₦airaland Forum

Very good

The Federal Government has ordered with immediate effect, the withdrawal of diplomatic and official passports to unauthorised holders including former governors, ministers and legislators.
This latest directive was contained in a statement signed Monday by the new Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Martins Abeshi.
Abeshi stated that "further to the directive on the withdrawal of diplomatic and official passports held by unauthorised persons the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) hereby directs all affected persons to comply forthwith".
He listed the affected persons to include, among others, former state Governors, Senators, Member House of Representatives, and Members of State Houses of Assemblies.
Others are: former Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers/Special Assistants, Chairmen/Deputy Chairmen of Local Government Areas (LGAs), all retired Heads of Parastatals and retired public servants
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/fg-withdraws-diplomatic-passports-from-former-governors-ministers-and-legislators/219615/

Chairman of the Oyo State Branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Waheed Olojede, has denied reaching an agreement with state Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, to reduce salaries of workers in the state.
Speaking with our correspondenton Sunday, Olojede debunked the governor’s claim during a live interview onSplash FMin Ibadanon Saturdaythat he met with labour leaders and secured an agreement that would slice off certain percentage of workers’ salaries.
Olojede explained that he never led the state labour leaders to a meeting with Ajimobi, neither was there any agreement to reduce workers salaries in the state.
He said, “The governor said we had a meeting with him and that an agreement was reached to reduce workers’ salaries. This is not true. We actually had a meeting with him recently but we never discussed any issue relating to salary cut.
“What we are now emphasising is that at the meeting we had with the state government, what we discussed was the payment of outstanding salaries to workers since the Federal Government had approved the bailout (of N26.6bn) for the state. The governor agreed with us that the state will use the bailout to pay outstanding salaries and pensions it owe to workers. The meeting did not go beyond that.”
Olojede said rather than instituting a process leading to the reduction of workers’ wage in the state, the national body of the NLC was planning to tender a review of minimum wage for workers.
Vowing that the state NLC would resist any pay cut by the governor, Olojede argued that it would amount to a betrayal of trust for the state labour leaders to agree to a slash in salaries.
He added, “We want to also state categorically that under no condition shall we accept a salary cut at a time when the situation for workers is very appalling, and at a time when workers cannot afford three square meals. How will any reasonable labour leader come up to discuss and agree with the government that workers’ salaries should be reduced? We have no agreement to that effect with the governor.
“For clarification and to put the record straight, the last National Executive Council meeting of the NLC, held in Abuja, directed the national leadership to commence the process of negotiation for a new minimum wage in Nigeria.
“If the NLC is doing that at the national level, can NLC leaders in Oyo State return home to enter into an agreement with the government for salary cut? The last minimum wage approval in Nigeria was given in 2011. The law says that at the end of every five years, labour deserves the right to ask for a review of the minimum wage. This is the process we are initiating now, not salary cut.”

President Muhammadu Buhari may not have disclosed all his assets and investments in the Asset Declaration document he submitted to the Code of Conducts Bureau, CCB.
A document obtained by DAILY POST on Sunday indicated that President Buhari allegedly has a huge share in Panalpina World Transport (Nigeria) Limited, which he did not disclose in the list of his assets made public by his media aides last week.
The assets declaration by the president has continued to attract mixed reactions from members of the public since it was publicized last Thursday.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had in its reaction to the asset declaration by the president said that there was no truth in the published list of assets, adding that the president was not honest and was deceiving Nigerians.
The document obtained by our correspondent, a Certified True Copy from the CAC, indicated that President Buhari has shares in Panalpina World Transport (Nigeria) Limited, a multinational company.
According to the document, President Buhari bought 90,000 shares in Panalpina World Transport (Nigerian) limited on 1st August 1995 but this share was not included in his asset declaration document.
The document reads in parts: “Allotment of shares of 15,000,000 received in response with Rights Issue of 3,000,000 was capitalized and used to pay up in full 15,000,000 Bonus shares.
The subscribers of the share were “(1) Buhari (Major General) Mohammadu – 90,000; address 7 Aliu Garaki Rd Kaduna. (2) Babangida (Gen. rtd) Ibrahim – 15,000; (3) Williams (Prof) Olufemi – 15,000; (4) Gana (The Estate) Baba – 15,000” among others.
On 3rd September 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari declared that he had about N30 million in his bank account before taking office on May 29. The president declared, however, that he had shares in Berger Paints, Union Bank and Skye Bank but there was no mention of his share at Panalpina.
Details of the president’s asset declaration now being verified by the Code of Conduct Bureau also showed that he owns five houses in Kaduna, Daura, Kano and Abuja. He also has two undeveloped plots of land, one in Kano and the other in Port Harcourt as well as farms, an orchard, ranch, livestock including 270 cattle, 25 sheep, five horses, a variety of birds and a number of economic trees.
His media aides are yet to react to this new development.

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has expressed full support for the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying it is the best for the country.
Ajimobi, at a radio programme monitored in Ibadan on Saturday, said that Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade would take Nigeria to greater heights.
“I fully support Buhari. I thank God now that we have him in power. He is a man that is determined to wage relentless war against the malady of corruption.
“If we do not fight corruption as a nation, then we cannot grow,” the governor said.
Ajimobi attributed the non-constitution of his cabinet to the economic situation of the state, adding that he had decided to settle down for three months before appointing his cabinet members.
`We will appoint 10 Special Advisers and Commissioners this month, by God’s grace. We have reduced our ministries to 13,” he disclosed.
Speaking on the bailout fund for states, the governor said that the state governments would pay the money back at about nine per cent interest.
“The money we are getting is strictly to pay salaries. It is illegal to use it for any other thing.
“Even with that, about N17 billion is to be paid to the state government workers.
“We are supposed to pay local government workers N9 billion. As at today, we owe workers
N21.3 billion.
“This means that after using the bailout fund to pay salaries, we will still be owing and we will continue to owe until our allocation or internal generated revenue increases.”
Ajimobi said that the allocation to the state from the Federal Government on assumption of office in 2011 was N5 billion.
According to him, however, the state hardly gets N3 billion now.
He said that the financial situation of the state was the reason he met with representatives of workers to consider the next line of action.
According to him, the next line of action of the state government will be to reduce workers’ salaries, retrench or restructure.
“We will block all loopholes from where government loses revenue. Civil servants found guilty will be dealt with after following the due process,” he said.
The governor said that the people of the state had started complaining that the streets were now dirty again.
“Our people complained that we were too harsh on street traders, so we calmed down.
“Now, the same people have been coming to us to loudly register their embarrassment over the condition of our environment.
“We have decided that from Oct. 1, it will be fire for fire with street traders. There will be no turning back this time around.
“We will clean everywhere. We will use Oyo Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) personnel to achieve that,” he said.
Speaking on the petition instituted against him by the ACCORD Party at the tribunal, he expressed optimism that he would win at the tribunal.
“Even though I should not be talking about the tribunal issue, but I can say it here that there is no case.
“I am confident that we will win. I am not afraid. We won that election,” he said. (NAN)

Itsekiri King, Ogiame Atuwatse II, the Olu of Warri, has joined his ancestors, THISDAY has gathered. He was said to have passed on while on admission at a Lagos Hospital. He was 70 years old.
There was heightened anxiety in Itsekiri Kingdom yesterday, over speculations about the state of health of the king after various reports on online platforms had alleged that the renowned monarch had joined his ancestors.
Although there has not been any official confirmation from the Delta State government, THISDAY was able to confirm from the palace and other sources on the demise of the revered monarch.
The news was being discussed in hushed tones all over the oil-city of Warri and its environs till late last (Saturday) night but nobody seemed to have any concrete facts about the actual cause of the reported transition of the Olu.
The premier Itsekiri monarch had apparently not been in the best of health since he reportedly suffered a minor stroke over two years ago. However, his health seemed to have improved tremendously with the monarch seen at many public functions especially before the last general election in the country.
THISDAY learnt that Atuwatse II was in a Lagos hospital preparatory to being flown abroad for more intense medical care when his condition worsened from a domestic accident he reportedly had recently in Warri, which eventually led to his demise.
It was further learnt that his stroke had worsened recently following the alleged domestic accident during which he allegedly suffered brain injury.
Initial spirited efforts by THISDAY to get some prominent Itsekiri personages last night to confirm or deny the report only met a brick-wall. At least two of those contacted in Warri by THISDAY for their reaction were practically hostile and would not discuss the matter further.
However, THISDAY gathered that it is considered an abominable thing for an Itsekiri son or daughter to speak to any “outsider” in particular about the death of the Itsekiri king.
Aside this year’s celebration of the anniversary of his ascension to the throne as Olu, the last major outing where THISDAY encountered the royal father was during the visits to Delta State by former President Goodluck Jonathan for the groundbreaking ceremony of the multi-billion gas city project at Ogidigben near Escravos in Warri South-west Local Government Area.
Ogiame Atuwatse II ascended the throne of his forefathers on May 2, 1987 during an elaborate ceremony which was recorded as the last official engagement of renowned politician and publisher, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Awolowo died on May 9, 1987, a week after attending the Olu’s coronation in Warri.
The famous Itsekiri monarch last May celebrated what might be termed low-keyed 28th anniversary of his coronation, choosing to mark the occasion mainly with Christian religious services.
Nonetheless, the demise of the Itsekiri King is coming on the second anniversary of the celebrated crisis-of-interest over the alleged “pagan” or fetish etymological background of the royal title of the Itsekiri monarch - Ogiame.
The Olu of Warri had, in September 2013, attempted to jettison the traditional title of ‘Ogiame’ because of his Christian beliefs, thereby drawing the ire of practically all his chiefs and subjects.

Good people,great Nation

The Australian police have arrested two Nigerian men, 51-year-old Iwuchukwu Odemegwo and Chibuike Anyasor for allegedly importing more than 40 kilograms of methamphetamine which they concealed inside bar fridges and Jackie Chan-branded DVD players.
Report has it that the duo appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.
The police reportedly described Anyasor as a key figure in the drug importation syndicate.
He was however, charged with importing and attempting to possess methamphetamine.
Odemegwo, on the other hand, reports say was charged for attempting to be in possession of commercial quantity of methamphetamine.
They are however to face maximum penalty of life imprisonment if found guilty.

A 70 year old man, Amos Otene, after spending over 30 hours in a mortuary in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, has reportedly bounced back to life.
According to report, doctors at a private hospital in the town had on August 26, 2015, certified him dead at 4. 30 a.m and promptly covered him up and wheeled him into the mortuary, awaiting instructions from members of the family for embalmment.
Eche, one of his children who lives in Lafia was said to have visited and was taken to the mortuary to confirm that his father had indeed passed on. According to Eche, at about 1.39 pm, the morticians at the hospital wheeled out the trolley containing my father and unveiled the face for me to see.
Vanguard reports that Otene was said to have been admitted on August 25, after he complained of severe tooth ache which had persisted for several days. As the news of Otene’s death spread, family members and other sympathizers continued to throng the hospital.
Doctors, who according to reports, further proved that Otene was dead, extracted the requisite body fluid and other substances from the corpse, for post mortem examination which was to ultimately reveal the cause of death.
Eche said, “In the process of wheeling my late dad into the mortuary, he started raising his right hand and all of us fled towards the reception area of the mortuary. From a safe distance, we watched as my father lifted himself and sat on the bed and that was about seven minutes later. One of the attendants eventually summoned enough courage and approached my father who fell back on the trolley.
“The doctors ordered that my resurrected father be readmitted in the ward where some medication was administered and he was placed on fresh round of drips. He remained in the ward till Tuesday when the doctors carried out series of tests and certified Otene fit for discharge.
On Wednesday, at the Otene’s Old GRA residence in Makurdi, he spoke on his encounter with death as well-wishers continued to troop there to catch a glimpse of the resurrected man. Until his retirement in 2012, Otene reportedly worked at the Department of Forestry of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Makurdi. In what may well be an apparent case of near-death experience, Otene said that, “what I remember is that I was in a vehicle and traveled a long distance.
“When I got there,” he added, “there were many people and there was a lot of celebration and merriment and the people were happy. But they did not allow me to stay with them. They said I should go back and repeat my work.
“I am much better now and I thank God for everything and I also owe many thanks to the hospital for taking care of me and my family members who have been worried. I hope they will continue to be with me until I am completely free from this stress,” Otene said.
Meanwhile, medical experts noted that Otene could not have died in the first place and that the question of resurrection was out of the question. The only explanation, according to a Makurdi-based medical practitioner, Dr. Ameh Edache, was that he was in a long coma.
“He was in a long coma if he came back to life before embalmment,”Edache noted
http://dailypost.ng/2015/09/05/benue-man-dies-resurrects-after-30-hours-inside-mortuary/

The immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega, and a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, are among 20 personalities who would be honoured Saturday for playing “game changer” roles in the socio-economic affairs of Nigeria in the last 20 years.
The award ceremony takes place this evening at the Eko Conference Centre, Lagos, alongside a discussion on security, to be chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The newspaper says it is recognising the 20 individuals for playing various roles in “altering the landscape, day after day” in the 20 years that THISDAY newspaper has existed.
The newspaper debuted in 1995.
Mr. Jega, a university don, credited with conducting two presidential elections, including the one this year, is being honoured for changing the game “when it had to do with conduct of acceptable elections”.
Mr. Ribadu, according to the newspaper, is being honoured for initiating “a series of no-nonsense measures as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission” and for giving “individuals with questionable character a big chase”.
Apart from fighting corruption in high places, Mr. Ribadu is reputed for bringing about the change that turned the Nigerian economy around at a time the country was blacklisted by world economic powers due to widespread economic crimes.
Aside Messrs Jega and Ribadu, 18 other Nigerians will also be awarded for playing significant roles in uplifting the society and projecting the Nigerian brand in the last 20 years. The awardees are mostly self-made businessmen and entrepreneurs.
Those in the list include Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote; and Nigerian billionaires – Mike Adenuga, Jim Ovia, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Fola Adeola, Tony Elumelu and Atedo Peterside.
Businessman Tunde Ayeni also made the list alongside the Chairman of Etisalat Nigeria, Hakeem Bello-Osagie.
Others awardees are founder of the Nigerian e-store, konga.com, Sim Shagaya; technology entrepreneur, Leo Stan Ekeh; Sunil Vaswani and the owner of London’s Gatwick Airport, Adebayo Ogunlesi.
There are also five women on the made the list: the Lagos doctor who died fighting Ebola, Ameyo Adadevoh; a Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General, Amina Mohammed; events planner, Yewande Zaccheus; Boko Haram survivor and campaigner, Member Feese; and the blogger Linda Ikeji.
The paper will also honour 20 other Nigerians with “Lifetime Achievement” awards.
Awardees in this category include a former Chief of Defence Staff, Alani Akinrinade; a former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Coomassie; and three retired Chief Justices of Nigeria – Idris Kutigi, Dahiru Musdapha and Mohammadu Uwais.
Others are Alex Dudeyemi, Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, Ibrahim Gambari, Pius Akinyelure, Alabo Douglas, Joseph Irukwu, Kolawole Jamodu and Ndubusi Kanu.
Two traditional rulers – the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, and the Emir of Zazzau, Shehu Idris – are also to receive the lifetime achievement award.
Also to receive the lifetime awards are former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Joseph Sanusi, Prince Tony Momoh and Mr. Olusegun Osunkeye.

Africans are getting richer.
In their latest look at Africa’s monied class, the research firm New World Wealth reveals that there are 163,000 millionaires across the continent, that is, people with assets worth at least $1 million. This millionaire class boasts a combined wealth of US$670 billion, says New World. That’s more than the GDP of Nigeria and Kenyacombined, two of Africa’s big economies. And where are all these rich people?Most of them are in South Africa, it seems.
The rapid growth of African cities is helping to attract and support the entrepreneurs who are generating a lot of this wealth said Colin Grieve, chief representative officer at AfrAsia Bank, the co-producer of the report said in a statement.
And the number of these wealthy individuals is expected to grow. In the next decade, it is forecast Accra and Nairobi will almost double the number of those with a $1 million or more in assets, emphasizing the notion that Africa’s growth is generating wealth.
Reality check
The question, however, is whether this new found wealth is helping to lift people out of poverty. Evidence suggests that it is limited only to the few. Take for example, GDP growth. Africa’s forecast for this year is expected to be 4.4%. But per capita growth is a mere 1.7%, according to the World Bank data.
At the moment, one out of almost two Africans lives in poverty. In fact, despite this sustained growth, “more people are likely living on less than $1.25 a day in Sub-Saharan Africa today than at the turn of the millennium—an estimated 413 million in 2010 compared with 376 million in 1999,” the World Bank contends(pdf).
“It’s generally middle class people becoming millionaires,” Andrew Amoils, head of research at New World Wealth, told Quartz. “Difficult for poor people in Africa to become rich as schooling and healthcare is much better for wealthy people.”
And even those who rise to wealthy status, their social mobility path is narrowly limited to those in positions of influence. “The bulk of poor people that become millionaires in Africa tend to be political figures as many move from politics into business.”
There are still reasons for optimism. The rate of poverty is estimated to fall to between 16% and 30% by 2030, saysthe World Bank. Nevertheless, the same report also points out by 2030 most of the world’s poor will be living in Africa. So while it is encouraging to see the rise of the millionaire class, the fact that the majority of the continent is still mired in poverty is a sober reminder that it is too soon to celebrate “Africa’s rise.”

captianfreeman:
I no fit read all this Metuh palava. But corruption under Buhari ,can never be as deadly as under PDP. My opinion tho.

truth

Intendy:
its a bad thing to be jobless and useless.

who s that?

booqee:
They need to say anything just to stay relevant.. eeyah

The Peoples Democratic Party has alleged that corruption is ongoing under President Muhammadu Buhari.

It said despite the “holier than thou” posture of the present Federal Government, the opposition party has what it described as “incontrovertible evidence that grave corrupt practices are ongoing and allowed to fester by associates and cronies of government.”

The former ruling party listed these associates to include former and present governors of the All Progressives Congress and those who it said financed the Presidential campaign of the APC with “stolen state funds.”

The party said this has created a system that is neck deep in corruption, while the government hoodwinks unsuspecting public with propaganda.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, however, said the party was not averse to the fight against corruption.

He nevertheless said “the onus lies on the APC-led Federal Government to wage a credible holistic anti-corruption war by first purging itself of unclean association and coming out clear on sleazes already going on in government quarters since it took office in May.

“Whereas the PDP restates its respect for the person and office of the President as well as our support for the war against corruption, it is incumbent on us to alert Nigerians of the prevailing circumstances around this government that are capable of fundamentally undermining good governance if left unchecked.

“Charity, they say begins at home. For the APC-led Government, it has now become a question of ‘physician, heal thyself.’

“Every discerning mind knows that this administration is not executing a credible holistic war against corruption because it is a product of corruption, surrounded by corrupt persons; a factor apparently responsible for its obvious blind eyes to huge sleazes now being perpetrated in government agencies by persons claiming closeness to the President.”

He said it was indeed alarming that in so short a time, an administration that rode to power on claims of anti-corruption credentials had broken the records in constitutional violations and abuse of regulations, especially in its adamant stance to run a government without the statutory components of a full cabinet, thereby creating loopholes for APC’s interests to invade key government agencies for inflated concessions, allocations, jobs and other financial sleazes.

Metuh said, “How else can one explain the deliberate constitutional violations in the appointment of heads of financial handling federal agencies; such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Asset Management Cooperation of Nigeria without due process of ministerial consultations and legislative clearance, as the case may be?

“Is this a scheme to open up these key finance institutions for malpractices and turn them into cash cows for APC interests?

“This is in addition to ongoing maneuverings in the oil sector, where clandestine moves are on to award oil refining licenses to cronies without the due process of open bidding, as well as statutory guidelines and checks by the Department of Petroleum Resources.”

He called on Nigerians to note that the APC-led administration has not been forthcoming on how it has been depleting the funds it inherited in the Excess Crude Account and other government savings.

He, therefore, challenged the Buhari-led APC administration to show integrity and commitment in the fight against corruption by first cleaning its house and coming out clear on the numerous sleazes going on presently under its watch.

ShineuEye:
Which other Nigerian governor would ever say this? Fayose is in a league by himself, this man is my hero.
Imagine a governor asking for permission before taking a loan. Fayose please hurry up and prepare to govern Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that Nigerians will soon see the fulfilment of his election campaign promises.
He spoke on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving university students.
The president assured Nigerian youth that his government’s anti-corruption campaign would secure their future.
In an address to members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) who marched to the presidential villa to pledge their full support for his anti-corruption campaign, President Buhari promised that he will do his best to place Nigeria well on the way to becoming the nation of their dreams.
“Everything you have asked for are the things that will make for a good country, and what we are after is a good country, a country where our youths can have a future and a hope,” the president said.
“We are totally committed to building a country where our youths can realize their full potential.
“You can be assured that your welfare and well-being are topmost in our minds and very soon you will see the things we have promised come to fruition.
“During the campaigns, change was our slogan, but today it is no longer a mere slogan, it is now a reality and we will see it in every facet of our lives.
“The youth will feel it, the adults will feel it and old people will feel it and we will get the country of our dreams,’’ the president, who was represented by his Special Adviser (Media & Publicity), Femi Adesina, said.
Mr. Adesina later received a document addressed to President Buhari from the NANS President, Tijani Usman Shehu, and promised that the president will look into their requests.
In his remarks, Mr. Shehu said the students were united against corruption, cybercrime, prostitution, human trafficking, drug abuse and other anti-social vices.
“Nigerian students demand that our future must be secured and we strongly believe in the President’s zero tolerance for corruption,’’ he said.

Audray:
mmmtttchhheeewwwwwww!!!#sniff sniff# abeg who get ti... mmttcchhheeuuaaww!! Tissue! Sombori get me a...mmtccheeeww!!! Oh my gawd! am allergic to this po.....ssssttteeewwww!

you dnt need quoting me to type dis, nawa o

Justice Mohammed Yunusa of a Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from inviting a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, for questioning.

https://punch.cdn.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Oduah3-360x225.jpg

The judge ordered the EFCC to stay action on Oduah as regards the purchase of two armoured BMW cars at a cost of N160m in 2013 by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority under her watch.

The order, made on August 26, 2015, is also binding on the ICPC, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police.
The judge said it would remain in force pending the determination of the main suit filed by Oduah, through her counsel, Mr. R.A. Oluyede.

In her statement of claim, Oduah, who is currently in the Senate representing Anambra North Senatorial District, said there was a move by the respondents, doing the bidding of her political adversaries, to persecute and humiliate her.

She said this persecution, which began in the build-up to the 2015 general elections, was spearheaded by the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, who was then Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chairman, House Aviation Committee.

Oduah said, “The All Progressives Congress, in a desperate bid to capture power, began a campaign of calumny by demonising the most visible leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, including myself and others who were seen as pivotal to the re-election bid of the then incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.”

She said as part of the APC’s campaign of calumny, the party’s leadership commissioned some faceless organisations to write letters to the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, accusing her of “all manners of corrupt practices and offences in respect of my stewardship as Minister of Aviation.”

Oduah said despite her selfless service and the immense progress made under her watch, including the revamping of the country’s air transportation, Tambuwal still ordered her investigation based on the petitions containing “spurious and wild allegations.”
She said because of her electoral value and strategic politicking, she had been a target of the ploy by the APC to depopulate the PDP and distract its leaders with trumped up charges.

According to her, part of the APC’s plan was to charge PDP leaders “in a criminal trial in a Lagos State Government-controlled court.”
She, however, explained that the two armoured BMW purchased for N160m, was for the purpose of conveying officials of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, who were in the country at the time, for the routine inspection and certification of the 22 airports in the country which were being rehabilitated under her watch.

Begging the court to protect her, Oduah said unless the court intervened, “the APC will unleash repression against her and others and this may cause the country to recede to a one-party state, with gross adverse effects and irreparable damage to our nascent democracy.”
After granting her application, Justice Yunusa adjourned hearing in the main suit till October 2, 2015.

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has pardoned the 31 civil servants who resumed late to work on Monday.

The governor has been facing public criticisms after some workers who came late to office were seen prostratating before him in the state.
Fayose, made this disclosure at a meeting with public servants in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the governor’s proposed plan to take the bailout funds of the Federal Government was discussed.

He said, “I am begging workers to get to work on time. If we are paying salaries on time, then civil servants must also reciprocate by coming to work on time.

“Also, people must be ready to pay rates, taxes and levies. If civil servants are paying taxes, others should pay as well. Our IGR must improve,” he stated.

Speaking further, Fayose also explained that rolling over the debts and commitments of the state with the nine per cent interest on the bailout would be too burdensome.

“They say they are restructuring N18.8 billion of our commercial loans and with the 9 per cent interest, by the time the money is repaid in 20 years, we would have paid an extra N36billion as interest. That means the N18 billion would have become N56 billion.

“I am addressing you on the issue so that before I commit the state to taking the loan, I have to get your permission. The main consequence of the bailout is that it is from same monthly allocation from the federal that we will accommodate servicing the N25 billion bond we inherited from the previous administration.

“When allocation comes and they are deducting from source, do not say I did not tell you. I set up a technical committee to see to how we disburse monthly allocations coming to the state. The committee has members drawn from labour unions, tertiary institutions among others. We do this to allow for transparency in the system,” he said

Lattop:
For u guys to serve Nigeria is now by force
May God help u
Amen

FTC on lala's post
FP

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, on Monday said contrary to the belief of many, his appointment and those of some other appointees of President Muhammadu Buhari were not based on their tribes or religion.

The last Thursday’s appointments of Lawal and five others by the President sparked off outrage among some individuals and groups who felt that Buhari’s appointments have so far been skewed in favour of the Northern part of the country.

Of the six appointments, five appointees were picked from the North while the remaining one hails from the South.
But speaking after taking his oath of office before Buhari on Monday, the SGF said he and his colleagues were not considered for their political appointments because of their tribes, faiths or political groups.

Lawal who was sworn in alongside the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina; as well as the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.), said if such factors were considered, they would not have made the President’s list.
He said Nigeria was at the threshold of achieving greatness and it is a privilege for him and his colleagues to be part of the team that would propel the country to greatness.

He promised that the new appointees would not fail the President and the country.
He added that they would serve the country with excellence and integrity.

Lawal said, “We want to thank God for granting Mr. President the vision, wisdom, kindness and boldness to consider us worthy for positions of responsibilities.

“We did not have to pass examination to get appointed into these positions; not because of our tribes, our faiths or our political groups that we were considered worthy for these positions.

“If it is such, I am sure none of us would have been considered worthy of these appointments.

“We appreciate the President and we appreciate God that He has blessed us with these privileged appointments. It is a privilege to serve Nigerians in these capacities at this point in time.

“Nigeria is at the threshold of achieving greatness and it is our honour and privilege to be senior members of the team that will propel the country to this greatness.

“We have in you (the President) and the Vice President, leaders that lead by examples, leaders that are focused, leaders whose goal is to build a Nigeria where there is liberty, security, economic prosperity and the rule of law.

“We are grateful that we are part of the team to deliver this goal. Accept our assurances that by the grace of God, we will not fail you, we will not fail our country, we will not fail ourselves, our families and our friends. By the grace of God, we will not fail you either. We will strive at all times to serve our country and to serve you with excellence, hard work and integrity.”

Buhari did not make any statement at the brief ceremony that was attended by top government officials including the nation’s service chiefs and permanent secretaries as well as some chiefs of the ruling All Progressive Congress, led by their National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
Adesina’s appointment was one of the first set of appointments announced by Buhari on May 31.

Monguno’s appointment was announced on July 13 while Lawal was appointed last Thursday.

A lifeless body of a 65-year-old man, Mr Dele Ogundeyi, was on Saturday recovered from a well on the Aperan Way in Omu-Aran, Kwara.
TheNews Agency of Nigeriareports that Ogundeyi was a retired Secretary of Offa Local Government Area Liaison Office, before his death.
The deceased, who hailed from Ile-Nla compound in Omu-Aran, went missing around 11am on Saturday, according to a relation, Mr. Abdulkareem, prompting a search party by family members.
He said the search party later traced the deceased to a site along Aperan Way, where his lifeless body was found inside the well around 4pm that same day.
Abdulkareem said the well was located in front of an uncompleted building and a farm land belonging to the deceased.
The relation toldNANthat the deceased body had since been removed from the well by family members and deposited at the Adeyemo hospital’s mortuary in the town.
He said the family was still in shock over the death of the deceased whom he described as the bread winner of the family and a caring, easy-going man.
NAN reports that some sympathisers had visited the residence of the deceased to commiserate with the family over the unfortunate incident.
http://www.punchng.com/news/body-of-65-year-old-man-recovered-from-well-in-omu-aran/
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A former Ogun State governorship candidate under the platform of Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, Rotimi Paseda, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari not to shield any of his political associates in his fight against corruption.
He gave the advice on Sunday while receiving the Paseda Integrity Foundation at his Omu-Ijebu country home in Ogun State, just as he commended Mr. Buhari on the bold step of fighting corruption in the country.
Mr. Paseda, who declared his support for Mr. Buhari’s anti-corruption war, bemoaned the spate of corruption in the country perpetrated under the last administration. He applauded the president for his initiatives and actions taken to retrieve government property from past officials.
While lamenting the rot in the Nigerian system, the politician charged President Buhari to not shield any of his political associates and supporters from being probed.
“I will support President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption. If that is the only thing he can achieve and clean the system for the next four years, then he has my support,” he declared.
“The situation is so complex to the extent that people cannot feed themselves daily, while the rich are getting richer. He should not be bias in his campaign against corruption if he wants to have the public support. He must not shield anybody, either from the ruling party, as a sacred cow”, he said.
The politician also advised the President to abolish the dichotomy between B.Sc. and HND degrees in the education sector. He also enjoined him to improve the power sector and balance his political appointments amongst all Nigerians.
President Buhari should see himself as Nigerian president who should not promote the Northern agenda only as that may cause uproar and instability in the government.
Mr. Paseda, who described the recent appointments by President Buhari as lopsided against other regions, said, “We cannot continue to argue over the president’s recent appointees. Though, it might be skewed in favour of the northerners, but we have many potent issues that need to be addressed by the president immediately.”
“The power sector is not stable yet. Many Nigerians who are majorly artisans rely on electricity to meet their daily needs. Many of our federal roads are not in good shape. There’s also need for urgent attention to improve the agricultural sector as another means of IGR for the country rather than depending on oil,” he stated.
“But the President can still balance the equation on the ministerial appointment list, while those of impeccable character must also be considered.”
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/189248-dont-shield-your-associates-in-anti-corruption-war-politician-tells-buhari.html
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As reactions continue to pour in over the recent appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Igbo Leaders of Thought, ILT, has called on Ndigbo to remain calm in the face provocation.
According to the group, “a million Buhari cannot marginalize Ndigbo”, and as such there was no need to continued with cry of marginalization in the face of the lopsided appointments.
The Deputy Secretary of ILT, Elliot Uko, in a statement, said Ndigbo “must not whine or cry in the face of all these”.
Elliot said he had been mandated “to get in touch with Igbo groups at home and abroad and plead with them to keep quite as silence is obviously the best answer to this quite deliberate provocation”.
“Accordingly, Igbo Leaders of Thought, Ohanaeze, World Igbo Congress, Aka Ikenga and all Igbo Groups at home and in the diaspora have all been informed to keep quiet. We must not satisfy them by crying. They are probably mocking us while eating ‘gworo’ and playing poker. Please tell all to keep quiet for now. Though we understand some people have already reacted, let us stop at that.
“We know that there are a million and one Ndigbo who are anxious to advertise and exhibit their penmanship over the slightest irritation that is seemingly against Igbo interest. We plead that this is the most inappropriate response to the present situation in the country.
“It can only serve as further self humiliation to the joy of those who think they have an edge over us. PLEASE BE SILENT, FOR ONCE. There is something called dignifying silence even in the face of obvious provocation”.
He emphasized: “PLEASE DO NOT REACT. IT IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO. DO NOT CRY ‘MARGINALIZATION’. A million Buhari cannot marginalize Ndigbo. Please plead with other Igbo groups to keep quiet.”
http://dailypost.ng/2015/08/30/a-million-buharis-cannot-marginalize-ndigbo-ilt-on-presidents-appointments/

CHAD executed 10 alleged members of Nigeria-based Islamist group, Boko Haram, by firing squad Saturday, a day after they were found guilty of a double suicide killing that left 38 people dead in the capital N’Djamena.
“They were executed this morning on a shooting ground north of N’Djamena,” a judicial source told AFP. The report was confirmed by a security source who asked not to be identified.
The 10 were condemned to death Friday in the country’s first trial of presumed members of the Islamist group. The hearings opened Wednesday.
Nigeria’s neighbours Chad, Cameroon and Niger have all suffered attacks by Boko Haram and earlier this year they announced a regional force to end the militants’ insurgency that has claimed more than 15,000 lives since 2009.
The defendants were accused of criminal conspiracy, killings, wilful destruction with explosives, fraud, illegal possessions of arms and ammunition, as well as using psychotropic substances.
The accused include Nigerian national Mahamat Mustapha, also known as Bana Fanaye, who according to Chadian authorities masterminded the June 15 suicide attacks that struck a school and a police building in N’Djamena, killing 38 people and injuring 101.
On July 12, a fresh attack in the Chadian capital claimed by Boko Haram left at least 15 dead and 80 hurt after an assailant dressed as a woman blew himself up in the central marketplace.
Shortly after Fanaye’s arrest in late June, Chad’s top prosecutor Alghassim Kassim said the suspect was the “ringleader of a network smuggling weapons and munitions between Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad”.
Chad has beefed up security in response to the bloodshed.
The regional force against Boko Haram is expected to number some 8,700 troops and police, but it has yet to go into action.
http://m.mgafrica.com/article/2015-08-30-chad-executes-10-boko-haram-suspects-by-firing-squad/#.VeLr1F2t-o8
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