₦airaland Forum

SleekMallam:
Kachikwu should stop embarrassing himself. Today is April 24th not April 7th.

The man and his principal are sooooo shameless!

The man with mouth diarreah is speaking again. Making promises that are as worthless as their promised 'change'!

The minister of state for petroleum, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, has once again reassured Nigerians that the ongoing nationwide fuel scarcity would end next week. This is the third time the minister would be making such promise. Speaking at the State House after the FEC meeting, Kachikwu said that the queues were expected to completely disappear by the end of next week. According to him, the development was as a result of sabotage. He, however, thanked Nigerians for their patience so far. He said, “The queues are as a result of sabotage. Some people rather than sell products send them into interlands where they can sell at ridiculous prices and so you are having this price distortions where people are making a lot of money, some are internal and some are external but a lot of it is marketers trying to make quick returns on their investments wrongly. “We have asked DPR to deploy officials to ensure products are sold at the right because is only through price stabilization that these system queues will disappear.” “As at today, we are delivering about 1,200 trucks, by weekend we should be delivering same number of trucks, it will take a bit of days to even out but you can see improvement already. I hope by the end of next week with the refineries helping us to stay on course, every part of the country will get fuels. “We thank President, NNPC staff and ministries who work night and day to enforce discipline. “We thank Nigerians for their unbelievable level of patience, we are solving problem we met on ground and trying to find long term solution to it and urge Nigerians to report sabotage, where people are selling product on higher price because we all need to work collectively to make this thing go for good”, he said.

Govt of flip-flops by Liars (Mohd, Bubu, Osunbade) for the Zombies!

The Northern Elders Forum
(NEF) has written President
Muhammadu Buhari, alleging
marginalisation of the region
through the instrumentality of
the 2016 Budget.
The forum, in the letter
endorsed by elder statesman,
Ambassador Yusuf Maitama
Sule, said in a 10-paragraph
letter dated March 16, 2016
that the North was being
shortchanged under the
president.
The letter read: “We convey to
Mr. President our sincere
felicitations and pray God to
continue to guide you as you
steer our national affairs
through these difficult times.
We have consulted a broad
spectrum of opinions in the
North, and decided to meet
with you and present advice
and suggestions that will assist
your administration. This is our
token contribution to your
efforts, and it is made with
sincere intention to assist you.”
The Northern elders said that
the North was being
shortchanged, as according to
them, the budget lacked
equity.
They also said that the
president needed to allocate
massive projects to the North
in the next three years to
ensure that the economy of the
area is enhanced.
According to the Northern
elders, government’s spending
on recurrent aspect of the
budget was also skewed
against the North, alleging that
75 per cent of the civil service
was made up of citizens from
the three geo-political zones in
the South.
The letter read further: “We
have conducted some analysis
on the 2016 Budget estimates
which Mr. President submitted
to the National Assembly. We
are concerned over the
absence of equity in the
allocation of, particularly,
capital spending. The three
geo-political zones in the North
are severely shortchanged.
“For a region deserving greater
resources and attention, as
well as the political backbone
of your administration, this
situation will pose serious
problems for your
administration.
“We advise Mr. President to
review the proposed
allocations in consultation with
the National Assembly. We
wish to draw Mr. President’s
attention to the fact that over
75 per cent of all federal
government public service
employees are from the three
geo-political zones in the
South. This means that virtually
the same percentage of
recurrent spending will go to
Nigerians from the South.
“Finally, we advise Mr.
President to flag agriculture
and water resources and
exploitation of the North’s
natural resources and
rehabilitation of its
infrastructure as priorities for
the budgets of the next three
years.”
On the government structure,
the verdict of the NEF was
damning. The forum described
Buhari’s team as weak, urging
him to immediately establish
an Economic Management
Team.
The group wrote: “We have
noted the need for
improvements in the human
and institutional capabilities
which aid Mr. President in
governing the nation. As
economic difficulties and
demands for good governance
become more challenging, the
quality of advice and support
Mr. President will require will
need to be substantially raised.
“We urge Mr. President to
establish an Economic
Management Team and
conclude appointments of key
officers and advisers. Where
there are evident weaknesses
and gaps in skills,
competences, experience and
integrity, we urge Mr. President
to take steps to address them.”
On Boko Haram, the Northern
Elders asked the president to
probe indications that the sect
still controls some areas near
Maiduguri as well as possible
foreign conspiracy in the
insurgency war.
“We commend Mr. President’s
resolve in improving our
general security concerns, and
urge you to deepen your
personal involvement and
scrutiny over the state of the
fight against Boko Haram.
“We advise that all avenues
should be exploited to further
cripple and isolate this
insurgency as well as
improving the quality of
intelligence and integrity of the
leadership of the Armed
Forces.
“We advise Mr. President to
look into allegations that Boko
Haram still has a substantial
presence in many areas near
Maiduguri and in other towns
and villages.
“Mr. President should also look
into possible complicity of
foreign nations in the fight
against Boko Haram and take
firmer steps to protect our
nation’s security against
subversion.
“On management of religious-
related threats, we strongly
advise Mr. President to improve
monitoring of potential sources
of both internal and external
subversion and hostility and
counter them,” the forum said.
Meanwhile, the NEF also asked
President Buhari to tackle
insecurity of lives and
properties in the North,
especially kidnapping and
cattle rustling, which they said
had been on the increase.
The forum wrote: “Cattle
rustling on industrial scale has
devastated one of the major
pillars of the Northern
economy. This disaster is now
being compounded by
kidnapping of persons on an
alarming rate. Inter-communal
conflicts, particularly in states
in the North Central are also
resurfacing after a lull,
following Mr. President’s
election.
“We appeal to Mr. President to
direct major improvements in
basic policing of our
communities and investigate
possible collusion of law
enforcement agencies in these
crimes.”

tribuneonlineng.com/the-north-
is-su...

India or Sudan

Govt of liars by liars for the zombies! How can you claim you borrow this much to augment staff salary? In other words you could be spending 7.2 trillion naira annually on such. More than our 2016 budget of 6.07trillion. God what did Nigeria do wrong to be saddled with these incompetent fellows till 2019?

Jos - The Federal Government of Nigeria has disclosed that its borrows internally over N600 billion on average each month to pay salaries of its workforce adding that with the way things are going many States may not be able to pay salaries in the next three to four months. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr. Babachir Lawal made the disclosure Tuesday in Jos where he represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the opening ceremony of the 63rd General Church Council meeting of the Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA. He urged all faith-based organizations and traditional institutions to sensitize the citizenry on the need to exercise patience in the hardship that is currently being experienced by all as stressing that though this administration inherited a country that was robbed to the last coffers, it will be revived within a short time. The SGF lamented that the present administration inherited an ailing economy that must be nurtured for sometime before it stabilizes and assured citizens that with the desired cooperation, the country would come out of the slum and assume its rightful place as the most populous black nation.

" I repeat, the Calabar-Lagos rail line was never in any versions of the 2016 budget. And we have told Amaechi, to produce his version of the budget; the line and head that captured the Calabar-Lagos rail line. This is the third day, and he is still looking for it. There were a lot of errors in the budget which we fixed. For instance, the appropriation for the EFCC building was increased from N1 billion to N6 billion Naira. The East-West road was technically abandoned, and we increased funding for it. How can Amaechi be ranting, that he single handedly sponsored Mr. President. Is that what the budget means to him? He said he is diligent, and not corrupt, yet his ministry's budget was over blown by N54 billion Naira.
Nigerians should stand with the National Assembly, and stop anyone who wants to pitch the National Assembly against the President. We did a good job! "
-----Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (Chairman, Appropriation Committee-- Speaking to newsmen in Abuja)

Moderator,how did this post get to fp so soon. A post that only got few comments. I tire for una ooh!

"Awolowo was 37 years, Akintola 36, Ahmadu Bello 36, Balewa 34, Okotie-Eboh 27 and Enahoro 27 and they led the struggle for Nigeria Independence after the death of Macaulay. Only Zik was 42 at the time!

In 1966, the first military coup was led by K Nzeogwu who was 29 years and countered by M. Mohammed 28, T. Danjuma 28, I. Babangida 25, J. Garba 23, Sani Abacha 23, and M. Yar'adua 23, and brought into power Y. Gowon 32, Ojukwu 33, Obasanjo 29, and Buhari 24!

Most of the military governors who governed the states under the successive military regimes were under 30 years.

Also, the brief democratic dispensation which interjected the military interregnums also saw some Senators and members of the House of Representatives, in particular, populated by persons under 30!

Under 30's were also not in short supply with appointments - we have examples of MT Mbu who became Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister at 23 and Pat Utomi who became a Federal Adviser at 27 and so on and so forth!

NOW: Why is it that almost all this age bracket is today still sleeping in 3-seater chairs in their parents’ homes?

Why is it that this age bracket is today still collecting pocket money from their parents?

Why is it that this age bracket is today still writing JAMB?

Why is it that this age bracket today still 'sagg' their trousers?

Why is it that this age bracket is today still searching for jobs and not yet married?

Why is it that this age bracket is today no longer qualified to even be leaders of youth wings of political parties?

Why is it that this age bracket is today so docile?

Why is this age bracket today incapable of feeding itself?

Why is it that this age bracket is today barred from even aspiring to certain political offices?

Why is it that this age bracket is today incapacitated, unwilling, unable and incapable of asking questions?

GOD BLESS NIGERIA!"

quote author=Ifeanyi4491 post=44519872]In This Hot Sun....[/quote]My broda, 'under the sun or in the rain'! All hail the emperor! Or is it the Mullah?

After Buhari was announced the winner of the presidential election people started trekking for him. we taught they were insane. Never knew they were being prophetic -they saw the future. Now everybody is trekking. Whether you like it or not u must trek..Now Nigeria is in the period of mass trekking for Buhari....From Lagos to Maiduguri, the fuel scarcity is unending.

Mr Kachikwu must go!

You are the biggest liar after Mohammed. Or is this part of your April fool? I searched fruitlessly for fuel yesterday along airport road. I ended up buying from black market at N180.

The Minister of states, Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has a serious problem with his mouth. He speaks from both sides of his mouth. Ever since this scarcity of fuel started around December last year, Dr Kachikwu has been lying to Nigerians on when it will end. Last month he told us the scarcity will end by 7th April. Few days later he denied it and said it will be May. On Monday this week, he came out to say that by Wednesday, scarcity will end in Lagos and Abuja.
Well, I don't know about Lagos, but in Abuja its worst. I live in Abuja. The queue in Abuja from Gwagwalada to National stadium in Abuja, a distance of about 50km, is longer than before. Because not more than four filling stations are dispensing. And none is using more than 3 pumps.
I am not too surprised at Dr Kachikwu's goofs. After all he is a mere spare tire in the Ministry. The substantive Minister is not telling us anything. Instead of the national assembly members to invite the Minister of Petroleum, the mighty General Buhari, they are busy banding words with his deputy.

The following discussion took place between a minister and his party leader recently.

Leader: Are you normal? What do you mean the scarcity will last more than 2 months? Just resign before you cause trouble for us

Minister: I am sorry my leader, I thought I should be honest with them in the spirit of change

Leader: Change abi chain. Something is wrong with your head. You don't tell them the truth in this business. Tell them what they want to hear. Give them a week or so.

Minister: What if the scarcity does not abate by then?

Leader: You see why I say you are a PDP agent? You should tell them that Jona has stolen all the fuel and we are trying to recover everything

Minister: Very wise thinking my leader. I will tell them to wait till April 7th, then we can blame Jona after

Leader: This is why I prefer egbon Lai to always talk. He can't make the mistake of telling the truth

This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is a well-known leader in prison ministry.

The man who walks with God always gets to his destination.

If you have a pulse you have a purpose.

The Muslim religion is the fastest
growing religion per capita in the
United States, especially in the
minority races!!

Last month I attended my annual
training session that's required for
maintaining my state prison security clearance.

During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers
representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths,
who each explained their beliefs.

I was particularly interested in what the Islamic had to say.
The Muslim gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video.

After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers.
When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Muslim and asked:

'Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the
infidels of the world and, that by killing an infidel, (which is a command to all Muslims) they are assured of a place in heaven.

If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?'

There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation,
he replied, 'Non-believers!'

I responded, 'So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of
Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can have a place in heaven.

Is that correct?'

The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.'

He sheepishly replied, 'Yes.'

I then stated, 'Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine The Pope commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a place in heaven!'

The Muslim was speechless!

I continued, 'I also have a problem with being your friend when you and your
brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me! Let me ask you a question:

Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for you to go to
heaven, or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to heaven and He wants you to be there with me?'

You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame.

Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the 'Diversification' training seminar were not happy with my way of dealing with the Islamic Imam,
and exposing the truth about the Muslims' beliefs.

In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect the President!

TINUBU AND GREED!

Amid widespread criticism of the President Muhammadu Buhari government’s handling of the nationwide fuel shortages, national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday lashed out at the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, in a statement that exposed continuing rifts within the ruling party and the endless scramble among its leaders for sphere of influence in the government.

For more than one month, the public has been faced with the frustrations of not being able to get enough premium motor spirit – the most consumed petroleum product in the country – to buy. This has resulted in long queues of vehicles and crowds of buyers at the few filling stations selling the product. But Kachikwu told State House correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday that despite the government’s efforts, the fuel situation might not improve until the next two months. He said he was not a magician and did not have a magic wand to eliminate the fuel queues, a comment that drew angry responses from various segments of society, but which APC remained silent about.

However, Tinubu added his voice to the criticisms of Kachikwu’s comments, in a strongly worded statement titled, “Kachikwu needs to know that respect and good performance will do what magic cannot.”

It was however gathered that Tinubu’s denunciation of Kachikwu may not be unconnected with the appointment of Onikepo Animashaun as GM, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

The former Lagos State governor in the statement which he personally signed said: “Much public ire has been drawn to the statement made by Minister of State Ibe Kachikwu that he was not trained as a magician and that basically Nigerians should count themselves fortunate that the NNPC under his stewardship has been able to bring in the amount of petrol fuel it is currently doing.

“Perhaps, the statement by Kachikwu was made in a moment of unguarded frustration or was an awkward attempt at a joke. Whatever the motive, it was untimely and off-putting. The remark did not sit well with the Nigerian people; they were as right to feel insulted as the minister was wrong to have said such a thing. The fuel shortage is severely biting for the average person. They are forced to remain in lines far too long, for too much time, to pay too much money for too little fuel. This is no joking matter. Livelihoods and people’s welfare are at stake. With so much on the line, Kachikwu’s flippancy was out-of-line. He was basically telling Nigerians that they should be lucky that they are getting the inadequate supply they now suffer and that they should just be quiet and endure the shortage for several weeks more.”

Tinubu criticised Kachikwu’s intervention as “unhelpful,” saying it has caused panic and despair among the public with regard to the duration of the crisis. “It insulted the people by its tonality. He spoke with the imperious nature of a member of the elitist government the people voted out last year and not the progressive one they voted in,” Tinubu said.

He added, “Kachikwu must be reminded that he was not coerced to take this job. He accepted the job and its responsibilities knowingly. He also must remember that he does not own NNPC. This also is not a private company that owes nothing to the public except the duty of fair dealing. He is a public servant. The seat he sits upon is owned by Nigerians not by him. The company he runs is owned by Nigerians not by him. They are his boss. He is not theirs. Power is vested in the people. He is a mere custodian or agent of their will. In talking to us in such a manner, he committed an act of insubordination. If he had talked so cavalierly to his boss in the private sector, he would have been reprimanded or worse. If wise, the man should refrain from such interjections in the future.

“As his ultimate bosses, the people have a right to demand the requisite performance and respect from him. He should apologise for treating them so lightly in this instance. His portfolio being a strategically important one, he needs to re-establish the correct relationship with the public. They no longer feel he is working for their optimal benefit as their servant. Instead, he seems to be standing above them, telling them to take it or leave it.

“For his policies and stint in office to be successful and a help to this government, he must have the support and belief of the people at this tough time. He must talk to them in a way that they believe he seeks their best interest and understands the hardship weighing upon them. He must ask them to work with him and, perhaps, to endure a bit longer but with the knowledge that he is working to resolve this matter as fast as he can and as permanently as possible. That he is dedicated to the position that once these current lines are gone that never again shall they reappear as long as he has any influence in the matter.”

Tinubu said to maintain the confidence of the people and keep their hope alive despite the hard times required neither magic nor training in any strange craft. “It requires empathy, compassion and the willpower to forge a better Nigeria. These must be the common trademarks of those serving in a progressive government, for these attributes are integral parts of the spirit and ideals upon which the APC was founded. Upon such notions was this administration voted into office by the Nigerian people in the operation of their sovereign will to seek a national leadership that would pursue their interests to the utmost and give them every fair chance to live in a better Nigeria,” the APC leader stated.

Tinubu, however, expressed confidence in the commitment and ability of the president to lead the country out of the current economic crisis. “From establishing full security and safety to staking a claim to true economic prosperity and fairness, this government shall salvage our national pride and purpose. Let all of us, in and out of government, never forget this. If we adhere to this remembrance, we shall see that magic will not be needed to bring the progress we seek,” he stated

Tinubu acknowledged the hash economic climate occasioned by the sharp drop in crude oil prices. He said the situation required creative reforms, stressing, “Therein lies the essence of progressive democratic governance.” He said the Buhari administration represented Nigeria’s best hope for the installation of such governance and alleged that the country would have being in a more terrible condition if the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party federal government had continued in power.

Though, he has of late been critical of some of the policies of the Buhari government, Tinubu, in the statement, appreciated the efforts of the administration to right the wrongs of the past. But he stated, “In this effort, there may be no economic matter more difficult to unravel and more sensitive to the pulse of the average person than the current fuel scarcity. Even here I am confident of progress because I know the commitment of the president to resolving this matter. I make no attempt to hide it. I am an avid and partisan supporter of this government and of the progressive policies of the party, the APC, upon which this government is based.

“With that I do reserve the right and the duty as a Nigerian to voice my opinion when I believe a member of this government has strayed from the progressive calling required of this administration. I do this because my greater devotion and love are for this nation and its people. Party and politics fall secondary.”

However, Tinubu, it was gathered, took umbrage at Kachikwu when he appointed Animashaun as GM, Legal, at NPDC. Presidency officials said they noted the unusual public criticism of Kachikwu, who Tinubu ought to know is the minister of state in the Office of the Petroleum Minister, occupied by President Muhammadu Buhari, and that they would have thought that if he had anything against Kachikwu as Buhari’s minister of state, he had all the access to the presidency to lodge his complaints, and therefore found his public reproval of Kachikwu surprising.

A presidency official who said because he was not briefed to comment on the issue, he may not be quoted, noted that Tinubu’s anger with Kachikwu may not be unconnected with Kachikwu’s appointment of Animashaun as GM at NPDC without the approval of Tinubu, given that Animashaun was a permanent secretary in the Lagos State government and a Lagos indigene.

Tinubu was said to be particularly piqued that Animashaun was recommended by Pastor Tunde Bakare, and backed by former Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola, without reference to him before being appointed. He was said to have pointedly asked Kachikwu to reverse the appointment but the minister told him that it was a bit too late in the day to do that as Lagos State government did not raise any objection or make any adverse comment to her appointment as GM and that if they do, then the NNPC management would reconsider her appointment.

When this was brought to the attention of President Buhari, according to the officials, the President maintained that anybody once appointed after following due process could only be removed by due process and not because of opposition from individuals. Following the President’s position on the issue, Lagos State government then wrote a letter to NNPC saying it did not support Animashaun’s appointment.

It was gathered that Animashaun quickly countered that by presenting a letter of commendation from Lagos State government for her exceptional and meritorious services to the state which earned her an award as one of the best performing permanent secretaries, a development that made it impossible for Kachikwu to act on the petition.

Tinubu was said to have insisted that Animashaun must be removed if Kachikwu was to know peace. Presidency officials, therefore, believed that yesterday’s statement authored by Tinubu was one of the first salvos in that direction. They believe so because they wondered why a small comment by Kachikwu on fuel scarcity would attract a strongly-worded statement by Tinubu, a national leader of APC, when he has unfettered access to Buhari to lodge his complaints on any issue.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/03/27/in-sign-of-major-crack-within-ruling-party-tinubu-takes-on-buharis-minister/

At least 16 female residents of Adamawa State were abducted Wednesday by suspected Boko Haram militants, the police and local officials said.

Police said a team of officers had been deployed to the area to search for the abducted persons.

Those abducted include 14 women and two girls. They were seized in Sabongari Madagali, in Madagali Local Government of the state, a federal lawmaker representing the area said.

Local sources said some of the women were taken from a nearby bush where they went in search of firewood.

Others were seized from a nearby river while fishing.

A source said two women managed to escape the abductors by pretending to have drowned.

“The two women who are in real state of trauma told us that the suspected Boko Haram insurgents had a field day carting away the women when their escorts ran away for their dear lives,” the source said.




He said two vigilante operatives who escorted the women to the bush fled on sighting the heavily armed men, who arrived good numbers.

“They left the women to their own devices as the gunmen were left unchallenged leading to the abduction of the said women,” the source said.

Confirming the incident, the member representing Michika/ Madagali Federal constituency, Adamu Kamale, said, “I just received the shocking news to the effect that about 16 women have been abducted by Boko Haram.

“We have been witnessing pockets of attacks contrary to the belief that security has been fully restored in the area. As a member of NASS( National Assembly), I have been calling for the deployment of security personnel but to no avail as the government seems to have relegated our concerns to the background”.

The Police Public Relations Officer of Adamawa, Othman Abubakar, said on learning about the development, the command deployed officers to the affected area.

He said police were working “round the clock to track down the abducted women and girls”.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/200747-boko-haram-militants-abduct-16-women-girls-adamawa.html

Ever wonder where our money is going?

The National Assembly management has requested the presiding officers to reduce the number of their aides by at least 60 percent as part of cost cutting measures, Daily Trust learnt yesterday.
Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and their deputies have hired over 400 aides, sources said.


Saraki is said to have over 112 aides, Dogara about 170, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu 60 and Deputy Speaker Yusuf Suleiman Lasun 58.
But the assembly bureaucracy has lately asked the presiding officers and their deputies to reduce the figures drastically.
Sources said Saraki and Dogara have been requested to cut down the numbers to 25 each while Ekweremadu and Lasun should have 17 each.
The aides are in three categories - Special Advisers (SAs), Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants whose salaries range between N700, 000 to over a million naira each.
The special advisers earn about the same salaries as federal permanent secretaries while the others earn higher than directors in federal government establishments.
Daily Trust reports that two weeks ago over N10bn was paid as severance package to Senate and House legislative aides that served in the seventh assembly. The severance pay was 300 percent of their annual basic salary.
In January, the presiding officers met with the National Assembly management on how to cut down on expenditures.
Sources said the management intimated the presiding officers that they could not guarantee regular payment of salaries to such aides, especially when most of them were placed on higher grade levels.
Daily Trust findings revealed that the salaries of all the political appointees have not been paid since January.
It was gathered that the last time the aides collected their salaries was in December.
Most of the aides are said to have little or even nothing to do. They hang around the National Assembly complex or stay in their colleagues’ offices as they have no offices of their own.
A source close to the office of the Senate President explained that most of the appointments were mere ‘political patronage.’
“The appointments are political patronages; it is an avenue to settle supporters politically. Most of them will be collecting salaries without doing anything.
“I know only last week two persons were recruited. They showed me their employment letters,” he said.
Daily Trust also gathered that about 50 percent of the aides are former lawmakers who served with Dogara during the last 7th Assembly.
Most of them were said to have been rewarded for their support to Dogara, while a few others were nominated by some close friends to the speaker.
“The truth of the matter is that he (Dogara) made so many appointments. He has different manner of aides.”
A top management staff, who preferred anonymity, told Daily Trust that it was true that the speaker over-employed.
It was gathered that the National Assembly management made two suggestions to the speaker on how to manage the situation.
The management told Dogara to demote most of the special advisers to senior special assistants, while majority of the senior special assistants should be demoted to personal assistants otherwise the only option would be to sack most of the appointees.
When contacted, peaker’s spokesman, Turaki Hassan, referred our correspondent to the National Assembly management, saying it was purely a management issue.
The Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Saraki, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu referred our correspondent to the Chief of Staff, Senator Isa Galaudu.
However, when Olaniyonu took our correspondent to Galaudu he declined comment.
Also, the the Director of Information in the National Assembly Mr Ishaku Dibal said he was not aware of the matter, but that he would contact his superiors and get back to our correspondent. He never did.
Former Senate President David Mark was reported to have sacked 120 aides in June last year when he lost his position after his party became a minority.
It was gathered that the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, had over 100 aides during his time.
A look at the reviewed remuneration package for the legislature at the federal, state and local government levels, Volume II, 2007 by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) showed that a presiding officer of the National Assembly is entitled to two types of office aides - special assistants and personal assistants.
For the special assistant, the commission provides that “In recognition of the need for this provision, it is hereby retained; the personnel shall be provided by the National Assembly Service Commission and shall be within GL 12 and 14 levels.”
As for personal assistants, it said: “The existing 25% of the annual basic salary shall be maintained. This is to enable the office holders employ personal assistants of their choice.”
The document by the commission indicates that a presiding officer is also entitled to four domestic staff - a cook, a steward, a gardener and a housekeeper.
For the domestic staff, it said: “An allowance of 75% of the annual basic salary shall be made payable on a monthly basis to affected officers to cater for the emoluments of four staff.”

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/saraki-dogara-hire-282-aides/139303.html

magicfingers009:
Even in OBJ's time, a bag of rice was never N7,000. Wailers and propaganda are like rice and stew. As at Jan last year a bag of rice was sold for N13,500.

You lie! I bought a bag of rice in feb for Easter last year at N9,200. The N7,000 is average.

On the 11th of this month, Mr Kachikwu told us fuel scarcity will end by Monday the 14th. https://www.nairaland.com/2986996/fuel-scarcity-end-monday-kachikwu. Till now fuel queue had not reduced talk more of ending. Today he is making another statement.

On the 11th of this month, Mr Kachikwu told us fuel scarcity will end by Monday the 14th. https://www.nairaland.com/2986996/fuel-scarcity-end-monday-kachikwu. Till now fuel queue had not reduced talk more of ending. Today he is making another statement. Mr Kachikwu has joined the league of liars in this government.

Founder of Living Faith Church worldwide,a.k.a Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo has described the socio-economic challenges in the nation as those borne out of systemic failure.

According to him, the Muhammadu Buhari’s administratiin had no point blaming any political party or individual for the current travails Nigeria is facing .

He said “The present administration should be more sensitive to issues that affect ordinary people, because things had not been working well.”

Oyedepo who is also Chancellor of Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara state, urged the Buhari administration to be more sensitive to issues that affect ordinary nigerians saying that things have not been working well.

The clergyman cum academician spoke with journalists in Omu Aran at the fifth founder’s day celebration of the private university he estaablished in Omu Aran,his country home.
According to him,”Our problem is a systemic problem not political or leadership problem and we must find solution to it. Nigeria will not go down the drain, we will proffer solution to it.”

He noted that,”Where we are today is not where we should be. The effect of the forex has a lot to do with small scale industries and that is where the bulk of Nigeria employment is.”

“Anybody can make mistakes but if people in the authority are not sensitive to the cry of the people, we would keep making more mistakes. My understanding is that it is never late to be right. If a decision is made and we discovered it is not right we should do an informed review.” he added.

Oyedepo also said, “What am saying is that things have not been working and we are all aware of it. There is no point pointing accusing finger. Each individuals in the country also have a lot to play to recover the dignity of our nation”.

He however stressed that, “The challenges have been with us for many years, it didn’t just happen now. Government should be sensitive on issue that affect everybody.”
“We have been fighting over the issue of power for many decades now. Government should have its priority. They should itemise the fundamentals that can move Nigeria forward and commit to it. “He added.
He noted that,”We don’t have to have the resources, if we have the platform for investors to come in because they are more in touch with the issues.”

“Look at the present fuel problem. It used to be black market but now we have black stations and they have the right to sell at any price because they are private marketers but the government still need to come out and take a decision on it”.

Oyedepo also said, “Solution should not be only thinking, we should go beyond thinking to reasoning, logical, rational and analytical reasoning by identifying the issues and proffer possible way out of the problem.

“Nigeria problems is all about cost effective solution that will come out of sound reasoning. Remember the people in government are from us. So, we are all in government since they are not foreigners. So each one of us has a role to play. Private bodies should be allowed in all other areas of the country just like we have in the education sector. “He stressed.

He further said that,”Nigerians need to take responsibility of our challenges and find solutions to them because we have nowhere else to go. We should not sit down and cast blames.”

“We have to be committed in finding the solution and stop the blame game even though government has a major role to play, each one of us also has roles to play. People will not listen to a critique but a consult who are thinking value addition taught. We learn from other nations efforts in solving problems.”he added.

http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/exclusive/stop-blaming-jonathan-fulfill-promises-bishop-oyedepo-tells-buhari/

THE CORPER DID NOT RIG. ITS THOSE THAT TRIED TO RIG THAT KILLED HIM FOR THE 'LION'! REST IN PEACE, PATRIOT! HISTORY WILL BE KIND TO YOU. YOU PAID THE SUPREME PRICE, DEFENDING DEMOCRACY.

Have you watched a documentary where a lion misses a prey? The shame and frustration on the lion's face is unimaginable. The 'lion' of Ibima, aka Rotimi Amaechi, felt that way when Wike with the good people of Rivers rescued their beloved state from the jaw of the lion.

How much Osun collect this month? Less than 6 million i guess!

Minister of Transportation and Rivers APC leader, Rotimi Amaechi has blasted APC candidates who lost the re-run elections yesterday saying "hunger will kill you (people)". This was in reply to the stinker given to him and credited to his former Chief of Staff and aspirant to the Obio/Akpor Constitency seat for the Federal House of Reps, Tony Okocha.

Speaking at the Port Harcourt International Airport on his way back to Abuja, Amaechi said "its unfortunate that people who are contesting election are waiting for me to give them money before they can campaign. How can people be so wicked to themselves" he asked.

When a reporter read to him what Mr Tony Okocha said, including saying that he Amaechi talks too much and was responsible for their collective loss during yesterday's polls, Amaechi replied "I doubt Tony said that, but if he did,, tell him that for waiting on my money, hunger will kill him too; You know I dont hide my feelings, thats why Rivers people love me".

Also when queried for his response to the anger of APC members in the state who said "AmaechI's Federal might is useless. We could have done better without the army that Amaechi brought" he laughed and replied "if you dont have something else to ask me, then you all should step back and stop following me"

At that point, his stern looking security details barred the press men and Amaechi walked to his waiting private jet marked JT56FTF .

It would be recalled that Mr Tony Okocha yesterday blasted Rotimi Amaechi accusing him of being responsible for their loss. He said: "We lost this election because Amaechi talks too much, Amaechi talks too much. l never liked his radio and TV ranting because he was just talking before thinking. He exposed our plans and brought the eyes of the whole world on Rivers State through his needless media noise."

He continued "Even the money we asked them to give us for the election, he said the money would be given to us after the election because, we used the money he gave us for 2015 election to buy cars. What nonsense!
He should have just released the money then remain in Abuja, instead of coming here to cause more problems for us."

JUST AS JUDAS COMMITTED SUICIDE AFTER BETRAYING JESUS, SO WILL CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMEICHI AFTER THIS SATURDAY'S RE-RUN ELECTION. HE IS A TRAITOR AND WE ARE GOING TO TREAT HIS Bleep UP AFTER THIS ELECTION.