₦airaland Forum

The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has called on Mr Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to desist from inciting his clients, the Shiites religious movement, against government officials.

The group made the call in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

It said that it was unbecoming of Falana, “in a seemingly desperate bid to secure the release of his client, El- Zak Zaky’’, to pick on some officials of government and call for their punishment.

The group said selecting some officials for the attack was capable of exposing them to anger and contempt of his client and his followers.

The statement signed by the group’s Acting Chairman, Mr Austin Braimoh and Secretary, Chief Cassidy Madueke, said it was wrong for the senior lawyer to suggest that government officials should be punished for doing their job.

“What the officials did was no more than offering an explanation on why the sect leader is still in detention.

“It is totally unacceptable for him to single out the Minister of Information and other government spokespersons as being responsible for his clients’ plight.’’

It said that it was common knowledge that the officials did not wield the kind of power he ascribed to them, “but were merely conveying explanations as offered by agencies of the government’’.

The group, however, advised Falana to be mindful of his statements to avert unnecessary acrimony.
http://politicsngr.com/2017/06/07/watch-statements-buhari-media-group-attack-falana-elzakzaky/
cc: lalasticlala,Mynd44

Below is a troubling video showing cows roaming the classrooms of ihovbre government school, Ikpoba Okha in Edo state.

Politics Nigeria learnt from an eyewitness, Oyinemi Nicholas Endeley that the cows were brought by some Fulani herdsmen. Endeley states that all the teachers of the school have been threatened by the herdsmen to allow their children receive evening classes. According to him, the security agencies in the community are aware and have been quiet on the issue.
http://politicsngr.com/2017/06/06/fulani-herdsmen-lead-cows-graze-government-school-edo-state/
cc: lalasticlala, Mynd44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KT8wMInTM0

Information reaching the Politics Nigeria Newsdesk this afternoon reveals that a Dangote Truck struck dead to people on a motorcycle at Oba, Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra state.

Eyewitness reports indicate that after hitting running over the motorcycle and its occupants, the driver of the truck attempted to escape but was stopped by a motorist who saw the whole incident. The motorist used his Toyota Corolla car to block the truck from escaping.

The driver reportedly ran into a nearby police station to escape being lynched by a mob.

Photos/video below;
http://politicsngr.com/2017/06/06/dangote-truck-hits-2-people-upper-iweka-anambra/
cc : lalasticlala

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfPPBkn6JLQ

Troops of 'Operation DELTA SAFE' have nabbed suspected vandals that detonated dynamites resulting to the breach of an International Oil Company facility located at TEBIDABA –OGBOINBIRI – BRASS pipeline in the outskirt of IMGBIBA Community of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The arrest was disclosed by Commander Operation Delta Safe Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman during a press conference held today at the Headquarters of 'Operation Delta Safe' in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. He stated that “following the incident, troops acted on a tip-off about a suspected hideout at a fishing camp along ISONOGBENE where 3 suspects namely; Mr Ayebemi Dressman, Mr Inimotimi Abule and Mr Epemege Frank were arrested in connection with the vandalism at Peremebari Community of Bayelsa State”

Rear Admiral Suleiman, who was represented by Colonel Danjuma Abdullahi added that during a similar operation, troops deployed at BENESIDE location in Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa State also apprehended 2 suspects, Mr Bibowa Anemi and Mr Ngoriduwa Gomogo alleged to have been responsible for sabotage and theft of a wellhead 6 actuator device, an oil wellhead tool belonging to one of the International Oil Companies. Their criminal action led to the disruption in the operations of the oil company. The wellhead is currently under repairs.

He revealed that in another development, troops deployed at Omuku Forest in Rivers State acting on a tip off, swiftly responded and engaged some suspected armed kidnappers in a gun duel leading to the rescue of the kidnapped victim and the death of 2 kidnappers. The rescued victim is currently receiving treatment in a medical facility in Port Harcourt.

According to the commander “ troops raided a suspected pirate’s hideout at Elema, Rivers State. Although no arrest was made during the raid, several items were recovered. The items include; 23 rounds of 7.62mm Ball Special ammunition, one generating set and a 40 Horse Power Suzuki speed boat engine amongst others” he said.

He used the opportunity to commend the general public and the press for all the support given to Operation 'DELTA SAFE' in its effort to protect oil and gas infrastructure, deter and prevent militancy, sea robbery, crude oil theft and other forms of criminality within the joint operations area that could impact negatively on economic activity in Niger Delta region.
Read Admiral Suleiman appealed to members of the public to provide timely information to troops in order to get rid of notorious criminals from the region.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/06/06/nigerian-troops-arrest-pipeline-vandals-bayelsa-rescue-kidnap-victims-rivers/

Bayelsa state governor, Seriake Dickson took a swipe at a Former president, Goodluck Jonathan during his speech at an event organised to remember Ijaw leader, Maj. Isaac Adaka Boro. Dickson said that the 6 years spent by Jonathan was a 'waste', adding that if Adaka boro was the one ruling Nigeria, the Ijaws would have benefitted a lot.
http://politicsngr.com/2017/05/17/bayelsa-gov-seriaka-dickson-shades-jonathanvideo/
cc : lalasticlala

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngdwJCGC-X8

For the second time in a week, trial of Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), at a Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama, for an alleged N13.5 billion fraud, could not go on as expected, as the former National Security Adviser, NSA, was again absent in court, May 17, 2017.


Dasuki, along with Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance and Administration, Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA; Aminu Babakusa, a former General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N13,570,000,000.

Dasuki's lawyers shocked over his absence

Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, had at the last sitting of May 16, 2017, told Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, that "I'm surprised he's not here".


Counsel to Dasuki, J.B. Daudu, SAN, had also expressed concerns about the absence of his client "who though has been granted bail by the court has not been allowed by the DSS to have control over his movement".


Daudu had along with Akin Olujinmi, SAN counsel to Salisu, who was present with Babakusa, urged the court to adjourn to May 17, 2017 and compel the prosecution to present him.


At the resumed hearing today, however, Jacobs informed the court that his frantic efforts to ensure that Dasuki was present, proved abortive.


He said: "Yesterday, I promised he'll be brought to court today, and I immediately contacted the director, legal department of DSS, who told me that Dasuki's absence in court yesterday was an oversight and that the defendant will be produced this morning.
"I made series of efforts when I noticed he was not in court this morning to contact the director, but was unable to reach him, and I immediately contacted my client, the EFCC, who also approached the DSS.
"The information I received is that the first defendant will not come to court today on the grounds that he's indisposed."


Jacobs, thus requested for an adjournment.


While not opposing the application for adjournment, Daudu, noted that "this appears to be an inter-agency issue", and urged the court to "place on record that we’re not trying to frustrate this trial as adjournment is at instance of the prosecution".


Olujinmi, who aligned with Daudu, added that "it is the prosecution that has not allowed the trial to proceed", adding that the excuse of "oversight" on the part of the DSS, "without an apology was irritating".


"Your lordship should direct that those keeping him in custody should ensure they're alive to their responsibility to the court," Olujinmi added.

Judge adjourns case

While adjourning to July 11 and 12, 2017 "for continuation of hearing", Justice Baba-Yusuf, held that "the proceedings of the court should not be taken lightly, and strains between agencies should not be allowed to interfere with proceedings", adding "the prosecution counsel, whom I know is passionate with his work should be allowed to do his job".
http://politicsngr.com/2017/05/17/dasukis-absence-court-stalls-n13-5-billion-fraud-trial/
cc : lalasticlala

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 arraigned the duo of Buhari Fannami and Ba-Kura Abdullahi on two separate one-count charges before Justice M. T Salihu of the Federal High Court Maiduguri, for allegedly giving false information to the agency under the whistleblowing policy.


Fannamit had misled the EFCC with the information about illegally acquired monies purportedly buried at the residence of one Ba’a Lawan but the information turned out to be false after the execution of a search warrant.



The charges read:

“That you, Buhari Fannami on or about the 8th day of May, 2017 at Maiduguri, Borno State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did make statement to Officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission under the Whistle Blowing policy to the effect that large sums of money being the proceeds of crime were buried in the residence Ba’a Lawan at Pompomari Layout along Pompomari Bypass, Maiduguri which information/statement you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 39 (2) (a) and 39 (2) (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 respectively”.




The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge. Counsel for the prosecution Alkassim Ja’afar asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the accused person in the prison custody pending trial.
Justice Salihu adjourned the matter to June 7 and 8, 2017 for hearing and ordered the accused to be remanded in the prison custody.


On his part, Ba-Kura Abdullahi also gave false information to the effect that large sum of money in naira and foreign currencies were buried in the residence of Ba’a Lawan.


Justice Salihu adjourned his case to June 7 and 8, 2017 for a commencement of trial and ordered the accused to be remanded in the prison custody.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/05/17/whistleblowers-remanded-prison-custody-giving-false-information/

A hotel belonging to Senator John Owan Enoh has been earmarked for destruction by the cross-river state government. This development is coming barely a week after Enoh, who represents Cross-river central senatorial district in the senate, announced his defection from the Peoples democratic party(PDP) to the All progressives congress(APC).

The hotel, located at Asari Iso, Calabar has been in existence for over five years.Although the state government is yet to officially disclose why the hotel was marked for demolition, but unconfirmed reports indicate that the move might be related to Enoh's fall-out with the state governor, Ben Ayade which led to his defection to APC.

Photos of the hotel below;

http://politicsngr.com/2017/05/17/hotel-belonging-senator-decamped-pdp-apc-set-demolition/

The Federal road safety commission has responded to complaints against the process of obtaining/renewing of driver's licenses. The commission has released a statement on the matter.

It read;

We quite acknowledge the pains some people undergo to get captured for LICENSE and the delay in obtaining the permanent Driver’s License. The Corps effort is geared towards ensuring we have a safe motoring environment by putting some checks in the driver’s LICENCE application process. We hope to keep improving in all the processes.

Some of the delays are as a result of the following:
1. Gender error
2. Wrong phone numbers
3. Multiple driver’s LICENCE number for one applicant etc
Ensure your details are correct when processing your driver’s LICENCE and avoid multiple application while we hope to deliver a better result.
For any complaints, call 122 or send your complaints to info@frsc.gov.ng.

We love you all.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/05/17/frsc-gives-reasons-drivers-license-issuance-problems/

Serial fraudster, Fred Chijindu Ajudua was arraigned by the EFCC before a Lagos high court today. These are photos of the notorious conman arriving the court premises. The judge presiding over the case is Justice J.E. Oyefeso.
http://politicsngr.com/2017/05/16/419-kingpin-fred-ajudua-arraigned-court-resumes-hearing-photos/
cc : lalasticlala

A probe into the financial dealings of the Sanusi Lamido Led Emirate council has been suspended by the Kano state government's anti-corruption agency.

The state's public complaints and the anti-corruption agency was investigating the emirate over an alleged misappropriation of N6 billion. The suspension of the investigation was announced by the chairman of the anti-corruption body, Mr Muhyi Gado. He stated that the commission could not continue the probe because the Kano state house of assembly launched a separate investigation of the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

He declined to comment further. Politics Nigeria discovered that the state's house of assembly was already investigating Sanusi on allegations of funds misappropriation, breach of oath of office/oath of allegiance, abuse of office, defamation of character, and political and religious interference.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/05/13/breaking-kano-anti-corruption-agency-halts-probe-emir-sanusi/

An employee of an undisclosed company was brutally attacked by some security men and police officers after he had a disagreement with his employer.

According to a social media user, Aishat Alubakandi, the employee had demanded payment of two months wages being owed to him by his employer. This led to a disagreement and the employer invited security men and the police to intervene in the matter.

In the video below, the employee is heavily assaulted by the security operatives, one was seen hitting him with a reinforced leather belt severally. The employee, wailing in pain, is heard repeatedly saying "I am not a criminal, you must kill me today! pay me my money!"

An unconfirmed statement reveals that this occurred in Lagos. Watch the video below;
http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/30/videophoto-employee-beaten-police-officers-demanding-2-months-owed-salary/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seYw8ZjqQLU

Nigeria's minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has asserted that Nigerian economy will gradually move out of recession.

At the biennial convention of the Nigerian guild of Editors that held in Lagos on Saturday, Mohammed, who was represented by the Managing director of the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), Onanuga Bayo, stated that the recession would end by June 2017.

In his words;

“There have been other pointers for the good news as well. For two consecutive months, the National Bureau of Statistics has also reported a fall in the inflation rate.The exchange rate is regaining some sanity.As I said earlier, the worst appears to be over. We are clawing out of the woods of recession in weeks from now"

The minister also pointed out that the collective will of the Nigerian populace aided in making sure the recession did not relapse to a depression.



“I hope, in our various media, we shall begin to focus more on the positive developments in our economy, the growth in agriculture and mineral development, since the NBS last year, let out the secret that the Nigerian economy recorded a negative growth in the first quarter of 2016,"


The minister said that recession was not peculiar to Nigeria alone adding that the US had experienced a total of 47 recessions. He said;

“Between 1980 and 2007 alone, the American economy experienced five recessions. The last one in 2007 was caused by the subprime mortgage crisis and led to the collapse of the US housing bubble,”

He finalized by calling on the Nigerian media to stop the 'blame game' and focus on educating Nigerians on steps/ways out of the recession.
http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/29/nigeria-will-dance-recession-weeks-time-lai-mohammed/
cc : lalasticlala

The first batch of beneficiaries of the Women Empowerment Programme organized by the Aisha Buhari Foundation in Kano state rounded up their training on Friday, April 28, 2017. The graduands, numbering 1000 were randomly selected from different women groups from the state’s 44 local governments, and trained based on their choice of vocation.







The beneficiaries were taught fashion design, interior decoration, event management, catering, and leatherwork. Others were trained to produce cosmetics and household cleaning products, while others were taught processing of household spices. Because of their number, the women were spread between two centers: the women center at Gyadi gyadi and Salfat women center at Goron Dutse.



Coordinator of the Aisha Buhari Foundation’s (ABF) Women Empowerment Programme in Kano state, Mrs, Ramatu Mukhtar Rabiu, said the primary mandate of the Foundation is to empower women and enhance their chance of growing to their full potential in the community, which has of recent become more pronounced with the activities of the Future Assured programme.



She said the foundation takes inspiration from its founder, Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, whose unrelenting commitment in this regard, has drawn global attention.

“Mrs. Buhari has changed the lives of thousands of Nigerian women and she will continue so that more women will become empowered in Nigeria, ” Mrs. Rabiu said.



Mrs. Rabiu, therefore, congratulated the graduands on the skills they have acquired and called on them to translate the skills to money and improve their livelihood. She advised them to ensure that beyond the skills, they also have to advocate for other women to engage in entrepreneurial activities.

President, National Council for Women Societies, Kano state chapter, Hajiya Zainab Ali Musa thanked Mrs. Buhari for being a role model, who doesn’t stop at advocating but makes a direct contribution to improving the lives of women. Nigerians, she said, will not forget her efforts.



Also commenting on the event, the Managing Director of Salfat Empowerment Center, Mrs. Aisha Ameen Ilias, expressed her appreciation to Mrs. Buhari for increasing the number of skilled women in Kano and said she was sure that this would translate to better economic indices in the state. She called on other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate Mrs. Buhari’s Foundation so that more women can become empowered.



One of the beneficiaries of the training exercise, Mrs. Shemaú Gwadabe, while expressing appreciation to Mrs. Buhari, said, the women of Kano were not surprised at the gesture because Mrs. Buhari has been supporting women for many years. She prayed God to grant Mrs, Buhari the wherewithal to continue the good work she is doing, Mrs. Sani used the opportunity to call on other privileged Nigerians to help the trained women with start-up funds and working tools so that they can hit the ground running.



The training is expected to reach 2200 women in Kano and has been held in Lagos and Katsina states so far. Aisha Buhari Foundation plans to conduct the training in all the states of the Federation.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/29/aisha-buhari-empowers-2200-women-kano-entrepreneurial-skills-photos/

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday said that contrary to the view held by most people, the recession was not a crime but a period that calls for government at all level to rearrange its expenditure and give more priority to capital expenditure.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the Biennial Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) held in Ikeja, Lagos with the theme, “A Nation in Recession: Whither the Nigerian Media?” sighted example of the steps the former U.S President, Baraka Obama took a few years ago to save the ailing American economy, saying that Nigeria must be ready to toll such line.

The Governor said, “Recession is not a crime, it’s just a notice to say that you rearrange the way you do your public expenditure. That’s what President Obama did. Yes, there was a burst in 2008 and 2009 but he was very bold enough to put public money into General Motors and even the airlines and that is what is missing in this country.

“You need to increase the capital expenditure to help companies, to help other people and even help the government to get the system out of recession. That’s the only template that works.”
Governor Ambode said the State stood in the gap for Nigeria during the period of the economic recession, assuring that his administration would continue to show leadership, demonstrate the capacity and be relentless in its pursuit of excellence despite the daunting challenges.

He said the current recessionary climate not only taught some hard lessons but presented a new challenge as well as an opportunity to think outside the box to change Nigeria’s story from “business as usual” to “business unusual”.

He said with the recession, the rate of unemployment soared as a result of the economic outlook, layoffs, and shutdown of businesses stating that the national unemployment rate rose to 13.9 percent in 2016 from 10.4 percent in 2015; while the unemployment rate in Lagos State increased from 18 percent in 2015 to 27 percent in 2016.

But the Governor said that his administration took definite steps to arrest the trend, recalling that on assumption of office, he created new ministries while some while realigned in a bid to fashion out ways of creating job opportunities for residents.

Besides, Governor Ambode said what his administration did in the last two years was to commit huge resources to capital projects, premised on the fact that the nation had no choice but to spend its way out of recession and create platforms that will stimulate job creation and decidedly reflate the economy.

“Today, with our GDP at US$136billion, Lagos is Africa’s fifth largest economy just because we have been prudent and resilient as well as taking on board the useful opinions and analysis that the vibrant media have ceaselessly provided.,” the Governor said.

Governor Ambode also said that despite the shortfall of federal transfers occasioned by the dip in oil prices, his administration made conscious decisions to partner with the private sector through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to bridge the funding gap to deliver key/strategic infrastructure projects especially the Fourth Mainland Bridge; Oshodi Transport Interchange; Badagry Deep Sea Port; Lekki free trade zone, and Lagos Smart City projects, among others.

While commending the Guild of Editors for its outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the growth and development of the media and free speech in Nigeria, Governor Ambode tasked the media to live up to its major responsibility of advancing the cause of good governance.

“Your role in this pursuit of resilience, therefore, is to lend the needed support in bringing our noble efforts to public consciousness. With your vital partnership, we are hopeful that other governments can borrow a leaf from the Lagos Model and translate same in their respective domains to promote good governance to the greater benefit of humanity,” he said.

He assured that the State Government would not rest on its oars, but would continue to initiate and execute programs that will make Lagos the investment haven of Africa and the tourism destination of the Continent.

Earlier, President of the NGE, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, said the Convention afforded members to rub minds and fashion out strategies that would help to stabilize the nation’s economy, but also the media industry in business.

The event which attracted the who’s who in the Nigeria Media Industry also saw the Guild conduct elections into various offices.
http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/29/recession-not-crime-ambode/
cc : lalasticlala

The Senator representing Kaduna Central, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Shehu Sani, has declared that he may run for the Kaduna State governorship election in 2019 against Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

The Senator noted that the 2019 general elections are not going to be like that of 2015, that saw many elected due to their allegiance to President Muhammadu Buhari.

He maintained that this time, people will stand solely on their own.

Sani who was speaking in an interview with the Sun, said, “Well, as for 2019, it is still far away. What is on the ground now is for us to deliver on the promises and pledges we have made as elected officials.

“So I have heard such a call, and I will answer that call at the right time. I may decide to seek to return to the Senate, I may decide to vie for the governorship of Kaduna State, and I may decide not to vie for any of the positions again, it all depends on the feeling from my people of what they think I should be able to overcome.

“The 2019 election is not going to be like 2015 election; under 2015 election, many people won the election by virtue of their allegiance to Buhari, but by 2019, everyone will answer his own father’s name.

“We are advocating for people to go and vote for their conscience, and not to vote for anybody because of Buhari.

“Even if Buhari is going to contest the election, vote for Buhari alone, and each and every one of us who wants to contest, we have to put him on the scale whether that person is capable, whether that person has performed, whether that person will truly serve after voting him into power.

“So 2019 is going to be a year in which everyone is going to stand in the dock to be tried by the voters. So 2019 is not an election time, it is a trial time, and truly it is a judgment time for our conduct while in office.”

http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/29/may-contest-el-rufai-2019-shehu-sani-thunders/

Politics Nigeria has obtained a video showing Senator George Sekibo blowing a real whistle at a plenary session today after claiming that huge sums of money found at Osborne towers, Ikoyi belonged to the Rivers state government.

Politics Nigeria learned that the federal lawmaker got up at about 11.07 a.m to protest the refusal of the Federal Government to return the recovered $49 million at an Ikoyi apartment in Lagos to the Rivers State Government, brought out a whistle.

Before the presiding officer, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu could stop him, Sekibo blew the whistle three times while calling on the Senate to investigate the issue.His plea, however, did not gain any support of his colleagues. Instead, Ekweremadu told him that since the case was already being investigated by the House of Representatives, there was no need for the Senate to commence the same exercise.

Instead, Sen. Ekweremadu urged Sen. Sekibo to pass a message to the Rivers State Government to send all necessary documents to the House of Representatives’ Adhoc committee probing the recovered money.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/27/video-senator-george-sekibo-blows-real-whistle-plenary-session-ikoyi-billions/


Watch the video below;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WpcQeOenJM
credits :oaktv

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has urged government information managers to remain focused in carrying out their duties, despite efforts by naysayers to distract and intimidate them.

The Minister gave the charge in his keynote address at the 2017 Annual National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Ilorin on Thursday.

He said the job of the government information managers had become so daunting because of the undefined nature of the opponents.

Mohammed noted that this was made worse with the advent of the Social Media, which had put power in the hands of anyone with a phone and data, without commensurate responsibility and control.

“Today’s perception manager, especially at the government level, can be likened to one who has signed a contract, the terms of which he or she is not aware of…The opponents are not clearly defined.

“They could be friends today and opponents tomorrow. They are not necessarily interested in the vision of the government nor the welfare of the people.

“They insist on being heard and seen, and the privacy, reputation or integrity of public officials are of no consequence to them.

“For this section of the new media, government and its leadership must be annihilated. It is not about logic, reason, intellectual discourse or professionalism.

“It is about a viciousness and bitterness that are hard to fathom,’’ the minister,’’ said, stressing: “the masses are daily served incredible menu and unbelievable tales, which they swallow hook, line, and sinker.’’

Saying the naysayers deliberately engage in disinformation, he cited the example of a widely-circulated fake news that said he (the Minister) has 1.2 billion dollars in his bank account.

“Let’s examine this a for a moment. 1.2 billion dollars is about 400 billion naira. The entire yearly budget of the Ministry of Information and Culture, where I preside, is under 15 billion naira, and this includes salaries, overhead and capital projects.

“Assuming, without conceding, that the Minister somehow manages to transfer the entire budget into his personal account, it will take 25 years for him to amass 400 billion naira.

“Yet, this disinformation was lapped up by the public. Similar imaginary huge sums of money have been credited to other ministers,’’ he said.

While urging the government spokespersons not to be distracted, Alhaji Mohammed urged: “you must be proactive rather than defensive.

“You must refuse to allow them to set your agenda for you. You must set your own agenda and daily review such, with a view to improving on them.

“You must stay true to your calling to inform and educate, and to telegraph the achievements of your principal and the intentions of the government.”

In order to succeed, he said the information managers must equip themselves with qualities such as integrity, courage, abnormal capacity for hard work, ingenuity, resourcefulness, ability to think out of the box, encyclopedic knowledge of all things under the stars, incorruptibility and, above all, passion for the job.

In his remarks, the NIPR President, Dr. Rotimi Oladele, said this year’s annual conference was to generate ideas on how to use the profession to dispense communication that would promote values for accelerated development and sustainability.

The high point of the occasion was the inauguration, by the Minister, of the Governing Council under the chairmanship of Dr. Rotimi Oladele.
http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/27/not-succumb-intimidation-naysayers-lai-mohammed-explodes/
cc : lalasticlala

Troops of the Nigerian army recorded a big success on Thursday after neutralizing 15 Boko Haram elements in Northern Nigeria. The soldiers recovered huge weapons and artillery from the terrorists.

Politics Nigeria has obtained a statement signed by the deputy director, army public relations, 7 division, Kingsley Samuel, which reveals that the raid was carried out in Sambisa forest, Borno state.

The troops killed 15 of the terrorists, destroying 1 vehicle bound improvised explosive device (VBIED), belonging to the terrorists and they recovered three mortar tubes, one PKM Gun, one G3 rifle, one Buffalo Gun truck mounted with Long Barrel Shilka gun, two general purpose machine gun, AK-47 rifles and two FN rifles.

Victor Ezugwu, acting general officer commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian army, praised the soldiers for “delivering a devastating deep punch to Boko Haram terrorists leading to the capture of large quantities of terrorists’ equipment”.

He further stated;

“The troops’ resilience paid off with heavy battering of Boko Haram terrorists leading to the terrorist sustaining huge casualties in fighters and equipment. The terrorists paid dearly as the troops neutralized 15 of them and wounded several others,".

He urged the soldiers to remain steadfast in the fight against Insurgency in the north until all the remnants of Boko Haram are 'flushed out'.

Photos below;

http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/27/breaking-nigerian-troops-kill-15-boko-haram-membersrecover-heavy-weapons/

The Nigerian navy has indicated interest in patronizing 'Made in Aba' products. A deal between the Navy and the Abia state government when the Governor of the state, Okezie Ikpeazu, in the company of the Commissioner for Industry, Chief Henry Ikoh received a high powered delegation from the Chief of Naval Staff, led by Commodore Chris Obinta at the Abia State Governor's Lodge Aba recently.

Speaking at the occasion, Ikpeazu expressed his profound appreciation to the Federal Government for supporting and given impetus to the "Made_in_Aba" initiative.

Quoting Ikpeazu,

"I commend the Nigeria Navy for indicating interest in procuring their wears from our people here in Aba. I must commend the Federal Government for the support given to our Made-in-Aba promotion campaign."



This deal is coming shortly after Ikpeazu successfully brokered a deal in China for a 1.5 billion dollars shoe industry to be built in Aba. Photos below;

http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/27/nigerian-navy-use-made-aba-shoes-uniforms/

The Federal government of Nigeria has reacted to recent reports/fears over president Muhammadu Buhari's health after he missed yesterday's FEC meeting citing that he needed rest and would work from home.

In a statement signed by president Buhari's media chief, Garba Shehu, obtained by Politics Nigeria, the presidency urged Nigerians not to worry adding that there was no need for apprehension over Buhari's state of health.

The statement read;

The Presidency hereby assures the good people of Nigeria that, despite the insinuations of a number of media organizations, there is no need for apprehension over the health of our President, Muhammadu Buhari.

President Buhari’s absence at the Federal Executive Council meeting of Wednesday, April 26, was a last minute decision; otherwise, the cabinet and the public might have been alerted in advance. As eager as he is to be up and about, the President’s doctors have advised on his taking things slowly, as he fully recovers from the long period of treatment in the United Kingdom some weeks ago.

President Buhari himself, on his return to the country, made Nigerians aware of the state of his health while he was in London. Full recovery is sometimes a slow process, requiring periods of rest and relaxation, as the Minister for Information, Lai Mohammed, intimated in his press briefing after the FEC meeting on Wednesday.

Despite his lack of visibility, Nigerians should rest assured that President Buhari has not abdicated his role as Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria. He receives daily briefings on the activities of government and confers regularly with his Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. His private residence, in which he has been spending the majority of his time recently, also has a fully equipped office.

God is the giver of life and health. We are grateful that He has seen our President through the worst period of his convalescence in London. We are thankful that the President has passed a number of benchmarks already. We pray that God continues to see him through this period of recuperation.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/27/no-need-worry-buharis-health-fg/
cc : lalasticlala

In denial of an allegation leveled against the Emirate of Kano, the Kano state Emirate council has revealed the total amount of money spent since Sanusi Lamido Sanusi became Emir.

A few days ago, the Nigerian media was awash with reports that Emir Sanusi had spent over N6 billion of the Emirate's funds but at a press conference in Kano on Monday, a senior council official in charge of finance, Bashir Wali, told newsmen that the emirate has only spent N3.4 billion since Sanusi emerged took office in June 2014.

Wali also stated that Sanusi inherited N2.9 billion (exactly N2.895,165,43.77) and not N4 billion as stated by some media houses.
http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/24/breaking-emir-sanusis-kano-emirate-spent-n3-4-billion-3-years/
cc : lalasticlala

Governor of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun saved a female politician from getting attacked at the burial of late senator Isiaka Adeleke. Amosun, who was among dignitaries that attended the burial, was seen pushing a thug who was visibly unhappy about the presence of the yet-to-be identified woman at the funeral ceremony.

The lady was quickly hurried to safety.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/24/ogun-governor-amosun-grapples-protester-senator-adelekes-burial/

The newly deployed mobile CCTV camera procured by the Lagos State Government for the operatives of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad has recorded its first surveillance arrest.

The suspect was arrested in Oshodi while the Mobile CCTV was being deployed at Oshodi to monitor the area. The suspect, Emmanuel Alowonle, an 18-year old, a native of Ondo State, disclosed during interrogation that he came to Lagos about two years ago and work as a bus conductor in the area.


Politics Nigeria learned that Alowonle was arrested after stealing from another commuter's handbag on the pedestrian walkway. RRS officers spotted Emmanuel in the crowd picking from a passer-by handbag through the mobile CCTV camera.



The CCTV camera was jointly managed and put into use by both RRS operatives and technical assistance officers of the Lagos State Response Unit, (LRU). LRU handled the technicalities of the camera while RRS officers took charge of the security aspect of the newly deployed mechanism.



The surveillance patrol team monitored Ilasa, mile 2, and Airport road in the same manner of test running and putting into use the mobile surveillance technology.The mobile CCTV is geared towards helping security operatives in close monitoring and wider view of crime-prone areas in Lagos.

It will be recalled that the Lagos State government in its effort to combat crime in the state gave out the surveillance mobile CCTV to further help in the tracking down criminals and identifying crime scenes in the State.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Olarinde Famous Cole, said that there would be no hiding place for those who come to Lagos to perpetrate crimes, adding that the police would fish them out.

The suspect has been detained and would be charged to court soon.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/24/lagos-police-arrest-pick-pocket-oshodi-using-cctv/

A multiple suicide bombing attack was foiled earlier today in Maiduguri by eagle-eyed Civilian Joint task force Operatives (CJTF).

According to Abba Aji Kalli, a CJTF officer, 3 female suicide bombers were intercepted on Monday morning as they tried to attack Mamanti, a village on the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno state. Politics Nigeria was able to get images from the scene, See them below;

http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/24/cjtf-intercept-3-female-suicide-bombers-maiduguri-photos/

RESIDENT BUHARI SADDENED BY TRAGIC DEATH OF FOOTBALL FANS IN CALABAR
President Muhammadu Buhari is shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic event that took the lives of several Nigerians at a football viewing centre in Calabar, Cross River State, Thursday night.
The President commiserates with the government and people of Cross River State, and football fans nationwide over the unfortunate incident.
President Buhari commends the State Government for the prompt action in setting up a commission of inquiry into the incident, and its offer of assistance to the victims and their families.
The President offers his deepest condolences to the family and friends of the mostly young victims, whose sudden demise is a big blow not only to their families, but also to the football-loving nation.
He prays that God Almighty will grant the souls of the departed eternal rest and comfort all who mourn their irreparable loss.

GARBA SHEHU
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 21, 2017
http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/21/fg-releases-statement-death-calabar-football-fans/
cc : lalasticlala

Politics Nigeria can exclusively report that the Matharoo sisters are wanted in Nigeria as the case they have with Femi Otedola is still in court. Kiran and Taranjot Matharoo alongside their Nigerian accomplice, Babatunde Oyebode a.k.a Baudex are facing charges of extortion, blackmail and cyberbullying before a magistrate court in Yaba. Read the previous reports HERE and HERE.

Trouble started for the sisters and Oyebode after billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola wrote a petition to the Nigerian police on an attempt by the trio to blackmail and extort him. After their first appearance in court, the sisters absconded leaving only Oyebode who has been diligent in making court appearances. Politics Nigeria went digging and a visit to the prosecutor's office in Yaba revealed that the sisters obtained a temporary travel document that aided their escape.

Discoveries made during investigations

Politics Nigeria discovered that the petition against the trio was filed by three petitioners namely; Femi Otedola, Dapo Balogun and Omeregie Ivie (Lawyer). The sisters and Oyebode were tracked down to Eko hotel, Lagos and arrested by the Nigerian police force. They were arraigned before a magistrate court in Yaba and granted bail in the sum of N500,000 each and two sureties each. The police seized an apple laptop, a camera and 2 Canadian passports from the sisters.

Politics Nigeria was able to identify one of the sureties as one Alhaji Waheed Sobunlo. Mr. Sobunlo was a surety to the trio. He wrote an undertaking to provide the trio on every date of adjournment. The undertaking was written on 26/12/2016. At a second hearing into the case on in January 2017, the sisters did not appear in court and this prompted the presiding judge to issue a bench warrant for the sisters. The warrants were dated 25/1/2017. A bench warrant was issued for their surety, Mr. Sobunlo on 2/2/2017 after he failed to produce the sisters in court. It was later discovered Sobunlo and 2 other sureties had also absconded. Only one of the sureties was arrested and he is currently in prison custody. Unconfirmed reports reveal that Sobunlo escaped to the US. All the issued bench warrants are still in effect.

During the course of investigations, Politics Nigeria learned that Sobunlo attempted to reclaim the passports of the girls from the police but met stiff resistance. A reliable source stated that Sobunlo revealed that the girls obtained a temporary travel document from the Canadian high commission in Lagos. Although Politics Nigeria can not confirm the authenticity of this statement, it is believed that this document aided the sisters in their daring escape.

Canadian Global affairs responds

The Canadian global affairs office has responded to the matter through a statement made available to Politics Nigeria by CityNews Toronto, and it reads;

Consular services have been provided to the Canadian citizens who had been detained in Lagos, Nigeria. To protect the privacy of the individuals concerned, further details on this case cannot be released.

IRCC is best placed to answer questions about the process for issuing emergency travel documents.

The statement was signed by the Global affairs spokesperson, John Babcock.

The Nigerian police has since written to the Canadian high commission in Lagos over the matter and currently awaiting a response.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/17/exclusive-how-matharoo-sisters-escaped-nigeria-surety-imprisoned-naijagistlive-update/

Presidential media aide, Lauretta Onochie has labelled prominent lawyer, Mike Ozekhome as 'Scum'. Onochie, who is an aide on new media to President Buhari, attacked Ozekhome for faulting the government's anti-corruption war.

In a tweet made on Monday, April 17th, Onochie accused Ozekhome of being double-mouthed. She added that Ozekhome, who is a lawyer to Ekiti state governor and number one critic of president Buhari, Ayodele Fayose, was part of those thwarting president Buhari's anti-corruption war.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/17/scum-presidential-aide-lauretta-onochie-lampoons-ozekhome/

House of reps member, Abdulmumin Jibrin has offered some advice to Nigerian politicians urging them to relate properly with their constituents. Jibrin, via his twitter handle, posted photographs of himself relating with his constituents along with the following words;

"A politician MUST relate freely with his people day and night..once you are fair to them, they will NEVER stone you!"

Jibrin’s statement is coming barely 48 hrs after Katsina state governor, Bello Masari, Abu Ibrahim, a senator representing Katsina south, and Amiru Tukur, member representing Bakori/Danja in the house of representatives, were pelted with stones by angry residents at an APC rally in Funtua, Katsina state.jibrin-advice.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/17/relate-people-wont-stone-jibrin-shades-katsina-gov-reps/
cc : lalasticlala

The Lagos State Government has expressed concern on the growing incidences of suicide attempts and as such has promised to educate members of the public on suicide and common causes with a view to stemming the spate of suicides and suicidal attempts recorded in the State in the past few weeks.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, made this known at a press briefing on mental health to commemorate the year 2017 World Health Day with the theme “Depression: Let’s Talk”.

Idris stated that suicide could be committed by people of all ages and listed its common causes as inability to deal with life stresses such as financial problems, relationship breakup, chronic pain and illness, adding that individuals experiencing conflicts, disaster, violence, abuse or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behaviour.

The Commissioner noted that suicide rates are also high amongst vulnerable groups who experience discrimination such as refugees, migrants and prisoners, just as he said that depression tops the list of common causes of suicides.

According to him, depression is a common mental disorder, characterised by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness and poor concentration.

“Globally, more than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression which is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease,” he said.

While saying that more women are affected by depression than men, the Commissioner posited that depression can be long-lasting or recurrent, substantially impairing an individual’s ability to function at work or school or cope with daily life and can have devastating consequences for families, friends, communities and workplaces.

He stressed the need for coordination and collaboration amongst various sectors of the society including health, education, labour, justice, law, politics and the media, explaining that people suffering from depression need support to be courageous, come out to talk about it and shun the fear of stigmatisation and discrimination.

He disclosed that the State Government has set up helplines - 08058820777 and 09030000741 - through which residents can ask questions, make inquiries and seek help from professionals early enough to allow for appropriate intervention.
“I must stress that there are people available to help. So, “Let’s Talk” …if you are a student, “Let’s Talk”, if you are a parent, “Let’s Talk”, "If you feel alone in the world, Let’s Talk,” he stated.

Also present at the press briefing were the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Modele Osunkiyesi; Permanent Secretary, Primary Health Care Board, Dr Atinuke Onayiga; Permanent Secretary, Health Service Commission, Dr Jemilade Longe and Professor Abiodun Adewuya of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) amongst others.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/10/lagos-state-government-pledges-stem-suicide-attempts-provides-helplines/

Rivers state is currently celebrating 50 years since its creation and to mark the event, a wrestling competition between various Local government areas in the state was organised. Below are photos from the wrestling competition.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/10/rivers-50-photos-inter-lga-wrestling-competition/