Manchester United caretaker manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted that Romelu Lukaku will not play in a “target man” role as long as he is in charge.

Lukaku endured a difficult first half of the season, struggling for form and fitness.

The Belgian came on as a second-half substitute for the impressive Marcus Rashford in their 4-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday and scored United’s final goal.

It was the first time Lukaku had featured since former boss Jose Mourinho was replaced by Solskjaer, and the new man at the helm is excited by the prospect of the former Everton man being fully fit.

“At times he’s a good target man, but if you tell him to be a target man he’ll never face the goal.

“Today [Sunday] he was side-on and he’s got the attributes of a top, top striker.

“We need to work on his fitness, but I’m delighted. Even though he was half a yard offside [for his goal], it was a good finish,” Solskjaer said, according to Goal.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/31/epl-solskjaer-vows-change-role-mourinho-gave-lukaku-man-utd-team/

The Nigerian Police Force has vowed to remain at Senator Dino Melaye’s residence until he surrenders.

Yesterday was the third day into the siege by the police on the Abuja residence of the Senator.

The force had earlier said the lawmaker was wanted for a case of criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide committed on July 19, 2018.

The police alleged that Melaye and “his armed thugs” attacked police personnel and shot and wounded one Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, who was attached to 37 Mobile Force (PMF) on stop and search duty along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State.

A statement on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said, “The Police operatives with a duly obtained Warrant of Arrest deployed to arrest Senator Dino Melaye in his residence in Abuja will not retreat until Senator Dino Melaye surrenders himself for arrest and investigation.”

A team of policemen had 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, believe he is in the house.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/31/dino-melaye-well-continue-siege-lawmakers-home-police/

The Leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the South East has raised the alarm over a plot by some high profile persons from a part of the country to frustrate the Igbos’ bid to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

The APC leadership in the region lamented that while the rest of Nigerians, who love fairness and justice were backing Igbo presidency, some persons, who, according to them, are opposed to equity, are working hard to thwart the aspiration for their selfish ends.

This claim was made by the National Vice Chairman (South East) of the APC, Emma Eneukwu, at its zonal stakeholders’ meeting held at the country home of the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, in Uburu, Ohaozara council of Ebonyi State, on Sunday.

The meeting was held to restrategise for next year’s general election.

Eneukwu said, “And then, we have threats from different quarters to make sure that they stop us in 2023 at all costs.

“They lose sight of the fact that power comes from God. If God says that you will not achieve a particular target, you will not achieve it; no matter what you do.

“But, I know that the God we serve will not watch our own share pass us by.

“He will not allow other people to take away what belongs to us. We understand that power is not given but taken.

“So, while everybody says that it is the turn of Ndigbo in 2023, we have to work for it because every other person is entitled to contest. But, the sentiment that is there is that people would say that these people (Igbo) have not ruled before,” he added.

Eneukwu further appealed to members of the party to continue working for the reelection bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, Buhari would pave way for Ndigbo in 2023.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/31/2019-apc-raises-alarm-moves-thwart-igbo-presidency/

The Osun State government, on Sunday slammed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over its comment on the 2019 appropriation presented on Thursday by Governor Gboyega Oyetola, entitled ‘Budget of Hope’.

DAILY POST reports that the Chairman of PDP, Hon. Soji Adagunodo, had in a statement on Friday, described the appellation of the budget as a conscious admittance of ‘hopeless administration of the Aregbesola led administration in the state,’ saying Oyetola should be highly commended for saying the truth.

In a swift reaction, therefore, Mr Adelani Baderinwa, who held sway as Commissioner for Information in the last administration, and now the newly appointed Supervisor in the Ministry through a statement he made available to newsmen in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, said members of the opposition PDP were suffering from serious intellectual laziness.

He opined that only paucity of knowledge and competence of governance could make the main opposition party to criticise a budget based on its christening and failed woefully to critically address the content of the budget as a whole, adding that “no critical minded opposition will embark on wild goose chase as PDP has done on the budget.

“It is this regular demonstration of sheer self denial of the substantial success of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration that will eventually put PDP to permanent displacement in the annals of Osun political history as their obvious lack of depth and capacity to admit some good deeds when seen as strength in the opposition business in a democracy.

“While we acknowledge the role of opposition to include critiquing policies, programmes and projects of government for the overall benefit of the general society, we take exception to criticism which tends to be fallacious in nature and without benefit of any kind to our people. How will anybody continue to argue with scientific facts as provided by credible world organisations upon which the Aregbesola administration had been consistently rated against the remaining 35 states in Nigeria.

“It will take only a PDP with serious short-sightedness, lack of clear thinking, knowledge and capacity to decipher the good from the bad to continue to refuse to acknowledge the prodigious achievements of Aregbesola.

“This embarrassing and primitive attitude of PDP is unbecoming of a civilized opposition party in a democracy and it rather shows the level of their desperation in discrediting the legitimately constituted government of Oyetola by all crooked means possible”, the statement read in part.

It further stressed that despite the level of economic predicament ‘occasioned by PDP-led Federal Government’, the state was rated the best in terms of tax payment, least poverty stricken state , the state with least misery index, and the state with least number of unemployment in the country.

“In terms of good governance, Osun ranked among the best in Nigeria, and was declared the lowest state in ‘Incidence of Poverty’ in Nigeria by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in October this year. In the overall, Osun earned the title of the most peaceful state among its peers in 2018.

“It is absurd that PDP failed to congratulate Osun as an entity for these accolades even if their politics of bitterness will not allow them to see the many achievements made possible by the Aregbesola led APC government. May we note with utmost pride that we were not that moribund to truth when we were in their shoes as opposition to their lackluster government before us.

“The Budget of Hope as presented by Governor Oyetola is in clear understanding of people without mischief that it is life more abundant for the sons and daughters of Osun, it’s residents and a tactical invitation to others to be part of our movement towards prosperity, which started eight years ago and gradually manifesting and which will gain greater fillip with a sound and clear mind like Governor Oyetola behind the wheel of our progress and not one clueless person without any serious education.

“Governor Oyetola is not in any doubt that it is not yet Uhuru in terms of having basic needs for the people of Osun in spite of the tremendous improvement achieved in the last eight years. He is also convinced that Osun has not gotten to the level wished by the founding fathers, hence his determination to offer renewed hope to the people who have begun to enjoy some measures of good governance with serious determination.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/30/budget-intellectually-lazy-deficient-critical-reasoning-osun-govt-replies-pdp/

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has said that the party deserves 100 per cent votes from Katsina State during the 2019 general elections, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Oshiomhole stated this during the flag-off of the campaign for the re-election of Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State yesterday in Funtua.

Oshiomhole said this was because President Buhari is from the state, hence, the need for all the people of the state to come out en masse to vote for him and party candidates during the elections.

“No one should stay at home during the election. The people of Katsina State should come out and vote for President Buhari. He is from the state and has done well,” he said.

He said that both President Buhari and Masari deserved another term to continue to execute projects for the development of the country.

He commended the governor for executing numerous projects on education, health, water supply and agriculture during the past three and a half years.

Masari urged the people to vote for President Buhari, himself and other candidates of the party.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/30/apc-deserves-100-votes-katsina-state-says-oshiomhole/

Former Governor of Kaduna state, Alhaji Balarabe Musa has mourned the death of former president, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Usman Shagari.

In a statement he personally signed, Musa condoled the immediate families and Nigerians, saying that the former president was a true democrat and a man with sincere heart.

The statement read, “We have lost a father, man of peace, true democrat, patriot and a nationalist.

“He led an exemplary life of service to God and country worthy of emulation, he was a president for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion or region.

“President Shagari led Nigeria with dignity and honour and respected the independence of the legislature and judiciary in the second republic under the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
He was a bridge builder and one of the major highlights of his presidency was the alliance he formed between the NPN and the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) in accordance with his politics of give and take.

“His demise is a big loss to Nigeria and all lovers of democracy on the African continent.

“When anti-democratic forces truncated his government, President Shagari took it in good faith and continued to play the role of an elder statesman and father without grudge or bitterness.

“His death came at a time we are in dire need of his elderly wisdom and counsel as we navigate the most challenging pace as a nation.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his immdeiate family. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/29/shehu-shagari-nigeria-lost-true-democrat-balarabe-musa/

The PDP Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO), Friday accused the Buhari presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of secretly drawing over N478 million from the coffers of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to rent a crowd and offset bills in President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election campaign rally going on in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

It also accused Buhari of directly appointing serving ministers and heads of government agencies as members of his campaign council so as to continue to use them as conduit pipes for the diversion of public funds to finance his 2019 campaign.

The party’s spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan said this in a statement in Abuja.

Ologbondiyan added, “Our party is also aware of the protests by some eminent Nigerians, including foremost businessmen, who were named as members of the APC Campaign Council without their consent, in a desperate bid to showcase an impression that they are supporting Mr. President’s re-election bid.

“The N478 million NDDC fund which was originally budgeted for development projects in the Niger Delta was diverted to renting and transportation of crowd from other parts of the country to the rally to create an impression of popularity for President Buhari in the region.

“Further information at our party’s disposal, shows that the said N478 million is part of the wholesome sum of N1.2 billion allegedly siphoned in tranches from the NDDC treasury by the cabal at the Buhari Presidency and APC leaders, who have been stealing money from various government agencies to finance President Buhari’s campaign.”

Also, the party’s spokesman stated, “That PDP has it on good authority that this ignoble scheme of siphoning NDDC development fund to finance his campaign was the main reason President Buhari foisted an unpopular leadership at the management of the NDDC despite the protests by critical stakeholders in all the states of the Niger Delta.

“Furthermore, the PPCO is aware of the dissention by some APC leaders over President Buhari’s unilateral listing of individuals into his campaign council as announced by his media aide, without recourse to the selection process of the APC leadership.

“This further shows the dictatorial tendencies of the Buhari Presidency and his arrogant disdain for constituted authority.

“Moreover, the PPCO invites Nigerians to note that unlike the PDP Presidential campaign council, which has credible Nigerians as members, most of Buhari’s zonal coordinators are persons facing corruption cases.

“This casts a very long shadow on President Buhari’s integrity and further confirms that his fight against corruption is a sham.

“Finally, the PPCO reminds President Buhari that Nigerians are still awaiting his explanation on the seething revelation of corrupt acquisition of Etisalat Nigeria and Keystone Bank PLC by his family members under the cover of his presidency; an issue that Nigerians are no

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/28/akwa-ibom-rally-pdp-accuses-buhari-apc-diverting-n478m-nddc-fund-rent-crowd/

Shehu Sani, the Senator representing Kaduna Central has proffered solution to verifying President Muhammadu Buhari’s alleged acquisition of Etisalat Nigeria and Keystone Bank PLC.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, recently alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari’s family’s has ownership of shares in the Etisalat Nigeria and Keystone Bank.

Buhari is said to have acquired mouth-watering shares in Keystone Bank with total assets of $1.916bn, as well as purchasing about ₦3bn worth of shares in the new Pakistani Islamic Bank.

Reacting, Sani took to his Twitter page urging Etisalat and Keystone to publish names of shareholders.

According to him, this is the only way to settle the allegations raised against Buhari.

Sani wrote: “In view of the moral dust raised by the questions on the shares of the two firms now on the scale of integrity, Etisalat and Keystone should publish the full names of their shareholders, to exhale the billows of smoke and clear the dark clouds hanging over the landscape of our nation.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/28/shehu-sani-reveals-solution-verify-buharis-alleged-acquisition-etisalat-keystone-shares/

Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri, has compared Eden Hazard’s importance to that of Lionel Messi at Barcelona or Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus.

Hazard passed a century of goals for the Blues in a 2-1 win over Watford.

The Belgian scored Chelsea goal No. 100 when he raced onto Mateo Kovacic’s pass and rounded Ben Foster in the first half, then he won and converted a penalty in the second half after Roberto Pereryra’s volley had brought Watford level.

He has now scored 10 goals and provided nine assists in 18 Premier League appearances for Chelsea

“Of course he is very important for us, but [Lionel] Messi is very important for Barcelona, Cristiano Ronaldo is very important for Juventus.

“He is a very great player.

“He is able to play in every position. He is playing like a false No. 9. He is very able to play in that position, he scored two goals and I think he made two or three very good assists.

“He is very able to come to play with teammates, he is able to make space for teammates, he is very able in that position, but I think that he can play very well in every position,” Sarri said of Hazard.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/27/epl-hazard-like-messi-chelsea-sarri/

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, says if the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, wants to make family the issue in the coming elections, the APC would gladly accept the challenge.

“Let this be the subject for 2019 election,” he told State House Correspondents in an interaction on Wednesday.

Reacting to various comments by several organs of the opposition party on remarks made by the President on views publicly expressed by his wife, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari in an interview, the presidential spokesman said questions raised of the President by the PDP in regard to his wife only amounted to an own goal.

“The PDP leadership cannot afford to make family an issue in this campaign. Need I say more? The only thing I want to add is that PDP is engaging in mud-slinging because it finds it easier than speaking on their despicable 16-year record in the course of which they abused the trust of Nigerians.

“They made a mess of everything including the economy, security and infrastructure. It has come to the destiny of President Muhammadu Buhari to correct their mistakes.

“The PDP doesn’t see anything beyond grabbing power, power at all costs. As an opposition party, they have failed. They have remained disconnected with the masses of our people.

“It is an irony that a party that boasted as being the largest in Africa is now begging small parties for alliances. Even if they get all those paper parties behind them, they will still fail. A Presidential contest is more than the issuance of daily press releases containing falsehoods.

“They have launched a campaign for the Presidency, a campaign that has failed to get any traction. PDP members are themselves admitting that the campaign hadn’t made a good start, that attendance at rallies had unarguably been thin. The whole thing is not working; that President Buhari is unstoppable,” Garba Shehu said.

He continued, “Rather than a so-called cabal, an imaginary creation attached to all past governments of the country, President Buhari is remote-controlled by the 200 million-plus Nigerian people whose interest is uppermost in everything he says and does.

“The PDP doesn’t have the strength and support to fight President Buhari. They don’t have the records in security, economy and the war against corruption to mount any meaningful challenge. They have no records of accomplishments in infrastructure.

“In the 16 years they held sway, they have nothing to show for the colossal oil revenues earned, including USD 16 billion doled upfront from the Central Bank for power, without a single megawatt to show for all that money. That is why they are dragging the President’s wife into their politics.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/26/aisha-buhari-ready-expose-families-presidency-warns-pdp/

The government of Akwa Ibom State has finally approved the use of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium for the flag-off of President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election campaign in the South-South region. A statement signed by the commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Monday Uko, yesterday in Uyo confirmed the approval. However, he said that all other terms of use will remain effective. “Organisers of the rally are expected to meet with the stadium management to finalise this approval,” the statement read.

The state government had earlier rejected an application by the APC for the use of the stadium citing the Nigeria Premier football league season kicking off by January 13, 2019 and that Julius Berger- the firm handling the maintenance of the stadium had closed for the year and that it would be impossible to re-grass the stadium for the pre-fixed matches as its reasons. But in a twist on Monday, the state government gave the approval.

Reacting to the refusal, the presidency said no person has the powers to restrain the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria access to any public place in Nigeria which was to be used for a public purpose. Senior special assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, at a press conference, said the party would explore all the diplomatic ways available to ensure the use of the venue. He added that in case such failed, the party would make its way into the stadium.

“We will continue to use diplomacy for the request, but if the diplomacy fails, we will still use the stadium.

When higher immunity meets the state immunity, it would succumb. We will not allow Udom to blackmail Akwa Ibom,” he said. Enang insisted that the state government’s action was pre-meditated and political, recalling that “the governorship primary where Udom was declared the winner in 2014, was done in that same stadium”.

He said the senator representing Akwa Ibom Northeast, Senator Bassey Albert, also did his empowerment and constituency briefing at the same stadium. “Udom should know that it was his predecessor, Godswill Akpabio that built the stadium with funds allocated to the state by the federal government led by President Buhari and denying Akwa Ibom people the use of that facility is a collective insult on the people of the state,” he stressed.

He explained that the choice of Akwa Ibom for the South-South campaign flag-off became necessary following widespread acceptability of the APC in the state and the South-South states.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/26/last-ibom-govt-approves-stadium-pmbs-campaign/

The lawmaker representing Kaduna Central district at the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, has warned governors with the tendencies of denying opposition political parties the use of Stadium and public places for campaigns to desist from such.

Senator Sani said the news that the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has rescinded his earlier decision to stop President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress, APC, from using the Godswill Akpabio Stadium was a welcome development.

DAILY POST reported earlier that the Akwa Ibom state government said President Buhari will not be allowed to use the Stadium in Uyo, for his campaign next Friday.

The state government, instead, directed the president and the APC to make use of the Uyo Township Stadium, which accommodates a far lesser number of people compared to the 30,000-capacity Godswill Akpabio stadium.

But in a statement yesterday, Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, rescinded the decision and announced the approval of the Stadium for the flag-off of President Buhari’s re-election campaign in the South-South region.

A terse statement signed by the Commissioner for Youths and Sport, Mr Monday Uko, Monday night confirmed the approval.

Reacting to the development, the lawmaker tweeted, “Denying any party or candidate the use of public stadiums for political reasons is uncivil and sadistic.

“The news that Akwa Ibom has rescinded it’s earlier decision is a welcome development.

“All state Governments with this kind of autocratic tendencies should take note.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/25/2019-shehu-sani-reacts-gov-emmanuel-finally-opens-godswill-akpabio-stadium-buhari/

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ward 7-Onne, Eleme Local government area of Rivers State, Jonah Chu has been shot dead.

Jonah Chu was assassinated on arrival in his home after attending a function on Sunday.

A source said, “The armed men came to his house, took nothing, touched nothing, held everyone hostage, and shot him dead.”

The Deputy Publicity Secretary of the APC in Eleme, Godpower Igwe in a brief reaction said the incident had been reported to the Police.

Last month, a chieftain of the APC in Ikwerre Local government area of Rivers state, Samuel Wanjoku was also killed by gunmen around Ipo community in Ikwerre.

The Rivers State Police Command is yet to react to the report.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/24/apc-chairman-shot-dead-rivers/

Chelsea captain, Cesar Azpilicueta, has explained why his side were defeated 1-0 by Leicester City on Saturday in the Premier league.

A goal from Jamie Vardy ensured Leicester City defeated Maurizio Sarri’s side at Stamford Bridge.

Azpilicueta said Leicester won against the Blues because the visitors were efficient and held their lead after scoring until the end of the match.

“It’s really disappointing, but we don’t have another option, this game is finished; we have to analyze and improve the mistakes we made, to carry on the things we did well,” Azpilicueta told Chelsea TV.

“And we have two away games before the turn of the year and hopefully we can get the points, because we need them.

“We are really disappointed with the result; it’s true we had chances to score a goal and to win the game.

“But the truth is they were efficient, and they held their lead after scoring until the end.”

“We finished the first half very well, we were in control of the game, we had chances, we were dangerous,” the Spaniard added.

“But then we conceded five or six minutes into the second half, and they were more comfortable at 1-0.

“Their plan was to contain, and obviously we were trying to find the solution, but we were not even able to score for 1-1, and then we were in trouble.”

Azpilicueta will hope to lead Chelsea to victory when they tackle Watford on Wednesday in the Premier League fixture.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/23/epl-azpilicueta-reveals-leicester-city-defeated-chelsea-1-0/

The Leader and Founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Ejigbo Lagos, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has proclaimed that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would find it outright difficult to unseat President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

Primate Ayodele, who is known for unveiling prophecies at the turn of the year, told newsmen at the church premises that the PDP would find it uneasy in stopping President Muhammadu Buhari because they have refused to do the right things from the beginning of their pursuit.

According to Ayodele: “I said it the other time and I still maintain it, if PDP had given the ticket to Bukola Saraki, they will win because it’s only Saraki that can unseat Buhari but PDP stakeholders have not done what they are supposed to do. I said it in 2015 that Jonathan maybe the last president from PDP. I’m still standing on it unless they take a quick step and that is for Atiku and Saraki to do the right thing. If only they will do the right thing, that is only when PDP can win. For now, I’m only seeing Atiku and Saraki playing.

“That’s all I’m saying on this matter. PDP will find it difficult to wrestle power from President Buhari come February 2019 election because they refused to do the right thing from the beginning. Unless they put heads together and do the right thing, APC will still come back,” he emphasized.

The Spiritual Leader also predicted the parties that would claim victory at the Gubernatorial Elections in some states in the country.

In his words: “For Lagos State, it would be business as usual but APC will still win. In Oyo State, it’s going to be tough. The PDP man there has missed it; it’s still going back to APC.

“Ogun State is a troubled state. The election should’ve favoured APC, but APC may not have it in Ogun State. Don’t underestimate Amosun’s candidate, or the candidate from GNI but PDP will never get the ticket in Ogun.

“For Delta State, PDP will take the state. For Rivers, though it’s a do or die affair; Wike will still come back. Kano and Kaduna is for APC. Then for Imo State, if the PDP man is serious, he can take the state but unfortunately, I don’t see him to be serious and if APC puts their house in order in that state, then they can win that state. APC may win Anambra State for the presidency. Ebonyi and Cross River States may go to APC if PDP is not careful in those states. This is because PDP has not done what they are supposed to do.”

Ayodele stated that though he cannot say that his prophecies are 100 per cent accurate because prayers can change things, he can boast that 95 per cent of his prophecies have come to pass.

He warned that there will be more bloodletting and tension in the forthcoming election than was the case in 2015 when Goodluck Jonathan was president.

“Buhari is not Jonathan who went for peace instead of war,” he said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/23/primate-ayodele-makes-fresh-predictions-winners-2019-elections/

A former Nigerian Ambassador to Ukraine, Ibrahim Kasai, has revealed why retired military Generals like former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, IBB, and T. Y. Danjuma are against the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Kassai claimed that the former generals are against Buhari because they fear he may not renew their oil licences, The Sun reports.

He said: “I have said it, most of them are into oil business and Buhari is likely not going to renew their licenses, he is taking on policies that will better the masses in the country and those in oil business are just few; they are mostly retired Generals. So, if you are trying to spread the resources to a particularly group, they will fight it.

“In politics, there is class and class struggle, if you observe very well you will see that people in a particularly class fight to remain in that class and always fight to move up to the upper class, and this is what is playing out ahead of the 2019 election.

“If they notice that you intend to take what they have, they will fight it.

“He is not saying they are doing illegal business, he is simply suggesting that this resources belong to all of us and it should go round, he is not saying that they have done anything wrong.”

On the outcome of the 2019 presidential election, the former Ambassador insisted that Buhari will defeat the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar in the North-East.

“Let me tell you that General Buhari is more popular in the Northeast than Atiku. Go to Adamawa State today, you will discover that he is more popular than Atiku and if you go to the Northwest, you will see that Buhari is still very popular and command strong followership,” he said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/23/2019-presidency-ex-ambassador-kassai-reveals-obasanjo-babangida-ty-danjuma-buhari/

In a bid to avert breakdown of law and order during this Yuletide season, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp has deployed 1, 400 of its personnel to Kogi State.

The Kogi State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, (NSCSC) Commandant Philip Olushola Ayodele stated this during an interactive session with journalists in Lokoja.

Ayodele, who expressed his command’s preparedness to face the problems which might arise during this festive period, noted that the command had mapped out its strategy and also submitted its operation drive to all the sister agencies in the state towards ensuring a hitch free celebration.

The command, he said, had extended its operation to major roads, through a collaborative effort with the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) to ease free movement of motorist plying the route of Kogi State.

On the re-insurgence of kidnapping and armed robbery along kabba Oshokoshoko road in western axis of Kogi State, the commandant said they are not limiting it to an agency alone as they have resolved that the menace of kidnapping and armed robbery will be jointly tackled by all security agency in the State.

“We are on top of the situation,” he added.

He, however, reminded the general public that security personnel are not magicians, as availing them with useful information will go long way to combating crime in the country.

“We need intelligent gathering. If you notice an unsuspicious movement, or notice a movement that is criminal in nature, be bold to confront that person. But If you cant, call on any of the security agency, they will respond quickly,” Ayodele advised.

He assured that any information given to the command will be treated with absolute confidentiality.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/22/yuletide-nscdc-deploys-1400-officers-kogi/

The Federal Government on Friday, urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to discard the December 31 ultimatum over lingering disagreement between organised labour and state governments on the proposed N30,000 national minimum wage.

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, made the appeal while speaking with State House correspondents, after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The organised labour had on Thursday, given the ultimatum following Buhari’s statement that a “high powered technical committee” would be set up, to device ways to ensure that implementation of new minimum wage would not lead to an increase in the level of borrowing.

However, the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, who addressed newsmen on Thursday, expressed organized labour’s reservation over President Buhari’s position, saying that setting up a technical committee could not be a condition for passing the minimum wage report to the National Assembly.

“We reject in its entirety the plan to set up another `high powered technical committee’ on the minimum wage. It is diversionary and a delay tactics,” he had stated

But Mohammed, who described the NLC as “a very patriotic union”, said he was confident the organized labour would not do anything that would embarrass the government or Nigerians.

He said: “The Nigeria Labour Congress is a very patriotic union and I am very confident that they will not do anything that will embarrass the government or do anything that is going to worsen the situation.

“Continuous engagement I think is the key, we will continue to engage them and I think they do also fully understand what the challenges are, and both parties are determined to ensure that a common ground is arriving at which will be comfortable for all.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/21/new-minimum-wage-fg-reacts-labours-december-31-deadline/

Former Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho is said to be already attracting interests from three clubs after he was sacked by the Red Devils.

Recall that Mourinho was on Tuesday sacked by United following the club’s poor form this season.

Mourinho was sacked with United 19 points behind Premier League leaders, Liverpool on the table.

According to The Times, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Benfica are all interested in signing the Portuguese gaffer.

The report also claimed that the 55-year-old was been pictured in London on Thursday as he considers his next move after leaving the Theatre of Dreams.

Mourinho ended his tenure at Old Trafford after 144 matches in charge, winning 84, losing 28 and drawing 32 for a win ratio of 58.33%.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/20/epl-three-clubs-interested-signing-mourinho-manchester-united-sack/

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that Nigeria has not produced leaders like himself and his running mate, Mr Peter Obi, running together on a single presidential ticket.

According to Atiku, he and Obi were both gurus in business and governance who can make the country work again.

He stated this on Wednesday at a town hall meeting with representatives of the business community in Aba, Abia State,

Atiku, who vowed to restructure the country and improve the standard of living of the common masses, solicited for Nigerians votes in the forthcoming 2019 presidential election.

The former vice president averred that Nigeria has not had two experienced men that have the passion to develop and grow the economy since 1960, the country gained independence.

His words, “To be able to do business, you must have a secure environment. Otherwise, you will not even be able to come out of your house and go to your factory.

“We have two very experienced men, both in governance and business: Peter Obi and myself. I don’t think Nigeria has ever produced this type of leadership since Independence. If you are doubting us, you know what you should do? Try the two of us.

“If you’re producing juice, I’m a manufacturer of beverages. If you’re producing plastics, I’m a manufacturer of plastics. If you have poultry, I’m a manufacturer of livestock.

“If you’re selling food in the market, I own fast food (restaurants). If you are in printing, I have a printing industry. If you are into broadcasting, I own television stations.

“So, what are you going to tell me?”

Abubakar stated that his various companies had been spending N600m to pay for trucks haulage until he decided to start his own haulage business.

“I sat down with them and said, ‘No, we must go into road haulage. Let’s have our own trucks. I can’t spend N600m on mere road haulage.’ And today, we’re in a successful haulage industry.

“So, my brothers and sisters, the government that has tried to solve most of the challenges that the business community are facing in this country is the PDP government and here is another opportunity, so you don’t repeat the mistake of bringing back this government.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/20/2019-presidency-nigeria-never-produced-leaders-like-peter-obi-atiku/

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the killing of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd) as “very sad and unfortunate.”

Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, commiserated with the family of the late four-star general, his friends and professional colleagues in the military, and the people and government of Adamawa State.

He noted that the late Badeh, who was also a former Chief of Air Staff, attained professional fulfilment in his over-three-decades military career, regretting that he fell victim to incidence of violent and fatal attacks on the nation’s highways.

Buhari also directed security agencies to find the killers of the 15th Chief of Defence Staff and bring them to face the full force of the law, while ensuring greater security and safety for all users of the country’s roads.

He prayed that God Almighty comforts all those who mourn Air Chief Marshal Badeh and grant his soul peaceful rest.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/19/alex-badeh-buhari-speaks-assassination-ex-defence-chief/

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, has backed the organised labour’s agitation that N30,000 should be the national minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

He also stressed that as a member of the Nigeria Governors Forum when he was the governor of Edo State, he had told his colleagues publicly that “when it comes to the issue of minimum wage, I am not with them.”

The APC chairman spoke in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Monday night during a reception held for Ayuba Wabba and Safiyanu Mohammed, who were recently elected as the President of International Trade Union Confederation (Global) and African Regional Secretary of International Transport Federation, respectively.

Oshiomhole said that his position on the national minimum wage had not changed despite being the chairman of the ruling APC.

He said, “I do not think it is about the (APC) party here, it is about Nigeria. Do not try to ask a partisan question. I think you should ask a question that has to do with governance in Nigeria because this is an issue in which it appears all governors on the party platform are united, that is the truth. So, it is incorrect to ask that question from a partisan point of view.

“When I was a member of the (governors) forum, I did publicly advise my colleagues that when it comes to the issue of minimum wage, I am not with them, not only secretly, but publicly, that I am going to dissociate myself. I believe we need a national minimum wage, I believe Nigeria is capable of paying minimum wage. I believe the primary purpose of government is the welfare of the people and payment of wages is a function of prosperity.

“So, I am clear, whether I am chairman of the ruling party, or other parties, my views are not corrupted by the position that I occupy. What is constant in my life is my background, which is labour , and I do not deny it or hide it. And I am clear that the Nigeria Labour Congress has a right working with the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria to promote a reasonable living wage.

“And when I was governor, I made the point because they say action speaks louder than words. I increased the minimum wage from N18, 000 to N25,000 three years ago. If I did it and my successor is paying it then, I think I have spoken!”

According to him, the national minimum wage would be necessary because the prices of labour, goods and services have not been static.

“The price of labour cannot be static if all other prices are changing and I said this creates a vicious circle. When you lack purchasing power in an economy, how do you stimulate the economy to provide more goods and services and create jobs?

“So we create a vicious circle of poor people, too poor to buy and consume anything and therefore those who provide goods and services cannot sell, and because they cannot sell, they are closing shops and more people are being sent out of work.

“Now, we should be more bold and courageous. I also argued and it is a fact that those who are more patriotic and inward looking in their consumption pattern are the working class people. They are the ones that buy garri, yam, ordinary tomatoes and fish. They do not import fish; they do not buy Toyota jeeps and aircraft.

“Their pattern of spending is such that the money circulates. They are the ones who live in a local room and parlour house, pay rent to a local man whose only pension is the fact that he built a room and parlour house when he was in active service. When you don’t pay them living wages, you trigger a process of vicious circle of poverty.”

At the event, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said Wabba and Mohammed’s election came to President Muhammadu Buhari “as a pleasant delight that despite what we think our country is, the entire world has come to acknowledge and recognise the excellence with which we lead as a nation.”

In their remarks, Wabba and Mohammed promised that although the task ahead would be very challenging, they would not disappoint the nation, adding that they would strive to put Nigeria on the positive map of the world.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/19/nigeria-can-pay-n30000-minimum-wage-says-oshiomhole/

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected the sum of N488.7 billion approved by the National Assembly as refund to state governments for projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government.

Buhari communicated the decision through a letter read by the President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, at plenary on Tuesday.

The president said he rejected the National Assembly’s approval because it violated the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

He noted that whereas the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a total of N487.8 billion for the purpose, the National Assembly jerked up the figure to N488.7 billion.

He said the amount approved by the lawmakers was N890 million higher than that approved by FEC.

Buhari said a review of the National Assembly’s approval, communicated through a July 27, 2018 letter, also revealed discrepancies in the number of states submitted by FEC and those approved by the lawmakers.

He said, “While FEC approved reimbursement to 25 states, the National Assembly approved reimbursement to 21 states.

“The National Assembly did not approve any reimbursement to four states, that is Bauchi, Delta, Kogi and Taraba, whereas FEC approved reimbursement for them.

“And note that the amount approved by the National Assembly for reimbursement to 21 states is higher than the amount approved by FEC for reimbursement to 25 states.”

The president added that the amount approved by the lawmakers for each of the 21 states was higher than that approved by FEC for each of them, except for Adamawa, Jigawa, Kano and Niger.

He urged the Senate to note that the Public Procurement Act 2007 empowers the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to approve vendors for contract sums.

According to him, the amounts presented to the National Assembly for approval were duly certified for reimbursement by the BPP before they were approved by FEC.

“This was after the projects had been inspected through a programme under the chairmanship of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing.

“Since the BPP is charged with the responsibility of approving contract sums, and there is need for compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2007, I wish to request that you forward to us details relating to the amounts approved by the National Assembly for the 17 states in excess of what was certified by BPP, for necessary verification and approval.

“Furthermore, I wish to request for a review of the reimbursement earlier submitted in favour of Bauchi, Delta, Kogi and Taraba states,” the president said.

In the meantime, Buhari told the lawmakers that the Federal Government would proceed with implementation on the reimbursement on certain grounds.

First, he said where the amount approved by the National Assembly is the same as the amount approved by FEC, the jointly approved amounts would be refunded.

He identified the states in this category as Adamawa, Jigawa, Kano and Niger.

Second, the president said that where the amount approved by the National Assembly was higher than the amount approved by FEC, the amount approved by FEC would be paid.

The benefiting states are Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Ebonyi, Benue, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kwara, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau and Zamfara.

He however said the four states (Bauchi, Delta, Kogi and Taraba) excluded in the NASS approval would not be refunded until their consideration by the lawmakers.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/18/buhari-rejects-nass-approval-n488-7bn-refund-states/

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Monday presented a budget of N109.19 billion for 2019 to the state House of Assembly for approval.

Ugwuanyi said the budget was made after due consideration was given to the country’s economic realities.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the 2019 budget is 4.5 per cent higher than that of 2018, which was N103.5 billion.

The governor said the budget has a recurrent expenditure of N64.5 billion, while the capital expenditure is N43.49.

Ugwuanyi, who further broke the budget down, said N5.52 billion was set aside for education sector, while the agricultural sector would gulp N636.5 million.

He said N2.37 million was earmarked to provide affordable healthcare, while N742 million was for the provision of water with emphasis on the Enugu and Nsukka water schemes.

The governor said his administration was desirous of continuing the compulsory free basic education in the state by upgrading basic infrastructure in the sector.

He said the outgoing year had been eventful as his administration recorded landmark achievements within the limits of 2018 budget.

He said the Internally Generated Revenue of the state had continued to grow, which placed the state ninth in the country in terms of revenue generation.

Responding, the Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Edward Ubosi, assured the governor that the legislators would give accelerated hearing to the budget.

Ubosi commended the governor for his peaceful disposition, which, he said, had led to the good relationship between the two arms of government.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/18/ifeanyi-ugwuanyi-presents-n109-19-billion-budget-2019/

Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has absolved the All Progressives Congress, APC, of any blame over the booing of his predecessor, Mr Ayodele Fayose at the weekend.

He advised Fayose to desist from blaming others for his woes.

The Ekiti governor was reacting to the allegation by Fayose’s Media Aide, Lere Olayinka that some miscreants invaded Emmanuel Cathedral Church, Ado Ekiti and booed Fayose during the wedding ceremony of the daughter of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe on Saturday.

Olayinka had alleged that the miscreants were calling Fayose unprintable names.

However, Fayemi in a statement yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Segun Dipe, said it was absurd for Olayinka to have made such unsubstantiated allegation against the ruling party.

He said: “Fayose lived as if there was no tomorrow, he reigned as if there was no expiry date to his regime. He trampled on the rights of the people, treating them like slaves in their own land.

“Our findings about the unfortunate fate that befell the former governor is that he was indeed booed, but by those he had offended within his own party, the PDP, who felt bruised and pained about the way he enslaved them within their own party.

“Fayose is the architect of his own misfortune. He will be living in a fool’s paradise to think the people will forget all his sins too quickly. He is now being haunted by his past misdeeds.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/17/fayose-booed-ado-ekiti-church-fayemi-reveals/

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has said that leading Igbo socio-political organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has not endorsed any presidential candidate ahead of the 2019 election because not every Igbo man is a member of PDP.

Iwuanyanwu was reacting to the recent endorsement of Atiku Abubakar/Peter Obi Presidency by Igbo leaders.

The endorsement has elicited diverse reactions, but the frontline Igbo leader told Sun that Ohanaeze only endorsed PDP Vice presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

He, however, noted that having endorsed Obi, there were indications that Ohanaeze would also endorse Atiku in January.

He said, “Yes, Obi is a person whose credential is excellent. Generally, Igbo leaders have endorsed him, but Ohanaeze has only endorsed Obi and many Igbo groups and the churches have endorsed Atiku/Obi.

“Anybody that has come close to Peter Obi would know that he is a very honest, humble and resourceful person; a patriotic man.

“Now Atiku, not every Igbo man is in PDP because Atiku is in PDP, Ohanaeze President General told us that they will meet sometime in January next year; they would now finally decide who to vote for, but I can tell you from all indications, since they have endorsed Peter Obi, it also appears that they would endorse Atiku.

“But Ohanaeze at the moment has not officially endorsed anybody as presidential candidate, though Ohanaeze is grateful to Atiku for selecting an Igbo person, especially in the person of Peter Obi who is credible to stand in as vice presidential candidate.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/17/2019-presidency-ohanaeze-not-endorsed-atiku-iwuanyanwu/

A prominent Chinese pastor and legal scholar is one of 100 Christians detained by authorities after he was reportedly arrested on allegations of "inciting subversion of state power."

Wang Yi and his wife, Jiang Rong, were taken into police custody early last week in the city of Chengdu, where they run the Early Rain Covenant Church, according to ChinaAid, a US-based nonprofit that advocates on behalf of China's Christian communities.

A church parishioner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed Wang's arrest in a phone call with CNN.

Authorities with China's National Religion Bureau did not respond to a request from CNN seeking comment.

Western governments and civil rights advocates outside China have condemned the mass arrest of the Early Rain parish as the latest move in Beijing's stepped up crackdown on independent religious practice.

China has been accused of carrying out a systematic campaign of human rights violations against hundreds of thousands of Muslim Uyghurs in the far western region of Xinjiang. China says its actions there are meant at combating violent extremism, and it has repeatedly denied claims that the region has turned into an Orwellian surveillance state.

Sam Brownback, the US ambassador at large for international religious freedom, cited the actions against the Early Rain Church and the reports from Xinjiang when announcing that China was one of ten countries designated a "country of concern" when it comes to religious freedom Tuesday.

"My particular concern now for China is they've increased these actions of persecution against faith community," Brownback said.

"China isn't backing away from the religious persecution; it seems to be expanding."

China is officially an atheist state, but religious practice is legal in the country -- albeit under the central government and Chinese Communist Party's rules and surveillance.

But some of the country's faithful attend underground or unregistered houses of worship to practice their religion freely.

Police have accused Early Rain of operating without registering with authorities, and Human Rights Watch says Wang and members of his church have been the subject of frequent harassment in recent years.

"Everyone who supports religious freedom should stand with Wang Yi and speak out against the Chinese government's repression of religion," said Yaqiu Wang, a China researcher at Human Rights Watch.

Rights advocates say the crackdown against underground churches and religious practice that's not state-sanctioned is less about religious practice itself and more about the Chinese Communist Party making sure it remains firmly in control of civil society.

"Under President Xi, the government has further tightened control over Christianity in its broad efforts to 'Sinicize' religion or 'adopt Chinese characteristics' -- in other words, to ensure that religious groups support the government and the Communist Party," Human Rights Watch said.

"The shutdown of a Protestant church in Chengdu epitomizes the Xi Jinping government's relentless assault on religious freedom in China," said Human Rights Watch's Wang.

"It makes a mockery of the government's claim that it respects religious beliefs. (CNN)

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/17/100-christians-detained-china/

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called on Nigerian celebrities to utilise their platforms to promote voter education, youth inclusion and non-violent participation in the 2019 general elections.

Yakubu made the call at an INEC Interactive Session/Dinner held in Lagos on Saturday night while appointing new ambassadors for the commission.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the interaction was put together by INEC in collaboration with the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES).

The chairman, who was represented by Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, the National Commissioner of INEC in charge of Ogun, Ondo and Lagos States, reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring that youths are central in the electoral process.

“INEC, in line with its electoral policies, prioritises the participation of disadvantaged groups, including the youth in electoral process.

“The commission has overtime developed electoral cycle-based interventions and creative innovations on electoral issues affecting the youths.

“In 2014, the commission in collaboration with youth organisations conceptualised the idea of identifying from the entertainment industry, the media and outstanding youths influencers, while commissioning them as voter education youth ambassadors.

“We want you to utilise your platforms for disseminating voter education and non-violent messages to citizens

“He recalled that some young celebrities were unveiled in 2015 as INEC Youth Ambassadors at an INEC Youth Summit held in Abuja with specific responsibility to engage citizens on peaceful participation,” he said.

The chairman noted that the ambassadors were selected based on profile and fellowship, reputation, credibility nonpartisan ship and commitment to volunteerism.

According to the INEC boss, the ambassadors were prominent individuals who had distinguished themselves in the field of entertainment, arts, sports, democratic development and literature.

He said that the commission wanted increased participation of youth, women and persons with disability in order to boost citizens’ trust and confidence in electoral process.

The commission had before the 2015 general elections inaugurated a team of successful Nigerian Youths as its first crop of youth ambassadors for the purpose of working with INEC in reducing and curtailing electoral violence.

The ambassadors included singers, comedians, actors, actresses, journalists were: Innocent Idibia (2Baba), Ime Okon (Bishop), Michael Ifeanyichukwu, Ijeoma Okoye, Ibrahim Adra, Alex Ibe, Ali Muhammed and Gideon Okeke.

Others were: Helen Paul, Adam Zango, Seun Okinbaloye, Frank Edwards and Akintayo Faniran.

Some of the new ambassadors/celebrities inaugurated at the event included: Bright Okpacha, Ayo Makun, Uti Nwachukwu, Korede Bello, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Chidinma Emile, Jude Abaga, Yakubu Mohammed, Cobhams Asuquo, Gimba Umar and Aituaje Wake.

Others were: Adesuwa Etomi, Ikubese Emmanuel, Anti Lecky, Above Ugboma, Stanley Chibuna, Chioma Omeruah, Jephthah Bowoto, Uche Okechukwu, Fati Washa, Sank Danja and Yinka Ayefele.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/16/2019-inec-appoints-adesua-ebuka-cobhams-ayefele-ambassadors/

KEFFES Rural Development Foundation (RDF) at the weekend inaugurated some 20 projects in eight communities hosting the operations of Chevron Nigeria Limited in Bayelsa.

It was learnt that the 20 projects were implemented at a total cost of N241.43 million over the last two years.

KEFFES is an acronym for eight Chevron host communities in Bayelsa comprising Koluama 1 & 2, Ezetu 1 & 2, Foropa, Fish Town, Ekeni and Sangana located along the Atlantic coastline within Bayelsa.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at Koluama 1, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA), Mr Mathew Sele-Epri Chairman of KEFFES RDF said that the projects were financed by Chevron.

According to him, the oil firm had ensured prompt release of funds to the RDF under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) between Chevron and its host communities in Southern Ijaw and Brass LGAs in Bayelsa.

“As you may know, KEFFES RDF is saddled with the responsibility of developing the KEFFES communities and it is furtherance of this mandate that we are gathered here.

“The KEFFES RDF embarked on some 20 capital projects years back and we are here today to commission these projects so they can be put to use for the benefit of the members of the KEFFES communities.

“These projects range from Educational interventions in building of teachers’ quarters to accommodate teachers and youth corps members, roads, power and bridges, amongst others.

“These projects were executed with funds from FEFFES/NNPC/Chevron GMoU, our commitment to development of our communities was a major drive towards to prudent management of limited funds accruing to FEFFES RDF,” Sele-Eprie said.

Mr Christmas Brass who represented the Bayelsa Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mr Markson Fefegha cut the tape to inaugurate the projects in Koluama 1.

The projects are, two 100 meters by 4 metres concrete walkways and teachers quarters to symbolize inauguration of other projects sited across the eight communities.

Brass applauded the management of Chevron for meeting its social obligations to Bayelsa communities under the GMoU supervised by the Bayelsa Ministry of Mineral Resources.

Speaking on behalf of the benefiting communities, Chief Marcus Gorley, appealed to Bayelsa Government to compliment the efforts of Chevron and other oil firms by extending development to rural oil communities.

He said that the development intervention by oil firms was appreciated but grossly inadequate given the development challenges in the Niger Delta and urged the state to channel part of its 13 per cent derivation funds to oil communities

•Mathew Sele-Epri (L), Chairman, KEFFES Rural Development Foundation briefs Mr. Christmas Brass, Acting Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa Ministry of Mineral Resources at the inauguration of 20 community development projects in Chevron host communities in Bayelsa.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/16/foundation-inaugurates-n241m-projects-chevrons-host-communities-bayelsa/

Abdulmumin Jibrin, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member in the House of Representatives, has rated the performances of candidates vying for vice presidency in the 2019 elections.

Writing on his Twitter account on Saturday morning, Jibrin questioned the accuracy of the facts reeled out by Peter Obi, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The lawmaker was, however, full of praise for Yemi Osinbajo, the APC’s candidate.

“It was a great debate. Peter Obi was looking good but should have cross checked many statistics he gave that were inaccurate.

“VP Osinbajo was simply excellent. He was alert, on point, impressive and brilliant all through. As if we expected less? Prof+SAN.

“The rest were promising,” Jibrin wrote.

The debate was put together by the Nigerian Election Debate Group, NEDG and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, BON.

The parties represented were: Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP).

Others who participated were: Umma Getso (YPP), Alhaji Abdulganiyu Galadima (ACPN) and Khadijah Abdullahi-Iya (ANN).


http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/15/vp-debate-hon-jibrin-questions-peter-obis-facts-applauds-osinbajo/

Arsenal legend, Robert Pires, said that Lionel Messi has the edge over Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane.
Brazilian football legend, Pele, had last week sensationally slammed Messi, describing him as one-footed player who could not head the ball.

Pele had said, “How can you make a comparison between a guy who heads the ball well, shoots with the left, shoots with the right… and another who only shoots with one leg, only has one skill, doesn’t head the ball well?”
But Pires, who played nearly 200 games for Arsenal, refuted Pele’s bold claims.

Speaking about the game against Espanyol last weekend, where Messi scored two free kicks, Pires hailed his performance as ‘incredible’.

“If he plays like he did against Espanyol, it is impossible to stop him,” Pires told Mundo Deportivo.

“It was incredible.

“I have played with [Zinedine] Zidane, Henry and [Juan Roman] Riquelme, and against Ronaldinho and Cristiano [Ronaldo], but Messi has something that nobody else has.

“I don’t know if he is the best in history, but there are few where he is.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/14/world-best-footballer-pires-names-player-better-ronaldo-others/

The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency were planning to rig the 2019 general elections by creating illegal polling centres in Chad and Niger Republic.

The Director Media and Publicity of the PPCO, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement on Thursday said the “plot” to secretly create polling centres outside the shores of Nigeria was in total violation of the 1999 Constitution.

“President Buhari, INEC and all Nigerians know that there are no provisions for Diaspora voting under our system. By the extant laws guiding elections in Nigeria, it is very clear who is eligible to vote, as well as the centres statutorily designated for elections. There is no provision for any special arrangement whatsoever.

“It is therefore reprehensible that President Buhari, in his desperation to rig the elections, is now trying to hide under the guise of making special provision for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) outside the country, to illegally create rigging centres outside our country and import contrived figures into the election results.

“This clandestine arrangement further validates the alarm earlier raised by the PDP, in April this year, of INEC’s plot to secretly create 30,000 illegal polling centres in some remote areas, through which they plan to allocate millions of votes to President Buhari and the APC.

“Nigerians can now see that the APC and its candidate are not committed to peaceful, credible, free and fair election. Having realized that there is no way he can win in a peaceful and credible election, Mr. President is now seeking means to enmesh the 2019 elections in constitutional crisis, public confusion and trigger an imminent violence that is capable of derailing our entire democratic process.

“Moreover, by seeking to open polling units outside the country, the Buhari administration has now agreed that it does not have full control of Nigerian territory and cannot provide security for Nigerians to freely participate in the elections.

“Finally, the PPCO cautions the Buhari Presidency and INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, not to set our country on fire by engaging in provocative actions in a desperation to rig the 2019 Presidential election for President Buhari,” the party said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/14/2019-inec-presidency-plotting-rig-illegal-polling-centres-chad-niger-pdp/