Former VP, Atiku Abubakar shares workout photos

Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar posted photos of his workout session. "Warming up for my medicals, so I can complete my transfer to Arsenal in January" the 69-year-old joked.

Economic Recession: Senate Invites Buhari To Address Joint Session Of NASS

The senate on Thursday invited President Muhammadu Buhari to brief a joint session of the national assembly on his plans for getting the economy out of recession.

The invitation is in concurrence with that of theHouse of Representatives which passed similar resolution on September 22, inviting the president to explain to the legislature his plans to deal with the economic economy.

When the question of whether to invite the president was put by the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, the senators answered in the affirmative.

The Senate however did not specify a date on which the President Commander in Chief is to brief the joint session.

The Senate also recommended the need for true federalism and amendment of section 162of the constitution to review the sharing formula between the Federal Government and State governments.

Budget Padding: FG Disciplines 184 Civil Servants, 22 Top Officials Dismissed

A total of 184 civil servants were disciplined for their different roles in the padding of the 2016 budget.This was contained in Buhari’s authorised biography, ‘Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria’, written by Prof. John Paden and presented to the public on Monday

.Of the 184, Paden said 22 top officials were dismissed from service.

He said the President viewed the padding as an attempt to scuttle his administration’s innovations, hence his decision to wield the big stick against the culprits.

The author wrote, “Buhari himself was frustrated by earlier padding of the budget by bureaucrats in some of the ministries.“

This was interpreted by the Buhari team as an attempt to scuttle the innovations proposedby the President by inflating their costs.“

When Buhari found out, he was reported to beangry and ordered a purge of the ministries involved from the Director-General down.“Twenty-two top officials were dismissed, including the budget director. In all, 184 civil servants were disciplined.”

He added that even after the budget had been adjusted downward by the National Assembly,the country would still have to borrow $3.5bn, as a result of the drop in oil prices.

In February, Buhari had while addressing the Nigerian community in Saudi Arabia, vowed that all those involved in the padding of the 2016 national budget, which led to the discrepancies in the document, would face severe punishment.

He had said the alterations, which he described as embarrassing and disappointing, made the document, being debated in the National Assembly at that time, completely different from what was prepared by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

Describing those responsible for the distortion of the budget proposals as entrenched interests, the President had said since he had been holding public offices, he had never heard about budget padding before the incident.

Buhari had added, “The culprits will not go unpunished. I have been a military governor, petroleum minister, military Head of State and headed the Petroleum Trust Fund.

“Never had I heard the words budget padding. Our Minister of Budget and National Planning did a great job with his team.“

The minister became almost half his size during the time, working night and day to get the budget ready, only for some people to pad it.

“What he gave us was not what was finally being debated. It is very embarrassing and disappointing. We will not allow those who did it to go unpunished.”

Reaffirming his government’s zero tolerance for corruption, Buhari said the war against corruption was a monumental task that he was determined to tackle successfully.

Punch

Photos: Troops neutralize male suicide bomber in Borno

Today at about 6.30am, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole intercepted and neutralized a male suicide bomber at the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno State. The terrorist who attempted to infiltrate through the troops forward defences at Jidari Polo general area, came in through Alidawari village about 4 kilometres ahead of Jidari strapped with heavy Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) vest.

The vigilant troops on sighting him laid in wait for theintruder when vehemently refused to stop despite several warnings and challenges. A marksman neutralized the suicide bomber. The combined team of Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) safely detonated the IED laden vest on the suicide bomber.

President Buhari receives Leadership 'Manof the Year 'Award

President Buhari received Leadership 2015 Man of the Year Award from former Head of State, Abdulsalam Abubakar. He's flanked by L-R: Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, Representative of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Mr Tanimu Turaki, Chairman Leadership Group Sam Nda-Isaiah at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja on 6th October, 2016.

House of Reps members take home N5-10million and a car at the end of every 4 years- Abdulmumin says

This is according to the suspended lawmaker, Abdulmumin Jibrin.

‘I was offered N20million to donate my sperm’ – IK Ogbonna

Nollywood actor and model, Ikechukwu Mitchel Ogbonna simply known as IK Ogbonna has finally revealed his highest temptation since coming into prominence. Speaking in an exclusive interview with LIB, today October 6, the dandy looking actor who narrated how he strived so hard to the top, said.‘

There are times when I was broke to zero Naira, I’d leave my friend’s place to visit my sister at the bridge clinic to ask for as little as -N-2000.

On that faithful day while sitting waiting for my sister,a woman met me with her husband and offered me N20m to donate my sperm, who probably was impotent.

’The ‘Stolen Live’ actor also stated that after several thoughts; he couldn’t withstand gifting his own offspring.‘

After thinking about the offer, I told myself that I would be a very great man someday, and my kids willlive out of sight because that is the highest temptation; I have ever experienced in all my life.’

ClassiQ Speaks: I begged Rahama Sadau to feature in video that caused her expulsion

Jos born music star, ClassiQ, has told
PREMIUM TIMES that he was not happy
with what happened to popular
Kannywood actress, Rahama Sadau.

Ms. Sadau was expelled from the
Kannywood film industry for featuring
in a romantic music video of ClassiQ’s
new single ‘I love you’.

Her expulsion was announced on
Sunday by MOPPAN, a coalition of
associations that set rules and
regulations governing the conduct of
actors and actresses, as well as
production of movies in northern
Nigeria.

ClassiQ, who sounded remorsefully
throughout, said he never thought things
would turnout the way they did.

”I actually asked and begged Rahama
Sadau to be part of the video because
she is a popular figure in the
entertainment industry and that is all. I
wanted a popular face in the video,” he
said.

“When the whole thing blew because of
her appearance in the video, I got
shocked. In fact I am still not myself till
now. I am shocked by her expulsion.

“I keep feeling it is because of my video
that she got expelled from the industry
and that is not good at all. She is a good
person. “

We are not in any way trying to prove a point or step on any body’s toe.

“It is strictly professional and look at
what it has turned out to be for her. I
am so worried and disturbed about it, ”
the musician told PREMIUM TIMES.
Meanwhile, a popular Kaduna-based
film and music producer, Asino
Handsome, said the whole issue was
blown out of proportion. ”

I think she should have been suspended and warned instead of expulsion. She is a great actress. The regulatory body should have placed her on last warning.

“Outright expulsion is not a good thing. I
am appealing to MOPPAN to please
revisit the sanction and help the
actress.”

Rahama Sadau, who is yet to react to her
expulsion, is expected to return to
Nigeria from her vacation in India this
week.

Kannywood actress Rahama Sadau, expelled from Hausa film industry for 'immoral' appearance in a romantic music video

Top Kannywood actress, Rahama Sadau has been expelled from the Hausa film industry by the Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria.

Rahma Sadau was expelled for featuring in a romantic musical video by Jos born musician, ClassiQ.

The statement dated October 2 and signed by the Secretary of the association, Salisu Mohammed, also warned other actors and actresses to henceforth follow the rules binding their participation in the Kannywood film industry.

No word yet from Sadau, who is currently in Mumbai, India

Song tittle: ClassiQ - I Love You. Ft. Avala

FLASH: Troops repel attack at Logomani

At about 1.00am today, Sunday 25th September 2016, some suspected remnants of Boko Haram fighters attacked our troops location of at Logomani along Dikwa-Gambarou road, Borno State, in a 3 wave attack using 36 Hand Grenades and Rocket Propelled Launchers. Our troops fought gallantly and repelled the attack which lasted for about one hour. At the end of the fierce encounter, the troops counted 22 dead bodies of Boko Haram fighters.

They also recovered 2 AK-47 Rifles, 1 FN Rifle, 1 G3 Rifle and some 36 Hand grenades. Unfortunately, we lost 4 soldiers and their rifles as a result of the effect of Boko Haram use of Rocket Propelled Grenades, while 2 soldiers were wounded in action. The wounded in action have been evacuated for further medical management. The location have been reinforced and replenished while the troops have continued their clearance operations.

New things to happen in preparation of the 20th anniversary of Gombe State.

In preparation to the 20th anniversary of Gombe State the Committee has change the name of some institutions and projects subject to approval by state Government:

1. Gombe Airport now Sani Abacha Airport Gombe.
2. Shango Housing Estate now Hashidu Estate.
3. Investment Quarters now Danjuma Goje Estate.
4. Labour Quarters now M.I.Bawa Estate.
5. Gombe State University now Bubayero University Gombe.
6. College of Edu now Illiyasu Maiyamba College of Education Billiri.
7. Polytechnic Bajoga now Muhammadu Kwairanga Polytechnic Bajoga.
8. Pantami Stadium now A.B.M Stadium.
The rest are naming of School of Nursing Dukku, Int'l Conference Centre, Major Roads, Trailer park e.t.c

N5bn reportedly found in account of an Army General's daughter

EFCC operatives have reportedly found N5 billion lodged in an account operated by the daughter of an Army General.

According to an official in the antigraftagency who spoke on condition of anonymity toThe Sun, investigations so far carried out into the account, showed that N10 million was sometimes deposited 5 to 6 times within a day.

The source stated that the Army general's daughter isunder 30 and recently got married. The account officer, a lady who manages the account was subsequently invited by the EFCC. She gave useful information which led to the invitation of the Army General’s daughter towards the last week of August.

The source stated that she pleaded for more time to enable her attend to her infant child.The young nursing mother eventually turned up with her mother, baby, husband and lawyer about two weeks ago. And for two days, she faced interrogation though she was not detained because she is a nursing mother. “Details of the account show that cash deposits of about N10 million were consistently paid into the account sometimes five or six times a day. The money so far deposited into that account and another in London should well be over N5 billion”, the source said.

Investigators also discovered that even though the lady was still a student in the United Kingdom, hundreds of thousands of Pound Sterling were wired into the bank account of a London based firm’s bank account for her. The firm, Carrington Whyte Consulting with Flat 4, Grove End Gardens 33 Grove End Road NW8 9LL London, as its address, was curiously registered around June 2014 and shortly after, the funds began to hit its bank account from Nigeria in torrents.

Though the Army General’s daughter is currently on administrative bail, she is however, expected to reportback for further interrogation next week. “We had to study her last statements, juxtapose them with our findings and draw up fresh questions for her and withwhich we confront her next week”, the source explained.

Niger Delta Avengers end ceasefire, bomb oil pipeline in Bonny

Militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, have ended their ceasefire as the group attacked the Bonny 48 inches crude oil Export Line yesterday evening at about 8.40pm. The group announced the new attack on its website. Read the statement below On the 23rd September 2016, our strike team at 20:40PM hours time has brought down oil productions activities at the Bonny 48 inches crude oil Export Line.

This action is a signature to the over dramatization ofthe so-called dialogue and negotiation process on the side of President Muhammadu Buhari and his government. Since, the cessation of hostilities and the commitment of the PAN Niger Delta Elders and stakeholders team, the Nigerian government and her agents are turning the expectations of the Niger Deltato shameful scenes obtainable in Nollywood acts andas well intimidations, blackmails and continuous profiling of Niger Delta sons and daughters.

This is only a wake up call; we may not have other way to say it better. We are still in favour of the dialogue and negotiations but we are warning against " the peace of our time! We want the peace with honour”.

We will resist all actions undermining the ceasefire from side of the government and it security agents/ agencies. The world is watching, time is running against the Nigerian state; while we were promised that the concerns of Niger Delta will be addresses once a truce is declared, the activities of the government andher agents are not assuring enough, there has been no progress and no breakthrough.

We cannot be continuously fooled, the government cannot justify the indiscriminate targeting of Niger Delta youths while glorifying on these victimization oflaw abiding citizens of the region

Troops Recover Large Cache Of Ammunition In Maiduguri

Acting directod,  Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman in Saturday said troops on Operation LAFIYA DOLE deployed in the outskirts of Maiduguri following a tip off from the Civilian JTF in the area have recovered a large cache of ammunition at a residential area of Bulabulin Ngarnam, Borno State, today morning.

According to him,  the recovered ammunition include 3 sealed boxes of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 3 jerry cans containing various calibres of ammunition, 2 sacks containing 5,998 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition and 1, 760 rounds of 5.56mm SS109 calibre of ammunitions.

In addition, they recovered 5 empty magazines of AK-47 rifle and a magazine of Fabrique Nationale rifle.The Nigerian Army wishes to once more commend the patriotic zeal and efforts of the Civilian JTF.

He said “We also call on all to be more securityconscious and report any suspicious person orgroup of persons as we believe there could be more of such arms and ammunitions hidden ordumped by the Boko Haram terrorists in other parts especially in the north east.”

6 Verified Presidency Twitter Handles To Follow For Latest Info

Twitter is a key tool for disseminating timely and genuine information to followers with it’s over 310 million monthly active users as at 2016. Many governments are taking advantage of these to reach out to their citizenry. The Nigerian government is not lagging behind as it is actively present on twitter and other social media networks.

On these handles, you can get information about the government. Hence, it is important for Nigerians to follow these twitter accounts. Jumia travel, Africa’s No 1 hotel booking portalidentifies 6 of these twitter handles. Most of these accounts are verified. So, you don’t need to question the authenticity of the tweeted information on these handles.

@Mbuhari

Nigerians have complained that President Muhammadu Buhari doesn’t regularly address them. This may be probably true. But, with over 662,000 followers on twitter, the handle ofthe president often dishes out information about government affairs. So, it is a good placeto start hearing from PMB.

@NGRpresident

This handle offers the latest information from the Office of the President, Muhammadu Buhari. So, if you want to know about the important things that are happening in the President’s office @NGRpresident is the handle to follow.

@ProfOsinbajo

The Vice President is very active on social media with over 667,000 followers. You can get relevant information about the economy, Information, and Communication Technology and also the activities of the Vice-President.

@AsoRock

This handle aggregates all the activities of the Federal Government of Nigeria as well as its ministries and disseminates the info to the public. The handle also has live tweets retreatsand other governmental functions.

@DigiCommsNG

@DigiCommsNG is where you get latest activities of government in the ICT sector. For example, the Aso Villa demo day was aggressively promoted on this handle which involved over 30 startups coming together to present their pitches.

@GarShehu

This is the official handle of the spokesman forPresident Muhammadu Buhari. For rejoinders, press releases and clarifications, this is the handle to follow.

Source: Leadership