₦airaland Forum

A fresh crisis looms in the Senate.

Members on Monday appeared divided over the planned probe of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde, over alleged diversion of stolen funds recovered from looters.

While the Senate leadership said the probe would proceed as scheduled on Wednesday (tomorrow), members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the upper federal legislative chamber kicked against the probe.

The EFCC boss, according to a petition before the Senate, has been accused of diverting N1tn said to have been recovered from a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; and a former Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun.

The petitioner, Dr. George Uboh, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Panic Alert Security Systems, had petitioned the Senate through the senator representing his Delta North constituency, Peter Nwaoboshi, alleging that Lamorde, in connivance with other EFCC officials, short-changed the Federal Government in the remittance of funds and properties recovered from Alamieyeseigha and Balogun.

The probe of the EFCC boss by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions has been scheduled to begin on Wednesday (tomorrow).

After an earlier arguments over the propriety of the investigation by the Senate, the PDP senators later in a statement signed by the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio; his deputy, Emmanuel Bwacha; Minority Whip, Philip Aduda; and his deputy, Biodun Olujimi, rejected the planned probe.

The PDP senators’ statement, issued late on Monday, partly read, “It has come to the notice of the PDP leadership in the Senate that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions would begin a public hearing on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 and the committee has invited the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to appear before it.

“The PDP leadership in the Senate is not against any committee of the Senate performing its oversight duties and or functions but we feel that this is not the appropriate time to embark on the most important assignment, particularly since the same action was mooted and had failed at previous plenary session.

“We therefore urge the committee to suspend its public hearing on this particular matter until further notice.

“The PDP senate leadership reassures the Nigerian public of its support for the war against corruption by the Federal Government of Nigeria but hastens to add that such fight against corruption should be total and not selective.

“Nigerians need peace at this period of economic challenges precipitated by the falling of oil prices and actions that will overheat the polity and generate unnecessary friction between the executive and the legislature should be avoided.”

Our correspondent learnt that there had been a heated argument among senators earlier on Monday with the senior lawmakers divided on the scheduled investigation of Uboh’s petition against Lamorde.

Some members of the committee to probe the EFCC boss were said to have disagreed sharply over the investigation, though the anti-graft commission released a statement to say that the commission under Lamorde feared no probe.

The commission, in a statement by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, described Uboh’s petition as mischievous and intended to smear Lamorde.

The statement read in part, “The EFCC as an agency that is founded on transparency is not afraid of any ‘probe’ or request for information regarding its activities by individuals, groups or organs of government; so far as such requests followed due process of law.

“Even if the EFCC had not returned a kobo of recovered assets in its 12 years existence in addition to the yearly appropriated funds from the Federation Account, it will be nowhere near a trillion naira.

“It (the petition) was sent, not to the Senate but to a member, Senate Peter Nwaoboshi, a first-term senator from Delta North.

“Under the Senate rules, petitions meant for consideration by the red chamber are sent to the Senate, not to a member of the Senate.

“Also, petitions meant for the Senate are tabled at the plenary, before they are referred to the relevant committees for further consideration. In this instance, the Senate has been on recess and there is no evidence that the so-called petition was considered at plenary and referred to any committee.”

According to the commission, the EFCC under Lamorde did not need the prompting of anyone when it commissioned KPMG, an audit firm, to carry out comprehensive audit of exhibits and forfeited assets of the Commission from 2003 to date.

It said that the report of the audit would be made public once it is ready.

The statement added, “Were the Commission to be jittery about its records, it would not have embarked on such audit.

“The EFCC however warns that those who peddle false information with the intent to mislead should be reminded that there is a subsisting law on false information and the consequence for violation is grave.”

Attempts to speak with Akpabio, as of the time of filing this report, were futile as calls made to his mobile phones did not connect while the text message sent to him was also not acknowledged.

A member of the committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, explained to one of our correspondents that a motion was sponsored on financial crimes earlier in the month, seeking, among others, the invitation of Lamorde to appear before the Senate.

The senator said that one of the prayers in the motion as it specifically affected Lamorde’s invitation was rejected by the majority of the senators during plenary and that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had no option but to rule it out.

He said, “We were however surprised that the probe was channelled through the back door in form of a petition. We had discussed it in our meeting and some of us believe that we should allow the petitioner to seek redress in a court of law.

“If the chairman (of the ethics committee) still decides to go ahead with the invitation of the EFCC chairman, we will have no choice but to write our own minority report at the end of the exercise because we believe it is an issue that could be settled in court.”

But the Chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, told one of our correspondents on the telephone on Monday that there was no disagreement among the committee members and that the probe would go on as scheduled.

He said, “There is no confusion anywhere, we are inviting the EFCC chairman and the man that wrote a petition against him. This is different from the decision taken on the floor of the Senate over a motion.

“Our committee is intact and there is no dissenting voice, we will go ahead with the probe on Wednesday by the grace of God. We have the mandate of Nigerians to discharge our lawful functions as lawmakers; hence we will treat the petition on its merit.”

Also, when contacted, the Senate spokesperson, Dino Melaye, said he was not aware of the disagreement among members of the committee over Lamorde and that the probe had nothing to do with the rejection of an earlier prayer in a motion seeking his invitation by the Senate.

Melaye said, “The rule of the Senate permits its Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions to invite anybody indicted in a petition. It has nothing to do with any resolution of the entire house.

“I am aware that the committee will proceed with the invitation of the EFCC boss as scheduled on Wednesday. A formal letter had been sent to him in that regard.”

The offences alleged against Larmode were said to have been committed when he was the Director of Operations of the EFCC between 2003 and 2007, as well as an acting Chairman of the commission between June 2007 and May 2008.

Copyright PUNCH.

BARELY a year after he moved a motion for the adoption of former President Goodluck Jonathan as sole candidate for the 2015 Presidential election, acting Board of Trustees Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Haliru Bello Mohammed yesterday confessed that the decision was part of the problems that finally destroyed the party’s chances at the polls.

Mohammed in a statement issued in Abuja, lamented that the violation of the PDP’s zoning formula in 2011 was the genesis of the party’s crisis.

In moving the motion for Jonathan’s adoption at the September 17, 2014 meeting of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC), Mohammed had said that there was no reason to change a winning formula, adding that the President (Jonathan) had performed well enough to deserve a second term.

“In PDP, we have a tradition of queuing up behind our leaders. President Jonathan has performed creditably well‎ as attested to by all the organs of the party.

‘‘Therefore, for the good of Nigeria and for the good work that the PDP is doing for the country, I move that the NEC endorses the candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s candidate in the 2015 election,” Mohammed had said.

Former governor of the old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, who seconded the motion, also said the Jonathan team had done well and deserved a second term. The motion received an overwhelming affirmative voice vote.

Despite ‎massive criticisms from other members of the PDP against the adoption, PDP leaders then insisted on pushing ahead with the sole candidate decision as originated by Mohammed.

But on an apparent departure from his earlier position, Mohammed who now serves as the chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees issued a press statement in Abuja yesterday condemning the leadership of the party for acting in violation of the party’s rules.

The statement which was signed by his Special Assistant on Media,
Mr. Emeka Nwapa, attributed the rapid decline in the fortunes of the party to the abrogation of its policy of rotation and zoning in 2011.

He lamented that this aberration severely undermined the principle of justice and equity on which the party was founded in 1998.

He added that the shameful defeat in the last Presidential election was the sad price the party had to pay for jettisoning its policy of rotation and zoning.

Mohammed, who noted that the shortcoming led to widespread crisis of confidence in the party, said that the zoning policy was a major attraction to the party, which offers all members equity, justice and a sense of belonging.

He said: “When the founding fathers formed the party in 1998, they established the principle of justice and equity whereby power resided with the people, who could decide who became what at any point in time. But overtime, the party swerved away and breached the principle thereby disrupting its internal democracy. When in 2011 the party abandoned its zoning formula, the party dealt on itself a major blow because that action served the first notice that it had disconnected with the masses. So we must go back to the culture of zoning and rotation of offices.

“The PDP remains the only true national party in the country with its flag in all nooks and crannies whose members are assured that they can always aspire to any available position as long as zoning and rotation hold sway as a cardinal policy of the party.”

He advised that something must be done about the practice of putting the party at the whims and mercy of moneybags and the highest bidder to the exclusion of many members.

“We must run away from a practice that leaves the party at the mercy of moneybags who, more often than not, seek to hijack the processes of the party at the detriment of promoting genuine internal democracy through which only capable, credible and popular candidates can emerge to contest elections with assurance of victory,” he said.

He called for party supremacy in all affairs of the party, stressing that elected and appointed office holders should not be allowed to dominate party decisions while party meetings should be restricted to party offices in the states and the centre.

“The policies and manifesto of the party should also guide the activities of public office holders who are either elected or appointed on the platform of the party in line with good governance and best practices,” Mohammed said.

On party funding, he advocated a system whereby members make their statutory contributions to the party as prescribed by the party’s constitution, noting that it is a major sustainable means of getting the party to meet its obligations and responsibilities.

He requested that the party gives more attention to elders and its founding fathers many of whom he observed are still in the party but are indifferent to the affairs and fortunes of the party owing to lack of patronage.

The BoT Chairman said, “in the recent years, many of our leaders, elders and founding fathers have been abandoned in spite of their abiding interest in the party. Some have left, some chose to remain but are either inactive, unconcerned or indifferent because nobody has bothered to look for them. This is not acceptable. If there is any time we need them for advice and counsel, it is now.”

www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/08/pdp-violates-its-own-rules-says-bot-chair-mohammed/

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WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH INDIGENOUS OIL PRODUCERS, PRESIDENT BUHARI TELLS NNPC
President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Abuja assured indigenous companies operating in Nigeria's oil and gas sector of the full support and protection of his administration.
At a meeting with members of the Independent Petroleum Producers Association in the Presidential Villa, President Buhari commended their determination to increase the participation of Nigerians in the country's oil industry and promised to do all within his powers to address the challenges which they currently face.
The President then directed the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to work more closely with the indigenous oil producers to resolve the problems which they enumerated to him.
“We have the manpower for a more effective participation in our oil industry. We will give you all possible encouragement. You certainly won't be ignored under my leadership," President Buhari told members of the association which represents about 20 Nigerian companies operating mainly on onshore fields.
The President particularly assured the Nigerian oil producers that the present administration will take appropriate actions to maintain and enhance security in their areas of operation, noting that better security will help to lower production costs, which, he said, had become unnecessarily high in the country.
Mr. Austin Avuru, who spoke on behalf of the Nigerian oil producers, told the President of challenges currently being faced by the group such as security and the funding of joint ventures with the NNPC.
He told the President that the indigenous oil producers were already making significant contributions to the development of the Nigerian economy and could do more with the support of the present administration.
Also Wednesday in Abuja, President Buhari commended ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation to generate more revenue through its various agencies.
President Buhari, who spoke at the end of a briefing by Mrs. Nkechi Ejele, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, thanked her for “a very good presentation” and promised that his government will support the Ministry's activities.
The Permanent Secretary presented a number of proposals to the President, including the easing of visas for tourists and the establishment of a tourism development fund.
Garba Shehu
SSA to the President
(Media & Publicity)

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that no amount of pressure will make him give up the war against corruption in the country.
The president stated this to a group of Nigerians, who marched to the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday, to pledge their full support for his administration’s anti-corruption campaign.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, Buhari promised a relentless prosecution of the war against corruption with due regards for the rule of law.
He said that all persons charged with stealing the nation’s resources would have their day in court and that upon conviction, their ill-gotten wealth would be seized and returned to government coffers.
“I believe it is time for Nigeria to change course. That is why I sought election as President and got elected.
“As President, I am determined that Nigeria must move away from a course of endemic corruption that was leading us to perdition.
“There can be no question of our wilfully allowing anyone to get away with corruption.
“No matter the pressure and entreaties, the anti-corruption war will continue and all accused persons will have their day in court,” the president said.
Welcoming the support of the group known as Nigerians March Against Corruption, Buhari also reaffirmed his commitment in curbing insecurity in the country and boosting employment opportunities for Nigerians, especially the youths.
He called for the continued support and solidarity of Nigerians as the present administration was determined to correct the wrongs of the past.
The group, led by Aisha Yesufu had condemned recent statements by some individuals against the president’s anti-corruption campaign.
It assured Buhari that the vast majority of ordinary Nigerians fully supported his ongoing efforts to curb corruption.
The group also urged him not to be deterred by the antics of those who did not share his laudable vision of a fairer, more equitable, corruption-free and progressive nation.

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saharareporters.com/2015/08/10/professor-sagay-head-buhari’s-presidential-panel-corruption

Professor Sagay To Head Buhari’s Presidential Panel On Corruption
Mr. Adesina also announced that in support of the Federal Government’s efforts, a $5 million Anti-Corruption and Criminal Justice Reform Fund has been established by three international development partners: the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation and Open Society Foundation.
BY SAHARA REPORTERS, NEW YORKAUG 10, 2015
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption headed by Professor Itse Sagay, a prominent professor of law and civil rights activist.


Professor Itse Sagay, Chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption
Personal Website
A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina said “the committee would advise the current government on the prosecution of the war against corruption and the implementation of required reforms in Nigeria's criminal justice system.”

Other members of the Committee include Professor Femi Odekunle, a professor of Criminology at the Ahmadu Bello University; Dr. (Mrs) Benedicta Daudu, an Associate Professor of International Law at the University of Jos; Prof. E. Alemika, a Professor of Sociology at the University of Jos; Professor Sadiq Radda, Professor of Criminology at Bayero University in Kano State; and Hadiza Bala Usman, a Civil Society Activist.

The final member, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, will double as the committee’s Executive Secretary

The group is also expected to develop comprehensive interventions for achieving its recommended reforms, the statement said.

Mr. Adesina also announced that in support of the Federal Government’s efforts, a $5 million Anti-Corruption and Criminal Justice Reform Fund has been established by three international development partners: the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation and Open Society Foundation.

The Fund is aimed at assisting the implementation of key components of the Action Plan and the work of the Presidential Advisory Committee.

The fund will be managed by Trust Africa, an international development Civil Society Organisation with a program presence in more than 25 African countries.

saharareporters.com/2015/08/10/professor-sagay-head-buhari’s-presidential-panel-corruption
saharareporters.com/2015/08/10/professor-sagay-head-buhari’s-presidential-panel-corruption

The Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State will on Saturday witness what has been described as the the ‘mother of all defections’ in the state, The PUNCH has reliably learnt.

This is coming barely three months to the governorship election in the state slated for December 5.

At the last count, no fewer than 70 heavyweights and over 500 followers are expected to dump the ruling party in the state, the PDP, for the new bride in the state – the All Progressives Congress.

In a list obtained from the arrowhead of the defection, Chief Alex Ekiotenne, who is a former Honorary Adviser to Governor Seriake Dickson, on Sunday, a former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission and ex-Special Adviser to President Umaru Yar’Adua, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe; Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; ex-former Acting Governors Nestor Binabo and Werinipre Seibarugu, are leading the pack of defectors to the APC.

Others are former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa during Timipre Sylva regime, Peremobowei Ebebi; Senator John Brambaifa, Senator Clever Ikisipo, Ambassador Emmanuel Otiotio, a former House of Representatives member, Dr. Stella Dorgu; a former NDDC chairman, Prof. Tarila Tebepah; and Rear Admiral FBI Porbeni (retd.).

Also, former Reps members – Christopher Enai, Warman Ogoriba, Bonus Indiamaowei, Nelson Belief, Nadu Karibo, former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gideon Ekeowe; and former Deputy Speaker, Fini Angaye, will jump into the APC ship on Saturday.

Ekiotenne added that former commissioners in the state, such as Lionel Jonathan-Omo, Chief Alex Ekiotenne (himself), Charity Vedalago, Sylvanus Abila, Chief Abeke Ebikake, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha, Godknows Powell, Capt. Matthew Karim (retd.), Chief Nathan Egba, Topido Amananagha, Ebitimi Amgbaye, Frank Oputu, were among the defectors.

He said the defectors also comprised Chief Hings Dumbo, Selebina Saboh, Prince Abeki, Mrs. Tonye Apreala, Miebi Biribina (philanthropist), and many former special advisers and Governor representatives, among others.

Ekiotenne said the defectors would formally declare for the APC at a mega rally on Saturday in the state.

He said the defectors would be received by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; National Chairman, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; five governors, former Governor Timipre Sylva and top stalwarts of the party, including its Chairman, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe.

Since the PDP conducted the last primary elections for the state and National Assembly polls in the state, the ruling party had been torn apart.

When contacted, Alaibe and former Acting Governor, Binabo, confirmed they were leaving for the APC.

Alaibe said he had made up his mind on leaving the PDP, vowing that nothing would stop his defection.

“I am leaving for the APC and will formally declare for the party at the mega rally on Saturday,” the ex-NDDC managing director said.

Binabo, on his part, confirmed that he was leaving but said he could only speak for himself.

“I am leaving the PDP, that is all. I can’t speak any other person,” he noted.

www.punchng.com/news/alaibe-ex-senator-lead-bayelsa-pdp-mass-defection-to-apc/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT BUHARI INITIATES MOVE FOR DOMESTIC WEAPONS PRODUCTION

President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abuja directed the Federal Ministry of Defence to produce a plan for the establishment of a modest Military Industrial Complex for the local production of weapons to meet some of the requirements of the country's armed forces.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the National Defence College, President Buhari described as unacceptable, Nigeria's current over-dependence on other countries for critical military equipment and logistics.

"We must evolve viable mechanisms for near-self-sufficiency in military equipment and logistics production complemented only by very advanced foreign technologies.

"The Ministry of Defence is being tasked to draw up clear and measurable outlines for development of a modest Military Industrial Complex for Nigeria.

"In this regard, it is to liaise with other strategic MDAs and industries to re-engineer the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to meet national military hardware and logistics requirements," the President said.

President Buhari told the gathering that his administration had, since its assumption of office, reviewed the nature and character of Nigeria's security threats and challenges.

"We recognized first and foremost, the external dimensions of these threats and the need for international cooperation and common security mechanisms to tackle them," the President said.

President Buhari added that in the light of this realization, his Administration was "convinced that the best approach was to work within the framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) to mobilize a collective regional effort in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.

The President urged the graduates and officers and men of the Armed Forces to work harder to win the war against Boko Haram, terrorism and insurgency.

"We must apply a comprehensive strategy and coordinate all elements of national power against terrorism and insurgency; we must show result oriented leadership at all levels of military Command; we must set up an optimal organization to manage and sustain operational performance; and we must show confidence and winning mentality," President Buhari told them.

The President assured that the Federal Government under his leadership will strive to meet the operational, logistic, training and welfare requirements of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to ameliorating the hardships of people living in areas most affected by insurgency and terrorism.

"We have the will, resolve and conviction to apply a comprehensive strategy and coordinate all elements of national power against terrorism and insurgency," the President reassured Nigerians and the international community.

President Buhari said that the National Defence College had fulfilled the vision of its founding fathers, by becoming a strategic human capacity-building institution, making credible contributions to Nigeria and other friendly countries.

The President urged graduates of the College's Course 23 to resolve to make "a marked difference in your future deployments and contribute your quota to the evolution and implementation of national security, defence and military strategies."

"You should be the source that lights up the environment wherever you find yourselves," he told them.

Garba Shehu
SSA to the President
(Media and Publicity)
August 7, 2015

The Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja has dismissed four out of the five petitions filed to challenge the election of Chief Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party as the governor of the state.

The only surviving petition challenging the declaration of Wike as the winner of the April 11 election is the one filed by the All Progressives Congress and its governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

Though, one of the four petitions marked EPT/RV/GOV/05/2015 was voluntarily withdrawn by the petitioner, Kemka Elenwo, who was KOWA Party’s governorship candidate in the election, the three others were dismissed on technical grounds based on the application by Wike and the PDP.

The Justice Mu’azu Pindiga-led tribunal on Wednesday dismissed the fourth petition marked EPT/RV/GOV/03/2015 which was filed by Minaibim Harry of the Social Democratic Party on the grounds that the petition was incompetent.

The tribunal held that it lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the petition since the two grounds on which it was anchored were defective because they were not in strict compliance with the provisions of Section 138(1) (a) to (d) of the Electoral Act.

The said provision of the Electoral Act prescribes the grounds on which an election petition can be filed.

Other petitions that have been dismissed by the tribunal include the one filed by the Labour Party (EPT/RV/GOV/01/2015) and another by the All Progressive Grand Alliance and its candidate, Charles Harry, (EPT/RV/GOV/02/2015).

In its ruling on July 31, Justice Pindiga, who dismissed the petition by the Labour Party which fielded Tonye Princewill in the April 11 election, held that the party did not have a candidate for the election having not complied with the requirement under Section 85(1) of the Electoral Act (EA) 2010.

It noted that the notice given by the petitioner to INEC of its intention to conduct a primary election from which the petitioner’s candidate purportedly emerged “is less than the mandatory 21 days required by Section 85(1) of the Electoral Act.

“By implication, the effect of this non-compliance, is that no valid primary election was conducted and held by the petitioner and its purported candidate.”

The tribunal also found that the petitioner did not comply with the required procedure for applying for the issuance of pre-hearing notice, a default which rendered the petition inconsequential.



http://www.punchng.com/news/tribunal-dismisses-four-petitions-against-wikes-election/

Joe Igbokwe
The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, has admonished all Igbo politicians to do what is honorable, and maintain their integrity by assisting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in building an impenetrable opposition instead of defecting to the APC which is the ruling party, all in the name of financial gain and business interests.
Igbokwe confirmed this as the only way the party can be taken seriously and accorded respect via an article titled, ‘Can the Igbo play opposition for the next 10 years’, the APC chieftain maintained that the Igbo would not die if they are not in the APC or part of the government.
He opined that, “After all, the Yoruba have been in the opposition for a long time—since the 1960s, and they have not perished. Let the Igbo work with other PDP leaders across Nigeria to start strategising to reposition, rebrand, and rebuild the PDP. This is the way to political rebirth and redemption. If you have bushes to clear, you have to sharpen your cutlass very well.”
Igbokwe also drew attention to the shameful attitude of many Igbo politicians, who were searching for ways to defect to the APC, out of regret, following the loss of Goodluck Jonathan at the presidential election.
He revealed that not long after President Muhammadu Buhari defeated Jonathan on March 28, there was widespread panic among the Igbo politicians, businessmen, women and the traders.
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He said, “I remember a night in the house of a very successful Igbo trader in Ikoyi shortly after the presidential election, when it became obvious that President Buhari had carried the day. They gathered to contribute money to support the APC. Even those who travelled home for the Easter holiday donated money from the East just to belong. I felt ashamed that my people couldn’t defend their honour and integrity even in the time of trouble.
“After the 2015 election, when the Igbo lost their resources by putting all their eggs in one basket, many Igbo leaders claimed that the Igbo made the right political choices given the circumstances on the ground then. Yes, the Igbo have said they voted right, but in action and in deed, they have been busy looking for ways to sneak into the APC.
“On Saturday, July 25, 2015, a group that worked against the APC in Lagos called Igbo United Political Forum organised a programme to honor Governor Rochas Okorocha. Behind the smokescreen was an attempt to
sneak through the back door to the APC, having missed the front door on March 28 and April 11, 2015. The organisers reaped what they sowed, as all the APC leaders they invited
stayed away.
“They licked their wounds and went home to cry. Time and space will not permit me to recall various moves our people have made to find their way to the APC. Those who are still very angry about the colossal loss have pitched their tent with the Biafra mantra. When we lose out in national politics as a result of myopic and timid political thinking and calculation, the next move is to resort to ethnic politics. Nobody is deceived.”


www.today.ng/politics/08054320-yorubas-played-opposition-years-didnt-perish-igbokwe-tells-ndigbo/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

http://www.punchng.com/politics/igbo-should-play-opposition-for-10-years-igbokwe/




Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, Mr. Joe Igbokwe
Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, Mr. Joe Igbokwe
The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, on Tuesday advised Igbo politicians to take the path of honour by helping the Peoples Democratic Party to build a formidable opposition rather than defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress because of their business interest.

Igbokwe said by doing this, the world would take them seriously.

The APC chieftain, in an article entitled, ‘Can the Igbo play opposition for the next 10 years’, published on Sahara Reporters, said the Igbo would not die if they are not in the APC or part of the government.

“After all, the Yoruba have been in the opposition for a long time—since the 1960s, and they have not perished. Let the Igbo work with other PDP leaders across Nigeria to start strategising to reposition, rebrand, and rebuild the PDP. This is the way to political rebirth and redemption. If you have bushes to clear, you have to sharpen your cutlass very well,” he said.

Igbokwe noted that it was shameful that many Igbo politicians, who claimed they were right to have voted for former President Goodluck Jonathan at the last poll, were regretting their decision and looking for ways to join the APC.

He said shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari defeated Jonathan on March 28, panic gripped Igbo politicians, businessmen, women and the traders.

He said, “I remember a night in the house of a very successful Igbo trader in Ikoyi shortly after the presidential election, when it became obvious that President Buhari had carried the day. They gathered to contribute money to support the APC. Even those who travelled home for the Easter holiday donated money from the East just to belong. I felt ashamed that my people couldn’t defend their honour and integrity even in the time of trouble.

“After the 2015 election, when the Igbo lost their resources by putting all their eggs in one basket, many Igbo leaders claimed that the Igbo made the right political choices given the circumstances on the ground then. Yes, the Igbo have said they voted right, but in action and in deed, they have been busy looking for ways to sneak into the APC.

“On Saturday, July 25, 2015, a group that worked against the APC in Lagos called Igbo United Political Forum organised a programme to honor Governor Rochas Okorocha. Behind the smokescreen was an attempt to sneak through the back door to the APC, having missed the front door on March 28 and April 11, 2015. The organisers reaped what they sowed, as all the APC leaders they invited stayed away.

“They licked their wounds and went home to cry. Time and space will not permit me to recall various moves our people have made to find their way to the APC. Those who are still very angry about the colossal loss have pitched their tent with the Biafra mantra. When we lose out in national politics as a result of myopic and timid political thinking and calculation, the next move is to resort to ethnic politics. Nobody is deceived.”

At a meeting with the Bring Back Our Girls group at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, the Congressmen urged the Nigerian government to curb the flow of the movement of such monies.

They also stressed the need for the National Assembly to heighten talks on the Boko Haram insurgency and rescue of the Chibok girls.

The dogged Bring Back Our Girls group articulated their stance, backed with a renewed solidarity by the U.S. Congress at the Embassy, something they were hopeful would yield result.

As they sang their usual chant, they called for more efforts to rescue the over 200 girls abducted on April 14, 2014 by members of the Boko Haram sect terrorising communities in Nigeria’s north-east.

The Congressmen had held talks with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian military and other government officials on regional security, counter-terrorism efforts and the Boko Haram terrorist group.

At the end of their visit, a press conference was held and the Head of Delegation and a member of the Judicial Committee, U.S. Congress, Issa Darrel, clearly spelt out their thoughts on funding of the Hoko Haram activities, saying that the terrorist group could have benefited from the spoils of crude oil theft in Nigeria’s south-south region.

The U.S. pledged greater technical support towards curbing insurgency as well as rescuing the Chibok girls.

They also encouraged the National Assembly to heighten talks on security issues.

The visit was another defining moment for the Bring Back Our Girls group who now pin their hopes on the renewed collaboration between the two countries.

A co-convener of the group, Hadiza Bala-Usman, expressed optimism that the support from the U.S. would help in securing the girls’ rescue.

Nigeria has reached the critical point of her insecurity challenge and now looks forward to interventions like this to carve out a new sense of direction in the battle.

On Monday, the Congressmen told the Nigerian military that the U.S. had started consideration of the Leahy law to ease restrictions on arms deal with Nigeria, raising hopes that talks between President Muhammadu Buhari and Barack Obama during the Nigerian President’s visit to the U.S. would yield results.

www.channelstv.com/2015/08/04/u-s-says-boko-haram-may-have-benefited-from-oil-theft-spoils/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

A commercial motorcyclist (popularly called okada rider), Azeez Ahmed, has been killed in Ifo, in the Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, over ticket collection.

It was gathered that the incident, which occurred on Sunday, was caused by an argument over the collection of okada riders’ ticket. The argument led to a fight between him and an official of the Articulate Motorcyclists Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria, identified as Kola Adegbite.

Our correspondent gathered that Ahmed was accosted by Adegbite at the Bank bus stop and told to purchase the day’s ticket, which led to the argument.

It was learnt that the okada rider was surrounded by Adegbite and other AMORAN officials who were on duty. They pounced on Ahmed.

The barrage of blows forced Ahmed to the ground. It was said that while others left the rider alone, Adegbite allegedly hit him with a charm.

Our correspondent gathered that sensing that the charm had taken hold of Ahmed, Adegbite attempted to run away.

He was, however, forced to take the dying rider to the General Hospital, Ifo, where Ahmed eventually died.

Adegbite was consequently detained at the Ifo Police Division.

Ahmed’s brother, Azeez Akeem, described him as a gentleman, saying the attitude of the AMORAN ticketing officers in the area was condemnable.

He said, “The government should come to our aid so that this case will not be swept under the carpet. This is a murder case and should be treated as such.”

The Chairman of AMORAN in the Ifo Local Government Area, Alhaji Nurudeen Jimoh, said the union did not send Adegbite to kill Ahmed or any other okada rider.

He said, “The standing order for our officials is to avoid any argument that can lead to fight between them and okada riders.

“I am still in shock. How could an argument over ticket degenerate into killing? That is a clear violation of our mode of operation.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said, “The police recorded a case of two fighting between an okada rider and another okada ticketing officer, which eventually led to the death of the motorcyclist, identified as Ahmed.

“The police have already commenced investigation towards arresting others who joined Adegbite in beating Ahmed. Anybody found culpable will be prosecuted.”

Adejobi said the state Commissioner of Police, Abdul-Majid Ali, had directed the State Department of Criminal Investigation to take over the matter.





http://www.punchng.com/metro-plus/union-official-kills-okada-rider-in-ogun/

Amen in Jesus name. God bless the Baby and her parent. Congrat

The United States dollar will further tumble against the naira at the parallel market this week as Deposit Money Banks continue to reject cash deposit of foreign currencies into customers’ domiciliary accounts.

The naira had appreciated against the dollar from 245 to 220 at the parallel market last week after banks started denying their customers opportunity to make cash deposits of dollar, pound and euro into their domiciliary accounts.

Foreign exchange dealers told our correspondent on Sunday that the naira would likely appreciate further against the dollar at the black market this week.

A forex trader, who chose to speak under the condition of anonymity said, “We expect the naira to appreciate further this week at the parallel market.

“Banks have flooded the market with dollars and other foreign currencies. This is making the naira to appreciate. There is still a huge stock of dollars out there that the banks will be pushing into the parallel market this week.”

The Acting President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, also noted that large amount of dollars in the market would make the naira to appreciate further at the parallel market this week.

Banks had last week told customers that they would no longer collect cash deposits into domiciliary accounts.

Fidelity Bank Plc, in an email to customers, said the policy came from the Central Bank of Nigeria and it was only a temporary measure to curb speculative activities.

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc also told customers about the development in an email statement.

“Banks no longer accept dollar cash due to large speculation on the currency,” the Chief Executive Officer, First City Monument Bank, Mr. Ladi Balogun, told a conference call last week

He said the lenders would continue to receive dollar transfers from other banks.

The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, had two weeks ago said the naira was “appropriately priced” at its current level of 197 to the dollar on the interbank market.

The local currency has lost around 15 per cent against the dollar over the past year, with an official devaluation in November and a de facto one in February.

The naira had weakened on the parallel market, falling as low as 245, on persistent dollar shortages after the central bank last month limited importers’ access to dollars in order to save the external reserves.

Early last month, the central bank fixed the spread at which bureaux de change operators could sell dollars to individuals, and also limited the amount that bank customers would spend using their debits cards abroad.

Although the restrictions have angered investors and frustrated companies that need dollars for imports, Emefiele has rejected the idea of loosening the curbs, saying the central bank could not adopt an “indeterminate policy” of currency depreciation.

Global ratings agency, Standards & Poor’s, had also said Nigeria would have to devalue its currency at some stage, possibly by more than 15 per cent, though it saw the adjustments as likely to be gradual.

FCMB’s Balogun had also noted that the parallel market was beginning to see a reversal in the naira’s weakness as banks stopped taking dollar deposits.

http://www.punchng.com/business/money/naira-to-rise-further-as-banks-reject-dollars/

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) on Saturday offered financial rewards of N91 million on its members who graduated in first class from different universities across the country.

The General Overseer of MFM, Dr Daniel Olukoya, made the announcement in Lagos at the monthly live broadcast programme of the church, tagged, “Power Must Change Hand,” which was monitored in Abuja.

He said 180 first class graduates in the 2014 academic year and two others who received NYSC Presidential honours after completing the National Youth Service Corps would get N500, 000 each.

Olukoya said the first class honours award, which started with 12 students, had risen to 180 and explained that it was meant to encourage hard work among students.

He said the award was put in place to reward members of MFM who were dedicated to their academic work, while also creating time to serve the Almighty God.

Mr Shade Olukoya, a pastor, with Prof. Bamitale Omole Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, presented the award to the recipients.

Omole lauded the recipients for their dedication to their academic works and also serving God.

He commended the students for making themselves, families, and the church of God proud through their hard work.

Omole urged the recipients to appreciate the grace of God upon their lives and noted that many of their peers who started with them could not complete their courses for different reasons.

He called on other churches to emulate MFM by encouraging hardworking students through similar awards.

“The award is worthy of emulation, I urge other households of faith to follow MFM steps to encourage hard work,” he said. (NAN)

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/08/mfm-splashes-n91m-on-180-first-class-graduates/

The Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has explained that lack of confidence and trust was the reason the United States Government did not support the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan
The Imo state governor said the United State government snubbed ex-President Jonathan, especially in the fight against the Boko Haram sect, because it could not establish confidence and trust in his administration.
Governor Rochas, however, said the US had promised to assist Nigeria in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.
The governor added that the US government, during their recent visit alongside President Buhari, pledged to rebuild the states destroyed by the activities of the terrorist group.
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“The US made it clear that it could not support the government of Jonathan because it was not comfortable with it.
“Now the American government has promised to help us fight the Boko Haram sect and provide for the Internally Displaced Persons,” the governor said.
The governor, while speaking with the press in the capital, Owerri, said the US-Nigeria meeting would enhance robust relationship.
He described their visit to the US as the best so far made by any government, and said he was delighted when US President Barak Obama described President Buhari as a man of integrity and honour.
“I felt like singing the national anthem when Obama described our President as a man of integrity and honour; the trip to America is the best outing any President has made outside Nigeria,” he added.


www.today.ng/news/08012758-why-america-snubbed-ex-president-jonathan-gov-okorocha/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday set aside the decision of the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Kogi which struck out the petition of Sen. Smart Adeyemi.

Adeyemi of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had challenged the election of Sen. Dino Melaye of All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging electoral irregularities and malpractices.

Justice Muhammed Adume held that the tribunal was wrong in striking out Adeyemi’s petition on the grounds of technicalities, instead of substantial justice.

The appellate court, therefore, remitted the case to the tribunal for “trial on merit’’.

The court further held that the decision of the tribunal that Adeyemi did not file his petition within the time frame allowed by law was wrong and nullified it forthwith.

Adume said the respondents did not provide sufficient evidence before the tribunal that the petition was filed late.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the tribunal had dismissed the petition of Adeyemi, a one-time National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for late filing.

The tribunal Chairman, Justice Akon Ikpeme, had in the ruling of June 18, held that the Kogi West ex-Senator’s case was “incurably defective’’.



http://saharareporters.com/2015/07/31/appeals-court-declares-senator-dino-melayes-election-tribunal-should-be-re-tried

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday showered encomium on Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Centre on the occasion of his 20th year of priesthood.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President commended the cleric for what he described as his “extraordinary intrepidity and remarkable patriotism.”

He described Mbaka as a great priest who is not afraid to speak truth, even at the cost of his own life or being hated by those in power.

He said the priest is a remarkable example that religious leaders are the conscience and moral compass of the society.

He said Mbaka rose to the occasion to add his voice in support of good governance and identify with ordinary Nigerians in the face of despair and uncertain future.

“Though honest opinions attract hostility from leaders detached from reality, history would be kind to Father Mbaka for courageously speaking truth to power, even at great risks,” the statement said.

Buhari, who said he was overwhelmed by Mbaka’s sincerity and patriotism, prayed to God to grant the priest more good health, long life and wisdom in the service of humanity.


www.punchng.com/news/buhari-congratulates-mbaka-on-20-years-of-priesthood/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the removal of the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Alhaji Lawal Daura, over alleged partisanship.

According to the party, Daura was the chairman of the Intelligence Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the last presidential election campaign.

Addressing journalists shortly after the party’s National Working Committee meeting on Wednesday, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, accused the DSS under Daura of harassing, arresting and detaining members of the PDP.

Secondus cited instances of arrest and detention of PDP members and electoral officials in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States where the party’s victories in the last governorship election were being challenged by the APC at the tribunals.

The party chairman said, “We wish to bring to the attention of Nigerians and the international community the activities of the APC government. We have observed the government of the APC, especially the DSS in the past few months.

“The DSS has continued to harass, arrest and detain PDP members as well as officials over election petitions pending before tribunals in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.

“There is no reason for the harassment because it is against all known laws. We call on President Buhari to call the DSS to order because the nation is gradually tending towards anarchy.

“Daura was the chairman of APC’s Intelligence Committee during the last presidential election campaign. As a member of the APC, he is partial and partisan. He cannot be fair to the opposition. We call on President Buhari to review his appointment.”
thenationonlineng.net/pdp-seeks-dss-boss-removal-over-partisanship/

Yenagoa, July 29, 2015 (NAN) Some Niger Delta region stakeholders have hailed the appointment of retired Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, as the Coordinator, Amnesty Programme and Special Adviser on Niger Delta to the President.

They spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Yenagoa on Wednesday.

The spokesman of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Mr Eric Omare, told NAN that the appointment was a show of sensitivity of the administration to the aspirations of the region.

``The IYC commend President Muhammadu Buhari for responding to the agitation of the Niger Delta people by appointing a coordinator for the Presidential Amnesty Programme,’’ Omare said.
According to him, in our opinion this is the first step toward resolving pressing and pending issues relating to the Niger Delta amnesty programme.

The IYC, he said, urged Boroh to take steps to pay outstanding tuition fees and allowances of beneficiaries, especially those studying abroad.

``We also call on him to consult with critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta region on the future of the amnesty programme and in taking decisions that affects the future and the overall development of the Niger Delta region," Omare said.

In his contribution, the Niger Delta Coordinator of Artisan Fishermen Association of Nigeria,
Rev. Samuel Ayadi, urged Boroh to urgently commence work on the promises made by the president to the region.

``We applaud Boro's appointment and want him to look into the problems of the Niger Delta region with particular reference to the many pending oil spill compensations.
``A typical example is the Bonga oil spill incident.

``The National Assembly and oil industry regulator directed Shell to pay us $3.6 billion but they declined to pay.

``The president should compel Shell to comply with the directive,’’ Ayadi said.

Also, Mr Namso Ekpo, President, Onna Industrial Youth Cooperative, a Niger Delta-based group, told NAN that the appointment was a welcome development.
Ekpo advised Boroh to ensure expedited development of the Niger Delta region. (NAN)


http://www.nannewsnigeria.com/ijaw-youth-council-others-hail-buhari-boroh%E2%80%99s-appointment

The Peoples Democratic Party has debunked claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress and one of its national leaders, Bola Tinubu, were behind the ongoing investigation of the wife of the President of the Senate, Toyin Saraki, for corruption.
PREMIUM TIMES had on Wednesday exclusively reported the invitation, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, of Mrs. Saraki, who was the first lady of Kwara between 2003 and 2011, in relation to alleged questionable inflow of funds into companies in which she has interest.

Embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki and his wife, Toyin
TheNewsNigeria

But shortly after that news broke, a group of senators loyal to Senate President Bukola Saraki, under the aegis of ‘Like Minds,’ questioned the investigation, expressing concerns that the probe might be politically-motivated and suggesting that the leadership of the APC might be hounding Mrs. Saraki as a way of getting at her husband.

Mr. Saraki has been locked in battle with the leadership of the ruling party over his emergence as senate president on June 9 contrary to the wishes of the party.

Joseph Waku, a chieftain of the APC, had also on Saturday accused Mr. Tinubu of masterminding a “baseless petition” that led to the invitation of Mrs. Saraki by the EFCC, a charge the former Lagos governor stoutly denied.

But in a statement Sunday, the Kwara state chapter of the PDP said it was a petition it (PDP) submitted to the EFCC that got Mrs. Saraki into trouble.

“It has become imperative to inform the members of the public that we have every reasons to believe that a petition recently submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwara state chapter is largely responsible for the invitation and eventual criminal prosecution of the former Kwara First Lady and wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki,” the party said in a statement by its spokesperson, Rex Olawoye.

The PDP added, “It will be recalled that our party had sometime early this year discreetly submitted a petition to the EFCC detailing how certain individuals in high places under the past administration of Dr. Bukola Saraki milked the state dry and left the people more impoverished than they met them.

“In the said petition, we carefully chronicled how state officials, including former First Lady, Toyin Saraki, former Special Adviser to the Governor on MDGs, Mr. Ope Saraki, Personal Assistant (PA) to ex-Governor Bukola Saraki, one Mr. Abdul Adama from Kogi state, a former Commissioner for Information, Mr. Tunji Morounfoye, all working in a ring, got enmeshed in a cesspool of corruption unprecedented in the history of Kwara state or any other state of the federal for that matter!

“Although, we believe that the arrest and prosecution of Mrs. Toyin Saraki is long overdue, we nevertheless take solace under the fact that the long arm of the law seems to have finally caught up with her and her cronies. We are particularly delighted that our painstaking efforts at chronicling the monumental heist that defined the eight years, almost uneventful rule of former Governor Bukola Saraki in Kwara, has not gone unnoticed.

“We therefore commend the EFCC for its resourcefulness and painstakingness. We pledge our cooperation with the EFCC and all other relevant anti-graft agencies to ensure that all those who knowingly looted our collective patrimony, but now walking the streets of Kwara free with their ill-gotten wealth, do not go unpunished.

“We urge the anti-graft agency not to buckle in to pressure or blackmail that is already being mounted by political jobbers over Mrs. Saraki’s invitation by the EFCC. Instead of sponsoring paid activist-for-hire to stampede the EFCC out of the prosecution, one would have thought that the most moral thing for Toyin Saraki and her handlers to do now is to allow the law to take its cause. Since the duo of Ope Saraki and Tunji Morounfoye are already standing trial for their crimes, one would expect Mrs. Saraki too to seize the moment and clear her name, instead of playing to the gallery.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we reiterate that the offences Mrs. Saraki is being accused of are criminal in nature and such offenses are not known to be statute-barred. Therefore, the fact that it took over five years after Mrs. Saraki left office as Kwara First Lady before she is eventually brought before the law does not matter.

“What matters is that justice is ultimately served, especially for the sake of the hard-working Kwara civil servants, poor Kwara farmers and the promising children of Kwara who were and are still being subjected to all manners of deprivations as a result of the rapaciousness of a privileged few who could not contain the temptations to stare clear the cookie jar.


saharareporters.com/2015/07/26/pdp-behind-petition-nailed-sarakis-wife-efcc

The Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for standing up against same-sex marriage during his recent visit to the United States.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, had on Wednesday said the issue of gay marriage was raised in one of the meetings that the President attended in the US on Tuesday but that Buhari said sodomy “is against the law in Nigeria, and abhorrent to our culture.”

Fani-Kayode, who has since changed his name to Femi Olukayode, said on his official Twitter handle on Thursday that Buhari displayed courage to have rejected same-sex marriage in the US.

The former minister, however, said the US ‘helped’ the Boko Haram insurgents by refusing to classify them as a terrorist organisation until 2014, and by refusing to sell arms to Nigeria to fight them.

He said, “Buhari said sodomy is against our laws and abhorrent to our culture. It took courage for President Buhari to say that.Thanks be to God.

“The US helped Boko Haram immensely by refusing to classify them as a terrorist organisation until 2014, and by refusing to sell arms to fight them.”


http://www.punchng.com/politics/fani-kayode-commends-buhari-for-rejecting-gay-marriage/

The All Progressives Congress has said it was shocked at the magnitude of cases of corruption it has so far unearthed while going through the records of the previous administration.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Abuja, on Thursday.

He was reacting to the announcement by President Muhammadu Buhari that some officials of the immediate past administration were involved in stealing one million barrel of crude oil daily.

Mohammed said, “We are not just shocked but taken aback by what we have found. We have always known that there was monumental corruption under the previous regime but we did not know it was this huge.

“Anybody who calls the questions we are asking a witch-hunt is a person who condones corruption, and again, when we were raising the alarm over this level of corruption they were engaged in, they said we were crying wolf where there was none.

“They said it never happened. They even went as far as manufacturing figures to cover up. We must ask questions so that whoever is coming into government will know that it cannot be business as usual and that he/she must be prepared to answer questions after they leave office.”

On its part, the Peoples Democratic Party said the allegations of impropriety levelled against the officials of the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration must be proved in court.

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo, said to the best of his knowledge, the PDP-led administration conducted its affairs transparently, as such, the party was not afraid of any probe.

He said, “Like I told you before, the PDP provided a transparent leadership for this country for the 16 years we were in power.

“It was the PDP that established the anti-corruption agencies we are celebrating today, like the EFCC and the ICPC. All we ask is that any probe of the last administration should not be used as an avenue to villify people who served this country diligently.”


http://www.punchng.com/news/oil-theft-what-we-found-shocked-us-says-apc/

HE Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano has vowed to use his tenure as Chairman, Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to reposition the party as a strong voice for the Ndigbo.
Governor Obiano noted that APGA remains the shortest route to the quest by the Ibos to become the president of Nigeria, stressing that the party is being reformed to provide the platform for the realization of the political interests of the Southeast people of Nigeria.

The governor made these remarks during the celebration of the 53rd birthday anniversary of the former National Chairman of the party Chief Victor Umeh who described his tenure as chairman as ‘turbulent”, but noted that this has provided the leeway for growth of APGA as a truly national party.

Obiano said at the birthday thanksgiving service that APGA remains the best bet for politicians of Igbo extraction with the burning desire to get Igbo president as the leader of the country in the shortest moment.

“That is why we have taken it upon ourselves to build the party to serve the interest of our people. We had a successful national convention where a new leadership emerged after the eventful leadership of Chief Victor Umeh. We are open to all and willing to receive back those members who left the party including former governor Peter Obi”, the governor said.

He commended Umeh for the services and sacrifices he rendered towards the growth and development of APGA, stressing that his singular effort and that of Peter Obi brought the party to where it is as well as his emergence as governor of Anambra State.

Umeh, who was full of praises to God for seeing him through his eight years tenure in office, said the difficulties he encountered arose from the party’s objective of providing platform to the oppressed and marginalized Nigerians.

He stated that his emergence was used to deepen the country’s democracy to the point that APGA could be reckoned with as one of the competent and credible political platforms in Nigeria.

According to Umeh, “The party came into the political space with a big bang and storm in 2003. We won elections in the Southeast as envisaged but our victories were all taken away and the party had to go all out to recover i§ts mandate. I became the pilot for that scheme. I was the pivot of that struggle in Anambra state and we were able to reclaim the mandate for the party and threw up Mr Peter Obi who was our governorship candidate as governor of Anambra state. From 2005 to 2012, I was in the court with our former chairman and to the glory of God we won all.”

He continued: “Through the judicial struggle we were able to redefine a lot of things. We have been able to remove for the first time, a governor that was sworn in after 17 days in Nigeria. We were able to use tenure interpretation to prove that the tenure of a governor starts from the day he takes oath of office for four years. I was the one who initiated that suit. APGA is replete with landmark judicial decisions.”

“We were able to use APGA to prove that the courts have no jurisdiction over affairs of political parties. Through my leadership Okorocha became governor, I got Obi a second term in office, I got Willie Obiano elected as governor of Anambra state after APGA’s eight years reign”.

Umeh stated that the successful handing over to another elected leadership of the party was an indication that the party was on course, stressing that what the new leadership needed to do was to consolidate on the landmark achievements to take the party further.

He said he would continue to provide advise and support to the party at all times, adding that the over 43 suits which he won while in office had paved the way for greater prospects for APGA

www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/07/apga-shortest-route-to-igbo-presidency/

THIS THREAD IS TO APPRECIATE NIGERIA AND NIGERIAN LANGUAGES. PLEASE DON'T TURN IT TO TRIBAL WAR!!!

DONT COMMENT IF YOU ARE TRIBALISTIC. THANKS.


http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/20/all-new-met-police-constables-must-be-able-to-speak-a-second-language-5304857/



http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/metropolitan-police-new-police-constables-6104491

And don’t think your GCSE French will get you in either because they are pretty specific about what they want.

The only reference to a 'one-month trial' was made in a quietly-issued press release at 1am today.

Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has also come under fire for the 14 languages chosen for his list - when by his own admission almost 300 are spoken in London.

Critics questioned why key languages including Gujurati, Mandarin and Romanian aren't on there - but German is.

Andrew Boff, leader of the Conservatives in the London Assembly, described the list as "bizarre".

He told the Mirror: "I just don't understand what this list of languages is supposed to achieve.

"It looks as if it's been made up at random.

"Chinese Mandarin is not on there when we know that statistically they are one of the groups most likely to be victims of crime in London.

"And there are others - where I live, Lithuanian is the most spoken language.

"Why on earth is German on there? I'm sure there are Germans living in London but they are likely to speak good English.

"Not even Germans like speaking German!

"This list clearly needed a bit more thought.

"I support the idea of a police force that looks like London - but I don't think having a second language should be a condition of application.

"Why not make it a general recommendation?"

Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan Howe said: "I am committed to providing a police service which looks and feels more like London.

"We know that almost 300 languages are spoken in the capital. We need to recruit and deploy officers with second languages in areas where those languages are spoken.

"I believe it will help boost confidence, help to solve crime more effectively and support victims and witnesses."


Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/20/all-new-met-police-constables-must-be-able-to-speak-a-second-language-5304857/#ixzz3gVhLUW3Q

Home » Featured » Triple twins’ dad returns


•BACK AT LAST: Uche carrying the last of his three sets of twins after he returned to their new home in Ogun State...yesterday. PHOTO: PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU
Triple twins’ dad returns
Posted by: Precious Igbonwelundu, Snr. Correspondent in Featured, News 2 hours ago

The father of the multiple twins who fled from his home and expectant wife has shown up – three months after.
Mr. Emeka Uche, after days of persuasion by his wife Ruth yesterday returned to a new home – a yet-to-be-painted mini-flat in Ogun State.
The Uches used to stay in Agege on the outskirts of Lagos. Mrs. Uche, a teacher, had two sets of twins. Another set came in February.
Just as this reporter was about to leave her apartment, she came face to face with a light complexioned man wearing an Arsenal jersey, a pair of jeans and slippers, holding two polythene bags.
He looked confused, uttered no word, save for the exchange of pleasantries and made to move away when Hope, the Uches’ former neighbour, saw him.
“Papa ejima (father of twins), where are you coming from? So you are still alive? Please come inside and sit down,” she exclaimed.
Upon hearing ‘Papa ejima’, Mrs Uche rushed to the door. She didn’t run into his arms to hug or kiss him, but stood and watched him for some minutes after offering him one of the plastic seats in the living room.
But he did not sit down, rather, he went straight for his newborn babies. He was seeing the three months olds for the first time.
Uche held both on each arm, smiling and then collapsed into the blue chair, admiring them.
Still looking at the babies, he asked: “Where are my other children? How are you people?”
Hope told Uche that the other children were at her aunt’s house not too far from the neighbourhood.
After about seven minutes when Mrs. Uche seemed to have regained her composure, she entered the kitchen, brought a sachet water in a silver steel plate and offered it to her husband who refused to collect it.
After much persuasion from all the women in the room, Uche finally collected the water and from the way he gulped it, it was obvious he was very thirsty.
As Mrs. Uche sat down on one of the children’s plastic chairs, she asked her husband if he was back for good.
“God I thank you for answering my prayers. So, you are here. You look emaciated. You have lost so much weight. I hope you have come back for good. Please, do not leave us again,” she told Uche, who did not reply.
Having allowed him play with his babies and relaxed for about 20 minutes, this reporter, reminded Uche of their several telephone discussions.
He said: “Like I told you on phone, it was not easy for me. I contemplated suicide on several occasions. I cannot believe I am here, holding my kids for the first time since they were born three months ago.
“When I left, I initially went to the village where I spent a month. After that, I came back to Lagos but stayed with my friend around Oko-Oba in Agege. I still live with him.
“I know that I was not far from them, but I just did not went to return without a better solution on how to cater for my home. I was ashamed too to come back to that house to see them after I’d abandoned them and run away.
“But after our discussions and my wife told me that they had moved, I went to our old house and asked one of the neighbors who had been here for direction so that I could come and see them,” he said, shaking his head.
Finding the Uches
The road to the Uches’ new home was anything but smooth. For a journey that began shortly after mid-day, it took this reporter about two hours to get to the community and another one hour 30 mintues more, wandering around the locality until the parties eventually met at a bus stop.
After the exchange of pleasantries, an excited Mrs. Uche who said she secured a shop and would soon start trading in foodstuff, took this reporter to see her new home.
Situated in a developing area, the newly built bungalow has three flats.
Although not painted yet, the house is in a relatively peaceful community. Mrs. Uche seems to have made some friends already.
Inside her apartment, the parlour and toilet are neatly tiled. The bedroom and kitchen are cemented.
The apartment is neat, though lacking in basic furniture, which prompted the arrangement of their unpacked luggage-clothes, foodstuff and kitchen utensils- on the floor in the bedroom and kitchen.
There was relative quiet, but for the tick of the wall clock and occasional cry of her baby. The new residence is a far improvement on the old one.
Noting that she was eternally grateful to the Lagos State Government and all those who have changed her story, Mrs. Uche said she was yet to consider the school which her children would attend.
“Would I have ever lived in this kind of house with my family and I having a toilet and kitchen to ourselves? I moved in here on Sunday and I am so happy and grateful.
“Aunty, come and see our bedroom; have you seen the toilet? See our kitchen. See me now! I have a room and parlour self-contained. What more can I want, except for my husband to come and enjoy this good life with me?
“People who used to laugh at us for not having food to eat can now see how God works. Even my mother-in-law who has not called me for so long now calls me. I am just so thankful to God because he did not allow me and my children die in shame.
“I have promised God that I will do my best to grow my business. I want to grow and be able to help women with similar case as mine. I want to be able to impact their lives in future as my life was touched and changed.”


thenationonlineng.net/new/triple-twins-dad-returns/

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, on Sunday held a closed-door meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Though details of the 45 minutes meeting were not disclosed, Mr. Umahi told journalists that he came to show appreciation to Mr. Obasanjo for his non-partisan attitude to national matters.
“We also came here to thank you for the manners and the ways you have been using the wisdom of God to assist in piloting the affairs of our nation. I thank you very greatly sir. I believe very strongly that what transpired during the election is actually the will of God. And we have the opportunity to right the wrong.
“There is no administration that wouldn’t have some ills but the most important thing is the ability and the knowledge and wisdom to identify them like you just advised me here; all those good ones continue with them, the bad ones you can always right them,” he said.
The governor also had words of praise for President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he pledged support for.
“And I use the opportunity to thank Mr. President sir and to say one of the greatest things that will move this nation forward is forthrightness and Mr. President has displayed that. In our meetings, every of the governors, we are very pleased with him. It’s not a question of being in this party or being in the other party.
“He displays rare sense of humility, honesty and the willingness to carry this country forward. And that’s what we are looking for. We are not interested in which party or the other party. We are interested in the man who has the welfare and the interest of the nation at hand. His directive to stop many accounts of NNPC, I’m sure you are gladdened because I had discussed that with you and you complained bitterly about the way NNPC was being run; when they keep more money than what they give the federal government.
“So, we thank you and I want to say Sir that you continue to support Mr. President, General Buhari, and I’m very sure with you sir by his side, he is going to deliver in his promises,” Mr. Umahi said.
Opposed to salary cut
Speaking further, the governor stated his opposition to salary cuts for elected officials, saying that was not the solution to the current cash crunch confronting many states.
President Buhari recently announced a 50 per cent reduction in his salary and that of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, while some state governors also announced similar cuts.
Mr. Umahi said such offer of reduction in the salaries of elected politicians would be too meagre to address the current financial problems confronting many of the states.
He said he would not slash his salary because such a measure was not the solution required to address the current economic doldrums being experienced in the country.
“The major issue is to be honest to the people, it’s to deploy the resources God has given the people, don’t cheat them, don’t steal their money. What we take as political leaders, what is due to us is really very meagre.
“I earn about N600,000 a month; so if I cut it down to 50 percent, that’s N300,000. That is not the kind of money the society is looking for. They are asking whatever is due to us, give it to us and I believe in that,” Mr. Umahi said.
He, however, assured that his administration would ensure the development of Ebonyi State, adding, “We have taken very major step in addressing the growth of our state, Ebonyi. We’ve taken decisive steps. Right now, we are auditing our workforce; we think our workforce is not right. We are also doing everything to bring investors into these mineral resources I told you and agricultural sector. These are what we are doing. Definitely in 100 days, you’d see a lot but you’d see a plan that is installed and you expect a steady growth. So what you see in 100 days is beyond 100 days; it’s well articulated plans for the greatness of our state, Ebonyi.”
He said the dwindling prices of oil in the international market was a blessing in disguise to the country as this had compelled Nigeria to think seriously about tapping other natural resources and diversifying her economy.
“We already have five gigantic rice mills in Ebonyi State,” he said. “What we don’t have is money and we’ve been asking the federal government to give us funds.”
“CBN governor, a very wonderful man, is giving Ebonyi State attention, he has written us since the banning importation of rice, which is what is supposed to be done.
“I don’t see the reason why we should import food into Nigeria. I don’t see why we should import toothpick in Nigeria, import vegetable oil; that’s quite absurd and I think they have taken decisive steps to address all those. We have quite vast land, very good for rice production, very good for cassava, maize and we have a lot of mineral resources like limestone, salt, bauxite, zinc, lead, copper and quite a lot of them. So, what we need is assistance from federal government so that we can develop them.
The Ebonyi governor reiterated the decision of the governors of the South East states against the planned transfer of some Boko Haram inmates to the area, stressing that the prisoners were not welcome in any of the states in the region.


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CNN)They used to be the preserve of informal home gatherings around old flickering TV sets, but Nollywood films have now gone global.

Movie streaming giant Netflix has dedicated an entire section to Nigeria's mega film industry, so rather than having to buy a DVD, viewers around the world can now get their fix of Nigerian drama straight to their computer screens -- Nollywood is notorious for churning out hundreds of movies per month, capturing viewers with stories ranging from romance and drama to comedy and witchcraft.

iROKOtv, a Nigerian online platform for on-demand films, already streams home-grown movies to the diaspora around the world, but with 25% of Nigerians predicted to access the internet via their mobile phone by 2018, the home market is expected to grow too.

Movie star power

Nollywood's biggest stars - Ramsey Nouah, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Genevieve Nnaji and Jeta Amata.
Befitting the mammoth industry that Nollywood is, its glamorous movie stars are revered in the country as any Hollywood A-listers would be. Shown above are four of Nigerian film's most recognizable faces.

Ramsey Nouah stumbled into the film industry almost by accident. He was looking for funds to cover his school fees when a friend suggested he tried acting. Some 25 years later, Nouah is today one of Nollywood most prolific stars.
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, heralded as the queen of Nollywood, has appeared in around 300 films since her debut in 1995. Her allure earned her the nickname of "Omosexy," while two years ago she was named one of the top 100 influential people in the world by Time Magazine.

Jeta Amata comes from a family of Nollywood stars, so it was perhaps not surprising that he became one of Nigeria's most prominent film directors. He is often praised for the high production values and strong narratives of his movies, and has worked with both Nollywood and Hollywood famous stars, including Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger.


Genevieve Nnaji, dubbed the "Julia Roberts of Nollywood," has been acting since the age of eight and has won the 2005 African Academy Movie Award for Best Actress.

High output, low profit

Poster for "Ijé: The Journey" Nollywood's highest grossing film so far.
Nigeria's film industry pumps out around 50 movies per week and is estimated to generate around $600 million annually for the country's economy. With more than 1,200 films a year, it's the world's second biggest producer behind India. Nollywood is also Nigeria's second biggest provider of work, employing directly or indirectly more than one million people, according to the United States International Trade Commission.

However, films are typically low-budget and revenues are small. One of the highest grossing Nollywood film so far is thought to be "Ije: The journey", which generated $500,000 when it was released in 2010. It stars two of Nollywood's biggest stars, Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde as sisters fighting for justice.

Search of excellence

Musician Wyclef Jean and Akon on the set of Jeta Amata's film "Black November."
In recent years, a new wave of filmmakers who want to shake off Nollywood's reputation for shoddy productions is emerging. Dubbed the New Nigeria cinema, these young professionals want to create a movie industry which can compete with Hollywood -- not just in quantity but also quality.

Actor Wale Ojo, one of the biggest supporters of the movement, told CNN: "New Nigeria Cinema basically means an elevation of Nigerian film -- high production values, good strong narratives, stories that capture the essence of who we are as Nigerians, as Africans.

"And it means also that these films can be shown at international film festivals anywhere in the world, from Toronto to Cannes to Venice."


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