No going back, R-APC insists; rejects further peace talks - VANGUARD
Fri, 06 Jul 2018
LAGOS—Leaders of the Reformed All Progressives Congress, R-APC, have reached a point of no return in their relationship with the mainstream All Progressives Congress, APC, and will not return, irrespective of the continuing supplications of the party’s new national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

The determination to sustain the political cleavage, Vanguard gathered yesterday, was being fuelled by lawmakers in the R-APC who it was gathered, desire to exploit constitutional provisions on a division to sustain their seats in the federal and state assemblies. Meanwhile, the mainstream APC, yesterday, formally disavowed the split and the leaders of the R-APC as it said it had launched an investigation into the membership status of the leaders whose action it labelled as mischievous and uncalled for. In an apparent demonstration of his rejection of further dialogue, one of the key leaders of the R-APC, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the immediate past governor of Kano State, yesterday left the country. His spokesperson, Hajia Binta Spikin, nevertheless said it was too late for further talks with the APC, saying the party which failed in its campaign promises, including selling petrol at N45 per litre, would not fulfil any fresh promise arising from negotiations. “Oh no, it is a bit late, it is a bit late. 


Only evil-minded people will say I am condoning killings Buhari - PUNCH
Fri, 06 Jul 2018

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said the claims that being a Fulani, he must be encouraging the killings being perpetrated by armed herdsmen in parts of the country seemed to him that there was no limit to the evil in the minds of men.

He wondered how anyone in their right minds would suggest that he, who emerged as President with substantial votes from the affected areas, would do any harm to the same people who voted for him.

Buhari said this while receiving members of the Christian Association of Nigeria from the 19 northern states and Abuja at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The President said it was unfair for anybody to accuse his government of not doing anything to stop the killings.


APC vows to punish breakaway group - GUARDIAN
Fri, 06 Jul 2018
The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday denied the existence of the breakaway Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC), warning members of the group could face punitive measures.
“While we shall continue to monitor developments in this respect, we will not hesitate to take lawful actions to defend the unity of our party and protect the sanctity of its identity.

We are currently reviewing the action of this so-called faction, in order to determine if any aspect of the party’s constitution has been breached with the connivance of any of our members,” the APC said.

In a statement, the party’s spokesman, Bolaji Ahmed, accused the group of trying to create a false impression that the APC is factionalised.

“The All Progressives Congress wishes to affirm that there is no faction in our party and declares the action by these individuals as mischievous and ill-advised,” he said.

He said: “Having failed to scuttle the national convention as was their original plan, they have now resorted to this subterfuge as a way of achieving the pre-determined end of causing confusion.


APC, R-APC trade words
Fri, 06 Jul 2018

Tug of war, hot exchange, claims and counterclaims continued, yesterday, between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the splinter Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC).

While the leadership of the APC denied existence of a faction, the R-APC blamed the ruling party for the crisis.

Crisis in the ruling party festered when some former stalwarts comprising aggrieved members, on Wednesday, unveiled the R-APC and unfolded its new national executive, having alleged marginalisation and persecution by the leadership of ruling the party.

Its National Chairman, Alhaji Buba Galadima said the members were compelled to move out because the APC had derailed from its original plans and vision.

He confirmed that the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) teamed up with other forces who formed R-APC.




Wammako, Bindow, Aliero, Goje, 184 Reps shun R-APC - THE NATION
Fri, 06 Jul 2018

52 Senators, Reps, others to stand firm

APC: no faction

LEADERS WHO MAY GO

Bukola Saraki
Yakubu Dogara
Rabiu Kwankwaso
Monsurat Sunmonu
Isa Misau
Dino Melaye
Soji Akanbi
Muhammed Shittu
Shehu Sani
Suleiman Hunkuyi
Sha’aba Lafiagi
Rafiu Ibrahim
Kabiru Marafa
Aliyu Abdullahi
REPS WHO WILL STAY

Kebbi 8
Sokoto 6
Zamfara 6
Katsina 13
Kano 14
Jigawa 10
Kaduna 8
Niger 10
Kwara —
Kogi 3
Nasarawa 4
Plateau 5
Bauchi 10
Yobe 6
Borno 10
Adamawa 4
Gombe 6
Taraba 4
Benue 4
Lagos 18
Osun 8
Oyo 13
Ondo 5
Ogun 7
The plot to cause a split in the All Progressives Congress(APC) has suffered a major setback, with some leaders of the party refusing to join the Reformed All Progressives Congress(R-APC).

Some bigwigs, who have opted to remain in APC, include former Governor Abdullahi Adamu; former Governor Aliyu Wammako; former Governor Danjuma Goje; former Governor Adamu Aliero; former Governor Kabiru Gaya; Governor Abdullahi Ganduje; Governor Yahaya Bello and Governor Jibrilla Bindow. There are several others.

Joining some of the APC chieftains, including those who were in new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), are over 184 Representatives and no fewer than 52 senators in the Parliamentary Support Group (PSG).

The APC leaders prefer to remain in the party to chart their own political path instead of teaming up with Senate President Bukola Saraki, House Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, some senators and members of the House to nurture the R-APC.


Killings: CAN Gives Buhari Conditions For Sustaining Peace in Northern Nigeria - DAILY INDEPENDENT
Fri, 06 Jul 2018
Abuja – Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) from the 19 Northern states gave subtle conditions to the Presidency to restore peace and normalcy in the troubled regions.

Chairman CAN, Northern States, Reverend Yakubu Pam, who led a delegation to the Presidential Villa on Thursday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to revisit the security architecture of the country with a view to giving it a new lease of life and responsiveness to earn the required trust, confidence, and support of the general populace.

Pam also noted that all communities ravaged by the herdsmen violence in the North should be rebuilt and adequate security be put in place to enable displaced persons to return to their homes and means of livelihood.


https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/07/newspapers-review-stories-that-made-the-headlines-this-friday-morning-06-jul-2018/

The funeral prayers for late Mallam Adamu Ciroma, former governor of the Central Bank and former finance minister, who died today at Nizamiye Hospital, were held at Annnur Mosque and Islamic Centre, Abuja.

Late Mallam Adamu Chiroma died at 84 years old.


H.E Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, Senate President Bukola Saraki, HRH Emir of Fika Alhaji Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, and Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Abba Kyari, Alhaji Samaila Isa Funtua, Mamman Daura, Alhaji Bawa Garba, Baba Gana Kingibe, were among hundreds of Muslim faithful who attended the funeral prayers.

https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/07/photo-news-funeral-prayers-for-late-mallam-adamu-ciroma/

The Senate has urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to reduce the number of heavy roadblocks on the southeastern major expressways so as to facilitate the free movement of goods, people and services throughout the country.

Senator Mao Ohuabunwa who called the attention of the senate to it, cited orders 42 & 52 and lamented that the presence of this security personnel on the road is affecting the economy of the region. Senator Victor Umeh said: “The presence of these roadblocks along the southeast zone must be reduced to ensure people get to their destinations faster. Checkpoints are necessary, but the numbers are too high.”

The senate aurged the Nigerian police and army to “always seek to balance the imperatives of national security in the monitoring of an environment especially if there are no evident security breaches.” The Senate also directed the Committees on Police and Army to take a tour of the southeast expressways to investigate the matter and report back to the Senate.

https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/07/senate-orders-police-to-reduce-checkpoints-on-southeast-roads/

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo yesterday, told President Muhammadu Buhari that the political future of the Igbo was in the hand of God and not any man.

Buhari had at the Southeast APC mega rally in Imo State, organised by Governor Rochas Okorocha, said that the political future of Igbo in Nigeria, depends on his re-election in 2019.

The President was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha.

He had said, “2019 is an election that will make or mar the chances of Igbo in Nigeria. I want Igbo to make a paradigm shift.”

But Ohanaeze in its reaction yesterday through a statement by its spokesman Chuks Ibegbu said, “The political future of Ndigbo lies on God and not on any man. Nobody should play God over the political fate of Ndigbo.

“We have nothing against President Buhari’s re-contest but nobody should threaten or cajole us with that. The actions, utterances and activities of any presidential candidate for 2019 will determine if Ndigbo would identify with his or her aspiration in 2019.”

Ohanaeze Ndigbo maintained that Ndigbo would identify with a candidate or candidates that were ready to restructure the country and exhibit equity in the polity.

https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/07/2019-our-future-in-gods-hands-not-in-your-hands-ohanaeze-tells-buhari/

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, last week, expressed worry that the pervading insecurity in the country, particularly in the North-East, would hinder the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections. Some Nigerians and members of the international community have also entertained such fears ahead of the polls. The INEC boss, who disclosed this at the INEC/private sector forum held in Lagos, lamented that in spite of efforts put in place to ensure a hitch-free election, the insecurity in the North-East region will make or mar its outcome.

According to the INEC Chairman, security remains a major concern ahead of the elections, despite the electoral umpire’s effort to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised. He said that the security problems require “a more imaginative response by the commission…”

The security concerns over the 2019 election, which is about seven months away, should not be ignored. It is a timely warning that calls for all hands to be on deck. This is not a task for INEC alone. It is a problem for which the Federal Government should swiftly find adequate solutions. Every passing day, events across the country validate the apprehension of the INEC boss. President Muhammadu Buhari should quickly respond to this security problem, as he promised last week in the aftermath of the bloodbath in Plateau State.



Sitting on the fence is no longer the answer. Whatever effort INEC is making to ensure a hitch-free, fair and transparent election will yield little result if the security challenges are not resolved. The problem is that when the outcome of the elections fails to meet public expectations, INEC carries the entire blame. Recently, the immediate past Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, gave similar warning that the 2019 elections are fraught with danger if insecurity in the country was not contained.

It, therefore, goes without saying that time is fast running out for the government to respond to the potential dangers that may cast doubts on the outcome of the elections. These threats could prevent the conduct of elections in the North-East. It is, therefore, expedient to address the insecurity.

Addressing the challenges that pose threats to our elections will improve the integrity of the elections and boost confidence in our democracy. It is a fact that insecurity is unarguably the greatest threat facing our people, and our democracy today. Although Section 14(2)



(b) of the 1999 Constitution states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” we wonder if security is given the priority attention that it deserves. Our democracy needs peace to enable voters to exercise their franchise.

We urge INEC to continue its election security engagement with all the security agencies. This will ensure that the environment for elections is secure for voters, electoral officials and other stakeholders. This collaboration was part of the reasons for the success of the 2015 polls.



In addition to addressing the security challenges, the National Assembly should pass all the Bills on electoral offences. It is unfortunate that some of these bills that will enhance the electoral process and punish electoral offenders are being delayed by the lawmakers despite recommendations by the Committee of the Senate on Electoral Matters.

Although the Electoral Act 2011 makes ample provisions for punishment of electoral offenders, INEC has prosecuted only a few from the 2015 polls. This could be due to lack of political will to do so or unnecessary delays in the courts. That is why the bill on a National Electoral Offences Commission or Election Tribunal, needs to be passed and signed into law before the commencement of the 2019 general elections. The advantage of this body to try offenders is that it will be faster in the disposal of cases ahead of swearing in of elected officials. It will also serve as a deterrent to those whose conducts pose a threat to peaceful elections.

The government and security agencies must heed the warning of the INEC Chairman and provide adequate security measures. All the legal frameworks that will make the elections peaceful, transparent and credible should be put in place.

https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/07/insecurity-and-2019-general-elections/

Suspected Boko Haram members have killed no fewer than four people during a raid on an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp on Saturday in Borno State.

It was gathered that the gunmen entered the camp in the town of Banki near the border with Cameroon in the night.

“Boko Haram terrorists entered Banki IDP (internally displaced people) camp last night and killed four people, injured four others and took supplies away with them,” a military officer in the town told newsmen.

The source said shots drew the attention of soldiers and policemen outside the camp, who then engaged the militants in an hour-long gun battle.

“Two terrorists were killed in the fight and the rest fled,” he added.

A member of a militia force assisting the military said the attackers used ladders to scale a ditch dug around the camp.

Hours later, two soldiers were wounded when their patrol vehicle hit a landmine planted by the fleeing jihadists at Freetown village, nine kilometres away

https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/07/boko-haram-attack-invade-idp-camp-in-borno-kill-4-people/

Top stories that made the headlines today
Otedola Crash Inferno: Death toll rises as residents cry out over explosion trauma - Punch
One of the injured victims of the tanker fire accident at the Otedola Bridge, Lagos end of the Lagos Ibadan Expressway died on Friday.

SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that the victim, who sustained 90 per cent burns, died late Friday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Annex, Gbagada.
It had been reported that no fewer than nine people lost their lives as 54 vehicles were consumed by the inferno on Thursday after the tanker had a crash and emptied its content on the road.

Vehicles trailing the tanker were reportedly trapped and burnt by the fire, which raged for a few hours before it was put out by firefighters from the Lagos State Fire Service.

PLATEAU CARNAGE: My father, mother, wife, our four children were shot, killed and burnt ‘ Ezekiel Del, survivor - Vanguard
When Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State came into office three years ago, he brought a template of how he wanted his style of administration, termed “Rescue”, to look like and, to ensure he is focused on implementing it, he adopted a five-pillar policy thrust, the first of them being peace, security and good governance.
The others are human capital development and social welfare; agriculture and rural development; entrepreneurship and industrialization as well as physical infrastructure and environment.

Lalong went to work immediately seeking to stem the tide of the perennial crisis which had plagued the state, having series of meetings stakeholders in search of elusive peace.

Students grief as states abandon bursary - Guardian
Time was when bursary was a social intervention used to alleviate circumstances of indigent students. In fact, in the 1980s 1990s and early 2000s, many states of the federation were actively involved in bursary payment.Now, the economic downturn, lack of political will, misplaced priorities, as well as, widespread corrupt practices have joined forces to deny students this critical intervention scheme.

The few states that have not abolished the initiative are struggling with backlog of arrears, which runs into a number of years. Abia State is one of the states where bursary payment has become history. And in the absence of a formal bursary payment system to students, what now obtains is the state government giving support to indigent or needy students, who apply and get the state governor’s approval.

US Accuses FG of Condoning Human Trafficking, Says Nigerians Travel to Togo for Child Sex - Thisday
For the second consecutive year, Nigeria has been placed on Tier-2 Watchlist by the United States government for failing to meet minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The latest report accused the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye to allegations of trafficking levelled against senior government officials and soldiers as revealed in the 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report.

The newest human trafficking report obtained by THISDAY on Saturday from the US Department of State also accused Nigerian judges of corruption and not being conversant with the 2015 amended anti-trafficking act.

States, NNPC Trade Words Over Remittance To Federation Account - Leadership
The controversy over the discrepancy in the amount remitted to the federation account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has pitched the corporation against the 36 state governments in the country. The forum of state finance commissioners and the corporation have been embroiled in a war of words over what should be the correct remittance to the federation account by the latter. Yesterday, the Forum of Nigerian Finance Commissioners accused the corporation of falsehood for claiming to have paid N147 billion to the federation account as revenue generated in the month of May 2018. The chairman of the Finance Commissioners, Mallam Mahmoud Yunusa, said the NNPC actually remitted only N127 billion to the federation account to be shared as statutory transfer to the three tiers of government by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/07/newspapers-review-stories-that-made-the-headline-this-sunday-morning-sun-01-jul-2018/

Yes, That's what am saying....

Chubhie:

Where are the save Nigeria group? All those that organized carnivals at ojota with all the musicians, actors and actresses that wore asebi and paid to perform should be named and called out to lead this uprising.

I am just telling u, due we need action but not even thinking of PMB coming back 2019

KingofAbuja:


Here we go again?!!!! Aint we all tired of prayers? and Praying?

Seriously i dont no wat is happening to us now, Remember 2015 how those people campaign against GEJ

Chubhie:
I'm yet to understand why Nigerians are developing cold feet to take to the street and force government's hand to action.

Defeated and resigned to fate

Dont pray for such to HAPPENED to US please

KingofAbuja:
The sheer amount of cover up by this current regime is quite unprecedented. The only time we will discover the real figures will be when Buhari is ousted from office, but the real question now is who will bell the cat? Because,cry and shout as we might, Buhari is coming back 2019. Our PVC is only going to be able to remove senators, house of rep, LG chairmen and Maybe some governors.

More than 53,000 people killed since 2011 Christian Solidarity Worldwide: Fulani militia killed 1,061 in 106 attacks between January and April UK parliamentarian, Baroness Berridge urges Nigerians to use 2019 presidential election to seek end to violence

Bayo Akinloye

The United States Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) says it has documented at least 19,890 deaths in Nigeria since June 2015, just after President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office on May 29, 2015. This is as the United Kingdom-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) disclosed that Fulani militias killed 1,061 people in about 106 attacks on communities in central Nigeria in the first quarter of 2018. CSW said 11 other attacks on communities in the southern parts of the country by the militia claimed a further 21 lives.



In a related development, the UK House of Lords on Thursday expressed worry about the inability of the Buhari government to end killings in Nigeria, warning that ethno-religious violence in the country may escalate to the Rwanda type genocide if the federal government remained complacent about it. The concern followed a debate on the recent killing of about 200 people in Plateau State by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The CFR, an independent body of experts dedicated to providing advice on policy options facing countries, put the cumulative deaths in Nigeria from May 2011 to May 2018 at 53,595. This statistics was obtained by THISDAY from a section of the organisation’s website, Nigeria Security Tracker (NST). According to the think tank, the NST tracks violence that is both causal and symptomatic of weakness of Nigeria’s political institutions and citizen alienation. It said the data was based on weekly surveys of Nigerian and international media and that they included violent incidents related to political, economic, and social grievances directed at the state or other affiliated groups (or conversely the state employing violence to respond to those incidents.)

CFR added, “Different groups in Nigeria resort to violence. The militant Islamist movement Boko Haram is active in northern Nigeria. Violence among ethnic groups, farmers, and herdsmen sometimes acquires religious overtones. A new generation of Niger Delta militants threatens war against the state. Government soldiers kill civilians indiscriminately. Police are notorious for extrajudicial murder.”

In the CSW’s latest report, equally obtained by THISDAY, the organisation said, “During the first quarter of 2018 CSW documented 1,061 deaths in 106 attacks by the Fulani militia on communities in Adamawa, Benue, southern Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states, with an additional 17 lives lost in attacks in the south of the country. CSW also documented seven instances of violence targeting Fulani herders or communities in which 61 people lost their lives; two of these attacks occurred in the south of the country. The recent deaths in Plateau State bring the number of casualties recorded so far in herder militia attacks in central Nigeria in the second quarter of 2018 to 440.”

The organisation said the figures were obtained by its offices in the United Kingdom and in Nigeria using organisational records, a timeline issued by the Office of the President of the Nigerian Senate, #MiddlebeltMassacres in Twitter, news sources, and the United States-based Council on Foreign Relations’ Nigeria Security Tracker. It further noted that there was more to the violence going on in Nigeria – often referred to as “farmer-herder clashes” – than meets the eye.

The report added, “However, attacks by herder militia are currently occurring with such frequency, organisation and asymmetry that the characterisation as ‘clashes’ no longer suffices. Armed with sophisticated weaponry, including AK-47s and on at least one occasion, rocket launchers, the herder militia is believed to have killed more men, women and children in 2015, 2016 and 2017 than Boko Haram, in what local observers increasingly describe as a campaign of ethno-religious cleansing.”

CSW also said it had documented over 400 deaths in 46 attacks during the second quarter of 2018. In one of the most recent, at least 200 people were reported to have died in coordinated attacks on around 50 communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area in Plateau State, which began on June 22 and lasted until June 24, the report said.

The majority of victims of the Barkin Ladi attacks were said to be women and children. The CSW report noted that 120 people were killed as they returned from the funeral of an elderly member of the Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN).

Speaking on the violence, CSW’s Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, accused the Nigerian government of refusing to fish out the perpetrators of the violence. Thomas called for the formulation of a holistic security strategy to address the violence and other threats to national security as a matter of urgency.

“CSW extends its deepest condolences to all who have lost loved ones in the weekend of attacks in Plateau State. It is worrying that the authorities appear more focused on controlling victim communities than on tracing, disarming and arresting the perpetrators of this violence. We urge the state and federal governments to prioritise the protection and rehabilitation of vulnerable communities, and to refrain from victimising them further,” Thomas said.

He added, “The number of attacks and casualties is staggering, and illustrates the appallingly high price communities in central Nigeria are paying for the absence of an effective official response to a force that not only constitutes a threat to national security, but also to national unity. We urge the government to guarantee the safety, protection and right to life of all Nigerians, regardless of creed or ethnicity.”

Meanwhile, in an impassioned debate in the UK parliament on Thursday following the murder of about 200 people in Plateau State by alleged herdsmen, the House of Lords warned the Nigerian and British governments that remaining complacent about the violent attacks could plunge Nigeria into the type of genocide that happened in Rwanda. In the parliament’s Hansard obtained by THISDAY, the debate which held between 2:16pm and 3:02pm, saw various UK lawmakers expressing concerns about what they described as “ethno-religious cleansing” going on in Nigeria and the inability of Buhari to stop the carnage and hold perpetrators of the violence to account. They noted that the violence, if not de-escalated, would have far-reaching effect on the 2019 general elections.

During the debate, the lawmakers adduced reasons for the worsening violence in the country. Baroness Berridge alleged that the violence visited on farmers in the North and Middle Belt were a part of Jihadist movement. Berridge said, however, that the solution to the problem was in Nigerians’ hands, suggesting that the citizens should use the 2019 elections to demand an end to the violence.

“The 2019 presidential and parliamentary elections in Nigeria provide the best opportunity for Nigerians themselves to demand their government deal with this crisis… I hope Nigerians, especially Nigerian Christians, will realise that much more of the solution is in their hands than they perhaps realise,” Berridge said in her contribution to the debate.

Another member of the House of Lords, Baroness Cox, who said she had visited Nigeria “many times and seen the tragedies of death and destruction in Bauchi, Kano and Plateau states”, noted that there were concerns that “the Fulani militants are now so well armed that they are possibly fighting a proxy war for Boko Haram” with the shared agenda of driving Christians out of their homelands in the North and Middle Belt.

Cox said, “There is real fear that these developments are part of a strategy by Islamist fundamentalists to drive Christians out of their traditional homelands in northern and central-belt regions of Nigeria. I urge Her Majesty’s Government to respond appropriately to the very real possibility of religious cleansing.”

In her own contribution to the debate, Baroness Goldie said the violence could worsen and become politicised ahead of the 2019 elections, preventing elections from holding in some states.


https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/07/nigeria-has-recorded-nearly-20000-deaths-under-buhari-says-us-body/

God demands that we return to Him and restore all the tithes to His sanctuary. He challenged the children of Israel who had gone away from Him and stopped paying their tithes to “return” and “Bring all the tithes into [His] storehouse”. God’s challenge was not to condemn them. As children of God, when we are rebuked, we should not interpret it as condemnation. We are often rebuked so that we can please the Lord.
As we fulfil our obligation of tithing to God, we will have our faithfulness rewarded: “prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing”. Two, fullness received. “There shall not be room enough to receive [the blessings]”. Three, foes rebuked. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes”. Four, fruitfulness regained. “And he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground”.

There will be a restoration to all the destruction suffered in the past in our businesses and the work of our hands. Five, fertility restored. “Neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time.” Six, favour recognised. If we obey the Lord and duly pay our tithes, “All nations shall call [us] blessed” and the favour of God upon us will be recognised. Seven, the future reassured. “For ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.”


We should not listen to false prophets who claim that tithing is Old Testament teaching; and since it is no longer operational, we can give our tithes and offerings at random rates. They forget that Abraham commenced it; Jacob continued it; Moses commanded it; Christ commended it and none can cancel it. As we liberally give to the Lord, He will give us without measure. However, we must not give below one-tenth of whatever we earn.

Christ taught about tithes. As Christians, He does not want us to be like the Scribes and the Pharisees who religiously paid their tithes but ignored salvation, righteousness, love for God and helping other people, so that we can be part of the promised blessings. Every member of the family must be encouraged to give at all times. When we do these expectantly, God will fulfil His promises because He is not a debtor. Tithes have been commanded to be brought into the house of God and not elsewhere. When we obey the Lord and bring our tithes to the right place, God’s blessings will not elude us.


God rewards every faithful servant who labours in His service. Those who serve God faithfully will be remembered on the final day. When we serve God in any capacity, there are always fruits for our labour. Many people ignore the call to serve the Lord and they consider it “vain to serve God”. We must give all in the service of the Lord. God, and not corporations of the world, should be number one in our lives. Those who do not regard the Lord and His demand to give Him a befitting service carry out a dreadful revolt. But the dutiful remnant will be remembered on that final day for the reward of faithfulness.

There will be reward for those who heed the Lord’s call with a delightful response. We must realise that whatever we give our time to in this world will be burnt up eventually. Only what we do for Christ will matter at the end of life. The people who refuse to serve God will be condemned “to shame and everlasting contempt,” while the wise ones “shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and… as the stars for ever and ever.”

Further Reading (King James Version): Malachi 3:1; 2:17; Matthew 11:10,11; Mark 1:2,3; Luke 1:72; John 1:6,7; Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 9:6,7; Haggai 2:7; Malachi 3:7-12; Genesis 14:18-20; 28:20,22; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; Matthew 23:23; Zechariah 8:23; Malachi 3:13-18; Daniel 12:2,3.

https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/07/enjoying-gods-covenant-pastor-w-f-kumuyi/

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, has told President Muhammadu Buhari that he is not God, and should stop intimidating Nigerians ahead of the 2019 elections.

Secondus said that the President was behaving like ”a coward” and was afraid of the opposition.

The PDP National Chairman said this in Abuja on Friday when a presidential aspirant on the platform of the PDP, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, visited the national secretariat of the party to intimate members of its National Working Committee of his ambition.
The Rivers born politician said that instead of facing governance, the President was busy harassing those considered to oppose his second term ambition.
He said, “The President is not god and he has no power to kill all Nigerians. He runs after everyone that criticises him and he picks them up day and night. Is he god? No, he is not.

“He is busy harassing Nigerians and wants to intimidate everybody. He has no time for governance. Instead, he is more interested in arresting and locking them up.

“He is fighting those who have sacrificed for the unity of the country. He wants to frame them – the likes of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Theophilus Danjuma, who speak the truth.

“How many people can you arrest? You don’t allow the rule of law to exist. You do media trial before taking people to court. Buhari is very weak, and that’s why he’s looking for people to arrest . He is afraid of competition. He is afraid of being challenged.”

He described the economic programme of the Federal Government as “voodoo,” saying that Nigerians were tired of it.

“He is not god. People should tell him. Nigerians are tired of voodoo economy which his government gives us. How can you be running the economy without data and statistics? No, we can’t continue like this,” he added.


https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/06/2019-people-should-tell-weak-buhari-hes-not-god-secondus/

A medical expert on Friday told an Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court that her findings revealed that the two-year and 11-month old pupil of Chrisland School was defiled.

Dr. Oluwatoyin Olayioye was testifying before Justice Sybil Nwaka at the resumed trial of Adegboyega Adenekan, the school supervisor who allegedly defiled the child.

The witness, who has been practising medicine for eight years, holds a Bachelors of Medicine, Bachelors of Surgery, a Masters degree of Public Health and is also a trained Forensic Examiner.


Led in evidence by Mr Babajide Boye, the Chief State Counsel, Olayioye, the fifth prosecution witness said in 2015 to 2016, she was working with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) at the Department of Family Medicine.

“I was consulting for the Mirabel Centre when the case was referred to my team from the Ikeja Police Command on November 24, 2016.


“My team was made up of myself, Dr Oyedeji Alagbe and Dr Olujimi Sodipo. The Mirabel Centre had seen over 2,000 clients and I cannot quote verbatim the number of cases involving minors between ages one and five that I have overseen.

“My Lord when the child was seen at Mirabel Centre, she said the perpetrator put his wee-wee in her mouth, she said he put his wee-wee in her vagina and that the perpetrator put his mouth on her wee-wee.

“On general examination, we found the female child calm, intelligent, not pale, she was not hot to touch or in any distress and at the time of the examination, she was well hydrated.

“On examination of the child from head to toe, there were no fresh findings relating to the case but in my systematic examination, there were significant findings.”

According to her, the findings included whitish patches in the urethra openings, notches in the hymen, redness on the vulva and pain while touching.

“After exposing the client to the physical examination, the genital area was not in a steady state, along the urethra opening, there were whitish patches which are scaly skin that ought not to be there.


“It could be due to an assault in the vaginal area My Lord, the notches are healed lacerations (wounds), the notches in this client may be due to blunt penetration injury.

“My Lord, when we talk about blunt penetration, it has a pattern in which it descends, the pattern is different from injuries from sharp objects, chemicals or burns.

“Due to the pattern of the notches, we arrived that it should be as a result of blunt penetrative injury which could be due to penile injury, finger or any other blunt object.

“My Lord in the normal state of the vagina, redness is not supposed to be there except in cases of assault,” Olayioye.

The Medical Doctor told the court that mother of the child could not ascertain the time the alleged sexual assault took place.

“I made the conclusion based on the child’s declaration, the mother’s declaration, which were consistent with my clinical findings that it could be due to penile penetration.

“Our findings revealed blunt penetration injuries which could be as a result of penile penetration, finger penetration or blunt force injury.”

Cross-examining the witness, Mr. Olatunde Adejuyigbe (SAN), the defence counsel, challenged her professional credentials.

The witness admitted that she was not yet a consultant but that she was currently undergoing the training.

She also told the court that she could not remember the name of the foreign doctor who conducted the forensic examiner training which was in affiliation with the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mirabel Centre and LASUTH.

“The person who trained me is a certified Medical Doctor from St. Mary’s Hospital in the United Kingdom but I cannot remember his name,” she said.

Adejuyigbe also queried the time frame with which the witness carried out the examination claiming that it could have affected the accuracy of the report.

Nwaka adjourned the case until July 4 for continuation of cross-examination of the witness.

Adenekan who was arraigned on January 29, pleaded not guilty to a charge of defilement of a child.

The prosecution alleges that Adenekan committed the offence sometime in November 2016 at Chrisland School, Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lagos.

According to the prosecution, the defendant defiled the child by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.

The offence violated Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 which recommends a life sentence for anyone convicted of defiling a child.


https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/06/medical-doctor-confirms-chrisland-school-pupil-was-defiled/

A kind-hearted and brave Muslim cleric has saved about 262 person fleeing from some suspected herdsmen who had invaded Nghar Yelwa village in the Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau state. Imam did this by hiding the persons in a mosque. Upon seeing victims fleeing from suspected herdsmen who attacked Nghar Yelwa, a village in Plateau state on Sunday, June 24, an unnamed Imam opened the door of a mosque and hid them. Amounting to about 262, the persons were running for safety from a neighbouring village in the Barkin Ladi local government area, which was being attacked by gunmen. Although police report claim that only 86 persons died after the attack, villagers insist that the death toll rose beyond 200 victims.

Speaking to Dooshima Abu, a BBC correspondent, concerning the development, the kind-hearted Islamic cleric said: "I hid the women in my personal house and after that, I took the men into the mosque and hid them there" However, the attackers caught up with the Imam, forcefully demanding him to release to them those who are Christians in the mosque. But the cleric lied to the gang that everyone in the mosque were Muslims. Upon hearing this, the attackers left the Imam and went on with their killing spree elsewhere. 

According to newsmen, the mosque is now the home and refuge of those hidden by the Imam. Other Berom natives, including some Muslims residing in Barkin Ladi who escaped the attack, ran to Nghar Yelwa for safety, which is the nearest village. For security reasons, the photograph of the said Muslim cleric was blurred by officials of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Before now, the Muslim community in the area were in need of where they could build a mosque, and in a gesture of kindness, the Berom natives offered them a piece of land for the same purpose free of charge. 


https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/06/how-brave-imam-saved-262-christians-fleeing-from-herdsmen-attacks-hides-them-in-mosque/

On Tuesday, June 12, Justice Adebukola Banjoko sentenced Joshua Dariye, a serving member of the Nigeria Senate and former governor of Plateau state to 14 years imprisonment for embezzling N1.162 billion ecological funds belonging to his state.

Just two weeks earlier, Banjoko had read a similar judgement in a related matter. At the end of that earlier case, a former Taraba governor, Jolly Nyame, was jailed 14 years for misappropriating state funds. On the day he was convicted, Dariye went to the court premises in his official vehicle as a senator but he left in a prison vehicle to Kuje prison, where he would spend the next 14 years.  Like Senator Dariye, there are many other serving members of the Senate who are either being prosecuted by the EFCC or are under investigation, and whose fates seem to be hanging in the balance.

Here are a few:

1. Peter Nwoboshi

Senator Nwoboshi, representing Delta-North senatorial district, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Nwoboshi has already spent two days in prison but is currently out on bail after Mohammed Idris, the trial judge, released him on self-recognisance. According to ICIR, the criminal trial of Nwaoboshi, began Wednesday, June 20, at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court with the prosecution presenting two witnesses. The EFCC reportedly said Nwoboshi, who is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, had awarded contracts worth over N6 billion to 15 companies belonging to him and his cronies in 2016. The contracts for the procurement of hundreds of thousands plastic chairs and tables for schools in the nine oil producing states in Nigeria. He was arrested in April this year after evading arrest several times, and the trial is ongoing.

2. Danjuma Goje

Senator Danjuma Goje, former governor of Gombe state and current senator representing Gombe Central senatorial district, is undergoing trial at the Federal High Court, Gombe, for allegedly defrauding the state to the tune of N5 billion. Goje, who is doing a second-term in the Senate, is also the chairman of the Northeast caucus of the Senate, as well as chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. According to ICIR, Senator Goje was accused of obtaining a loan of N5 billion from a new generation bank with a forged document, purporting that the Gombe State House of Assembly approved the loan. EFCC reportedly alleged that Goje forged the signature of Shehu Atiku, Clerk of the Gombe State House of Assembly, to facilitate the loan which he claimed was for infrastructural projects, but which was diverted and laundered.

3. Abdulaziz Nyako

Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, representing Adamawa Central, is the son of Murtala Nyako, former governor of Adamawa state. Both men are currently facing a 37-count corruption charge before the Federal High Court, Abuja. The EFCC reportedly accused both Nyakos, alongside two others, of siphoning over N15 billion from the Adamawa state treasury, using five proxy companies. Though the younger Nyako seemed to have won the first round of battle against the EFCC, having secured a court ruling ordering the anti-graft agency to pay him N12.5 million in damages for illegal detention, the bigger case continues in court, albeit after some delay following the death of the trial judge, Justice Evoh Chukwu, ICIR stated. A new judge, Okon Abang, has been assigned to continue with the trial. 

4. Bassey Akpan

Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, representing Akwa Ibom Northeast, was arrested by the EFCC for allegedly receiving vehicles worth over N300 million from Jide Omokore, an oil dealer who is also facing corruption charges. Also, the EFCC reportedly wanted Akpan to account for his conducts when he served as Akwa Ibom state Commissioner for Finance during the governorship of Godswill Akpabio. Akpan denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the vehicles from Omokore were personal gifts and also a show of support for his governorship ambition. He has since been released on bail. Meanwhile, the federal government has also filed new criminal charges against Senator Akpan at the Federal High Court, Abuja over his failure to declare his assets. The federal government (complainant) in charge no:FHC/ABJ/CR/88/2018 slammed a two-count charge of “criminal breach of trust, diversion of public funds, conspiracy and abuse of office contrary to section 3(3)(1)(a) of the Recovery of public property (Special privision) Act 2004.” In its particulars of offence to count one, the federal government alleged that Akpan committed the offence of false assets declaration under Section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

5. Stella Oduah

The former minister of aviation is currently under investigation by the EFCC over her alleged involvement in a N9.4 billion contract for the supply of security equipment to 22 airports across the nation. She is also reportedly being questioned for allegedly failing to carry out specific projects across many airports in the country, despite the allocation of funds for these projects. A private company, Psybernetix Limited, had reportedly petitioned the EFCC, alleging that Oduah had diverted contracts initially awarded to it, to some other companies that had zero competence. “She (Oduah) also wanted us to issue post-dated cheques totalling several billions of Naira in favour of this her preferred company (I-Sec Ltd, as well as Zuren Ltd), front companies belonging to her friend and business partner, Walter Wagbotsama,” Psybernetix alleged. “This company had zero security, program management, project management, or global project execution experience, so, on what basis would a company of our stature and reputation engage them as our technical partners?” The case is still under investigation, and it is only a question of when, not if, Oduah would be prosecuted.

6. David Mark

The EFCC is also reportedly probing the allegation of fraud worth N5.4 billion, allegedly carried out by David Mark, during his tenure as Senate President from 2007 to 2015, as well as for funds he allegedly received from Sambo Dasuki, the embattled former national security adviser. So far, no charges have been filed, and Mark has insisted that he is innocent of the charges against him, describing the EFCC’s investigation as “chasing shadows”.

7. Godswill Akpabio

The former Akwa Ibom state governor who is the current Senate minority leader was first arrested by the EFCC in October 2015, following a petition by one Leo Ekpenyong, who alleged that Akpabio looted the state’s treasury during his time as governor. Again, in September 2017, the EFCC began another round of investigation into allegations that Akpabio, as the state governor, gifted a commercial bank the sum of N1.4 billion, for reasons that were best known to him. However, investigations into Akpabio’s alleged fraudulent activities during his time as governor have progressed sluggishly. The Akwa Ibom government, according to the ICIR, filed a suit in court seeking for an injunction to bar the EFCC from investigating its affairs.

8. Ike Ekweremadu

The deputy Senate president Ike Ekweremadu is facing fraud allegations levelled against him by the federal government. The Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, headed by Okoi Obono-Obla, has reportedly filed a suit in court seeking the forfeiture of 22 luxury apartments, said to belong to Ekweremadu, but which he did not include in his assets declaration form. Nine of the targeted properties are said to be in Abuja, two in London, UK, eight in Dubai, UAE and three in Florida, US. Ekweremadu denied any wrongdoing and the case is still before the Federal High Court, Abuja. 

https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/06/prison-call-8-other-senators-who-may-join-dariye-in-jail-see-list/

The Police Command in Imo has arrested two suspects in connection with the death of Eze Brendan Ibekwe, the traditional ruler of Mgbe autonomous community in the Orlu Local Government Area of Imo.

The spokesman of the command, Mr Andrew Enwerem, told newsmen on Wednesday in Owerri that Ibekwe was assassinated on June 24 by gunmen in his community while his body was found on the Orlu-Owerri highway.

Enwerem said the Commissioner of Police in Imo, Mr Dasuki Galadanchi, had directed the command’s Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department to take over the matter.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri, has expressed his concern over the murder of Ibekwe.

He described the incident as a sacrilege for a traditional ruler to be murdered by gunmen.

Ohiri called for thorough investigation into the matter, saying that the killers must be brought to book.

An accident on the Sagamu-Benin Expressway in Ogun on Wednesday, involving two trucks, has left one person dead and two others critically injured.

Babatunde Akinbiyi, the Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), confirmed the incident in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ijebu-Ode.

Mr Akinbiyi, who said the accident happened at about 6.30 a.m. at Atoyo axis on the expressway, disclosed that one of the trucks with registration number; Lagos XR 359 LSD was involved in a headlong collision with an IVECO truck.


The IVECO truck was marked Lagos FST 805 XL.

“According to eye-witness accounts, the driver of the IVECO truck, left his own side of the road and faced an incoming traffic, which led to the collision with the other truck coming from the East.

“Two males were injured, including the driver of the IVECO truck. Unfortunately, the driver of the DAF truck died on the spot.

“Officials of TRACE and the Federal Road Safety Corps were on ground to control traffic,” Akinbiyi said.

The spokesman said that the dead driver and those injured were taken to the Ogun State General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode while the two vehicles were towed to Ogbere Police Station.

https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/06/sagamu-benin-highway-accident-kills-one/

Please i can i also use it to boot my blog?

Am interested, cos i have been wondering how they do it

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, in Calabar, Cross River State, inaugurated rice seeds and seedling factory built by the Cross River State government.

Mr Buhari described the factory as a reference point in Nigeria’s effort to kick-start a revolution in agriculture.

“When we got into power, this administration launched a zero-oil economic roadmap as a way of making our country less dependent on oil, while encouraging investments in other sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture.

“Indeed, this factory speaks loudly about the giant strides we are making in agriculture as a country,” said an obviously elated Mr Buhari.

The president said he hoped that the factory would help improve rice production in Nigeria from three to four tones per hectre to about nine tones per hectre, and thereby help the country to achieve rice sufficiency.

He commended the Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, for establishing the factory.


https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/06/photo-news-buhari-inaugurates-rice-seedling-factory-in-calabar/

A policeman has been killed in renewed Shiites protests over the continued detention of their leader, Ibrahim Elzakzaky. The spokesman for the Kaduna state police command, Mukhtar Aliyu, confirmed the incident which took place on Thursday, to Channels Television. According to him, the policeman was walking along the road when the Shiite members stabbed him with knives and stones until he gave up the ghost on the spot.

The incident comes shortly after El-zakzaky and his wife, appeared before the Kaduna State High Court on the same day. They were arraigned by the state government on eight counts bordering on alleged culpable hom.icide, unlawful assembly, disturbance of public peace among other allegations. The Shi’ites, in their numbers, had taken to the streets earlier in the day, with placards bearing different inscriptions demanding the release of their leader.

https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/06/breaking-policeman-killed-as-shiites-continue-protest-against-el-zakzakys-detention/

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State to accept defeat in good faith if it loses the July 14 governorship election.
Atiku, who visited Gov. Ayo Fayose in Ado Ekiti, said losing an election to a rival party should be seen in the light of the concession to defeat by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atiku was accompanied by the members of the PDP Governorship Campaign Council.
The former vice president also expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness of the PDP for the election.
“We are satisfied that the Peoples Democratic Party is prepared for this election.
“We hope that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will accept the outcome of the election.
“They should be democratic for the first time.
“We have seen how democratic they are, but for the first time in 2015, we have the opposition party taking over from the ruling party, we expect them to do the same,’’ Atiku said.
Fayose, in his remarks, said the PDP was ready for the election, vowing that the people of the state would defend their votes.


https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/06/ekiti-poll-accept-defeat-in-good-faith-if-you-lose-atiku-tells-apc/

The Local Government Area (LGA) election in Rivers State is holding as scheduled today, Saturday, June 16, across the 23 council areas of the state.

The exercise which is expected to last between 7:00 am and 4:00 pm will usher in elected chairmen, vice chairmen as well as councillors in the various local governments.

In Khana – one of the LGAs visited by Channels Television crew, the exercise commenced early as electoral materials were distributed at the Police Station Field in Bori community.

Similarly, officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) arrived the venue of the exercise in Ikwere LGA to conduct the election.

While security operatives are also at the venues, candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as those from other political parties are getting set for the exercise.

Accreditation and voting commenced in some wards with both processes happening simultaneously while the exercise has already begun in most LGAs.

Meanwhile, electoral materials have been moved to the riverine communities, including those in Degema LGA by the RSIEC officials in the company with security operatives.

The communities comprise of Bakana which has six wards (Ward 1 – 6); Tombia which has four wards (Ward 7, 8, 9, and 10).

Others are Bukuma which is Ward 15; Bille – Ward 16; as well as Ogurama and Ké which share Ward 17.

The caretaker chairman of Degema LGA, Mr Boma Dappa, confirmed to Channels Television that the electoral materials were safely moved to his hometown in Bille.

While voting is ongoing in Khana LGA, the exercise has also started at Unit 7 Ward 9 of Obio/Akpor LGA, where the state governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, is expected to cast his vote.

The process of the exercise in some local governments is captured in the photos below;

https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/06/rivers-state-holds-local-government-elections-live-updates/

Femi Fani-Kayode and wife Precious, who recently gave birth to a set of triplets on Friday, same day she is marking her birthday on social media share there beautiful children.

FFK on on facebook said; My handsome boys came home today with my wife Precious, their beautiful mother. My first son Aragorn was so excited to receive his brothers, Ragnar, Aiden and Liam home for the first time. I thank God for all and my gratitude goes to my friend and brother Dr. John Idahosa, his beautiful wife and their wonderful team at DIFF Hospital, Abuja for all the special love and care. God bless you all.

https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/06/14/ffk-share-beautiful-photos-of-his-triplets/

A former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media, Reno Omokri, has reacted to the recent sign bill by President Muhammed Buhari #NotTooYoungToRun. On the post he made on facebook alleged accuse Buhari of allowing old age men to still contest on election.

On his facebook said
On the same day that the allegedly 75 year old Buhari signed the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill, it was announced that his party, APC, picked a 74 year old to be its deputy Governor candidate for the July 14 Ekiti guber election.

Youths of Nigeria, can’t you see they are just using you? What is there to celebrate in an allegedly 75 year old man (football age?) who does not have a single youth in his cabinet, signing the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill?


If he believes in it, then he should have at least one youth in his cabinet. He just wants to reap where he hasn’t sown.

http://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/05/reno-omokri-react-to-nottooyoungtorun.html

[img]https://3.bp..com/-xfFjlwT0K4s/Wc1INFrnWyI/AAAAAAAAG4I/eQP30gqXR1sWctJvm8ZiG4VrMhoOpJGSwCLcBGAs/s640/reno-omokri-620x400.png[/img]

2018 DEMOCRACY DAY
ADDRESS BY MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA IN COMMEMORATION OF

THE 2018 DEMOCRACY DAY CELEBRATION,

TUESDAY, 29TH MAY, 2018

My Dear Nigerians!

Today marks the 19th year of our nascent democracy and the 3rd Anniversary of this administration. I am thankful to Almighty God for bringing us thus far. This administration came at a time that Nigerians needed Change, the Change we promised and the Change we continue to deliver. We have faced a lot of challenges on this journey and Nigerians have stood by us in achieving the three cardinal points of this administration namely; Security, Corruption and the Economy.

2. The commemoration of this year’s Democracy Day is a celebration of freedom, a salute to the resilience and determination of Nigerians and a recommitment by Government to keep its promise to lead Nigeria into a new era of justice and prosperity.

3. Public safety and security remains the primary duty of this Government. Before this Administration came into being 3 years ago, Boko Haram held large areas of land spanning several Local Governments in the North East.

4. Today, the capacity of the insurgents has been degraded leading to the re-establishment of authority of government and the release of captives including, happily, 106 Chibok and 104 Dapchi girls, and over 16,000 other persons held by the Boko Haram.

5. In order to minimize the impact of the insurgency on Internally Displaced Persons, Government has established secure IDP Camps and has improved the mechanism for the distribution of basic aid, foods and essential commodities using various strategies in collaboration with local and international Organizations.

6. Efforts are in process for resettlement of IDPs in their home communities by providing schools, hospitals, clinics, water and sanitation to facilitate a quick return to economic activities. Government is similarly implementing de-radicalization and rehabilitation programmes to facilitate sustainable peace and development.

7. The unfortunate incidences of kidnappings, herdsmen and farmers clashes in several communities which have led to high number of fatalities and loss of properties across the country is being addressed and the identified culprits and their sponsors shall be made to face the full wrath of the law. All the three tiers of Government are presently engaged with communities and religious organizations to restore peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.



8. I want to commend members of the Multinational Joint Task Force drawn from Niger, Benin, Chad, Cameroon and our own country in collaboration with the International Community who are assisting in the fight against insurgency in the North East. I also commend the gallantry of members of our Armed Forces and other security agencies that have continued to provide security for lives and properties across the country. State and Local traditional authorities are helping with much needed intelligence in this fight against insurgency.

9. This administration is pained over the grievous loss of lives and properties occasioned by the carnage of insurgency and other forms of criminality in the country. I wish to assure Nigerians that we will not rest until all criminal elements and their sponsors are brought to justice. Government is boosting the capacity of our security agencies through recruitment of more personnel, training and procurement of modern equipment, enhancement of intelligence gathering as well as boosting their morale in the face of daunting challenges.

10. The Niger Delta Region has enjoyed relative peace through social inclusiveness and cooperation of the Elders and the good people of the region. Government is committed to implementing the comprehensive peace, security and development plan for the region. The environmental clean-up of the region which commenced with the launch in Bodo, Ogoni in June, 2016 is progressing satisfactorily. Furthermore farming assets are being revived and investors in cocoa and palm oil plantations are showing serious interest.

11. The second primary object of this Administration is to fight corruption headlong. Like I have always said, if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will destroy the country. Three years into this Administration, Nigerians and the international community have begun to applaud our policies and determination to fight corruption. We are more than ever before determined to win this war, however hard the road is. I therefore appeal to all well-meaning Nigerians to continue to support us in this fight.

12. Various policy measures already put in place to stem the tide of corrupt practices are yielding remarkable results. Some of these key reform policies include:

a. The Treasury Single Account (TSA) has realized Billions of Naira being saved from maintenance fee payable to banks. N200 Billion has also been saved from elimination of ghost workers in public service.

b. The Whistle-Blowing Policy has helped to recover over N500 Billion;

c. The Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit set up with a mandate to validate controls, assess risks, prune personnel costs, ensure compliance with Public Financial Management reforms has helped to identify and remove over 52,000 ghost workers from the Federal Government MDAs Payroll;

d. The Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) aimed at expanding tax education and awareness has offered the opportunity for tax defaulters to regularise their status in order to enjoy the amnesty of forgiveness on overdue interest, penalties and the assurance of non-prosecution or subject to tax investigations.

e. The Sovereign Wealth Fund project portfolio has been expanded with an injection of US$650 million so as to strengthen its investment in local infrastructure, power, health, re-construction of Abuja-Kano road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, East West Road (Section V) and the Mambilla Hydro-electric Power project as well as the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge.

13. The fight against corruption through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has resulted in recoveries of Billions of Naira, as well as forfeiture of various forms of assets. This alongside other efforts has improved Nigeria’s international image and regional cooperation.

14. We have retained the services of one of the world’s leading assets tracing firms to investigate and trace assets globally. This is in addition to the exploitation of provisions of existing Treaties, Conventions as well as Bilateral Agreements with Multilateral bodies and Nations. Nigeria has also signed Mutual Legal Assistance Agreements to ensure that there is no hiding place for fugitives.

15. This Administration has therefore focused on revamping the ailing economy it inherited in 2015. In 2016, Government executed an expansionary budget and developed the Strategic Implementation Plan. For the first time, 30% of the budget was earmarked for capital expenditure which represents an upward review when compared with the 2015 budget. The SIP was followed by the development of a comprehensive medium term plan – the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan 2017 – 2020.

16. The broad strategic objectives of the ERGP were to; Restore and sustain economic growth; Build a globally competitive economy; and Invest in our people. The implementation of the ERGP has started yielding results. The National Bureau of Statistics reports that the economy grew by 1.95% in 1st quarter 2018, which is a good performance when viewed against -0.91 in 1st quarter 2017 and -0.67% in 1st quarter 2016 respectively.

17. Our foreign reserve has improved significantly to 47.5 billion USD as of May, 2018 as against 29.6 billion USD in 2015. The inflationary rate has consistently declined every month since January, 2017.



18. Recently, Government conducted Focus Labs in three key sectors of the Economy namely, Agriculture & Transport, Manufacturing and Processing as well as Power and Gas. These have yielded significant prospects for investments and Job creation to the tune of US$ 22.5 billion with a potential for creating more than 500,000 jobs by 2020. These investment generation initiatives are expected to increase capital inflows in the form of foreign direct investment. There is a high prospect that the cumulative investments from this first phase of the Labs will hit US$39.2 billion by 2025.



19. Under agriculture, Nigeria continues to pursue a strategic food security programme built around self-sufficiency and minimization of import dependency. As a result, rice importation from other countries has been cut down by 90% which has a direct impact on foreign reserves.

20. The Social Investment Programmes (SIP) has been created as a means to graduating our citizens from poverty through capacity building, investment and direct support. The major strategic objective is to restore livelihood, economic opportunities and sustenance for the poor across the country. The SIP programmes and projects include:

a. Home Grown School Feeding Programme – About 8.2 million pupils are currently being fed from 24 States of the Federation with over 75,000 Catering Staff engaged under the programme.

b. The Conditional Cash Transfer has so far recorded over 297,000 caregivers and being trained by 2,495 Community Facilitators in 21 states. Less privileged Nigerians are now being paid N5,000 monthly stipend in 9 pilot States of Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Osun and Oyo. Eventually the scheme will cover all the 36 states of the federation including the FCT.

c. Under the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme – About 264,269 loans had been disbursed to 4,822 societies in the 36 States and FCT, while another 370,635 are awaiting release of funds.

d. N-Power Job creation Scheme – is targeted at providing jobs for unemployed young graduates and has so far recruited 200,000 youths while the next batch of 300,000 have been selected, verified and would soon be deployed across the 36 States and the FCT. Furthermore, 20,000 non-graduate volunteers have also been selected to kick off the N-Build programme in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council and the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria.

21. In the area of power generation, Nigerians from all parts of the country continue to report better power supply and less use of generators. This underscores the effectiveness of the methodical plan to deliver incremental and uninterrupted power supply to our homes, markets, offices and factories.

22. The country achieved 5, 222.3 MW representing the highest peak of power generated onto the national grid and delivered to customers in December, 2017. With new facilities, repairs and rehabilitations by Government and private investors, generation capability now exceeds 7,500 MW.

23. This Administration is committed to lawful interventions to ensure the operators of the distribution business live up to expectations especially in the areas of distribution capacity, service delivery, collection efficiency, and metering to eliminate contentious estimated billing.

24. The Transportation Sector continues to undergo a series of reforms in order to sustain the international best practices and ensure safety and security. The nation’s major airports have witnessed reconstruction of runways, installation of navigational equipment and new international terminals due for commissioning in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Enugu. Bilateral Air Services Agreements between Nigeria and the Governments of other countries will significantly open up new flight routes.

25. As a result of strict regulatory and compliance policies, Nigeria retained her Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Category 1 status, after a routine international audit. Recently, a new Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility with capacity for aircraft C-checks and other comprehensive levels of maintenance was established in Lagos. This would save the country an estimated $90m annually.

26. Giant strides have been recorded over the past three years to improve road transport infrastructure in all geopolitical zones of the country.

27. The Railway Sector has also received tremendous attention as this Administration is committed to the goal of linking all State capitals in the Federation by rail network to ease the movement of goods and passengers.

28. The Education Sector especially at tertiary level has continued to witness expansion in order to improve access to higher education by millions of youths in Nigeria. Over the last three years, Government has approved the establishment of 1 new Federal Polytechnic, granted licenses for the establishment of 4 State and 14 private-owned Universities as well as 12 private Polytechnics.

29. Government has also continued to support the implementation of various initiatives aimed at improving the quality of Basic Education delivery. Thus, it has ensured proper funding at the Basic Education level with the disbursement of N42.2 billion UBE Matching Grant to 26 States and the FCT, N851.5 million Special Education Grant disbursed to 23 States and private providers of Special Education and N2.2 billion Teachers Professional Development Fund to 33 States and the FCT.

30. The Federal Government has continued to support fiscal sustainability at the sub-national governments through the implementation of the Budget Support Facility which was accompanied by the 22- point Fiscal Sustainability Plan. Thus, bailouts funds were made available to States to ease their fiscal challenges and other obligations including payment of salaries.

31. In addition, a total of 73 Ecological Fund projects for the control of gully erosion in different communities across all geopolitical zones have been completed in the last three years and are undergoing commissioning while 53 other projects are ongoing. The execution of these projects has generated 357 skilled jobs and 1,350 unskilled jobs during this period.

32. It is pertinent to also make mention of the immeasurable contributions of the Nigerian woman to national development and advancement of democracy, over the last three years. The government and people appreciate you all as mothers of our great country.

33. My dear country men and women, as we all celebrate our democratic experience, let us resolve to avoid hatred and intolerance; we can only achieve our objectives in an atmosphere of harmony and peaceful co-existence.

34. Finally, the up-coming months will usher us into another season of general elections. Let me use this opportunity to urge us all to conduct ourselves, our wards and our constituencies with the utmost sense of fairness, justice and peaceful co-existence such that we will have not only hitch free elections but also a credible and violence free process.

35. In few days to come, I will be joined by many promising young Nigerians to sign into law the “Not Too Young to Run” Bill

36. I thank you for your attention.

37. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/05/democracy-day-full-speech-of-president.html

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Former Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan took on his facebook page to commend and bless Nigeria Youths to mark Democracy Day in the country. On his post he listed out some great achievement done by the youths, He said " Nigeria Youths single handedly created Nollywood, the third largest movie industry in the world, can be expected to return the favour and make Nigeria proud.

The Post read:

On this Democracy Day 2018, I want to urge all Nigerians to pray for peace in Nigeria. We need peace in Nigeria. And it is up to you and I to ensure that our National Motto: Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress, is a reality and not just mere rhetoric. I urge Nigerians to understand and accept that nobody’s political, economic, religious or social ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.

As this year’s Democracy Day falls on the holy month of Ramadan, let me seize the opportunity to also extend Ramadan greetings to the Muslim Ummah. As you pray for Nigeria, I join my faith with yours and look forward to our prayers being answered by Almighty God.

There are many opportunities and crises on the horizon, but we must have the mentality of seeing the opportunity in crisis rather than the crisis in opportunity.



We have one of the fastest growing youth population in the world and we must see this as an opportunity, not a crisis.

As I said previously, Nigerian youths ARE NOT LAZY.

What our youth need are opportunities to showcase their positive talents. They need leaders who believe in them and show affirmation for them through their words and actions.

Democracy is a game of numbers and the youths have the numbers. More than 50% of our population are youths. If we develop policies, programs and projects to empower the youth of Nigeria, the Nigerian youth, who single handedly created Nollywood, the third largest movie industry in the world, can be expected to return the favour and make Nigeria proud.

And they are already making us proud both locally and internationally.



Nigerian youths are showcasing their brilliance around the world and I want to make special mention of Ukoma Michael, who at thirteen years of age invented a battery operated fan that lasts for 19 hours on a full charge. This ingenuity domiciled in Michael should be encouraged by our leadership.

Internationally, Princess Elizabeth Bright and Ramota Tele Lawal, two 22 year old Nigerian youths who in May of 2018 became the youngest elected councillors in the United Kingdom, have made us proud. Very proud indeed.

These youths are the epitome of the hardworking, talented, innovative and ambitious Nigerian youth who make our nation respected in the community of nations and give us hope for tomorrow and national pride for today.

Rather than discourage them with our words and actions, we as leaders must give our youths hope by using our language to draw out the very best in them. We must accept that nations only grow when elders plant trees whose shade they know they may never personally enjoy. Leaders must think of the next generation and not just the next election.

While we celebrate Ukoma, Elizabeth and Ramota, I know that there are perhaps millions in Nigeria who are equally brilliant and only need the right enabling environment to unleash their creative genius. They are my inspiration on this Democracy Day. They are the reason why I believe in the continued corporate existence of this great nation founded on justice, equity and freedom.

Happy Democracy Day. God bless you and your family and may God bless Nigeria. GEJ.

http://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/05/democracy-day-nigerian-youths-are-not.html

Africa’s destiny will be shaped by how much Africa constructs a sense of common identity based, not on the narrow lenses of state, race or religion, but constructed on Africa’s belief in democracy, governance and unity as the most viable policy option to mediate, reconcile and accommodate our individual and collective interests.

Events in Africa, despite providing hope and mixed results, remind us that no matter the difference in the colour of our eyes, skin, religion, wealth and geography, we all yearn for liberty and equality, something more consequential and bigger than “big and strong men.” What are the possibilities of the contagion effect of the situation in some parts of Africa? What policies can the Africa Union (AU) develop to respond to these situations?

Do these events mark the end of the history of the political evolution in Africa? While not entirely neglecting these very important questions, it is important to address the broader democracy and governance challenge facing Africa and the role of the AU in addressing them. The principal governance challenge facing Africa is how to enhance a self-­nourishing relationship between authority, accountability and responsibility. This is important in reconstituting African politics from being a zero sum to a positive sum game, characterized by reciprocal behaviour and legitimate relations between the governors and the governed.



Democracy building and consolidation is contingent on strong institutions. Democracy and elections are processes, not events, and the key element in building democratic culture in Africa is anchoring the ongoing practices in unambiguous and predictable processes and strong institutions supported by popular participation.

The challenges of electoral conflicts and political violence reflect the problems of transitions to democracy associated with managing elections and building institutions of competition that are widely accepted by winners and losers. Building strong institutions and political processes, such as election, is critical in ensuring that if a politician looses today, it will be rational and cost effective for him or her to trust the political system to afford him or her another chance in the future.




Institutions that get involved in elections and other political processes exhibit weaknesses, for example, election management bodies that lack capacity, public trust and legitimacy; political parties that have weak internal processes and lack internal democratic system; acrimonious inter-party relations and weak Civil Society involvement in the electoral cycle. Democracy is much more than electing leaders periodically through competitive elections. It is about acceptance of a culture that institutionalizes certain basic freedoms and liberties: freedom of association, assembly, expression of ideas, political organization; and property rights.

Democracy is about affording the individual the possibility and hope of change, that is, change they can trust in.

In this regard, constitution and constitutionalism in Africa need to be strengthened. Civilian control of the security apparatus of the state and peaceful constitutional transfer of power need to be promoted and encouraged. The promotion and protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights, taking into account their universality, interdependence and indivisibility is imperative. Popular participation must therefore be encouraged.


There is need for legislative and administrative measures to guarantee the rights of women, ethnic minorities and others. As much as democracy is an end in itself, it is also a means to an end. When access and control of state power becomes the only viable mode of resource accumulation and distribution, election becomes “war by other means” amongst the political elite.

There is need for improved service delivery and socio-­economic development to boost confidence in democratic institutions and to reverse election fatigue. Since the establishment of AU, Member States have demonstrated a commitment towards a regional and collective approach to democracy building and consolidation.

HAPPY DEMOCRACY DAY

https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/05/the-challenges-and-future-of-democracy.html

Ijaws in Rivers State have endorsed the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for a second term in line with the governor's pro-Ijaw disposition.

The Ijaw people declared their preference for the Rivers State Governor on Wednesday after marching through the streets of Port Harcourt in honour of Late Niger Delta Freedom Fighter, Isaac Boro.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Madam Ankio Briggs said that in view of the performance of Governor Wike, he deserves another term in office to consolidate on the gains of his first term.

She said after the governor's first term, the Ijaw people would want Governor Wike to support the emergence of an Ijaw Governor.

She said: "As Ijaws in Rivers State, these four years that you have done, we want to say that the next four years, because of the work you have done in terms of protecting the people of Niger Delta, it is okay for you to run for four more years.

"As we give this support, you should bear in mind that we also will want to come and govern Rivers State after that".

Prominent Ijaw Leader,Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari urged all other Niger Delta leaders to follow the footsteps of Isaac Boro who promoted the interest of the people.

He called for the unity between the South-East and South-South regions of the country. He advised the people of the area never to allow President Muhammadu Buhari to rig elections in the Niger Delta

Responding, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike declared that he will remain steadfast in the protection of the interests of the people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta.

Governor Wike said no level of intimidation from the failed APC Federal Government will compel him to abandon the worthy cause of developing the area.

He said that current happenings in the country have proved that immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan loves Nigeria far more than those who misled the country in 2015.

"I have no regret for supporting Former President Goodluck Jonathan . Nobody should deceive us by political parties. Our interest is paramount", he said.

The governor said that the Ijaws have contributed meaningfully to the development of the country, saying that Isaac Adaka Boro fought for the emancipation of the Niger Delta.

Governor Wike stressed that his administration has made significant inroads in the development of riverine Ijaw communities through key projects.

"I will continue to defend the interest of the Niger Delta. I have approved the reconstruction of all government owned schools in the area, while Degema Internal Roads will be reconstructed ", he said.

Simeon Nwakaudu,

Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.

16th May, 2018.

http://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/05/asari-dokubo-ijaws-youths-others.html