Former President Goodluck Jonathan has debunked an online report which claimed that he spoke about 2019 elections during a meeting with his kinsmen in Otuoke, Bayelsa State.

A statement issued by Jonathan’s media aide, Mr.Ikechukwu Eze, dismissed the claim as lies, stressing that the former President was neither in his home state on the stated date nor met with his “kinsmen who paid him an end of year visit” as claimed in the report.

It reads: “Our attention has just been drawn to a fabricated online publication alleging that the former President Goodluck Jonathan made comments on the 2019 elections, while hosting his kinsmen in Otuoke last Tuesday.

“Those reports are false and bear no truth whatsoever. The former President was not in Otuoke on Tuesday, neither did he make the comments attributed to him. In fact, he has only just returned to his community to spend Christmas having been away for two weeks. So he could not have been hosting anyone there last Tuesday.

“Of what good is it to our national development efforts if some people spend so much energy spreading falsehood about fellow citizens and our nation?

“The former President wishes his fellow compatriots a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year in advance, and advises all to always channel their efforts towards working to attain the nation of our collective dreams.”


Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/jonathan-disowns-comment-on-2019.html

Listen to the audio here..

http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/police-to-probe-wikes-tapped-phone.html

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, on Thursday in Abuja inaugurated a joint investigative panel on the Dec. 10 legislative re-run elections in Rivers, with one of the tasks being to probe the phone call between Governor Nyesom Wike and some electoral officials.

The 15-man panel, headed by DCP Damien Okoro, consists of officers of the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) with investigative, forensic and technical expertise.“The panel which is to conduct its investigation in conjunction with a team from the Department of States Services (DSS) has the following terms of reference:

“One, Conduct a thorough investigation into the role of security agents before, during and after the election;

“Two, examine the role of any police officer or security agent whose actions or activities individually or collectively was detrimental to the good conduct of the elections;

“Three, conduct a forensic analysis on the audio report released by Sahara Reporters as it concerns the election.

“ Four, examine any other matter that is relevant to the conduct of the elections, and make recommendations and implementation strategies to guide future elections.’’

He also charged the panel to probe the violence that marred the exercise in which two police officers were gruesomely murdered.

He noted that the 1999 Constitution and other relevant laws empowered the police to conduct investigations into criminal matters across the entire country.

The I-G gave the committee 30 days with effect from Dec. 17 to submit its findings.

Idris said that four suspects had so far been arrested in connection with the murder of two officers, while two rifles had been recovered.

The IG said that the police was an apolitical organisation that must not get involved in politics, adding that its interest was to ensure hitch-free elections.

He solicited the support and cooperation of all well-meaning Nigerians, especially INEC and the Rivers State Government, to enable the panel succeed in its assignment.

Responding, Okoro, thanked the I-G for the confidence reposed in the committee, adding that they will be guided by relevant extant laws in the discharge of the assignment.

Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/police-to-probe-wikes-tapped-phone.html

The fight against corruption just got boosted..


lalasticlala

The UN General Assembly on Thursday, unanimously adopted Nigeria-sponsored resolution on: “Promotion of International Cooperation to Combat Illicit Financial Flows” in order to foster sustainable development.

The Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York, reports that the resolution was strongly supported at various levels by the African Group and the G-77 including China.NAN also reports that the resolution reiterated “its deep concern about the impact of illicit financial flows, in particular those caused by tax evasion and corruption, on the economic, social and political stability and development of societies”.

At the adoption, Akinremi Bolaji, Minister Plenipotentiary and Head, Second Committee, reiterated his earlier calls on members to pursue policy coherence and create an enabling environment to combat illicit financial flows.

“It is important to remind ourselves that the attainment of sustainable development by most developing countries, especially African States, would remain a puzzle unless the UN fulfill its role as a veritable platform for facilitating cooperation among member states as well as with the UN system.

“Mr President, it is heart-warming for my delegation that in our common bid to combat Illicit Financial Flows, ”the General Assembly today adopts this resolution entitled, Promotion of International Cooperation to Combat Illicit Financial Flows in order to Foster Sustainable Development.

“The resolution aptly linked realisation of sustainable development to combating Illicit Financial Flows and calls on Member States to scale up cooperation in this aspect.

“It is essential for Member States to cooperate among themselves and with other stakeholders, so as to provide necessary support for national efforts in combating illicit financial flows, for the attainment of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development,” Bolaji added.

He called on international financial and monetary institutions and systems to engage their expertise and mandates to combat such flows and assist in the recovery of stolen assets.

He said their activities, including those of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), should move beyond data collection to providing intelligence leads to assist in forestalling and recovering them.

“In this regards, Nigeria wishes to reiterate earlier calls upon Member States to pursue policy coherence and create enabling environment for combating Illicit Financial Flows and achieving sustainable development.

“More importantly, we call on the International Financial and Monetary Institutions/System to engage their expertise and mandates to combat Illicit Financial Flows and assist in the recovery of stolen assets.

“The activities of these institutions, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) should go beyond data collection on occurrences of illicit financial flows, rather these institutions should provide intelligence lead that could assist in forestalling and recovering of such flows,” he said.

According to him, It is therefore, the understanding of my delegation that this resolution will provide the necessary political tools for financial and monetary institutions to facilitate cooperation among Member States, in the bid to combat illicit financial flows.

“It is imperative to accelerate international cooperation against illicit financial flows, which undisputedly constitute a major disabler to sustainable development, having direct negative impact on the ability of Member States to raise, retain and mobilise national resources to finance sustainable development.

“More importantly, Nigeria wishes to re-echo the targets set by Addis Ababa Action Agenda and urge Member States that have not done so, to ratify and accede to the UN Convention against Corruption.

“Nigeria also urge Member States to support the Stolen Assets Recovery Initiative; to Combat Money laundering and terrorism financing; and to ensure effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime,” he added.

Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/un-backs-nigeria-on-illicit-money-flow.html

I wont be surprised if Ibori joins APC when he comes back...


lalasticlala

A three-term member of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wadada, has dumped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Warada, a polo enthusiast, represented the Karu/Keffi/Kokokona Federal Constituency from 1999-2011. He was the Nasarawa West PDP Senatorial candidate during the 2015 general election.Today at the APC State Secretariat in Lafia, Wadada said he was attracted to the party as a result of the developmental strides of the APC-led government at the national and state levels.

He said that his decision to decamp with all his supporters was done in consultation with the critical stakeholders and communities from his constituency.

Wadada said that, though he was in PDP for more than 16 years, he dumped the party due to his concern and love for his people and in response to their calls.

He said that it was not a one-way traffic as he benefited a lot from the PDP while he was there, adding that the party had also benefited so much from him.

“The name I have today, the honour I have today and the credibility I have today, all came due through the benefits I got while I was still in PDP.

“I also worked seriously for the successes the party had recorded in the past both at the state and federal levels before all those benefits came,’’ Wadada said.

He said his decision to move to APC was not to escape from being prosecuted for any corrupt activities or dealing in the past by the ruling government.

Wadada, therefore, called on all well-meaning citizens of the state to join hands and support the good work the state government is doing for the peace and progress of the state.

Receiving the new members, the State APC Chairman, Mr Philip-Tatari-Shekwo thanked the former law maker for appreciating what the party is doing in the state.

He commended him, adding that Wadada was not just coming to contest election but had come in order to contribute to the development of the state.

Tatari-Shekwo, therefore, assured all the decampees that now that they had seen reasons and joined the APC, they would enjoy all the privileges, just like any other person who had been in the party since 2011.


Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/ex-rep-member-wadada-dumps-pdp.html

Let the work begin...

See the pictures here...

http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/nimasa-shuts-3-jetties-port-facilities.html

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has shut three jetties and port facilities for non-compliance with the provisions of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code.

A statement by the Head, Corporate Communications Team of NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka, on Wednesday in Lagos, said the closure was pursuant to the agency’s mandate as the Designated Authority (DA) for the implementation of the ISPS Code.

The facilities are Heyden Petroleum Jetty Ijora Lagos; Waziri Jetty, Dockyard Road Apapa, Lagos; and Starz Marine Shipyard Ltd., Onne, in Rivers.

“These facilities have persistently failed to comply with the ISPS code, necessitating their closure in order to forestall a situation where security breaches in such facilities will negatively impact the compliant ones.

“These closures are in exercise of the agency’s powers in line with provisions of Part VIII of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations 2014 under which the facilities were adjudged to be non-compliant despite repeated warnings to remedy the deficiencies,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes the statement as saying.

It said that, “NIMASA has consistently stated its commitment to the enforcement of full compliance with the ISPS Code, especially in the face of growing terrorists’ activities globally.’’

The statement said that all shut facilities were to remain closed until the managers of such facilities correct the identified deficiencies in line with the dictates of the Code, “as the Agency aims to achieve 100 per cent compliance with the cooperation of all stakeholders’’.

It described the exercise as a continuous one.

NAN reports that while hosting a Pre-assessment Team from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) recently, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside expressed the determination of the agency to enforce the code.

According to Peterside, ultimately, all of us are working for a common purpose; a safer world through safety and security of the maritime sub sector.

“If we fix our different corners of the earth, the whole world will be safer for everybody. So, no effort should be spared in trying to guarantee safety and security,’’


Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/nimasa-shuts-3-jetties-port-facilities.html

lalasticlala

Kaduna, where are my people

Read more here...

http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/kaduna-slams-curfew-on-zangon-kataf.html

The Kaduna State Government on Wednesday imposed a 24-hour curfew on Zangon-Kataf and two other local government areas to protect lives and properties of the people.

Mr Samuel Aruwan, Special Assistant to Gov. Nasir El-Rufai on Media and Publicity in Kaduna, listed the other two councils as Kaura and Jema’a.The curfew was imposed following an emergency meeting of the State Security Council. The meeting also endorsed a ban on processions and unlawful assembly in any part of the state.

Aruwan said the council took the measure based on credible intelligence reports about risks to lives and property in the affected areas.

Security agencies had been empowered to arrest and prosecute any individual or groups that violate the orders.

The Council urged security operatives to ensure best practices in enforcing the directives.

Gov. El-Rufai chaired the meeting with the his Deputy, Barnabas Bala and was attended by the State Commissioner of Police, Agyole Abeh and Director of DSS, Mohammed Wakili.

Others that attended the meeting were Brig.-Gen. I. Isa, Commander, 1 Division Garrison, Nigerian Army; Rear Adm. T. T. Dakwat, Commandant, Nigerian Navy School of Armament, Kachia, and AVM Bello Garba, Base Commander, Nigerian Air Force, Kaduna.


Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/kaduna-slams-curfew-on-zangon-kataf.html

Its well with Nigeria...



lalasticlala

The Zonal Coordinator of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General Eporwei Edike, said 45 jumbo bags of Cannabis (Marijuana) worth N250 million from Ghana had been intercepted by the Western Marine Command (WMC).

Edike disclosed this on Wednesday in Lagos during his visits to the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) Customs Command, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone “A’’ of Customs and Western Marine Command (WMC) of the service in Lagos.He attributed the success recorded in making the seizure to the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Retired Col. Hameed Ali, for his amiable leadership and very supportive.

Edike said the comptroller-general had enabled officers to be more focused in eradicating smuggling throughout the country.

He said that the seizure was made along Agbara/Badagry axis by Marine Command, adding that the marine command had so far made seizures valued at N3.35 billion in 2016.

He said that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the total seizures recorded was N3.83 billion.

Edike commended controllers in the zone for their brilliant revenue performance, pointing out that the Murtala Muhammad Airport Command generated 50 billion in 11 months.

He applauded all the area controllers and unit heads for their resilience and dedication to duty.

Edike urged the Controller of MMA to triple the revenue target and assist government to accomplish its responsibility.

“We all know that December is a bumper period to generate more revenue to government.

“The CGC has promised to continue to motivate hard-working officers and controllers.

In his response the Customs Area Comptroller of Western Marine Command of NCS, Comptroller Umar Yusuf, said that the command also intercepted two boats of parboiled rice.

“The command also intercepted two boats of 50kg parboiled rice. One of the boats contained 1,650 bags (50kg) parboiled rice while the second boat contained 350 (50kg) parboiled rice.

“We were not able to bring the 1,650 bags because the boat sank while the seven officers leading the seizures also got sunk and were later rescued with the assistance of a Fisher man called Philips Adesina.

“We appreciate the Commodore Simon Dogo of Nigerian Navy for supporting Customs to rescue the seven officers but no suspect was arrested with the seizures,’’ NAN quotes Yusuf as saying.

He said the command also got an intelligence report that some unscrupulous elements were about entering Nigeria with Cannabis from Ghana.

“We swung into action and arrested the boat while the suspects as usual jumped into the water to evade arrest.

“This particular seizure made the fourth seizure of cannabis in this year.

At the Murtala Muhammad Airport Command, Comptroller Frank Allanah, attributed the huge revenue to the continuous encouraging words of the zonal coordinator of the command.

“MMA Command has received the Comptroller-General’s recognition three times on Improved Revenue, Seizure and Monumental recognition in the last few months.

“We also plead with the management to assist officers of the command being the eyes of the nation, ‘’ NAN quotes frank as saying.

Allanah said that MMA also intercepted at various times excess foreign currencies.

He said that before now, the command’s name was written on the second roll in Zonal office, adding that with the huge revenue being generated by the command, MMA’s name would be written on the first roll.

The Area Controller of FOU, Ikeja, Comptroller Mohammed Haruna, said the command had made 250 seizures at various times, adding that the command also generated over N400 million for government since he resumed duty in Oct, 25.

Haruna said that the command was sure of achieving its mandate that smuggling at both land and sea borders would be brought to be barest minimum.

Edike urged all the commands to support the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force and other sister agencies for continuous support in assisting the Federal Government to block all the revenue leakages across borders.

He urged officers not to relent in inter-agency collaboration, which he said had been yielding more success for customs operations.


Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/nigeria-custom-service-seizes-cannabis.html

cc: lalasticlala

God bless all our military personnel


lalasticlala, mynd44

Nigeria Army has started the construction of road network to Sambisa to ease troops operations in mopping up Boko Haram insurgents in the forest.

Mai. -Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole, stated this during a press conference at the Maimalari cantonment in Maiduguri.
“We have embarked on roads construction within the Sambisa forest to open up the area and also ease our operations in within the theater”.

“Construction of the roads will ease fighting troops in their effort to mop up the Boko Haram insurgency from their hideout.’’

He called on individuals and cooperate organization to support the military, as everything could not be left to government.

Such support was essential in reviving the economic development of the North-east, he said.

“I also urge the general public to continue to support the military in the north-east through the provision of useful information and not to fellow the ways of some media outfit that were bent to bring down the military.


Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/nigeria-army-constructs-road-to-sambisa.html

Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mansur Dan-Ali has appealed to countries and other donors that pledged financial and material support to the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to redeem their pledges to enable the force execute its mandate effectively.A statement issued by the minister’s spokesman, Col. Tukur Gusau, said Dan-Ali made the appeal during a courtesy visit by Ministers of Defence and Chiefs of Defence Staff from troops contributing countries of Multinational Joint Task Force, to President Idris Deby of Chad on Wednesday.

The troops contributing countries to the MNJTF include Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroun and Benin Republic.

Dan-Ali also urged Deby to use his good office as African Union Chairman to persuade leaders of contributing countries, organizations and individuals fulfill their promises to the force in support of the fight against Boko Haram.

The Nigerian Defence Minister also appealed to African leaders to provide a better means of livelihood for the people so that terrorists would not have the ability to recruit youths into terrorist activities across the region.

In his response President Idris Deby assured the visiting Ministers and Chiefs of Defence staff of the support of all LCBC Presidents to the MNJTF operations and also promised to impress on the donors to fulfil their promise.

The Chadian leader also paid tribute to the soldiers of Multinational Joint Task Force and urged them to clear the region of Boko Haram terrorists as soon as possible.

It would be recalled that only Nigerian had redeemed its pledge of financial contributions to the MNJTF since the force was established at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Chad basin area.

Troops contributing countries, organisations and some individuals had made commitments to fund some of the force’s activities as well as provide material support to the force.

The Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai on a recent visit to the MNJTF headquarters reechoed Nigeria’s call on organisations and countries to redeem pledges made to the force.

Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/defence-minister-urges-support-for-mnjtf.html

I am beginning to decipher how Shoprite was able to penetrate through Nigerian markets


lalasticlala, Seun

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on Monday, commissioned the biggest of the Palms Stores in Nigeria, Palm Store, Ota. Governor Amosun expressed satisfaction at the fact that made in Nigeria products, especially those made in Ogun State, were in the majority on the shelves at the store.The governor noted that this would further help in boosting the economy of the state.

Governor Amosun explained that with the opening of the Mall during this festive season, Ogun State residents would be able to buy goods at cheaper rates and enjoy the Yuletide.

The Ogun State Governor who was the first customer to shop at the Mall, was joined by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga;

Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa and other members of the state executive council.

The Financier of the project, Mr Tayo Amusan, while speaking with journalists, noted that over a thousand job opportunities have been created by the Mall.

Amusan added that the Mall will go a long way in adding to the growth of the economy of Ogun State.

Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/ogun-state-gov-ibikunle-amosun.html

Let the work begin...


Mynd44, Lalasticlala, Seun

President Buhari today declares Open Induction Course for Newly Appointed Career Ambassadors at the NIA Headquarters in Abuja. Below are pictures from the induction..

Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/pres-buhari-at-induction-course-for.html

I hope they get it right this time around...


More stories here..

http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/nnpc-floods-market-with-aviation-fuel.html

In its bid to ensure a hitch-free air travel across the country during and after the yuletide period, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has flooded the market with Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) popularly called aviation fuel.

The Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru, who disclosed this in Abuja today said the giant step was taken to forestall shortage of the product, a situation that had recently led to reported cases of flight delays and cancellations across the nation’s airports.

Dr. Baru said in the build-up to the yuletide period, the Corporation had exceeded the demand of marketers.

The GMD explained that the NNPC had imported about 38.7million litres of aviation fuel which represented about 26-day sufficiency.

Specifically, he continued, on December 14, 2016, the Corporation completed the discharge of 8,800MT which represented about 10.6million litres to major terminals in the country.

In addition, as at this morning (December 19, 2016), 23,500MT which represented about 28.2million litres was being discharged to the major oil terminals.

In order to sustain the tempo, the Corporation had also secured the supply of additional 30,000MT vessel of ATK which represented about 36million litres expected to berth Nigerian shores before the end of the year.

Furthermore, NNPC wishes to state that it has over 40-day sufficiency for PMS and adequate volumes of AGO and DPK to satisfy national demand throughout the yuletide period and beyond.

The GMD further assured Nigerians that the NNPC would sustain the drive towards ensuring availability of petroleum products at all times.


Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/nnpc-floods-market-with-aviation-fuel.html

The Senate will today (Thursday) screen the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
It was gathered that Magu who has been in acting capacity since November last year will be screened on the floor of the Senate today.

Four other members of the commission namely Moses Ndasule, Mamman Lawan, Imam Najib Galadanci and Adebayo Rafiu Adeleke nominated alongside Magu would be referred to the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes.

The screening of Magu has been pending since July. It was scheduled for last Thursday but was postponed to today.
A statement by the Senate President Media Office confirmed that the screening would be conducted today.

Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/senate-screens-magu-today.html

lalasticlala, mynd44

The daughter of president Muhammadu Buhari, Zahra Buhari had her tea party themed bridal shower yesterday at the presidential Banquet Hall in Abuja.
The official wedding to Ahmed Indimi is on December 16th (Tomorrow) and guests have been prohibited from taking pictures at the wedding.

See Photos below

Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/zahra-buhari-at-her-tea-party-themed.html

cc: lalasticlala

Only God will save our people, you see danger and you still went there to sleep..



lalasticlala, mynd44

This is according to a Facebook user..

An accident happens along Benin - Auchi - Okene Highway which involves a trailer and a petrol tanker that both collides, but trust Nigerians to never allow freebies pass them by even at their own risk. The villagers took turns in scooping fuel from the tanker. See more pictures below..

Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/villagers-scoop-fuel-from-fallen-tanker.html

GBTYO:
The useless afonja OP is quoting his dead blog as a source.

8. Don't post false information on Nairaland.

How sure are you that its falsehood? Grow up brother... 2016 is almost gone, have a receptive mind..

Despise not days of humble beginning...



lalasticlala, mynd44

The first president of Ghana, his Excellency late Kwame Nkrumah and the next president of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo. Greatness speaks.

Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/12/throwback-kwame-nkrumah-and-ghanas-pres.html