Arsenal manager, Unai Emery, has suggested Mesut Ozil was not up for the fight against Bournemouth, as they stretched their unbeaten run to a 17th game with a 2-1 victory.

Ozil was an unused substitute and did not even take part in the pre-match warm-up.

Emery afterwards explained that he preferred to use players who could cope physically.

“We thought how we can be better in the match, a very demanding match with physicality and intensity.

“But every player is important. We worked today and it is another possibility to improve or find our best performance in the squad.

“In the beginning of the season we were speaking every day about the need to be competitive. We need to be organised, we need the individual quality to improve our performance.

“It’s the same today. It depends. It depends how the match is going, what the result is. I decided for another option. We knew this is a difficult stadium, a difficult team.

“Seventeen matches we haven’t lost, but the last three matches we drew. We know that is not enough for us, for our objectives.

“A lot of matches are coming up – Tottenham, Manchester United. And also we are going to play against teams with the same objectives as us,” he told Sky Sports.

Ozil has started 10 of the Gunners’ 13 league games so far this season.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/25/epl-unai-emery-reveals-why-he-dropped-ozil-for-2-1-win-at-bournemouth/

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has recalled his very final moments as the number one citizen of Nigeria.

Jonathan recalled how he ended up at the Eagle Square as a common citizen after handing over to his successor, Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, 2015.

Jonathan made the revelations in his new book, ‘My Transition Hours.’

The book was launched at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on Tuesday to mark his birthday.

The former President also explained why his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, was not with him at the Eagles Square during the ceremonial handing over.

The former President reveals: “The morning of Friday May 29, 2015 began very early. It was the D-Day for the inauguration of the President billed to commence at 10.00 AM.

“The event expected to be witnessed by no less than 20 world leaders, was being held at the Eagle Square, Abuja. The day was certainly going to be interesting and I felt ready for whatever emotion came my way.

“Today, after the oath-taking ceremony, I would finally be going home! “This was an event I had chosen to undertake alone so my wife did not accompany me. Dressed in a black woko, my traditional attire and my signature fedora hat, I walked out into the beautiful sunshine and got into my official car.

“The members of staff of the Presidential Villa, including cleaners, cooks, washer men, security men and more, were gathered outside the Glass House, which had become my official residence after I ordered the main residence to be renovated for the incoming President.

“I bade them farewell and with tearful eyes, they waved at me and in unison chorused, ‘bye bye Sir’. I entered my car and the convoy moved. I was missing them already. These were very hard-working Nigerians of diverse tribes and tongues who had served their president well.

“Azibaola Robert, my cousin, had come that morning to move my personal effects to the car alongside Waripamowei Dudafa and some of my immediate security aides. Before I left the State House for the Eagle Square, I had inspected the last guard of honour mounted by the Brigade of Guards at the inner gate of my residence.

“It was symbolic because it would be the last inspection of the State House Guard of Honour.

“My thoughts reverted to the official swearing in ceremony that I would be participating shortly. The convoy came to a stop at Eagle Square and I exited the car. I went on to greet a few people and was thereafter ushered up the platform where I was to receive the national salute.

“Next on the programme, the commander sought my permission for the parade to begin. After giving the permission I went to take my seat next to the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, and his wife, Aisha and my vice president, Arch. Nnamadi Sambo.

“After President Buhari had taken his oath of office, it was time for me to leave. I waved at the crowd. To my surprise, I noticed some of the attendees had misty eyes. This struck me because I believe almost all of them were either members of President Buhari’s party, relatives or friends.

“I had arrived at the Eagle Square as President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the full presidential convoy. After the ceremony, I ceased to be President.

“I was now like any other citizen of the Federal Republic, boarding my personal vehicle to be driven to the Abuja International Airport for the final part of the farewell ceremony in honour of an outgoing President.

“Pulling into the Abuja International Airport, I was happy to see my wife waiting for me. With her was a joyous throng of supporters, aides, ministers and party members.

“She did not have to ask; she knew what I had just been through. She touched my hand gently and together we boarded the flight that would take us to Port Harcourt International Airport.

“As part of the inauguration ritual, we would fly the flagship of the official fleet, codenamed ‘Nigeria Air Force 001 or ‘Eagle One’. This was significant, as it would be my last official flight.

“The trip was also an emotional one for me because I had worked with the pilots and crew for the last five years. We were like a family and they were flying me in an official capacity for the last time. Everyone was full of emotions. That flight remains one of the most treasured memories of my transition into private life.”

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/my-transition-hours-jonathan-makes.html

The Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, has written to the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police seeking the probe of an alleged peddler of false claim of the death of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Acknowledgment copies of the separate letters addressed to the Director General of the DSS, Mr. Yusuf Bichi, and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, were obtained by The PUNCH on Tuesday.

Copies of the letters dated November 14, 2018 were received at both the DSS and Police Force Headquarters in Abuja on November 6.

Obono-Obla, whose office is domiciled in the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, specifically informed the heads of the security agencies in his petitions that one Bishop Eze Orieke made the false claim with purported documents from the London Bridge Hospital (Regional Medical Laboratory) to back it on the wall of a Facebook group called Ohafia Political Forum.

The letters read in part, “The said documents are attached herewith for your attention and consideration.

“It is a notorious fact and incontrovertible proof that his excellency, Muhammadu Buhari is not dead but very much alive and kicking.”

He added that the post on Facebook and the documents attached to it by the said Orieke “are fake and calculated to cause panic, disaffection and undermine national security.”

Copies of the documents, which were allegedly attached to the Facebook post and which Obono-Obla forwarded with his petitions to the security agencies, included a purported death certificate issued by the National Population Commission indicating that Buhari died of cardiac arrest in Abuja on September 19, 2017.

“It is ill-motivated, distasteful and made in extreme bad faith,” Obono-Obla said of the documents in his petitions.

According to him, the act violated the provisions of section 24(1)(a),(b) and (2)(a),(b),(c)(i),(ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition & Prevention etc) Act, 2015.

Offences under the said provision carry between three to 10 years imprisonment with or without fines ranging between N7m and N15m.

“In the light of the above, I respectfully urge you to investigate this matter,” Obono-Obla stated.

Our correspondent’s search of the Facebook accounts of both Bishop Eze Orieke and the Ohafia Political Forum did not yield a positive result.

Also, repeated attempts to contact the said Orieke through a phone number supplied in the petitions as his were also futile.

The repeated calls made to the telephone line indicated that the contact could not be reached.

The legal provisions which the suspect allegedly flouted according to Obono-Obla include, “(1) 24. (1) Any person who knowingly or intentionally sends a message or other matter by means of computer systems or network that-

“(a) is grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character or causes any such message or matter to be so sent; or

“(b) he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another or causes such a message to be sent: commits an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not more than N7m or imprisonment for a term of not more than three years or to both such fine and imprisonment.”

“(2) Any person who knowingly or intentionally transmits or causes the transmission of any communication through a computer system or network –

“(a) to bully, threaten or harass another person, where such communication places another person in fear of death, violence or bodily harm or to another person.”

“(b) containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to harm the person of another, any demand or request for a ransom for the release of any kidnapped person, to extort from any person, firm, association or corporation, any money or other thing of value; or

“(c) containing any threat to harm the property or reputation of the addressee or of another or the reputation of a deceased person or any threat to accuse the addressee or any other person of a crime, to extort from any person, firm, association, or corporation, any money or other thing of value: commits an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction-

“(i) in the case of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection to imprisonment for a term of 10 years and/or a minimum fine of N25,000,000.00; and

“(ii) in the case of paragraph (c) and

“(d) of this subsection, to imprisonment for a term of five years and/or a minimum fine of N15m.”

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/presidency-react-to-fake-buhari-in-aso.html

Senator representing Kaduna Central zone at the National Assembly, Comrade Shehu Sani, on Tuesday said that the ruling party, All Progressive Congress, APC, has failed the people of Kaduna state.

He told the electorates that the only alternative left for them in the coming election is between freedom and bondage.

Making the assertion while flagging off his Senatorial campaign at the Secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Kaduna, he said, “In the last three and half years, I have represented the people of Kaduna Central to the best of my ability.

“My presence at the National Assembly is a living testimony to the fact that you don’t need to stay so long at the parliament before your impact can be felt.

“The parliament is the most important institution of government with people of intellectual capacity, and people of independent minds that can see the needs of their people through various legislative activities.

“In the next few months, Nigeria shall be transiting to the new face in its history, and this is a time for people to make decisions on those that determine their future and this choice will also determined their path.”

Shehu Sani who is the flagbearer of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, for the Kaduna Central in the 2019 general elections said that the seat is not for sale and also not for thugs but, for people who can stand for the light of the day and dark of the night.

” Kaduna is in a state of dictatorship,” adding that, “PRP is in tandem with my socialist ideology and that is why the party is a movement for liberation of the downtrodden.”

The senator also disclosed that his party has no candidate for the presidential polls, he therefore called on his supporters to make the right choice while voting, saying his decision on who he ( Shehu Sani) will throw his weight behind shall be determined during the polls.

While calling on the media to discharge their responsibility without any fear of intimidation, he urged them to be fair, firm, and remain strong.

Shehu Sani who considered himself as a member of the fourth estate of the realm said that the profession was founded on integrity and therefore, hence the need for practitioners to uphold the ethical values of journalism.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/apc-has-failed-in-kaduna-senator-shehu.html

The Atiku Campaign Organisation has said that the People Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will defeat President Muhammadu Bubari in the forthcoming general election with a wide margin to make it difficult for the ruling party to attempt rigging.

Spokesman of the campaign team, Segun Sowunmi also revealed on Monday in Abuja that the PDP campaign team will not exercise any form of fear going into the February presidential election.

Speaking at the public presentation of a book, “The man Atiku Abubakar, a square peg in a square hole; 100 reasons to vote,” Sowunmi said the insinuations in some quarters that the ruling party will rig the coming election should be dismissed.

“They say they will rig in 2019 but I tell them, it is only when we don’t beat them with a wide margin. We will beat them with a wide margin and make it impossible for them to rig in 2019.”

According to Sowunmi, Atiku will not spend one day as president wasting time, even as the PDP administration will not bring indolent with him when he emerges the next president.

He urged the Atiku support group to tak the message to the people across the country on the need to rescue the country from the hands of the current handlers.

Meanwhile, the PDP has, however, expressed willingness to sign Peace Accord between major political parties and major contenders as it is being canvassed by the European Union and other countries ahead of 2019 general elections.

Speaking on the need for the Peace Accord, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan, said, “We will support peace accord between major political parties and between major contenders. The People Democratic Party is open to that because we are a party of peace. We are a democratic party, who believe in the tenets of democracy, rule of law, justice, freedom, these are what make us a democratic party.

“If there is any group or a group of Nations that are canvassing that we should allow peace to reign during the election, surely the PDP will abide by that.”

He called on INEC to allow for a free, fair and credible election.

“I want to assure because Nigerians are sick and tired of the hunger, starvation, denial that the All Progressives Congress has imposed on Nigerians we plead with INEC to allow for a free, fair, credible and transparent elections in 2019.

“We also want them to take a lesson from our National Convention in Pirt Harcourt, which was adjudged as one of the best in the political history of our country. It was civil, it was clean, it was clear, it was transparent and it was generally acceptable by all the aspirants.

“So we look forward to INEC holding Nigeria elections that will generally accepted by the majority of parties and the majority of Nigerians.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/2019-presidency-how-well-stop-apc-from.html

Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr and a Japanese kickboxer half his age will be aiming to knock each other out next month, despite the match-up being an exhibition, the fight’s Japanese promoter said Saturday.

The bout between Mayweather and Tenshin Nasukawa, first announced earlier this month, was abruptly scrapped by the American boxer over a “misunderstanding”, according to the CEO of mixed martial arts promotor RIZIN.

“It will be a non-official bout. It won’t be on record. So it’s an exhibition match,” Nobuyuki Sakakibara told reporters at Haneda airport in Tokyo returning from talks with Mayweather in Los Angeles.

“But at worst it’s not going to be a sparring… they will fight aiming to knock out,” he added.

The Mayweather side had been confused with the status of the bout as it was unclear if it will be an official fight, according to Sakakibara.

Asked if the bout could be cancelled again, Sakakibara said: “I don’t think there will be a cancellation unless unforeseen circumstances such as extraordinary natural phenomenon occur.”

Mayweather has already said the fight would go ahead in Saitama, north of Tokyo, but would be an exhibition.

“We’re going to make it happen. It’s a no-brainer,” the retired welterweight boxer told the US website TMZ Sports in California on Wednesday.

The unbeaten 41-year-old, who won world titles in five different weight divisions, told the site the face-off would involve no kicking, saying: “It’s going to be a little boxing exhibition.”

Sakakibara confirmed the fight would be an orthodox boxing style without kicking, which will be a disadvantage for Nasukawa, an unbeaten kickboxer.

“But I want him to pull off something like a miracle,” he said adding that further details of rules such as a decision will be discussed later.

Sakakibara also said a contract of the bout remained unchanged as the highest paid for such an exhibition, but did not reveal the amount.

http://www.ebiscoo.com/71/mayweather-to-knock-out-nasukawa-in-exhibition-match#137

The Canadian artistes Justin Bieber and wife haileybaldwin have been spending time with each other on their newly found love.

From Beach hangout to Justin Bieber confessing to his wife as the best woman.

Love connotion started wildly as haileybaldwin changes her name to Justin Bieber names.

Report has it that she still answers her name “haileybaldwin” on other social media accounts.

http://www.ebiscoo.com/62/mild-love-for-justin-bieber-as-wife-changes-her-name#128

Chairman of The Patriots, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, SAN, on Wednesday said he believed former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, would lead the country to greatness.

The head of Igbo Leaders of Thought said this on Wednesday in Enugu when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate met with Igbo leaders.

Segun Sowunmi, spokesman of Atiku Presidential Campaign said Nwabueze got emotional during the meeting.

Sowunmi, who posted a photo showing Atiku and the Igbo leader in a warm embrace tweeted Wednesday night: “Touching moment Prof Ben Nwabueze almost moved to tears.”

“I will not die until your become president”, he quoted Nwabueze as saying.

The endorsement of Atiku was taken by Southeast elders, comprising political, traditional and religious leaders as well as women groups.

The communiqué read by a legal luminary, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN said: “The summit deliberated on the State of Ndigbo in Nigeria today especially after years of exclusion from the center.

“This country has never been as divided as it is today. We Igbos have always yearned for a level playing field with justice, equity and fairness.

“The Summit recognized the nomination of His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi Former Governor of Anambra State as the Vice Presidential Candidate of the PDP and fully endorses this nomination.

“It was acknowledged that this nomination puts Ndigbo back in the center of governance. It is therefore important that Ndigbo should rally behind the Atiku/Obi ticket.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/i-will-not-die-until-you-become.html

Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi, will both miss out on this year’s Ballon d’Or award.

This claim was made by respected journalist, Eric Macruth, who works for French radio station, RFI.

Recall that Ronaldo and Messi were shortlisted for the Europe topflight individual prize last month.

Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the award for ten years now.

The pair had won an incredible five awards each, with Ronaldo equalling Messi’s tally last year.

According to Express UK, Macruth disclosed that Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric will win the 2018 Ballon d’ Or, while Real Madrid defender, Raphael Varane and Paris Saint-Germain forward, Kylian Mbappe will be among the three-man final shortlist ahead of Ronaldo and Messi.

“Exclusive #BallondOr: After counting half the votes, the head trio is as follows: 1) Modric 2) @raphaelvarane 3 @KMbappe. @xbarretfoot @RFIRadioFoot Info @RFIsports,” Macruth tweeted.

The 2018 Ballon d’ Or award will take place on 3rd December, 2018.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/2018-ballon-dor-ronaldo-messi-miss-out.html

Olamide is undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s most successful musicians ever. The rapper/singer has studied the Nigerian market and keeps churning out music to suit the music needs of Nigerians.

This month, Olamide took delivery of a Bentley. Little wonder, many ask if he is just into music or has his hands tied in some other business.

The rapper has a response to that.

He wrote,“They asked me what else am into apart from making music – I tell em “I shaku on the beat as well �”.

For those who don’t know, Shaku shaku is a popular viral dance in Nigeria.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/olamides-reveals-what-else-he-does.html

Chris Ezike, on Monday, assumed duty as the new Commissioner of Police (CP) in Abia.

Ezike, who was in charge of the Department of Research and Planning, Community Policing, Force Headquarters, Abuja, took over from Anthony Ogbizi, NAN reports

Speaking at the formal handover, at the CP’s office, Ezike said that he would partner with the communities in setting agenda and proffering solution to security challenges in Abia for better result.

He said that as a community-based organisation, the command under his watch would carry the communities along in the discharge of its duty to the people.

He also said that the command would apply the “best practice principle” that would not compromise the quality of the police force but add value to the lives of the citizenry.

“I owe it a duty to God to discharge my duty to the best of my ability,” he said.

He promised to hold strategic meetings with the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Heads of Units to properly acquaint himself with relevant information on the crime situation in Abia.

He said that he would specifically require information on crime statistics for the last three months, logistics and manpower holdings at the various divisions and area commands.

Ezike lauded his predecessor for his proven dedication and commitment in strengthening security for lives and property in the state.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/abia-gets-new-commissioner-of-police.html

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiolas has explained why his side defeated Manchester United 3-1 in Sunday’s Premier League derby clash at Etihad.

Three goals from David Silva, Sergio Aguero and IIkay Gundogan ensured victory for Guardiola’s men.

Forward, Anthony Martial’s lone strike was not enough to get a point for Jose Mourinho’s side.

Guardiola said his City defeated United because his players played better in the second half of the encounter.

“The first half was not so good, we played like ‘I don’t want to lose the ball’ but not with the intention to attack, or to do something,” Independent UK quoted Guardiola as saying at post-match.

“I felt when I watched my team, that we felt the pressure. The second half, we started much, much better. After we conceded, always it’s inevitable to think about last season what happened again in that situation. But we didn’t concede one other chance, we defend so well. The last 30 minutes we made a very, very good game.”

“After the second goal, the most satisfying [thing] is after 2-1, we react well. We are stable. We didn’t concede chances. Step by step we regain our game again. And after of course, after the third goal was easier.”

The win against United means City now occupies the top position in the Premier League log with 32 points from 12 games.

Man City will take on West Ham United in their next Premier League clash on November 24.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/epl-guardiola-reveals-why-man-city.html

The last set of Premier League fixtures before the international week, will be played this weekend.

Brighton travel to Cardiff City in the first game of the day.

The 4pm matches will see grief-stricken Leicester City welcome Burnley, Watford away at Southampton and Hudderfield take on West Ham.

Crystal Palace welcome Tottenham Hotspur in a London Derby later in the day.

Saturday, November 10
13:30 Cardiff City vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:00 Huddersfield Town vs West Ham United
16:00 Leicester City vs Burnley
16:00 Newcastle United vs AFC Bournemouth
16:00 Southampton vs Watford
18:30 Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/livescore-latest-premier-league-results.html

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has reacted to House of Representatives accusation that he illegally approved the release of the sum of N5, 865, 671, 939.26 in June 2017 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

This was contained in a report released on Thursday by the House Committee on NEMA.

The report, whose recommendations were based on findings from a thorough investigation by the Hon Ali Isa J.C House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, was adopted by the House.

Reacting, Osinbajo through his spokesman, Laolu Akande, said the lawmakers’ conclusion was both false and misleading.

He said: “To start with, it is important to understand the context of the transaction. This was at a time when internally displaced persons and their host communities faced very severe food shortages throughout the North East, as a result of successive poor harvests and abandoned farmlands, minimal cross-border cash crop trade and lost economic opportunities.

“On 15th April 2017, the United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP), a major aid organisation and food supplier to the region, had issued a warning that it would be reducing its vital support to about 1.8 million IDPs by as much as 85%, due to corresponding reduction in funding by the donor countries. Around the same time, the United Nations Commission for Refugees in Geneva also warned of the growing risk of mass deaths from starvation among people living in the conflict areas.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) moved urgently to prevent the looming disaster by establishing a strategic food intervention plan for the affected States. A Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Delivery to the North East was convened and the Committee met on the 13th of May, 2017 to kick off the process, with the then Acting President as Chairman. Other members of the Committee included:
(i) Minister of Finance;
(ii) Minister of Budget and National Planning;
(iii) Minister of State for Budget and National Planning;
(iv) Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development;
(v) Governor of Central Bank;
(vi) Deputy Chief of Staff to the President; and
(vii) Senior Special Assistant in the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

“Resulting from the deliberations of this and subsequent meetings, the approval referred to in the House Committee’s Report was, in fact, based on a request raised by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria as facilitator of the National Food Security Programme, vide a letter dated May 25, 2017.

“As explained in the said letter, there was an immediate need to distribute grains, including rice, maize, soya beans and sorghum, to Internally Displaced Persons through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The only way to obtain the quantity of grains required was to resort to the National Food Security Progamme (NFSP) earlier established by the Federal Government as a means of shoring up its strategic grain reserves.

“It was in consequence of the Federal Government decision to urgently purchase the stored grains for distribution to Internally Displaced Persons that the CBN made the proposal for approval of 30,905.08 Metric Tonnes at N5,229,685,333.26. Of that amount, the then Acting President eventually approved N5,036,644,933.26, after excluding bagging costs. This was pursuant to the recommendation that bagging, transportation and other logistics were best handled by NEMA.

“NEMA also originated a request to the Acting President, dated May 25, 2017, requesting the sum of N829,026,456.00 for general logistics, branding & packaging, tracking, security, personnel, media & publicity and contingency costs of taking the grains from their respective locations in Kano, Kaduna, Funtua, Ibadan and Gombe to Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Jigawa States.

“These presidential approvals were well within the clear constitutional authority of the Acting President, who needed to take emergency steps to forestall acute food shortages in the affected States and there was nothing illegal or unconstitutional about them. The approvals were duly communicated by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of Central Bank, Director General of NEMA and the Minister of Finance for implementation.

“On account of the emergency nature of the procurement, the House Committee’s assumption that the ordinary rules of procurement would apply was wrong. Section 43 of the Public Procurement Act makes provision for emergency procurement, in which case the procuring entity is allowed to engage in direct contracting for goods and file a report thereafter with the Bureau of Public Procurement.

“It is also wrong to assume that taxes and interests accruable to government from these transactions in food items were deliberately ignored or waived by neglect. Of course, we expect that any loans advanced to any of the companies would be recovered with the agreed interests, and that any profits made by such companies would be liable to tax in the usual manner.

“The suggestion that the grains were never delivered to the target States is also blatant falsehood. In actual fact, in order to ensure effective distribution of the grains, an Emergency Food Intervention Project Team was established, consisting of the Director General of NEMA and representatives of the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Department of State Security, Nigeria Police and the Presidency.

“The Committee also worked with respective State Emergency Management Agencies, as well as humanitarian agencies such as World Food Programme, International Committee of the Red Cross, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Deliveries were publicly made directly to the intended beneficiaries. In fact, the then Acting President personally inspected the electronic truck-tracking unit established in Maiduguri for the purpose of monitoring the transportation, and flagged off the food distribution on the 8th of June, 2017. Besides, there was the integration of a robust monitoring and evaluation system into the operation in order to facilitate a transparent and accountable process.

“Therefore, all insinuations on this matter regarding purported indictments and perceived violations of due process or the constitution are baseless and totally false. Such interpretations are flawed and should be utterly ignored.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/nema-osinbajo-reacts-to-reps-indictment.html

Gov David Umahi of Ebonyi on Wednesday in Abakaliki, declared that 95 per cent of states in the country cannot pay the proposed N30,000 minimum wage to workers.

Umahi, who is the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, said this while inaugurating a 36-member fact-finding committee to ascertain the mode of workers’ promotion arrears payment in states across the six geo-political zones of the states.

According to Umahi, the payment of the N30, 000 can only be realised if the federation account allocation formula is reviewed to offer more earnings to states.

“The federal government collects 52 per cent of the revenue from the federation account and when I tried to put the N30,000 figure to Local Government Areas (LGA) it means they will borrow N1billion to add to their allocation, in paying salaries.

“I will definitely not be a governor to govern such a state and will never preside over a state that will allocate 100 per cent of its earnings to pay salaries,” he said.

The governor recommended that the issue of petroleum subsidy in the country should also be reviewed as had been noted by the state and federal governments.

“We must presently have the courage to say this because a lot of money can be saved from the subsidy if properly distributed.

“When 100, 000 litres of petrol is allocated to me for instance and deducted from my allocation, it is then my business to ensure that there is no leakage.

“There is no governor or political office holder that signs cheques but civil servants as the country’s leaders and labour are just putting water inside a basket and praying God to hold it with this minimum wage issue,” he said.

He urged the country’s leaders and labour to liaise and decide on the percentage of the federation account that should be voted for salaries and other sectors.

“We should determine how much should be allocated to education, health, infrastructure among others if 100 per cent of earnings are used to pay workers salaries.

“Many states are experiencing various problems and cannot pay salaries but the people condemn their governments over their inability to provide good roads and other amenities.

“People don’t understand the problems being experienced by these states and the governors have kept quiet for long and need to speak presently,” he said.

Umahi regretted that the issue of promotion arrears for workers in the state had lingered for long and urged the committee to be sincere with their findings to find an amicable solution to it.

“We have been setting up committees on this issue and getting no results with people not being sincere and resorting to all sorts of things,” Umahi added.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/new-minimum-wage-why-states-cannot-pay.html

No fewer than five thousand members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan North East Local Government area of Oyo State, on Monday defected to the Action Democratic Party (ADP) to join the former Governor of the state, Chief Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala.

Alao-Akala is the gubernatorial candidate of the party.

The former PDP members, who denounced their membership to join the ADP at the event held in Ibadan, were led by a former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Taiwo Salawu.

The defection was witnessed by a former electoral officer in the local government area, Alhaji Jimoh Arowolo, former member Oyo Pilgrims Welfare board, Chief Olaniyi Alao, Adesina Agunbiade, Hon Tirimisiyu Ojo, Alfa Jimoh, Kehinde Balogun, Mrs Oloyede Iron lady and Mrs Janet Okunola.

Salawu, who led the decampees which included market women, traders, artisans and youths, declared that their action was as a result of the fact that Oyo state now needs the ADP governorship candidate, Alao-Akala.

He added that the state needed the former governor for the state and its people “to witness and reap real dividends of democracy”.

Salawu emphasized that “It is only Otunba Alao-Akala that has the inherent leadership qualities to govern the State having been tested and trusted”.

He maintained that Alao-Akala’s remarkable achievements had endeared him to many of his admirers, hence their resolve to team up with him for the actualization of his gubernatorial ambition.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/2019-5000-pdp-members-join-ex-oyo.html

Less than a year since it commenced lending operations in November 2017, the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) is in many significant ways helping to redefine the shape, size and depth of small business financing in the country.

This is refreshing given the urgent need to re-orient the national economy away from dependence on the oil and gas sector by building other critical growth sectors of the economy such as agriculture, services, mining and light manufacturing.

Over the years, several initiatives by government, alone or in collaboration with the private sector, either by design or implementation, have failed to close the funding gap required for this important subsector to grow in spite of the fact that it accounts for about 60 per cent of national income.

Statistics indicate that this sub-sector gets less than six per cent of commercial banks’ loan; and loans are largely short-term at high interest rates that live little room for growth.

Indeed, the bank’s operational roll-out strategy that puts eligible financial institutions at the centre, innovative ideas designed to plug systemic gaps and mitigate lending risk to the sub-sector along with the unmatched longer loan repayment durations is inspiring new levels of confidence and spurring increased enthusiasm within lending circles.

DBN’s lending products excite bank CEOs largely due to innovative attractions designed to address longstanding negative perception of the sector.
The proposed setting up of a credit guarantee subsidiary will facilitate the sharing of risks with commercial banks by providing up to 50 percent guarantee on the loans that the banks give to small businesses.

This is a huge relief. Over the years, banks have grown extremely cautious about lending to small businesses. Some of the reasons for this include a long history of non-performing loans recorded and outright losses which affected balance sheets of banks.
Preference has been for high yielding oil and gas contracts. DBN’s risk sharing feature will provide the comfort that banks require to lend to small businesses without much fear.

The implication is that more commercial banks are opening up their vaults and lending more to the sector than before.
When the bank commenced lending in November 2017, it had three micro finance banks as participating financial institutions. Today it has grown the number to nine. Recently, at an event at its head office, DBN strengthened its partnership with LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited, one of the three micro finance banks that it commenced pilot lending with in November 2017, to provide lending to about 10,000 Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) to alleviate the financial constraints they face. LAPO Microfinance Bank is a pro-poor financial institution committed to the social and economic empowerment of low-income households through provision of access to responsive financial services on a sustainable basis.

The second reason is that DBN’s access to longer term funding which supports provision of long tenors of up to 10 years with about 18 months moratorium, give the banks a brand-new product to sell to a category of customers they had hitherto shut out of the lending window.
Before the entry of DBN, commercial banks, because of the short-term nature of their funds could only finance loans that are re-payable within short time frames ranging from one to 2 years.

Small business owners looking for longer term loans of up to four, five to ten years to buy equipment, expand operations to enjoy economies of scale were unlikely to be attended to simply because the banks did not have the liquidity to handle them.
DBN’s ability to raise and make available for on-lending by its participating financial institutions longer term loans from international development finance institutions has now closed this funding gap and made it possible for banks to accommodate this category of businesses.
The significance of the unique DBN’s small business financing strategy is two-fold: The first part is that it provides a business incentive for commercial banks to draw more from their balance sheet to lend to the small businesses requiring short term credit.

This is a big deal! Over time, as the model matures with business owners paying up on time, it will help reverse the focus of commercial bank lending to the subsector.
The second implication is that the strategy provides commercial banks with another reliable and sustainable source of liquidity that they can draw on to satisfy a category of customers who require longer term loans of up to 10-year tenors to finance equipment purchase and expand their businesses.

It is also noteworthy that the longer-term financing window that DBN brings comes with its immense benefits for small business owners too. One of such benefits is helping them to conserve operational cash flow. Longer term loans help small businesses to make capital improvements, acquire equipment or purchase supplies without using operational cash flow. This helps them to leverage their earnings to grow the company and provides leverage for owner’s equity. Again, longer term loans also help small business owners to stave off investor interference by reducing the need to pursue equity investment from potential business partners. In addition, it allows small businesses to have more security when budgeting for costs and expenses, allows more flexibility and the maintenance cost are also generally low once they are secured.

At the heart of DBN’s appeal and promise is the quantum of resources at its disposal, the strong governance structure surrounding its operations, speed of disbursement that speaks to its willingness to impact the sector. Take DBN’s large financial war chest of about $1.3billion. In a recent media interview, the MD/CEO, Mr. Anthony Okpanachi stated that the bank had lined up a whopping N60billion that its participating financial institutions including commercial and micro finance banks can draw from to on-lend to small businesses. A large sum of this is targeted for lending via micro finance banks because of their reach and history of dealing with small businesses. This amount of capital injection by a single entity into the sector is unarguably unrivalled. And it’s only a slice of the sum that it has at its disposal.
The bank has already surpassed its 2018 target of lending to 20,000 micro, small and medium scale enterprises in its first full year of operations. The impact in terms of contribution to the GDP, job creation and wealth creation is bound to be huge.

The bank also understands the need for speed. DBN partner banks attest that in most cases, once they conclude internal vetting processes and requisite documentation for loan applications, DBN disburses the loans to the beneficiaries within 72hours.

The bank also has a monitoring and evaluation system that tracks to ensure that loans are used for the purpose it was given, monitors to know the impact on the business and economy in terms of job creation, business expansion and wealth creation. This holistic and proactive approach to business financing is both novel and revolutionary and if sustained will go a long way in spurring sustained growth of the small business subsector.

Another innovative aspect of the DBN Small Business Financing Strategy is the plan to finance complete start-ups. This is a promising industry that commercial banks for a lot of reasons, some owing to inadequate funding and risk do not lend to or even when they do, lend at breakneck interest rates.
In today’s age of innovation where novel ideas of graduates transited to start-ups that now dominate and define today’s world, DBN’s plan to provide the necessary financial backbone to catalyse their growth in the country is timely, relevant and portends a lot of good for the advancement of the national economy, productivity and wealth creation.

In a recent media interview, its Managing Director, Mr. Tony Okpanachi, spoke enthusiastically about this plan of the bank’s lending strategy:
“Part of what we are doing differently is that we are ready to help start-ups. As part of our capacity building initiatives, we are telling the financial institution that once a project comes and they assess it to be bankable to should reach out to us.
“This will be facilitated through the proposed credit guarantee subsidiary. It will take up the risk with them to give funding to start-ups. Our plan is to come up with products that we are going to sell through these financial institutions to fund star-ups.

“For now, we are collaborating with financial institutions themselves for their buy-in. Once that is done and we are able to earn their confidence, we will approach them with customised products that they will assist us in offering to star-ups.
“This will be in phases, but we are committed to assisting start-ups actualise their aspirations. The overall objective is to make access to funding easy for them,” he added.

Start-ups and thriving small businesses form the foundation of vibrant economies. As Nigeria exits the recession and tries to build a possible post oil economy, institutions such as DBN are going to increasingly play vital roles as catalysts that will ignite sustained growth in critical sectors of the economy such as agriculture, light manufacturing, hospitality and mining. The spirited moves by the management of DBN to create impact and support small business growth through targeted financing initiatives is therefore, relevant and should be encouraged. The participating financial Institutions (PFIs) particularly banks should embrace this noble initiative and work with DBN as good corporate citizens to ensure that this sector is provided with the resources it requires to flourish.

Adegboyega, is a public policy analyst

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/new-era-of-innovative-lending-to-msmes.html

The Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU ), Lagos State University (LASU) Chapter says it will comply fully to the nationwide lecturers strike declared by its national body within 48 hours.

Dr Adeolu Oyekan, Assistant Secretary, ASUU-LASU made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday.

Oyekan said that while there was already a substantial compliance to the strike by its members, total compliance would begin after the chapter holds its congress within the next 24 to 48 hours.

He said skeletal academic work was still ongoing in the campus adding that members were still waiting for congress decision before embarking on the strike.

According to him, the union executives have used other available platform to reach out to its members on the decision of the National Executive Council (NEC).

“Already, there is a substantial compliance from our members, but for the sake of formality, we will convey congress within the next 24 to 48 hours to brief our members.

“As you are aware that NEC is the supreme organ of our union and the directives said the strike commence immediately and in total.

“Our members from the feelers we got so far had complied but we expect total compliance from tomorrow’’.

Oyekan noted that LASU was known to always comply substantively with the directive of its national leadership and do not envisage any breech from its members.

“Any of our members you may see around now, are probably those who are yet to get information of the strike.

“For those who have received the information, they have started staying off the classroom even before we call the congress’’.

Oyekan said that the union’s strike monitoring committee would begin duty from Wednesday to ensure that members comply fully as directed.

He said that the monitoring committee would also pick members who flout the national body directive for appropriate sanction.

Mr Samuel Olalere, President, LASU Students Union (LASUSU), also confirmed to NAN that the strike had not commenced fully in the campus because ASUU-LASU chapter was yet to hold its congress.

Olalere said that academic activities were still ongoing in the institution campus.

He however, urged government to meet the demands of the union as soon as possible for the benefit of the education system and to prevent the strike from lingering.

Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, Vice -Chancellor, LASU in an interview with NAN urged ASUU and the Federal Government not to allow a breakdown of the education system.

Fagbohun said the union and the government must also return to the negotiation table and continue to actively discuss the issues constructively towards resolving them.

He said that what was happening between the union and the government was not unusual as the demands were not out of place.

“The unions are seeking for an improvement in the standard and quality of education.

“When you also look at the government, it not as if it is against the demands of ASUU but it has a challenge of scarce resources”.

The professor urged government to show sincerity of purpose in terms of keeping agreement with the union to prevent any suspicion.

He also appealed to ASUU to eschew anger and consider the current administration because the problem at hand emanated from previous governments.

“The issue at hand did not happen overnight. The problems have been there for so many years.

“So ASUU must show some understanding in the way they articulate and insist on some of these issues.

“The problem requires the understanding of all the party, government must continuously show sincerity of purposes in the negotiation.

“Rather than allow a breakdown of the system, we should consider an incremental gain.

“Our young adults and educational institutions will suffer once there is a breakdown of the system. We should therefore not allow us eventually loose what we are trying to protect”.

A check by NAN correspondent at LASU Ojo campus lecturer hall revealed that skeletal academic activities were still ongoing and normal.

NAN also reports that ASUU had directed its members would begin an indefinite strike on Monday, Nov. 5 over the non-implementation of the Memorandum of Action (MOA) signed with the Federal Government.

Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU National President said the strike would cover both the Federal and State owned universities.

Ogunyemi said all entreaties made to the Federal Government to honour the agreement with the union fell on deaf ears and they have no other option than to begin an indefinite strike action.

“ Having waited patiently for action and meaningful negotiation with reasonable men using the principle of collective bargaining.

“ASUU at its NEC meeting of Nov. 3 and 4, 2018, at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), resolved to resume the nationwide strike action it suspended in September 2017 with immediate effect.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/strike-lasu-to-comply-with-ASUU.html

A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mohammed Abba Gana, has opined that a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, will work for the emergence of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar instead of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

Gana, a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP said Tinubu will support Abubakar’s emergence because they have “common businesses.”

Speaking with The Sun, Gana stressed that the former Lagos State governor has more things in common with Abubakar than President Buhari, hence the need to work with the former Vice President.

He said, “I am sure that Tinubu may realise that he faces less danger with Atiku as president. They have common businesses and I am sure they would work together. Tinubu has more things in common with Atiku than Buhari. So at worst, in the South West, President Buhari and Atiku would split the votes.

“Otherwise, I would give Atiku 60 to 65 per cent of the votes in the South West. In the North West where Buhari comes from, the votes will be split between him and Atiku. Buhari has no chance against Atiku in the coming election. I am being very conservative in my analysis. People are really being mobilised against Buhari.

“You see, this is the problem of the APC; in 2015, they used Buhari as Mr Integrity without knowing the consequences and considering whether he would perform or not. Integrity is the tool they used but how has it helped in the development of the country. So, after about four years, Mr Integrity did not perform in the three subjects they chose for themselves.

“They are already difficult subjects for them. So, the tool of integrity for them has not been politically useful. You cannot, after four years, present only your integrity as an achievement. In 2015, we did not know him and we dwelt on integrity but in 2019, we are now looking at performance. We are talking about what is on ground and how the people feel in terms of security, economy and anti-corruption. The feeling of the people is that things have got much worse than they were in 2015.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/another-apc-member-resigns-gives-reason.html

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently keeping tabs of political activities of no fewer than four of its governors and some of its chieftains, including members of the National Assembly over their alleged support for the presidential bid of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Atiku is one of the 77 candidates expected to be on the ballot in the February 16 election against the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.

The former Vice President was a member of the APC until he defected to the PDP and eventually emerged as the leading opposition party’s presidential flagbearer last month. According to highly placed sources within the party, the decision to place a political surveillance on some of the party’s leaders is to nip any form of anti-party activities in the bud ahead of the 2019 general elections.

While stating that its not as if the party is sniffing or suspecting the leaders, he said some of those being monitored are those with antecedents of anti-party activities before, during and after elections, as well as those aggrieved with the outcome of the various primaries of the party in the country. Specifically, one of the sources hinted Saturday Telegraph that, among those being watched are two governors from the South who are said to be angry with the party and two others from the North, allegedly working with Atiku. “I can confirm to you that we are watching four governors; two from the South and two from the North. We learnt that they have been telling their people not to work for the party.

“We cannot trust them totally, that is why they have to be watched. If they are not working for us, we too should not let down our guards”, he said. The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, had recently let the cat out of the bag, when he gave a hint that three governors on the platform of the APC, and some ministers in Buhari’s cabinet are in secret talks with his party over possible defection. Speaking recently during the 81st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP, Secondus said: “Three more governors and some ministers are coming to our fold, they (APC government) are not aware. Security and economy have collapsed, they are not aware.

There are killings in different parts of the country, they are not aware. Until we reclaim power in 2019, they won’t be aware of anything.” Another source within the party hierarchy who corroborated the first source, told our correspondent that the party is ready to tame the governors to do its bidding. “The APC is not leaving any stone unturned ahead of the 2019 election especially the presidential poll which is the biggest determinant of other elections. “That is why the party is currently taking some discreet steps, howbeit, constitutional, to ensure that the party come top in 2019.

“The party has considered it necessary to get it-self updated on the political activities of some of our leaders who we feel have political, economic and perhaps social relationship with Atiku. I can tell you that about four governors and almost 12 leaders are on close watch of the party. “Of course, we are not on their trail with police or anything, but we want to make sure that they are not susceptible to anything from the other side or got blackmailed on the account of their previous relationships with some members of the opposition.”

Though the sources refused to reveal the governors involved, Saturday Telegraph investigation however showed that the issue might not be unconnected with those involved a the recent faceoff with the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, over the APC primaries. Governors Rochas Okorocha and Ibikunle Amosun of Imo and Ogun states respectively, had been talking tough against the party leadership in recent times.

While declining to mention names of the APC leaders on the radar, the second source noted that the ruling party is well aware of the various games the opposition party is planning to play ahead of the crunch battle. “Atiku was once with us and don’t forget that he was once a Vice President of this country for eight years. In that regards, you can’t rule out his pedigree of influence. He has it across as a politician and businessman, but we wont sit, fold our arms and not see how to protect what and those who are ours.

“At this stage, friendship is out, it’s all about interest. You are either for us or against us. That is why any seeming act of anti-party activity would be accordingly punished.

“Yes, some governors who are aggrieved about the primaries are part of those being kept in constant check the party and same goes for some leaders who might have benefitted from Atiku one way or the other in the past. The APC platform and Buhari’s aspiration is not where to observe the one good turn deserves another prism.

“We know some governors are his (Atiku) friends, ditto for some lawmakers. There is freedom of association but we wont let that culminate into something hurtful for our candidate and party. That is why we keep repeating our averseness to anti-party activities. Any discussion that can’t be held in the public should be kept till after Feb 16. The party will not condone any nocturnal meeting with any member of the opposition,” he said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/breaking-apc-places-4-governors-12.html

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has declared its plan to institute legal action the West African Examination Council, WAEC.

Special Adviser the President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Friday announced that the President had received the attestation certificate and confirmation of school certificate result from the West African Examination Council, WAEC.

However, in a statement made available to DAILY POST by IPOB’s media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, on Friday, he said the pro-Biafra group would take action against WAEC.

The group claimed that the result was forged.

According to them, “the IPOB High Command have this evening, being November 2, 2018, informed our international lawyers in Ghana to commence immediate legal action against West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for issuing a fraudulent certificate.

“This blatant attempt to defraud the long suffering masses of Nigeria by WAEC through electoral interference is a crime against humanity.

“Buhari should have been disqualified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for lack of proper qualification but they chose instead to coerce and/or induce WAEC into issuing a forged certificate.

“The world must know that Nigeria is a failed state on the precipice of total collapse into anarchy.

“What the fraudulent intervention of WAEC has done is to bring the moral decay at the heart of governance in Nigeria into international limelight.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/buhari-ipob-speaks-on-what-it-will-do.html

The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje on Friday denied collecting bribe from contractors handling projects in the state.

Ganduje maintained that the alleged bribery clips released by the publisher of Daily Nigerian was targetted at “tarnishing his image politically.”

The state Commissioner of Information, Muhammad Garba said this while representing the governor at the investigative committee set up by the state House of Assembly to probe the bribery allegation.

He stated that the allegation levelled against him were injurious.”

Chairman of the committee, Hon Baffa Babba Danagundi, assured the public that justice would be done to all parties involved.

Several videos have emerged online of the governors allegedly collecting a stack of dollar bills as bribe from contractors engaged in the state.

In the latest of such video which was released on Thursday evening, Ganduje could be seen receiving stacks of dollar bills while a voice was heard saying, “so far, we have received a total of $145, 000.”

Recall that last week, a third video was released showing Ganduje allegedly receiving kickbacks from contractors.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/again-ganduje-denies-collecting-bribe.html

Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday mentioned governors who were against his leadership.

Oshiomhole told State House correspondents after having a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari that out of the 23 APC governors, only three were not pleased with the outcome of the primaries in their states.

Oshiomhole said that no one could begrudge the governors for not being happy if a particular outcome did not coincide with their expectations.

He said that he neither had the power to appoint nor the power to change anything particularly when things had been properly done.

According to him, the three governors who are unhappy are his friends.

“All I have tried is to find some courage to enforce the rules and I think an overwhelming majority of the governors appreciate that I have done the best because change is not easy.

“We all want change but the process of change can be quite traumatising; because it is not painless. People have been used to a particular way of doing things; to encourage them to do them differently can be a challenge.

“So, here I am as national chairman conducting primaries, the outcome of which some very powerful people did not see their preferred candidates emerging.

“Let me say that if there is a choice between my conscience–what I believe is right and mortgaging that conscience in order to keep the job, I will have no difficulty resolving it in favour of my conscience.

“And those who know me know that at my age, I cannot learn new tricks; I am absolutely committed to justice; fairness; I a stickler to enforcement of rules; because the source of relevance is derived from rules. I have lived my life fighting for justice and fairness.’’

The APC national chairman said however, that the issues would be resolved as internal family issues as the three governors were his friends.

He said that in a moment of distress, he believed that the friendship was enough to help them to build reconciliation.

According to Oshiomhole, he respects and appreciates the governors for the fact that but for their support, he would not become APC chairman.

“And you do not go stepping on toes of those who helped you to get into position.

“But however, I thought I was clear and I remain clear that helping me to get to the position, it was to help APC to return to its core values of progressive politics, of fairness, of justice, of adherence to rule of law and total submission to the extant provisions of our party constitution.

“In doing that, you do not look at power; you look at what is; what is just.

“I think that with time, we will reconcile all these; Amosun is my good friend; we have known each other for a very long time; we exchange personal visits in addition to official visits; Zamfara governor has been the Chairman of NGF and I was an active member of that forum; we have wonderful time together and I believe in the future, we are still going to have wonderful time together.

“Governor Rochas Okorocha was one of those who had issues with my predecessor and I did my best to try and resolve those issues in a way that has given him a new platform.

“And I am happy that God used us to do that not by cheating in his favour but by doing what is right; it is just that once you stick to the goal, sometimes, you either get caught on the right side or the wrong side,’’ he said.

He said that some Abuja-based politicians were not known in their villages and they thought they were popular, but when their ‘loudness’ in Abuja failed to translate into electoral victory, they looked for who to blame.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/apc-oshiomhole-names-governors-against.html

The political happenings in the Caliphate has taken another dimension as the Sultan and other Clerics are strongly against the candidacy of the All Progressives Congress in Sokoto state, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu over allegations of Homosexuality.

Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu is currently the Deputy Governor of Sokoto. Aliyu who refused to defect alongside his principal, Governor Aminu Waziri who was the runner up in the just concluded People’s Democratic Party Presidential Primaries is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state.

LeadersNG gathered that the APC candidate is a chronic homosexual and his candidacy is backed by his alleged homosexual partner ‘Boyfriend’, the former governor of the state, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko popularly called Aluu and this development is not going down well with many political and religious leaders in the state.

A former close aide of Alhaji Aliyu who spoke to LeadersNG said everyone close to the former governor knows that Aliyu is oga’s girlfriend and he recruits young boys for him. He further stated that the APC guber candidate lure young boys into homosexuality with gifts, cars and cash and it is a well known fact in Sokoto state. The sourec also said there are cases of even rape of young boys against the APC candidate which was secretly settled by elders.

LeadersNG understands that the Nigerian law forbids Homosexuality and the bill criminalizes same-sex relationships.

The bill which was passed by the National Assembly and subsequently signed into law by former President Jonathan in 2014 contains penalties of up to 14 years in prison.

The bill bans gay marriage, same-sex and membership of gay rights groups.

In the bill, Persons who enter into a same-sex marriage contract or civil union commit an offence and are each liable on conviction to a term of 14 years in prison.

“Any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations or directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offence and shall each be liable on conviction to a term of 10 years in prison.”

Sokoto state is said to be the seat of the Caliphate and is being regarded as the spiritual headquarters of the Islamic faithfuls in Nigeria.

“It is really embarrassing for us to be hearing about disgraceful thing like this in Sokoto. We are known and revered all over the country as people with class, dignity and modesty.” – a member of the Caliphate told LeadersNG correspondent in Sokoto”.

LeadersNG further learnt that the former governor whose political progeny and gay partner is the candidate of APC, is in the habit of recruiting young boys into homosexual activities, a menace that the Caliphate is seriously fighting to curb.

The Sultan LeadersNG learned, has instructed religious leaders in the state to openly condemn and preach against homosexuality in their various mosques and other places of worship and subtly preach against the APC candidate.

It was also gathered that former governor -Wamakko has corrupted so many of the young people in Sokoto state as he buys expensive cars, jewelries and sponsors many on holidays outside the country.

Statistics have shown that Northern Nigeria has the highest rate of Child abuse, sodomy and Homosexuality activities in the entire country. The report says that Politicians and highly placed individuals in Northern Nigeria are largely involved in the illicit behavior that has left many young Northerners hopeless.

You would recall that NAN had reported About some increasing cases of child abuses by unscrupulous homosexual persons in Maiduguri, Borno State Capital.

The residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri othat the trend was rampant in the recent times and if left unchecked, it would become a norm in the society.

The report further stated that those who commit such delinquent acts on minors and others always get away with their crimes unpunished because of the influence they wield in the society.

“This unpleasant tendency should not be allowed to remain unchecked if we want to live in a decent and tolerable society, where standard ethical norms are being obeyed by all.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/apc-guber-candidate-in-sokoto-is.html

Trending report, an Indonesian airliner crashed into the sea on Monday, with the likely loss of all 189 people on board, as it tried to return to Jakarta minutes after take-off.

Lion Air flight JT610, an almost new Boeing 737 MAX 8, was en route from the capital to Pangkal Pinang, centre of the Bangka-Belitung tin mining region.

The jet vanished from radar just 13 minutes after taking off from the Indonesian capital, plunging into the ocean.

Video footage apparently filmed at the scene of the crash showed a slick of fuel on the surface of the water.

Rescue officials said they had recovered human remains from the crash site, about 15 kilometres (nine miles) off the coast.

Families are being told to go to a hospital to identify the dead.

The accident is the first to be reported involving the widely sold Boeing 737 MAX, an updated, more fuel-efficient version of the manufacturer’s workhorse single-aisle jet.

Privately owned Lion Air said the aircraft had been in operation since August, was airworthy, with its pilot and co-pilot together having accumulated 11,000 hours of flying time.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/189-feared-dead-as-plane-crashes.html

• Police arrest 93 suspects, prosecute 43

Adelani Adepegba, Olaleye Aluko and Godwin Isenyo

The Nigerian Air Force has deployed two combat helicopters, a DA-42 surveillance aircraft and a detachment of Special Forces to Kaduna State to curtail the crisis and killings going on in parts of the state.

The air force made the deployments on Sunday noting that the aircraft had started aerial patrols over flashpoints in the state and the Special Forces had joined other military personnel in Kaduna to stop “the spate of senseless killings.”

Kaduna State has been in crisis since October 18 when violent clashes reportedly claimed several lives in Kasuwan Magani in the Kajuru Local Government Area. Although the state government imposed a 24-hour curfew, it did not stop the killing of a kidnapped traditional ruler of Kachia, Dr Maiwada Galadima.

Other volatile areas where the police said hoodlums attempted to destroy places of worship included Kawo and Hayin Banki.

The air force said on Monday that it had deployed its fighter aircraft and Special Forces in the state for patrols and to restore normalcy in the troubled areas, in conjunction with other security agencies.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, stated this, noting that the air force had begun “aerial patrols over flashpoints in the state.”

Daramola said, “The NAF on Sunday deployed a detachment of Special Forces personnel to Kaduna in support of internal security operations in the state. The detachment will join other NAF personnel in Kaduna and other security agencies to ensure that the spate of senseless killings in some parts of the state is brought to a complete end and normalcy expeditiously restored.

“The deployment is in addition to the earlier deployment of two helicopters and a DA-42 Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft on October 22. Both aircraft and others have since been conducting aerial patrols over flashpoints in the state.”

Also, the police have arrested 93 suspects in connection with the killings and wanton destruction of properties in Kaduna State.

The force said 43 of them were being prosecuted while 50 suspects under investigation would be arraigned in court soon.

The police spokesman, Moshood Jimoh, who disclosed this in Abuja on Monday, while parading some kidnap suspects, explained that investigation was being intensified to arrest other suspects still at large.

He gave the assurance that the police in collaboration with other security and safety agencies would continue the ongoing confidence-building patrols throughout Kaduna State “in order to sustain the normalcy that has been restored.”

Jimoh said the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 7 headquarters, to meet with all the stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the police have paraded 10 suspects who allegedly robbed one Abdulbasir Jargaba in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina, of valuables and also abducted his son.

They are Hussaini Abdullahi, 42; Ibrahim Umar, 60; Abubakar Idris, 20; Samaila Abdullahi, 28; Saidu Ibrahim 20 and Halidu Ibrahim, 30.

Others included Shaibu Maikudi, 20; Ibrahim Alhasan, 45, Mohammed Adamu, 22 and Shehu Lawal, 32.

The police said five AK4 rifles, one locally made pump action rifle and 105 AK47 ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

Jimoh said, “On August 12, 2018, the suspects invaded the house of Jargaba and kidnapped his eight-year-old son, Abdulhazeez Basir, held him in captivity for 11 days and released him after collecting ransom.

“The operatives of the IGP Special Strike Force on violent crimes working on actionable intelligence trailed the suspects to their hideout in Birnin Gwari Forest off Sabowa Road, Katsina, Katsina State and arrested them after a fierce gun battle.”

Meanwhile, normalcy has begun to return to Kaduna metropolis and its environs following a week of unrest which led to the killing of hundreds of persons and the destruction of property in the state.

Commercial activities gradually picked as the major market in the metropolis – Sheik Gummi Central Market- was open to residents.

But most shop, especially those belonging to the Igbo traders in the heart of the city, were still under lock and key.

A communal crisis broke out last Thursday at Kasuwan Magani over a disagreement between the Adara youth and Hausa, leading to the killing of hundreds of people.

The police in the state confirmed the killing of 55 persons during the clash and another 26 confirmed by the State Emergency Management Agency following a reprisal in the state capital.

Coming out of two crises after the relaxation of the 24-hour-curfew imposed on the state, residents still watch over their backs for fear of the unknown.

Though banks and other financial institu banks notified customers of closure at 2 pm.

Residents holed for week besieged Automated Teller Machine as early as 7 am to withdraw cash. Some were disappointed.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/kaduna-killings-military-deploys.html

The Police have arrested 93 suspects in connection to the crisis in some parts of Kaduna State.

The suspects arrested, according to the Police were actively responsible for the mayhem that took place in the State.

The Police also disclosed that some suspects involved in the abduction and murder of a traditional ruler, Agom Adara, Mr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima have been arrested.

The Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood disclosed this in Abuja on Monday when he paraded 18 suspects for kidnapping, armed robbery and car snatching.

Moshood said: “So far, we have arrested 93 suspects for being actively responsible for the crisis in Kasuwar Magani in Kaduna South and for other crisis that occurred in other Local government areas within Kaduna State.

“43 of the suspects are being prosecuted as we speak, while 50 are currently in Police custody and investigation is ongoing to know the level of their involvement in the activity.

“The 93 suspects are from different divides and from across borders.”

Moshood also said that the IGP has directed that no stone be left unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators and sponsors of the mayhem are brought to book.

He also assured residents and travelers of adequate security within and outside Kaduna State.

According to him: “The AIG in charge of Zone 7, Taiwo Lakanu is still on ground to supervise the security architecture and we will ensure that permanent peace is sustained.

“Normalcy has been restored and the period of curfew has been relaxed. Residents and travelers are assured of adequate security.”

On whether those who killed the Agom Adara were part of the 93 arrested, he said: “We are deep into investigation of that matter and some suspects have been arrested but I won’t tell you the details yet.

“We want to ensure that anybody who has hand in the killing of the traditional ruler for whatsoever reason are arrested and prosecuted appropriately.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/93-suspects-arrested-over-kaduna-crisis.html

Chief Tony Anenih, a former Minister of Works and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is dead.

The former Minister of Works at the celebration of his 85th birthday on Saturday, August 4, 2018, complained about his health.

He specifically said that “the celebration is necessary over my health, current state of mind, with the unfortunate recent losses that befell my family in quick succession”.

Anthony Akhakon Anenih was born in Uzenema-Arue in Uromi.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/breaking-tony-anenih-is-dead-full.html

After the PDP presidential primaries which saw the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s flag bearer for the 2019 presidential elections, a lot of media reports, online messages and sponsored analysis of the political scene have suggested that the PDP candidate will defeat President Muhammadu Buhari who himself defeated an incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 with a wide margin.

Nothing can be further from the truth as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar cannot now or ever prevail against President Buhari in any nationwide or statewide contest for that matter, not even in the former Vice President’s home state of Adamawa which President Buhari won decisively in the 2015 polls.

Firstly the Waziri Adamawa (Atiku Abubakar) is a weak candidate without a solid political or populist base either in his state the Northeast region or the nation as a whole. He has never contested an election on his individual standing apart from the Adamawa state governorship election in 1999 which he won largely on the platform of the PDM political machinery founded and dominated by the late Tafidan Katsina, General Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua.

Indeed Atiku did not win that state election on his own merit but emerged triumphant due to the name recognition of the late Tafidan as he, Atiku was a virtual political unknown, a loyal protégé of his mentor who rode to political fortune and favour on the tide of voter sympathy for the travails of his late boss. In the 2003 elections, then President Olusegun Obasanjo re-nominated him as his vice president and the victory of the PDP ticket was largely as a result of the massive rigging machinery deployed by the electoral agencies and the PDP sponsored security apparatus which was given matching orders to return President Olusegun Obasanjo at all costs.

Then national chairman of the PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh, vowed that the federal government would crush any resistance or opposition to the 2013 rigging debacle. Of course, the opposition he was referring to was the ANPP presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, who was declared winner of the elections by no less than two out of the five Supreme Court justices that adjudicated over his election petition.

During the 2014 APC presidential primaries, the Wazirin Adamawa (then Turakin Adamawa) came a distant third behind General Muhammadu Buhari and Rabiu Kwankwanso despite the fact that he outspent his other rivals 10-1 in the delegate selection process. Of course many of the delegates that were approached by his agents did not refuse the financial promises or inducements made to them though they voted their conscience at the end, thus resulting in the heavy defeat inflicted on Atiku Abubakar by General Mohammadu Buhari at the primaries.

In fact an overambitious Atiku’s overachieving desire to rule the country has seen him defect from the PDP to the ACN to the PDP again, then to the APC and back to the PDP, displaying an inconsistency and crass opportunism that has turned off key segments of the nation’s electorate who desire a leader that is loyal, consistent, dedicated and steadfast in his or her pursuit of political advancement and progress, rather than Atiku’s win at all costs mentality devoid of principle or commitment to a defined political ideology.

However, this is sharp contrast to President Muhammadu Buhari who has remained steadfast, consistent, coherent and dogged despite the massive amount of state sponsored blackmail, calumny, rumour mongering, acrimony and existential angst unleashed on his person as well as his supporters in a futile bid to derail his fast rising political profile.

In terms of electoral support and popularity, President Buhari has a virtual stranglehold on the votes from the Northeast and Northwest parts of the country, even in Adamawa state, PMB will defeat the Waziri Adamawa hands down, a fact that the Atiku campaign recognizes which explains their trumping up of spurious statistics positing that the former vice president will sweep the Southeast, Southwest and Southsouth regions of the country.

In fact President Buhari will win the Southwest region resoundingly and given the high percentage of registered voters there compared with the Southeast and Southsouth, this will give the President an edge if the votes are combined with those of the Northwest and Northeast regions. The Northcentral region voted for President Buhari in 2015 and will definitely do so again as most of their people are aware that the recurrent communal crises in the region are as a result of the cynical machination of conniving and desperate political, charlatans and not sponsored by the APC led federal administration or President Muhammadu Buhari for that matter. Coming to the Southeast and Southsouth which the Atiku campaign machinery has boasted of sweeping by a wide margin, all objective indicators point to a rather nuanced scenario as unlike in 2015, the APC has made a lot of impact and inroads into the two regions and many of their people will definitely vote for Mr.

President given the sincere and visible determination of his administration to reconstruct their dilapidated infrastructure e.g roads, bridges, railways, ports, harbours etc that has suffered decades of neglect by successive federal administrations including those dominated by the ruling PDP for a whopping 16 years. Even if the former Vice President manages to win in those regions, the margin of victory will not be as colossal as the Atiku campaign/ media pundits posit. However, his victory in the Southeast and Southsouth will not be sufficient to save him from a massive defeat in the presidential elections as the combined votes of the Northwest, Northeast, Northcentral and Southwest will dwarf the votes of those regions.

– Amozie, a political affairs analyst, wrote from Aba, Abia state.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/why-president-buhari-will-defeat-atiku.html

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday inaugurated the $600 million (N216billion) Port Harcourt International Airport terminal funded by the Export-Import Bank of China and the Nigerian Government.

The terminal was constructed by China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC). The company is also constructing new terminals in Abuja, Kano and Lagos International Airports.

The President also assured that his administration was deliberately working to sustain the development of infrastructure for economic growth in all geo-political zones of the country.

He said opening of the new terminal building of the Port Harcourt International Airport represents a significant landmark for international air travellers, particularly from the south-south geopolitical zone, and the entire country.

Speaking during the commissioning of the new terminal building at the Port Harcourt International Airport Complex, Omagwa in Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State, President Buahri expressed regrets that since the opening of the airports across the country in the late 1970s and early 1980s, not much was added to increase the passenger handling capacity of these facilities by successive administrations.

He said, “You will recall that after opening the major airport terminals in the country in the late 70s and early 80s, not much was added to increase the passenger handling capacity of these facilities by successive administrations.

“Following the large increase in national population with consequent surge in air passenger traffic, the capacity of the airport terminals became woefully inadequate to cater for the increase in passenger traffic.

“Although, palliative measures were periodically carried out, the facilities were fast giving-in to the effects of wear and tear. It therefore became necessary to take decisive action to ensure our terminals meet minimum international standards for the travelling public.

“The federal government responded to a global trend in which aviation became a catalyst for economic growth as a result of massive and speedy movement of persons, goods and services in a safe and secure manner.

“As part of the infrastructure renewal program, the construction of four new international terminals at Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano airports was embarked upon by the federal government with a view to modernising the aging airport infrastructure to meet global aviation standards and improved service delivery in tandem with best international practices.

“Today’s commissioning is an example of Government’s deliberate policy to sustain the development of infrastructure for economic growth in all geo-political zones of the country.”

Buhari praise the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Chinese government and the China Exim Bank for their financial support and the various roles they played towards the successful completion of the project.

“At the presentation of the 2017 budget to the national assembly, I promised to upgrade and develop Nigeria’s transport, power and health infrastructure, and complete a number of stalled infrastructure projects.

“These include construction of new terminals at the country’s five major airports; numerous major road projects; key power transmission projects; and the completion of the Kaduna – Abuja as well as Itakpe to Warri Railway lines.

“Nigeria having an advantageous central location within the sub-region and our desire to develop into a regional air transportation hub, must upgrade its facilities to take advantage of its assets.

In his speech, Rivers State governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, said the new airport terminal building would boost the economy of Rivers State as well as create jobs for people of the state.

“For this today, the people of Rivers State and people of the Niger Delta are happy for seeing this. What you are doing today will boost economy of the state, create employment for people. It would bring investors to this state.

“Mr. President has directed that the domestic wing of the airport be commissioned in December. I hope my friend (Hadi Sirika) will keep to it so that the people of Rivers and Niger Delta will continue to be happy with President Buhari.

“Mr. President what has happened today is a clear statement to the fact that Rivers State is safe, secure for people to come and invest. If the state were not safe CCECC would not have come to complete this project,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, said the project, which commenced in February 2014, along with three other airports in Lagos, Abuja and Kano, was funded through the China Exim Bank loan of $500million with another $100million counterpart fund from the government of Nigeria.

Sirika said although the expected time for the completion of the project was two years, work was below 30 per cent as at the time the Buhari-led administration came on board in 2015, due to technical challenges.

“The project along with three others in Lagos, Abuja and Kano commenced in February 2014, is funded through China Exim Bank loan of $500million with another $100million counterpart fund from the government of Nigeria.

federal government appropriation would follow suit on due course.

“The new terminal being commissioned has capacity for seven million passengers annually, 15 times the number of total passengers for entire Ghana for emphasis.

“Today, aviation remains the safest means of transportation. Under current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, transport sector continues to undergo series of reform to sustain international best practice to ensure safety and security,” Sirika added.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/pmb-commissions-n216bn-port-harcourt.html

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has given reasons why the Abuja-Lagos rail line cannot travel faster than 90 kilometres per hour.

Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State disclosed that the locomotive can’t run beyond 90 kilometers per hour in order not to kill cattle on its route.

Vanguard quoted the Minister as saying the last time the locomotive ran at 100 kilometer per hour, it killed many cattle.

He said, “The reason we want to go back to narrow gauge is because, between Lagos and Kano, we have 30 million tonnes of cargo. Even if you do three rail lines, it cannot be enough.

“It took us 14 days to move coaches from Lagos to Abuja; every day we go and ask, how far, they say we are near Ogun state… 14 days.

“But if it were rail, the same day, it will get to Abuja. The kind of construction we are doing is 120 kilometres per hour (Km/h), it is a speed train.

“We are doing 90km/h with Abuja to Kaduna, the reason we are doing 90km/h is because there are cows everywhere, and we don’t want to kill cows. The other day they tried 100 and they killed how many cows, and they said ‘you people should replace the cows you killed.

“From that day, I have said let us maintain the 90km/h; at 120km/h you get to Kaduna in one hour. You can work in Kaduna and live in Abuja. It was initially one, but now, we have done four locomotives with 14 coaches.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/why-abuja-rail-cant-run-more-than.html

The Police in Plateau on Wednesday said 27 persons suspected to be involved in armed robbery, rape and other criminal activities in the state had been apprehended.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Austin Agbonlahor, disclosed this when presented the suspected to newsmen in Jos.

According to him, the suspects were arrested at different times and locations between September and now.

“You all know that I just took over last month as Commissioner of Police in this state, but we have recorded some achievements within this short time.

“In line with our constitutional mandate of protection of lives and property of citizens, we have so far arrested 27 suspects over various offenses.

“Some of these offenses include car and tricycle snatching, armed robbery, rape, criminal conspiracy, and culpable homicide.

“They have all admitted to committing the crimes and we shall soon charge them to court when investigations are concluded,” he said.

The commissioner said that efforts had been intensified to arrest some of the criminals in connection with the crimes, but were still at large.

He commended the officers and men of the command for their commitment to duty and resilience, and urged them to sustain the tempo.

Agbonlahor also thanked residents of the state for supporting the police in its bid to stem crimes, and admonished them to report any suspected movements in their areas to security agencies. (NAN)

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/police-nab-27-armed-robbery-rape.html