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IPOB Sit at-home Order in South East: Total Failure of Compliance in Enugu State. Pictures of business activities in the popular Ogbete Main Market, Enugu

http://thepunditng.com/ipob-sit-at-home-order-fails-in-enugu-pictures/

Ever since his emergence as Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has been the undeserved target of mudslinging, character assassination, frivolous court cases, undue media trial, executive harassment and humiliation, propaganda, half-truths and outright falsehood among other shenanigans aimed at cowing and arm-twisting him to force him to bow to the whims and caprices of a powerful cabal operating with reckless abandon both within the presidency and the All Progressives Congress, APC, his only sin being that he contested and won the senate presidency against the pleasure of some self-crowned kingmakers, an action well within his rights.

Despite all this, Saraki has proved to be a master in the game, always well ahead of his detractors and flooring his traducers at every round of the attack brought his way, no matter how vicious. They have initiated some of the most ridiculous trumped up charges against him and dragged him from one court to the other in order to wear him out and force him to surrender, but he was always roundly defeating them.

At a point, Saraki thought he had had enough. It was against sound reasoning to remain in the same party with a group of relentless persecutors and oppressors; a group of people that have no respect whatsoever for citizens and their rights; a group of people who, in order to continue to trample upon the rights of the people, disingenuously attempted to subjugate the rule of law to their warped interpretation of national interest; a group of people famed for the flagrant disobedience of orders of courts of competent jurisdiction; a group of people whose lopsided appointments have left Nigerians from large sections of the country wonder silently and complained aloud, asking if they are still part of the country; a group of people whose infamous fight against corruption is selective and therefore ineffective; a group of people whose incompetence and ineptitude have left innocent, helpless Nigerians including women and children to be savagely hacked to their death repeatedly by terrorists in Plateau, Benue, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Taraba, Southern Kaduna etc while, instead of arresting and prosecuting them, they have made excuses for the perpetrators and explained away with pomp and ceremony their murderous escapades.

Despite all their intimidation and attacks on citizens and institutions including judges and the judiciary, lawmakers and the national assembly etc, they had intended for people to catch cold when they sneeze, but it was not going to work with Saraki.

They have even wondered how the Senate President has been able to retain his seat for so long despite all the federal might and resources deployed to unseat him to the extent that several APC leaders including the ruling party’s chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, was even reported to have sworn to muster every available resources to remove Saraki as senate president.

They are bewildered by the man’s ability to have effectively managed the national assembly and all the diverse political and institutional interests therein.

Now, that the same man they could not defeat or unseat for three years despite dedicating huge resources and time to has declared for president on the platform of the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the fear of Buhari, Oshiomhole and the APC as a whole, seems to have heightened. The belief in their circles is that Saraki’s political stature has so grown that he has fast become a leading favourite aspirant in the PDP to the extent that shortly after he defected back to the PDP, the party did not even think twice before officially crowning him the Leader of the party. The confidence reposed in him is so unshaken that he was also appointed to lead the party’s campaign council in the forthcoming Osun State election.

Reports also have it that the senate president has since emerged a leading favourite presidential aspirant among the governors on the platform of the PDP.

With his pedigree and knack for flooring the presidency and the APC in every battle they have engaged him in, there is no doubt that this development of Saraki being a leading presidential aspirant in the PDP has further made them upset, sad and jittery. They are obviously losing sleep and having nightmares over it.

It is expected that, as usual, in order to intimidate and cow him as a step towards getting him to step down from the presidential race, all manner of tricks which Nigerians have known APC for would be tried on him afresh. It will not be surprising if we hear that the EFCC has been unleashed on him after their failed multiple attempts to nail him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. They may also “dig up” fake and imaginary financial infractions probably going as far back as when he was governor of Kwara State, after all, they did that with their failed CCT phantom charges against him. Of course, even they know his sterling qualities and capacity, hence, they did all they could do to persuade him not to leave their party. But he had to!

No doubt, Saraki represents a fresh idea and a new way of doing things. With his level of education, exposure and experience as a democrat especially in managing diverse interests successfully, and respecting the rights of citizens, guaranteeing their freedom and growing Nigeria, something which APC has not been able to do having been given the opportunity, Saraki is fast becoming a favoured aspirant among Nigerians, the kind they have surely been missing. This is why he has since become APC’s nightmare and the presidency is now in mortal fear of him to the extent that they will do all they can to stop him, but he is certainly among the few adequately prepared to defeat APC no matter what they throw at any aspirant. He has done that multiple times before, he can do it again.

No matter what anybody does, the fact remains that no one can stop an idea whose time has come. The time for the idea to grow Nigeria has finally come! APC should not waste our resources trying to stop it. They can’t!

http://thepunditng.com/saraki-apcs-nightmare-presidencys-mortal-fear-by-jude-ndukwe/

... Commences pavement, surfacing work

The administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has given explanation for the delay in the pavement and surfacing of excavated and stabilized potholes on urban and intercity roads in the state, attributing it to “the resurgence of the rains”.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji, the state government further explained that the persistent rains have made it impossible for the application of “hot rolled asphaltic wearing course for the pavement and surfacing”.

Engr. Nnaji, who reassured the people of the state and road users of the state government’s commitment to complete the exercise in record time, added that “we will take advantage of any available dry weather window to complete the maintenance work at the respective locations/clusters”.

Consequently, pavement and surfacing are ongoing along Ogui Junction and Otigba Junction down to Bissalla Road, etc, because of the favorable weather in Enugu city at the moment.

Enugu State is truly in the hands of God!#amokelouis

Watch here


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Dsh3sjotpk

The Niger Delta Emancipation Group has on called on Nigerians to ignore the online publications saying that the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Professor Charles Quaker Dokubo has continued to hobnob with one Ms. Tahirah Ikharo.

In a press release by the President of Niger Delta Emancipation Group, Ochuko Edevebie said the publication is an attempt to blackmail Professor Charles Quaker Dokubo by for fighting corruption in the Amnesty Programme.

“Some people are out to tarnish the image of Prof Charles Dokubo as he has blocked all the loopholes of siphoning Amnesty funds so the allegation of womanizing is a proof that he has brought to bear on the activities of the Amnesty office, Edevebie said.

“His financial prudence and good ethics is one of the the reasons they are disparaging Prof. Dokubo to discourage him. Prof Dokubo can never be distracted to reshape the Amnesty Programme so that it could positively impact those who are meant to be catered for.

We called on the Niger Deltans to ignore the allegations, the statement concluded.

http://thepunditng.com/your-blackmail-on-new-amnesty-boss-has-failed-niger-delta-emancipation-group-2/

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has announced he will run again in the 2019 election. He has just started his work on important reforms — but that's exactly the problem, says DW's Thomas Mösch.

President Muhammadu Buhari's election victory three years ago was a moment of joy for many Nigerians. For the first time since the country's independence in 1960, Nigeria had succeeded in electing a new president to replace the incumbent. Buhari's ambitious plan was to make Nigeria safe again, to tackle corruption and take into account the interests of ordinary people.

But in the meantime, a feeling of disillusionment has risen across different parts of the country. Over and over you hear from locals that life under Buhari has become more difficult, rather than easier.
No victory against terror

On the issue of security, it first seemed like Buhari could actually turn things around. The extremist group Boko Haram occupied entire tracts of land by the end of former president Goodluck Jonathan's term in 2015. Within the course of a few months of Buhari's presidency, Boko Haram were forced to retreat to parts of the remote forest regions and the mountains. But in their central zone in the area around Lake Chad, Boko Haram continues to spread fear and terror with suicide attacks and raids. These attacks have been increasing of late.


In other parts of Nigeria, the outlook is even gloomier. In particular, the states of Taraba and Benue in the center of the country have been experiencing massacres on an almost daily basis for a few months now, with clashes mostly taking place between Muslim nomads and Christian farmers, who make up the majority of the population in these regions. Buhari's government there seems to be as helpless as Jonathan's was in his fight against Boko Haram.

Even in the immediate vicinity of Buhari's own hometown in the northwestern state of Zamfara, murderous gangs rage almost completely unchecked. Only recently did the president finally send military reinforcements to the region.
Small progress made towards tackling corruption

The second main theme which helped Buhari win the election was the struggle against corruption. Today, anti-corruption campaigners are less restricted in their operations than they were under Buhari's predecessor. But so far, Nigerians have waited in vain for court rulings. Nigeria has been languishing in the bottom third of Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index for years — it is currently ranked 148th out of 180 countries. Buhari may have the goodwill to solve the problem, but he lacks assertiveness over the issue.
Meanwhile, the economic balance sheet under the first three years of Buhari looks very poor. Granted, he took over in difficult times. The price of the country's most important product — oil — had dropped and Nigeria's treasury had even been looted. But Buhari has not yet offered a convincing strategy which would relax the country's dependence on oil. Fuel shortages paralyze Nigeria on a regular basis, even though Buhari himself runs the oil ministry — so the issue is a top priority. Even the notoriously poor electricity supply has barely shown any improvement. No wonder, then, that Nigeria's stock market fell following the announcement that Buhari would run for office again.
Physically and politically weak

In addition, the 75-year-old president failed to govern for several months in 2017 because he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness in London. Now, he is seeking another four years as head of state — by the end of which he would be 80 years old.
Nigeria deserves better than an old, ailing president, whose leadership style is characterized by hesitance rather than courage. In the Muslim-majority regions in northern Nigeria, Buhari still enjoys support. But he won the election in 2015 largely because he managed to convince Nigerians in the central and south-western regions of the country — including many Christians. However, the desperate security situation in the central states and ongoing poverty makes it unlikely that the people there will support Buhari for a second time. Now the opposition — that is, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) which was voted out of office four years ago — needs to produce a convincing candidate who will pose a serious threat to Buhari. So far, there appears to be no suitable candidate.
Thomas Mösch (im)

Thomas Mösch is the Head of the Hausa Service at Germany's DW

https://m.dw.com/en/opinion-four-more-years-of-buhari-nigeria-deserves-better/a-43321681

ALEDEH.COM
Revealed: NPA Awards N717 Billion Dredging Contract To Banned Cypriot Company
Rilwan Adetayo Balogun 1 day ago
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The Nigeria Ports Authority has landed itself in crisis after it awarded huge contracts to a company known to have received bans from conducting any business in some parts of Europe.

Anti-corruption non governmental agency, Cardrell has revealed the extent of corruption that has gone down at the NPA.

Cardrell’s investigations, made available to ALEDEH revealed that the company was awarded a contract of $70million without bidding at all and that some senior figures in the NPA enjoy special benefits.

It was also revealed that foreign news outlets have reported the case of the Cypriot Dredging Company and had gone all out for the NPA in their reports, but quite alarmingly, the agency still went ahead to sanction a deal with the banned company.

According to an investigative assessment by Cardrell of NPA’s involvement in the high-ground corrupt practise, it said;

“Sometimes in February, 2018 we stumbled on a letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport to the Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement, requesting the issuance of a Certificate of No Objection for the award of contract on remedial works at Escravos Channel-Replacement of Aids to Navigation and Minor Dredging at Delta Ports, Warri, to enable it award the said contract to Messrs Dredging International Services Nigeria Limited at the sum of Forty-Four Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty One Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety-Six US Dollars ($44,861,596.81).

Upon investigation, we discovered there was indeed a previous bribe for contract scandal involving the NPA, and the said company. Surprisingly, the said scandal was conspicuously reported in major news in Nigeria, Overseas and various online news portals, ranging from;
Vanguard Newspaper of 24th August, 2017; Tribune Newspaper of 17th October, 2017; Punch Newspaper of 12th October, 2017; Thisday of 30th July, 2017; Nation Newspaper of 12th October, 2017; Premiumtimes on the 18th of June, 2017; newtelegraphonline on the 24th of August, 2017; businessandmaritimewestafrica.com on the 17th of October, 2017
Even, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project – an International Online Magazine – reported it thus;
NPA awards dredging contract worth US$70,000,00 Seventy Million US Dollars each year to Dredging International Services, without competitive bidding, as required by the Nigeria Laws.

And till date this convicted company is believed to have won jobs worth at least (N717 ,000,000,000.00) Seven Hundred and Seventy Billion Naira (US$2,280,000,000.00) Two Billion, Twenty Eight Million US Dollars from NPA.

We immediately wrote a letter dated the 6th day of March, 2018 to the Director General of the BPP drawing his attention to the notorious fact that the company they were about awarding a contract to, Dredging International Services Nigeria Limited, was convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction in Switzerland, and that awarding the contract to the said company would be contrary to clear provisions of S. 16 ( (e) & (f) of the Public Procurement Act 2007.
Sometimes in April, 2018, we got a call from the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Lagos office that our petition to the BPP has been referred to them for investigation. We immediately visited the EFCC office on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, where we made statements and submitted documents and were also grilled by a group of investigators, who then promised to get back to us, if the need arises. We have subsequently visited the office of the EFCC severally thereafter, and they have promised investigations into the matter was still ongoing.”

The investigations also involved a publication by This Day Newspaper where members of the public were invited to a public hearing by the House of Representative Joint Committee on Ports, Harbours & Waterways and Public Procurement over the case.

“By a Thisday Newspaper publication dated the 13th day of May, 2018, the House of Representative Joint Committee on Ports, Harbours & Waterways and Public Procurement in exercise of its investigative/quasi-judicial powers, as defined in S. 88 & 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) invited members of the public to a public hearing/investigation into the matter and called for memoranda/position papers from the general public in respect thereof.
We prepared and presented a position paper to the House Joint Committee on the 31st of May, 2018 where we reiterated our position and we urged the House to invoke her powers under Section 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to request NPA to reverse the award of the contract on the ground that the foreign company, the contract was awarded to, Dredging International Services Ltd, was a sister company of a convicted company (Dredging International Services Cyprus, both subsidiaries of DEME Group Belgium) having been convicted upon an investigation by the office of the Attorney General, Department of International Affairs, Switzerland on allegations that the company and some officials of the NPA were alleged to have been involved in a bribe for contract scandal of Twenty Million U.S. Dollars ($20,000,00) and subsequently convicted on the 2nd of May 2012 and fined One Million Swiss Francs, by the court for bribing Nigeria officials. We also prayed the Committee to blacklist the said convicted company from Bidding for or executing contracts in Nigeria in accordance with S. 16 ( (e) of the Public Procurement Act 2007.”

The Dredging company received the contracts despite many sanctions against them and are still convicted in Europe for illegal transactions with Nigerian companies and other criminal offences.

https://aledeh.com/revealed-npa-awards-n717-billion-dredging-contract-to-banned-cypriot-company/

2019: Enugu market women endorse Ugwuanyi for second term

…Say he is God-sent, caring leader

Jubilant market women in Enugu State on Friday converged on the Government House, Enugu to express their firm support for the re-election of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in 2019 for entrenching peace and good governance in the state, and assisting traders in the state grow their businesses.

The traders, who described Gov. Ugwuanyi as “the most trader-friendly governor”, disclosed that “we have never had it so good like this since the inception of civilian regime in 1999”.

The women added that Gov. Ugwuanyi was the only governor of the state, who came on board and remembered the welfare of the traders, stressing that they are supporting his re-election because he cares for them and the masses.

Presenting their stance, the state’s Market Woman Leader, Hon. Esther Edeh, appreciated the governor for the Enugu State Traders Empowerment Scheme his administration launched in 2017 to assist genuine traders who win the monthly open raffle draw of N50,000 each to grow their various businesses, irrespective of state of origin, religion or ethnicity.

She noted the women have benefited immensely from the empowerment programme, expressing delight with the governor’s passion for the wellbeing of the traders, saying: “Every day what he is thinking is what he can do for market traders in Enugu State”.

The excited market women, comprising representatives of all the markets in the state, therefore, unanimously endorsed Gov. Ugwuanyi for a second term in office, declaring that “the only thing we can give him is our vote – our united vote goes to you, Gburugburu”.

Hon. Edeh maintained that the market women in Enugu State have resolved to work for Gov. Ugwuanyi’s re-election in 2019 because he is “our messiah, a God-sent leader, the only and true governor, who knows where it pinches the traders and the poor masses”.

Her words: “Daddy, the reason why we are here is to thank you and also tell you that whatever you want in Enugu State as it concerns traders, we will give it to you double. We have come to say to you that this Lion Building there is no vacancy, come 2019.

“We have to establish that God loves women more than anything he created on Earth. He said that anything we ask of him that He will do it. Others have been praying and endorsing you, but we are women who have gone through nine months of pregnancy and given birth. What we have come here to say today is that God said that we should go and say it and so shall it be in Jesus Name, Amen.

“You don’t have problem. You are not dragging the governorship election with anybody come 2019. We say that it is well with you”.

Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi thanked the women for their support, solidarity and prayers, assuring them of his resolve to continue to serve the people of the state with the fear of God and to improve their living standard. #amokelouis

http://thepunditng.com/28625-2/

Science teachers commend Ugwuanyi’s role in education

Science teachers in Enugu State yesterday commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his “dynamic” role in promoting science education in the state through procurement and distribution of science equipment, computers and other educational materials to both primary and secondary schools for teaching and learning of sciences.

The teachers made the commendation when members of the executive committee of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria, Enugu State branch, paid a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House, Enugu.

Speaking on behalf of the teachers, the chairman of the association, Mr. Emma Ofordu, applauded Gov. Ugwuanyi for the prompt payment of workers’ salaries and retirees’ pensions in the state as well as recruitment of over 4000 teachers in primary and secondary schools.

Mr. Ofordu noted that majority of the teachers recruited were science teachers, adding that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration has been rehabilitating schools and reconstructing access roads across the state.

“With all these done in less than three years in office, we hereby decree with the permission from God that come 2019, the governorship seat is yours, no controversy”, the Chairman stated.

He disclosed that the association has recorded remarkable achievements in promoting cooperation among science teachers, educators and administrators in Nigeria with a view to raising the standard of science education, among others.



Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi reiterated his administration’s commitment to continue to support the revitalization of science, vocational and technical education in the state to provide sustainable manpower development and boost employment potential among the youth.

Gov. Ugwuanyi, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, affirmed the state government’s continued support and assistance to science teachers in the state for the speedy realization of “our collective aspirations for science education in Enugu State” to reap the inherent benefits.

According to him, “it is also the aspiration of the government to leverage on the advantages and opportunities offered by science and technology to help turn Enugu State into the industrial hub of the South East region”.

He therefore, appreciated the association for its efforts towards the promotion of science education and the stimulation of children’s interest in sciences. #amokelouis

http://thepunditng.com/science-teachers-commend-ugwuanyis-role-in-education/

Friends and volunteers have bought the APC presidential Form for the president.

Pictures below

NwanyiAwkaetiti:
Totally wrong. Gtbank charged me for a new card last year, I applied for a transfer last year Nov and picked it up just today. Lol. Dem find the card tire. They didn't charge me twice though.

This was why I went in August hoping that at least by August, the card will be ready only to get turned down and now this.

It hurts

Samakus:
Madam, from your narrative, i can deduce that you have not explored options of complaints resolution within the bank before rushing to nairaland. That's not how things are done. What do you intend to gain from this call out? Have you sought to speak with the branch operations' management about this? Obviously, nobody denied you the benefit of attention as you never asked for one from their management.

Customer is always right but remember that your right ends where another person's starts. I hope you are not paid to do this.


My 2cents from a customer like you.

Complaints and resolutions are the reason they have a customer care department in the first place. I was balantly told that they have stopped it and that I will have to pay for both cards now.

The money though is not an issue it is the feeling of betrayal and the thought that a banking institution I trust is actually trying to set me black financially and taking away my convenience hurts

Venom104:


As a matter of fact, I just picked up my Card from the Oke-Ileowo/Kuto Branch after i had requested for it to be transferred from another state, at no extra cost.

Lucky you then. I have wasted time and energy I should be using to do better things

So last week, I noticed that the expiry date of my Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) ATM Card is 09/18 meaning it will expire September (this month) so I went over to their branch at Oke-Ileowo/Kuto in Abeokuta hoping to get a new one or place an order for a new one so as not to be blind-sighted.

I was on the queue when one of their staff asked me what I needed, I explained to her and she told me that I can’t place an order for a new one until the old one expired or at least until the middle of September and in any case, I will receive an alert from the bank telling me it has been renewed and then I can order for it so I left thinking it was all good.

Fast forward to earlier this week, I got an alert from GTBank telling me that my ATM has been automatically renewed and I should come over to their Oregun branch to pick it up. Note that I have never been to that branch as I opened the account on the road via a marketer and later took my personal documents to another branch to regularize my documentation for the account.

So I went there this morning to get the shock of my life. I was on the queue once again waiting for my turn when a young man apparently a staff since he was wearing a GTBank shirt and had an ID card with the name OLALEKAN. He asked what I wanted and I told him and he said, they have stopped transfer of ATM cards and I will have to cancel the one that was renewed and order for a new one there which will mean I will have to be charged twice.

I stayed on the queue hoping the lady in charge will have better news. It got to my turn only for her (TITILOPE) to tell me the same thing that it is not the bank’s fault but I will have to pay for a new one and then she flippantly added that “Or you can pick up the other one when next you go to Lagos”

Now people, help me out here oo why should I have to pay for an ATM card twice or why can’t I request that my new ATM card be delivered to the branch close to me like sane banks like First, Zenith, Diamond etc? Hmmmm. Maybe this is why some people call them GBT Bank saying this is why they are declaring profits upandan

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, CON, PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT A DIALOGUE WITH YOUTH AND YOUNG ASPIRANTS HELD AT SHERATON HOTEL, ABUJA, ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2018.

PROTOCOL.

1.​Let me say, once again, how wonderful it is to see so many talented and purposeful young people at this first edition of the Public Dialogue Series with Political Parties on Youth Candidacy and Party Primaries. Looking at you, I see future leaders who present themselves as capable and worthy to take on the mantle of leadership in this country, and this gladdens my heart.

2.​From my interactions with many of you, and with your contemporaries across the country, I can see that we are blessed with a determined generation that stands ready to join with us to power a Nigerian renaissance. The quality of people I see here today affirms my belief that, indeed, you are Not Too Young To Run.

3.​I deeply appreciate this opportunity to share some of my ideas about where we are as a nation, as well as the challenges before us as we approach the great decider that is the 2019 General Elections.

4.​It is widely acknowledged that ours is a relatively ‘young’ country bursting with tremendous energy, ability and potential. More than 70 per cent of our population is under the age of 40. You are indeed the future of this country. Ordinarily, such a young population would be the envy of many Western countries that are faced with ageing populations, but the dire state of our affairs tarnishes the youthful advantage that we have.

5.​Up and down our country today, Nigerians are crying out for succour. Many of our children are hungry. Many people are dying of avoidable or otherwise treatable diseases. Many have fallen below basic living standards, and are now among the 87 million that sealed Nigeria’s position as the country with the highest number of people in extreme poverty. Our young people lack opportunities. The necessary education facilities and system to equip them for the future simply do not exist. We are not creating the jobs needed to usefully engage them in order to grow our economy. And too often, the youth feel shut out, prevented from having any say in the direction of this nation.

6.​The harsh conditions of extreme poverty faced by the people, fuels the state of insecurity all over the country. Hunger, lack of education and lack of opportunities push many Nigerians into criminal activities including terrorism. Many of our communities are paralysed with fear - due to incessant communal crises, kidnappings and other social ills, as well as the threat of terrorism. We are failing abysmally to tackle the problems of today and to prepare for the future.

7.​Our economy is broken and is in need of urgent revival in order for Nigeria to grow. GDP growth rate has declined. Diversification remains an illusion. Unemployment is at an all-time high. Businesses are shutting down. Jobs are being lost in record numbers, and the capital needed to jumpstart our economy is going elsewhere.

8.​Nigeria is perhaps more divided now than ever before. We are increasingly divided along regional, religious and ethnic lines. Nigerians are also divided by class, a festering gulf between the ‘Haves’ and the ‘Have-Nots’. The fault lines of this nation are widening to an alarming degree. We must do something fast, and we must be brave about it.

9.​We must ensure the security of lives in Nigeria. As things stand now, no one is safe in this country. No one feels truly safe. We must restore the sanctity of the rule of law and strengthen democratic institutions in order to build a just, fair and equitable society for all. We must rebuild the trust of our people in government. We need a new generation of leaders that are competent, with the capability to rise to the challenges of the 21st century. We must pull this country back together and rebuild, block by block, with dedication and commitment.

10.​You will agree with me that this is an urgent task that requires the concerted efforts of each and every one of us. If we look around today, what do we see? What is the condition of our citizens? Where are we as a nation? How are we perceived locally and internationally? Why are we not making the expected progress? Why are we not growing? There is no time to waste. The time is now, to come together to stimulate growth in Nigeria, especially in the national economy.

11. The choice we face in the forthcoming election is either to keep things as they are, or make a radical departure from the old ways. To find a better way of doing things or keep repeating the mistakes of the past. To fix the problems or keep compounding them.

12.​It is with all these in mind, and taking account of the challenges that I have outlined, that I have decided to answer the call of teeming youth who have asked me to run for President. Accordingly, I hereby announce my intention to run for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the coming General Elections in 2019 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). I do so with the firm conviction that I have what it takes to secure inclusive growth for Nigeria and Nigerians.

13.​My Plan for Nigeria has inclusion in all aspects of the country’s affairs as a central pillar. Every citizen has the inalienable right to feel a sense of belonging, no matter their background or creed, or what part of the country they come from. No matter who you voted for or what your convictions are, government must work for you.

14.​Your generation does not deserve to live in the poverty capital of the world. It is no longer an issue of how we got here, but how do we get out of this situation? I promise you that I will lead the fight and employ every God-given resource available to us in turning things around. I am determined to grow Nigeria out of poverty. We will stimulate the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as one of the ways of energising the economy and to create wealth for our people, especially the youth.

15. I want to see the youth play major roles at all levels, not only in government but also in the private sector and indeed in every area of Nigerian life. This will be a government driven by youthful energy, innovation and a pioneering entrepreneurial spirit. Nigerian youth will be given all the opportunities to realise their potential to the full within a national framework that guarantees inclusiveness. For youth who have ideas and capacity, we will make sure that there is funding for their ventures; and we shall build on the Made in Nigeria legislation as part of our job creation drive.

16.​My plan is to secure Nigeria by redesigning our national security architecture, while adequately equipping our security agencies to fulfil their primary role of protecting lives and property.

17. I will address our infrastructural deficit through aggressive financing initiatives including mutually beneficial PPP arrangements, regular floating of bonds and other financial instruments, which will ensure stable, adequate and reliable funding to see to the completion of core projects especially road, rail and power.

18.​My plan is to protect all Nigerians and defend their constitutional rights and freedoms. I will stand for and uphold at all times the principle of the rule of law, which is the bedrock of democratic governance.

19. Ours will not be a selective fight against corruption. The emphasis will be on strengthening institutions, with a particular focus on deterrence. We cannot afford to compromise our institutions with proxy wars against perceived political opponents. We see the fight against corruption as crucial to Nigeria’s economic development.

20.​I offer leadership driven by empathy. Where leaders are responsive to the citizens. Where they know that government cares. We will not be indifferent or turn a blind eye to the real concerns of our people. Every single Nigerian life matters.

21. For me, the leadership we deserve is one that will be a source of pride to all Nigerians, one that will be respected and admired in Africa and around the world. It should be a leadership that can hold its own and stand tall anywhere in the world. That is the type of leadership I offer.

22.​As a former two-term Governor and currently President of the Senate by the grace of God, I believe I possess a unique blend of executive and legislative experience to push for and implement reforms that will deliver real improvements in the daily lives of our people. I know what it takes to create jobs and grow the economy. I can make the tough decisions when it matters. I will spearhead a new agenda that can transform the lives of ordinary Nigerians in real terms.

23. Believe me when I say that it will not be business as usual. This will be a dynamic government of action that will pursue the growth of Nigeria with doggedness, determination and conviction. I will lead a result-driven administration. We shall set targets with clear timelines to ensure that anticipated deliverables are met. You can benchmark us and hold us accountable. In short, I assure you that I will deliver on all promises. What I envision is a new chapter in governance in this country. We will be driven by what is best for Nigerians.

25.​I have deliberately chosen the opportunity of being here with you, my Number One constituency who I see as the future of our great country, to make my intention known. I believe the Nigerian youth are critical to rebuilding and growing the economy, and restoring our national pride.

26. I therefore ask you and all well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with me in this noble cause.

My brothers, My sisters, Let’s Grow Nigeria Together.

God bless you all.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.


Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON.

http://thepunditng.com/read-bukola-sarakis-presidential-declaration-speech/

This afternoon

http://thepunditng.com/senate-president-saraki-declares-intention-to-run-for-presidency/

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…Describe him as pensioner-friendly governor

Pensioners under the payroll of Enugu State government, on Wednesday paid a solidarity visit to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, in appreciation of his commitment to their welfare, in spite of the nation’s economic challenges.

The jubilant retirees, who described Gov. Ugwuanyi as “one of the foremost pensioner-friendly governor Enugu State has ever produced”, reassured him of their “absolute loyalty and support”.

In their address presented by the State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Comrade Damian Udeani, the pensioners, who turned out in large numbers said that the governor has “continued to pay us pensions regularly”, which they noted “is vital for our existence”.

They added that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration in keeping with its commitment to their wellbeing, had approved the release of N100 million every month for the payment of backlog of accumulated gratuities “most of which you inherited from past administrations”.

They equally noted and appreciated the governor for reconsidering a verification exercise for pensioners who did not participate in the programme in 2016, stating that “these and many other kind gestures were why we gave Your Excellency an ‘Award of Excellence’ last December”.

Commending Gov. Ugwuanyi for entrenching peace, security and good governance in the state, the retirees said: “We shall not forget to mention that since you came on board, Enugu State has become the toast of people from other states. They regard Enugu as the most comfortable state among the Eastern states. People outside our state now spend their vacation in Enugu State. This is due to your good governance”.

Reminding the governor of the outstanding challenges some of them were facing, especially those under the payroll of the Local Government administration, the pensioner expressed optimism that the governor in his magnanimity, concern and commitment to their wellbeing would soon address them, accordingly.

“Your Excellency, we are the fathers and mothers of a large percentage of families in Enugu State and we assure you that our sons and daughters are equally strongly supportive of you and your government”, the excited pensioners declared.

In a brief remark, the Executive Secretary, Local Government Pensions Board, Hon. Nana Ogbodo, applauded the visit by the pensioners, disclosing that it was a demonstration of peace, security, good governance and commitment to the wellbeing of the pensioners in the state.

His words: “We are here to felicitate with a man who has given succor not only to the pensioners but has positively touched Enugu State in many ways, even in the face of scarcity. There is indeed no part of Enugu State that you go today you will not find Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s imprint staring you in the face.

“If you don’t see him from the roads he has constructed, you will see him from the peace we are enjoying in Enugu State or you will see him in the regularity of salaries and pensions he has paid”.

In his response, Gov. Ugwuanyi thanked the retirees for their solidarity visit, goodwill, unceasing prayers and support, reassuring the pensioners of his resolve to continue to serve them with the fear of God and also passionately cater for their needs. #amokelouis

As seen in their the tweet from their official verified handle

http://thepunditng.com/cbn-slams-fines-on-4-nigerian-banks-over-fund-repatriation-for-mtn/

GTBank has reacted to reports that a staff of the Liberian arm, Edward Freeman was assault by the MD Mr Ayodeji Bejide with a calculator.



Read their statement below

We have received with total reprehension a report about the assault of one of our members of staff and wish to inform the public that we have immediately commenced a thorough investigation into the matter in accordance with professional standards and international best practices.

At GTBank Liberia, we do not condone any form of assault in the workplace nor do we compromise on our principle that every GTBank Liberia staff should be able to come to work without fear of violence, abuse or harassment from any member of staff.

Indeed, at the core of our values is the premium we put on the welfare of our members of staff and their safety in the workplace.

As a law abiding organization and corporate citizen, GTBank Liberia maintains a ‘zero tolerance’ attitude towards violence or assault of any kind and we will not hesitate to take action against any staff who is found to be in breach of our strict code of conduct, regardless of their position in the organization.

The Bank also maintains very active structures to provide all necessary care and assistance to any member of staff who is a victim of assault.

Once again, we wish to reassure all members of the public that the bank remains committed to ensuring a safe and conducive environment for its staff and providing best-in-class services to its customers.



For GTBank Liberia,
Alexandra Zoe
Head, Legal/Company Secretary

http://thepunditng.com/gtbank-reacts-to-report-of-assault-on-staff-by-md-in-liberia/

More.

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Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, accompanied by his deputy, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Augustine Nnamani, and others, acknowledging cheers from jubilant traders and teeming supporters during the 6th monthly raffle draw of the second phase of the state's Traders Empowerment Scheme, held at Aria Market Enugu, on Tuesday.

During the empowerment programme which took place simultaneously across the 54 designated markets in the state, 200 traders emerged winners, bringing up the total number of all the beneficiaries to 2400 since its inception in 2017.

Gov. Ugwuanyi, while congratulating all the winners, reiterated his administration's "unwavering commitment to improving the standard of living of the people and ensuring that opportunities for growth and rapid development are extended to every corner and to every class of people in Enugu State".

Enugu State is truly in the hands of God! #amokelouis

As 2019 approaches, the issues that our country faces are glaring than ever. It’s time to focus on the right issues.
What are you focused on?


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

Enugu State @ 27

Ndi Enugu,

On the historic occasion of the 27th Anniversary of the creation of Enugu State today, we wish to sincerely express our profound joy and gratitude to the God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob and the awesome God of David for the journey so far.

We thank Ndi Enugu, the true heroes of democracy for the mandate they graciously gave to us to pilot the affairs of the state, and for their continued support, solidarity and unceasing prayers, which have brought peace and good governance to the state.

We also appreciate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the Vice President, His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, and other leaders in the country for their commitment towards the development of Enugu State.

We acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of the past leaders and founding fathers of Enugu State, including those of blessed memory, who through their vision, industry and tenacity saw to the creation and growth of the state.

Our gratitude equally goes to all stakeholders of Enugu State - past and serving members of the National and State Assemblies, National and State Executive Council members, the Judiciary, Local Government Chairmen, the Clergy, our revered Royal Fathers, elders of Enugu State, and others - who have been collectively working for the peace and progress of the state.

We reassure Ndi Enugu of our firm resolve to continue to serve them with the fear of God and to deliver on our campaign promises as well as ensure peace, prosperity and security of the state.

Enugu State is in the hands of God.


Dr. G.O.C Ajah, mni
Secretary to the Enugu State Government
27/08/2018

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CEO of Mosilo Group, Moses Siasia condoles witb Governor Seriake Dickson over Mother's death - Chairman/CEO of Mosilo group was at the country home of Bayelsa state Governor, His Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson in Tory Orua to Commiserate with him and the entire family over the demise of his beloved mother, Late mrs Goldcoast Dickson.


While commiserating with the family, the former governorship candidate said, Mrs Goldcoast Dickson lived a fulfilled life and would be greatly missed by all who came in contact with her.

Moses Siloko Siasia is the Chairman of Mosilo Group, a multi-billion naira business empire, with huge investments in engineering, real estate, oil and gas, agro processing and project management.


The group is a wholly owned indigenous company with strategic partnership with some of the world’s leading technical companies. Mosilo Group has employed a critical mass of young people and continues to up the ante in human capacity development locally.

Siasia is also the Chairman of Nigerian Young Professionals Forum. (NYPF).

The poor performance of Nigeria’s economy has become a matter of worry, particularly in the last three years. This is so because the poor economy has taken a serious toll on all of the country’s aspects and become a matter of huge concerns for citizens and friends, locally and internationally.

The economic situation of any nation should interest her citizens, and where decrease is the case, it should worry the citizenry because a viable economy is necessary for any government to perform its functions, such as providing employment, and social amenities.

Nigeria has one of the world’s highest economic growth rates, averaging 7.4% according to the Nigeria economic report released in July 2014 by the World Bank. Poverty still remains significant at 33.1% in Africa’s biggest economy. For a country with huge wealth and plenty population to support commerce, a well-developed economy, and plenty of natural resources such as oil, the level of poverty remains unacceptable. However, poverty may have been overestimated due to the lack of information on the extremely huge informal sector of the economy, estimated at around 60% more, of the current GDP figures.

Because oil is Nigeria’s mainstay, the recent decrease in oil gains due to the global oil price reduction meant its oil-dependent GDP was affected too. The country’s economy was hit hard by the recent recession in the country. And where a nation’s economy is bad, the poverty levels increases, crime, violence, unrest, insurgency and other sad features take the stage and breed weak governance, ill health, hunger, diseases and even debt burden. Such evidences as deprivation, neediness, hardship, hand-to-mouth existence, pauperism,straitened circumstances, and bankruptcy have since laced Nigeria.

Daily reports of March, 2018, as released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Nigeria needs urgent and practical policies because Nigerians were getting poorer. Earlier in 2017, the World Bank says unemployment and poverty rates increased in Nigeria despite supposed exit from recession. The global financial giant made these remarks in a report made available to newsmen as at April, 2018.

According to the report titled, “Nigeria Bi-annual Economic Update: Fragile Recovery,” policymakers at the federal and the state levels need to identify interventions that are best suited to realise development potential of sub-national regions and integrate domestic markets.“The rates of unemployment and underemployment increased in 2017 and poverty is estimated to have increased slightly. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in 2018 is expected to hover just over 2 per cent, largely oil sector-driven.

In his article entitled “Nigeria Is Set To Become The Poverty Capital Of The World”, Olanrewaju Eweniyi, opined that at least 50% of of the world – over three billion people – live on less than $2.50 (N900) a day. And closer to home, Nigeria has one of the world’s highest economic growth rates, averaging 7.4% (according to the Nigeria economic report released in July 2014 by the World Bank) but over 80 million Nigerians – 42.4% of the population – currently live below the poverty line, according to the UN.

Eweniyi believes it can get worse, relying on the report by the World Poverty Clock, that Nigeria’s rising overpopulation will pose a problem now, rather than in 2030 or 2050. By February 2018, Nigeria will overtake India as the country with the most people in extreme poverty. For context, India has 5 times the population of Nigeria. According to World Bank standards, living in extreme poverty is living on less than $1.90 (N680) per day. People living in extreme poverty are unable to meet even the barest minimal needs for survival.

In 2015, the UN set up the Sustainable Development Goals, and the first of them is to “eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere by 2030”. However to achieve this globally, 90 people need to leave poverty every minute to eradicate poverty totally by 2030; and to achieve this in Africa, 57 people have to leave every minute; and in Nigeria, 12 people per minute.

As you can imagine, this is not the case. In fact the opposite is the case. On the average, 9 people are entering extreme poverty every minute, and Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo are both responsible for the 9. And individually, Nigeria has about 7 people going into poverty every minute. This is due to many reasons, first of all, population. Nigeria’s population is growing faster than its economy. Between 1990 and 2013, Nigeria’s population increased by 81 percent. And by 2050, according to the UN, Nigeria will be third most populous country in the world. Only behind India and China.

The poverty level in Nigeria today has incapacitated many, especially the ordinary Nigerians who is badly affected by the changes in market prices of goods which used to be affordable until the economy became poor. The story is more painful when one considers that the government has not increased the beggarly minimum wage despite knowing that the prices of everything that citizens need to survive has become quite expensive.

While the poverty is billed to wildly increase in 2018, the IMF projects Nigeria’s GDP to rise by only 0.8 percent in 2018, after the 2016 recession slowed down the economy. Nigeria’s 2018 record budget (which President Buhari stood for 69 minutes to present, this was news for some reason) is running on a deficit, and will be funded by much borrowing with government debts already on the rise.

This is a time for a serious decision on the part of government. It is a time for the government to put in place practical economic policies workable solutions so that the ugly trend of Nigeria’s economy will be corrected and life will be better. It’s a wrong time to play politics with the fortunes of a nation and the good living condition of the citizens that can only be achieved with good economy.

http://thepunditng.com/nigerias-poverty-rate-calls-for-worry/

The Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue boss, Alhaji. Yakubu Oseni is currently being investigated for funds diversion and money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. A foremost civil society group the Anti-corruption and Integrity Forum petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission calling for the investigation of 3 billion naira and the prosecution of the Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue, Alhaji Yakubu Oseni, the governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Mr. David Edward Onoja and the APC chairman Bello Abubakar for money laundering.

In the Petition, it was revealed that the Kogi tax boss allegedly conspired with the aforementioned persons to open bank accounts disguised as those of the Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue in order to launder money with them.

According to the petition, Dangote Group paid taxes of 3 billion naira and the money was diverted into 9 accounts created by the tax boss for the purpose of laundering it. The petition states that the above mentioned person have allegedly took part in it and also received proceeds of this crime. The anti-corruption organization requested that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission traces the money paid by dangote into a skye bank account before it was diverted to account numbers 0431486029 at First City Monument Bank, 2017770110 at First Bank, 0057904831 at Ecobank, 1015503782 at United Bank of Africa, 0025013646 at Union Bank, 1130071472 at Zenith Bank, 4030014272 at Zenith Bank, 0018496916 at Unity Bank, 0709993397 at Access Bank.

The funds were also laundered from account numbers 2882050558 at Ecobank, 1012670779 and 1130020085 at Zenith Bank, 0000106201 at Kogi Savings and Loans and account numbers 1751069541, 1751069383, 1751069280 at Skye Bank.

Shortly after the 3 billion naira was diverted, the chairman of Kogi State board of Internal Revenue acquired a multi-billion naira property (as pictured below) located at 1, Magaji Muazu Crescent off Patrick Yakowa road Katampe extension Abuja

The chairman of Anti-corruption and Integrity Forum said in a statement to Integrity Watchdog that the organization will ensure to investigate the Kogi tax boss and make public every property he acquired in and outside Nigeria. We will leave no stones unturned until we expose everyone involved in this mammoth fraud and ensure that they are prosecuted. Tax payer’s money should never end up in the hands of corrupt officials. How can money that could be used to fund projects that could positively impact the lives of the residents of Kogi state be stolen by the same persons put in place to secure it. It will not be tolerated.

This petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is just one of the many cases to be filed with the commission. He also stated that this exposition and that of the Akwa Ibom State Government is one of the organisation’s drive to expose corruption being perpetrated by public officials in several states in Nigeria.

Read more at: http://integritywatchdog.com/2018/08/25/kogi-tax-boss-alhaji-yakubu-oseni-diverts-3-billion-naira-using-fake-igr-accounts/