₦airaland Forum

Former NigerDelta Affairs Minister ,Godsday Orubebe has been quizzed in connection with the ongoing investigation of an alleged N605million fraud.

The cash was withdrawn from the Constituency Project account of the ministry by five officials without authorisation while Orubebe was in charge.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed charges against the five. They are: Yusuf Agabi (Director of Finance and Account), Akpore Okeroghene (Deputy Director of Finance), Abibu Ayinla (Director of Finance), Idowu Adewale (Deputy Director, Accounts) and Ngozi James (Deputy Director, Accounts).

According to the Chief Legal Officer of the ICPC, Paul Ahmed, the suspects “fraudulently withdrew N605 million from the Constituency Project account of the ministry without authorisation” between July 2013 and October 2014.

They were alleged to have made fictitious claims through payment vouchers to cover up the alleged fraud.

Although Justice Husseini Baba of the FCT High Court fixed September 16 for the arraignment of the suspects, the ICPC intensified its investigation by inviting Orubebe.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/07/icpc-grills-orubebe-for-alleged-n605m-fraud/

Rotary International, District 9125 Nigeria, says it has received a grant of $500,000 to strengthen the health systems so as to boost maternal and child health in five states of the federation.

Making the disclosure recently in Abuja, the Chief Oversight Officer, SHI, Dr Mike Omotosho, said a pilot programme was run in five health facilities in the two states of Kano and Kaduna.

However, given the success of the pilot programme, he revealed that the organization received a grant of $500,000 to expand it into five states, with three additional states to join Kano and Kaduna, which include, Enugu, Ondo and FCT.

He said that the pilot was able to show a 62 per cent reduction in maternal and child mortality, saying, “so we are hoping that the states will be able to replicate this and our society can be a better place, not just for us but for our unborn babies.”

He said, “ In these states, we are going to every health facility and document all the best practices we have been able to gather from the pilot and then use them to make the health systems better so that we can drag down mortality rate for maternal and child health.”

Also, in an effort to alleviate the sufferings of poor Nigerians and increase access to clean water across the country, the District has concluded plans to install 250 boreholes across 23 states of the that make up the District.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/07/rotary-receives-500000-grant-to-boost-maternal-child-health-services/

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the federal government to urgently unravel what happened to the past Company Income Tax/Education Tax as well as dividends paid to the Nigerian government by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).

The party in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the probe has become necessary against the background of published reports that the funds were never paid into the Federation Account as they should have been.

APC also described as a glaring example of grandstanding opposition the attempt by the PDP to distort the facts about the source of the $2.1 billion that was approved for sharing by the three tiers of government by President Muhammadu Buhari.

‘’Whereas the Presidency corrected the initial erroneous report that the shared money was sourced from the Excess Crude Account (ECA), the skittish opposition continued to insist it was from the ECA and that it was part of the ‘savings’ by the Jonathan Administration.

‘’Well, we can tell Nigerians that the $2.1 billion was sourced from the $1.6 billion Company Income Tax/Education Tax paid to the FG on June 17, 2015, over two weeks after the Jonathan Administration left office, as well as the $500 million tax paid by Shell. We can tell Nigerians that this is the first time the payment of the Income Tax/Education Tax by the NLNG was being disclosed by any government, in addition to paying it into the Federation Account for sharing, hence those who call it their ‘legitimate’ earnings should be asked why they did not demand the sharing of such ‘legitimate’ earnings in the past.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/07/apc-seeks-probe-of-past-nlgn-payments/

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has directed the accountant general of the state to pay pensioners their three months arrears owed them by the past administration.

The governor, who gave the directive at the weekend, said it was callous and insensitive to owe pensioners who had served the state creditably.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Wike, Opunabo Inko-Taria, yesterday noted that pensioners in the state were owed for months by former Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

“Not even the strike they embarked on to get Amaechi to pay them worked. Some of them even died in penury out of frustration,” he said.
He said the governor has promised to ensure regular payment of their pensions.

Wike had earlier directed that civil servants in the state be paid their April and May salary arrears.

www.monitor9ja.com

The presidency on Sunday disowned a Twitter comment credited to one of President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Zahra Buhari.

This was contained in a statement by the presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina.

The president’s daughter was said to have made some uncomplimentary comments about some foreign leaders through a Twitter handle, @Zahra_Buhari.

But the statement said: “The attention of the presidency has been drawn to unauthorised and unexpected Tweets by an account falsely linked to Zahra Buhari, one of the daughters of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Following enquiries by a few foreign missions on the raging online controversy about unsavory comments against some foreign leaders purportedly made by her, we wish to state categorically that Zahra is indeed on Twitter but the offending handle @Zahra_Buhari has stopped being her own for a long time since it was compromised by hackers.

“Tweets by this handle are therefore not her own and should be disregarded and considered as the work of hackers seeking to cause mischief between this country and other friendly states.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/07/presidency-disowns-zahra-buharis-alleged-twitter-comments/

Lagos State chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Tajudeen Agbede has appealed to the government to review the restriction of commercial motorcyclists (Okada) on some roads.

He said the state council has done everything within its power through public enlightenment to ensure Okada riders complied with the directive.

He warned that the Okada riders wing of the NURTW will not hesitate to disown anybody found flouting the restriction on the expressway and highway.

“At our level, we have embarked on public education to educate them on the dangers of riding Okada on the highways and expressway and from our findings; they (Okada riders) have been complying with the instruction. In fact any commercial motorcyclist found on the expressway and major highway will be arrested and handed over to the police.

The NURTW boss however urged government to lift the restriction on roads not risky for Okada riders

For instance, Agbede, said government should lift the restriction on some link roads because they in the state. These link roads, he said are not risky for Okada riders.

Agbede said the Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State (MOALS), an affiliate of NURTW, has done a comprehensive report on those link roads, adding that the report on those link roads to be exempted from the restriction have been compiled and forwarded to the government.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/07/nurtw-seeks-review-of-okada-restriction-in-lagos/

Principal Sales Consultant
Job Type: Full Time
Qualification:BA/BSc/HND
Experience: 3 years
Location: Lagos

Preferred Qualifications
We are currently looking for a Sales Consultant for our Systems Line of business. This role reports into the Sales Consulting Industries Director, Middle East Africa with a regional responsibility for the Middle East Africa Region (MEA).

The successful encumbent will be involved in Oracle infrastructure systems, including Engineered Systems.

We are looking for a : Senior technical consultant utilizing his/her focus, experience and community in Public Sector to identify and develop applicable solutions and grow the Middle East Africa (MEA) Oracle systems business by defining and executing measurable, results orientated sales consulting initiatives.

The ideal candidate should have significant experience in IT solutions and IT transformation projects particularly focusing on joint solution sales resulting in the growth of Oracle’s systems business.

The candidate should have the ability to:
– Plan, execute and support sales consulting growth initiatives in the Public Sector
– Define and drive sales consulting growth initiatives through territories and target accounts
– Develop opportunities and customers as references and public business accelerators (active references)
– Plan, execute and support external events
– Participate in the planning and represent Oracle at industry related marketing events, account based marketing events, workshops and other external events Oracle and channel events as required
Support industry accounts, account opportunities and industry ecosystems
– Provide sales consulting support for chosen target accounts, initiatives and territories
– Engage with all levels within both Oracle and customer organisations
– Co-draft sales strategies together with the account managers
– Provide technical support in all necessary sales activities
– Translate customer requirements into deliverable products and services
– Define values propositions, positioning and differentiation to competitors products
– Support and develop existing customer and partner relationships and skills
– Work alongside partners and other third party organizations as required
– Help drive sales opportunities to successful completion
– Where required influence and participate in the definition of :
– Systems architecture and solution proposals
– Configuration of systems products and associated infrastructure for proposal
– Technical requirement definition for RFx inclusion
– Develop expertise and enable
– Actively develop technical and product expertise
– Actively develop industry solution expertise
– Enablement of Field Sales & SC’s as well as Channel Sales & SC’s where applicable

Oracle sales consultant in this role must be excellent communicators, able to develop initiatives and articulate these in a straightforward way to both decision makers and technical personnel alike. The candidate must be self motivated and proactive and also be interested in advancing their specific expertise in the chosen industry, industry solutions and Oracle systems and technology.

Our ideal candidate should:
– Be an experienced professional with a successful and proven track record in this domain and industry (Public Sector)
– Have a BSc. equivalent or higher degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or other degree supporting Information Technology.
– Have at least 3 years of hardware products pre-sales experience (with at least 10 years of overall IT experience)
– Have an excellent command of infrastructure (systems, storage, networking etc.) and software solutions typically deployed in the chosen industry
– Have excellent written, oral and presentation skills
– Be able to communicate at management level as well as at a technical expert level.
– Have an understanding of key business drivers and competitive landscape in infrastructure and software solutions in the Public Sector
– Be proficient in translating complex business requirements into workable technical solutions
– Strong working knowledge in the following areas is an asset:
– Strategic Information systems analysis and planning
– Technical design authority role for complex projects
– Knowledge of Oracle’s technology and applications portfolio

Language skills (both written and verbal):
1. English – Fluent
2. Other (French, Portuguese, Arabic ) added benefit

Detailed Description and Job Requirements
Provides direction and specialist knowledge in applying the technology/application to client business. Facilitation of customer product/application understanding through presentations demonstrations and benchmarks; provision of support throughout the sell. As a Principal Sales Consultant you will be responsible as the expert for formulating and leading presales technical / functional support activity to prospective clients and customers while ensuring customer satisfaction. Acts as a technical resource and mentor for less experienced Sales Consultants. Focuses on large or complex sales opportunities that need creative and complex solutions. Develops productivity tools and training for other Sales Consultants. Develops and delivers outstanding Oracle presentations and demonstrations. Leads any and all aspects of the technical sales process. Advises internal and external clients on overall architect solutions. Leading contributor individually and as a team member, providing direction and mentoring to others. Work is non-routine and very complex, involving the application of advanced technical/business skills in area of specialization. 3 years vendor (sales and marketing) experience. 7 years business experience with relevant computer applications or database/tools. Ability to implement the most advanced product features. Thorough knowledge of system and application design. In depth knowledge of competitors. Demonstrated project management skills. Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills: needs analysis, positioning, business justification, closing techniques. Ability to persuade others through presentations, demonstrations, and written communication. Ability to travel as needed. A/BS degree or equivalent, advanced degree highly desirable.

Click link to Apply
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/07/new-job-opportunity-at-oracle/

1. Analyst, Loyalty & Retention

Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
Experience:1 year
Location: Lagos

Job Summary
Support the development and design tactical retention initiatives for Etisalat customer value segments with a focus on engagement, lifecycle management and customer communications.

Principal Functions
Build strong working relationships with a variety of cross-functional teams and stakeholders to ensure that the Customer is at the heart of the business’s thinking.
1. Proactively highlight existing processes, policies and procedures which adversely impact customer satisfaction leading to churn.
2. Use storyboarding, task analysis, and customer research tasks to capture and develop user requirements for product and service improvements.
3. Collaborate with customer experience and project teams to determine priorities for resolution of usability problems to optimize product improvements
4. Assist with creating and documenting customer experience best practices and project templates
5. Support the execution of user experience feedback survey schedule as agreed by the Head, Customer Experience and Retention Management.
6. Assist in identifying improvements to channel execution and brand perception, to ensure maximum customer satisfaction is delivered across all traditional and digital touch points.
7. Promote up-sell and cross-sell opportunities across the existing base using customer intelligence and user behaviour
8. Build customer advocacy in the form of touch-point ideas which deliver emotional connections to customers
9. Review the monthly customer health-check reports to understand key drivers of satisfaction, dissatisfaction, advocacy and churn (responsibility seems a little high for the role)
10. Support the execution of the Customer Surprise and Delight program
11. Provide support in the implementation of all action plans to resolve key issues affecting customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction
12. Communicates tactfully and effectively both verbally and in writing, and maintains effective work relationships with all stakeholders and partners
13. Conduct mystery shopping exercise at all Frontline Touch Points and prepare detailed reports of findings with recommendations

Requirements
1. University degree or equivalent in relevant discipline
Experience, Skills & Competencies
Minimum of One to Two years post NYSC work experience
Problem solving and root cause identification skills.
Excellent business analysis skills including a wide range of techniques for data and analysis (including process modelling, process mapping and business requirements specification)
Must be a team player and able to work collaboratively with and through others
Proficiency in Ms Office – Visio, Excel, Word and PowerPoint
Previous work experience in telecommunications industry will be an added advantage

2. Analyst, Product Integration

Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
Experience: 1 year
Location: Lagos

Job Summary
Support the Customer Experience Management team to identify, develop and implement projects, business cases across existing and future products base

Principal Functions
1. Provide support in identifying opportunities for the improvement of services by recommending process and technical solutions for change.
2. Support all service design projects to achieve the timely delivery of service improvement initiatives.
3. Review existing and new product and service process improvements opportunities across customer facing touch points.
4. Participate in all User Acceptance tests ensuring quality measures are adhered to before products or services are delivered into live environments.
5. Co-ordinate the mystery shopping programme across all frontline touch points.
6. Be the ears and eyes of the customer across the organisation – ensuring the customer expectations are exceed with design and usability across all products and services.
7. Provide support for all product integration activities for the Service Design Unit.
8. Prepare periodic reports and analysis on escalated issues and ensure all issues raised are resolved within agreed SLAs Perform detailed and rigorous analysis of current business processes, making creative and innovative recommendations for experience improvements.
9. Work in collaboration with cross functional teams to develop customer journey maps
10. Support the design, set up and launch of new products and services.
11. Carry out other tasks as directed by Manager, Service Design
12. Manage and update a database of all launched products, services and promotions on the network Provide support in the evaluation of proposed technical solutions to ascertain their suitability for services delivery.
13. Assist the Manager, Service Design to implement ad-hoc tasks assigned.

Requirements
University degree or equivalent in relevant discipline
Experience, Skills & Competencies
Minimum of One to Two years post NYSC work experience
Proficiency in Ms Office – Visio, Excel, Word and PowerPoint
Excellent business analysis skills including a wide range of techniques for data and analysis (including process modelling, process mapping and business requirements specification)
Communicates tactfully and effectively both verbally and in writing
Maintain effective work relationships with all stakeholders and 3rd party partners
Flexibility and adaptability to new instructions and/or dynamic organisational priorities
Must be a team player and able to work collaboratively with and through others.
Advanced problem solving and root cause identification skills.
Experience in telecommunications industry will be an added advantage

Clink link to appply
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/07/two-new-graduate-job-opportunities-at-etisalat-nigeria/

Innoson Nigeria Limited and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank) are currently at loggerheads over allegations of excess and unlawful charges of N560 million imposed on the former’s account by the bank.

As a result of this, Innoson is demanding that the bank pays the alleged sum as well as the accrued interest.

In addition, the automobile company in a document signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Udeh, faulted the claim by GTBank that it was indebted to it in the sum of N2.4 billion.

However, GTBank maintained that it granted the Innoson Group of companies various credit facilities totalling N2.4 billion to finance the importation of motorcycles and spare parts.

The bank in its response to enquiries on Tuesday stated that the customer had the obligation of utilising the said funds for the agreed purpose and ensuring loan repayments as and when due as contained in the contract.

Continuing, the document from Innoson explained: “At all material times, Innoson Nigeria Limited operates a current account with GTBank.

Subsequently, Innoson discovered that GTBank imposed excess and unlawful charges in its current account in the sum of N560 million and was demanding it to pay this to it with the accrued interest thereon. Innoson requested GTBank to credit its account with the N560 million and the accrued interest. GTBank refused this request. As a result, Innoson commenced suit No: FHC/AWK/CS/139/2012 against GTBank at the Federal High Court, Awka, Anambra State, and obtained judgement in excess of N4.7 billion against GTBank.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/07/innoson-motors-gtbank-battle-over-n560m-excess-charges/

The Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday declared that the industrial action it commenced would continue until the government accede to their demand for the payment of five months salary instead of one month promised.

Also, the government has announced a 50 per cent cut in salaries and allowances of all political office holders in the state.

The union said the state government had paid only one month net salary without deduction, out of about 7 to 8 month, owed by the state government.

Addressing journalists yesterday, the NLC chairman, Babatunde Adekomi, said only November was paid to the pensioners, insisting that “there is no going back on the strike.”

According to the labour leader, “As we continue to negotiate with the government and as it continues to look for way to pay our salaries, we want to call on our colleagues to remain at home until further notice.”

He said the union had met with the Chief of Staff to the governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, who promised that one month would be paid.

However, as at the time of filing this report, none of the workers had received an alert as a sign that the payment had been effected.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/07/aregbesola-set-to-pay-one-month-salary-with-50-pay-cut-for-political-office-holders/

Brand Manager – Nestlé

Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
Experience: 5 years
Location: Lagos

This role is responsible for the development of the brand strategy and execution of plans in line with communication agencies in order to win market share in bottle water category.
Other key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Work closely with Factory on Continuous Improvement in packaging & Quality
Develop and manage Nestlé Waters Creating Shared Value Agenda
Develop shopper insights into category plans
Develop brand essence and vision for Nestle pure Life
Maximize Product and Fixed Marketing Expenses Budget to improve brand awareness and preference and continue to maintain Nestlé PureLife positioning as the Premium branded water in the Category
Contribute to development and executes strong, functionally aligned brand plan. Tracks and monitors the performance, health and strategic alignment. Understands business impact of Product and Fixed Marketing Expenses and Total Trade Spend investment of her/his brand.
Develop an I&R pipeline to deliver the MBS ambitions
Develop a consumer communication plan to sustain the strong brand image of Nestle Pure Life

Requirement

Minimum of 2nd class lower in any Degree.
5+ years commercial experience (Marketing) in a FMCG.
Result driven brand professional with a proven record of accomplishments in planning and leading comprehensive marketing strategies in support of business goals and objectives.
Expert in directing the creation of marketing tools and steering the execution of marketing programs. Achieved phenomenal growth in targeted markets through implementation of marketing projects.
Solid coordinating skills; able to build and guide top-performing marketing activities. Adept communicating with management, vendors and internal departments to coordinate overall marketing objective.
Proactive thinking, sincere dealings with others, effective communication and problem solving skills.
Good ability to observe and advice professionally and promptness in project planning and execution

Click link to apply
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/brand-manager-recruitment-offer-at-nestle/

Brief Description
University of Westminster offers full scholarships for international students to study in UK, available for pursuing postgraduate degree level. The University offers a number of full tuition fee waiver scholarships to students if they are an exceptionally well-qualified student.

Eligible Field of Study: Scholarships are provided any course offered by the University of Westminster in UK.

About Scholarship
Applicants can only apply for a scholarship at University of Westminster once you have been offered either a conditional or unconditional place on your chosen course. The university cannot consider your application for a scholarship if you have not already made an application for admission and been successfully offered a place on a course. Only apply for scholarships for which you are eligible – check the eligibility criteria for each scholarship, either in the brochure or on the website to make sure you qualify before applying.

Scholarship Type: Scholarships for postgraduate degree level in UK

Selection Criteria and Eligibility
Applicants must hold an offer for a full-time Masters degree at the University

The scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic excellence, financial need and development case (if you are applying from a developing country).

Value of Scholarship: The University offers a number of full tuition fee waiver scholarships to you if you are an exceptionally well-qualified student. Please note that this covers tuition fees only, not living expenses or accommodation.

Duration of Scholarship: For the duration of the programme

Eligible Countries: EU/UK and international students can apply for these scholarships.

Application Deadline: 16 October 2015

Click link to apply
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/full-fee-scholarships-for-international-students-at-university-of-westminster-uk/

Brief description
Campbell Foundation Fellowship for Women from Developing Nations works to addresses women’s economic and social empowerment in developing nation.

Eligible Fields
Applicants should be pursuing research in one of the social sciences: anthropology, economics, education, geography, history, law, linguistics, political science, psychology, social work, or sociology, or in an interdisciplinary field that incorporates two or more of these disciplines.

About Scholarship
The Vera R. Campbell Foundation funded Fellowship is offered for female postdoctoral social scientist from a developing country whose work addresses women’s economic and social empowerment in that nation. The goal of the program is twofold: to advance the scholarly careers of women social scientists from the developing world, and to support research that identifies causes of gender inequity in the developing world and that proposes practical solutions for promoting women’s economic and social empowerment.

Scholarship Type: Postdoctoral Fellowship for women

Eligibility and Selection Criteria
1. Applicants must be nationals of developing countries that are currently eligible to borrow from the World Bank.

2. To facilitate full engagement in the SAR intellectual community, applicants must demonstrate their fluency in English, such as through their record of professional interaction in written and spoken English.

Value of Scholarship
In addition to a $4,500/month stipend and housing and office space on the SAR campus, the Campbell Fellow receives travel, shipping, and library resource funds; health insurance; and the support of a mentoring committee of established scholar-practitioners.

Duration of Scholarship: Six months

Eligible Countries
Applicants must be nationals of developing countries that are currently eligible to borrow from the World Bank.

LOCATION: USA

Application Deadline: First Monday in November.

Click link to apply
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/campbell-fellowship-scholarship-for-women-from-developing-nation/

Political action group that promotes democracy and good governance, Move on Nigeria, has faulted the recent claims by President Muhammadu Buhari that he was left with empty treasury from President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a statement released to the press in Lagos and signed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Clem Aguiyi, the group described the statement as misleading and uncharitable and wondered why the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government would continue to lie on almost every issue.

Aguiyi challenged the president to rise above faction politics by making public the handover notes he received the same way President Jonathan publicised the PWC report on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) so that the world would know how empty the economy is.

In countering the claims made by President Buhari Aguiyi said the former administration as at May 29 left behind the sum of US$29billion in Foreign Reserve and $2billion in SWF, adding that the sum would have been higher if not the governors’ insistence led by then Governor Rotimi Amaechi the factional Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Buhari’s campaign DG on sharing the fund.

The group debunked the desperation of the ruling party and the respected president to criminalise President Jonathan and paint him as a launderer and looter of the nation’s treasury before the generality of Nigerians.

Buhari reportedly said he inherited a virtually empty treasury and that it was adding a disgrace that Nigeria cannot pay salaries of its workforce.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/group-condemns-buhari-on-empty-treasury-demands-publication-of-jonathans-handover-notes/

Service Executives

Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
Experience: 3 years

Description:
Funds Transfer
Customer Service
Cash Operations
Accounts & Clearing Operations
Credit & Treasury
Qualifications:
A good first degree or equivalent from recognised Institution
Higher degrees and/or Professional Certification will be a distinct advantage
3 years’ relevant banking experience
Primary Location:
Nigeria

Job:
OPERATIONS OFFICER

Click link to apply
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/executive-recruitment-at-first-bank/

Strong indications emerged from the Niger State government that it has concluded plans to drag the officials of former Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A statement signed by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello’s chief press secretary, Dr. Ibraheem Dooba, yesterday, gave the strong indication on the heels of the allegation that N2.9 billion was shared among the officials of the immediate past government, which has been denied.

Dooba said in the statement, “Although government has stated that it would allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to do its job, it was important to ask some significant questions from the past administration”.

“We continue to discover heinous scandals of the previous administration on a daily basis; however, like I said earlier, we will allow the EFCC to do their work.”

“It is obvious that these government officials have chosen the hard way rather than the easy one, and the hard way they will get”.

He stated that the Niger State government’s attention has been drawn to the continued denial in the media by the officials of the past administration that they obtained a loan of N2.9 billion on the eve of their departure.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/niger-state-govt-drags-former-governor-babangida-aliyu-to-efcc/

Founder and general superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William F. Kumuyi, has said that going by the antecedents of President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the duo will no doubt produce the desired change.

On whether the new government is capable of bringing about the desired change, he said, “I believe from the past records of the president and the vice president that they meant what they said during their campaigns and I believe they will focus on a drive towards bringing about the much talked about change.”

“I also believe that the new government is looking into ways to solve the problem of insecurity and I don’t think we should allow ourselves in the public to pre-empt what the government is going to do, but we should back them up with support and prayers and we believe that God will give us real good security in the country,” he said.

On the much talked about corruption, he said fighting and stamping out corruption from the system will require collective efforts from every well-meaning Nigerian.

This is just as he called on religious leaders to fight corruption in the country by helping their followers understand that corruption is an evil thing and a sin against God, the society and humanity in general.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/pastor-w-f-kumuyi-buhariosinbajo-ll-produce-desired-change/

Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, has expressed concern over the fuel scarcity that has hit the country, adding that the problem is not deliberate as being speculated.

Babangida, who made this known in Minna monday when himself and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, paid a farewell visit to the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said every developing nation has its peculiar problems.

He also urged Nigerians to be supportive of the government in whatever way they can to ensure that it tackles the fuel and power crises the country is faced with.

“I am concerned just as other Nigerians on this issues of fuel scarcity and power supply but what we need to do as patriotic Nigerians is to support the government to do all it can to ensure that these problems are solved.

He further said he was not of the opinion that the scarcity is deliberate to incapacitate the in-coming administration, adding that it makes no sense for any leader who wants to be remembered to do such a thing.

“Whether during transition or not, every developing country has its own peculiar problems and there has to be a government to find solution to the problems confronting its nation. It is not possible to think it is a deliberate act by the outgoing administration.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/ibb-abdulsalami-express-worry-over-fuel-scarcity-lack-of-power-supply/

Petroleum products marketers and the Federal Government on Monday have set aside their face-off resolved with government, resolving to immediately mobilise to ensure restoration of normal supply of fuel throughout the country.

At the end of a meeting convened by the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream and downstream) to resolve the crisis, Chairman, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Obafemi Olawore, said its members, consisting Oando, Conoil, Forte Oil, MRS, Total and Mobil Oil agreed to commence lifting and distribution of fuel immediately from the stock supplied by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Capital Oil and Gas Ltd had on Sunday commenced the loading of 13 million litres of petrol from its depot in Apapa for distribution to the various states to reduce the current scarcity.

The Chairman of the company, Ifeayin Ubah, told journalists in Lagos that more than 2,000 trucks would be loaded before May 29 to boost the country’s economic activities.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/breaking-news-oil-marketers-reach-agreement-with-govt-on-resumption-of-fuel-supply/

Prof Pat Utomi has challenged Nigerians to change their mindsets as a means to bringing about the needed change which the whole nation hungers.

He charged citizens to play down on the need for power, possession and materialism and focus on living a purpose- driven life as a means to binging the needed change for national development and economic recovery.

Utomi, who described the present day economic challenges as the moral equivalence of a war in many ways, charged all hands to be on deck, saying, “it is the collective challenge of the Nigerian people to renew our shared prosperity and make sure there is shared equity between all segments, the poor the rich, weak and strong and until we can build that kind of economic and social justice, we will continue to be challenged.”

According to him , the orientation is to know that individual success is elevated by the advance of the common good of all and people should realise that if the whole country makes great progress, they themselves will make greater progress.”

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/utomi-nigerians-must-change-their-mindsets/

Former director, Training, Nigerian Army, Major Gen Joseph Shoboiki (rtd) has pledged that retired officers would remain committed to the service of Nigeria, admonishing serving military personnel to remain focused and resolute, and exhibit total loyalty to constituted authorities.

His position came over the weekend as the Nigerian Army held the traditional pull out ceremony for 34 infantry generals, who retired between 2005 and 2015.

Twenty former Majors-general and 14 Brigadiers-general took part in the event, held at the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna State.

“Your loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria can best be given through vigilance and security consciousness. You must continue to demonstrate total commitment to your duty of defending our dear country.

“These values are essential if you must continue to uphold and discharge assigned constitutional responsibilities and sustain our nascent democracy,” Shoboiki stated.

He said he was convinced that the Nigerian military would overcome the current security challenges in the country.



The Chief of Army Staff, Kenneth Minima, a Lieutenant General, was represented at the event by the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Osuji.

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The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a turn for the worse wednesday when both the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, finally succumbed to the growing pressure to step down. The duo tendered their letters of resignation yesterday.
The resignations are with immediate effect.
Mu’azu, it was gathere, was the first to send in his resignation letter much earlier in the day, whereupon President Goodluck Jonathan was said to have directed Anenih to also resign his office as well.
Anenih complied with the directive when he dropped his letter of resignation at 5.20 pm wednesday.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has also accepted his (Anenih) resignation commending the vital roles he played in the party, especially as the BoT chairman. Until a new BoT chair is elected, the secretary of the Board, Senator Walid Jibrin, will hold the forte.
Indications are emerging that President Goodluck Jonathan may replace Anenih as the BoT chairman. But it’s still foggy.
Confirming the resignation of Mu’azu, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said that the “national chairman resigned this morning (Wednesday) and in line with the constitution of PDP, the Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, has stepped in as the Acting National Chairman of PDP pending a replacement from the North-east”.
According to Metuh, “The National Secretary of PDP, Prof. Olawale Oladipo, will address the press in an hour’s time of developments in the party. But I can confirm that the national chairman who has health challenges and still outside the country on medical grounds and that after due consultations with members of his family and close friends has announced his resignation as the national chairman of PDP.
“We shall continue to accord him all due respect for his efforts in the last campaigns of the just concluded general election and shall not forget him in a hurry.

“In line with the PDP constitution, the Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, has taken over as the acting national chairman of PDP pending his replacement from the North-east geo political zone.”
Following the developments, Secondus and Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, wednesday met behind closed-doors with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Secondus arrived the Presidential Villa at about 5.15pm.

Although the agenda of the meeting was not made public, but checks indicate that it had to do with the crisis rocking the party.
Secondus’ meeting with Jonathan, according to findings, was to brief the president on the developments and seek his support.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/pdp-seeks-rebirth/

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has bagged an honorary doctorate at Yale University, one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the United States of America.
The minister was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters at Yale’s 2015 Commencement Ceremony in New Haven, Connecticut on Monday.
By this honour, she becomes the second Nigerian in the university’s 314-year history to receive its highest honour after Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who received an honorary Doctor of Letters in 1980.
Conferring the award, the President of the university, Prof. Peter Salovey, described Okonjo-Iweala as “a brilliant reformer and dedicated public servant.”
The minister, he added, “has spearheaded efforts to stabilise and grow Nigeria’s economy, battling widespread government corruption and creating greater fiscal transparency and discipline.”
Yale’s honorary doctoral degree is seen globally as a very important honour.
According to the institution, “Those who have received honorary degree are scholars, public servants, Nobel Prize winners and heads of states.
“Collectively, they represent the aspirations of this institution. Yale honorary degree recipients serve as models of excellence and service to our students, to our graduates, to our community and to the world.”
Okonjo-Iweala was honoured alongside the Chair of the Board of Governors of US Federal Reserve System Janet Yellen; world renowned Beninoise singer and songwriter, Angelique Kidjo; University Professor and founding member of the Institute for Comparative Literature and Society at Columbia University, Gayatari Chakravorty Spivak; Professor and Director of the Starr Center for Human Genetics at Rockefeller University, Jeffrey Michael Friedman; inventors and entrepreneurs, Elon Musk and Dean Kamen, among others.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/okonjo-iweala-bags-honorary-doctoral-degree-from-yale-varsitys/

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described as a fiction the ministerial lists currently being circulated, especially on the social media.
The party warned against statements attributing certain actions to the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, urging members of the public to disregard these lists and wait for the authentic list which would be communicated through the appropriate channels.
It appealed to the media to clarify with the authentic officials of the party and the Buhari Campaign Organisation any issue having to do with the actions of the president-elect in order to avoid presenting falsehood as facts.
In a statement issued Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the appeal became necessary following recent media reports on the actions which the president-elect would purportedly embark upon once he is sworn into office.
‘’Various people have been quoted in the media on what the president-elect will do or will not do once he assumes office. The truth is that these people do not speak for the president-elect, hence the need for the media to clarify such issues with the Chairman of the party, its National Publicity Secretary or the spokesman of the Buhari Campaign Organisation. These officials are always available to clarify issues,’’ it said.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/apc-disowns-fake-ministerial-list-in-circulation/

Breasts cancer: Just reading those words can make very woman worry. Lots of Nigerian women die of breast cancer and the number is increasing by the year. These ten simple steps can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Not everyone applies to every woman, but together they can have a big impact, but first lets give some basic signs and symptoms of Breasts cancer.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER

A lump in the breast.
Puckering/dimpling or redness of the skin of the breast, like the skin of an orange.
A rash around or on one of the nipples.
A swelling (lump) in one of the armpits.
Discharge from one of the nipples (sometimes may contain blood).
The nipple changes in appearance; it may become sunken/inverted.
The size/shape of the breast changes.
The nipple-skin or breast skin may start to peel, scale or flake.

PREVENTION STEPS

1. Keep Weight in Check
Maintaining a healthy weight is an important goal for everyone. Being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers, including breast cancer, especially after menopause.

2. Be Physically Active
Exercise is as close to a silver bullet for good health as there is, and women who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to help keep weight in check.

3. Avoid Too Much Alcohol
Alcohol can be good for the heart, but when it comes to cancer, there’s really nothing good about it. Even moderate amounts increase the risk of breast cancer. In general, if you drink moderately (no more than one drink a day for women), the overall health benefits of drinking outweigh the risks. But if you don’t drink, don’t feel that there is a need to start.

4.Breastfeed, If Possible
Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more lowers the risk of breast cancer. It also has great health benefits for the child.

5. Avoid Birth Control Pills, Particularly After Age 35
Birth control pills have both risks and benefits. The younger a woman is, the lower the risks are. While women are taking birth control pills, they have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. This risk goes away quickly, though, after stopping the pill, so stop now. If you’re very concerned about breast cancer, avoiding birth control pills is one option to lower risk.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/health-is-wealth-10-ways-to-prevent-breast-cancer/

Governor Oshiomhole married former Miss Forte, five years after losing his former wife, Clara, to a cancer-related ailment.

Present at the ceremony which held at the Governor’s residence were the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President-elect, Professor Yomi Osinbajo, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon; the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; former Governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki; and others.

The National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, other APC governors and leaders were also at the venue of the event.


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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/picture-story-sights-and-scenes-from-adams-oshiomholes-wedding/

The Senate on Thursday passed a N299,526,463,156.12 budget proposal for Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the 2015 fiscal year.
The budget was made up of N271, 089, 998, 023 for project (development) expenditure; N16, 133, 377, 133.00 as personnel expenditure; N10,423,319,000.00 as overhead expenditure and N1,879,769,000.12 as capital expenditure.
According to the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, the budget will be financed from a projected revenue of N300. 1 billion drawn from N160 billion contribution from oil companies; N70 billion provision from the federal government; N40 billion ecological funds; N20 billion unpaid arrears by the federal government; N10 billion as revenue brought forward and N100 million internally generated revenue.
While presenting the budget for Senate approval on Thursday, the committee chairman, Senator James Manager, said the committee considered the federal government proposals and observed that non-project expenditure which comprised personnel, overheads and the internal capital totalling N28.4 billion represent 9.5 per cent of the total proposed budget for the year as against 8.43 per cent proposed in 2014.
He also said the N271.089 billion approved as project development expenditure represents N90.5 per cent of the total proposed budget as against the 91.46 per cent proposed in 2014.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/senate-passes-n299-5bn-2015-nddc-budget/

In a bid to resolve the intra-party crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday night met with members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

Members of the committee started arriving the Presidential Villa around 6.30 p.m. for the meeting that was said to be ‘private’ and not for media coverage.

Among those who arrived early for the meeting were the PDP National Women leader, Kema Chikwe and National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh.

The meeting was still on-going as at the time of filing this report

Following the poor performance of the party at the polls, there were calls for the resignation of the PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu.

Some members of the NWC had also blamed the Presidency for the woes that befell the party during the election.

Because of the rift, Mu’azu and members of the committee had stayed away from the Presidential Villa when the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization’s (PCO) report was presented by its Director General, Ahmadu Ali to President Jonathan on April 30.

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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved the first Nigerian Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Warri, Delta State.
It also approved N30.8 billion for roads in Delta, Ondo and Bayelsa States.
At the FEC meeting which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, the council ratified a provisional licence for the establishment of the university.

This was disclosed by the Ministers of Information, Patricia Akwashiki; Interior, Abba Moro; Niger Delta, Steve Oru; State for Industry, Trade and Investment, who jointly briefed State House correspondents after the FEC meeting.

Akwashiki said: “There was also approval of a report of the ministerial implementation committee on harmonisation of taxes and levies across the federation, because we have the issue especially of service providers, who, when they move from one state into another, they are also levied by the new state and local governments.
“There was a ministerial committee and the report has been harmonised and approved by the FEC.”

On his part, Moro who commented on the international passport, said: “The contract for Irish Technology was renewed for a period of four years for the production of 10million e-passport booklets in their various categories. 32 page, 62 pages, and their counterpart of diplomatic and official passports.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/fec-approves-maritime-university-in-delta/

The Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Professor Ade Adefuye, has assured the US Chambers of Commerce that the in-coming administration of president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), will remain investor friendly and continue with the policies of the outgoing Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Adefuye, who was addressing the members of the chambers including Coca Cola, John Deere, Caterpillar, APR Engineering, Procter and Gamble, Blumberg, Brambles, AGCO, was accompanied by Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman Heirs Holdings, who was visiting Washington to participate in the President Obama’s meeting with entrepreneurs from 10 countries held at the White House on Monday.
Restating his earlier assurance that US investors had nothing to worry about, which of the political parties won the March and April elections, Adefuye said governance was a continu and that the in-coming administration would respect existing policies of the present administration.

Appraising what he described as the post-election climate in Nigeria, Adefuye said: “You will recall that early in March this year, I had the opportunity of addressing you on business prospects in Nigeria during the elections. I assured you that our business partners have nothing to fear about the business climate in Nigeria.”

According to him, his projection was anchored on the existence of an election commission that is free in all its manifestations as well as the determination of Nigerians to remain as one entity in spite of the political differences that might exist.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/prof-adefuye-buharis-administration-will-remain-investor-friendly/