HumphreyGspot: The United Nations says Nigeria lost an estimated 2 . 8 billion dollars in revenues in 2018 , mainly due to oil -related crimes .
This is according to a new ‘ Report by the Secretary - General on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel ’ on Monday in New York.
The report , which covered from July 1 , 2018 to December 31 , 2018, said “ Maritime crime and piracy off the coast of West Africa continued to pose a threat to peace , security and development in the region .
“ Oil - related crimes resulted in the loss of nearly 2 . 8 billion dollars in revenues last year in Nigeria, according to government figures .
“ Between January 1 and November 23 , there were 82 reported incidents of maritime crime and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea . ’’
The report also noted that compared to the situation reflected in the previous report , there was an increase in drug trafficking throughout West Africa and the Sahel .
“ In Benin , the Gambia and Nigeria, more than 50 kilogrammes of cocaine were seized between July and October by joint airport interdiction task forces .
“ During the same period, joint airport interdiction task forces seized more than six kilogrammes of methamphetamines, eight kilogramme of heroin ( double the amount in the first half of 2018 ) and 2 .6 tonnes of cannabis .
“ Drug production across the region was also reportedly on the rise , with more than 100 kilogrammes of ephedrine and phenacetin seized by competent authorities , ’’ the report said .
During the reporting period , it said that conflicts between farmers and herders resulted in loss of lives , destruction of livelihoods and property , population displacements and human rights violations and abuses .
19Ebisco: President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the general elections are free and fair.
The president affirmed his commitment in a statement made on Monday, January 7, at the inauguration of 2019 APC Presidential Campaign Council which held ate the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
In his speech the president said he has given strict directives to INEC and security agencies to ensure that citizens vote for candidates of their choice without intimidation in any form.
He also said that the legacy he wants to leave is the “Enthronement of democracy as a system of government”. Adding that, “For democracy to be enthroned, elections must be free and fair”.
Below is the presidents full speech at the inauguration.
“Protocols:
I would like to welcome you all, the leaders of our party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the formal inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the purpose of managing our campaigns for the 2019 general elections.
This is a historical moment and I consider it a great privilege to have been unanimously nominated by our party to run as its candidate, unopposed, for a second term of office as the president of our country Nigeria.
I thank God Almighty, and our hard working, long suffering, yet resolutely committed fellow citizens, for the continued investment of their trust in our own commitment and competence to redirect our country and its governance towards sustainable and wholesome development.
I congratulate all our party men and women across the country, who are seeking election alongside me, as well as those who have found it necessary to run on other political platforms.
I congratulate all the participants in the party primary process, who may not have gotten all they wanted, but who have accepted to continue the work of ensuring a healthy political process.
I urge all those with any remaining reservations, to recommit themselves to the central task of our victory in the elections and to the greater goal of uplifting this nation towards its manifest destiny.
Having waited for all the dust raised by the nomination exercise, and the carefully worked out reconciliation processes to ensure some measure of healing, we are better placed to put together an all inclusive campaign council, that will effectively engage the entire voting public throughout the length and breadth of our federation, and deliver a resounding victory for us at the general elections.
This Presidential Campaign Council was constituted with a conscious determination to ensure inclusiveness and excellence, and is expected to conduct a campaign based on our modest achievements to turn around our beleaguered nation from insecurity, stagnation and massive abuse of scarce public resources.
Nigerians voted us into power in 2015 because they put trust and confidence that we will make a great difference. We are now building on the experience of our successful outing in the 2015 elections. It is my hope that this wonderful team put together will anchor our campaigns to lead our party and its candidates to victory in the general elections in a few weeks’ time.
A victory for us as a party is a victory for all well meaning Nigerians, who are committed to CHANGE from an inglorious past; where those in positions of public trust willfully took for themselves what belongs to us all; where the security of our citizens was second place to their acquisition of unwholesome wealth; where our economic growth was sacrificed for the fleeting ease of import dependency.
We have in the last 3 years and 6 months reversed this downward slide that the PDP took us in its 16 years of misrule. We have restored the territorial integrity of our nation, thanks to our gallant men and women of our armed forces. We are systematically engaged in all the remaining corridors of insurgency, kidnappings, robberies, herdsmen and farmers clashes.
We have reset our national values: corruption is no longer condoned and is no longer seen as normal for public office holders. The agencies of government are no longer equivocal in dealing with anyone who flouts our laws.
The high and low are receiving jail terms, loots are being recovered, and Nigerians are increasingly displaying the timeless values of honesty, honour and decency. I congratulate us all for making these changes possible.
Our economy has become a prudently managed enterprise. Our resources are now working for us, as we ensure the delivery of key national infrastructure, which were left unattended over these past years.
The direct impact of our policies on improvements in roads, railways, and power supply are evident. There is greater evidence of economic diversification seen in growing local production of agricultural produce and solid minerals.
Our government has succeeded in the last four years in halting national drift, removing the shadow of insecurity and fear dominating our life and reviving our economy from decline to stability and growth. The macroeconomic health of our economy, indicated by several measurable factors such as a stable exchange rate, lower inflation, growing foreign reserves, has been applauded by independent local and international rating agencies.
In addition, the quality of elections since 2015 has continued to improve with declining levels of problems that have defined elections in the past. Free, fair and credible elections are the foundation of political stability and peace in any nation.
We have insisted that votes must count and have maintained a policy of non-interference in elections. INEC has so far since 2015, conducted fair and credible elections in 195 constituencies nationwide, which have been attested nationwide to be qualitatively better than previous elections.
Let me reiterate my commitment to free and fair elections. If there is one legacy I want to leave is the enthronement of democracy as a system of government. And for democracy to be enthroned, elections must be free and fair. That means citizens have a right to vote for candidates of their choice without intimidation in any form. I have warned INEC and security agencies to that effect.
We will keep insisting that votes must count. Our campaigns will be anchored on our performance in the last four years. There is no doubt that our party has succeeded in taking Nigeria to a new level of enduring peace, economic growth political stability, justice and progress. This is the new level we are promising Nigerians, the details of which we will take to Nigerians as we embark on our campaigns.
As we begin campaign in earnest, I implore our leaders to resist being provoked, remain focused and civil in our campaigns. Let us engage our citizens on issues and ask for reflection on the comparative difference between 2015 and 2019 on security, economy and corruption and abuse by those entrusted with leadership in Nigeria.
As we embark on the campaign to secure mandate for the next level, I want to acknowledge the sacrifices and contributions of all stakeholders who have endeavored to keep our party united, and our governance successful.
I urge members of this formidable team to always keep their eyes on the ball, which is the success of our party at the polls. I wish to appeal to all members to be guided by the enduring vision behind the formation and sustenance of our party, which is anchored, on sacrifice and imperative to salvage and stabilize our great and promising nation.
I appeal to all our members, and especially those who are in the campaign council, to unite and cooperate and ensure a smooth operation. Needless to add, Directorates could co-opt on full or part-time basic persons who could add value to our campaign and help us to attain success.
To my mind, the division of responsibility is clear enough. The Leadership that has formulated the campaign policy will supervise its execution; the Director-General will have overall responsibility for all aspects of the campaign, including field operations; while the Secretary will be responsible for all administrative and treasury-related activities of the council.
Even though we have only 40 days, this campaign is going to tax us all, because we intend to touch all corners of our great and vast country. But I must also add that, though we will all be deeply involved, I would like to assure the nation that I will do my part without making governance or my work suffer. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my co-chairman, will be fully in charge, and is going to be on 24-hour vigil.
That is to say, the operational buck of this campaign stops at his table, and I therefore urge all of us in the leadership of this campaign, in the field operations on the campaign trail and in the secretariat to consult with Asiwaju whenever guidance is needed.
It is on this note, and in the name of God, that I now have the pleasure of inaugurating the APC Presidential Campaign Council 2019.
The 12 northern Nigeria Sharia States that adopted Islamic Sharia Criminal codes share same objective with Boko Haram for a country to be governed with Islamic Sharia Criminal codes.
No Yoruba Muslim may want to touch a country governed with Islamic Sharia Criminal codes, nor even with a long pole. It's a no go area for the East.
Pray this before Tinubu:
EVERY SATANIC AGENDA AGAINST THE CHURCH ESPECIALLY IN NIGERIA, EVERY DEMONIC AGENDA AGAINST THE CHRISTIANS ESPECIALLY IN NIGERIA, EVERY GANG UPS TO SILENCE THE CHURCH, EVERY ATTEMPTS TO SILENCE THE GOSPEL, EVERY PLANS TO KICK THE RISEN SAVIOUR OUT OF NIGERIA, EVERY CONSPIRACIES TO IMPOSE THE RELIGION OF THE SON OF THE BOND WOMAN ON CHRISTIANS, EVERY ATTEMPTS TO BAN THE BIBLE FROM CIRCULATION IN NIGERIA, EVERY POWERS, GROUP OR FORCES THAT IS PLANING TO ENSLAVE OUR GENERATION UNDER THE RELIGION OF THE CRESCENT MOON AND STAR... BE FRUSTRATED BY DIVINE AGREEMENTS AND BY THE UNITY OF THE BOND OF THE SPIRIT, WE DECREE THE DEATHS OF THEIR LEADERS, WE DISPERSE THEIR FOLLOWER AS IT IS WRITTEN, SMITE THE SHEPHERD AND THE SHEEP WILL BE SCATTERED! ARISE OH LORD AND DELIVER NIGERIA, CAUSE A GREAT AND A MIGHTY SHAKEN IN OUR LAND BEFORE NEW YEAR 2019! EMPTY THEIR THREATS LORD AND DELIVER YOUR INHERITANCE BECAUSE OF YOUR BLOOD THAT WAS SHED, LET THE GENTILES KNOW OH LORD, THAT THE LORD IS TRULY A MAN OF WAR... IN JESUS NAME WE AGREED!!! *Keep circulating this prayers of agreement amongst the brethren, don't let this stop with you as sending it means you are in agreement with the Saints!
In 2023, Fulani-led north shall migrate to another political party, not APC, in search for a new northern presidential candidate, or Northern stooge as president.
Never to concede power to Tinubu or to Osinbajo or Fashola who Fulani fear like devil.
MylezKayn: FTC Amina Zakari is a bloody liar and her Integrity is under probability. Oya BMCs come and defend her. Try and refute these facts
In better climes, just the furore her appointment generated is enough for her to say I am withdrawing from my appointment as Welfare Officer to the election collation centre. Aftr all , she shall still earn the same salary when she is redeployed from that Welfare officer position.
Even after the presidency declared that Amina is related to the president through intermarriage, she still denies she is not related to president Buhari.
A non mischevious person would have distanced herself from that post at the election collation centre.
SalamRushdie: This is a man that would not hold quarterly media chats , he will not address the Nigerian people , he does visit states and shuns presidential debates but yet APC zombies say he should be given a second term...GOD FORBID!!!!!
if you like put a gun to his head his handlers will never allow him come to that debate because of This video below
See president of a country speaking Nigerians who did this to you?
Abacha and IBB did, as they proliferated undue large number of 20 stated in one northern region,
Because no southern presidential candidate, not even a professor of Law from the south, can win 25% of votes in 24 of the 36 states, that's how we end up with the Buharis and Atikus steering Nigeria.
When north is tired of ruling, they appoint a stooge like OBJ or GEJ from the south, and make him win.
Restructure Nigeria politically in a democracy - NOW
Develop sense, Jona/PDP did not appoint her to the present role she is assigned to play in an election someone related to her by intermarriage is a contestant.
DTaj: I just noticed that the fool, with the name ‘Dandsome’ on NR, has continued to spread the fake photo where Dr. Hajo Sanni, SA to Aisha Buhari, was mischievously tagged with the word “INEC” in a fake attribution as Amina Zakari.
He should continue, however, when he (or any of his ilk spreading fake pictures, etc) is arrested for cybercrime, he will shout ‘persecution’ like that clown with a huge hole in his teeth, one of the 8 PDP spokesmen, Kola Ologbodeeyan (cat turned human)! Lol.
And you didn't know that it's a crime to have someone related to you by "intermarriage' to preside over an election you are to contest?
That PDP appointed the woman to INEC is no excuse to have her as the final umpire in an election where Buhari who is related to her by "intermarriage' is a contestant.
THE INTERMARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRESIDENT BUHARI AND THE INEC WOMAN IS ENOUGH REASON FOR RELIEVING THE WOMAN THE APPOINTMENT AS CHAIRPERSON OF ELECTION COLLATION CENTRE.
BUHARI ADVICE THE WOMAN TO RESIGN IMMEDIATELY TO SAVE FACE.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has urged politicians and parties to focus more on how to realise their electoral goals in 2019 rather than paying attention to unnecessary issues.
The Lagos State Chairman of IPAC, Mallam Shakirudeen Olofin, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday.
Olofin was reacting to Thursday’s appointment of Mrs Amina Zakari by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its Head of Collation Centre for the 2019 elections and to the criticisms it generated in some quarters.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted Zakari’s appointment, saying it was a step by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to subvert the will of the people in 2019.
In a statement issued by the PDP spokesman, Mr Kola Ologbodiyan, on Thursday, the party alleged that Zakari was a blood relation of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Zakari’s new role, the party alleged, was to protect the president’s interests in 2019.
Olofin, however, said that the criticisms that had trailed Zakari’s appointment were unneccessary and mere distractions.
He said politicians and parties should rather spend time perfecting their strategies on winning the general elections rather than being pre-occupied by issues that should not concern them.
“We think the criticisms and controversies that have trailed the appointment of Zakari are unnecessary because it is not within the powers of political parties to appoint people for INEC.
“In a football match, the teams do not decide or bother about who the referee is. It is never done. Rather, they focus on how to win the match.
“The parties should be more focused and leave all these distractions. They should be on the drawing board planning for victory.They should leave INEC and Zakari to do their jobs,” he said.
Furthermore, Olofin said it was unfair to claim Zakari got the appointment because she was the president’s blood relation.
He pointed out that the she had always been in INEC where she even acted as the Chairman of the commission after the exit of Prof. Attahiru Jega.
Olofin added that IPAC believed Zakari’s appointment was not an aberration as she had also headed the commission’s ICT Department, which, he said, was related to her new responsibility.
The IPAC chairman urged political stakeholders to co-operate with INEC to deliver credible elections and refrain from acts that could create tension ahead of the polls.
NaijaOlosho: Some times I just wonder how all the proffesors and highly educated pple in Nigeria
Allowed some one without primary 6 cert to be President
Because with Babangida and Abacha's ultimate proliferation of 20 undeserved states in one northern region, the professors and other well educated southerners are automatically shunted out from winning presidential election.
The Atikus and Buharis can easily win 25% in 24 states. Next to impossible for a Prof Osinbajo or Peter Obi to win a Buhari or Atiku.
OBJ and GEJ were allowed to win when Fulani-led north got tired of ruling.
Western Education is Haram in most of northern Nigeria. The south of Nigeria is imprisoned by northern Nigeria which tells south that Nigeria is an indivisible country.
Celebrities › Re: Kenneth Okonkwo And Daniel Amokachi Campaigning For Buhari by namio10: 3:51pm On Jan 08, 2019
