₦airaland Forum

Mr Oliver Stolpe, Country Representative, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has said that the world loses 2.3 trillion dollars to corruption annually.

He disclosed this at the Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) training organised for Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies of member-countries of African Union (AU) in Abuja, on Monday.

The training was organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was to also commemorate the 2018 UN International Anti-Corruption Day.

Stolpe quoted World Economic Forum which estimated the cost of corruption to be at least 2.3 trillion dollars a year, saying that it was five per cent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Corruption begets more corruption and results in a culture of impunity. It is that corruption present in all countries, including the rich and poor, North and South.

“Let us stand on this International Day against Corruption together, united against the scourge.

“It is an assault on the values of the UN. It robs societies of schools, hospitals and other vital services; it drives away foreign investment and it strips nations of their natural resources.

“It undermines the Rule of Law, tax evasion, money laundering and other illicit flows,” he said.

On his part, acting Chairman of ICPC, Mr Musa Abubakar, said that corruption risk assessment was one of the preventive tools employed by ICPC to plug systemic loopholes which provided opportunity for corruption in the public sector.

According to him, it was first developed in the country in 2011 with the assistance of the United Nations Development Virtual School in Bogota, Colombia, which trained the first set of corruption risk assessors.

“Since then, a new set of 60 persons have so far received training at the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria and certified as corruption risk assessors, courtesy UNDP and UNODC.”

Abubakar also said that the commission had produced reports of CRA on the ports sector, two Nigerian International Airports and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) charged with promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The latest of these reports being the CRA of Nigeria’s e-government systems that is, Treasury Single Account (TSA), Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIMIS).”

He said that when loopholes and leakages in the systems were plugged, people would be denied access to public funds and as such, would not have the opportunity to misappropriate it.

“This is against pursuing individuals after the deed is done, an action that drains a lot of resources amidst challenges that create uncertainty of outcomes.

“To this end, ICPC stands on the principle that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a tonne of remedy.”

Abubakar said that reports revealed that the redeployment of TSA, IPPIS and GIFMIS had significantly reduced bureaucratic corruption in Nigeria.

He said that it was attributable to factors such as reduction in human interface and elimination of direct access to cash resources.

Also, representative of ECOWAS Commission, Mr Remi Ajibewa, congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for his leadership and chair of ECOWAS authority of Heads of States and Government.

“This leadership has consistently provided support on constructive guidance to the ECOWAS Commission, enabling the commission to perform its mission and in advancing the promotion of good governance, integration and development in the region.”

He commended the Buhari’s fervent commitment in making transparency, accountability and integrity the cornerstone of governance in the region.

“These qualities have undoubtedly contributed to earning the President’s appointment as the African Union Anti-Corruption Champion for 2018.”

High point of the event was the presentation of the report of the CRA of Nigeria’s e-Government Systems by Buhari. (NAN)

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/11/world-loses-2-3trn-to-corruption-yearly-un/

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, is presently in a closed-door meeting with leading candidates vying for the presidency in the 2019 general election.

The meeting is taking place at the National Christian Centre Abuja,

While, the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, is representing Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Vice-Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Peter Obi, is standing in for Atiku Abubakar.

CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, told journalists that the meeting was aimed at interrogating the credentials of the candidates as well as their plans for the nation and the church.

He said: “the motive is not to take for granted the 2019 elections. 2019 Nigeria will depend on next year’s presidential election. That is, how free and fair it is going to be.

“The church cannot take the back seat in this situation because it can only prosper when Nigeria prospers. If the election is not free and fair, then, all Nigerians including the church will be in trouble.

“So, we decided to reach out to the presidential candidates to ask them their credentials for aspiring to the highest office in the land. Also, to interrogate their plans for all including the church.

“We also brought them together to speak to their consciences so that they don’t set this nation on fire.

“We are going to draw our conclusion after we have finished our interview.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/10/2019-can-atiku-buhari-meet-behind-closed-door/

Oyo State chapter of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), on Sunday declared that its doors are widely opened for any member of the state chapter of African Democratic Congress (ADC), and other politicians who wish to join the party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The party, while urging the electorate to ignore those calling themselves ‘Ladoja group’ from different parts of the state, urged them to be wary of groups that are being sponsored by a “drowning political party looking for relevance following the movement of Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja into the ZLP as her leader”.

Zenith Labour Party, in a statement issued in Ibadan, the state capital, by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olujide Olanipekun, a copy which was emailed to DAILY POST on Sunday, advised the so called ‘Ladoja group’ to wake up to the political reality by facing the empty shell they call their political party rather than crying wolf.

Olanipekun said that the party has finalised arrangement to kickstart an issue-based campaign with a view to redirect the political space in the state, stressing that the party was determined to reshape the political climate with an issue-based campaign.

The ZLP stated that the issues will focus on the enviable blueprint of the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Barrister Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli who has set the agenda that would respond favourably to the yearnings and aspirations of the good people of the state.

The party said, “The guber candidate, as an experienced politician, a professional and a technocrat has through the blueprint addressed the polemic issues affecting the state with the intention of providing workable solutions that will lead the state out of the unfortunately doldrum it has found itself in the last eight years of Ajimobi administration.

“The party is armed with an enviable blueprint for purposeful governance in Oyo state in response to the yearnings of the inhabitants of Oyo state who have been experiencing poor governance in the last 8 years.

“The gubernatorial candidate of ZLP Akogun Sharaffaden Abiodun Alli (BSA) an experienced technocrat and grassroots politician will base all his campaigns on the polemical issues affecting Oyo state with the intention of providing workable solutions already contained in the blueprint for purposeful governance that will take Oyo state to an enviable height within the next 4 years that ZLP will be in charge of the government from May 2019.

“The experience garnered as an administrator during his days as a Local Government Chairman and Secretary to the State Government is second to none as that accords BSA the rare privilege of understanding thoroughly, the art of governance and how to make Oyo state better.

“ZLP hereby urges the Oyo state Electorate and teeming members of the party to ignore some people who are calling themselves ‘Ladoja Group’ from different parts of the state being sponsored by a drowning Political Party looking for relevance following the movement of Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja into the ZLP as her leader.

“We however advise the so called ‘Ladoja group’ to wake up to the political reality by facing the empty shell they call their political party rather than crying wolf.

“However, the doors of the ‘Noar’s Ark’ which ZLP represents are still wide open to whoever is ready to abandon the sinking boat they call political party as we are ever ready to accommodate new entrants in order to take Oyo state to enviable heights with purposeful governance.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/10/2019-our-doors-widely-open-for-you-zenith-labour-party-tells-adc-members-others/

Residents of Jakande Estate Ejigbo in Lagos state on Sunday staged a peaceful protest against Ikeja Electric, the only electricity distribution company in the area over high estimated billing system the community has been getting.

They also claimed that the six months period given to the company by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, to give over 3,000 customers prepaid meters has elapsed without responding to their demands.

With placards with various inscriptions such as: ‘No More Estimated Billing’, ‘We are overdue for the Usage of Prepaid Meter’, ‘Bring Prepaid Meter’ Now’, ‘We are sick and Tired of Estimated Billing Methodology’, etc, the aggrieved residents said they would be forced to charge Ikeja Electric to court with the evidence from NERC’s ruling.

Addressing journalists, the Leader of Estate Youth Parliament (EYP), Yusuf Adeyemi said the NERC had on May 24, 2018 ordered the Ikeja Electric to meter every customer in the Estate within six months which elapsed on the 24th of November.

The copy of the NERC’s ruling was made available to DAILY POST.

He stated that the electricity distribution company has, instead of heeding the order of the regulatory company, wrote back to the community that it would not be able to meter the community until 2019.

In the response letter, a copy of which was made available to DAILY POST, the Ikeja Electric claimed that the inadequate power supply to the community was due to limited allocation from Transmission Company on Nigeria, TCN.

It claimed that its unmetered customers were billed based on supply availability in line with Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC’s approved estimated billing methodology.

The letter read in part: “In response to your complaint of poor power supply and billing on estimation.

“Permit us to state that our unmetered customers were billed based on supply availability in line with Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC’s) approved estimated billing methodology, which ensures that all accounts on the same starting and Distribution Transformer metered and unmetered are billed as closely as possible to ensure fairness and as much as possible eliminate outrageous billing.

“Please note that as a result of peculiarity of the business and attendant industry challenges, we are constrained to meter your community between now and November 2018, but the vicinity has been scheduled for the exercise in fourth quarter of year 2019. The community can as well engage the services of Meter Asset Provider vendors when full operation commences.”

However, the residents claimed that they were overbilled with estimated billing system and that they would not henceforth pay for electricity until they are given prepaid meters.

“For more than three years now, we have been cheated by Ikeja Electric and we are not going to take that any longer.

“We are shorting down payment as from today until they bring prepaid meters for us,” Adeyemi said.

Also speaking, the NEPA Chairman of the community, Mr. Tajudeen Gbolahan Lawal said he has been engaging the Ikeja Electric on the matter for more than three years without any positive response.

He said the community could not take it any more, charging the company to come and remove its wires from the community if it would not meter them.

He claimed that other communities within the state have been metered and paid less while they are charged more than what they consume.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/09/lagos-residents-protest-against-ikeja-electric-over-estimated-billing-demand-prepaid-meter-photos/

There is growing concern within the circle of the two major political parties, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition PDP over the forthcoming 2019 general elections. The two political parties have been experiencing different huddles towards the conduct of the elections. For the ruling APC, the party is facing serious dilemma over what started like a play but has now snowballed into a calamity which has led the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disallow her to field candidates for the 2019 general elections. The commission took the drastic action against the party following the inability of the APC to conduct primaries within the INEC’s stipulated time frame of 7th October, for parties to elect their flag bearers to contest the 2019 general elections. The Commission’s hammer on the APC means that the ruling party will not have the privilege to participate in the elections as her name and logo will not appear in the ballot papers in 2019 general elections.

The ban has continued to generate divergent views among politicians and residents of the state. While some see it as a good step to check political recklessness, others feel the action of the INEC is targeted at giving undue opportunity to the opposition that are ready to cash in on the APC misfortune.

Alhaji Yau Mohammed Dansadau described the ban as the best option considering the lingering crisis bedevilling the APC in the state. “The ban by INEC will make other selfish politicians to know that you cannot go against the will of the people. If Governor Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar had not imposed candidates on the people, no member of the party would have revolted, and you see what the revolt by the aggrieved aspirants has led the party into, not having candidates in 2019 general elections”.

Ibrahim Kanoma described the ban by INEC as a joke taken too far. “Something must be done to reverse the said ban, because if the APC does not contest the elections in 2019 that means there will be no elections in Zamfara”, he said.

The APC state chairman, Alhaji Lawal Muhammad Liman and the factional APC state chairman, Alhaji Sirajo Maikatako, however, declined comments on the impasse. The state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Asma’u Maikudi could not be reached as she was said to be on official duty outside the office. On different occasions, the APC tried to conduct primaries particularly the governorship primary in the state but it was usually postponed due to some critical reasons.

The party’s national headquarters after directing the party in the state to shelve the indirect mode of primary which the state had earlier adopted for the governorship primary in the state, to direct mode primary shifted the primary from 30th September to 1st October but after over six hours of heated arguments among the nine governorship aspirants, the exercise was shifted by one day, to 2nd October.

Briefing journalists after the marathon meeting with the nine APC governorship aspirants, the chairman of the Zamfara state APC Primary election committee set up by the National Working Committee (NWC), Dr Abubakar Fari said the rescheduling of the primary was to allow for the distribution of the election materials to all parts of the state.

Fari said that in order to ensure transparency, the aspirants agreed that the state Police Headquarters should be used for the collation of the results.

When the governorship primary was to take place as agreed, other issues also cropped up which made the primary to be once again shifted.

On 3rd October, the elections began though very late in all parts of the state, but midway into the exercise, reports of intimidation, election violence made the chairman of the primary, Dr Fari to announce the total cancellation of the governorship primary in the state. The APC in a statement by the then acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena upheld the cancellation of the governorship primary and fixed 6th October for the governorship and legislative primaries in the state. Nabena said the state APC executive is dissolved and also direct the state governor or his agents to hands off the primaries.

The directive by the NWC did not however go down well with Governor Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar who in a state-wide announcement called on APC loyalists to protest against the NWC sent primaries committee members. The primaries could not hold on 6th as directed by the NWC as the new committee led by its chairman, Major General Abubakar Gana (rtd), also engaged on marathon meetings with the governorship and legislative aspirants on how and where to source for those to conduct the primaries in the 147 wards of the state in view of the directives by the NWC that the governor and his agents should hands off the primaries. On 7th October which is the deadline for the conclusion of primaries, the Gana-led primaries committee still engaged in meetings with the governorship and legislative aspirants at the City King Hotel, Gusau, with no respite insight as those to conduct the primaries were no where to be found.

Same Sunday evening, with less than five hours to the 12 midnight deadline for completion of primaries by INEC, Governor Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar ordered that APC members should begin voting in the legislative primaries to avoid the party aspirants being disqualified. Yari gave the directive in a press briefing/announcement at the State Government House in Gusau, insisting that the move was the only way to save the APC aspirants in the state from being disqualified for not conducting primaries to elect the party flag bearers. “Our party members have been on queues since 7:00 am and the committee sent by the NWC is yet to start distributing the election materials. I am urging our members to begin voting and when the committee brings the election materials, we will transmit the results into the result sheets to meet up with INEC’s deadline which expires midnight today”, he said. Yari added that with that arrangement, it would be possible for the primaries to be concluded and the legislative primaries results would be announced before the deadline.

On the cancelled governorships primary, the governor said despite the announcement of the cancellation by the former committee Chairman, Dr Abubakar Fari, the election continued in all parts of the state and the results were ready and would be announced and taken to Abuja for ratification. “Already, we have the results and waiting for the committee to bring the elections materials for us to announce and save the party from not having governorship candidate in 2019. We cannot afford not having candidates that is why we are taking the drastic measures”, he said. As at 10:00 pm that Sunday, the primaries committee chairman, Major General Gana, was still holding meetings with the legislative aspirants at the City King Hotel, Gusau, venue of the meeting. Yari backed by APC leadership in the state went ahead and announced the results of the primaries before Sunday midnight despite the condemnation of the exercise by other aspirants. Senator Kabir Garba Marafa, one of the governorship aspirants against the anointment of Mukthar Shehu Idris called the exercise as an affront on the APC NWC.

Marafa said Yari’s action of conducting illegal primaries and announcing such results without the approval of the National Working Committee (NWC) is not only actof gross irresponsibility but treasonable offence. “The NWC should declare his actions as such, expel him and all the people so announced from the party. This will serve as a deterrent to others that may contemplate taking similar steps in the future”, he said. Briefing journalists a few hours after the expiration of the INEC deadline, the primaries committee chairman, Gana said no APC primaries was held in Zamfara state and that a report will be sent to the NWC on the issue. If INEC’s ban is sustained, the 2019 general elections will have only President Muhammadu Buhari as the APC candidate who will be voted for in Zamfara. On the side of the PDP, the main opposition which is capitalizing on the APC crisis to get its way is enmeshed in crisis as a splinter group led by Hon. Ibrahim Shehu Bakauye dragged the party to court to challenge the nomination of the party’s flag bearer Hon. Bello Mattawalle. This is also seen by political observers as a serious setback. Hence, the contest may likely be among the smaller political parties.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/08/uncertainty-still-trails-apc-gov-candidacy-in-zamfara/

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, President Muhammadu Buhari has again given assurance that his government will do all that is necessary to ensure that the outcome of the vote reflects the will of the Nigerian people.

He made the statement yesterday when he welcomed the Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Dr Jyrki Juhani Pulkkinen, who had come to present his Letter of Credence to Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja.

This is even as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said Nigerians would not be deceived again in the 2019 general elections as was the case in 2015 when they voted for the change mantra of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement made available to journalists by his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari said he understands the yearnings of Nigerians and strongly believes in the collective dream for a greater country.

He assured the people that all will be done to ensure that the results of the 2019 elections reflect the will of the electorate.

President Buhari said it was the right of Nigerians to elect leaders at various levels in 2019, and all efforts will be made to safeguard the integrity of the process.

“I respect the people’s feelings. I assure all that we will have free and fair elections next year”, he stated.

The president further congratulated Finland on its 101st independence anniversary, which was yesterday (December 6, 2018) and commended the growing relations with Nigeria, especially in areas of Information Communication Technology (ICT), trade and education.

In his remarks, the ambassador of Finland said the areas of mutual benefit in relations with Nigeria can be extended to electricity, smart technology and crises management initiatives, pointing out that he would work hard to improve the trade figures and other exchanges between the two countries.

“We will like to contribute to Africa rising, and we know that Nigeria is the biggest country on the continent, so we are very interested in the growth of Nigeria,’’ he said.

At the level of the United Nations, Dr Pulkkinen said his country would continue to support the restructuring of the multilateral institution to give greater roles to African countries like Nigeria.

President Buhari, who also received a Letter of Credence from the Ambassador of France, Mr Jerome Pasquier, said French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, and the stopover in Lagos, was really impressive in bolstering both countries’ relations.

The president said he was impressed with relations between France and its former colonies in Africa, noting that France continues to play positive roles in promoting security and economic growth in the countries.

“France is investing so much in Nigeria and we are grateful”, he added.

President Buhari, however, called for more support in the fight against terrorism as the networks keep expanding with fighters moving across borders to support insurgents.

In his response, the French ambassador said President Macron would continue to support Nigeria, especially in the ongoing war against terrorism, with specific interest in the gathering and sharing of intelligence.

He commended the president for Nigeria’s role in resolving the crisis in Togo and Guinea Bissau.

President Buhari equally received the Letter of Credence from the Ambassador of Czech Republic, Mr Marek Skolil, assuring him of improved economic relations in the area solid minerals exploration.

On his part, Mr Skolil said his country will continue to support Nigeria’s military in the fight against terrorism in the North East.

“Nigeria is a very important country for us. We look forward to stronger ties, particularly with the armed forces,’’ he added.



Nigerians Won’t Be Deceived Again – Atiku

Meanwhile, the PDP flag bearer in next year’s presidential election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday urged Nigerians not to be deceived again in the 2019 general elections as was the case in 2015 when they voted for the change mantra of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Atiku made this call in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and political headquarters of the South West, where party leaders and members had gathered for the zonal presidential campaign rally.

He said, “In 2015, some people came to deceive us and we gave them the opportunity. They promised to create jobs but we have lost 12 million jobs.

“Since they came to power, the country has lost prosperity and it has become the headquarters of poverty in the world.”

Atiku remarked that with the inception of democracy in 1999, the zone witnessed prosperity, peace and educational advancement during the PDP era, adding that if he is elected president next year, the zone will experience prosperity once again.

“I promise that we shall return your prosperity. Everybody knows that if given the opportunity, I will assemble the best hands so that we return the country to prosperity,” he said, adding that as South West is known for its educational stride, his administration would continue to invest in education.

Atiku disclosed that one of his policies was the sharing formula of the country’s resources, vowing that within six months of his assuming office, the country would be restructured.

“I am not a stranger in Yoruba land, neither am I a stranger in South West. Return PDP to power in the next election. If you give me your support, I will not disappoint the people of the zone”, he added.

While calling on the people to get their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs), Atiku said, “Buhari must go”.

Also speaking, Atiku’s running mate and former Anambra State governor, Mr Peter Obi, noted that President Muhammadu Buhari did not go to school and urged the people of the zone to cast their votes for Atiku and PDP in the February presidential election.

On his part, the PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, called on the people of the zone to reject President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC at the poll, but they should instead troop out enmasse to cast their votes for the PDP and its presidential candidate, Abubakar Atiku.

“You should vote, protect your votes and you must not allow INEC and security agencies to manipulate your votes,” he said.

Secondus added that it was unfortunate that President Buhari was not aware that there is hunger and poverty in the land.

The PDP chairman further described the ruling APC as the most corrupt party in the history of the country, even as he demanded the whereabouts of $25 billion and $8 billion which allegedly disappeared from government coffers.

He described Atiku as a man who meant well for Nigeria, “who, if elected in 2019, will rescue Nigeria from hunger, poverty and insecurity”.



Catholic Bishops Ban Priests From Active Politics

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has banned Catholic priests and other ordained faithful from taking party in partisan politics.

The secretary general, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Ralph Madu, announced the Catholic Bishops’ order in Abuja yesterday during a press briefing.

He frowned at the altercation between Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka and Mr Peter Obi, the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at Mbaka’s adoration ground in Enugu, on the issue of patronage in respect of the forthcoming general elections.

According to Fr Madu, the bishops condemn in totality the shameful scenario on an adoration ground, as contained in video recording that has gone viral on social media, that the reported incident does not have the support of the Bishops Conference of Nigeria.

He said: “As has always been our stand, the Catholic Church in Nigeria, as clearly stated in its August 7, 2018 directives, remains apolitical and does not support or subscribe to any political party.

“Our concern is for a peaceful election process seen to be free, fair, credible and just, and a democratic governance that guarantees peace, justice, equity, among others.

“On behalf of the Conference, we wish to reiterate their obligation, as teachers of faith and morals, to educate the faithful on their role in the political life of the country, mindful of the present charged political atmosphere of Nigeria.

“With the ongoing campaigns of political parties gathering momentum, we deem it necessary to again remind all priests and religious to keep to the position of the church on the issue of nonpartisan politics.”

Ralph further stated that while the bishops are sure that Enugu Diocese where Fr. Mbaka is incardinated is taking the appropriate measures on this reported incident, the bishops wish to categorically reiterate that no Catholic priest or people of consecrated life should be actively involved in partisan politics in obedience on the Canon Law of the Catholic Church.

“Also, liturgical ceremonies must never be used as an occasion for political campaigns. The country is presently going through difficult times and we therefore call on all the faithful to continue to pray for spiritual intervention in the life of our country.

“We also enjoin the lay faithful to play their roles in the forthcoming elections premised on good conscience, play their roles at the election without prejudice or inducement and ensure that their votes count and the right people are voted into power for the common good,” he said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/07/2019-will-reflect-the-will-of-nigerians-pmb/

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has frowned against actions and practices that deprive the state of its interests and benefits in oil and gas deals.

The Governor spoke while declaring open the 8th Practical Nigerian Content Forum with the theme, “Driving Economic Development and Sustainability” at the Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Government House in Yenagoa.

A statement on Wednesday, by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr Fidelis Soriwei, noted that, the annual seminar was sponsored by the State Government, the Nigerian Content Monitoring and Development Board (NCMDB) and other stakeholders.

Governor Dickson was said to have decried a situation where major oil and gas deals are concluded in faraway places with little or no consideration for the interest of oil producing communities even as the state plays host to the headquarters of the Board.

He reiterated the need for oil majors to respect and obey the Local Content Act by relocating their headquarters to Bayelsa where most of them carry out a greater part of their businesses.

The Governor, however, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and other stakeholders for their efforts towards completing the construction of the NCMDB headquarters project in Yenagoa.

His words: “The idea of local content is a great one, and we should not let it down. We are grateful that the Federal Government created the NCMDB with its headquarters in Bayelsa where the story of oil and gas started.

“We hope that by the time that wonderful edifice is completed and put to use, we will see more oil and gas deals being concluded in the great state of Bayelsa and that will add to the local economy.

“However, we frown at the current situation where most of these mega deals are concluded in faraway places.

“When you talk of local content, we have to be completely local. It means oil producing companies have to stay here, open their offices and interface more directly and robustly with the communities, state government and the NCMDB.

“Just like Houston is the oil and gas capital of the world, we tell everybody whether they like to hear it or not, that Bayelsa is the oil and gas capital of Nigeria and of Africa.

“So we are always appreciative when major conferences and seminars like this take place in Bayelsa because we take it as a recognition of our historic contribution, which a number of people may want to conveniently forget. So we thank you for bringing back this Practical Nigerian Content seminar back to Bayelsa.”

In a goodwill message, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, acknowledged the role NCMDB is playing in adding value to the nation’s hydrocarbon resources as well as supporting investors seeking to establish modular refineries in the country.

Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, the Minister described the conference as a veritable platform for industry stakeholders to assess the achievements of the Nigerian Content Act, its successes, challenges and new frontiers of possible improvements.

Delivering a keynote address, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, assured the NCMDB of its readiness for collaboration to promote the development and commercialisation of home-grown technology.

Dr. Baru also reaffirmed NNPC’s commitment to compliance with the provisions of the Nigerian Content Act to increase in-country value addition and support job creation.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the NCMDB, Mr. Simbi Wabote, said the Board was currently implementing a 10-year strategic roadmap hinged on the five pillars of technical capability development, compliance and enforcement, enabling business environment, organising capacity as well as sectoral and regional market linkages.

According to Wabote, the Board would relocate to its 17-storey headquarters office in Yenagoa in the first quarter of next year and “operationalise the building with the right facility management contract.”

•Photo by Michael Owi shows, L-R: (Front row); GMD, NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah Retd., pioneer Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Ernest Nwapa, and others, shortly after the opening ceremony of the 8th Practical Nigerian Content Forum, at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/06/dickson-warns-against-shortchanging-of-bayelsa-in-oil-and-gas-deals-%e2%80%a2insists-oil-firms-must-relocate-operational-hqs-to-producing-states/

A former Inspector-General of Police and Chairman, Police Service Commission, Musiliu Smith, Wednesday, disclosed to the Senate that the rot in the Police Force had got to a head as criminals and drug bandits give gift of houses to serving policemen.

Smith made the allegation during a public hearing on a ‘Bill for an Act to repeal the Police Act CaP P19 Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and enact the Police Act, 2018’, which held at the National Assembly complex.

The hearing which was attended by the topmost echelon of the Police formation and other relevant institutions of government and individuals, was conducted by Senate Committee on Police Affairs.

Also, Smith opposed plans by the Senate to expunge ‘Force’ from the name of the organisation and retain only Nigeria Police, saying that it must be done appropriately, in line with the provisions of the constitution.

He averred that since what is contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is “Nigeria Police Force”, and not Nigeria Police, it had become imperative for the National Assembly to first amend the Constitution before reflecting it in the bill, else, the name should be allowed as captured in the Constitution.

Besides, he further observed that the Police was poorly funded, a situation he said, was responsible for the poor performance of the institution in discharging its constitutional responsibility of maintaining law and order and protecting lives and property of citizens.

It was on this premise that the former Police boss canvassed for better funding of the Police, stressing that the annual budgetary provisions for the Force was usually grossly inadequate, and would never allow the agency to carry out its duties diligently.

In his words, “I have few observations. One is the name from Nigeria Police Force to Nigeria Police. If the name has to be changed, it has to be done constitutionally. We met a police when all the training schools were working. We met a police where you could not be promoted without writing an examination.

“We met a police where every policeman lived in the barracks. Some policemen are given houses by criminals and hard drug bandits. That need to change. We should think of additional funding source for the police.

“In Lagos State, a governor came into office. He didn’t like what he met on ground. He invited some of us to change what was on ground. That was what gave birth to Lagos State Police Trust Fund. We can’t tackle insecurity without this. Let us think of that. The annual yearly budget ritual can’t help. It will not take us anywhere. If you want a highly motivated Police Force, we should adequately fund it”.

Also, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, opposed plans by the Senate to pass the bill seeking to make it compulsory for the apex legislative assembly to confirm the appointment of an IGP by the President.

Idris even killed led against parts of the proposed bill which would empower the Senate to remove the IGP whenever it deemed it necessary, saying that such provision was unnecessary and would politicise the Force.

Suffice it to say that this was the first time the IGP was appeared before any Senate Panel after his refusal to appear before the Senate earlier in the year.

In the amendment bill, the Senate Committee is also proposing to reduce the number of Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) from seven to one but Idris expressed opposition to the idea, saying that the reduction would make the job hectic for the IGP.

In his words, “You can’t police a people without their consent. The provisions of the Bill are in consonance with the contents of the Criminal Justice System. The confirmation and removal of the IGP by the Senate is not necessary. It will politicise the Police Force. It should be expunged from the Bill. The tenure of the IGP of five years should be maintained.

“The appointment of the IGP in consultation with Police Service Commission is appropriate. There should not be any confirmation by the Senate. This is the desire and position of the Police Force. There should not be one DIG. There should be seven as we have already. Having one will put too much pressure on the IGP. Having seven reduces the workload.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/05/smith-accuses-police-of-collecting-houses-from-criminals-drug-bandits-as-bribe/

• Pays tributes to holocaust victims
Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed the pledge that his government will not rest until the remaining Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists since April 2014 are safely reunited with their families.

The president was also at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, in Owicim, Poland where he paid tribute to Holocaust victims.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the president renewed the commitment on Chibok girls in Katowice, Poland at a bilateral meeting with Swiss President Alain Berset on the margins of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP24).

The president had spent the whole day at the International Conference Centre, Katowice, where he delivered his national address at the opening of the 12-day meeting of COP24, met with several world leaders and visited the impressive Nigerian pavilion at the climate summit.

During his meeting with the Swiss president, the Nigerian leader thanked the Swiss Confederation for its efforts and important role as intermediaries to secure the release of some Chibok girls and assured him that the issue of the remaining kidnapped girls and other abducted persons will remain a ”key priority” for the Nigerian government.

Buhari and his Swiss counterpart discussed joint strategies to ensure the safe return of the girls, building on the past successes of securing the release of some of the Chibok girls and other abducted persons in the North-eastern part of Nigeria.
The president also welcomed the Swiss president’s commitment to continue providing humanitarian assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria and to ensure the safe release of the abducted schoolgirls.

”We will continue to make the safe release of the remaining Chibok girls a priority and will welcome any kind of support from any quarters to make this happen,” the president said.
In separate bilateral meetings with the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, and the Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, Buhari commended the country for a successful outing at the opening of the COP24 meeting in Katowice. The president told his Polish counterpart that Nigeria was facing serious climate change challenges, particularly the receding Lake Chad, which is a source of livelihood to some 40 million people living in the region.

”Nigeria is totally committed to global efforts to mitigate and adapt to effects of climate change,” the president told the Polish leader, whose country is the president of COP24.
Meanwhile, the president’s bilateral meeting with his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Van der Bellen, focused on the challenges of Lake Chad and what was required to recharge it.
Noting that the Lake faced the two challenges of technology and financing, the president told the Austrian leader that enormous financial resources and technology were required to transfer water to Lake Chad from the Congo Basin.

Van der Bellen, who indicated his country’s interest to cooperate with Nigeria on recharging the Lake Chad, talked about climate change challenges in Austria, including drought, glaciers melting, among others.

Buhari also met with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and both leaders followed up on their past discussions, during their last meeting in The Hague, Netherlands, in July, which centred on trade, investments and partnerships in agriculture.

The president welcomed the proposal by the Dutch prime minister to visit Abuja soon and promised that the Nigerian government will continue to provide conducive business environment for existing and prospective Dutch investors.

On the sidelines of COP24, Buhari also met with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Jüri Ratas.
The prime minister of the Northern European country sought Nigeria’s support on its bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for 2020-2021. The two leaders also discussed bilateral cooperation and climate change mitigation.

Buhari Pays Tributes to Victims of Holocaust
Still in Poland, President Buhari was at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, in Owicim, where he paid tribute to Holocaust victims.

Shehu, who made this known in a separate statement, said after an hour and 10 minutes guided tour of the Museum, devoted to the memory of the victims who died at both camps during World War II, President Buhari penned a hand-written tribute in the visitor’s book, quoting Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar’s famous statement: “The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.”

He said the president also laid a wreath at Block 11 of the museum, known as the ‘‘Death block.’’ Here, according to an epitaph in the Block: ”Male and female prisoners from all parts of the camp complex were held in this building…following brutal interrogations, they were in most cases sentenced to death by shooting.”

He said later and shortly before leaving the museum, which includes the Nazi concentration camps Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, President Buhari, fielding questions from State House Correspondents traveling with him, described those fanning embers of discord in Nigeria as ”illiterates and ignorant.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/05/buhari-reiterates-commitment-to-release-of-chibok-girls/

The use of social media in politics including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube has dramatically changed the way campaigns are run and how candidates interact with their elected officials. ORJIME MOSES writes.

The political landscape has changed quite a bit in the last couple of decades. The internet has played a large role in this transformation. Social media including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, in particular, have played significant roles in political campaigns and have somewhat influenced people’s perception about issues.

One of the most important developments in election campaigns come 2019 is the advent of social media. It has primarily changed the way in which candidates and parties conduct their campaigns as well as changed the way in which citizens are exposed to political information.

That many Nigerians are deeply involved in the world of social media may be stating the obvious as it would be disastrous for politicians not to fully embrace this important information platform.

Election battles have now shifted to social media much less than it was at the big rally fronts. Many politicians have had to familiarise themselves with social media, make their presence felt and stay engaged positively with the electorates.

Many opinion polls are already going on twitter and several other platforms on who will be the next Nigerian President.

The interesting thing about the social media integration into elections is that it allows these elite candidates (politicians) to talk directly to the people, especially young people who make up the larger percentage of electorates in the country.

By having this ability, they can pass whatever message they want to all their followers very quickly. This also allows them to have complete control of their message.

It has been effective to mobilise a younger audience, and it keeps them aware of what is going on. On the other hand, social media allows non-elites to communicate. Before now, it was solely the responsibility of the press to talk to most people. With just a twitter account or a Facebook page, one can now go ahead and spread a message and talk to each other and get instant feedback on a large scale of issues.

The potential impact of social media campaigning first became evident in the 2008 United States (US) presidential election.

President Barack Obama’s campaign included the use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Myspace and YouTube. Others included podcasting and mobile messaging for his campaign in both his first and second terms respectively.

Donald Trump also used Twitter heavily in his 2016 presidential campaign. “I like it because I can get also my point of view out there, and my point of view is very important to a lot of people that are looking at me,” he said.

In Nigeria, the use of social media as a potent political campaign tool manifested in the buildup to the 2015 general election. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its then presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari had employed the social media campaign more than the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). APC’s social media campaign which appealed to the youths, effectively tapped into a electoral base which was crucial to the outcome of that election.

Media Practitioner, Jide Taiwo, had captured the scenario at the time said while one of the factors that gave Buhari victory then was the increasing participation of young people in the 2015 elections, “Also how this participation mirrored what was being said on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.”

He added “Where hitherto older people had claimed that elections were not won on social media, the online interaction galvanised the resolve of those young people to get involved the more. In the words of IT consultant/ youth activists.

“So much so that President Buhari in his inaugural speech said “I thank those who tirelessly carried the campaign on the social media.” Needless to say, the higher percentage of social media users are young people,” he added.

Ahead of 2019 however, it would seem like the two leading candidates, APC’s Muhammadu Buhari and PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, have been engaging in lots of social media battles for dominance.

Although some of the engagements by their teams and supporters have been acidic, purile and shallow, the candidates and their running mates (APC’s Yemi Osinbajo and PDP’s Peter Obi) have repeatedly used social media increasingly to either pass crucial pieces of information or address trending issues for or against themselves.

However, it would seem like Atiku’s decision to launch his campaign policy document on social media didnt just gave him some mileage but also reflected how much value he places on the social media ahead of 2019.

But beyond the two major candidates, other candidates, who do not have a large war chest and whose parties do not have as much national spread, have found in social media, a veritable way of breaching the gap between themselves and the electorates.

So far some of the candidates that have been quite visible on social media are Mr Donald Duke, Social Democratic Party, (SDP); Mr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, Alliance for New Nigeria, (ANN); Mr. Omoyele Sowore, African Action Congress, (AAC); Mrs Obi Ezekwesili, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, (ACPN);

Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, African Democratic Congress, (ADC); Prof Kingsley Moghalu, Young Progressive Party, (YPP).

In spite of their parties not enjoying the kind of national spread that the APC and PDP have, these candidates are not relenting in making a strong presence on the social media.

But how effective will the social media be this time in influencing voter behavior and ultimately determining the outcome of the election?

Speaking on the development, a lecturer of Federal Polytechnic, Gboko Benue State, Mr Bem Joseph Targema, opines that most Nigerian politicians are now using social media for integrating active campaign into their arsenal in order not to miss the opportunity to connect with the millions of internet users in Nigeria.

He underscored that the use of social media has made it faster for candidates to reach electorates or electorates to express their feelings to candidates faster.

“Believe it or not, social media has the potential of promoting and creating awareness for a candidate contesting election. This is due to the fact that millions of votes are on social media platforms thus a new media for political advertising. Therefore, it is advisable that a political candidate for any political election should have good handlers of the platforms. At the moment, Atiku Abubakar campaign organisation has demonstrated versatility in all ramifications,” he added.

In the same vein, a Masters Degree student at Benue State University, Terkula Aduku, added that candidates’ use of social media to connect to, and build rapport with Nigerians is more targeted, innovative and effective.

According to him, politics is all about connecting to the people, building rapport, and painting a mental picture of the future.

“I can call it a ‘mind’ game. The goal of an effective election campaign is to influence people’s perception and their decision. I see election campaign as marketing.”

He maintained that In today’s fast developing world where the use of technology and new media have taken a great shape in politics in Nigeria and globally has made political communication an easy phenomena.

“This is based on the fact that, political advertising and marketing have been brought to a level for both aspirants and electorates to ride on effectively. The cost of involving the mainstream mass media in the political process has simplified every thought and aspiration of the citizenry. What we have in Nigeria today just like any country of the world is what one would refer to as “Online Democracy” where public opinion has gained a master place.

“With this, the social media, an advent of the new media has allowed equal participations for all parties to have a say on the programmed, manifestoes and policies of individual aspirants and their political parties. We may say therefore that, the social media; Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and a host of many others have become a hope for the hopeless in the 21st century political communication process. It is therefore a call to everyone to ensure its effective utilization is in place for harmonious development of the political structure in Nigeria,” he said.

A Presidential Candidate under the platform of Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria (GDPN), Davidson Akhimien, said that he uses social media all the time to reach out to young Nigerians by highlighting them on his campaign promises.

Akhimien admitted his use of both Facebook book and LinkedIn for his campaigns, said he uses the platform to instantly connect with the average Nigerian suffering in the midst of plenty which leaders embezzle to build mansions abroad.

A social media enthusiast, Mr. Nicodemus Ibu, said that Facebook has a very large influence on political campaign as far as the new digital world is concerned.

“The social media can reach to the people even at the grassroots who can afford to have access to social media either Facebook, WHATSAPP, Instagram, and Twitter all at once.”

According to him, 22 percent of Facebook users comment on someone else’s post during a typical day and 20 percent comment on somebody’s photo. He said 44 percent of social media users say they update their status at least once a week, and among young people aged 18 to 22, that number rises to 73 percent.

He said “The frequent, personal interactivity demonstrated by this behavior creates an opportunity for candidates, non-profits, and advocacy groups to engage people and drive civic conversations.

“Facebook, Myspace, and other social networking tools make it possible to extend conversations virtually and reach large numbers of individuals, adding that the use of social media is appropriate for political campaigns.

Another social media enthusiast, Michael Michael Iorshe, said politicians are exploiting the realisation that social media has the potential to “changes the role of the average voter.”

He added “Social media-heavy campaigns offer access, feedback and engagement to all citizens — not just the ones who can afford it by donating to campaigns. And though campaigns still seek to fulfill the same basic goals and objectives, the rise in social media seems to ensure that those running for office are held to a higher and more stringent standard than representatives of the past.”

According to him, “It’s important to voters to have a sense of being inspired in what they were participating in.”

He added that many voters prioritise social media for its reliability. “Many say they are likely to rely more heavily on these types of political outreach and enjoy avoiding the “filter” of larger news networks,” he said, adding that the multiplication of social media platforms has promoted many candidates.

On her part, social media analysts, Mercy Bimba, said, “No longer does politics have to be an echo chamber where people of like-mindedness listen to one another, but digital technology enriches political conversation and engagement. People are exposed to more views than in the past. This enriches national dialogues and allows people to get the kind of information that helps them evaluate candidates and policy ideas.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/02/2019-as-candidates-battle-on-social-media/

Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial district, has been appointed as the director in charge of civil societies and Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and campaign spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The appointment was made by the National Executive Council of the opposition party on Thursday, November 29.

He was appointed alongside other 154-member campaign councils.

Reacting to the appointment, Melaye, on his official Twitter page expressed gratitude to the party, assuring it of victory in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

He wrote: “Thank you PDP for my appointment as Director incharge of Civil Societies/ NGO’S and Campaign Spokesperson in the PDP Presidential Campaign. We shall usually overcome.

“Light will always rejoice over darkness. Power to the People.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/30/dino-melaye-reacts-as-pdp-appoints-him-as-campaign-spokesperson/

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Thursday announced that registration for 2019/ 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will commence in December.

The Head of Media of the Board, Dr Fabian Benjamin, announced this while addressing newsmen during the conduct of promotion exercise for the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), at the board’s Computer Based Test (CBT) Centre in Abuja,NAN reports.

According to Benjamin, no specific date has been fixed for the commencement of the registration yet.

He, however, said that plans were underway to do so as soon as possible as the board was initially waiting for the pronouncement of the presidency on the reduction of the examinations fee, which was formally announced on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the downward review of the examination registration fees from N5,000 to N3,500 effective from January 2019.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, announced this after the meeting.

Benjamin said it was commendable what the President had done as he was someone, who had always had the interest of the masses at heart and would prove to ensure that no Nigerian was deprived of tertiary education.

” The president has overtime, expressed concern that the charges were high.

” Our consistent remittance has proven that something could actually be done and even if charges are reduced, examinations can still be conducted with no service suffering any issue of funding.

” The president has taken this bold step, we will see what happens after this reduction and if need be for further reduction, Mr President will do so in no distant time because he has concerns for the ordinary Nigerian on the streets. ”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/29/jamb-announces-date-for-2019-registration/

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that the war against Boko Haram is a “must win” so that Nigeria can forge ahead in its quest for even development and national stability.

He said that the elimination of the insurgents from the face of the earth would not be compromised by his administration just as the safety and security of all Nigerians in any part of the country remains sacrosanct.

He stated this in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital yesterday when he opened the 2018 edition of the Chief of Army Staff annual conference.

The president expressed delight that the conference was well attended despite that the venue was moved from Benin City, Edo State to Maiduguri at a very short notice.

He said: “I can see that so many of the very senior officers in the Army, both serving and retired are here. In view of recent tragedies, I commend the decision of the leadership of the Nigerian Army in moving the venue of this conference to Maiduguri.

“The officers and soldiers who are fighting against terrorism in the North East deserve all the attention our country’s leadership can demonstrate to them. As President of the country, I am determined to ensure that every citizen feels safe and secure in all parts of the country. To achieve this, the security agencies must rise to the challenge and curb threats to security in our country.

“The Armed Forces play a critical role in safeguarding the country, hence you must all ensure that your plans and programmes meet the challenges we face. To this end, I am glad that this conference is holding at this time, because it serves as a platform to assess and evaluate your performance for the year 2018.

“One of the cardinal objectives of this government is security. In this regard, the Nigerian Army’s efforts have led to the dislodgement of insurgents from areas hitherto viewed as their strongholds, rescue of abducted persons, return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the gradual return of normalcy in the North East,” he said

Buhari told the audience that the efforts of the military had also stabilised the security situation in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country as well as curtailed the clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

“I must commend the selfless sacrifices of our Armed Forces especially the heroic officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army who by virtue of their commitment to operations all over the country have brought about the desired peace,” the president added. He said that there has been a remarkable improvement in the security situation in the North East since 2015 when this administration came into government, stressing that the Nigerian Army remains a major part of the successes that have been achieved.

He acknowledged the recent operational losses in the northern part of Borno, particularly in Jilli, Arege and Metele.

Buhari cheered up the troops as he said that, “I know that you are doing your best to reverse this trend and I want to assure you that no effort will be spared in providing the necessary support you require to complete the task. We remain committed to ending the crisis in the North East and making the entire area safe for all. I urge you all to keep up the good work.”

To the officers and soldiers, who paid the supreme price during the attacks, Buhari said: “I am also painfully aware that some gallant officers and soldiers have paid the supreme price in the course of these anti-terrorists’ operations. While we remember them and mourn with their loved ones, I must also convey the deep gratitude of the government and people of Nigeria to the late soldiers and their families for their heroic sacrifices. Our thoughts and prayers are also with all other victims of Boko Haram atrocities and their families.

“I will be visiting some of our injured troops in hospitals and also talk to others at their bases to assure them of our continued support. It is a must win war, I want to encourage our troops not to be distracted by whatever speculations but to remain focused and committed to the task of eliminating Boko Haram from the face of earth,” he said.

The theme of the conference is “Optimising the Operational Efficiency of the Nigerian Army Towards Safeguarding Democracy and National Security in Nigeria.”

As the 2019 general elections, Buhari urged the armed forces to live up to their responsibilities and remain non-partisan. He charged them to remain vigilant throughout the electioneering period to prevent every form of violence that could disrupt the process in line with their “rules of engagement.”

The president commended the Army for the professional manner it worked with other security agencies to unmask those involved in the disappearance of the late Major General Idris Alkali.

He said the feat attests to the capabilities that “exist in our security apparatus. I want to assure you that the perpetrators will be brought to book. May his gentle soul and the souls of our departed gallant troops rest in perfect peace (Amin).”

Buhari told the participants that as they appraised their activities for the year 2018, they should concentrate on the contemporary security challenges facing the country and proffer ways of surmounting them.

Addressing the wounded troops at the Maimalari Cantonment Military Hospital, Buhari assured them of support and charged them to maintain their loyalty to the country because “no matter how equipped a soldier is, if he is not loyal and disciplined, noting can be achieved. If for any reason this country is not secured, you are losing your security.”

In his welcome address, the chief of army staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai, said that the choice of Borno for the conference was borne out of the recent incident in the state and the need to encourage the troops and assure them of Nigerians’ support for their course.

He thanked Buhari for gracing the conference and his support in providing all that is necessary to execute the war against insurgency in the North East.

The Borno State governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, praised the president for finding time to visit the state.

He commiserated with the Army and the federal government over the recent loss of soldiers to Boko Haram attacks.



PMB Convenes Meeting Of Lake Chad Basin Heads Of State

Meanwhile, his capacity as the chairman of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), Buhari has convened a consultative meeting of the bloc’s leaders for N’Djamena, Chad.

The one-day crucial meeting holding today, will review the security situation in the member-countries, which are affected by Boko Haram insurgency and adopt measures to improve the capacity of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to meet the challenges of securing the region.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja on the meeting, the president’s special adviser on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said that “the presidents of the LCBC member-countries of Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and the Central African Republic (CAR) have been invited to attend the meeting. The President of Benin Republic, a troops-contributing country, has also been invited to attend.

“The MNJTF and the national operations of the affected countries have appreciably degraded the capacity of Boko Haram terrorists, although the insurgents still retain the capacity to attack isolated targets in desperate search for supplies,” Adesina said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/29/war-against-terror-a-must-win-pmb-tells-troops/

A former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has stated that he was leaving the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi “to his master, the devil”, since he has allegedly refused to act like someone with godly mind.

Fayose said Fayemi has started enjoying the benefits of the mandate the powers-that-be in Abuja helped him to steal.

Fayose spoke through his Media Aide, Lere Olayinka, in reaction to Fayemi’s statement yesterday, that he was not interested in probing Fayose and that he has left him to God.

According to the ex-governor, “He (Fayemi) should rather be sincere enough to tell the public that he has checked all the books and found nothing incriminating against Fayose.”

In a statement issued to DAILY POST on Tuesday, Fayose described Fayemi’s new position that he was not interested in probing Fayose as an afterthought, saying, “After going through all the books and could not find anything incriminating, he is now saying he won’t probe, who is telling him not to probe?

“Has he forgotten that it was at the same State House, Abuja that he said on July 19, 2018 that he was going to probe Fayose? So what has changed other than the fact that he has failed in his desperate bid to get evidences of corruption against the former governor?

“Fayemi should act like someone with conscience for once by letting the people know how he has been carrying operatives of the EFCC up and down, looking for what Fayose did and did not do. He should tell Nigerians how he harboured EFCC officials in the government house for over two weeks, lavished millions of naira on them and also misled them to go about sealing off properties belonging to innocent people in Ado Ekiti under the guise that they belong to Fayose.

“The fact is that Fayemi has found nothing against Fayose and that’s why he has adopted a face-saving tactic.

“No one is asking Fayemi not to probe his predecessor. He is the one who was not bold enough to appear before a duly constituted probe panel, Fayose is not afraid and that was already demonstrated by the former governor’s unprecedented submission of himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) less than 24 hours after he left office.

“Let him set up a duly constituted judicial commission of inquiry today, Fayose will personally appear before the panel.

“We only hope that Fayemi too will do the same when he is eventually kicked out office so that he can explain how he acquired those Multi-Billion Naira properties in Lagos, Ilishan Remo in Ogun State, Abuja and abroad.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/27/fayose-attacks-gov-fayemi-for-refusing-to-probe-him/

A former Chief of Army Administration, Major-General Garba Wahab (retired), has blamed the recent attack on a military base in Metele, a remote village near the border with the Niger Republic, on information leakage.

Wahab, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, advised the military to be careful in its intelligence gathering approach, in the war against terror.

“The military needs to look at information that leads to intelligence. You cannot afford to allow your information to leak. A lot of information is leaking, it is your information you turn into intelligence,” he said.

His comments follow a week after the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a Boko Haram splinter group, killed at least 44 soldiers in attacks on three military bases in Borno State.

Following the deadly attack, prominent Nigerians and groups, including the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called on the presidency to launch a proper probe into the cause of the incident.

On Sunday, the Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the spending of defence and military budgets between 1999 and 2018.

But the retired Army chief admitted that the military cannot completely eradicate terror.

He advised the Federal Government to boost the morale of the troops fighting Boko Haram terrorists in the northeast.

Wahab added, “We need to reassess. Is the equipment okay? Are the troops motivated? If the will to fight is not there, it behoves disaster because you must continuously motivate them.

Whether you like it or not, a lot of issues are involved. And it is not only military because there is no military solution to this. You need to also look at the political issue, the economic and sociological perspectives.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/27/ex-army-chief-reveals-reason-for-boko-harams-devastating-attack-on-troops-at-metele/

After the deadly terror attack on military base which left dozens of soldiers dead in Metele village of Guzamala Local Government Area, Borno State, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has responded with heavy airstrikes directed at Boko Haram terrorists’ locations and vehicles.

A top military intelligence officer told PRNigeria that the latest airstrikes had destroyed a convoy of vehicles linked to Boko Haram attackers involved in last week raid on the military base at Metele in Borno State.

The Boko Haram attackers were said to have used rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns and AK47 rifles in raiding the military base where armored vehicles were destroyed, and a number of officers and men of the Nigerian Army killed.

“The Nigerian air force is following the trail of the terrorists and has successfully destroyed about seven vehicles including gun truck and eliminated all the terrorists in the vehicles,” the military source said.

“The air force deployed the Mi-35M, multi-role combat helicopters which delivers a more superior flight performance with high-precision weaponry in destroying ground targets.

“Meanwhile, the aircraft also crossed the border into a neighbouring country in hot pursuits where terrorists and stolen armored vehicles were destroyed.

“The airstrikes took place in Tumbun Rego, Kangarwa and Mainok. There were also similar attacks hours after the Sunday’s attack. We expect the Nigerian air force to release air strike footage soon.” the source said

Meanwhile, indications have also emerged that most of the Boko Haram commanders and their foot soldiers who attacked the military base were none-Nigerians.

Another intelligence officer said that the attackers were speaking Arabic, French and some foreign languages.

“Some of our soldiers who escaped after the rescue operation told us that the attackers dressed in military camouflage similar to the one worn by member countries of Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF). We learned that the attackers were not Nigerians as they spoke in Arabic, French and other strange languages when they first appeared like friendly force before they started to shoot at Nigerian troops.

“There is heighten suspicion that the deadliest attacks could not have taken place without collaborators probably within the military camp or the host community who could have been communicating with the terrorists before and after they stormed the locations.

“The military may likely engage in a tactical manoeuvre for forceful reinforcements of ground troops and air components in the affected areas in view of new developments,” the source added

The director of public relations and information (NAF) Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola acknowledged that NAF operating around the Tumbun rego have been carrying out airstrikes against Boko Haram Terrorists.

He however noted that he can not precisely state if the terrorists are the ones who carried out the recent deadly attack on own troops.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/26/after-metele-attack-nigerian-war-helicopters-strike-b-haram-targets/

The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, FOB, Ibaka, Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom State has arrested 11 Nigerians and one Cameroonian smugglers and seized 1,706 bags of smuggled rice from them.

Also seized during the operation were large size wooden boat, three 40 horse power outboard engines, and two pumping machines.

The commanding officer of FOB, Captain Yusuf Idris, while handing over the suspects and the smuggled rice to Nigeria Customs at the weekend, assured that the Nigerian Navy would stop at nothing in tackling all forms of maritime illegalities.

He assured those involved in legitimate marine business of the support of the Navy always.

“I will continue to sound a note of warning to our brothers and sisters engaging in these illegalities, whether smuggling, illegal bunkering or any other maritime offense.

“The Nigerian Navy High Command frowns at it and that is why they equipped us more than ever and provided us with the necessary logistics require to stop this business.

“We have arrested so many, we have confiscated hundreds of thousands of bags of rice, and that is exactly the amount these illegal business rob the Nigerian state of.

“Under our watch and the Navy’s high command on board now, these illegalities wherever they are in this maritime environment will be arrested; the items confiscated and handed over to the relevant agencies for prosecution and conviction.

“I want to warn again, please desist, because we are not deterred and tired. As long as people come in with any illegality, whatever method is used we will be there to detect you and arrest you.

“We encourage our brothers engaging themselves in legal trade on the water to continue, we assure them that we will continue to support them to ensure that their legitimate businesses thrive.

“I therefore hand over the suspects to Mr. Goni, who represents the National Coordinator, Controller General of Customs Strike Force based here in Akwa Ibom,” he said.

Goni Babagana, a deputy Superintendent, while receiving the items, said he was mandated by the National Coordinator of the Nigeria Customs to take over the items and suspects from the FOB, Nigerian Navy, Ibaka.

“I have taken over 12 suspects: 11 Nigerians, 1 Cameroonian, 1,705 of 50Kg each and 1 of 25 Kg of smuggled parboiled rice; three 40 horse power Yamaha outboard engine, 2 pumping machines, 1 large wooden boat, 14 mobile phones, the sum of N18,200 belonging to Mr Emmanuel Eyo and 45,000 Franc belonging to Mr Efiok Eyo.

“ I take over on behalf of my National Coordinator, Deputy Controller of Customs, Abudullahi Kurawa”.

The only Cameroonian suspect, Mr Ngoa Francis pleaded innocence, saying that he only joined the boat carrying the smuggled rice because he did not have enough transport fare for his trip to Nigeria.

“I am from Cameroon, and a 29 year-old teacher. I was about to come to Nigeria and I saw the rice boat. I did not have enough money to come to Nigeria, so I pleaded that I perch with them and so I entered the boat.

“I don’t know anything about this smuggling business. I usually come to Nigeria during the weekends to buy biscuits, bobo and other things to sell in Cameroon,” he said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/25/navy-arrests-12-suspected-smugglers-impounds-1706-bags-of-smuggled-rice-in-akwa-ibom/

The Cassava City in Osara, Kogi State, has received a boost following arrangements by Contec Global, Geron Oil & Gas and Jil Farms to invest about $25 million in the cassava farms.

The director of Contec Global, Dr Sashi Mozumder, who made this known at the Cassava City Day held at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, said his company, in partnership with Geron Oil & Gas, Praj India and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), will be producing 40,000 litres of bio-ethanol per day.

He said, “The investment start-up on a turnkey basis is $25 million. The plant will employ over 2,500 people on a full time basis.

“Contec consortium will provide inputs to farmers who will serve as out-growers for the scheme. They will also provide basic infrastructure such as rural roads, power and health centres.”

The managing director, Geron Oil & Gas, Mr Haruna Madisca, and Mr Yakubu Danjuma, representing NNPC Renewable Energy Department, confirmed the commitment of their organisations to the project, saying the environmental impact assessment and soil tests are currently ongoing.

Also, the managing director of JIL farmers, Dr Ayoade Akere, said his firm would be investing in cattle production in the cassava city and would derive most of their feedstock from cassava.

He disclosed that they had already performed major corporate social responsibility projects in education and health care within the cassava city.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, through its representative, Messrs Onoja Enenche, stated that it had already verified over 240 farmers for the Cassava City to access the Enhanced Anchor Borrowers Programme.

The Kogi State commissioner for agriculture, Mr Kehinde Oloruntoba, eulogised Governor Yahaya Bello and reiterated his commitment to transforming agriculture in the state with emphasis on cassava “since Kogi is the leading cassava producing state in Nigeria, with production of 4 million MT per annum to the nation’s 58 million MT per annum.”

The state coordinator, APPEALS Projects, Dr Sanni Ozomata, stated that the World Bank project will support the cassava city in terms of infrastructure and value addition.

UNICANE and Crest Agro, which currently own large ethanol companies in Kogi State, expressed their delight at the project, saying the cassava city will provide more feedstock for their operations.

The managing director of Kogi Agricultural Development Project (ADP), Mr Okatayi, said with the success story of the Cassava City, the concept would be replicated across Kogi with maize, rice and other crops.

“I implore all stakeholder to remain studious and trust in God. The investors had proof of capital, and the government’s and community’s equity in the investment will primarily be land. Cassava city is a gateway to employment and prosperity in Kogi State,” he said.

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/investors-commit-25m-to-kogi-cassava.html

The chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, yesterday lauded the Nigerian Army for adhering to the rule of law in its operations in the fight against insurgency in line with global best practices.

Justice Onnoghen made the commendation in a keynote address delivered at the opening ceremony of Nigerian Army Law Seminar with the theme, ‘The Place of Law in Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations in Nigeria’.

He welcomed the collaboration between the Judiciary and the Nigerian military in building capacity of judicial officers in specialised areas of law for efficient justice delivery according to global best practices.

The CJN, who was represented by Justice Kudirat Kekere Ekun, said the independence of the Judiciary remains paramount in any democracy.

He assured that the Judiciary will continue to live up to its constitutional mandate by correctly applying the law and dispensing justice to all without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

Onnoghen observed that the business of bearing arms or defending the nation involves life and death for both regular forces and the citizens.

Noting that there have been allegations and cases of human rights abuses against the military in its efforts to stamp out terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria, he however said there have been tremendous improvements in respect to cases of human rights abuse involving military operations according to global best practices.

“Although the military justice system, which is basically rooted on regimentation, has been condemned by human rights activists, I am of the opinion that there have been tremendous improvements as regards the military observing rule of law in its operations in line with global best practices,” he said

In his welcome address, the chief of army staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, said the theme of the seminar was carefully chosen by the organisers of the seminar considering the current security challenges bedevilling the entire country.

The COAS who was represented by the chief of policy and plans of the Nigerian Army, Major General R.O. Yusuf, said the fight against terrorism and insurgency, especially in the North East, had preoccupied the minds of many Nigerians both within and outside Nigeria, adding that it had been a source of concern for the international community.

He said since he came into office in 2015, he had been monitoring issues and allegations of human rights abuses against troops deployed for operations across the country in line with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces’ mandate to the armed forces in the fight against terrorism.

Buratai said, “The Nigerian Army has also ensured that the fundamental human rights of citizens are adequately protected in all our exercises and operations.

“So far, we have been able to address petitions and different kinds of claims against the Nigerian Army through the establishment of Human Rights Desk Offices in Army Headquarters and across all the Divisions of the Nigerian Army”.

He announced that the human rights desk has a special hotline for citizens who have genuine claims, complaints and petitions to make against the Nigerian Army, to report a natural disaster or to report any act of terrorism and so on.

He urged citizens to dial 193 and report such cases, adding that each human rights desk is headed by a military lawyer.

The COAS further noted that the Army had also ensured that all cases pending in civil courts against it are either assigned to competent registered external advocates or military lawyers of the Directorate of Legal Services (Army) to handle.

He added that court martial cases and summary trials in the field are also given adequate professional attention by deploying legal officers, who are not only trained military personnel but legal practitioners, to the field from division down to brigade level.

“Let me point out that the Nigerian Army will continue to adhere to the tenets of rule of law in our operations,” Buratai said

He further noted that some of the suits instituted against the Army were meant to distract it from its constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

Also, the chief of defence staff, Gen Gabriel Olonisakin, who was represented by Major General Leo Irabor, said he would continue to ensure that officers and men of the Armed Forces operate within the purview of the law in discharging their constitutional mandate.

LEADERSHIP reports that the seminar was organised by the Nigerian Army in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute, Abuja, to brainstorm on issues of human rights as it relates to military operations.



Air Force Seeks Review Of Training Curriculum

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has called for a review of the training curriculum of the military with a view to keeping officers abreast of contemporary challenges.

Speaking at the close of Nigerian Air Force International Conference in Abuja yesterday, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, noted that terrorism was a global phenomenon.

Abubakar who was the chief host stressed that the seminar availed the Nigerian Air Force the opportunity of tapping from the experiences of others so as to improve its application of air power in counter-insurgency operations in the North East.

He further explained that the seminar was conceptualised to provide a forum for cross think-tank domain discussions where experienced air power practitioners and academics in related fields working in similar emerging threat environments would interact with air power practitioners of the Nigerian Air Force.

Abubakar added that it is in view of the above that NAF carefully selected air power practitioners and researchers from all over the world to share their thoughts on the theme in order to add value to the ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.

He observed that the successful conduct of counter-insurgency operations depended on a clear understanding of the required overarching framework and policy that would enable the service implement a whole of the nation’s approach in fighting the war.

Presenting the resolution of the seminar, Air Commodore E A Alade said that altogether, there were 10 presentations from various experts, academics and professionals in five sessions.

Meanwhile, professional Air Power practitioners commended the Nigerian Air Force for organising its maiden international air power seminar to enable participants share ideas on how to bring the insurgents to their kneels.

Local and foreign participants at the three-day seminar said that the symposium provided a good platform for cross fertilisation of ideas on best ways to combat the global threat of terrorism and the growing irregular warfare in the world.

Fielding questions from journalists at the official closing of the seminar, the chief of staff of the Niger Air Force, Lieutenant-Colonel Boulama Issa Zana, said the outcome of the conference would help Nigeria and neighbouring countries affected by the Boko Haram insurgency bring to a halt the activities of the group.

He described the Nigerian Air Force as a professional and highly disciplined force, while urging it to apply lessons learnt from the conference to improve the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/cjn-commends-army-on-rule-of-law.html

A frontline Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, has condemned in strongest of terms the recent alleged assassination attempt on the party’s governorship candidate for the 2019 poll, Architect Tony Cole.

Princewill, a former governorship aspirant in the state, in a statement signed and issued to DAILY POST on Wednesday, called on security agencies to be extremely active in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.

DAILY POST had earlier reported a claim by Tony’s campaign organization that the business tycoon narrowly escaped death when assassins attacked him in Degema Local Government Area of the State.

But Princewill said, “I want to thank all those who reached out to our candidate with messages of sympathy and support after witnessing the act of sheer desperation the other day by our opponents during his visit to Degema LGA.

“It should be of no surprise to anyone to know that Tonye Cole is not only still active and well, but even more determined to push forward until sanity is restored to our politics again. He is neither bowed nor subdued, but is rather emboldened by his faith and his purpose. He’s here to win. And by God’s grace, he will.

“I want to use this opportunity to first call on the security agencies who are responsible for keeping the peace, to set an example that such acts will never go unpunished. It is the absence of consequence that provides the climate for this type of lawlessness.

“While Castro said, ‘it is unlawful to be lawful in a lawless society’ Tonye maintains that “an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.

“Many of us were not with APC immediately after 2015, when being a member of APC was an invitation to write your will. We won’t accept that. We expect this set of security chiefs to mirror their successes elsewhere. The Niger Delta is the wealth of the nation and Rivers state is the treasure base. It must be secure.

“Secondly, let me remind the international community, particularly the US, UK and EU ambassadors that previous attempts at halting violence did not work because none of your governments had any teeth. Known candidates engaged in known violence and nothing came out of it.

“No travel bans, no targeted sanctions and no withdrawal of support. I was there. Every step of the way. It’s that impotence that provides a cover for no consequence. The result is a recurring cycle of violence. If we want to stop getting what we are getting, you have to stop doing what you’ve been doing. Friends should tell each other the truth.

“While we appreciate a lot of the good work both you and the security agencies are doing, it is clearly not enough in Rivers state and the cost of failure is too high. It’s measured in people’s lives. Condolences, shuttle diplomacy and speeches are simply not going to be enough.”

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/2019-election-tonye-princewill-reacts.html

Former Nigeria president, Goodluck Joanthan has claimed that former Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who defected to the then opposition All Progressive Congress (APC), because they were “blinded by ambition” and a barrage of “fake news”, cost him his bid to be re-elected for a second term in office.

Jonathan made the claim in a book about his tenure in office titled: “My Transition Hours” which was launched on Tuesday.

The ex-president lost the election to incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari, with just over 2.5 million votes.

He also blamed northern leaders who wanted power returned to their region for sabotaging his reelection bid.

“This time around, there were governors who were rounding off their eight years tenure and were blinded by ambition.

“Some governors wanted to be Vice President whilst others strived to be the President. If I contested none could realise his ambition. This muffled implosion would fully manifest in the buildup to the 2015, which each ship-jumper calculating how much he or she would take from the PDP or the most opportune moment to cause maximum damage and based on that, plot their exit.

“As they jumped ship in preparation for the 2015 elections, only very few of this lots, if any at all, bothered about what the PDP did or did not do in terms of delivering our campaign promises. Their opposition to my re-election was principally driven by personal ambition. They therefore played up the issue of where I come from and the faith, I professed to fuel their burning ambition. My performance mattered quite little, if it mattered at all,” Jonathan wrote.

http://www.ebiscoo.com/78/jonathan-reveals-governors-who-caused-his-defeat-to-buhari#144

The Ekiti state Police Command on Tuesday expressed sadness over the death of three of its operatives during a bank robbery that took place at Ijero Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Monday.

Meanwhile, the command on Tuesday recovered a vehicle reportedly stolen by bandits during the robbery incident.

During the bloody operation, three policemen and a civilian were killed by the dare-devil armed robbers who invaded an old generation bank at about 6pm.

Reliable sources confirmed that the robbers, who blew the security door with explosive material, came to the bank with an ambulance carrying a coffin loaded with a large cache of rifles.

They were said to have killed the policemen at the nearby police station and within the premises of the bank.

Speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti command, Mr. Caleb Ikechukwu, said the families of the deceased would first be contacted before publicly revealing their identities.

The police spokesman expressed sadness over the rampancy of bank robbery in recent times, urging the public to always provide them with information that could help them prevent attacks on people and institutions in the state.

“We are contacting their families to express our grief over the death. The police will not be deterred or shy away from the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people, no matter what happens.

“Our men are really working . We are stepping up our intelligence gathering mechanism with the public and other sister agencies to ensure that Ekiti is safe.

“We have even recovered the Toyota Car that was stolen by the bandits during the robbery . The bandits had abandoned the vehicle along Aramoko-Ijero road and fled into the bush upon realizing that the police were closing in on them.

“We are not stopping at that, our men from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS) and Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) are combing the push we suspected they ran into. We are chasing them and the long arm of the law shall catch up with them.

“We are particularly pleased because the members of the pubic are cooperating. They are giving us useful information that will automatically help us in tracking down the robbers,” the PPRO said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/ekiti-bank-robbery-police-mourn-death.html

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has formally launched his campaign for the 2019 presidential elections.

This was as he officially unveiled his policy document tagged #TheAtikuPlan, which was launched in an ongoing live broadcast on his verified Twitter handle on Monday.

According to him, If elected President next year, he would be pro-active in attracting investments, supporting the 50 million small and medium scale enterprises across Nigeria for the purpose of doubling the size of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product to US$900 billion by 2025.

The former vice president said, “Today, I am formally presenting myself to you as the presidential candidate of not just the @OfficialPDPNig, but of the hopes and aspirations of all Nigerians..

“The most important question in this election is: ‘Are you better off than you were four years ago? Are we richer or poorer?’ That is why our primary focus is on getting Nigeria working again.

“I am strongly of the view that I am just one Nigerian and one Nigerian cannot be as wise as all Nigerians. That is why I will offer an inclusive leadership.

“Atiku Abubakar is 100% for 100% of Nigerians, 100% of the time.

“Too often, Nigerians have been promised better governance by those seeking their votes.

“Such individuals have preyed on the legitimate desires of our people for their conditions to be improved, that they make all sorts of promises.

“I am not one for making grandiose promises. Rather than promises, I believe in policies.

“A promise is an indication to do a future action. A policy is a plan to achieve future goals.

“As the International Monetary Fund stated very recently, it is the failure of this government to have a coherent and comprehensive set of policies combined with poor leadership that has led to its failure to deliver.

“Over the last 18 months, I have worked with the best experts Nigeria has to offer, to come up with policies and plans that when implemented will get Nigeria going in the right direction again.

”If elected President, I will be pro-active in attracting investments and supporting the 50 million small and medium scale enterprises across Nigeria for the purpose of doubling the size of our Gross Domestic Product to US$900 billion by 2025,” he added.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/atiku-launches-2019-campaign-unveils.html

The Presidential Panel on SARS Reform, which began its public hearing in Lagos on Tuesday, Nov. 13, ended its sitting on Saturday after listening to 36 cases.

The five-day public hearing had some cases successfully resolved, while one was dismissed as complainants refused to show up.
Some other cases were adjourned for panel’s decision and the rest reported to have been settled by necessary authorities.

The public hearing, organised by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), came to an end after evaluating the inadequacies of the police as well as members of the public.
The panel revealed that failure of some complainants to report, as well as bad timing of report of some incidents were challenges in resolving some issues.
NAN reports that most of the cases listened to by the panel exposed the failure of SARS to follow due process in discharging their duties.
According to the Chairman of the Panel, Mr Tony Ojukwu, there are some cases which ordinarily should not be the business of SARS.

He cited such instances to include: a case where a SARS official was assigned to handle a matter bordering on debt between two parties.
“This is a matter that a policeman can handle in any police station, not SARS. So, when you are called upon that a bank robbery is ongoing, you will say you are taking statements from market women,” he said.

The Chairman also addressed the issue of SARS officials covering name tags while on illegal duties and questioned why policemen would not register their presence at the nearest police station so as to check issues of illegal duty shifts.

On a case bordering on extra-judicial killing, Ojukwu questioned policemen on why they would carry out coroner inquest on a body without informing relatives of the deceased.

“If you have invited a pathologist to carry out autopsy on a body without a relation to identify the body, how are we so sure you have the right body?

“There is need to always do the right thing. You should have in mind that there will always be a day of account. All of these have to stop.

“Some of the reasons we face these inadequacies of the police is because people do not report, as they are not sure if any action will be taken.

“This is why impunity continues. Our people are docile and they don’t fight for their rights, because if an officer knows that someone will hold him accountable for his actions, he will do what is right.

“I know that recommendations of this panel will put things in order, but I hope we don’t degenerate into looking for other ways to evade being held accountable for our wrongs,” he said.

Ojukwu, however, commended the policemen that accepted their wrongs, saying that it is when policemen try to outsmart the panel that cases keep taking time to resolve.

Meanwhile, the panel is proceeding to Owerri for the joint South-East and South-South Zone public hearing.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/sars-panel-makes-shocking-revelations.html

The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El- Rufai has provided reasons detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, also known as Shittes, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, cannot be set free.

El-Rufai said that El-Zakzaky was not being held illegally as widely reported.

Recall that the Shittes leader was arrested in 2015, after a confrontation between members of the group and the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai.

According to the Governor, the IMN leader was detained on the orders of a competent court, being a suspect standing trial for multiple murders and other related criminal offences.

Governor El-Rufai stated this yesterday in Kaduna, when he received management team of The Sun Publishing Limited.

Although there was an order by a Federal High Court in 2016 that he be released, El-Rufai revealed that the said order had no bearing on El-Zakzaky’s current case.

The governor said the state government took time to investigate the Shi’ite leader and discovered that his activities for more than 20 years had caused several killings.

He said having concluded investigation, the state took custody of El-Zakzaky from the DSS and duly charged him with multiple murders.

Explaining the alleged daily expenses of about N3.5 million on El-Zakzaky, he said the money was not on feeding of the Shi’ite leader but on everything related to his protective custody.

El-Rufai said El-Zakzaky is guarded by a detachment of soldiers and DSS operatives who live in the place he is being kept and who are maintained by the state government.

He said, “The N3.5 million monthly feeding on El-Zakzaky is not only about his food, but other expenses on security men attached to him.

“The security men are permanently stationed with him, they surrounded where he is kept.

“He is in custody because he is facing murder charge which is not bailable, among other charges.

“As a government, we decided to proscribe Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) of which El-Zakzaky is the president because it is not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

“So, any procession in the name of IMN is illegal, as far as Kaduna State government is concerned.”

http://www.ebiscoo.com/50/shittes-why-el-zakzaky-can%E2%80%99t-be-released-%E2%80%93-gov-el-rufai#114

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, has described the party’s estranged governors, who had been up in arms against him, since the party’s recent primaries, as good party men, who would support the party and its candidates in their respective states despite their grievances.

Oshiomhole stated this yesterday when he spoke as a guest on the ‘Morning Show’ broadcast on Arise TV, a sister broadcast station of Thisday Newspapers.

Recall that four governors, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun State), Chief Rochas Okorocha (Imo State), Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo State) and Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara State), had been engaged in a public spat with Oshiomhole, accusing him of scuttling the chances of their preferred candidates in the recently concluded primaries.

However, Oshiomhole in holding out an olive branch, said: “They are angry now, but I believe in a short while they will turn around and support the party.”

Specifically, he ruled out the possibility of any of them working against the party in spite of their rage; saying, “I believe Governor Amosun is my friend and I believe people are entitled to feel disappointed if things don’t work out the way they want. I think usually like any leader, he will recognise the greater interest of the party, I know he is a loyal party man; I can’t see him voting with his feet.

“As a statesman, who has contributed to the growth and development of Ogun State, he will want to ensure that his party continues to govern the state and play the role of a statesman; I have no fear at all because this thing called choice is a relative question.

“Whatever we have as internal issues in APC they do not in fact undermine that Amosun, has more things to show as governor of that state and for which I am very proud of as chairman of the party. I hope he can overcome his anger so that we can work to reconcile our various interests in Ogun State.

“As for my friend Rochas Okorocha, who talked about nepotism, well as the head of the family, I do not want to continue to bring family matters to the market. At the end of the day it makes sense to keep it in the family, that is what maturity and responsibility imposes on me.

“So I won’t join issues with him, but the truth is that while I was in government, there was no other Oshiomhole in government. This is not something to hide, as a journalist you can go to Edo State and ask how many Oshiomholes were in government while I was at Osadebe House.

“Well, Okorocha is a great guy. He is one of those who left APGA to join APC. It is on record as having contributed his quota to the formation of the APC.

“We also have to accept that a tree cannot make a forest and we have to encourage those who think otherwise to recognise that this is a fact.

“In Imo State we have big names but it is not about big names, it is about big numbers. And the big numbers in Imo State are with us and I think governor Okorocha appreciates this fact.

“Now as for whether people will decamp or not I am not so sure. Even if they do, they will not make history, after all, in recent past, sitting governors decamped for one reason or the other because they want to be president. Having decamped they found that there are so many aspirants, they have since reconciled themselves with the reality that though they decamped from the APC believing that they are going to be presidential candidate of the PDP, they got there and found an over-crowded house.

“I think some of them have quietly taken the governorship ticket and some have even taken the senatorial ticket and they are living with the new reality. I think that is the way it is.

“In a democracy it is a game of numbers and in Imo State we have the numbers and I am sure that Okorocha, when he overcomes his disappointment with regard to whom he would have preferred to succeed him, he will recognise that as a democrat that is the way these things work sometimes. Outcomes can be predicted sometimes but it could be shocking some other time. I think Nigeria’s democracy is evolving but we are not running traditional rulership.”

He expressed the confidence that in spite of the current misgivings in the party in the affected states, the party’s candidates would still win since the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had its fair share of crisis.

He said, “The truth is that in Ogun State we will win because PDP has its own pocket of crisis as well. As we speak we don’t know who is the actual governorship candidate in Ogun State because the national secretariat of PDP parades a certain candidate and a running mate and a certain group run by Buruji Kashamu with due respect to him also parade a governorship candidate and a running mate.

“So while they are sorting out their own issues we will be sorting out our own issues.”

He said the negative public perception of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, was due to poor communication of its policies and programmes by its information management machinery.

He, however, said despite this shortcoming, the president’s integrity would give him the edge in the forthcoming general elections slated for the first quarter of 2019.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/2019-oshiomhole-reveals-what-amosun.html

Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim has maintained her stance on the right of women to have “side ni**as”.

The actress was called out after she wrote on Instagram, she wrote;

Don’t lose a good side nigga over your boyfriend. If your boyfriend was a good dude you wouldn’t need a side nigga.

But she was not cowed by the social media attacks, instead, she went ahead to post a follow up insisting women can have side niggas since men feel it’s OK to have side chics.

She wrote:

Isn’t it funny how it’s okay for them to have #sidechicks but not okay for us to have #sideniggas Application forms loading, however be prepared to sign a #sideniggacontract ? #Goodmorning #Unicorns #justsaying

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/isnt-it-funny-how-its-okay-for-them-to.html

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that the Federal Government expended N2.7 trillion on agriculture and provision of other critical infrastructure in the 2017 budget.

The minister disclosed this at a Town Hall Meeting in Dutse on Monday to boost agriculture in the state in particular and the country in general.

The meeting had four ministers in attendance: Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Trade, Industry and Investment (state), Hajiya Aisha Abubakar and Information.

NAN quoted Mohammed as saying that the government has been busy in rehabilitating and constructing rail lines to link all parts of the country with one another.

According to the minister, it was necessary to ensure transportion of perishable products like tomatoes, pineapples, onion among others to avoid wastage.

In his remark, agriculture minister, Chief Ogbeh said that it was unfortunate that most of the perishable items get spoiled on the way due to vehicle breakdown or other reasons, hence the need for alternative transportation.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/buhari-govt-has-spent-n27trn-on.html

Barcelona talisman, Lionel Messi, has said LaLiga is, “more competitive than ever” and he hopes it stays that way.

Messi stated this on Monday, as he collected the Trofeo Di Stefano for the division’s best player in 2017/2018, barely 24hours after they lost 4-3 at home to Real Betis.

The Argentine forward scored twice during the game, as their advantage at the top was cut to just one point.

Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Deportivo Alaves and Espanyol are all above perennial title challengers, Real Madrid, who sit four points off the top in the table.

“It’s good that the league is like this.

“It’s more competitive than ever, anyone beats anybody, it’s good for the spectators.

“I hope it stays that way for a long time,” Messi said.

http://www.ebiscoo.com/13/messi-speaks-on-barcelona%E2%80%99s-defeat-to-betis-laliga-title-race

Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho has revealed that his game plan against Manchester City was ruined by midfielder, Marouane Fellaimi.

Mourinho said his plan changed because he was forced to start Fellaini in the game.

United were beaten 3-1 by City at the Etihad Stadium.

Star player, Paul Pogba, was a surprise omission from the team as he was unable to even make the bench due to a muscle strain.

Fellaini started in Pogba’s absence but the Portuguese manager said he wanted to bring on the Belgian as an impact substitute to disrupt City in the second half.

Asked if United missed Pogba, Mourinho told Sky Sports, “It’s not me after a defeat to be speaking about a player who was not here.

“Of course, we missed him. One of the things that broke our plan a lot was the fact Fellaini had to start the game.

“Because Fellaini is not in conditions to play 90 minutes.

“He was phenomenal in his effort but he was not in the condition to do it.

“And normally, I bring Fellaini to this game in the latest part of the game.

“Imagine this game with Fellaini coming on at 2-1 fresh with 25 minutes to go. That’s an important thing for us.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/epl-mourinho-names-one-man-united.html

Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has said his team’s first defeat of the season, came at the best possible time.

Ronaldo gave his team the lead in a Champions League clash against former club Manchester United on Wednesday.

But Juve still dramatically lost 2-1, after late goals handed the Premier League side the points.

The Serie A leaders, who next play at AC Milan on Sunday, had won all three of their previous matches in Europe and 10 of 11 in the league.

“It’s never nice to lose, but maybe this defeat comes at the best possible time,” Ronaldo said.

“We have a great team, we’re top of the group and I’m sure we’ll go through as group winners.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/why-defeat-to-manchester-united-was.html