₦airaland Forum

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is committed to national unity and religious harmony.

He urged Nigerians to embrace the effort.

He gave the assurance on Sunday during the 10th Anniversary of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) and N5bn launch of MUSWEN International Centre in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president’s message was read at the event by Mr Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education.

Buhari urged religious leaders to embrace religious tolerance to achieve peaceful co-existence and national unity, re-stating his administration’s commitment to religious harmony and national unity.

The president commended MUSWEN and its leaders for their contributions to national growth and development, saying the south west Muslim leaders were the most dedicated.

Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, also urged all to always extend hands of fellowship to others, irrespective of religious beliefs, ethnicity and status in the society.

He counseled Nigerians to eschew the use of foul languages on others even when they felt so much aggrieved, saying the nation could only achieve greatness through tolerance and unity of purpose.

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, in a keynote address entitled “Muslim Voice on Good Governance”, said the topic was timely considering the challenges facing the country.

He said that Islam and Muslim political heritage had profound principles, norms and practices for good governance, saying such predated modern democracy which was about 200 years.

“Muslims should be at the fore front in advocating and leading with examples in good governance.

“This has become necessary because our political culture has deteriorated and increasingly mercantile, where money is everything.

“This is responsible for bad governance that has characterised the polity, subverted development, perpetrated poverty as well as elicited the unending social conflicts.”

Sanusi said money-based politics would continue to fuel unprecedented corruption seen in the society today, saying pristine values as a people had been supplanted and the future thrown into jeopardy.

He urged all political, spiritual and traditional leaders to join hands in salvaging the polity from the danger posed by the current political culture.

According to him, “we have to take leadership seriously and cannot ignore centuries old wisdom which places high premium on leadership and criteria for shouldering responsibilities.

“The consequences of ignoring the standards are already showing and we must not wait until the bubble bursts. We cannot allow full reins to money politics and expect the eradication of corruption.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/buhari-sultan-sanusi-speak-on-nigerias.html

At least four people have been feared killed by unknown gunmen in Aluu community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

DAILY POST gathered that gunmen, who are suspected to members of a cult gang, invaded a beer palor within Omuada village in Aluu, Friday night and opened fire on their targets.

The hit was directed at a group of boys drinking on a table, alongside a female.

An eyewitness to the incident revealed that the gunmen struck shortly after he left the scene to receive a call.

He identified three of the victims as members of a rival cult.

Spokesman of the Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni is yet to react to the development as at press time.

http://www.ebiscoo.com/67/gunmen-invade-beer-parlour-kill-four-in-rivers#133

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has said it was not in a position to determine whether an end to its ongoing strike is in sight.

ASUU Chairman, University of Abuja chapter, Dr. Ben Ugheoke, said this on Wednesday in an interview with DAILY POST in Abuja.

Recall that the lecturers, penultimate week embarked on industrial action over the failures of the Federal Government to implement its part of the agreement it signed with the union towards ensuring proper funding of the universities, the payment of full salaries by state-owned universities, and the payment of earned academic allowances, among others.

Speaking, Dr. Ugheoke explained that the onus lay with the Federal Government to call ASUU to the negotiation table with a view to bringing an end to the strike.

“I can’t tell if an end to the strike is in sight. If the Federal Government calls us for negotiations, we are not against that. But, we are in the government’s position,” he said.

On whether his chapter of the union had plans of pulling out of the ongoing industrial action, he said: “The strike is national. Whatever ASUU’s NEC (National Executive Council) directs, that’s what UNIABUJA chapter follows.”

Meanwhile, ASUU National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, has said the union was ready to commence negotiations with the government over the ongoing strike.

Ogunyemi said a meeting with the Federal Government delegation has been scheduled for Thursday, one o’clock at the instance of the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/ASUU-speaks-on-calling-off-strike.html

The name of Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, was not in the list of governorship candidates from the state displayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Sunday.

Governor Tambuwal was one of the aspirants who contested for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the party’s elective National convention.

While Tambuwal came second in the contest, the PDP sole presidential ticket was grabbed by former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

The list displayed by the electoral umpire at its INEC office situated along Kaduna road, Sokoto, contained 49 names of candidates that emerged from various parties.

Names listed for governorship in the state are: Manir DanIya (PDP) and incumbent Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, who emerged as candidates of the All Progressive Congress, APC, among others.

DanIya, a former Commissioner in Tambuwal’s administration, won the primary election of the PDP through a consensus arrangement.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/2019-election-gov-tambuwals-name.html

Mother of a four-year-old girl, Ayotomide Labinjo, who claimed that Pop star, David Adeleke, (a.k.a Davido) is the father of her child, has called out the Assurance crooner and his family to carry out a new independent deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test and also be ready to take up the paternal responsibility of the child.

She claimed that the result of the DNA test carried out by Adeleke’s family in Lagos State when the child was 10-month-old, which allegedly turned out negative, was not correct.

She alleged that Davido influenced it. She called for another test now that the child is much older.

Ayotomide noted that she was not ready to become a legal wife to the superstar.

She insisted that the singer should be bold to say the truth about the whole story and accept the fact that he’s the biological father of the child, christened Anuoluwapo Michelle Adeleke.

At a press conference organised by Kemi Olunloyo, the family’s spokesperson in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Friday, she recalled that her relationship with the artiste started in a club in Ibadan, in 2013.

According to her, they later hooked up at a hotel and also met a few months after.

She claimed that their relationship got sour when she informed Davido of her pregnancy.

“My family and I had made efforts to handle this case amicably. All efforts to reach him proved abortive, because he had blocked all access to him. Until recently, when his cousin, BRed connected with me and asked me to download Imo App in order to do video chat. He had a video chat with me, asking me if I still liked him (Davido) and asked for my age. We have also been to Osun State to meet with his family, but all our efforts did not yield a positive result. I am not interested in being his wife. All I want him to do is to take up his responsibility as the father of our child,” Ayotomide said.

Also speaking at the briefing, the daughter, Anuoluwapo, who will clock five on November 19, said: “David Adeleke is my father and he is from Osun State. I want to see him, because I have missed him so much. My favourite songs are Assurance: Chioma my lover.”

Ayotomide’s mother, Ropo Labinjo, also lamented that she was not treated well by the Adeleke family and pleaded with Nigerians to come to their aid.

She said: “I want us to have a new independent DNA test and I have urged Davido’s father to make him available whenever we are ready for that. I am a 51- year-old-woman, I cannot do any other thing since I have taken up the responsibility of my grandchild. I cannot do it alone. My husband is late too. My grandchild needs formal education. We want to carry out a fresh test on the girl. I won’t mind to sleep in the laboratory in order to have a genuine result. Davido has done a great damage to my family I want to thank Kemi Olunloyo for picking up interest in the little girl and her support in assisting us to be heard by Nigerians and the rest of the world.”

When contacted, a representative of Davido’s camp, who did not give a name, said they would not pay attention to the cooked up story by the family and Kemi Olunloyo.

“We are not interested in this matter because it is a dead issue,” the source said.

The post My daughter wants to see her father •Davido’s alleged baby mama cries out appeared first on Tribune.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/my-daughter-wants-to-see-her-father.html

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, is sweating on the fitness of Paul Pogba ahead of the Manchester Derby, after the Frenchman was forced to miss training on Friday, ESPN FC reports.

Pogba did not take part in the penultimate session before the match at the Etihad Stadium and instead trained alone indoors.

Mourinho is hopeful of having Pogba available to face Pep Guardiola’s side, after insisting at pre-match news conference there were no new “important” injuries following the 2-1 win over Juventus on Wednesday night.

The 25-year-old, who scored twice in the 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium in April, will get a chance to prove his fitness during United’s final training session on Saturday.

Mourinho will also wait to make a decision on Romelu Lukaku, who has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.

Lukaku trained with the main group on Friday, but the United boss will wait to see if he comes through training on Saturday.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/epl-why-pogba-lukaku-might-not-feature.html

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Lagos State chapter, has alleged that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC, government was buying votes ahead of the 2019 election.

The PDP described the N10,000 Trader Moni as an inducement.

In a statement on Wednesday by its Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, PDP accused the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo of going round the country, with his recent being a visit to some markets in Lagos, doling out N10,000 cash to traders.

The PDP stated that the Trader Moni empowerment scheme was “a clear action of pre-election vote-buying with the intent of buying the conscience of the traders to vote the APC in the state.”

It also described Osinbajo’s visit to Afrika Shrine as “an obvious manifestation of desperation and jitters”.

“We have no doubt that Lagosians will not vote the APC in 2019,” the statement read adding that traders could collect the money but they should vote their conscience.

PDP also reacted to explanation by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, that he was not funding Buhari’s re-election.

The PDP alleged that Buhari gave Fashola three ministerial portfolios because the former Lagos governor funded APC presidential campaign in 2015.

“This is one reason the President put Fashola, a lawyer, in charge of three hurriedly harmonised engineering ministries.

“No wonder the three sectors he is in charge of have recorded very abysmal performances,” the party fumed.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/2019-how-buhari-led-apc-govt-is-using.html

The Presidency has frowned at misinterpretation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s remarks when he received the report of the Tripartite Committee on the Review of National Minimum Wage on Tuesday.

A presidential source told NAN that the president did not endorse N30,000 as proposed by the committee as being reported.

He, however, stated that President Buhari had expressed his commitment to ensuring the implementation of a new National Minimum Wage.

“But the president’s speech at the event was immediately made available to the media and nowhere indicated that the president endorsed N30,000 Minimum wage.

“It is not the duty of the president only to endorse a new national minimum wage. The process involves the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the National Economic Council (NEC) and the National Assembly.

“It is imperative for us to always avoid misinterpreting a written speech,’’ he added.

It would be recalled that President Buhari had pledged that the Federal Government would soon transmit an Executive bill (on National Minimum Wage) to the National Assembly for its passage within the shortest possible time.

He said: “Our plan is to transmit the Executive bill to the National Assembly for its passage within the shortest possible time.

“I am fully committed to having a new National Minimum Wage Act in the very near future.’’

Buhari also expressed delight that the committee had successfully completed its assignment in a peaceful and non-controversial manner.

“Let me use this opportunity to recognise the leadership of the organised labour and private sector as well as representatives of State and Federal Governments for all your hard work.

“The fact that we are here today, is a notable achievement.

“As the Executive Arm commences its review of your submission, we will continue to engage you all in closing any open areas presented in this report.

“I, therefore, would like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/new-minimum-wage-presidency-states.html

Members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, that aspired for House of Representatives and House of Assembly on the party’s platform, in Ondo State, have dragged the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to court.

The aspirants are agitating over the outcome of the party’s primaries in the state.

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Kenneth Olawale, led the aspirants numbering 100.

The aggrieved aspirants said “There was no primary election in the state through which the candidates of the party could have emerged for next year’s general elections.”

The aspirants include Eni Omosule, Mukaila Ayorinde Ajakaye, Coker Malachi, Ayodeji Arowele, Dele Ologun, Olaposi Joe Babatunde and Agunloye Taiwo among others.

Through their lawyer, Wale Omotoso, they are asking the court to declare that the ruling APC do not have candidate for the National and State Assembly elections in the state.

They said that the ruling party violated the 2010 Electoral Act and the constitution of the country by presenting candidates for the forthcoming election without the conduct of party primaries which is one of the prerequisites for the emergence of candidates.

According to them, they were harassed, intimidated and chased out of the venues of the primaries with matchetes and guns by thugs of preferred candidates.

Aside Oshiomhole, the suit has as defendants the APC, the National Legal Adviser, Babatunde Ogala, the state chairman of the party in Ondo State, Mr Ade Adetimehin and the INEC.

The aggrieved aspirants asked for a “declaration that the subversion of the Electoral Guidelines of the APC as stipulated in its constitution by the party machinery in Ondo State in respect of the House of Representatives and House of Assembly primaries purportedly conducted on the October 5, 2018 in their failure to give the claimants opportunity of being voted for by the members of the party as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended is illegal, invalid, unconstitutional, null and void.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/apc-crisis-100-aggrieved-aspirants-drag.html

The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has appealed to both the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)/Trade Union Congress (TUC) to work together in order to avert the proposed workers’ strike in the interest of Nigeria.

Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, urged the two sides to demonstrate sensitivity and concern for the plight of ordinary Nigerians who are already battling with the harsh economic conditions in the country.

Saraki Saraki He expressed appreciation for the patience displayed by the labour leaders as he noted that the issue of the new minimum wage could have been resolved long before now. “My Appeal is for the two sides to immediately move fast, shift from their extreme positions and create a new middle ground in the negotiations for the new minimum wage.

The shift in positions can be done even before the period of the commencement of the proposed strike action so that we do not further create tension within the economy. “At this point, the interest of the people should be paramount in our minds.

Any labour strike will cause inconvenience and discomfort to our people. While the government and labour are representing the interest of the people, it is important to also ensure we avoid any action that will not show sensitivity and sensibility to the plight of the people”, Saraki stated.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/new-minimum-wage-saraki-begs-fg-labour.html

These are the stories you should be monitoring today:

The public altercation between the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun continued on Saturday as the Governor slammed the chairman over his statement that he was positioning himself as an emperor.

In a statement by the Ogun Information Commissioner, Adedayo Adeneye, Amosun queried “why the same scenario that was acceptable in Lagos but regarded as self-help in Ogun State?” stressing that Oshiomhole himself was elected National Chairman of the APC by consensus arrangement which witnessed all other contestants to the office being prevailed upon to step down for him.”

“In his conduct, Oshiomhole is opening a new chapter in the history of elections in Nigeria, a situation where a gang of desperate politicians will sit somewhere in another state and write the result of an election that never took place; what our people creatively refer to as `Offshore Rigging!’” the statement read in part.

Stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti, on Saturday removed former Governor Ayo Fayose as the leader of the opposition party in the state and affirmed Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi, as the new leader of the PDP in Ekiti and the Southwest, being the party’s highest ranking political office holder in the state and geo-political zone.

The decision formed part of the resolutions reached at Ekiti PDP Stakeholders Meeting held in Ado-Ekiti, which was attended by serving and former political office holders, with Olujimi clarifying to reporters after the meeting while Fayose was excluded from the meeting.

“We knew what he might have passed through by staying in detention and we know it might not be easy for him to attend this meeting, so there is no faction at all in our party. My being appointed the Leader does not mean there is crisis,” she said.

The Federal Government has said it will continue negotiations on the national minimum wage with organized labour on Sunday, in the interest of the nation to find a solution to the minimum wage impasse.

According to a statement credited to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, the meeting involving organised labour, the organised private sector and government will hold at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha by 6 p.m.

The meeting he said would be followed by another meeting of the National Tripartite Minimum Wage Committee on Monday at the same venue.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday said that the Federal Government had achieved a lot in all sectors of human development and democratic process, stressing that the present administration has sanctioned a lot of impunity and grand corruption that have been defined to public office in Nigeria.

Osinbajo who disclosed this while speaking at the 2017/2018 Barewa Old Boys Association annual lecture in Sokoto, added that the present administration under leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari had recorded tremendous success in the areas of security, agriculture, judiciary, legislature, among others.

“There is not a single state in Nigeria that is not undergoing a measure of FG project under the ministry of power, works and Housing,” he said.

The Federal Government has warned Nigerian elites against misleading citizens through their unguarded utterances, adding that “law enforcement agencies would fish out people who make inciting statements, instigate civil disobedience, broadcast hate speeches or stir strife, riot and rebellion and bring them to book.”

Director of Corporate Communications, National Universities Commission, Ibrahim Yakasai, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the Convocation ceremony of the University of Uyo, on Saturday issued the warning, noting that development and progress could not thrive in a hate-filled and divisive society

“I want to be very clear and equivocal, that the Federal Government will never condone or tolerate incendiary remarks from any person or group of persons, which are meant to harass, intimidate, cause fear and spread hate, no matter how highly placed such a person is.” he said.

And stories from around the world:

North Korea has warned the United States it will “seriously” consider returning to a state policy aimed at building nuclear weapons if Washington does not end tough economic sanctions against the impoverished regime. (AFP)

The top commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, said on Sunday Iran would resist and defeat a U.S. “psychological war” and sanctions against its vital oil sector. (Reuters)

Voters in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia have taken part in a referendum on whether to remain part of France or become independent, as part of a deal promised them two decades ago after a violent campaign by separatists from the indigenous Kanak people. (BBC)

Brexit has “undermined” the landmark Good Friday Agreement, which in 1998 ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has said, adding that the UK’s split from the European Union was “fraying” the relationship between Britain and Ireland and risked dividing communities in Northern Ireland (Al Jazeera)

France’s far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party jumped ahead of President Emmanuel Macron’s LREM for the first time in a poll of voting intentions for May 2019 European Parliament elections.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/the-big-5-amosun-replies-oshiomhole-you.html

If it was this easy to get WAEC to issue the "Attestation/Confirmation Certificate, why waiting this long? Why contesting four times without a single certificate? So when will the military produce the credentials that he claimed are with them? Many questions begging for answers.

Ayodele Fayose, immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, has described the controversy surrounding President Muhammadu Buhari's West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate as a "national embarrassment.

The President was presented with an 'Attestation of Result' by a WAEC official on Friday, November 2, 2018.

The presentation of the document to the President has generated much reaction from Nigerians, especially as the President had claimed in an affidavit submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that his academic credentials were with the Nigerian Army.

However, Fayose took to Twitter on Saturday to express his displeasure with the controversy surrounding the president's academic certificate.

He made his position known via a tweet that read: "If it was this easy to get WAEC to issue the "Attestation/Confirmation Certificate, why waiting this long? Why contesting four times without a single certificate? So when will the military produce the credentials that he claimed are with them? Many questions begging for answers.

"My consolation is that (provided they will allow votes to count) Nigerians will have the opportunity of ending this national embarrassment in 4 months time. I have never seen a nation that has been so embarrassed by a mere question of 'Mr President, where are your credentials?'"

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/fayose-still-dissatisfied-despite.html

Accuses Amosun, Okorocha of desperation
Party orders fresh congress in Rivers

By Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole has said that President Muhammadu Buhari will repeat the feat of beating the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar in an electoral contest.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on yesterday, he also dismissed insinuations that the ruling party has erupted into crisis over the primary elections, especially with the opposition mounted by some aggrieved governors.

Oshiomhole said the major grouse of the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha and his counterpart from Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun was his inability to help them establish political dynasties in their states.

With respect to the recent Supreme Court judgment, which annulled all levels of party executive in Rivers state, Oshiomhole said as a law abiding entity, the party had decided that there would a fresh congress in the state.

Oshiomhole also apologised to the Supreme Court over the invasion of a High Court in the River State capita, Port Harcourt by supporters of a faction of the APC during a court hearing., Oshiomhole said the party would be setting up reconciliation panels to be headed by eminent party members to help heal the wounds and assuage the feelings of aggrieved members ahead of the 2019 general elections. On the strategies for the 2019 general elections, Oshiomhole said the party was still intact and would be marshalling out plans for campaigns.

“Now that our opponent is Atiku Abubakar, we will defeat again the way we have defeated him before and I have confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari will return because he has the quality which none of them has – integrity”.

He described the move by Amosun and Okorocha to cast him and the National Working Committee in bad light as unwarranted.

On the injunction given to him by Okorocha to always abide by the rule of law, Oshiomhole said the governor is preaching to the converted.

Oshiomhole who described actions of Okorocha against the Christian community in Imo State as an embarrassment to APC said the party was not ready to join him in antagonising his people.

According Oshiomhole the desperation to have to himself a Senate ticket and a governorship ticket for his son-in-law amounted to turning Imo state into his family dynasty.

He said Okorocha had been a beneficiary of the party’s adherence to rules and procedures adding that the new leadership had taken measures to redo the congress in Imo state which now gave the structures back to his loyalists.

” We followed due process to rescue him because the congresses conducted by my predecessor swept Okorocha out of the system but the NWC thought it wise to restore due process and ordered fresh congress in the state.

“Yesterday, I watched Okorocha on television urging me to obey the rule of law.”

He explained that the after the NWC studied the report of the Ahmed Gulak-led governorship primary election committee for Imo State, it was convinced that it did a good job and therefore approve the candidacy of Senator Hope Uzodinma.

on the tussle for the Ogun State governorship ticket, Oshiomhole said that he had submitted the name of Dapo Abiodun as its candidate.

He accused Amosun of resorting to self-help by boycotting the authentic primary election approved by the party to go and conduct his own version. “However, Ogun state governor decided in his wisdom to conduct its own self help, I mean resorting to what you can call self-help by conducting what he called his own primary,” he said.

Oshiomhole also accused both Amosun and Okorocha of attempting to armtwist the party using exparte motions from courts but to no avail.

Speaking on the fate of APC in Zamfara State, Oshiomhole said the party had sought legal advice from its lawyers and would be heading to the court to ensure that it fields candidates for elections in 2019.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/oshiomhole-buhari-will-defeat-atiku.html

Former Governor of Abia State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Orji Kalu, has regained consciousness after undergoing a major surgery in Germany.

The frontline politician and his wife, Mrs Ifunanya Kalu, had boarded a flight on Lufthansa Airline from Abuja to Wiesbaden, Germany on Monday.

Kalu, who had been suffering from an undisclosed and life-threatening ailment, upon arrival in Germany on Tuesday, was rushed in an ambulance to Helios Klinik, Wiesbaden.

The APC chieftain, who is asthmatic, has been in and out of the said hospital in the past few months.

According to Kalu’s wife, Ifunanya, who is with her husband in the German hospital, the former governor was admitted into the operating theatre for a major operation on Wednesday.

“Although the surgery was successful, my husband will still have to be monitored closely by a medical team for at least four months in order to prevent complications.

“His condition is improving gradually.

“He will be fine, if he is able to keep to his doctor’s advice.

“We appreciate the prayers and kind words from friends, associates, well-wishers and Nigerians in general”, she told Daily Sun.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/orji-kalu-undergoes-surgery-in-germany.html

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has reacted to the claim of Amnesty International, AI, that the Nigerian military and the police engaged in horrific use of excessive force that led to the killing of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shi’ites, during “peaceful” protests.

A statement from the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier-General John Agim, on Friday, said the worrisome narrative of AI in matters of national security and cohesion of Nigeria has continued unabated in spite of verifiable evidences to the contrary.

“The Amnesty international’s hate and disdain for peaceful co-existence of Nigerians is manifested in the ways it consistently fabricates lies and gives negative narrative of issues related to Nigeria’s national security and its military. The AI report is not a true reflection of what transpired in the last few days.

“For the sake of the good people of Nigeria and the international community who quest for the truth, what the AI “cooked up” in that report is a figment of its own imagination to further paint Nigeria black among the comity of nations. The military has never been sent to stop the protesting Shi’ites group at any given time. On the events referred to by the AI, the soldiers were not after the protesting Shi’ites, neither was there such number of casualties.

“Instead, a convoy from the Army Headquarters Garrison Abuja was conducting a routine shipment of ammunition and missiles to a military formation in Kaduna escorted by troops when they ran into the protesters at Zuba in FCT.

“The protesting Shi’ites prevented the convoy from proceeding on its mission but rather attempted to overrun the escorts to cart away the shipment. Hence, the troops had to protect the goods and extricate themselves from the imminent mob action by applying minimum force.

“The following day, the IMN also had another confrontation with the military at a popular checkpoint along Nyanya – Mararaba road leading into the FCT. Everyone living in or transiting the FCT knows that the military checkpoint had been established since 2014 after the Boko Haram Terrorist attack on Nyanya Motor Park.

“Unfortunately, the group tried to overrun the checkpoint in which the military resisted. In all these attacks, the IMN was the aggressor while the military only acted in self defence. The Shi’ites actions were planned and premeditated as the group were aware of the existence of the military checkpoint and were prepared to confront the soldiers.

“The casualty of IMN stands at 4 wounded and 3 dead at Zuba while at the Nyanya – Mararaba road checkpoint, 3 died with 3 wounded. The military also had 6 of its personnel seriously wounded and currently at intensive care,” the statement read.

The DHQ reiterated its earlier position that the narratives of AI are outright falsehoods and calculated attempts at whipping up sentiments and misleading unsuspecting Nigerians as well as demoralizing friendly nations.

“The organization has continued to churn out reports that are outside the confines of the principles of objectivity, truth and balance reportage which provides all sides to the story the way it happened. Sadly, AI’s past activities in Nigeria and its negative reportorial of the Nigerian Armed Forces is capable of emboldening the IMN in its unwholesome activities.

“Also, what AI is doing could stop friendly nations from collaborating with Nigeria in its war against insurgency. The intentions of AI in Nigeria have remained suspect as the organization is always silent on the other side of issues.

“Nigerians who witnessed how military troops on legitimate duty came under unprovoked attacks from IMN members both in Zuba area of the FCT on Sunday, 28 October 2018 and at a security checkpoint in Mararaba, Nasarawa State on Monday, 29 October 2018 have videos and images of wounded soldiers and damaged military vehicles with audio commentaries.

“These are available in the public domain. Unfortunately, Amnesty International did not see anything wrong with these unprovoked subversive attacks on Nigerian military and other innocent passersby but was quick to refer to the activities of IMN from whom dangerous weapons and ammunition including Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), guns, knives and cutlasses were recovered as a peaceful protest.

“This goes further to prove the point that Amnesty International does not mean well for Nigeria. This is also in tandem with their previous reputation of denigrating the security forces anytime they make gains against the forces of evil to incite the Nigerian public and international community against the Military.

“The Defence Headquarters wishes to appeal to the general public and the international community not to be carried away with AI’s usual falsehood and blackmail which is calculated towards promoting the forces of darkness to destabilize Nigeria,” Agim said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/el-zakzaky-dhq-dismisses-amnesty.html

Donald Duke has finally revealed his total earning between 2015 to 2017

– The former governor in his clearance form submitted to INEC said he earned N5.6 million in three years

– He also said he paid a tax of N400,000 within this stated period of years
A former governor of Cross River state and the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Donald Duke, has said that he earned N5,618,419 between 2015 and 2017.
Duke, in his tax certificate with serial number 290664 which was attached to his clearance form CF001 made this known to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, he also paid a tax of N400,000 within the said period of three years through his business.

Punch reports that the former governor also said that he has never been indicted for fraud by a judicial panel.

He also claimed that he had never been involved in certificate forgery.
Also attached in Duke’s clearance form is his Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) from the West African Examination Council (WAEC) which indicated that he passed all subjects in 1977.
However, mathematics was not listed among the subjects he sat for.
It was also shown that the former governor graduated from Ahmadu Bello University with a Second Class (lower division) in law.

Meanwhile, we previously reported that Duke had said he would be a better president judging from what he said were the failings of the current administration.
The former governor in an interview with DW Africa said the leadership in the country was totally out of tune with the current reality in the nation.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/donald-duke-has-finally-exposed-his.html

No fewer than 5,000 members of Kwankwasiya group in Kebbi State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Kwankwasiyya is the political structure of Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso who represents Kano Central senatorial zone in the National Assembly.

Members of the group were received by the Deputy Governor of Kebbi, Alhaji Samaila Yombe, at the APC Secretariat, Birnin-Kebbi on Tuesday, NAN reports.

On why the members defected to the ruling party, the group’s former State Organising Secretary, Abdullahi Nayalwa, noted that they took the decision because of the landmark achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Abubakar Bagudu in agriculture and other sectors.

“We have finally dumped PDP and joined APC because APC administration is the only government that can bring change and unity in the country.

“We have gone to the market and the market was not favourable. We decided to return home with over 5,000 of our members and more are coming by God’s grace,” he said.

Receiving the defectors, Yombe commended them for taking the decision to return to the APC and assured them of equal treatment.

The deputy governor, who described their return to the party as timely, also said that they had chosen the right path.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/5000-kwankwasos-supporters-dump-pdp-for.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has said it will require more than one election cycle to fix Nigeria and deliver the promised change.

According to him, the change promised by his government was not an event but a process and it would, therefore, require time to deliver.

He urged Nigerians to re-elect him for another term of four years, promising that the fruits of the efforts he had made in fixing the country in the last three and a half years would soon begin to manifest.

Speaking yesterday in Lagos at the 75th anniversary business lecture of the Island Club, Buhari also debunked the argument that Nigeria lacked institutions, and said the claim was one of the “hyperbolic expressions that fly around these days.”

The lecture titled, “Nation building and institutional development, lessons for Nigeria from the Island Club at 75,” was delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

Buhari, who is the grand patron of the club, recalled that unlike now, there was a time when the club held its major events in the open air because it had no hall and could not afford one then.

“It took more than one term and one election cycle of the Chairman of Island Club to build this hall just as it will require more than one election cycle to build the nation and deliver change,” the President said.

He stressed that the fact that the Island Club had existed for 75 years had put a lie to the claim that there were no institutions in the country.

This, he said, was another lesson that the nation had to learn from the club’s 75th anniversary, stressing that the fact that people expected more from the existing institutions did not mean that the institutions did not exist.

“The process of change and reform did not happen because Island Club did anything; it happened because people, members of the club, and I believe, non-members, who were men of goodwill, chose to act,” he added.

Buhari said he had put the country on the path of food security by banning the importation of rice despite opposition by vested interests, who frustrated earlier government food security policies such as Operation Feed the Nation and the Green Revolution.

As a result, he said, his administration had produced millions of rice and wheat farmers, adding that his vision was to industrialise the nation’s food sector.

Buhari said under his watch the manufacturing sector had made progress, citing recent statistics by the National Bureau of Statistics.

Buhari said his reforms in the power sector had led to improved power supply, which had rubbed off on small-scale businesses.

“It is because of these small business owners, hard-working Nigerians that I am offering myself to serve for one more time,” the President said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/one-term-not-enough-to-fix-nigeria.html

“The position of the governors is not very clear to some of you — that we are willing to pay the amount, but the issue is the capacity, the muscle to pay," Yari said.

An emergency meeting of the Nigerian Governors Forum is scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, 2018, to discuss the new national minimum wage.

This was disclosed by Abdulaziz Yari, Governor of Zamfara State on Tuesday, after a meeting of the Economic Management Team, which had Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in attendance.

According to NAN, Yari spoke after the meeting on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he restated that it was not that the governors were unwilling to pay, but the issue was "the muscle to pay".

He said: “The position of the governors is not very clear to some of you — that we are willing to pay the amount but the issue is the capacity — the muscle to pay. We discussed that government has some numbers and eventually, the committee has made some proposals, but the governors have not come out with any amount.

“So, tomorrow, we are going to discuss with governors and say 'look at what Labour is sending'.

“[We'll] look at the bill that was directed by the Minister of Labour and Employment to be sent to the NGF’s secretariat, so that we can digest the content of the bill, discuss it and come up with our position as governors, because we are critical partners on this."

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/governors-call-emergency-meeting-for.html

North and South Korea agreed yesterday to “completely destroy” by next month 22 guard posts near their heavily fortified border, the latest advance in talks in the neighbors’ effort to defuse military tension, Seoul’s defense ministry said.

It follows a military pact at a summit last month in the North Korean capital that called for a halt to “all hostile acts,” a no-fly zone near the border and the gradual removal of guard posts, firearms and landmines from the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two.

As an initial step, the neighbors agreed to demolish 11 guard posts within 1 km (0.6 mile) of each side of the border and withdraw equipment and personnel stationed there by the end of November, the ministry said. “The measures will be finished through mutual verification in December,” it said in a statement.

The talks were led by South Korean Army Major General Kim Do-gyun and North Korean Lieutenant General An Ik San at the border village of Panmunjom within the DMZ.

Both sides also discussed reinstating a joint military commission and forming a combined team to survey watercourses in the Han River their commercial ships could share. The two sides also completed the removal of guard posts and firearms within the Joint Security Area in Panmunjom on Thursday, the ministry said.

In another development, the South’s military said it would stage two military drills next week. That came after an agreement last week by Seoul and Washington to halt the Vigilant Ace air defense drills planned for December so as to give nuclear talks between the United States and North Korea every opportunity to continue, the Pentagon has said.

The allies delayed August’s major annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercises.

Japanese hostage returns home after 40 months in Syrian ‘hell’

To maintain defense readiness and boost military cooperation, South Korea has decided to carry out the Taeguk and Hoguk drills, its Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

The former is a command post exercise from Monday to Friday, while the latter is a field maneuver exercise that starts on Monday, centered on a river east of the capital, Seoul.

“This year’s exercise is to sustain balanced defense posture and improve the practice effects, considering the suspension of the Ulchi Freedom Guardian,” the JCS said in a statement, referring to the annual exercise in which 17,500 U.S. forces joined South Korean troops last year.

The defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States will meet in Washington on Wednesday for an annual security consultative meeting, where they are expected to formally announce the suspension of the Vigilant Ace drills.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/north-south-korea-agree-to-scrap-22.html

President Muhammadu Buhari’s “Restore Vision Project” is offering free cataract surgery to more than 270 visually impaired persons in Nasarawa State in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health.

Dr James Ajige, a Consultant Orphthomologist at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, told newsmen on Friday that the exercise has commenced with the screening of persons with cases of cataract.

He explained that after proper examination, those requiring surgery would undergo the process, urging all cataract patients to avail themselves of the opportunity.

“We have already screened quite a number of persons and are expecting more to come forward and get screened in order to benefit from this gesture that will be carried out across the three senatorial zones of the state,” Ajige said.

He also appealed to members of the public with any form of visual impairment to visit the hospital and not resort to self help or self medication considering the delicate nature of the eye.


“I will like to encourage anyone with poor vision to go for proper medical check at the hospital to avoid complications given the sensitivity of the eye,” he advised.

Newsmen report that the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, had on March 8, 2018, launched the Buhari Restore Vision Project aimed at restoring sight to 10,000 Nigerians with cataract through surgical intervention.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/buhari-offers-free-cataract-surgery-to.html

Former governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose’s mother, Prophetess Victoria Fayose, who turned a year older on Wednesday, October 24th, was spotted with a lookalike of the US president, Donald Trump during her vacation in America.

Coincidentally, Fayose’s mother who turned 80 years old according to her son Isaac, celebrated her birthday on the same day her son (Ayo Fayose) was granted bail on charges of corruption and money laundering levied against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court granted Fayose bail in the sum of N50 million. He was asked to provide a surety who must have landed property in Lagos and have three-year tax clearance in Lagos.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/fayoses-mother-spotted-with-donald.html

The Federal Executive Council yesterday approved a budget size of N8.73trillion for the 2019 fiscal year, which is about N400billion naira less than N9.12trillion budgeted for 2018. It also okayed an oil price benchmark of $60 US dollars, with oil production of 2.3million barrels per day, exchange rate of N305 per US dollars and a GDP growth rate of 3.01 per cent. This is even as the government approved the 2019 to 2021 Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper FSP. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma, disclosed this after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja. Udoma said the MFTEF/FSP, which will soon be submitted to the National Assembly for approval, is designed to translate the strategic development objectives of the economic Recovery and Growth Plans (ERGP) into a realistic and implementable budget framework for the medium term. He said, “Today Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the 2019 2021 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) and it was approved and it will be submitted to the National Assembly for their consideration. “The MTEF/FSP that was approved today is designed to translate the strategic development objectives of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) into a realistic and implementable budget framework for the medium term.
“As you know relevant inputs from engagements with stakeholders, the last of such engagements was just last week, the inputs from stakeholders were part of the document that was submitted.
“The key highlights are the following assumptions which are being proposed for the 2019 budget; oil price benchmark of $60 US dollars, oil production of 2.3million barrels per day, exchange rate of N305 per US dollars and the GDP growth rate of 3.01percent.

“In addition, the MTEF projects a budget size in 2019 of N8.73trillion which is about N400billion naira less than the N9.12trillion for 2018”. her part, Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed that the council also approved for a loan of $1.5million from the African Development Fund to finance the multinational Lagos to Abidjan corridor highway development project study. According to her, the multinational project will be a highway with six lanes, dual carriageway project that will involve five countries, including Nigeria, Benin Republic, Republic of Cote D’Ivore, Ghana and Togo. She said the decision was taken at the 42nd meeting of the Authorities of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2013. She stated: “Today, Ministry of Finance went to council to obtain approval for a loan of $1.5million US Dollars from the African Development Fund to finance the multi-national Abidjan-Lagos corridor highway development project study. “The multi-national project that is running from Abidjan-Lagos corridor will be a highway project that will be in six lanes, a dual carriageway highway that will involve five countries including the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Federal Republic of Benin, Republic of Cote’d’Ivoire, Republic of Ghana and the Togolese Republic. “At the 42nd Ordinary Session of Heads of State meeting of the ECOWAS countries in 2013, this project was discussed and approved. The African Development Bank in 2016 approved the total sum of $13.5million US dollars for the whole of the project to finance both the study in the form of a loan as well as the grant.
“So, this $13.5million US dollars has been distributed among the participating countries and the component for Nigeria is $1.5million. FEC has approved that we accept this facility so that the project study can be commissioned towards the planning of the execution of the highway project itself. Also speaking, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said council approved a memo for the award of contract for the rehabilitation of Lagos -Badagry – Seme road project at the cost of N63.023billion.

He explained that the road project, which is a total of 46 kilometers, excludes the parts from Eric More to Okokomaiko section in Lagos. “Council approved 46 kilometers from Agbara to Seme border, out of which 24 kilometers will be six lanes, while 22 kilometers will retain the current four lanes to be reconstructed and rehabilitated,” he noted. He further explained that the road is part of the Lagos/Abidjan corridor, while Nigeria side of it is from Eric More to Badagry to Seme border. “Ghana has done theirs, Cote D’ Ivore has done theirs, Togo and Benin have something in place. Some of them have to move because of coastal erosion by the Atlantic, and how to reintegrate all of that is part of the study that is being funded by the ADB to ensure simple and efficient border controls”, the minister explained. Fashola further stated that the Ministry also got approval for the construction of the road linking Gwarzo to Karaie, a 20-kilometer high way project in Kano State, at the cost of N1.029billion. He added that FEC also gave approval to terminate and re-award the contract for the 10 megawatts Katsina wind energy project. According to him, the project with a total of 37 turbines has 15 already completed, while 22 are in different stages of completion. He pointed out that the 15 completed is already generating about 4 megawatts of electricity and is being used by the Power Distribution Company. He explained that the main contractors are not giving government the kind of cooperation it needs from them, even as it was discovered that the local contractor that they hired is he one actually doing the job. He noted: “We have decided to terminate the contract and use the balance to pay the local contractor who has done 15 to instal, the remaining 22.

“Council approved that at N121.073million out of the existing contract. So, it is not a new contract. It is so that the contractor can complete the work in the next five months”. He said council also approved the African trans Sahara high way project from Algiers to Lagos. “The Nigerian section is the Lagos to Katsina border side, traversing Ibadan, Oyo Ogbomosho, Ilorin, Katsina, Abuja, Kano etc. If you look at what the president has done in the last few days, a committee on the African Free Trade agreement protocols, these are the critical infrastructures that link us. So, from South to North, from Lagos through the West Coast, are the interconnections on how we relate with other African countries,” he added. Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu also announced that council approved the revised estimated total cost for the construction of Zobe regional water supply scheme in Katsina State, phases 1 (a) and 2, as part of efforts to complete infrastructures inherited by the federal government. Adamu who said the project was first awarded in 1992 but was abandoned, with a new contractor taking over in 2009 but were never paid, stated that the Buhari administration inherited the project at 75% completion in 2015. He added that council approved the augmentation of N12.15billion to bring the project to a total of N22.1billion with an additional completion period of 18 months. He disclosed that the federal government recently signed a N10billion agreement with the Katsina government for the completion of the phase 1 (b) of the project.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/fec-approves-n87trn-budget-for-2019.html

Kiki Osinbajo is known for her enthusiasm and covertness. The 25-year-old who is also a magnate to the core, in this interview with Fatima Shua’ib, talks about her future plans and personal life.

Tell us about your family

I have one brother and a sister and together with our parents, we are a very close-knit family. We have strong values that I stand by. We believe strongly in supporting each other no matter the circumstance. I learnt a lot from my parents, especially hard work and independence. I mean, they are the ones who encouraged me to follow my passion and stick to it.

Take us through your journey of success

I always knew that I wanted to be in the fashion and beauty industry, I just wasn’t sure how to go about it. When I was 13 or 14, I went on a trip with my family to the Philippines. I asked my dad for $100 to buy some jewelry so I can sell to my friends. I remember that he made me sign on a serviette that I’d pay the money back. By the end of the first week, I had the money so I put it in an envelope and gave it back to him. But he asked me to keep it and told me instead that he wanted to just teach me a principle which is that I treat every sum I have invested like I have to give it back.

From that day on, I began selling stuff. Even while I was in school, I knew that as soon as I moved back, I wanted to start my own business and run it at an international standard, and I did.

I have amazing mentors and I don’t think I could’ve gone this far without them. My mentors kept me on track and told me the truth even when I didn’t want to hear it.

Which project are you currently working on?

I am working on a fashion and beauty app called ‘Shop Ciar.’ In this industry, we need to move with time and stay current. So this app would be the next big thing in fashion, by the grace of God. The app is meant to bring together a lot of brands, local and international, for an easier shopping experience. It has a lot of surprises I can’t tell you about now. But watch out for it, it’ll be out in November.

What, in your opinion, is the position of today’s woman?

Today’s woman is strong, intelligent, hardworking and equal. In the last few years, women have taken over the industry in Nigeria. This women have shown younger women out there that they are more than enough and they can do it bigger, better and slay while at it.

What has been your biggest challenge yet?

Getting people to believe in my dream. Now I tell people that it is not necessary to tell people their dreams. Just show them and let them catch on.

What is fashion and style to you?

Fashion and style bridges the gap in a lot of things. Take music for instance, an artiste who has his own style would find that his/her fashion plays the role of defining them in the industry. That’s why image is very important in every industry.

How far have you come in achieving your goals?

I have only just started. Like I said, you don’t have to tell people your dream, let them see it and catch on.

What is your go-to beauty routine?

All things Shop Konyin, my skincare brand. I have made it in such a way that it is an accessible, affordable brand for today’s woman. It is responsible for my skin glow. It also promotes and enhances your beauty as opposed to changing your skin tone.

What genre of music is your favorite and why?

I am an RnB girl. Hard core RnB because it appeals to my personality. Not forgetting afro beats because it is as essential as it is becoming globally entertaining.

How do you achieve work-life balance?

I think it’s a blurred line because my work transcends into everything I do. I try to have fun with everything so it doesn’t feel like work.

Where is your favorite tourist location in Nigeria?

Lagos, the city that never sleeps. Lagos now has surpassed my expectations. The amount of creativity and innovation in Lagos right now inspires us to do more because we can be more. In another 10 years, I can’t imagine what Lagos will be. They’ve moved forward in art, tourism, events, weddings, and of course, food.

How do you relax?

I personally watch a whole lot of series. It is a really rewarding hobby I must say, because everyone watches TV but not a lot of people take time to reflect on it. I find it relaxing.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/i-try-to-have-fun-with-everything.html

This is actually the gruesome killing of security attached to the traditional ruler of Adara and he/his wife subsequent Kidnap.

However, Kaduna is currently on a knives edge and tipping point.. Over 200+ dead already in the religious clash

#Buharimustgo

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/photos-from-kaduna-massacre-blood.html

Following the disaffection expressed by some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who lost out in the just concluded primaries, the party hierarchy may have begun behind-the-scene manoeuvres to stop more party chieftains from quitting the party. This is just at the senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Comrade Shehu Sani, yesterday resigned his membership from the ruling APC following the submission of the name of his opponent, Uba Sani, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the APC senatorial candidate in the 2019 polls. The APC, it was learnt, decided on the reconciliatory moves to forestall any more defection plans by its stalwarts, LEADERSHIP Sunday has learnt. The recent primaries held by the party in different states and zones had thrown up several contentious issues with party faithful threatening to dump the party and join forces with the opposition ahead of the 2019. LEADERSHIP Sunday recalls that the APC had after the primaries inaugurated its national Appeal Committee headed by former governor of Edo State, Prof Oserheimen Osunbor.

According to a source who was privy to the decisions reached by the Appeal Committee which submitted its report to the National Working Committee (NWC) penultimate Monday, a lot of the party men who lost out in either the gubernatorial, senatorial or House of Representatives primary elections in their states were already poised to ensure that they take their own pound of the flesh on the party as they felt betrayed the process. For instance, the decision of the party to drop Senator Shehu Sani despite the appeal panel’s verdict upholding the choice of his candidacy for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District, the candidacy of Uche Nwosu, the son-in-law of the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, against the alleged winner, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and the case in Zamafara had all left a bitter taste in the mouths of party stalwarts.
In its report, the appeal panel held that the primary conducted by the electoral panel for Kaduna was done in contempt of a court order, adding that the only aspirant cleared by the party to contest the election was Senator Shehu Sani. The source was of the opinion that the party leadership would have to move in urgently to avoid its members defecting in their droves to the other various political parties, thereby weakening APC’s chances in the 2019 general elections.

“If they do not make moves to appease some aggrieved party men, what Shehu Sani did is just the beginning of many more to come,” the source added. Another party insider who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that several of the petitions submitted to the Appeal Panel were either not entertained or were dismissed for lacking in substance and this did not go down well with many of those who felt they did not get fair hearing. It was also gathered that a majority of the petitions against the conduct of the Senate and House of Representatives primaries were not upheld for various reasons, ranging from lack of merit, lack of proof to lack of time for fresh primaries. No reasons were adduced for not upholding some others. Similarly, some petitions were upheld and some of the petitioners declared as candidates of the party either because they actually won the primaries and were substituted, or for other reasons, ranging from lack of clearance and others the committee did not explain. Senator Sani, who was reportedly earlier granted an automatic ticket by the leadership of the APC to recontest his seat in the 2019 general election, did not participate in the just concluded primary poll in which Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s political adviser, Uba Sani, defeated other aspirants and emerged winner.

Our correspondent gathered that the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) may field Senator Sani as its candidate for Kaduna Central zone, though political parties had already submitted presidential and National Assembly candidates’ names to INEC to beat the October 18 deadline. The senator had been expected to leave the APC along with some restoration groups members, like Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi and Isah Ashiru, among others, but he was persuaded by national leaders of the party including Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and party chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, not to quit. It learnt that Senator Sani has tendered his exit letter to the APC chairman in ward 6, Tudun Wada. However, when contacted, his political adviser, Suleiman Ahmed, promised to confirm the development and made available the resignation letter, but he had yet to do so at the time of going to press. Meanwhile, Buhari/Osinbajo Support Groups have called on the APC leadership to flush out the bad eggs within the party in Kaduna State before the 2019 general elections. The coalition also appealed to the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, to expel Senator Sani from the party over his past criticisms of President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling party.
Addressing a news conference in Kaduna, convener of the group, Abdulrauf Abdullahi, reiterated their full support for the APC and President Buhari’s developmental policies and programmes, saying only genuine members should be allowed stay in the party.

According to them: “As compatriots, we feel deeply concerned about the serial media attack against President Buhari and the APC by the senator after scaling to victory on the massive goodwill of the president and his party. “It is because of the need to set the records straight and expose the questionable, downright suspicious betrayal and barefaced hypocrisy that we embarked on the compilation of this compendium. It is a joint effort whereby each of the stakeholders in this coalition took divergent angles of the multiple news media coverage of the regrettable compromise by the incumbent senator.
“We are glad to inform the whole world that we have set aside today for presenting our humble research work for the records and to further enlighten the public on the kind of moles and untrustworthy people in the APC deliberately working in opposite direction. We are bold to say that this indecorous media attack on our president and the APC smacks of back-stabbing and ingratitude,” they wrote.
Meanwhile, the APC leadership has reacted to the reported defection of Senator Sani, saying that even though it got the news of the defection through media reports, it will give a befitting response after it has discussed the issue.

In a terse response, the national publicity secretary said, “We received the news of the alleged defection of Senator Shehu Sani through media reports. “The party leadership will relate with all the facts concerning the reported defection and react appropriately in due course.” LEADERSHIP Sunday recalls that, in the course of the week, there was palpable tension among members of the governing APC as the leadership of the party left the national secretariat to submit the list of its presidential and senatorial candidates to INEC. The party’s director of organisation, Alhaji Abubakar Kyari, led other senior staff of the party in a branded APC bus to submit the list. LEADERSHIP Sunday reports that many members of the party across the country, who were not sure whether the decisions of the appeal panel were in their favour, were seen nosing around the party secretariat to get a clue about their date. Some who got to learn their ill fate had already begun looking for other options to actualise their political aspirations.
Meanwhile, a source within the party told our reporter: “I can guarantee you that the leadership of the party is taking steps to ensure that we resolve all issues as a result of the primaries. We cannot afford to go into the general elections with a divided house.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/apc-moves-to-stop-further-defections.html

The Federal Government says it is engaging foreign media organisations, networks and think tanks to shape their opinions on the true position of things and correct the negative narratives about the country and President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. The minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this in London after an engagement with the Royal African Society, a body founded in 1990 to promote relations between the UK and Africa. Specifically, the minister said that the engagement was to shape their minds and opinions on the true position of insurgency in the North East, farmers/herdsmen clashes and the achievements recorded by the Buhari administration, which were being downplayed. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister arrived in London on Sunday and delivered a lecture in Chatham House, the UK-based Royal Institute of International Affairs.

He also interacted with foreign and Commonwealth Office officials, All Party Parliamentary Group and featured on Aljazeera television news hour. The minister also met with the largest global news agency, Reuters, New African and African Business Magazines and African Report. Mohammed said that the whole essence of the engagements was to correct the negative narratives about the country and place on the table, the giant strides of the Buhari government. He added, “The whole idea of the trip is to engage foreign media organisations, networks and think tanks to actually explain the activities of government.
“As you were aware, we have been to the UK twice and the US on this kind of mission. “I think generally, it has been quite fruitful because it offered us the platform and opportunity to explain to them what this government has achieved in the areas of security, fighting corruption and in revamping the economy. “It also gives us the opportunity to disabuse the minds of the people about the insecurity in the North-East and how the government has succeeded in returning normalcy in affected areas. “It offers us the opportunity to explain that the farmers/herdsmen clash is largely due to population explosion, climate change and criminality as against the naysayers’ position that it is ethnic or religious.“Really, it has been quite helpful and we will continue with the engagements.”

The minister said he was satisfied with the level of reception and understanding achieved during the visits. On the challenge of unemployment in the country raised during one of the meetings, Mohammed said, “the administration had been trying to clean up the mess by past governments. “For 16 years, no attempt was made to invest on infrastructure, there was absolute corruption. “So, what you have today about unemployment is actually as a result of bad governance. “Even at that, we have made very positive giant strides. “In the history of Nigeria, no administration under any programme has employed half a million unemployed graduates as we have done through our N-POWER programme.”

Mohammed said the administration had diversified the economy by repositioning agriculture to become the choice of many Nigerians. “We have been able to grow rice farmers from five million to 11 million, we have been able to cut down on importation of rice. “So, ours is a success story in the areas of agriculture and unemployment.” The minister stressed that the visit was not just about the 2019 general elections, rather, it was to present the facts and figures on Buhari’s achievements and true situation of security in the country. “Many of the organisations we met were surprised to hear that we have spent as much as 7.5 billion dollars in two years on infrastructure. “They were quite impressed to see that power generation jumped from 2,560 megawatts to 7000 megawatts.” The minister is scheduled for more engagements before returning to Nigeria.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/why-fg-is-engaging-foreign-media-think.html

The Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) has unveiled speakers and moderators for this year’s conference tagged “Unstoppable You: Reinvent and Reinvigorate.

With a robust array of sessions carefully segmented into debates, plenaries and deep dives, this year’s conference seeks to offer omni-directional perspectives that can significantly influence the 21st century African woman positively.

To ensure a highly beneficial engagement for participants, the organising committee has designated 50 notable personalities to facilitate, moderate and speak on various issues such as health, nutrition, family, professional development, finance, leadership, enterprise and workplace survival.

Moderating various sessions at the conference are: Bunmi George, Founder Shredder Gang; Chiadi Ndu, Founder BTH Integrated Service; Didi Akinyelure, Journalist, Reuters Business; Enahoro Okhae, Principal Strategist, Simeon’s Pivot; Ihuoma Onyearugha, Director, Medical and Human Resources at Chevron Nigeria Ltd; Laure Beaufils, Deputy High Commissioner, British Deputy High Commission Lagos; Owen Omogiafo, Executive Director, Transcorp Hilton; Oyiza Salu, Head of HR, GTB; Rasheed Jaiyeola, Founder, Bukka Hut; Simon Kolawole, Founder, The Cable Newspaper; Nkem Begho, Managing Director, Futuresoft; Steve Babaeko, Founder, X3M Ideas; Taba Peterside, Chief Executive Officer, Waveline Growth Partners; Toyin Sanni, Chief Executive Officer, Emerging Africa Group; and Toyosi Olatunji, Managing Director, Arcane Insights Ltd.

Speakers at this year’s edition include: Betty Irabor, Founder and Publisher, Genevieve Magazine; Abiola Adekoya, Chief Executive Officer, RMB Stockbrokers Nigeria Limited; Adenike Oyetunde, On-Air Personality, Nigeria Info FM; Adesua Dozie General Counsel, GE Gas Systems and Services; Chike Onyia, Chief Executive Officer, Zolts; Chinyere Anokwuru, Founder, Self-Worth Organization; Dr. Dayo Joseph, Founder, The Dorcas Cancer Foundation; Dr. Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi, Founder, Healthy Living Services; Dr. Kamar Adeleke, Chief Executive Officer, Tri-State Cardiovascular Institute; Dr. Maymunah Kadiri, Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, Pinnacle Medical Services; Dr. Ola Brown Founder, Flying Doctors; Dr. Omobola Johnson Partner, TLCOM Capital; Dr. Patrick Ijewere, Medical Director, Carib Health Ltd; Esiri Agbeyi, Partner, PwC Nigeria; Fareed Arogundade, Founder, Workstation; Folake Soetan, Chief Commercial Officer, Ikeja Electric a subsidiary of Sahara Group; Funmi Roberts, Principal Partner, Funmi Roberts & Co; Hamisha Daryani-Ahuja, Motivational Speaker/Coach; Ibidun Ighodalo, Founder and Managing Director, Elizabeth R; Ifeoma Dozie, Regional Marketing, The Heineken Company; Ifeoma Idigbe, Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, boys to MEN Foundation; Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Chief Executive Officer, Flutterwave; Japeth Omojuwa, Nigerian Blogger; Kola Oyeneyin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Venia Group; Laila Johnson-Salami, Co-Founder of Artillery Lagos and the We Rise Initiative; Nichole Yembra, Chief Financial Officer, Venture Garden Group; Odein Ajumogobia SAN, Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2007 – 2011); Oke Maduewusi, Founder, Zaron Cosmetics; Omokehinde Adebanjo, Vice President and Area Business Head, West Africa, Mastercard; Prof. Konyin Ajayi SAN, Managing Partner, Olaniwun Ajayi LP; Sonye Allanah, DGM, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Total E & P Nigeria Ltd; St Petersbell Jigo, Global Group Executive Director, Procurement & Corporate Services, Aiteo; Stephanie Obi, MD/CEO, ST Hub Ltd; Tolu Adelowo, CEO, Cousant and Victoria Samson, Managing Director, Bovas and Company Ltd.

With the increasing inclusion of male counterparts in the event, the conference will also go a long way in encouraging gender parity in both the workplace and society at large.

To register for the conference, please visit

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/wimbiz-unveils-speakers-for-2018-annual.html

Before I am accused of being cheeky and lacking in respect, let me state my innocence as well as protest before the accusation sets in that I am not the one who originally labelled former President Obasanjo and his erstwhile Vice President and PDP’s present flag bearer for the forthcoming presidential elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as witches o! Yes, I am the scion of warriors who danced with their backs, who uprooted Iroko trees with their bare hands and drank streams and rivers dry, but of a truth, I am not bold enough to label these men as such, I am a properly bred gentleman with respect for elders.

Rather, it is the oenophile and juju music lover in Olagunsoye Oyinlola, one time military administrator for Lagos State and former civilian governor of Osun State that had the temerity to describe the duo as witches when sometime in January, 2009, Abubakar paid what looked like a “mend the fence” visit to his former boss, Obasanjo at his “ No dogs, No journalists” abode in Otta Farm. Oyinlola, not only called them witches, he even stated that these witches were engaged in a dance and that it was only a brave fellow that would sit out such a dance!

So you see, yours sincerely is indeed innocent of any accusation of starting a witch hunt or writing another Malleus Malleficarum (Hammer of the Witches) matter of fact, these men were present that fateful day when Oyinlola gleefully gave members of the press such information, they even gave broad smiles and grins, exposing their protruding stomachs for photo ops, there was definitely not a whiff of protest from both witches, they seemed to be at home with such labelling!

As circumstances would have it, both witches were to meet again, this time the note, refrain or tone that they danced to was that of the 2019 polls and how to displace the present occupant, President Muhammadu Buhari. Before the second dance, the older witch in the person of Obasanjo had told the world countless times that the good Lord would not forgive him if he supported the other witch’s ambition to govern Nigeria. Recall that Atiku Abubakar, being the younger witch, had served Obasanjo as vice president for eight years, in which Atiku fell out of favour with Obasanjo owing to allegations of corruption, greed, disloyalty, his penchant for the diabolical and lies.

In his three volumed book, “My Watch” Obasanjo outlined how Atiku had tried to do him in while they both were in office. He accused Atiku of relying heavily on marabouts and money. Asides the book, the former president, at every mention of his Veep, would reiterate that his erstwhile deputy was unfit for leadership. In fact, Obasanjo had even grabbed the headlines when he screamed that God would not forgive him if he knowingly backed Atiku on any venture.

It is obvious that Nigerians were much taken aback by the latest entente between Obasanjo and Atiku, with the question, what had changed? What had brought about the sudden volte-face by former President Obasanjo? What had happened to the Otta Farmer’s integrity?

For example, if Atiku was indeed unfit for office a few months ago? Then he visits you and kneels down for you meaning that he has learnt his lessons and is ready to mend fences? Haba OBJ!

Is defeating Buhari now a do or die for Obasanjo that he is so much ready to swallow what he had earlier vomited against Alhaji Atiku Abubakar just to help the cabal get rid of PMB?

One understands that Obasanjo is not happy with President Buhari, it’s his democratic right to do so, yet, I cannot find where to place Obasanjo’s rapproachment with Atiku, will it erase the weighty allegations of corruption against Atiku as seen in his handling of the privatisation programme witnessed by our national chattels go to himself and his cronies? Or his indictment by the United States Senate report as a Foreign Political Exposed Person?

Perhaps Obasanjo is driven by realism, knowing that his third force coalition is dead on arrival and requires that he backs an Atiku to at least stand a chance of seeing Buhari’s ouster, but whatever happened to statesmanship, that requires statesmen to act honourably? Is there a shred of honour in Obasanjo’s purported endorsement of Atiku? Does Obasanjo think that Nigerians and the world will ever take him and his views seriously again? No, this is not realism but political opportunism, which is at odds with what is expected of statesmen!

Nigerians must be circumspect about this second dance of witches; it is a reconciliation not in the interest of Nigerians, whose commonwealth was plundered by this same set of witches who now seek a second stint at the nation’s treasury.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/when-witches-dance-second-time.html

The Senate yesterday approved the request by President Muhammadu Buhari to secure a $2.786 billion foreign loan.

The loan is to be sourced from the international capital market as appropriated in the 2018 budget.

The upper chamber also gave its nod to the president’s request to borrow $82.54million to refinance the balance of $500 million matured Eurobond in the international capital market.

The Senate had on Wednesday October 10, 2018 considered Buhari’s request to borrow the funds and referred the matter to its committee on local and foreign debts for further legislative action.

Yesterday, the report on the matter was presented at plenary by the committee chairman, Senator Shehu Sani.

Sani said the committee found that issuance of both $2.786 billion and $82.54 million matured on July 12, 2018 with an interest of 5.125%.

He further stated that both approvals are for the part financing of the 2018 Budget, with particular interest in financing key infrastructure projects.

According to him, the committee however observed that “the external capital raising of $2.786 billion will result in a portfolio mix of domestic debt – 68% and external debt – 32%, which is an improvement over the ratio of 70:30 as at June 30, 2018.

He said the committee also found out that the issuance of bonds will contribute to the implementation of the debt management strategy, which seeks to reduce the cost of borrowing and that it will help to increase Nigeria’s external reserves.

The Senate committee advised that the federal government should reduce or limit its request for more external borrowing and source other means of generating internal revenue.

… Suspends ATM Maintenance Charges

Also, the Senate yesterday directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card maintenance charges being deducted from customers by banks.

The directive followed public outcry that commercial banks in the country are making excessive charges on ATM.

The Red Chamber yesterday invited the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, to appear and proffer explanations on why official charges approved by the apex bank are skewed in favour of the banking institutions against customers.

Specifically, Senate obliged its joint committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions and Finance to investigate the matter and compel the CBN to suspend ATM card maintenance charges being deducted from customers.

The lawmakers are worried that there are several complaints from Nigerians concerning illicit deductions by banks, particularly on ATM maintenance charges.

Consequently, the Senate directed that the mandated committees should probe the propriety or otherwise of the charges to meet international practices.

Noting that the banks also make illicit charges per each withdrawal of N10,000, which is maximum amount through ATM card, the Senate requested commercial banks to quickly reconfigure their ATM machines to allow customers withdraw up to N40,000 at once.

To checkmate the situation, the upper chamber further urged the Consumer Protection Council to look into various complaints of bank customers on excessive charges.

The position of the Senate followed a motion by Senator Gbenga Ashafa (APC, Lagos East) tagged, “Illicit and Excessive Charges by Nigerian Banks on Customers Account with Particular Focus on Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Maintenance and Withdrawal Charges”.

In the motion, Ashafa stated that card users are charged N65 per withdrawal from the ATM after the third monthly withdrawal from the ATM outside that of the domicile bank of the said ATM user. He added that banks manipulate ATM cards and machines.

According to him, “the CBN, in 2017, increased the maintenance fees charged by banks on debit and credit card maintenance from N100 a year to N50 per month (N600 a year) as contained in its Guide to Charges by Banks and other Financial Institutions.”

He informed the Senate that a campaign tagged #Reform9jabanks began on twitter when a UK based Nigerian medical doctor, Harvey Olufunmilayo, lamented about the state of banks in Nigeria compared to those abroad.

Lawmakers who made contributions to the motion said the motion was apt and can ameliorate the plight of bank customers.

Akpabio Demands Saraki’s Impeachment

Meanwhile, despite Senate’s resolve last week Tuesday to abandon partisan issues and sentiments, former Senate minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, yesterday called for the impeachment of Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Akpabio said he will not make any further contribution in the plenary as long as Saraki who is now a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presides as the Senate president.

He advised Saraki to take a cue from him and step aside like him (Akpabio) who tendered his resignation letter as minority leader when he defected from the PDP, which is in minority in the upper chamber, to the ruling APC.

Akpabio insisted that in all sphere of life and indeed in democratic setting, majority must always preside over the minority, adding that while minority should have its say, the majority should have its way for peace to prevail.

The former governor of Akwa Ibom who formally defected from the PDP to All APC at a mega rally held at the Ikot Ekpene township stadium on August 8, 2018 also asked that the Senate be properly constituted, saying Senators must sit according to political parties in the chamber.

Senator Akpabio’s reaction followed Senate President Saraki’s refusal to allow Akpabio to make contribution to a debate on the ground that he was not speaking from his rightful seat.

Saraki’s utterance caused temper to flare up among the lawmakers along party lines.

It almost degenerated to a physical combat when Senator Akpabio was denied recognition by Saraki to contribute to a motion raised by Senator Bassey Akpan in which he alleged that APC members in Akwa Ibom State were planning to cause mayhem ahead of the 2019 elections.

Saraki insisted that Akpabio was not sitting in the appropriate seat and won’t be recongnised to speak until he moved to his rightful seat.

Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan, countered Saraki, saying the Senate is not properly constituted, as Senators are not sitting according to political parties in the chamber.

When the deputy Senate president, Ike Ekwetremadu, got up to talk, former majority leader, Senator Ali Ndume interrupted, stopping him from making contributions too.

Senator Dino Melaye stood up and started walking up and down in the chamber scolding and shouting down at any APC Senator wanting to make contribution.

It all began when Saraki said, “Senator… eh… former minority leader, you know you can’t speak from there. You can’t. Go to your seat, when you get to your seat, I’ll recognise you”.

He asked the Leader of the Senate to proceed with other items on the Order Paper, but the Senate Leader, Lawan, stood up to defend Akpabio.

“If he decides to sit there, let him. There is no microphone there. Let us not take the Panadol for his headache. Let me advice that even though we have only six, seven months to go, let’s do what is right”, Lawan said.

At this point, the lawmakers began shouting at each other, as they tried to defend the parties they belong.

Efforts by the Senate president to call the lawmakers to order were unsuccessful, as some of the lawmakers were already on their feet fuming attacking themselves verbally.

When temper was eventually down, Senator Ndume raised a point of order and apologised to Senator Ekweremadu for interrupting him when he wanted to make his contribution.

The Senate president followed suit by apologising to Senator Akpabio, just as he insisted that his not recognising him was not done on grounds of partisanship.

“If you felt offended over the way I put it to you to make your contribution from your seat, I take it back. But it has to be noted that I don’t mean partisan with it’’.

Speaking with Senate correspondents after plenary, Senator Akpabio said, “There is nowhere a group of 10 people ever presided over a group of 80 people. People should emulate my example because I resigned my position as minority leader when I defected from the PDP to APC.

“There is need to restructure the Senate so that PDP, APC, ADC and APGA Senators will sit along party lines. Leadership should be restructured in such a way that minority has its say and the majority has its way.

‘’Senator Bassey said APC was trying to cause mayhem in Akwa Ibom. Does he have evidence? It is like an aggressor trying to turn self to victim. It is not a person that first goes to the Police station to report about a matter that eventually wins in most case.

“It is the PDP raising mayhem, killing and maiming those defecting from it to APC in Akwa Ibom. The very day the APC governorship candidate emerged, he was shot at from the roof of his house. So many other people have been shot at and even wounded or killed in Akwa Ibom. The state commissioner of environment was arrested yesterday for his involvement in the said organized crime in the state”.

FG Okays $2.9bn Eurobond To Fund 2018 Budget

Meanwhile, the federal government yesterday approved for the issuance of $2.9 billion Eurobond to fund capital projects in 2018 budget.

The minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa.

She noted that FEC also approved six Transaction Parties to advise the government on the issuance of $2.78 billion Eurobonds and other securities in the International Capital Market (ICM).

The Transaction parties approved by Council are Citigroup Global Market Limited, Standard Chartered Bank as joint manager, FSDH Merchant Bank Limited as financial adviser, White And Case LLP, Banwo and Ighodalo as legal adviser and Africa Practice Limited as technical adviser on communication.

According to the minister, the transaction parties are expected to advise the federal government on the structure and timing as well as documentation for the issuance of the Eurobonds and other securities.

She said the approval is part of government’s commitment to the implementation of the 2018 Appropriation Act adding that “consistent with government’s policy on development of infrastructure, the proceeds of the Eurobond issuance will be deployed to fund critical capital projects in the 2018 Appropriation Act”.

She said, “Today at the Federal Executive Council, we got approval for the issuance of $2.9 billion and other securities in Eurobonds from the international capital market.

“The focus of this approval is to enable us implement the borrowing external plan of N849.67 billion, equivalent of $2.786 billion, which is provided for in the 2018 Appropriation Act and this is to fund capital projects in 2018 Budget.

“We also, as part of that, got approval to raise the sum of $82.54 million to bridge the shortfall of the 500million Eurobond that matured on the July 12, 2018. In addition to this approval for the issuance of Eurobond, we also got the approval for payment to transaction parties and their respective fees like settling bills and expenses.

“We have, as parties for the transactions, two joint league managers, a combination of Citibank group as well as Standard Chartered Bank as joint league managers and FSB Merchant Bank as financial advisers, the White and Case LIP as legal managers and Ighodalo as legal advisers for Nigeria. The total cost for this advisory group is N374,618,889.

Ahmed further hinted that FEC approved livelihood of family improvement project in the Niger Delta.

Stating that the project is called Life and D to be funded with the sum of $60 million that would be a combination of loans and grants, Ahmed said the projects will be implemented in the Niger Delta States of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers State.

However, she pointed out that when the government reviewed the project in the nine states, they found that six of the states met their own requirements, while the three that did not will be assisted to enable them improve and join the team in 2019.

On capital release for the 2018 budget, she said, “Let me also move to the question that borders on capital releases. About two weeks ago, N460 billion was released for capital budget”.

On Paris Club Refund, the minister said President Buhari has given approval for the payment of the last Paris Club refund to the states but the approval came with some conditions.

She continued: “Those conditions that Mr President gave is that we must show that the states have used the previous refund for payment of salaries and they will use this one also for payment of salaries.

“The states that were not paid are Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Imo because they had some deficiencies and the agency that is handling it is working to bridge the gap”.

On the controversy surrounding the balance of payment for ex-staff of Nigeria Airways, she said, “The approval given for payment of entitlements to the ex-staff of Nigeria Airways was N45 billion and because of paucity of funds, Mr President gave approval for the payment of 50 per cent of N22.6 billion. We hope in 2019 to pay the balance.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/senate-approves-pmbs-2786bn-loan-request.html

Malam Garba Jibrin, Deputy Director Fire Services in Gombe State says, seven lives and properties worth N88 million were lost to fire disasters between January and Sept. 2018.

Jibrin disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Wednesday.

He said that during the period under review they were able to save 1, 038 lives, recorded 64 injuries and received about 136 emergency calls.

According to him, most of the disasters were caused by electrical faults due to negligence of the people not switching off their electrical appliances at the appropriate time.

He called on parents to enlighten their children on how to handle electric appliances in order to avoid such disasters and to always switch off electrical appliances when going out.

He commended the state government for employing 82 staff and called for the provision of more firefighting equipment for effective service delivery across the state.

According to him, prior to the recruitment, they had inadequate manpower.

He reiterated their readiness to serve the people whenever the need arise.

Jibrin advised residents to report any emergency to them on time through 08038578383, 08025578775, to enable them respond promptly.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/7-lives-property-worth-n88m-lost-to.html

A Nigerian lady, Hauwa Liman, on Tuesday, cried out that she is not dead.

According to her, her photos were circulated in place of the aid worker, who was executed by Boko Haram.

DAILY POST reported earlier that Hauwa Mohammed Liman, who worked with the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, was killed by the terrorist group after the expiration of a deadline, they had given the Federal Government.

Her execution by the terrorists has generated a lot public reactions with lots of persons condemning the act and sharing condolence messages.

However, some social media users have used photographs of one Hauwa Liman, who is a Fashion Designer as the deceased.

The living Hauwa Liman tweeted, “Disclaimer.

“Wrong pictures, poor journalism; lack of due diligence.

“So, they just Google and select any picture that suits them. To show the news we are fed is just and paste. All those that posted used only these 2 pictures. I weep for Nigeria.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/boko-haram-im-not-dead-hauwa-liman.html