₦airaland Forum

BoleynDynaSTY:
@ carol of 9 lessons... Sorry dear

BoleynDynaSTY:
BeeBeeOoh, you no dey ever sleep?
_{I'll read when I wake up}

The federal government yesterday announced that it has recovered additional sum of N793billion from three agencies.

The funds were recovered by the Recovery Committee set up two weeks ago by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.

According to a statement that was signed by director of information in the ministry of finance, Salisu Dambatta, the recoveries were made from the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) N278 million; Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) N407 million and Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) N108 million.

The latest recovery brings the total money recovered under the operation to N1.44 billion. The sum of N650 million was earlier recovered from the Nigeria Shippers Council. Dambatta also disclosed that several other agencies were in the process of submitting repayment plan for approval.

The Minister of Finance had accused many of the federal government agencies of not remitting a huge part of their operating surpluses of about N450 billion for the period of 2010 to 2015 fiscal year to the federation account.

Adeosun who had threatened the defaulting agencies with prosecution said, “We expect greater compliance in the weeks ahead.”

The agencies are required to pay the operating surpluses to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federal Government not later than one month following the statutory deadline for publishing each corporation’s account as provided in Section 22 (2) of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission Act 2007.

Meanwhile, the federal government has announced the restructuring of the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin) programme into a multimedia-based programme and relaunched it as YouWinConnect, with a focus on supporting young entrepreneurs with fresh business management ideas for sustainability.

Adeosun had hinted that the government, which was a brain child of the previous administration, would be restructured to improve its performance and sustainability of small and medium businesses start-ups.

Speaking during the launching of the programme, the Minister said the programme designed to support young entrepreneurs “as they PLAN, START and GROW their businesses by delivering to them enterprise management education and skills as well as Franchise Development Online, through Radio and Television.”

The YouWinConnect! Programme, which replaces the YouWin programme aims to promote entrepreneurship as well as viable career options for young Nigerians thereby creating jobs, wealth and contributing to the concerted efforts of pulling Nigeria out of the ebbing current economic recession.

Under YouWinConnect!, the Federal Ministry of Finance, which runs the scheme, would organize and focus training programmes for young entrepreneurs to boost their capacity in business management skills including book keeping, reinvesting profits, avoiding unnecessary debts and the ability to identify and key into new business opportunities.

Mrs. Adeosun assured the beneficiaries and other stakeholders of the old YouWin programme during the consultations in July 2016 that it would be restructured and refocused for greater efficiency and impact by supporting young Nigerians to start and manage their own enterprises in sustainable manner, and contribute to economic growth and boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

The 2017 budget of N7.298 trillion presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly yesterday will be funded more by non oil revenues.

This year’s budget of N6 trillion is equally being funded more by non oil revenues.

About N1.985 trillion or 27 percent of the 2017 budget total is projected to come from oil earnings.

President Buhari said the budget proposal was based on a benchmark of $42.5 per barrel and an oil production estimate of 2.2 million barrels per day with an average exchange rate of N305 to the US dollar.



The aggregate revenue available to fund the federal budget is N4.94 trillion, which is 28 percent higher than that of 2016, he said.

The non-oil revenues, comprising Companies Income Tax, Value Added Tax, Customs and Excise duties, and Federation Account levies are estimated to contribute N2.8 trillion including N565.1 billion from various recoveries

He said the budget has a deficit of N2.36 trillion, which is about 2.18 percent of GDP and that it would be financed mainly by borrowing, projected at about N2.32 trillion.

“Our intention is to source N1.067 trillion or about 46% of this borrowing from external sources while, N1.254 trillion will be borrowed from the domestic market.”

Tagged, “budget of recovery and growth”, out of the N7.298 trillion budget size, N419.02bn is for statutory transfers; N1.66trn for debt service; N177.46bn for sinking fund to retire certain maturing bonds and N2.98trn for non-debt recurrent expenditure, while the sum of N2.24trn is for capital expenditure, including capital in statutory transfers.

He said 30.7 percent is dedicated to capital projects with the ministry of power, works and housing getting the lion’s share of N529bn.

The sum of N500bn is retained for special intervention programme, comprising home-grown school feeding programme, government economic empowerment programme, N-Power Job Creation Programme, Conditional Cash Transfers to the poorest families and the new Family Homes Fund (social housing scheme), he added.

The ministry of power, works and housing got the lion’s share of the capital component with N529bn, followed by the ministry of transportation, which has N262 billion, Defence, N140bn; water resources, N85bn; industry, trade and investment, N81bn; interior, N63bn; education N50bn; Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), N92bn; health, N51bn; Federal Capital Territory, N37bn; Niger Delta ministry, N33bn and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), N61bn with N92bn for agriculture.

Buhari also said that the allocation for the Presidential Amnesty Programme has been increased to N65bn from N20bn in 2016 budget, N45 billion for the rehabilitation of the North East to complement the funds domiciled at the Presidential Committee on the North East Initiative as well as commitments received from the multinational donors.”

The sum of N15 billion has been provided for the recapitalization of the Bank of Industry and the Bank of Agriculture. In addition, the Development Bank of Nigeria will soon start operations with US$1.3 billion focused exclusively on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.”

The judiciary budget has been increased from N70bn in the 2016 budget to N100bn in the 2017 proposal.

As for recurrent expenditure, the president said a significant portion has been allocated for the payment of salaries and overheads in institutions that provide critical public services.

The proposed amounts for such services are:

N482.37bn for the ministry of interior; N398.01bn for education ministry ; N325.87bn for defence ministry and N252.87bn for the ministry of health.

As part of efforts to fast-track the modernization of the railway system, he said, the sum of N213.14 billion has been allocated as counterpart funding for the Lagos-Kano, Calabar-Lagos, Ajaokuta-Itakpe-Warri railway, and Kaduna-Abuja railway projects.

The sum of N50bn has been set aside as Federal Government’s contribution for the expansion of existing as well as the development of new Export Processing and Special Economic Zones, which would be developed in partnership with the private sector, he said.

He said the ministry of finance was directed to cut some overheads by 20 percent to eliminate all non-essential costs so as to free resources to fund capital expenditure.

“We have maintained personnel costs at about N1.8 trillion.

“The effort to diversify the economy and create jobs will continue with emphasis on agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals and services. Mid- and Down-stream oil and gas sectors are also key priority areas.”

Buhari said the implementation of the 2016 Budget was hampered by the combination of relatively low oil prices in the first quarter of 2016, and disruptions in crude oil production which led to significant shortfalls in projected revenue.



“As at 30 September 2016, aggregate revenue inflow was N2.17 trillion or 25% less than projected projections. Similarly, N3.58 trillion had been spent by the same date on both recurrent and capital expenditure. This is equivalent to 79% of the pro-rated full year expenditure estimate of N4.54 trillion as at the end of September 2016, “he said.



The president said in spite of these challenges,”we met both our debt service obligations and personnel costs. Similarly, overhead costs have been largely covered.

“Although capital expenditure suffered as a result of project formulation delays and revenue shortfalls, in the five months since the 2016 Budget was passed, the amount of N753.6 billion has been released for capital expenditure as at the end of October 2016.

“It is important to note that this is one of the highest capital releases recorded in the nation’s recent history. In fact, it exceeds the aggregate capital expenditure budget for 2015,”he said.

“We continue to face the most challenging economic situation in the history of our Nation. Nearly every home and nearly every business in Nigeria is affected one way or the other. Yet, I remain convinced that this is also a time of great opportunity.

In the past 18 months, the President said the country has experienced low oil prices that brought down the foreign exchange earnings by about 60 percent.



“I will stand my ground and maintain my position that under my watch, that old Nigeria is slowly but surely disappearing and a new era is rising in which we grow what we eat and consume what we make.



He said the demand of the urban consumer has presented an opportunity for the rural producer.

“Across the country, our farmers, traders and transporters are seeing a shift in their fortunes. Nigerians who preferred imported products are now consuming made in Nigeria products. From Argungu in Kebbi to Abakalaki in Ebonyi, rice farmers and millers are seeing their products move.

“We must replicate such success in other staples like wheat, sugar, soya, tomato and dairy products. Already, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Organised Private Sector and a handful of Nigerian commercial banks, have embarked on an ambitious private sector-led N600 billion program to push us towards self-sufficiency in three years for these products,” he said.

He said the country’s partnership with Morocco on fertiliser production would create thousands of jobs and save Nigeria US$200 million of foreign exchange and over N60 billion in subsidy.

“Let it not be lost on anyone that the true drivers of our economic future will be the farmers, small and medium sized manufacturers, agro-allied businesses, dressmakers, entertainers and technology start-ups. They are the engine of our imminent economic recovery. And their needs underpin the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan,” he said.

Government will however at all times ensure the protection of public interest,” he said.

Buhari said, “we clearly understand the paradox that to diversify from oil we need oil revenues. You may recall that oil itself was exploited by investment from agricultural surpluses. We will now use oil revenues to revive our agriculture and industries”.

To meet daily 2.2m barrel oil production, he said they will continue their engagement with the communities in the Niger Delta to ensure that there is minimum disruption to oil production.

To enhance the efficiency of the management of oil and gas resources, he said from January 2017, the Federal Government will no longer make provision for Joint Venture cash-calls. Going forward, all Joint Venture operations shall be subjected to a new funding mechanism, which will allow for Cost Recovery.

“This new funding arrangement is expected to boost exploration and production activities, with resultant net positive impact on government revenues which can be allocated to infrastructure, agriculture, solid minerals and manufacturing sectors, “he said.

LordAdam7:
The fact is that many Nigerians thought Nigeria could have been a lot better under GEJ than it was at the time. Ordinarily, that is correct.

But where they (and including you) made a mistake was thinking that making Nigeria better could happen overnight, and more importantly, thinking Buhari was a better person for the job than GEJ?

Why Nigerians felt so isn't exactly surprising, because they are a gullible lot. It is the shame of making such an obvious wrong choice that's making Nigerians keep silent first with the electricity hike, then the introduction of stamp duty, then the hike in fuel price, and now the hike in data price. And Nigerians are still quiet.

Even sarrki and the most zombiefied zombies on this platform know that GEJ, even if he was possessed by the devil, could not have introduced so many anti-people policies in an 18-month period.

But the saint, savior Buhari has done all of that, and is promising to do more.

So, it's not witchcraft, it is lack of cognition. The exact same thing we complain about zombies right now. 15 million Nigerians were zombies in 2015 and these zombies voted for Buhari (the number has since decreased sha).

Personally, I think anyone who voted Buhari in 2015 should not in good conscience cast a vote in 2019. Instead, let the cattles, pigs, and fowls cast votes. Those that voted KOWA, Hope, PDP and other parties can vote. Because the people who voted for Buhari despite all his antecedents, all his utterances, all the people he's killed directly or indirectly, and his history, are without reservation, the most FOOLI.SH set of human beings on this planet.

People that should be banned from making any civic decision for others ever again in Nigeria.

-Lord

Odiriviroro Umusu, younger brother of Otos Umusu, a lieutenant colonel who was killed in a Boko Haram ambush in Borno state on Monday night, has written to President Muhammadu Buhari over his brother’s death.

Umusu’s death is coming a few weeks after the insurgents killed Abu-Ali, a lieutenant colonel and commanding officer of 272 task force battalion, in a night raid at Mallam Fatori in Borno state.

In an open letter to Buhari, the younger Umusu told the president to investigate the death of his brother.

Odiriviroro wondered how and why his brother bled to death, when the army should ordinarily be prepared to snuff out the kind of injury his brother suffered.

“My name is Odiriviroro Umusu. I am the immediate junior brother of one of your officers Lieutenant Colonel Otobrise Umusu the Commanding Officer, 118 Task Force Battalion in Borno State, who was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, in an ambush on Monday 12th December 2016 on his way to Baga,” he wrote.

“Your Excellency, if you are reading this, the name UMUSU will ring a bell as my father Brigadier General Sylvester Ugege Umusu served under you and also worked with you when you headed PTF. It is now Wednesday 14th December 2016 and as I write this letter with tears in eyes, my father, my brother’s wife Ufuoma Joe Umusu and his siblings have not been contacted by you, your office, the Chief of Defence Staff or the Chief of Army Staff to offer your condolences for our loss. My brave brother sacrificed his life and future with his family to make yours and every Nigerian’s today safe.

“In my humble opinion we deserve your acknowledgement and appreciation and as a former army officer I know you appreciate the sacrifice involved in serving your country and it saddens me that in over 24 hours after the passing of my brother a call has not been made to my family. I do not under any circumstances believe this is too much to ask; for the fallen heroes of our beloved country Nigeria.

“My family has served Nigeria in her armed forces and continues to do so; we have paid the greatest price for that service: the very young life of my beloved brother Lieutenant Colonel Otobrise Umusu who was killed in action. As his family we have lots of questions to ask surrounding his death:

“When will an investigation be carried out? Will there be an investigation? My brother bled out, why did his team not have the right equipment for such eventuality? What lessons can be learnt from this?

“What is being done to stop funding to Boko Haram? Every weapon, vehicle purchase or general equipment purchase by Boko Haram must leave a paper trail. Can the expert forensic accounting skills used by the EFCC not be employed to disrupt their operations?

“Your Excellency, you may deem this letter as disrespectful and not the right procedure in dealing with this matter but I am all but a Nigerian citizen that is grieving the loss of his beloved brother and in my humble opinion we deserve to know the who, what and why that happened to our brother on that terrible day and as his Command in Chief you are ultimately responsible for reaching out to all the families of our fallen heroes to assure them their loved ones did not die in vain.”

McBrooklyn:




My Nigga, what's up now??

McBrooklyn:
Some ladies matter just tire me ah swear... He get small dick, but you got laid; He cums quickly, but you got laid; He is ugly, but you gotot laid


It's high time y'all ladies need to shut the _fuck up and move on once a Nigga left an ink between your legs, just try and maintain silence at all costs and move on!!!

McBrooklyn:
Some ladies matter just tire me ah swear... He get small dick, but you got laid; He cums quickly, but you got laid; He is ugly, but you got laid; He is broke, but you still got laid


It's high time y'all ladies need to shut the _fuck up and move on once a Nigga left an ink between your legs, just try and maintain silence at all costs and move on!!!

7Alexander:
Lol. This is dead funny.
Omoh, if you do mistake match leg for that office, e don be for you be that.
Before you know it, theyll say they have been able to recover 11.7billion from you, and that you have promised to return more next week.

The Man Used To Speak In Tongues During Sex Seff..

The Senate has mandated its Joint Committees on Petroleum (Upstream and Downstream) and Finance to investigate the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), over non-remittance of $5.584 billion due to the Federation Account. The Upper Chamber also mandated the NNPC and the NPDC to immediately remit monies obtained on behalf of the Federal Government to the Federation Account.

It urged the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the NNPC to ensure compliance to the directive. It also directed the NNPC to, as a matter of urgency, forward to the National Assembly its yearly estimates for repairs and pipeline operations and maintenance for appropriation. The Chamber made these resolutions following a motion of urgent public importance brought to the floor during plenary by Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West), which he entitled: “the unlawful and wilful misappropriation and criminal holding of public revenue by the NNPC and NPDC from 2013 to date.”

While moving the motion, Melaye alleged that the diversion of oil revenue between the two agencies of government had continued unabated since 2013, lamenting that the NDPC had continued to lift crude oil from divested oil wells OML 61, 62, and 63 worth over $3.5 billion without remittance to the federation account.

He also said that the NDPC had continued to lift crude oil from divested oil wells OML 65, 111 and 119 to the tune of $1.85 billion, out of which only $100 million was remitted to government.

He said: “While this practice may have started before the present administration, it has continued under the watch of the new administration without abating. In 2016 alone, between January and August, a total of $344.442 million worth of oil was lifted by NPDC without remittance to Federation Account and also not paying royalties and other taxes on lifting.

“Despite the much trumpeted anti-corruption stance of the current administration, this level of corruption could still be nestled and tucked in by highly placed individuals derisive of the entire anticorruption fight,” he said. He said that the amount so far withheld could give additional 4,000 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, build about 11 world-class teaching hospitals, six healthcare centres in the 774 local governments in the country, among other things. Leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume, while contributing to the motion, expressed worries that such level of corruption could go on in a country currently facing recession.

“I support the motion. I want to emphasize that whenever the Senate receives something like this, we should know the seriousness we need to attach to it.

You can imagine what $3.5 billion will do to the economy in the face of recession,” Ndume said. However, Chairman, Senate Committee of Gas, Bassey Akpan, drew the attention of the Senate to the fact that part of the information provided in the motion was already in court, and that the Chamber should avoid committing contempt of court in the process of its investigation.

According to him, the allegation of crude oil lifting from divested oil wells OML 61, 62 and 63 was already in court and acting on it would amount to contempt of court. In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, called on the committees to thoroughly investigate the agencies and report to the Senate in plenary on January 9, 2017, when it would resume from Christmas recess. He stated that the apex chamber would continue to resist attempts to sabo- tage the effort of the current administration in the fight against corruption. Saraki said: “As part of our legislative agenda, we made a pledge to the electorate that we must put an end to this level of misappropriation and recklessness.

This must stop and I believe that these committees have the duty to ensure they get to the bottom of this.

“The frightening part about this is that it is not just about OML 61, 62 and 63. Secondly and even more worrisome, is that they did it in the last administration and they are still carrying out the practice. We must put an end to this. “We cannot continue with a situation where people are sabotaging the effort to fight corruption. We ask ourselves, where is the Minister of Petroleum, the Auditor General and anti-corruption agencies?” He urged relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and all anti-graft agencies to carry out their responsibilities effectively to be able to eliminate fraudulent practices in the economy.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, yesterday debunked the claim in some quarters that one of his aides, who pushed him out of the collapsed church building in Uyo on Saturday, lost his life in the process. He said the only staff directly in his service, who lost his life was a driver who sat elsewhere in another location within the church because he was a member of the church.

The governor said so far, 23 deaths have been confirmed in last Saturday’s Reigners’ Church building collapse in Uyo. Governor Emmanuel spoke during a solemn assembly at the Government House Banquet Hall in honour of victims of the collapsed building.

He said the earlier figures from some sections of the media came as a result of multiple counting resulting from the different private health centres visited, where victims of the incident were rushed to before being transferred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and the Specialist Hospital in Uyo.

He thanked God who honoured the covenant he made concerning his executive council members, maintaining that none of them died in the disaster. Emmanuel said he was able to charter aircrafts to bring in neuro-surgeons from around the country to treat the victims, adding that his efforts resulted in 99 per cent success rate for all the injured victims. Acknowledging the presence of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Emmanuel appealed for assistance from the Federal Government to help in the medical expenses of the victims.

The governor again reassured Akwa Ibom people not to be despaired by the occurrence as God is still with the state, noting that accidents would occur anywhere. He said what matter most was that the survivors had been given a second chance by God to straighten their ways so that they would be prepared for judgement after their life on earth.

“The second chance is for everyone and not just the survivors, and we should be more concerned by the account we would render before God, because He will certainly not be interested in our titles and positions.”

Goodwill messages were received from the Senate President represented by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the Governor of Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike, who said: “I came to stand by my brother, Governor Udom Emmanuel.

This is too much for him to bear alone. I will support the victims and their families. I also came to inform him that David has conquered Goliath again in Rivers State.”

They both extended their condolences to the government and people of the state and assured them of their readiness to support the state government’s efforts in ameliorating the crisis. Prayers were offered for the divine intervention of God against further calamity and God’s comfort to the bereaved family and the state.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

A total of N565billion stolen funds have been recovered by the government and included in the 2017 budget.
This is revealed in a revised Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submitted to the National Assembly last week.

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to present a proposed budget of N7.28 trillion for 2017 at a joint session of the National Assembly today, an increase of ‎about 19.95 per cent over 2016 budget of N6.07 trillion.

The MTEF, however, showed that the amount included $320million equivalent to N97.6 billion Abacha loot being expected from the Swiss government.

Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma said yesterday the money was almost ready.

“It is virtually at hand... We believe we will get it,” he said during a meeting with the Senate Committees on Finance, Appropriation and National Planning on MTEF/Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

The recovered funds included N261billion domestic recoveries and another N205.5 billion tagged “other FGN recoveries.”

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in June revealed that the government had recovered cash totalling N78.3billion, $185million, 3.5million Pounds Sterling and 11, 250 Euros.

The Federal government targeted collectible revenue of N10.4trillion from gross oil revenue of N5trillion, dividend payment (NLNG) N61billion, Solid minerals N2.5billion, gross non-oil revenue N5.06trillion, Non-federation account levies N53billion, education tax N188.7billion and National Information Technology Development Fund N24billion.

Also, the Federal government is proposing to borrow N2.3trillion to finance deficit in the 2017 budget. While N1.2 trillion is expected to be sourced locally, N1.067trillion would be sourced from abroad.

For debt service, the Federal government proposed N1.6 trillion for both domestic and foreign debts.

In the document, N115billion was budgeted for the National Assembly for the 2017 fiscal year same as in 2016.

On borrowing for 2017 budget, Udoma said the government would take N1.067trillion equivalent to $3.5billion from World Bank and Euro bond.



Also speaking, the Director General of the Budget office, Mr. Ben Akabueze said the N1.2trillion domestic loan for the 2016 budget has been fully drawn.



Similarly, the House of Representatives yesterday commenced consideration of the 2017-2019 MTEF/FSP ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s budget presentation today.

The consideration was sequel to a motion by House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who said the MTEF was submitted in line with Section 11 (2) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.

He said the Act also provides that MTEF should contain a macro-economic framework setting out the macro-economic projections for the next three financial years.

After debate on the motion, with some lawmakers arguing that some of the projections were not feasible, the House referred the two documents to the committees on finance, appropriations, national planning and economic development, legislative budget and research and, aids, loans and debt management to scrutinize and make recommendations to the House.

N/Assembly wears new look

Meanwhile, our correspondents observed that the National Assembly premises wore a new look ahead of Buhari’s budget presentation.

It was observed that some major parts of the building, especially the White House, where the two chambers of the federal legislature are located, were painted yesterday, while the grasses around the premises were trimmed.

Daily Trust further gathered that all civil servants and many other support staff at the National Assembly were asked not to come to work today as the president presents the budget estimates.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

knightsTempler:
I was drinking Hollandia yoghurt when someone called me to say that MMM has been frozen. Oboy, the Hollandia started testing like Alomo...

dunkem21:
Nothing sha .. Just consoling

dunkem21:
Something soft touch my hand sha

dunkem21:
Holds her heart .. What happened?

Somebody Should Tell Atiku That We Are Wiser Now, We Won't Fall For His Antics Because They Last Time We Checked Buhari Said Things Like This More Than Him..

The Presidency has stated that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin, will proceed on retirement next week, having completed the mandatory years in service.

It was, however, silent on the actual time the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok- Ete Ekwe Ibas, will exit from the service. Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina, spoke yesterday in reaction to a story published by New Telegraph on Monday that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the retirement from service of Olonisakin and Ibas.

Adesina stated that the CDS and CNS have not yet been replaced. He said that the newspaper’s report “is not completely true.” He said: “General Olanisakin is due to retire from the Army next week, having satisfied the official number of years in service. He is yet to be replaced.

“But the Chief of Naval Staff has a short while more, and President Buhari could, therefore, not have approved his replacement yet.” New Telegraph had reported that the CDS and CNS were directed to handover on or before Friday, December 16. Also, we reported that Olonisakin and Ibas’ disengagements were based on their attaining the official years of retirement from the military.

“Available records indicate that the Service Chiefs belong to the Regular Course 26 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). “While Olonisakin was commissioned Second Lieutenant on December 18, 1981, Ibas’ commissioning took place in 1983.

One of the sources, who spoke in confidence, said the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, will take over from Olonisakin in acting capacity. Abubakar is the most senior Service Chief after Olonisakin,” New Telegraph had reported.

In his clarification, the presidential spokesman insisted that General Olonisakin was due for retirement next week. Adesina’s statement reads: “It is necessary to respond to a fictive story published in today’s (Monday) edition of New Telegraph Newspaper, to the effect that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the replacement of Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as Service Chiefs.

“The newspaper, rather than rush to print an unsubstantiated story, would have done better to confirm the information at its disposal, from many available military and government information channels. It then would have avoided the self-inflicted wound of publishing a one-legged story that is not completely true, and damaging its brand in the process.

“This administration has repeatedly pledged commitment to transparency and accountability, and one of the hallmarks of that is making information available to the media.

“But when some sections of the media would rather speculate, than crosscheck and double check information, then it borders on deliberate mischief.

That, surely, is not the way to go, for national cohesion and development.” Also, the Minister of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), has denied that he directed the Service Chiefs to proceed on retirement. A statement yesterday by the Public Relations Officer to the Minister, Col. Tukur Gusau, said no communication emanated from Dan-Ali’s Office asking the affected Service Chiefs to handover their positions.

The statement further noted, that the power to appoint and replace Service Chiefs remained an exclusive preserve of the President. “Please be informed that there was no such communication between the office of the Honourable Minister of Defence and the service chiefs directing any one of them to hand over his office and proceed on retirement. “The appointment and replacement of service chiefs is a prerogative responsibility of the office of the President and Commander in Chief,” Gusau said.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

He said: "Wherever they are, shame unto them. Whether they are in Abuja, Plateau , Bauchi, Benue or Kano, shame unto them. Shame to the Governor of Plateau , Shame to the Governor of Governor of Bauchi , Shame to the Governor of Benue. They should bury their heads in shame."

oleeverking:
Lolzzz dey even prayed before sex. Imagine