₦airaland Forum

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former Minister of information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh, stated that the criteria necessary for the impeachment of President Buhari will make it near impossible for anyone, even the key players to accomplish.

The former National Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in an interview with the SUN NEWS spoke on the current face-off between the Executive and the Legislature, particularly the Senate, over the non-implementation of some of its resolutions.

He also warned those suggesting that President Muhammadu Buhari can be impeached saying “it can’t happen.”

He said: “The power to make laws belongs to the National Assembly; nobody can take it from them. The power to execute laws is that of the executive and the power to interpret laws is that of the courts. Now, what we have is a situation where people overreach themselves or people are enthusiastic to make a point and so unnecessarily expose themselves.”

He further added that the criteria required for the impeachment of the President in Nigeria made it nigh impossible for any group of individuals to achieve that political feat.

He also lauded attempts by the Executive arm of the Federal Government to reach out to the legislature, also adding that it would have been to the advantage of both parties if lobby groups had existed to bridge the gap of understanding between the two arms of the government.

He also spoke on the refusal of the Senate to confirm Magu; “The power of the Senate as provided in the constitution is that they confirm. The power to appoint resides with the President under the constitution.”

“The Senate cannot tell the President who to appoint. Former president Olusegun Obasanjo sent Prof. Babalola Aborisade’s name to the Senate three times. The President can send one nomination 100 times and the senate can refuse to confirm 100 times but the Senate cannot tell the President who to appoint.”
http://www.herald.ng/why-it-will-be-impossible-to-impeach-buhari-tony-momoh/

Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on Sunday has again shown its determination to nsure Naira gains further strength by sustaining the provision of foreign exchange to end users.

Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, in a statement said CBN wants to disabuse the notion by market speculators that it wouldn’t be able to sustain its forex intervention.


Okorafor said the bank would again, early this week, inject more foreign exchange into the market, leading to further weakening of the dollar.

“This is in addition to the further increase in the sale of dollars to the Bureau de change operators from $8,000 to $10,000 per week.”



Okorafor warned commercial banks and other dealers to desist from sabotaging the efforts aimed at making life easier for foreign exchange end users.

He disclosed that CBN had received complaints from customers over frustrations in getting foreign exchange for invisible items like tuition fee, medicals, personal and basic travel allowance.

CBN urged the general public to report any bank that failed to meet customers’ needs after due documentation.

The Naira closed at N394 to a dollar on Friday, which translated to 10 per cent depreciation of what was recorded earlier in the week.


The depreciation was attributed to the alleged hoarding of forex by banks rather than selling to genuine customers.


Read more at http://www.herald.ng/recession-cbn-determined-crash-dollar/#JGfhUuMzkmwABc0K.99

Nollywood producer, Seun Egbegbe’s brother along with two others have been arrested by men of the Lagos state Police force.

The arrest of the producer comes after he was some months ago implicated in a theft case involving nine iPhones and later a scandal involving two BDC operators on count of alleged fraud.

News source, Daily Post reported that the arrested persons identified as Kazeem, Muyideen and Lekan Yusuf werre said to be the Nollywood producer’s brothers.

Speaking on the arrest, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni while parading the culprits disclosed that Yusuf, Kazeem and Muyideen were accomplices to the Nollywood producer, Seun Egbegbe.



Fatai Owoseni noted that the three arrested men usually stayed in the car while Seun Egbegbe attempts to steal smartphones from stores. He added that the three upon sighting Egbegbe would drive away with their loot.

The Police Commissioner further disclosed that the three arrested suspects were also part of the plans to dupe the two BDC operators.

Owoeseni said: “The gang always targets big mobile phone dealers.

“While Seun, the ring leader, will approach the shop, the rest will be in the vehicle so that when Seun is in possession of the phone, they drive off.”


Seun’s elder brother, Yusuf, however denied the allegation as he said: “”n the day Seun was arrested at Ikeja, it was my boss that told me that he saw the story on Facebook and went to Area F to see him.

“But after then, he was charged to court and I didn’t go to see him, only for me to receive an SMS from him saying that he heard I was partying while he was languishing in prison​.

“He threatened that he will use his power to deal with me.​ ​I forwarded the message to our mother.

“Two days later, police came to my house and took me to the station​. They ​show​ed​ me a petition written by one Kemi Johnson on November 22, 2016 that Seun and his gang came to her shop to steal phone and accessories worth N10 million​.

“T​hat only Seun was arrested and later released without her consent and other members of the gang were never arrested.

“I never knew anything about the theft and the purported petition is just concocted to implicate me in a crime I know nothing about by my brother.

“He sent the same threatening message to his PA and promised that we will come and meet him where he is.

“If I am part of his gang, will I go to the police station the day he was arrested to see him?”

Read more at http://www.herald.ng/alleged-iphone-thief-fraudster-seun-egbegbes-brothers-arrested/#VJeDX0xpsDsVYIf2.99

The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has spoken up regarding the President’s health and his observations nearly two months after the president returned to the country after spending 51 days in the United Kingdom on medical leave.

The Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello who was at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday alongside the Kano State Governor, Umar Ganduje, to observed the Jumat prayers with the president noted that the President’s health has greatly improved since his return.

Speaking on president Muhammadu Buhari’s health, the Kogi state governor noted that the president needs more prayers and support from Nigerians.

While speaking with The Nation correspondents, Yahaya Bello said: “Its usual we come on Fridays and we follow Mr President to pray Jumat prayers and we are happy that he is getting stronger and stronger by the day and we can only thank almighty Allah for this wonderful job that he has done for this country.

“I only urge all Nigerians to continue to pray and give him all the necessary support. Nigeria is going to be better.”

http://www.herald.ng/ive-observed-buharis-health-kogi-state-governor/

The President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, has blamed the recent depreciation of naira on the speculators’ onslaught and resistance by the banking industry.
Gwadabe said on Saturday in Lagos that the refusal of some banks to sell the invisibles such as personal and business travel allowances frustrated naira recovery.

The ABCON chief said that the CBN had recently accused the banks of frustrating its policies.

He said it was ironical that the naira started losing strength in spite of the CBN’s review of the rates from N375 to N360 to a dollar.

According to him, the naira started trading on Monday with a promising outlook for sustained strength against the dollar and other currencies, but it began to fall at the middle of the week.



“The naira ended deeper northward to close at N394 to a dollar on Friday, translating to 10 percent depreciation of what was recorded during the week,’’ Gwadabe said.

The association president said that the removal of disparity in applicable exchange rates among the BDCs, Travelex and the banks should have strengthened the nation’s currency.

The financial expert said, “CBN’s knack for last minute solution as recent development has shown, accounted for the misfortune of the naira at the foreign exchange market.’’

Gwadabe said that the battle for the soul of the naira would be won if the CBN could boost liquidity to the BDCs for the effective unification of rates.

“It is evident that the injection of liquidity to the interbank market rather than the BDC sub-sector is not effective and transparent for sustained FOREX rate convergence and unification.

“Statistics from the CBN shows that about 20 banks get 80 million dollars weekly for invisible transaction as against the 20 million dollars weekly for over 3000 CBN licensed BDCs nationwide.

“The CBN should enhance public awareness to guide end users on FOREX availability and applicable exchange rates.

“The CBN should diversify the buffers from oil proceeds to foreign investors inflows and Diaspora remittances,’’ Gwadabe said.

He urged the CBN to sponsor a bill for an act of the National Assembly for naira convertibility in West Africa, as part of the solutions to full recovery of the naira.

Gwadabe said that naira was currently a means of exchange in about 15 countries in Africa.

He urged the Federal Government to increase security surveillance at the nation’s airports and land borders to checkmate illegal foreign cash evacuation.

The naira ended the week on a negative note, eroding the 12.36 appreciation it recorded in its trading last week.

The Nigerian currency appears to be on trial again, as experts argue that winning the battle for the soul of the naira requires more than pulling the monetary policy lever.

They called for a blend of fiscal and monetary policy and indeed patriotism from all Nigerians to save the naira from further sliding.

(NAN)

Read more at http://www.herald.ng/naira-fell-despite-cbn-intervention-abcon/#rw4gDhXoFZK5c2eQ.99

Popular Ghanaian actor and comedian, Michael Blackson looked to have landed himself in some hot water after a video surfaced showing him engaging in sexual activity with an unknown woman. The problem? Well, Michael is engaged to his longterm girlfriend and now fiancee

The problem is, Blackson is engaged to his longterm girlfriend and now fiancee Georgia Reign, a Grammy-nominated artist and model.

The video caused quite the uproar on social media, with Blackson of course made aware of the video’s existence.

He went on to clear the air saying that the video is almost half a decade old and of no consequence.

Read more at http://www.herald.ng/popular-ghanaian-comedian-caught-sextape-scandal-us/#xpgYgllrXFO9FWrS.99

The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Mr Rabiu Yusuf, has warned officers and men against demanding for money or any form of favour before granting bail to the suspects.

Yusuf also cautioned them against illegal investigation of cases, unlawful detention of suspects and prolonged detention, saying that they should respect human rights in the course of all investigations.

The police chief spoke at a lecture/ parade with officers and men working at State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Divisional Crime Officers and Investigation Police Officers (IPOs) in the state.

Yusuf, according to a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Magaji Majiya, said that the era of bribery and corruption was over in the police circle.


“Nobody should accept or demand money or any form of favour for bail.

“Any senior police officer found to be engaged in corrupt practices will be queried and sent to the Force Headquarters for disciplinary action.

“Inspectors and rank and file found wanting will be sanctioned appropriately,” Yusuf said.

He urged them to exhibit professionalism and diligence during investigation by collating all relevant evidences and witnesses and forward the case files to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for Legal advice where applicable.

Yusuf urged the Legal/Prosecution Department to ensure diligence and logical prosecution of cases in the Court of Law and that cases should be judiciously followed up to gain conviction of criminals. (NAN)
MTM/GOK

Read more at http://www.herald.ng/dont-ask-money-granting-bail-cp-warns-officers-men/#TLWSFbURlY2iS91F.99

The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, said capital releases to Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for the 2016 budget had reached a record N1 trillion.

In a statement by the Director of Information, Ministry of Finance, Mr Salisu Danbatta, on Sunday in Abuja, Adeosun attributed the record performance to stability in oil prices.

She said that with the return of normalcy in Niger Delta, she was confident that the Federal Government would achieve even more in the 2017 Budget.

According to the minister, the amount was released for various projects, which included the construction of a dual standard railway line from Lagos to Kano and rehabilitation of roads, among others.

Also of importance, she said, were the expansion of irrigation facilities to boost agriculture and the upgrading of aviation infrastructure.

“The components of the releases included aggregate releases to the MDAs of N870.05 billion as at the end of February 2017 and additional releases of N65.39 billion.

“Others were Manual Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIEs) in February 2017, totalling N11.179 billion and an additional Manual AIEs worth N45.81 billion as at March 13, 2017,’’ the statement read in part.

Adeosun said the overall capital releases, totalling N992. 44 billion, had made impact on Nigeria’s economy through creation of jobs and stimulation of economic activities in communities.

The releases have also enhanced upgrading of infrastructure, thereby improving the wellbeing of Nigerians, she said.

The minister pointed out that contractors returning to project sites around the country have employed more workers.

“They are also contributing to economic growth and improved wellbeing of Nigerians.

“We are determined to transform the economy and this is why we are focused on capital expenditure.

“If we have our road, rail and power, then we will be able to generate jobs and prosperity,’’ Adeosun said in the statement.

NAN recalls that the Federal Executive Council, at its meeting on March 22, 2017, approved the reconstruction of 12 more major highways across the country, costing N80 billion.

This is in line with the Federal Government’s drive to devote more resources to capital projects. (NAN)
RI/AIB/WOJ

The Naira recorded an appreciation of 12.36 per cent at the parallel market in the last one week, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
NAN reports that the Naira traded at N440 last Monday while it closed at N390 to the dollar on Friday.

In the week under review, experts commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for its intervention at the foreign exchange market, but appealed to the apex bank to eliminate the multiple rates in the market.
As the Naira continues to appreciate, experts say it is necessary for the CBN to adjust applicable rates in different segments of the market in the overall interest of the economy.
Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), said CBN-licenced BDCs incurred regulatory losses of N130 million in the week under review.
Gwadabe told NAN that the losses came from the CBN’s disparity in applicable exchange rates among players in the market.
According to him, the public has refused to buy foreign exchange from BDCs for invisibles such as medicals, school fees, and personal and business travel allowances at a rate above N375 to the dollar.
The financial expert urged the CBN to promptly address the issue.
NAN further reports that the CBN had injected over 1.5 billion dollars to the interbank market since it started its intervention in February.
Stakeholders hope that the sustenance of the CBN’s efforts at the interbank market will further drive down the value of the dollar. (NAN)
FBO/WOJ

The Federal Government on Saturday said it was ready to support states to generate `captive power’ as a permanent solution to the problem of electricity in the country.

The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy visit on Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State in Ikeja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a captive power plant is a facility that is dedicated to providing a localised source of power to energy users.

Such users are typically industrial facilities or large offices.

The plants may operate in grid parallel mode with the ability to export surplus power to the local electricity distribution network.

Fashola, who is on inspection tour of ongoing projects in the South-West region, was accompanied by top officials of the three ministries.

He said the federal government was making efforts to expand the capacity of the transmission stations in Ayobo and Odogunyan and Ikorodu, while that of Alagbon in Ikoyi had been completed.

The minister assured the governor that Lagos State would get the bulk of the incremental power from the Omotosho power plant in Ondo State and Olorunsogo power plant in Ogun.

He said that the federal government was ready to assist Lagos and other states in generating captive power, particularly in rural areas.

“We want all states to get involved, and wherever it is possible, to use captive power, especially in the rural areas.

“We will be happy to give our support, but we want all of these to happen in a regulated environment where the left hand knows what the right hand is doing,’’ Fashola said.

The minister said he had made recommendations about the rehabilitation of some federal roads in Lagos, including the Apapa-Creek road to Tin-Can, Oshodi and Oworonshoki to the Federal Executive Council.

He appealed to Ambode to support the proposed Joint Task Force to recover the right of way, especially in Ebute-ero area of the state.

“We have challenges of the `Right of Way’ across the length and breadth of the country and Lagos State is not excluded.

“We want to appeal to you to help us recover the right of way; we think that it is unfair to do business at the expense of other residents.’’

On debt owed some states, the minister said the federal government planned to raise funds, through bond instrument, to clear the debts.

Responding, Gov. Ambode said his administration was ready to offer support in the areas of power, housing and development of infrastructure for the benefit of Lagos residents and Nigerians at large.

He also used the occasion to thank Fashola, who is his predecessor in office, for his meritorious service to Lagos and the country. (NAN)
FAA/AIB/SOA

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has paid tribute to the achievements of African diaspora, who rose above the chains and pains of slave trade to impact humanity.

Guterres, in his message to the 2017 International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, expressed regret over the pains of slave trade on Africa and Africans.

According to Guterres, the theme for this year’s International Day, “Recognising the Legacy and Contributions of People of African Descent,” invites us to pay tribute to the many achievements of the African diaspora.

“We see those contributions in every field of human endeavour.

“The descendants of slaves have made their mark as inventors, economists and jurists; as authors and scholars; as artists and athletes; as politicians and civil rights leaders.

Guterres said that Mae Jemison, was the first African-American woman to enter outer space.

He said Jemison was among the distinguished individuals of African descent who are being honoured in an exhibition currently on display in the UN Building, at the visitors’ lobby.

“One descendant of slaves made an imprint on the United Nations itself: Ralph Bunche, the first African-American to win a Nobel Prize and one of the most respected and celebrated international civil servants in the history of this Organisation.

“It seems especially appropriate at this commemorative meeting to recall the life and work of Derek Walcott, the poet and Nobel laureate from Saint Lucia who died one week ago today.

“In poems and other writings, he confronted the brutality of slavery and the legacy of colonialism.

“In ‘The Sea is History’, for example, he gave us the searing image of “men with eyes as heavy as anchors, who sank without tombs.

“The United Nations and I personally attach the greatest importance to the challenge of slavery, past and present,” he said.

Guterres said through the UN Remember Slavery Programme, the international body would continue shedding light on tragedies related to slavery.

He added that the UN will continue to highlight the impressive and living contributions that people of African descent are making to their communities and to the world.

Guterres cautioned that the world “must never forget this dark chapter of human history”.

“The legacy of slavery resounds down the ages. The world has yet to overcome racism. Many countries still suffer from economic patterns and decisions set in motion long ago.

“Many families still feel keenly the trauma imposed on their forebears. We must continue to recognise the persistent pain of this legacy even in the present moment.

“Moreover, we know that while some forms of slavery may have been abolished, others have emerged to blight our world, including human trafficking and forced and bonded labour.

“Heeding the lessons of yesterday means fighting these ills today,” Guterres said. (NAN)
APT/EAL

Service providers in Nigeria’s telecommunications networks lost 1,275,573 internet users in February, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said.

The NCC made the disclosure in its internet subscribers’ data for February.

The News Agency of Nigeria obtained the data on Saturday in Lagos.

The publication indicated that internet users on both Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks dropped from 91,304,755 in January to 90,029,182 in February.

It also showed that, of the 90,029,182 internet users in February, 89,998,873 were on GSM networks, while 30,309 were on CDMA networks.

It equally showed that the GSM service providers lost 1,275,573 internet customers as they recorded 89,998,873 users in February as against 91,274,446 they recorded in January.

The CDMA operators retained 30,309 internet subscribers in February as recorded in January.

The data revealed that MTN had 30,300,705 subscribers browsing the internet on its network in the month under review.

The data also showed that MTN recorded a drop of 714,700 internet subscribers in February after recording 31,015,405 in January.

According to the data, Globacom had 26,932,485 customers surfing the net on its network in February, revealing a decline of 143,787 users from the 27,076,272 who surfed the internet on the network in January.

Airtel had 19,468,684 internet users in February, reducing by 149,801, the number of customers in its January record of 19,618,485.

The data also showed that Etisalat had 13,296,999 customers who browsed the internet in February. It recorded a decrease of 267,285 users from the 13,564,284 users it recorded in January.

The NCC data revealed that the CDMA operators, Multi-Links and Visafone, had a joint total of 30,309 internet users on their networks in February, maintaining their January record.

According to the data, Visafone had 30,305 customers surfing the internet in February, while Multi-Links had four.(NAN)

Service providers in Nigeria’s telecommunications networks lost 1,275,573 internet users in February, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said.

The NCC made the disclosure in its internet subscribers’ data for February.

The News Agency of Nigeria obtained the data on Saturday in Lagos.

The publication indicated that internet users on both Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks dropped from 91,304,755 in January to 90,029,182 in February.

It also showed that, of the 90,029,182 internet users in February, 89,998,873 were on GSM networks, while 30,309 were on CDMA networks.

It equally showed that the GSM service providers lost 1,275,573 internet customers as they recorded 89,998,873 users in February as against 91,274,446 they recorded in January.

The CDMA operators retained 30,309 internet subscribers in February as recorded in January.

The data revealed that MTN had 30,300,705 subscribers browsing the internet on its network in the month under review.

The data also showed that MTN recorded a drop of 714,700 internet subscribers in February after recording 31,015,405 in January.

According to the data, Globacom had 26,932,485 customers surfing the net on its network in February, revealing a decline of 143,787 users from the 27,076,272 who surfed the internet on the network in January.

Airtel had 19,468,684 internet users in February, reducing by 149,801, the number of customers in its January record of 19,618,485.

The data also showed that Etisalat had 13,296,999 customers who browsed the internet in February. It recorded a decrease of 267,285 users from the 13,564,284 users it recorded in January.

The NCC data revealed that the CDMA operators, Multi-Links and Visafone, had a joint total of 30,309 internet users on their networks in February, maintaining their January record.

According to the data, Visafone had 30,305 customers surfing the internet in February, while Multi-Links had four.(NAN)

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola says the Federal Government will support power companies in Nigeria to resolve its generation problem.

Fashola, who gave the assurance in Abeokuta during a tour of Olorunsogo Power Plant in Ogun, called for a comprehensive report of challenges facing the companies.

He acknowledged that problems facing the companies were different, depending on location and hence the need to call for the reports.

The minister said that when he gets such reports, the ministry would present it to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and appropriate action.

“As the supervising ministry, there are some things that are not in our control.

“If there is water problem in any of the hydro dams, it is the problem of the Ministry of Water Resources.

“The problem of gas supply is that of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources,’’ he said.

The minister expressed optimism that the gas programme recently initiated by the Federal Government would address the challenges of gas supply to the generation companies.

He said the capacity of power generation in the country was about 12,000 megawatt but could not be used because of challenges of either transmission or gas shortage.

In his remark, Mr Monsuru Afinni, the Managing Director of Pacific Energy, managers of the Plant, commended the minister for visiting the power station.

He said the installed capacity of the plant was 335 megawatts, adding that generation had hovered between 151 and 186 megawatts in the past weeks because of gas constraints.

He highlighted the challenges facing the plants to include scarce foreign exchange to pay its expatriates, procurement of equipment and the deplorable state of the road linking the plant. (NAN)
IMC/AIB/EAL