy by making agriculture not just a development programme but a thriving business.

Investing in the economies of this continent especially through Public-Private-Partnership can contribute to building capacity for our economies,’’ he said.

The two-day summit with the theme ‘‘Advancing Africa’s Sustainable Development Agenda-TICAD Partnership for Prosperity”, is being held outside of Japan for the first time since its inception in 1993.

Among other things, TICAD aims to solve Africa’s development problems through qualitytechnology in the health, industry, agriculture and environment sectors.

A draft declaration to be adopted at end of the summit will seek to combat the growing threats of terrorism, conflicts and violent radicalism through the promotion of education and job creation.’’

PMB Congratulates NBA On Inauguration Of New Executives

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on the inauguration of its new executive committee led by Mr. Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud (SAN) at the 2016 Annual General Conference held in Port-Harcourt.

President Buhari in a statement by his special adviser on media, Femi Adesina  commended the outgoing executives led by Augustine Alegeh for the resourceful exchange of ideas, commitment and support for national development.

The President urged the new President of the NBA to use his vast experience in private practice, and public service, garnered over the years to build on the legacies of his predecessors, and contribute to reforms across the country.

“As the new executives settle down to work, the President looks forward to having a strong and sustainable relationship with the leaders, especially in jointly tackling the challenges currently facing the nation.

He prays that the almighty God will grant the new NBA executive the wisdom to realize their vision for the association, and the country” Adesina said.

PMB: Nigeria Will Fully Rehabilitate Boko Haram Victims – PMB

Nigeria will diligently ensure full rehabilitation of victims of Boko Haram and find lasting solutions to combat threats of terrorism in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari, saidSaturdayin Nairobi, Kenya.

Speaking at the opening of the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), President Buhari in astatement by his senior special assistant, media, Garba Shehu  reaffirmed that Boko Haram terrorists have been degraded, even as the reintegration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country receives immediate attention.

Acknowledging Japanese assistance through UNICEF in the rehabilitation of the victims of Boko Haram, the President commended development partners for their work geared towards improving the lives of some 2 million IDPs in the country.

“The bottom line is that these problems are ourprimary responsibility. We must tackle them and find lasting solutions for ourselves,’’ he said.

President Buhari told the summit attended by Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, some 35 African leaders and chief executives of at least 80 major companies from Japan, that international cooperation with Nigeria was central in the decimation of Boko Haram terror group.

”I took over the mantle of leadership in Nigeria when the North-Eastern part of the country was being ravaged by Boko Haram.

”However, soon after assumption of office, our administration with the support of our immediate neighbours — Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin- and international partners including Japan, faced the challenge frontally. `”As I speak, the terror group has been decimated and life is beginning to return to normal in the affected region. The challenge we currently face which is also being addressed, is that of the IDPs which number over two million to get them re-integrated with their families and their original homes,’’ he said.

On global health issues, which is a major focal point of the summit, President Buhari expressed special appreciation to the government of Japan for its contribution of 800 million Dollars to the fight against malaria,tuberculosis among others.

The contribution is part of the 1.3 billion Dollars made available to the Nigerian Health Sector by the Global Fund.

On the gains of TICAD, the President noted that partnerships between Africa and Japan will help create and improve investment opportunities in industries, agriculture, information technology, science and technology among others for the good of the continent and investors from Japan.

”In view of the challenges Africa is facing, the imperative for a viable partnership like the Tokyo International Conference on African Development cannot be over emphasized.

”Today, many countries in Africa including the oil producing ones are wisely seeking to diversify their economies away from mono-cropping.

”In Nigeria, our Administration has already taken concrete steps to diversify the economy by making agriculture not just a development programme but a thriving business.

”Investing in the economies of this continent especially through Public-Private-Partnership can contribute to building capacity for our economies,” he said.

The 2-day summit with the theme ‘‘Advancing Africa’s Sustainable Development Agenda-TICAD Partnership for Prosperity”, is being held outside of Japan for the first time since itsinception in 1993.

Among other things, TICAD aims to solve Africa’s development problems through qualitytechnology in the health, industry, agriculture and environment sectors.
A draft declaration to be adopted at end of the summit will seek to combat the growing threats of terrorism, conflicts and violent radicalism through the promotion of education and job creation.

Visa, Customs Clearance Affecting Our Services To N’East – UN

The United Nations (UN) has listed difficulty in accessing Visa from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and delay in the clearance of humanitarian supplies by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as the challenges confronting it in its bid to render humanitarian services in theNorth East region of Nigeria.

Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, United Nations System in Nigeria, Mohamed El Munir Safieldin confirmed that they face challenges in the bid for Customs clear its humanitarian support items and also delay in the issuance of Visa by the Nigeria Immigration Service.

Thousands of people had been displaced, while many children are threatened with malnutrition since the Boko Haram terrorist group launched a seven-year war against Nigeria, seeking to establish an Islamic caliphate in the North East. The reclaiming of territories earlier by the Nigeria Military captured by Boko Haram terrorists has led to humanitarian crises in the region, particularly Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

On Thursday, hundreds of Internally Displaced Persons were reported to have left their campsand take to the streets of Maiduguri to protest against hunger and severe thirst in their respective camps, with palpably angry IDPs women and children blocking the main entry point of the Borno State capital, a developmentwhich caused gridlock along the Kano Maiduguri highway.

UN, which is the second leading organisation aside NEMA that is providing humanitarian services in Boko Haram ravished areas has said without support, many children could die in the various displaced persons’ camps.

According to the head of the UN humanitarian services in Nigeria, the health, water and other facilities, as well schools of Dikwa, Goza, Dambuwa and Bama communities have been completely destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgency.

This is coming just as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has hinted that President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a letter to all relevant authorities, instructing them to ensure speedy issuance of Visa and quick clearance of humanitarian supplies coming into the country.

Regretting that they face delay from Customs in clearing its humanitarian support items and delay in the issuance of Visa by the Nigeria Immigration Service, Safieldin lamented that for some of them that have been to the North East, they have observed that health facilities, water sources and schools are always the target of Boko Haram.

“We don’t have the mandate to rebuild these important facilities in these communities but without these infrastructures, people can’t staythere. People cannot stay in places liberated by the military unless such critical facilities as schools and water supply are restored”, Safieldin said.

The UN chief who will be leaving Nigeria very soon further said, “We are requesting that thereshould be a quick issuance of Visa and promptclearance of humanitarian supplies coming into Nigeria.

”He appealed to development actors and other agencies to support the federal government through NEMA to rebuild the needed infrastructures in those communities.

“We do meet with all stakeholders. There is need for them to support the people in the villages rather than allowing them to keep migrating in search of social amenities. There is also need for the line ministries to contributefinancially. We understand that a lot of supporthas been made by the government through NEMA and the Victim Support Fund which has led to the construction of some facilities in Dikwa and some other places,” he said.

Safieldin, while speaking on how Nigerians canget rid of the trauma caused by insurgency, advised emergency workers to establish some other outlets outside the present comfort zoneslike Maiduguri, Yola, Damaturu and other liberated cities.

He said, “We want people there to appreciate the donors. If there are outlets outside these cities, more humanitarian actors would be on ground. If the actors are not on ground, the situation is not going to change.

“UN does not create money. The UN creates services once it receives the funding. We appreciate the 38 per cent funding from HRP but it is not enough compared to what is required”.

Safieldin disclosed that in Bama alone, one camp has up to 25000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with over 2000 children coming to UN facility to learn in the open.

“I hope we free the military teachers soon because I saw a similar thing in Goza, were there is also no health facility but only a military hospital. As much as we appreciate what the Military is doing, we as humanitarian experts need to take over so that the military can totally focus on there job”, he added.

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that the children are taught by the Nigerian military teachers.

While speaking on the attack on a UN convoy in a Borno State community earlier in the month, Safieldin said when the incident took place, some of the humanitarian workers were discouraged.His words: “When I asked the staff what we should do, some opted to go back. But we could not go back because we are here to savelives. What NEMA is doing is wonderful. Nigeria is blessed to have a NEMA is place. I have been in the UN for 25 years, I have never seen a country with a humanitarian wing that is performing like NEMA. I also think the resources NEMA has is well utilized.

“But very importantly, we need functional State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for each of the states, and a functioning Local Government Emergency Management Committees. Once Nigeria does that, very soon, it will be a model on how to deal with such a conflict of armed group like Boko Haram. Nigeria has a good history of dealing with Natural disasters but Boko Haram crises is a new phenomenon that just appeared in some countries like Iraq and Syria and now Nigeria.

“If we say we want to support Nigeria, we are not in anyway undermining the capacity of Nigeria or the autonomy of Nigeria.

Nigeria is a member of the international community and is entitled to support from the international community. Now, the intentional community is paying back for the role Nigeria has been playing on peace keeping globally”.

The Director General (DG) of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammad Sani- Sidi, while responding, confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered relevant agencies to facilitate the clearance of all humanitarian supports comingto Nigeria.

The DG said that NEMA has been working withrelevant government agencies to ensure speedy issuance of Visa for people coming to Nigeria to render humanitarian support services.

He said, “On clearance for humanitarian supplies, I want to assure that Mr President has already given directives to all the agenciesinvolved to ensure speedy clearance of all humanitarian supplies coming to Nigeria. I have a copy of the letter that was sent to relevant agencies and I am sure they will abideby it.

“Visas, yes; we’ve been working with all our partners that asked us to request for Visas. Weat NEMA want to make a plea that any time there is a scaling up, let them scale up with ourlocal capacity because Nigeria is blessed with so many human resources”.

While commenting on the activities of the UN in Nigeria, the NEMA boss said the team decided not to stay in Abuja but even went ahead to visit communities declared not safe by the Military.

“That is a confirmation that the UN is doing thereal humanitarian work. I thank other partners like UNICEF, NGOs and government agencies that have been supporting us since this crises started. We are going to partner and ensure that our work is done in accordance with international best practices,” Sani-Sidi concluded.

EU gives AU funds to fight B’Haram

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai hinted yesterday that the European Union has released some funds to the African Union to support the regional campaign against the Boko Haram threat in Nigeria and the countries of the Lake Chad Basin.

Buratai who disclosed when he received some participants of the Bangladesh Defence College on a world tour, led by Rear Admiral Anwarul Islam at the Army headquarters assured that the the campaign against Boko Haram was getting more support in the international arena, with the United Nations supporting the activities of the Multinational Joint Task Force.

The Army chief noted that apart from the support by international bodies, individual countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France were also contributing to intensify the fight against the insurgents.

Dogara, Nine Others Receive Over N10bn As Allowances, Jibrin Alleges

The sacked chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abdumumin Jibrin yesterday continued his revelations of the endemic corruption goingon in the lower chambers of the National Assembly.

Abdulmumini in his recent allegation said Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun and eight other principal officers at different times gulped over N10 billion controversial  allowances.

He also said the social, political and economic problems of the country’s emanated from the House.

According to Jibrin, Dogara who was first elected in 2007  has so fare collected N1.5 billion as running cost.

He also disclosed that the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun and the Chief Whip, Alhassan Ado Doguwa have so far received N1.2 billion, N800 million and N1.2 million respectively. While others also received similaramounts.

“From computation of various sub heads of allowances of the House, Speaker Yakubu Dogara has been in the House from 2007 to date, he has received about N1.5billion.

Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun has been in the house from 2011 to date, he has received about N800million. House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila has been in the House from 2003 to date, he has received about N1.2billion. Deputy House Leader Buba has been in the House from 2007 to date, he received about N1.2billion and Whip Alhassan Doguwa has been in the House from 2003 to date, he has received about N1.2 billion,” he said.

Abdulmumini added that; “the Deputy Whip Pally Iriase has been in the house from 2011 todate, he has received N700 million. Minority Leader Leo Ogor has been in the House from 2007 to date, he has received N1.2 billion. Deputy Minority Leader Barde has been in the House from 2011 to date, he has received N700 million. Minority Whip Chuma has been in the House from 2007 to date, he has received N800 million. And finally, Deputy Minority Whip Binta has been in the House from 2011 to date, she has received N700 million.”

“So in between these 10 Principal Officers, the country has pumped about 10 billion naira – and still counting. As I have mentioned earlier, in most cases with few exceptions, these fundsare diverted for personal use,” he said.

He also disclosed that the running costs were usually not accounted for.

“As I have mentioned earlier, in most cases with few exceptions, these funds are diverted for personal use. I will provide further break down of these figures in due course.

I will also provide 50 additional names of members with worst cases of diversion of such funds in due course so we can name and shame them.”

“The way the allowances of members is currently structured can not pass the integrity test of any of the aforesaid. The issue of allowances of Members of the House is another systemic corruption.

PMB Departs For Kenya To Attend TICAD Summit

President MuhammaduBuharion Friday departs Abuja to attend this year’s International Conference on African Development (TICADVi) in Nairobi, Kenya with 35 other African heads of government.

The summit holding this weekend is co-organised by the government of Japan, the United Nations office of the Special Adviser on Africa, the United Nations Development Programme, the African Union and the World Bank.

The President left Nigeria for Kenya at about 2:00p.m. local time on Friday.

The focus of the Summit is on promoting structural economic transformation through diversification and industrialisation; promotingresilient health system for quality life and promoting social stability for shared prosperity.

During the conference, President Buhari will participate in plenary sessions on TICAD in alignment with African development, the dialogue with the private sector as well as the global launch of the second Africa Human Development.

The president will also hold a bilateral meetingwith the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.

Leadership.com

Buhari’s Silence And Destiny Of APC

When President Muhammudu Buhari came on board to fly the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party’s presidential candidate during the 2015 presidential election, some Nigerians foresaw a glimpse of hope following his integrity quotient and his readiness to rebrand the country through a corruption free and sound leadership.

Some concerned Nigerians who were tired of the abysmal display of the then ruling party, saw the APC as a suitable replacement of the Peoples Democratic Party whose over 15 years of fiasco laden administration incurred the present economic hardship for the country.

It is worthy of note to say that, the manner in which President Buhari was accepted by the generality of the people of Nigeria was overwhelming especially because no opposition party in the history of the country ever had electoral effrontery to unseat an incumbent government.

But the Nigerian people were taken aback to see that, after one year of being in the leadership at the centre, the president appears to be extremely silent over some cogent issuesthat bother on national destiny and the welfare of the people of Nigeria as enshrined in the party’s manifesto during the electioneering campaign thereby putting the destiny of our great party, the APC in jeopardy.

While we expects the president and his handlers to hit the ground running by putting down a structured economic modality and result oriented leadership plan, it was however disheartening to note that, it took the present administration almost six months to inaugurate its cabinet members.

Besides, majority of the promises made to the people which wooed them into loving the APC have not seen the light of fulfilment and this has glaringly resulted to a national ecclesiae as the Change Mantra we fought for with the last drop of our blood has turned to ‘Change,’ denoting poverty, scarcity and lack.

While some Nigerians are complaining of sentimental appointment by the president, where a certain region is favoured above other regions in the country, we in the APC, are aware that the various political blogs that make up the APC comprising of ACN, ANPP, CPC, and a faction of APGA are not finding it funny as it is obvious that, those from the platform of the CPC enjoy the favour of the president more than others.

I am writing this article out of passion, interest, and commitment to nurture, grow, and developour great party, the APC.  However, it is pertinent to inform my esteem readers that, I will be dishing out informative and educative articles periodically to serve as a guide post to national sensitisation and public enlightening.

It is indeed obvious that, my dear party, the APC has been carried away by the euphoria of electoral victory and have jettisoned the vital component of governance that will benefit the people of Nigeria and unite APC members.

It is glaring that we urgently need to embark onparty reform in APC with the aim of leveraging on our party’s popularity and checkmating the undue manner of handling avoidable errors which are capable of undermining our party’s ideals and unity.

Mr. President Sir, Nigerian people elected you to occupy the highest office in the land, the AsoVilla, in such a time when there was a palpablelacuna in the national leadership. With their bare hands, they thumb-printed the ballot papers for you. They procured your victory through their permanent voter cards as well astheir determined resolve to set a platform for the journey of a new dawn.

The poor and the ignored people of the society were mostly the ones that fought for your victory. With their sweat, they graded the road for your safe trip to Aso Villa; they therefore deserve to enjoy the core dividends of democracy.

Since the reign of the Fourth Republic, it has been known that between the leaders and the led, there seems to be a master-servant relationship which has culminated to sharp inequality in the Nigerian society thereby besmirching the core values of an egalitarian state.  This, you said you would fight during your campaign where Nigerians can have equal treatments across board.

The leadership that Nigerians are expecting from you sir, is the kind that is rooted in love. This is further buttressed in the first stanza of our most respected National Anthem which says, “…To serve our fatherland with ‘love’ and strength and faith…”  Love remains one of the core ingredients for service as its absence will wreck the motive for leadership.

When love is absent, leadership becomes hardship and instead of constructing and improving on the lives of the people, the leaders will end destroying the institutions in the land as well as the people they lead. With love, Nigerians brought you to power through their votes and in the same token you will lead them to the desired shoreline of their prosperity.

As a God elected father over the Nigerian state, you have said in many of your speeches that, in your regime, there will not be disparity between you and the people that elected you. Only love will make you walk that talk.

Only a love filled regime will confer its people with basic needs where according to you, no Nigerian will go to bed with hunger. A love filled policy and workable approaches are what every leader needs to fight poverty in the land. But today, Nigerians are not only going tobed with hunger, they are dying of hunger while some of them out of impatience have started stealing pots of soup to survive.

Your Excellency Sir, may your love for democratic shepherd-hood over your new bride (Nigeria) be so lavished on her to a degree that she may not have a need to look somewhere else to fill her love tank.

Nigeria has been in and out of love for over a decade and half, the love union which has been marked with spiky infidelity. However, infidelity in leadership occurs when a leader fails to practice what he preaches and the followers are not loyal to obeying the law of the land.

Sir, Nigerians have suffered infidelity in the hands of its handlers before now. The Peoples Democratic Party, to whom the country was first betrothed, deceived her, denied her of her deserved welfare, developmental packages and then divorced her without any alimony to cater for her children.

To avoid repeating the errors of the PDP, it is high time we put our house in order so as to redeem our image and tell Nigerians that we have better alternative than the Peoples Democratic Party whose impunity and maladministration wrecked and undeveloped the country.

Ohikere wrote in from Abuja.

PMB Approves Governing Board For NPA, NIMASA

President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the composition of the Governing Boards of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

This is contained in a statement by the Director Media, Bolaji Adebiyi in the office of the Secretary to the government of the federation.

On the board of NPA are; Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye Chairman, with Supo Shasore, Suleiman Ibrahim Halilu, Constance Harry Mashal, Umar Shu’aibu , Charles Efe Emukowhate Sylvester, Hadiza Bala Usman, Mohammed Bello Koko, Dr. Sekonte Davis, Professor Idris Abubakarand Mrs. I. J. Uche-Okoro as members.

On the board of NIMASA are ;Major General Jonathan India Garba   as Chairman ‎With Asekomhe Oaakhia Kenneth, Mohammed Gidado Muazu, Hon. Barrister Ebele Obi, S. U. Galadanchi, Ms Nene Betty Dike, Dakuku Peterside Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo, Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, Joseph Oluwarotimi Fashakin and Gambo Ahmed as members.

FAAC: FG Records N250.970bn Fall In Revenue

The Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) yesterday announced a revenue shortfall of N250.970billion to the federation account for the month of July 2016.

The statutory revenue that accrued to the nation’s account dropped from the N538.788 billion received in June to N287.819 billion in July, representing 11 per cent decrease. Permanent secretary, federal ministry of finance, Alh. Mahmoud Isa Dutse who briefed journalists after the meeting blamed the development on the renewed activities of pipeline vandalism my Niger Delta militants.

“The gross statutory revenue of N287,219 billion received for the month was lower than the N538.788 billion received in the previous month by N250.970,” Dutse said while addressing the media after the program that ended by 8:57 pm.

Meanwhile, the Permanent secretary disclosedthat the statutory Revenue for the month is N268.772 billion. While the sum of N6.330 billion was refunded by NNPC to the federal government. There was also a distribution of N1.373 billion excess bank charges recovered from 2008 to 2012, even as he added that therewas another Exchange gain of N70.307 billion for the current month and N36.494 billion arrears of May, 2016 that are proposed for distribution. “The total revenue distributable for the currently month (including VAT) is N443.663 billion,” he stated.

A breakdown of the distribution table showed that the federal government got the lion share of 52.68 per cent, representing N129.212 billion while the state and Local governments took 65.538 or 26.72 per cent and N50.527, representing 20.60 per cent respectively.

Meanwhile, a total sum of N12.874 billion was paid as 13 per cent derivation to oil and other mineral resources producing states in the country as against the 17.124 billion that was shared to them in the previous month.

Adnan Mukhtar Adam TudunWada has SPOKEN!

Dear Ganduje,

Your undemocratic attitudes and persecution of your political opponents in kano will not take you anywhere, your negligence and lack of care to some legacies of your predecessor is proving how unpatriotic you are to the development of kano.

Your effort of reducing the number of workers in kano through mass sacking is a sign of your obvious weakness asgovernor of the largest state in the country, we are aware of your plans to sack more than 400 KAROTA workers in kano, we want to tell you that we will not allow such to happen, we shall follow it with mass protest.

More than 1000 workers currently in the state civil service payroll are yet to receive their salary for the month of July and it seems you are not serious in settling their problems, some of this workers have died because of hunger while some are in prison over their failure to settle debts they are owed.

I just write this to draw your attention that we are in democratic dispensation, a respect to democracy is a respect for nigerian constitution and the rule of law.

Regards, Adnan Mukhtar Adam TudunWada

Army Arrests 3 Suspected Kidnappers In Bauchi

Troops of 33 Brigade, Nigerian Army, deployedat Forward Operation Base (FOB) Toro, Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, have on Wednesday arrested three suspected kidnappers in the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

Usman said two of the suspects were arrested at Badiko village in Toro Local Government Area, “following a tip-off by well- meaning Nigerians”.

Usman gave the names of the suspects as Dayibu Abdullahi and Nasiru Adamu.

He said the soldiers had also recovered a bag containing N439,000 and some personal effects from the suspects.

“Preliminary investigation shows that the amount was their share from a paid ransom of a recent kidnap incident,” the Army Spokesman said.

He said the other suspect, Jibrin Dakam, was caught by the troops at Magama, also in Toro Local Government Area, on the same day.

The Army spokesman said preliminary investigation confirmed that Dakam escaped from their den at Jenge following the military Operation FOREST KUNAMA at Lame-Burra forest, recently.

“It was further confirmed that he frequently supplied alcohol and other stimulants to the kidnappers,’’ he said.

Usman also disclosed that troops deployed at “Kano 2” checkpoint near Durum, in Bauchi Local Government Area, of the same unit, arrested a suspected armed bandit named Adamu Saleh.

He said Saleh was found to be in possession of eight rounds of 7.62mm (Special), two cell phones and local charms.

“All the suspects are being interrogated before their eventual handing over to other relevant security agencies’’ the Army spokesman said.

U.S. Pledges To Help Nigeria Diversify Economy

The U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, says that his country will do everything in its power to help Nigeria diversify from single to multipleresources dominated economy.

This is contained in statement from the information Unit, U.S. Department of State, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kerry held a meeting with the workers andfamilies of U.S. Embassy in Abuja on Wednesday, where he made the statement.

Kerry commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to moving the country forward by dealing with corruption, economic challenges and the challenge of Boko Haram.

The secretary noted with concern that Nigeria was a single-resource dominated economy.

According to him, the reduction in the global price of oil, which is a major driver of Nigerian economy, is a huge challenge to it.

“We are making enormous progress in pushing back against Boko Haram, and I came here now to reaffirm the promise of the United States to stand by Nigeria, to help Nigeria.

“We will win this battle against Boko Haram, I promise you. And we will also do everything in our power to help to adjust the economy to a change.

“No country should be single-resource dominated in its economy, and the lesson is you have got to diversify,” he said.

Kerry said that unlike most country he visited which had transitioned, “Nigeria is a country yet to fully transition.

’’He told the workers that they were really part of a critical moment of transformation, and it’s a wonderful thing to be able to work in an embassy.

Kerry said they were working in a place where U.S. policies were geared to try to help accelerate that transformation and shape that transformation.

He commended the efforts of more than 500 local workers at the embassy whom he said had helped to change lives.

The U.S. secretary of state lauded them for making a choice to better the lots of people by choosing to work at the embassy.

He said that they could also make a difference in the life of people, a country and help the planet to be a better, safer, more prosperous place.

Boko Haram: MAUTECH, Army To Organise Conference On Peace, Reconstruction

Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH) Yola is to host a regional conference on peace building and reconstruction in the Chad Basin.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Kyari Mohammed made this known in Yola while briefing newsmen on preparations for the 21st and 22nd convocation ceremony of the university coming up on Saturday.

Mohammed said that as a university in one of the areas affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, MAUTECH wanted to use its expertise in peace building and conflict management in bringing succour to the region.

“Following the successes recorded by our gallant security forces in the liberation of most of the occupied territories from Boko Haram insurgents; we have decided to partner with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre to host a regional conference with the theme ‘, Peace Building and Reconstruction in the Chad Basin”.

Mohammed said that the conference which was scheduled to hold from September 26 to 28 would attract resource persons from Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

He said the conference would be declared open by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo while former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar would be the keynote speaker.

“Other prominent speakers include Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdurrahman Dambazzau (rtd), Minister of Interior, Emeritus Professor Anthony Asiwaju, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, and Prof. Okey Ibeanu all from Nigeria.From our neighbouring countries are Prof. Issa Saibou and Babette Koulchomi from the University de Maroua in Cameroon, Prof. Zakariya Ousmanou and Attem Doutoum from Chad as well as Prof. Hadiza Kiari-Fougo fromNiger,” Kyari said.

He said that during the conference, the university would use the opportunity to inaugurate some of its projects including hostels.

In Defence Of Buhari’s Government

Nigeria is a unique country, one that boasts of too many intelligent commentators and criticalanalysts.

Going through Nigerian dailies, this much can be deduced from the many opinion pages.

However, the sore point with the litany of commentators, opinion writers and analysts in Nigeria is that most of them have lately constituted themselves into prophets of doom, naysayers and masters of letters but without any substance.

It is disheartening that most of these people seem to think that by virtue of the letters after their names, they know better than those of us without a letter apart from the initials before our surnames. So they come out with ‘abracadabra’ to confuse the masses.

They have used every trick in the book to confuse the masses of the good works of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration, casting doubts on the giant strides the All Progressives Congress (APC) government have made since May 2015.The simple truth is that this man, BUHARI, is doing a wonderful job in eradicating the pests and madness of our society – corruption, indiscipline, insecurity etc.

The question I have always asked these band of prophets of doom and naysayers is where were they when certain officials gathered together and decided to share money that was meant for the procurement of heavy military hardware to fight terrorism.

Or who could have been bold enough to prosecute a sitting senate president, top politicians and popular individuals without fear?  Who else could have tackled upcoming terrorism as ‘Biafra agitators’ and the menace of renewed militancy in the South South?

The lessons we are learning now,  is that if the now fading Boko Haram nuisance had been dealt with through military response, like we are witnessing, they would  have been history by now.

The point l am making is that instead of criticisms,  these so called ‘Dr. Know alls’ should come up with solutions to support and help the progressive movement.But unfortunately, even if this man, Buhari, assumes some supernatural powers and walks on waters, this same set of naysayers will say it is because he cannot swim. It is a known fact that you cannot please all the people and one challenge I have consciously thrown at our band of intellectuals is that they should tell the masses names of the individuals they think can perform better than President Buhari.

The time has come for Nigerians as a people to learn to show appreciation for their leaders so that our country can move forward – for thesake of our future and generations yet unborn.

One of the things our band of critics have been talking about lately is that the president has been appointing people from a particular section of the country into positions in the country. In as much as these people have the right to their opinions, there is the need for us to be objective.

What the greatest critics of Buhari have forgotten is that the overall interest of the nation and the ability of the appointed persons to move the nation forward is the most important.

Whether he puts his mother, his dad or his whole clan in positions, is unimportant, as long as we are moving forward.

The truth is that if we had continued with “you chop, l chop” PDP, things would have been worse. Even the developed countries went through hard times before they got better.

Today, Nigeria is a better place in the sphere of security, thanks to President Buhari.

If you come to Abuja, you can feel the peace and calmness around; people go about their businesses, go worshipping in their churches and mosques without the fear Boko Haram. Hooligans parading the street of Onitsha in thename of Biafra were quickly quietened, the marauders, lawlessly carrying guns in military style, vandalising oil pipelines and terrorising communities in the name of Avengers, behaving like they are untouchables – to their own misfortune, when the forces of real military action came on them, fell to pieces. This is what a real military in Nigeria should be.It does not really matter what people say, the military command under Gen. Tukur Buratai is doing a fabulous work and does not need distractions from negative press the way our prophets of doom and naysayers are going about it.

If the militants and other violent groups disturbing the peace and economy of this nation want dialogue, they will be listened to but if all the stolen money from former president Goodluck Jonathan’s regime is beingused to buy guns and bombs and handed over to some thugs to start war (because EFCC is closing in on them), what do you expect – “… War only begets war… “.Histories are written by victors, not the defeated.

Like l rightly said, even if Buhari walks on water, it won’t marvel those who are set in their ways, as in the case of our Lord, Jesus Christ – you will still say it’s because he couldn’t swim.

– El- Buraimoh is of Ripples Nigeria.

Stop The Blame Game, Get To Work- Soludo Tells APC

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo yesterday told the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to shift from the usual blame game to more action.

Professor Soludo who spoke in Kaduna at the Progressive Governors forum’s 4th‎ progressive governance lecture series with the theme: “Building the economy of states: challenges of developing inclusively sustainable growth” said, “You can blame PDP; blame oil price; blame corruption: Nigerians elected APC to sort out their problems assuming that things will get better.

”He said for Nigeria to come out of its current challenge, there must be a coalition of economic policies that can deal with desperatesocio-economic issues in a systematic and sustainable manner.

This is just as he said, the collapse in oil pricesis a blessing for Nigeria to start a new beginning and that it is also a clarion call to press the restart button and begin afresh.

He said, the country at the moment is dealing with political, economic and social shocks, stressing that growth in Nigeria and states will not be inclusive if we don’t break the dynastiesof poverty and maximise the comparative and competitive advantages.

According to him, no state can develop sustainably if the overall governance and economy are in crisis, stressing that Nigeria economy in terms of dollar has collapsed by about 50 per cent.

“Nigeria is facing unprecedented and tremendous political and economic challenges with global and local dynamics. Regardless of these challenges, opportunities and possibilities abound if we address some fundamental issues. The key to achieving this is to have a development plan that is anchoredon realising inclusive and sustainable growth.’’He said.

Inclusive and Sustainable growth cannot be achieved without conscious efforts to deconstruct the dynasties of poverty and maximise states and Nigeria’s comparative and competitive advantage.

US To Help Nigeria Diversify Economy

The U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, says that his country will do everything in its power to help Nigeria diversify from single to multipleresources dominated economy.

This is contained in statement from the information Unit, U.S. Department of State, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kerry held a meeting with the workers andfamilies of U.S. Embassy in Abuja on Wednesday, where he made the statement.

Kerry commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to moving the country forward by dealing with corruption, economic challenges and the challenge of Boko Haram.

The secretary noted with concern that Nigeria was a single-resource dominated economy.

According to him, the reduction in the global price of oil, which is a major driver of Nigerian economy, is a huge challenge to it.

“We are making enormous progress in pushingback against Boko Haram, and I came here now to reaffirm the promise of the United States to stand by Nigeria, to help Nigeria.

“We will win this battle against Boko Haram, I promise you. And we will also do everything in our power to help to adjust the economy to a change.

“No country should be single-resource dominated in its economy, and the lesson is you have got to diversify,” he said.Kerry said that unlike most country he visited which had transitioned, “Nigeria is a country yet to fully transition.

’’He told the workers that they were really part of a critical moment of transformation, and it’s a wonderful thing to be able to work in an embasses.

Kerry said they were working in a place where U.S. policies were geared to try to help accelerate that transformation and shape that transformation.

He commended the efforts of more than 500 local workers at the embassy whom he said had helped to change lives.

The U.S. secretary of state lauded them for making a choice to better the lots of people by choosing to work at the embassy.

He said that they could also make a difference in the life of people, a country and help the planet to be a better, safer, more prosperous place.

LEADERSHIP Journalist Loses Car To Robbers At APC Secretariat

A journalist with the LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group, Mr. Andrew Essien, on Wednesday night lost his car to robbers on at the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  in Abuja with the robbers taking away his Honda Accord car (Academy) 1998 model.

The Army green-coloured car with registration number YAB 722 PG, Chassis number: 1HGCD5650VA03436 and Engine Number:  22B14416805 was stolen around 6:30pm on the fateful day shortly after Mr Essien had closed from reporting the activities of the party which he covers as a beat.

Earlier in the day, a mild drama had ensued at the National Secretariat of ruling APC on Wednesday when youth who claimed they came from Bauchi State stormed the premises in protest for and againstthe Bauchi State Governor.

The robbers may have used that chaos to capitalize on the vulnerability of the area to see-through their evil intentions leading to the car theft. Encased in the car were his ATMs and other valuables.

‘Nigeria Spends $6b On Wheat Importation Annually’

Prof. Ibrahim Umar-Abubakar, the Director, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria, on Thursday said Nigeria’s wheat import bill stood at $6 billion annually.

Umar-Abubakar said this when he received members of Correspondents’ Forum of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zaria Chapter, who paid a courtesy call on him in Zaria, Kaduna State.

He said that Nigeria produced only three per cent of wheat it consumed, while the remaining 97 per cent was being imported.

Umar-Abubakar said the country had the capacity to produce enough quantity of wheat needed for local processing and consumption.

“We have the capacity to produce enough wheat not only for our consumption, but also for export. Remember, we eat many products made from wheat every day.

“You can imagine what will happen if Nigerian farmers today decided to go on strike, can the oil money buy all the food we need in this country?

“Agriculture contributes 24 per cent of GDP, while oil contributes only seven per cent,” he said.

Umar-Abubakar said that there was no formidable policy to accelerate agricultural development in the country and pleaded with government to stop paying lip service to it.

He called for collaboration with members of the press to publicise activities of the institute, especially research findings not only for the benefit of farmers, but the nation at large.

Earlier, the Chairman of the chapel, Malam Mohammed Bello-Habib of Blueprint Newspapers, said the essence of the visit was to build long lasting relationship with the institute.

Bello-Habib appealed to the institute to organise training workshops for journalists to acquaint them with basic knowledge in agriculture to sharpen their skills in reporting the sector.

The chairman pledged to extend maximum support and cooperation to the institute to enable it record maximum success.

President Buhari Sympathises With Italy Over Deadly Earthquake

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sympathy with Italy over the deadly earthquake that claimed more than 200 lives inthe central parts of the country.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by Malam Garba Shehu, the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Buhari said the government and the people of Nigeria shared the grief of Italian citizens over the disaster.

“My heart and prayers go out to the people of Italy at this time of national mourning, caused by the devastating earthquake.

“President Buhari told the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Matteo Renzi, that his family, the government and the people of Nigeria shared the grief of Italian citizens over this deadly natural disaster,’’ Garba said.

The President prayed to God to comfort the families of the victims and grant them the fortitude to overcome their grief at this emotionally challenging time.

Man City Signs Bravo From Barcelona

Manchester City have completed the signing of Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo from Barcelona.

Bravo, 33, has moved to the Etihad Stadium ona four-year deal as a replacement for Joe Hart, who is now expected to leave the club before the end of the transfer window.

City boss Pep Guardiola had been keen to signa new shot-stopper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and has now finally landed his man.

Bravo joined Barcelona from Real Sociedad in 2014 and helped the Spanish giants win two La Liga titles and one Champions League crown during his time at Camp Nou.

By Goal.com

PHOTO NEWS: Peaceful Protest Hits Southern Kaduna Over Herdsmen Killings

FLASH: LEADERSHIP reports that there is ongoing peaceful protest in Southern area of Kaduna State over incessant killings by Fulani Herdsmen.

Businessman Threatens To Drag Ebonyi Lawmaker To EFCC Over Alleged N1m Dud Cheque

An Abakaliki businessman, one Mr. Victor Ogbonna on Thursday threatened to drag a Member Representing Onicha West State Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly; Hon. Valentine Okike to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged issuance of N1million dud cheque in partial satisfaction of his N6 million debt to him.

Mr. Ogbonna, who spoke through his counsel, Aja .N. Aja said he would soon approach the EFCC to investigate the alleged fraudulent act of the lawmaker.

In a petition dated August 15, 2016 addressed to Okike signed by Ogbonna’s counse, and made available to newsmen alleged that Okike issued him two separate cheques of Five hundred thousand Naira each on May 30 and June 30, 2016 but it was returned unpaid three times due to insufficient funds to carry out the obligation.

“We act for and on the instruction of Victor Ogbonna (hereafter called our client). It is our brief that sometime in May and June 2016, you caused to be issued and did in fact issue two cheques totaling the sum of N1, 000, 000 (one Million) to our client in partial satisfaction of a debt of N6, 000, 000 (six million naira) you owehim”.

“Specifically, on the 3oth of May 2016, you issued to our client a Zenith Bank Cheque with number 10452815 in the sum of N500, 000 (Five hundred thousand naira).

You subsequently gave our client another Zenith Bank Cheque with number 10452816 and dated 30th June, 2016 in the sum of N500,000(five hundred thousand naira)”.

“Both instruments were returned unpaid three times as you had insufficient funds to meet theobligation”, the letter read.

Meanwhile, Hon Okike who denied ever issuinganybody a dud cheque describing the allegation as baseless and plot by hisadversaries to impugn his integrity and reputation.

The Former Deputy Speaker of the State Houseof Assembly however confirmed receipt of a letter of demand of debt from one Barr Aja.

According to him; “Let me make myself clear, I did not give any dud cheque to anybody. And I do not owe the said person. I received a letter of demand which was sent through Courier service, DHL”.

“I have contacted my lawyers and at the appropriate time, I will speak. Whether the claimant is the one pursuing the matter or he isbeing pushed, I will take it up with anybody who maligns me, Okike threatened”.

EFCC Probes Former Kano Governor Kwankwaso's Presidential Campaign Fund

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into the campaign spending of Mr. Rabiu Kwankwanso, former governor of Kano State, who viedfor the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015. An impeccable source in the commission told SaharaReporters that the EFCC has found evidence that Kwankwaso diverted Kano State local government funds into his presidential campaign. The source hinted that Kwankwaso allegedly used his influence as governor to direct each of the 44 councils in the state contribute the sum of N70 million. Through this, heraised over N3 billion for his failed presidential bid.The money was sourced from the State and Local Government Joint Account, an action that irked some state government officials, who petitioned the EFCC after Kwankwaso left office in 2015.

The petitioners were said to have also supplied vital documents on the allegedfund diversion to the EFCC, which prompted the commission to begin investigation. The investigation began in 2015 and has seen Mr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, former Secretary to the State Government, and Mr. Danjuma Mahmud, former Accountant-General visit the commission regularly. SaharaReporters also learnt that both Bichi and Mahmud were detained at onepoint of the investigation, but were granted bail.

The incumbent governor of the state, Mr.  Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, relieved Mahmud of his position because of the regularity of his visits to the EFCC, which he felt was distracting him.

The EFCC source added that recently, some local government chairmen were detained and granted administrative bail by the EFCC in connection with the campaign fund.Billed to appear before the commission this week is the Chairman  of Fagge Local Government Area, Alhaji Habibu Saleh Mailemu. Next will be Ungogo Local Chairman, Saleh Aliyu. "I can tell you that we are investigating former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, based on a petition we have received. That is what I can say fornow," said the source.

(SaharaReporters.Com)

Biafra suffers setback as IPOB splits, new faction attacks Kanu

Nnamdi Kanu leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is still held captive for crimes bothering on treason. A faction of the IPOB says Biafra is not feasible.

The head of media and publicity of IPOB, EmmaPowerful, said the organisation under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had not changed and the loyalty of members was not in doubt.

“The only recognised IPOB is the one led by Nnamdi Kanu,”he said, adding that both locallyand internationally there is no other group that goes by that name

According to This Day, Powerful blamed the insinuation of leadership crisis on Dr. Dozie Ikedife of Bilie human rights group, who had some time ago, claimed that he was the leader of IPOB even when he did not know how the organisation was formed by Kanu.

READ ALSO: Death of Biafra? Nnamdi-Kanu’s wife speaks

According to him, Ikedife and his group have seen that “a lot of progress has been made in the Biafra struggle” and therefore want to hijackthe leadership of IPOB, adding that they have failed in their mischievous mission.

Ikedife had in March 2016 along with some people formed what they called customary government of Biafra, which they regarded as shadow government of Biafra without any recourse to IPOB leadership hence it was disowned by the members.

The IPOB media and publicity head noted that itwas the detractors that were now giving the impression that IPOB is divided but the world knows better and nobody can claim what is not real.

“Nnamdi Kanu remains the undisputable leaderand symbol of IPOB and no other organisation can change the situation,”he insisted.

Earlier reports had suggested that the position of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as led by Nnamdi Kanu, had been described as inflexible and defeatist by a faction of IPOB identified as the Re-branded Indigenous Peopleof Biafra (TRIPOB).

TRIPOB reportedly made the assertion on Monday, August 22 in Aba, Abia state.

(NAIJ.COM)

EFCC Arrests Cross RIvers Governor's Brother Over N2.4 Billion Contract Scam

A brother to the Cross Rivers State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade has been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The relation, Dr. Francis Ayade was arrested on Tuesday in connection with an alleged N2.4billion contract scam.

Ayade, Managing Director of Leophina Nigeria Limited and Hally Brown International Limited, was involved in shady deals involving diversion of public funds into his companies' accounts. Specifically, four different allocations from the Nigerian federal government accounts were allegedly diverted into Hally Brown International Limited's account owned by him.Investigations showed that Hally Brown International Limited was awarded a road construction contract to the tune of N2.4billion in 2011. To finance the contract, Ayade allegedly took a loan of N350,000,000 (Three Hundred and Fifty Million Naira only) from First Bank Plc, on behalf of Cross Rivers Rural Access and Mobility Project. The loan, was however, never used for the contract, but transferred into the Mobility Project.

Ayade has also been implicated in alleged suspicious transactions involving Obudu Micro Finance Bank, among other allegations.He has been offered administrative bail but still in the custody of the EFCC until he fulfills the bail conditions.

We Concluded 139 Elections On First Ballot, Out Of 163 – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday declared that sofar, it has concluded 139 elections out of a total of 163 elections.It however added that while 118 of the concluded elections were on first ballot, 21 were concluded after supplementary polls.

The commission stated this while reacting to remarks by outgoing President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Augustine Alegeh, who lambasted INEC for conducting 136 inconclusive elections in one year under the watch of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

Alegeh was quoted as making the remark at the 56th Annual General Conference of the NBA in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on August 21.

But a statement signed by the Acting Secretaryto INEC, Mr Musa Adamu, in Abuja yesterday described the assertion by the former NBA president as “misplaced and undeserved’’.

According to INEC, the commission has thus far concluded 139 elections (118 at first ballot and 21 after supplementary) out of a total of 163 scheduled elections and that 22 elections were suspended due to violence while 2 elections are sub judice.

‘’This shows that 72.3 per cent of the elections were concluded at first ballot, 21.8 per cent of inconclusive elections were concluded after supplementary, 1.2 per cent pending, while 13.4 per cent were suspended in Rivers.

’’In a further breakdown the commission said 163 elections comprising 80 court-ordered elections in the aftermath of 2015 general elections, 70 end-of-tenure elections, 13 by-elections occasioned by death or resignation have so far been conducted by the new commission.

“It is clear from the foregoing that Mr Alegeh‘s pronouncement was ill-informed and his stern rebuke to the commission was misplaced and undeserved,’’ the statement said.

It said that the commission had maintained that inconclusive elections were caused by violence and over-voting, and that the notion of inconclusive election was not strange to the laws.

According to it, the conditions for declaring an election inconclusive are stated in Sections 26 and 53 of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended

Fayose Condemns Police Invasion Of Kwakwanso’s House

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has condemned the Tuesday’s invasion and seal off of the residence of former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso by armed policemen to prevent a mass wedding programme, reiterating his earlier warning that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its supporters have built dictatorship round President Muhammadu Buhari by not joining other Nigerians to condemn his undemocratic acts.

The governor, who said he was more concerned about the rape of democracy and the rule law under the APC government of President Buhari, added that; “The fact that Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso is of the ruling APC should worry well-meaning Nigerians becauseit appears no one will be spared by this anti-democracy agents that have taking over Nigeria.

”In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, by the Special Assistant to governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose wondered where it was written in the laws of Nigeria that Nigerians must obtain Police permit to hold wedding ceremony or even to assemble in private residence.

The statement read; “When they invaded the Akwa Ibom State Government House with armed men of the Department of State Security (DSS), I raised alarm then and I did warn that Nigeria was being returned to 1984 when President Buhari ruled the country like a maximum ruler.

“When I said Nigerians irrespective of their political parties should rise in condemnation ofthe President Buhari’s government emerging dictatorship, many of our friends in the APC opted to keep silent. Some even hailed the Department of State Security (DSS) when the service invaded the Ekiti State House of Assembly and abducted a member of the House.

“Last week Wednesday, when the police sealedoff the venue of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention in Port-Harcourt and blocked the road leading to the Old Presidential Lodge of the Rivers State Government House where I and other PDP leaders were accommodated, our friends in the APC kept silent. Some even hailed the police!

“However, as a Nigerian and ardent lover of democracy and rule of law, I have elected to once again condemn the yesterday’s armed policemen invasion and seal off of the private residence of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and I hope that this time around, our friends in the APC will realise that no one will be spared by the time this emerging dictatorship reaches its peak”.

I Will Continue To Support Nigeria, Liberia, Says Obasanjo

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Has pledged that he would continue to support everything that would be in the best interest of Nigeria and Liberia.

Obasanjo gave assurance while hosting Liberia vice President, Mr Joseph Boakai, on Wednesday at his hiltop residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital.

Boakai was in Nigeria for an international conference organised by Save Democracy Group Africa. The former President said, “You can count on us that we would continue to support your country because the developmentof Liberia is paramount to us.

“If any country in West/Africa is lagging behind,then West/Africa is disturbed,” he said.

Earlier, the Liberia Vice President had stressed the need for quality investment in African youths to secure the future of the continent.He also called on African leaders to be united in fighting corruption in order to enhance sustainable economic development in the continent.

Boakai expressed concern at the increased rate of capital flight from the continent while many African countries remained underdeveloped and their youths unemployed.

He urged the leaders to be prudent in the management of the resources of their respective countries for the benefit of all in order to develop sense of belonging among thecitizens.

Kano Assembly Orders Removal Of Kwankwasiyya Inscriptions

The Kano State House of Assembly on Wednesday ordered the immediate removal of all Kwankwasiyya inscriptions from public buildings in Kano metropolis and other local government areas of the state.

The directive followed a motion by Alhaji Baffa Babba-Dan-Agundi, member representing Kano Municipal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Education.

The motion was unanimously adopted by all the 40 members of the State Assembly.

The House urged the 44 local government councils to comply with the order within one month.

The House directed that the Kwankwasiyya inscriptions, linked to former Gov. Rabiu Kwakwanso, be replaced with the names of prominent citizens of the state.

Meanwhile, the development had heightened suspicion that the animosity between Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje and his predecessor had taken a new dimension.

The House had also on Wednesday screened acommissioner nominee, Hajiya Yardada Maikano-Bichi, whose name was submitted  on Monday

NDLEA Seizes 96.39 Kilograms Of Hard Drugs In A/Ibom

The Akwa Ibom Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said that it impounded 96.39 kilograms of hard drugs from the suspects in the state between January and July this year.

The agency’s public relations officer (PRO), Mrs Maria Ilugbuhi, who made the disclosure in Uyo, saidthat 184 suspected drug offenders were also apprehended.

According to the agency image maker, 154 of the suspects were males, 30 females while six of them had been convicted.

Ilugbuhi added that during the period, the command also seized assorted hard drugs including cocaine, heroin, cannabis sativa and psychotropic substance from the suspects.

She attributed the success of the agency in arresting the suspects to the good working relationship and synergy between it and other security agencies in thestate.

The PRO, however, said that inadequate funding and logistics were some of the challenges the command faced.

She urged the people to endeavor to provide the agency with useful information on drug dealers and users for prompt action.

Prices of rice, corn, other foodstuffs crash in Jigawa

PM News is reporting that the prices of food items have crashed in Hadejia, Jigawa state.

Quoting News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), PM News reports that the crash in food price is as aresult of‘a significant increase in the supply of agricultural produce to the market’.

Prices of rice, corn, other foodstuffs crash in Jigawa

PM News is reporting that the prices of food items have crashed in Hadejia, Jigawa state.

Quoting News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), PM News reports that the crash in food price is as aresult of‘a significant increase in the supply of agricultural produce to the market’.

$10.3b probe: EFCC to seize Diezani’s assets in America

Ex-minister ‘acquired properties in associates’ names’ Former Petroleum Resources Minister  Diezani Alison-Madueke is likely to lose some United States properties traced to her.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is  probing Mrs Alison-Madueke for over $10 billion slush funds. It has initiated a process forthe seizure of the assets – in line with United States laws.

EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu has just returned from the United States where he discussed  with the authorities how to attach the properties,The Nationlearnt yesterday.

In the last one year, the EFCC has traced assets and items worth about $10billion to Mrs. Alison-Madueke and her business associates, Mr. Kola Aluko and Chief Jide Omokore.Some of the assets include an $18million peoperty (over N6.3billion at N350 exchange rate) in Abuja.

A top EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have located some assets allegedly owned by Diezani and some of her business associates in the United States. We are already collaborating with the US Government to attach these assets.

“In fact, the EFCC chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, spent about one and a half weeks in the US to workwith the relevant agencies to trace Diezani’s properties, some of which are believed to have been secured through business fronts like Kola Aluko.

“We have submitted relevant documents to the US authorities in order to facilitate the seizure of the assets.

”Responding to a question, the source added: “Someof these properties were acquired through some business fronts like Aluko and Omokore.

“We even have a in which houses on a street in Switzerland have been traced to an associate of Diezani.

”The EFCC is working with anti-graft agencies in Britain and the United States.

“Don’t forget that the EFCC initially secured a Mareva Injunction from Justice O.O. Oguntoyinbo to freeze some foreign accounts and seize some assets linked with Diezani’s associates in the United Kingdom,” the source said.

Accounts have been frozen in some of overseas financial institutions. They include BNP Paribas (Switzerland), LGT Bank (Switzerland), Standard Chartered Bank (London), Barclays Bank (London), Standard Energy (Voduz, Switzerland), HSBC (London), Corner Bank (Lugano, Switzerland) and Deutsche Bank (Geneva).

Section 34 (1) of the EFCC Act 2004 empowers the Commission to freeze any account suspected of being used for financial crimes.

The section stipulates that “the chairman of the commission or any officer authorised by him may, if satisfied that the money in the account of a person is made through the commission of an offence under this Act or any enactment specified under Section 6 (2) (a)-(f) of this Act, apply to the court ex parte for power to issue or instruct a bank examiner or such other appropriate authority to freeze the account.

”The National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK arrested and quizzed Mrs Alison-Madueke and fourothers on October 2, 2015 for alleged bribery, corruption and money laundering.Also the EFCC has interrogated five more suspects since her interrogation.

The NCA last year obtained permission from a Westminster Magistrate’s Court to seize 27,000 pounds from Alison-Madueke and two other women.

Although NCA detectives have visited the country this year in line with the probe, it was unclear as at press time when she will be formally arraigned in court in the UK.

While the UK investigation was in progress, the EFCC uncovered another $115million poll bribery scam in which the ex-minister was implicated.

But Mrs Alison-Madueke has described allegationsagainst her as “cold-hearted” and inhuman because she is ill.

Her statement said in part: “Coming at such a critical time in my life when I am battling cancer, this poorly executed propaganda bares on its face like tribal marks, a clearly malicious attempt to victimise an innocent woman in what appears an exaggerated plot to validate and give credibility to the anti-corruption crusade under Nigeria’s new regime.

“People who are battling cancer or those who have lost their loved ones to this medical condition understand what I am going through at this time.

“This is what makes me ponder at the cold-heartedness of those who will go any length to defame and destroy in the name of propaganda. What happened to our shared humanity?

”I have absolute regard for the law and believe that people who have breached the laws that govern societies should be made to face the wrath of the law.

“But in a civilized society, a responsible government owes its citizens absolute commitmentto the principles of rule of law, equity, fairness and justice. I have been wrongfully and maliciously maligned and those behind this reckless action know it.

“I leave them to posterity, their conscience and above all the Almighty God who is the final judge ofall.”

Nigeria U-20 Star Joins Bologna

Nigeria U-20 striker Orji Okonkwo has completed his move to Serie A club Bologna.

The 18-year-old passed his medical on Monday after he agreed a long term switch to the Italian outfit from the Football Academy Abuja.

Okonkwo who had been previously tracked by Tottenham, Roma, Chelsea and West Ham including Serie B side Spezia finalized his move to Stadio Renato Dall’Ara to ward off further interest.

Goal learnt that the contract offer from Spezia almost happened but lately crashed following breakdown in talks over personal terms with the former U17 star.Okonkwo came into spotlight when he netted a35-yard screamer in Nigeria U17 4-2 semi-final victory against Mexico at the 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup in Chile.

He was also part of the Flying Eagles squad that failed to qualify for the 2017 Africa Youth Championship after a 4-3 home defeat to Sudan.

With Okonkwo’s signing, Bologna have made ahuge statement of their ambitions as they hopeto consolidate on their 1-0 opening season victory against Crotone.

Why We Won’t Use Force In Niger Delta – PMB

President Muhammadu Buhari has explained why the federal government would not use force in stopping militancy in the Niger Delta region, even as he pledged that the anti-corruption crusade in the country will be deepened and institutionalised to last beyond the life of the current administration.

Receiving American Secretary of State, Mr John Kerry, at an audience in State House, Abuja, yesterday, the president said though militancy in the Niger Delta had impacted negatively on the economy and affected the positive intentions of international and local investors, government was showing restraint not to use real force, “except when constrainedto do so.

”On corruption, he said, “We will insist on the standards we’re establishing. We are laying down administrative and financial instructions in the public service that must be obeyed. Any breach will no longer be acceptable.

“We will retrain our staff, so that they understand the new orientation. And those who run foul of these rules will be prosecuted, no matter who is involved. But we will be fair, just and act according to the rule of law.

Anyone perceived corrupt is innocent till we can prove it. We will work very hard to establish documentation for successful prosecution, and those in positions of trust willsit up.

”A statement by the president’s special adviser on media, Femi Adesina, said Buhari appreciated the intervention of the U.S before the 2015 polls, demanding free and fair elections in Nigeria, saying, “America did not do it because of what it stands to benefit from us. You did it for the Nigerian people. It tells somuch what the U.S stands for in the world.

”On the Boko Haram insurgency, he thanked the U.S for both hard and soft military help.

“The training and intelligence that we could notmuster ourselves, we received. The training has made Boko Haram less of a threat to Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region, while the military hardware has given our troops added confidence.”