₦airaland Forum

The White House Is Not Free For The President, He Receive A Bill For Food And Expenses Every Month

Agbaletu:
It will never happen.
The President is wired to act like this.

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has urged the people of the state to adopt any lawful means to defend themselves from herdsmen.

He lamented that the call became necessary because the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris who should enforce security and safety of the people was playing politics with the unending killings in the state.

The Governor who spoke Tuesday during a live Phone-in Benue Radio Programme, ‘Issues of the Moment’, monitored in Makurdi, accused the Inspector General of Police of becoming the mouthpiece of the murderers of the Benue people.

Governor Ortom said, “The Police said they arrested Livestock Guard members and termed them a militia group fromBenue. It’s just a diversion from the main issue.

“If you want to hang a dog you give it a bad name. That is what the Inspector General of Police is doing, he is the mouthpiece of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore. That is what the man represents. He should therefore resign his current position to serve full time in his new job.

“So bad, they plant weapons on people and take their pictures and claim they are Benue Livestock Guards. Those people are not members of our Livestock Guard. It is just a planned thing.

“The fact is that I am facing a lot of intimidation and blackmail but I am firm and strong because I have trust in God.

“There are threats even on my life, they are on record that I reported to the Police and those people responsible have not been arrested.

“People say they are going to kill the Governor, is that not grievous enough to arrest the people concerned?

“Miyetti came out and owned up and threatened that bloodshed will continue inBenue. Is it not enough evidence for the Inspector General of Police to arrest one person out of the group?”‎

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday visited Nasarawa State.
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Buhari, on his visit warned victims of suspected Fulani herdsmen attack not to engage in reprisals attacks, stressing that his administration would not tolerate the barbaric acts.http://dailypost.ng/2018/02/06/benuetaraba-killings-buhari-warns-nigerians-attacking-fulani-herdsmen/

He stated this while commissioning Comprehensive Special School in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Here is the full text of President Buhari’s speech:

I am very pleased to be with you here today in Lafia, the Capital of Nasarawa State. I am, indeed, overwhelmed by the warm reception accorded to me.

2. I am, however, not surprised by this show of love and enthusiasm because, for me, this is home coming.

3. People of Nasarawa have always been with the CHANGE movement, since the early days of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) through All Progressives Congress (APC).

4. In 2011, the people of Nasarawa decided to vote for CHANGE, voted for the CPC in order to have a government for the people, and in 2015 they voted for continuity.

5. Today, I am obliged to reiterate Governor Al-Makura’s proclamation that, indeed, Nasarawa State is my political home.

6. Since the inauguration of His Excellency Umar Tanko Al-Makura as the Governor of Nasarawa State in May, 2011; the occasion which I attended personally, I have been following the trend of events in the State and the reports I received are that of execution of many projects.

7. Accordingly, during my campaign visit to Nasarawa State in 2015, I noticed the transformation within Lafia metropolis.

8. Earlier this morning, I commissioned an Electronic Library, a Fire Service facility and Township Road. And now, I am here to commission a Special Needs School.

9. Later today, I will also commission a Model Primary Health Care Centre and Karu International Market. This is the CHANGE people of Nasarawa voted for.

10. I must add that these projects, I believe, were executed owing largely to the frugality of Governor Al-Makura in the management of the meagre resources at the disposal of the Administration in the State.

11. Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the Lafia Comprehensive Special School is a demonstration of our collective ambition to uplift the standard of living of all Nigerians through social investment policies.

12. This school will cater for the deaf, the blind and other physically challenged. Indeed, this is a clear example of our inclusive policy where no child, man or woman will be left behind.

13. This is a well-thought out initiative to give hope to a key segment of the society that has been ignored and neglected by the previous governments. We must help our disabled to contribute to their development and self-reliance.

14. Let me use this opportunity to stress that the CHANGE philosophy which precipitated the APC Government will continue to idealize and identify issues that are critical to our socio-economic development with a view to proffering lasting solutions to them.

15. I want to assure Nigerians that we would intensify our commitment towards the realization of the cardinal objectives of this Administration anchored on securing lives and property, curbing corruption and ensuring economic growth through diversification.

16. I am also particularly pleased to launch the Pilot Scheme of the Community Health Influencers, Promoters and Services (CHIPS), National Programme here at Kwandare- Lafia Local Government Area and to direct the Federal Ministry of Health to synergize with other States to roll out the programme to enable the less privileged and the rural dwellers to have access to health services.

17. Considering the proximity of the Nasarawa State to the Federal Capital Territory, Government will site Federal projects that will attract foreign investments to Nigeria, taking into cognizance the daily influx of people to the State from within and outside the country.

18. In this regard, I want to assure you that all ongoing strategic projects, especially the power transmission sub-stations and roads network would be completed to further enhance the socio-economic development of Nasarawa State and the north central region.

19. I also want to assure the people of the north central and indeed all Nigerians, that Federal Government is working day and night to ensure peace and stability returns.

20. We have deployed additional resources to all affected areas to maintain law and order. The attacks by suspected herdsmen and other bandits will not be tolerated.

21. I appeal to all Nigerian to refrain from attacks. The security agencies have standing instructions to arrest and prosecute any and all persons found with illegal arms.

22. I would like to once again express my condolences and sympathies to all the affected victims of these barbaric acts.

23. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, let me once again express my appreciation for the overwhelming show of support and affection which I receive from fellow Nigerians in Nasarawa State.

24. I urge you all to continue to pray for the success of this Administration and peace in the country.

25. It is now my pleasure to commission the Comprehensive Special School, Lafia.

26. Thank you and may God continue to bless Nigeria.

President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said that the ongoing anti-corruption war is doing damage to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. Saraki, yesterday, opened and closed his defence before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in the three counts which the Court of Appeal had returned him to go and defend.

He is facing trial over alleged false declaration of assets. In a series of tweets posted on his Twitter handle yesterday before he appeared at the CCT, Saraki said his trial is beyond asset declaration. Saraki wrote: “I sympathize with the Chairman of the Tribunal, Mr. Danladi Umar, for his travail in the hands of the Economic and financial Crimes Commssion (EFCC) which suddenly woke up four days to the resumption of this case to file criminal charges against him.

“You will recall that in April 2016, when our lawyers asked the Tribunal Chairman to recuse himself from our case, because of the criminal investigation against him, the EFCC swiftly cleared Mr. Umar of any wrongdoing. “Now, I find it amusing, that in a dramatic turnaround, this same EFCC now thinks that Mr. Umar has a case to answer just before the commencement of my case before him. What has changed since April 2016?

“As much as many Nigerians want to continue to believe that this my case is merely about asset declaration irregularities, the manoeuvres, manipulation, intrigues, schemes, and “House of Cards” nature of this whole case proves otherwise.

“I really wonder whether those who genuinely love this government appreciate the damage that all this is doing to our so-called ‘War Against Corruption.’ “However, in all of this, my confidence in the judiciary and its ability to do justice in all cases, remains unshaken.”

The Federal Government had filed 18-count charge bothering on false assets declaration against Saraki before the tribunal. The tribunal later struck out the 18 counts on ground that prosecution did not establish a prima facie case against Saraki. Not satisfied, the Federal Government had approached the Court of Appeal. Ruling on the government’s appeal, Justice Tinuade Wilson-Akomolafe-led three-man panel of Appeal Court ruled on December 12, 2017 that Saraki had a case to answer pertaining to the three counts after it struck out 15 of the 18 counts. The court held that Saraki should defend himself in the 4, 5 and 6 count charges which bordered on properties he acquired at number 17A and B MacDonald Street, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

The court, therefore, ordered the Senate President to answer to the charges. During the trial, while his banker gave in witness that Dr. Saraki bought the properties through loan, the Senate President, however, gave in evidence that he bought the properties through the sales of commodities. At the resumed trial yesterday, Saraki had arrived the CCT and awaited the CCT chairman, Danladi Umar. Saraki, however, closed his defence after calling on his first witness, Dr. Ademola Adebo, a former member of the Code of Conduct Bureau. Adebo told the tribunal that there was no contradiction in Saraki’s asset declaration forms as regards charges four, five and six that the Court of Appeal asked Saraki to explain.

Although, Saraki, through his counsel, Paul Usoro (SAN) at the commencement of proceedings, told the tribunal that he has lined up four witnesses to testify in his favour, he however, made a U-turn when the legal team decided to limit themselves to the first witness. Shortly after the defence witness was cross examined by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar, asked parties for direction for further proceedings. Kanu Agabi (SAN), lead counsel to Saraki, conferred with his client in the box and, at the end of the conversation, announced that the defence would no longer call the remaining witnesses. He consequently applied for a date for adjournment to enable parties adopt their final addresses.

The tribunal subsequently adjourned the matter till February 27 for adoption of written addresses.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

A serving minister in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet has purchased a massive edifice worth N280 million in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, New Telegraph has learnt. The property was purchased in 2017. The Presidency is currently studying the development. The cabinet member, who is a substantive minister, it was learnt, was summoned by the Presidency to explain how he came about the funds for the purchase of the house, which is located in the highbrow area of Abuja. The Presidency got wind of the purchase following a petition to the president.

According to a source privy to the issue, the minister, who was staying in an N8 million per annum rented apartment when he became a cabinet member in 2015, has already moved to the palatial house with his security details.

The minister had told the Presidency that he secured the property with a mortgage. “The president summoned him following the receipt of the petition against him that he bought a house of N280 million for residential purposes.



The minister explained that he took a loan from one of the banks to fund the payment. “Of course, the Presidency wasn’t satisfied with his explanation because it is begging the question. How does he intend to fund the loan from his salary, especially when he didn’t purchase the house for commercial purposes?” the source said. The source noted that the minister, who claimed that he doesn’t have the cash to fund such a purchase, but relied on bank loan that will be payable over a period of time, is already moving around to ensure that the issue is quelled within the Presidency.

“I think the question to ask the minister is when and how does he intend to pay the loan back? A minister’s take-home is less than N1 million, even if he doesn’t touch one naira from his salary and used it as payment for the loan in the course of his fouryear stay as a minister, it doesn’t still meet up with the loan at all. So, how can you fight corruption when things like these happen among even members of the cabinet?” New Telegraph learnt that many ministers, except those that are former governors, lawmakers and FCT minister have problems with accommodation since their swearing-in late 2015.

Owing to the paucity of funds, some of the cabinet members were forced to squat with friends and relatives. However, New Telegraph gathered that three months ago, the Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello, gave forms for the processing of lands to the ministers.

One of the ministers confirmed the development, but said nothing has been heard after the submission of the forms by the cabinet members. Another top source who lamented the plight of the ministers, especially those who are coming to public service for the first time, in Abuja, said that all that government has been doing is to just empathise with the affected ministers without any concrete solution. He said: “Last year, a member of the cabinet who was squatting with a family friend since 2015 was ejected from the apartment he was managing when the children of the owner of the property returned from abroad. In fact, it was shameful because he was given less than a week notice to move out.

“The minister even contemplated resigning at a point. It’s that bad. Many of the ministers are yet to fully settle down and some haven’t even been able to relocate their families to Abuja, hence, they shuttle on a regular basis to visit their families. “Of course, former governors like Babatunde Fashola, Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi and Chris Ngige, the FCT Minister, as well as former federal legislators in the cabinet like Aisha Alhassan, Hadi Sirika, Hajia Khadija Bukar Ibrahim and Heineken Lokpobiri, among others, may not be feeling the accommodation crisis because they benefitted from the monetisation policy of the past government as legislators.” Under the current package, ministers are entitled to N4,052,800 as housing allowance per annum.

he housing allowance is 200 per cent of a minister’s annual remuneration.

According to the remuneration package set by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), a substantive minister will earn N2,026,400 annual basic salary, while a minister of state is to get N1.8 million per annum.

airex:
By the time I uproot ur jaw u go know

airex:
To slap you just dey hungry me

dollyjoy:
Karma would always use "someone" to achieve it aim. Don't you think?

Firefire:
Please let the exam be only on Cows and nothing but Cows...

Firefire:
I laugh

BiafraIShere:
They can hate the Igbos with all their might but it doesn't change the reality. Igbos along with the Jews, Aryans of Germany and Chinese are the most gifted races in the world. This fact has been proven many times over by scientists. Imagine a race that faced total annihilation a few decades ago, lost 3 million people, had their economy totally wiped off, yet within a generation, they have not only bounced back but are now leading the rest of the country that tried to destroy them! Every good indices of development, be it education, innovation, sports, GDP etc the Igbos are always leading, and this is despite the state sponsored efforts to limit their progress through schemes like quota system and federal character. Truth is that, if not for the civil war and government efforts to stop Igbos, they would have gone very very far indeed!

PFRB:
Thank you my own sister.