₦airaland Forum

Now that PDP has become the deputy senate president duara dullard should go and die. Ekweremadu was whatever he is because APC can not handle the position. They are killing them selves over ordinary majority leader imagine what would have happen if they were to choose deputy senate president

By Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Federal Government is building a helipad in Daura, Katsina State, in order to ensure a direct flight for President Muhammadu Buhari whenever he visits his country home.

The helipad, THISDAY was informed, will save President Buhari the hassles of embarking on a road journey from Katsina Airport. A source informed THISDAY on Saturday that the helipad when completed will make it easy to fly the President in one of the Presidential helicopters straight to Daura and by-pass Katsina Airport completely.

“I can tell you that right now, they are building a Helipad in Daura and when it is completed he doesn’t have to fly to Katsina Airport again. Helipad is a kind of landing for Helicopters”, the source said.

Also speaking to THISDAY, the source confirmed that presently there are only six functional Aircraft at the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF).

“The maximum number of functional planes we have right now is six and out of that six there is a high usage for it. Consider that last week in one day, the President used one to Katsina, the Vice President used the other one to Lagos, and the Senate President used the third one to meeting President Olusegun Obasanjo at Abeokuta via Lagos and later to Ilorin, Kwara state.

“The thing is that all these while, even under the previous government we only have six serviceable Presidential aircraft,” the source noted.

THISDAY had earlier reported that President Buhari has directed that nine of the VIP transport aircraft under the presidential fleet should be sold as part of the federal government’s cost-saving measures.

The Presidency has since denied such directives but industry sources also informed THISDAY that the presidential fleet, which are registered as Nigerian Air Force aircraft, is one of the largest in Africa and the third largest in Nigeria after Arik Air and Aero Contractors.

Although information on the exact size of the fleet is treated as classified information, the fleet, according to aviation sources, is believed to comprise about 16 aircraft, chief of which is the Boeing 738 BBJ, NAF 001 or Eagle One, used by the president for his travels.

With its luxury configuration comprising a master bedroom, washrooms and showers, a conference and dining area, and a living area, the plane seats 25 to 50 passengers and would cost at least $100 million to replace today.

Eagle One can spend 12 hours in the air, covering 11,489 kilometres or 6,200 nautical miles.

In addition to the Boeing 733 reserved for the president, the fleet boasts two Gulfstream 550 jets. The Gulfstream 550 can seat eight to 18 passengers, depending on the configuration, and has a cruiser range of 12,501 kilometres or 6,750 nautical miles. A new luxury Gulfstream 550 would cost an estimated $53.5 million.

According to Wikipedia, other planes in the Nigerian Air Force VIP transport fleet include two Dassault Falcon 7X jets, one Hawker Siddeley 125-800 and one Cessna 550 Citation II.

Information from a Nigerian web portal and Nigerian Air Force sources further revealed that the fleet also boasts two Dassault Falcon 900 jets, a Gulfstream IVSP, a Gulfstream V, a Dornier Do 228, which can carry 19 passengers, one Beechcraft King Air B200, and three Augusta Westland AW139 helicopters.

Sources said each of the two Dassault Falcon 7X jets were purchased for $51.1 million in 2010, while the Gulfstream 550 costs $53.3 million.

Aviation experts also put the average price of the Falcon 900 at $35 million; Gulfstream IVSP at $40 million; Gulfstream V at $45 million; Cessna Citation at $7 million; and the Hawker Siddeley at $15 million.

THISDAY also discovered that though all the aircraft are under the presidential fleet, about eight of the planes are reserved strictly for the president. These are the Boeing 737, the two Gulfstream 550 jets, the Gulfstream V jet, two Falcon 7X planes, the Hawker Siddeley aircraft and one Augusta Westland chopper.

Others are reserved for executive airlift. Aircraft used for this function include the two Falcon 900 planes, the Dornier, the Cessna Citation, the Beechracft King Air, and two Augusta Westland choppers.

Aircraft reserved for executive airlift are used by the Vice-President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and could be used to convey African heads of states visiting or departing Nigeria.

www.thisdaylive.com/articles/presidency-builds-helipad-in-daura-maintains-only-six-serviceable-aircraft/213261/

Most of all this road was constructed during Fashola administration they have all watched away by rain.

I wonder where the money came from given that Buhari met empty national treasury, or did he?

What is duara dullard a.k.a dogo yaro is doing about this situation?

He will first recover the one he stole when he was head of state. Only foolish people believe that duara dullard will fight corruption with corrupt people around him

Can i watch multi-tv with skyHD (DRX 595)? Pls i need your answer

APC is calamity waiting to happen. I pity those wetin 4 change in this govt

The Nigerian People will have to rise as One to chase this inept and confused administration out of the corridors of power. Alternatively we ask for the intervention of the Nigeria military NOW !

Those who understand politics should be thanking Saraki/Dogara and their supporters for fighting for our interest in-order to deliver us from the cabal that is bend in putting PMB in his pocket. How can Tinubu single-handedly picked vice president Osinbajo, nominated Lawal as Senate president, Akume as deputy, his wife Remi as Senate leader, Gbajabiamila as speaker, prof Adeyeye as chief whip, Fashola as chief of staff? If all this aforementioned list work out as planned, then PMB government is in trouble.

Let’s join hands and support Sakari/Dogara for total liberation of the hallowed chambers from the cabal.

Duara dullard aka 'dogo yaro' should be blame for all this madness

I am ashamed for these guys, a party formed on grievance cannot stand. APC was formed by people who were angry with their former party because they didn’t get one position or the other, they all formed APC to get positions, so the party can not last. the last of them will be gone by the time Buhari releases his ministers list, everybody that doesn’t get something will walk out. Everybody cannot be principal officer or minister, it’s time to know those that have Nigeria at heart. PDP member are definitely not the best heads in Nigeria, but they’ve never been this confused over National Assembly positions

Change is truly here indeed!!! I can’t stop laughing jare

This APC is becoming super annoying..where did Nigerians get this people from How come we saw them reasoning like kids everyday?? the house speaker maybe your party member but he is also speaker of all other members who are not apc members, so why should he read a letter from apc that doesnt concern other party members in the house?? apc members dont have mobile phones or means of communicating the wish of the party to its members alone anymore?? why must other members who are not members of apc be forced to sit and listen to a letter written by apc that affect them in no way i know that the speaker is only mandated to read letters from president which affects the whole country and not letters from political parties. enough of this gross incompetence and lack of common sense from apc..majority of Nigerians are already sick and tired of them!!!

This backward people @ it again

APC

With this move Buhari is in trouble. Saraki, PDP and few APC members can remove Buhari any day they want

APC should allow the NA to do there work without interfering.
Saraki and his members rejected Tinubu’s Lordship over the National Assembly period.

Poverty is ravaging South West

Why Mr President is talking like a child, he should go ahead and work with Sasaki or if he can’t deliver his promises to Nigerians with saraki he should resign. Apc should not allow their internal Affairs to affect the whole country, they (apc) set this motion in the National assembly as weak as Jonathan was as Apc claimed, over came it & did his best. I don’t know why Mr President is looking for a National assembly like his wife to be control? If his policies are good Nigerians will support him thefore stop leading us in clueless manner.

Governors should go and mind the business of running the states and leave the senators to do their legislative duties. We have the three tiers of governance and all should be allowed to independently function without coercion by party or leaders. If change is to happen equity must be allowed to take its place in every aspect of governance. God bless Nigeria .

APC governors must respect party’s position: pay civil servants and contractors promptly. Mind the administration of the states, not trying to dictate to federal legislators.

APC governors must respect party’s position: pay civil servants and contractors promptly. Mind the administration of the states, not trying to dictate to federal legislators.

From SEGUN OLATUNJI, Abeokuta

Operatives of the Ogun State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have arrested three members of a kidnap gang who allegedly abducted and killed an 11-year-old girl, Aminat Lasisi. Little Aminat was kidnapped by one of her father’s former employees, Babatunde, 21, at his bakery from where he moved her to Ogbere, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Daily Sun gathered that one of the suspects, Sina, had earlier been arrested in connection with a previous offence and charged to court for a murder case, but was granted amnesty before he was arrested again for another offence.

It was at Ogbere that the little girl died in the hands of her abductors after a substance was administered on her. Babatunde, Sina, 40 and Taofeek Kola, 50, were arrested in connection with the alleged kidnap and murder by SARS officers.

Aminat, whose parents reside in Arugudu in Ijoko-Ota, Sango, Ogun State, was kidnapped on May 21, 2015, and was moved to Osun Jegede, Ogbere, Ibadan, where they held her captive.

Parading the suspects, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the owner of the bakery where Babatunde worked before, reported the case of the missing girl to the police. He added that the SARS officers commenced investigation on the matter, leading to the arrest of the suspects.

The police spokesman said that the suspects were arrested on May 29. He added that the suspects confessed that they employed the services of a Muslim cleric who administered a substance on the girl.

He said that her ordeal in the hands of her abductors led to her death and her remains later dumped very close to the Divisional Police station in Ogbere in Ibadan. He explained that a woman whose shop was close to the site where Aminat’s remains were dumped raised the alarm and invited the police:

“The suspects contacted the parents of the girl and demanded N2 million ransom for her release, but finally they agreed on N300,000 with the intervention of the police. The suspects gave out the account number of a prophetess whom they claimed had prayed for them before to the parents.”

The police spokesman added that the suspect who had been in terrogated, confessed to the crime The police assured that the suspects would be charged to court.

When interrogated, the leader of the gang, Babatunde confessed to committing the crime.

sunnewsonline.com/new/3-suspects-nabbed-for-kidnapping-killing-11-year-old-girl/

If Tambuwal me i will Saraki....... APC are leaping the seed they sowed 4 years ago

IT was President Barack Obama of the United states of America, who in his usual profound sense of oratory and appreciation of humanity and governance, stated in Ghana, in 1999 that: “History is not just made because we are powerful, financially rich and brute but for the change we bring to the well being of our community and society at large.

We don’t need powerful individuals but powerful institutions’’. On the eve of the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari, a gala night was organised in his honour by the then outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja.

Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the experienced former Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, was at his best. All the words in his speech were stylishly pronounced.

He was very audible. He eulogised to the extreme, the former President for that singular show of sportsmanship and love for his country, by congratulating his opponent, even before the result was announced. He also profusely congratulated President Buhari for his election and his tenacity in trying repeatedly over the years, to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, until success smiled at him.

Then Anyoku spoke glowingly about Nigeria, his land of birth, on her many achievements and myriad of challenges. He delivered his words diplomatically but with every punch he could muster.

He spoke about the new mantra – corruption – at every facet of our political life and how the world sees Nigeria. He talked about his country where power is a big headache.

He told the world that even at that, Nigeria ‘prides’ herself as having the highest paid lawmakers in the world. And that means that the Nigerian lawmaker earns more than his counterpart in the United States, China, Britain, Japan, Canada et al? In these countries, their light will hardly blink. In these countries, monthly statistical information about number of jobs created is a serious campaign issue.

You hear about ‘Obamanomics’, ‘Romnomics’. We will soon hear about ‘Clintonomics’ and ‘Bushnomics’ towards 2016 polls in the United States. Serious debates as to how best to better the lot of the common man are commonplace.

So what is special about Nigeria and her lawmakers? Do Nigerian lawmakers hold their plenaries in the moon? When Anyoku dropped his ‘bomb,’ I saw our leaders turning their heads left and right, and talking to themselves. They seemed to be saying, “This is not the place and time for this kind of comments, and whoever recommended that Anyaoku should give the keynote address this evening, did a bad job. He must be mischievous.’’

Surely, it was a hit at their conscience. It was a hit at their innermost recesses. They were visibly embarrassed. But there are some lawmakers with good conscience who will be willing to support President Buhari if he summons the political courage to address this outrageous package for the National Assembly (NASS) people.

These selfless ones must be worried about the quantum of the nation’s resources they cart away in the name of salaries and allowances in a country, where millions of young graduates roam the streets, clutching their A4 envelopes and files containing their credentials and searching for non-available jobs; where state governments are unable to pay salaries and some very proud to say they are owing just for few months; where for eight years the road connecting my great community in a capital territory, to the state capital, a distance of less than five kilometres, remains perpetually under construction and laneless to date; where getting electricity remains a luxury; where three square meals remain a mirage for many Nigerians; And where fuel scarcity in a land of plenty of oil bites relentlessly.

But that is about good conscience and those who have it. That is about selflessness. That is about service to one’s country. That is a fine attitude towards this journey of life and its transience – driven by a good sense of humanity.

But it does appear that in our country, good conscience is rare among politicians. They think more about themselves. They think about being “powerful individuals’’ and not about having “powerful institutions’’, to borrow Obama’s words.

And that is why some are ready to do just anything to get to that height – including visiting Okija Shrine in Anambra State. Politics is business, some have said. And so election is war.

Some kill. Some maim. Excess here and nothing at all there. And they don’t care a hoot about that. What to do? When one reads that the salary and allowances of the average senator are N240m and that of his counterpart in the House of Representatives is N204m, the heart bleeds.

For doing what? For inventing what? When did law-making become rocket science? And even if it is, so what? Believe you me, there are more than 10 million Nigerians, to be modest, who can do that job.

And that is for a fact. Nigeria has great talents, great scholars and great minds who can do that job for a third of that sum. And we are all complacent? We are all watching and complaining in the comfort of our homes that the nation’s source of income has plummeted?

We are all watching and crying to high heavens that oil price has dropped and still dropping dreadfully and worrisomely?

Why must we watch helplessly, as senior citizens who have served this nation in their prime, cry out for their monthly peanuts in the name of pension? In some climes, the uncompromised human right activists, the labour unions, the religious and public-spirited individuals will speak out and even lead peaceful demonstrations to send a message to the NASS people that this is unacceptable.

President Buhari has an opportunity to make history in this regard. He should not be scared of stepping on seemingly powerful toes. Buhari remaining in office does not necessarily reside in the NASS. His fate is in the hands of Nigerians who elected him. That also applies to the lawmakers themselves.

Buhari is rendered almost impotent because he has fast-dwindling source of funds to operate with. And yet the Naira is flying in the air, everywhere in the National Assembly.

The President, should as a matter of serious national interest, employ all known political and administrative wizardry to save some money from the jumbo pay of the NASS members.

He must continue to ‘belong to everybody’ and ‘belong to nobody’’, to use his lines. He must appeal to them to imbibe the sense of sacrifice. Anyaoku has passed the ball to him. Buhari has an open net before him. His is to score the goal. And now, is the time. Nigeria needs powerful institutions. Not powerful individuals. •Asianah wrote from Port Harcourt.
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/06/jumbo-pay-emeka-anyaokus-atomic-bomb/

All Progressives Party (APC) was formed as a progressive political party.

But happenings since the inauguration of the party on May 29, 2015 suggest that there may not be a departure from what Nigerians experienced in the hands of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which ruled for 16 years.

We are most likely going to move out of the frying pan into the fire. And this is not what Nigerians bargained for in the just concluded 2015 general elections.

PDP was voted out at the centre for obvious reasons. Nigerians did not vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC because they want the status quo. Nigerians are beginning to doubt whether APC stands for continuity or change.

Buhari and the APC made history on March 28, 2015 when they defeated an incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. But they will fritter away the goodwill on which Nigerians elected them if care is not taken.

APC is the first political party since the return of democracy in 1999 to unseat a sitting president whose party, the PDP, has boasted of ruling Nigeria for 60 years. APC is a party with a President whose character, personality and strength of character are fascinating and from whom Nigerians think they can experience a better life.

The Nigerian people cannot be blamed. For many years, they have been betrayed by governments. Past administrations have failed in bringing a new lease of life for a people that deserve a better and bright future.

Every Nigerian would seem to agree with this assertion even though we may disagree on other issues. Our reasons for disagreement are not too far-fetched. Recent elections have shown that Nigerians are divided along ethnic lines. But it is quite disheartening that happenings within the APC and the conduct of its elected members at the National Assembly make one wonder whether the agenda of the party is continuity or change.

Activities of the government under the PDP after the 1993, 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections were the same old story. Their economic plan and public policies were all the same. This is to be expected from a conservative party like the PDP.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s economic policies were the worst despite having a Harvard and MIT trained economist as his minister of Finance. This was the reason Nigerians ended his tenure as President.

The APC seems to have a better economic plan and agenda different from that of the PDP if we are to go by the antecedents of some of the star members. One of them is Babatunde Raji Fashola, former governor of Lagos State.

Fashola exemplified this in the way he managed the affairs of Lagos State. Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti State, also stood out with his developmental programmes in the state before his unfortunate defeat by a man who many believe ran his governorship campaign not on anything edifying but based on stomach infrastructure.

Governor Ayodele Fayose was once governor of Ekiti State who left unceremoniously and whose unflattering deeds were later exposed to the public. In spite of his antecedents and poor public record, the people of Ekiti State decided to trade Fayemi for Fayose. They blame Fayemi for his elitist programmes and policies.

A great decision was made when Nigerians decided to try another political party. Having discovered that the PDP was not offering something new and measurable especially during the last years of their 16 years rule, Nigerians took the bull by the horn by voting for change. The tide of change also swept across states that were traditionally regarded as PDP states. Nigerians only expressed their dissatisfaction with the poor level of governance under the PDP government.

Nigeria is faced with numerous challenges and everyone looks up to Buhari and his political party to fix these problems. The new APC government need to live up to the people’s expectations and have a radical departure from what obtained under the PDP. APC should not be tempted to adopt the policies and style of the PDP. Doing things the PDP way is definitely not an option for members of the APC at all levels of government. APC needs to vigorously pursue its change agenda without any hindrance.

What played out at the inauguration of the Eighth National Assembly on June 9, 2015 shows that true change may not have come after all despite Buhari’s belief and avowal in his inaugural speech.

The coup d’état in the Senate, the embarrassing emergence of a PDP senator as Deputy Senate President and the dissenting and rancorous voices of some disgruntled members of the National Assembly, all show what the course of events would be in the next four years of our democratic experiment—that indeed the beautiful ones may not after all have been born. I pray I will be proven wrong!

Nigeria is truly evolving besides the APC saddled with the responsibility of bringing about the desired change. It is up to APC to prove to Nigerians that what they voted for during the 2015 general elections is not continuity, but change. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

Aregbeshola is the author of Nigerian Political Parties and Politicians: Winding Road from Country to Nation.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/06/apc-continuity-or-change/

The National Secretary of the Labour Party, Dr Kayode Ajulo, on Wednesday told the Federal Government to take over the administration of Osun and Benue for the inability of their governors to pay workers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osun and Benue are among states owing workers salaries.

Ajulo’s suggestion comes on the heels of the call by Justice Oloyede Folahanmi, a judge in Osun, urging the state’s House of Assembly to
impeach Gov. Rauf Aregbesola and his Deputy, Titilayo Tomori.

The judge in a petition to the lawmakers said the duo ought to discontinue in office because of their inability to pay workers.

He also urged the assembly and the EFCC, to investigate allegations of financial recklessness against Aregbesola, Tomori and others.

In a statement issued in Lagos, Ajulo, who is also the Founder and Chairman of the Egalitarian Mission for Africa, said the Federal Government should not shy away from taking over administration of the two states.

He argued that the inability of the governor to pay workers contravened Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution.

“The situation is very unfortunate, it is inexplicable and I am more particular with what is happening in Osun State.

“Imagine owing workers up to eight months salaries and going to nine months while some are owed 12 months pension.

“This is worrisome, the situation is worse than Boko Haram insurgency and I won’t hesitate to say that the situation in Osun and Benue States call for declaration of state of emergency,” Ajulo said.

On June 23, the three tiers of government shared N409 billion from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/06/lp-urges-fg-to-take-over-administration-in-osun-benue/

SE/SS 5 - SW 0

I would have committed suicide if I'm not from Anambra state. Anaocha Amaka!!!

Thank God i never supported this one chance called "change". Duara dullard and his gangs will lead this country to calamity.