₦airaland Forum

sharpden:
http://www.socialtimesng.com/2016/09/ekiti-leads-in-neco-ssce-results-for-2016/

TROOPS on Operation LAFIYA DOLE deployed in the outskirts of Maiduguri following a tip off from the Civilian JTF in the area have recovered a large cache of ammunition at a residential area of Bulabulin Ngarnam, Borno State, today morning

.
The recovered ammunition include 3 sealed boxes of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 3 jerry cans containing various calibres of ammunition, 2 sacks containing 5,998 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition and 1, 760 rounds of 5.56mm SS109 calibre of ammunitions

.



In addition, they recovered 5 empty magazines of AK-47 rifle and a magazine of Fabrique Nationale rifle

.



The Nigerian Army wishes to once more commend the patriotic zeal and efforts of the Civilian JTF

.
We also call on all to be more security conscious and report any suspicious person or group of persons as we believe there could be more of such arms and ammunitions hidden or dumped by the Boko Haram terrorists in other parts especially in the north east

.
Thank your for your kind support and cooperation.
Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman

Acting Director Army Public Relations.

Even Punch Newspapers had also being caught plagiarising?

See this story published on 13th September 2016 by social times

http://www.socialtimesng.com/2016/09/why-jonathan-visited-babangida-abdulsalami/

Same story has been published in Punch on 14 of September 2016 without giving credit.

http://punchng.com/jonathan-meets-ibb-abdulsalami-minna/

So what's the cacophony about Buhari's own ?

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari Participates at the Ministerial Retreat on framework for 2017 Budget in Statehouse on 15th Sep 2016

THE Ambassador Islamic Rep. of Iran H.E. Mr. Morteza Rahimi Zarchi paid courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni, in his office at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters Abuja on 15th Sept., 2016.

THE Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Rural development – Chief Audu Ogbeh has dismissed news report quoting him as saying 'Nigerians eat too much rice, that’s why it is expensive'.

"This is totally false, misleading and a sheer display of irresponsible journalism, reckless sensationalism, and poor ethics," the minister said through his Adviser on New Media, Aishat Ayijimoh Onusi
.
He noted with disappointment that the mischievous headline in question was completely at variance with the content of the news story.

The Minister decried the deliberate misinformation by the media which has become a frequent occurrence and calls for caution, self-censorship and ethical compliance by journalists and social media activists
.
For the avoidance of doubts, the minister stated that during a recent meeting he held with an indigenous Agro Company investing in the production of Irish Potato in Nigeria, he did talk about the health risk associated with the excessive consumption of rice and advised Nigerians to occasionally substitute rice with potato for improved diet
.
Chief Ogbeh wondered how the statement attributed to him in the headline came about when no supporting statement or quote was provided in the content of the news report.

He advised Nigerians to beware of misleading headlines; pay close attention to media reports that come with such and should challenge the Press to abide by their professional ethics.

seunmsg:
http://ynaija.com/boko-haram-bomber-kabiru-sokoto-still-prison-prisons-service/

Lalasticlala, above is a more reputable blog debunking the false news that Kabiru Sokoto had been released. Do the needful and let's put the wailers and their insatiable appetite for negative news to shame.

MUSLIMS of Nigerian Army who participated at yesterday's Sallah prayer at Yobe, Bornu State.

THE Nigerian Senate is reportedly planning to recommend the immediate sack of non-performing Ministers.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said he will seek the removal of non-performing ministers and presidential aides.

Senator Saraki also said that on resumption next week, the Senate would invite all those involved in the management of the economy to explain what steps they were taking to rescue the economy from recession.

The statement was released by the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu.

Yusuf disclosed that the Senate President spoke during an interactive Town Hall meeting on Sunday tagged ‘#AskSaraki’.
The Town Hall meeting was organized for constituents of Senator Saraki’s Kwara Central Senatorial district.

This was part of the activities to mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations in his home state, Kwara.

Senate President Bukola Saraki was quoted to have said: “Those of us that you have elected into office are aware of the difficult economic situation in our country.

“We know we have to find a solution as fast as possible. We have no option.

“Once the Senate resumes, we will invite all those involved in the management of the economy to explain to the people what they are doing to solve the problem.

“Whoever among them does not measure up to expectation in his or her explanation we will recommend that he should be removed.

“This is time for co-operation and exchange of ideas.”

The statement disclosed that Saraki used the occasion to give account of his stewardship as both Senator representing Kwara Central District and the Chairman of the 8th National Assembly.

He was said to have emphasized that a concerted legislative and policy thrust from both the National Assembly and the Executive was needed to bring Nigeria out of recession.

Saraki further stated that “As things stand, I understand your concerns and feel your pains about the economy.

“I assure you that we will work together to bring about legislative and policy solutions to address the lingering economic situation.”

Saraki was said to have fielded questions from citizens and community leaders in the state.

Questions bordering on the present economic recession, unemployment rates, and his legislative stewardship in the Senate.

The Senate President highlighted his advocacy and lawmaking activities.

Activities which according to him, have brought about the passage of bills like the Public Procurement Act amendment.

The Act, he explained is aimed at giving local producers and service providers first-option priority in government procurement process.

Saraki further stated that what he has done at the National Assembly is to push for bills and initiatives that will put more money in his constituent’s pockets.

GOVERNOR Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai yesterday, paid a courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State.

THE Enugu Catholic priest, and Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu State, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka has said President Muhammadu Buhari currently works with some people who do not want him to succeed in office and are desperate to pull him down.








Mbaka has been one of Buhari’s  most vocal supporters since he asked Nigerians to reject former president Goodluck Jonathan in the run-up to the 2015 presidential election. The priest also said it was too early to give Buhari’s regime a dispassionate assessment, saying Nigerians should give the President more time.


The Enugu-based cleric said the reason the country was yet to experience the real change being midwifed by Buhari was that some strategic positions were still manned by the same people who milked the country dry in the past.


He said the president was not totally free from the grip of those who ran the country aground in the past.


Mbaka, who spoke to newsmen in Enugu during the graduation of Niger Delta youths, who trained at Innoson Plastic Factory under Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme, said: “The government we are experiencing is not yet a Buharinised government.


“Many people who are in different strategic positions are still the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) people and Buhari may not even know and even some people who are working around him are working to pull him down.


“Buhari means well, Buhari is a good man, Buhari is God-sent for this country but, I am telling you that there are crocodiles in the fish pond.


“Buhari may not know that he is feeding not the fish in the fishpond but crocodiles that are even feeding on the fishes!”


He urged Nigerians to be prayerful to counter the activities of those he said were plotting to break the country and take over power. Mbaka had, a month ago come down hard on the Buhari regime, saying there was hunger in the land and that the President may not get the nod of Nigerians to get another term in office if the trend continued.


He added: “Nigerians should go on their knees and pray for divine intervention because apart from God, we are going to see horrible things. The way these people are ganging up, they want to break Nigeria and take over power and take us back to where we were coming from. I pray it shall be well with Nigeria and it shall be well with Nigerians.”


The cleric, who predicted the victory of Buhari in the 2015 presidential election, said he was yet to see the change he wants in Nigeria through the present government.


“I am talking about change from corruption to moral probity, a time Nigeria will become a country that is worthy of emulation, that internationally when you mention Nigeria, Nigerians shall begin to smile. I am talking about change that is beyond embezzlement of funds meant for the development of the people and country. Only few people who call themselves politicians will be stealing the money and whatever they are doing with it nobody knows.


“The poor masses are dying and they are enriching themselves wickedly calling themselves politicians, so, such team of people should be changed and if some of them are still remaining and they want to come back, I still pray that the broom of God will sweep them out because Nigeria must move forward.


“These people are wicked, they are not Nigerians per say, I don’t know where their blood came from because they are not representing us; they are representing themselves and the devil that is using them.


“If you know the pattern of their regime, the way they move and the way they truncate the activities that will be for the wellness of the poor masses, you’ll know that some of them are possessed and they need deliverance before they enter that seat.”


He, however, said it was too early to assess President Buhari and asked Nigerians to give the Buhari government the chance to implement its change agenda.


Praying for the liberation of Nigeria, the Catholic clergyman said: “I pray that our authentic emancipation, what we call change will be supernaturally propelled because right now you can see the hand writing everywhere, many people are complaining of hunger but the hunger is not Buhari engendered.


“Many are complaining that Buhari has not started changing everything, Buhari is not a magician.


“Like I used to tell people, somebody had been cooking in the kitchen for six years and he did not feed us well and just few months ago, somebody entered the same kitchen and all of us want him to cook a very wonderful delicious soup whereby his water is still in the pot. He has not started putting ingredients and people are testing the water and saying he cannot cook well. Let us give him a chance to pour the whole ingredients into the pot and when he is done with cooking, we can now judge him.


“It is too early to judge a man who has just entered few months ago, remember, even the budget is being attacked, padding or no padding and some people want to baptise criminal fraudulent machination with the name padding as a non criminal offence. So, when you steal money that is in billions, it is padding and that one is a no offence?


“But catch a poor man that steals a phone of N20, 000, he will be burnt alive.”

THE former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has ruled the possibility of her ever serving in the incumbent administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.








Okonjo-Iweala, who had served as finance minister under President Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan administrations,  said it was better to allow those managing Nigeria’s economy to do the best they could.


She spoke while participating in an Aljazeera programme: The Stream,


When asked of her  availability to serve the present administration if overtures were made to her by President Muhammadu Buhari, she said that Nigeria boasts of competent people, who would offer their services when called upon.


The former minister  said it is regrettable  that the economic gains recorded in Africa have started eroding a few years ago.


In her opinion, the solution must be to address the macroeconomic question, saying that having a firm control over the rate of inflation in addition to ensuring a stable exchange rate should be prioritised by African governments.


According to her, One of the things you learn as you get wiser is to talk less as you grow older. “I have spent my time contributing to the country. It will be better to live those managing the economy to do what they know how to do. There can be solutions.


“I am not a typical politician.


"I went in as a technocrat. I think on the continent we have seen a period when the economy was doing well, in the last two years we have been experiencing challenges. We  need to focus on the basics which are macro-economics. You must get the fundamentals like having a stable exchange rate and having  inflation under control.


“I served my country for seven years and it was a great honour. The second time was very tough but it is still an honour. I am not the only person who is a repository of knowledge. There are other people who can equally try their hands in running the economy.


“I will advise young people not to wait for employment. They should create jobs to employ six people or more. During my time in government, we had a programme called You Win designed to support young entrepreneurs. The whole idea was to have a business plan competition.


“The idea was that they should create jobs. And each, created 9-10 jobs. The World Bank did an evaluation of it and found it good. I do believe that the government should come in. We started a peer to peer mentoring. Now, one of the things I want to say is that creating employment is not only about struggles, it is about managing success.”


On how how corruption was tackled at her time in government, she said: “It was a very tough fight, I must thank my team, you don’t do it alone, I had the support of an economic team in the Ministry of Finance. It was tough because at the end of the day you need to have some principles.”

THE Publisher of Abia Facts Newspaper, Emenike Iroegbu who was arrested late Tuesday by suspected men of the State Security Service over alleged defamation against government officials of Akwa Ibom and Abia States has been released.








Iroegbu who was released yesterday has began narrating how his ordeal started when he launched Abia Facts Newspapers in 2014.


In a series titled "Abia Facts Newspapers and Abia State Government" the publisher narrated how treats to his life started during the then and now Senator T. A Orji as governor of the state.


Though the story of how it began was not completed due to parts it was divided into, Social Times is following on the details and brings you the "part one" of the series.


Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in Abia had said that the state was not behind Mr. Iroegbu’s arrest, but confirmed he was wanted in the state on offences bordering on “defamation”.


“He recently published an article saying the governor buried a 9-year-old in the Government House in Umuahia,” Mr. Appolos said on Wednesday afternoon.


Social Times was able to obtain  screen-grabs of materials allegedly published by Abia Facts Newspaper about the Mr. Ikpeazu administration


Some of the materials detailed how Mr. Ikpeazu allegedly aided the killing of pro-Biafran agitators in the state. The publication, quoting inside sources, also said Mr. Ikpeazu had intensified diabolical activities within the Government House during his political battle with Uche Ogah, after the latter was issued a certificate of return by INEC.


The "part one" of his narration unedited goes thus; "Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty, truth and compassion against injustice, lying and greed. If people all over the world would do this, it would change the earth".


~William Faulkner


 


“The truth remains that we never expected it to be easy, we knew it will come with pain, blackmail, setups and all sorts since the first day we decided to setup Abia Facts Newspaper as a news platform focused on feeding Abians the true facts of happenings in Abia State (the good, the bad and the ugly).


 


“Successive Abia State government did not really have a platform which publishes exactly what is happening in Abia state. There was no media platform which was ready to give other political ideologies the space to state their views so that Abians and Nigerians can read. Abia Facts Newspaper became odd to power brokers in the state, even as they tried to pretend the platform  did not exist, AFN kept growing more and more.


 


“When our platform kicked off in 2014, it was during the winding up of Sen. T. A Orji's led government, and the kicking off of the electioneering period, the first call we got came from the e-media aide to Sen. T. A Orji (name withheld), and the first prominent question he asked was "Are you guys working for Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu? " and we asked him why would he think so and he answered "because you guys are posting things about Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu against  Gov. T. A Orji ". That was when it immediately dawned on us that publishing any information about anyone who is perceived as the enemy of the government on ground in Abia State is a crime.


 


“We had a little disagreement, argued a little and he cut off the call with a warning for us to desist , but our self structure does not accept  intimidation ,instead intimidation encouraged us the more and we doubled our effort by  making sure the world hears the true story of what is happening in Abia State.  We made sure everyone's view were heard at all times from all divides, and our platform picked up like wild fire.


 


“So if someone tells you that ABIA FACTS NEWSPAPER is attacking or revealing deep things about Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu's government because we don't like them, it is a lie.  AFN has been on top of the game since Sen. T. A Orji's time as governor.


 


“When some national dailies were praising former Gov. T. A Orji  ,AFN was showcasing the real thing, when BCA radio and others were busy praise singing, AFN was making the world know the real thing ,before we knew what was happening, we started getting calls from Abians outside Nigeria encouraging us to keep doing the right thing and some pro state journalist were sending us stories they didnt have the temerity to publish and the stories were facts and true.


 


“Then the electioneering period came calling, that period made AFN the number one platform in Abia State. Abians all over the country and beyond  were consistently glued to AFN for updates and immediate happenings, and  that was when we grew bigger. Our website was one time shut down because of the massive log-ins, and  we had to immediately increase the size of our website and the growth continued massively.


 


“Then the challenge came, WAS ABIA FACTS NEWSPAPER WORKING FOR DR. ALEX OTTI?


 


continue tomorrow....”

NIGERIANS are privy to how parents are always referring to the past with pride when admonishing children for either good or bad behavior. The phrase is ‘In my time…And as a cultured child, you have to listen to them even if it is absentmindedly. We all dread these sessions with our parents.



This said this is the exact attitude being displayed by parents towards technology generally and the internet specifically despite its seeming advantages. They frown at the way the internet is radically changing children and the society at large.

This has led some parents ‘beefing’ the internet. As an internet or web savvy person, you will disagree as the benefits of the internet far outweigh the negatives. So, what are these grievances Nigerian parents have against the internet? Jumia Travel, Africa’s No 1 hotel booking portal rolls of some of them.



Spending hours online

Forgive our parents, there was no Facebook or social media in the 70s and 80s. They concentrated on their studies which is why they always pass in flying colours! But, today, their grievance is that you spend hours fiddling with your phone when you have books to read and pending chores. They just simply shake their head grieving for ‘this generation’.

Easy access to adult content

Just punch in any keyword related to pornography in your search engine, within a few minutes, you have access to millions of contents. With the rise in the use of mobile phones and crashing internet data prices, it has led to an increase in the number of people addicted to pornography. Because you can be discreet with the way you watch mobile porn. Consider these general stats- The average age of first exposure to porn is 11 years old, 25% of online search engine requests are related to sex and 35% of all internet downloads are pornographic content. And the numbers are rising…

Decline in socio-cultural values

Parents mourn the decline in socio-cultural values. Young Nigerians dress indiscriminately, the craze for money which has led to increased online scams (yahoo yahoo) and the dearth of morals. The internet is a key contributor to this.

Early adoption of phones

Today, children are learning fast and with the internet revolution, parents cannot deny them phones. This is why many young chaps own sophisticated phones with internet access. But the question for the parents are – at what age should a child use a phone? What type of phone should a parent buy for children?

Loss of human touch

Parents are on their own especially when their children are grown. Their children barely visit. They prefer to either call or chat. The internet has simply made many Nigerians lose human connection or touch.

THE Publisher of Abia Facts Newspaper, Emenike Iroegbu who was arrested late Tuesday by suspected men of the State Security Service over alleged defamation against government officials of Akwa Ibom and Abia States has been released.



Though details of his release are still sketchy as at the time of filling this report, Inibehe Effiong who alerted the media prior to the arrest confirmed Iroegbu has been released.

"FLASH: Blogger and publisher of Abia Facts Newspaper, Iroegbu Emenike has just been released from the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) in Umuahia, Abia State, " he said.


Details Later...

AN official of Abia State Government has stated why a blogger, Emenike Iroegbu  was arrested by suspected men of State Security Service.


Iroegbu, who publishes Abia Facts Newspaper, was arrested in front of his family by men suspected to be attached to the SSS field office in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, his wife, Ekaette had told Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer who called media attention to Mr. Iroegbu’s arrest late Tuesday said, adding “that the blogger was being sought over contents published on his website.”


Mr. Effiong said some officials in Abia and Akwa Ibom States recently threatened Mr. Iroegbu after publishing some materials they deemed critical.


“It is on record that the Abia State-born blogger has been constantly harassed by the agents and officials of the Abia State Government over his publications,” Mr. Effiong said. “It is also on record that some government officials in Akwa Ibom State have been uncomfortable with some of his publications online.”


But Enyinnaya Appolos, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in Abia who was quoted by Premium Times had told the online medium that the state was not behind Mr. Iroegbu’s arrest, but confirmed he was wanted in the state on offences bordering on “defamation”.


“He recently published an article saying the governor buried a 9-year-old in the Government House in Umuahia,” Mr. Appolos said on Wednesday afternoon.


“We are going to request that the SSS should transfer him to us after facing charges in Akwa Ibom.”


Social Times was able to obtain  screen-grabs of materials allegedly published by Abia Facts Newspaper about the Mr. Ikpeazu administration.


Some of the materials detailed how Mr. Ikpeazu allegedly aided the killing of pro-Biafran agitators in the state. The publication, quoting inside sources, also said Mr. Ikpeazu had intensified diabolical activities within the Government House during his political battle with Uche Ogah, after the latter was issued a certificate of return by INEC.


“We’re writing to the SSS to send him to Umuahia because we want him to come and prove all these things,” Mr. Appolos said.


Mr. Appolos said he could not confirm if Mr. Iroegbu had been transferred to Umuahia.


Within the past one year, Nigeria has witnessed an upsurge in arrests of citizens over their activities on the Internet.


In August 2015, three bloggers —Demond Ike, Seun Oloketuyi and Chris Nwandu— were arrested and charged for offences that allegedly contravened Cybercrime Act in Lagos.


Mr. Ike spent six months in custody, parts of which were in Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison.


A month later, Emmanuel Ojo, was arrested in Abeokuta allegedly on the orders of Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, after posting some “offensive” materials on Facebook. The charges preferred against him remained stalled in the Abeokuta Division of the Federal High Court.


Mr. Ojo said he had since fled Nigeria to another West African country after “threats from powerful people became unbearable.”


On August 8, 2016, Abubakar Usman, a pro-government blogger, was also arrested and detained for nearly two days for apparently publishing a report critical of the head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu.


“Democracy is being threatened in Nigeria by the rising display of intolerance to free speech,” Mr. Effiong said.

THE Federal Government has said that its affordable housing schemes will soon transform thousands of Nigerians from being tenants to proud owners of houses and plots of land.








This is contained in a statement by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja on Monday.


Mr. Shehu said the scheme, operated through the mortgage banking system, was part of the programmes meant to uplift the quality of lives of the citizens.


“There are also programmes for affordable housing with mortgages which will transform thousands from tenant status to homeownership.’’


The statement said the Buhari-led administration had so far released N74 billion as part of capital allocations in the last three months.


More capital releases will soon be made to revitalise the economy, the statement said.


“Most of our road contractors had not been paid since 2012, many of them had sent their workers away adding to the unemployment problem,” it said.


“This government has released capital allocations in the last three months that is more than the whole of 2015.


“In 2015 Nigeria spent a paltry N19 billion on roads, in three months we have spent N74 billion and we are already releasing more,’’ he said.


The statement by Mr. Shehu, which was in reaction to negative comments on the nation’s economy, said the Federal Government had spent N26 billion in the transport sector in the last few months.


It also said that the government would start a concession that would revive the nation’s rail system for freight.


He expressed the hope that the movement of goods, particularly foodstuff through the rail system would reduce the cost of food items across market places in the country.


“In the transport sector in 2015, government spent just N4.2 billion; we have spent N26 billion with more to follow.


“We are starting a concession that will revive our old rail system for freight, whilst we build a new high speed rail system.


“Moving heavy goods by rail will reduce our transport costs which will reduce food prices and will save our roads from damage from heavy loads.,” it said.


“No government has ever considered the poor like this one. Under the current budget, the administration devoted N500 billion for social intervention programmes for those who need and deserve support.


“Any process that will endure, must involve some pain but things will begin to improve. There is always a time lag between policy and effect. That is why the bad effects of past policies are manifesting now.


“Similarly, the positive impact of the work being undertaken to fix Nigeria’s problems will soon begin to show and we will emerge from this period stronger, wiser and more prosperous.


“There is hope for Nigeria, a hope that was previously clouded by corruption, greed and lack of focus.


“Nigeria is starting over and everyone has a role to play. Look back, look ahead.’’


(NAN)

THE federal government says it is set to launch the “Change Begins With Me’’ campaign, “to entrench the values of accountability, integrity and positive attitudinal change” in Nigerians.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, and the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Garba Abari, made this known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

They said the campaign was aimed at educating and enlightening Nigerians to appreciate the key values needed for national development.

The programme would be launched on Thursday in Abuja, they said.

“About three to five years back now, the role models in the society were people of doubtful character,” Mr. Mohammed.

“Money was worshipped; nobody cared where and how one got the money; these are the misplaced values that we are tackling now.”

He said the campaign would involve every Nigerian and address the shortcomings of every profession and jobs.

Mr. Mohammed said the campaign would also feature slogans that could be easily assimilated by the people.

“We believe that what is wrong with Nigeria is not limited to the elite, the political class and the civil service; if we want that change, therefore, it must address all the issues and target every strata of the society.’’


Mr. Mohammed said the campaign was not a replication of the “War Against Indiscipline’’ which the Buhari-led military administration initiated in 1983, but said it would achieve the same goal using a different means.

“In 1983, they used what they had to achieve what they wanted, which was to correct the decadence in society, tackle corruption and impunity.

“However, in the area of enforcement, people alleged infractions and intimidation.

“But here, we are going to use the media to appeal to people. We are going to use persuasion, instead of coercion and intimidation.

“Our various platforms will be radio, television, print media, bill boards, social media and the like.

“Part of our campaign will also be concerts which will be sponsored by people in the private sector.’’

The minister, therefore, solicited the support of the private sector towards the success of the campaign.

Mr. Mohammed said the National Orientation Agency (NOA) would be the flagship body driving the campaign, to ensure that it gets to the grassroots.

In a separate interview, the NOA director-general said the programme was also aimed at fighting corruption and encouraging peaceful co-existence in the country.

He said it was regrettable that corruption had done a lot of damage to every sphere of the country.

“The Fight against corruption must not begin with the government; people must be in the vanguard of fighting corruption.

“Our schools, roads, hospitals should have been better than what they are now, but corruption has stalled their development.

“What would you say about a woman who uses chemical to forcefully ripen banana and sell it to the public; what about a woman who would use a padded `mudu’ to sell rice.

“A petrol attendant who would claim not to have change so that the buyer would leave the change; all these are corruption,’’ Mr. Abari said.


He noted that lecturers in tertiary institutions also engaged in corrupt practices by selling handouts to students, while lazy students also cut corners by selling their bodies and giving money to pass examinations.

According to him, the change must start at the individual level and inevitably extend to the society and country at large.

“Nobody is happy with the way corruption has relegated the country to its present situation.

“We, the citizens, must take a second hard look at what we did wrong that we will not do tomorrow.

“The change must start with the people in the little things they do in their families, place of work and responsibilities,’’ Mr. Abari said.

(NAN)

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday said former President Goodluck Jonathan was responsible for the recent visit by Facebook Founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg to Nigeria,








Dayo Adeyeye, spokesman of the PDP caretaker committee, said this in a statement he issued.


The statement claimed that the visit of Mark Zukerberg to Nigeria would not have happened if Jonathan had not set up the two ICT incubation centres in Lagos and Calabar.


Adeyeye also responded to the allegations that Jonathan turned “a blind eye” to the economic crisis, which started manifesting under him.


Mohammed Baduru, governor of Jigawa state, made the allegation


However, Adeyeye said that Jonathan saw recession coming and had plans to tackle it, but some members of the party who are now in the All Progressives Congress (APC), frustrated it.

NIGERIA'S Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has said economic crime can better be tackled if countries partner each other and share strategic information to stop the network of those who commit such crimes.








Amaechi made the statement on Monday while delivering a keynote speech at the opening of the 34th Cambridge University prestigious International Symposium on Economic Crime, at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.


The Rt. Hon. Jeremy Wright, the Attorney-General of England and Wales and Advocate General of Northern Ireland also spoke on the first day of the week-long symposium.


In his address titled: "Beyond Blame Game: The Imperative of Tackling Economic Crime Together" Amaechi said economic crime is often committed in an organised manner involving several people, sometimes across countries through multiple jurisdictions. Although such crimes may originate from one country, it often involves the participation of clandestine, criminal networks operating in different countries, playing one role or the other and benefiting from such illicit proceeds.


"At the 7th African Union and Economic Commission for Africa conference that held in Abuja back in 2014, the former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki stated that Africa loses between $50 billion to $60 billion annually as a result of Illicit Financial Flows (IFF). These are said to occur through forms of tax avoidance including transfer pricing or mispricing- depending on which side you are- through which multinationals minimize their tax obligations by shifting their profits from high tax to low tax jurisdiction thereby short-changing some of their host countries especially in the developing world and draining them of legitimate revenue, impeding their projects and denying their population access to basic services," Amaechi noted.


He further explained that because economic crimes are committed through networks, sometimes spread over countries, It is therefore a global problem that can only be effectively tackled through global collaboration and partnership. 


"For this to happen, the public and private sectors especially the banks, must come into collaboration beyond high sounding rhetoric and public relations. Institutions from both developed and developing countries must learn to share information and act swiftly to erode the efficacy of these networks to successfully use any jurisdiction either as transit routes or safe havens for proceeds of economic crime.  Strong, effective, regulatory and enforcement capabilities must be encouraged both domestically and internationally through technical cooperation. Partnerships must be encouraged to provide platforms to share best practices and intelligence and strengthen legislations between jurisdictions.


He also noted that leaders across countries and institutions must take responsibility when economic crime or corruption happens.


"That is what it means to be held accountable. In doing so, leadership is expected to do three simple things; perhaps four. They are - upholding the primacy of leadership and political will, insisting on the force of example, enforcing the urgency of incentives and the necessity of sanctions and finally by leveraging on the power of partnership.


"As someone who has been in active politics for more than thirty years, I have learnt that many well intended reforms are possible only if the leader can offer the requisite leadership and muster the right political will. In my country, since our President, Muhammadu Buhari was elected, he did not leave anyone in doubt that the fight against corruption will not only be taken seriously but will form a cardinal plank of his policy direction. So far, he has made several pronouncements that set the tone of his commitment to strengthening anti-corruption agencies to go after anyone who has questions to answer. The President’s resolve was enough to signal all of us, members of his cabinet and the citizenry, that an end has come for the old ways of doing things. Currently, many people who have been indicted in one form of corrupt practice or another are being prosecuted in our courts. That, I believe is the way to show leadership and take responsibility.


"Another important factor is what I refer to as the force of example. There is very little any leader can achieve if he talks the right political talk without offering personal examples. In these days of internet and social media revolution, citizens often spend time to scrutinize the reputation and activities of any leader to find out if they are consistent with what he or she stands for in the media. Essentially leaders must practice what they preach if they expect to be taken seriously both by those within their organisations, state or country or outside," he stated.


Amaechi again gave the example of President Mohammadu Buhari and his commitment to lead the fight against corrupt practices through personal example. 


"Through the implementation of calculated policies to block conduits of waste, the cost of running the central government in Nigeria has been reduced by more than twenty-five percent in the last eighteen months. In the last one year about a cumulative amount of 3.4 trillion naira have been recovered in cash and assets while about 115-billion-naira worth of cash and assets have been located in the United States, United Arab Emirates and even here in the United Kingdom.  Our President has stopped at nothing to demonstrate that whosoever is caught in corruption related crimes will not be spared. In his days as military President, and through other positions he has held in public life, he has upheld a life of integrity. He is a typical example of how a leader can inspire committed followership through the force of example.”


Amaechi concluded that economic crime has become a strong force that can only be successfully confronted if all hands are on deck.


"As an interconnected and rapidly globalising world, it’s vital we work together, in partnership, to collectively fight economic crime.  This is a common enemy and a very smart one for that matter. It seeks to beat every barrier that we mount against it. It is my humble submission that we must hold hands together as never before to confront the spread of economic crimes squarely and successfully."

THE Peoples Democratic Party on Monday said its Director of New Media, Deji Adeyanju, has not been removed.








Ahmed Makarfi, Chairman of the party’s Caretaker Committee, in a statement said the leadership of the party only had issues with some “far-reaching statements” distributed by Mr. Adeyanju “without clearance.”


Mr. Adeyanju was announced removed in a statement distributed by Dayo Adeyeye, the party’s publicity secretary, on Friday afternoon. The statement cited different acts of insubordination.


The statement, signed by Chinwe Nnorom on behalf of Mr. Adeyeye, also said @PdpNigeria, the official Twitter handle of the party run by Mr. Adeyanju, was no longer recognised by the party.


“In view of the above, the party has immediately re-launched a new handle: @officialpdpnig to form part of the social media platform of our great party for ease of communication, administration and control,” Mr. Adeyeye was quoted as saying.


Mr. Makarfi, a former governor of Kaduna State, said the PDP still recognises Mr. Adeyanju and the new media department, but added that their activities would be streamlined going forward.


“If he was employed by the last National Working Committee, then we will have no reason to remove him but to streamline his work,” Mr. Makarfi said.


Mr. Makarfi is the head of an ad-hoc leadership set up by the party at its botched national convention in Port Harcourt last month.


Mr. Adeyanju was appointed in December 2015, and had been responsible for issuing press statements on behalf of the party.


After months of controversial statements following the party’s 2015 elections misfortune, the PDP apologised for contributing to the toxic atmosphere on social media and to improve on its opposition by making it more robust and constructive.


Last week, Mr. Adeyanju signed a statement calling for the resignation of President Buhari in the wake of the country’s descent into recession. It is not immediately clear if that statement contributed to the leadership’s disagreement with him.

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the police to arrest and make an example of government officials accused of stealing food aid intended for victims of Boko Haram in the North-east Nigeria, the president’s spokesman said yesterday.








The Senate last week launched an investigation into allegations of food aid being stolen and sold by state officials in Borno State, where aid agencies have warned of starvation, malnutrition and dwindling food supplies for the displaced.


“The president has asked the Inspector General of the police to catch some of these alleged thieves, to look out for them and make public examples of them,” Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone.


Public outcry was sparked in April when photos posted on social media appeared to show food aid on sale in shops.


The items had logos of aid agencies, leading many to believe they had been diverted by state officials in camps for the displaced.


Hundreds of people displaced by Boko Haram militants last week left their camps to stage a protest in Maiduguri, Borno’s capital, to demand more aid, accusing officials of stealing food rations.


Protesters said they wanted to receive food aid directly, rather than through state-run feeding committees in the camps.


However, the government of Borno State dismissed the allegations of theft, and said they were politically motivated ahead of general and presidential elections in 2019.


“There are some politicians exploiting the IDP (internally displaced persons) situation for political purposes, by spreading rumours about food stealing,” said Isa Gusau, spokesman for the state governor, Kashim Shettima.


“It is practically difficult to divert food,” he said, adding that the international aid agencies involved in the distribution of aid would have spoken out if they had noticed any wrongdoing.


The U.N.’s World Food Programme (WFP) last month warned that up to 5.5 million people in the North-east might soon need food aid, double the current number, as soaring inflation was pushing up food prices.


Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said in late July that severely malnourished children are dying in large numbers in the region, where food supplies are close to running out, and warned of “pockets of what is close to a famine”.

LAGOS has experienced a stormy couple of days this week and the wetter-than-usual week has definitely filled many Lagosians with angst and disdain — at least on Twitter, anyway. Most painful was the case of many having to miss viewing the September 1st solar eclipse as a result of heavy clouds and the rain.

Among all the grumblings and grousing, however, a few have been able to make light-hearted comments that are sure to make you laugh enough to crack a rib or two. Jumia Travel has collected 7 of the funniest Lagos rain tweets. Check out the slideshow below and comment on your favorites — or add your own!

NIGERIAN Government has signed two contracts valued at $5.1bn with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation for the construction and modernisation of rail lines in different parts of the country.



According to the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the two agreements are the Kano-Kaduna Segment 3 of the Lagos-Kano rail modernisation project with a contract sum of $1.68bn, and the Calabar-Port Harcourt Segment 1, which extends to Onne Deep Seaport of the coastal rail project at a cost of $3.4bn.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who signed on behalf of the Federal Government, said the government had commenced the segmentation of the same contract in line with its resolutions with the China-Exim Bank.

Amaechi, in a statement issued by his ministry, said the Federal Government would release its counterpart funds as quickly as possible, adding that with the cooperation of the China-Exim Bank, the projects would be completed in November 2018.

“I have assured Mr. President that we need to complete these projects in two years,” the minister was quoted in the statement.

The Managing Director, CCECC, Mr. Jack Li, assured the Federal Government of his company’s readiness to complete the projects in two years as this would benefit the travelling public.

He added that with the completion of the standard-gauge Abuja-Kaduna rail project, Nigeria had entered a new era in the transportation sector.

On Monday, the China Railway Construction Corporation announced that it had won a $1.851bn contract to construct the Kano city light rail, as its directors had received a provisional letter of award from Nigeria.

The CRCC had stated that the rail, with a total length of 74.3km, was expected to travel at a speed of 100km per hour.

Rail transportation received a boost in Nigeria on July 26 this year when President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the Abuja-Kaduna commercial train operation after a series of postponements.

The modernisation phase of the project had commenced with the signing of the contract for the construction of Abuja (Idu) to Kaduna (Rigasa) rail line in 2009.

Buhari had said the rail line would significantly enhance and provide affordable and safe movement of passengers and freight between the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State.

He noted that the train operation would also serve as a major catalyst for industrialisation and generation of employment.