The management of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), has declared one of its players, Sunday Faleye missing.

3SC said the announcement became necessary after Faleye’s failure to show up in training since the beginning of the month without any form of communication.

In a statement made available to journalists on Thursday by the club’s Team Manager, Dimeji Lawal, Sunday was said to have absconded without any recourse to getting back to the club through any contacts.

Lawal, however, declared that Faleye still remain a bona fide player of the club having just spent a year out of his three years contract with the Shooting Stars.

He said “We have not seen Sunday since even after getting alert for his salary.

“He had refused to report in training, that’s why we must let the world know that he is on AWOL despite being a bona fide player of the club”.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/11/shooting-stars-declares-sunday-faleye.html

Popular Nigerian singer, Abinye David Jumbo popularly known as Mr 2Kay, has broken his silence on the robbery incident and alleged involvement of Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy.

Mr. 2Kay said Burna Boy had issued him a threat but that he took it as child’s play.

His statement followed Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgar’s declaration of Burna Boy wanted over his alleged involvement in Mr 2Kay’s travail.

Speaking to Vanguard through his manager, Silas, Mr. 2Kay disclosed that Burna Boy’s threat was sequel to his caution on the former’s attack on Pastors.

He said: “The arrested suspects confessed that Burna Boy contracted them through a third party to teach Mr. 2Kay a lesson because he granted HipTV an interview, where he corrected Burna Boy for saying negative things about Nigerian pastors.

“2Kay only said Burna Boy shouldn’t have spoken ill of pastors because they are anointed men of God so he can’t be talking about them in that manner.

“After the interview, Burna Boy sent a message saying ‘You better have that energy when I come for you because I’m coming for you.’

“We thought it was just an empty threat but unknown to us he was serious about it. All along we didn’t want to talk about it because the police are still doing their investigations.

“His father was at the station yesterday (Monday), so Burnaboy just has to appear at the station to clarify himself”, he said.

Speaking further, he expressed fear for the safety of his life and members of his team.

He said; “We just have to watch our backs because we’re not safe. Mr. 2Kay will always have security around him, two bodyguards and police protection for every event he goes for now.”

However, he confirmed that the camp has no intentions to press charges against Burna Boy because he is a peace loving person.

“Mr. 2Kay does not want any form of trouble, left to him alone he would drop all charges. But for now it’s left to the police, they have the right to do whatever. On our own end, I don’t think we’re going to press charges”.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/11/mr-2kay-reveals-how-burna-boy.html

Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo has said, God revealed the cause of Nigeria’s problems to him during a 365 hours of praise organised by Aso Villa Chapel last year.

Speaking at Abuja Special Holy Ghost on Friday, an annual convention organised by the Redeemed Christian Church (RCCG), he said, the nation’s problems were revealed to him, adding that after the praises, things began to happen.

Addressing an overcrowded congregation at the camp located on Abuja – Keffi road, the Vice President explained that challenges of humanity could be solved through sacrifices and honouring God.

“Sometime last year, we organised 365 days of praises and worship at the Villa chapel and God revealed the causes of Nigeria’s problems to me.”

“After the exercises, things began to happen and there were awful discoveries. We will organise praises again”, the Vice President said.

This year’s title: “Let fire fall,” saw Professor Osibanjo emphasising that people must be willing to sacrifice and honour God for his intervention.

Reading from 1 Chronicles 18:36 and from other places in the scriptures, the Vice President explained that Nigeria needs divine intervention.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/11/what-god-revealed-to-me-about-nigeria.html

Nantes of France defender, Chidozie Awaziem, has revealed how the Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel’s mentality is helping the team win matches.

He said the importance of the former Chelsea midfielder in the team cannot be over emphasised as it gives them a natural edge against opponents.

The 20 year-old, who put in an impressive shift for Nigeria in their 4-2 win over Argentina on Tuesday, said Mikel’s winning mentality is rubbing off on the team.

He told Own Goal, “The captain (Mikel) gives us an edge, he is a serial winner and his mentality of ‘we can win all games’ is working for us on the pitch. We approach games without fear because he keeps on encouraging us to fight.

“In the game against Argentina even at 2-0 down, he urged us to keep on playing to our strength. We kept on moving and got rewarded for our efforts, he is magical.

“Beside playing alongside him to some of us is enough reason to put in your best because few years ago we were watching him on television for Chelsea. You can’t afford to give less when he is giving all.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/11/mikel-obis-mentality-helping-us-win.html

Doyin Okupe, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s aide has reacted to the military takeover and the removal of President Robert Mugabe from office.

Okupe commended the Zimbabwe military for the courage to chase the 93-year-old President out of the seat he has occupied for 37 years.

In his Facebook post, Okupe said, “Thank God someone with courage and patriotic zeal finally decides to throw out President Mugabe, the ancient and degenerating relic seating tight on the seat of power in Zimbabwe.

“Although the soldiers claim its not a coup bit what else can it be when a subordinate officer announces the forced incarceration of his commander-in-chief?

“Whatever it is it would have been an exercise in futility if for any reason Mugabe is ever allowed to be seen or speak as president again. A hearty good riddance to bad rubbish.

“Mr. Mugabe has led the southern African country since independence in 1980. Several officials have been held by the military, including ministers of the ruling ZANU-PF.

“Mr. Mnangagwa is said to have landed at an Air Force base in the country to take charge of affairs.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/11/mugabes-removal-hearty-good-riddance-to.html

Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger has submitted the names of 18 commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

Bello in a letter read on the floor of the House on Thursday by the Speaker, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa said his action was in line with section 192 (2) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

Those on the list include Idris Amin, Zakari Bawa, Zakari Abubakar, Ibrahim Panti, Umar Tagagi, Hajiya Ramatu Yardua, Dr Jibrin Mustapha, Mamman Musa, Amina Gu’ar and Ismail Ibrahim.

Others are Ibrahim Balarabe, Danjuma Sallau, Fatima Madugu, Zakari Jikantoro, Nasara Dan Malam, Isah Kanko, Kabiru Musa and George Koce.

The House thereafter unanimously resolved to commence the screening of the nominees in the first week of January 2018.

8 out of the 18 commissioner nominees were returned by the governor who dissolved his cabinet in October.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/11/check-how-niger-governor-appoints-18.html

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ahmed Markarfi, has warned aspirants of the national chairmanship position of the party against inducing delegates to the party’s national convention.

PDP delegates will converge in Abuja on December 9 to choose their leader ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Makarfi warned that any of the aspirants that bribed or induced delegates would be disqualified from contesting at the convention.

The former Governor added that any aspirant that violated the rules could still be disqualified on the day of convention.

He gave the warning during the peace accord signed by the aspirants at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday.

Seven of the aspirants signed the accord while one was absent.

They were Prof. Tunde Adeniran , Prince Uche Secondus, Chief Gbenga Daniel , Rashidi Ladoja, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja , Dr . Raymond Dokpesi and Mr . Jimi Agbaje.

Chief Olabode George was not in the meeting and was said to have secured the permission of the national leadership of the party to sign the document on Thursday.

The accord read in part, “We will support whoever emerges amongst us as the National Chairman of our great party as long as the process is transparent, free and fair in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the party and guidelines of the elective national convention.

“No aspirant shall leave the party or encourage his or her supporters, promoters etc to do so, as a result of the outcome of the national chairmanship election at the elective national convention.

“Any breach of the 2015 zero expenditure policy of the party, which prohibits the use of monetary inducement including lodging of delegates and providing money for votes , shall not be tolerated in the 2017 national elective convention and shall be grounds for disqualification on or before the 9 th of December, 2017;
“Any aspirant / sponsor / supporter / financier, proven to have done anything contrary to the agreements reached herein and in circumstances that suggest the knowledge of the undersigned persons shall be disqualified from contesting the national chairmanship election.

“Solemnly abide by and uphold the tenets of this national chairmanship election according to which we hereby voluntarily subscribe.”

Speaking before the peace accord, Makarfi commended the aspirants for putting the party first, adding that their resolve to sign the peace accord was a sign of greatness.

He assured the aspirants that the party’s national leadership would remain neutral in the contest.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman noted that the coming together of the aspirants to pledge their commitment to the outcome of the convention would help put the records straight and “shame our detractors.”

He added, “Our being here today is a clear confirmation that what they (a section of the media ) have been saying is wrong. You have resolved that whoever is crowned by God and elected by the delegates will be acceptable to you.

“We didn’t suggest anything to you. You met and showed it to us and all we did was thank you for statesmanship. Even PDP has not done this before, not to talk of other parties that are undemocratic.

“You have shown that whatever happens, the overall interest of the party prevails. This is a sign of greatness; an indication of good things to come.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/11/pdp-chairmanship-makarfi-reveals-what.html

Reno Omokri, former Special Adviser on New Media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari’s proposed 2018 budget.


Buhari on Tuesday presented a proposed 2018 budget of N8.6 trillion to a joint session of the National Assembly.


Omokri, in his reaction observed that every year, Buhari budgets twice the amount Jonathan did, yet “Nigerians get twice the suffering they had under PDP.”


In a post on his Facebook page, the United States based Pastor said despite budgeting less, Nigerians were not subjected to high cost of living.


He wrote: “Each year President Buhari budgets twice the amount of money that Jonathan budgeted, yet every year Nigerians get twice the suffering they had under PDP.


“Jonathan never budgeted more than ₦4.6 trillion. Buhari regularly budgets ₦8 trillion and above (₦8.6 trillion is his latest budget).


“How come Nigerians paid ₦87 Naira per litter of fuel and ₦8k for a 50kg of rice under Jonathan’s ₦4.2 trillion budget and ₦145 for fuel and ₦20k for rice under President Buhari’s ₦8.6 trillion budget?


“Yet Jonathan was allegedly corrupt while Buhari is allegedly a man of integrity?”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/11/2018-budget-jonathans-ex-aide-omokri.html

The Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, has reacted to the killing of a British national.

Ian was killed by the suspected kidnappers while three others were released and returned safely after Nigerian authorities negotiated their freedom.

IYC described the incident as unfortunate and highly condemnable, noting that it did not reflect the character of Niger Deltans.

A statement by IYC President, Eric Omare, maintained the death of the Briton was a case of criminality and should be treated as such.

“The people of Niger Delta are peaceful and hospitable as evidence by the centuries of missionaries from foreign countries having peaceful sojourn in the region”, it said.

IYC urged security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible.

“The perpetrators must not be allowed to go unpunished.

“We again call on community and traditional leaders to support security agents to help in fishing out criminals from their communities”, he said.

The group further disclosed that it would soon set up clan and community security structures to work with security agencies in order to make Ijaw communities uncomfortable place for criminals.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/11/ijaw-youths-blow-hot-over-murder-of.html

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has assured that as Nigeria’s economy continues to improve, prices of food items will soon “tumble.”

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said Nigerians will soon begin to feel the impact of the country’s improved economy in their daily lives.

Speaking in Lagos, Mohammed highlighted how the Federal Government has being making efforts towards ensuring that the country’s economy continues to improve.

Mohammed said with programmes like Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC, Buhari is determined to put the country’s economy on a winning path.

The Minister insisted that the current administration will not “relent in its determined effort to usher in a new dawn for Nigeria. We are winning the battle to revive the economy.”

Mohammed in a statement said, “Good afternoon gentlemen and thank you for, once again, honouring our invitation. This is the second time we are meeting in about one and a half months. Recall that when we met on Sept. 17th 2017, at this same venue, we promised that the next meeting won’t be long. Today, we are living true to our promise.

“Our last meeting dwelt exclusively on the menace of IPOB. Today, it is about the economy! As you are very much aware, this administration’s contract with Nigerians sits on a tripod: The fight against corruption, Tackling insecurity and reviving the economy. Even our worst critics acknowledge the progress we have made in fighting corruption and tackling insecurity. But one area in which they have consistently criticised us is the economy. Right from the inception of this Administration, we chose the path of seeking a lasting solution to the economic crisis plaguing the nation instead of engaging in a quick fix that may attract accolades but will not endure. We chose to be painstaking instead of engaging in palliatives.

“Gentlemen, I am happy to inform you today that we are winning! Our well-thought-out policy, encapsulated in the Administration’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), launched on April 5th 2017, is working and the results are beginning to show. In September, we exited recession and returned to the path of growth, after five consecutive quarters of contraction. As we said then, taking Nigeria out of recession did not happen by accident. It was the culmination of months of hard work by the administration and fidelity to its well-articulated economic policies.

“To show that taking Nigeria out of recession was not a fluke, less than two months later, precisely 31st Oct. 2017, Nigerians got another good news: The country has moved up 24 places, to 145th, in the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business’ report. Not only that, for the first time the country is recognized as one of the top 10 most improved economies in the world. This is phenomenal. More importantly, it is the direct result of a well-articulated policy by this Administration.

“Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Secretary to the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and the Coordinator of the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat (EBES), which implements the PEBEC’s reform agenda, will give details of how Nigeria achieved that feat and what remains to be done to ensure even a better result in the months ahead.

“But let me say this: Shortly after its establishment by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016, PEBEC, which is chaired by the Vice President, took a significant step towards making it easier for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to do business in Nigeria. How did it do to that, you may ask? PEBEC approved a 60-Day National Action Plan on the Ease of Doing Business with clear deliverables and timelines for the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for implementing each line item in the Plan.

“Remember that MSMEs, which account for almost half of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), play a key role in the Nigerian economy and employ over 80 percent of the country’s labour force. Therefore, we look up to these enterprises to provide the endless possibilities for Nigeria’s economic growth. We now for sure that if the MSMEs blossom, Nigeria’s economy will thrive. This is what PEBEC set out to do, and the result is what you are seeing. Lest I forget, we even surpassed our target. We had hoped to move up 20 places. We beat that by four more to move up 24 places. And as Dr. Oduwole will soon tellyou, the best is yet to come. In the words of Vice President Osinbajo,”improving the business environment is at the heart of the Buhari Administration’s reform agenda. We are reinforcing our economic turnaround by implementing the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) so businesses operating in Nigeria can thrive and be competitive globally.”

“The good news in the area of the economy continues. As part of the Administration’s efforts to improve Nigeria’s tax to GDP ratio, which currently sits at a paltry 6% – one of the lowest in the world – the Administration has launched what is called the Nigerian Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme, or VAIDS. This provides a time-bound opportunity for taxpayers to regularize their tax statusrelating to previous tax periods and pay any taxes due. In exchange for fully and honestly declaring previously undisclosed assets and income, taxpayers will benefit from forgiveness of overdue interest and penalties, and the assurance of not facing criminal prosecution for tax offences or tax investigations. As of 31st Oct. 2017, VAIDS has raked in over 200 million Naira and 55 million US dollars.

“Then, of course, there are the usual indices: For 8th consecutive months, headline inflation has been falling; the foreign exchange reserves are up to $34 billion, from $24 billion a year ago; oil production is at nearly 2 million barrels per day, a significant improvement from 2016 when it was mostly below a million; the value of the Naira in the parallel market has appreciated significantly inrecent times against the US dollar, and that at about 1.8 billiondollars, the capital inflows in the second quarter of 2017 were almost double the $908 million in the first quarter.

“Gentlemen, we can go on and on in reeling out the good news. But the bottom line is that as things continue to improve, Nigerians will begin to feel the impact in their daily lives. With the ongoing massive infrastructural development, especially in roads, railways and power, Nigerians will begin to get a new lease on life. Food prices will tumble. Businesses will thrive. More jobs will be created.

“This Administration will not relent in its determined effort to usher in a new dawn for Nigeria. We are winning the battle to revive the economy. We are fighting corruption like never before. We are tackling insecurity with a renewed vigour. While the naysayers, who are obviously in the minority, persist in their pastime of acting as a distraction, discerning and well-meaning Nigerians will continue to appreciate and encourage the good work of our Administration.

“Let me round off this address by once again commending Nigerians for their perseverance. Reviving the economy was never going to be an easy task. It was bound to bring some hardship to our people in the short term. Through it all, the good people of Nigeria have borne the pains with equanimity, based on their unshakable trust in the sincerity, capability and commitment of President Buhari. Now, the soothing balm is here. As the results of the government’s fidelity to its well-articulated economic policies trickle in, one thing is sure: This time around, it will be long-lasting.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/11/buhari-is-improving-nigerias-economy.html

Ex-youth leader, South West Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Dare Adeleke has alleged that parallel State executive congresses of the party held on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital was as a result of connivance of the state caretaker committee chairman, Hon. Tunde Akogun with some party leaders in the state.

He accused them of altering the delegates’ list for the congress.

Adeleke made this allegation while speaking with journalists at the venue of a factional congress of the party held at Baptist Secondary School, Liberty Road, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.

He explained that all the interest groups within the party had agreed on the sharing formular and the delegates’ list but that to his dismay, Akogun and some leaders within the party altered the list by substituting the names of the delegates with their own people to pave way for them to fill all the important position at the state executive level.

Adeleke said “When we got aware of this, we protested and went to the committee, that if we are going to go ahead with a united congress, the original list of the delegates where five local government congresses have been nullified at the wards and local government should be used or follow agreed sharing formula.

“The agreed sharing formular was that the group that presented state chairman will have 13 positions while the group that presented state secretary will have 14 positions.

“But to our dismay, Hon Akogun connived with other group in such a way that the group will present both chairman and secretary, treasurer and the same time share the remaining position with other groups.

“When a group is having the chairman, secretary and treasurer, you should know that, that group is having the soul of the party.

“And I can confidently tell you that apart from Chief Yekeen Adeojo who has quit active politics, I am the oldest member of the party in Oyo state, all these people who want to take the soul of the party by all means joined us later while some have left the party one time or the other.

“But I think with this congresses, the national secretariat will look into the issue holistically and harmonise the position without favour or bias”.

But, all efforts by DAILY POST on Sunday to get the reactions of the caretaker committee chairman of the party in the state Hon. Tunde Akogun proved abortive.

DAILY POST had reported yesterday that members of the party on Saturday held parallel state congresses to elect state executives of the party.

But despite this development, leaders of the political party in the state insisted that Oyo PDP remained one, and was determined to capture power in 2019.

It was gathered the bone of contention was how to share party executives among different interest groups within the Oyo PDP.

A meeting to broker peace between the two groups was fruitless.

While former Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the state, Engineer Seyi Makinde and other party leaders held their own inside Baptist Secondary School, Liberty Road, Oke-Ado, former Governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja and other party leaders held their state congress at an event center located at Old Ife Road area of Ibadan.

Those at the Oke-Ado congress were; Makinde, Senator Hosea Ayoola Agboola, Hon. Mulikat Adeola Akande Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, Alhaja Bose Adedibu, Hon. Oluyemi Taiwo Hon. Tirimisiyu Okunola, and Hon. Dare Adeleke.

Over 750 accredited delegates at the Oke-Ado unanimously elected Chief Jacob Adetoro as the State chairman, and Wasiu Adeleke, as the State Secretary.

Senator Agboola, Akanda, Gbolarumi and Alhaja Adedibu, who addressed party members at the congress denied the insinuation that there was rancour among PDP leaders in the state.

In his own speech, Agboola said party leaders brainstormed throughout the morning to ensure that all was well within Oyo PDP, adding that the political party remained one in the state.

Makinde in the same vein declared that leaders of the Oyo PDP have resolved to work together to ensure that the political party returns to power in the state in 2019.

“What we are witnessing here today is normal in politics. There is no rancour among us. What we are doing here today will lay foundation for our party to return to power in 2019”, he said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/11/selfish-members-behind-oyo-pdp-parallel.html

The senator representing Imo West Senatorial District in the Senate, Hope Uzodinma, has called on Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State to respect the zoning formula of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Uzodinma said the former ruling party had since zone the presidential ticket to northern Nigeria, thus, Fayose and other aspirants must obey the decision.

Speaking with Vanguard, Uzodinma said although PDP won’t stop Fayose and others from exercising their fundamental rights, the party’s policy must be respected.

He said, “PDP has done its internal zoning arrangement. And party faithful will follow the decision. Fayose is one out of the millions of PDP members. If he comes to the convention ground, he will be allowed to contest. It has happened before.

“When the position was zoned to the South, Abubakar Rimi contested and he was voted out at the convention ground. His ambition is nothing to worry about because as things are today, we want our presidential candidate to come from the north.

“We are being religious about the agreement and we are going to keep it. During the convention, we will vote for a northern candidate.

“If we are sure the votes will not count, we will not subject ourselves to the contest. If it is a contest that will not be governed by rules, there will be no need involving in such a contest.

“I think that the present INEC Chairman, with his pedigree and reputation, will want to do the right thing. But if anything goes to the contrary, it will be resisted. We have just amended the Electoral Act which is waiting for the President’s assent. As soon as he does that, it becomes law.

“There is no party without human beings. The face of the party is the face of the people in the party. Individual goodwill is the party’s goodwill. When good people are elected to run PDP, the party will have a good face.

“But when people, who are not credible, are elected, it means the party will be governed badly. So, the prospects of the party depend on the type of people to be elected to run the party.

Speaking on the leadership style of Governor Rochas Okorocha, Uzodinma said he had written the governor severally but his advices were not taken.

“I have written two letters to him as an elder in the state. And in my letter, I enumerated all the things he is not doing well. I called for a redress. I copied the President, but there was no reply.

“After a few months, I wrote a second letter as a reminder. I don’t think he is ready for anybody’s input. I don’t think he knows that the responsibility he is having requires consultation and teamwork.”


http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/11/fayose-must-obey-zoning-pdp-2019-ticket.html

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said he had suffered a grave loss” as he spoke on the death of his son, Jide, saying he wished he could bring him back.

Since the politician’s son died on Wednesday at the age of 37, several prominent Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had sent condolence messages to the APC chieftain.

In a statement on Friday, Tinubu said he would miss his son, disclosing that he died of cardiac arrest.

The statement read partly, “My son was a highly intelligent person with a vibrant personality and a zest for life. He followed his own course and made his own way on his own terms. Those who knew him could not help but like him. Yet, he was taken away by cardiac arrest when it seemed he had so much life to still live.

“Jide lived for so long in London and there he has left behind a darling wife and three precious boys. My wife, Remi, and I have gone to London to be with them at this painful time to support and help them. Please excuse our absence from Lagos for a while, but it is essential that we are with them.

“I have suffered a grave loss that no parent would like to bear. As a father, I must spend time putting my arms around the family he has left behind. We must seek a lesson in every loss. Your reaction to my son’s passing has taught me that we can be a people of profound love and humanity when we want to be. People of every tribe, region, faith and every political affiliation have expressed their sympathy and extended to me the embrace of a brother or sister.

“Even those who don’t agree with me politically have shown strong support and care indistinguishable from that of my associates. This says so much about the innate goodness in all of us. For no matter what, we are not foes or enemies. We are all of one human stock, a single nation, one family.

“I wish I could bring my son back, but I cannot. However, what I can do is to be more caring and helpful to the living as I know this is what Jide would want to become of his passing.”

Meanwhile, the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has condoled with Tinubu’s family over the death of his first son, Jide.

In a statement on Friday by Okorocha’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemedo, the governor regretted that Jide died at a time he was about to join his father in contributing to the nation’s growth and development.

The statement said, “I received with rude shock and sad news of the death of Jide at a very young age. On behalf of the people of Imo State, I express my heartfelt sympathy and urge the APC leader to take heart and bear the great loss with courage.

“I equally pray that the gentle soul of Mr. Jide Tinubu rest in perfect peace.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/11/see-tears-tinubu-reacts-to-sons-death.html

As the Niger Delta Avengers threatens to resume fresh attacks on oil facilities in Nigeria, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and others have said such action would have a grave impact on the nation’s economy and its people.

They, therefore, urged the government to engage the militants to avert such attacks.

The group had announced an immediate end to its ceasefire with the Federal Government in a statement posted on its website on Friday.

It had also accused the Federal Government of being insincere despite the commitment by the leaders of the region to broker peace, saying that the government was only interested in the oil being derived from the Niger Delta.

In the statement signed by the group’s spokesman, Murdoch Agbinibo, NDA said Operation Red Economy, which it had declared following the intervention of the Chief Edwin Clark-led Pan Niger Delta Forum, was officially over.

It declared that the fresh attacks would affect the nation’s oil facilities in the region and stop oil production, saying it was not interested in having further negotiations with the Federal Government.

But President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Frank Jacobs, described the situation as unfortunate, noting that an attack on oil installations at a time when Nigeria was still recovering from arguably its worst economic crisis, would deal a huge blow to its economy.

He said, “It is unfortunate if that is what the NDA wants to do, especially at this time that the economy is getting out of recession, when oil production is becoming steady and price of oil is going up.

“It will deal a terrible blow to the country and it is my hope that the government won’t allow that to happen. The government should engage them, find out what their issues are and find a way to address them because if they succeed, it might be disastrous for the economy.”

Jacobs also said the effects of such attacks would be greatly felt by manufacturers, who rely on foreign exchange to bring in raw materials and machinery.

Similarly, the Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Muda Yusuf, said should the militants carry out their threats, “it will cause a setback for Nigeria.”

Yusuf described the Nigerian economy as oil-sensitive, adding, “The economy is just recovering and gathering momentum and the bulk of this recovery is arising from oil price recovery and oil output stability; if anything happens to any of those two variables, the shock will be a lot to the system. Therefore, we need to step up engagements with these people, at least to prevent these attacks.”

President, Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, Dr. Femi Egbesola, said resumed attacks on oil facilities could once again lead to the closure of small businesses and loss of jobs in the long run.

He said, “It means we will have less crude oil to produce and export, which will lead to a reduction in revenue and foreign exchange. Every sector in the economy will be affected.

“Small businesses will also be affected by the loss in naira value as the cost of raw materials will increase, which will lead to selling at a reduced profit.”

The Head, Department of Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Abayomi Adebayo, said the way forward to end agitations in the country was for the Federal Government to heed the calls for restructuring.

He said, “It’s a disaster in waiting. It will also lead to the reduction in productivity of oil companies. Lives will also be lost. I pray the government responds adequately. I see it as a protest against the delay in restructuring the country.”

A professor of energy economics at the University of Ibadan, Adeola Adenikinju, said, “It is not a good omen for the country that is just coming out of recession. Probably the government has not fulfilled its promises to the militants; it should quickly call them to the table. Negotiations are very important. We should not take their threat lightly.”

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, also said the new threat posed a risk to the Nigerian economy as it would lead to decreased oil production.

A statement by the Niger Delta Avengers on Friday had said, “This outing will be brutish, brutal and bloody, as we shall crush everything we meet on our path to completely cut every pipe that takes oil out from our region.

“We can assure you that every oil installation in our region will feel the wrath of the Niger Delta Avengers.”

The group also denied any affiliation with the militant group, Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, accusing its operators of being used by the Federal Government to scuttle efforts by leaders in the region to force the government to develop the region.

However, responding to an inquiry from one of our correspondents about how attacks on oil installations would affect the activities of oil companies, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, in a text message, said, “No comment.”

The spokesperson for Shell Nigeria, Mr. Precious Okolobo, also declined to comment on the development and told Saturday PUNCH to contact the relevant security agencies.

In the same vein, the General Manager, External Affairs and Communications, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku, declined to comment on the development.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy has said it would not relent in its operations in the Niger Delta region to secure oil installations, lives and property.

The Navy Director of Information, Captain Suleman Dahun, said this on Friday while reacting to the threats made by the militants.

The navy recently began an exercise on October 30 in Bayelsa and Delta states called, ‘Operation Octopus Grip.’

It reportedly deployed troops and at least five gunships in the region.

Dahun said, “In the Niger Delta, we have several operations to secure lives and property, including the most recent Operation Octopus Grip. We are doing this to contain all threats and maintain the peaceful atmosphere in the Niger Delta.

“The navy is constitutionally mandated to ensure maritime security. This is our cardinal responsibility and it includes lives and property in the Niger Delta. Over the years, we have kept this mandate.”

Efforts to also talk to Operation Delta Safe, which is a joint military operation set up to secure oil installations in the region, have yet to be successful as of press time.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/11/just-in-niger-delta-avengers-declares.html

“The fact remains that apart from May 27th 1967 the date in which Rivers State was created by the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon; 25th October, 2007 is another great date in the annals of Rivers State as an entity. This day was not only epochal, sacrosanct, monumental but historical in the politics of Rivers State as the outcome of the Supreme Court bold judgement on this day redefined the politics of Rivers State and enhanced the potentials of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi the major character in this episode in his contributions to the development and emancipation of Rivers State and the national politics as a whole” - Eze
Amaechi & 25th October: Implications on Rivers State and the Nation A Decade After (Part One)
By Eze Chukwuemeka Eze
Preamble
Marcus Garvey in one of his popular quotes stated, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots” while to Harriet Tubman , “every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world”. These great minds in these quotes set the aim of this treatise aimed to examine a date in which a dreamer actualised his dream against all odds to prove that he with God is mightier than any mere mortal and their strategies. This epochal and monumental date that changed the annals of Rivers State politics and redefine not only the Judiciary but the electoral laws governing Nigeria is the main aim of this treatise.
The fact remains that apart from May 27th 1967 the date in which Rivers State was created by the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon; 25th October, 2007 is another great date in the annals of Rivers State as an entity. This day was not only epochal, sacrosanct, monumental but historical in the politics of Rivers State as the outcome of the Supreme Court bold judgement on this day redefined the politics of Rivers State and enhanced the potentials of http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/10/amaechi-25th-october-implications-on.html

The Senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Shehu Sani on Tuesday said the recall of a former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, has lent credence to the disjointed state of government in the country.

Sani said he believes Maina’s reinstatement into the Federal Civil Service has left Nigerians to question how the Federal Government intends to achieve the objectives of its anti-corruption war.

He made this known on Tuesday when he features on Channels Television’s Politics Today anchored by Seun Okinbaloye.

He said: “What is clear in the whole of these is the very fact that things have not actually changed very much in the very sense that if a man who has an issue to settle with morality, with sanity could at these very times be re-invited or recalled, then moral issues certainly were raised and is also a revelation of the discord and the disjointed state of government as it is now.”

The development, according to him, also reveals “the very fact that some persons are behind the scene wielding very strong powers to which their wielding of power is directly in contradiction with what the President stands for, believes in, and advertises as the moral principles of his government.

“It is of concern today that like I’ve said in my tweets – corruption was being hoisted under an umbrella and today is being swept under the carpet in the very sense that many things have not changed despite the promise of change.

“It is worrying for the fact that there are so many expectations, so many hopes and opportunities for us to cleanse the system; it is very clear that corruption is becoming a cat with nine lives”.

The lawmaker said an order was raised by one of his colleagues during Tuesday’s plenary where the attention of the Senate was brought to the issue of Maina and a decision was taken to set up an ad hoc committee.

Despite the order issued by President Buhari to investigate the recall, Sani stressed the need for Nigerians to understand the separate responsibilities of the executive and the legislative arms of government.

He explained that the Senate intends to investigate the circumstances on how Maina returned to the country and those who were responsible for his recall.

The senator added that the Upper Chamber would also investigate how he was reinstated without the knowledge of the President, referring to the separate reports from the Senate and the Presidency on the corruption allegations in the North East.

“By having two reports, it would be impossible for anyone who will try to suppress it (the investigation). The very fact that the President now has taken a stand by reversing the recall is a clear indication that either what was done was done without his knowledge of it was done with his knowledge but he now realised that it was wrong.

“But the fact as it is on the ground now is that the Senate will fully investigate and will come out with its report. What will not happen will be a situation whereby reports will be hidden from the public and naturally if the parliament is investigating issues, reports are usually made public.

“We are serious about this and Nigerians will come to know the truth of how Maina came back and those who are responsible; we would not allow it to be a family affair and that’s why the Senate has to investigate,” he said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/10/see-what-mainas-recall-exposed-about.html

A former U.S intelligence community expert, Matthew Page, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s 82-year-old Ambassadorial nominee to the United States, Sylvanus Nsofor, may be rejected for not being a “dynamic and energetic” person.

Recall that Nsofor’s nomination as Ambassador to the U.S had sparked controversy when President Buhari sent his name to the Nigerian Senate.

The Senate had rejected Nsofor’s nomination after the Department of State Services (DSS) advised that the ambassadorial nominee “will not be able to perform the duty of an officer due to his advanced age.”

Regardless, the Presidency sent the 82-year-old’s name back to upper legislative chamber for reconsideration, after which he was confirmed on June 7 for the job.

However, Mr. Page, while featuring in an interview, which aired on AIT, disclosed that the United States was uncomfortable with posting Nsofor to resume at its Washington DC office.

He said: “this chap (Nsofor) made headlines when he was nominated as an ambassador by Buhari. He is a very well respected Nigerian but his disadvantage is that he is 82-year-old.

“What I am hearing is that the US government is very uneasy about agreeing to have this ambassador posted to Washington because that is an extremely arduous drop.

“You have a growing schedule and its one of Nigeria’s largest overseas embassies to manage. This is something that needs a very dynamic and energetic person with an enormous constitution.

“So, there is uneasiness but there is also the desire to respect when a country sends you an ambassador. You can’t just say no, send me another one.

“The Nigerian government may sort of reconsider and realise that that person may not be best suited and http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/10/buharis-ambassadorial-nominee-to-united.html

By a Lagos Based Yoruba Man
I don’t care if the correct pronunciation is “IBO or IGBO”, i just know there is a certain tribe in Nigeria with *typical muscular physique* maybe due to their “indiscriminate love for starchy foods”, i also observed that their ladies if not all but a noticeable number of them are so “hairy”.
Should i say some of their ladies are also as muscular as their men. Nevertheless am not scared of what the Yorubas do call *egungun ibo*.
Interestingly, what i so much envy about the igbos is their *survival instinct*, am not saying other tribes don’t share this instinct but the survival instinct exhibited by “Igbo men” is so intimidating and inspiring.

I so much respect that instinct of theirs that pushes them all over the world, even to countries you believe lack *economic potentials*. “Omo nnas” don discover Malaysia and Indonesia long before young Nigerians started rushing to *Malay*. Same is the case in South Africa and Botswana. I was shocked when a secondary school junior of mine migrated to *Hong Kong* and later to Japan at the young age of eighteen. I asked myself if my “Yoruba parents” would permit me of that adventure at that tender age.
Same is the case of many igbos in Germany. Early hustling is part of that http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/08/what-i-envy-about-igbos-lagos-based.html

The Northern Youth Coalition, led by the Arewa Youth is set to withdraw the October 1 quit notice given to Igbos to quit the region.

The youth were waving the olive branch after a meeting with Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima in Abuja yesterday, The Nation reports.

Arewa Youth Coalition spokesman Abdulaziz Suleiman told reporters that consultations were ongoing among members with a view to withdrawing the quit notice.

Suleiman ascribed the decision to withdraw the quit notice to what he described as “positive developments” that came out of the meeting with Shettima and persuasions from the Northern Governors Forum.

On the actual date for the withdrawal of the notice, Suleiman said: “You will hear from us this week.”

He added, “What we can say is that there has been a major development. Now the chairman of the Governors’ Forum has taken the initiative and invited us to start negotiations. This is the first time we are meeting publicly with any leader and we believe that it is a major step forward in our ongoing consultations.

“We hold the governor in high esteem and we have the unity of the country at heart”.

Suleiman said, “You see, I wonder why you talk about quit notice. We only issued a Kaduna declaration, quit notice is just a part of it. Let us do the recounting of the successes of our declarations first. We are sill going on with our consultations”.

The governor said he was able to impress it on the youth to appreciate the enormity of the challenges facing the country and how the quit notice they issued had compounded the situation.

Shettima, who is the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, added that the governors have also been in discrete consultations with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa‘ad Abubakar on this and other issues.

Confirming the decision of the Arewa Youths to withdraw the quit notice, Shettima said they had agreed to review their position and that he was expecting the good news from them in the next few days.

The governor said, “We met with the leadership of the coalition of Northern Groups in my capacity as the chairman of the Northern Governors Froum.

“We had very fruitful discussion with them and they have shown a lot of courtesy and respect for the establishment. This is the first time that they are sitting down with the leadership of the forum.

“They were having interactions with His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto. I started conversations with them right from Kaduna yesterday and we continued the discussion today and by the grace of God, it is going to yield fruits.

“We are trying to have understanding of the challenges confronting us as a people and solutions to those challenges. I have to commend them for honouring our invitation because a political problem needs a political solution”.

Shettima cautioned against criminalising the group, adding that harassing and intimidating them would not bring solution to the nation’s challenges.

“They have agreed to revisit their decision and we will follow it up to its logical conclusion and I believe that in the next couple of days, we are going to get the: http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/07/quit-notice-to-igbos-is-just-part-of.html

A woman from Osogbo, Osun State identified as Mrs. Omotayo Salawudeen has confessed how she hacked her husband to death few minute she had s'ex with her in the presence of a hired assassin she had contracted to help kill the man.

The accused was paraded alongside one Dolapo Oladapo who she reportedly hired to carry out the dastardly act by the police in Osogbo on Monday for alleged murder, made the confession while being interviewed by journalists.

According to Omotayo, her husband was a loving husband, adding that she had sex with him before Dolapo Oladapo, whom she hired to kill him, stabbed him to death.

She said, “I hired Dolapo Oladapo to kill my husband. We were married for about 17 years; we were blessed with three children. They are aged: http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/07/how-i-assisted-hired-killer-to-murder.html

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode says the latest picture showing some APC Governors, party Chairman, John Oyegun and President Muhammadu Buhari, purportedly taken in London, is “old and fake.”

He said: “I have been reliably informed that the picture was taken in Abuja some time back and not yesterday in London.

“Quite apart from that, even though the picture was meant to have been taken in London curiously all the drinks on the table are Nigerian products and Nigerian-made.

“Did the Governors take all those drinks along with them to London when they went to see the President?

“Is Buhari not coming home soon again? Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo and some government officials told us that he would be back on the 28th of July which is just a few days away.

“Why the need for the APC Governors to “visit” him in far away London if he will be back in Nigeria in a few days?

“What was the purpose and point of this fake photo-shoot and this strange breakfast meeting? What was the purpose and objective of this monumental fraud and deceit?

“Whatever the answers may be to these questions the curtain must be brought down on what can only be described as a puerile and nauseating conspiracy.

“For those who still believe that the meeting actually took place there are some nagging questions that need to be answered.

“For example why were the Nigerian and foreign media not allowed to cover the proceedings and participate in this celebrated photo-soot and merry London feast?

“Why did the Villa press corps not take one of their own camera men to London and make a short video of the event?

“Why was the whole event shrouded in so much secrecy? Why is it that only one picture was taken? Why were more pictures not taken? Why was Buhari not put on audio tape and recorded talking to his guests?”


This is what another Instagram user posted: http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/07/busted-photo-of-buhari-apc-govs-in-uk.html

A young Nigerian man identified as Jude Iroh Junior has lost his life after he was gunned down during the renewed clash between the Vikings and Confraternities in Ugep, Yakurr LGA of Cross River State last month.
The deceased was later identified as the nephew of the Special Assistant to President Buhari on Prosecution, Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla.
It has now been revealed that one of the cultists who allegedly shot the deceased and hacked him to death has been arrested while trying to withdraw money from Skye Bank in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital.
Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla shared the photos and wrote: “This is the picture of Sunday Ojor Abam , the bloody cultist/terrorist/murderer who shot my nephew, Jude Junior at close range in his chest after his fellow cultists/murderers/terrorists have dealt 32 machetes/axes on him and had fallen to the ground wringing in excruciating plans on the 29 June 2017 in Ugep, Cross River State !
The coward had soon after his dastardly and murderous acts run into hiding ! But yesterday in: http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/07/cultist-who-shot-dead-nephew-of_26.html

A young man has perished in the massive flood that took over Imo community, ravaging the town and causing panic.
A photo has shown the young man who died as a result of a massive flood arising from torrential rainfall on Saturday in Owerri, the capital of Imo State.
According to Punch Metro, the young man, whose name was given simply as Izuchukwu as the time of filing this report died at West End Road area of the state capital.
It was learnt that the victim attempted to cross a flooded culvert when he slipped over and hit his fore head on the culvert and lost consciousness immediately.

It was learnt that Izuchukwu never knew the culvert was among the ones broken in the on going urban renewal programme of the state government
It was further learnt that Izuchukwu was rushed to the: http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/07/heartbreaking-see-young-man-who-died.html

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed three policemen attached to the Area N Command, Ijede, Ikorodu, Lagos State,for the unlawful arrest and extortion.
The dismissed cops are identified as Inspector Okelue Nkemeonye with Administrative Police Number, 136005; Sergeant Braimoh Sunday, with Force Number, 355897, and Yusuf Olukoga with F.No., 359928.
It was learnt that the ex-policemen, led by one Bayo Obadia, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, with AP No., 98199, had reportedly paraded themselves as operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad on June 21, 2017.
It was said that the men stationed a van in front of a bank in Ikorodu, where one of their victims, a graduate, had gone to deposit some money.
On coming out of the bank, they collected his phone and forced him to enter their van.
The graduate, in a petition written to the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit via its Whatsapp number, 08057000003, stated that the policemen accused him of being a Yahoo boy (Internet fraudster), and asked him to pay N1m.
The victim, whose identity was not disclosed, wrote, “I went to the bank this morning (June 21) to deposit money to a company’s account, but there was no network; so I deposited the money into my personal account to do the transfer to the account later. When I came out of the bank, I saw a van with some SARS policemen inside.
“I was told to enter the vehicle at gunpoint. They collected my mobile phone and asked me what I did for a living. I told them that I had just finished my youth service and I was living with my brother. I pointed my brother’s shop to them to stop by and see him because he was the one that sent me to the bank.
“They refused to wait and they did not allow me to pick my calls or make any call. I received an alert on my phone confirming the money I went to deposit. They searched my phone and on seeing the alert, they said I was a Yahoo boy , telling me that I would pay them N1m. One of them slapped me.”
The victim said one of the cops beat him up and the team eventually collected N50,000 from him.
He explained that some other persons were picked and falsely tagged Yahoo boys, adding that the team extorted money from them.
“They drove round places in Ikorodu, Ijede, Gberigbe, Ibeshe, Ipakodo, Ita-Elewa, Agric and First Gate, harassing people and extorting money from them. They collected N50,000 from me, but I noticed that each junction that we reached, people were hailing their leader by his nickname, OJ
(Ojewunmi). One Austin slapped me. They picked me up around 9am and released me at about 6pm. They even used my account to collect money from the guys that I met in the car and used my ATM card to withdraw the money,” he said.
The PCCRU Commandant, ACP Abayomi Shogunle, said upon the receipt of the victim’s complaint, a team was sent to the Area Command for investigation, adding that they were found culpable.
Shogunle, in a statement on Monday, said, “PCRRU preliminary investigation revealed that all the allegations contained in the Whatsapp message actually happened.
“Also, the four police officers, who were armed on the day of the incident, falsely paraded themselves as operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad despite not being posted to SARS by the police authorities.
“Investigation also showed that the officers extorted a total sum of N200,000 from the young men who they tagged, ‘ Yahoo Yahoo boys.’ The money was forced from them via: http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/07/police-officers-dismissed-for-extorting.html

Here’s what the capital of Rivers state, Port Harcourt looks like after some hours of downpour!

Someone said it looks like Venice, an Italian city built on water! Kikikiki! Photos below; http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2017/07/heres-what-port-harcourt-looks-like.html