₦airaland Forum

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki may have decided to engage the prosecution in the suit filed against him by the Federal Government over his asset declarations when he held sway as governor of Kwara State.

To this end, the Senate President, sources said, has flown in a group of experts from the United States, Israel and one of the Scandinavian countries to provide ‘specialized services’ to his team of lawyers led by Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN.

It was gathered that the experts are not lawyers, but are crack investigators, forensic and handwriting specialists whose role will be to help get more information on the witnesses and documents that have already been filed before the Tribunal by the prosecution.

The experts, are believed to have arrived on Monday and immediately had a preliminary meeting with the Senate President’s team on Monday in Lagos. They are also to move to Abuja any moment from now.
“The investigators will ferret out and scrutinize thoroughly all available information on the eight prosecution witnesses, including their school records, service records from their past and present places of employment and personal information that may help the defence team in the course of the trial. Most of those so-called witnesses will not be credible when information concerning their life is presented publicly before the Tribunal.

“It is also expected that with the fear that the prosecution may present forged documents, our team needs to be vigilant and pro-active considering the manner in which the proceedings before the tribunal is being conducted. Our people believe that with the way properties that have nothing to do with Saraki are being put on the charge sheet, there are tendencies that documents to sustain their claims may have been forged. All these the experts will screen and help the lawyers with information that may help them,” the source said.
The listed witnesses who are mostly from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are Michael Wetcas, Nura Ali Bako, Mustapha Abubakar Musa, Nwachukwu Amasu, Samuel Madojemin, Adamu Garba and Bayo Dauda ( a member of staff of Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB).

http://thenationonlineng.net/cct-trial-saraki-flies-experts-us-israel-scandinavian-countries/

The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has rapped the federal government for deluding Nigerians over the purportedly missing students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, alleging the All Progressives Congress of deploying the situation to defeat former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said he viewed with amusement the advocacy of Dr. Oby Ezekwesili-driven Bring Back Our Girls movement, which has been pressing for the recovery of the missing girls.

“You can’t get what is not missing,” the governor said.

The girls were kidnapped in April, 2014 by Boko Haram and had since been declared missing by the federal government.

Fayose, who spoke in Ado Ekiti at a two-day workshop organized by Women Arise for Change Initiative, said the rumour of the missing girls was mere political fabrication meant to get Jonathan out of office at all costs.

“The cries over missing girls were just a political strategy. What could Boko Haram have used to carry those girls? However, if truly missing, they should be recovered . One thing I know is that what is not missing you cannot get,” he said.

On the erosion of the rights of women to hold political positions, Fayose begged Nigerian men to stop intimidating them and allow them to enjoy the freedom of association guaranteed to them by the 1999 constitution.

“It pains me that some of the human rights activists had gone since the advent of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government. They have lost their voices. Where were they when DSS invaded the Ekiti House of Assembly and arrested a lawmaker and locked him up?

“They were flouting court’s orders at will and victimising opposition. It is better we collectively speak up now or we are consumed.

“In some homes, men had cowed their wives and made them subservient. The wives have no rights to claim or defend. But before you can claim anything, the wives or female in general must be up to the task. You have to be intellectually and socially alert.

“Don’t just, because you are a woman, lose your voice. With this, women shall collectively regain what belongs to them”

http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/03/30/fayose-fg-deceiving-nigerians-over-chibok-girls-claims-they-are-not-missing/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook

– Three Super Eagles players have pledged their support to IDPs

– Ighalo, Moses and Oboabona have endorsed a match in a bid to raise funds

Three Super Eagles players have endorsed a football match which is intended to assist in giving back to the society, particularly the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Abuja.

Watford of England goal-banger Odion Ighalo, Victor Moses of West Ham as well as Godfrey Oboabona of Rizespor in the Turkish league have thrown their support behind the football event organized with the intention of giving hope to IDPs in Nigeria.
The event is billed to hold in Abuja on April 6 at the Gongola Settlement for the IDPs and is expected to be top-notch, that will showcase Nigerians and people from the diplomatic communities donating gifts to the people.

IDPs are the people who have been forced to flee their homes by insurgents and are scattered all over the federation in settlements provided for them by the federal government.

A football match between the IDPs and selected side will be staged on the D-Day, this however will involve both males and females.

In a statement by the organiser, Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello an award-winning Nigerian journalist, said the event is aimed at using sports for development and to give back.

“Sports is a universal language which can be used to make a lot of changes in the world, we aim at using this event to preach a message of hope to the IDPs and show them that we love them and to also assure them that they have not been forgotten.

“April 6 is a UN day on sports for peace and development and we have decided to take a message to the IDPs by reassuring them that all will be fine,” She assured.

To commemorate the day, the Nigerian Red cross, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, The Likeminds project, NAIJ.com, Pulse.ng, Dapo Lam-Adesina, The Nigeria Football Federation, 36 lions football club, Argentine Embassy and people from the diplomatic community are partners of the event.
The event will be MC by the Abuja number one comedian, Godwin Tucker a.k.aTripple White.
https://www.naij.com/782873-losing-egypt-wont-believe-ighalo-moses-set-photos.html?poster=343

laser light targeted to Nigeria players unfair

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has deducted points from Nigeria, Egypt and Tanzania, all members of Group G, following the withdrawal of Chad from the ongoing qualification race for the 31st edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, Gabon 2017.
Chad were due to travel to Tanzania for the fourth match in the group, but instead made the announcement of a shocking withdrawal, citing financial constraints.
CAF swiftly applied its rules in conformity with Article 61 of the regulations of the competition which states: “If a team withdraws from the qualifying phase organised in groups, all its results shall be annulled (points, scored and conceded goals)”.
“Consequently, the three matches of Chad of Group G are cancelled and the results will not be taken into consideration”, CAF said.
Egypt still lead the group with four points, while Nigeria have two. Tanzania have a point.
CAF further said that in accordance, with the rule set by CAF Executive Committee on 15 January 2015, any group reduced to three teams following the withdrawal of a team will have only the group winner qualifying for the final tournament.
Furthermore, the Chadian Football Federation has been fined 20,000 US Dollars and also barred from participating in the next edition of the AFCON in conformity with Article 59 of the regulations of the Competition which states “any association declaring forfeit after the start of the matches is liable to a fine of twenty thousand (20,000) U.S. dollars. It will also not be allowed to participate in the next edition of the AFCON”.
Meanwhile, Egypt will face Nigeria on Tuesday, 29 March 2016 in Alexandria.

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/03/27/afcon-2017-caf-deduct-3-points-from-nigeria-egypt-fines-chad/
semid4lyfe, honeric01

This administration have enough information to work with at the moment. Please can they save that money going to be spend on this town hall meeting, for important and useful things! God!!!

I killed a big snake ( photo)
See bushmeat I killed today ( photo) lol

Lagos Set to Transform TBS Bus Terminal into Tourist Attraction

— 18th March 2016
The Lagos State Government on Friday said that arrangements had been concluded to transform the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS’s) Bus Terminal to attract more tourists to the edifice.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Dayo Mobereola, disclosed this at a stateholders’ meeting organised by his Ministry in Lagos on Friday.

Mobereola said that redevelopment was part of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s efforts to further enhance the state’s mega-city project.

He said: “The reason for this redevelopment is to actualise the vision of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, in his strive to make the state a real mega-city.

“To affirm this, there are some infrastructure that are to be in place.

“TBS stands for Lagos State. It is a rallying point for us, so we want to beautify it more and make it a tourist centre.

“It is very important and imperative to make the terminal a world-class edifice, so that when anyone comes to this place, they will bow and respect the state,’’ Mobereola said.

The commissioner said that the purpose of the meeting was to seek the opinion of stakeholders and to carry them along.

“We need your contributions to make it better. We are just going to make the place an ultra-modern terminal for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses, taxi operators and passengers.

“What we want to do is to protect all during the rainy and hot seasons. Everyone will have its own section: Danfo drivers, BRT and taxi operators, so that passengers are not confused where to go.

“What we are doing is for the benefits of all. When it is completed, it will be enforced,’’ he said.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Anofiu Elegushi, added that the purpose of the project was not to displace the operators.

“We are ready to receive your inputs, comments and advice. Our intention is to re-arrange. It is not an intention to take over your operations, but we need your support to move the state forward,’’ he said.

In his presentation on the project design, Mr Bolaji Bada, the Director Transportation Engineering in the ministry, said that the project would have a hightech fibre to provide shade.

Bada said, “The weight of the material is approximately one per cent of glass, which make it light enough to withstand any weather condition. It is dust and repellant-free and can serve for 40 years.

“This technology has the ability to transmit light when illuminated from above at night, so it will be spectacular, of high architecture and colourful, with a lot of land spacing for a standard terminus.’’

In his reaction, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), who lauded the project, urged that the government should be cautious of disrupting people’s sources of income.

“I want to appeal that you do not displace the operators and traders when the project is eventually completed because they are of immense benefit to both passengers and their families,’’ Agbede said.

Mr Hammed Okunuga, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers’ Association (RTEAN) in Lagos Island, said “we appreciate this as we have been looking forward to it, but let it not be that you want to take over what we feed our families with.’’

A private Park-and-Ride operator at TBS, identified as Alfa Abolore, urged the government not to displace entreprenuers who have been making a living in the area.

In his response, Mobereola, said, “no stakeholder should be fearful. We will not take your source of income. We must do it together.

“We may have to relocate people that might be affected because by the time we are done with TBS, you will tell us to go and repair Obalende. Obalende is not up to standard.

“We need your support because of the inconvenience it will bring during execution.”

He added that the facility would include enhanced security and maintenance features such as Closed Circuit Television and a world-class toilet facility.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stateholders at the meeting included members and executives of the NURTW and the RTEAN, traders, politicians and residents, among others.

(Source: THE NATION)

Breaking: Alleged N5.6bn fraud: Supreme Court Orders EFCC to prosecute ex-gov Orji Kalu
The Supreme Court, Friday, gave the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the nod to prosecute the former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu on a 107-count corruption charge. The charge borders on the alleged complicity of the erstwhile governor in money laundering and illegal diversion of public funds to the tune of N5.6billion.Kalu was alleged to have perpetuated the fraud while he piloted the affairs of Abia State between 1999 and 2007. Though the anti-graft agency docked him before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on July 27, 2007, however, for the past eight years, the defendant, through various interlocutory applications, frustrated moves by the prosecution to open its case against him.The defendant firstly challenged the competence of the charge against him, as well as the jurisdiction of the High Court to hear and determine the case. Meanwhile, following refusal by the trial court to quash the charge, Kalu, took the case before the Court of Appeal in Abuja.The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment, upheld the competence of the charge, adding that the high court was constitutionally empowered to exercise jurisdiction on the trial.Dissatisfied with the verdict, Kalu approached the Supreme Court, begging it to set-aside the concurrent findings of the two lower courts. Orji Kalu The former governor, through his lawyer Chief Awa Kalu, SAN, pleaded a five-man panel of Justices of the apex court, headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, to quash the criminal charge against him. He contended that the EFCC failed to establish a prima-facie nexus linking him to the ingredients of the offence contained in the charge. It was his contention that the proof of evidence the anti-graft agency adduced against him did not nail him to the commission of any crime. Nevertheless, the apex court, in a unanimous judgment on Friday, dismissed the appeal, even as it ordered the appellant to go and face his trial before the high court. While upholding the Court of Appeal verdict, Justice Suleiman Galadima who delivered the lead verdict, said the apex court was satisfied that the former governor has a case to answer pertaining to allegations that were levelled against him by the EFCC. Besides, the apex court ordered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, to re-assign the case to another Judge to enable the trial to commence de-novo (afresh). The apex court also ordered accelerated hearing of the matter.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/03/breaking-alleged-n5-6bn-fraud-supreme-court-orders-efcc-prosecute-ex-gov-orji-kalu/

THE news was first received with disbelief; “Grazing Reserve: FG imports grass from Brazil- Ogbeh”, Nigerian Times March 3, 2016. Even my big brother Franklin Okotie – Vanguard Asaba- commented on my facebook page that we should stop the joke. But, reading through the body of the story, it was sure real. Audu Ogbeh was quoted as saying: “this is to curtail the frequent clashes between arm bearing Fulani cattle breeders and farmers”. According to Ogbeh, “Muhammadu Buhari was setting up grazing areas in various states of the federation as a response to the clashes. We are producing massive hectares of grasslots for the consumption of cattle, we have received these grasses from Brazil and we are growing them in massive quantities”. The report went further: “We will grow grass in the south to feed the cattle in the north, just as Saudi Arabia did….if Saudi Arabia with the largest cattle ranch in the world can grow its grass for the cows in the United States of America, Nigeria should be able to do same”. The issue was very well discussed again in the Ray Power radio programme ‘Political Platform’, 9.15 am to 9.45am of Wednesday 9th March 2016. The discussants quoted Ogbeh to the effect that those criticising the government’s decision are ignorant of the agricultural facts herein. According to them, Ogbeh claimed to be an expert in agriculture who knows what he is doing, that what they are bringing in are seedlings, of a higher breed that is to be planted in Nigeria. Again, the discussants will not agree with the government’s decision, that if the challenge is in the area of improved seedlings, we have well established agricultural research institutions in the country with whom the government can collaborate to achieve the same result, such as the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Why go to Brazil and waste scarce foreign exchange  that  has become very difficult for genuine Nigerian businesses to obtain? And, I add my voice to ask  also, must we go abroad to import grass, when we have them of various specie and sizes, spread across the length and breadth of Nigeria? Grasses that lie fallow, with no one in government thinking of how to put them to profitable uses. How did we find ourselves importing from abroad what we have in abundance locally? It is a well known fact that cows do not discriminate grasses, when they are hungry. Audu Ogbeh and his team must begin to brain storm on how to put into productive uses the grasses that are produced in our land, the focus should be in the areas of preservation/storage, processing and transportation. We do not want a situation where the cattle  go  into farmlands to graze and in the process destroying people’s property. These grasses could be properly cultivated, preserved to remain fresh and transported to different grazing lands for cattle, the way it is done with other animal feeds. The fact that Saudi Arabia is importing grasses from the United States does not mean that we must follow their example, especially when it is a known fact that that Saudi Arabia is at the heart of desert lands. Grass is so much all over Nigeria that with proper planning and integration, it could be cultivated with the specific purpose of feeding the cows in the north, through the same  circle, the cows will end up at the various abattoirs in the south to feed the populace. So, it is a reciprocal thing, I mean giving and receiving and I believe that is what Audu Ogbeh and his team should look out for. In those days, before the introduction of the synthetic foam mattress, we were using mattresses made from grasses cultivated in the streets, nooks and crannies. We can return to that era and help create job opportunities for our farmers. It is doubtful if there is any specie of grass that cannot be found in Nigeria. One  only needs  to traverse the land by road and realise this wholesome truth. Our officials have become very lazy, only looking for ready made and wasteful solutions. There is no attempt at creativity. Is this why is it so difficult for us to look inward? Why is it that it is only things foreign that we crave for? Has Audu Ogbeh made enough consultations with relevant experts of agriculture in Nigeria before arriving at his decision? We must begin to identify challenges facing this nation and task ourselves with home grown solutions. That is the only way we can make progress and set the nation on the right course. It is unacceptable for us to import grass into this country, our natural habitat favour its cultivation, even the famous Bahama grass has been cultivated here with a lot of success.  Audu Ogbeh should look for young men with fresh ideas to execute his programmes, his ideas as they are presently, appear too far fetched. Grass is what everyone can feel and touch everywhere in this country. We do not need to go abroad to import it, it is like importing crude oil into the Niger Delta for processing, it is uncalled for. The potentials in this country are enormous, the challenge is for the leadership to use this enormous manpower resources to achieve the requisite goal of the nation. We have them in Nigeria, we must continue to put them to work. No talk of importing grass, please. Mr. Sunny Ikhioya, an author, wrote from Lagos.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/03/must-we-import-grass/

Former Akwa Ibom State governor and Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio has denied ownership or any link to the Lagos Lekki Gardens where more than 30 persons died in a collapsed building.
Reacting to a Twitter flash by the SaharaReporters, an online portal, Akpabio, in a statement on Tuesday signed by Anietie Ekong, his Special Assistant on Media, described the report as malicious.
“We want to state categorically that Senator Akpabio is not the owner of Lagos Lekki Gardens nor has he any form of relationship whatsoever with the said company,” Ekong stated.
He added, “While we condole with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate building collapse, we are saddened that Sahara Reporters could chose to play politics with such a tragic incident as the death of Nigerians and chose to drag in the name of Senator Akpabio.”
According to the senator’s aide, the allegation is coming at a time the owners of Lagos Lekki Gardens have been arraigned before a competent court of law for all Nigerians to see.
“It is not beyond the investigative capabilities of SaharaReporters to find out from the authorities of the Lagos State Government and the Corporate Affairs Commission if they still doubt the ownership of the Lagos Lekki Gardens that one petitioner against Senator Akpabio claims controls 27 estates within Lagos.
“We condemn this politically-motivated speculation linking Senator Akpabio to the ownership of Lagos Lekki Gardens. This is one in a series of falsehood that Sahara Reporters has fabricated against the Senate Minority Leader.
“Recall the national uproar which followed a similar concoction on December 10, 2015 when Sahara Reporters “authoritatively confirmed” that Senator Akpabio had been sacked from the Senate by an Appeal Court which had not even delivered its judgment at the time of the publication. It turned out to be a hoax when the election of the Senator was upheld the following day by the Appeal Court.
“We condemn this attempt by SaharaReporters to tarnish the image of a public officer and demand an unreserved apology for this false and malicious publication. We advice the promoters of SaharaReporters to jettison mischief, falsehood and fabrication and uphold the fine journalism tradition of objectivity, truth and fairness.
In the early hours of 8 March, the five-storey building which was under construction, at Chisco Bus Stop near Oando Filling Station, Lekki Phase 11, owned by Messrs Lekki Worldwide Estate, collapsed claiming 34 lives. This forced Lagos State government to arraign the managing director of the company, Richard Nyong and one of the contractors handling the project, Odofin Taiwo.
The state government has also told the occupiers of all other buildings erected by the owners of Lekki Gardens, to vacate the properties ahead of government investigations.

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/03/15/akpabio-denies-ownership-of-lekki-gardens/

https://i2.wp.com/www.abelabel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/051015F-Godwin-Emefiele.jpg?w=400
www.nairaland.com/attachments/3496832_4_jpeg9679ccb5a92f650b83fcf29e0a6a6775

Nigeria’s Central Bank Illegally Hired, Sons, Daughters And Relatives Of Former VP Atiku, IGP Arase, GMD Of NNPC, Minister Of Internal Affairs, Other Top Officials

SaharaReporters has obtained a list of at least 91 people tied to influential or highly placed Nigerians who were recently offered juicy appointments by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in a hiring process that was highly secretive.

The list of beneficiaries of the CBN’s job largesse include a daughter of former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, a son of Mamman Daura, a nephew of President Muhammadu Buhari and one of the closest members of the president’s inner circle, a son of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, a daughter of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’aba, also daughter of of the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, a since of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Abdurahman Danbazzau and at least 86 others.

The highly controversial recruitment, seen as peddling of influence, first came to light a few weeks ago, but SaharaReporters just exclusively obtained the names of the beneficiaries.

The leaking of the irregular hires by the CBN caused significant embarrassment for the government and the bank. The CBN’s Director of Human Resources, Chizoba Mojekwu, was reportedly redeployed as the bank’s Director of Capacity Development and IT after CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, accused her of being behind the leaking of the list.

However, a top official of the CBN told our correspondent that Mr. Emefiele had arranged the hiring of relatives of top party leaders and powerful government officials as a strategy for saving his job.

Even though the list obtained by SaharaReporters has 91 names, our sources at the CBN disclosed that the CBN Governor had started the practice of using job offers to woo top government officials since Mr. Buhari came into power on May 29, 2015. One source revealed that, in September 2015, Mr. Emefiele had hired Claire Arase, a daughter of Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.

SaharaReporters learnt that the CBN often went to great lengths, including tweaking the names of recruits, in order to hide the identities of beneficiaries of politically motivated recruitment. Often the CBN used the beneficiaries’ first names and their father’s middle names to hide their real identities. For instance, the bank listed Maryam Atiku as “Maryam Abubakar.” In another case, the bank entered the name of the son of Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, as “Nagode Abdulrahman.” In other instances, the bank used the maiden names of hired persons instead of their married names.

The recruitments are deemed irregular because the CBN failed to advertise the vacancies in order to allow opportunities to all qualified Nigerians to apply for the jobs. In addition, the bank’s “political” recruitments did not follow principles of federal character set out for employment by government agencies and other public institutions. “Jobs were just handed to the children of ministers in the current administration,” one bank official stated. The source added that many of the new hires were asked to pick their department of choice after their irregular employment was concluded.

Below is the full list of 91 people illegally hired by the CBN:

http://saharareporters.com/2016/03/15/nigeria%E2%80%99s-central-bank-illegally-hired-sons-daughters-and-relatives-former-vp-atiku-igp

www.nairaland.com/attachments/3496435_facebook20160315112102_png401b9810cad6852977b8ba709367ed09

Lol,

Abuja - The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has revealed that the driver of the late Minister of State for Labour, James Ocholi had no valid driver's license.
The agency on Wednesday submitted an interim report to the Federal Executive Council on the crash that killed Minister of State for Labour James Ocholi, his wife and son.

FRSC Corps Marshall Boboye Oyeyemi, who presented the report, said the investigation team discovered that over speeding led to the accident which occurred Sunday on the Kaduna-Abuja Road.

Oyeyemi told the Federal Executive Council that the investigation also showed that Ocholi's driver had no licence.
President Buhari as well as the Ministers of Labour, Agriculture, Water Resources, State for Health, State for Niger Delta, State for Foreign Affairs paid glowing tributes to the late minister.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal said the president had approved that the burial "is government affair".

He said a 13-man burial committee chaired by himself had been set up with Ministers of Labour, Health, Water Resources and Trade and Investment as members.

Other members of the committee include Ocholi's sister and brother, Kogi State deputy governor.

http://m.news24.com.ng/Nigeria/National/News/ocholis-driver-had-no-drivers-licence-frsc-20160309

The Kaduna State House of Assembly has passed into law a bill seeking to establish a master plan for the state.

The Assembly at its Tuesday plenary sitting passed the executive bill sent to by Governor Nasir El-Rufai into law.

The bill reads: “Any person who encroaches, interferes or in any way obstructs the orderly implementation of the master plan commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of six months or fine of N250,000 or both.”

Similarly, it said that any officer charged with the responsibility of implementation of the master plan, who falls or collaborate with others to obstruct the master plan shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of three years or a fine of N1,000,000 or both not exempting administrative disciplinary procedures as contained in the civil service rules.

The bill also stated that the government shall have the right to remove, modify, restructure or reconstruct any existing structure, building or facility in order to bring it into conformity with the master plan and provided that it shall have due regard to provisions of the Land Use Act, 1978 on the payment of compensation in appropriate or deserving cases.



“From the date of commencement of the law, all transactions and Physical developments in the designated planning or urban area of Kaduna metropolis shall be in accordance with the provision of the master plan.

“Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency, KASUPDA or it successors is hereby vested with power, duties and responsibilities to ensure compliance with the master plan in the state.

“Any development carried out prior to coming into force of the law shall not be invalid for non-conformity with the master plan if the owner thereof can establish ownership of the property, obtaining all the necessary governmental consents and development approvals were obtained prior to the said development and been up to date in the payment of all fees, charges and rents on the property.

“Any Magistrate court or such other court that may be constituted for the purpose of this law shall try the offender and impose such punishment and sanctions as presented by this law.

“The master plan shall be reviewed after every decade or within such reasonable periods as the Governor may decide,” the law stated.”

However, the objective of the law includes, to boost sustainable economic development of Kaduna State in it National, regional, state and city perspective. To improve governance in land administration which hinges on reform of physical planning and community participation in planning processes.

Others include, to enhance sustainable use of natural resources, proper solid waste management including air, surface and ground water quality and to secure property, safety from fire, natural disasters, adequate lighting, ventilation as well as ensure safety of pedestrians, bicycle ways and people living with disability.

http://thenationonlineng.net/kaduna-assembly-passes-bill-on-master-plan-into-law/

Senator Abdulmimun Zareko of the 7th National Assembly has been reported dead

– He died of a protracted illeness on Monday, March 7

Emerging reports suggest that Senator Abdulmimun Zareko, who represented Jigawa state in the 7th National Assembly has passed on.

PM News reports that Zareko died at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital on Monday after protracted illness.

Governor Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa state on Tuesday, March 8 expressed shock over the death.

In a statement signed by Alhaji Bello Zaki, the special assistant to the governor on media, Badaru described the deceased as a gentleman and a fine lawmaker who had contributed on the development of the state.
Badaru said the late Senator would be remembered for his simplicity and humane disposition to issues affecting the masses.

“On behalf of myself and good people of Jigawa, I wish to express my condolence to his family and all members of his party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” he added.


https://www.naij.com/757055-breaking-senator-zareko-dies.html

The National Assembly in Nigeria is set to pass the nation’s 2016 budget on Thursday, March 17, a lawmaker said on Wednesday
While giving an update on the budget, the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin, said the lawmakers had put in much effort to ensure that the budget would be ready before the new date.

On February 15, the House of Representatives said it was working towards passing the 2016 budget in the second week of March.

Honourable Jibrin gave the proposed period at a budget defense session in the National Assembly.

Also giving an update on the budget before the Senate, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senate Mohammed Goje, told reporters that the National Assembly would still meet with the Executive to finalise the process before the budget would be passed.

For weeks now, the National Assembly has been meeting with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, working on the 2016 budget estimates.

Their interaction revealed a lot of concerns in the budget submitted to the National Assembly in December 2015 and made impossible an earlier plan by the lawmakers to have the budget passed by February 25.

But will one day be enough for the lawmakers to consider the details of the budget and pass it? Honourable Jibrin believes the time is enough.

The new date for the passage of the budget is just two weeks away and Nigerians will hope that this is one date the legislature will keep.


http://www.channelstv.com/2016/03/02/national-assembly-set-to-pass-2016-budget/

The Senate on Wednesday pegged the fee payable to Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) at N2, 500.

The upper chamber also extended JAMB entrance examination validity period to three years from one year.

The resolutions followed the submission and consideration of the report on JAMB admission policies submitted by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Senator Binta Masi Garba.

JAMB applicants’ currently pay N5, 650 to obtain JAMB application forms.

The upper chamber also said that its relevant committees should work to ensure the amendment of JAMB Act to reflect resolutions.



The Senate adopted the recommendation of its committee that JAMB fee should not exceed N2,500, while institution and course forms and all other incidental activities around the examination should be free.

The Senate on November 17, 2015 adopted a resolution and directed its committee on tertiary institutions and TETFund to inquire into circumstances surrounding the new JAMB policy including allegations of favouritism as well as review of JAMB admission.

The new JAMB policy entails that a candidate will make a choice of one university, one polytechnic and one college of education and then sit for a computer based test (CBT) to gain admission into any tertiary institution in the country.

http://thenationonlineng.net/senate-pegs-jamb-application-fee-at-n2500/

Lalasticlala

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his opposition to the devaluation of the naira.
He said Nigeria cannot compete with developed countries which produce to compete among themselves and can afford to devalue their local currencies. 
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke on Saturday while contributing to a Presidential Panel Roundtable on Investment and Growth Opportunities at the opening of the Africa 2016: Business for Africa, Egypt and the World at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
Buhari was quoted as saying that Nigeria could not afford to devalue its currency because the country imports everything, including toothpicks. 
He said, “Developed countries are competing among themselves and when they devalue they compete better and manufacture and export more. 
“But we are not competing and exporting but importing everything including toothpicks. So, why should we devalue our currency?
“We want to be more productive and self-sufficient in food and other basic things such as clothing. 
“For our government, we like to encourage local production and efficiency.” 
The President added that those who have developed taste for foreign luxury goods should continue to pay for them rather than pressure government to devalue the naira.
He added that the priority of his administration is to ensure national food security before export of food products.
He stressed that Nigeria being a mono-economy dependent on oil, and with a teeming unemployed youth population, the way out of the current slump in the global oil market, is for the administration to focus on agriculture and solid minerals development.
 “The land is there and we need machinery inputs, fertiliser and insecticides,” he said.
Buhari expressed optimism that Nigeria would get out of its current economic downturn.
He noted that another major problem militating against economic revival is the huge resources deployed towards fighting insurgency and international terrorism. 
He, however, commended the support being received from the international community in the administration’s fight against terrorism as well as cooperation in tracing looted funds stashed away in foreign countries. 
Responding to a question on his performance since he assumed office, the President said that his administration has been quite focused on three fundamental issues of securing the country, reviving the economy and stamping out corruption. 
“The message on corruption has been driven home vividly and Nigerians are very acceptable to the message,” he said.
He added that those accused of stealing public funds are co-operating by voluntarily providing useful information while investigations and prosecutions are ongoing.
In his opening address at the Forum, the Egyptian President, Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, said Africa needs to concentrate on transforming into knowledge societies using innovation and research. 
The Presidents of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia also participated at the Roundtable. 
In his opening message, the President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, said that “Africa must think big, act big and develop big.”
Before departing Egypt,  Buhari and his Egyptian host, had a bilateral discussion on security, military cooperation, agriculture and solid minerals development

http://www.punchng.com/buhari-rules-naira-devaluation/

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said on Friday that the Lagos-Kano Rail project would be completed in the next two years.
Amaechi, who said this while inspecting the Abuja-Kaduna rail project in Kaduna, added that, it would generate employment for 250,000 Nigerians.
He said the ongoing rail project from Lagos-Kano and Lagos-Calabar would generate more employment than the Abuja-Kaduna rail modernisation project.
He further stated that a training institute would be established by the Chinese company to train Nigerians on operations, maintenance and communication.
“For the Lagos-Kano and Lagos-Calabar rail project, we expect to generate like 250,000 employment opportunities both formal and informal.
“We are negotiating with General Electric in America to construct a narrow gauge from Lagos to Kano and they cannot run that without training Nigerians.
“If the communication system goes down how do we revive it, so they would also teach Nigerians how to maintain it.
“If we want to replace it, how do we replace it, so the key thing is transfer of technology and that will be the focus of the ministry.”
He said government would ensure that the rail service was affordable for the masses.

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/02/19/lagos-kano-rail-to-generate-250000-jobs-amaechi/

Apparently worried by the continuous decline in the nation’s economy, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Thursday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to convene an emergency economic conference to enable experts brainstorm on the way forward and future of the economy. The Nobel Laureate made the call when he paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed in Abuja. Soyinka said the conference became necessary to enable experts diagnose the problems currently facing the country and to make necessary recommendation for government to get the economy out of the woods. ‘‘I agree with those who say the economy is bad. It is obvious and it is so bad. We really need an emergency economic conference, bringing experts together to match the nation forward. I think the economy is not encouraging. Quite frankly, I think most economists will agree with this. ‘‘The economic condition of a nation does not deteriorate over night, something came before that deterioration. A certain prolonged process of attrition that happened in the past is now knocking on the door. The consequences of the past misgovernance is what we are undergoing right now.’’

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/nigerias-economy-is-bad-calls-emergency-conference-soyinka-urges-buhari/

The naira on Wednesday depreciated further to N385 per dollar in the parallel market as demand for foreign exchange intensified in the market. This implies the naira has depreciated by N60 against the dollar this week in the parallel market, when compared with the closing exchange rate of N325 per dollar Friday last week. The currency however remained stable at the official interbank foreign exchange market as the interbank rate closed N199.34. Thus the gap between the interbank and parallel market rates widened to N185.66 per dollar from N127.53 Friday last week. Vanguard investigation also reveals that the naira depreciated against the British Pounds to N505 per pounds in the parallel market implying N65 depreciation when compared with the closing rate of N440 Friday last week. Investigations reveal that the sharp depreciation of the naira in the parallel market this week is driven by increasing demand by importers sourcing dollars to pay for imports from China. According to a BDC operator who spoke on condition of anonymity, “You know China had been on its one month annual holidays. But they resumed work on Monday, and people have to complete payment for goods ordered before the holidays. They had made 30 per cent down payment to order the goods and they now have to pay the 70 percent balance otherwise they will lose the 30 percent. That is why they are desperate and ready to buy dollars at any rate. Meanwhile supply is scarce and those who have dollars are not willing to sell because they might also need the currency soon”. The naira has been on steady decline since Tuesday January 12th 2016, when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stopped weekly dollar sale to BDCs. Prior to this action, the naira traded at N265 per dollar in the parallel market. Consequently the naira has depreciated by N80 in the parallel market since the CBN took the action.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/naira-depreciates-further-to-n385-in-parallel-market/

Sources inside the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have disclosed to a SaharaReporters correspondent that Mr. Alison Amaechina Madueke, the husband to the embattled former Minister for Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke, was arrested today.
Mr. Madueke was arrested this morning by EFCC agents in Abuja for illegally laundering more than $600,000 through his personal accounts.

According to an EFCC source, “[Mr. Madueke] was arrested this morning [in Abuja] and released on administrative bail.” The EFCC also seized Mr. Madueke’s passport and placed him under caution.

This is the latest development in an ongoing global investigation into the financial activity of the former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Maduke, who was arrested last year in London for financial crimes. Mrs. Madueke was at the helm of the petroleum industry in Nigeria during a time of unprecedented theft, according to analysts.

http://saharareporters.com/2016/02/17/breaking-efcc-arrests-diezani’s-husband-alison-madueke

Nigerian R&B duo, P-Square, seems to have reached the end of the road with their management company owned by their brother, Jude Okoye.
In a series of tweet by Peter Okoye, he revealed that they have sacked their brother from managing their affairs. “Please whosoever makes any transaction with Northside Entertainment or Jude Okoye on Psquare’s behalf does so at their own risk.”
Peter’s responses came after Jude had taken to social media to ask their fans to pray for Peter, noting that, “He’s been going through a lot lately.”
In an apparent response to Jude, Peter wrote that: “You said I need Prayers! Bro you need GOD!”
He then went on to say “Some ask why on social media. Do I have a choice! Insisting you must remain Psquare’s manager? And that your decision is final? #Psquare4ever”
He then stressed that “Peter and Paul is Psquare”, noting that, Psquare will remain.
“I repeat Psquare is not breaking up. Thanks for the love and support. I appreciate #NoMoreFamilyBusiness”


http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/02/17/no-more-family-business-psquare-sacks-brother-jude/

HENRY: WHY DID NO MAN CITY PLAYERS CELEBRATE WITH IHEANACHO?
The former Arsenal striker found it "weird" that the Nigerian's team-mates were muted in their reaction to his equalising goal in their 2-1 defeat against Tottenham on Sunday
Thierry Henry has questioned the togetherness within the Manchester City squad by pointing out the lack of a celebration after Kelechi Iheanacho's equalising goal against Tottenham.

The Nigerian forward cancelled out Harry Kane's second-half penalty but Christian Eriksen scored a late winning goal for Spurs to earn the visitors a crucial three points.

The defeat sees City remain six points behind Premier League leaders Leicester City and Henry believes the muted way in which Manuel Pellegrini's players reacted to drawing level was telling.
I know you have to go and get the ball back [to ensure a quick restart with the score level at 1-1 at the time] but no one went to celebrate with Iheanacho," Henry told Sky Sports.

"That's something that, I don't know… you scored a goal, go and celebrate with the guy. 'Let's go, get the ball back'. No one went to celebrate with him. He was in the corner there.

"I think [Vincent] Kompany went with him and someone else but that's it. Maybe I'm reading too much between the lines about that Man City team but no one went to celebrate with him, that's a bit weird."

http://m.goal.com/s/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2016/02/14/20349942/henry-why-did-no-man-city-players-celebrate-with-iheanacho?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=engbfb&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2Fl.php%3Fu%3Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.goal.com%25252Fen-gb%25252Fnews%25252F2896%25252Fpremier-league%25252F2016%25252F02%25252F14%25252F20349942%25252Fhenry-why-did-no-man-city-players-celebrate-with-iheanacho%25253Futm_source%25253Dfacebook.com%252526utm_medium%25253Dreferral%252526utm_campaign%25253Dengbfb%26h%3DdAQER-4ij%26s%3D1

$2.1billion Arms Scam: Army Hands Over 7 Generals, 5 Colonels To EFCC For Probe


The Army headquarters on Thursday night confirmed that 12 Army officers including serving and retired have been sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for investigation.
The Army also said that at the end of the Commission’s investigations those found culpable will be court martialled. Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai A statement signed by Col Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations said: “The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the public that 12 Army officers have been sent to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission for investigation.

“This comprised of three serving Major Generals, and one retired, three Brigadier Generals, four Colonels and one Lieutenant Colonel.

“However, it should be noted that at the end of the Commission’s investigations those found culpable will be tried by a military court martial.”

Col Usman, did not however, state in specific term what the officers are being investigated for.

President Muhammadu Buhari recently directed the EFCC to investigate top military officers including retired Service Chiefs for their involvement in arms procurement in the last administration.

The immediate past Chief of Defence Staff and Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and Air Marshal Amosu respectively are among those being interrogated by the anti-graft agency.

http://saharareporters.com/2016/02/13/21billion-arms-scam-army-hands-over-7-generals-5-colonels-efcc-probe

We are our own problem, so sad

Guys what will you do when you wife or girlfriend receive this gift from her Ex, and ladies will you accept this gift from your Ex?

Lalasticlala your opinion first lol

Buhari Returns To Nigeria After UK Vacation And Medicals; To Embark On Three-Nation Tour Of Egypt, Saudi Arabia And Qatar
President Muhammadu Buhari is on his way back to Nigeria from the United Kingdom following an abrupt five-day vacation he began in London last week.  
SaharaReporters sources said his Presidential jet departed London for Abuja at exactly 13.45hrs GMT.

The President had abruptly embarked on the vacation after participating in a Syria donor conference in London.  

SaharaReporters reported that that his handlers had merely inserted him into the Syria conference as a cover for a medical visit to his doctors.  It is unclear why his healthcare is shrouded in secrecy.

The President stayed at an apartment in the Knightsbridge area of London, but sent the bulk of his aides back to Nigeria.  Our sources say that following meetings with his doctors over two days, he rested in the apartment until today.  

Since leaving Nigeria, there have been speculations about his being  sighted in Saudi Arabi, but SaharaReporters can confirm that the President did not leave London until today.

He is expected to be in Nigeria for the next two weeks, but will resume his foreign tour on February 24, if everything goes as planned, with a three-nation state visit to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

While in Saudi Arabia, President Buhari is expected to perform the Umrah, as well as visit Makka and Madina.

http://saharareporters.com/2016/02/10/buhari-returns-nigeria-after-uk-vacation-and-medicals-embark-three-nation-tour-egypt

Roforofo:
Hi. Is there anyone who has been able to get a Nigerian passport for a non-Nigerian spouse abroad. I have tried contacting the Naija embassy in London but they are pretty useless and will not pick their phones or reply emails. I would like advice from people who have done this abroad preferably. Also can it be done in Nigeria legally? I have looked on the Nigeria Immigration Service website but can't find any info. Thanks to all who can help.

.
Hi I don't think there is any way u could get your British wife Nigeria passport without her having the first initial five years resident permit
Please visit this thread below you might find little answer to your question, thanks
https://www.nairaland.com/2771035/niger-wives

Bigchief46:
Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has won

Bigchief46 I doff my hat for u, thanks for the update, shown big professionalism. Cheers boss

Lagos - A Briscoe helicopter carrying nine passenger has been declared missing.
The helicopter with a 2-man crew was said to heading to Lagos from Port-Harcourt.
Efforts are said to be ongoing to locate the missing helicopter
More to follow.
- News 24

http://m.news24.com/nigeria/National/News/breaking-briscoe-helicopter-gone-missing-20160203