₦airaland Forum

@POLITICSNGR

The Federal Government has expressed shock at the invasion of the National Assembly and the subsequent snatching of the Senate mace by thugs on Tuesday.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the security agencies have been directed to immediately unravel the circumstances surrounding the breach of security that led to the invasion.

He said the security around the National Assembly complex would also be reinforced to prevent a recurrence.

https://politicsngr.com/fg-reacts-attack-senate-reveals-next-line-action-details/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

@POLITICSNGR

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has announced the creation of a new official website and social media accounts.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi.

The party was recently embroiled in a scandal involving its Twitter account prompting the creation of new social media channels. it distanced itself from the @APCNigeria twitter handle.

This same account on Saturday made several controversial tweets with many believing the account was hacked.

"For the umpteenth time, @APCNigeria IS NOT the official Twitter handle of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In several official statements, we have disclaimed that handle. We view this latest development as a case of criminal impersonation,” Mr Abdullahi tweeted in a reaction to the development on Saturday

The new APC website and media accounts are: www.officialapcng.com; Twitter, https://twitter.com/OfficialAPCNg; Facebook, https://web.facebook.com/officialapcng/; Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/officialapcng/; and YouTube; Official APC Nigeria.

"The newly-designed website features a streamlined and uncluttered design, offering user-friendly functionality and rich content. This website as well as the official social media accounts offers quick and easy access to essential information and features to keep party members, the media and indeed the general public abreast of party activities, the APC-led federal government and APC-governed states."

https://politicsngr.com/just-apc-announces-new-official-website-social-media-accounts/

@POLITICSNGR

A renowned human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN) has hit hard on the banks and churches as being nests of corruption, more than government institutions.

Falana made the remark at the 2018 edition of the Vanguard Economic Discourse, themed: “Economy in Recession: Pitfalls, Trajectories and Resetting”.

Watch the video obtained by PoliticsNGR below;

https://politicsngr.com/nigerian-churches-banks-corrupt-government-falanavideo/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNMc33CgpHA

@POLITICSNGR

Aisha Buhari, Nigeria's first lady and wife of President Muhammadu Buhari has finally given reasons why she criticized her husband in a 2016 interview on BBC Hausa.

She disclosed that she was critical of her husband's administration because of her strong sense of Justice. In a statement sent to the 2017 Vanguard awards where she was honoured with the Vanguard personality of the year award, Mrs Buhari, who was represented at the event by one of her daughters, Halima, stated that was brought up to stand by the truth and that was how she has been living her life.

The statement read;

"I wish to thank the management of Vanguard Media Limited for this unexpected award, in recognition of my humanitarian efforts towards improving the health and welfare of Nigerians particularly women, children and less privileged.

One of the reasons adduced for honouring me was the interview I granted which some people saw as criticism to a government that I am part of.

I need to state that my position was a result of my sense of justice and not confrontation or disrespect. I was brought up to stand by the truth and this is how I have always been.

As we are all aware, Nigerians elected this administration based on the trust and confidence they have on my husband; I, therefore, feel that we are here to serve Nigeria to the best of our ability.

Let me use this opportunity to state that I support my husband in this call to service and will continue to do so. On this note, I hereby dedicate this award to the people of Nigeria, especially women. Thank you sincerely for this award."

Mrs Buhari had in the 2016 interview with BBC warned her husband that she might not back him at the 2019 election unless he shakes up his government.

She has claimed that the President did not know most of the top officials he appointed.

She had said, "The President does not know 45 out of 50, for example, of the people he appointed and I don’t know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years.

Some people are sitting down in their homes folding their arms only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position."

In the BBC interview, the Mrs Buhari refused to name those who had hijacked the government, saying, “You will know them if you watch television.”

https://politicsngr.com/spoke-husband-aisha-buhari-opens/

@POLITICSNGR

There are strong indications that the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the National Assembly is currently divided over the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was reliably gathered that a lot of the APC lawmakers are not favourably disposed to the idea of President Buhari seeking a second term in office in the 2019 general election.

A reliable source disclosed that this was as a result of the less than cordial relationship that has existed between the executive arm of government and the legislature.

President Buhari declared his intention to run for a second term in next year’s general election last Monday at a meeting of the ruling party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

An APC member of the House of Representatives, from one of the Northern states, who pleaded anonymity, told Sunday Sun that there ii division in the APC caucus on account of the President’s 2019 re-election project.

According to the lawmaker, most members of the ruling party in the National Assembly are not happy by the decision of the president to contest next year’s presidential election.

He said they had expected him to bow out after the completion of his tenure in 2019.

“We are not together it ( Buhari’s re-election bid). We are divided. Most of us think he should have done the honourable thing and not seek re-election because of the fact that the party under his watch has not been united.

“Even in terms of the ways the government has been run, there have been too much rancour between the executive and the legislature and these have affected a lot of things. Again, because of his health, a lot of things are done by his cronies and he is even not aware of a lot of decisions he has taken,” the lawmaker said.

He added that members of the APC caucus opposed to President Buhari’s re-election cut across the country, noting that most of those in support are majorly from the North-West geo-political zones.

“If you look at it across the country, there is a higher number against; even in the North. Most of his support is from the North-West. But even in the North-West, they are divided. In the other zones, he has no support practically,” he stated.

However, the Senate Committee Chairman on Police Affairs, Senator Abu Ibrahim, said that President Buhari’s Monday declaration of his second term bid saved the APC from disintegration.

The Katsina South lawmaker said that there was no doubt that the President Buhari’s announcement would go a long way to douse what could have created an unmanageable crisis of confidence in the APC.

Ibrahim spoke to reporters in Abuja in reaction to President Buhari’s announcement of his intention to seek re-election during the 2019 elections.

Ibrahim said that he was “joyous, elated and delighted” at the decision of President Buhari to seek re-election.

“I think that it (seeking re-election) is also the right thing for him to do,” he said, adding that if Buhari decided not to contest, “it would likely have led to the disintegration of the APC.

“If Buhari decided not to contest, the NEC meeting would have ended up in combative situation. The meeting would have turned into explosive uncontrollable situation. Who will emerge as APC flag bearer: is it from the North or the South. It would have led to a serious situation that would have been difficult to manage and control.

“If Buhari decided not to contest, it would have created confusion. That declaration saved us that confusion. I am joyous.

“There is no doubt that we are on the path of recovery in Nigeria. We are on the path of rebirth in Nigeria. If this gentleman continues for the next four years, Nigeria will be much better.”

He noted that if Buhari decided not contest, it would have been difficult for the APC to get somebody as widely accepted as the president as the party’s flag bearer.

The lawmaker also acknowledged that “there are pockets of problems here and there,” noting that Buhari had, to a large extent, dealt with Boko Haram insurgency.

On his blueprint for Buhari if he is re-elected, Ibrahim said that he would still put more emphasis on security, especially internal security.

“Internal security is important. It means that the police must be rebuilt, given more funds and made viable to perform better. I will also put emphasis on the economy and infrastructure and investment.”

To those criticizing President Buhari, he said: “They should continue their criticism while we will continue to give them answers. That is the beauty of democracy.”

A member of the House of Representatives from Kaduna State, Hon Bala Yusuf told Sunday Sun that it was wrong for anyone to say there was division within the APC caucus in the National Assembly over Buhari’s re-election bid.

He, however, admitted that there might be some APC lawmakers, who have misgivings on the decision of the president to seek a second term in next year’s general election.

When asked the percentage of APC lawmakers supporting the president 2019 project, Yusuf said, “all I know is that we are strongly behind Mr President. There are many of us who are behind the president. I cannot give you the ratio.

“The truth is that I am not aware of any division in the APC caucus. If some people think they are not comfortable with the president’s decision, they can do anything. Everyone is entitled to his opinion. But for those of us from the North-West, we are 100 per cent in support of the re-electon bid. That is why we formed a forum, North-West Parliamentarians in Support of Buhari/Osinbajo 2019.”

On the other hand, the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Hon. Mark Gbillah confirmed that the relationship between the executive and the legislature has not been very cordial.

Gbillah said for most of the lawmakers, their support for the president’s second term project would be contingent on an improved relationship between the two arms of government.

“For those of us who are in his party, we are disappointed that we have not been carried along by the executive. And we are wondering how he is going to do it when those of us, who should have been helping him at the grassroots are not been carried along.

“I am the deputy chairman of the Petroleum Committee(Upstream). I cannot even call the NNPC GMD, which I supervise, to meet with him. The SGF is unreachable.

“Members of his executives, who we oversight have not developed any relationship with us. They are unreachable. They don’t show us any respect or regard. That is a ministry where he is the minister.

“They seem to forget that we are the ones who campaign for them at the grassroots. Buhari will not come there. At most he will come to the state. These are the internal issues that have not been resolved. If he wants our support, he needs to address these issues.

“Our support for him will be contingent on how these issues are addressed. Every politics is local. We are the ones who hold the key in our constituency. He can do whatever he wants at the federal. He can even come to the state. But at the end of the day, we are the people who go to the wards, to the villages to campaign. And so far we have not been carried along.”

However, the lawmaker said it is not too late for President Buhari to improve on the relationship between the executive and the legislature, if he sincerely wants the support of members of the parliament.

https://politicsngr.com/trouble-looms-another-crisis-hits-apc-caucus-buharis-second-termdetails/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

@POLITICSNGR

The police have revealed the identities of 12 suspects who were arrested for alleged connection to the last Thursday’s robbery in Offa, Kwara State.

Jimoh Moshood, the police spokesperson at Force Headquarters, released details of the arrests, including recovered exhibits, in a statement to newsmen around 6:00 p.m. Friday.

Read the full statement below:

SUSPECTS
i) Adegoke Shogo 29yrs – Arrested in Offa

ii) Kayode Opadokun 35yrs – Arrested in Offa

iii) Kazeem Abdulrasheed 36yrs – Arrested in Offa

iv) Azeez Abdullahi 27yrs – Arrested in Offa

v) Alexander Reuben 39yrs – Arrested on the 11th April, 2018 in Lagos

vi) Jimoh Isa 28yrs – Arrested on the 11th April, 2018 in Lagos

vii) Azeez Salawudeen 20yrs – Arrested in Offa and victim’s phone and sim cards recovered from him

viii) Adewale Popoola 22yrs – Arrested in Offa and victim’s phone and sim cards recovered from him

ix) Adetoyese Muftau 23yrs – Arrested in Ibadan, Oyo State

x) Aminu Ibrahim 18yrs – Arrested in Ilorin

xi) Richard Buba Terry 23yrs – Arrested in Ilorin

xii) Peter Jaba Kuunfa 25yrs – Arrested in Ilorin

These three (3) last suspects in whose possession another Beretta pistol and Fourteen (14) rounds of live ammunitions were recovered.

EXHIBITS
i. Two (2) Beretta Pistols

ii. Twenty (20) Rounds of Live Ammunition

iii. Four (4) Phones and SIM cards belonging to victims, some of whom were killed during the attack

Consequent on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni, deployment of high-powered Police Investigation Team, Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), Three (3) units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Anti-Robbery equipment to Kwara State to carryout discreet investigation into the banks robbery, prevent further attacks and bring perpetrators to justice; the high-powered Police Investigation Team deployed in synergy with the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department have arrested the Nine (9) above mentioned Armed Robbers directly involved in the Banks Robbery and attack on a Police Station in Offa, Kwara State.

2. The Police teams engaged in massive raids of identified criminal spots/flashpoints, stop and search operations, visibility and confidence building patrols, intelligence gathering which led to the arrest of the suspects. Some of the arrest also involved serious exchange of gun fire between the Police and the suspects in their various hideouts.

3. The following are the suspects arrested and have admitted to the various criminal roles they played in the banks robbery attacks and are also assisting Police investigation into the incident.

i) Adegoke Shogo 29yrs Native of Offa Kwara State, he was arrested in Offa after the bank robbery and the attack on the Police Station. He is drug baron and also an Indian Hemp dealer in Offa Kwara State. According to intelligence gathered from cultivated and reliable informant, he is alleged to be one of the sponsors of the robbery attack and the Police Station in Offa. He has made useful statements to the roles he played in the armed robbery.

ii) Kayode Opadokun 35yrs Native of Offa Kwara State, He was found out to have been released from Prison Three (3) months ago after Serving only 8months of his sentence years for Armed Robbery, Notorious Armed Robber and confirmed Gang member of the Offa Bank Robbers. A Barrette pistol and six (6) rounds of live ammunition was recovered from him. He has admitted to the criminal roles he played in the Offa Banks robbery.

iii) Kazeem Abdulrasheed 36yrs Native of Offa Kwara State, A Gang member from whom a Victim’s phone was found. He was arrested in Offa

iv) Azeez Abdullahi 27yrs Native of Offa Kwara State, Gang member from whom a Victim’s Phone and SIM Cards were recovered.

v) Alexander Reuben 39yrs Native of Isoko LGA Delta state, He is a Notorious, Deadly and Hardened Bank robber from whom GMPGs, Rocket launchers and Several Rifles were recovered in 2015, He was released from Prison in December 2017. He was arrested on the 11th April, 2018 in Lagos.

vi) Jimoh Isa 28yrs Native of Okene Kogi State indicted by Technical intelligence generated on the Bank Robbers. He was arrested on the 11thApril, 2018 in Lagos.

4. Three000 (3) suspects namely Azeez Salawudeen 20yrs, Adewale Popoola 22yrs and Adetoyese Muftau 23yrs from whom Two (2) phones and SIM cards belonging to victims were recovered have also made confessional statements admitting to the various roles they played in the commission of the crime.

5. (i) Aminu Ibrahim 18yrs – Arrested in Ilorin,

ii) Richard Buba Terry 23yrs and

iii) Peter Jaba Kuunfa 25yrs

These three (3) suspects in whose possession another Beretta pistol and Fourteen (14) rounds of live ammunitions were recovered were arrested in connection with the Offa bank robbery. They have previously been investigated and charged to court for armed robbery and cultism. They have made confessional statements admitting to the various criminal roles they played in the recent bank robbery in Offa.

6. All the suspects during investigation confessed to the various criminal roles they played in the commission of the crime, however, investigation is being intensified to arrest other suspects still at large and bring them to justice.

7. The Nigeria Police Force once again deeply commiserates with the Government and People of Kwara State, most especially the people of Offa and the families of the victims. The Force will leave no stone unturned in unravelling this dastard act and bring all those responsible to justice. The Force appreciates the supports from members of the public so far and calls for calm and their cooperation to sustain the normalcy that has been restored in the State.

https://politicsngr.com/just-police-capture-12-suspects-responsible-offa-bank-robberyfull-list/

@POLITICSNGR

With a modesty befitting his holy office, the Archbishop of Canterbury has always played down his past life as a young oil company executive.

But a Mail on Sunday investigation has found that far from working on the margins of Elf Aquitaine, Justin Welby was one of its finance ‘sharks’ – and employed on a morally questionable plan to protect the firm’s oil interests in Nigeria in the early Eighties.

Named Bonny LNG, the plan involved persuading the country’s leaders that Elf and other major oil companies were poised to invest  £6 billion in an energy project that had scant hope of being realised.

Throughout this period, the French state-owned company – which later became synonymous with corruption and scandal – was allegedly committing human rights abuses against the people of the oil-abundant Niger Delta.

Mr Welby, who made regular visits to the country’s capital for meetings at the time, strenuously denies being aware of the claims – or the true motivation for the Bonny LNG project.

Soldiers paid by Elf seized land from tribesmen in the region, often using violence. And locals say police officers were paid to arrest those who resisted.

During Mr Welby’s five years at Elf he worked under a number of colourful characters, none more so than the Corsican-born oil executive Andre Tarallo, dubbed Monsieur Africa.

Tarallo, who was in charge of African operations, would later feature in a massive fraud inquiry that tore the company apart in the Nineties. He was jailed for four years in 2003 for paying millions in bribes to African leaders in return for oil contracts.

‘Some of my other colleagues had contact with Tarallo and they were caught with their pants down,’ said Mr Welby’s former boss, Kjell Skjevesland.

‘Justin would have had direct contact with him. Justin would have been in the meetings with him, probably as the only non-French guy in there.’ However, Mr Welby denies meeting Tarallo in person.

Elf’s headquarters was in Paris near the Champs-Elysees. But, for the Bonny LNG talks, Mr Welby usually travelled to the Nigerian capital Lagos as the company’s sole representative. ‘He made a meaningful contribution,’ said his boss.

Mr Welby, 56, now the spiritual head of more than 80 million Anglicans worldwide, insists that, while he was aware of rumours of corruption during his time at Elf, he never encountered evidence of it.

When he joined the company in the late Seventies, the Nigerian government was planning to nationalise the country’s oil fields, something Elf, Shell, BP and others were desperate to prevent.

They attempted to talk the government out of it by dangling a giant carrot – a promise to invest  £6 billion between them in a project that involved shipping natural gas from Nigeria to Europe.

But Bonny LNG collapsed before it began, just as the ‘investors’ knew it would. ‘Everyone was scrambling for crude at the time and everyone wanted to please the Nigerians,’ said Mr Skjevesland. ‘This project was way, way off and unrealistic.’

He said that the oil companies were simply ‘playing games’ with the Nigerian government to ensure they could ‘still get the crude out’.

Thomas Knutsen was another Elf finance executive who worked with Mr Welby. Asked if the project was designed to trick the Nigerian government into believing it would go ahead, when in all likelihood it would not, Mr Knutsen replied: ‘I think that is a good assumption.’

Asked if Mr Welby was aware of the tactic, Mr Skjevesland replied: ‘Yes, of course he was.’ But the Archbishop insists he ‘believed it to be a genuine project . . . and nothing [he] learned about it at the time suggested otherwise’.

Unlike the Archbishop, Mr Skjevesland has conceded that he himself was ‘probably’ aware of the human rights abuses committed by Elf.

After Bonny LNG’s demise, the plan to nationalise the industry was halted, ensuring the oil companies’ Nigerian interests were saved. They enjoyed massive profits, while the majority of Nigerians continued to lead impoverished lives.

Mr Welby left Paris in 1983 and the Elf Group the following year, but returned to the country 20 years later on numerous Anglican peace missions in the Niger Delta. He risked his life negotiating with Al Qaeda and performed countless acts of courage as he sought a reconciliation between oil giant Shell and the Ogoni people.

It is tempting to see the clergyman’s work in the region as a form of atonement for the sins of Elf and the other major oil companies.

These days he rails against huge City bonuses as a member of the parliamentary commission on banking standards. He has written extensively on business ethics, including an academic paper called Can Companies Sin? Few would deny that his five years at Elf left him well-equipped to answer that question.

Tellingly, one of the reasons why Mr Welby left Elf for a much smaller company was so that he was ‘better able to both know and influence its culture and practices’.

In the late Seventies and early Eighties, the oil industry (still reeling from the Opec crisis) was at its most morally elastic.

As a member of Elf’s financial department, Mr Welby cut quite an uncompromising figure. His boss boasted that his team – who earned their ‘sharks’ nickname from a magazine article – dealt ‘on a yes-or-no basis, no short cuts, no maybes, no shaving an eighth of a point’.

Mr Welby, an Old Etonian and a Cambridge graduate, quickly established a reputation as a model employee with a razor-sharp brain.

Mr Knutsen, with whom he shared an office, recalled: ‘It was very challenging but we were young and the sky was the limit. I don’t think I’ve been more impressed with a brain than I was with Justin’s.’

He was quickly handed responsibility beyond his years. For instance, he  was directly involved in an attempted hostile takeover of an American oil company, Kerr-McGee. Hours before it was due to go ahead, the takeover was halted after the intervention of the French prime minister who feared it would damage French-US relations.

Before it was stopped, Mr Skjevesland recalled Mr Welby was instructed by Elf’s group treasurer to transfer $2 billion. ‘One morning Justin came in to the office and told me, “I got a phone call from New York last night. We’re going to go ahead with the acquisition.”

‘In those days [1980], instead of having huge syndicated bank loans we went to the biggest banks in the world and borrowed say £100 million to £500 million from each.

‘For this root money he [the group treasurer] called up Justin. He didn’t bother to call anyone more senior because he had confidence in him.’ The Archbishop says his role in the deal was exaggerated, but does recall being instructed to draw ‘all the maximum funds... on pre-arranged credit lines’.

Home for Mr Welby and his wife Caroline was a duplex apartment on the banks of the Seine in the French capital’s smartest district, the 16th arrondissement.

Along with the rest of the finance team, Mr Welby often dined at the temples of Parisien gastronomie. Mr Skjevesland, 67, who now lives in Switzerland, said: ‘The banks invited us out all the time.’

But Mr Welby was modest in nature and deed. ‘Justin enjoyed dining out but he didn’t drink much,’ said his boss. ‘He wasn’t like some of the other Brits. In those days we were floating in alcohol all day long.’

Mr Welby had been a committed Christian since university yet rarely discussed his faith with colleagues. But some recall him wearing a cross pinned to the breast pocket of his tweed jacket.

Isobel Gil-Noble, the warden of St Michael’s, the English-speaking Paris church Mr Welby attended, said: ‘Justin was a bit of a yuppie – and a real slick professional.’

Mr Skjevesland, who was the company’s assistant treasurer for most of Mr Welby’s time with Elf, also attended the monthly talks in Lagos on the Bonny LNG project.

It was at this time, unbeknown to Mr Welby who only learnt of the allegations last year, that abuses were being carried out in Elf’s name in the Delta.

Dr Alexander Akor, 55, a lecturer in environmental engineering at the local River State University, said: ‘The military was used to suppress the people. They would ask you to leave the area. If you refused, they would intimidate you, beat you up and drag you away. Many  families were displaced and people were killed.’

He said Elf had paid the military to remove people from their homes so it could use the land for drilling.

At the time of Mr Welby’s visits to Nigeria on behalf of Elf, corruption within the country’s government reached its zenith. Its people received precious little of the oil profits, despite revenues accounting for four-fifths of the nation’s income.

It is estimated £250 billion has been stolen by corrupt government officials since oil was struck – leaving 70 per cent of Nigerians currently living on less than 65p per day.

Ibama Ibegwuru, 80, has lived for 40 years in the Egi region where Elf had a major onshore operation. He says he was imprisoned by Nigeria’s military junta after protesting against the alleged human rights and environmental abuses committed by the company.

‘When the Land Use Act came in [which allowed the military to seize land] nobody could stop Elf,’ said Mr Ibegwuru. ‘The military used force and some youths were killed; some had their legs broken to intimidate the indigenous people.’

He said the same soldiers taking part in the violent land grabs were also defending Elf’s property. In 1993, a settlement was made between Elf and the Egi people. Elf’s pledges included employing more local people, settling compensation cases, providing water to the Egi and improving environmental and ecological protection.

Meanwhile, the oil companies’ role in the military’s abuses has been acknowledged by the Nigerian government through the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission. In 2002, it reported that the protection given to oil companies led to ‘systematic and generalised violations and abuses’.

Archbishop Welby said in a statement last night: ‘During my time at that company [Elf] I worked in a junior finance capacity on a project in Nigeria, travelling to Lagos from Paris.

‘To suggest that I was in some way responsible for making strategic decisions, or that I was even aware of any alleged dubious confidential strategy by Elf, is absurd given my youth and lack of seniority.

‘In the case of the Bonny LNG project, Elf only had a five percent stake, so even the company itself had minimal influence in decision making.’

https://politicsngr.com/archbishop-canterbury-justin-welbys-connection-nigerias-oil-fields-revealed/

@POLITICSNGR

The Supreme Court will on July 6, 2018 give its ruling on the false assets declaration charge brought against Senate President Bukola Saraki by the Federal Government.

Justice Musa Mohammed Dattijo, who presided over the matter yesterday, fixed the date after taking arguments from both Saraki and the Federal Government.

Saraki had approached the Supreme Court, asking it to dismiss the 18-count criminal charges of false assets declaration brought against him by the Federal Government.

He told the apex court that the charges against him were frivolous, and that prima facie case was not established against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), which earlier tried him.

But counsel to the Federal Government, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), urged the court to hold that Saraki has a case to answer in the charges.

He submitted that there was no law that an investigation must be conducted before charges can be preferred against any defendant.

In another development, the Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed April 30, 2018 for ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking forfeiture of property belonging to former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

This followed arguments between the prosecution and counsel to Mrs. Jonathan, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

The EFCC’s application, which was moved by Benjamin Manji, sought leave of the court for an order granting an interim attachment/forfeiture of the property.

But Ozekhome prayed the court not to entertain EFCC’s ex-parte motion.

Ozekhome further argued that EFCC’s motion was an abuse of court process because it was filed during the pendency of another action in respect of the property before a sister court presided by Justice John Tsoho.

He, therefore, urged Justice Nnamdi Dimgba to hold that “this is a proper case where you cannot shave someone’s hair in someone’s absence.”

https://politicsngr.com/supreme-court-give-final-judgement-sarakis-case-july-6-details/

@POLITICSNGR

Imo State Governor and Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration for second term, could be adjudged a patriotic response to the clarion call of Nigerians of goodwill for him to lead the Country for another 4 years.

The governor noted too that, the declaration of the President to go for Second tenure would also go a long way to reduce the noise of the opposition and take care of the idiosyncrasies of certain elements in the system.

The governor said the President has done well to deserve second tenure and remarked that those who had wanted to blackmail him out of going for another term can now find other meaningful things to keep themselves busy.

He expressed optimism that the President would largely garner more votes in 2019 than he had done in 2015 because most Nigerians, including people of the South-East have seen that he meant well for the nation and her Citizenry.

The governor said the APC has no apology to make because it has done wonderfully well considering the magnitude of the rot it met on ground in 2015 and noted that the antenna of the opposition in the Country will finally be lowered when the campaigns begin and the Party will be showing Nigerians its achievements in the States under its control and at the federal level.

The governor said when a Political Party had admitted that the government it ran was a huge failure and then apologized, such scenario goes with restitution and not with reward.

He urged APC members across the nation to close ranks for the Victory of the Party at all levels in 2019.

https://politicsngr.com/okorocha-said-buharis-declaration-second-term/

@POLITICSNGR

President Muhammadu Buhari has parted lips on his decision to contest in the 2019 presidential elections.

In a statement issued by his Media aide, Garba Shehu, the president disclosed that his reason for contesting was due to the clamor from Nigerians.

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Monday in Abuja declared his intention to seek re-election in 2019.

“President Buhari made the declaration at a closed-door meeting of the National Executive Council of the All Progressives Congress.

“The President said he was responding to the clamor by Nigerians to re-contest in 2019, adding that he wanted to give NEC the honour of notifying them first.

“Shortly before making the declaration, the President presented a speech on the report submitted by the APC National Executive Technical Committee.”

https://politicsngr.com/real-reason-contesting-2019-buhari-opens/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

@POLITICSNGR

Ex-Aviation minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari's declaration to contest for second term earlier today.

The PDP chieftain took to Twitter to announce that the President will fail in his bid to clinch power again in 2019. He wrote;

"@MBuhari has declared his intention to seek for a fresh mandate.He should prepare himself for the biggest demystification in Nigeria's history.A man whose legacy is nothing but blood, death, destruction, corruption, division, conflict, failure and carnage wants to run.He will FAIL!"

https://politicsngr.com/fani-kayode-explosively-reacts-buharis-declaration-second-term/

@POLITICSNGR

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its Special Forces, in conjunction with some Nigerian Army troops, successfully foiled a suicide bombing attack by Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) at the University of Maiduguri, Borno on Sunday night.

AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, confirmed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

“The BHT suicide bombers tried to gain access into the University but were quickly detected by the NAF Special Forces.

“Meanwhile, the vest on one of the suicide bombers detonated before they could gain access into the hostel, leading to a commotion.

“However, there was no reported fatality except for the suicide bomber, whose counterparts immediately fled, when the NAF Special Forces and the NA troops opened fire on them.

“The NAF Agusta Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) then went in pursuit of the fleeing BHTs, following which an additional suicide bomber was identified and neutralized,” he said.

Adesanya said the NAF Agusta LUH was still searching for the other fleeing terrorists at the time of filing this report.

“Members of the populace, especially around the University premises are, therefore, requested to be very vigilant,” the NAF spokesman said

https://politicsngr.com/naf-special-forces-foil-suicide-bombing-attempt-unimaid/

@POLITICSNGR

Two Nigerian banks, Access Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank have been fined for violating various regulations put in place by the country's Apex bank, the central bank of Nigeria.

The two banks reportedly paid a combined N96 million in fines an analysis of the Banks' financial statements for December 2017 reveal.

Violation of Bank Charges, Late rendition of returns and Unutilized Foreign Exchange 

The penalties were paid for various offenses ranging from unutilized foreign exchange from CBN, late rendition of returns, violations of guide on bank charges, among other infractions.

Access Bank pays a staggering N78 million, GTB pays a whopping N18 million in fines

A breakdown shows that during the year, while GTB paid about N18 million as fines, Access Bank paid over N78 million to the regulatory agencies.

Details of the payments are contained in the banks’ financial returns submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE.

The various regulatory bodies in the banking sector routinely impose sanctions as a means of strengthening corporate governance in the financial institutions and ensuring transparency.

For Access Bank, analysis shows that N60 million was paid in respect of Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration, N6 million in respect of unutilized foreign exchange from CBN, and N2 million in respect of the implementation of external auditors’ recommendation. Similarly, the bank paid N2 million for non-compliance over Bancassurance and N2 million for CBN foreign exchange examination.

Bancassurance is the selling of life assurance and other insurance products and services by banking institutions.

For injection of capital to subsidiaries, the bank paid N4 million while a separate N2 million was paid in respect of the Know Your Customer (KYC) requirement.

GTB on its part was fined N50,000 as penalty for late rendition of returns, N6 million as penalty on infractions on Guide to Bank Charges and a separate N2 million penalty on closure of an e-branch without prior CBN approval.

For violation of Guide to Bank Charges, the bank paid N2 million; in respect of limit above Gross Aggregate Net Open Position (NOP), it paid a separate N2 million; for under-repatriation of export proceeds by two customers of the Bank, it paid N2 million; and as penalty for delay in rendition of returns, it paid N25,000.

For non-submission of draft Recovery and Resolution Plan document, it was fined N2 million and it paid a separate N2 million penalty in respect of loan accounts without BVN.

There have been concerns on why management of banks often violate the rules and regulation of banking operations, thus leading to the payment of sanctions from money that ought to accrue to shareholders as dividend.

While analysts are of the opinion that banking operations is huge and complex thus making it almost difficult to record a hitch-free operation throughout the financial year, the regulatory bodies should come up with tighter sanctions to control the infractions and make management of banks comply with the rules.

Union Bank, Fidelity and First Bank yet to release Financial statements

Although some of the banks have released their financial statements, only a few other banks have not released their financial statements despite the expiration of the March 31 deadline issued by the NSE. The affected banks include Union Bank, Fidelity, and First Bank.

https://politicsngr.com/access-bank-gtb-fined-n96-million-illegal-charges-violations/

@POLITICSNGR

Below is a press statement from the Niger state police command;

In compliance with the Inspector-General of Police directive to mop up illegal and prohibited firearms in circulation across the Country, the Niger State Police Command recovered the following firearms of different descriptions in Pandogari, Alawa, Sarkin Pawa, Lapai, Gawu Babangida and Mashegu.

▷ 6 AK 47 rifles.
▷ 30 Revolver short guns.
▷ 42 Locally made Single Barrel guns.
▷ 8 Locally made fabricated Dane guns.
▷ 7 Locally fabricated Revolver Single Barrel guns.
▷ 5 Magazine
▷ 81 7.62/51mm LAR Ammunition.
▷ 1 SMG rifle.
▷ 2 Mark 4 rifles.
▷ 2 Barreta rifles.
▷ 1 Tye-06 pistol.
▷ 1 Locally made AK47 rifle.
▷ 2 Pump Action guns.
▷ 1 G3 rifle.
▷ 1 Mark 5 rifle
▷ one Gas cylinder
▷ One Machine and tools for fabricating firearms.

Henceforth, the Police task force will intensify massive cordon and search of premises, houses and stores on reasonable suspicion that are in custody of firearms or used for fabrication of firearms of any description and bring perpetrators to book in accordance with the provisions of the Robbery and Firearms Act Cap R.11 LFN 2004 and Firearms Act Cap F.28 LFN 2004 accordingly.

The Commissioner of Police, D. P Yakadi mni calls the good people of Niger State not to entertain fear when the task force commences the operation and seeks cooperation of all members of the public in this regard.

Photos below;

https://politicsngr.com/mop-police-recover-110-arms-81-ammunition-niger-statephotos/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

@POLITICSNGR

The Nigerian police force has finally captured the last of six kidnappers that escaped from police detention in Kogi state.

Kabiru Seidu a.k.a Osama, the last of the suspected criminals linked to Dino Melaye, a Senator representing Kogi West, who escaped from Police cell with the aid of some Nigeria Police officers at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Lokoja, was rearrested on Sunday.

Osama was one of six suspects who broke jail last week, others include Nuhu Salisu a.k.a Small, Aliyu Isa, Adams Suleiman, Emmanuel Audu and Musa Mohammed they all escaped from ‘A’ Division of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) detention in Lokoja in Kogi state, where they were being held pending their court appearance with Mr. Melaye who was also been declared wanted by the police.

Kabiru was arrested in Bauchi on Sunday night and has since been taken to Abuja by police detectives.

Police sources said they've now arrested all the jailbreakers who allegedly colluded with Senator Melaye to destabilize Kogi state. The Senator is yet to comment on this development.

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-police-capture-escaped-kidnapper-linked-senator-dino-melayephoto/

@POLITICSNGR

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has reacted to the release of a fresh looters' list by the Federal Government. In a series of tweets on Sunday, the PDP disclosed that the ruling APC was planning to create a One-party state.

The party also accused president Muhammadu Buhari of planning to harass and intimidate its members ahead of the 2019 polls. They wrote;

"The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party has been drawn to clandestine plots by certain agents of the federal government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to clamp down on key members of the opposition parties ahead of the 2019 general election.

Part of this heinous plot is also to arrest members of the civil society, opinion leaders, the media and profes groups who refused to buy into the fabrications, lies, deceptions and propaganda of the @APCNigeria and Federal Government. @MBuhari

The first leg of this scheme is to commence a vicio intimidation and harassment of @OfficialPDPNig members, who have refused to succumb to pressure to join the @APCNigeria in their undemocratic quest to create for a one party state in Nigeria."

https://politicsngr.com/pdp-replies-apc-fresh-looters-list-exposes-one-party-state-plot/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

@POLITICSNGR

No fewer than 15 persons are feared dead and 55 others sustained injuries in a Sunday night attack by Boko Haram insurgents at Bale community in the outskirts of Maiduguri.

PoliticsNGR learned that echoes from sporadic gunshots and multiple explosions which lasted for hours on Sunday evening, were heard from the outskirts of the city.

Competent security sources told our correspondent that a number of insurgents attacked Bale-Shuwa and Bale-Kura communities near Maiduguri in an attempt to infiltrate the town at about 8: 00 p. m.

The source disclosed that the insurgents parked their vehicles few meters away from a security check point and sneaked into the community.

The source added that the security operatives engaged in fierce gun battle with the insurgents who detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and shot sporadically.

“Dozens of people including women and children were wounded from the explosion and gun shots.

“Due to darkness dead bodies were not evacuated immediately because there were suicide bombers among the attackers,” the added.

However, the Commander of the Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, denied any death on the side of his soldiers or civilians in the attack.

Reacting to an inquiry in a text message he said, however, that some of the Boko Haram insurgents were killed.

“That’s not correct. There was an attack which was repelled and some Boko Haram insurgents were killed by gallant soldiers.

“However, Boko Haram came with suicide bombers who denoted their vests while running from the troops fire in a nearby community and that led to 14 civilians being injured from the blasts.”

https://politicsngr.com/15-killed-55-persons-injured-boko-haram-attack-maiduguri/

@POLITICSNGR

Ex-aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has reacted to reports of a Yoruba Oba, the Oluwo of Iwoland converting to an 'Emir'.

Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, recently declared himself the first and only 'Emir of Yorubaland', adding that the reason for his decision was that traditional rulers or 'Obas' in the south-west were always fighting with each other.

The development has not gone down well with a lot of stakeholders in the region who have condemned the move.

FFK reacting to the development tweeted;

"This is Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo who now insists that he must be called the Emir of Yorubaland."

"He is a gutless and treacherous bastard who is an Islamofascist and who has sold his people to the Fulani raiders."

"May God curse the day that he was born."
https://politicsngr.com/gutless-bastard-fani-kayode-reacts-yoruba-oba-converting-emir/

@POLITICSNGR

The Nigerian government has released another list of looters under the previous administration. In a statement made available to PoliticsNGR from the Ministry of Information headed by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Several PDP chieftains were fingered as looters under the Goodluck Jonathan Administration.

The Statement read;

The Federal Government has said the list of alleged looters which it released earlier was based on verifiable facts, including the amount involved, the date the amount in question was collected and from where it was taken.

Releasing a fresh list of alleged looters, in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also said those complaining that the list was too short apparently did not understand that it was strategically released as a teaser.

''At the press conference where the list was released, I did say it was a tip of the iceberg. Apparently, this does not mean anything to people whose style is to comment on issues they barely understand, or just to shoot down anything coming from the government,'' he said, adding that the Federal Government has a large number of alleged
looters on its list.

Alhaji Mohammed slammed the PDP for daring to challenge the Federal Government over an issue that the party knows is its weakness: Looting of public treasury.

''What was the PDP expecting when it challenged the FG to name the looters of the public treasury under the party's watch? Did the PDP actually believe that the massive looting under its watch was a joke? Did they think it is April Fool?'' he queried.

The Minister said the PDP's reaction to the looters' list has shown that its recent apology is an election-induced act, contrived to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians to vote for the party in the 2019 general election, even when it has not come clean on its looting spree during its time in office.

''The hysterical and panicky reaction from the PDP has shown that the party is not at all sincere about its choreographed apology. Were it not the case, the party would have followed in the footsteps of one of its leaders, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, who simply owned up to his role in the party's rigging in the past elections and said he had turned a new leaf.

''It is said that a true confession is done in humility with an attitude of repentance. It is clear that the PDP does not know this, hence its resort to hubris instead of humility and genuine penitence,'' he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said the Federal Government will neither be intimidated nor blackmailed into silence, adding that it will also not rest until all those who looted the public treasury have been brought to justice.

SECOND BATCH OF ALLEGED LOOTERS AND THE AMOUNT ALLEGEDLY EMBEZZLED

1. Former NSA Sambo Dasuki: Based on EFCC investigations and findings
alone (this is beside the ongoing $2.1 billion military equipment
scandal), a total of N126 billion, over $1.5 billion and 5.5 million
British Pounds was embezzled through his office. A good number of
these monies were simply shared to persons and companies without any
formal contract awards.

2. Former Petroleum Resources Minister Dieziani Alison-Madukwe: In just one of the cases the EFCC is investigating involving her, about N23 billion is alleged to have been embezzled. She is also involved in the Strategic Alliance Contracts of the NNPC, where the firms of Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko got oil blocks but never paid government taxes and royalty. About $3 billion was involved. The Federal Government is charging Omokore and Aluko and will use all legal instruments local and international to ensure justice.

3. Rtd. Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah: N13.9 billion. N4.8 billion recovered by EFCC in cash and property

4. Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika: N4.5 billion. N29m recovered by the EFCC so far.

5. Alex Barde, former Chief of Defence Staff: N8 billion, and EFCC recovered almost N4 billion in cash and property already.

6. Inde Dikko: former CG Customs: N40 billion, and N1.1 billion in cash recovered in cash and choice properties.

7. Air Marshal Adesola Amosun: N21.4 billion. N2.8 billion recovered in cash. 28 properties and 3 vehicles also recovered.

8. Senator Bala Abdulkadir, former FCT Minister: N5 billion. Interim forfeiture order on some property secured.

9. Senator Stella Oduah: N9.8 billion. Interim forfeiture order on some property secured.

10. Former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu: N1.6 billion - from NSA.

11. Senator Jonah Jang, former Plateau State Governor: N12.5 billion.

12. Bashir Yuguda, former Minister of State for Finance: N1.5 billion.
$829,800 recovered.

13. Senator Peter Nwaboshi: N1.5 billion

14. Aliyu Usman: Former NSA Dasuki’s aide: N512 million

15. Ahmad Idris: Former NSA Dasuki’s PA: N1.5 billion

16. Rasheed Ladoja: Former Oyo Governor: N500 million

17. Tom Ikimi: N300 million

18. Femi Fani-Kayode: N866 million

19. Hassan Tukur, former PPS to President Goodluck: $1.7 million

20. Nenadi Usman: N1.5 billion

21. Benedicta Iroha: N1.7 billion

22. Aliyu Usman Jawaz: Close ally of former NSA Dasuki: N882 million

23. Jonah Jang, former Plateau State Governor: N12.5 billion

24 Godknows Igali: Over N7 billion

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-fg-releases-another-list-looters-jonathans-governmentdetails/

@POLITICSNGR

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic party, Uche Secondus has filed a N1.5 billion defamation lawsuit against the minister of information, Lai Mohammed, PoliticsNGR has learnt.

Secondus has given the Minister of Information and Culture 48 hours to withdraw his libellous statement against him on Friday or face litigation. Mohammed had released a list of looters under the Ex-president, Goodluck Jonathan's tenure mentioning Secondus as one of them, alleging that he stole N200 million.
 
According to a statement from his media office signed by his Spokesperson Ike ABONYI, said that Prince Secondus through his lawyer Emeka Etiaba SAN in a letter ref no. EESE&C/1/31/03/18 dated March 31st, 2018 addressed to the Minister titled Re: Publication of false and defamatory statement against Prince Uche Secondus, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party: Demand for retraction, Apology and Payment of damages is asking for N1.5b damages plus a public apology.
 
The lawyer said that the said publication has damaged the image of Prince Secondus as he has been " humiliated, castigated and vilified by many as a result of the falsehood published by the Minister"
 
The letter told Alhaji Mohammad to note that if he fails to meet their demand after 48 hours, " We shall within 72 hours from today, proceed to a court of competent jurisdiction to ventilate our clients right under the law and shall further seek the protection of the court against you".

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-pdp-chair-secondus-sues-lai-mohammed-n1-5-billion-looters-list/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

@POLITICSNGR

A policeman might be facing disciplinary action after allegedly beating up a woman and smashing her mobile phone. The incident occurred in Dopemu Area of Lagos state.

According to the woman, Anne Bibi, who shared the story online, she was detained for hours after the incident. She posted;

"Inspector Lawal Murtala of the Dopemu division Lagos, Nigeria, beat me up today just because i recorded him beating up an innocent man and was dragged to the police station.

I was detained for hours, and the video forcefully deleted of which unknowing to them, i had already forwarded one successfully to my sister via WhatsApp.

Then my phone was smashed and seized. Imagine going to report an assault by a policeman and i get detained instead saying a policeman can do whatever he likes and that videoing a policeman is an offence.

The dpo, a woman was in full support of the policeman, ordered that i get detained saying i wanted to video to post and she will not let that happen. I was detained from 2pm till 7pm. This is INJUSTICE !!!

The police who should protect us are the ones victimising is and this should change. It is not just fair. We all should say no to police brutality."

Below is a footage of the incident;

https://politicsngr.com/police-officer-attacks-woman-smashes-phone-lagos-photos-video/

Watch video HERE

@POLITICSNGR

The Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, has lauded the present administration for implementing various economic policies that have helped shore up the nation’s foreign reserves which presently stands at over $40 billion.

Ovia made this known in an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum 2018 which held in Davos, Switzerland between January 23-26.

Established in 1971, the World Economic Forum is an “independent international organisation committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.”

He said, “Only very recently, the government got thumped up by the World Bank in the area of ease of doing business. It has never been done before for several years. Various government regulatory agencies are playing tremendous roles, particularly the Central Bank Governor. They are doing so excellently well in this regard.”


Ovia allayed the fears within the international community over the 2019 presidential elections in the country, noting that Nigeria will continue to make appreciable progress economically while bolstering its democratic institutions.

“The Nigerian economy in an election year will remain practically the same. We have had several elections in the past 20 years. It is (usually) calm and well-handled, well-organised and well-articulated. Information is also well disseminated. Nigeria is not the kind of country that people used to think about 40, 50 years ago during the military era. We are now in a full-fledged democratically-structured government with processes. Election will come and go,” he said.

He expressed Zenith Bank’s readiness to continue to lead the change in digitising banking operations and by extension digitising the nation’s economy.

Read full interview below:

The Nigerian delegations are upbeat because the economy has bounced real back and for the very first time in four years, the international foreign reserve has hit $40 billion. It has never been so for the past four years. So, we are right up there again. We want to take full advantage of that in terms of accelerating the economy, inviting foreign investors… in terms of what the government is doing to provide an enabling environment.

Only very recently, the government got thumped up by the World Bank in the area of ease of doing business. It has never been done before for several years. Various government regulatory agencies are playing tremendous roles, particularly the Central Bank Governor. They are doing so excellently well in this regard.

Nigeria has just come out of recession and there is a big election coming in 2019. What are the prospects for the economy?

The Nigerian economy in an election year will remain practically the same. We have had several elections in the past 20 years. It is (usually) calm and well-handled, well-organised and well-articulated. Information is also well disseminated. Nigeria is not the kind of country that people used to think about 40, 50 years ago during the military era. We are now in a full-fledged democratically-structured government with processes. Election will come and go. There won’t be any street fighting. It used to happen before I was born, but there are no more street-fighting in elections. It comes and is done successfully. We have had successive, through democratic process, handing over from one civilian government to another civilian government. Nigeria is probably one of the very few African countries that have done that successfully. The one for 2019 is going to be exactly that.

What are investors at the World Economic Forum asking you? Obviously, the foreign exchange crisis that Nigeria suffered recently did a lot of damage to Nigeria’s international reputation. Do you believe that has passed you now?

The issue of foreign exchange crisis in Nigeria two or three years ago is a phenomenon (that happens) all over the world – different emerging markets, world economies. It will always happen. It is not when you fall that things go terribly wrong but when you are unable to get up. Nigeria dropped down a little bit but also go up and we are now back running. The price of oil has hit $70 – Brent crude. It will remain there for the next foreseeable future – I do hope it will happen that way. For the fact that the financial system is very stable: there are no bank failures; banks are making profit and are doing well. It is also good for banks to make profit because it is an indication of how solid or strong the economy is. Those are the indicators that attract foreign investors to come to Nigeria to do business. Stable foreign reserve – $40 billion – I think we should give kudos to the Central Bank Governor again.

We are in the third day of World Economic Forum annual meeting here at Davos. What has been the most exciting for you and are you achieving Zenith Bank’s agenda?

Definitely! What has been the most exciting for me has to do with financial inclusion. For the past third to five years all over the world, in various economic fora or discussions, inclusion has been a major topic because you don’t want to leave out the poor, the un-included, the unbanked and the voiceless. We have to bring them into the fold, into the proper, well-structured digital economy. And the most important thing that Zenith Bank together with, of course, all the Nigerian banks are doing is digitising the banking system. In that process, we are also indirectly digitising the economy. It is we who are in the private sector that will continue to digitise our economy and we are in the forefront of deploying appropriate technology in bringing Nigeria’s economy to the digital world, information age. Information technology, ICT deployment, that is what we have been doing and what we will continue to do to grow Nigeria’s economy.

Watch video below:

Founder/Chairman, ZenithBank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia spoke on Nigeria's economic rebound at the 2018 World Economic Forum. He talks on the stability of financial institutions, the success of the oncoming 2019 presidential elections & digitising Nigeria's economy https:///bNpnmFnXVO

— Zenith Bank (@ZenithBank) March 29, 2018

https://politicsngr.com/zenith-chairman-lauds-nigerias-economic-rebound-forecasts-peaceful-2019-elections/

job offer is still available

@POLITICSNGR

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has warned the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be wary of President Muhammadu Buhari's current 'closeness' to him.

The opposition party advised Tinubu not to 'let Buhari use him for a second time' to win the 2019 Elections. In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan, the PDP also blamed the APC chieftain for the failure of the Buhari Presidency.

"The PDP watched with amusement as Asiwaju Tinubu struggled with words to appease President Buhari and give him assurances that he can win a second term election in the face of mass failure both in governance and in their discredited, rejected and troubled platform".

"It was a direct admittance of failure and indictment on President Buhari’s administration, when Asiwaju pointedly told the president that the ship of the nation, under his (Buhari’s) watch, still needs to be rescued, almost three years down the line.

"It is tragic that Asiwaju had to tutor his visitor, who had no policy direction since his election in 2015, by engaging in a revision of the programmes and policies of the PDP, such as the leasing system, the mortgage and pension schemes which boosted the economy and directly impacted on the lives of Nigerians.

"More pathetic is the fact that the APC leader presented the PDP programmes as if he was introducing novel ideas in the economy.

"This clearly stood with our position that the APC government is incompetent and lacking in ideas of how to move the nation forward,".

https://politicsngr.com/dont-let-buhari-use-pdp-warns-tinubu/

@POLITICSNGR

Heavy confusion has engulfed the Lagos state house of assembly after lawyers opposed a public hearing on the amendment to the Land Use Charge act.

PoliticsNGR gathered that the chairman of the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian bar association, NBA, Adeshina Ogunlana opposed the holding of the public hearing on the basis that stakeholders had no access to the amendment.

Ogunlana and a group of lawyers called for an extension of the hearing to allow stakeholders read through the document, understand it and make contributions.

This did not go down well with Bayo Oshinnowo, the chairman of the 6-member Ad-hoc committee on the proposed amendment, who stated that there was no basis for the postponement.

Speaker of the house, Mudashiru Obasa supported Oshinow's stance adding that issue was not enough to call for postponement.

This angered Ogunlana and his group of lawyers who then stormed out the assembly to hold a protest outside its premises.

https://politicsngr.com/crisis-looms-lagos-lawyers-storm-hearing-land-use-charge/

@POLITICSNGR

Details have emerged on the cause of APC national leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu's absence at the party national caucus meeting in Aso-rock on Monday evening.

In a statement through his spokesperson, Tunde Rahman, Tinubu pointed out that his absence at the meeting not worth any fuss, adding that some young Nigerians, ahead of his birthday, organized an event in Lagos on Monday where they expressed their impression of him as a leader and motivator, hence the need for him to honour them with his presence.

Rahman Stated; "Yesterday, a group of younger ones put together a programme for him where they were talking about their impression of him as a leader, as a motivator. You needed to be there; it was so inspiring. You know these younger ones were talking about what they feel Asiwaju stands for. What they think about Asiwaju. I think that was what kept him away from Abuja. He couldn’t be in Lagos at that event and be in Abuja at the same time.”

On why his principal would sacrifice APC caucus meeting for an event put together in celebration of his birthday, Rahman disclosed;

"I did not tell you these young ones came to visit him. They organized a programme in celebration of his birthday. I think was only fit and proper that he honoured them (with his presence) the way they honoured him too. You needed to be there. He was the celebrant and everything was around him too."

So, I do not know why you would think that is not equally important as well. Don’t also forget that the caucus meeting he did not attend is an advisory body. The caucus is an advisory body. So that he did not attend the caucus meeting should not be a thing that we will make a lot of noise about."

https://politicsngr.com/tinubu-absent-apc-national-caucus-meeting-full-story/
cc: lalasticlala,mynd44

@POLITICSNGR

Information reaching the PoliticsNGR newsdesk this afternoon reveals that the Nigerian Senate has launched a fresh move to amend the Electoral Act 2010.

A new bill on the amendment is to be presented and passed for first reading today, according to the Order Paper for today’s plenary. The House of Representatives re-introduced the bill last week.

The first version of the bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives, had been passed by the National Assembly but vetoed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The bill had sought to reorder the sequence of polls during a general election, generating huge controversy over the allegation that it was targeted at Buhari in the 2019 elections.

The bill advocates for the National assembly elections to come first, then the State house of assembly and Governorship elections and lastly, the presidential elections.

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-senate-re-introduces-electoral-amendment-bill/

A news agency is seeking to procure the services of a Social Media manager.

Interested candidates should send an email with their CVs and credentials to fola@titandigital.media

Candidates will be expected to:

Develop, edit and organize content

Perform research on current benchmark trends and audience preferences

Design and implement social media strategy to align with business goals

Set specific objectives and report on ROI

Generate, edit, publish and share engaging content daily (e.g. original text, photos, videos and news)

Monitor SEO and web traffic metrics

Communicate with followers, respond to queries in a timely manner and monitor customer reviews

Oversee social media accounts’ design (e.g. Facebook timeline cover, profile pictures and blog layout)

Suggest and implement new features to develop brand awareness, like promotions and competitions

Stay up-to-date with current technologies and trends in social media, design tools and applications


Candidates are expected to be:

In Possession of a strong journalistic mindset

Good with graphics/photoshop

Familiar with Google Analytics

Familiar with Wordpress

Familiar with social media aggregating apps like Agora Pulse, , hubspot

Submit work given in a timely manner

Embark on strategic projects to achieve organizational goals

Be able to work with little supervision

Submit Daily and/or Weekly reports on work done

@POLITICSNGR

Mr Lawal Ayoola, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Scandinavia, has urged the Federal Government to take comments made by former Defence Minister, retired Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, on the nation’s security as a wake-up call.

Danjuma had on Saturday at the convocation of Taraba State University called on Nigerians to use whatever means at their disposal to defend themselves against killers.

Ayoola told newsmen in Lagos on Sunday that for a retired general and former minister of defence to have made such an assertion, there was need for government to live up to its billing.

“For such a statement from a retired general, a former minister for defence and a war veteran, obviously, Nigeria is outrightly in an uncharted water,” he said.

According to him, the former defence chief’s statement is a clarion call on the leadership of Nigeria to wake to its responsibility and save the country from sliding to a failed state.

He said globally, the responsibility of any government was to protect and promote the welfare of its citizens, adding “anything short of that is leadership failure.”

“The incessant killings which could be likened to ethnic cleansing if not completely checked and it may definitely spell doom for Nigeria as a country.

“The implications of such reality are damaging to our country both locally and internationally. It is no-brainer that an anarchy environment is never attractive to daily investors, expect only ammunition entrepreneurs,” he said.

Ayoola said genuine international investors might not come to a country without a secure environment.

“Nigeria is currently in need of foreign direct investments and international partnerships for growth and development.”

https://politicsngr.com/take-danjumas-warning-serious-apc-advises-fg/

@POLITICSNGR

The Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, in a new video, has recounted fond memories of arriving Lagos as a university graduate and leveraging on the numerous opportunities offered by the Centre of Excellence to establish Zenith bank, which has grown to become one of Africa’s biggest global financial institutions.

Describing his experience in Lagos as “very interesting”, Ovia recounted the story of a city that has provided business and entertainment opportunities in equal measure, enabling upwardly mobile young men and women to pursue their dreams, innovate, transform and achieve beyond their imaginations.

He said, “Lagos has been a very interesting experience for most people who’d come to Lagos over a number of years… people like us – members of my age group and peer group – that had the opportunity to come to Lagos and work, and also transform a number of things.


Ovia added, “As far back as in the early ‘70s, I used to work at Barclays Bank, the good old days of Barclays Bank, which transformed to become Union Bank.

“I used to be a clerical officer at the Ikeja (Oba Akran Avenue) branch and it was very interesting how we used to take the LMTS buses – you remember the LMTS buses of those days. Yes, truly, truly so. We grew up under this kind of situation where things were well-organised and things are still very well-organized today. That was when Lagos used to bubble, but not anywhere near as it is today.”


He recalled that most university graduates in the early ‘70s thought of Lagos as the land where every dream was realisable, and one could have fun while achieving the dream, whatever it was.

“After university education, we thought Lagos was the only place where you could come and work, and also enjoy social life,” he noted. “So, we continued in the Lagos that we’d known because we called ourselves Lagos boys. (I) did my NYSC at Union Bank at 131 Broad Street. Remember Broad Street is the equivalent of Wall Street of New York. And we all know (what) Wall Street had become over a number of years – all the most multinationals as well as the large financial institutions were at Wall Street at that point in time.

Then from after the NYSC, I started working for First National Bank of Chicago. We used to call it IMB – International Merchant Bank. And from then on, because Lagos provides very interesting opportunities, we all had opportunities to combine resources and have what we call Zenith Bank, at Ajose Adeogun (Victoria Island).

We built it, maintained it, lit it up and today it is one of the most lit-up streets in Nigeria.

According to him, the urge to beautify and add to the allure of Lagos led the bank to provide, on a yearly basis, one-of-a-kind Christmas decorations and lights around its headquarters in Ajose Adeogun Street for the viewing pleasure of children on vacation.

“We do that every year for the fun of it as a way of saying thank you to Lagos,” he said, “As we could see at the penthouse of the Civic Centre Towers, we can overlook how beautiful Lagos is, overlooking the Falomo Bridge and the beautiful Lagoon, the Number 5 Cowry, and all the beautiful structures above. Of course, the ever busy Lekki Concession Road, which is also the continuation of Ozumba Mbadiwe Street.

He recounted how every young men and women of the time considered a regular visit to Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s African Shrine in Ikeja as an essential ingredient of Lagos life.

“We remember in those good old days, Fela Ransome-Kuti, the Afrobeat King. We all used to go to Fela Ransome-Kuti’s and relax. And of course such music as Shakara Oloje was our favourite. Fela was just number one then. We couldn’t go anywhere else then but Fela’s African Shrine. We remember the African Shrine and that was a lot of fun for us.”

According to him, one could never truly claim to live in Lagos without visiting the Bar Beach, on the Lagos Atlantic coastline.

“And of course Bar Beach. We used to go to Bar Beach in those good old days. Going to Bar Beach was like fun. You go there to watch the water, the waves,” he said.

“What else is there to do in Lagos? Quite a number of things, a number of activities: Lagos is always very welcoming, very relaxing.

“Other than the hustle, bustle, business activities and the profit you make, there are many places where you can spend those profits also.”


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7o2CeN04XE

https://politicsngr.com/zenith-bank-chairman-tells-incredible-lagos-success-story/

@POLITICSNGR

The Lagos State Police Command on Sunday warned some protesters planning to block Third Mainland Bridge and other critical public infrastructure in Lagos over the new Land Use Charge (LUC) of the State Government, saying any attempt to breach public peace will be met with stiff resistance.

The police, in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Chike Oti, said up till now, those behind the planned protest were yet to apply for necessary permit, and that it was in their interest to follow the rule of law to ventilate whatever grievances with government.

According to the statement, Oti said: "The attention of Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to the news making the rounds that a group of persons under the sponsorship of some mischief makers, and who are masquerading as civil rights activists, intends to block the Third Mainland Bridge and occupy some critical public infrastructures in Lagos to protest the increase in the Land Use Charge by the government of Lagos state.

"The Command wishes to warn those concerned that any attempt by any individual or group of persons to cause a breach of the peace or infringe on the rights of others to pursue their daily aspirations, would be met with stiff resistance."

While recalling a recent protest by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch on the new LUC, the police spokesman said it was important for the necessary application to that effect to be made to prevent the protest from being hijacked by hoodlums which ultimately would threaten the peace of the State.

"As it stands, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State has not received a single application from any group wishing to carry out protest in any part of the state. It is therefore advised that these individuals wanting to protest government decision should consult with the police as it was the case with the Nigeria Bar Association before they carried out their very peaceful protest for which the police provided the needed security and ensured it was not hijacked by hoodlums.

"Once again, the Command wishes to reiterate that it would not allow any group of protesters to compromise the peace in Lagos State in whatever guise. Any group of persons that feel strongly against any policies of the government should explore the judiciary option instead of endangering the public peace," Oti said.

https://politicsngr.com/land-charge-police-warns-protesters-planning-block-3rd-mainland-bridge/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44