₦airaland Forum

LAGOS State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday expressed confidence in the ongoing efforts to permanently resolve traffic congestion in the Apapa axis due to activities at the Port, just as he restated his administration's commitment to restore the glory of the area.



Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja when he received the management team of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) led by its Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman on a courtesy visit, said he was highly desirous of transforming the Apapa axis to be a beauty to behold

.
While expressing confidence in the ability of the new NPA management to make positive difference, Governor Ambode said he was extremely delighted that the agency was being led at this time of economic turbulence by a thoroughbred professional who is equally grounded in the political terrain

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He said Lagos, being the commercial nerve centre and a city surrounded by water, deserved more than one port, adding that his administration would not hesitate to partner with and support the NPA to succeed in whatever form needed.

"We have had issues about movement of cargo and every other vehicular movement that relates to traffic congestion in the Apapa axis and I think with the new management in charge of NPA, a whole lot of things will be resolved so quickly and I am very glad that this is the way we have decided to go and we will support everything to make Apapa a place that we will all be delighted to speak about," Governor Ambode said

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He commended the NPA for investing in the Lekki Deep Sea Port project, saying that there was no doubt about the fact that such partnership would go a long way in driving more investment into Lagos

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Earlier, Usman said she was at the Lagos House with her team to expand the existing relationship between the NPA and the Lagos State Government for the benefit of the people

.
In an interview with Government House Correspondents, she said the major area of partnership principally centered on decongestion of Apapa gridlock as soon as possible and the success of the Lekki Deep Sea Port project, among others.

"We discussed various areas of cooperation and one of the priorities was the decongestion of the Apapa area. We have looked at the priority activities that we need to do to decongest the area and we would proceed with that in the next few weeks.


"There are several partnerships that exist and we intend to forge ahead with them. We have the Lekki Deep Sea Port development which both Lagos State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria through the NPA have shareholdings. We believe that it is a project which we need to take forward within the shortest period. We have reaffirmed our partnership and commitment to drive the project and we want to do that within the shortest period," Usman said.

GUNMEN on Wednesday attacked the Nigeria Television Authority office in Onitsha, Anambra State, torching some equipment and Star Times section in the premises.

The Acting Manager of the station, Chris Nwigwe, told newsmen in Onisha that the incident occurred at about 1.40am.


Nwigwe said: “Some armed men tried to attack the staff on duty but only succeeded in burning down the Star Times building.”


He added that no life was lost in the attack.


An eyewitness said that an Improvised Explosive Device was planted at the security post of the station, while tyres were set around the premises to set the station ablaze.


The source said: “There was a gun duel between the armed men and policemen who are manning the office.


“They managed to burn down the Star Times office while the fire was later put out with the help of people around.


“This type of incident has never happened.”


The Commissioner of Police in the state, Sam Okaula, who visited the scene with the Anti-Bomb Squad to evacuate the explosive device, confirmed that three suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.


He said that investigation had begun to unravel the reason for the attack.


Okaula lauded policemen manning the office for their bravery, saying that their quick intervention prevented loss of lives and destruction of more property in the attack.


He warned people against taking laws into their hands, and assured that the police would get to the root of the incident.
Okaula said: “Those who take laws into their hands should be ready to face the repercussion.”


He said the suspects would be prosecuted in court after investigation was concluded.


Three police patrol vans had been stationed in front of the station to beef up security.

(NAN)

WORLD messaging giant, WhatsApp,  announced some weeks ago that it would start sharing some user data including phone numbers with parent company Facebook.








WhatsApp updated its terms and privacy policy for the first time in four years which it claimed is part of its plans to test ways for people to communicate with businesses.


Whatsapp notified everyone on the latest supported versions of the app about these updates, and users were asked to tap ‘Agree’ to accept the updated terms.


However, some users have complained about sharing their data with Facebook especially the latter’s commercialisation of such data.


For those concerned about sharing their data with Facebook, there are two ways to stop Whatsapp from sharing such data.


The first method has to be done before accepting Whatsapp’s new terms of service. Rather than clicking “agree” immediately, press the “read more” option, and uncheck the box that reads “Share my WhatsApp account information with Facebook…”


And if you have accepted the new terms without unchecking the box, you have a 30-day window to rescind your decision. Go to the app’s settings menu, and then press the account tab. From there, you can uncheck the box reading “Share my account info” to stop providing Facebook with your user data.

lokodon:
So, if he planned to visit them now he should change his mind because EFCC came up with something against his wife? Abi?

sapiosexual1:
All these useless blogs with their nonsense speculations.
GEJ had said it before that he plans to hold consultations with and also formally inform past leaders about the start up of his pet project. Every other thing na jara.
Nonsense journalism.

​Salah Homage: President Buhari receives Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Pastor Tunde Bakare and others in his Duara Katsina residence. September 13,2016.

Daura 1: President Buhari with L-R: Special Adviser to the Governor of Kaduna State, Mr Jimi Lawal, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Chairman of Etisalat, Mr Akeem Bello-Osagie and CEO of the Center for Public Policy Alternatives (CPPA), Dr. Folarin Gbadebo-Smith.

President Buhari with Cpt Bashir Sodangi, Isa I. Kaita, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, Hon. Ashiru H. Zuntu and Almonsuru Motors shortly after receiving Senator Marafa and others for Salah homage in his Daura Katsina Home.

Photos: M Sallau.

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari receives Daura National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members at his Daura Katsina Home on 13th Sep 2016.

Photo: M Sallau - Social Times.

THE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate in the governorship election in Edo rescheduled to Sept. 28, Osaro Onaiwu, has called for further shift of the exercise to Oct. 1.








The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday announced the postponement of the election fixed for Saturday to Sept. 28, following insecurity alert by security agencies.


Mr. Onaiwu told journalists in Benin on Monday that a further shift in the date of poll was necessary as Sept. 28 was the day students sitting for the ongoing General Certificate of Education (GCE) across the country would write Physics.
He said Oct.1 was the “earliest possible date” for the election.


Mr. Onaiwu said the shift would afford eligible voters among the students to participate in the election.


According to him, education is number one pillar in APGA’s manifesto, and the authorities must be wary of threats from some of the students that they would sue INEC if they were‎ prevented from voting in the election.


On the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the election was postponed because it was obvious that the party would win, the APGA candidate said that such claim was a mere presumption.


He slammed the PDP for insisting that the election should have been allowed to go on.


“Are we going to wait for what happened in Rivers? PDP is crying because they know what we don’t know.


“Since security agencies said the election was not possible and INEC has shifted it, everybody should abide,” he said.


Meanwhile, the candidate of Labour Party in the Edo governorship election, Amos Areloegbe, has lamented the increased burden of funding his campaigns following the postponement of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission.


Areloegbe said that although he would have wanted the election to hold as scheduled, the security report was something that could not be ignored.


According to him, he would need to do some more work to sustain the support of his campaign, but noted: “That will definitely involve more cash”.


He said the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party had intimidating number of billboards and posters and had funds to sustain their campaigns, but the LP had no funds.


“To them (APC and PDP), they have the money, but we don’t have the kind of money they have,” he said.


“I can’t compete with the big giants, because of the way they are dishing out money.


“My campaign has been self-funding, I don’t have external funding. They have been in power, they have other governors to fund their campaigns.”


Mr. Areloegbe, however, said he would take advantage of the postponement to reach other places he could not get to before now.


“If the security men that are supposed to protect us are saying they are not prepared, then what do we do, we cannot risk our lives. If anything happens, they will also say it was because we did not yield to their advice,” he said.


“Since that is what they want, let us take it that way, we hope they do not change the date again.


“Whatever has a disadvantage, also has an advantage too. It will also make those who have not known me properly or met with me to know me more. There are pros and cons definitely.”


The LP candidate also lamented the failure of the INEC to carry party candidates along, saying he heard the postponement in the news.


PDP Accepts Postponement Of Election


Meanwhile, the Edo State PDP has accepted the postponement, urging its supporters to be calm and be prepared to vote out the APC on September 28.


While appreciating its supporters for their resilience in the run up to September 10, being the earlier scheduled date for the election, the party urged them not to be overwhelmed by the disappointment caused by the postponement.


“Our enthusiasm to partake in the voting exercise, which apparently was one of the objectives of the postponement, should not be dampened,” Chris Nehikhare, the party’s Publicity Secretary, said.


“Rather, this rude interference should serve as a challenge to rededicate ourselves to the goal of repositioning our state through the ballot by voting to ‘change the change’ which has made us almost miserable.


“September 28, the new date for the election, is around the corner. On this day, Edo people must make those that seek to subjugate or subvert their will know that on this matter, we are unbending and inconquerable.”


(NAN)

SA'AD Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto,  has said the so called Fulani herdsmen moving with guns, causing violence, fighting with farmers are not Nigerians, but foreign terrorists.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abubakar said this in his Eid el-Kabir message to the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.


According to him, these are foreigners coming into Nigeria to cause a breach of the peace.


“They are therefore terrorists and should be treated as such by the Nigerian security agencies.


“The Nigerian herdsmen are very peace-loving and law abiding,” he said.


The Sultan, who noted with concern that some ‘‘bad eggs” had infiltrated the Fulani herdsmen, challenged the security agencies to be proactive.


Mr. Abubakar, however, acknowledged that there were problems between the Fulani herdsmen and the farmers, which should only be resolved through dialogue.


He stressed the need for all Nigerians to live peacefully with each other, irrespective of any religious or ethnic differences.


Mr. Abubakar said Nigeria would continue to lag behind if there is no peace and unity.


“Our diversity should be our strength and God has not made a mistake by creating us with diverse differences,” he said.


On the economic hardship in the country, the Sultan appealed to Nigerians to go back to the farms.


He also urged Nigerians to learn to be more productive, rather than solely waiting for the government to provide all their needs.


Mr. Abubakar also commended the three tiers of government for their ongoing efforts to provide succour to Nigerians.


He promised to continue to offer prayers, and provide counsel to the Federal and state governments.


NAN reports that the event was witnessed by second republic President Shehu Shagari, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, his deputy, Ahmed Aliyu, and Africa’s business mogul, Aliko Dangote, among other dignitaries.


(NAN)

L-R: the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akinolu; the Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheik Afiz Abu; the Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, during Eid-el-Kabir prayer at Dodan Barracks, Obalende, Lagos.

Photo: Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Media Team.

THE Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, yesterday  said his current political  travails are mere distractions that would soon fizzle out.



Speaking during  a town hall meeting with the people of the state in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Saraki said: “Those distractions have started giving way.”

According to him, “All the travails one is going through, for those people who believe in God, know that all these are politics.

“All those distractions do not to allow us focus on issues. They always say that the truth will always prevail. We are beginning to see that truth is already prevailing. The distractions are finding their ways.

“I want to assure you that since my eight years as governor of the state, the legacy that we left is there for people to see. There is nobody after I have left office that can say either there is any uncompleted project in the state or any contractor anywhere in Kwara State that can stand up and say I demanded for any gratification from him.

“I want to say that my business in government is to improve the lives of the people. If it is for myself and family, I don’t have to be in government.”

Saraki who thanked Kwarans for their solidarity with him, assured Nigerians that government at the centre was working hard to revamp the nation’s ailing economy.

He said the All Progressives Congress (APC)- led government has no excuse not to fix the ailing economy.

The senate president explained that no responsible leader would abandon his followers in time of distress to wallow as being experienced with the current economic recession in the country.

He warned that members of the national economic team must buckle up and be ready to proffer solutions to the economic challenges facing the nation.

The former governor said: “Any of them not willing to offer personal sacrifice would have scores to settle with the Senate.”

Admonishing Nigerians to exercise patience, Saraki assured them that the Senate under his leadership would not rest until a solution is found, declaring that “It is a challenge to fix the problems and improve the nation’s economy.”

He said: “We have no excuse not to fix Nigeria economy but we need to be more patient in our agitation. It is important and of necessity to bring about solution. There is no responsible leader that will allow his people to suffer just because the economy is not doing well.

“Until we find solution to Nigeria’s problems, we will not rest. It is a challenge to improve the nation’s economy, and that is the primary reason people voted us into power. We can no longer engage in blame game, we are here to fix the problems. By the special grace of Almighty, we shall succeed.

“As things stand, I understand your concerns and feel your pains about the economy,” he said, “I assure you that we will work together to bring about legislative and policy solutions to address the lingering economic.”

He expressed concern that Nigerians were in the habit of aiding the economy of other nations with unbridled patronage for foreign goods at the expense of the locally made products.

The Senate president said the National Assembly had provided requisite legal frameworks to strengthen the campaign for the patronage of made-in-Nigerian goods.

On the renewed hostility in the Niger Delta, Saraki stated that only dialogue would solve the crisis.

He explained  that the ruins in the region had grounded crude oil production from 2.2million barrels daily to 900,000 barrels.

Saraki maintained that engaging the concerned people in the area in talks would arrest the situation, adding that “the same method was used during the time of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and it worked.”

He also advocated that teacher’s salaries should become an item in the capital expenditure  in the budget of federal and state governments in order to ensure its prompt payment to beneficiaries.

Saraki noted:  “I have always said that teacher’s salaries are one of the priorities that we must not neglect. This is why we should consider transitioning all such line items in the national and state budgets into capital expenditures. This will ensure that education is always a matter of greatest importance and teacher’s salaries are always promptly paid.”

He therefore said it was useless to put building of classrooms and provision of laboratory equipment in capital expenditure when the teachers who  teach the students are not paid and therefore not happy.

THE Nigerian Army on Monday raised the alarm concerning members of the Boko Haram terrorist group disguising as mad men.

This was also as the Army announced the killing of a female suicide bomber at a checkpoint in Borno State.


These were contained in a statement in the early hours of Monday by the spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Sani Usman.


The statement reads in full:


On Sunday 11th September 2016, evening, a suspected female suicide bomber was seen approaching troops check point located at Kara Cattle market axis, Dikwa, towards Antul and Mukdala, Dikwa Local Government Area, Borno State.


She was challenged from afar by the vigilant duty sentry, she refused to stop claiming to be coming from Monguno to see her parents in Dikwa.


Troops sensing the direction of approach was suspicious and abnormal, fired a shot at her and the sentry gallant sentry was proven right as she was carrying a Person Borne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED) which exploded with a loud bang, killing her instantly and causing minor injury on 2 soldiers and a Civilian JTF assisting them.


The injured soldiers and the civilian have been treated and have continued with their duties.


This incident has shown that there are a few of the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists that are determined to carry out criminal acts to create panic and insecurity in some areas.


In a related development, there is also very reliable information that remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists now disguise or pretend to be mad men or women in order to gain access to some locations, especially in Maiduguri.


Consequently, all should be very wary of any seemingly mentally unstable or mad men or women found wandering and report same.


Therefore, it is imperative for all to be more security conscious and vigilant especially during the Eid festivities and public holidays.


The public are further enjoined to report any suspicious persons or movement to the security agencies.

FORMER First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, is claiming ownership of the $31.4 million involved in an alleged fraud case before a Federal High Court in Lagos.








Counsel to the first defendant in charge, with case number FHC/337C/16, Mr. Gboyega Oduwole, informed the court that Mrs. Jonathan filed a fundamental application against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), claiming ownership of the money.


The EFCC had taken former presidential aide, Amajuoyi Azubike Briggs, former Skye Bank official, Damola Bolodeoku, Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited to court in an alleged $31.4 million fraud involving the companies without addresses.


Others also charged include Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited; Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited, Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited and Globus Integrated Services Limited.


According to an application filed on September 6, this year, with file number FHC/L/C5/1233/16, Mrs. Jonathan is asking the court to make an order for the enforcement of her fundamental rights, in terms of reliefs she sought, and naming as defendants, the EFCC and Skye Bank Plc.


The former first lady asked the court to make a declaration that the fund standing to the credit of four of the companies and an account in her own name in Skye Bank belonged to her.


She also asked the court to declare that the action of the respondents in placing a No Debit/Freezing Order on the said accounts without any order of a competent court of law or prior notice to her, to be in breach of her fundamental rights as contained in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

THE All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, told an estatic crowd of party faithful in Benin-City on Tuesday that President Muhammadu Buhari was his greatest inspiration in his bid to become the next governor of Edo State.








Buhari’s impressive carriage, integrity and excellent performance in office as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria since 2015, Obaseki noted, were all the factors that propelled him to aspire for the office of governor in the state.


Speaking at the grand-finale of the party’s campaign at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin-City, Obaseki pointed out that he would not have joined the governorship race if Buhari were not the President of Nigeria and from whose inspiring leadership he has learnt quite a lot.


He said he looked up to President Buhari as a good role model and whose way of life and particularly his deft handling of public affairs ought to be emulated by all.


“My next inspiration is Comrade Adams Oshiomhole,” Obaseki further revealed, stressing that he was personally impressed by the sterling qualities of the comrade-governor.


Obaseki declared that he was very proud of Comrade Oshiomhole’s performance in office, stressing that the governor has transformed the Edo State in every department of life in the last seven and half years.


He noted further that the comrade governor was the happiest thing that ever happened to Edo State since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999.


Obaseki said he was confident of victory in Saturday’s poll given the level of support he enjoys from the electorate across Edo State.


Also speaking at the mega rally, Governor Oshiomohle said he endorsed Obaseki as a possible successor because of the latter’s excellent pedigree as well as the need to ensure continuity in the state’s forward march to greatness.


In his own remarks, President Buhari urged  the people of Edo State to vote for the APC candidate so that he could continue with the good template Governor Oshiomhole had established in the state.


“I personally recommend Godwin Obaseki to the good people of Edo State,” the President said.

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has described Godwin Obaseki, the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s election in Edo State, as a seasoned technocrat to lead.



Mr. Buhari said this at the APC’s mega campaign rally at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Tuesday in Benin.

“Obaseki is a seasoned technocrat and I recommend him to you so that you can continue to grow the state’s developmental stride,” the president said.

He recalled previous invitations to him by Gov. Adams Oshiomhole and applauded his several achievements in the state.

“I am grateful for inviting me to come today to identify with you. You have built schools and roads which I have seen myself,” he said.

The president said the Edo people would do well to vote for Obaseki on Sept. 10 to sustain and continue with Mr. Oshiomhole’s “good works” in the state.

He acknowledged the current economic challenges and assured the people that the nation would come out of the woods with the available human and material resources.

The president paid tributes to the late Oba Erediuwa, describing him as a foremost traditional leader with unquestionable integrity.

“I have not seen any more forthright traditional ruler,” he said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo had on Tuesday said that President Buhari’s visit to the state would boost the party’s chances at Saturday’s governorship election.

The party chairman in the state, Anselm Ojezua, said the president’s visit would boost the party’s chances at the polls.

Mr. Ojezua, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the main bowl of the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, in Benin, said this was in spite of the fact that the party and its candidate, Mr. Obaseki, had prepared well.

“But the president gracing the final rally will no doubt further enhance the chances of the party at the poll,’’ he said.

The chairman said the president “will not be oblivious of the fact that his visit is important being his first major governorship poll to be conducted since assumption of office on May 29, 2015.

“As for us, we have worked hard for the election, but the visit of Mr President today, Tuesday, is going to be an added advantage to us,” he said.

RIVERS State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has been told to resign before he completely grounds the State.



The State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) made the demand while reacting to the sacking, last week Wednesday by Wike, of four Commissioners and the suspension of the State Head of Service and Special Adviser on Lands for three months. This was followed the next day by the dismissal of Local Government Stole Administrators in the state.


Rivers APC in a statement signed by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, accused Wike of playing to the gallery and likened him to a bad workman who quarrels with his tools.



“We are not bothered if Wike decides to sack all his commissioners since they, just like him, are a bunch of failures. The plot of Chief Wike from the beginning has been to turn himself to an Emperor in a democratic dispensation. The sacking, without giving any reason, of his Commissioners and dissolving his illegal Local Government Sole Administrators exemplifies this vision” the party said in the statement issued on Tuesday in the state capital, Port Harcourt.


The statement called on Wike “to take the honourable path by apologising and resigning now that it is obvious that his dreamy empire is gradually crumbling like a pack of cards and in view of the dangers his misguided vision has caused Rivers State, his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the entire Nigerian Nation.”


Insisting that Wike bulldozed his way into the Government House even though unprepared for governance, Rivers APC said that he must go for the following reasons:


1.      Claiming and re-commissioning of roads and projects successfully executed by his predecessor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.


2.      Destruction of the education sector by stopping the scholarship and free education scheme put up by the Amaechi administration to make Rivers State a reference point in Africa, and turning the model educational and health facilities put up in all the local government areas of the state to forests and dens of cultists by not using them and refusing to pay the salaries of the 13,000 teachers employed by the administration of Amaechi.

3.      Destroying the security appliances and strategy put up by Amaechi to make the state crime-free and instead turning the state into a Rivers of blood and appointing suspected fellows with criminal records into his administration without due clearance by the security agencies, thereby causing capital flight and mass exodus of people and corporate bodies from Rivers State.



4.      Running the state as a fiefdom without recourse to democratic principles and bankrupting the state in just over a year in power while also sinking it into monumental debt that will require generation to clear.



Concluding, Rivers APC said: “The evidence clearly shows that Wike is a terrible disappointment to both Rivers State and Nigeria. He has taken incompetence in governance to a new height in Nigeria, turning Rivers State to a Rivers of blood where human lives no longer worth much and where kidnapping, assassination and robbery have become the norms. Wike must go in the interest of the peace and progress of Rivers State”, the party emphasised.

AFTER getting rid of 40,000 ghost workers, the Muhammadu Buhari administration is saving N8 billion monthly, a presidential aide has said.


Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, stated this in a statement issued on Monday on the state of the Nigerian economy.


“See what the current administration is doing to sanitise the huge salary bill by eliminating payroll fraud,” Mr. Shehu said.


“So far, the federal payroll has been rid of about 40,000 ghost workers. More than eight billion naira stolen monthly has been saved.”


He said the Federal Government is also determined to enforce fiscal discipline across the states to check wasteful spending.


He said the Federal Government would force the state governments to reform their spending and build savings and investments.


Mr. Shehu said the reform would include blockage of leakages that allowed government’s revenues to be siphoned into private hands.


“The Federal Government is not limiting the reforms to the centre, but forcing state governments to reform their spending and build savings or investments,’’ he said.



He said that the ongoing probe into the finances of the military authorities was part of the reform aimed at checking corrupt practices in the military establishment.


“Look at what a civilian administration is today doing to the military, investigating their finance and accounts that the military could not do to themselves.


“We are also saving on wasteful expenses like First Class Travel and Private Jets for official trips.


According to the presidential aide, government is also increasing spending on capital projects, especially on infrastructure needed to make Nigerian businesses competitive and create jobs.


“Currently, there is focus on key sectors (apart from oil) that can create jobs and or generate revenue such as Agriculture, Solid Minerals and Manufacturing.’’


He said that if these things had been done when the oil price was as high as $140 per barrel, Nigeria would not be in the current predicament.


“We would not be suffering now if we had no cash reserves, but we had regular supply of power, a good rail system, good roads and good housing.


“Now that the oil has fallen as low as 28 dollars per barrel, it is very difficult to do what is needed but they must be done to save Nigeria.


“There is no other way if we want to be honest.


“If PDP were still in power they would have continued deceiving people, by borrowing to fund stealing and wastage and the problem would have simply been postponed for future generations to face.”


Mr. Shehu also responded to criticisms that the Buhari administration’s economic policies were not clear.


“There are many who say that this Government’s economic strategy is unclear whereas the previous government seemed well co-ordinated,” he said.


“I will make the confession that we, the officials hired to communicate government policies, that includes myself, have not done as well as we should have.


“The truth is that more than any other time before, there is a clear direction and strategy for achieving growth and development.



“Revisionists may not agree, but the truth of the matter is that the previous administration only had one issue, which was how to spend money (oil revenues and borrowed money).’’


He said that the spending by the past administration was focused on the wrong things and even though the economy seemed to be growing it was not sustainable.


(NAN)

ANSELM Ojezua, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, has said President Muhammadu Buhari would lead the party members to Benin on Tuesday for the governorship campaign finale.


Ojezua disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Benin on Monday and said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and all APC governors would be at the event.


He said the rally would take place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.


The governorship poll in the state will hold on Saturday.


Ojezua said the National Campaign Council for the election, headed by Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State, was already in Benin to prepare grounds for the rally.


He said all arrangements had been concluded to ensure that the event was hitch-free.


Ojezua stated: “All logistics to ensure free movement of the visitors and party supporters across the state have also been perfected.


“Anytime APC is holding rally, there is always mass mobilization.


“Once the people know that the president is coming this time around, our people will be so excited to receive him.”


The party chairman called on the people, irrespective of party affiliation, to come out in large numbers to welcome the President and his entourage to the state.


Meanwhile, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the venue of the rally, is wearing a new look ahead of the event.


When the News Agency of Nigeria visited the stadium, soldiers and other security operatives took charge to ensure adequate security ahead of the event.


They were also seen at major roads leading in and out of the stadium.

FEMI Falana, Human rights lawyer, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call to order soldiers who invaded a property owned by Robert Azibaola in Abuja.








In a statement on Sunday, Mr. Falana described the soldiers’ occupation of the premises of Kakarta Civil Engineering Limited, owned by Mr. Azibaola, former president Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin, as illegal.


“The troops who were reported to have driven away the workers in the premises have since seized the property without a court order,” said Mr. Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.


“Sequel to the illegal action of the army of occupation, the innocent workers in the company have been dispatched to the unemployment market.”


Armed soldiers, led by an unnamed General, last Saturday seized the property and barred all the workers from entering it, the lawyer said.


The army is yet to issue an official statement for its action.


Mr. Azibaola is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the diversion of $40 million through One-Plus Holdings, a sister company of Kakarta Civil Engineering Limited, meant for securing oil pipelines contract.


Mr. Azibaola had pleaded not guilty to the charge.


“The implication of the plea is that he is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved by the prosecution,” Mr. Falana said.


“Therefore, if the Nigerian military authorities had wanted to dispossess him of the property in question they ought have applied for a court order.


“But by taking over the property under the pretext that it constitutes a threat to a nearby military barracks the military authorities took the law into their hands.


“The forceful seizure of the property should not be tolerated in a civilized society which operates under the rule of law.”


Mr. Falana called on the federal government to stop members of the armed forces from violating the rights of criminal suspects accused of engaging in the looting of the public treasury.


“By allowing the security forces to adopt Gestapo tactics in the recovery of the loot, the Buhari administration stands the risk of winning undeserved sympathy for the criminal suspects who are standing trial,” he said.


“Indeed, the security forces are unwittingly colluding with corruption to fight back.”


He also accused the army of usurping the functions of the police to maintain law and order in the society, adding that “power drunk military officers” now declare civilians wanted.


“Even under the defunct military junta, the courts never condoned the forceful seizure of the assets of citizens by armed troops,” said Mr. Falana.


“Since the seizure and the illegal occupation of Mr. Azibaola’s property cannot be justified in law the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai should order the immediate withdrawal of the armed troops and sanction the officers who have exposed the nation to ridicule in the circumstance.


“Having regard to the massive infringements of the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people by armed soldiers President Buhari should order the Army to stop interfering in the police duty of maintaining law and order in the country.”

THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Musa Bello, has directed the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the FCT Task Team on Environment to get rid of herdsmen involved in grazing.



Describing the situation as “buzzard”, the minister equally directed the two agencies to stop hawkers selling on pedestrian bridges.

The directives came as the minister ordered any principal of government schools in Abuja who fails to achieve 50 percent success in the 2017 WASSCE and NECO exams should honourably resign or risk being sacked.

Speaking at a meeting with school principals in the territory, Bello said that the 30 percent success recorded in the 2016 WAEC and NECO in FCT schools was no longer acceptable.

Malam Bello who was represented at the meeting by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye insisted that that students must achieve at least 50 percent or the principal will be penalized.

The Minister warned that the FCT Administration will no longer accept excuses of poor infrastructure or inadequate teachers; saying that school principals must do everything to ensure that this situation is changed.

He said it is unthinkable that the FCT with the largest concentration of the elite, which should be setting the pace for other states, is now turning out a measly 30 percent success in very critical examinations as WAEC and NECO.

“The mandate I will give you that goes with sanction; for this new session, every principal must be determined that for WAEC and NECO in 2017, any principal that does not achieve 50 percent success should just quietly leave that school because the principal is going to be removed.

“If you don’t achieve 50 percent success in WAEC and NECO 2017, you are no longer fit to be a principal in FCT and I mean it. That is the minimum that we want for every school and you must work towards it,” he stressed.

The Minister added, “We want the success rate to change. That is very important. We cannot be gathering students and at the end of their final year, all they will have is three credits. I don’t know whether you are proud as a principal that in your school, the success rate is five percent.

“I want principals that will be determined to say in my school, things must change. Infrastructure or no infrastructure, resources or no resources, I want to put myself as a sacrifice and change things. That is what I want to do before I leave the service. I want to be known to have done something good for Nigeria.”

Malam Bello also warned principals to desist from charging illegal fees of any sort when provisions have already been made through the FCT Secondary Education Board to run these schools; emphasizing that principals who continue with this ignoble act would also attract heavy sanctions from the FCT Administration.

His words: “My mission is not to come and make you sad; but the situation is bad and you know it and we are ready to tackle it. But you must be up and doing too and that is why I said I must call all the principals and talk to you to do the right things. That is what this Administration is about.

“We are ready to put the right things in place. We are ready to work for Nigeria. But we want people that will join us to do this. That is why when you come to FCT today, it is not business as usual and we want to send that message down to our institutions.”

NIGERIA’S former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday denied a media report that he asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019.



A former Chief Press Secretary to Mr. Obasanjo, Alex Nwokedi, was said to have made the comment on behalf of the former President in an online publication.

Mr. Nwokedi was reported as saying Mr. Obasanjo warned President Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019.

Mr. Obasanjo, in a statement made available to journalists‎, said there has been no communication between him and Mr. Nwokedi in the last three years.

“My belief is that democracy allowed for anybody including President Buhari for that matter to contest any election and it is the prerogative rights of Nigerians to vote or not to vote for them,” the ex-president said.

“I have not communicated with Alex in the last three years, so how a story could be credited to me, when I did not authorize such or communicate with him in the last three years?”

The former leader said he could never give Mr. Buhari such advice.

“I condemn in the most highest manner the story and those behind it. And for those behind it, they are simply enemies of democracy and freedom of expression,” he said.

Mr. Obasanjo is a supporter of the current president whom he backed against the immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan.

THE State Governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose, has reacted to Saturday’s visit of former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying it was a coming together of collaborators in the total annihilation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).


The governor said it was on record that both Mr. Obasanjo and Mr. Sheriff collaborated to destroy the All Nigerians Peoples Party (ANPP) and their meeting Saturday must be to further collaborate to destroy the PDP.


Governor Fayose, who reacted to the visit through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said, “Sheriff can as well begin to sleep in Obasanjo’s house, it is good riddance to bad rubbish.


“Since Obasanjo is no longer a member of the PDP and he has consistently maintained that he can never return to the PDP, only those in the same league with him can go about visiting him.”


He said it was hypocritical and deceitful for Sheriff to have said he went to see Mr. Obasanjo to seek advice on the way forward for the PDP because he (Obasanjo) was among those who made the PDP to lose the presidency, despite the fact that no one benefited from the party more than him.


Governor Fayose said Mr. Sheriff only visited Mr. Obasanjo as part of his plot
with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to destroy the PDP, adding that; “no genuine lover of the PDP will go to the house of a man who openly destroyed his PDP membership card and worked assiduously to ensure the party’s failure in the 2015 presidential election to seek advice on how the way forward for the PDP.”


He reiterated his call to Nigerians to beware of Mr. Obasanjo, saying; “The result of Obasanjo’s imposition of President Muhammadu Buhari on the country is the hunger and sufferings that Nigerians are facing now.”

YOU have finally agreed to go on a date with this guy who has been pestering you for a while now at an exquisite fun hub like Epe Resort. You are excited and feel the butterflies in your tummy. Of course, you hope things work out this time as you don’t want it to go the way of your past relationships.








For many ladies, their main concern is what to wear for the date. Your very instinct is to look good. And again, you want to excite him with your appearance without necessarily giving too much away. If you are going on a first date soon, Jumia Travel, Africa's No 1 hotel booking shares tips on what to wear.


Stick to your personal style


The rule of thumb to dress for a first date is never to experiment with newest trends. These trends may probably not work for you at that very moment. But if you are confident that you can pull it off, go ahead. To be on a safer side, stick to your personal style. Importantly, do not step down your style because of a stranger.


Look sexy but…


Girls like to look good and sexy. But on a first date, this should perhaps be the last thing on your mind. Definitely, you don’t want to bear it all and ‘distract’ him. You can still look sexy by taking advantage of accessories like earrings, a piece of necklace and other casual accessories.


Comfort


Most women’s wardrobe malfunction is often as a result of the attire being too tight and very uncomfortable. This is the last thing you want to happen especially when you are hanging out with someone you are just getting to know. So, always remember, if you feel the attire is too tight, the best option is to change to avoid any embarrassment.








Wear your favourite attire


In your closet, there is usually this particular or magical attire that radiates your beauty and makes you look dashing. That is what you should pick for your first date. Notwithstanding, ensure that it is comfortable and not too revealing. It is your first date and you want to give a good impression of yourself.


Stressing out too much


You shouldn’t stress too much about your first date. Yes, you can’t wait to meet this amazing and pleasant man. It is not a big deal. The man may not even be too keen on your appearance. He just wants to spend quality time with you. Hence, don’t sweat it.

SOME of you might been to Akwa Ibom before. Its not all about going they, have you ever tested their appetizing meal? Akwa ibom Ibom is filled with delicious and Healthy meals Like;
ATAMA SOUP
EDITAN SOUP
EDIKANIKON SOUP
AFANG SOUP and many more.








Global Wap News Correspondent, Solomon Jimmy writes about the popular one in the state known as "EDITAN SOUP"


HOW TO PREPARE:


Ingredients needed:


– 4 medium size snails (optional)
– 1 large size smoked Fish
– 1 medium size stockfish head
– 8 medium pieces beef (optional)
– 2 cups periwinkle (in shell)
– 1 big bunch editan leaves
– 4 medium bunches water leaves
– 3 tablespoons crayfish (ground)
– 1 level tablespoon dry Pepper
– 4 cooking spoons palm oil
– 2 maggi Cubes
– 3 1½ litres Water
– Salt to taste
                                                           
COOKING PREPARATION:


1)     Wash, season and boil the stock fish together with the beef for about 45 minutes and set aside for use later. Wash and de-bone the fish.


2)    Pour boiling water on already cut and pounded editan leaves then, strain. Rinse the leaves thrice to reduce the bitterness. Pick and wash the water leaves and cut into tiny pieces. Get rid of some of its water by squeezing a little bunch at a time between your palms.


3)    Periwinkle can be used either in the shell, which is the traditional way, or out of shell. Chop off the tail end of the Periwinkle with a large knife, wash thoroughly to remove all dirt, and mud.


COOKING PROCESS:


1) Add water leaves into the pot containing the meat and stock fish already placed on the burner. Stir, add fish, crayfish, pepper, water and maggi cubes and allow cooking for another 6 minutes. Stir and add the palm oil. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes.


2) Add the Editan leaves and cover the pot. Do not stir immediately after adding Editan leaves, then cook for 10-15 minutes but you can shake the pot to enable the leaves spread. After 10-15 minutes, stir and taste the soup. Add salt if necessary, and cook for another 4 minutes.


Note: Editan soup is best served with fufu, ekpang iwa or eba.

I’m Impressed By Talent of Nigerian Youths, Facebook CEO Tells Buhari

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abuja commended the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of social networking website, Facebook, Mark Elliot Zuckerberg for sharing his wealth of knowledge with Nigerian youths, and inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs.









Receiving the internet entrepreneur in the State House, President Buhari said the various meetings held with Nigerian youths since his arrival were most timely as the country was already exploring opportunities to spur development through entrepreneurship.


“Nigeria has always been identified as a country with great potentials for growth, especially with our youthful population, but now we are moving beyond the potentials to reality.


“I am impressed by your simplicity in sharing your knowledge and wealth with those with less income,’’ the President said.


President Buhari noted that the simplicity and magnanimity of the entrepreneur, who is among the world’s richest men, had also challenged the culture of lavish wealth display and impulsive spending that had become peculiar to Nigerians.


“In our culture, we are not used to seeing successful people appear like you. We are not used to seeing successful people jogging and sweating on the streets.


“We are more used to seeing successful people in air-conditioned places. We are happy you are well-off and simple enough to always share,’’ he added.


In his remarks, Zuckerberg said he was impressed by the interest, energy and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by young Nigerians in all the ICT camps that he had visited.


“I was highly impressed by the talent of the youths in the Co-creation Hub in Yaba. I was blown away by their talent and the level of energy that I saw,’’ he said.


Zuckerberg said he was in the country to promote the penetration of “fast and cheap” internet connectivity, Express-wifi, that would help people create online businesses and reduce poverty.