₦airaland Forum

Bayelsa governor Seriake Dickson and Chairman of the PDP Reconciliation Committee, has called on the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee to step down in the interest of the party.

Dickson told journalists on Sunday in Abuja that the stage was now set for all the chieftains and elders of the party to impress it on the caretaker committee to cede its authority to the Ali Modu Sheriff-led leadership.

“When the idea of making Sheriff the National Chairman of our party was hatched, I personally kicked against it.

“ I also turned down all the overtures from Sheriff because I did not believe in him and what he did.

“So now, my position is that we have to move forward. I am a politician of conviction, I am not a politician of convenience and I am not a typical Nigerian politician,’’ Dickson said.

He said the party had come to a threshold when the right political decision should be taken to end the prolonged crisis.

“The Makarfi – led caretaker committee should remember that it was a brain child of the majority of party members including I at a convention in Port Harcourt.

“I and up to 80 per cent of the population of the PDP members were for Makarfi but the unfolding events have compelled us to adopt a political resolution instead of embarking on further bickering.

“As politicians and democrats, we must first obey the constitution and all other instruments of civil rule and which includes obeying the judiciary,’’ he said.

He also said: “ We had expected that the Court of Appeal would give us judgment, but it rather upheld Sheriff as the National Chairman of the party.

“Whether anybody likes Sheriff’s face or not, the Makarfi-led caretaker committee was stripped of its authority to manage the affairs of the party the day the judgment was delivered.

“It was in the spirit to honour the court’s pronouncement that the party’s reconciliation committee that I chair submitted its report on how we shall move forward to Sheriff.

“In fact, as it stands now, Sheriff has started addressing issues within the party, he is the one sending names of party members contesting elections in various states.

“If there is going to be a by-election in Kaduna today, Makarfi’s home state, INEC would not accept correspondences from Makarfi any longer because his business in the party has ended,’’ he said.

Dickson said Sheriff had always been disposed to political settlement of the crisis, adding that Makarfi had remained adamant.

“So the reconciliation committee which I chair met several times to review our position in the light of the Court of Appeal’s judgment.

“The reality is that Makarfi no longer has the legal backing to carry on with the task of managing the party.

“We are aware of this quagmire, and therefore, the reconciliation committee went ahead to formulate a realistic, practical and strategic response to this reality because in the end it would be to the benefit of PDP,’’ he said.

Dickson said the template to ensure the conduct of the party’s National Convention in June was uppermost, adding that Sheriff was positively disposed to it.

“So if you said you are passionate about the survival of the party, then you should be willing to sacrifice your ambition.

“The crisis has caused us a lot, our elected officials, top notch members are decamping to even lesser parties.

“The party continues to fail Nigerians because the crisis has so far prevented it from being a sound credible opposition even in the face of bad governance in the country right now,” he said.

On whether it was right to challenge the decision of the Court of Appeal, Dickson said an amicable resolution of the crisis remained the best option.

“Yes, we said they can go on to appeal but without prejudice to the Supreme Court case; let us intensify and fast track the peace moves,’’ he said. (NAN)

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/pdp-dickson-urges-makarfi-to-step-down.html

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The Lagos State Task-Force on Environment says it has arrested 43 persons over adulteration of diesel meant for public consumption.

The suspects were arrested at Alausa, Ikeja, with 2.5million litres, equivalent of 76 fully loaded tankers, of the fake product.

The chairman of the task force, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, confirmed the arrest to newsmen on Sunday.

“Adulterated diesel of about 2.5 million litres was fully loaded inside gallons and six different trucks marked FST 615 XR, EPE 672 XC, DKW 05 XA, KTU 750 XN, BDG 717 XA, FKJ 327 XH and XR 95 LSD.

“The Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni has directed that all those arrested in connection with this adulterated diesel business be immediately charged to court,’’ he said.

He said the task force acted on petitions submitted to his office on the illegal activities of the suspects.

According to Egbeyemi, the oil bunkers are operating at Plot 8, Elephant Cement Way, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

He said the 43 oil bunkerers were caught while they were allegedly mixing diesel with kerosene with the aim of selling the adulterated product at a reduced price to the public.

The chairman said that preliminary investigation uncovered documents (receipts) which they had been using for the illegal business for over seven years.

Egbeyemi said that the adulterated diesel was supplied to the public, particularly big companies, across the state.

He, therefore, urged the public to report to the appropriate government authorities any illegal or criminal activities around them through the Lagos Emergency Toll-free lines — 112 or 767

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/lagos-task-force-arrests-43-fake-diesel.html

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While some unscrupulous elements in the society are conniving with remnants of Boko Haram terrorists to continue to commit atrocities, the reality is dawning on the terrorists in the northern part of Borno State. Two days ago, 9 key Boko Haram terrorists from Tambashe village, Dikwa Local Government Area, voluntarily surrendered to troops deployed along Dikwa-Gulumba Gana road. The suspects claimed to be tired of the situation under the Boko Haram terrorists group and willingly offer themselves to troops as a mark of repentance. Nevertheless, the repentant suspects are further being investigated.

You are please requested to disseminate this information to the public through your medium.

Thank you for your kind cooperation.

Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman
Director Army Public Relations

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/photos-boko-haram-terrorists-surrender.html

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Just as we thought Apostle Suleiman sex scandal is about to settle, another scandal is evolving and this time around, it involves Nollywood actress Biodun Okeowo and her new rival Cossy Orjiakor who has been bashing her non stop on the social media.

Recall that the unholy romance between a Nollywood actress and a Port Harcourt based Pastor was recently exposed by a lady, well Cossy Orjiakor has reignited the story and this time around with a different twist.

This is how Cossy Orjiakor narrated what went down between Biodun Okeowo and her then boyfriend.

What pissed Cossy Orjiakor off is that the Range Rover her former boyfriend bought for and retrieved from her has now been given to Biodun Okeowo as a gift.

Note: Many got it twisted by thinking Cossy was referring to Iyabo Ojo, NaijaGists.com learnt that the person at the bottom of this scandal is Biodun Okeowo.

Check out her simple reply to Cossy Orjiakor’s brouhaha

Let’s get to work on this, will bring you more detail soon.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/biodun-okeowo-snatched-cossy-orjiakor.html

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today docked one Christian Efe Oyovweyho alias Femi Adesina before Justice Z.B Abubakar of the Federal High Court Kano on a two count charge of Obtaining by False Pretence.

The defendant allegedly impersonated the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammad Buhari, Femi Adesina and attempted to obtain N300,000 from a professor of Economics at Bayero University Kano, Dalhatu Mohammed Galadanci.

According to the complainant, sometime in July 2016, the defendant sent him a text message claiming to be Femi Adesina, S.A to the president on Media and Publicity.

The defendant fraudulently claimed to be speaking on behalf of the president and that the name of the professor has been forwarded for appointment in the presidency.

The complainant further stated that the defendant claimed to be searching for a better office for him. Subsequently, the defendant asked the professor to make payment of the sum of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only) to facilitate his appointment to Nigeria Port Authority or Nigerian Railway Cooperation and Rural Electrification.

At that point, the professor got suspicious and reported the matter to the commission.

One of the counts read that “ You Christian Efe Oyovweyho alias Femi Adesina and another (now at large) on or about 16th day of July, 2016 at Kano, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court Kano with intent to defraud attempted to obtain the sum of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only) from Professor Dalhatu Mohammed Galadanci through your Zenith Bank Account with Account number: 2173729401, under the false pretence that the money was meant for a juicy appointment in Abuja , which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offense contrary to section 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act.

After listening to the charge, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

Prosecution counsel Musa Isah requested a date for trial in view of the plea of defendant.
Counsel representing the defendant, T.M Oyedema however brought a motion for bail, praying the court to admit his client to bail pending the hearing and determination of the case.

Justice Zainab granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 and two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties must be a State or Federal government official not below grade level 8.

The other surety must be a respected member of the society with a landed property within the jurisdiction. Also certificate of Occupancy in respect of the landed property shall be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.

The case has been adjourned till 11 April, 2017 for commencement of trial, while the defendant remains in prison custody pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/photo-efcc-arrests-fake-femi-adesina.html

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday made a sudden appearance at the ongoing National Economic Council, NEC holding at the presidential Villa, Abuja.


This would be the first time ever the president would be appearing at the NEC meeting constitutionally chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.


Members of NEC included state governors; the Central Bank governor; Ministers of Justice, Finance, and FCT.
At exactly 12:30 pm , the president walked into the Council chamber, venue of the meeting, went round and shook hands with all NEC members before taking his seat.


It was learnt that NEC had earlier resolved to go and pay homage to the president in his office but later, the President offered to come down and meet them.
At the point the Chairman of the Governors Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulahi Yari was called by the Vice President to make some remarks, Journalists were asked to excuse the meeting.


Recall that Buhari left the shores of Nigeria for the United Kingdom on January 19 where he spent about 50 days on medical vacation.
He returned to the country last week Friday, appealing to Nigerians to allow him get some rest.
He however resumed his official duties on Monday.
Details later…

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/buhari-makes-special-appearance-at-nec.html

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After the #BBNaija housemates had spent a week free of Eviction fever, they were once again back in the hot seat to deliver their Nominations.

At the end of the Nominations, Bally, TBoss and ThinTallTony were up for Eviction despite the fact that the latter two had already been Nominated earlier in the show, Bally’s nomination was surprising given that he was voted one of the most popular #BBNaija Housemates last week.

Head of House, Bassey then decided to swap him and Efe before Marvis retaliated by using her power card to add Bassey’s pal, Debbie-Rise.

Considering how close Marvis and Efe as, it appears her actions were done in retaliation but there are a few other possibilities for what she did.

There’s a huge chance that Marvis may have been trying to preempt a double Eviction where both of her best #BBNaija housemates, ThinTallTony and Efe would be sent home, especially as at least one of them would have been voted out irrespective of how many votes either one of them got.

As such, throwing Debbie-Rise in the mix would have helped to reduce the probability of Eviction for all parties involved.

Marvis had stated during her Diary Session that the only options left for her to choose from were Bally, Bisola and Debbie-Rise and she had the impression that she couldn’t re-nominate Bally, which left her with Bisola and Debbie-Rise. She ended up going with the #BBNaija housemate she shared the least bond with.

It is important to note that Debbie-Rise had mentioned during her Diary Session that there was a clique in the House who are ready to do everything together and cut out all the other #BBNaija Housemates.

The same allegation was also made by TBoss a few weeks back and if it is to be believed, Marvis may just have been trying to ensure either TBoss and/or Debbie-Rise get Evicted which would eliminate the competition and guarantee the supposed clique a spot in the final.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/bbnaija-marvis-debbie-rise-efe.html


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Former Big Brother Naija housemates were hosted at the Big Brother Naija eviction party last night in Ikeja, Lagos. All the evicted housemates were present from Miyonse, Soma, Ese, Jon, Gifty, Coco ice to Uriel but Kemen was not seen because he was disqualified from the game. See photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/photos-from-bbnaija-eviction-party.html

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he Bauchi state government today renewed its commitment to the security of lives and property in the state. Gov. Abubakar presented 30 patrol motorcycles to the Nigerian Army to compliment earlier security efforts.

Speaking at the event in Government House, Gov. Abubakar said that security of lives and property is one of the corner stones of his administration. He said the need to give 30 patrol motorcycle to compliment the earlier 25 Toyota Hilux vehicles provided in February last year, was for the security agencies to be able to reach the interior parts of the state. He maintained that Bauchi remains the most peaceful state in the sub region, hence the need to strengthen the security apparatchik in the state and make it uncomfortable for few criminal elements in the state.

Responding on behalf of the Nigerian Army, the Coordinator Nigerian Army Aviation Major General Johnson Olawumi thanked Governor Abubakar for constantly supporting the security network in the state. He promised that the patrol motorcycles will be put to good use and all criminal elements will be flushed out of the state.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/photos-bauchi-state-purchases-30-patrol.html

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Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Uriel arrived Lagos this morning and was pictured at DSTV office to say hi! We will really miss her in the diary room!. See photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/bbnaija-housemate-uriel-photos.html

Celebrity stylist, Toyin Lawani pictured at the 2017 AMVCA yesterday in Lagos.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/03/photos-toyin-lawani-at-amvca-2017.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

The Bayelsa state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has revealed plans by some persons to attack investments of MTN in the state as a reprisal following the ongoing xenophobia attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

In a statement, the Bayelsa Commander of NSCDC, Mr Desmond Agu, said that the corps is on red alert to stop aggrieved persons from destroying MTN facilities in the state.

Mr Agu said intelligence reports revealed that such persons were planning to vent their anger on MTN’s masts and other facilities.

The Commander however advised the people behind such plots to desist from toeing a violent path and appealed to members of the public to report suspicious people to the corps.

“Our attention has been drawn to an intelligence report that some people are planning to carry out an attack on South African investments, especially the MTN’s telecommunication masts and other facilities following the ongoing xenophobia attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

“Members of the public especially Bayelsans are hereby advised to desist from such acts and avoid taking laws into their hands.

“As an organisation saddled with the responsibility of protecting our critical national infrastructures, the command remains committed to deliver on its mandate.

“Members of the public are hereby advised to report person or group of persons suspected to be planning such attacks to the command,” Mr Agu stated.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/nscdc-uncovers-plot-to-attack-mtn.html

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The last has not been heard about the battle going on between Tonto Dikeh and her estranged husband, Chruchill Olakunle. Last week, Tonto said she lied when she claimed online that Chruchill bought her several expensive gifts including a Lexus and Prado SUV. She accused him of being a woman beater, a cheater and that she gave him STDs. But according to someone close to Churchill who reached out to www.metronaija.com, all these are lies.

"They are all lies. If Churchill had ever laid hands on Tonto, she would have photo evidence, that's the kind of person she is. She would have taken photos. She was the violent one. She set fire to his clothes and destroyed proterty worth millions in their home
She claimed he never bought her all those gifts but she returned the Lexux jeep he bought for her and kept the Prado. She drives a Prado, can she afford to buy one herself? She just became bitter. And she was always threatening him, saying she would go online and release lies about him and ruin his life and career because for some reason, she thinks she made him.

Olakunle is not perfect but he's not the devil she's painting him. This is a man who bought a G-Wagon for her dad.

She was still using drugs and Olakunle was seeking help for her as he was committed to their relationship.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/tonto-dikeh-set-to-release-lies-about.html

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From Toke Makinwa's book, 'On Becoming', everyone found out that her ex husband, Maje Ayida had a baby long before they married and before Anita had his second son.

The boy's mother Crystal Cunningham, shared a photo of her son in a costume. Toke commented on the picture, saying the boy was cute and Crystal replied by thanking her.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/photos-toke-makinwa-praises-maye-ayidas.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will hold the Anambra governorship election on November 18, 2017.

The electoral body announced this on Twitter handle Thursday evening.

No political party has nominated a candidate for the election yet.

Although, some politicians from the state have tacitly expressed interest in giving a shot.

On Tuesday, Andy Uba, who represents Anambra south in the senate, formally announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

There are feelers that he may run for the office on the platform of his new party.

Willie Obiano, governor of the state, may also be seeking a second term

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/anambra-governorship-election-to-hold.html

People in Kebbi state at Eid ground B-kebbi offered special prayer for President Buhari.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/photo-special-prayer-for-buhari-in.html

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Ondo state Governor Segun Mimiko and incoming governor Rotimi Akeredolu signing the handing over note at the Governor's office, Alagbaka, Akure.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/photo-gov-mimiko-and-akeredolu-sign.html

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The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says the nation’s power generation rose from 3,528 megawatts (MW) to 4,043 megawatts between Feb.1 and Feb.15.

TCN, in its website, said that the 515MW increase in generation as at Feb.15 was due to slight increase in gas supply to some power generating companies (GENCOs).

“The total output of 4,043 megawatts from all the GENCOs on Wednesday has been transferred to the 11 distribution companies across the country,’’ TCN said.

An official of Egbin Power Station, who pleaded anonymity, said in Lagos that gas supply to the station had increased slightly in the last seven days.

The source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the station, which has capacity to generate 1,320MW, now generates 420 megawatts as against former generation of 160 megawatts.

The official called for more gas supply to the station to enable it to fire all its five turbines.

“The 420MW generated by the station has been linked to the national grid by 5.35 am on Wednesday,’’ the source said.
NAN reports that the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) had announced drop in the power supply on Jan. 22 to 2,662.20 MW due to low water levels and the challenge of accessing gas by GENCOs.

Also, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, had said he would like consumers to be more resistant to the payment of electricity bills, if there was no supply.

Fashola spoke on Monday at the 12th Monthly Power Sector and Stakeholders’ Meeting hosted by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) in Ibadan.

The minister said that vandalism of gas pipelines had “decommissioned power plants and their ability to provide up to 3,000 megawatts of power.

“The 3,500MW to 3,800MW that we have been able to keep on the grid over the last few months will be assisted greatly by about 3,000MW if we have the gas pipelines back.

“It means we will be able to deliver well over 6,000MW if the gas pipelines are safe,’’ he said.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/power-generation-hits-4043mw.html

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Read more at http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/saraki-dogara-visit-buhari-in-london.html

Few days after President Muhammadu Buhari received phone call from the United States, US, President, Donald Trump, an initiative of the US country to light up Africa, ‘Power Africa,’ says it’s planning to invest about one billion dollars on the power sector in Nigeria.

The programme’s Coordinator, Andrew Herscowitz stated this while addressing a press conference in Abuja, on Tuesday.

He noted that the programme was aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s power sector.

Herscowitz said US has already committed billions of dollars in funding the nation’s energy projects.

The programme which was launched by the immediate past US President, Barack Obama in 2013 is aimed at adding more than 30,000 megawatts efficient energy development in sub-Saharan Africa.

According to Herscowitz, the project also targets unlocking the substantial wind, solar, hydro power, natural gas, biomass, and geothermal resources on the continent.

He said, “Since Power Africa was launched, U.S. Trade Development Agency has committed approximately 6.5 million dollars in funding for 10 activities supporting Nigeria’s energy sector, which could leverage up to 2.7 billion dollars in investment.

“It has advanced 50 million dollars in financing from the Oversea Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to Lumos, a Nigeria-based solar energy company, to scale up it’s off grid solar power service to about 200,000 Nigerian homes and businesses.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/trumps-phone-conversation-yield-first.html

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More at http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/photos-gov-mimiko-at-presentation-of.html

Ondo state Governor Segun Mimiko today at the public presentation of His Odyssey (A biography of revelations). See more photos

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/photos-gov-mimiko-at-presentation-of.html

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More at http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/photos-istandwithnigeria-protest-in-uyo.html

The I Stand With Nigeria protest began at Ibom Plaza in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom capital. See more photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/photos-istandwithnigeria-protest-in-uyo.html

Following the economy crisis, corruption

and other challenges facing the federal republic of Nigerian,The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has announced that it will stage an anti-government protest on Thursday in Lagos State and Abuja.


Details later .

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/nlc-tuc-cso-to-hold-protest-on-thursday.html

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Acting President, Prof. Osinbajo chairs a Public Consultative Forum on the Nigeria Economic Recovery & Growth Plan, at the State House, See more photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/photos-osinbajo-speaks-at-public.html

#IStandWithNigeria Abuja protesters reach Villa gate. See more photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/photos-istandwithnigeria-protesters_6.html

Gov Obiano inspecting Ezira~Umuomaku~Enugu Umuonyia-Achina Road.

This 12.5km road with a bridge is one of the many roads being constructed by Gov Obiano's administration to open up agrarian communities. See more photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/photos-obiano-inspects.html

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Reports just coming in from Akure, capital of Ondo State inform that some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state are currently staging a protest at the entrance of the Ondo State House of Assembly.

According to our correspondent at the scene of the protest, the protesters said they would not allow Governor Olusegun Mimiko to enter the assembly complex to present the 2017 appropriation bill to the state’s lawmakers.

The Assembly was sealed off by the state police command following a leadership crisis.

It was gathered from the security men at the assembly complex that the gate would be opened for the governor to present the bill when he comes in.

Recall that Gov Mimiko’s tenure remain three weeks.

The protesters also said they were protesting against an alleged move by the governor to send 38 bills to the state assembly for passage into law.

The leader of protesters, Mr. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, who spoke with journalists at the assembly entrance, alleged that Governor Mimiko was lobbying the lawmakers to earn life pension from the resources of the state.

“We want to appeal to the Governor to leave the state peaceful and not to create burden on the incoming administration with his 2017 budget,” Ogunleye stated.

See photos below:

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/02/photos-apc-supporters-block-ondo-house.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Kebbi state Governor Bagudu presents 2017 Budget of N139.33bn before the State Assembly in Birnin Kebbi on 31st January, 2017. See more photos below

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/01/photos-gov-bagudu-presents-2017-budget.html

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