₦airaland Forum

As part of measures to relieve the suffering of commuters caused by the removal of fuel subsidy, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri has launched a new transport scheme.

The governor during the launch of 100 cabs and six luxury buses on Wednesday at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall premises, Yenagoa, stated that the initiative was his administration’s palliative to boost the transport sector.

“This is another historic day as we launch this fleet of transport vehicles to relieve the suffering of our people.
As part of measures to relieve the suffering of commuters caused by the removal of fuel subsidy, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri has launched a new transport scheme.

The governor during the launch of 100 cabs and six luxury buses on Wednesday at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall premises, Yenagoa, stated that the initiative was his administration’s palliative to boost the transport sector.

“This is another historic day as we launch this fleet of transport vehicles to relieve the suffering of our people.


“Now, we have taxis that will run within the city of Yenagoa and environs to the Niger Delta University at Amassoma, to the airport and the Federal University, Otuoke and other towns,” he said.

Handing over the vehicle keys to Bayelsa State Transport Company, BSTC General Manager, Chief Timi Fanama, Governor Diri urged the management to make good use of the vehicles to enhance the transport system, Vanguard reports.

On his part, Fanama urged the youths to avail themselves of the scheme and see driving as a career.

Biafra is dead, I like what president Tinubu is doing. He is not giving a shit ear to that good for nothing Ekpa, like Buhari did Nnamdi Kalu. The day gives Ekpa attention that will be the day another Endsars like trouble will start. Presidency should just ignore that fool, let Igbo people face the monster they created. By the time we start chasing them to the dot.. nation they will be like sudan. terrible people, their sisters and brothers, mother and father were all happy about the activities of ESN. Now Asari boys are now dealing with them in the language they understand. If they bold enough they should go the DSS CELL and release Mazi.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of eight special advisers.

The new appointees include Mr. Dele Alake, Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Mr. Yau Darazo, Special Adviser on Political and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Wale Edun, Special Adviser on Monetary Policies and Mrs. Olu Verheijen on Special Adviser, Energy

Others include Mr. Zachaeus Adedeji, Special Adviser, Revenue, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, Special Adviser, Security, Mr. John Ugochukwu Uwajumogu, Special Adviser, Industry, Trade and Investment and Dr (Mrs.) Salma Ibrahim Anas, Special Adviser, Health

You guys need to be very close to her, let her know that you guys will be there for her no matter what has happened. It is not really easy for them. same thing happened to me in 2015, it has always been God. Try and be calling her,if she is far. Let feel the love from the children now.
God will help her, with time that thinking will reduce.

Why are people from South East like this? How will a preacher be saying things like this about the president elect? That's the reason why I personally don't like them for one day. They are always filled with hates and bitterness. God forbid they rule Nigeria.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero has directed public sector workers in the country to embark on strike beginning from Wednesday next week.

He also directed that affiliate unions constituting the Nigeria Labour Congress should also be on standby for picketing exercises across all branches of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, nationwide.

The directive followed an earlier ultimatum issued by the Central Working Committee members of the NLC last week criticising the cash swap policy of the Federal Government.

Ajaero said the decision to picket CBN branches became necessary, as the Federal Government and the CBN have not shown any commitment to address the situation.
He lamented that despite the Supreme Court order allowing the old N500 and N1000 notes to circulate with the new notes till December 31 this year, the situation appears to be getting worse as workers cannot access cash to pay fares to work, nor can they buy food for their families.

Briefing reporters on Wednesday at the headquarters of NLC, the apex Labour union also criticised the pricing irregularities in the petroleum sector, which was also a cause for concern.

“Last week, we gave an ultimatum for the review of the cash crunch bedeviling the country, but we have discovered to our dismay that as at this moment not much effort has been made to ameliorate the situation, the government is still foot dragging on these issues we raised.

“Based on this, we met again this morning to review our position and resolved that by Wednesday next week, all CBN branches will be picketed.

“Workers are directed to stay at home too because people cannot eat, workers can no longer go to the office, we have been pushed to the wall, we have decided to take our destiny in our hands, we have mobilised our workers for this exercise,” Ajaero stated.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/dailypost.ng/2023/03/22/nlc-declares-nationwide-strike/%3famp=1

The Accord Party’s House of Assembly candidate for Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Constituency II, Rivers State, Chukwudi Ogbonna, has been reportedly kidnapped.

Ogbonna was said to have been taken at gunpoint to an unknown destination by unidentified criminals around Rumuigbo community in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

The victim, who is said to be a popular candidate for Saturday’s election, was kidnapped at about 8:30 pm.

Ogbonna was in a vehicle with a friend on his way back home when the incident occurred.

The incident was confirmed by one Ifeakachukwu Nwakiri, who identified himself as the brother of the victim.

Nwakiri claimed the kidnap was politically motivated, but noted that the police have been alerted.

He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to consider suspending the State House of Assembly election for Onelga Constituency II slated for Saturday, pending the release of his brother.

“He was double crossed and taken to an unknown destination. Up until now we have not heard from him. So we don’t know where he has been taken to.

“Our plea and our call is to the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, the Commissioner of Police Director of DSS, NSCDC for all of them to swing into action to make sure they rescue Engineer Chukwudi Ogbonna.” He added.

Let all come out in our numbers and support SDP governorship candidate. Magnus knows what governor Wike knows, He already has block vote from the ogoni area. Cole is Ameachi boy and does not have that political zeal to outsmart Wike. From kalabari there are more than five aspirant making it impossible for them to get the necessary votes required to win. Now Sim is from the smallest LGA in terms of voting strength, So if Obidient supporters come out in numbers again wike is a gonna. With some of his political enemies in the state, Wike will not see any vote like he did during the presidential election.

The Labour Party, LP governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Umar Mustapha, and his supporters, have ditched the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi to declare their support for the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Mustapha, after withdrawing his support for Obi, collapsed his LP structure in Adamawa into that of the APC.
While announcing his support for Tinubu, Mustapha said he found the people, who ran the LP in the state to be as bad as the system they wanted to change.
Mustapha, who’s popularly known as Otumba, said his decision and that of his supporters, to support Tinubu both at the national and state levels was made after it became clear to him that the party (LP) in the state will get nowhere based on the way it was set up.
Recall that Mustapha and his supporters, had boycotted the campaign rally of Obi in Adamawa.
Mustapha had, accused the party’s leadership and the LP Presidential Campaign Council of sidelining him.

Pandemonium broke out at the Rumuwoji Playground in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Thursday following a twin explosion that rocked the campaign rally of the All-Progressives Congress, APC.
It was gathered that at least three persons were seriously injured in the unfortunate incident.
According to reports, two of the victims are women, all of whom were rushed to hospital for medical attention.
The APC Publicity Secretary in the State, Darlington Nwauju, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust.
When contacted by DAILY POST, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe Koko simply said, “I will get back to you”.

This Biafra people have spoiled this our state. 95% crime in Rivers state are committed by them.

It is a bitter truth bro. APC will win convincedly.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, on Monday, found former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Senior Special Adviser (SSA), Dr Doyin Okupe guilty of receiving over N200 million cash from former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki.
Justice Ojukwu in a judgment delivered held that the action of Okupe, who is the first defendant in the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) violated the Money Laundering Act.
While stating that the Act provides that no individual or organization shall receive any sum above N5 million and N10 million respectively without passing through a financial institution, the judge held that “there is no evidence that the money passed through a financial institution”.
According to Justice Ojukwu, the NSA was not a financial institution, adding that even if the President was said to have authorized the funds, he did not say that the money must be paid in cash in violation of the money laundering.
Consequently, the court held, “I find the first defendant, Dr Doyin Okupe guilty in count 34, 35, 36…… 59.”
https://dailypost.ng/2022/12/19/court-finds-doyin-okupe-guilty-of-n240m-money-laundering-charges/

Football is not just the most popular sport in the world, it is the only sport in the world that can bring billions of people together.
One of the most anticipated events in the world is the FIFA World Cup, and in the game of football, none of these things matter—not even religion, culture, or tribe.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a fierce football fan running for president, sponsored a special World Cup viewing event for commuters at the Oshodi Interchange transportation hub in Lagos.
All agreed that the location decision was strategic. Lagos commuters congregate at the Oshodi Transport Interchange. In addition, viewers were treated to extras like drinks, foods, entertainment, and goodie bags.
The surprise viewing centre experience was next to none and viewers testified to how it helped them take the stress off their day in the bustling state of Lagos.
Additionally, it was a chance to educate people about their right to vote and the significance of their votes.

What did you expect from IPOB members whose quest for money is like ...........
They are so fake, so dubious, so cannibalistic in nature. Selling of Human parts na them, baby factory na them, car theft na them, drug business na them. zombidients na them.

Yet they will not insult him. Igbos and bad mouth eeh. Always attacking Tinubu who has never in his life cause any problem to them.

The dust raised by Governor Nyesom Wike’s revelation on the payment of 13% derivation fund arrears by the federal government to Niger Delta States is yet to settle.

Governor Wike of Rivers State had over a week ago, during a project commissioning, revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari had paid the arrears of 13% derivation fund owed since 1999 to all the Niger Delta States.

The revelation, which some perceived as politically motivated, had generated a lot of reactions from members of the public across the Niger Delta States, including Akwa Ibom.

Some benefiting States, such as Delta, Edo and Bayelsa immediately came out to explain the amount gotten from FG and how it was expended.

Delta State claimed that it had only received the sum of N14.7 billion as refund from the 13 percent oil derivation in three quarterly instalments of N4.9 billion each.

It added that the actual shortfall due to the state was N250 billion, which the Federal Government agreed to pay in quarterly instalments for a period of five years.

“Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa said he would not want to leave the next administration with a huge debt burden. He resorted to discounting only N150 billion out of the N240 billion expected receivables but later pruned it down to N100 billion,” The state noted.

Similarly, Edo State said it received N2.1bn refund out of N28 billion expected, which was paid in three instalments of N700 million per quarter.

However, the delay by the Akwa Ibom State government to come out with the amount of monies received as arrears and how it was expended gave room to speculations and brandishing of figures from different quarters.

Firstly, the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, in Akwa Ibom State, Senator Bassey Akpan during a ward campaign tour alleged that governor Udom Emmanuel had received a sum of $1.1 billion (N600 billion), outside the normal Federal Allocation, regretting that nothing could be shown for that in the State.

“Governor Udom Emmanuel has received $1.1 billion (N600 billion) He has received over N3 trillion. But there is nothing to show for it,” he stated.

Also, the former aide to President Mohammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the State, Senator Ita Enang alleged that the six governors in the region misappropriated N950 billion that accrued to their States as proceeds of excess crude oil sales and 13% derivation and urged the House of Assemblies of the respective States to commence investigations and impeachment process of the governors who may be found culpable.

Enang said the governors short-changed their people through low rate discounting at various banks

Enang said that while Akwa Ibom State had collected a total sum of N133.5 billion, it had an outstanding of N277 billion to collect but had already discounted the fund at low rate in banks for ridiculous loans.

Enang claimed that Rivers State Government has collected N116 billion from the arrears of oil monies and N229 billion as outstanding, while Delta State collected a total of N125 billion but had an outstanding balance of N253 billion. Similarly, Bayelsa State has collected N104 billion and has an outstanding balance of N209 billion, which is also being discounted by the State Governor for ridiculous loans.

According to him, Edo State has collected the sum of N13 billion so far and has N37 billion outstanding payment which is also being discounted through loans in some banks.

Also, a non-governmental organisation working to promote economic and financial transparency in the Niger Delta, Policy Alert expressed reservations over the delay by the State government to address the burning issue, asking it to come out clear on the amount received as the 13% derivation and separate it from the loans they have received tagged, “Credit Substitute.”

The Executive Director of the organisation, Tijah Bolton-Akpan in a press conference in Uyo over the weekend, recalled how the organisation issued a statement on November 1, though countered by the State government on how it had received N171.2 billion under the subhead “13 percent Derivation Revenue arrears during the third quarter of 2021.”

Akpan said that the organization had traced the refund to October 2020, saying “from FAAC Reports for October through December 2020, N71bn was paid to all the Oil Producing States as Refund. What Akwa Ibom State recorded to have received is N2.4bn as “Refunds, Donations and Other Exceptional Income” we recall that there were donations from Federal Government, individuals and Organizations during this fiscal year due to COVID-19 outbreak. Thus, we question this receipt.

“In 2021, a total of N287.04bn was received as refund for the entire Oil Producing States. In 2022, between January and July, N181.68bn was received for the entire Oil Producing States.

“The report notes that in the 3rd Quarter of 2021, the State Government got N171.24bn and in the 4th Quarter of 2021 it received N12.81bn, coming to N184.04bn in 2021 alone.

“It appears that within the 2021 fiscal year, the State Government had acquired loans that were never heard about, and our suspicion is that the government went into ad hoc financing arrangements with commercial banks through the so-called Direct Credit Substitute form.

“In the 2021 financial statements, these loans amount to N35.92bn. But looking at the total Financial Charges for the year (interest on Internal Bank Loans) which amounted to N16.01bn brings the loans to a total of N51.93bn. When you add N135.61bn reported in the financial statements with N51.93 it gives N187.54 which is close to the N184.04bn reported earlier in the 2021 full year Budget Performance Report.”

He also highlighted some loans (which amounted to N35.92billion) taken by the State government to include: Polaris Bank – Akwa GIS loan – N500m, Zenith – Flashpoint Loan – N700m; Polaris – Dakkada Global Oil Palm loan – N500m; Zenith – Akwa Savings Loan – N1.5bn, Zenith Bank – UBE Loan -N715.07m, Globus Bank VKS Loan – N5bn Zenith – AKIRS Crystallized Loan – N24bn, FGN Bridging Facility -N3bn.

Akpan added, “you can also recall that in our infographics, we noted that in 2022, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Quarters, the State Government received N83.26bn as refund tagged as extraordinary items. How do we know that this relates to the refund?

“In the 2022 budget speech, the Governor noted that for capital receipts expected in 2022, Other Exceptional Income will be N15bn while Direct Credit Substitute/Receivable Discounting Facility will be N60bn. This amounted to N75bn. Checks into the 2022 Revised Budget shows these two revenue sources were joined together to call ‘Extraordinary Items’.”

He said from available records it would be deduced that the government is receiving the 13 percent derivation refund and also using the cover of these refunds to get loans through what it calls Direct Credit Substitute/Receivable Discounting Facility.

The organisation, therefore, called on the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to hold an investigative hearing on the issue.

In a reaction while addressing a press conference in Uyo, on Monday, the State commissioner for finance, Dr Linus Nkan urged the people to ignore those brandishing figures on social media on the 13% derivation refund, saying that the figures were mere fiction.

Nkan said the State government had received a total of N186bn in tranches of N160bn, while N41,434bn was projected for 2022, out of which N26bn as at third quarter of 2022 had been received.

He added that with the implementation of the International Public Sector Accounting System (IPSAS) it is impossible for any unaccounted expenditure to occur.

According to him “It has become pertinent to respond to issues relating to the refund of the 13 percent derivation arrears to oil producing States, of which Akwa Ibom is one.

“The agitation for the refund of the arrears which were deducted from the earnings due to the Oil bearing States was undertaken by the affected Governors, directly and through their officers at the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee which agreed with the very detailed submission and calculated the sums accruing to the States.

“However, due to the large amount involved and the inability of the Federal Government to pay all at once, it was agreed that the payments be made in tranches quarterly, over a period of five years.

“In 2021, the sum of 160,000,000,000 was remitted to the State account. In 2022, the projected income from this source was 41,434,000,000, but as at Q3, the sum of 26,000,000,000 has been received.

“In line with proper financial records keeping and public finance transparency, the refund was reflected in the 2021 budget as “Other Exceptional income: 13% derivation revenue arrears, which was revised to the tune of 193,000,000,000; in 2022 the revised provision was 41,434,000,000; in the 2023 budget, the estimate for this line item is 100,000,000,000. A simple calculation of these figures will reveal the sustainability thinking disposition that guides the governance of our State.

“We, therefore, urge the entire public to ignore the various figures bandied around on various media platforms, as those are nothing more than fiction.

“This is the reason why knowledgeable stakeholders in the national public finance space have greatly commended the Government of our State under Governor Udom Emmanuel for deepening financial transparency in the financial administration of the State.”

Nkan said that the report of judicious application of the income and other incomes to the State “are captured in the statutory Accountant General’s audited report for 2021 and same will be reflected this year,” adding that there is no cause for the “activation of alarmist tendencies on the State of finances of the State, because the Governor is conscious of the judgement of history and posterity and is doing everything to earn a copious mention on its golden pages”.
https://dailypost.ng/2022/11/29/13-percent-derivation-wikes-revelation-stirs-controversy-in-niger-delta-states/

You want vice and Tinubu said NO, instead of you to support him, you are here masturbating.

Our politicians and corruption. Na so SIM card withdraw 117B from Rivers state government account without fear.

Magnus Ngei Abe will be the next governor of Rivers State. In my state politics godfatherism is a taboo.
In Rivers South East senatorial district, Magnus Abe will win 6 out of the 7 local government, in Rivers West Magnus Abe will win three out of the seven local government while Rivers east will be 50/50. Abe is the next governor of Rivers state.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has claimed that that the presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, Abubakar Atiku does not need him in his campaign for the 2023 presidential election.
Wike made this assertion while speaking at the commissioning of the PDP governorship campaign office and the inauguration of the PDP campaign council in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The rivers governor accused Atiku of appointing some members of the PDP in Rivers State into his campaign council without his (Wike) contribution.
According to Wike, Atiku doesn’t want him and River's people to campaign for him.
He said, “The presidential candidate entered Rivers State and picked those he wants to pick without the contribution of the governor.
“So, they said they don’t need me to campaign for them, that they don’t want River's people to campaign for them, will you force yourself?

460 females why did you girls wanna make us bachelors before, Welcome back oya guys 460 boys go and select from deportee.

slimfit1:
He is not a complete Nigerian, he can sell his conscience to the highest bidder he is a mixed big fool.

Stop attacking my brother, he is an adult Nigerian. Allow him to express himself.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan aide, Reno Omokri has said that presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has already lost Yoruba votes for mocking Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Omokri, who made this assertion on Sunday via his verified Twitter handle.

The human rights activist said, “Peter Obi just lost the entire Yoruba vote! See the way he lied against Yoruba leaders. Talking down on Tinubu. Mocking his health and wealth. He sounded more like Nnamdi Kanu. That is the real @PeterObi we saw. The one we have been seeing is the audio Peter Obi! #TableShaker.

According to Omokri, Obi should represent Nigeria in lying at the next Olympics to guarantee that Nigeria brings home Gold medal.
“He can lie for Africa. How can Yoruba leaders ask Yoruba not to vote for Peter because he will build a port in SS, when SS already has many ports? #TableShaker,” he added.

He said, “Why would Tinubu send such a WhatsApp message and you and I have not seen it. It is only @PeterObi that has. I mean that right there is suspicious. I know many ‘IPOB at night and Obidient by day’ people will lie that they received it. But lying is what they do!

Igbos how market? Obi please you have solution to Nigeria`s problem yet your region the now the new sambisa. No to Obi.

We are the monster you made. Igbos made a monster called IPOB with its arms group as ESN, and now they are killing themselves. Nemesis

Wike is already a Battalion. He is BATIFIELD, in Rivers state we don`t like IPOB, that`s why we always give them heat. We will work for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Obituary please try again later. You want to destroy Rivers state during ENDSAR protest and you think we are blind to support you.
Not Rivers state, it can happen in Edo&Delta but for Rivers we will work for Asiwaju case close.

The problem we are having is the judiciary. We have a very poor judiciary system that is full of corrupt judges. If these boys are jail for at least 15 years, then this will serve as deterrent to others.

Igbos keep on destroying the image of Nigerians everywhere with there desperation for money.

Go to your village complain Tinubu is not your problem. Igbos don`t know politics.

Fahdiga:
As Lagosians, imagine what we would have achieved if Tinubu is not looting us dry. We can't breathe, Tinubu should leave us alone

In Igboland there is no road such convoy can pass. May be that man is just coming to Lagos new. Tinubu will be the next president of Nigeria and Igbos will wail for another 8 years. After 8 years of Tinubu northeast will produce the next president and south south will vice them.