Nemesis

Former Chairman of the defunct Special Investigative Panel on the Recovery of Public Properties (SPIP), Chief Okoi Obono Obla says has no business with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accusing the agency of victimization, ethnic cleansing and political blackmail.


In an apparent reaction to the directive by ICPC to law enforcement agencies to arrest him for failing to honour heir invitations to answer allegations of corruption levelled against him, Chief Obla said in a Facebook post "unfortunately, the ICPC has become an instrument of oppression , victimization, theatrics, impunity, infringement of fundamental rights , lawlessness , ethnic cleansing and political blackmail against me.

He urged the agency to respect the integrity of the court "ICPC, should please respect the authority and integrity of the Courts! I don’t have any business with ICPC! Let ICPC meet me in the law courts where I have instituted two cases against her!

The ICPC on Friday directed security agencies in the country to arrest Chief Obla immediately he's sighted for repeatedly refusing to honour their invitation.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/02/obono-obla-says-he-has-no-business-with.html

Congratulations

The Nigeria Air Force has released list of successful candidates who took part in last year's DRC/DSSC recruitment exercise.

The successful candidates have been instructed to report for training at Nigerian Air Force Base Kawo, Kaduna on Saturday, 8 February 2020.

The candidates were further instructed to report with the following:

a. Original Credentials.
b. 2 White T Shirts.
c. 2 Blue PT Shorts.
d. 2 Pairs of White Canvas.
e. 3 Pairs of White Socks.
f. 2 Pairs of Mufti Dress.
g. 2 White Shirts.

Click here to download list https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/01/nigerian-air-force-releases-2019.html?m=1

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/01/nigerian-air-force-releases-2019.html?m=1

Congratulations to those who made d list

The Nigeria Air Force has released list of successful candidates who took part in last year's DRC/DSSC recruitment exercise.

The successful candidates have been instructed to report for training at Nigerian Air Force Base Kawo, Kaduna on Saturday, 8 February 2020.

The candidates were further instructed to report with the following:

a. Original Credentials.
b. 2 White T Shirts.
c. 2 Blue PT Shorts.
d. 2 Pairs of White Canvas.
e. 3 Pairs of White Socks.
f. 2 Pairs of Mufti Dress.
g. 2 White Shirts.

Click here to download list https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/01/nigerian-air-force-releases-2019.html?m=1

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/01/nigerian-air-force-releases-2019.html?m=1

Congratulations to him

Former Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) 2019 housemate, Gedoni Ekpata has been appointed Special Adviser to the governor of Cross River State on Garment Factory and Branding.

The Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity announced this in a release made available to newsmen in Calabar on Monday.

Others appointed by the governor include Dakwan Elizabeth Bambu (Special Adviser, Calas Vegas),
Emmauel Bepe (Special Adviser, Executive Protocol), Rosemary Tutu Ekeng (DG, Investment Promotion), Erasmus Ekpang (Special Assistant, Waste Management) and
Hon. Florence Inyang.

The statement added that their appointment takes immediate effect.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/01/ex-big-brother-naija-housemate-gedoni.html?m=1

ran mistakenly shot down the Ukrainian plane that crashed on Wednesday near Tehran with 176 people on board, US media report.

US officials say they believe the Ukrainian International Airlines Boeing 737-800 was hit by a missile, CBS says.
Ukraine earlier said it was examining whether a missile strike brought down the aircraft - but Iran ruled this out.

The crash came just hours after Iran carried out missile strikes on two airbases housing US forces in Iraq.
CBS News quoting US intelligence said a satellite detected infrared "blips" of two missile launches, followed by another blip of an explosion.

Meanwhile, Newsweek quoted a Pentagon and a senior US intelligence officials, as well as an Iraqi intelligence official as saying they believed the Ukrainian plane was hit by a Russian-made Tor missile.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said "I have my suspicions" over the plane. "Somebody could have made a mistake," he said.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/01/iran-mistakenly-shot-down-ukrainian.html

The police in Lagos State has busted a Pastor who allegedly hires people to stage miracles to defraud unsuspecting members of his church.

The 'pastor' whose name is given as Elijah, is on the run.

Parading the suspects, State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, also disclosed that six people were arrested in connection with the fake miracles.

The 6 arrested have been identified as Lawal Damilola (29), Makinde Folashade (49), Babayemi Joke (37), Precious Sunday (20), Victoria Emmanuel (42) and Gift Adams (42).

He said they all aided Elijah in conducting fake miracles at Festac Town, Airport Road and Ikoyi.
The suspects also confessed to receiving N3,000 from the fake pastor to stage the fake miracles.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/01/accomplices-of-pastor-who-pays-n3000-to.html?fbclid=IwAR1-eGdg1nMLThE3e5RHyT9U42ssvq04ZEg94cEdm2DQjJ1pF0lefnXrzLs&m=1

As in eh

The governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, today, signed into law the 2020 appropriation bill christened "Budget of Olimpotic Meristemasis".

The budget, which is the highest ever by a state in Nigeria has been criticized by financial experts. Many have argued that that the budget is unrealistic, given the financial reality of the state which is considered insolvent, and near bankrupt within the nation's financial circle.

The budget which was passed by the state House of Assembly on the 31st of December, 2019.

In his speech, the governor said the state is the first ever to present a budget of 1.1 trillion Naira.

He said " Budget of Olimpotic Meristemasis", the N1.1trillion budget is geared towards bringing to fruition, the signature projects of the administration, including the 270 kilometre superhighway connecting Cross River with Northern Nigeria.
82 percent of the budget is for capital expenditure while 18 percent is for recurrent expenditure".

He continued "There are two types of budgeting.
Either you do deficit budgeting or you do envelope budgeting.
In envelope budgetting, if you look at your medium term expenditure framework, you budget according to your expectation which is an agenda informed by how much you intend to achieve. Nobody has asked how Cross River which gets the lowest allocation in the country and services debt in the neighbourhood of N1.8 billion manages to pay teachers, civil servants, pensioners."

At any point in time a man's ability is limited by his financial muscle his brain has failed
For us in Cross River, with governor and his deputy as Professors, it will be a thing of shame for us to budget based on our envelope size
In the 2020 appropriation bill I have just signed into law, we have developed factories that have matured to a point where you need only operating capital to have them start commercial production. It will be the end of suffering in Cross River.

Cross River state has 33 industries in four years and you can point at them. So, I want to assure all of you that this budget of N1.1 trillion is something we can achieve, something we can accomplish"

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/01/criver-governor-signs-into-law-2020.html?m=1

SangoOlukosoOba:
People should stop kidnapping themselves.

It's becoming a buisness venture.

Are you saying he kidnapped himself?

The abducted chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria in Adamawa State, Lawan Andimi, has cried out from Boko Haram camp.

Andimi was abducted by the sect members during an attack on Michika community in Adamawa state on Friday, January 3rd.

In a video message obtained by a journalist known to be close to the sect , Ahmad Salkida, Andimi could be seen pleading with Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Adamawa state governor, Ahmadu Umoru Fintri, to work towards his safe return.

In the short recorded video Rev. Andimi declared that if its pleased God that he be released, he would be out, but if God decides not to get him out that they should look after his children.

Speaking in Hausa and English intermittently, Andimi commended his captors for treating him humanly, providing him with blanket cover, decent beddings and good food. He requested his colleagues in CAN as well as his family members not to be weary since God’s will must be respected in all of their lives. He declared that if it pleases God that he be released, he would be out but if God decides not to get him out, his wife should be patient and his colleagues should help look after his children.


Watch video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LK69A06Nwc

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2020/01/adamawa-state-can-president-kidnapped.html

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Popular Nigeria musician, Wizkid has announced he'll be getting married next year.

He announced on his Twitter handle @wikidayo:
"Next year! I will be getting married".

The artiste failed to mention who the lucky girl would be.

See post

Source:
https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2019/12/i-will-be-getting-married-next-year.html?m=1

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Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has ordered the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, the Auditor-General for Local Governments, the Director of Administration and the Director of Accounts in the state to pay local government workers their November to December salaries today, Friday 20th December, 2019 or face demotion.

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Christian Ita, the apparently angry governor expressed disappointment that despite making funds available for the payment of local government workers since November, their salaries are yet to be paid.

The statement reads in full:
"The state governor, His Excellency, Sir Ben Ayade has directed the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, the Auditor-General for Local Governments, the Director of Administration and the Director of Accounts to ensure that local government workers are paid their salaries before the end of today, Friday, December 20, 2019 or face severe disciplinary actions.

His Excellency is displeased that in spite of making funds available for the payment of local government workers salaries since the first week of November, the workers were yet to get paid.

His Excellency has therefore, charged the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government, the Auditor-General of Local Government, the Director of Administration and Director of Accounts to ensure local government workers receive their salaries today.

Failure to achieve this mandate will attract dire disciplinary measures, including demotions".

Source:
https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2019/12/ayade-blows-hot-pay-local-government.html?m=1
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One of Nigeria's leading television station, African Independent Television (AIT) is set to award President Muhammadu Buhari as the African President of the Year.

This is coming few days after rumours went viral that its owner, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi was set to dump the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Party (APC).

Dr. Dokpesi had come out to deny the rumour. AIT had its license suspended by the National Communications Commission for breach of broadcast code. The suspension was lifted after many Nigerians criticised the body
and a court order.

Announcing the award, an aide to President Buhari, Bashir Ahmad shared the news and a flyer on his Twitter handle. He wrote:

"The African President of the Year 2019. Great choice, thank you DAAR/AIT"

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2019/12/ait-awards-buhari-african-president-of.html?m=1

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Name: Obio Monday
Blog: www.grassrootreportersng.com
Contact: 07033996028
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @mondayobio

Hi everyone, I am Obio Monday. I blog on news and events.

My blog is www.grassrootreportersng.com

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross State Council says detained journalist, Agba Jalingo is not their member, reports Premium Times.

Mr Jalingo, the publisher of the online CrossRiverWatch, has been in prison in Calabar. He is charged with treason over a report about an alleged diversion of N500 million by the Cross River Governor, Ben Ayade.

According to the online medium, the NUJ chairman in Cross River, Victor Dan, reportedly said Mr Jalingo is not a member of the union, apparently justifying why the union at the state level has been silent over the continuous incarceration of the journalist.
Mr Jalingo’s trial was in November listed among 10 “most urgent” cases of threats to press freedom around the world.

Amnesty International and several other organisations have been calling for Mr Jalingo’s release from prison
The NUJ in Cross River is not known to have spoken up or issued a single statement condemning the continuous detention and trial of Mr Jalingo.
“It’s true they told us he (Jalingo) is not their member,” the spokesperson of Amnesty International in Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said of a meeting he had in Calabar with the NUJ chairman, Mr Dan, over Mr Jalingo’s travails.
Mr Sanusi travelled to Calabar and met Mr Dan on November 15 to press upon the NUJ in the state to speak out on Mr Jalingo’s case. The meeting took place at the Ernest Etim-Bassey Press Centre, Calabar.

‘No comments please’
Mr Dan declined comment on the matter when PREMIUM TIMES contacted him on Monday.
But, Darlington Edem, the chairman of the Association of Cross River Online Journalists (ACROJ), said he was disappointed with the way NUJ in Cross River has remained quiet over Mr Jalingo’s trial.
“So far, they have been so quiet, there has been no word from the NUJ chairman,” Mr Edem told PREMIUM TIMES, Monday. “It is a huge disappointment.”
Mr Jalingo is a well-known journalist in Cross River as well as a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Edem said.
“We are all journalists, we go to cover events together. If Cross River State NUJ is saying they would not talk because Agba Jalingo is not their member, then why is the national body (NUJ) talking?” he said.

Support from national
The national leadership of NUJ, unlike the Cross River state council, has, however, said the union would not abandon Mr Jalingo.
The NUJ president, Chris Isiguzo, told PREMIUM TIMES, Monday, that the NUJ would stand up for the incarcerated journalist “even if he is not a member of the union”.

“From Cross River, they have told us he is not our member and all that, but I have told them clearly that whatever it takes, let us solidarise with him, do whatever we are able to do, get him out and then take care of the rest,” Mr Isiguzo said.
“Whether or not he is our member, it is incumbent upon us to protect all journalists.
“We did a letter to the governor, Ben Ayade, we asked him to free the young man. But up till now, we have not received any response.

“I have asked that they furnish me with information on the next court sitting, I will personally be in court, and once I am in court be rest assured that all the journalists and the leadership of NUJ (in Cross River) would join me to the court,” he added.

https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2019/12/cross-river-nuj-disowns-agab-jalingo.html?m=1

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Some Nigerians have taken to Twitter to attack the wife of the president, Aisha Buhari for addressing him as General Muhammadu Buhari and "incorruptible" in a birthday message she posted on her Twitter handle.

The controversial and outspoken First Lady only recent accused the Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mallam Garba Shehu of taking directives from the President's niece, Mamman Daura instead of the president.

Recall that the Punch Newspaper in its editorial said it will henceforth address the president as Major General, his last rank before his retirement from the military because of his penchant for disobeying court orders.

The president's spokesman, Garba Shehu in a statement, accused the the newspaper of being bias, questioning why the paper did not address former president Olusegun Obasanjo with his former rank.

Mrs. Aisha posted:

"Happy Birthday to MY incorruptible GMB.
I wish you Allah’s Guidance Protection and Good Health to continue steering the affairs of our dear nation .
Long Live GMB
Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria!"

Reacting
@eric13 wrote:
Thank you Mama
@aishambuhari
,for adding salt to their injuries. GMB shall live long in good health to see the end of the rot he's been clearing. He will continue to DEMOnstrate goodness, his enemies go dey CRAZY.

@apostofgod1 wrote:

Madam
@aishambuhari
supposed to be expelled from the state house, just like the Punch correspondent, for calling our president GMB instead of PMB. Abi what's the offence of the Punch? I hope Garba Shehu & Abba Kyari are set to get a marching order from Mamman Daura on this. HBD!

@iykkman wrote:

We agree with HBD. HBD PMB. But Incorruptible? Haba Ajia. We haven't 4gotn N2.8b, 53 Suitcases, PTF billions and messy deals, the $25b NNPC deals, the nepotism and onesidedness, the fulanisation/islamisation. This 'incorruptible' myth has long been discredited and debunked Ajia.


Source:
https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2019/12/nigerians-attack-aisha-buhari-for.html?m=1

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Geraldine Orok Ita

The Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC), on Thursday December 12, 2019, arraigned one Geraldine Orok Ita before Justice S. A. Amobeda of the Federal High Court, Calabar, for allegedly obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and impersonation.

While taking her plea, the accused pleaded not guilty on all counts of the six count charge preferred against her by the Commission.


Geraldine was reported to the Commission by a member of her family who alleged that the accused went to the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, and altered sensitive information on the registration documents of Sharpnet Solution Ltd. and ROK Project Ltd.

The petitioner also accused Geraldine of changing the company's Secretary on November 6, 2014, and further went ahead to remove the names of all existing Directors (herself, her late husband, Engr. Orok Ita and her son, Emmanuel Ita) and replaced with her own name and that of her cohort as the new directors.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2019/12/woman-in-court-for-removing-son-late.html?m=1

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Congratulations to Usani

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has lifted the suspension it placed on Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, former Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani.

The party had suspended them in March this year for an alleged "anti party activities"

In a statement signed by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, this evening, the party said it was inline with its policy on fairness and equity.

It reads in full:

"The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has lifted the suspension on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Mr. Osita Okechukwu and Pastor Usani Uguru Usani.

This is in line with the party’s deliberate policy of fairness and actions targeted at ensuring harmony within the party across the country.

Through the suspension, our party has shown the capacity and willingness to implement its own rules and we hope the concerned party members will seize this opportunity to fully reconcile themselves with their ward, local government, and state party structures, key into the party activities, and continue to make their own contributions to the growth and stability of the party.

We urge them to also take steps to reconcile with groups and individuals that are important to ensuring a lasting solution to any conflict that may exist in their respective states.

SIGNED:
Mallam Lanre Issa - Onilu,


National Publicity Secretary



Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2019/12/apc-lifts-suspension-on-amosun-okorocha.html?m=1

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Cossybob:
It's no fake news.
EFCC already marked the building.

Please tell him

Blakewilli:
FAKe News!! They just marked it maga

Who said d news is fake? Are u high?

Nawa oo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has marked properties owned by former governor of Abia Sate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, including the The Sun Newspaper.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the commission's spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, on Saturday.

The commission said the move was to ensure that the properties were not dissipated after Justice Muhammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos, had directed that Slok Nigeria Limited owned by Kalu be closed down and all its assets forfeited to the federal government.

The EFCC spokesperson revealed that the Sun newspaper and Slok Nigeria Limited are part of the properties marked for forfeiture to the government.

Senator Kalu was on December 5 convicted and sentenced to 12 years in jail for corruption.

Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2019/12/breaking-news-efcc-closes-down-sun.html?m=1

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Congratulations

Marvin Record singer, Di'Ja has welcomed her third child. She took to her Instagram page @Aphrodija to announce the cheering news and shared a beautiful picture of her 3 lovely kids.

She wrote: "I have been blessed countless times over and over again. Alhamdullilah. A week ago, I had the most amazing delivery! It can only be the Almighty. Allahu Akbar. KITON FAROUK (2016), AMANA MORENIKE (2018) and AYANA WURA (2019). Our beautiful children. #Olofamily. Pic by @iamjinius_ . I don’t know how we’ve done it. #MAMABEAR! I still can’t believe I am a mum of now 3 amazing children. Thank you to my whole family, friends, caretakers for holding me down this whole time. #2020visiononlock #strongerthanyouthink#mumsaresuperheros".


Source: https://www.grassrootreportersng.com/2019/12/marvin-record-queen-dija-welcomes-third.html?m=1

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Politicians eh