₦airaland Forum

Irrespective of President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto of Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has worked out strategies to deliver a free, fair and credible election in 2019, using enhanced smart card readers. The Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill had incorporated the card reader for the purpose of giving legal backup to the technology adopted in authenticating the Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, of those eligible to vote.The absence of the card reader in the Electoral Act became an issue when the Supreme Court dismissed contentions against the election of some governors on the basis that the card readers deployed were not used. INEC boss INEC, Vanguard learned, has also decided to address incidences of manipulation of the card reader by some delinquent adhoc officials. To this end, Vanguard learned that the commission has also decided to make provisions for recording “incidents” within the voters register unlike in the past when Incident Forms were used as separate documents. A top INEC official, who did not want his name published because he is not the official spokesperson of the commission, said: “On incident form, the fact is that the forms are now created within the voter register and not outside of it as the case was in the past. ‘’In essence, the data sheet of the voter register has now been modified to address the challenges associated with failed authentication, while at the same time providing a trail of voters affected for eventual back end remedies.” However, the official, who had been largely involved in helping the electoral umpire develop cutting-edge technological solutions to electoral challenges, recalled how in the 2015 general elections, some INEC field staff tried to deliberately discard the use of the card readers. He said the card readers have now been optimized both in terms of the hard and software, a development he claimed would solve many of the challenges associated with past elections in the country. He said:  “What we have today is the Enhanced Smart Card Reader. The enhancement is in two phases, hardware and software. ‘’As for the hardware, the card readers now have a broader fingerprint scanner, additional memory, tamper proof facilities, better battery compartment locks and more durable battery. “For the software, the card readers now have better finger print matching algorithm, more secure platforms, recapture of fingerprints after four failed attempts at authentication, automatic setting of date and time and many more.”           “In 2015, some of our staff did not want the card readers to work because they were resistant to change. They would remove the batteries of the smart card readers in which case all the information stored inside would be lost. ‘’So, we have now ensured better battery compartment lock which means that many of those who would handle the card readers would not know how to remove the battery again and even when they do remove the batteries, the stored information are not lost.   “On automatic setting of date and time, partisans have accused us of sometimes pre-loading the card readers. What they mean is that we allow other politicians to buy voters cards and then assist them to load on to the smart card readers in the various Polling Units and put the system ready for use before the election and then submit the card readers on election day. “In 2015, we noticed a slight use of this in some Polling Units. So, we now have automatic setting of date and time with the card reader communicating with the server within a specific time on election day. Any time before or after the specified time, nothing can be loaded on to the card readers”, he explained. Another top official of the commission collaborated the claims.  
http://mognews.com/2018/12/11/we-will-deliver-clean-election-without-new-electoral-bill-inec/

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, laid siege to a popular night club frequented by sons and daughters of the powerful and influential in the city and subsequently arrested the son of former Abia State Governor, Ogbonna Orji, and his friend, have emerged. An EFCC top source confirmed to Mognews , yesterday, that they trailed and arrested the former governor’s son with his friend, Kelvin Ilonah, at unnamed highbrow night lounge in relation to an ongoing investigation of the laundering of N27 billion by the former governor. The source, which is part of the investigation, said the operatives went after the suspects based on credible evidence that he laundered the cash through his sons. The operatives dismissed as spurious claims that its officers invaded the residence of Atiku Abubakar’s son’s apartment in Abuja in search of cash. According to the source, “our search had nothing absolutely to do with any of Atiku’s sons or apartments. We have nothing to do with Atiku or his sons because we are investigating Senator Theodore Orji over money laundering and not Atiku or his sons,” an EFCC operative said on Monday. “The truth is that we have been on the trail of the cars allegedly bought by the ex-governor’s sons. Last Friday, we traced the car to a night club in Abuja. In order not to cause panic, we waited until the business of the club was over and when the owner of the car came to enter and take off,  we arrested him and his friend who has a similar brand.  “That was about 5 a.m on Saturday, December 8, 2018. The two boys we arrested were Ogbonna Orji, 32, and Kelvin Ilonah. While Orji’s car, a Range Rover, is valued at about N100 million, Kelvin’s car, also a Range Rover, is valued at about N35 million. “In the course of further interrogation,  the two boys led us to their apartment, three flats. Documents retrieved from the apartment showed that it was rented for N13 million each per annum. Another brand new Prado Jeep, 2017 model was recovered from the boys. “The two boys in question gave useful information to the commission which is helping in our investigation. The EFCC, as a responsible  organisation is abreast of  the established mandate and we shall not deviate from such mandate. “We never went after Atiku’s sons neither were Atiku’s sons among the two boys arrested. There is no link with Atiku. “Only last week, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, raised the alarm that EFCC blocked the accounts of the Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP, Peter Obi. “Again, this was another lie, which we immediately punctured as there was no truth in it whatsoever to the accusation. Till now, only silence has prevailed from the camp of the accusers.” 
http://mognews.com/2018/12/11/efcc-arrest-ex-gov-orjis-sons-over-n27bn-fraud/

SHORTLY after I started work as General Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman in 2011, Mrs. Aisha Buhari approached me to facilitate some media exposure for her. She didn’t need to spend time to convince me that we needed her face and voice out there. Aisha Buhari I saw her as an intelligent, sharp-witted and gutsy woman who could add a lot of value to the campaign, especially in the South where womanhood in the North was largely perceived as purdah. I knew there were some things inside her that must come out. She had good diction and with no tongue tyranny, and you never had to strain to hear her. She was a clear testimony of the difference between a woman with education and the one without, especially in the North. I told her I was going to organise a media parley for her; and that a cerebral journalist in Lagos had been asking me about the wife of my principal. We agreed on a date. When it was few days to the appointment, something told me I should clear with my principal what I was about to do. I walked up to him to brief him about the media session for Madam. Mrs Buhari honours airport cleaner who returned lost bag His  eyes became red. It was the only time he raised his voice against me: “Don’t ever”. I had to call the journalists to cancel the meet. The genie was kept in the bottle for another four years. But delay is never denial. Her time was coming. Then came 2015 and the APC experiment. Abimbola Adelakun with her versatile pen wrote a classic in The Punch of January 8,2015 titled: “Where is Mrs Buhari?” and referenced the botched 2011 parley with the General’s wife: “For a man who preaches ‘change’ and desires to rule a country made up of men and women in almost equal halves, I wonder why he finds the anomaly of an “invisible wife” wholesome. Interestingly, this is not the first time that Mrs. Aisha Buhari would be left behind in her husband’s aspiration. “In 2003, she was not prominent when he lost to Olusegun Obasanjo’s ‘moonslide’. Four years later, not much had changed though one could argue that his biggest opponent, Umaru Yar’Adua, did not ‘use’ his wife to campaign either. In 2011, when the presidential election was on, I asked one of Buhari’s closest aides where Mrs. Buhari was and why she was practically unseen in her husband’s various campaign efforts. Janssen hosts prostate cancer awareness event ‘More Time for Life’ “My query sprang from his image: If you are being termed an ogre, furnish reasons why you could not be one. His wife standing side-by-side with him would, I told the aide, soften his unimpressible image. This Buhari’s aide agreed with me that his wife would be strategically invaluable for his persona. He said she was coming to Lagos at that time and he would arrange press interviews to introduce her to the public. “The aide called shortly after to say Buhari was not sold to the idea. The aide was apologetic while explaining why Buhari did not want his wife displayed like a ware even in the heat of campaigns. He said Buhari himself could be rather reticent; then, I should consider the religious factor, and that the General was too disciplined for such and several, etceteras. I wished him the best and left it at that. By then, Patience Jonathan was criss-crossing the country and canvassing votes for her husband in her peculiar ways. Even though she was being mocked for her lack of sophistication, she was winning some hearts because of her confidence.” She went on to hazard why Buhari would not want his wife to be seen: “There are several reasons one can adduce for Buhari and his wife’s photo hide-and-seek. One, the culture of lovey-dovey is simply not him. Like the Igbo proverb that says a man cannot learn to be left-handed in old age, I wager that this is a left-handedness that Buhari has not learnt and is probably a far harder lesson than removing his cap during a church service. Two, he probably thinks being seen with a woman will detract from his famed militarist discipline and Spartan image. He has done a lot of bending just to project himself as a non-Islamic fundamentalist pan-Nigerian statesman but the woman aspect just does not resonate well with him – yet. Third, the religion and culture Buhari has known all his life assigns a second-class citizen status to women.” The APC strategy room at this point must have convinced him the wife could no longer be in the background. She was allowed to mount the podium in Abeokuta. That was coincidentally strategic. She launched out on the soil that razed Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, the radical woman who first drove a car in the county and led a revolt that made an Alake to flee the throne. It was the place where Funmilayo trained Sawaba Gambo. Her husband also spent quality time in Abeokuta as a solider. The genie was eventually out of the bottle and no putting it back again. Aisha Buhari to Adewole: No sick Nigerian needs to be on TV begging money for treatment In her three and a half years as Wife of The President, Mrs. Buhari has shown she is in the mould of a Sawaba Gambo. In a sorry season in our land when we don’t have a Gani Fawehinmi, when many of the voices that railed against injustices in years past are either mute or incoherent, Mrs. Buhari has somewhat become the conscience of the nation in her interjections on national issues. For those who don’t know, Sawaba Gambo was a fearless woman from the North whom Aisha shares some traits with. After Gambo lost her parents in 1943, her education stopped and she was forced into an early marriage at 13 years but separated from her husband over irreconcilable differences. Gambo joined politics when she was 17. A branch of NEPU was formed in Sawaba’s Zaria but meetings had to be held in secret for the safety of all involved. Sawaba Gambo joined this party and quickly rose to become the women leader in the branch. Eventually she would leave Zaria for Abeokuta where she was to meet Funmilayo Kuti. Mrs. Kuti had become Gambo’s role model after the latter read about some of the former’s exploits in Abeokuta, especially Funmilayo Kuti’s struggle for the rights of women in tax-related matters which culminated in the brief exile of Oba Ladapo Ademola . When Gambo returned to Zaria, during a political lecture, many of the attendants (most of whom were male) refused to speak out for fear of political victimisation, Gambo climbed on to the rostrum to speak, challenging everyone present. On that same day and a NEPU leader, Alhaji Gambo was to speak at that event, he was so impressed with her he gave her a nickname Sawabiya, which means the redeemer. Later on, the name was shortened to the more masculine version, Sawaba. And it stuck. Thus, Hajaratu Amarteifo became Sawaba Gambo. She campaigned against under-aged marriages and forced labour. She also advocated for Western education in the North and organised several meetings with women who were not allowed to attend political activities because of their gender. As a result, Gambo was arrested at age 20 alongside 200 other women for not obtaining a permit before the assembly. They were sentenced to one month imprisonment each. The vibrant woman was sent to jail 16 times in her lifetime and she was often brutalised by the police. Despite her low education and coming from the Northern part of Nigeria where women are least encouraged and their education neglected, Gambo struggled through all these obstacles to emerge as a dynamic, independent political activist helping to educate many people. Aisha Buhari’s latest outing was at the national women leadership summit organised by Project 4+4 for Buhari and Osinbajo 2019, a political group. She spoke against two men who have dominated a government which emerged through the votes of over 15 million people. “Our votes were 15.4 million in the last elections and after that only for us to be dominated by two people… this is totally unacceptable. If 15.4 million people can bring in a government and only for the government to be dominated by two people or three people, where are the men of Nigeria? Where are the Nigerian men? What are you doing? Instead of them to come together and fight them, they keep visiting them one after the other, licking their shoes (I’m sorry to use those words),” she said. SPDC: Esau’s hand and Jacob’s Voice She emphasized that taking back the country from the impostors was not about people of the ages of her husband and herself but about our children and Nigerians in the diaspora who should have a home to return to and contribute to its building. Quite reminiscent of her interview with BBC Hausa two years ago where she said  Buhari’s government had been hijacked by only a “few people.” Her words: “The President does not know 45 out of 50 of the people he appointed and I don’t know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years… some people are sitting down in their homes folding their arms only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position.” If Aisha Buhari were not the wife of the President she probably would be sharing same detention facility with Deji Adeyanju and other prisoners of conscience as she has stirred the polity more than them. Aisha Buhari asked “Where are the men?” Maybe she should have asked “Where are the APC men?” She needed not ask though as the men she was asking after were no longer men but sissies. The man she called out at the event, Mr. Babafemi Ojudu, who was said to have tried stopping her from bursting out, was a fire-eating man in the days of Abacha. Speaking truth to power The transformation of yesterday’s  real men  into “boot lickers”(apology to Aisha) was what made the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, to look Chief Bisi Akande straight in the face at Senator Abraham Adesanya 10th anniversary lecture in Lagos months back and declared: “Chief Akande, when we arrived at a point where people like you cannot speak truth to power because of APC card, there is problem in the land.” Mrs. Buhari should make no mistake about what defines a man. It is not the third leg they work with in the “ozer” room. The artificial of that can now be picked on the shelf for a fee.. What makes a man is the strength of conviction, the ability to speak the truth no matter whose ox is gored and raise your voice when sinful silence is convenient. That quality is in short supply in what she erroneously called “men”, especially the ones that populate the ruling party today. In such a situation, Mrs Aisha Buhari is the man standing. 2 powerful people frustrate Buhari’s efforts to perform – Aisha It reminds me of this this popular Yoruba musician, Odolaye Aremu, who sang about a powerful woman called Amina Abiodun, the Iyalode of Ibadan, who died last Saturday. She was a strong woman who struggled for the same space with Lamidi Adedibu and Arisekola Alao making the most powerful trio of their era, the way Aisha engages the “two men”. She once cracked a hard one on a trio at an encounter with Chief Adisa Akinloye, Chief Richard Akinjide and Dr Omololu Olunloyo in the Second Republic. I will not recount it but the two living will remember it. Odolaye got to a point and said what was under Amina was masculine. Some women are men! And in a land where men are no longer men some women will always be men. If the maiden of Arewa now resolves to remain in purdah despite Aisha Buhari: SAD STORY!
http://mognews.com/2018/12/11/aisha-buhari-the-man-standing-in-apc/

The Federal Government, yesterday, said it would pay oil marketers N236 billion next Friday, being first tranche of the outstanding N348 billion subsidy claims owed members of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association, DAPPMA. Petrol Speaking after a meeting with officials of petroleum product marketers in Abuja, Chief Operating Officer, Downstream of the NNPC, Mr. Henry Ikem-Obih, disclosed that the remaining portion of the claims would be paid in 2019, after a meeting between the oil marketers and the Federal Ministry of Finance, that would be scheduled sometimes in 2019. The meeting was convened  after the marketers threatened last week to go on strike if within seven days, efforts were not made to pay the debts. Ikem-Obih said: “We agreed that after the first tranche is paid, the marketers would form a committee to work on details of how the next tranche will be paid in 2019 and the last tranche in 2020. Government is fully committed to pay the first tranche as promised and will be paid through promissory note that would be issued by the Debt Management Office, DMO.” According to him, the Federal Government had insisted on making the payments through promissory notes, which was equivalent to cash and could be liquidated almost immediately. He said the decision to pay through promissory notes was based on the need to manage cash injection into the economy, noting that injecting cash of that magnitude into the economy might affect the country negatively. The NNPC downstream boss said the mode of settlement had been agreed between the Federal Government and the oil marketers since 2017, adding that the decision was not new. Dickson warns against cheating Bayelsa in oil, gas deals He noted that the Federal Government had decided to pay the money to the oil marketers in full and had directed that there would be no deductions from the marketers’ account to settle debts owed government. Ikem-Obih said, “Some oil marketing companies, DAPPMA and MOMAN members are indebted to Federal Government agencies, like the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, but the government had directed that the debts should not be deducted from the payments. This is because if we do, most of the marketers would be left without a dime.” Explaining the disparity between the N800 billion claimed by the oil marketers and the N348 billion approved by the National Assembly, the downstream chief executive said the debt position of all the marketers to the government where considered and agreed upon as at June 30, 2018 and presented to the National Assembly for approval, which after consideration of the debts, approved the sum of N348 billion. He assured Nigerians that the NNPC was fully ready to ensure stable supply of petroleum products during the Yuletide period and beyond, stating that presently, the corporation has over 2.8 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, which would last the country for 55 days while 90,000 metric tonnes of diesel, imported by the Petroleum Products Marketing Company, PPMC, and NNPC Retail, would arrive the country in the next couple of days. Ikem-Obih declared that all MOMAN, DAPPMA and IPMAN had assured the Federal Government that their facilities would be available throughout the festive period, while all the NNPC depots across the country and its 618 retail outlets would also be dispensing the products. He also disclosed that in addition to the imported fuel stock, the countries refineries would also be contributing to fuel supply, adding that Warri Refinery had returned to production last Thursday, while Port Harcourt refineries are about to resume production. N800bn subsidy debt: DMO, Finance ministry invite aggrieved marketers for dialogue Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of A.A. Rano Limited, Alhaji Aliyu Sa’id dissociated the company from the planned shutdown by DAPPMA and MOMAN, stating that the timing was wrong. He said oil marketers should not be seen to be sabotaging the efforts of government in ensuring stable fuel supply during the Yuletide season and beyond. Speaking in the same vein, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of A.Y.M. Shafa, Mr. Ahmad Abdullahi, declared that at this time that the country is going through series of challenges, security and financial, any attempt to worsen the plight of Nigerians would be seen as an attempt to put the country in chaos. He urged other oil marketers to support the Federal Government and trust the decisions of the government as it concerns settlement of the outstanding claims. On his part, Group Managing Director of Obat Oil and Gas, Prince Akinfemiwa Akinruntun, said the company is ready to support the government by loading the products on a 24 hours basis, noting that the NNPC had been supportive of oil marketers over the years. He noted that national interest supersedes his personal interest, hence, he would urge Nigerians to avoid panic buying, as efforts would be geared towards ensuring stability in petroleum products supply.
http://mognews.com/2018/12/09/fg-to-pay-marketers-n236billion-subsidy-moneyto-avert-strike-soon/

YOUTHS  from the eight local government areas of Delta Central senatorial district of Delta State, have vowed that they would not allow themselves be used to cause trouble in the state during the 2019 general elections. Anambra SDP: Party leaders reconcile, present consensus candidate for Anambra Central The youths under the aegis of Delta Central Equity Group, DCEG, also affirmed that they are throwing their weight behind the reelection bid of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to complete the two term tenure of Delta north in line with the unwritten rotational arrangement in the state. Edo Govt inaugurates Teachers’ Disciplinary Council to check indiscipline among teachers Convener of the group, Morris Idiovwa who made the position known at Ughelli during the inauguration of the group, noted that DCEG will be mobilising Urhobos to ensure that what is due to Delta north is fully delivered to them, as an equal co-stakeholder in ‘Project Delta.’ He said: “We shall be achieving this by ensuring that the coming elections, especially governorship and state House of Assembly are peaceful and violence-free in Delta Central and we will not allow ourselves to be used as cannon folder to foment trouble as Delta Central must be peaceful before, during and after 2019 elections. Electoral Act nothing to worry about – Ahmad Lawan “Also, we have it on good authority that plans are already afoot to cause mayhem in some communities and areas of Urhobo land they consider to be vulnerable.” “However, we have a message for these set of merchants of violence as DCEG will not allow you have your way this time around to turn our homeland to a theatre of war .” 
http://mognews.com/2018/12/09/politicians-wont-use-us-in-2019-urhobo-youths/

Nine-time African Women Cup of Nations champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria have been handed a tough draw at the 2019 FIFA Women World Cup billed for France next year. Super Falcons At the conclusion of the draws made in La Seine Musicale in Paris, France, the Super Falcons coaches and players found themselves in group A with the hosts, France, South Korea, and Norway, nations who on paper have a better rating. And to survive, the Super Falcons must have to up their game much better than they displayed at the 2018 AWCON in Ghana, where they won their last two games on penalty shoot-out to retain the trophy. However, midfielder Ngozi Okobi said the team would be adequately prepared to face the challenge. “Of course we have to be prepared to face tough opponents. I know we have players who are capable. “All we need is just good preparation for the girls and I promise it is going to be a different outing this time around.” The best outing for the Super Falcons was in the 1999 when they reached the quarter-final. At the 2015 edition in Canada, the team held so much hope after they posted a 3-3 draw with Sweden, only to succumb to Australia 2-0 and USA 1-0. In the latest FIFA World rankings the Super Falcons dropped a step from 38 to 39 despite winning the AWCON in Ghana and knowing his team faces a tough task, coach Thomas Dennerby has harped on the need for the Super Falcons to step up their preparations. In his first match with the team, Dennerby suffered an 8-0 whitewash by the same French team back in April. 
http://mognews.com/2018/12/09/2019-fifa-wwc-tough-draw-for-super-falcons/

Former Senior Special Assistant to the former President Jonathan, Mr Doyin Okupe, who in the last two months stepped up his criticism of the failed Buhari's campaign has been arrested by the EFCC.

In a tweet made available to Hope For Nigeria, Okupe wrote:
"EFCC just stormed my house in Ilupeju, Lagos, asking me to follow them. No letter. No letter of IV, no warrant".
EFCC, like the Police and DSS are the attack dogs of President Buhari that goes after opponents and those that criticises his clueless government.
Hope For Nigeria reported last week that Presidency sources stated that many prominent Opposition figures will be arrested in coming weeks and this arrest today confirms the 'intel' report.
http://mognews.com/2018/12/08/b-r-e-a-k-i-n-g-news-doyin-okupe-arrested-by-efcc/

Imo State governorship flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, CON, has promised to run a transparent and participatory government if the citizenry gives him their mandate in 2019. Ihedioha Ihedioha, according to a press statement signed by his media aide, Mr. Chibuike Onyeukwu, made the promise while addressing a cross-section of Imo indigenes in Garland, Texas, United States of America. “I want to reiterate my promise that when by the grace of God, I am elected the governor of our state, I will run an open and participatory government. My administration will broaden the base of government to give all the marginalized and deprived sections of our state, a true sense of belonging”, Ihedioha told his hosts. The former deputy speaker decried “decay in Imo State,” pointing out that “everybody, including those in diaspora are affected. “Whether you like Rochas Okorocha or not, Imo is our state and he is our Governor. So, his actions have positive or negative impact on us,” he said.   
http://mognews.com/2018/12/07/i-will-run-a-transparentpeaceful-and-participatory-government-ihedioha/

RESIDENTS of Satellite town, an area in Lagos State, under the aegis of Satellite Town Forum, have called on the Federal and Lagos State Governments as well as other relevant bodies to relocate tank farms in the area. According to the residents, activities carried out in the tank farms are constantly making life unbearable for the community. Speaking at a press conference organized by the Satellite Town Community Development Association in Lagos tagged: Save satellite town Lagos from disaster: relocate all tank farms and container terminals, Chairman of the forum, Mr. Governor Imitini stated that since 2014 when some of the tank farms emerged in the area, it has been a tragedy for the community. He lamented that efforts made over the years, had proven abortive, while neglected actions have resulted to increase in loss of lives, shut down of businesses, unemployment, flooding, environmental pollution, submerging of houses, among others. Imitini said: “For this reason we have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari, Lagos State government as well as relevant federal and state ministries and parastatals to step in and do the needful. We have written the National and Lagos State assemblies on these chaotic developments in order to get resolutions. Satellite town is in great peril and on a precipice; suffering has become our other name. “We most respectfully send this SOS message to those in position of authority to come and help us because we are dying. We call on the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives to save us from groom and disaster. “We plead with the Governor of Lagos State, Lagos State Emergency management Agency, LASEMA, and Lagos State Environmental protection Agency, LASEPA, to rise up and save Satellite town and help us the helpless residents.” He, however, warned that the new tank farm container terminal set to be situated at zone 2 Liverpool Estate area in the community should be relocated as its construction in the estate would create more challenges to already existing ones. He noted that Satellite town stretches from Alakija to Abule-Ado along Lagos Badagry expressway to waterside area and beyond and was designed and built as a residential area. On the way forward , the chairman said that while the residents await the relocation of the tank farms, which is likely to take time, the federal and state government authorities should construct large underground culverts across the depot road for onward routing to the sea, removal of tank farms facilities sited on direct flood channels. 
http://mognews.com/2018/12/07/we-are-dying-heresatellite-town-residents-petition-fg-others-on-tank-farms-disaster/

THE Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 general elections,  Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, called on Nigerians to vote out President Muhammadu Buhari over his inability to fulfill the numerous promises he made in 2015. Atiku Abubakar He said this during the PDP zonal rally at Mapo Hall, Ibadan. At the rally were Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Senator Ben Bruce, and former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, among others. Atiku said: “In 2015, some liars, deceitful people came here to deceive us and we gave them our votes. But we have discovered that they have failed to deliver all the promises they made to Nigerians. In the history of this country, the best prosperity, peace, and educational advancement we all enjoyed under the Peoples Democratic Party.” “He (Buhari) promised us jobs. But instead of giving us jobs, over 12 million jobs have been lost. They promised to alleviate poverty but we are becoming poorer as a country. Now, Nigeria is the poverty capital of the whole world.  Is this kind of government you want to continue with? If I’m given the opportunity, we shall return prosperity to this country. “Everyone knows that I chaired the best economic team in this country. If you give me the opportunity again, I will organize the best team that would bring economic prosperity back to this country.    South West has been known for educational advancement, if I’m given the opportunity, I will ensure that this zone regain its glory. “One of the most touted things is restructuring of this country. Today,  I pledge that within six months, we shall begin the process of restructuring. I have lived in this city and I am not a stranger to Ibadan or Yoruba race, therefore, don’t believe APC again. PDP needs your support. This Buhari must go.” Also speaking, the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus said “there is only one person APC is afraid of and the person is Atiku. APC is afraid because they know it is Atiku who can rescue this country.” Speaking further, the PDP chairman said: “Nigeria is in crisis. Atiku has achieved a lot in public and private sectors. An emperor of APC says Buhari is not fit. So, by February 16, 2019, let all of us troop out and cast our vote for PDP. Don’t allow INEC, security agencies to manoeuvre or intimidate you. They promised us security of lives in 2015. But, look at the killings going on in the country. When they kill, the President will say he is not aware. His government has collapsed.” In addition, he said: “Under this government, corruption has gone to the highest level. APC has gone to Nigeria Ports Authority to raise money for election. All government agencies should be careful. Enough is enough.” On his part, Senator Saraki, noted that APC failed to deliver on its promises to Nigerians. “But, today, security has gone worse in the North East, Ogun and other parts of the country. There is insecurity and hunger in the South West. We need someone who would bring food on the table. I was in Ilorin, yesterday, people said the suffering is too much. What you can do to stop it is to go out and vote. Nobody can give us employment. It is Atiku.” ”He has business ventures. Just yesterday, 42 political parties  teamed up with Atiku and promised that they would send Buhari to Daura.”
http://mognews.com/2018/12/07/apc-bad-governance-caused-12m-job-loss-in-four-years-atiku/

Gunmen operating on a motorcycle yesterday attacked a yet-to-be identified female bureau de change operator in Aba, Abia State, carting away millions in foreign currency. Mognews gathered that the incident occurred at Market road, which serves as the hub of bureau de change business in the city. The woman was said to have arrived Aba with huge amount of foreign currencies, but was trailed to the area by the gunmen. On arriving the area, the gunmen shot the woman as she refused to hand over her bag to them and fled. It was gathered that the woman died being rushed to a private hospital in the city when the robbers had left. However, Abia State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, in a telephone interview, disclosed that the woman survived the attack. In an interview with Mognews, a bureau de change operator, who declined to have his name in print, said the gunmen carted away cash worth millions of naira in various foreign currencies. “Usually, we go outside the state to source for money. The woman went to one of the Central Bank’s branches in the Southeast to source for money. “You know that this is festive period where a lot of people come to black market to change dollars and other bills. People who are travelling outside the country do come here while people who come back for X-mass also come here to change money. “So, this time, our members do go to any state to look for what they will use for business this season. I was told that the woman was coming down from a car when she was accosted by men wielding gun. They shot her and left with all the monies that she came back with.”   
http://mognews.com/2018/12/05/gunmen-in-aba-attack-bureau-de-change-operator-cart-away-with-her-millions/

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu were at each other’s throats, yesterday, over allegations of wealth accumulation and political adventurism. Tinubu and Atiku Tinubu fired the first salvo at a forum for President Muhammadu Buhari support groups in Abuja where he accused Atiku of merry-go-round in his politics and of having sought to sell half of Nigeria to himself as vice-president. Atiku promptly responded as he raised questions on the transfer of some Lagos monuments to private hands under Tinubu’s watch even as he taunted the former Lagos governor for changing parties four times. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo also at the ceremony with Tinubu, blasted critics of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that their fear of him had led them to spin crazy tales of him having been cloned. Tinubu at the forum also gave a robust defence of President Buhari’s claim that the farmer’s and herders clashes in the country was a product of climate change which had now been transformed into an issue for political and religious acrimony. Tinubu, speaking at the launching of the National Forum of the National Committee of Buhari Support Groups, said Buhari had to be re-elected on the claim that he had turned around the fortunes of the country for good. Why Buhari should be re-elected Tinubu said: “He (Buhari) is committed to building the necessary foundation for a prosperous nation and diversified economy that will provide employment and fair opportunity for all. ‘’He has no tolerance for corruption and is vigorously ridding the nation of this blemish on our reputation. He fights the terrorists and is not afraid to tackle the hardest challenges of governance. “The PDP and their candidate had vast money at their disposal, and they did nothing with it during their 16-year reign of waste. They created no jobs, and the only opportunities they promoted were their plans for looting the national treasury. ‘’They failed to bring social welfare to the poor because they forgot all about the poor. There was no serious problem they resolved. Every national problem became a friend to them that they used as an excuse to take from the public purse. “So why are we here? To remind the people of the 16 years of cold-hearted neglect suffered at the hands of successive PDP governments. To remind the people that in four years and with fewer resources, President Buhari has created a better foundation for Nigeria’s future than all the PDP governments combined. One Buhari is worth more than the three PDP presidents who preceded him. On Atiku “The PDP Standard bearer, Atiku Abubakar, has changed parties so many times and collected so many membership cards. He could build a house of the party membership cards he has accumulated. But one thing he should remember is that a man who builds a house of cards ought not to cast stones at a man who is building a house with a firm and true foundation. “He should also realise that such a feeble house will collapse as soon as the wind of truth blows on it. You, my friends, are that wind of truth. “Atiku was with the PDP, with us, with another party then back with the PDP. He is a political merry go round and carnival all by himself. Ask him which party he belongs to, he must ask you what “year is it” before he dares answer. Ask him the direction he is going; he will answer “North, South, East, and West at the same time. “Any man who intends on going everywhere at the same time is a man intent on going nowhere. Atiku has every right to engage in such personal confusion. But he has no ethical right to try to substitute his personal confusion for our national mission. “Just look at his relationship with his former boss, Obasanjo. At one point, one despised the other. Obasanjo said he had asked God not to allow Atiku to become President. If Obasanjo once asked God to prevent Atiku, we are entitled to wonder into whose ear does Obasanjo now whisper his support for Atiku’s venal cause? “They want to live in a land of false opulence and true greed, one where the weight of all their waste and the impunity of their misconduct is borne on the backs of the common man and woman. “This is what the coming election is about. They claim to be a “reformed PDP” then they select as their candidate, Obasanjo’s VP, who took the term “privatization” to its literal extreme. Through plotting contrived sales of national assets to himself, Atiku sought to turn half of Nigeria into his own private property. He sought to run off with the goose that laid the golden egg while simultaneously staying put in order to milk dry the national cow. If given a second chance at the national till, he will consume all he did not take the first go around. “This is not reform. It is regression. Whosoever tells you the path to your better future is to return to your worst past is more dedicated to your demise than your development. Climate change “This is how a real government goes about the business of the people. President Buhari is the first president we have who has recognized the full impact climate change has throughout Nigeria. For the herder, crisis is not a story of religious conflict. The Quran is not fighting the Bible nor is the Bible fighting the Quran. They are both manuals of peace and brotherly love. “Instead, this is a tale of too little water and fertile land. In such situations, love and peace are strained. This lack has pitted farmer and herder as never before. These people contend against each other to protect their endangered livelihoods. By incident of history, they happen to be of different faiths and ethnic groups. “While President Buhari worries himself daily about the plight of our people, Atiku and the PDP feast on their desire for power just for the sake of having power. “Thus, we have a decision to make. Do we sit still, allowing them to carry us backward into the past or do we stand in unified support of a leader and a man who loves this land and the people of it? Also speaking on the occasion, Osinbajo, said the expected election would be a historic “battle between those who want our country’s resources to be used for our country and her people, and those who want to privatize the commonwealth.” He said: “The man who stands against the forces of retrogression but with the future of our children is the man called Muhammadu Buhari. He is not a perfect man, but he is an honest and truthful man.” He described Buhari as “a man who wants to use the resources of this country for the common man.” He added: “Between 2010 and 2014 our nation earned the highest amount ever in history from oil, the sum of US383 billion. Just to compare in the same period we have earned less than US112 billion.” Citing the records of the administration, he said: “We are feeding 9.2 million children every day; we are giving two million petty traders a better deal in life with Tradermoni; we have now employed 50,000 graduates under the NPower programme; we are giving at least 400,000 of the poorest Nigerians N5000 a month. It’s because Buhari is the gatekeeper, he has stopped grand corruption. So, despite the fact that we are earning 60% less, we are doing five times more. The elite wanted Buhari dead — Osinbajo “This is why there is a gang-up by the discredited elite against him. They prayed for him to die, he didn’t die. When he came back hale and hearty by the grace of the Almighty God, they mourned, while Nigerians rejoiced. The fear of Buhari makes people desperate, even crazy. So, now they say he is Jubril from Sudan. If you can’t discredit him, say he doesn’t exist! They were all alive and well when Pastor Adeboye went to London and prayed for him the day before he returned to Nigeria. “How will one Jubril sit in FEC (Federal Executive Council) and conduct meetings, consult with his ministers, speak to me daily? Their strategy is simple, if you tell a lie often enough some will believe you. Buhari is not only alive, and well, he will by Gods grace live long and well after his second term in office.” Tinubu has no moral grounds to attack Aiku — Atiku Campaign Responding, the Atiku Campaign in a statement said: “Tinubu does not have the moral standing to accuse anyone of “selling” any property to himself, one should think he is lettered enough about financial engineering, that is too pedestrian for someone of his stature. He needs to first come clean on some properties of Lagos State which he was alleged to have appropriated to himself like the Lagos Deputy Governor’s lodge; the Lagos State Polytechnic property allegedly converted to private media estate. “What about several choice properties in Lagos State unaccounted for under his watch? Who turned Lagos State into a private estate? Where has his sudden wealth grown from? Why are they running away from discussing issues as campaign manifestoes, but descending into such odious low on personal attacks? “Is it that the government which he midwifed does not have anything to show about improving the living conditions of average Nigerians? He is the chief architect of merry-go-round changing names of political parties at every turn in an election year- from AD to AC to ACN and now to APC. Has their presidential candidate run on the same political party at every election over the years? From ANPP to CPC to APC. They lack the moral strength to accuse another of what they are largely guilty of. “I think he should go above board to discuss what their party has for Nigerians to create jobs and not the continuous loss of jobs, to talk about security and the needless loss of innocent lives of citizens. That is the reasonable high anyone can go in politics and campaign rather than mundane and petty resort to personal attacks. He wants a distraction from real issues, and we are not going to gratify him with that.”
http://mognews.com/2018/12/05/atiku-and-tinubu-at-war/

A staff of an oil company operating in Okpai, Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Prince Ogbu, was reportedly kidnapped, Sunday, at the Amorji Junction of Ughelli-Asaba expressway. A source, who preferred anonymity,  said  Ogbu was intercepted by the armed herdsmen, who he said shot at random into the air. The source said: “They dragged him out of the car and escaped with him into the bush before he could get help from the police who were alerted on the development.” Confirming the incident yesterday, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Andrew Aniamaka,  said “Our men are combing the bushes to ensure that the kidnap victim is rescued unhurt. “Our team is working relentlessly to ensure that the hoodlums are brought to book.”  
http://mognews.com/2018/12/04/herdsmen-kidnap-oil-firm-worker-in-delta-2/

Four persons, who allegedly exhumed the corpse of their landlord before selling his property, yesterday, appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. The three accused men and a woman are Silifatu Abisile, 60; Jimoh Abisile, 52; Gbade Bakare, 56, and Isaiah Bakare, 45. The accused are facing a-five-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping, breach of peace, forgery and false assumption of authority. The Police Prosecutor, Williams Ologun, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Nov. 1, at Ishola Daniel Street in Oshodi area of Lagos. Ologun alleged that the accused had conspired to illegally sell the house they were living in, which did not belong to them. He said that a prospective buyer had insisted they relocate the grave that was in front of the house before he would make payments. “My Lord, they forged an exhumation of corpse permit from Oshodi-Isolo Local Government and dug up the corpse of the house owner, Sumonu Bakare, who was buried in the compound. “They also kidnapped the son of the deceased; Gbenro Bakare, who is crippled, thinking he was the only surviving child of the deceased,” he said. Ologun said that the first and second accused are relations of the deceased, while the third and fourth accused are longtime tenants on the property. He said that the third and fourth accused had registered for a change of name to ‘Bakare’, which was not their real names, claiming to be the children of the deceased. The offences contravened Sections 76 (1) [c], 168 (1) (d), 271 (1), 365 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Peter Ojo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum. In his ruling, Ojo insisted that each of the sureties must be a blood relation and must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction. He said each of the sureties must also show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos Government and be gainfully employed. Ojo adjourned the case until January 10 for trial.  
http://mognews.com/2018/12/04/4-accused-of-claiming-landlords-corpse-selling-property/

ANAMBRA lawmakers insisting on impeaching the Speaker of the House of Assembly,  Mrs. Rita Madugwu have dragged the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Garba Umar and the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano to court for allegedly sealing off of the Assembly complex. Willie Obiano The Police have laid siege on the assembly complex since November 13 when some lawmakers led by Mr. Ikem Uzoezie representing Aguata 11 constituency attempted to remove the Speaker. Uzoezie, who said yesterday that nothing would revert the impeachment of Maduagwu as carried out on 13th of November by majority of the 30 members of the House, explained that the suit would commence today. He said: “The police are well aware that what they are doing is illegal. We’ve drawn the attention of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the Anambra CP to the Legislative Activities Act 2017 that was assented to by the President, Muhammadu Buhari, telling them that their action is unconstitutional. “ Their action is an attack on the institution of democracy and there is a jail term to it if they so persist to seal the complex. “ By Monday (today), our processes will be in court. We have briefed our lawyers on what to do. On Monday, both the Police and the executive will   meet us in court.” Maduagwu had described her alleged impeachment as an illegality, adding that it did not meet constitutional requirements. She said that she remained the Speaker and that nobody could remove her because she did not commit any offence. But Uzoezie insisted that “We only require basic police presence to safeguard government property and not sealing off of our   premises and restricting our   members and staff of the House from having access to their offices and workplaces which we find so disheartening at this point in time”. He said his group had also written to the National Assembly, drawing its attention to the police action in Anambra, believing that the   NASS would intervene and stop the invasion of the state assembly. 
http://mognews.com/2018/11/26/anambra-lawmakers-sue-obianocp-over-impeachment/

THE Nigerian Air Force and the Lagos State Police Command, yesterday, declared that the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos has never been under attack by any terrorist group as alleged at the weekend. Lagos In an effort to set the records straight, the Air force said ‘Operation Thunderbolt’, was a simulation exercise carried out by its special forces to practice defensive approaches in the event of any breaches over than two years ago. A statement: ‘Re: Murtala Mohammed International Airport Not Under Attack’ by Director of NAF Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Darmola, reads: “The attention of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has been drawn to a video clip currently circulating on various social media platforms purportedly showing a terrorist attack at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, in Ikeja Lagos. NFF President lauds FIFA for approving Stephen Keshi Stadium for international matches “NAF wishes to state categorically that MMIA was not and has never been under any attack. “The video being circulated shows an airport security simulation exercise, tagged Thunderbolt, which took place on November 8, 2016. “The exercise was aimed at practicing NAF personnel and other security agencies at MMIA on actions to be taken in the event of an attack on the Airport. “The public is, therefore, advised to disregard the video and also endeavour to refrain from sharing or uploading unverified videos, pictures or articles so as not to cause panic. “The NAF wishes to assure all local and international travellers that our airports remain safe and that they can go about their travels without any fear.” Lagos Police assures public of safety Similarly, the Lagos State Police Command also assured members of the public that MMIA remains “safe, secure and not under any form of terrorist attack.” It also vowed to prosecute  those behind the rumour. In a statement by the spokesperson Lagos State Police Command, CSP Chike Oti said: “In view of the disturbing video,  authorities of Lagos State Police Command contacted the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of operations at the Airport Command and he said the video was that of a simulation exercise carried out by the Nigerian Airforce with other agencies at the airport three years ago.” 
http://mognews.com/2018/11/26/lagos-airport-attack-not-true-airforce-police/

THE Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has described South East Governors’ recent trip to Aso Rock where they allegedly poured encomiums on President Muhammadu Buhari for ongoing federal government projects in the zone as an act of cowardice. File: Members of the Movement for the Survival of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) The group also postulated that the 2019 elections may mark the end of the entity called Nigeria, noting that Buhari would be the last president of a united Nigeria. Leader of MASSOB, Comrade Uchenna Madu who spoke yesterday at a special church thanksgiving to commemorate Odumegwu Ojukwu’s Memorial Day at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Olori Awgu, Enugu State, charged his members to keep faith in the struggle for actualisation of Biafra. Biafra, Buhari and King Darius of Persia He said the so-called leaders of Ndigbo were not interested in the general well-being of the people but were rather interested in their private benefits. The group charged the South East governors to emulate governors of other regions who they said have not gone anywhere to tell anybody thank you for embarking on statutory projects. Madu wondered: “Why must you thank Buhari because of the 2nd Niger Bridge; something that is your right, something that by now ought to have been completed? You are thanking him for a project that was not funded in the last three years and in the next 10 years is not going to be materialistic? That is to show you the inferiority complex of our leaders.” He said that the church thanksgiving to commemorate the memorial of their leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu which was celebrated by pro-Biafra struggle across the country was in rememberance of the priceless contribution of late Ojukwu to the freedom of Biafrans. “Today, we are in the church to celebrate our hero, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, who joined his ancestors some years back. MASSOB is very much hopeful in Biafra restoration because when we started the journey, we believe that we must actualize Biafra. Our faith is still strong in the struggle and we are being motivated because this is a foundation  laid by  our leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu. “He left a legacy that we must actualise. It is a dream that we must actualise though we believe in non-violence. We apply every diplomatic approach for now and we have resolved not to take up arms against the state of Nigeria.” 
http://mognews.com/2018/11/26/south-east-governors-are-suffering-from-inferiority-complex-massob/

South- South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday, took a swipe at the Presidency, saying that when the time comes for the people of the South-East to produce the President of the country, nobody can stop them.
According to the Ijaw leader, giving the people of the South-East region a condition that their presidency in 2023 could only be guaranteed and achieved if they vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 was unnecessary and must be condemned in all its ramifications.
The elder statesman was reacting to a statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, that the South-East endorsement of Buhari’s re -election will secure their presidency in 2023.
Clark said that what was required in Nigeria at the moment and years to come was good governance.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja after he paid a condolence visit to Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State over the death of his mother, Ma Goldcoast Dickson, the elder statesman lampooned the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, on the assertion that for the South-East people to have the presidency in 2023, they must vote for Buhari.
Clark said, “That is a very unusual statement. Is it a threat or an appeal? Nigerians will always vote for the candidates they believe in, candidates that will rule Nigeria without any trouble, without religious fanaticism, someone who doesn’t believe in ethnicity, somebody competent enough, healthy enough to rule Nigeria .

“This is the greatest country in Africa; by the way, the Igbo are in the South-East, they are part of this country from the First Republic. No one has put them aside; so when the time comes for the Igbo to be the President of Nigeria, nobody will dispute to it or stop them.”

Earlier, Clark, who noted that he was at the residence of the governor to sympathize with him over the death of his mother, said that Dickson’s mum will be a very happy mother after giving her a befitting burial that had been slated for January next year in Delta State, adding that the mother left behind a very dynamic and progressive son.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, had, while speaking with journalists after a meeting between Buhari and the South-East governors at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, urged the Igbo to endorse Buhari’s re- election bid in order to secure the presidency in 2023.
Mustapha had said: “This obviously might not be most appropriate time. You remember there was a programme in the south-east where Mr. President asked me to represent him and I flew the kite by telling the south-eastern states that their quickest and easiest means to presidency is to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term”.
http://mognews.com/2018/11/25/nobody-can-stop-igbo-presidency-when-the-right-time-comes-clark/

False news about the cause of death of my sister Jennifer Agomuo.

Since the death of my sister I have not been with my phone because it was submitted to the police as I could not handle seeing my own sister who I left to school dead as I returned and for this reason I and my family have not been able to post or to see what has been posted on the internet about my sister and I was so sad to see how quickly people post news without knowing the truth.

My sister had already broken up with Davis Uzoechi for about 6 days past because he abuses her, hits her and always threaten to kill her if she ever tries to leave him but my soft hearted sister out of pity and whatever stupid love she thought she had for this devil didn’t want to report him to the police, her fear was that police could hurt him and she won’t be able to live with that so instead she had a friend call him on the phone and warn him to stay away from her and after that we have tried to be very careful of him knowing how mean he can be, I make sure she goes out whenever I’m going out and I let her know when I’m back so she would come back and even she didn’t have anywhere to go she goes to stay with her friends until when I’m back.

So I went to school on Wednesday 21/11/2018 and she also dressed up and left the house only for me to return and found our door locked from the inside and Davis and My sister’s slippers on the door so I started knocking and nobody answered after a long time, I called her phone it was ringing but no answer and I called his own number but the phone was off so I tried to use a stick to open the cotton through the window that was when I saw both of them lying down on the bed so I called for help and someone in my lodge helped me break the door and we found both of them bleeding, blood all over the room, my sister who was stabbed in the neck was already cold, her head swollen and her blood almost dried with so many bruises on her body especially her neck area as seen in the photo and this is the cause of death as confirmed by the doctor who accessed her but Davis was still breathing fine but bleeding from a slit cut (not a stab) on his neck which clearly shows that he had long killed Jennifer and after tried to kill himself too as he has always threatened.
There was no poison involved, the bottle from the picture online is a cough syrup which has been in our room for a long time and recovered by the police. My sister had been scared of this boy so it’s practically impossible for her to bring him into our own house and lock the door from the inside and then cut him with a knife and then stab herself deeply in her own neck and die long ago while he was still alive and well. How do you break into a house locked from the inside and find two people lying down, without any word and you already concluded who killed who. All the posts on the internet about what happened are all false and every information with the police which is going to be released soon shows that he went to our room and killed my sister and tried to kill himself.
He is very much alive, walking around and talking but my sister didn’t even make it to the hospital and you people have already passed judgement on a poor girl who is very calm as everybody knows. My sister cannot hurt anyone and all you people who call yourselves her friends and lodge mates knows this and also knows how he has been beating her up from time to time and threaten to kill her if she ever leaves him.
I thank the police team who’s in charge of this case as they have done a very good job on investigations and also have Davis Uzoechi (the boyfriend) in custody.

The pictures here will show you where my sister was stabbed and Davis receiving treatment that same night of the incident you should help us find justice for her.
Those in doubt of this news can freely go to (Federal Medical Center, Owerri) to confirm.
With deepest sorrow I advice everyone out there to always report any threat from anybody wether serious or unserious to the police as the death of my sister has thought me a big lesson and I hope it does to you too.
http://mognews.com/2018/11/24/my-sister-didnt-commit-suicide-she-was-stabbed/

The United States oil nudged in the 11 million barrels per day, mbpd mark to position it as the world’s biggest producer of crude oil in September 2018. From the Short Term Energy Outlook, STEO, records of the United States Energy Information Administration, EIA, it appeared technology and resilient policies of the United States have given a soared domestic production of about 11.6 million barrels of crude oil per day. Oil Rapid technological advances in drilling through hydrofracking, gave rise to the shale revolution that beat the Peak Oil syndrome of the 70s and unlocked new sources of vast oil and natural gas that had been trapped underground. With declining production costs the EIA expects the US oil production to stay ahead of Russia and Saudi Arabia to reclaim its lost crown in August 2018. The EIA expects the U.S. crude oil production to remain through 2018 and 2019. In 2017, China surpassed the U.S. in annual gross crude oil imports by importing 8.4 million barrels per day, bpd compared with 7.9 million bpd of U.S. crude oil imports. Would it be an uphill struggle for America to maintain its acquired new status? It appears the crude oil outlook in 2019 would be a defining moment if the United States light sweet crude continues to exceed Russian and Saudi Arabian crude oil production. The International Energy Agency, IEA also strongly believes that the American shale revolution would continue to have effect on the global oil industry that oil producers would continue to have shifts in policies and strategies. The IEA latest World Energy Outlook strong view is that the United States will be the biggest contributor to global oil production growth to 2040, accounting for 75 percent of the total world oil production. According to the IEA, “The shale revolution continues to shake up oil and gas supply, enabling the United States to pull away from the rest of the field as the world’s largest oil and gas producer.” nearly every fifth barrel of oil and every fourth cubic metre of gas in the world would come from the United States. The United States Secretary of Energy, Rick Perry in a testimonial said: “For the first time in 60 years, the United States is now the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas, and we are now exporting natural gas to 30 nations on five continents. Approving short-term LNG exports from projects like Corpus Christi is just one example of how the Administration is pursuing energy dominance and boosting our economy.” America’s technology indeed, moved so quickly that the resource constraint was more like a blip. But America’s assumed dominance in energy did not come by fiat and flight. It came through diligent prosecution of bipartisan energy policies by successive administrations. By 2015, the US unconventional crude oil output was nearing 9.5 million barrels per day, a level not seen since 1972, when production went into decline. The shale oil revolution of the United States is indeed, changing crude oil outlook as America has doubled its output in the last decade. Ten years ago, Nigeria was a major buyer of Nigeria’s Bonny light sweet crude oil; importing over 1 million bpd. The American shale oil has now replaced that of Nigeria that it now has a capability of producing and exporting crude as Congress approved in 2015. The S&P Global Platts Analytics predicts that the US crude oil exports will hit nearly 4 million barrels per day in 2020. If indeed, the rise of the United States shale oil does not plateau in the 2020s and decline in the 2030s, oil dependent nations including OPEC may be in for it. By 1973, America faced one of its greatest energy challenges when the Middle East members in OPEC slammed an embargo from October 1973 to November 1974. The call by President Richard Nixon for “Independence” in energy in his address to the nation about National Energy Policy on November 25, 1973 was what was followed through till the American shale that appeared to be invulnerable to high production costs. The shale technology is the result of over 40 years of research and development that increased global glut which ignited the great price of crude crash of 2014. The shale boom is however, not full proof for America. The United States refineries require the heavy sour crudes imported mostly from the Middle East.  Revenue generated from its light sweet crude will mitigate crude imports of nearly US$500 billion annually. Again, the shale wells tend to dry out much more rapidly than conventional wells meaning more investments to drill more wells to sustain output. Expert belief is that no matter how much additional oil America pumps in the years to come, the global oil market will remain global. Oil being the fungible commodity will always be traded, shipped and piped around the world. With all the intervening variables of taxes and government subsidies or taxes, consumers in oil-exporting nations will pay about as much for crude as consumers in oil-importing nations. 
http://mognews.com/2018/11/24/us-from-largest-oil-consumer-to-biggest-producer-2/

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has recalled with nostalgia his last moments at the Presidential Villa as the number one citizen of Nigeria and how he ended up at the Eagle Square as a common citizen after handing over to his successor, Muhammadu Buhari at a colourful ceremony on May 29, 2015. Jonathan’s recollection is contained in his book: ‘My Transition Hours’, which was unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday at a colourful event, attended by top political, economic and financial player from within and outside Nigeria. In the book, which has already triggered debates among Nigerians, Jonathan also explained why he decided to attend the ceremonial handing over ceremony at the Eagle Square without his wife, Patience. According to him, his wife had been touched by the events of the last few weeks and was not prepared for more shocks and had therefore gone ahead to wait for him at the Presidential Wing of the Abuja International Airport for their final journey to Otuoke, Bayelsa State. Jonathan recalls: “The morning of Friday May 29, 2015 began very early. It was the D-Day for the inauguration of the President billed to commence at 10.00 AM. The event expected to be witnessed by no less than 20 world leaders, was being held at the Eagle Square, Abuja. The day was certainly going to be interesting and I felt ready for whatever emotion came my way. Today, after the oath-taking ceremony, I would finally be going home! “This was an event I had chosen to undertake alone so my wife did not accompany me. Dressed in a black woko, my traditional attire and my signature fedora hat, I walked out into the beautiful sunshine and got into my official car. “The members of staff of the Presidential Villa, including cleaners, cooks, washer men, security men and more, were gathered outside the Glass House, which had become my official residence after I ordered the main residence to be renovated for the incoming President. “I bade them farewell and with tearful eyes, they waved at me and in unison chorused, ‘bye bye Sir’. I entered my car and the convoy moved. I was missing them already. These were very hard-working Nigerians of diverse tribes and tongues who had served their president well. “Azibaola Robert, my cousin, had come that morning to move my personal effects to the car alongside Waripamowei Dudafa and some of my immediate security aides. Before I left the State House for the Eagle Square, I had inspected the last guard of honour mounted by the Brigade of Guards at the inner gate of my residence. It was symbolic because it would be the last inspection of the State House Guard of Honour. “My thoughts reverted to the official swearing in ceremony that I would be participating shortly. The convoy came to a stop at Eagle Square and I exited the car. I went on to greet a few people and was thereafter ushered up the platform where I was to receive the national salute. “Next on the programme, the commander sought my permission for the parade to begin. After giving the permission I went to take my seat next to the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, and his wife, Aisha and my vice president, Arch. Nnamadi Sambo. “After President Buhari had taken his oath of office, it was time for me to leave. I waved at the crowd. To my surprise, I noticed some of the attendees had misty eyes. This struck me because I believe almost all of them were either members of President Buhari’s party, relatives or friends. “I had arrived at the Eagle Square as President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the full presidential convoy.  After the ceremony, I ceased to be President. I was now like any other citizen of the Federal Republic, boarding my personal vehicle to be driven to the Abuja International Airport for the final part of the farewell ceremony in honour of an outgoing President”. “Pulling into the Abuja International Airport, I was happy to see my wife waiting for me. With her was a joyous throng of supporters, aides, ministers and party members. She did not have to ask; she knew what I had just been through. She touched my hand gently and together we boarded the flight that would take us to Port Harcourt International Airport. “As part of the inauguration ritual, we would fly the flagship of the official fleet, codenamed ‘Nigeria Air Force 001 or ‘Eagle One’. This was significant, as it would be my last official flight. “The trip was also an emotional one for me because I had worked with the pilots and crew for the last five years. We were like a family and they were flying me in an official capacity for the last time. Everyone was full of emotions. That flight remains one of the most treasured memories of my transition into private life. 
http://mognews.com/2018/11/24/i-arrived-eagle-square-as-president-and-returned-a-common-man/

Coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr has traced Kelechi Iheanacho’s current form in the national team to his problems at the club level. Nigeria’s national football team coach from Germany Gernot Rohr Bafana v Eagles: It’s revenge time — Ighalo The Franco-German tactician has said he was in constant touch with Leicester City’s technical set-up and they always shared ideas particularly on their Nigerian contingent of Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho. “We have all seen how Iheanacho has been playing for the national team. He is a good player and his fighting spirit is second to none. But of late, his form has dropped. So also is his self confidence, which is very low. And when you lack self confidence you cannot score goals. He missed what would have been our first goal in South Africa. But I believe it is a temporary set back. He will overcome and bounce back because he is a very good player. Rohr praised Iheanacho’s teammate, Ndidi in these words, “He is doing very well. His club were happy that he did not have to come for the last matches because he is an asset to them.”   
http://mognews.com/2018/11/24/iheanacho-dont-trust-himself-rohr/

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, issued an Executive Order (EO) against those his administration is  prosecuting in court over alleged fraud from travelling outside the country pending the hearing and determination of their cases. Buhari The issuance of the travel restriction came barely four days after an Abuja Federal High Court gave the President the right to temporarily seize the property of persons being tried for corruption. Although the court made it clear that the President should not usurp the powers of the other organs of government in the implementation of a controversial Executive Order (EO), Buhari announced the restriction of the movement of no fewer than 50 high profile persons in the country but kept their names under wraps, apparently to escape litigation. When the EO was first published on July 5, 2018, the Federal Government had attached a list of  155 persons, institutions and groups with cases ranging from money laundering to human, drug trafficking and fraud as those affected by the order. However, yesterday, the Presidency issued a terse statement saying that only 50 high standing persons had been barred from travelling outside the country but did not attach their names. Nonetheless, Sunday Vanguard learnt that those to be affected by the order are mostly former and current politically exposed persons, who have outstanding corruption cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes  Commission, EFCC. Among those persons, whose cases are being prosecuted in court by the anti-craft agency and who are listed  in the EO by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, are Governors Gabriel Suswan (Benue), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Orji Kalu (Abia), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa). Full-blown fascism is here – PDP Meanwhile, angry reactions trailed the President’s  action. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP,  called on Nigerians to reject “in its entirety” the attempt by Buhari to foist a full-blown fascism on the nation beginning with the placement of travel restrictions on 50 Nigerians. The party said the step is clearly targeted at members of the opposition parties, perceived political enemies of the President, well-meaning Nigerians, including members of the business community, religious leaders, former political leaders and traditional rulers, who are perceived to be aversed to President Buhari’s re-election bid. The party, in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, described the development as “a direct clampdown on our democratic order and an overthrow of rights of our citizenry as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).” The statement read: “We hope this is not a ploy to harm certain eminent Nigerians on the claims of resisting travel restrictions. “The whole world can now see how fascism is fast taking over our democracy and judicial system and how the Buhari administration, by fiat, has directly ordered that citizens be secretly trailed, their movements and financial transactions restricted by government agencies, without recourse to due process of the law. “While the PDP notes that the Buhari Presidency has gone into panic mode since the popular emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as PDP Presidential candidate and the spontaneous jubilation his emergence has evoked across the country, the party maintains that the resort to total clamp down on the opposition and our supporters will be totally unacceptable. “What this means is that all Nigerians, particularly, opposition members, members of the business community and religious leaders, have become endangered and stand the risk of state violence under the All Progressives Congress, APC, administration. “The PDP alerts the international community to hold the Presidency responsible should any harm befall any opposition leader, key members of the business community and religious leaders across the country as we march towards the 2019 general elections.” ‘Slide into tyranny’ In its own statement, CUPP  warned against what it termed the gradual sliding of the country into tyranny. The coalition, in the statement by its spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere, said: “The Secretariat of the CUPP has reviewed the statement of the Presidency on the full implementation of obnoxious Executive Order 6, presently been challenged at the Appeal Court and confirms that the implementation is the final unveiling of forewarned tyranny. “It is unfortunate that the President could not wait for the final determination of the legal processes in the Court of Appeal before baring his fangs and listing 50 Nigerians with numerous opposition leaders, for travel restriction and seizing of their properties worth over N50m and above. “The court of Appeal, we hope, will deal a decisive blow on this dictatorial Order and consign it to the dustbin of history where it rightfully belongs. “The action of the President is nothing but a another futile attempt by the Presidency to muscle the opposition and deny them of the required funds for the election but this is coming too late in time as Nigerian electorate are already fully mobilized and ready to punish bad governance with their votes. “President Buhari cannot survive the electoral anger of Nigerians and his desperation will only cause him to sink deeper into the abyss of opprobrium and hasten his final disgrace from office within the ambit of the law.”

Order shameful, condemnable – Fani -Kayode

In his own reaction, a  former Aviation  Minister and PDP leader, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, said the President was targetting the opposition. In a statement, Fani-Kayode said: “The banning of 50 prominent Nigerians, who are all members of the opposition from travelling out of the country by Buhari’s Executive Order and the power to confiscate their assets even though they have not been empowered to do so by a court of law or convicted of any offence, is utterly shameful and condemnable.

Implications of ban placed on 50

Nigerians from travelling abroad, by lawyers It is nothing less than a descent into fascism and a violation of the fundamental human rights and civil liberties of the individuals that have been directly affected and the Nigerian people. It is also a usurpation of the role of the Judiciary. Buhari is so desperate to remain in power that he has now resorted to attempting to muscle and intimidate the opposition. He forgets that he is not God and that he will soon leave power. I condemn his lawless and desperate ways in the strongest terms. Only dictators behave in this way and Buhari has proved to be the most brutal and callous of them all in the history of our nation. I challenge him to do his worse and enjoy the short time that he has left in office. Sadists never last. Soon it will all be over and he will account for his evil ways and brought to justice”.
http://mognews.com/2018/10/14/bad-reactions-as-buhari-slams-travel-ban-on-50-nigerians/

Ahead of 2019 general elections, there is currently confusion in Imo State as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given forms to both senator Hope Uzodinma and Rochas Okorocha’s son-in-law, Uche Nwosu as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for the governorship election in the state.
Chief of Staff to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, was presented with INEC forms as the Imo APC Governorship Candidate in the 2019 election on Friday.
Also, the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressive Congress in Imo State Senator Hope Uzodinma was also seen displaying his INEC form .
Recall that an Abuja High Court on Wednesday recognized Senator Hope Uzodinma as the candidate of the party for the 2019 Imo governorship election.
The court, which was presided over by Justice O.A Musa said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must also recognize only Uzodinma as the governorship candidate in the 2019 election.
http://mognews.com/2018/10/13/confusion-as-inec-gives-uche-nwosu-and-hope-uzodinma-apc-guber-forms/

As Governor, I left N75billion saved for my successor....

"To you young people, Take Back your Country...it is your future they are toying with". - Peter Obi

"I reduced my convoy to 5 vehicles and you cannot buy fuel unless I am in the car".- Peter Obi

"If I sleep in a hotel and have to pay N250k a night, I will be awake all night...feeling like I was robbed". - Peter Obi

"You know there are many big men in Anambra state, so when they want to see me, I say to them I will come to you instead".- Peter Obi

"We handed schools back to Churches and by 2013, we were number one in WAEC."- Peter Obi

"I beg you to participate more in politics, the society we help them abuse today will take its revenge tomorrow".- Peter Obi

"The only way out of recession is to spend for growth. You can only spend for growth either from savings or from borrowing.
The question is: what are you borrowing for?
Are you borrowing for consumption or for production?
When you borrow for consumption, you are heading for disaster."

-- Peter Obi.

" I had to stop the Presidential lodge in Anambra... A project awarded at 400million. I had to close down state house in lagos and Abuja... Because I felt we dont need it.... Even when other states had."

" They said President Obasanjo is coming... I went to borrow the kind of cars they wanted... Instead of spending millions... From a neighbouring state."

"I requested Obasanjo to spend the nights in my lodge Since they said he must sleep over... I asked my wife to pack out of my bedroom... We went opposite to lodge in a hotel (name mentioned) for the week, we paid N30,000 instead of N100,000."

"I used the 150million for 2 bullet proof cars to buy almost 50 Peugeot cars at 3 million each.. gave 17 to JUDGES and 18 to permanent Secretaries (because i discovered they did not have cars) and kept 10 for govt house... which I used as Governor... I did not use bullet proof cars as Governor."

"They said we should attend world Igbo Congress in U. S.... That the budget WAS cut from 40 to 32million.... I asked them why... That only one person should go and come and tell us what was discussed."

"Instead of paying 30,000 for each security personnel (about 30) per night in Abuja, I told IG to give me Police whenever am in Abuja....I travel alone... People complained.... The 15 drivers lodged in Abuja state house...who come to airport to cause confusion, i asked them to go, kept only 3. The others to go back to Awka or look for job... I asked the cook to go back to Awka instead of giving him 30,000 per plate."

"When Governors lodge and Govt house was burnt before I came... With budget of 400million and 300 million, I repaired them for 42 million and 80million respectively. They wanted to impeach me that I did not spend by due process... Following the awarded Contracts and contractor.... I saw a table.. That my predecessor used, they said its old... I asked them to renovate it... That all i needed was a table to write as Governor... "
" So so so I was able to save money and made sure that ANAMBRA HAS THE BEST ROAD NETWORK THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN NIGERIA....."
http://mognews.com/2018/10/13/gov-peter-obi-quotes-that-set-the-internet-on-fire/

The annual music fiesta, Felabration, initiated by Yeni Kuti, Fela’s first child, begins onMonday October 15, 2018 with a theme coined from his 1990 hit ODOO ‘Overtake Don Overtake Overtake’ and Legend Extra Stout is set to add a new colour to the total outlook. This year, Legend Extra Stout will be bringing the New Afrika Shrine and every other location in Lagos where people will gather not only to celebrate another edition of Felabration but Fela’s 80th birthday, alive with excitement and its unique bitter tasting stout. For Legend, this is more than just an event sponsorship but an expression of the brand’s DNA and core values, which includes, authenticity, courage and freedom. Felabration provides the perfect opportunity for the brand to connect with young vibrant Nigerians who believes and have the courage to express their real selves. Fela Kuti From October 15th until the 21st, fans will have the privilege to enjoy the richer taste of Legend Extra Stout as they celebrate afrobeat and reminisce the stories Fela told in his days and how they are still relevant in today’s world. Over the years, Legend Extra Stout has brought fanfare to music lovers with previous editions of Felabration and the Real Deal Experience. Fun seekers coming to celebrate the afrobeat king can do so in a relaxed environment where they can feel the richness of the Nigerian music and the amazing taste that Legend Extra Stout brings. Fela is a legend and will always be celebrated as one. Fans are expected in Lagos from around the world to honour the mark Fela made in the world music scene, as well as the inspiration he has given to younger talents coming out from Africa. In July, French President paid a visit to the Shrine to honour Fela, and there will be no surprise if he and other prominent persons like him join in the October celebrations, which will feature a symposium, debates, art exhibition, dance competition and a music concert. Some of the acts who have performed at the music concert include Femi Kuti, Asa, King Sunny Ade, 2Baba Lucky Dube, Nneka, Awilo Longomba, Lagbaja, Wizkid, Burna Boy and many more. A lot of fans will be looking out for moments like Wizkid’s electric performance with Femi Kuti in 2017.
http://mognews.com/2018/10/13/legend-extra-stout-prepares-to-honour-fela-at-80/

According to naijabdcs.com, the live exchange rate platform of the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), the parallel market exchange rose to N360.3 per dollar from N359.8 per dollar on Wednesday, indicating 50 kobo depreciation of the naira. Meanwhile, the naira yesterday appreciated to N364.02 per dollar in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window even as the volume of dollars traded declined by 52 percent.     Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for the window dropped slightly to N364.04 per dollar yesterday from N364.27 per dollar on Wednesday, translating to23 kobo appreciation of the naira. The volume of dollars (turnover) traded in the window yesterday dropped by 52  percent to $135.47 million from $285.05 million traded on Wednesday.    
http://mognews.com/2018/10/12/naira-down-to-360-3-in-parrallel-market-2/

It has been four weeks of resilient onslaught against crime and criminality in Benue state since Mr. Ene Okon assumed duties as the new Commissioner of Police in charge of the state. On assumption of office, Mr. Okon left no one in doubt as to his determination to rid the state of all criminal elements tormenting the nooks and crannies of the state. Proudly showcasing his achievement within the period, the Commissioner of Police paraded a 25 year old armed robbery suspect, Aondowase Emberga who usually dressed in military camouflage alongside his five-member gang to torment and rob motorists and residents along the ever busy Makurdi-Lafia road. While parading the suspects, Okon said that “the arrest followed reported cases of robbery along the Makurdi-Lafia road. The Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad, FSARS, operatives deployed to the road to checkmate the activities of the hoodlums had an encounter with them few days ago at about 11pm leading to exchange of gunfire. The team while combing the surrounding bush in the morning, arrested Emberga wearing military camouflage with gunshot injury on his leg. “He confessed to be a member of the six man gang who dressed in military camouflage and had earlier engaged our security personnel. We are investigating the matter while our men are on the trail of others.” The Commissioner added that a member of another gang was gunned down in an exchange of gunfire in Makurdi town following a distress call by robbery victims after which a pistol with two expended bullets and two cartridges were recovered from the dead robber. He said the special operation within the period also led to the arrest of three suspects in Otukpo and the recovery of four firearms from the suspects. According to Okon, operatives of ‘Operation Zenda,’ a combined security operation on stop and search duty arrested another five suspects along Adikpo-Ugbema road and recovered 378 live ammunitions of various calibers, a telescope, knives and assorted charms. “The Zenda operatives also arrested Aondowaee Yese and Terhide Iorsase both of Ugbema in Buruku local government with two pistols, two live cartridges and a Honda motorcycle which they confessed to have snatched from a motorcyclist at gunpoint on Ugbema -Jato-Aka road. “Also arrested yesterday with a locally made pistol was one Terungwa Tyowua. The suspect was trying to rob a female victim of her belongings when she raised alarm which attracted our patrol team.” Also paraded was a four-man kidnap gang, led by a graduate of Industrial Physics, operating in Makurdi, the Benue state capital and its environs who were arrested by operatives of the state command in collaboration with a squad of the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Monitoring Unit. The Commissioner who disclosed that the gang had overtime successfully carried out their nefarious acts in the state were nabbed while plotting to abduct a serving state lawmaker in the town. Explaining how the command was able to burst the syndicate, the Commissioner said, “on September 26, 2018, operatives of the IGP Monitoring Unit from Abuja led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Ben Igweh in collaboration with the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad, FSARS and personnel of our Command through intelligence led policing, arrested one Magudu Harris 36, of Shawon Ato Street behind Civil Service Commission, Makurdi. “The suspect who is a graduate of Industrial Physics from a Makurdi based university (name withheld) is the gang leader of a 4-man gang terrorizing innocent residents of Makurdi the state capital. “He confessed to have masterminded and executed the kidnap of a female Civil Defense Officer, while on her way from Church and one Mrs. Veronica Jirgba on September 20, 2018 and collected a ransom of N1million before her release four days later. “Further investigation led to the arrest of other members of the gang, one Anyam Terhemen 34, of Idye Village, off Vandeikya Street, Makurdi. He is also a 2011 graduate of Psychology from another University based in Makurdi (name withheld) and 27 year old Paul Keghuur of BNARDA office also in Makurdi, who is the owner and driver of the gang’s operational Golf car with registration number Lagos CY 687 SMK. “Frantic effort is being made to arrest a fleeing member of the gang, identified as Loho Caleb of Wurukum market Makurdi.” The arrested suspects who acknowledged being involved in kidnap activities in the state however blamed the devil for their actions. Mr. Okon further disclosed that the command had already identified a building in the North Bank area of the town where the suspects usually lock up their victims before collecting ransom adding that the structure had been marked for demolition. He said, “the IGP Monitoring Unit as well as the Command has remained resolute in the fight against crime in Benue state because I am determined to discharge the mandate given to me by IGP Ibrahim Idris to ensure that Benue is crime free.” He enjoined the people of the state to go about their lawful businesses without apprehension but report all suspicious persons or movements to the Police. The Commissioner who pledged to confront incidents of crimes and criminality in all parts of the state headlong, appealed to the people to avail his command credible information that would help him succeed in his assignment. 
http://mognews.com/2018/10/06/police-arrest-notorious-kidnap-gang-robbery-suspects-in-military-uniforms/

The quality of the education sector in Nigeria is more towards tolerable than stunted. This judgement was made last week in Yaoundé, Cameroon at the 10th International Conference on Quality Assurance in Higher Education in Africa, ICQAHEA, when participants picked the Nigerian higher education system as standing tall in terms of quality relative to that of many African countries. Deteriorating delivery system In spite of what others think about us, in looking into the mirror, it is clear that we have major challenges that deserve our support for the Minister of Education’s request that a state of emergency be declared in the sector in order to salvage the deteriorating delivery system. The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu is going down in history as one who believes in standing up to the truth regarding the state of the sector and not boasting that all is well whereas the stable has quite some dungs. “In scoping the state of education in Nigeria on October 1, 2018, we can look at key areas such as access, quality and relevance. On access, at the basic education level, we have an unacceptable level of children who are still not in school. The figures range between eight per cent and 11 per cent. “What is gladdening is that since the Buhari administration came into office, vigorous efforts have been invested in reducing the number through several channels including the home-grown school feeding programme. At the higher education level, access continues to be a challenge with the limited institutional carrying capacities. Quality of basic and higher education and the issue of relevance are still agonising points. “What should be of concern to us in the education sector as we celebrate October 1, 2018 is to look at steps that are being taken to break down the challenges rather than keep bemoaning our distressed state. “So, where lie the silver linings? “The first of the silver linings is the commitment of all state governments through the Commissioners for Education at the 63rd National Council on Education held in August this year, to vigorously implement and sustainably act on the ten pillars of the Ministerial Strategic Plan by i) addressing the out-of-school children phenomenon, ii) strengthening basic and secondary school education, iii) prioritising teacher education, capacity building and professional development, iv) promoting adult literacy and special needs education, v) reviving technical and vocational education and training, vi) driving Basic and Secondary Education Curriculum and Policy Matters, vii) ensuring quality and access in higher education, viii) institutionalising education data and planning, ix) promoting Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Education and x) boosting Library Services in Education. The Federal Government should henceforth commit not less than 15 per cent of budget to education and encourage other levels of government to do so. Let us see a few of the activities that will improve education in the coming years at the basic education and university levels. “At the basic education level, the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, has given priority to the expansion of access to Early Childcare Education with the establishment of Community Based Early Childcare Centres, CBECC, in Gombe, Taraba, Sokoto, Katsina, Bauchi, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Niger, Zamfara, Benue and Rivers states to enhance their transition to basic education. Since 2017, the Federal Ministry of Education has embarked on a National Enrolment Drive Campaign to boost enrolment, improve retention and completion rates. The exercise was flagged-off in Bauchi state in January this year to address the issue of out-of school children in the country. Advocacy and sensitisation “Also, advocacy and sensitisation of stakeholders are being carried out at various levels to see how Islamiya and Tsangaya education can be made effective in curtailing the out-of-school syndrome through conversion and comprehensive integration with formal western education system. On quality and funding of teacher education UBEC has allocated funds towards Teacher Professional Development, TPD, programme. The objective of the TPD include, ensuring that teachers and education managers are exposed to current education policies, management systems and teaching methodologies; the training needs of each state are met irrespective of their peculiar nature and the judicious utilisation of resources. The Safe School Initiative has received a boost in addressing security challenges across the North East and in other flash points across the country. In recognition of the importance of data in school administration and planning, the 2017 Annual School Census has been conducted to ascertain the number of children attending schools across the federation. “Moving now to the university system, it can be asserted that the dry bones of the Nigerian university system are preparing to rise again through the Abubakar Adamu Rasheed Revitalisation Plan. This is similar to the Marshall Plan of 1947. In 2016, government made a commitment to reverse the decline in university education. The strategic goals of the Rasheed Revitalisation Plan for the Nigerian university system are: By 2023, access to university education should have increased by a factor of 20 per cent over 2018 figures. By 2019, the curriculum of Nigerian universities should be rated among the best three in Africa in terms of its relevance to producing nationally and regionally-relevant graduates who are high-level human resources for delivering on Africa’s Vision 2063 and addressing global SDGs. By 2023, at least 30 per cent of facilities for teaching, learning and research should have been upgraded to meet international standards and maintained thereafter. By 2023, the gap in the number of teachers needed in the Nigerian university system and those in post should have been reduced from 30 per cent to 20 per cent. By 2023, the quality of graduates from Nigerian universities should be improved by at least 20 per cent as captured in feedback from employers and users of products of the system. By 2023, scholars in Nigerian universities should be among the top three in productivity as measured by national and global productivity standards and reflected in relevance to solving Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. Sustainable funding model By 2019, NUC should introduce enforceable minimum standards in governance that will ensure at least 10 per cent efficiency in the university system. By 2019, the incidence of academic corruption in Nigerian universities should have reduced by at least 10 per cent and remain on the decline up to 2025 and beyond. By 2020, a sustainable funding model should have been approved at all levels and implemented via appropriate instruments of federal and state governments. By 2018, NUC should have been re-structured and empowered to deliver better on its regulatory functions. “Stakeholders in the Nigerian university system especially vice-chancellors have signed on to achieving these goals. Many development partners are also offering technical support. Quality assurance agencies outside Nigeria including that of the UK have expressed willingness to partner NUC in the realisation of these goals. “The new leadership of JAMB is implementing an uncommon reform that will significantly boost enrolment and efficiency of the UTME process. TETFund has re-energised its intervention strategies in a way that is more transparent, quality-focused and comprehensive in scope. The National Open University of Nigeria is marching on to an enrolment target of one million students in 2019/2020 and tweaking its delivery process to significantly boost quality. In sum, when Nigeria is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its independence in 2020, the landscape of education will be greener than what we are seeing today.”
http://mognews.com/2018/10/01/nigerias-education-landscape-tweaking-to-greater-reforms/

The All Progressives Congress, APC, held direct and indirect primaries in states where elections are due next February. The election was conducted amidst intrigues in several states including Delta, Rivers, Cross River among others. APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, APC National Leader Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, APC Chieftain, Chief Bisi Akande, Former Governor of Ekiti State Otunba Niyi Adebayo and APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu during a meeting with APC Osun State Stakeholders and Presentation of Osun State Governorship Candidate to the President at the State House Thursday Night in Abuja

KADUNA

Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State was unanimously endorsed as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2019 election. The ceremony which saw about 2,000 delegates from the 23 local governments of the state voting for El Rufai, who was the sole aspirant, was conducted peacefully. However, the event which was scheduled to have commenced at about 11 am did not start until 5pm. Confusion, violence trail Ogun APC primaries Violence and confusion trailed the direct primary of the APC as there were contrary messages sent out by different officials of the party in the state mainly on account of the absence of the election officials and materials from the national secretariat. Six persons – Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade (Ogun West); Senator Gbenga Kaka (Ogun East); Otunba Bimbo Ashiru (Ogun East); Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun East); Jimi Lawal (Ogun East) and Abayomi Hunye (Ogun West), are in a keen battle for the APC governorship ticket. The state publicity secretary, Mr. Woke Elegbede had insisted, yesterday, that the primary would hold on saying, “kindly disregard the rumours that the Ogun APC governorship direct primary is not holding today (yesterday). “In view of the above, we urge all our loyal and dedicated members to mobilise fully for a free, fair and successful governorship primary today as planned,” Elegbede stated. His stance was, however, contradicted by the state chairman, Derin Adebiyi, who in a statement said: “This is to notify all party faithful and stakeholders that the Governorship Primaries originally scheduled for today (Sunday) has been postponed. “Further announcement will be made upon receipt of firm clarification from the National Headquarters of APC.”

DELTA

The APC primary in Delta State was mired by controversy and intrigues. There were reports of some of the aspirants from Delta North planning to produce a consensus aspirant to fight off Chief Great Ogboru. Accreditation was ongoing at press time last night. However, one of the aspirants, Prof Pat Utomi, frowned at the process. Utomi, who addressed newsmen in Asaba after a meeting with General Onoja (rtd), which was attended by all the Governorship aspirants with former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Minister of Petroleum for State, Mr Ibe Kachukwu in attendance, said the delegates’ list was not displayed as required. According to him, Mr Ibe Kachukwu and all the other aspirants except Chief Great Ogboru called for the postponement of the primary election to allow for the right thing to be done. While describing the process as illegitimate, Utomi said going into the primary election without seeing the list of delegates was like a blind man going into a relay race. Enugu Fighting stalled the governorship primary in Enugu State following the disruption by agents aligned to one of the aspirants. Police subsequently arrested and released one of the aspirants, Mr. George Ogara. Ogara was subsequently banned from entering the gate of the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, UNEC stadium, venue of the primary. The process was ongoing at press time last night.

RIVERS

IT was twisted yesterday with governorship primaries for the APC, in Rivers State as Sen Magnus Abe and Tonye Cole gained predictable victories in parallel exercises. Accredited delegates of Rivers APC chaired by Ojukaye Flag Amachree and led by Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi elected Tonye Cole, the party leader’s choice as candidate in an indirect primary held in Port Harcourt. In a separate exercise, the Sent Abe led faction of the Rivers APC held direct primaries across all 23 local government in the state with Abe emerging the overwhelming winner. Cross River: Anger as materials disappear Hundreds of angry members of the APC in Cross River State, yesterday protested the non-conduct of the party’s governorship primaries following the disappearance of the election materials and members of the electoral committee assigned to conduct the election In the state Elder David Okon the leader of the party in the southern district of the state, and two governorship aspirants, namely, Professor Eyo Etim Nyong and Chief Edem Duke who addressed the protesting members called on the national Chairman of the party to ensure that the name of the party is not dragged in the mud. NIGER Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello emerged as the APC, standard bearer at the primary election conducted across the 274 wards of the state where he stood as the only aspirant. Party members trooped out in large numbers as early as 8am in their ward’s designated centres to participate in the direct primary option adopted by the state for the emergence of party’s candidates for all elective offices in the state. The returning officer for Kontagora Central Ward, Alhaji Lawal Abdullahi Madsngen after the exercise disclosed that out of the 1,354 accredited members, 1, 198 that turned up voted unanimously for Gov. Sani-Bello.

AKWA IBOM

The APC governorship primary in Akwa Ibom was marred by late arrival of materials for the exercise. The party’s faithful had to wait in the scorching sun till evening at their respective wards for the materials which came rather late. The contest in the state is between Obong Nsima Ekere, former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Dan Abia, former Managing Director of NDDC; Senator Akpan Udoedehe and Engr. Edet Efretuei. Our reporters, who monitored the distribution of materials at the Ikot Ekpene Road office of the party, reported that the first batch of materials meant for far-flung councils were driven out of the premises by 3.00pm, while the last set apparently meant for Uyo and nearby local governments were issued at about 4.26 pm. ‘’The materials for the Oron federal constituency arrived barely 4.00pm and ‘we are about to start the process’, a party stalwart told Vanguard on phone. The situation was tense at the state secretariat of the party yesterday as security operatives were deployed in large numbers to beef up security. However, a policeman attached to Etim Ekpo Command allegedly shot and killed an APC operative who was trying to board the Police vehicle ferrying the materials to his local government area. Eyewitness account averred that the policeman identified as a Sergeant had told the deceased to come down from the vehicle which conveyed the materials, but he had refused which prompted the policeman to pull the trigger and the bullet hit him in the pelvic region. According to the eyewitness, ‘’the Police vehicle immediately sped off leaving him in his pool of blood and people had to flag down a tricycle (keke) which took him away but he was already dead.” 
http://mognews.com/2018/10/01/intrigues-trail-apc-governorship-primaries/

All first term governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, emerged victorious in the party primaries held, yesterday, in Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Rivers, Delta and Cross River states. The primaries were held in fairly peaceful circumstances with notable exception in Oyo and Borno states where parallel primaries were held along factional lines. The Benue State primary was yet to commence at press time yesterday, but all other aspirants with the exception of Mr. John Tondu, a former commissioner in the Gabriel Suswam administration had at press time stepped down for Governor Samuel Ortom.

RIVERS

Governor Nyesom Wike was the only aspirant at the Rivers State primary of the party that was also attended by the national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus at the primary election held at the Sharks Stadium, Port-Harcourt. Wike was the only aspirant on the ballot. Chief Returning Officer for the Rivers State PDP Governorship Primary, Mr Chuma Chinye announced that the governor polled 3, 345 delegate votes from the 23 local government areas of the state. The voting   process was   kick-started by National PDP Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, who was a statutory delegate from Andoni Local Government Area. Governor Wike then voted, followed by other statutory delegates before they were joined by other delegates in alphabetical order.

ENUGU

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, yesterday, emerged unopposed as the governorship candidate of the PDP for Enugu State in next year’s governorship election. He was the sole aspirant at the governorship election where he was voted for by over 2,000 delegates that was presided over by the five-man electoral committee led by Senator Zik Ambuno. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, while introducing Ugwuanyi, noted that in the past 21 years of Enugu political history, it was the first time a sole aspirant contested the party’s position.

DELTA

Governor Ifeanyi  Okowa emerged as the governorship standard-bearer through a process of affirmation at the primary election held at the Cenotaph, Asaba. Among those present were former Governor James Ibori, his deputy, Chief Benjamin Elue and other top PDP leaders. Announcing the result of the primaries in which Okowa was the sole aspirant, Chairman of the Governorship Primary Committee, Mrs. Uzor Nwandu, said he polled 3, 252 of the 3, 278 delegates’ votes while 26 were voided. Okowa  immediately announced the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro as his running mate.

EBONYI

Governor David Umahi, emerged the candidate of the PDP for Ebonyi State following a primary election in which he was the only aspirant. Declaring Governor Umahi winner and the candidate of PDP for Ebonyi State governorship election, the Chairman of the panel, Senator Joy Emodi said Governor Umahi pulled a total of 1, 988 votes. Dr. Emodi said the decision to go into normal election despite the fact that Governor Umahi was the sole aspirant for the governorship position, was based on the party’s prescription for internal democracy which enables the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to monitor the proceedings.

ABIA

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu emerged as candidate of the party at the primary after delegates from the 17 council areas of the state renewed their mandate with a total of 1, 991 votes. Although Ikpeazu had no challenger, the party still went through all the electoral process of accreditation, voting, sorting, counting and declaration. Declaring Governor Ikpeazu winner of the PDP primaries, the Chief Returning Officer, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi announced that a total of 2, 207 delegates were accredited for the election with 23 of the votes recorded as invalid.

OGUN

Adebutu , Shittu emerge separate governorship candidates   The PDP in Ogun State, yesterday, performed rival primaries and elected  two different candidates for the 2019 governorship election in the state. The group loyal to Senator Buruji Kashamu with Bayo Dayo as chairman, held its primary at the PDP State Secretariat on IBB Boulevard, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta and elected Adeleke Shittu from Ijebu-Igbo, in Ijebu-North Local Government Area of the state as candidate. The primary was observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

OYO

The PDP governorship primaries in Oyo State was marked with factional congresses held at Adamsingba Stadium and Liberty Stadium, both in Ibadan. Unlike the huge turnouts that characterised such meetings in the past, there was a poor turnout of delegates, yesterday. When Vanguard got to the venue of the primaries, unlike in the past, when the whole stadium would be filled to the brim, there was a scanty crowd as some aggrieved party members were seen leaving the stadium. One of the governorship aspirants, Senator Ayo Adeseun warned the national leadership of the party to avoid another electoral defeat in the state by allowing all the aspirants to have access to the original delegate list for the primary election. While dismissing the purported primary election held at the Liberty Stadium yesterday as a huge joke and unacceptable, he said it was a complete absurdity to hide a delegate list from a prominent contestant like him. Ishaku emerges in Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku emerged the candidate of the PDP at the Taraba State PDP State primary conducted in Jalingo, the state capital yesterday. He was unopposed. Reacting to his emergence, he promised to sustain his track record of development in the state.

ADAMAWA

Ahead of the primary in Adamawa State yesterday, two of the leading aspirants, Dr. Umar Ardo and former deputy governor of the state, Sa’ad M.C Tahir announced their withdrawal from the contest. The duo lamented that under such circumstances,they rather maintain their political and personal integrity by withdrawing from the governorship race.

BORNO

The PDP held parallel gubernatorial primaries in electing their candidate for the forthcoming 2019 general elections. One of the factions with Usman Baderi as chairman conducted their primary at the new PDP secretariat along Circulur Road, Maiduguri with Mohammed Wakil, a former minister of Works (State) and Alhaji Bukar Kyari as the major aspirants. The other faction which has Alhaji Zanna Gadama as chairman held its own primary at the Old PDP secretariat around Leventis General Area of the metropolis.

NIGER

Umar Muhammad Nasko, former Chief of staff to Governor Babangida Aliyu emerged the PDP candidate at the Niger State primary.
http://mognews.com/2018/10/01/pdps-first-term-govs-emerge-candidates-for-2019/