₦airaland Forum

WhatsApp will start sharing data with its parent company Facebook shortly, in spite of the promises the company made when it was first acquired. Facebook will get access to your phone number and other data so that it can deliver better friend suggestions… and serve targeted ads. But you’ll be able to opt out and stop WhatsApp from sharing any of your info with Facebook. In this post, we’ll tell you exactly how to do it.

By default, you’ll be opted into sharing your phone number with Facebook. Once the feature rolls out, you’ll be notified that the privacy policy is changing, so that’s when you’ll have to act fast.
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Before you tap on the Agree button in the notification that will pop up on your iPhone or Android, device, tap on Read. Then scroll to the bottom and toggle the control.


If you mistakenly tap on Agree before you’ve had the chance to disable the feature, you’ll have 30 days to fix it, but after that you’re out of luck. Go to Settings, Account, Share my account info inside the WhatsApp app, and then uncheck the box.



That should ensure that your phone number isn’t shared with Facebook, and the rest of your personal data will be safe as well. However “the Facebook family of companies will still receive and use this information for other purposes such as improving infrastructure and delivery systems, understanding how our services or theirs are used, securing systems, and fighting spam, abuse, or infringement activities,” whatever that means.

South Africa based telecom giant MTN has introduced new internet data plans that works all devices by default.

The network provider says its new data plan offers a whopping 500% increment over existing data plans in the country.

MTN Nigeria faces stiff competition like never before from rivals. Recently, the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC revealed that Glo Nigeria had overtaken MTN with the highest number of internet subscribers. MTN could be looking to reclaim the crown after 2.6 million internet subscribers dumped its network, porting to other telecom companies who offered better options.

Here’s How To Access The MTN Data Plan

SMS 110 to 131 to get the new 3.75GB data plan (N2000)

SMS 106 to 131, 2.13GB data (N1000)

The new MTN data plans works on devices; Android, iOS, Windows 10 Mobile and PC. Have fun!

URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT!!! Do you know anyone that is in need of temporary job (for about two to three months), who is computer and mobile device literate, to do the job of SIM VALIDATION and registration by one of the telecoms provider. Person should as a matter of convenience be living around ajah,ikota,jakande, igboefon, all on the ISLAND axis, Lagos. The person should be willing to work during the Christmas holidays.
Proposed pay package 35k. Only few slots available.



UPDATE: This offer as of this morning (15 Dec,2015) has been CLOSED as we have gotten the required number of people required. Poopola.S,Ugwumba.J, Akopmedaye M, Ani D, Folowosele O, Asogwa N, Salau E, Cole.E, and others will be contacted. Thank you. As stated, only few slots available.

Nice

2True or Nah?

Ozioma Ubabukoh

The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, said on Tuesday that President Muhammadu Buhari would decide MTN Nigeria’s fate regarding the N1.04tn fine imposed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission.

He stated that the President would take the final decision on the matter at the appropriate time and “in the public interest.”

The minister also said that Buhari’s decision would be on the basis that the “government and MTN are on the same page that rules had been broken in this instance.”

Shittu stated this on the sidelines of the Alliance 4 Affordable Internet Nigeria Coalition Conference in Lagos, according to an online publication, Technology Times.

“The issue is now before Mr. President. He will take the necessary decision at the appropriate time. I think Nigerians will expect that Mr. President would do the best to ensure that the public interest is guaranteed,” he said.

The minister dismissed reports that the government was negotiating with the MTN Group and was considering slashing the fine, saying there was no conflicting position on where the government stood on the matter.

Shittu noted, “Recall that there were violations, which were established against MTN. The violations were to the tune of five million (unregistered SIM cards). That is a whole lot.

“There are many countries where subscribers are not up to half of five million. In the case of Nigeria, we had more than five million violations. The good thing is that MTN did not contest the fact that they had violated the regulations and guidelines. They never contested it. They admitted they were at fault.

“They apologised for their role in the saga and they made a commitment that what happened would never happen again. And of course, they made a plea for the review of the payment terms.”

Interesting

Ok

President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has retained his number one spot as the richest man in Africa. He is said to be worth $16.7 billion.

According to the latest ranking by Forbes, Dangote is followed by South Africa’s diamond merchant, Nicky Oppenheimer, who is worth $6.6 billion

The third richest African is another South African, Christoffel Wiese, who is estimated to be worth $6.5 billion. He is followed by fellow countryman, Johann Rupert, who is worth $6.3 billion.

King Mohammed VI of Morocco is estimated to be worth $5.7 billion and ranks number 5, while Nigeria’s Mike Adenuga is the 7th richest in Africa with an estimated worth of $3.5 billion.

Forbes which released its latest list of 50 richest Africa’s billionaires listed Femi Otedola ($1.6 billion) at number 16, while Abdulsamad Rabiu is at number 23 and worth $1 billion. Billionaire philanthropist, General T.Y. Danjuma (rtd) is the 30th richest and worth $750 million, while Slok Group president and former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu is at no 49 with an estimated $330 million in fortune.

http://leadership.ng/news/475845/dangote-remains-africas-richest-worth-16-7bn-forbes

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators on Wednesday stopped the Wife of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos central) from using the microphone on the seat of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

Senator Ekweremadu (PDP, Enugu West) who claimed to have escaped assassination attempt on Tuesday was absent and Mrs. Tinubu sat on his seat for over an hour.

It was while she was sitting on Ekweremadu's seat, that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki asked her to second the $200m loan request of Lagos state.

When she stood up and switched on the microphone on Ekweremadu's seat, the PDP Senators chanted No! No!

Our correspondent reports that when Tinubu explained to the PDP Senators that the microphone on her seat was faulty, they yelled back No! No!

She ran back to her seat, saying " My microphone is bad". She went to a seat close to hers, and said "Can I use this?

It was at this moment that Saraki told her that she had her protection.

" You are protected, it is because of the passion you have for this loan that I thought it will be good for you to second it," Saraki said and she seconded it.

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/politics/drama-as-pdp-senators-stop-tinubu-from-using-ekweremadu-s-mic/119990.html

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday gave insight into reasons why it took him time to constitute the Federal Executive Council. The President linked it to former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party's unpreparedness for the outcome of the 2015 presidential election, as they didn't put in place structures that will make the transition seamless.

Speaking at a Conference on Government Transition Framework for Nigeria, organized by the National Democratic Institute, in Abuja, with theme, 'Strengthening Nigeria's transition framework for democratic consolidation,' President Buhari maintained that had a system been in place, real-time information would have been available to assist the incoming government to quickly settle down, form its cabinet and go about the business of governance.

He insisted that the inadequacy of the handover notes from the immediate past administration contributed in no small measure to the delay in constituting his cabinet, stressing that he needed to have a clear idea of what his administration was inheriting.

According to the President, "the country lacked an institutionalized transition system, the then ruling government simply did not know what to do and unpatriotic elements exploited the situation, which almost led to a national crisis.

"For the government led by a ruling party that had vowed to stay in power for 60 years in the first instance, they were not prepared for any transition that will not be from themselves to themselves. How can they, when they felt invincible, judging by their perceived strength and assumed popularity and the huge resources at their disposal? Our experience in the last transition process was unique, despite the fact that we have held many general elections and transitioned from one government to another.

"Indeed, the last election heralded the first real transition in the history of our nation, being the first time that an opposition party will sweep the ruling party out of power. This probably explains why the then ruling government was completely caught unawares by the outcome of the election," he added.

http://odili.net/news/source/2015/nov/17/18.html

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has commended the Chairman and Spiritual Director of an indigenous company, Aqua Rapha Investment Nigeria Limited, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka for using his company to provide 4,500 jobs for the people of the state.

Fr. Mbaka is also the priest in charge of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu Nigeria.

The governor made the commendation during a visit to the company at 9th mile corner, Ngwo for the launch of her new products lines – Rapha Groundnut oil, Rapha Soya oil and Rapha Carbonated drinks.

Gov. Ugwuanyi noted that the Enugu State Government is interested in such business initiatives that create jobs for the people of the state and turn around its economic fortunes, adding that the inherent benefits are enormous and deserve the commendation of the state government.

He expressed delight that the gesture has further reduced crime in the state as a lot of youths are now meaningfully engaged by the company.

“As the governor of Enugu State, I am happy that this development is taking place in my state. I am happy that this company is providing employment for 4,500 people.

“It means a lot to the state. It has added value and improved the standard of living of our people. Be rest assured of the support of the Enugu State Government”, the governor said.

In his response, the Chairman and Spiritual Director of the company, Fr. Mbaka thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for finding it important to come and launch the products in spite of his tight schedule.

He assured the governor of their unquantifiable solidarity and persistent support to his goodwill and sound vision for Enugu State, adding that the joy of the company was to give people job, reduce unemployment, fight poverty and maintain peace in the state.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the company, Engr. Sunday Nwankwo disclosed that the new products were designed on the principle of quality which the company was known for and applauded Governor Ugwuanyi for his magnanimity in providing a level playing ground for businesses to thrive in the state.

http://dailypost.ng/2015/11/18/ugwuanyi-lauds-fr-mbaka-over-4500-jobs/

If you think time is running out to find your soulmate, these two prove you’re never too old to find love.

British couple George Kirby, 103, and Doreen Luckie, 91, are officially the world’s oldest newlyweds, according to Guinness World Records. They had a combined age of 194 years 280 days on their wedding day.

George and Doreen tied the knot at the Langham Hotel, Eastbourne, in June this year on George’s 103rd birthday. But, they had to wait five months for their record to be verified.

The previous world record holders had a combined age of 191 years 126 days.

George and Doreen, who have been ‘living in sin’ since 1988, finally decided make things official after giving into pressure from their elderly children.

‘I didn’t get down on one knee, because I don’t think I would have been able to get back up,’ George explained of his proposal on Valentine’s Day.

The two have seven children, 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren between them.

‘I can definitely say we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together,’ said George.


http://metro.co.uk/2015/11/18/meet-the-worlds-oldest-newlyweds-at-103-and-91-5509140/

Let’s share the burden of change - Keynote address by Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, at the first Town Hall meeting of the APC Kaduna State Government, at the Hassan Katsina House, Kawo, Kaduna, on Saturday, 27 June 2015

Protocols

I welcome you all with humility and gratitude to the very first Town Hall meeting we are hosting as a government. It is not yet one month since we were sworn-in, but to the extent that it has pleased Allah to bestow His grace upon us, we have set about doing the work of change that you mandated us to do.

During the campaign, we promised that we shall be engaging and interacting with the public regularly. We pledged that we will provide you regular updates and listen to your feedback, including criticisms and suggestions. Here we are before you today to do as we pledged. As we have started, so we intend to continue, always striving to get better at achieving results.

Immediately after we were sworn-in on 29 May 2015, we reported for duty with the sense of urgency that you demanded. As we expected, we met a state that is broke, and whose schools, hospitals and roads are in poor shape. We knew that a lot of sacrifice will be required to restore the state to good health. This government’s priority is actually growth and development in a safe and secure environment; because we understand that the things that matter are the public goods of quality schools, decent hospitals and good roads; we know that leaders must pursue the creation of a climate that promotes security, social harmony and is therefore conducive to bringing jobs and economic opportunity. Thus our first step was to announce that the deputy-governor and I will be taking a 50% pay cut.

As we took briefings from the ministries, departments and agencies in our very first week, the depth of the financial problem became clearer to us as well as the impact the decades of impunity have had on the mental attitudes of the institutions that constitute the public service. As one astute observer of the situation commented recently, the public service does not serve the public; rather it considers itself as the public and thus serves only itself.

We emphatically reject this mentality. The new government of Kaduna State has therefore declared that the resources of the state will be devoted to serving the public, with schools, hospitals and roads; aiding our farmers and doing our utmost to create jobs. To do that, we must cut the cost of running government. Ours will no longer be the state that has too little left for the needs of the majority of the people.

That is our guiding principle as we reduce costs. And we have taken concrete action in this regard. We have restructured our ministries from 19 to 13. We have also decided that we will have only 13 commissioners, ten special advisers and 12 special assistants. You all remember that the previous government had 24 commissioners, 41 special advisers and about 400 special assistants. But good governance is not about recruiting vast numbers of political appointees. It is about the smallest number that can provide the quality of service that is required.

We are saddened by the condition in which we found the state. But we shall never use that as an excuse for non-performance. It is our duty to do our best always. That is why we are finding creative even if difficult ways to deliver on our promises.

What we have done
In our first month, we have done the following things:

Governance Reforms
Prioritising the People: We have made clear our intention to devote a larger chunk of the state’s resources to providing public services. We have signalled that a government elected by majority vote should serve the majority.

Pay cut: the governor and the deputy governor have taken a voluntary pay cut of 50%, and we have urged other political official holders, elected or appointed, to follow this example.

Cost-cutting: ministries have been reduced from 19 to 13; while your government has committed to appointing only 13 commissioners and the handful of needed special advisers and special assistants. The selection of the Commissioners, Advisers and Assistants will be based on merit, capacity and experience because what is priority to us is getting the necessary skill sets that will facilitate moving the State forward.

Biometric verification: Our government is already conducting biometric verification of its employees in order to update the payroll and provide reliable data as to the precise number of personnel in the public service. Two of Nigeria’s leading banks, UBA and Zenith, are working with us on this project.

Tax Reform Committee: We have set up a committee chaired by Ifueko Omogui, former chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, to review our internal revenue generation structures, systems and laws. The committee will recommend ways by which we can improve our internally generated revenue. This will reduce our dependency on the federal government. We will be masters of our own fate.

Transparency: We have signed up to Open Budget, a tool that enables you to track what we are doing with your money.

Health
Your government has already convened a summit of Kaduna State Healthcare partners to set out the state’s priorities in the Health Sector, and to also ensure that all funds in the health sector are streamlined to ensure an effective coordinated service delivery. The donor community and multilateral agencies attended, along with businesses that are active in the state's health sector.

Kaduna State has signed an Memorandum of Understanding with General Electric Healthcare to modernise our primary health centers and public hospitals. Both parties have committed to identifying the specific needs of the centers and hospitals, so that modern equipment can be installed to improve the diagnosis and management of patients.

We have signed the 2015 Kaduna State-UNICEF 2015 workplan. The state government is ready with its counterpart funding for the agreed initiatives in healthcare, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, water, sanitation and child protection.

Installation of two dialysis machines and the repair of three dialysis equipment at Barau Dikko Hospital. Arrangements are being made to purchase consumables for the next 12 months so that dialysis will be affordable to Kaduna citizens.

Security
Peace Committee: A committee, chaired by the respected General Martin Agwai, is working to identify the causes of conflict and insecurity in Southern Kaduna and thereafter recommend ways of tackling the problem.

Interstate cooperation: Kaduna State is working with Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi and Niger States to design a collective approach to common security challenges in the forest ranges that strides our respective States. A meeting is being held today with the respective State Governors and Security Agencies to advance the implementation of this initiative.

Presidential support: Kaduna State has briefed and updated the president on the security challenges, and the president has pledged FG support for the comprehensive security plan.

Relief: We have conducted multiple aerial surveys of the Birnin-Gwari area and have visited affected communities there and in Southern Kaduna, offering medical assistance and condolences.

Prisons: we have visited prisons in Kaduna and Zaria, pursuing rehabilitation of facilities and decongestion. As a result of these efforts, 98 persons awaiting trial for minor offenses were released by the Chief Judge of Kaduna State.

Infrastructure
Zaria Water Project: We have ordered accelerated work to complete this project as a priority item for our government. We have visited the site of the project and reviewed it with the contractors. A firm decision has been taken to commit funds monthly so that the project can be completed by early 2018.

The African Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank, the major funders of the project, have been consulted and they share our desire to speed-up completion. In addition, we are working on a project to upgrade the capacity to supply water to Kaduna residents through a new Kaduna Water Project.

Job creation
Kaduna Cabs: We have initiated a scheme to revive taxi services in our major urban centres. The aim is to create jobs for owner-drivers who will help improve the commuting experience with their comfortable cars and excellent customer service. The scheme is starting with 200 vehicles in Kaduna, and is being implemented in collaboration with Peugeot. We have already placed adverts to invite participation in the scheme.

Indorama: Our drive to attract new investors to the state has attracted positive response from Indorama, a leading player in petrochemicals. They have selected Kaduna as their regional distribution centre. They will be building warehouses, fertilizer blending plant and a training centre in Kaduna.

Shopping Mall: Our main urban centres, including the state capital Kaduna, are lacking modern shopping malls. We have indicated our readiness to partner with capable investors in this sector.

Agriculture
Fertilizer: One of our first actions in office was to stop the unfair practice of allocating subsidized fertilizer to prominent persons to the detriment of ordinary farmers. We launched the 2015 fertilizer sales season in Kachia with a clear structure that sells fertilizers to interested persons from designated sales point. We shall be reviewing and improving the process of procuring and distributing fertilizer to make access easier for the farmers.

A New Agricultural Policy is being prepared with the aim of enhancing the capacity of the sector to create viable jobs; improve farm productivity and raise the involvement of Kaduna citizens in the value chain.

Sanitation
Clean city agenda: We have met the sanitation contractors and have expressed to them our dissatisfaction at the squalid state of our urban areas. We want our towns and cities to be clean, and we shall do it.

Sports
Kaduna has, for the first time in a long while, hosted an international football match when the Super Eagles played a friendly match with Chad at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium. Our people turned out to see the game, showing that Kaduna is a sports city. That impressive turnout has now placed us on the radar to host many competitive matches because the football authorities now know that our great people will actually come to the stadium, fill it up and cheer the players.

What we intend to do
In the following months, we shall be focused on the following issues:

Education: we shall begin implementing our comprehensive agenda to improve education. School repairs, and the provision of facilities like furniture, water and toilets will begin as we fulfill our responsibility to provide a better learning environment. Alongside this, we shall begin to enhance the capacity and quality of the teachers generally, and we shall pay extra attention to getting more and better teachers in English, Maths and Science.

Health: hospital upgrades, in terms of facilities and equipment, will be accelerated as our MoU with GE Healthcare is steadily implemented. We have a commitment to properly equipping our hospitals so that most of our people’s healthcare needs can be met by our own public hospitals.

Township Roads: neighborhood and township roads in our major urban centres will be upgraded to the extent we can within this rainy season.

Transport: our multilayer transport architecture will be executed. That includes preparations, studies and projects to put in place:
the new cab scheme and expanding to Zaria and Kafanchan,
a BRT system for mass transit starting with Kaduna,
a major project to establish Kaduna-Zaria light rail system between Shika and through the Kaduna Metropolis and up to the Refinery,
new bus and truck terminals in Kaduna, Tafa, Mararaban Jos and Zaria

Security
Comprehensive security plan for Southern Kaduna and the Birnin-Gwari/Giwa axis

Forensic laboratory under the control of our State Internal Security outfit - Operation Yaki - to enhance the investigative capacity of law-enforcement agencies

Clean Cities: We would not allow our urban centres to continue to be defaced by waste. We shall be improving waste collection, then we would introduce sanitary inspectors and engage the public in a voluntary commitment to make our cities clean.

Rural and community development: Under the leadership of our Deputy Governor, we shall be mainstreaming the Millennium Village Pampaida programme as a viable model across our rural communities. It will have components to improve education, healthcare, rural roads and the farming activities that engage most of our rural residents.

Job Creation: your government will undertake direct recruitment of qualified doctors, nurses and teachers to urgently raise the quality of service in our hospitals and schools. We shall also employ at least 50 youths per ward over the next four years, in our initial efforts for traffic control and environmental enforcement. But try as it might, government can only employ a minority of youths who need jobs. Thus we remain focused on creating a favourable climate for the private sector to create jobs.

Textile Revival: We have the support of Mr. President to work on policies and schemes that will revive this sector as viable and sustainable employer of labour. We are cooperating with current and potential textile investors on a package that stimulates the value-chain from cotton farming to garmenting.

There is so much to do, with fewer resources. But we have no option than to deliver quality performance for the people who have invested so much hope in us. We need your understanding and support for the difficult decisions that we must take if we are to serve you to the best of our ability. We will need committed people in and out of government to contribute to achieving the goals we have set out.

We are not shrinking government for its own sake. We are making government leaner so that it can work better for you. Let us all make sacrifices for change.

True wise words. Lovely definition of asset and liability. Adopted. Thanks a lot.

barry40:
Thanks for this post. That is the gospel truth. People borrow to acquire liabilities. Some people even accumulate liabilities unknowingly thinking they are buying assets. I like how the author or Rich Dad, Poor Dad defined Assets and Liabilities. He said:
"Assets are what bring money into your pocket" while Liabilities are what take money out of your pocket". This definition changed my spending pattern. If a particular so called asset is not bringing in income for you, it is a liability in disquise. Simple!
On the other hand, in the case of borrowing, people see all borrowings as debts. But if one follows the advice of the post above, debt can turn out to be an asset. Don't borrow to finance an idea or business that is not tested so that you don't get your hands burnt. But if you do your homework properly, debt can actually serve as a leverage.
You can educate yourself more by reading articles from http://businessinfohub.com

adexeli:
I keep asking myself this daunting question ' can this country ever be rid of corruption'

My broda i tire o. The rot has really eaten deep into the fabric of this nation.

Democracy Day Squander-mania: How Nigeria Lost N105.8 Billion ($528 Million) To 6,806 Public Office Holders In 7 Days

Scandalous Loss Of N105.8 Billion ($528 Million) To 6,806 Public Officers: Investigative findings have shown that the Federation of Nigeria lost in seven days (May 29 –June 5, 2015) a total sum of N105.8 billion or $528 million in the hands of its 6,806 out-gone and new public office holders at the Federal and State levels. The scandalous sum was spent on their severance and inaugural allowances. The severance allowances are 300% of their annual basic salaries paid to all immediate past publicly elected and appointed officials. There are also a legion of monetized and cash entitlements provided for them through Federal and nocturnal State laws and other administrative pronouncements. On the other hands, the inaugural allowances are car, furniture and housing allowances paid to new public office holders.

By our investigation, there are 76 out-gone Senators, 290 out-gone House of Reps members, one ex President, one ex Vice President, 42 former Ministers and 133 Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants all at the Federal level. At the State level, there are 20 ex Governors, 20 ex Deputy Governors, about 600 ex State lawmakers and 1,300 ex State executive members including Commissioners and Special Advisers. For new public office holders at the Federal level, there are one new President, one new Vice President, about 36 incoming Ministers and 469 Federal lawmakers.

At the State level, there are 20 new Governors and 20 new Deputy Governors, 2,592 State executive officials including Commissioners and SAs; and 1,152 State lawmakers. The list excludes 16 incumbent Governors, 16 incumbent Deputy Governors and new SAs at the Federal level. The total number of referenced former and new public office holders that squandered the referenced N105.8 billion in seven days of 29th May to 5th June 2015 is 6,806.

In the area of severance allowances, the out-gone President and his Vice have already pocketed 300% of their annual basic salaries, which translate to N10.5 million and N9.09 million respectively. The President’s annual basic salary is N3, 514 million and his Vice N3, 03 million. The referenced severance allowances did not include a legion of other entitlements estimated at over N2 billion. The 76 ex Senators’ severance allowances are N462 million or N6, 07 million each. Those of the 290 ex House of Reps members are N1.7 billion or N5.9 million each. For 42 ex Ministers, theirs are N259.9 million or N6.07 million and N5.8 million for the senior and junior Minister respectively. For 133 ex Special Advisers and Special Assistants, theirs are N775.2 million. The annual basic salary of a Special Adviser at the Presidency is N1, 942,000 while that at the State level is N1, 250. 000. The total sum officially squandered in severance allowances of the referenced ex Federal officials is N3, 24 billion.

At the State level, each of the 20 out-gone Governors and their Deputies got at least N800 million, translating to N16 billion. About 600 ex State lawmakers got a total of N1.35 billion or N2.68 million each. The annual basic salary of a State lawmaker in Nigeria is N1.34 million. The 72 ex Speakers and Deputy Speakers got at least N2 billion or N60 million per former speaker/deputy as State Government funded severance allowances. About 1,300 ex State executive members including Commissioners and SAs got a total of N4.87 billion or N3, 75 million each. The annual basic salaries of each of State Commissioners and Special Advisers are N1, 33 million and N1.25 million respectively.

As for inaugural allowances made up of furniture, car and housing allowances, a total of N9 billion has been spent on the new President and his Vice, 36 incoming Ministers, 107 Senators and 258 House of Reps members. By law, the Senate President, his Deputy, the House Speaker and his Deputy are formally excluded from benefiting from the three allowances because the Federal Government quarters them, but the monetary cost of kitting them as well as the new President and his Vice is valued at over N400 million. It is important to state that all public office holders recognized by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation & Fiscal Commission and the Consolidated Top Public Office Holders Salaries & Allowances Act of 2008 numbering 17,500 are entitled to furniture, housing and vehicle allowances on assumption of office.

Housing allowance is paid yearly and it attracts 200% of the beneficiary’s annual basic salary; furniture allowance is paid once in four years and attracts 300% of annual basic salary and vehicle loan/allowance is paid once in four years and it attracts 400% of annual basic salary. The above is the outcome of a controversial monetization policy introduced in 2007. The housing allowances of the 107 new Senators excluding the Senate President and his Deputy cost the Federation of Nigeria N433.6 million or N4.052 million each. The 358 new House of Reps members excluding the House Speaker and his Deputy got N1.42 billion or N3.97 million each for housing allowances. In furniture allowance, the 107 new Senators got N650.4 million or N6.07 million each.

The 358 new House of Reps members also got N2.132 billion or N5.95 million each as furniture allowances. In vehicle loan/allowance, the 107 new Senators got N867.2 million or N8.1 million each and the 358 House of Reps members got N2.842 billion or N7.94 million each. The 36 new Ministers will receive N140.9 million as housing allowances or N3.9 million each. They will further receive N218.5 million or N6.079 million each as furniture allowances and N281.8 million or N7.83 million each as vehicle allowances. The totality of this is valued at N7.3 billion. There is also another N1.7 billion comprising fueling, vehicle maintenance, domestic assistants, among others, pegged at 75% of their annual basic salaries; which bring the total to N9 billion.

At the State level, the 2,592 new State executive members comprising Commissioners and Special Advisers on average of 70 per State; got N29.25 billion or N11.25 million each for housing, furniture and vehicle allowances. Each State Commissioner and Special Adviser is paid N1, 33 million and N1, 25 million respectively as annual basic salaries and their housing; furniture and vehicle allowances are 200%, 300% and 400% of their annual basic salaries. The 1,152 new State lawmakers got N18.8 billion or N12 million each as housing, furniture and vehicle allowances. A State lawmaker in Nigeria is paid N1.34 million as annual basic salaries. There are 2,664 State executives in Nigeria recognized by the Consolidated Top Public Office Holders Salaries & Allowances Act of 2008; out of which, 72 are governors and deputy governors.

Criminal Life Pensions For Ex Governors & Their Deputies: From our analytical findings, the Federation of Nigeria lost at least N16 billion ($80 million) in one day (29th May 2015) in the hands of its 20 out-gone governors and their deputies in the form of Severance Allowances and Life Pensions. In other words, each of the referenced 20 ex governors and their deputies pocketed at least N800 million ($4 million). Of this criminal sum, their publicly funded house complexes alone cost N500 million or $2.5 million on average. For instance, the referenced outrageous entitlements of out-gone Governor Babtunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State and his deputy is valued at over N1.5 billion or $75 million; out of which their publicly funded house complexes constitute about 80%. The out-gone governors of the 20 States are Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Bala Nggilari (Adamawa), Danbaba Suntai (Taraba) and Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Martins Elechi (Ebonyi), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Theodore Orji (Abia), and Liyel Imoke (Cross River).

Apart from statutory entitlements provided for the country’s top elected and appointed public officers numbering 17,500, to be enjoyed at the end of their statutory public assignments chiefly called the severance allowances (courtesy of Consolidated Top Public Office Holders Salaries & Allowances Act of 2008); it is our observation that all the 20 out-gone governors and their deputies have before leaving office made outrageous cash and monetized provisions running into billions of naira as their Life Pension entitlements. These they did using their leprous State Houses of Assembly through State Laws or legislatively sanctioned administrative pronouncements. The outrageous monetized and cash provisions are classified in the form of first line charge in their States’ financial expenditures. In other words, the monetized items and cash sums have long been cornered and pocketed before leaving office.

These outrageous ex gubernatorial benefits include 100% current salary pay for life, one or two mansions built and furnished by the State, free medical service, fully paid annual vacation, cars, numerous aides, among others. For want of space, the three States of Katsina, Lagos and Akwa Ibom are critically analyzed.

In Katsina State, its out-gone Governor Ibrahim Shema, his deputy Garba Faskari and their aides have pocketed N1.1 billion ($5.5 million) as severance allowances and Life gratuities. Already the said amount has been provided in the 2015 approved budget of N110 billion, which constitutes 10% of the total budget. According to the Daily Trust quoting documents presented to the All Progressives Congress transition committee by the State Accountant General during their interface, Governor Shema and his Deputy Garba Faskari, alone, received N370 million and N217 million naira respectively. This excludes other basketful of benefits like house complexes, etc.

More Facts On Ex Governors’ Criminal Life Pensions: According to the Public Office Holders (Payment of Pension) Law of Lagos State 2007, approved by former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2007, there is a provision for a multi-million naira severance payment for the out-gone governor and his deputy. Specifically, out-gone Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, will enjoy the following benefits for life: two houses in places of his choice in Lagos and Abuja (Property & Estate Management experts have noted that a house in Lagos will cost N500 million and Abuja N700 million) (source: Daily Trust). The Lagos State’s out-gone Deputy Governor is also entitled to a house in any place of his choice in Lagos (possibly Ikoyi or Victoria Island or Lekki). The out-gone governor of Lagos State and his deputy likewise their counterparts in other States, by the provisions of the Consolidated Top Public Office Holders Salaries & Allowances Act of 2008 (formerly Salaries & Allowances for Top Public Office Holders Act of 2002), are entitled to 300% of their annual basic salaries as severance gratuities or N6.7 million and N6.3 million respectively.

Other stipulated entitlements for the out-gone Lagos State Governor are six brand new cars replaceable every three years; furniture allowance of 300% of annual salary to be paid every two years, a sum of N2.5 million as pension translating to N30 million pension annually. He will also enjoy security detail (i.e. eight mobile policemen, three SSS operatives, etc), free medicals including members of his immediate families, 10% house maintenance, 30% car maintenance, 10% entertainment, 20% utility, several domestic staff, among others.

In Akwa Ibom State, according to its Life Pension for the out-gone governor and his deputy, a sum of N200 million annual pay for ex Governor Goodswill Akpabio is provided. Others are a new official car and a utility vehicle every four years; one personal aide and provision of adequate security; a cook, chauffeurs and security guards for the governor at a sum not exceeding N5 million per month and N2.5 million for the deputy governor, free medical services for governor and spouse at an amount not exceeding N100 million for the governor per annum and N50 million for the deputy governor. Two five-bedroom mansions in Abuja and Akwa Ibom State, furniture allowance of 300 percent of annual basic salary every four years in addition to severance gratuity of N6.7 million and N6.3 million for the ex governor and his deputy respectively(sources: Daily Trust).

Other Scandalous Spending: The Federation of Nigeria also lost in seven days a staggering sum of N16billion in the hands of its 20 out-gone Governors and their Deputies in the form of “May 2015 security votes”; on average of N800 million each. To get 20 new Governors and their Deputies on gubernatorial board; Nigeria lost at least N3 billion or N150 million each with their new official vehicles taken the lion’s share or N110 million for eight jeeps (five for governor and three for his deputy) at N14million each (Prado Jeep). To get 20 new Governors and their Deputies inaugurated on 29th May 2015, Nigeria lost at least N2 billion or N100 million each and to get the new President and his Vice inaugurated same day, Nigeria lost at least N300 million including catering for dozens of invited foreign dignitaries.

These give a grand total of N105.8 billion or $528 million as total public sums squandered in seven days on 6,806 public office holders at the Federal and State levels. This excludes over 1,200 Special Assistants who have come on board to work for the Presidency, Federal lawmakers, State Governors and their Deputies as well as Ministers, State lawmakers and leaderships of Federal and State legislatures. By the Consolidated Top Public Office Holders Salaries & Allowances Act of 2008, 75% of the annual basic salaries of their employers or bosses are earmarked for their remunerations.

Source: http://nigeriamasterweb.com/Masterweb/breakingnews-2615-democracy-day-squander-mania-how-nigeria-lost-n1058-billion-528-million-6806

Author and personal finance coach, Usiere Uko, writes on financial lessons from the ongoing fuel crisis

Author and personal finance coach, Mr. Usiere Uko, writes on avoiding the trap of borrowing to spend

Debts can make life hell for the borrower. It literally sucks the juice out of your life. It is like an unseen weight hanging over your shoulders. It can create bitterness and destroy the best of friendships. Debts and friendship don’t seem to go well together. Often the creditor may be forced to choose between money and friendship. Even when a decision is made to forgo the money and keep the friendship, the memory of the unpaid debt still lingers like a ghost from the past.

I try to keep myself from falling off the chair as I hear people confess what they borrowed money for. It ranges from wedding to naming ceremonies, baby dedication, children’s birthdays, wedding anniversaries, burial ceremonies, remembrance services, asoebi, fashion accessories, mobile phones, summer camps, vacations, school fees, house rent, you name it. Many get so tied up in debts that they borrow to repay existing debts. Many fall into the hands of money lenders. In some cases, their total income is not enough to service the debts, let alone settling them outright. Many have wept bitterly as they shared their story.

Why do we borrow to spend?

Why would someone use his own hands to heap debts on his head? Why would anyone incur expenses without cash backing? It is bad enough if you squander your hard-earned money on liabilities, but borrowing to spend is taking it to a whole new level – spending money you are yet to earn, essentially spending your future today.

There are a thousand and one reasons why we spend money we don’t have. This ranges from family pressure, societal pressure, peer pressure, the need to show that we are not doing badly (me too syndrome) etc. It all boils down to one thing – the fear of rejection. We are afraid that others will be offended hence reject us if we don’t conform or meet their expectations. It takes courage to say no. It takes guts to stand your ground and resist the desire to please people or meet their expectations when it is out of alignment with your financial realities or goals.

The interesting part is that the people you are trying so hard to impress do not remain impressed for long. Nobody remembers in five years how fantastic your child’s birthday was. It is long forgotten. Nobody remembers your wedding was the talk of the town 10 years ago. What is making the news is the fact that you have been evicted by your landlord or your children sent back from school. Public opinion changes with the weather.

Who cares if you conduct your naming ceremony in your sitting room or serve only soft drinks and meat pie? Who remembers if the governor went to a public school or spent his vacations at the farm? Who remembers that you were among the first to buy iPhone 4 when it came out in 2010? Whose business is it if you visit an orphanage on your 40th birthday rather than paint the town red? Why give yourself a heart attack over your children’s school fees when moving them to a cheaper school can leave you with excess cash? What prize do you win for pleasing your family, friends or in-laws? Will they become so impressed that they bail you out from your self-imposed financial distress? Whose life is it anyway?

You do have options

Whenever you want to do something or a demand is being made on you, there are always options and you have a choice to make. Each choice has its own consequences. Consequences are both short term and long term. In the heat of the moment, one option always seems to loom large and crowd out other options. This is usually the popular option. Often, it is being presented as if it is the only option, when in reality, they are others. The same goes with consequences, we often see only the immediate consequences while we are blinded to long-term consequences which may not be obvious in the heat of the moment.

Let’s use an event as an example. You are expected to sew special attire. It could be ‘aso-ebi’ or if you are getting married, a new suit to go with your best man or a new wedding gown. The pressure may become so much it begins to seem like heads will roll and blood will flow if you don’t do it ‘the way it is done’. If you don’t have the money, you have options. You can wear what you have (and in the case of a wedding gown, rent or borrow) and the heavens will not fall. The immediate consequence if you don’t wear the ‘aso-ebi’ is that you will be the odd person out, you may be ostracised temporarily (which is unlikely) and people may murmur behind your back. When the event is over, it will all be forgotten and possibly one of the people who were ‘compliant’ will approach you privately for a loan to help pay their child’s school fees.

The interesting thing is that when you make your stand known, people will come to respect it, and make no such demands on you in the future. They may call you Ijebu (which is a group of people I admire a lot for their industry) and may make snide remarks. Deep down, they admire you and wish they were bold enough to stand their ground and be themselves rather than spend money they should be investing on frivolities.

Good debts and bad debts

Not all debts are bad. There are good debts also. Good debt make you richer while bad debts make you poorer. If you borrow to acquire an item which pays for itself with profit, you have a good debt. If you borrow and still have to pay back the loan by yourself, you have a bad debt. So the key question is – will the item you borrowed to acquire repay the loan?

One common mistake people make is to assume that the item will pay for itself, only to borrow and end up with bad debt. Don’t assume that the thing you are borrowing for will make money. Try it out first with your own money, and when it works out well, then you can borrow to expand it.

Let’s say for example you want to start a business, don’t borrow money to start it. Use your own savings to start on a small scale, make it grow before you borrow to expand it. If you borrow to rent a shop and stock it with goods but people are not buying, you end up with bad debt. Don’t pump money into an untested idea. Test it first and when it works, then you can take it to the next level.

Cash flow is the life blood of personal and corporate finances. Always be aware of the cash flow around you. If money is coming in one way and leaving many ways, you are not getting it right. Before you borrow, ask who will pay back the loan. If it is you, then you may be creating more problems for yourself. Have mercy on yourself. You have enough already as it is.

source: http://www.punchng.com/business/am-business/must-you-borrow-that-money/

The battle for the Senate leadership appears to have assumed a new twist as one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, was said to have begun to lobby some of the outgoing governors of the party to prevail on former Kwara State governor, Bukola Saraki, to step down for his candidate, Senator Ahmed Lawan, since efforts to outwit the Saraki group have continued to hit a brick wall.


The former Lagos governor was said to have taken further steps in his push for Lawan when a majority of the APC senators, even in the South-west were said to have signed up for Saraki and efforts to convince them otherwise through their governors have not yielded the desired result.


It was against this backdrop that Tinubu, early last week, allegedly met with two outgoing North-west governors – Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State and Ibrahim Wamakko of Sokoto State, whom he pleaded with to support Lawan and also speak to their senators to do same.

But the former Sokoto State governor, according to sources, told him it was late because they had not only given their words, but also signed an undertaking to that effect, adding that any attempt to act otherwise could elicit a moral debate; but, with Kwankwaso he was able to extract a commitment.


Also last week Thursday, the North-west caucus of

senators-elect met, except Kano caucus and Senator Kabir Marafa in Sokoto, where they all agreed to work with Saraki.


At the meeting, the former Governor of Zamfara State, Sani Yerima, volunteered to speak to Marafa and Kwankwaso to join other North-west caucus in supporting Saraki.


The seeming inauspiciousness of the Lawan project allegedly became pronounced when the unity forum, a group of the APC senators-elect under the chairmanship of Senator Barnabas Gemade, who are promoting Lawan, hit the rock with other APC senators-elect, in their efforts to swell the numbers of the party’s senators supporting their candidate.


The Lawan group had promised to make public, the signatures of senators supporting Lawan but the reality on the ground showed that they did not have the numbers.


Thus, in an effort to save face, Tinubu was said to have started a new leg walk with a view to wooing more senators into their fold by directly speaking to the governors.


It was gathered that although some of the senators were approached and pressured by their governors to reconsider their stand, especially those from the South-west states and shift allegiance to Unity Forum, they have refused to yield.


Sources hinted that most of the senators that were approached for support and signature declined based on the fact that their integrity would be at stake if they shift allegiance to Lawan after having giving their commitment to Senator Saraki’s aspiration.


According to a source, one of the senators approached said, “We’ve already committed our support to Senator Saraki, a signed letter has been sent to the party’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the document is already in the public domain. How do you want people to see us, as treacherous beings and inconsistent fellows?”


THISDAY learnt that since the Tinubu’s trip to the North-west failed to yield results, especially knowing full well that the Saraki list is not a fluke, coming from the party chairman, who presented it to the other leaders, the Lawan group has been worried and have begun to ponder other strategies to contain the Saraki group.


Also, THISDAY gathered that Wamakko, who is a senator-elect, has urged Tinubu to emulate President Muhammadu Buhari who has elected to be neutral in who emerges as the next senate president.


Wammako, who spoke when Tinubu and the former interim National Chairman of APC, Bisi Akande visited Sokoto State, said Tinubu should as the leader of the party be neutral and allow the senators to chose their leaders.


The meeting that has in attendance the new governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, told Tinubu that it would be in the overall interest of the ruling party to allow the senate choose their leaders and avoid unnecessary interference


The decision of the three states of North-west to vote for Saraki, it was gathered, has depleted the ranks of senators supporting Lawan quest for senate presidency.


THISDAY reliably gathered that at meeting held in Sokoto last Thursday with all the elected and returning senators to the eighth senate, the three states of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara said they had decided to vote for Saraki due to his leadership qualities.


The only abstention at the meeting, it was gathered, was Senator Kabiru Marafa who is a known supporter of Lawan, but the former governor of Zamfara State, Sani Yerima, was mandated by the meeting to speak to Marafa to retrace his support for Lawan and join other senators from the three states and support Saraki.


According to the source that spoke to THISDAY, “We chose to support Saraki because he had once held executive powers as a governor for eight years and has therefore shown his ability to manage people. The senate is an assemblage of matured and senior citizens and therefore needs the head that can manage people and with proven ability on leadership. This we found in Saraki.”


It further gathered that the meeting of the senators was attended by the three governors of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.


With this latest development of support for Saraki, the support base of the former governor has now extended to the North-west, South-east, South-south, South-west, North-central and North-east with more than 70 senators across the political parties rooting for Saraki as the next senate president.

Source: http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/senate-presidency-saraki-consolidates-as-lawan-s-group-hits-the-rock/210864/

Another day, another scam — but this one might have the potential to rope in unsuspecting people at an above average rate. A new wave of messages is sweeping Facebook, and it may be an easy one for some people to fall for considering how enthusiastic they are about Facebook. The scam involves replies made to users’ posts informing them that their accounts may have to be suspended due to reports of abuse. The only way to prevent the suspension, according to the scam messages, is to enter your login credentials and update your payment information in Facebook’s system.

Of course, these messages have nothing to do with Facebook and victims risk having their logins stolen along with their credit card information.

If you see a message posted in response to one of your messages on Facebook from an account called “Facebook recovery,” report it immediately. No, your account is not in danger of being suspended. Instead, you’ve been targeted by a new scam sweeping Facebook.

As noted on the Malwarebytes blog, the scam messages look like this:

facebook-recovery-spam-post

Here is the full text of the message:

Notification: Your Account will be Disabled!

Account FACEBOOK you have already been reported by others about the abuse of account, this is a violation of our
agreement and may result in your account is disabled. Please verify your email account to unblock and help us do more
for security and convenience for everyone.

Immediately do recover your Facebook account, by clicking on the link below:
hxxp://j[DOT]mp/1HloHXd?help-facebook-recovery

“Attention”
If you ignore this message, we can not recover your account and your account will be permanently disabled.
Sorry to interrupt your convenience.

The Facebook Team

Clicking the above link leads to a screen where users are asked to log in with their Facebook usernames and passwords. Should they decide to log in, their credentials are of course recorded by the perpetrators of the scam.

facebook-phishing-page-default

The next screen asks for credit card information, and it also features what is likely the worst broken English yet. “Payment page you were laid off, please upgrade your credit card again to return the payment in Facebook,” the page reads.

Hopefully, victims who have gotten this far realize something is fishy at this point.

facebook-phishing-payment

The broken English will be a dead giveaway for some people, but many more still fall victim to scams like this, perhaps due to the sheer urgency they feel when they believe they might lose access to Facebook.


Source: http://bgr.com/2015/05/26/facebook-recovery-message-scam-phishing-warning/