Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has mourned the death of Dr. Dozie Ikedife, an ex-leader, pan-Igbo cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

He expressed his grief on Wednesday in a post shared via his Twitter account.

Recall that Ikedife passed on yesterday at 7pm in his Nnewi residence at the age of 88.

Reacting, Atiku wrote: “On behalf of my family, I mourn the loss of Dr Dozie Ikedife, a former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

“He was a true patriot who worked for a united, democratic and fair Nigeria. May he rest in peace.”

Ikedife, held the traditional title of Ikuku Ebu Nkpu, which was awarded to him by 14 communities in Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ekwusigo local government areas of Anambra State.

He was also a holder of an honorary chieftaincy title of Ikenga Nnewi and Odezuligbo Umueje. Ikedife was an obstetrician, gynaecologist and researcher of repute.

He held a Bachelor of Science degree obtained from the university of London in 1958, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, (MBBS), University Glasgow, Scotland, 1959 and a diploma in obstetrical, Royal College Ob-Gyn.

He was a onetime President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a presidential liason officer (1979-1983), a delegate to the Centenary Conference of Nigeria in 2014 and the chair of many Igbo groups.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/13/atiku-mourns-ex-president-of-ohanaeze-ndigbo-ikedife/

The man is not smiling at all... More photos below;

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/12/bobrisky-shows-off-his-growing-curves-in-new-photos/

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Tuesday demanded the immediate and unconditional release of its chieftain, Doyin Okupe, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

PDP described the arrest and subsequent detention of Okupe as an “act of intimidation and harassment by the Muhammadu Buhari-led presidency in its bid to browbeat the opposition and dissenting voices in our country ahead of the 2019 general election.”

In a statement issued by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the former ruling party stressed that Okupe’s arrest was “part of the presidency’s witch-hunt and grand plot to escalate the clampdown on opposition leaders,” in an attempt to “cow and subjugate them as the elections draw nearer”.

The statement read further, “We invite Nigerians to note that the EFCC was unleashed on Dr. Okupe with fabricated charges, just because of his criticisms of the misrule of the Buhari administration, particularly, his last Wednesday’s demand to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare President Buhari as not validly nominated as a Presidential candidate for the 2019 elections.

“Since this comment, Dr. Okupe has been threatened, harassed and his home raided by officials of the EFCC last Saturday over claims of cyberstalking, which they could not substantiate, only for the commission to arrest and detain him on Monday.

“It is indeed unfortunate that the EFCC, under President Buhari, has been turned to a militant wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hound, intimidate, harass and even extort money from opposition leaders and other Nigerians perceived to be opposed to Mr. President’s ill-fated re-election bid.

“If the EFCC has not been compromised by the Buhari President, why has it not invited or even questioned officials of the Presidency indicted for corruption or the factional National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, over alleged extortion of billions of naira from his party members, for which he even had to flee the country?

“Why has the EFCC not invited the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and President Buhari’s close relatives, who were recently mentioned by a suspect, Amina Mohammed, as being involved in serial looting of public resources?

“Moreover, instead of using their so-called technology and intelligence to harass and extort money from innocent, harmless and law-abiding citizens, we challenge our now well-trained EFCC officials to join our security agencies and deploy their technology in the fight against terrorism in the North East.”

PDP also challenged the Buhari presidency over its resort to “wicked politics of chasing after opposition leaders and their family members” as such will not save the President from “the resolve by majority of Nigerians” to vote him out of office and elect Atiku Abubakar at the 2019 polls.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/11/pdp-demands-release-of-doyin-okupe-accuses-buhari-presidency-of-witch-hunt/

Taraba State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Comrade Julius Peter, on Monday, narrowly escaped death when he was attacked by three unknown gunmen.

The incident happened along Garin Dogo-Garin Mallam village in Lau Local Government Area of the state.

It was learnt that the assailants shut indiscriminately at his vehicle while returning to Jalingo from a function in his village, with two of his relatives.

Mr. Job Vau, the younger brother to the Chairman who broke the news to newsmen said, “I left him yesterday (Sunday) in the village while I returned to Jalingo.

“This morning on his way from the village he came under attack between Garin Dogo and Garin Mallam Village.

“He was driving himself in a Hilux van with two of our sisters. The bullet pierced his arm and he was rushed to the hospital.

“He is responding to treatment according to doctors and we thank God that he is alive.”

Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP David Misal, confirming the attack to newsmen in Jalingo said the NUT Chairman has been taken to the State Specialist Hospital in Jalingo for treatment.

“We received a distress call that the NUT Chairman, Julius Peter, while on his way from Lau to Jalingo came under attack by three unidentified gunmen who opened fire on his vehicle.

“He sustained bullet injury in his arm and he is currently receiving treatment at the state specialist hospital.

“We were able to recover the vehicle and investigation into the attack has commenced and we will bring the perpetrators to book,” he said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/10/taraba-nut-chairman-escapes-assassination/

The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka has again spoken on the reported assassination attempt on him over the weekend.

This is as the said attack has continued to generate mixed reactions.

In a statement made available to DAILY POST on Monday, which was signed by his media aide, Barr Ike Maximus Ugwuoke, Mbaka said he never at any time blamed the attack on the Church.

The statement read: “The report in a section of the media that Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka of Adoration ministry Enugu Nigeria ‘fingers the Church on his alleged assassination’ is a false and a sensational headline curled by mischief makers for whatever ends and it is hereby refuted.

“First, the assassination plot against Fr Mbaka was not a mere ‘allegation” or claim’ as reported in the media but an established fact. The impact of the bullet on his car which the security agents have confirmed is there for all who cared to see. It is also ridiculous that two fictitious characters masquerading as concerned Catholics could go wild to insinuate in the media that Fr Mbaka planned his own assassination to curry public sympathy and presidential favour.

“Such statement depicts how far mischief makers can go in trivializing issues as important as human life and their absolute lack of fear of God. The statement calls to question the level of concern of such “Concerned Catholics” in such a matter involving the life of a catholic priest. We call on security agencies to investigate the source of such media report as the makers of the report or their pay masters may have some useful information to give them in their investigation into the incident.

“We challenge the two impostors claiming to be writing for the “Concerned Catholics” to come forward with their real identity, parish addresses and contacts to prove the point that they exist and that they are Catholics.

“We state categorically that in all efforts made to inquire from Fr Mbaka the person or persons behind the gun attack at him, he never at any time named anyone or pointed accusing finger at anyone as the sponsor of his assassination plot, be it the Catholic Church or Whomever.

“It is wrong and out of context to ascribe to Fr Mbaka any deductions made by any person or group of persons, or associations or followers of Fr Mbaka on the issue whether verbally or in prints. Such persons or group of persons may be freely expressing their sentiments on the issue but they are not speaking for Fr Mbaka and should not be taken or quoted as speaking for Fr Mbaka.

“Fr Mbaka’s love for the Catholic Church is unquestionable and to allege that he is “unleashing his ministry against the Catholic Church in an attempt to blackmail, or stampede the church into doing his bidding” only portrays the clear mischievous intention of the originators of the statement to incite the Catholic Church against Fr Mbaka.

“Such statement can only come from agents of darkness and liars from the pit of hell and should be considered as such.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/10/assassination-attempt-agents-of-darkness-after-me-fr-mbaka/

The Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha has warned Ohanaeze Ndigbo against being partisan ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Governor Okorocha warned that it would be disastrous if the candidate they are supporting happens to fail.

According to his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha said this when the National Organizing Committee for the 2018 Igbo Day Celebration, led by Gregory Ibe, paid him a visit at the Government House in Owerri.

Okorocha maintained that Ndigbo need to come close to God and reconcile with each other.

The statement reads, “Governor Rochas Okorocha has called on Ohanaeze Ndigbo to Champion Reconciliation among the Igbos, and also set out a day for atonement for Ndigbo, stating that the Igbos need God more than anything else.

“The governor also advised the body to distance itself from partisan politics to avoid Ndigbo losing when the Party or Candidate the organization supports loses,

“Ohanaeze should be smart when it comes to the issue of partisan politics so that no matter the Candidate or the Party that wins, Ohanaeze can move in to do the needful.

“I have told the National President of Ohanaeze about the need for Ohanaeze to Champion Reconciliation among Igbos.

“I said at Evan Enwerem’s book launch, Jim Nwobodo and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu were there, that when I was growing up, all I heard was that Iwuanyanwe never saw eye to eye with Enwerem.

“Jim Nwobodo never saw eye to eye with Ekwueme. I asked Iwuanyanwu, where is Enwerem today to fight and Jim, where is Ekwueme to fight?”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/10/2019-election-gov-okorocha-warns-ohanaeze-ndigbo/

Lagos billionaire, Femi Otedola has declared to sponsor the trip of ailing Veteran Nigerian actor, Victor Toye Olakotan, who is at the moment lying down at the hospital crying out for financial assistance after suffering a ghastly motor accident.

According to reports, the accident occurred at Festac area of Lagos and he is since being receiving medical attention, however the funds to sustain his treatment has been exhilarating and the family can no longer afford to foot the bills. Olaitan who needs $50,000 to seek treatment abroad, has been facing the possibility of his two legs being amputated to save his life and his family has been treating him as best as they could in the last two years.

There is tendency that the actor’s legs could be amputated if he doesn’t receive immediate treatment. His family has since been begging Nigerians to raise the funds for him.

The latest gist about the news is that, the Forte Oil boss, Femi Otedola has decided to sort the bills. Mofe Damijo, a veteran Nollywood actor confirmed this claims via his social media page this morning.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/09/respite-as-ailing-veteran-victor-olaotan-to-be-flown-abroad-for-treatment/

EFCC invites Doyin Okupe over hate speech

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation saturday accused the federal government of freezing bank accounts of its vice presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, his wife, family members and their businesses.

In a statement by his National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the opposition party condemned the stoppage of transactions on all accounts belonging to Obi, his family and businesses by anti-graft agencies.

He said that since his nomination, Obi, apart from facing series of failed attempts by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to destroy his reputation, he had also continued to receive all manner of threats and blackmail, including threats to his life and those of his wife and children.

He said, “Having realized that the majority of Nigerians are rallying behind the duo of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi as the our Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates respectively, the Buhari Presidency and the APC have resorted to all manners of machinations, including smear campaigns and direct attacks on their persons and business concerns, in a bid to run them down.”

Ologbondiyan reminded Buhari that neither he nor Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was, in 2015, as candidates, harassed, attacked at the airport or subjected to blackmails, and wonder why they were now employing such tactics just because Nigerians had resolved to do away with them, come 2019.

He stated that the Buhari presidency “is intimidated by Peter Obi’s resume, particularly, his general acceptance as epitome of fiscal responsibility, frugality and transparency in governance.”

“Otherwise, why is the Presidency on a wild goose chase in investigating Peter Obi, who left office as Governor of Anambra state five years ago with a nationally acclaimed clean record, intact reputation for frugality, transparency, zero tolerance for corruption and leaving behind a huge saving of N75 billion naira in cash and investments; without owing any salaries, pensions, gratuities or even contractors for contracts executed.”

He said all discerning Nigerians know that the reasons for an investigation on a man like Peter Obi, is a journey to no where aimed to stifle him of funds as well as attempt to distract our campaign and divert attention from the failures of the Buhari administration.

In another development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission yesterday invited one of the spokesmen of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, Dr. Doyin Okupe, for alleged hate speech and cyberstalking.

Okupe, who is a former Spokesman for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, was invited by officials of the Commission who paid a visit to his Ilupeju home in Lagos on Saturday.

Okupe who spoke to our correspondent on the telephone said the EFCC who came without an arrest warrant attempted to whisk him away to their office but he resisted the attempt.

The former Presidential spokesman has been one of President Muhammadu Buhari’s fiercest critics. On Friday, he has said in a tweet that Buhari has failed in the fight against insurgency as Commander-in-chief.

When contacted on the telephone, the acting spokesman for the EFCC, Mr Tony Orilade, said he would find out what happened.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/09/pdp-accuses-fg-of-freezing-peter-obis-bank-accounts/

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday urged Nigerians to vote for credible candidates who will drive growth and development.

Obasanjo, who spoke at the 27th annual Owu National Convention held in Iwo, Osun, said credible leadership would promote good governance.

The former president, who said he would not campaign for any particular candidate, urged Nigerians to vote wisely.

The Chairman of the Supreme Council of Owu Obas, Oba Hammed Oyelude, said Owu being the largest Yoruba speaking ethnic group in the South West Zone had been contributing to policy development in the country.

Oyelude, who is the Olowu of Owu Kuta, said the Royal Union of Owu People had been contributing to policy development in the country.

He called on Owu people to participate in politics in order to contribute to national development.

Oyelude also called on indigenes of Owu to support and vote for any indigene contesting for any political office.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that dignitaries present at the occasion included Owu monarchs as well as indigenes of the ethnic stock.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/08/vote-for-credible-candidates-obasanjo-tells-nigerians/

Indications have emerged that members of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) have rescinded their decision to embark on strike after expiration of the seven-day ultimatum issued to government.

This is as the managing director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Mr. Umar Ajiya, has disclosed that as part of its zero-scarcity strategy, the company has over 170 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit, also called petrol, in stock at some depots operated by the NNPC across the country to forestall dependence on private sector depots, especially to avoid scarcity of the product during the Yuletide season.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the MOMAN and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) had notified government of their intention to down tools following the inability of the federal government to pay N800 billion outstanding subsidy debts, including forex differentials and interest rate component owed marketers. Confirming the oil union’s position to our correspondent on phone, MOMAN’s executive secretary, Mr. Clement Isong, said the marketers held a meeting with government on the issue on Thursday and there was agreement as to how the issues would be resolved.

“We had a meeting with government on the issue and there was an understanding, so we are not embarking on any strike. In the near future I hope the issues would be resolved”, Isong said.

However, our correspondent gathered that DAPPMA had vowed not to yield any ground as it said it would shut all depots in protest of what it described as government’s insensitivity.

But at the time of filing this report, its position could not be confirmed as the executive secretary of DAPPMA, Femi Adewole, could not be reached on phone. LEADERSHIP Weekend recalls that the oil marketers under the aegis of MOMAN, DAPPMA and IPPIS (Independent Petroleum Products Importers (IPPIs) had complained that government’s failure to meet the deadline to pay N800billion outstanding subsidy claims would force its members to disengage their workers which by extension means that the loading of petrol at depots would automatically cease.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/08/respite-as-major-oil-marketers-shelve-strike/

The Electoral Act Amendment Bill has again been turned down by President Muhammadu Buhari.

This was disclosed by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang.

Enang spoke with State House correspondents on Friday but refused to state Buhari’s reasons.

He said the bill was returned to the National Assembly.

This is about the third time the President will be withholding his assent to the bill.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/07/breaking-again-buhari-withdraws-assent-to-electoral-amendment-bill/

Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on Thursday enjoined Nigerians not to believe in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), again owing to the failed promised they made in 2015.

Abubakar gave this advice while addressing thousands of PDP supporters at the opening of the South West PDP campaign held at the ancient Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

At the campaign were: National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, Atiku’s running mate, Mr. Peter Obi, former governors of Ekiti and Cross Rivers, Ayodele Fayose and Senator Lyel Imoke, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and governorship candidate of the party in Lagos and Oyo States, Mr. Jimi Agbaje and Engineer Seyi Makinde.

Others are: Senator Ademola Adeleke, the vice Chairman of the Party in the zone, Dr Eddy Olafeso, former governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Osun state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, publicity secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan and former Senate whip, Senator Hosea Agboola.

Abubakar, while speaking, insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari must be defeated in 2019 general election because he had failed in his campaign promises.

Abubakar said, “Let me tell you that today, I say before you that within 6 months, we shall start the process of restructuring of this country. Ladies and gentlemen, I have lived here, so I am not a stranger. So, therefore, never again believe in APC.”

Atiku said he headed the best economic team for Nigeria between 1999 and 2003, adding that such prosperity will be returned to Nigeria in 2019.

He said, “In the next two months, you will be required to choose your next president, please, take your decision carefully. The best democracy we enjoyed in Nigeria was under PDP. In 2015, APC promised 12 million jobs but today, we have not seen the jobs.

“Buhari has gone. Thank you my brothers and sisters. Since the return of democracy in 1999, the best we have in Nigeria is during the PDP. The best education we have was during the PDP. My brothers and sisters, I stand before you, I promise, everyone of you know that I chaired the best economic team in this country. If you give me this opportunity again we shall invest more in education.

“Nigeria is now the headquarters of poverty in the world. We shall return Nigeria to prosperity in 2019. I headed the best economy team in Nigeria. When we get to government in 2019, we will continue to give you best education. One of the best policy for Nigeria is restructuring and we will do it when we get to government. Don’t believe APC lies again. Within 6 months, we will reposition Nigeria. Don’t sell your vote and don’t sell your PVC. Buhari must go”.

Secondus while speaking said that Buhari was not capable of ruling Nigeria again.

He said, “With what we have seen here today, it is sure that our people in the Southwest want change in government and Atiku is the only candidate who can rescue Nigeria at this time.

“Buhari is not fit to rule Nigeria again. By the grace of God, in February, we will stand to defend our votes and defeat Buhari. The hunger in the land is too much. There is hunger because Buhari is not aware of anything in government. His government has collapsed. This is the most corrupt government in the history of Nigeria. Where is our 25 billion dollars withdrawn from the NNPC account? Corruption has taken another dimension in Nigeria under Buhari. Poverty headquarters has relocated to Nigeria under Buhari. By the grace of God, Atiku is the next president of Nigeria”.

Saraki in his remarks noted that the ruling APC made some promises but could not fulfil them.

He added that, “In 2015, APC promised security but could not do it. They promised to make food aboundant but the price of rice is becoming higher daily. The only solution to our challenges is to vote Atiku as president.”

Obi while addressing the audience said Nigerians should elect Abubakar if they want development.

He maintained that, “If you want job, vote for Atiku. If you want development, vote Atiku. Atiku is the only solution to challenges we are facing in Nigeria today.”

Fayose, who said he was very sure that president Buhari won’t attend the presidential debate said PDP had won this election already.

He said, “The only product we are selling is Atiku. The only candidate that can defeat anybody at debate. I am sure Buhari won’t attend debate. But let me tell you that you have to defend your votes. By God’s grace, PDP will be announced winner next year elections.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/06/2019-never-again-believe-in-apc-buhari-gone-already-atiku-tells-nigerians/

The spokesman for the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazak Namdas, has denied allegations that Reps members were collating signatures to impeach the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

Namdas told journalists on Wednesday that he is not aware of such process in the House.

According to him, “There is nothing like impeachment before the House of Representatives as I speak now.

“As far as I am concerned, I speak for the House, and there is nothing like impeachment before the House for consideration. I don’t speak for members, I speak for the House.

“At least, officially before the house, there is nothing like that. I am not aware of any impeachment.”

Namdas’ reaction comes amidst allegation that some of the lawmakers are collating signatures to commence the impeachment of Vice-President Osinbajo.

A member of the House of Representatives, Johnson Agbonayinma, had made this allegation on Tuesday while speaking with journalists.

Agbonayinma alleged that political gladiators were ‎sponsoring fake news against Osinbajo.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/06/house-of-reps-speaks-on-alleged-plan-to-impeach-osinbajo/

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to present the 2019 budget to the National Assembly next week.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the president will tomorrow chair a special session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to deliberate and approve the 2019 budget.

Special adviser on media to the president, Femi Adesina, who disclosed this after the FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa, Abuja, yesterday, said the FEC meeting is expected to put finishing touches to the budget after which the president will then forward it as Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly.

Adesina said, “On Friday, by 10:30am there is going to be a special section of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The intention is to look at the budget, get the proposals approved by FEC and then it will be transmitted to the National Assembly. So, that happens on Friday by 10am.”

There were concerns that the president may not present the budget to the National Assembly this year. However, with FEC’s expected approval tomorrow, there are indications that the legislature will get the budget before going on Christmas recess.

A reliable presidency source told LEADERSHIP that President Buhari will present the budget to the National Assembly next week. Our source however could not confirm the specific date.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the Federal Executive Council had in October approved the 2019-2021 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategic Paper (FSP) .

FEC also approved a budget proposal of N8.73 trillion for the 2019 fiscal year which is about N400 billion lower than that of 2018.

Meanwhile, during his briefing, the minister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, disclosed that FEC had approved N1.6 billion for the Osegudu-Uweto road, which is a bridge that links the North and South of the country.

He said, “We had only one memorandum and it was just a cost review memorandum really – to approve cost variations on Osegudu-Uweto road. That road, as you might know, links the Loko-Uweto road, which is now substantially completed.

“The Usegudu-Uweto road links the road to that bridge on the Benue side that helps connect Nasarawa from the Loko side to Benue.

“The importance of the Loko-Uweto road, which we have substantially now completed, is that it is the bridge that links the North and South of Nigeria, unlike the old Niger Bridge and the Second Niger Bridge which link the East and the West.

“Linking the bridge reduces journey time from that part of the country and the eastern part of Nigeria, especially people who link through Makurdi, Enugu and all of that coming to Abuja.”

According to the minister, when the project is completed, it would significantly reduce the travel time of motorists and commuters on that route.

Fashola explained that the revision of the contract sum was due to the fact that the contract was awarded using 2010 rates and the contractor asked for a review to cushion rising cost and naira depreciation, a request FEC approved.

The minister disclosed that the initial cost of the bridge was about N7.9 billion while the variation is about N1.6 billion, taking the total cost to N9.5 billion.

“The contractor is on site working and he would feel comforted now that, at least, his rates have been improved and expect that his certificate would be paid,” he stated.

On his part, the minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed that the Council approved N551million for the building of a National Freight Office in Jibia, Katsina State.

“We awarded the National Freight Office in Jibia for the sum of N551,810,060 million and the contract is to last for 36 weeks. You know that the National Freight Office is usually located at a border post. So, the border post between Katsina and Niger Republic, that is where it is located,” he said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/06/pmb-presents-2019-budget-to-nass-next-week/

By Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Katsina State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Hajiya Ramatu Sanda, has said the scheme has trained and empowered 7,000 corps members through its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme in the state since its inception in 2012.

She said the entrepreneurship programme was introduced by the federal government to educate the corps members on how to become self-employed and create jobs.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the 2018 Batch ‘C’ Stream II set of corps members at MD Yusuf NYSC’s Permanent Orientation Camp, Katsina, Wednesday, Sanda said the gesture had transformed the life of the beneficiaries thereby making them employers of labour.

She said: “If you enter the state capital and even outside the state, we have more than 7,000 corps members that settled down for SAED programme.

“Some have established shops; some restaurants; some bakeries; some clinics and some even established their private hospitals across Katsina State and even its environ.”

Earlier, the Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari said the state government had deployed and assigned several security agencies to ensure the safety of corps members, urging them however to report odd activities to security operatives.

Masari, represented by his Special Adviser on Youths Development Ibrahim Aminu, said that as part of government’s commitment to support the NYSC Katsina management, his government would ensure that corps members undergo the one year service without hiccups.

He however said: “It is expected that you will provide a model of mentorship and spearhead development oriented programmes, which will complement the efforts of government.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/05/nysc-empowers-7000-corps-members-in-katsina/

A former aide to ex-President, Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri on Tuesday described the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Catholic Prayer Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka of being arrogant.

Omokri was reacting to Mbaka’s comment that President Muhammadu Buhari should come to “Enugu to thank the ministry that made him who he is.”

Mbaka, a staunch supporter of Buhari, had prophesied about his victory during the 2015 presidential election.

Reacting to Mbaka’s call, the former presidential aide said God and not Mbaka’s Ministry made Buhari president.

In a series of tweets, he wrote: “What kind of arrogance is Father Mbaka suffering from? He said @MBuhari should have come to Enugu to “thank the ministry that made him who he is”. His exact words! Oh Mbaka, I do not know if you have read Daniel 4:17. God, not your ministry, made Buhari who he is! #RenosDarts

“And then Reverend Mbaka asked Governor Umar Ganduje to ‘sow seed’. It is even captured on video.

“How can Mbaka ask a man who is known to be a thief to bring out of his thievery and sow unto God’s altar? I weep for the @catholicEW Church! Is the @Pontifex not ashamed of this man?”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/04/what-fr-mbaka-has-done-to-catholic-omokri/

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has finally been issued a visa to the United States.

A family source disclosed this to TheCable on Saturday, adding that the former vice-president has left Nigeria for the UK, where he would spend some time before flying to the U. S.

It was learnt that former President Olusegun Obasanjo played a “critical” role in getting the American government to issue the visa to his former deputy with whom he was estranged for almost 15 years.

DAILY POST recalls that Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information on Thursday warned the US to be cautious in granting visa to the main opponent of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 election.

However, commenting on Atiku’s visa status on Friday, Rusell Brooks, spokesman of the US consulate in Lagos, said issuance of visa to Nigerians irrespective of their status is strictly a confidential matter.

He said the U.S government will not discuss such confidentiality in public.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/01/2019-atiku-finally-gets-us-visa-leaves-nigeria/

Former Hollywood couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a final agreement over the custody of their six children, after more than two years of acrimonious negotiation. “A custody arrangement was agreed to weeks ago, and has been signed by both parties and the judge. The agreement, which is based on the recommendations of the child custody evaluator, eliminates the need for a trial.

The filing and details of the agreement are confidential to protect the best interests of the children” Jolie’s lawyer Samantha Bley DeJean said in a statement. Jolie and Pitt, once one of Hollywood’s most glamorous couples, separated in September 2016 after a more than 10-year romance and two-year marriage. Jolie, who filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences, had been seeking primary custody of their six children, three of whom are the couple’s biological children and three of whom are adopted. Friday’s statement did not say how custody would be divided, and Jolie’s spokesperson declined to give details.

However, a trial date in the custody case had been tentatively set for December 4 before a private judge in Los Angeles. The 2016 divorce filing triggered a bitter custody dispute during which Pitt was investigated and cleared of child abuse, and both sides accused each other of trying to manipulate media coverage in their favour. The couple have yet to reach a final divorce settlement. Pitt, 54, and Jolie, 43, began dating in late 2005 and married in 2014. They are parents to Maddox, 17, Pax, 15, Zahara, 13, Shiloh, 12, and 10-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/01/finallyangelina-jolie-and-pitt-reach-child-custody-agreement/

The Federal Government of Nigeria has insisted that the Boko Haram sect has been degraded.

It, however, blamed the resurgence of the insurgents on the “remnants” operating within the Lake Chad Basin, insisting that the dreaded insurgents have been totally degraded.

This claim came barely one week after over 100 soldiers were killed by the insurgents in Melete area of Borno State.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja after the groundbreaking ceremony and unveiling of the prototype design of the technology building to house the command and control centre of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, said the project when completed would facilitate efficiency in the security of the country.

Dambazau said: “Of course, there is no doubt that Boko Haram has been degraded. Don’t forget the fact that in 2015 when this government came in, about 14 local governments were under Boko Haram control. That is not the case today.

“What is happening now is just within the Lake Chad Basin; and don’t forget that it is the responsibility of four countries – Nigeria, Cameron, Niger and Chad – and this is where we have Lake Chad Basin Authority.

“So, to be able to deal with this, this is why President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, was in Chad to discuss this fundamental issue on how to deal with the situation. You know the fact that some of them (Boko Haram) launched these aggressive attacks from the territory of Chad or Niger. So, absolutely to deal with this situation requires the efforts of the four countries, and this is precisely why the President is in Chad to discuss the issue.”

“First, it will protect our data; second, to have easy access to the data and thirdly, to be sure that by doing that we facilitate the efficiency in terms of service delivery.”

On how the technology building will address some of the security challenges the country is facing, he said: “One of the major problems the country is facing is cross-border criminal activities, trafficking in arms, trafficking in drugs, human trafficking and terrorism.

“These activities are done by human beings and there is human beings across borders. So security-wise, we will be able to distinguish between the right persons and the wrong persons.

“There is going to be an interface with Interpol, and above all, we will be able to capture the data of every human being coming into the country and going out. We also going to capture data of every Nigerian citizens and this certainly will go a long way in facilitating efficiency in terms of security of our country.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/30/we-have-degraded-boko-haram-buhari-govt-insists/

Two vital prosecution witnesses who gave evidence in the trial of former Adamawa Governor Murtala Nyako have died mysteriously.

Adekunle Odofin, a detective with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, made the startling revelation before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja today.

According to the detective, the two witnesses made “crucial statements” during the investigation into a N29billion fraud case.

Odofin told the court that the two persons were very vital to the prosecution of the case.

Nyako is being prosecuted by the Commission, alongside his son, Senator Abdul-Aziz Nyako, Abubakar Aliyu and Zulkifikk Abba, on a 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of N29billion.

Five companies that allegedly served as conduit pipes for the illegal diversion of the funds – Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited, were equally charged before the court as the 5th to 9th defendants.

Testifying as the twentieth prosecution witness, Odofin, who started his testimony on June 23, 2018 and tendered documents which were admitted in evidence, told the court on November 26, 2018, that one Mohammad Maj Iro, who was the General Manager, Zenith Bank Plc, the Regional Manager in charge of North-East, and the Account Officer of Adamawa State 200 accounts, domiciled in Zenith bank, died after making “crucial statements”, at the time of filing the case in the court.

While being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, on November 27, 2018, the detective told the court that the Commission also extended invitation to one Dalhatu Abdulmalik, who was the cousin to Nyako.

The commission invited the Director of Ameak Investment Limited, Kirkelly Investment Limited and Pilkola Engineering Limited, who also died after giving his statement.

Odofin said Mohammad Major Iro pulled out over N800million from the Adamawa State account, and credited it to Crust Energy Limited, the 9th defendant in the case, taking orders from Nyako.

Odofin explained that the pattern of two accounts belonging to the State (Special Service Department, SSD, and Secretary to the State Government, SSG) drew the attention of the EFCC.

According to him, “the behaviour of these accounts, showed how money was being withdrawn in multiples of Ten Million Naira on different dates, running into billions of naira, by late Mohammad Maj Iro”.

“The question is, why did Maj Iro withdraw money from Adamawa State account, without being a staff of the state government?

Investigations revealed that memos were originated from permanent secretaries of the SSD, Mohammed Ibrahim Jidado and that of the SSG, Emmanuel Ibrahim.

“Having generated these memos, same were forwarded to SSG for transmission to the number one citizen of the State, the governor. Upon the approval of these memos, same came back to the SSG”.

He explained that vouchers were raised after the approval of the memos, in the name of the Permanent Secretary, the Accountant and cashier as the same and now taken to Maj Iro.

“Having received these cheques, Maj Iro, being a seasoned banker, pulled out these monies from the two accounts ( SSD and SSG) and he starts crediting various individuals and corporate accounts, most especially, without the knowledge of the account owners”, the witness added.

“Maj Iro credited Zenith Bank accounts of the 5th to the 9th defendants (Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited), out of the money he pulled out from Adamawa State accoun. Part of the money Maj Iro transferred to Tower Asset Management Limited, the sum of N678,000,000 (Six Hundred And Seventy Eight Million Naira) was transferred to Crust Energy on different dates.

“Maj Iro also transferred N160, 000,000 out of the money he pulled out from Adamawa State account to a company called Maxion Option Limited. Maxion Option Limited transferred same to Crust Energy Limited zenith bank account”.

The witness further told the court how Maj Iro disbursed millions of naira to the companies used to launder state funds.

“Maj Iro also transferred sums of money on different dates to Sabore Farms Limited. Out of the money transferred to the company by Maj Iro, the sum of N20million was transferred to Mainstream Energy Limited. Another N20million was transferred from same Sabore Farms to one Sanni Hello of Mainstream Energy Limited. Another N10million was transferred to Crust Energy Limited”, Odofin said.

Statements made by Maj Iro at the Commission, were tendered and admitted in evidence by the court.

According to the court, “Statements made by Maj Iro on June 21, 2014; June 24, 2014; July 2, 2014; July 10, 2014; July 15, 2014; July 22, 2014; July 23, 2014; August 29, 2014 and October 22, 2014 admitted in evidence as LL40-1 to Ll40-9, respectively”. Also, statements made by Dalhatu Abdulmalik were tendered and admitted in evidence.

The matter was thereafter adjourned to November 29, 2018 for continuation of trial. (NAN)

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/28/2-key-witnesses-die-after-giving-evidence-against-ex-governor/

The National Industrial Court on Tuesday in Kano ordered the State government to redeploy the 894 health workers it transferred to other agencies from Hospital Management Board, and refund their salaries deducted for 27 months.

The state government had on Sept. 6, 2016, through the office of the Head of Service, redeployed the affected workers to other agencies, and changed their salary structure from Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) to Harmonised Public Service Salary Structure (HAPSSS).

Irked by the government’s action, the affected workers, under the aegis of Nigerian Civil Service Union, Kano Hospital Management Board Chapter, on July 3, 2017, dragged the state government to Industrial Court, challenging the action.

The plaintiffs, through their counsel, Surajo Sabo Ali, told the court that, being employees of Kano State Hospital Management Board, they were entitled to continue to enjoy the CONHESS salary structure.

He added that his clients, having been employed by the state Hospital Management Board and in pursuant to Hospital Management Board edict 1995, were not subjected to any circular or directives given by the Head of Service.

“The Kano Hospital Management Board is a body established by law of Kano State, and saddled with the responsibility and powers to recruit, employ, train, transfer and promote its employees,” NAN quoted him as saying.

He argued that the complainants were subject to transfer within the zonal office of the Kano State Hospital Management Board, and their transfer was within its powers, not the Head of Service.

“Their transfer as a result of the circular issued by Head of Service, they were affected negatively to the effect of a transfer and posting out of Kano State Hospital Management Board and its zone.

The plaintiffs, therefore, prayed the court to declare the circular as void and of no effect whatsoever to them.

Delivering the judgment, Judge E. Isiele ordered the state government to redeploy the affected workers to their former station and refund all the salaries deducted for the 27 months.

Speaking to newsmen after the judgement, the prosecuting counsel, Ali, expressed happiness and satisfaction over the verdict.

He also thanked the judge for granting five out of six of their prayers.

However, In his remarks, the defense counsel, Mukhtar Sani Daneji, faulted the judgement, saying they will file an appeal.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/27/health-workers-floor-kano-govt-in-court/

President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa who disclosed that the new minimum wage will take full effect from January 1, 2019, added that it would benefit about six million workers that currently earn R3,700 (N97,495).

While one South African Rand exchanges for N26.35, this means that South African workers would be earning N527 per hour: N4,216 per day and N126,480 per month, while their Nigerian colleagues are currently earn N75 per hour, which is N600 per day (at eight working hours per day) and N18,000 per month. However if paid N30,000 as minimum wage, Nigerian workers would be earning N125 per hour or N1,000 per day, which amounts to N30,000 monthly.



While South Africa increased its minimum wage to N126,480, a Global Wage Report 2018/19 released yesterday, also revealed that the world’s wage growth also hit a 10-year low, the last of its kind being in 2007.

On the other hand, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba said labour would soon meet to draw up a timetable within which government would be expected to conclude work on the new wage.

https://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/27/south-africa-increases-minimum-wage-to-n126480-as-nigeria-struggles-with-n30000/

The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been charged by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, to work for the people of Lagos through good governance that will improve the quality of their lives.

Oba Akiolu gave the charge when Sanwo-Olu paid him a courtesy call in his palace at Iga Iduganran, Isale Eko yesterday as a part of his broad-based engagement with diverse stakeholder groups in the state.

The royal father, who prayed for a successful outcome of the gubernatorial election for Sanwo-Olu, implored him to make service to the people the focal point of his administration, adding that Lagos, since 1999, has had governors who positively impacted the state through provision of social services and development of infrastructure.

Oba Akiolu said, “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu started a very good work in Lagos and fought for the interest of Lagos. Babatunde Fashola also did very well and Akinwumi Ambode, who is presently in is also doing well. When you get to office, by the grace of God, you must carry on with the good works of your predecessors and take Lagos to higher level of development. I will always be around to offer you good advice. Everyone knows that I will always say the truth to anyone.”

The monarch also charged the APC candidate to be mindful of the people he will surround himself with, as many people in politics are only after what they will benefit for personal aggrandizement, adding, “I will also implore those of you following him now not to betray him. Your work is to help him succeed. I pray for you that as you move on in your campaign, all of you will achieve success together.”

Responding, Sanwo-Olu expressed gratitude to the monarch and his chiefs, who came to receive him and his entourage, promising that he will diligently serve the people of Lagos by running an inclusive government.

Reiterating the fact that he has developed comprehensive policies and plans that are in line with the APC manifesto, which will be vigorously implement if elected by the people of Lagos, Sanwo-Olu said, “Kabiyesi, the campaign will officially start in few days from now and before we begin to ask for votes, we decided to see you – our father, to ask for your prayers and blessings.

“We know the importance of the prayer of a father to his children. I am happy you have given us your blessings. By the grace of God, we know we will get victory. I want to assure you that we will work for the people as you have demanded of us.

“My primary purpose for coming out for the position of governor is to work for the people.

I don’t have any other motivation beyond my readiness to serve the people.”

Samwo-Olu was accompanied on the visit by the Director General of the APC Independent Campaign Group, ICG, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, former Ministers of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and Mr. Demola Seriki, executive commissioner of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Mr. Sunday Dare, former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Lagos State, Mr. Segun Dawodu, and former Chief of Staff to former governor of Lagis State, Babatunde Fashola, Mr. Lanre Babalola, among other party leaders.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/27/oba-akiolu-charges-sanwo-olu-to-work-for-lagos/

Dr. Olakunle Churchill, ex-husband of Nollywood performing artist, Tonto Dikeh has hit back at her over the most recent unmerited attacks. Olakunle Churchill in a selective meeting with newsmen asserted the on-screen character is on medications and perhaps it is step by step transforming her into a mad individual.

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“Mad girl….She writes her script herself and act the drama. I don’t even know or have any idea of what she is talking about. Yes that she makes up stories to bring me down…. she is mad. I wanted to help her to a rehab but she is on drugs”, he revealed.

Tonto had described her ex-husband and father of her son as a fraudster ‘yahoo boy’. But the man told this portal that she is on a desperate course to ruin his reputation with unprovoked attacks suspecting she may have gone made as a result of the addiction to drugs though will not name which specific drug it was.

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“She wants to ruin me by force. She has called me several names to ruin my personality; ritualist rug dealer, fraudster, gay , murderer , she is pained and she is finding it very hard to move on , she is on drugs. Insulting my mum lying up and down…she can’t get over me and she is mad. She started from domestic violence but when I showed prove that she was the violent one she kept changing from one allegation to another”, he revealed.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/26/nollywood-actress-tonto-dikeh-goes-mad-after-serious-drug-addiction-issues/

Dangote Group of Company, is set to reward the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250,000) to anyone who report against illegal haulage using Dangote Trucks.

The company reached the agreement after it has been reported that its drivers uses the company truck to do illegal commercial transportation of goods.

To curb the trend, the company agreed to pay N250,000 to anyone with verified lead; and they released a phone number to call.

In its TWITTER page, it pleaded to the general public do the needful.

“We kindly solicit your help in our fight against illegal haulage using Dangote Trucks and get rewarded with sum of N250,000 while at it, the company statement reads.

Check out the tweet and photo below on what to do!

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/26/dangote-to-pay-n250000-cash-to-anyone-who-report-this-see-phone-number/

New details obtained by PREMIUM TIMES have revealed that at least 113 soldiers were killed in the pre-dusk attack on 157 Task Force Battalion in Borno State on November 18.

This newspaper can also confirm based on the accounts of top military officers that 153 soldiers are still missing in action as of November 24, nearly a week after the attack.

Those killed included the commander of the battalion, whom PREMIUM TIMES identified on November 20 as a lieutenant colonel.

It has now been learnt that the second-in-command to the commander, the intelligence officer of the battalion and two other officers were amongst those killed by Boko Haram in the attack, which occurred at about 6:00 p.m. last Sunday.

When PREMIUM TIMES broke the story of the attack on November 20, military sources were only able to confirm the killing of the commander and dozens of other soldiers.

It was not immediately clear how many soldiers were manning the base during the attack, which was linked to Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA).

On November 22, a soldier who escaped the attack and witnessed how his colleagues were killed by insurgents told PREMIUM TIMES 70 bodies had been confirmed.

Some media reports, including one by London-based newswire Reuters, cited sources as giving up to 100 soldiers killed by the insurgents in the attacks.

But PREMIUM TIMES has now learnt from top officers that the casualty had risen significantly to 118 soldiers, comprising 113 soldiers and five officers.

Our sources also confirmed 153 soldiers are still missing in action, and wounded troops have been evacuated to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, for treatment.

The latest casualty number provided by military chiefs appeared to confirm Boko Haram’s claim in a video released Thursday. French newswire AFP said it saw a video in which Boko Haram claimed killing 118 soldiers in attacks last week.

Culled From Premium Times

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/26/death-toll-of-nigerian-soldiers-killed-by-boko-haram-in-borno-rises-to-118-over-150-still-missing/

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, said in a policy document to launch his campaign, that in pursuing his economic liberalization (read unfettered capitalism) policy, state-owned enterprises would be privatised “including all four government-owned refineries.”

That intention as contained in the Policy Document was defined more clearly by the man who wants to be the president of Nigeria. He stated what he intends to do with the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria in an interview with, The African Report, that he will sell off 90 per cent government shareholding in the NNPC and retain only 10 per cent for the Federal Government.

The first error is the assumption that the NNPC belongs to the Federal Government alone. In truth, it constitutionally belongs to the three tiers of government in the federation. There will be litigation, should the company be sold unilaterally.

When the implication of what he told his interviewers shocked them, they asked him to state plainly whether he would indeed sell the NNPC and retain only 10 per cent for the government. He responded thus: “Yes, I would want to go ahead. There is no doubt about that the government should have a very minor shareholding.”

The obsessive idea of selling the NNPC and its refineries, like all other viable government-owned enterprises, has always been in the heart of the PDP intentions. Two lucrative NNPC refineries were actually sold off for US$750 million in 2007 under the watch of the Obasanjo-Atiku faction of the PDP.

The Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration reversed the sell-off because it was a bad and unpatriotic action by the Obasanjo-Atiku group. The sum of $750 million dollars was refunded to Aliko Dangote and partners. Today, a wiser Dangote is building a plant to refine 650, 000 barrels of crude oil daily worth over US$12.2 billion without any controversy that could dent the reputation he earned as an honest entrepreneur making clean money.

Former President Obasanjo said in an interview on a television station on July 29, 2015, that he confronted the late President Yar’Adua on why he cancelled the selling of the two NNPC refineries. He quoted the late President as saying that he was put under intense pressure to reverse the sell-off.

Nigerians are sceptical, if not in outright opposition, to the idea of selling the NNPC and its subsidiaries as proposed and promised by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, should he succeed in his bid for the presidency next year.

The Lagos-based Atiku-Agbaje Media Engagement Network, which supports Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition, strongly opposed his proposal based on the opinion of its members. The group said Nigeria “being a mono-economy with a robust reliance on oil as the major revenue source, selling off NNPC will amount to killing the golden goose that lays the golden eggs for our country.”

The depiction of the NNPC as the layer of the country’s golden eggs became obvious in the recent failure of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to make a decision on the distribution of revenue to the three tiers of government on account of low distributable revenue from the NNPC. The NNPC generates the bulk of Nigeria’s foreign exchange and the single largest chunk of government revenue.

Senator Shehu Sani of the Peoples Redemption Party(PRP), who represents Kaduna Central in the Senate, was contextually correct in describing the Atiku desire to sell NNPC as “a condemnable proposal and a dangerous intention. Auctioning the country has not helped in the past and will not help in the future.”

Dr Bismark Rewane, a prominent financial analyst, wondered to whom and how the presidential candidate wants to sell the NNPC. He prayed that it would not be sold to cronies to avoid the kind of crude capitalism that emerged in Russia after selling government-owned businesses.

Rewane’s concerns on the potential dangers regarding to whom and how the selling will be done can be seen with hindsight in the sell-off of NITEL, Nigeria Airways Limited and a host of other public enterprises. Those sell-offs were done under Atiku’s watch as Vice President. They are sore points on the neck of Nigerians, particularly after discovering that the NITEL Training School in Kano is now a Digital Bridge Institute. Who owns the Digital Bridge Institute?

While those who cornered those deliberately under-valued enterprises in opaque transactions became wealthy overnight, the former workers of the entities were abandoned in penury.

Will Nigerians passively accept short-changing the country again? Many Nigerians perceive that as Chairman of the Privatization Council, the former Vice President probably made immense gain by favouring his associates in the foggy privatization process at the expense of the nation. He now wants to have a second field-day.

Many observers fault his proposal to sell the NNPC and four refineries for these reasons: NNPC has a crude production arm which makes profit; NNPC has a successful investment in the growing gas sector and is constructing a pipeline to distribute gas nationwide; it has a capable and profitable engineering subsidiary; it has retail outlets in the downstream segment of its activities and its joint venture businesses are contributing to the economic viability of Nigeria and the wellbeing of Nigerians.

There is a popular belief that selling off our family silver, the NNPC, has many perils, including ending the on-going search for oil in the inland basins to increase the country’s proven crude reserve. The Lake Chad basin is in the Northeast, which needs massive rehabilitation. Discovering oil there will accelerate that rehabilitation. Selling off the NNPC will terminate that hope, and hurt the north east, where incidentally, Atiku is from.

– Dambatta, a journalist and former member of the executive committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, is based in Abuja.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/26/the-perils-of-selling-the-family-silver/

Former Manchester United star, Rio Ferdinand has condemned the club’s manager, Jose Mourinho’s treatment of his squad.

Ferdinand also questioned his decision to publicly slate players.

United played out a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Prior to the game, Mourinho had publicly berated Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard.

The Portuguese accused the four players of lacking maturity.

Ferdinand said Mourinho was wrong to publicly question his own players.

“When you get comments that come out of the club in a press conference or an interview that he done in the week where he’s hammering four or five of the young players at the club, saying their mentality isn’t right, what do you expect? Ferdinand told BT Sport.

“Do you expect to have players on your side or do you expect your players to go ‘hold on a minute, my manager is hammering me in public again.

“I just don’t think it’s right for a football manager to be doing that.

“I don’t think you’re going to get productivity out of those kind of comments. I don’t think it’s proactive for the club.

“What he’s said, that might be true. He’s behind closed doors, he sees these boys day in, day out.

“He might look at those 4 or 5 kids and go, ‘you know what, this is exactly how I feel about you.’ He’s got that right to say that.

“But I think behind closed doors, in the changing room embarrass them in front of the team.

“You don’t get positivity doing that publicly and the fans don’t like that either.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/25/epl-rio-ferdinand-slams-mourinho-for-insulting-man-united-players/

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has apologised for joining the groups who came together to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Atiku said the apology had become necessary because of the sufferings Nigerians had been subjected to in the last three and half years, from a party he played a role in bringing to power.

The former vice-president stated this while speaking at a town hall meeting with residents of Jimeta in Adamawa state.

He said, “I regretted being a part of the party which never deemed it fit to fulfil all of the promises it made to Nigerians.

“If I had known that the APC would be such a colossal failure and disgrace, I would never had joined the party.

“The APC has failed to fulfill even one of the promises it made to Nigerians. The APC is simply an assembly meant to defraud Nigerians.”

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/2019-atiku-reveals-why-he-regrets.html

I’m deeply saddened by the loss of our soldiers in these attacks and ask for the support and prayers of all Nigerians for our military in this war against ISWAP & Boko Haram.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/atiku/status/1065863060022280192

Source: http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/im-deeply-saddened-by-loss-of-our.html

Former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) has said he never at any time discouraged ex-President Goodluck Jonathan from conceding victory to President Muhammdu Buhari in 2015.

Jonathan while speaking at the launch of his book “My Transition Hours”, which was presented in Abuja on his 61st birthday said he turned down the advice by the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister Mohammed Bello Adoke; Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka, who was a compere at the book launch; and his Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, Warpamowei Dudafa not to concede defeat to President Buhari in 2015.

But, Adoke reacting, said he, the ex-Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the ex-Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka and the former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to the ex-President, Waripamo Owei-Dudafa, actually prevailed on Jonathan to accept defeat.

He said having been at the vanguard of protecting Nigeria’s democracy as an Attorney-General of the Federation, he could not have stooped low to ask Jonathan to reject the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.

But Adoke noted that some hawks in the administration actually wanted Jonathan to refuse to accept the results but he, the two ex-Ministers and Dudafa encouraged Jonathan to make the concession call to President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said: ”As a patriot, I could not have advised him not to concede defeat. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Osita Chidoka, I and Waripamowei-Dudafa are the real heroes of that historic concession as we ensured that despite pressures from the hawks within the administration, the President conceded defeat by calling President Buhari as at the time he did.

“We are the real heroes of the concession by Jonathan. We were the ones who made the former President to make the concession call to President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We are not saboteurs, we are patriots. We actually asked Jonathan to concede. I have impeccable democratic credentials; no one can spoil my records.

“I expect that Jonathan will clear the air on the issue as he knows the truth. However, my forthcoming book will address the issue most comprehensively.”

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/my-transition-hours-what-i-did-for.html

Nigerian singer Idowest has come under attack for describing Davido as ‘Jesus of our time’.

Idowest, who got signed under Davido’s label ‘DMW’, said this on his Instagram page as he wished Davido happy birthday.

His statement, however, did not go down well with Nigerians on social media as they blasted him for comparing Davido to Jesus.

Here are some comments gathered by DAILY POST from Instagram:

@Mmeso_ “Jesus died for everybody, Davido cannot even die for himself. Please stop this extreme comparison.”

@richie.ar “Idowest that comparison is very wrong, just correct yourself next time don’t let pride eat you up.”

@frankinra “you are a fool for this statement. You would tell me if Jesus is a Nigerian.”

@Iamstevend “We all love Davido but calling him Jesus doesn’t make any sense at all he might only be your mentor but never will he be compared to what Jesus has done for you am not hitting at you bro just correct yourself that all bless up more life.”

@Investor_Ink “Jesus of which time? Man abeg correct your statement jor… Too much of everything is bad.”

@Iamstarboymiezzy “No matter what Bros don’t ever compare Davido with JESUS it is like you want to go to bed tonight and never wake up again tomorrow be careful on the path your trading.”

@Official_can “Please don’t compareOBO with our creator. Jesus Christ is our Savior. Our creator, our provider, he gives life and takes life. We are not even worthy to worship his foot. Obo is just a man. May God forgive you because you don’t know what you just said right now. Don’t compare your maker with a man, he is a jealous God.”

@Officialkingsleysmile “I really don’t understand what u mean by Jesus of our time..are u worshiping Davido as ur God or god? Get sense @officialidowest

@Adeola “And this is just so wrong. I hope you know Davido is nowhere compare to Jesus. You have no right what so ever to call him Jesus of your time. Did you think he can die for you and he cannot give you life either? In fact he is nothing. Go gather brain and learn how and when to use this name that is more precious than gold and silver the name of Jesus.”

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/nigerians-attack-idowest-over-davido.html