Eleven governorship candidates In Adamawa State from various political parties have withdrawn from the race and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The candidates announced their defections on Friday at the flag off ceremony of the APC governorship candidate in Yola the state capital.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/12/11-governorship-candidates-defect-apc/

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has called on its former president, Legborsi Pyagbara, and the newly appointed Minister of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Sulaiman Hassan, not to cause crisis in Ogoniland.

The new President of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke, who was inaugurated on January 4 this year, made the call on Friday in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State during a tour of the MOSOP head office in the area.

Nsuke said: “MOSOP wants to make it clear that Pyagbara is no longer in charge of the organisation as every claim he could make to the presidency of MOSOP had been lost following the expiration of his tenure of office on December 31, 2018 and therefore, the Ogoni people will not welcome any visit initiated by him for the Minister or his representatives.”

Nsuke used the opportunity to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to caution the Federal Ministry of Environment noting that following a change in the leadership of MOSOP which saw the inauguration of the new executives on January 4 this year during the annual Ogoni Day, any visit of the Minister or his representatives without the consent of the Ogoni people could lead to a conflict and should be avoided.

“The Ogoni people, we must say, will resist every attempt to disregard their decision on the leadership of MOSOP which has been expressed by the emergence of Mr Fegalo Nsuke as the new president of MOSOP,” he said.

The new MOSOP President said “the desperation of people whose tenure has expired and yet will want to conduct a faulty cleanup is clear sign that the Ogoni cleanup fund is in danger.”

He called on the Ogonis to arise and defend their collective heritage and stop whoever wants to toy with their rights to a dignified life.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/12/dont-cause-crisis-ogoniland-mosop-tells-pyagbara-environment-minister/

About 61 political parties have rejected what they termed “over 8 obnoxious clauses” inserted into the 2019 election guidelines by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The National Chairman of the Action Peoples Party (APP) and the Publicity Secretary of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Chief Ikenga Ugochinyere said in a statement Friday that the 61 parties argued the new clauses would ruin the 2019 polls.

Chief Ugochinyere said the political parties rejected the clause in the guideline which “allows unduly accredited voters” who have PVCs to vote even if their names were not on the voters’ register.

The parties threatened to therefore, pass a vote of no confidence on INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu if he goes ahead to release the “contentious guidelines” on Monday, without further consultation with political parties.

“Political parties demand retention of 2011 and 2015 separate accreditation time and separate voting time to help forestall rigging with the presence of voters at the polling unit instead of INEC 2019 simultaneous accreditation and voting.

“Political parties demand announcement of accreditation figures by 12 noon on election day and recorded in a signed form and given to party agents before voting starts, to forestall doctoring of election figures during collation.

“Political parties demand stoppage of PVC collection 10 days to the election day and disclosure of the total number of PVC collected on polling unit basis to political parties.

“Political parties demand transparency in collation and transmission of results with accredited representatives of election observers and political parties monitoring.

“Political parties reject the creation or usage of secret polling units called voting point settlement and demand full list and location of such units.

“Political parties demand the redeployment of Amina Zakari as head of collation centre and replacement with Federal Commissioner incharge of Operation, Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu to ensure credibility and balancing,” the statement said.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/61-political-parties-reject-inecs-draft-guidelines-for-2019-elections.html

It is unfortunate that Governor Ortom of Benue State is visiting churches and donating millions of naira to them despite his inability to pay the salaries of workers in the state. The governor behaves as if he can bribe God and buy the hearts of Christians for his re-election agenda. His N6 million donation to NKST Yima in Makurdi is a confirmation to my assertion.

Governor Ortom thinks that he can re-contest the governorship position in the state and win after his obvious incompetence, particularly with the bailout funds from the Paris Club refunds and his inability to pay workers’ salaries, retirees’ benefits and lack of investment in public projects.



Therefore, I must applaud President Muhammadu Buhari for his recent advice to Nigerians in spite of his poor performance and failure. The president appealed to Nigerians to vote out governors owing salaries of their workers. According to him, despite the bailout funds received by the governors, the workers are still not getting their salaries and he wondered how these governors could sleep comfortably.



Note: many governors in the same party with the president also owe their workers and for the president to advise that they should be voted out without taking sides, it is something to appreciate. But let me also advise Nigerians to equally vote out Mr. President for performing very badly.



In Governor Ortom’s first year in office, he spent more time in China and claimed to be working on how to attract investment into the state as part of his campaign promises on job creation. Where are the companies? There is no single Chinese company in Benue State or any other companies established by the administration.



Rather, the governor expanded unemployment circle in the state as he sacked many workers and accused them of being ghosts. He described the employment of other sacked workers as illegal due to his conflict with the former Governor Gabriel Suswam that employed them. But the same Suswam is now his friend because they are all in PDP and working against Senator Akume and his governorship candidate Dr. Emmanuel Jime.



Nevertheless, those governors who are behaving like Governor Ortom donating money to churches and mosques but could not pay the salaries of the workers in their states should know that they cannot bribe God with their money and buy the hearts of brethren for their selfish interest. The money donated goes into the pockets of the pastors, Imams and their subordinates but has no impact on any member of theses churches and mosques.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/12/breaking-governor-ortom-churches-reelection/

The Senator representing Ogun East at the National Assembly, Buruji Kashamu on Thursday moved to close ranks with his arch-rival in the contest for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial ticket in Ogun state, Ladi Adebutu.

To this end, Kashamu has directed all his supporters and associates to work with members of Adebutu-led PDP faction “in the overall interest of the party.”

Daily Trust reports that Kashamu made a U-turn barely 24 hours after he issued a statement rejecting Adebutu’s Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO). He had described it as fake.

However, in a statement Kashamu personally issued on Thursday in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun state and made available to journalists, he said it was better for the contending groups to work and win together – in the overall interest of the party.

He said: “It is true we are in court. But, we are hopeful that the issues will be resolved sooner than later.

“However, in the overall interest of the party, it is better and wiser for us to work together as members of the same family pending the resolution of the issues in court.

“We may have had our disagreements and issues, and have submitted them to the court for adjudication; yet, we have been talking to one another.

“We reckon that whichever way it goes, the court cannot bring about genuine reconciliation and peace. So, we have resolved to be agents of peace and reconciliation.

“Let us put aside our ego, prejudices and personal interests, and work together for the party – in the hope that whoever carries the day will work for the party, its members and the generality of the people.

“It is in the light of the foregoing that I wish to formally and publicly urge all my leaders, elders and supporters to work with the Lado group within the Ogun state chapter of the PDP ahead of February 16 and March 2, 2019 elections.”

Kashamu therefore urged that the ongoing unity meetings and rallies between the two groups within the Ogun state PDP be intensified and held in the 236 wards, 20 local governments and three senatorial districts of the state.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/11/ogun-pdp-crisis-kashamu-closes-ranks-adebutu/

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose has released a viral video in his attacks against Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi.

The ex-governor, in a video circulated on various digital platforms, on Thursday, called on the people of the state to vote against Olujimi in the February 16 National Assembly polls.

The battle between the two leaders has polarised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state ahead of the January 14 visit of the presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar for a rally in Ado-Ekiti.

Fayose and Olujimi had on Tuesday set up parallel PDP Presidential Campaign Councils with offices at different locations in Ado-Ekiti with their loyalists queuing up behind them.

Olujimi, who represents Ekiti South in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly, accused Fayose of drawing a list of members contrary to the one agreed by party stakeholders.

Olujimi has former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as main opponent in the battle for Ekiti South senatorial chair.

However, Fayose, who wore a white long-sleeve kaftan over a white trousers, with a black cap to match, advised Ekiti electorate to vote Atiku and other PDP candidates, expect Olujimi.

The video is trending on Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms.

In the video, Fayose said: “Ekiti Kete o, my name is Ayo Peter Fayose, Osokomole. My beloved teachers, my beloved workers, okada riders and entire people of Ekiti State.

“I commend to you, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, our President-in-waiting. I commend to you all candidates of PDP in Ekiti except Senator Abiodun Olujimi.

“That is, we must not return Abiodun Olujimi to the Senate. I know you will do exactly what I ask you to do.

“I love you and may God bless you, this is Act 1, Scene 1.”

SEE VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50m6gcnh_p0

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/10/fayose-versus-olujimi-ex-senator-guides-ekiti-individuals-video/

•Police disrupt PDP rally in Gumel LGA of Jigawa State on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.
The Police in Jigawa State have disrupted the flag off of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s rally in Gumel Local Government Area of the state.

They were said to have fired tear gas at the party’s supporters to prevent the rally from holding.

The Deputy Chairman of the Party, Babandi Ibrahim, confirmed this to journalists on Wednesday.

According to him, the Police barricaded the area, preventing them from carrying out their activities, despite the party acquiring permission from them as well the Department of State Services (DSS).

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/10/just-police-tear-gas-pdp-faithful-rally/

A noble laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, on Wednesday, said fake news may cause World War III if effort was not made to curb it.

He was speaking at a conference on fake news, titled: “Nigeria 2019: Countering Fake News”. It was organized by BBC News.

“I made a statement before that if we are not careful, World War III will be started by fake news and that fake news will be probably generated by a Nigerian,” he said.

He said he had been a victim of fake news, and that numerous false statements had been wrongly attributed to him.

“You may find a statement that was attributed to you in a kind of language which you will never use.

“For example, during the last presidency, statement was attributed to me that I said it serves President Jonathan right for marrying an illiterate woman.

“I never made any comment whatsoever about that lady and suddenly, here it is staring me in the face,” Soyinka said.

He also said, “There are other times, a card had been created and that card comes out on the internet and it said Prof Wole Soyinka says anybody who votes for this person, one, must be stupid, two, must be mentally retarded, three, his mother must be a goat, four, his father must be a gorilla. This comes out all the times.”

He said those who spread fake new were “sick in the head”, “cowards” and “lack conviction.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/09/world-war-iii-may-caused-nigerian-soyinka/

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, has resigned her appointment to run for elective positions in the 2019 general elections.

She is running to represent the Damaturu/Tarmuwa/Gujba/Gulani federal constituency of Yobe State in the National Assembly.

She defeated her son-in law, Mohammed Bukar Abba Ibrahim, to emerge flagbearer of the House of representative seat for Damaturu/Tarmuwa/Gujba/Gulani constituency of Yobe State last year’s October at the All Progressives Congress (APC) the primary election.

She had scored 1,295 votes while her step son got 15 votes.

Hajiya Ibrahim, who was appointed minister in 2015, is the sixth minister to resign from the federal cabinet.

She confirmed to some State House Correspondents that Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting was going to be her last, shortly before the commencement of the meeting.

Her resignation comes a month after the former Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jubril, resigned following his declaration as the 13th Emir on December 7, 2018 following his selection by the Nasarawa Emirate Council and subsequent approval by Governor Tanko Umaru Al-makura.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/09/breaking-another-buharis-minister-resigns/

The African Development Bank Group, through its Trade Finance operations, has approved a US$14.12 million facility to support the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s membership in the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI). This is a critical and mandatory step to enable ATI commence its operations in Nigeria. Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, joins 14 other African countries that have already signed up to ATI membership.

Once membership formalities in ATI are finalised, Nigeria could benefit from gross political and commercial risk insurance cover on total investments and trade amounting to over US$5 billion by 2020. The catalytic effect of using limited financial resources in this way is undoubtedly massive.

The approved facility complements ongoing and planned interventions geared at building institutional capacity and improving the resilience of the Nigerian economy. Joining ATI will enable Nigeria to leverage its position to mobilise additional resources to finance trade, especially importation of essential goods such as medicines and communications equipment, to rehabilitate basic infrastructure and strengthen the country’s productive sector.

ATI’s mandate is to provide medium to long term credit and political risk insurance, as well as other risk mitigation products to its member countries and related public and private sector actors.

These products directly encourage and facilitate foreign direct investment as well as local private sector investment in regional member countries and intra- and extra-African trade. ATI catalyses private sector investments in infrastructure projects, thereby promoting economic integration of participating countries into regional markets.

This financing aligns with four of the Bank’s High 5 priorities, namely: Light Up and Power Africa, Industrialize Africa, Feed Africa and Integrate Africa. As a trade finance facilitation initiative, this financing will support operations that are crosscutting and multi-sectoral in nature and will have an impact on agribusiness, infrastructure development, electricity generation, telecommunications and manufacturing.

According to the Director of the Financial Sector Department, Stefan Nalletamby, “The Bank seeks to achieve its ambitious development mandate by working with and through other strategic partners, and where possible, by supporting the development of strong and viable African institutions such as ATI. This financing scales up the work of ATI by supporting the beneficiary RMCs to become members.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/09/african-development-bank-approves-us14-12-million-support-nigerias-membership-african-trade-insurance-agency/

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has revealed that the purported leaked audio of Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, criticising President Muhammadu Buhari, will not break the ranks of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Igbere TV gathered that the minister stated this at a media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, said the leaked audio was part of the “mudslinging’’ politics of the opposition”.

He said:-

“Again, the opposition is determined to ensure that the ongoing campaign for the 2019 elections is not based on issues but on mudslinging.

“What is the point in shopping around for audio clips or publications that are then maliciously edited out of context?

“Why do they think this will break our ranks in the ruling party?

“What advantage do they think they can get from this infantile act?

“Whoever wants to circulate any audio or video clip should do so in its entirety so that the people can understand the context.

“Otherwise, let them continue wasting their time circulating an audio that is clearly designed to blackmail’’.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/09/lai-mohammed-speaks-amaechis-leaked-tape-read-said/

The United Nations says Nigeria lost an estimated 2.8 billion dollars in revenues in 2018, mainly due to oil-related crimes.

This is according to a new ‘Report by the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)’ on Monday in New York.

The report, which covered from July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018, said “Maritime crime and piracy off the coast of West Africa continued to pose a threat to peace, security and development in the region.

“Oil-related crimes resulted in the loss of nearly 2.8 billion dollars in revenues last year in Nigeria, according to government figures.

“Between January 1 and November 23, there were 82 reported incidents of maritime crime and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.’’

The report also noted that compared to the situation reflected in the previous report, there was an increase in drug trafficking throughout West Africa and the Sahel.

“In Benin, the Gambia and Nigeria, more than 50 kilogrammes of cocaine were seized between July and October by joint airport interdiction task forces.

“During the same period, joint airport interdiction task forces seized more than six kilogrammes of methamphetamines, eight kilogramme of heroin (double the amount in the first half of 2018) and 2.6 tonnes of cannabis.

“Drug production across the region was also reportedly on the rise, with more than 100 kilogrammes of ephedrine and phenacetin seized by competent authorities,’’ the report said.

During the reporting period, it said that conflicts between farmers and herders resulted in loss of lives, destruction of livelihoods and property, population displacements and human rights violations and abuses.

The report said outbreaks of violence were recorded in many states across Nigeria, although with more frequency in the Middle Belt region, as well as Adamawa and Taraba.

It said the spike in conflict between farmers and herders was closely linked with demographic pressures, desertification and the attendant loss of grazing reserves and transhumance routes, which had been exacerbated by climate change.

Others were challenges in the implementation of effective land management and climate change adaptation policies, and limited enforcement of existing pastoral laws.

Political and economic interests, the erosion of traditional conflict resolution mechanisms, and weapons proliferation, were other factors attributed to the increased cases of herders-farmers conflict.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/08/nigeria-lost-2-8-billion-oil-related-crimes-2018-un/

The Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, on Monday broke down in tears when a delegation from the state visited President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

The governor was moved to tears because of what he described as the recent setback in the fight against insurgency.

He, however, noted that the leaders had not lost hope in the President’s ability to win the war and restore peace in the state.

Amidst the tears, he told the President that the delegation came to present a set of observations and specific requests from a security meeting held a week ago in the state, which will require urgent presidential intervention.

The meeting has now come to an end and the governor declined to give details of the observations and requests made to the president.

Others present included the National Security Adviser, Mohammed Babagana Monguno, the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, the DG of DSS and NIA, Chief of Defense Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin and members of the National Assembly.
Terrorists Invasion

Borno has been one of the hotspots of insurgency with several attacks, claiming the lives of many including security operatives.

One of the most significant in recent times is the killing of several soldiers after an attack on their military bases in Metele, Gazamalu Local Government Area of the state.

Another equally significant attack is the abduction of over 200 female students from the Government Secondary School in Chibok town in 2014.

After several negotiations between the Federal Government and the insurgents, some girls were released.

While some others managed to escape on their own, some others died while in captivity.

A similar attack occurred in Dapchi, Yobe State (February 2018) where over 100 schoolgirls were abducted. After several negotiations, almost all the girls were released except one (Leah Sharibu).

She was held back by the terrorists for refusing to renounce her faith.

A few others were said to have died as a result of the trauma while in captivity.

Also in Borno, some aid workers were abducted and killed in 2018 by the insurgents after they claimed that the deadline they gave to the Federal Government to meet their demands had expired.

While the government has expressed sadness over the spate of attacks, it has continued to reassure Nigerians that the war against insurgency is not yet lost.

Severally it has also debunked claims that the insurgents were still in control of some towns, with the President insisting that his administration has recorded significant improvement in fighting Boko Haram.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/08/borno-governor-weeps-meeting-buhari/

The Presidency has said that as a party leader and a candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming elections, President Muhammadu Buhari will campaign for the party and all its candidates.

This was contained in a statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President.

The statement further notes that in campaigning for his party does not mean President Buhari will not carry out his duty as the nation’s leader.

According to the presidency’s brief, the president will not “decline courtesy calls or offers of support from citizens including candidates flying the flags of other parties”.

“There is no doubt that the President has no competition here in terms of popularity in the coming elections. But the more support he gets, the wider the margin of victory there will be.

So please let there be no confusion about this. President Buhari is APC.

He will campaign for all APC candidates, but he welcomes support and endorsements,” the presidency stated.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/07/buhari-will-campaign-apc-candidates-presidency-assures/

Executive of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, has said that 90 percent of streets restored in Cross River between 2016-2018 were done by the commission.

Ndoma-Egba, a previous Senate Leader and the ebb and flow competitor of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for Cross River Central Senatorial District, revealed this on Sunday in Calabar amid a connection with newsmen.

The previous administrator said that the activity was to pull being developed to the state by method for extending and restoring urban and country streets for simple development of merchandise and suburbanites.

"" I have said this previously and given me a chance to state it once more, whatever street you see anyplace in the express that was tarred over the most recent two years, 90 percent of the odds are that they were tarred by NDDC or the Ministry of Niger Delta.

""I need to be tested on this. We have streets ideal from Calabar South to Bakassi, directly down to Obudu and Obanliku Local Government zone of the state.

" "On the off chance that you see any school redesigned over the most recent two years, new rooftop, new building, new furnishings; 90 percent of the odds are that it was finished by NDDC.

"These are a portion of the accomplishments we have in Cross River. We recollect that quite a long time ago, the Calabar-Itu Road was blocked, however the street wound up tolerable by the exertion of NDDC," he said.

As indicated by him, same goes for the Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja-Obudu street.

He indicated out that from Ikom Calabar that generally took up to five hours is currently an adventure of two hours in addition to.

On the 2019 Cross River Central Senatorial District race, Ndoma-Egba said he was running the decision dependent on his track records in the National Assembly from 2003-2015.

As indicated by him, he pulled in more than 74 extends inside the period under audit and encouraged government work for more than 358 constituents.

He included that he likewise given grant to 700 students, sorted out aptitudes obtaining preparing, and supported the Freedom of Information Bill, among others.

""I am trying to come back to the senate dependent on my track records, certain records, not guarantees. I am sure of winning this decision on the grounds that our kin will vote in favor of somebody who can give them powerful and quality portrayal.

""A portion of my ventures incorporate the Faculty of Law in the University of Calabar; the Irruan Water Dam in Boki Local Government, the Edor Community Water Project and numerous others,'' he said.

He communicated certainty that APC in Cross River will clear the surveys in the Presidential, Governorship, House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly races.

He additionally drummed help for President Muhammadu Buhari, asking individuals of the state to turn out en mass on Feb. 16 and vote enormously for him.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/06/2-years-nddc-restored-90-streets-c-river-ndoma-egba/

Men of the Special Squad of the Nigerian Police have stormed Uyo and allegedly arrested Clerk of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mrs . Mandu Umoren.

Mrs. Umogen was allegedly arrested on Friday alongside the Assembly’s Cashier, Mr. Monday Akpan.

They were reportedly arrested over “unpaid working imprest” of five lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress, APC, whose seats were declared vacant by the House in November 2018.

The five sacked APC lawmakers: Idongesit Ituen, Nse Ntuen, Gabriel Tobby, Victor Udofia and Otobong Ndem were said to have written a petition to the police demanding the “forceful” payment of their imprest for the month of December.

Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Odiko Macdon, confirmed custody of the two Assembly officials to Uyo based Inspiration FM.

He said that “those officials were under investigation and not under arrest.”

Recall that Speaker of the House, Barr Onofiok Luke, had cited infringement of Section 109(1) g (2) by the former lawmakers after they dumped the PDP for the APC, before he declared their seats vacant.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/05/police-storm-akwa-ibom-house-assembly-arrest-clerk-cashier-alleged-refusal-pay-apc-lawmakers/

Information disclose ho Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja charged Nigerian youths to prepare to take over political leadership, saying his generation would soon quit the stage.

Meanwhile the president who made these remarks while receiving the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by its Acting National Leader, Kingsley Dozie Lawrence, described Nigerian youths as very active and critically important in the Nigerian project.

‘‘Youths are very virile and active. A greater part of the Nigerian population is made up of youths. They must always be a factor at all times.

‘‘Youths must begin to groom themselves for the leadership of Nigeria.

‘‘I said this to the leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students yesterday (Thursday) – sooner than later we will leave the stage and you will takeover. You have to equip yourselves properly,’’ the president was quoted as saying.

The president’s spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement, said Buhari welcomed the group for appreciating his administration’s effort in providing the much-needed infrastructure across the country.

Adesina also said Buhari appreciated the youngsters for acknowledging his government’s role in ensuring that Nigerians celebrated the Yuletide with both the availability and stability of the price of petroleum products.

‘‘I am glad you appreciate government’s efforts. That is why we are here to make a difference in the lives of Nigerians and on infrastructure. We will ensure that the resources of Nigeria work for Nigerians,’’ he further quoted him.

The statement also said the president expressed hope that ‘‘good reason will prevail” on the industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

It added that earlier in his remarks, the leader of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing hailed the Buhari administration for stabilising the economy and improved security during the just concluded Christmas season and simultaneously sustaining the development of infrastructure, particularly the Second Niger Bridge.

“We, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, are partners-in-progress in the Nigerian Project and will extend hands of partnership to any administration that guarantees the interest and welfare of Ndigbo.

“There’s no gainsaying the fact that President Buhari’s administration has impacted the Igbos in some positive ways, but there are still areas the Igbos need more impacts,” Lawrence was quoted.

According to Adesina, the youth leader appealed to the president to make a categorical statement on Igbo Presidency in 2023 and equally initiate a process for the creation of an additional state in the South-east, among others.

Earlier, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 6, Mr. Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, assured the Rivers State Governor that the police would perform their responsibility professionally to ensure credible polls in 2019.

He said officers and men were receiving the required training to be neutral and professional during the polls.

He commended the Rivers State Governor for his logistical and financial support which had assisted the police in carrying out her duties.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 6 informed the governor that the Zone would arrange a peace accord for security agencies, political leaders and INEC ahead of the 2019 elections.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/05/youths-virile-active-fit-take-government-buhari/

The Nigerian Navy on Friday appointed Commodore Suleman Dahun, as its new Director of Information.
The Naval Director of Plans, Rear Adm. O. Daji, announced this in a statement to NAN in Abuja.

Dahun attended the University of Maiduguri where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication.

“The senior officer also attended the Deputy Spokesman’s Course at the Joint Information Activities Group (JIAG), Royal Airforce Base, Halton, United Kingdom (2016)
“Also the Journalist Protection in Conflict Zones Course at the Hellenic Multi-National PSOs Training Centre, Kilkis, Greece (2016)
“And the Joint Information Operations Course at JIAG, RAF, Halton (2017).

“Suleman is an Associate Member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations,” he said.
Commodore Dahun was one time Acting Director of Information, Naval Headquarters.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/05/navy-appoints-new-spokesman/

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has hailed Bernardo Silva’s performance in their dramatic 2-1 win over Liverpool at the Etihad as “incredible”.

The 24-year-old Portugal international has emerged as a key player for City this season and was outstanding alongside Fernandinho in central midfield.

Silva has started all but three of City’s Premier League games this season, highlighting his importance to the side and Guardiola was effusive in his praise of him post-match.

“Bernardo is incredible. I’ve not seen a performance like that, in all terms, in a long time.

“He’s clean, he’s clever, he fought against Van Dijk. He was incredible,” Guardiola told Sky Sports.

Silva made a decisive impact on the game, with an assist for Sergio Aguero’s opening goal towards the end of the first half.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/04/epl-guardiola-singles-one-man-city-player-victory-liverpool/

Senior Special Assistant to Ekiti State Governor on Public Communications, Segun Dipe, has described the immediate past governor, Ayodele Fayose, as someone suffering from a personality disorder.

Dipe was reacting to Fayose’s criticism of the Federal Government’s Trader Moni programme.

According to Dipe, Fayose was being deliberately mischievous as usual and had failed to realise the fact that his political music had since stopped playing, yet he kept dancing like a mad man in the market to no music.

Trader Moni, Dipe said, “is an interest-free loan programme of the federal government as an enterprise and empowerment programme scheme was created since June 2018 specifically for traders and artisans.

“The social investment programme was set up in June 2018, approved by the National Assembly long before President Muhammad Buhari became the Presidential candidate of the APC or the party flagged off its campaign and is being implemented by both the federal government and the Bank of Industry.”

“It is rather absurd for Fayose to view Trader Moni as a vote-buying mechanism,” Dipe said, adding that the programme had already been carried out in 33 states, with Ekiti, where Fayose branded himself as friend of the masses, and two other states waiting to benefit.

“This is the same Fayose, who, as a governor also denied his state from benefitting from the school feeding programme, despite its wide acceptance and benefit to learning.

“Not only is the Trader Moni, a properly conceived project, it is accepted, appreciated and much celebrated by the beneficiaries who see the money being loaned them uncollateralized by the federal government as a timely and positive intervention in their businesses.”

Dipe, however, advised all discerning minds to disregard anything coming from Fayose’s camp.

“It is sad that those who ruined the past are the same people now pontificating on how to reconstruct the future. Fayose can no longer be trusted anywhere. He is not only out of power, but out of relevance.

“Like a fish out of water, he is gasping for breath and finding it impossible to survive out of power while looking for every and any straw to hang on for relevance,” he said.

“Even within his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Fayose is now being treated like a leper. Imagine him, a once-upon-a-time gadfly in PDP, now running helter-skelter, begging to be given a role to play, no matter how small, in the campaign of his party’s Presidential candidate”.

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar is the candidate of the PDP.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/03/fayemis-aide-reveals-fayose-suffering-says-ex-gov-begging-atiku/

Premier League legend, Alan Shearer, has predicted that Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea will finish this season’s Premier League on a top-four position.

Shearer feels a top-four finish on the Premier League table would represent a good opening campaign for Sarri.

The former Newcastle striker stated this following Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Southampton in the Premier League encounter on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by struggling Southampton at home and Shearer also queried Sarri’s tactics

“I think he [Sarri] will be quite content at where they are,” Shearer said on BBC Radio Five Live.

“Chelsea’s aim this season will be to get into the top four again and at the minute, they are there.

“If they finish in there which I believe, then I think it will be a successful season for them. Obviously questions remain as to regarding Eden Hazard and where he will be, if he’s going to be there next season.”

Shearer added: “Is Sarri-ball when they ask a midfielder to get on the ball and pass it around.

“Hasn’t that happened since football started, no? I was just wondering exactly what it was, giving the ball to a centre-half, who can then give it to a midfielder who can then try and control the game.

“I don’t think that’s anything new to football, do you? Has no other team tried to play football through the middle of the park?”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/03/epl-alan-shearer-reveals-position-chelsea-will-finish-season/

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it has not been briefed on the alleged payment of N15.89bn to universities by the Federal Government, two months after it declared indefinite strike.

ASUU’s National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, disclosed this in an interview with the NAN on Wednesday in Lagos.

Ogunyemi was reacting to reports that the Federal Government had, on December 31, 2018, released N15.89bn to universities.

The report stated that the fund was for the payment of shortfall in salaries of universities.

“Well, someone actually drew my attention to the report. I have not received any formal letter from the Federal Government conveying such information to us.

“The only information I got from the Minister of Labour this afternoon when we spoke was that they have done something concerning our demands; what they have done, I do not know.

“The other thing he told me was that there is going to be a meeting between us (ASUU) and government on Monday.

“It is only when we get to the meeting that we will be able to know what government has done and if it is okay by us, then we will convey same to our members who will now take the next line of action,” he said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/03/ASUU-strike-lecturers-speak-receiving-n15-89bn-fg/

Nigerian missions in the United States have opened Condolence Registers in honour of late former president, Shehu Shagari.

Shagari died on December 28, 2018, at the age of 93, and the Federal Government of Nigeria declared a three-day mourning period with effect from December 30, 2018.

The condolence registers were opened at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., and the Consulates-General in New York and Atlanta for members of the public wishing to register their condolences.

The registers would be open till Friday, January 4.

Amb. Hassan Gambo, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in a chat that the Embassy had written to the US Department of State to inform the US Government about Shagari’s death.

“The US Department of State will then send the information to the other embassies in the country about the death of the former president,’’ Gambo said.

According to him, ambassadors to the US are also expected to sign the condolence registers on behalf of their Governments.

The Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Mr Ben Okoyen said that the condolence register was also opened to members of the public.

Okoyen said members of the public have been coming to register their condolences to Nigeria over the loss of its former president.

The condolence register for Shagari would open at the Nigerian Consulate in Atlanta on Wednesday, January 2, to Friday, January 4, from 11:30am to 3:00pm, the Acting Consul-General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Mr Innocent Iwejuo, announced in a statement.

Shagari was the first democratically-elected president of Nigeria. He served as president from October 1, 1979 to December 31, 1983.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/02/shehu-shagari-nigerian-mission-us-honour-ex-president/

Shehu Sani, the Senator representing Kaduna Central has advised Igbos and Yorubas on next step to take to secure the promised presidential ticket of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2023.

Sani, on Tuesday, urged Igbos and Yorubas to demand a written agreement from Buhari’s administration against 2023.

Sani gave the advice on Tuesday while wading into the controversy surrounding which region takes over the presidency from incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari, who is the 2019 flag bearer of the APC.

DAILY POST recalls that Osinbajo had said President Buhari would hand over the presidency to the South West after completing his two terms in office.

But both the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola had at different occasions said the South East will produce the next President if they support Buhari in 2019.

Lending his voice on the matter, the Kaduna lawmaker advised whichever region being promised the presidency to demand a written agreement from Buhari and his party.

Sani said the agreement must be signed in the presence of well known religious and traditional office holders.

The tweet read: “If they promise your geopolitical zone political power in 2023,demand for a written irreversible and irrevocable agreement, signed by their presidential candidates and party chieftains and witnessed by respected traditional and religious leaders.”

He added that ‘gentleman agreement is a hoax and a mirage.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/02/2023-shehu-sani-tells-southeast-southwest/

The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has congratulates the good people of the State and other Nigerians on the successful crossover to year 2019.

The Governor appreciated God for taking Benue through what he described as a turbulent year 2018, and stated that 2019 is a year of victory for the people of the State.

In a statement to DAILY POST by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, Ortom urged Benue people to remain faithful and trust in God for guidance and success in the face of challenges.

Governor Ortom also implored the people to sustain their support for his administration and security agencies in peace building, to guarantee the safety of lives and property.

He said 2019 is a decisive year for the country as Nigerians prepare to go to the polls to choose their leaders.

The Governor expressed the hope that this year’s elections will be hitch-free, fair and credible, stressing that no form of manipulation of the electoral process will succeed.

Governor Ortom wished Benue people a prosperous New Year.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/01/new-year-message-gov-ortom-declares-2018-turbulent-year-tells-nigerians-expect-2019/

The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has expressed concern over reports that 70 Nigerian soldiers were killed in Baga by Boko Haram terrorists.

Ezekwesili bemoaned the reported killings of military personnel while calling for an independent verification.

In a statement made available to DAILY POST on Monday, the former Education minister pointed out that ‘Nigeria desperately needs effective leadership’.

The news reports also alleged that over 2,000 of the country’s soldiers are missing.

Ezekwesili’s statement reads, “Although the military and the Presidency have denied the reports, but the serial credibility challenges of the Buhari administration and the security team he leads as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces have created public distrust of any rebuttal by government. And that is gravely worrisome.

“The only way to ensure accuracy of the casualty that Nigeria is suffering as a result of counter-terrorism at this stage is to inaugurate a citizens-led independent investigation panel.

“Such an initiative would go a long way to eliminate the opaqueness of the counter-terrorism war and restore public confidence, as the case may be, in how the Buhari administration is prosecuting it.”

The ACPN presidential candidate also frowned at the consistent killings in Zamfara State recently, saying that the once most peaceful state of the North West region has been turned into a theatre of terrorism.

According to her, the security situation in the country shows a lack of effective leadership by President Muhammadu Buhari.

She added, “This is demonstrated in the very troubling inertia to decisively confront and end the frequent killings of our citizens; especially our soldiers on the frontline of battle.

“The killings have tragically earned Nigeria the designation of the 16th most dangerous country in the world, according to the Global Peace Index. Nigeria is also the 15th most fragile country in the 2018 Fragile States Index by the United States Fund for Peace.”

Ezekwesili stated that the constitutional mandate of the government to ensure the security of lives and property of all Nigerians had been poorly handled, especially within the last decade.

She continued, “Tackling this will require commencing a security discourse and planning away from a narrow focus on military responses, to a more collective and participative conversation of the structure of the Nigerian state and our security architecture. Our ACPN administration would without fail
prioritise this.

“We would be responsive to current and immediate challenges by revising the current containment measures to ensure efficiency, include effective public communication on security issues without compromising genuine national security concerns.

“We would also bring citizens in as participants in their own security, through the establishment of local peace committees as part of the national security architecture.

“Within days of being inaugurated into office, our ACPN administration would move swiftly to launch a coordinated response to all acts of violence in regions that are vulnerable to attacks from armed groups and concurrently commence a strong security sector reform for professionalism, accountability and results-focus.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/31/boko-haram-ezekwesili-reacts-reported-killing-70-soldiers-baga/

The Senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Shehu Sani on Monday pointed out why Northern Nigeria is in “extreme poverty”.

Sani said the region was ravaging in poverty due to its neglect of agriculture and over-dependence on oil.

In a post on his Facebook page, he also stated that abandoning the moral and ethical standards and economic vision and legacies of Ahmadu Bello were part of many other reasons the region was poor.

The post he titled: “Nine reasons for extreme Poverty in Northern Nigeria” reads: “Neglect of Agriculture & dependence on oil revenues.

“Decadence & collapse of public education;Fatalism;Septic extremism and toxic inter ethnic violence;

“Abandoning the moral and ethical standards and economic vision and legacies of Ahmadu Bello; Culpability of successive Northern leaders in power;entrenched Handouts culture;

“Pliant attitudinal incumbrance of refusing to challenge leaders and hold them to account or the Slavery of loyalty or inimical subservience;

“Decades of systemic marginalization,emasculation and oppression and Institutional contempt for the poor by the regional elites.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/31/real-reasons-north-extremely-poor-shehu-sani/

Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba, has spoken on his side’s 4-1 victory over Bournemouth on Sunday in the Premier League fixture.

Goals from Paul Pogba (2), Marcus Rashford (1) and Romelu Lukaku (1) gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men all three points against Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

However, Nathan Ake did score for the visitors.

Pogba, in an interview with Sky Sports after the game, said the Red Devils needed the win against Bournemouth.

The France international, however, admitted that United still have a long way to go in the Premier League this term.

“We needed the win and we had a great performance as well,” Pogba said.

“We are coming back, and there is still a long way to go, but to finish the year like that is beautiful.”

Man United will now tackle Newcastle on Wednesday in their next Premier League fixture.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/31/epl-pogba-said-manchester-uniteds-4-1-win-bournemouth/

The Federal Government will in due course institute a suitable memorial to immortalise the country’s first Executive President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who passed away Friday December 28, 2018, aged 93.

This promise was made in Sokoto on Sunday by President Muhammadu Buhari, while paying a condolence visit to the Shagari family.

In a letter to the Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, read by the governor at the event, the President stated: “I received the very sad news of the passing away of Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“This, indeed, is a grievous loss, which will be felt throughout Nigeria, irrespective of any difference. The late Alhaji Shagari was a landmark figure being virtually our last link to the post-independence government of Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa , and the first elected Executive President of Nigeria.

“Please convey to his immediate family, the government and the people of Sokoto State my heartfelt condolences on the passing away of this great statesman.

“The Federal Government will in due course institute a suitable memorial to the late former President. May his soul rest in peace.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/30/shehu-shagari-buhari-announces-plan-immortalise-ex-president/

Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday extolled the virtues of late former president, Shehu Shagari’s role in Nigeria’s pre- and post-independence politics.

Obasanjo gave the eulogy in a condolence letter addressed to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, a copy of which was made available to NAN in Abeokuta
He described the late Shagari as a humble, patriotic, amiable and notable Nigerian leader.
Obasanjo expressed his deep respect for the achievements of the late Shagari in the course of his long life, describing him as one of the principal actors in Nigeria’s pre-independence and post-independence politics.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to say how deeply grieved I was to hear of the death of His Excellency, President Shehu Usman Shagari.
“On behalf of my family and on my own behalf, I wish to commiserate with you, the entire members of his family and the good people of Sokoto State over the passing of this humble, patriotic, amiable and notable Nigerian leader.
“He held various positions as a parliamentarian in the Federal House of Representatives representing Sokoto West in 1954, as a Parliamentarian Secretary 1958-1959, as a Federal Minister and Commissioner in different ministries and capacities between 1959 and 1975.

“I remember his role as Commissioner for Finance, while he and I served in the government of General Yakubu Gowon. He was thorough.
“And later, I saw him as my successor in government as a democratically-elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 1979 and 1983.

“In all his national assignments, he was forthright, dedicated and showed great commitment in the discharge of his duties.
“He was a unifying force for the nation and his contribution to the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria cannot easily be forgotten.
“In all situations, he lived nobly and he died in nobility.
“President Shagari died at a time the country and its leadership is in dire need of such leadership, experience and wisdom to tackle the multi-faceted challenges facing the nation.

“While expressing our sympathies to you, the family of the deceased and the government and people of Sokoto State, we pray the Almighty Allah grant him eternal rest and give comfort to all those he left behind,” NAN quoted him as saying.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/29/shehu-shagari-ex-president-nigeria-obasanjo/