₦airaland Forum

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has lamented the attitude of State governors towards the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

Falana said no state in Nigeria was fighting corruption, noting that only Kano State has an anti-corruption commission.

Falana, who stated this in an interview on Arise Television show Thursday, said the fight against corruption could not be limited to the Federal Government alone.

He said: “In line with section 15, subsection 5 of the constitution, the provision says the Nigerian state shall abolish corrupt practices and abuse of office.

“That does not mean the Federal Government. The Nigerian state, including the Federal Government, state governments and local governments. But apart from the Federal Government, no state in Nigeria is fighting corruption.

“That’s why some of the state governments are saying they cannot pay minimum wage because they are not blocking the leakages going on. Kano State is the only state, this may interest you, that has an anti-corruption commission. No other state in Nigeria.

“In fact, access to information is denied by all state governments in Nigeria apart from Ekiti State. Only Ekiti State government, under Fayemi, has adopted the Freedom of Information Act.

“So, it’s difficult in any state to ask for information with respect to public affairs. So, you can’t just single out the Federal Government fighting corruption in a country where majority of state governments are not bothered.

“So, it will not be fair to limit the fight against corruption to the Federal Government. As a country, Nigeria has not decided to fight corruption.”

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission was established in 2005 to monitor and investigate all forms of corrupt practices in the state.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/04/new-minimum-wage-governors-not-fighting-corruption-femi-falana-laments/

Ahead of the 2019 elections, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that he won’t disappoint them.
Speaking at the State House, Abuja on Thursday as he was decorated Grand Patron of the Nigerian Media Merit Award, NMMA, by the Board of Trustees of the prime media awards organization in the country, Buhari appreciated the confidence reposed on him by Nigerians from different walks of life.

A statement sent to DAILY POST by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina quoted Buhari as saying the investiture was “a timely honour,” adding that he had known a good number of the members of the NMMA board, “since the time I didn’t even know I would be here.”

Former Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Engr. Vincent Maduka, who led the delegation, said President Buhari was qualified to be grand patron, “because you respect the rights of the media to practice, without any hindrance.”

Maduka pointed out that under President Buhari, no media house has been shut, and the first ever campus television license was awarded to the University of Lagos, under the chairmanship of veteran Mass Communication teacher, Professor Ralph Akinfeleye.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/03/2019-elections-wont-disappoint-buhari-assures-nigerians/

A former Director of the Department of the State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to relieve the leadership of some of the various security agencies of their position.

Speaking on Arise News, Ejiofor said it would improve the fight against insecurity in the country.

He said a situation where high-profile military officers were kidnapped and killed showed the state of insecurity in the country.

“For me, if you continue to do the same thing, the same way you can’t expect a different result.

“Some of the Service Chiefs have overstayed – their tenures have expired but they are still being retained.

“So, I think it is time we need to try new hands but because of politics I think the government doesn’t have the political will to do this,” he said.

The ex-DSS boss also warned that the country cannot afford to play politics with its security.

According to him, the bulk of the security concerns over the forthcoming general elections is caused by the actions of politicians from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Well, it is going to be a very challenging year. In 2018, you have listed the crises and challenges we have, which the government is trying to address but you know the problems and challenges we expect in 2019 because of the election, I believe, are self-made and self-inflicted because these could be avoided. You see the way politicians go about their campaigns. We expect them to campaign on issues but they are busy attacking each other. We should not forget that we have about 90 political parties but the prominent ones causing the real security challenges are the PDP and APC and the reasons are obvious.”

“APC want to retain power, claiming that PDP has been in power for the past 16 years and PDP having left power for over four years want to come back. There is nothing wrong with that; that is democracy but my fears are that as stated in our constitutions, the primary purpose and responsibility of government is the security and welfare of the people.

“You can’t divorce politics from security but at the same time we can’t be playing politics with our security, which is exactly what is happening.

“People are playing politics with our security system which is very dangerous. Security is a collective effort of the whole people and it shouldn’t be left for government alone but the government on its part also has promised as one of its cardinal projects to provide security for the people but we are not there yet.

“You listed the challenges; you look at Borno State for instance the Boko Haram is overwhelming the military what are the reasons? You go to Zamfara people are been killed daily. Herdsmen whom I don’t call herdsmen – I call them terrorist, which I believe is an extension of Boko Haram, all over the country and we are preparing for an election. The problems are so much and I think the earlier the government addresses the issues the better for them as we are going into elections,” Ejiofor explained.

Ejiofor also claimed that the military is ill-equipped to handle the current security challenges in the country.

“We have in place the multinational joint taskforce and they seem not to be effective anymore and then we need to change tactics and it is not just changing – the government should also come out to equip the military. I think they are ill equipped; they are not fully functional as they supposed,” he added.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/03/buhari-advised-sack-buratai-others/

John Shiklam writes on the arrest and detention of a Kaduna-based broadcaster, Segun Onibiyo, who spent 24 days in prison following allegations that he posted inciting and defamatory comments on social media against Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State

After spending 24 days in prison, Segun Onibiyo, a broadcaster with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Kaduna was granted bail by a Kaduna High Court presided by Justice Darius Khobo.
Onibiyo who was arraigned by the police on November 23 before a Chief Magistrate Court, presided by Huzaifa Machido, was recently remanded in prison.

He was arrested by the police in Kaduna on November 23, 2018 over alleged incitement, defamation of character and injurious falsehood against the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai. Expectedly, his detention without bail was condemned by some activists and pro-democracy groups.

Police Report
According to the police First Information Report (FIR), dated November 14, 2018, Onibiyo was accused of incitement, disturbance, defamation of character and injurious falsehood.

The FIR reads in part: “On November 14, 2018, at bout 1500 hours, one Mohammed Bashir Saidu, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Kaduna, in his letter of complaint, addressed to the commissioner of police, Kaduna state, reported that Onibiyo posted on his Facebook page, an inciting, defamatory and injurious falsehood statement against Governor Nasir el-Rufai as follows:

“That he changed the status of traditional council from chiefdom to emirate, Agom Adara resisted, he was killed. That the governor made his threat true to the good people of southern Kaduna who are predominantly Christian by picking a Muslim deputy governor.

“That let him appoint her as his personal god and saviour, Kadalites will decide the fate of that inconsistent, incompetent, wicked, malicious, jihadist, religious jingoist.

“In the course of the investigation on the suspect Onibiyi Segun Mike Gbenga was arrested and he confessed to be the owner of the Facebook account contrary to sections 78, 372 and 373 of the penal code law”.

Onibiyo’s Stance
On his part, Onibiyo denied the allegations, saying that he had nothing to do with the post as his Facebook was hacked before 2015. In his statement to the police, he said he stopped using the Facebook account after it was hacked.

“I wish to state categorically that I have nothing to do with the post. My Facebook account with the name SMG Onibiyo was hacked pre-2015.
I had since reported same to Facebook and while I could not recover the account, I opened another in the name Segun Onibiyo, which was equally hacked.

“I had since stopped using Facebook in those aforementioned names and instead continued the use of two other accounts – MrJejeSupreme and Miongs Communications – as medium of facebooking.

“I am a journalist and understand full well the implication of attacking public figures or individuals in private or public space. I may have my opinion on issues but I will never in any way attack anyone in such injurious manner, especially on Facebook or anywhere else.

“I want my name cleared for any form of attack on personalities as I do not have access to the Facebook account where these allegations were posted. Family members and friends have always called to ask if I sent them pictures and even pornographic image, which I have always explained I did not. I am an upright individual and family and friends can attest to my character, even on my program on radio – Oga Jeje.

“In conclusion, once again, my account SMG Onibiyo was hacked pre-2015 and I have since then moved on and not on Facebook in that name. I reported the hack to Facebook but not to any security agency as I did not envisage the threat it could pose” he said in his statement.

Arraignment

Onibiyo who was arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court, Ibrahim Taiwo road, Kaduna, was charged with alleged defamation of character and false statement against Governor el-Rufai, contrary to the provisions of sections 78, 372 and 373 of the Penal Code.

Though he pleaded not guilty to the allegations, the Presiding Chief Magistrate, Huzaifa Machido denied him bail and remanded him at the Kaduna Prison. However, his counsels, led by Jacob Amangwai, challenged the decision of the lower court for refusing bail to their client.

Amangwi maintained that “all the offences which Onibiyo is standing trial for, are bailable offences and there was no reason why he should be denied bail, hence the decision to approach the state high court.
On Wednesday December 12, Justice Khobo who presided over the matter, granted bail to
Onibiyo in the sum of N2 million bond and a reliable surety in like sum.

The judge ordered that the surety must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and must be a property owner in Kaduna which must be verified by the Kaduna Geographic Information Service.
The prosecuting counsel Mohammed Kufena, from the state ministry of justice, had argued that Onibiyo should not be granted because, according to him, “the offence alleged against the applicant is technical, as it borders on postings on the social media and if released on bail, he would likely contravene sections 175 A, C, D and E.

Justice Khobo, in granting bail, maintained that “the case is not a capital offence” adding that Nigeria is under a democracy and not under military dictatorship.

Bail
However Onibiyo could not be immediately released from prison as bail conditions needed to be perfected before he was freed.
Week after week, family members, friends and his admirers rallied round to perfect the bail conditions which led to his release from prison on Tuesday, December 18, at about 6:00pm. He was received amid cheers and jubilation by family members, friends and activists, as he walked out to the prison gate.

Beaming with smiles, Onibiyo who stepped out of the Kaduna prison, was unruffled and lively as he was received by family members, friends and activists as he hugged and exchanged banters with them.
He however declined to make any comments about his ordeal in detention, saying he needed to consult his lawyers.

Wife’s Joy
Folakemi, Onibiyo’s wife, told THISDAY in an interview that her husband’s freedom was a big relief to the family.

“It has been so terrible, I have never experienced such in my life. I have heard news about people being incarcerated and something else happened to them. That was my fear. I am very happy that he has been granted bail. Initially, I was so worried that he may not be granted bail at the high court” she said.

She also expressed gratitude to all those who stood by the family and assisted in perfecting the bail conditions for which led to the release of her husband.

The case was adjourned to February 28, 2019 when Onibiyo, after his release from prison, appeared Wednesday (December 19) before the trial court presided by Chief Magistrate, Huzaifa Machido.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/02/el-rufai-journalist-segun-onibiyo/

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has reminded President President Muhammadu Buhari how he (Buhari) and other high ranking of the All Progressives Congress, APC, bowed to him when he (Atiku) spent his money for their campaign in 2015.

Speaking through the Spokesperson of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Team, Prince Kassim Afegbua, Atiku urged President Buhari to campaign with his achievements instead of making unsubstantiated corruption allegations against him.

Atiku pointed out that when he donated billions of Naira to Buhari and APC campaigns in 2015, he was never tagged corrupt but was described as having good sense of industry and entrepreneur.

The statement said, ‘’They have been running in circles, some kind of rotation in the same axis saying this today, saying that tomorrow, yet they haven’t been able to link anything directly and indirectly to Alhaji Atiku who has since become a private citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“When he was in APC and was donating billions to the Buhari 2015 campaign, when they were all prostrating before him, when they wrote eloquent testimonies to his sense of industry and entrepreneur, did they not remember all these baseless allegations then?

“The APC and their presidential candidate, President Buhari epitomised the Chichidodo bird that feeds on maggots but hates the smell of faeces. Who does not know that maggots are products of faeces?

“Double standard, hypocrisy, nepotism, cronyism and provincialism have blinded their sight to see the damage they have done to the psyche of the Nigerian state, and the only way they could attract attention is to rake up mud against a man who was once their celebrated benefactor.

“They flagged off their campaign in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and 21 jets including military jets landed at Uyo airport. Who are the owners of those jets?

“Who hired them? From whose purse? They said PDP didn’t do anything in 16 years but they were falling head over heels at the Uyo stadium built by PDP government.’’

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/01/2019-presidency-prostrated-2015-atiku-tells-buhari-apc/

Femi Fani-Kayode, former minister of Aviation, has condemned the “persecution” of Senator Dino Melaye and members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

DAILY POST reports that the men of the Nigeria Police Force stormed Senator Melaye’s Abuja residence on Friday to arrest him, but Melaye posted on Twitter that he was not at home.

The Senator said he will report to the police this week.

The police, however, on Sunday said Melaye is around and vowed to remain at his residence until he surrenders.

But reacting, Fani-Kayode took to his Twitter page to condemn President Buhari for what he termed ‘vicious persecution’ of Senator Melaye, Dasuki and other Nigerians.

According to him, Buhari will pay a price for the alleged persecution.

Fani-Kayode wrote: “Buhari will suffer for the vicious persecution that he has meted out to the opposition over the last 3 years.

“He will also pay a heavy price for the evil he has subjected Adeyanju Deji, Dino Melaye,Sambo Dasuki,Ibrahim El Zak Zaky and others to.

“We will never forgive or forget.”

Meanwhile, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the release of social critic, Mr. Deji Adeyanju and ensure that his fundamental human rights are not continuously abused by the Police.

Saraki, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, said Adeyanju’s case was portraying the present administration in bad light as a government that was intolerant of criticism and suppressing views of the opposition.

He stated that a situation where Adeyanju was re-arrested after being given bail by a court indicated a deliberate attempt to put him out of circulation.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/31/will-happen-buhari-persecuting-melaye-deji-adeyanju-others-fani-kayode/

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC has said the late Second Republic President, Shehu Shagari would have industrialised the country but for the 1983 coup that brought Muhammadu Buhari to power.

NLC President, Ayuba Wabba said this yesterday while mourning the demise of the former president.

In a statement he signed, Wabba stated that Shagari signed into law the National Minimum Wage Act of 1981 that provided for a new national minimum wage of N125, which was equivalent to about $200.

The statement reads: “We at the NLC would like to join Nigerian government, world leaders, family members and other Nigerians in mourning the death of Alhaji Shagari, elder statesman and first executive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“As President, Shagari, as he was popularly known, was humble, personable, considerate and broad-minded, some of the reasons that explained his popularity among ordinary people. Shagari initiated some of the landmark projects, including iron and steel and petrochemicals in his quest to make Nigeria an industrial hub.

“Not a few hold the view that but for the coup that removed him from power in 1983, unceremoniously cutting short his second term, Shagari would have seen through his vision of a highly industrialised Nigeria.”

Commending on the former President’s life style, Wabba said: “We similarly hold the view that given his urbane and simple and straight forward life style, Shagari would have built an enduring culture of democratic succession in spite of some of the disputed elections in his time.”

“However, Shagari was blamed for not exercising requisite control over some of the rambunctious and corrupt members of his cabinet or party, a fact not a few, today, believe was largely responsible for his removal from power.

“Amazingly, his removal did little to diminish his towering stature as no act of corruption or wrong doing was traced to him. Thus, in retirement, he was both a respected voice of moderation and wisdom from which succeeding leaders befitted till death took him away.

“For us at the NLC, Shagari, despite having come to power on an ideological platform that was manifestly different from the one we subscribed to, holds a special place in our hearts. For instance, he signed into law the National Minimum Wage Act of 1981 that provided for a new national minimum wage of N125 which was equivalent to about $200.

“It took more than deft move and political will to execute this. It took the milk of human kindness in Alhaji Shagari and his deep appreciation of the dignity of labour and value of the human life to do this.

“To truly appreciate the value of what Shagari did for workers way back then without a bloody fight, let us pause and reflect on the value of the present national minimum wage of N18,000 which is $49 and the new national minimum wage of N30,000 (equivalent to $82) which is due since 2016.

“One of his other legacies was a national housing scheme, a component of which was the building of low-cost houses for workers across the then 19 states of the federation. In light of his contributions to national development, peace in the land, and welfare of workers, Shagari remains a national hero, patriot, and a distinguished gentleman.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/31/1983-coup-buhari-stopped-shehu-shagari-industrializing-nigeria-nlc-president-wabba/

25 out of the 137 intending Christian Pilgrims for this year’s (2018) pilgrimage from Gombe State have been denied visas by the Israeli authorities.

The Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. Joseph Iliya Bega who revealed this during the farewell ceremony of the Pilgrims explained that no reason was given by Israel for the denial.

He explained however that the affected Pilgrims have been pleaded upon and were asked to forward names of their choices to replace them within the next four days from Monday the 31st December 2018.

The Executive Secretary also stated that another eight other Pilgrims had a delay in acquiring their visas but explained that the delay in the visas can only delay their departure but will not deny them the pilgrimage exercise.

In his farewell speech, the Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Charles Iliya urged the intending Pilgrims to be worthy ambassadors of Gombe State and Nigeria by ensuring high sense of humility, responsibility and dedication to the Almighty God.

He called on them to “avoid all forms of evil vices such as drug trafficking, abscondment or any act of indiscipline that will negatively portray the image of our beloved State and country”.

He also cautioned them to be careful with whom they converse with and what they say, shun sensitive diplomatic discussion and always conduct their affairs with discipline.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/12/christian-pilgrimage-israel-denies-25.html

The Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, says his Governor, Abdul’Aziz Yari, has sidelined him.

Wakkala told newsmen in Gusau on Sunday that the governor had denied him his rights and privileges .

“For months now, several of the legal fundings that are supposed to be made to my office have been stopped and I have been completely sidelined by the state government”, NAN quoted him as saying.

”This attitude against me started since I indicated interest to run for the governorship of the state on the platform of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I know that nothing stops me as a citizen from contesting for any elective position, so I want those concerned and responsible for the interpretation and implementation of the constitutional provisions that accorded me rights and privileges to explain to me why I am being treated this way.

“If the crime is my declaration, then what about my supporting staff made up of casual staff, feeding of security personnel, fueling and services of vehicles attached to my office, what have they done to have their allowances stopped, “he said.

The deputy governor also said that it had still not been officially communicated to him that the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Sanusi Rikiji, would be serving as acting governor of the state.

“I knew this on the pages of newspapers, the social media and when the state Commissioner of Information told a journalist that I am treated this way because I belong to the G8 group.

“My concern at the moment, however, is to see that Zamfara is free from all these security challenges where the killings, kidnappings and animal rustling have taken charge.”

Clarifying further on the matter, the Deputy governor’s Director-general on Media, Malam Yusuf Idris, said, “the deputy governor is always in his office and nothing is related to him concerning official matters.”

Yusuf maintained that “the only reason someone else aside from the deputy governor that can act in the governor’s absence is when he (the deputy governor)is impeached, removed from office by court order or death and none of these is the case at the moment,” he said.

When contacted, however, Gov. Yari told journalists that “my main concern in the state now is how to tackle the security situation and see our people living without any threat to their lives, businesses or property.

“We can only discuss this issue when we begin to talk politics,” he said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/30/zamfara-deputy-governor-makes-shocking-revelations-yari/

The Speaker Adamawa House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa said the deputy speaker and majority leader have all been sacked.

Mijinyawa in a telephone interview told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, in Yola said that the Deputy Majority Leader of the House was equally removed.

“The Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Emmanuel Tsamdu, the Majority Leader ,Mr Hassan Barguma and the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Abubakar Isa, all APC, were impeached,” Mijinyawa said.

He said that the house elected Mr. Lunsumbani Dili, APC, from Demsa local government area as its new Deputy Speaker.

Muhammad Hayatu is now the majority leader, while Muhammadu Sani-Shehu is the deputy leader.

The Speaker, however, did not give the reason for the impeachment.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/29/adamawa-deputy-speaker-majority-leader-sacked/

Former Premier League and La Liga star, Michael Owen has predicted Chelsea to defeat Crystal Palace 2-0 when both teams clash on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League fixture.

He also tipped Liverpool to beat Arsenal 3-1 on Saturday evening in the Premier League fixture at Anfield.

According to him, Manchester United will defeat Bournemouth 3-1 on Sunday evening at Old Trafford in the Premier League fixture.

He, however, tipped Manchester City to beat Southampton on Sunday in the Premier League fixture.

Owen told Betvictor: “Palace had over 30 attempts on goal without scoring against Cardiff earlier in the week and they cannot afford such profligacy against Chelsea who had talisman Eden Hazard to thank for their win at Watford last time.

“This promises to be a full-blooded London derby with the visitors keeping the points. Michael’s Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-2 Chelsea”.

On the Liverpool vs Arsenal game, Owen said: “Liverpool are only the fourth side in the history of the Premier League to remain unbeaten in the first half of the season and they can maintain that sequence when Arsenal visit Anfield on Saturday evening.

“The Reds have scored 17 times in their last five home games (at least two in each match) against Arsenal and I was disappointed with the second half display of the Gunners at Brighton on Boxing Day. Michael’s Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal.”

Commenting on the Manchester United vs Bournemouth game, Owen said: “Eight goals and six points for United since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over the managerial reins at Old Trafford and Paul Pogba (two goals and two assists) has looked a different player under the Norwegian.

“Bournemouth conceded five at Spurs on Boxing Day and have never won at Old Trafford in their seven previous visits in all competitions. United to maintain their good recent record against the Cherries. Michael’s Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Bournemouth.”

On the Southampton vs Man City game, Owen said: “City have conceded from the first shot they have faced in three of the last four Premier League games they have played, and they won’t have things all their own way against a Saints’ side who, at the time of writing, have scored six goals and picked up six points from their last two games.

“City have won the last four Premier League games between the sides by an aggregate of 12-2, however, and I expect to see goals at St Mary’s in a game that City cannot afford to lose. Michael’s Prediction: Southampton 1-3 Manchester City.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/29/epl-owen-predicts-scorelines-crystal-palace-vs-chelsea-liverpool-vs-arsenal-man-utd-vs-bournemouth-others/

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State, has described the christening of the 2019 budget as a “budget of hope” as confirmation of the hopeless situation during the eight years of the Aregbesola administration that recently ended.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of the party in the state, Hon. Soji Adagunodo, and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

He said the courage of the incumbent Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, to reflect the true state of the state through the 2019 budget was highly commendable.

“While acknowledging the contributions of Oyetola about the hopeless state of Osun, despite that he served in that administration as Chief of Staff, a post described by Aregbesola as ‘engine room’, we however appreciate the departure from the self denial that brought the state to this quagmire.

“What is hope in not paying salaries as at when due? When has payment of salaries become a privilege.

“Oyetola should also note that the people of Osun have been made to pay for Aregbesola’s prolifigacy through excessive taxation, neck breaking levies and dues.

“The Governor should not add to the burden of the people of Osun by introducing more taxes because when Osun had enough, the common man did not feel the impact,” he said.

The PDP chairman then called on the people not to be deceived by the “false” hope in the budget, saying ” a man who was the engine room of the hopelessness cannot give any hope.”

He however wondered where the state that has about N5bn debt to pay monthly will get over N150bn to execute the budget.

Adagunodo then called on the people of the state to keep praying for better political alternative that will give genuine hope to the people of the state.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/28/osun-budget-confirms-aregbesolas-eight-year-hopeless-administration-pdp/

Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba, gave a passionate pep talk to his teammates, in the build-up to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first game in charge at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.

Pogba was stripped of the vice-captaincy by Jose Mourinho earlier this season, as the former United boss was unhappy with the midfielder’s attitude.

The 25-year-old was also dropped from the team during the final weeks of Mourinho’s reign.

Pogba however impressed in the 5-1 win over Cardiff City last Saturday and in Solskjaer’s first game in charge at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, as United eased to a 3-1 victory over Huddersfield Town.

And before United’s players began their warm-up for the match, the club’s official tunnel camera picked up the message Pogba had for his teammates.

“When we go, we go. Pressing, first ones.

“If we lose the ball, we keep going.

“Now we are at home. We are at home. Same, same, same.

“We go strong, we start strong,” he said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/28/epl-pogba-told-man-utd-team-mates-solskjaers-first-home-game/

A senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Ben Obi, has said reacted to the comment by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the 2023 presidency going to the Southwest.

According to him, Osinbàjo’s remark was insensitive and height of mischief.

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

But in a statement in Abuja, Obi berated Osinbajo for asserting that the presidency would revert to the South West after Buhari in 2023.

“Apart from the fact that the PDP will win the 2019 presidential election in which case Osinbajo’s reckless and morally outrageous scenario will never come to pass, the mere thought of making that insensitive declaration after Obasanjo’s 8-year presidential tenure and Osinbajo’s 4-year vice presidency, in the context in which power is yet to rotate to the South East, is the height of political intolerance and mischief-making,” he said.

Obi, who is also the Director of the Campaign’s CUPP/Inter-party Directorate, said Osinbajo should learn the historical circumstances that threw up the Obasanjo Vs Falae presidential contest in 1999 and why the Late Dr. Alex Ekwueme sacrificed so much to ensure that Obasanjo won that election.

The senator charged Osinbajo to retrieve his “lost moral compass” with regard to this issue, and “also with regard to his Tradermoni vote-buying antics which, as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a professor, and a pastor, he knows to be an unethical, corrupt and reprehensible electoral manoeuvre.”

The PDP chieftain said the opposition party would be working closely with local communities and their grassroots-based organizations for a full buy-in into its vision of getting Nigeria to work again, the first step of which would entail taking the country back and re-directing it on the path of peace, security, and prosperity

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/27/osinbajos-dream-2023-presidency-insensitive-will-never-come-pass-obi/

Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State on Tuesday announced the appointment of top civil servants as the Coordinating Directors for the 16 local government areas in the state.

This was coming barely a week after the State House of Assembly placed all the elected council chairmen in the state on indefinite suspension.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, had said that the elected council chairmen were suspended indefinitely over allegations bordering on maladministration and corrupt practices.

Oyebode said that their appointments took immediate effect.

According to him, the ‘Coordinating Directors’ are to oversee the affairs in the councils they are attached to.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all the appointees were drawn from the services of the various local governments as well as the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC).

Oyebode listed the Coordinating Directors and their postings as follows: Mr Andero S. O moves from Ekiti South West Local Government to Irepodun/Ifelodun and Mr Akinwumi Foluso, from Ido-Osi to Ikere LG.

They include: Mr Borisade Yinka, from LGSC to Ekiti South-West, Mr Sesan Aina moves from Ido-Osi to Ado-Ekiti LGA; Mr Ayo Aluko, from Moba to Oye; Mrs Toba Ojo, from LGSC to Moba LGA; and Mr L.S Oladunjoye from Ikere LGA to Ise-Orun.

“Mr Agbaje S. A moves from Oye LG to Ijero; Mr Arowolaju Tunde, from Ado LG to Ekiti West; Mr Adesoba F.O, from LGSC to Emure; Mr Owajoba J. O, from Ido -Osi to Gbonyin LG.

“Others are: Mr Akinola Bayo, from Moba LG to Ido-Osi; Mr Fasanmi G.O, from Ikole LG to Ikole; Mr Ogunsakin L. R, from Ekiti East LG to Efon; Mr Williams Adeola, from Ido-Osi to Ilejemeje; and Elder K.M Waleola, from Emure LG to Ekiti East,” Oyebode stated.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/26/gov-fayemi-appoints-coordinating-directors-16-ekiti-lgas/

The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, on Tuesday counselled President Muhammadu Buhari on what to do before flagging off his presidential campaign in Akwa Ibom State.

Sani said Buhari should visit Zamfara State following recent killings in the state before heading to Akwa Ibom state for his campaign.

DAILY POST had reported that about 17 were killed on Saturday after bandits attacked Magami village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

However, the outspoken Senator expressed hope that Buhari will visit Zamfara before heading out for his rally.

“The President should visit Zamfara to commiserate and condole, before Akwa Ibom to rally; and I believe he will,hopefully,” Sani tweeted.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/25/2019-buhari-visit-presidential-rally-akwa-ibom-shehu-sani/

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja received a letter of endorsement from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) as its presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, presented the letter to the president at the Presidential Villa, and was accompanied by the APM chairman, Yusuf Dantalle.

Amosun told State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with the president, that the party gave him the endorsement letter to the president.He expressed optimism that with the move, Buhari, whom he described as a man with a good heart, would garner massive votes in the presidential poll.He said: “You will recall that just last week, we made it public that APM has adopted President Buhari as its presidential candidate. I promised to bring the letter they gave me to present to him. And that is what we came to do today.

“Buhari said if a party has adopted him, it is only fair he acknowledges the party and the chairman. That is why we are here. I have said that anybody that is for President Muhammadu Buhari is for me. We will embrace such party, persons and organisation wholeheartedly.”Amosun however refused to comment on the threat by National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole to expel him from the party. “I don’t want to comment on that. We came for this. Let’s restrict ourselves to this. I want my president to win. What else do you want? We must win. That is it!”

Dantalle described the adoption of Buhari by the APM as the best thing that has happened to the party and the country. According to him, the APM is a coalition of people of like minds and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party took the decision to adopt Buhari because he is the only one that can restore Nigeria to its glory.

He said: “Personally, I believe in him. And the reason is that I love my country and I don’t have any other country apart from Nigeria. Buhari is the only man with the sincerity of intent to take Nigeria to the next level. This is not the Nigeria I was born into, but I see that Nigeria coming back only through Buhari,” he said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/25/buhari-meets-amosun-apm-chairman-gets-endorsement-letter/

Former Premier League star, Alan Shearer has disclosed that Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are capable of stopping Liverpool from winning the Premier League title this season.

Liverpool are currently on top of the Premier League table with 48 points from 18 games, while Manchester City are second placed with 44 points from the same number of games and Tottenham are currently in third position on the Premier League table with 42 points.

“There are still plenty of twists and turns to come yet in the Premier League title race, despite Liverpool taking a four-point lead into Christmas,” Shearer told The Sun on Monday.

“Jurgen Klopp’s side are in a great position – but I’m sure they will drop some points between now and the end of the season.

“It’s very rare to play perfect football and get perfect results every game. Arsenal going unbeaten in 2003-04 was a freak and with 20 games to go there is still much to play for.

“Manchester City had a blip against Palace and will need to ensure there aren’t any more this season. But they are a great side, are not going anywhere and can stop and chase Liverpool all the way.”

Shearer added: “And after yesterday’s thrashing of Everton, Tottenham will be believing that they are very much in the Premier League title race.

“Just two points behind City now, they are playing with the swagger of a side who believe they can stop Liverpool and City and go the whole way this time.

“They’ve only played seven home games this term and will really fancy their chances of being in the mix.”

Liverpool will now tackle Newcastle United at Anfield in their next Premier League fixture on Wednesday, while Manchester City and Tottenham will face Leicester City and Bournemouth respectively.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/24/epl-alan-shearer-reveals-two-clubs-can-stop-liverpool-winning-premier-league-title/

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Sunday dashed the hope of millions of Nigerians stating that it had no plans to suspend the eight-week-old strike insisting the Federal government had not shown any commitment to addressing its demands.

Addressing newsmen at ASUU, University of Lagos secretariat, the National President of ASUU, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, disclosed that since the start of the strike on November 4, the union met six times with government agents and there was no clear commitment from government to resolve the issues in contention.

Flanked by the ASUU Lagos zone Coordinator, Prof Olusiji Sowande, and other branch chairmen, Prof Ogunyemi asked the Federal government replace the Chairman of the Renegotiation Committee on the FG/ASUU 2009 agreement, Dr. Wale Babalakin, based on its experience during over one year of negotiation.

Ogunyemi disclosed that government appeared to have adopted the “keep-them-talking” strategy while deceiving the public that progress was being made thus a partial agreement had been reached between the government and the union.

“Our expectation from a very responsive and sincere government is that by now, all outstanding issues would have been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties. Unfortunately, government is yet to show sincerity in addressing the problem.

“As at today, there are no concrete commitments on the part of government to warrant considering the suspension of this strike action, which we did all that was possible to avoid.

“Government should demonstrate serious commitment to implementing the spirit and letters of the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement, as well as the resulting 2013 MoU, for the rapid transformation of Nigeria’s public universities for improved efficiency, infrastructural development and global competitiveness.”

The ASUU president said the purported release of N20billion due for release in September/October 2017, which was widely publicised by government, had not been confirmed to and had not been received in any public universities while it had also not made any commitment to payment of the outstanding five tranches of the balance of N1.1trillion Needs Assessment intervention fund for revitalisation of public universities.

According to him, government, through its forensic audit report had acknowledged that members were being owed arrears of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) from 2009 to 2016 including two extra years and hoped government would have factored that into the 2019 budget to avoid clamour for payment of arrears in future.

He regretted that government declared that steps had been taken to address the injustice, payment of EAA to its loyal members in University of Ilorin while that was yet to be effected, stressing that government appeared to paying lip service to the issue.

The ASUU boss revealed that arrears of shortfalls in salaries had not been addressed and there was no agreed date for the payment of the verified claims to the affected universities.

On the demand for government to sack the chairman of the renegotiation committee, Prof Ogunyemi said there were unresolved issues about him as the leader of the government team and head of the renegotiation.

“We have strong reasons to believe that the continuation of Dr. Babalakin as the head of the renegotiation with ASUU would not yield good fruit. He is ideologically fixated on tuition fees and does not agree that education is a public good. ASUU strongly objects to this.

“Our experience with Dr. Babalakin for over 14 months tells us that Dr. Babalakin cannot relate objectively to any of the issues in our demands at the negotiation table. We, therefore, once more call on government to replace Dr. Babalakin as the chairman of the renegotiation committee of the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement,” Ogunyemi stated.

He used the opportunity to debunk insinuations that ASUU strike was meant to scuttle the 2019 general elections adding “our strike has nothing to do with election. We are not planning to abort any election.”

On claims by some government officials that the ongoing strike had political colouration, the ASUU president said the allegation was laughable and that the union was not perturbed by the insinuations saying that it was when government did not have solutions to its demands that it came up with the claim of sponsorship. “In 2013, ASUU was accused by the then government; so we are not surprise or moved by the allegation.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/24/ASUU-will-not-suspend-strike-unions-president-declares/

Chairman of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama says achieving the ECOWAS Single Currency by 2020 will be a challenge.

Onyeama said this while responding to questions from newsmen at the end of the 54th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS of Heads of State and Government in Abuja on Saturday.

The chairman, who is Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, said that there were certain criteria that needed to be fulfilled for a region to achieve single currency, and which were not yet fully addressed.

“There is a roadmap, the convergence criteria that have to be satisfied before we can really get to the stage of a single currency.

“In ECOWAS, we have a group of countries that in essence almost have a single currency mechanism in place and we have other countries that have their own currencies and being able to align all these is going to take some time.

“It will be a challenge to achieve the single currency by 2020 but all the efforts are being made,” he said.

Onyeama said however that the central bank governors, finance ministers and experts in the region were working towards ensuring that the set timeline was achieved.

“The political will is there and it is really a question to see whether the economic and fiscal realities will converge with the political aspirations,” he said.

Also speaking, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr Jean-Claude Brou said the region had made very good progress in its efforts to ensure free movement of people among member states.

Brou said that part of the efforts was to have biometric identity card for all citizens in the region to promote security and facilitate the achievement of the single currency.

His words, “Three countries in ECOWAS are already using the ECOWAS Biometric Identity card, so we are urging other countries to do it.

“It has security features and that will also increase security in the region and at the same time, not prevent free movement of goods and persons which is a very important step of the single market.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/23/ecowas-gives-update-single-currency-region/

Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri has revealed what his side must to do to defeat Leicester City on Saturday evening in the Premier League fixture at the Stamford Bridge.

Sarri said the only way Chelsea will defeat Leicester was to put in a good performance against the visitors so as to get all three points.

According to the Italian gaffer, Leicester are technical team with very fast and dangerous players.

“Leicester City are a technical team but have players very fast, so a dangerous mix. We need a good performance to gain three points,” Sarri was quoted by Metro UK as saying.

Sarri also has dismissed the notion that Chelsea are Premier League title contenders.

“I have never seen Chelsea as title contenders for the Premier League,” Sarri added. “There are two teams [Liverpool and Man City] ahead of us.

“It is not easy. 80 points is a high average and it is not easy in the Premier League. We have to just think about this match.

Sarri’s men are currently 11 points off Premier League leaders, Liverpool on the table.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/22/epl-sarri-reveals-chelsea-must-beat-leicester-city/

Several people have been reportedly killed after a fuel tanker caught fire on Odo-Iyaalaro Bridge inward Maryland in Lagos.

According to The Guardian, the accident has caused major gridlock around the axis, while the cause of the conflagration and number of casualties couldn’t be ascertained.

It was also gathered that the situation has paralyzed movements around Tipper garage, Ojota-Interchange and Motorways plaza.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/21/breaking-scores-burnt-death-tanker-explodes-lagos/

Ahead of the Christmas celebrations, fire outbreak yesterday sacked occupant of the Abakaliki rice mill located at Onuebonyi in the Ebonyi State capital, destroying valuable materials worth over N100 million.

The cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be ascertained as at press time, although residents of the area said the fire incident may have been caused by power surge and described the damage caused by the unfortunate incident as devastating.

The Chairman of Abakaliki Rice Mill Ltd, Hon. Joseph Nnunu told newsmen that the fire started at about 9pm on Thursday, and attracted the attention of the leadership of the mill who were still in the office when the inferno started.

He said they immediately contacted men of the Ebonyi State Fire Service, who rushed to the place, and were able to put off the fire, adding that some of the valuables that were salvaged was as a result of his quick intervention and prompt response of the fire fighters.

The Chairman described the fire incident as mysterious, stating that the fire started from the rear of the building and took over the whole structure before security men on duty noticed it and quickly alerted the authorities.

“When I visited the scene, I saw about five black stone Rice Milling machines… bags of par boiled rice and the whole roof and interior of the building completely razed,” he stated.

A victim, who owns the shop located at 13 A Line, Mr Moses Oboh lamented the ordeal and called on the government to come to his aid.

He said he may not stand the shock and the trauma of losing up to N40 million at a blow.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/21/man-loses-n40-million-fire-outbreak-sacks-abakaliki-rice-millers/

Ahead of the Christmas celebrations, fire outbreak yesterday sacked occupant of the Abakaliki rice mill located at Onuebonyi in the Ebonyi State capital, destroying valuable materials worth over N100 million.

The cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be ascertained as at press time, although residents of the area said the fire incident may have been caused by power surge and described the damage caused by the unfortunate incident as devastating.

The Chairman of Abakaliki Rice Mill Ltd, Hon. Joseph Nnunu told newsmen that the fire started at about 9pm on Thursday, and attracted the attention of the leadership of the mill who were still in the office when the inferno started.

He said they immediately contacted men of the Ebonyi State Fire Service, who rushed to the place, and were able to put off the fire, adding that some of the valuables that were salvaged was as a result of his quick intervention and prompt response of the fire fighters.

The Chairman described the fire incident as mysterious, stating that the fire started from the rear of the building and took over the whole structure before security men on duty noticed it and quickly alerted the authorities.

“When I visited the scene, I saw about five black stone Rice Milling machines… bags of par boiled rice and the whole roof and interior of the building completely razed,” he stated.

A victim, who owns the shop located at 13 A Line, Mr Moses Oboh lamented the ordeal and called on the government to come to his aid.

He said he may not stand the shock and the trauma of losing up to N40 million at a blow.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/21/man-loses-n40-million-fire-outbreak-sacks-abakaliki-rice-millers/

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed has reacted to the allegation of clampdown on civil society with the re-arrest and detention of Deji Adeyanju.

He spoke at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

He said: “There is no clampdown on any civil society, except in the wild imagination of naysayers.

“As I have said, being in opposition is no licence to break the law and then hope to escape justice.

“If the police have re-arrested Adeyanju, they must have a compelling reason to do so. Anyone who breaks the law must face justice’’.

Mohammed said that the alleged fears that the security agencies might be partisan during the 2019 polls was the figment of imagination of the opposition.

“The opposition is only crying wolf where there is none, and in view of what they did during their 16 years in power.

“They never really won a free and fair election. Their strategy was to use the
security agencies to thwart the wishes of voters.

“They did it in Ekiti and Osun in 2014. I was a victim in Osun, so I know what I am saying.

“But the guilty are always afraid. They think what they have done to others is what will be done to them,’’ he said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/20/fg-speaks-deji-adeyanjus-detention-2019-election/

Nigerians living in the United Kingdom sent £3.27 billion back home in 2017, according to a report by the World Bank.

A study researched by the bank has found that Nigeria was the top receiver of cash from the United Kingdom in 2017.

Nigeria was ranked the largest remittance recipient in sub-Saharan Africa and the sixth largest amongst lower-middle-income countries.

“Remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa are estimated to grow by 9.8 percent from $41 billion in 2017 to $45 billion in 2018. Projections indicate that remittances to the region will keep increasing, but at a lower rate, to $47 billion by 2019,” the report read.

“The upward trend observed since 2016 is explained by strong economic conditions in the high-income economies where many sub-Saharan African migrants earn their incomes.

Largest remittance recipient country in Sub-Saharan Africa and the sixth largest among the Low, Middle income Countries (LMICs) is expected to receive more than $25 billion in official remittances by the end of 2018, an increase of more than $3 billion compared with the previous year.”

According to the Bretton Wood institution, the average cost of sending money to sub-Saharan Africa decreased slightly.

“The average cost of sending $200 to the Sub-Saharan Africa region slightly decreased, averaging 8.9 percent in 2018 Q3, the lowest cost ever registered in the region.

“A declining trend has been observed in remittance costs in the region since the beginning of 2018, but this average remains far above the global average of 6.9 percent and the SDG target of 3 percent by 2030. (NAN)

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/20/nigerians-repatriate-3-27b-uk-world-bank/

The 2019 re-election bid of Cross River Governor, Senator Ben Ayade on Monday got another huge boost as the State’s traditional rulers’ council threw its weight behind him, declaring the state as wholly Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Chairman of the council and Paramount Ruler of Bakassi Local Government Area, Etinyin Etim Okon Edet announced the decision of the council in Calabar, the State capital shortly after Governor Ayade presented certificates and staff of office to two new paramount rulers for Bekwarra and Obanliku Local Government Areas.

Etinyin Edet kick-started the process by reeling out achievements of the Governor Ayade’s administration and announced his endorsement.
Following a question bg the Bakassi monarch on whether Ayade should be endorsed, there was a unanimous voice vote in affirmation from the hundreds of first and second class chiefs present.
The Obong of Calabar, His Majesty Edidem Abasi Otu V in his remarks, stressed that the order already established for the rotation of the office of governor in the state would be followed as it was binding on all Cross Riverians.

This is even as he insisted that not only has Ayade earned a second term on account of his sterling stewardship but that Cross River is purely a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) state.

According to him, “This state is PDP. I am not a politician, but these other people that have defected and are going round trying to look for one thing or the other, they are all PDP members. They can bear any other name but all I know is that they are all PDP members because in this state, we have just this party and it is a family.”

Continuing, the highly revered monarch said: “We have an understanding that is binding on every son and daughter of this state. We rotate political offices, we move our governorship position. The way it has been scheduled you cannot come in overnight and say I want it here. No! We are not that crop of people and we are very decisive. Unfortunately, we may be very poor but we have our integrity. We must uphold our integrity; we must not turn this state into something else. It is not where anyone can jump in from anywhere and say they want to so this and do that. That is the orderliness and we must show the world that, that is what we are and that is what we will always be and that is what I will always want to be.”
He also lauded Ayade on his foresight in seeking to build the Bakassi Deep Seaport and the superhighway.

He urged the governor to sustain the momentum of industrialization, adding, “We need forward thinking leaders like Ayade, we need to have the superhighway to open up this state or else even if you put all the industries here, where will you carry them to?”

On his part, the Obol Lopon of Ugep, Obol Ofem Ubana said: “The words of our chairman are enough and I support the position concerning the governor’s re-election in 2019. Today we ticked you right and we will do so come 2019. Cross Riverians are here, the spirits of the state are here to say you have done well for the last three and a half years. We approve that you should go back.”

On why they decided to endorse the governor, he insisted that “when you have a good product to sell, you don’t labour to advertise it. Governor Ayade is a good product. Let me borrow the words of our chairman where he said that you are our revelation. You have revealed to Cross River State that things that we thought were impossible are possible with good thinking.”

Also, Africa’s longest serving monarch and paramount ruler of Obudu, Uti J.D Agba in his remarks pointed out that the Governor had been active in rebuilding the economy of the State and contrary to opinions held by some, “he is doing it and that is why it is enough reason for us to appreciate his effort and I am happy that there is nobody who is going to be disappointed.”

In his response, Governor Ayade commended the monarchs for living above board and explained the reason why he had expanded government while industrialising the state to create jobs for the over 6,000 Cross Riverians who graduate every year.
“It was because I came with a roadmap, I came with a direction; I knew where I was going. If you are producing 6,000 graduates every year and there is no job for them, you are inviting crime to your doorstep, you are inviting cataclysm, No matter what, in spite of your rural road problems, you have to create jobs for those younger people, we have to industrialise, the deep seaport has to work, the superhighway has to work – that is our core business.”

He charged the monarchs to look into issues of governance and support the government to ensure the delivery of democratic dividends.

“You are paramount rulers, you are the custodians of our culture and our heritage. In fact, now you are the spiritual fathers, have you asked why the superhighway is not on construction phase? Our own brothers and sister joined hands with foreigners, joined hands with other people from other parts of the country who do not want us to have this deep seaport to write petitions against the deep seaport, to write petitions against the superhighway and reduced all of these things to APC and PDP politics.

“How can you play politics with the life of a people, with the development of a people, with the future of our young men and women? How can that be politics? You as paramount rulers, you as the custodians of our culture, you are the people who hold the afro-centric philosophy of our afro-politan theory that you must always provide a shoulder for a brother to lean on and that we must aggregate and come together.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/19/2019-obong-calabar-cross-river-traditional-rulers-council-endorse-ayade/

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has declared that Nigeria is currently being run by a College of Presidents as nobody is really in charge of governance in the country at the moment.

Prince Secondus who spoke at a town-hall meeting of PDP Presidential candidate and youths in Lagos on Monday, said that the country is going down because nobody is in charge as the cabals who hijacked the Presidency are divided and confused and Nigeria youths are the victim.

The National Chairman of the main opposition party said that President Muhammadu Buhari is not in charge of the situation and does not know what is happening in the country.

“Your President does not know what is going on, he does not know that killings are going on in the country from Benue to Zamfara.

“He is confused about what to do and has told the state governors that the economy is getting worse and he does not know what to do.”

Prince Secondus told the jubilant Nigeria youths present at the town hall meeting that 2019 general election provides them the opportunity to elect a President that can interface and interact with them, “a President you can touch, you can communicate with and you can feel.

“Voting out the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019 means liberation for Nigeria youths and also a step towards getting the country out of bondage.”

According to a statement signed by his media Adviser, Ike Abonyi, Prince Secondus reiterated his earlier warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to save the country from crisis by conducting free, fair and credible elections in 2019.

He also had a word of advice for security agencies, that they should avoid the disgraceful roles they played during gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states in July and September respectively, pointing out that in 2019, “it is not going to be business as usual.”

Prince Secondus also charged Lagosians to use the opportunity of 2019 election to liberate themselves from the captivity of the emperor that has held the state down for over 20 years.

The presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Peter Obi, as well as the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, were among top PDP leaders who spoke at the well-attended town hall meeting with a cross section of Nigeria youths. Atiku assured the youths of job creation and promised to appoint a Nigerian under the age of 30 years as Minster of Youths if elected.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/18/buhari-no-longer-charge-secondus-%e2%80%a2declares-2019-year-liberation-nigeria/

Lobi Stars head coach Solomon Ogbeide has called out his defenders following the CAF Champions league 3-1 first leg loss Gor Mahia of Kenya on Sunday.

A brace from Samuel Onyango and Jacques Tuyisenge strike at the Moi International Sports center in Kasarani gave the Kenyans 3-1 advantage going into the second leg in Nigeria next week .

Ogbeide stated that his defenders lacked concentration in the opening quarter of the game but believes the second leg will be a different ball game.

“That’s football we have to look where we went wrong and make corrections. A lapse of concentration by my defenders allowed quick goals and we will make adjustments before the return match. We are hopeful for a good result in the return match.

“The main problem was not on coaching, but attitude, attitude cost us and we have to improve on that,” Ogbeide said.

Lobi Stars needs at least a two goals to nothing Victory be make it into through to the money spinning group stage of the competition.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/18/solomon-ogbeide-blames-lobi-defenders-champions-league-defeat/

At least 12 Nigerian soldiers were killed and dozens of others are missing after fighting with Islamists in the northeastern state of Borno, three military sources said on Sunday, one of the largest known losses of life by the army in the last month.

The army said it repelled the attack in which it said one soldier was killed and another injured.

The fighting followed an attack on Friday by insurgents in Gudumbali local government area - a part of Borno where Boko Haram breakaway group Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) is influential. The sources said the poor communication network in the remote area delayed details of the attack being relayed.

The attack, which the sources say was carried out on a military base and a nearby community in the Gudumbali local government area, comes as President Muhammadu Buhari’s security record has become a campaign issue two months ahead of an election in which he is seeking a second term.

The three military sources, all of whom are soldiers and did not want to be named, said at least 12 troops were killed and dozens were missing after the fighting.

The army, in an emailed statement, said the insurgents opened fire on troops while aid materials were being distributed in Gudumbali.

“The troops, however, fought gallantly and outmanoeuvred the attackers inflicting heavy casualties on them. Unfortunately, a soldier paid the supreme price during the encounter, while another was wounded in action,” said the army in the statement.

The biggest loss of military life in the last few months occurred in late November when around 100 soldiers were killed by ISWA militants who attacked an army base in Metele, Borno state.

One of the sources said 28 militants were killed.

Nigeria’s northeast is home to two Islamist insurgencies: Boko Haram and ISWA which broke away in 2016 and is now considered by security experts to be the stronger of the two.

The Nigerian government in June ordered thousands of people who fled the conflict with Boko Haram to return to Gudumbali, one of the most dangerous areas of northeast Nigeria. Officials cut off food and other aid to those who refused. (Reuters)

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/17/least-12-nigerian-soldiers-killed-battle/

Toke Makinwa rocks blonde hair looking so palatable. She gorgeously wows in the beautiful blonde hair. Its a befitting one on her!

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/16/yummy-toke-makinwa-looking-elegant-blonde-hair-see-photos/

The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, on Sunday, said the birthday message to President Muhammadu Buhari by former military president, Ibrahim Babangida has vindicated Buhari’s disciples.

He said Babangida, by the statement, had aligned himself with the belief by Buhari’s supporters that he had recorded laudable achievements since assumption of office in May 2015.

Mr Okechukwu, an ardent supporter of Buhari, said the supporters were in league with IBB that ‘the current administration of President Buhari has achieved tremendous success in war against corruption, terrorism and other forms of insurgency, as well as bringing the country out of economic recession.’

The VON boss also noted that “Buhari has embarked on massive development of critical infrastructure and revolution in agriculture sector towards self sufficiency in food production in Nigeria.”

According to Okechukwu, “even though the South-East did not vote for Buhari, his administration has invested massively in the 2nd Niger Bridge and other federal roads, which previous administration’s employed as political gimmick.”

On IBB’s birthday statement to Buhari, he said, “Let me join General Ibrahim Babangida and indeed Nigerians to congratulate our dear President Muhammadu Buhari on his glorious 76 years on earth.”

“Most importantly, one sincerely salutes IBB for vindicating us, the Buhari disciples, for stating unequivocally on his birthday message that Buhari has been “an excellent role model to many young aspiring politicians and even to the not too young, because of the way and manner you have managed to sustain the survival of our country as an indivisible one nation albeit in the face of many daunting diversions.

“One is in league with IBB’s rating of a man of uncommon integrity quotient, especially on the truism that, ‘You achieved great success in the fight against corruption, terrorism and other forms of insecurity in addition to getting our country out of economic recession.’

“To me, IBB has echoed the position of the greatest number of our people that Mr President shares the same trait with former American president, Dwight D. Eisenhower – Gently in Manners and Strongly in Deed. To Buhari’s credit is that he has gently embarked on massive critical infrastructural development of 5,000 kilometers of federal roads, 5,000 kilometers of Standard gauge rail lines, additional 5,000 megawatts of electricity and self sufficiency in food production.”

Asked when and how he met Buhari, Mr Okechukwu, answered that “it was Rt.Hon. Chuba Okadigbo of blessed memory, who incidentally shared same birthday with Mr President who more or less led us to an association we then labeled TBO, ( The Buhari Organisation) in 2002.

“Okadigbo predicted when Buhari joined partisan politics that this is the man destined to stop One Party State, which Chief Olusegun Obasanjo then president was constructing. He maintained that only a man with strong character like Buhari who can dismantle the anti-democratic tendencies of Obasanjo, battle rogue culture and return fiscal discipline to management of public finance.”

“How many people in my South East geopolitical zone, where Buhari was not voted for in 2003 and 2007, when he chose Rt.Hons. Chuba Okadigbo and Edwin Umezoke, respectively as vice presidential candidates, and in 2011 and 2015, would agree that he would be the president who will assemble the first bag of cement, the first shovel of gravel, sand and first set of rods to lay the foundation for 2nd Niger Bridge? This is the Strong Deed of Buhari, which made some of us to follow him. He is neither a saint nor perfect, but a rare Bird. IBB has vindicated us,” Okechukwu submitted.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/16/2019-babangida-vindicated-buharis-disciples-von-dg-okechukwu/