₦airaland Forum

https://thenewsnigeria.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/10415664_10206062481343502_7601658928468234540_n.jpgThe communal crisis between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities has boiled over with the sacking of a Divisional Police headquarters in Ogbe Ijoh, headquarters of Warri South West Local Government .

The police armoury was also looted in the clash in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, between Urhobo speaking people of Aladja and ijaw speaking people of Ogbe-Ijoh.

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion had to be drafted into the crisis torn area before sanity was restored.

It was learnt that the crisis which has been brewing since came to the head Thursday over boundary dispute between the two communities leading to shootings and burning of houses.
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The soldier who was wounded on Thursday

Security sources disclosed that the police station located in Ogbe Ijoh was over run and its armoury looted during the crisis.

It was gathered that the clash was as a result of alleged attack on Aladja women who were returning from their farms by some Ogbe Ijaw youths last Wednesday.

Aladja youths on Wednesday blocked the only access road leading to Ogbe Ijoh ( also Ogbe-Ijaw)community.

This provoked the clash between the two communities.

A reinforcement of mobile Police men were drafted from Warri to join the soldiers already deployed to the troubled area.

Refugees by Thursday night have been created on both sides of the Ijaw and Urhobo communities.

Chairman of Udu Local Government Area, Chief Solomon Kpoma told Journalists last night that refugees from Aladja community were being accommodated at Udu townhall while that of Ogbe Ijaw were in Warri.

The Chairman of Warri South West Local Government Area , George Ekpemupolo,Tompolo’s brother confirmed that tension was “very high” even though the Warri Area Command of the Nigerian Police had waded into the matter the alleged abduction of an Aladja woman from her farm on Wednesday evening.

“The woman who went to the farm was seized and taken to Ogbe-Ijoh by the youths who detained her behind a counter.”

“Aladja youths in reprisal blocked the only road leading to Ogbe-Ijoh. They said the road would remain closed until the woman is released”.

Meanwhile, residents of Ogbe-Ijoh, including corps members, are fleeing Ogbe-Ijoh in the wake of Thursday attack.

The Chairman of the Waterways Security Committee, Chief Boro Opudu, who confirmed the report said security operatives were battling to restore normalcy to the area.

He said soldiers from Nigerian Army and mobile police force have been deployed to the community to restore law and order.

The Warri Area Commander of Police, ACP Muazu Mohammed confirmed the renewed bloody clash.

http://thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2016/03/police-station-sacked-armoury-looted-in-ogbe-ijoh/

Good Friday is a Christian religious holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday,or Easter Friday, though the last term properly refers to the Friday in Easter week.

1. Why is this day called "Good Friday"

It's not for the reason you might think.

Despite the fact that "good" is a common English word, tempting to say the name is based on the fact that something very good (our redemption) happened on this day, that's not where the name comes from.

Precisely where it does come from is disputed. The Catholic Encyclopedia explains:

The origin of the term Good is not clear. Some say it is from "God's Friday" (Gottes Freitag); others maintain that it is from the German Gute Freitag, and not specially English.

It is also argued that the name is based on a Medieval use of the word good where it meant "holy." Thus "Good Friday" would have come from "Holy Friday," the same way we have Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday.


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2. How do we celebrate Good Friday today?

According to the main document governing the celebrations connected with Easter, Paschales Solemnitatis: On this day, when "Christ our passover was sacrificed," the Church:

meditates on the passion of her Lord and Spouse,

adores the cross,

commemorates her origin from the side of Christ asleep on the cross,

and intercedes for the salvation of the whole world.

3. Are fast and abstinence required on Good Friday?

Yes. Paschales Solemnitatis notes:

Good Friday is a day of penance to be observed as of obligation in the whole Church, and indeed through abstinence and fasting.


4. Are the sacraments celebrated on Good Friday?

For the most part, no. Good Friday is the only day of the year on which the celebration of Mass is forbidden.


5. What liturgical celebrations occur on this day?

The principal one is known as the Celebration of the Lord's Passion.


6. What happens after the Celebration of the Lord's Passion?

Paschales Solemnitatis notes: after the celebration, the altar is stripped; the cross remains however, with four candles.

7. Are other devotions appropriate to Good Friday?

Paschales Solemnitatis notes: Devotions such as the "Way of the Cross," processions of the passion, and commemorations of the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary are not, for pastoral reasons, to be neglected.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/7-things-you-may-not-know-about.html

Governor Nyesom Wike has set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe the violence that marred the National Assembly rerun elections, and led to the killing of several citizens of the state.

As a result of the deaths that occurred during the elections that held on Saturday, March 19, 2016, President Buhari has tagged Rivers state the most deadly state in Nigeria.

While announcing the names of the committee members, Wike said “In order to forestall a repeat of the needless violence and fatalities in future elections, I hereby establish a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the violence, killings and other related acts that occurred in parts of the state during the March 19, 2016 re-run elections and make appropriate recommendations to government for implementation.”

The commission was immediately inaugurated on Thursday, March 24, 2016, at the Rivers state Government House.



The members of the committee are: Justice Monima Danagogo (Chairman); Mrs. Uche Uriri (Secretary); Venerable John Adubasim; Mrs. Douye Green; Joseph Zabbey and Engr. Luke Nwanodi.

Governor Nyesom Wike also pledged to take care of the family of Mr Samuel Okonta, the corper who was killed during the rerun elections that held on Saturday, March 19, 2016.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/wike-to-probe-killings-during-rivers-re.html

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The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, says the party is not oblivious to hardships facing Nigerians.

Odigie-Oyegun said this while briefing newsmen after the APC’s National Executive Council (NEC), meeting in Abuja on Thursday, March 24, 2016.

"Naturally, this would have been the time to roll out the drums and to celebrate loudly but I think that being a government and a party that is responsive, we are very well aware of the hardships in the land.

"For that reason, it should be a period of introspection, a period for memories and a period for reminiscences.

"The problems we have are well known, of course originating from two well known factors: our squandered patrimony of course, and the unfortunate coincidence of the collapse of the price of crude oil.

"Nevertheless, in spite of these hardships, our government has recorded strides that are worth mentioning, that are worth celebrating and that are worth noting," he said.

He listed some of the strides as Buhari’s focused, vigorous leadership against insurgency, the Treasury Single Account, and the oil market.

"The price of crude is gradually beginning to crawl persistently, slowly but upwards.

"The fight against corruption: the gains are clear; the era of impunity is beginning to disappear from our land.

"Even from reading the papers, social media - critical as they may be - virtually every Nigerian accepts that corruption was perhaps the worst affliction that this nation has ever suffered from.

"Finally, the cost of governance is down. So, even with the lean resources, it is clear that all over the nation, from the federal level to the state level, we will be able to do more with less.’’

He acknowledged that these were hard times but urged that as party members they should stand together, be re-dedicated to the party and the vision to which the people voted them in.

He decried the March 19 Rivers State rerun elections, describing it as a disgrace.

He said: "O Rivers, Rivers. It is a disgrace. That is the only thing one can say.

"The assurance we can give you and the assurance Mr President has given us is that these issues will be vigorously addressed.

"People must not get away with dastardly killings. It is a most bestial act and in no circumstance must behaviour like that be allowed to spread to the rest of the country.

"Unless you address it, you are, in fact, inviting other states to set up their own military wing.’’

He said NEC had, for the first time, established a budget for the party and set up a committee to streamline and downsize the party’s Board of Trustees in line with all other constitution amendments.

On the party’s vacant office of national publicity secretary, Odigie-Oyegun said one of the zones had nominated a candidate but that the party would await the congress to fill all vacant positions.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/apc-is-aware-of-hardship-in-land-oyegun.html

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Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari, when addressing the national caucus of his party, the APC, stated that Niger Delta militants are confused.

"For Niger Delta, the militants are sending some conflicting messages. Some have said they are ready to drop their arms and join the rest of the nation to build it. But part of them are still sabotaging installations which is making investments in that lucrative area of Nigeria difficult because nobody will submit his riches to financial institutions, get money only to suffer huge loss."

"So, the environment for investment is being sabotaged by our own selves, Nigerians," he said.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/niger-delta-militants-are-confusing.html

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Nigerian singer, Seyi Shay, says she doesn’t ‘really know’ fellow singer, Tiwa Savage.
Seyi Shay play

Seyi Shay (Seyi Shay)



Seyi who recently kicked off her Africa tour was on Sunday, a guest on Rubbin’ Minds on Channels Television with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and she was asked about her relationship with the Mavin Records first lady, and she said “I don’t really know her”.

She acknowledged that she had met Tiwa Savage before, but told her host that she does not really know her personally.

“I do not have many friends in the music industry (and) then my colleagues, we say hello, we say goodbye and then we invite each other to different things and functions happening,” she said.
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Her comment also drew the ire of several fans on Twitter, some of whom felt it was an indirect swipe at Tiwa Savage.

But the artiste, in a bid to clarify her position, hopped on Twitter and wrote, "Yes! I SAID I don't know most artistes PERSONALLY because we don't hang out. We r too busy!! problem anyone?"

Seyi recently spoke to Pulse Nigeria about signing with Island Universal Records:

“I was signed mainly off the strength of ‘Murda’. Murda was released independently, completely independently with no engine, no marketing, no nothing, no money. And it grew its own wings, it crossed over, and it charted in the UK on its own”, she said.

“I think they found that to be quite a big deal, and so they decided to invest in wherever that success came from, and that was me and my team."

The singer's debut album "Seyi or Shay" was released in November, 2015.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/i-dont-know-tiwa-savage-seyi-shay.html

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In a move that will surely excite many young people in Nigeria, The TIME Magazine has recognised a 25-year-old Nigerian-born American blogger, Angie Nwandu as one of the 30 most influential people on the Internet.

As vast as the internet is and with the TIME’s search­light focusing on all areas of human endeavours, Nwandu of the celebrity gossip site, “The Shade Room’’ (TSR) was placed on the 20th spot.

Her feat in achieving such a placing becomes even more instructive when one takes cognisance of the fact that she is ahead of notable inter­net sensations like Kim Kar­dashian, the nudity-loving wife of rapper, Kanye West, Canada-born rapper, Drake, and others like Tess Holiday and Peter Bouckart.

According to the interna­tional magazine, Nwandu, within two years, trans­formed TSR, an Instagram account and blog, to a flour­ishing media empire.
“As more and more of our own daily interactions hap­pen online, so, too, does ce­lebrity drama. And Nwandu, 25, has made it her business to capture it,” the magazine stated.

Going further, it states: “Two years ago, she started TSR, an Instagram account and blog that aims to be like Page Six for celebrities on social media: a chronicle of who likes whose posts, who comments on whose photos, and who starts following (or better yet, unfollowing) each other.

“Since then, TSR has be­come a burgeoning media empire, replete with its own tipsters, staff (there are now four full-time employees), and advertisers – all of whom serve an audience of 3.9 mil­lion and counting.’’
Also listed among the 30 most influential personali­ties on the worldwide web are Portugal captain and interna­tional football star, Cristiano Ronaldo as well as US Re­publican presidential hopeful, Donald Trump.

It is not the first time that TIME will recognize the ef­forts of a Nigerian. Apart from regularly recognising the star quality of top Nigerian Nolly­wood stars like Omotola and Genevieve Nnaji, TIME rec­ognised Nigerian indigenous rap artiste, Remilekun Abdul­kalid Safaru, better known as Reminisce in 2014.

In an article titled ‘Forget Eminem: World Rappers You Should Meet’ which was pub­lished on July 12, 2014 and focuses on seven interesting international rappers ‘in­creasingly at the centre of the music scene,’ the magazine included Chord (Sweden), Salome MC (Iran), Bushido (Germany), Ogi (Brazil), Fab­ri Fibra (Italy), Huckleberry P (Korea) and Nigeria’s Remi­nisce.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/time-names-nigerian-born-blogger-among.html

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The Chief of army staff, on Thursday, March 17, likened the size Sambisa forest, stronghold of the Boko Haram terrorists, to Enugu State.

While speaking at the headquarters of the 82 division of the Nigerian army in Enugu, Buratai said it will require thorough logistics and adequate manpower to completely dislodge the sect from the forest.

“We are already in Sambisa forest, but Sambisa is as big as Enugu state, which needs thorough planning for logistics and other manpower needed,” he said.

“That accounts for the delay in flushing out the insurgents.”

The military chief also said the alleged killings of members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Abia state will be investigated by the military.

“The alleged incident of killing of MASSOB, IPOB members by the army in Aba will be investigated.

“Since my appointment, we have set out to build a professionally responsible army in the discharge of its constitutional role, which is the result of what we are seeing today.

“We have taken steps to ensure that education within the army is paramount to ensure that troops operate within the rules of engagement,” he said.



Buratai is currently on a tour of military formations across the country. Earlier in the week, he visited Edo and Oyo states.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/sambisa-forest-is-as-big-as-enugu-state.html

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The Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has commended Nigerian youths for being agents of change in the life of the present administration.

Buhari gave the commendation on Thursday in Abuja at the public presentation of a book titled: “The New Dawn Nigeria”, written by a group of youths under the canopy of Flex Digest Concept, a print media organisation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book was in honour of the change mantra of President Muhammudu Buhari.

Representing the wife of the President, Mrs Pauline Tallen, a former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, called on the youths to take their education seriously as it is their passport to the future.

"She therefore, commends the authors of this book and she prays that all of us join hands together as true change agents to help Mr President succeed in the vision for a new Nigeria.

"Mr. President is not a magician, he cannot change Nigeria alone. Mr President and his ministers are not magicians but each one of us must participate in making this change possible.

"How can we make this change possible by doing the right thing at the right time, by having the fear of God in all that we do.

"As mother of the nation she called on youths to take their studies very seriously because education is the greatest assets and passport any parent or any society can give its citizens.

"We should therefore prepare for tomorrow by doing the right things and by making sure we fight the ills in our society.’’

Buhari also commended the NYSC members for obeying the call to serve their county as part of their contribution to national development.

‘’Through your service to this nation, you will acclimatize yourselves with what is happening in various parts of the country.’’

In his remarks the Project Coordinator, Flex Digest, Mr Kangamma Uregati, said that the change mantra of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration inspired her to write the book.

"What actually brought about this book is our belief in the change mantra of President Muhammad Buhari.

"We actually believe that he is the man, who has come to transform this nation and we have been trying to put this in place since he assumed office.

"We are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that with Buhari there will be transformation in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"This book focuses on the new dawn in Nigeria; it portrays the coming of transformation; so, it is good morning to Nigeria.’’

While reviewing the book, Mr Gbenga Onaiyiga of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, said that the book had identified President Buhari as the proponent of the new dawn in Nigeria.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/nigerian-youths-are-agents-of.html

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The new Olu of Warri, Prince Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko Ogiame Ikenwole 1, the 20th Olu of Warri, on Sunday paid a courtesy visit to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at his Lagos Bourdillon residence.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/photos-olu-of-warri-visits-tinubu.html

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For handling the breast of his female customer without her consent, a 45-year-old trader, Sunny Onugu, has been charged before a Kado Grade 1 Area Court sitting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on a two-count charge of gross indecency and assault.

The police prosecutor in the case, Salisu Khaleel, told the court that one Adeyemi Rafiu had reported that the defendant had touched her breast when she went to his shop to purchase an item, an action she did not find funny.

Khaleel said that Onugu, a resident of Plot 26, Dan-Suleiman Street, Utako, in the FCT, touched Rafiu on the breast without her consent while she was paying for a candle she bought at his shop and that when the woman protested over the assault, accused defendant allegedly slapped her on the face.

Khaleel said the offences contravened Sections 285 and 265 of the Penal Code.

When the charges were read to him, Onugu, pleaded not guilty and the judge, Malam Abubakar Sadiq, granted him bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/trader-in-court-for-touching-female.html

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Former Rivers State governor and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has accused his successor, governor Nyesom Wike of lacking the political will and capacity to govern Rivers State.

Amaechi stated this on Sunday at an APC rally in Rumueme, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, ahead of the state and national assembly elections on Saturday.



Amaechi said, “Wike lacks capacity to govern. Somebody who just knows how to steal money is a bushman. Wike said, am corrupt. He should bring evidence to show. I will bring evidence to show that Wike is corrupt. Wike did the Rukpoku/ Eneka road during my tenure he did not complete it. I gave Wike the contracts to do all the roads around Aristle House(a hotel in GRA) but he failed to do them, I gave him fourteen schools to give to Obio/Akpor people, he stole them, he lacks character”.

Also speaking on the security situation in the state, Amaechi said, “When I was the governor, one thing that I kept thinking of was how to chase these criminals away but under Nyesom Wike, he meets with them. If Wike does not secure you people, the federal government will secure you. If he doesn’t want to be ignored he should go and secure you people because federal government will no longer tolerate these killings in Rivers State.

Amaechi further told his supporters not to be intimidated by Wike’s threats and come out to vote APC at Saturday’s election.

“Saturday is your day, come out and vote.They will no longer have the Police they had, they will no longer have the Army they had, we pray that INEC should be neutral, your job is to match out and vote for APC ,we will not write results like Nyesom Wike , so go back to your wards and do door to door”.

Also, in Akuku/Toru local government area, Amaechi told his party supporters to be courageous in exercising their franchise without fear of intimidation

“You see, it is not enough to provide security because if there are no votes we will lose, the implication therefore is that all of you must come out and vote for APC so that we will win the election.”,he said.

Amaechi had earlier paid condolence to the family of slain APC stalwart Mr. Ofirite Amachree who was killed and burnt beyond recognition by unknown gunmen in Buguma.


Amaechi has also pledged to assist families of slain All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Omoku, Ogba,Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers state.

Amaechi gave the assurance at the weekend when he visited families of late Frankline Obi and late Chukwuladi Adiela in Omoku, Rivers State.

The late Frankline Obi was the APC chairman of ward 4 and was killed and beheaded by unknown gunmen alongside his pregnant wife and son while late Chukwuladi Adiela was an APC stalwart of ward 14.

Addressing the deceased families, the Minister said, “The President is aware of the death of your son who was our party ward chairman. I personally gave him the photograph of the beheaded body. Everybody must learn to give account of their action or inaction in Omoku. We can’t have police and be experiencing this kind of thing. Internal security is the responsibility of the police so if we have police and keep experiencing this in Omoku it means the police in Rivers State has failed and the people that are been killed are mostly APC members”, he said.

Amaechi also told the bereaved families that the president was aware of the killings in Omoku and promised that full investigation will be carried out to unravel the killers.

“The President is fully aware of the situation. I was the governor of this state and Omoku wasn’t this bad Stay clear they will kill more. The police can’t claim not to know who the people are because I was governor, the police worked with me, we knew where the criminals were and we went after them.”

Amaechi also assured the people that arrangements have been made to beef up security ahead of the State and National Assembly re- run elections in the state.

“There will be enough security on the election day, there will be enough security to protect lives.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/wike-lacks-capacity-to-govern-rivers.html

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The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Akwa Ibom, said it had sealed the NNPC mega filling station in Uyo, for allegedly hoarding petrol.

The Controller (Operations) in charge of Akwa Ibom and Cross River, Mr Bassey Nkanga, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Eket on Sunday that the mega station had amassed the product in its storage tanks, but refused to sell it to members of the public.

Nkanga, however, said that although the state was experiencing shortage of the product, the situation was not peculiar to the area.

He appealed to residents of the state to be patient as government was working hard to redress the problem.

``The fuel scarcity is not experienced only in Akwa Ibom; it is a national problem.

``Yesterday, we got two trucks of the product for Uyo. We are monitoring the sale of the product to see if there will be any illegality,’’ Nkanga said.

Meanwhile, motorists in the state have continued to express displeasure at situation created by the scarcity of the product.

This is because a litre of the product now sells for between N170 and N200 in Eket and environs and transport fares in the area have increased as a result.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/dpr-seals-nnpc-filling-station-in-uyo.html

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state on Friday said that 38 dead principals of schools and 15 retired teachers were still being paid as substantive members of staff by the state government. Twenty eight strange names were also on the payroll in Asaba and Agbor zones.

The governor made the revelation in Asaba at an interactive session with the principals of schools in the state.

He chided the principals of such public secondary schools for feigning ignorance on the number of teachers, who were dead, absconded or had retired but who were still being paid salaries in their schools.

The governor, who expressed his disappointment at the development, said that the position of principal depicts integrity and authority.

He added that with the development, the integrity of the principals were now in doubt.

“As heads of the schools, principals will be held liable for any fraudulent activity discovered in their schools.

“A principal is a position of authority and integrity and we should care about our conduct and as principals you should know the staff in your schools.

“I know that no principal will claim not to be aware of such names in their schools, yet they allow government to pay such salaries; this is fraudulent.

“The level of connivance is high for the names to still be in the payroll.

“Principals should know when persons are out of the system through retirement and death and pass such information to the relevant authority, “Okowa said.

Okowa declared that it was fraudulent and criminal for somebody that died as far back as 2012 to still be in the payroll.

He added that it was also fraudulent for any principal to continue to give returns to such persons in their nominal rolls.

“I want to assure you that such fraudulent cases discovered will be appropriately dealt with and handed over to security agencies for prosecution,” he said.

He solicited the support of the principals to root out such fraudulent acts from schools, adding that government could not afford such wastage in the face of dwindling resources.

Okowa directed the principals to submit the nominal roll of their various schools to the office of the Head of Service.

According to the governor, the roll should contain the names of their staff including those who are dead, retired or absconded and whose names still appear in the payroll.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Chiedu Ebie, said that the meeting was held for the governor to address issues affecting the education sector.

He added that the meeting would also enable the government ensure that principals live up to the expectations in discharging their duties.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/38-dead-principals-15-ex-teachers-on.html

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The Government of Rochas Okorocha and the Joint Labour Committee have agreed on payment of 70 per cent of January salaries to public servants in Imo State.

Mr Austin Chilakpu, Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress and state government officials told journalists in Owerri on Wednesday that the gross revenue for January stood at N3.37billion.

He explained that it was because of the shortfall that made the committee to cut off 30 per cent of the salaries of workers for January 2016.

“We hope to pay up the balances when the revenue improves’’, he said

Government workers in Imo are yet to be paid January and February salaries after the February 10 mass protest that followed the sack of more than 3,000 workers by Gov. Rochas Okorocha.

Chilakpu said that the verified wage bill of workers and pension for January stood at N5.3 billion, noting that the committee got a difference of about N1.9 billion.

He added that government and the unions agreed to set up 18-man joint committee to oversee the management of revenues to the state with a view to paying workers.

“The committee agreed that 70 per cent of revenue due to the state from all sources shall be set aside for the payment of workers’ salaries while government will use 30 per cent for capital projects.’’

According to the NLC chairman, the committee had in the application of the N3,37 billion for the settlement of salaries and pension, decided to pay salary earners 70% of their salaries across board.

Chilakpu said unions were not going for downward review of workers’ salaries, but only doing the needful with the resources available.

He stated that labour has mobilised its men and to be fully involved in the payment of salaries to check cases of ghost workers.

Chilakpu hinted that unions had set up a committee of experts in financial matters to fast-track the salary payment and improve on revenue generation by the government.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical Issues who heads the government’s side of the committee, Mr Ikenna Emeh, pointed out that the 70 per cent payment of salaries was not fixed.

“The committee is an ad-hoc committee and it has no powers to borrow money but only has the authority to apply what was available for the payment of salaries and pensions.

Emeh said that the revenue of the state had increased by 15% in the last month as the IGR of the state also rose from N215 million to N400 million.

He stressed that the sub-committees on IGR set up by the committee were developing new sources of revenue to meet the target of N1 billion monthly.

“A memo has been sent to the governor to approve deployment of idle workers in the parastatals to the Board of Internal Revenue.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/okorocha-to-pay-workers-70-of-january.html

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Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, on Wednesday said ‎he would not stop criticizing the Federal Government over its bad policies despite the recent clamp down on state officials by men of the Department of State Security (DSS).

The governor, who arrived the state from Abuja where he had been since Sunday to attend PDP meeting, said no policy of the FG that is inimical to the welfare of the people would be spared by his
comments.‎

According to a press statement issued by the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, Fayose who was reacting to the development for the first time since DSS officials invaded the House
of Assembly Complex, Ado-Ekiti and whisked four lawmakers away said he remained resolute in his determination to criticise obnoxious policies of the president in the interest of Nigeria and our democracy.

The Commissioner for Finance, Chief Toyin Ojo, was also arrested by DSS officers but was released late Tuesday night.

"The Bible says people with God are in majority.‎ This is not the first time people will harass me. It is a conspiracy and it will collapse like other attempts before it. I will remain critical of the
activities of the Federal Government, especially when they do things that are inimical to the welfare of Nigerians.

"Imagine the questions they asked my Commissioner for Finance, they asked him if the Federal Government has reimbursed the state government on works done on federal roads. But the records are with them in Abuja, can't they check?‎ We have nothing to‎ hide and they are only chasing shadows and are time wasters.

"Telling the Federal Government that the economy is in trouble and that the President should stay at home to face governance is not a crime and is part of my rights‎ as a citizen of this country. I am
like a tree planted by the bank of a river that brings forth its fruits in due season," he said.

Answering question on the allegation that some people offered some lawmakers $1 million to impeach him, the governor expressed implicit confidence in the lawmakers.

"I am just coming from Abuja and I know that our ‎lawmakers are solid guys and their future and mine are tied together. When the APC was at its peak in the state and they wanted to use 19 lawmakers to impeach me, they failed woefully and they will still fail again. This is a
storm in a tea cup. They are not just starting I defeated them in all courts in the land. I won't deter from saying the truth about the FG.

“We are in the morning we have not seen what the night is going to be. If it is me that brought myself here they will succeed, but if it is God, they will have to first overcome God before overcoming me," the governor noted.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/i-wont-stop-criticizing-buhari-over-bad.html

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Federal Government that uncovered 24,000 ghost workers stealing N2billion monthly, the Bauchi State Government says it has also uncovered 19,241 ghost workers and saved N797.46 million.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Yakubu Ibn Mohammed, Special Adviser, Media and Communication, to Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of the state.

Mohammed said more than N1 billion would be saved monthly from the exercise.

He explained that the discoveries followed a verification exercise embarked upon by the government to ascertain its work force.

He added that the exercise involved the screening of both its work force and pensioners on the payroll of the state government.

Besides, Mohammed said that the exercise covered staff of the main civil service, those of the 20 local government councils and education board in the state.

He said that the figure released by the office of the state accountant-general showed that the exercise was yielding fruitful results.

The adviser stated that the exercise was being conducted “in the face of dwindling resources and in keeping with the resolve to ensure probity, accountability and prudence in governance and management of resources’’.

“Bauchi State Government has embarked on a verification exercise to ascertain the strength of its actual work force and pensioners,” he said.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/19241-ghost-workers-discovered-in-bauchi.html

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http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/photos-buhari-signs-condolence-book-of.html

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President Buhari this morning presided over the Federal Executive Council meeting, where he signed the condolence book of late Minister of State for Labor and Productivity, James Ocholi who died on Sunday March 6th. See more photos after the cut..

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/photos-buhari-signs-condolence-book-of.html

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Buhari, Femi Adesina, was a guest on Radio Continental programme last week Friday March 4th where he spoke on the recent power drop, fuel scarcity and the dwindling hope of Nigerians in this administration.

In the interview, Femi asked Nigerians to be patient with Buhari as he promised them change and that the change will not be magical. Read excerpts after the cut...



Q: Fulani herdsmen have on several occasions been accused of ransacking places they pass through while they are herding their cattle. Nigerians are wondering and asking why there seems to be a very loud silence on the part of the federal government on the matter?
A: If anybody says there is a loud silence, it means that person has not been listening. At times, it is so very easy to say there has been silence, when that is not the case, because on this issue, last week in a major interview the President spoke on it. It was relayed on NTA for about two days running. He spoke on the Fulani herdsmen issue and a statement also came out from our office on the matter. So, if anybody says the President is silent or has been silent on the issue, it baffles me. The President spoke in an interview that was relayed on NTA and TVC, and he said it is a perennial problem, and something would be done about it. He talked about cattle grazing route, and he said between the federal government and the state governors, this matter would be looked at and tackled decisively. I also remember that Chief Audu Ogbe, the Agric Minister, has also indicated that quite soon, problem of herdsmen and farmers would be over in the country because they would do something about getting feed from Brazil for cattle rearers.

Q: How does the government intend to reach these herdsmen because they are not all in a place at the same time; the President has spoken as you said, but how do you get this information to filter across herdsmen so that they are aware?
A: That is the reason the President said it is going to be between the federal government and the state governors. The state governors are closer to these herdsmen, through the state and local governments, there is a way they would be reached. They are not spirits, they are humans and they operate in environments where people can reach them, and the President has said between the federal and the state governments, something can be done. In the past, there were grazing routes in the country, it is either we return to that, or there would be something else, but I know the issue would be dealt with.

Q: Nigerians are not happy about some things that we seem not to have gotten right. One of it is the issue of power supply. Service has deteriorated, yet people are made to cough out large sums of money monthly as tariffs. What is government policy direction to ensure constant and uninterrupted power supply? We seem to be hovering around on this issue of 2,000 megawatt, sometimes 3,000, sometimes it comes down to 1,000. We cannot over emphasize on the benefits of having constant supply. Is there any intention to review the contracts that the previous government entered?
A: On the issue of power, it seems Nigerians are their own problems. You can recall about four weeks ago, the power ministry came out to say that the megawatts we had was 5070, which is an all-time high in 16 years. A few days after, some people blew installations in Bayelsa, we lost about 1600 megawatts immediately. After that, installation was blown in Delta and we lost another 1,000 megawatts. What would the government do in that kind of circumstance? If the people who should be provided power are the ones sabotaging installations, they can’t turn round to say government is not providing power. Nigerians need to determine what they want. If South Africa has about 50,000 megawatts, it is because their own people are not sabotaging their installations, they are not going to blow up the lines. If Nigerians continue to blow up and sabotage, then they can’t come around to say that there is no power.

Q: Are you saying that government is helpless in terms of protecting this vital infrastructure, with the security agencies we have? Are we saying that we are helpless, so if they keep on blowing the pipelines, we can’t do anything about it?
A: Government is not helpless, and government should never be helpless. A government that is worth its’ salt should never be helpless, but there are so many things that the government can deploy attention to, and when the attention is focused on securing installation instead of what we can call other weightier matters of the law. It is just a waste of time. We are wasting our time as a country, because other countries don’t have that distraction, they don’t have to deploy troops to monitor installations, because nobody would sabotage installations since he knows the thing is for his own good. I think, in this country we need to get to a point where we should realize that when we do certain things, we are hurting ourselves and not the government.

Q: Now that we know the issue is there, what do we do to eliminate sabotage?
A: Government will do what it should do, but short of lining up soldiers from Lagos to everywhere, in fact it can’t stop. We Yorubas have a saying that you are never as smart as the person watching you, because he would find a time when you are distracted, when you are not alert and strike. That is what is happening. No matter the security that you put round these installations that cover several hundreds or thousands of kilometers, how do you monitor them and those who want to sabotage would not find a place where they can attack?

Q: Shouldn’t the government have a counter plan to make sure that these people do not have their way?
A: The government is not omnipotent or omniscient. The government cannot be everywhere at every time. That is the reason the onus is on Nigeria to see these installations as their own. When you blow up installations, who are you hurting? You are hurting the people and the society. That is what we should realize. Last week in Qatar, the president said vandalism is a disincentive to foreign investment, because potential investors hear and read all these things, that installations are sabotaged in Nigeria. So if investors refuse to come because of that, who gets hurt? It is not the government, it is the people. I think we need a lot more patriotism in that aspect.

Q: Is there no other source of getting power?
A: Don't forget that when the power ministry announced that we had 5070 megawatts recently, it also said that by December, another 2,000 megawatts would be added to it; giving us 7,070 megawatts. That brings a lot of hope, but that hope is dampened, when few days after, they begin to blow up installations, and you lose 3000 megawatts. Talking of alternative sources, a lot is in process. Because every country the president has visited, power has been an issue, and I know that a number of people have come up with alternatives, what they can do to help Nigeria, and talks are on-going. Very soon, I believe that those talks would yield results.

Q: What is the panacea to end recurring fuel queues, especially with the issue of building new refineries?
A: Let me try to put in perspective the fuel supply situation in the country. What caused the latest round of queues is that there is a breach in supply, which came from two ends. One, from the importation end and two, from the distribution end in the country. We have NNPC bringing in 70 per cent of fuel used in the country and the other 30 per cent is supposed to be provided by independent marketers. The independent marketers are not really doing much because of the differential in dollar rate currently. Before they can import, they expect government to do something in terms of dollar differential; but government is limited because we are not earning much dollar. The only way Nigerian government gets dollar is through sale of crude oil, and we know that price has gone continuously down, that is what caused the breach in supply, because everything is imported. We are not refining much most times; and added to that is the fact that Europe is in winter. During winter, you cannot predict importation as in other seasons of the year, because there are some parts of the world where the seas are virtually frozen and ships can’t sail. A ship that you could predict would arrive after 30 days during summer, would arrive at 40-45 days because of the vagaries of the weather. This is another thing that affected importation into the country. There is this third issue, which is very important because it links to what we have said earlier. All these ships that bring in fuel are insured internationally, and international insurers are refusing to insure ships going to Port-Harcourt and Warri because of the aggressiveness in the area. They follow all these things, all these pipelines that are vandalised and all of that, they follow. Therefore, those ships land in Lagos, and then you transport fuel by road to those areas. All these are complexities about our country that need to be looked at. I have said that Nigerians themselves must decide to address these complexities.

Q: What is government’s policy on new refineries?


A: You would recall that Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who is NNPC GMD and minister of state for petroleum, has said that our existing refineries are not better than scraps, and that already has foreshadowed the fact that there would be a new policy for refineries.

Q: What is your answer on the issue of stipend of N5, 000 to the vulnerables or graduates because there seems to be contradiction. Is government paying because it is included in the budget?

Q: There are two things we need to isolate. There is this notion that government was meant to pay N5,000 for unemployed graduates. That was the popular notion and that was what the President corrected, that instead of paying N5,000 to unemployed graduates, he would rather provide infrastructure, he would rather give them enabling environment to be useful than giving out dole to them. But there is one that is already captured in the budget, it is called the conditional cash transfer, which is going to be given to the poorest of the poor.

Q: Nigerians are complaining about many things. Is the government aware?
A: I think Nigerians have always complained, and we should learn to stop complaining and believe more. If you have elected a government because you believe it can bring change;(because these complains started from the first month), and you have not allowed them to isolate what the problems are, and articulate what the solutions would be, and you begin to have all these complaints, I think it is not natural. What government needs at a time like this, is cooperation and support. The President said this at an interview last week. He said things deteriorated over 16 years that PDP was in power, this is the ninth month of this government, and you want everything to have changed. It is not real. There must be realistic expectation, and realistic expectation will demand that people are patient, supportive, and encourage the government. This is a government that is working for the people. Somebody said two days ago that this is a government that is "pro-poor", which is true. Then, all these complaints would not do anybody any good. Rather than complaining, let us cooperate, support and encourage.
The promised change would come. Don't forget that our President said it would take a minimum of 18 months to revive the economy. Nigerians don’t listen to something like that, they want magic immediately. It doesn’t happen that way. This change will come, but it would follow a process, and it would be enduring.


http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/nigerians-want-magic-but-change-is-what.html

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The richest African alive and also president of Dangote group, Aliko Dangote has predicted that his business estate would start selling foreign exchange to the Central Bank of Nigeria by 2020.

Speaking at The Nigeria Summit hosted by The Economist, Dangote stated that the problems facing the Nigerian economy should not be blamed on the dwindling price of oil, as the same oil traded for $9 per barrel in 1998.

He also said that by 2018, his company should generate about 12,000 megawatts of electricity for Nigeria by 2018.

He said: “We are looking at a situation that by 2020 we are the one selling FX to CBN. Our projects are mainly import substitution. We are working to be self-sufficient to grow about a million tonnes of rice over the next five years.”

“Our gas project would have our gas pipelines on the sea bed. The output should be able to provide about 12,000MW power. We see a lot of transformation when we are done with most of our projects by 2018.”

“We have 15 countries in the ECOWAS community that is duty-free. Export market is big and profitable if you have capacity. Players in the manufacturing should be encouraged to export if they have the capacity. We must also meet local consumption.”

He also charged the government not to forsake the diversification of the economy even when the price of oil bounces back to normal.

“Diversification of the economy should be given priority, if we do not do it now, maybe we never will. People sometimes underestimate the economy of Nigeria by simply looking at the FX situation.”

“Lower oil prices does not spell doom. In 1998 oil price fell to $9. There are opportunities in every ‘crisis’ situation. Once oil gets back to $80, we forget about diversifying the economy. Now is the time to diversify the economy.”

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/dangote-to-generate-12000-megawatts-for.html

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International Health Management Services (IHMS), one of Nigeria’s leading health maintenance organisations, has appointed award-winning actor and comedian, Hafiz Oyetoro, more popularly known as ‘Saka’, as its brand ambassador.

Oyetoro was unveiled on Friday as the new face of IHMS at a well-attended media luncheon held at the company’s head office in Lagos.

“Hafiz Oyetoro is a worthy ambassador of this generation. His value and passion for excellence in his chosen career is in consonance with the objectives and goals of IHMS as a first class health maintenance organisation,” Dr Chidi Ukandu, Chief Executive Officer of IHMS.

“We are convinced that he will add value to our brand as well as connect seamlessly with IHMS subscribers and potential subscribers,” says Ukandu.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/saka-now-brand-ambassador-of.html

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A Bomb explosion rocked the Jimeta Divisional Police Headquarters, in Yola, Adamawa State this morning. Eyewitnesses say the explosion happened at about 11am. The area has been thrown into confusion. Number of casualty is yet unknown. Details later. More photos after the cut..


http://www.metronaija.com/2016/02/photos-from-yola-bomb-blast.html

Read more of breaking news at http://www.metronaija.com/2016/02/breaking-news-bomb-blast-in-yola-this.html

An explosion tore through a police station in Yola, northeast Nigeria, on Thursday, a rescue official told AFP, but casualty figures were not immediately available.

Aliyu Maikano, an official with the Nigerian Red Cross, said the blast in the Jimeta area of the city was caused by an “explosive device”.

The blast “wrought massive destruction on the building” and sparked a fire, he added.

“We’ve been told by security personnel that there are two more explosives that are yet to detonate,” said Maikano.

“All rescue respondents are staying outside from a distance waiting for a signal from the security agents to go in and start rescue operations.

“I’m now standing by the primary school overlooking the burning police station. Not a single casualty has been brought out because we can’t get in yet.”

The explosion, which happened at 11:30 am (1030 GMT), was confirmed by two local residents, while the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it was responding to a “bomb blast”.

Yola has been targeted before as part of Boko Haram’s Islamist insurgency in northeast Nigeria, which has left at least 17,000 people dead since 2009.

On November 17 last year, at least 34 people were killed and 80 others injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off at a lorry park in the Jambutu area of the city.

At least 27 people were killed and 96 wounded in a blast at a Jambutu mosque on October 23.

An IED left at a camp for people displaced by the conflict in Malkohi, just outside Yola, killed seven on September 11.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the explosion or an indication of what caused it, but Boko Haram has previously targeted police stations and government buildings.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/02/breaking-news-bomb-blast-in-yola-this.html

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Wife of President Buhari, Aisha Buhari, visited the Samsung office in South Korea two days ago. She was received by Samsung's Vice President Marketing, J.H. Chung. She also visited the Nigerian Embassy in South Korea. Continue to see more photos...

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/02/photos-aisha-buhari-visits-south-korea.html

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has sent congratulatory messages to ex-President Alhaji Shehu Shagari on his 91st birthday.

Shagari turned 91 today, February 25, 2016.

GEJ also described Shagari as a blessing to the nation.

He also asked God to grant Shagari more productive and fruitful years.

GEJ said “I am glad the Almighty Allah has blessed you with long life and good health, in line with your selfless dedication to noble causes and human progress.

“You have been of immense blessing to Nigeria while serving her in various capacities as a teacher, nationalist, politician and statesman.”

Adding that “The nation will continue to be grateful to you because of your vision, wisdom, democratic ideals and outstanding achievements as President.

“Your altruism, patriotism and long-standing commitment to peace and development will continue to inspire many Nigerians to offer their best to their country.”

The ex-President’s former Aide de Camp (ADC), Col. Ojogbane Adegbe, has slammed a N100million lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged unlawful detention.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/02/goodluck-jonathan-congratulates-shagari.html

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Former leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Front (NDPVF) Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo has revealed that the name Biafra did not originate from the Igbos, contrary to claims.

He claims Maj. Isaac Adaka Boro coined the name at a meeting with then Col. Chukwuemeka Ojukwu around 1966.

Asari also said an a proof supporting his claim could be found in chapter six of his Boro’s autobiography titled: Twelve Day Revolution.

The ex militant said “Ignorance can be a terrible disease but it is curable if the sufferer is ready to humble himself to learn and accept the cure for his sickness. Biafra is a Kalabari Ijaw phrase Bia fulo meaning not properly cooked. “

Adding that “The Kalabari of Kula named the estuary of Santa Barbara Bia fulo because of the turbulence of the sea at the estuary. The Portuguese like they did to many other names, words and phrases which they could not pronounce properly named the area Biafra. Later the coastline from the estuary of River Nun to the coast of Gabon was named the Bight of Biafra.”

Asari also said “The doyen of our struggle Isaac Adaka Boro clearly affirmed that Ijaw is BIiafra in chapter six, page 57 of his autobiography ‘Twelve Day Revolution’. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, before the declaration of secession, convoked an Eastern Nigerian consultative Assembly to decide on the direction and way forward for the Eastern Region after the 1966/1967 pogrom against Easterners in the north.



“The assembly debated on many names put forward by delegates and chose Biafra which was put forward by Frank Opigo an Ijaw.”

Melford Dokubo Goodhead Jr., now known as Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo was born in 1964 into a Christian family. His Father was a Judge.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/02/biafra-is-ijaw-not-igbo-asari-dokubo.html

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President Buhari received the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, at the state house today February 16th. He also met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who is a pastor in his church. See more photos after the cut...


http://www.metronaija.com/2016/02/photos-pres-buhari-receives-pastor.html

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