₦airaland Forum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsXrnOGZskQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsXrnOGZskQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siFKB0LLqfc

Enjoy below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siFKB0LLqfc

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), has sealed a filling station in Kaduna metropolis and dispensed fuel in its underground tank to motorists and motorcyclists free of charge for hoarding the product.
The station, Samrada Nigeria Limited located at Romi Junction in the state capital, was caught hoarding a total of 19, 500 litres of fuel.
The agency during its routine inspection of Petrol Stations across the state discovered that the petrol station was also selling above the N87 per litre pump price only at night.
This is even as the scarcity situation is getting worse day by day. While many filling stations are under lock and key, black marketers have taken over the major streets, determining the price at which to sell the product to motorists.
Presently, a litre of petrol in Kaduna metropolis and environs is sold as high as 200. And where fuel is available at petrol stations, the pumps are adjusted and the queues very long.
DPR officials led by the zonal controller, Usman Ndanusa, swooped on this particular station following a tip-off from concerned citizens that the management of the station was hoarding the scarce product.
They opened up the station’s stock and uncovered 19,300 litres of fuel while the station had allegedly told distraught buyers that it had exhausted the stock.
However, it was a cheering news for motorists and other members of the public who scrambled to have their tanks filled as soon as the DPR boss instructed that the fuel be sold free of charge in line with minister of Petroluem’s directive.
The manager of the filling station complained about not getting the product from the depot at a government approved price, hence they have to adjust their retail prices. The DPR officials also ordered another filling station along Romi road to reverse to the N87 pump price as against the N135 it was selling to customers when the officials arrived.
The owner of the filling station was fined the sum of N100, 000 for selling above pump price.
The controller explained that the punitive measure would serve as a deterrent to other hoarders that it was no longer business as usual. He said the agency was poised to ensure that the commodity was properly distributed among commuters.
While expressing hope that the scarcity of petrol across the state would soon disappear due to the increase in daily supply from Lagos, the Controller however, warned marketers to stop hoarding the product or face severe sanction if they are caught.
https://www.today.ng/news/national/43297/dpr-dispenses-free-fuel-at-erring-filling-station-in-kaduna

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, has described extremist terrorist groups as enemies of Islam.
Khamenei said Muslim nations should cooperate to confront them and defend the identity of Islam.
Speaking at a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Tehran, Iran on Monday, Khamenei described terrorist groups, which are acting in the name of Islam, as the enemy of the religion and said the groups and the outspoken enemies of Islam are “two blades of the same scissors”.
“The Islamic countries should protect their identity and interests against the dangerous enemies through promoting cooperation,” the Leader noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei further pointed to the US-led coalition against terrorist groups like ISIL, also known as Daesh, and Boko Haram and said it is wrong to pin hopes on the assistance of the US and the West in the fight against terrorism.
The Leader noted that Americans and some regional states are playing destructive role in Iraq and are directly supporting Daesh.
The ISIL, as a Takfiri group in Iraq and Syria, is believed to be supported by the West and some regional Arab countries.
The terrorist group claims as an independent state the territory of Iraq and Syria, with implied future claims intended over more of the Levant, including Lebanon, occupied Palestine, Jordan, Cyprus and Southern Turkey.
Regarding bilateral relations between Iran and Nigeria, Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that there are many grounds for closer cooperation between the two countries, and added that the capacities of the two countries should be utilized in this regard.
Heading a high-ranking delegation, the Nigerian President was in Tehran to attend the 3rd Gas Exporting Countries Forum Summit.
The GECF is a gathering of the world’s leading gas producers and was set up as an intergovernmental organization with the objective to increase the level of coordination and strengthen the collaboration among member countries.
https://www.today.ng/news/world/43216/international-anti-terrorism-coalitions-unreliable-khamenei-tells-buhari

The federal government has declared once more that the investment opportunities in the power sector are still untapped.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Louis Edozien, who stated this at the 5th Nigeria International Power Expo and Conference (NIPEC), in Abuja, explained that although a lot of achievement had been made there was still much to be taken advantage of in the sector.
He spoke under the theme: “Private Sector Partnership in Achieving Sustainability of Power Supply in Nigeria.”
He said this administration had shown singular leadership and initiatives in ensuring that Nigeria leaps frogs in its quest to achieving its dream of becoming one of the best economies in the world by the year 2020.
Represented by Abayomi Adebisi, an officer in the ministry, he listed the achievements recorded and the defining future trend within the context of the new private led power sector, which includes the establishment and implementation of a renewable energy and energy conservation policy, embedded with coal to power.
He said the ongoing reform of the ministry was to equip it with the right competitiveness and capacity to handle policy issues as well as ensuring a conducive and enabling environment for investment in power.
He informed that government’s agenda in the future was the divestment by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) assets in the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP).
He also assured that government would assist the Transmission Company of Nigerian (TCN) in accessing long-term expansion funds, including the proposed Transmission Development Fund (TDF) and other international development funds from banks and multilateral agencies.
He noted that these funding matrixes would ensure a reliable transmission network system capable of conveniently wheeling up to 10,000mw of produced power in the short and medium term as well as providing a solid foundation for future growth of the sector.
He disclosed that the ministry would undertake pre-feasibility studies for remote and off-grid locations to incorporate their commercial frameworks for the establishment’s utilisation.
He said privatisation successes had shown that government alone cannot develop the power sector, but with shared responsibility with the private sector, more successes would be recorded.
Also speaking, deputy managing director, TCN, Abubakar Atiku, gave the assurance that the transmission company can deliver 6,000mw without overloading the system.
He said TCN since 2002, had embarked on ongoing projects aimed at expanding the wheeling capacity of the system, describing some of those projects as critical to ensuring grid stability.
Atiku however, bemoaned the paucity of funds in the 2015 appropriation, where only N1 billion was provided for TCN.
He said in order to bridge this funding gap, TCN was exploring external funding sources to complete some of its ongoing projects.
https://www.today.ng/news/national/43020/investment-opportunities-in-power-remain-untapped-fg

The population is copious already.

The Federal Government will build 200 new artificial insemination centres across the country to boost agricultural activities, the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has said.
Ogbeh made the statement on Tuesday in Kano, while launching the 2015 dry season farming for wheat and rice farmers in the state.
He said the project was aimed at improving production of milk and meat through cross breeding using insemination of local livestock.
He said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would diversify the economy with greater emphasis on agriculture.
Ogbeh urged Nigerian youths to embrace agriculture to enhance their welfare and enable them become self reliant.
He said the Federal Government was determined to empower the youths through agriculture by providing farm land to each student of agriculture in Universities and Colleges of Agriculture across the country.
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State said his administration placed high premium on agriculture.
Ganduje said the government had released over N1 billion soft loan to rice farmers and N100 million to wheat farmers in the state to boost production.
Ganduje added that the government had spent over N40 million in constructing artificial insemination centres at Makoda and Kadawa to boost the production of milk and cattle.
The governor said his administration sponsored 60 pastoralists to learn modern insemination techniques in Turkey.
https://www.today.ng/news/national/42979/fg-to-build-200-artificial-insemination-centres-ogbeh

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi on Tuesday removed 15 chairmen of local governments from office for defecting to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC).

This is contained in a statement issued in Lokoja and signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr James Adedoyin in Lokoja.

The statement cited section 20 sub section (1) and section 36 sub section 1 (d) of Kogi State Local Government Law 2000 as amended to back the action.
It explained that the sacked chairmen can no longer remain in office having decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that sponsored them.

Some of the affected council chairmen include that of Lokoja, Ogori-Magongo, Idah, Adavi, Ankpa, Okehi, Bassa, Yagba East, Yagba West and Okene among others.

They defected to the APC during the grand finale of its governorship campaign held in Lokoja on Nov. 18.
The statement warned the sacked council chairmen to stay away from offices, directing the vice chairmen or the council leaders to take over the affairs of the affected councils as may be appropriate.

The governor said the handing and taking over should be completed by Wednesday Nov. 25, the statement said.

One of the grounds for their defection was the refusal of Wada to implement a decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Oct 29 that nullified the removal of the elected chairmen from office.

They were removed from office based on the order of a Kogi State High Court sitting in Koton Karfe which ruled that the election of May 4, 2013 which brought them into office was faulty.

Relying on the judgment, Kogi State Government asked the chairmen and councillors to vacate office but the affected officials approached the Appeal Court which set aside the ruling and declared that they resume immediately.

Kogi state government refused to give effect to the ruling until Nov. 23.

https://www.today.ng/news/national/42917/kogi-gov-wada-removes-15-lg-chairmen-for-defecting-to-apc?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

The Transmission Company of Nigeria said the country achieved a new record peak generation of 4,883.9MW and the highest maximum daily energy delivery of 106,288.48MWH.
A statement signed on Tuesday by the Assistant General Manager (Public Affairs) of the TCN, Clement Ezeolisah, said the new peak generation was achieved on Monday.
The statement added that the previous peak generation was 4,810.7MW, which was attained on August 25.
It stated that the previous highest maximum daily energy wheeled was 104,794.26MWH and was attained on September 23.
The statement said the the Managing Director, System Operation/Market Operation of the TCN, Dipak Sarma, attributed the achievement to improvement in the supply of gas to the power generating stations and cooperation among all the stakeholders.
The statement gave the assurance that TCN would continue to improve the network capacity to deliver more quality power to the electricity distribution companies.
https://www.today.ng/news/national/42840/power-generation-rises-to-4883-9mw-tcn?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria was taking appropriate steps to turn its abundant gas resources into veritable catalyst for development as the nation’s gas potential might be in excess of 600 trillion cubic feet.
The President said this at the 3rd summit of Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Tehran, Iran, on Monday.
He said the country was taking the steps because natural gas was fast evolving as the fuel of choice for sustainable development in view of its impressive suitability for environmental protection and lower cost of supply in comparison with fossil fuels.
He, therefore, charged the leadership of the GECF to take appropriate steps towards sustaining the pricing of gas at the international market for the benefit of member countries.
He said that the stability of the energy and financial market was critical to ensuring investments in current and future natural gas projects.
“It is therefore imperative that the GECF plays a significant role towards energy security by driving the formulation of a sustainable pricing mechanism that will guarantee fair and reasonable for both producers and consumers,’’ he added.
President Buhari noted that for decades Nigeria focused on the development of crude oil like other oil producing countries.
“Our current National Proven Gas Reserve Base is 188 Trillion Cubic Feet.
“But our actual gas potential may be in excess of 600 Trillion Cubic Feet.
“With this great potential, Nigeria is taking appropriate steps to turn its abundant gas resources into veritable catalyst for development,’’ he said.
President Buhari also called on the forum to foster technical and economic cooperation among member states.
According to him, Nigeria remains the hub for natural gas supply in West African sub region with the construction of 681-kilometre West African Gas Pipeline which currently transmits gas from the country to neighbouring countries of Benin, Togo and Ghana.
“Nigeria is among the world’s top five exporters of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and we recently celebrated the 3000th export cargo milestone.
“Similarly, we have asserted regional prominence by becoming the hub for natural gas supply in the West African sub-region through our leadership role in the development of the 681km West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) which currently transmits gas from Nigeria to neighbouring countries of Benin, Togo and Ghana.’’
Read more...
[url]https://www.today.ng/news/national/42611/nigeria-to-explore-its-600trn-ft%C2%B3-gas-potential-for-sustainable-devt-buhari?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter[/url]

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday requested a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court in Abuja to discontinue trial of Nnamdi Kanu, Director of Radio Biafra, charged with criminal conspiracy.
Kanu is standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and belonging to unlawful society, to which he pleaded not guilty.
At the resumed sitting of the case, prosecution counsel, Moses Idakwo, informed the court that after the arraignment of the accused, the complainant stumbled on some facts which took the matter out of the jurisdiction of the court.
According to him, the complainant found out that the accused was involved in terrorism and has been financing it.
“The complainant is, therefore, applying to discontinue the matter under section 108(1) of administration of criminal justice act 2015.”
Idakwo said that the DSS had also obtained an order from the Federal High Court, Abuja, dated Nov.10, to detain the accused in its custody for 90 days.
Objecting, Kanu’s counsel, Vincent Obetta, prayed the court not to discontinue the case because the prosecution did not present any information from the Attorney-General of Federation who had the authority to approve such.
Obetta told the court that the DSS violated the order of the court which granted bail that was perfected but not granted, adding that the accused had been in DSS custody since he was arrested.
Subsequently, the magistrate, Usman Shuaibu, after listening to both counsels, adjourned the matter until Dec.1 for ruling.
https://www.today.ng/news/top-news/42425/radio-biafra-director-nnamdi-kanu-to-be-charged-for-terrorism?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

President Muhammadu Buhari said on Saturday in Jos that Nigeria had entered its glorious era in spite of insecurity and economic challenges.
He stated this on Saturday at the graduation of Senior Executive Course 37 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS) in Kuru near Jos.
Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Buhari said that Boko Haram and other such insurgent groups around the country would soon be consigned to history.
While acknowledging that some issues of agitations by some groups and sections in the country could not be ignored, he said that creating employment opportunities would reduce the tension.
He charged the institute to conduct comprehensive study on causes of insurgency and how to build civil capacity to defeat mindless violence.
“I want the institute to come up with policies which integrate needs of the vast majority of the populace and not just based on GDP projections.
“MNI’s end up in their offices after their course of study at NIPPS, without the required enthusiasm to enforce implementation of the policies they made.
“I think we must encourage ourselves and take ourselves seriously instead of doing this just to take a title.
“The institute will find a way of monitoring members instead of just producing high quality results which just die here.
“Let’s make efforts to see that those who implement policies use them,“ he said.
The president said that his administration would support the institute with funding, but remarked that corruption was the bane of the nation’s development.
“What has eluded our leadership is not lack of good policies but strength of character to implement them.
“Our problem is not legislative, but lack of political will and weak legal process- delay in the judiciary and suppression of the entire legal system,“ he said.
He, however, said that his administration would address this and other distortions in the system on which corruption of leadership thrived.
Buhari called on persons and interest groups within the country to submit to peaceful means of expressing themselves without violating the laws of the land.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 63 persons graduated as Members of the National Institute (MNI) at the ceremony, bringing the total number of its granduands since inception in 1979 to 1,784.
https://www.today.ng/news/national/41434/nigeria-on-the-rise-again-buhari

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, at the weekend advised that there must be somebody who can talk to Boko Haram militants, saying only military strategy cannot end the crisis.
The Catholic Archbishop advised that all hands must be on deck to deal with the situation as President Muhammadu Buhari’s government cannot do it alone.
The former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who spoke in Abuja at the 2015 Catholic Television of Nigeria (CTV) dinner with the cardinal said, “I noticed that since we have been taking security very seriously live has been made extremely difficult for everybody.”
He urged Nigerians to continue praying for possible solution, saying God can do all things.
He continued: “What happened in Mali can happen here. We do not need people to cause this kind of great calamity. The question is how do you create a situation where such things don’t happen? It is not easy but you can do all you can to put security apparatus around but you cannot do it in such a way that no bad people will move around.
“As a spiritual leader, the solution is first we should pray because God can do everything. Secondly we should look into our religious messages, because many of these terrorists are also calling the name of some religion, calling the name of God. But we must find a way of letting them (Boko Haram members) know that this is not what God wants.
“I personally do not know how to achieve this but I believe that a lot still needs to be done. When you (government) reply fire for fire I am afraid it does not solve the problem. So apart from military tactics there is need for more effort as political discussion, reaching out to people. Even the terrorists are human being born of a woman with feelings.
“I am sure somebody somewhere can talk to them.”
https://www.today.ng/news/41489/military-alone-cannot-end-boko-haram-crisis-cardinal-onaiyekan

The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has decried what it described as the nonchalant attitude and insensitivity of many Igbo people residing in northern and western parts of the country.
The National Director of Information, MASSOB, Mr. Uchenna Madu, advised Ndigbo residing outside Igboland to start returning back to their home land, re-establish their business and investment back to Igboland.
“We have decided and promise to provide adequate security of lives and properties in Igboland . MASSOB shall defend Igboland with our blood, valor and enthusiasm. It is our unflinching service to our father land. MASSOB has vowed to root away kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal tendencies in Igboland because there is no place in Nigeria like Igboland.
“MASSOB wishes to salute the courageous spirit and vision of these Igbo sons who proved their total love for development and industrialization of Igboland. Men who understand that charity and goodness of a real Igbo-man begin from home land. These men include chief Rommy Ezeonwuka (Ogilisi Igbo) proprietor of Rojenny Tourist Games village Oba, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, CEO of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, Nnewi, Chief Daniel Chukwudozie (Akudo of Okija) CEO of Dozzy group of companies Onitsha, Chief Dr. Alexander Chika Okafor (OON) Executive Chairman of Chicason Group of Companies Nnewi, Chief Cletus Madubugwu Ibeto, Chairman of Ibeto Groups of Companies Nnewi, Chief Chidume Oranu, GMD Krisoral Group of companies Onitsha and several others.
“Nigeria is a state where others are first class citizens but treat the Igbo as second class citizen, a state where others are born to rule but treat Igbos as perpetual outcasts, a state where state policies deliberately denies Igboland critical developmental infrastructure. Nigeria has vowed to continue to be a state where prejudice, tribalism, exclusion and hate are elevated while nation building is ignored, a state where it seem the only logic for unity is to share oil resources and not on the basis of consent, mutual respect, fraternity and shared brotherhood.
Read more..
https://www.today.ng/news/national/41235/return-to-igboland-now-massob-tells-ndigbo

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Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has said that it had so far sealed eight petrol filling stations in Kaduna state for under dispensing and hoarding of fuel.
It lamented that most fuel marketers sold in the night at outrageous prices when they could not be monitored by the DPR.
Its Public Relations Officer in the state (PRO), Malam Rabiu Bello, they were doing their best to regulate the dispensing of the products by marketers ensuring that motorists and other users were not cheated.
He said: “We are all addressing the issue of fuel scarcity. The marketers are not selling until in the night when it would be difficult for DPR to monitor them because of security. Last week, we sealed eight petrol filling stations and penalising them, they were all asked to pay N100, 000 fines, while others were closed down.
“It is ongoing, we are continuing with our efforts to make sure that Nigerians are not cheated, our men are out there, we have three teams out there going around across the state to monitor the situation and take necessary actions to reduce the hardship on motorists.”
It was gathered that most of the fuel stations monitored in Kaduna state since Monday, especially those within the Kaduna metropolis, have locked up their filling stations, while the few that sells petroleum products do so at odd times.
Some petrol stations sell mid morning for 30 minutes or one hour at the regulated price of N87 per litre when most people would be at work between 10.30 and 12pm.
These petrol filling stations also filled jerry cans and drums for black marketers in the night to take over petroleum products retailing in the day, leaving many motorists at their mercy.
The black marketers sell their products at between N150 and N220 per litre without anybody checking their activities as security agencies move past them without as much as a look.
https://www.today.ng/news/national/40173/fuel-scarcity-dpr-seals-8-filling-stations-in-kaduna

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja called for increased vigilance among the civilian population to help ward off suicide terror attacks on soft targets around the country.
“The president condemned in strongest terms the barbaric suicide terrorist attacks which took place in Yola on the evening of Tuesday, November 17 and in Kano today, causing numerous deaths and injuries among civilians,” Mr. Buhari said via a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu.
The president extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the governments and people of Adamawa and Kano States respectively.
President Buhari reassured Nigerians that his administration was very much determined to wipe out Boko Haram in Nigeria and bring all perpetrators of these heinous crime against humanity to justice.
The president urged all Nigerians not to despair in the face of cowardly terrorist attacks but to have confidence in the ability of Nigeria’s reinvigorated, well-equipped and well-motivated Armed Forces and security agencies to overcome Boko Haram very soon.
“He believes, however, that vigilance is a potential life saver, since security agents cannot be everywhere to deter every planned attack,” Mr. Shehu said.
“Citizen’s vigilance will therefore help to reduce the frequency of such attacks.”
Read more..
https://www.today.ng/news/national/40064/buhari-vows-to-defeat-boko-haram-after-kano-yola-attacks

Leader of the Supreme Mavin Dynasty, Don Jazzy has disclosed he is single after ending his last relationship a year ago.
The prolific producer who is putting things in order for his “Access Mavin Concert” in December told Encomium he is not interested in relationships right now as he is taking a break.
He said: “I don’t have a girlfriend. My last relationship was a year ago. I am on break right now when it comes to relationships.”
When asked about marriage, he said: “I might not even announce that I will be getting married. I don’t understand why you people think I will just announce that I will be getting married. I am not really that kind of person.”
...More on Entertainment..
https://www.today.ng/entertainment/39297/i-am-not-interested-in-relationships-right-now-don-jazzy

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration to show transparency on issues relating to remittances and operation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA). PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, made the call at press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Metuh said that the PDP had watch with keen interest some disturbing developments in recent times, particularly, disagreement between the National Assembly and the Federal Executive on controversies surrounding the handling of TSA.
He said that conflicting statements emanating from the Minister of Information and the CBN underscored the fear being raised by the Senate that there might be underhand deals in the handling of the TSA.
“Whereas the Senate has ordered its committee on finance and public accounts to investigate the remitting and handling of N2.5 trillion into the TSA, the federal executive has different view.
“The federal executive, through the minister of information, had earlier informed the nation that the sum of N1.4 trillion has been remitted. `The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) put its figure at below a trillion and announced an estimated collectible amount of N1.2 trillion,’’ Metuh said.
The PDP spokesman said that the party was also aware that the firm handling the TSA remittances had been given the `leeway to rake millions of naira into unknown purses’ through training of personnel.
“For emphases, we want to state that this company has asked the APC administration to charge Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to bring five of their personnel for training to understudy how to use TSA.
“Each of the personnel are being charged N65, 000,’’ he said.
Metuh also decried the inconsistency in the denials of PDP revelation that the presidency and INEC had secret meetings on the governorship election in Kogi to ensure victory for the APC.
“While INEC out rightly denied ever holding any such meeting with the Presidency, the President, through his media aide, Garba Shehu, acknowledged holding the secret meeting, but said it lasted only five minutes.
Read more...
https://www.today.ng/politics/39789/were-compiling-list-of-apc-chieftains-facing-corruption-charges-pdp

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And he never took BRIBE. LOL

Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani, has declared that the immediate past administration of Rotimi Amaechi left an economically bankrupt state, which Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has diligently revived.
Chief Kobani added that the state government has worked hard towards resolving the huge debts and financial obligations left by the immediate past APC administration in the state.
Kobani said on Tuesday that the allegations by the Rivers State APC on the state’s economy were baseless and false.
His words: “The indebtedness of the immediate past APC administration in Rivers State is what this administration is still grappling with. These people are jobless and they just want to hear their voices on radio.
“The state government is working hard to get the state’s economy on a sound footing.
“The immediate past APC administration in Rivers State left extremely huge debts in terms of salaries and pensions, bank loans for parastatals and agencies. They also left huge bank debts for the local government areas.”
Chief Kobani further stated: “We are still clearing the mess of the Rivers State APC, while they were in government. Our efforts have led to a more stable economy in the state.”
The Secretary to Rivers State government said that the Wike administration was working for the people of the state.
He urged journalists to make efforts to sample the views of civil servants abandoned by the Amaechi administration, but whose financial welfare had been adequately handled by the Wike administration.
On the outstanding salary of Local Government Employees, Kobani said that with the constitution of the caretaker committees and the hosting of the Joint Account Committee meeting, the local government councils will pay staff following the approval issued by the committee.
Read more..
https://www.today.ng/politics/39849/amaechi-left-rivers-bankrupt-kobani

Nigerian troops were denied weapons to fight Boko Haram and thousands of lives were lost because of rampant fraud in the procurement process, President Muhammadu Buhari has alleged.
Buhari ordered anyone involved in corrupt multi-billion dollar deals for weapons and equipment to be “brought to book” after receiving a report from a committee set up to probe the issue.
“The findings made so far are extremely worrying considering that the interventions were granted within the same period that our troops fighting the insurgency in the northeast were in desperate need of platforms, military equipment and ammunition,” he said late Tuesday.
“Had the funds siphoned to these non-performing companies been properly used for the purpose they were meant for, thousands of needless Nigerian deaths would have been avoided.”
Buhari, a retired army general and former military ruler, came to power in May, vowing to crush the Islamist rebels whose insurgency has killed at least 17,000 people since 2009.
Front-line troops serving under his predecessor Goodluck Jonathan frequently complained the militants were better armed and they lacked the proper equipment, including bullets, to fight.
In one instance, some frustrated soldiers fired shots at their commander’s vehicle. They were court-martialed, found guilty of mutiny and sentenced to death.
The complaints came despite Nigeria having one of Africa’s biggest defence budgets.
Buhari, who has vowed to crack down on endemic corruption, set up a 13-member committee to probe arms procurement between 2007 and 2015 and spoke out after receiving its interim report.
According to the statement from his office late Tuesday, the investigation “unearthed several illicit and fraudulent financial transactions”.
Some $5.3 billion was provided to the Office of the National Security Advisor, Defence Headquarters and the headquarters of the army, navy and air force, the statement said.
“It was observed that in spite of this huge financial intervention, very little was expended to support defence procurement,” it added.
Some 53 of 513 contracts awarded were “failed contracts” and the former national security advisor Sambo Dasuki sanctioned huge payments without contractual evidence or explanations.
The statement alleged Dasuki “awarded fictitious and phantom contracts” totalling some $2 billion, supposedly to buy four Alpha (fighter) jets, 12 helicopters, bombs and ammunition.
Read more...
https://www.today.ng/news/national/39942/nigerian-troops-were-denied-guns-to-fight-boko-haram-buhari

The Presidency says President Muhammadu Buhari’s meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Police was geared towards ensuring credible governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa.
A statement issued on Sunday by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, dismissed PDP’s insinuation regarding the meeting.
NAN reports that PDP had earlier said the meeting was part of plans by the APC to rig the forthcoming governorship elections in the two states.
“The President called the meeting cited by the PDP to warn in particular INEC and the Police, to prepare to give the nation a credible election.
“He said he expected nothing short of a free, fair and credible election.
“He said he had suffered election manipulation in 2003, 2007 and 2011 and would not like to have any Nigerian go through that again.
“He also warned against the intimidation of voters in any way and vowed that he was prepared to move with all the forces available to him against anyone who undermines the rights of any citizen.
“The meeting was short and straight to the point. It ended after five minutes.
Read more..
https://www.today.ng/politics/38779/buharis-meeting-with-inec-police-not-to-rig-elections-presidency

President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has commended Nigerians home and abroad for their prospective policy recommendations.
According to a post on his facebook page “Last week, I asked Nigerians, at home and abroad, to partner with us at the Senate by suggesting prospective policy recommendations.
“We received thousands of mails, and I must say I am delighted at the in-depth report submitted by some of you,” he said.
The Senate President noted a few of the recommendations, which according to him, stood out viable for the 8th Senate to look into.
“Some suggestions such as the Animal Control Bill by Benard Bojuwoye, the Personal Income Tax Act Reform by Michael Oshinyemi a Nigerian in diaspora, and a bill to create more awareness on violence against citizens by Oludiya Funmilola, stand out as viable recommendations that the 8th Senate will look into.
“Other stand-out recommendations include a bill designed to address the exploitation of our tax laws and exploitation of Nigerians by multinational firms by Femi Obagun, and a brief policy for more stringent laws against rapists, a Workers Protection Act, an Alternate Financing to Economic Growth Act, a Policing and State Security Act, and a Government Transparency and Anti Corruption Act.
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https://www.today.ng/news/national/37670/saraki-requests-policy-recommendations-from-nigerians

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure on Monday confirmed the decision of the Ondo State Elections Petitions Tribunal which upheld the election of Mike Omogbehin as a member representing Okitipupa/Irele constituency at the House of Representatives.
The Justice Muheed Owoaade-led court dismissed the appeal filed by Victor Akinmoyero of the All Progressives Congress for failure to tender credible documentary evidence against the respondent.
Mr. Owoaade held that the appellant, Mr. Akinmoyero, only ”tendered hear-say evidence” and also failed to call enough witnesses to prove his allegations of over voting and other electoral irregularities in March 28 election.
The three-man appellate court said the PDP lawmaker, Mr. Omogbehin, was duly elected and a fine of N30, 000 was awarded against the appellant.
While reacting to the judgment, counsel to the APC candidate, Tunji Abayomi, said it was sad that the court reached such conclusions.
But his counterpart of the PDP, Remi Olatubora, described the court’s decision as a true reflection of the will of the people and the rule of law.
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https://www.today.ng/politics/36037/acourt-upholds-ondo-pdp-reps-election

No fewer than four persons, including three children, were on Saturday morning confirmed dead, after another building collapsed in Lagos.
The building, a bungalow located at Orisha Street, Isheri, Magodo caved in during a heavy rainfall.
Their names were given as Sylva Odiah, 24; Sayo Odiah,15; Clinton Odiah, 11 and eight year-old Endurance Odiah.
The deceased were said to be siblings from the same mother, who was said to have collapsed and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
It was learnt that Mayflower Hospital, where the mother of seven was initially taken to rejected her because ‘there was no card,’ before she was eventually rushed to Tabasco Hospital.
According to a resident, the bungalow did not collapse by itself. “Around 6am, we heard a loud sound. But we did not know that the upper part of another building beside the bungalow has fallen on it.
“Unfortunately, it fell just on the room where Mr. Godwin Odiah’s children were sleeping. The man has seven children but three of them are not around.
“He was the one who saw it and started screaming for help. He said he was in the bathroom when he heard the sound but did not know that it was in his compound.
“Another building also collapsed again but I don’t know if anyone was killed.
“Government needs to do something in this area. It is sandy and water logged. I think the incident is not unconnected with the heavy rain and the topography in the area,” said the resident.
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https://www.today.ng/news/national/34892/four-killed-in-another-building-collapse-in-lagos

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja directed the Federal Ministries of Works and Lands, Housing and Urban Development to urgently prepare and present for approval and implementation a plan of action for the speedy revitalisation and expansion of the nation’s vocational training centres.
President Buhari gave the directive after being told at a meeting with the Board of Directors of a leading construction company in the country that because of a shortage of competent construction workers and artisans in the country, many construction companies were forced to bring in skilled workers from abroad.
Observing that this practice was very detrimental to his administration’s commitment to boost employment opportunities for young Nigerians, Buhari pledged that his administration will move quickly to address the shortage of skilled construction workers in the country.
The President, who demanded a report on the current status of existing vocational training centres established by the Federal Government, said his administration will take all necessary actions to rapidly reposition them as efficient producers of skilled workers for Nigeria’s building and construction industry.
Buhari assured members of the Board of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc that his administration will act swiftly to ensure that the Building Craft Training School and Skill Improvement Centre in Lagos are fully revamped, staffed and equipped to produce more skilled electricians, brick and block layers, carpenters, painters, welders, fabricators, plumbers and other artisans.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the proper education and training of Nigerian youth for the current demands of the labour market, the President said the Federal Government will act expeditiously to remove all impediments to the fulfilment of its promise of more jobs for unemployed Nigerians.
He also assured the Julius Berger’s Directors, led by Mutiu Sunmonu, that in spite of present funding challenges, the Federal Government will continue to do everything possible to settle genuine outstanding payments due to contractors.
https://www.today.ng/news/national/34700/buhari-decries-employment-of-expatriates-in-construction-industry

Senator Nkechi Nwaogu yesterday said that Nigeria is presently going through difficult phase because former President Goodluck Jonathan ran economic policies that were shrouded in secrecy.
Nwaogu, who represented Abia Central Senatorial District for eight years was at the National Headquarters of the All Progressives Congress, where she said she came to express her appreciation to the national leadership of the party for their support and concern during her husband’s funeral.
Speaking in company of two of the APC Board of Trustees members – Chief Sam Nkire, former National Chairman of the Progressive Peoples Alliance,PPA, and Chief Chris Akomas, former Abia State Deputy Governor, the Senator stated that those who are joining or have joined APC should be people of positive minds. She commended APC and the President, Muhammadu Buhari for the mantra of change.
In her speech, she said: “l am here to fraternise myself once again with my party, APC, to identify myself, to associate myself with the change train and anybody today in this country who does not realise that this is a divine mandate given to APC to usher in change to sustain change, to bring about change in all endeavours of our lives especially in our economic lives is not realistic.
“We all know what has been happening or what has happened in the economy of our dear nation, that it was shrouded in secrecy. Thanks to the emergency of Buhari and the change doctrine, change mantra and change advocates.
“Those who have sworn not to conceive anything of the truth would not see this change because even the Bible tells us that it is only the truth that can set us free.
“For us to attempt to bring to a level of acceptance for the president to remove the present level of unemployment, to remove or try to see how we can increase our revenue, to see that we have no other country other than Nigeria, therefore everybody has a contribution to make towards revamping this nation.
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https://www.today.ng/politics/34495/jonathans-economic-policies-caused-nigerias-problems-nwogu