₦airaland Forum

A pharmacist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Mr. Lanre Alege, has called for lifestyle changes to minimise the risk of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH).

Alege made the call at a lecture entitled, “Minimising the Risk of BPH”, at the monthly keep fit exercise for members of staff of the UITH held at the Kwara stadium, reported the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to him, the lifestyle changes include nutrition, limiting alcohol intake, exercise, sitting habits, use of loose underwear, and regular sexual intercourse.

He described BPH as a non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland, adding that studies in some developed countries had shown that 50 per cent of men in their 60s and about 80 per cent of those in their 80s suffered from the disease.

“The prostate cancer is a disease common in men aged 50 and above,” he stated.

According to him, as the prostate gland expands, it squeezes the urethra or causes the muscles around the urethra to contract, making it difficult to urinate.

“Frequent urination, especially at night, reduces or weakens the flow of urine, difficulty or hesitation in starting urine or holding urine or feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder after urination,” he said.

“Consumption of red meat everyday triples the chances for prostate disease. Milk intake everyday also doubles the risk while not taking fruits and vegetables multiplies the risk.

“Men should avoid tight under wear, as it impacts on circulation around the groin and heats up the area. Regular sex is good for the prostate also,” he said.

The acting Head of Department, Nursing Services, Mrs. Elizabeth Aina, lauded the management of UITH for sustaining the programme.

According to Aina, the importance of exercise in improving physical, mental, social and emotional build up cannot be over emphasised.

The state Director of Sports, Mallam Tunde Kazeem, however expressed concern that attendance of the keep fit exercise regime was not encouraging and charged UITH heads of departments to encourage their staff to always participate in the programme, considering its importance.

Source: http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/regular-sex-exercise-minimise-prostrate-cancer/

The Director-General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Segun Oshinowo, has warned that if the high rate of unemployment in the country is not checked, it is a time bomb that would explode any time.

He lamented that the rising unemployment trend in the country portends grave danger, adding that was akin to pointing a gun at head of the country which the trigger may be pulled at any time.

Oshinowo said government’s projection on the economy was yet to synchronise with the reality, even as he faulted figures released by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

He said: “If we are talking about good governance, it is not figures that will showcase such, but quality of life of the people. We should be looking at things such as accessibility to health and additional jobs that had been created. To the best of my knowledge from interacting with Nigerians and observing happenings around, one cannot really say that there has been any significant improvement in this economy.”

The NBS recently published new rates of unemployment for Nigeria’s economy from 2010 – 2014 based on a new methodology, which suggested that the economy is almost at full–employment, as the rate for last quarter of last year stood at 6.4 per cent. The rate as at first quarter of this year was 7.5 per cent. One is not so much concerned about the methodology used because they are based on certain assumptions, so if any of the assumptions is relaxed, the calculated rate may be different.

Oshinowo noted that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate might be saying something to the contrary.

He asked rhetorically: “Government might say that they have posted 6.5 or 7.0 per cent but when you really look at the facts on the street, how many jobs have we created? To what extent has the quality of life of Nigerians been significantly improved in the last six months? How many businesses have come on stream?”

He added: “Currently, we have started a survey on the health of our member companies, especially those in the North, and from the discussions we’ve had with them, we’ve been told that sales had gone down by 25 per cent. And if the trend should continue by the end of the year, quite a number of them will have to downsize. So, the outlook is grim, I must say.”

He wondered why Nigeria continues to experience unemployment growth despite its rating as one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Source: http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/neca-nigerias-unemployment-rate-is-time-bomb/

Following the refusal of former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, to assent to the fourth constitution amendment bill before the expiration of his administration, the National Assembly would re-transmit the bill to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

The bill includes provisions for independent candidates to contest for political offices without the platform of political parties.

These details were disclosed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, when he met with the. Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) for the 2015 General Elections, Mr. Santiago Fisas, in Abuja last Wednesday.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Turaki Hassan, the Speaker said the bill was alive in both chambers of the National Assembly.

“It is one of the casualties of the non-signing of the bill by the former president. I want to assure you that we will definitely revisit that amendment as it increases the democratic space and more citizen participation in the electoral process. I wish to inform you that some of the recommendations by the mission such as independent candidature has received the support of the National Assembly,” he said.

Dogara expressed Nigeria’s commitment to building and strengthening democracy, so that it does not only meet domestic aspirations, but is in line with international best practices.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/constitution-amendment-bill-to-be-re-transmitted-for-buharis-assent/

The federal government Wednesday announced that it was in the process of reviewing the recent Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy which banned 41 items from sourcing foreign exchange from the interbank forex market.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, at the 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Lagos, explained that the CBN forex policy was introduced to boost local production and protect the nation’s manufacturing sector.

He, however, noted that there could be the need to rejig the policy towards ensuring that all the associated grey areas are properly looked at and any aspect of the policy that requires amendment resolved.

According to Osinbajo, “We are going to have negotiations with the operators of the manufacturing sector to seek ways on how foreign exchange control can be eased to enable the items that are not eligible for foreign exchange to be covered,” he said.

The vice-president added that efforts were on top gear to boost power supply in the country, stressing that by the middle of 2016, power supply in the country will shoot up to about 5,000 megawatts.

“We have already carried out a survey of some transmission assets in the country and we believe that when these assets are completed, Nigeria will experience increased power supply. We are discussing extensively on power supply on a daily basis because we believe that the manufacturing sector is critical for economic growth and job and wealth creation,” he stated.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/osinbajo-we-are-reviewing-cbn-forex-restrictions/

Children of Internally Displaced Person of school-age in some parts of the North-east affected by the insurgency are back in school as the federal government launched Mobile Containerised schools last week in Maiduguri, Borno State.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President, Mr. Laolu Akande, said a 50-foot container being used as a mobile classroom, would efficiently contain 35 students and was fully equipped with basic educational materials and furnishing including solar panels for electricity powering lights and fans.

The mobile classes are complete with chairs and tables, blackboard/whiteboard, a projector and a metal storage cabinet.
Speaking at the launch held on Tuesday at the Dalori IDP Camp in the Borno State capital, the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), recalled that the project was one of the many things that would come the way of the North-east following his visit to Borno State in July at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The launch of this Containerised Schools is a major step and a sheer demonstration that we are working towards-building the infrastructure in the North-east as we need to secure the future of our children,” the vice-president remarked in a message delivered on his behalf by his aide, Dr. Mariam Masha.

In his address, Governor Kashim Shettima commended the federal government and the Presidential Initiative on the North-east, PINE, for coming to the aid of the IDPs in Borno State adding that these containerised mobile schools would help to make qualitative education affordable to the vulnerable school-aged children who had been most affected by the activities of insurgents.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/fg-launches-mobile-schools-in-idp-camps/

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the nomination of Mr Adebayo Shittu from the state for minister.

The party, in a statement yesterday, said Shittu would not serve the interest of the people, adding that he is not a team player.

The statement reads: “The State Working Committee (SWC) of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State met on October 1 and resolved as follows:

“That President Muhammadu Buhari deserves commendation for beginning to lead the campaign for laying a foundation for the desired change by Nigerians through his enviable leadership within a short period that his administration was inaugurated.

“That we pledge our unalloyed loyalty and support for the national leadership and levels of our great party while at the same time appreciate the followership for their cooperation in repositioning.

“That we like to appreciate the fact that going by the 2015 presidential election results, Oyo State performed creditable in terms of contribution of votes to the overall success of our party, in ranking, Oyo State came first in the Southwest with 528,620 votes, third position in the whole South and seventh in the whole federation. Similarly, we won all the three senatorial seats and 12 of 14 House of Representative seats too. This we considered no mean feat.

“Surprisingly, however, our performance has not been commensurately rewarded at the national level. For instance, Your Excellency, the current power matrix shows that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives hails from Osun State while the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue is a Lagosian. Both in the Senate and House of Representatives, no lawmaker from Oyo State heads any committees that had so far been constituted.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/oyo-apc-rejects-shittu-for-minister/

The Federal Government will state its position on the Volkswagen (VW) emission scandal this week, Dr Joseph Odumodu, the Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has said.

Odumodu, in an SMS to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the relevant government agencies were “working out something.’’

NAN had asked the SON’s helmsman why the Federal Government was silent on the matter and whether the country was not at risk.

He said: “We are at risk and we are working out something, but it involves more than one agency.

“Next week you will be notified of our position, but currently, the standard emission in Nigeria is at the very basic level.

“While Nigeria is at level 2, Europe for example is at level 6,’’ Odumodu told NAN.

NAN recalls that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had discovered that some Volkswagen diesel engine cars on sale in that country had devices that could cheat emission tests.

The EPA’s findings cover 482,000 cars in the U.S. , including VW brands, such as Audi A3, Jetta, Beetle, Golf and Passat.

The German car giant had owned up to the malpractice, admitting that about 11 million of its cars worldwide were fitted with the technology, dubbed “defeat device’’.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/son-fed-govt-to-speak-on-volkswagen-scandal-this-week/

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed the impression of some world leaders about President Muhammadu Buhari.

The ex -President, who spoke with reporters at his Abeokuta home yesterday, added that despite Nigeria’s “mistakes and missteps,” it is not doing badly at 55 as a nation.

Obasanjo added that 55 years in the life of a nation was still relatively young and notwithstanding this, the country had managed to be dynamic and progressive.

He said: “I heard some of the comments of those he (Buhari) met; the comment that probably will not come back to him. He met Clinton for almost one hour and President Clinton, when I joined him for his global initiative talked to me about the impression of our President, it was favourable.

“Gordon Brown and I met him and we talked about issues. The few other leaders who met him gave me their impression and his debut so to say, it has been good. I think we are at the table, what they use to say that Nigeria is not at the table, now we are present at the table.”

He said Nigerians should be willing to learn from past mistakes while core national values should also not be eroded to enable the real growth and progress become manifest.

He noted that Nigeria was now well positioned with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for both recognition and active participation in global politics in a manner that would likely elicit positive attention from the international community.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/obasanjo-what-gordon-brown-clinton-others-told-me-about-buhari/

Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday received the first set of names of would-be ministers to be screened by lawmakers.

The list was presented to him after plenary at about 5pm by the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on National Assembly Matters Ita Enang.

On his twitter handle at about 5:20 p.m, Saraki wrote: “I can now confirm that I just received the list of ministerial nominees.”

The list was submitted in a sealed envelope by Kyari and Enang.

The Senate President’s spokesman, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said: “Dr. Saraki, following the tradition of the Senate, decided that the envelope will remain sealed till Tuesday October 6, when during the plenary sitting of the Upper legislative chamber, it will be opened and the list read to Senators.”

But sources last night said key leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ex-senators, technocrats and ex-governors are on the list.

APC chief and former Minister Mr. Audu Ogbeh; Southeast APC leader Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and Director General of the Buhari campaign organisation and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi are likely to be on the list.

Others presented for senators’ screening are former Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); former Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr. Abubakar Malami.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/names-of-some-nigerians-that-make-up-buharis-ministerial-list/

The presiding judge handling the case of false assets declaration by the Senate President, Olubukola Saraki, Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja, has remitted the case file to the Chief Judge (CJ) for reassignment.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday, Justice Mohammed said the action was due to negative reports from online media which states that he granted a restraining order on the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) from hearing the matter as against his instructions that the parties be put on notice.
But both parties in the case ( Saraki, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and CCT) were absent in the court .

He recalled that the Federal High Court had last week in its rulings held that the respondents be put on notice of the ex-parte applications brought by the Senate President seeking to stop his arrest by the police and stay proceedings before the CCT over alleged false assets declaration.

In the same vein, the hearing of the appeal filed by the Senate President, over alleged false assets declaration was also stalled on Tuesday, following the demise of the Presiding Judges of Appeal Court, Abuja Division, Justice Abdulkadir Jega,and Justice Mussa Hassan Alkali of the Ilorin Division.
The late Justices Jega and Alkali were victims of d stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabi.

The court of appeal had adjourned till October 6 for hearing.

Source: http://monitor9ja.com/2015/10/cctjudge-presiding-over-sarakis-case-refers-case-for-re-assignment/

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has said the Federal Government had plans to distribute 6,000 megawatts of electricity in the country by the first quarter of next year.

According to a statement by Mr Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President yesterday, Osinbajo spoke at Kaleta, Guinea, on Monday at the inauguration of a 240 MW Hydro-power plant.

The event, where Osinbajo represented President Muhammadu Buhari, was part of the activities marking Guinea’s 57th Independence anniversary taking place on October 2.

The Vice President praised the vision of the Guinean President, Prof. Alpha Conde, noting that the inauguration of the power plant was a “monumental accomplishment” in a short time.

“It shows what can be done with commitment and vision,” he added.

The 240 MW Hydro-power plant in Kaleta was built to serve mainly the people of Conakry, the nation’s capital city.

The release noted that the event was witnessed by the Presidents of Congo and Niger, Denis Sassou Nguesso, and Mohamadou Issoufou, respectively.

It added that there were also representatives from the governments of China, France and the United Arab Emirates, among others.

The Vice President returned to Abuja after the ceremony.

Source: http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/osinbajo-we-will-be-able-to-distribute-6000mw-by-first-quarter-of-next-year/

Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has clarified that the state only got N9.6 billion out of the over N29 billion it applied for in the Federal Government’s bail-out funds for states.

The governor, who spoke on Monday in Ikogosi-Ekiti during the opening ceremony of a two-day retreat for commissioners, permanent secretaries and heads of agencies, also said out of the N5.6 billion applied for by the 16 local governments in the state, the FG only approved N991 million.

In a statement in Ado-Ekiti by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor made the clarification following insinuations that the state government did not want to pay pensions arrears and gratuities of retirees.

“You people know that I don’t hide anything from you when allocations come. We applied for N29 billion from the bail-out fund. It is to cover the August and September 2014 salary arrears left by the Fayemi government, leave bonus, pensions, gratuities and others. But for reasons we don’t know yet, the FG only approved N9.6 billion for salaries leaving other issues.

“The 16 local governments applied for N5.6 billion and we did all the necessary papers and presented them to the appropriate authorities, but only N991 million was approved. We were later told by the Central Bank of Nigeria that about 14 states had similar problem with the small amount approved for local governments.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/fayose-ekiti-has-received-n9-6b-bailout-cash/

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll, and President General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) yesterday told Saudi authorities to probe the stampede in which 768 pilgrims died in Mina during the stoning of the devil.

Iran, which lost over 100 of its citizens in the stampede and the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), also yesterday insisted on a probe of the incident.

The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency confirmed the death of Sheikh Liman Dan-Ata, the Chief Imam of the Sultan Abubakar III Jumaa’at Mosque in Sokoto.

Also dead are the immediate Caretaker Chairman of Illela Local Government Area of the state, Alhaji Bello Gidan-Hamma, his mother, step-mother and two wives.

The Media Assistant to the agency, Alhaji Farouk Umar, said yesterday that many pilgrims from the state were still missing.

Nine other pilgrims from the state were confirmed dead on Saturday by Imam Imam, Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s spokesman.

The Sultan expressed sadness over the number of victims and prayed for the repose of their souls.

“This is one tragedy too many,” the Sultan said in a statement signed on his behalf by the Secretary-General of JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubakar-Aliyu, in Kaduna.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/sultan-others-seek-probe-of-saudi-tragedy/

President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Nigeria for New York, United States, tomorrow for series of meetings and interactions with notable world leaders within and on the sidelines of the main events of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

A statement by his Special Adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, said on the agenda of Buhari’s talks, deliberations and interactions with the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, President Barack Obama of the United States, President Francois Hollande of France, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Vladmir Putin of Russia, President Xi Jinping of China, Prime Minister Narenda Modi of India among others will be domestic developmental issues, bilateral relations, the war against terrorism, countering violent extremism, the enhancement of global security, peace-keeping operations, climate change and the adoption of a post 2015 global development agenda.

The statement said Buhari would be accompanied by the Governors of Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger States, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Health, Industry, Trade and Investment.

The president will also deliver Nigeria’s statement to the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, September 28.

Buhari is also scheduled to address the World Leaders Summit on violent extremism to which he was personally invited by Mr. Ban Ki-Moon during the Secretary-General’s recent visit to Nigeria.

Also on the president busy schedule in New York are a meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, a High-Level Roundtable on South-south Cooperation organised by President Xi Jinping of China and the UN, and participation in the launching of an updated global health strategy for women and children.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/buhari-to-address-world-leaders-at-70th-un-general-assembly/

A total of 600 of the 900 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the federal government have fully complied with the presidential directive on the transfer of funds to the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

This is just as the federal government disclosed that the number of accounts operated in various commercial banks in the country is unknown.

The Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, who disclosed this in Abuja yesterday while briefing journalists at the end of the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), said getting the MDAs to comply with the TSA was encountering initial teething problems arising from resistance and apprehension by the MDAs.

Idris disclosed that presently the number of accounts operated by the MDAs in various banks was not known, adding, however, that when the remaining MDAs are fully integrated into the system, all the accounts will become clear.

Also commenting on the level of compliance with the TSA, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Anastasia Nwobia confirmed that TSA has been in existence before the current administration, but was not fully implemented.

She stated that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation had developed guidelines to help the MDAs migrate to the TSA and asked the agencies to avail themselves of the help desk set up for the purpose. She said the TSA had come to stay, noting that some MDAs were just realising that they had been operating some accounts that were unknown to them while some may have been forgotten.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/600-of-900-mdas-comply-with-treasury-single-account-directive/

Over 30,000 people have been displaced from their homes while one person was reported dead following a massive flood which ravaged Kaduna State monday.

Over 2,000 houses were also submerged in the process.

The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA), Mr. Ezekiel Baba-Karik, described the disaster as the worst in the history of the state.

About 10 local government areas of the state were said to have been affected by the heavy down pour of rain which started on Sunday to the early hours of monday.

The incident threw the city into confusion as rescue agencies made frantic efforts to assist people who were either stranded or trapped in their homes.
Areas affected by the flood within Kaduna metropolis include Barnawa, Tudun-wada, Kigo Road, Karatudu, Kabala Constain, Anguwan Rimi, Kudendan, Rafin Guza, Badiko, Hayin Mallam Mani and Gonin Gora, among several others.
Most of places affected are settlements around the river bank.

Several roads were also submerged by the flood, making it difficult for emergency workers to access the affected areas.
A part of the road connecting to the residence of former Vice-President Namadi Sambo at Ungwan-Rimi GRA was submerged.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/over-30000-persons-displaced-by-flood-in-kaduna/

The Federal Government has execluded 13 government agencies from the current Treasury Single Account (TSA) arrangement related to electronic or e-collection and mop up exercise of government funds from commercial banks.

A circular excluding the agencies was communicated to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).

The execluded agencies of government are “profit oriented government business entities that pay dividends to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

The circular addressed to the Director, Banking and Payments System Department of the CBN, with FD/LP2015/C/ADC/20/1/ /DF as reference number was dated September 14 this year. It was signed by M K Dikwa, for the Accountant-General of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Finance, Funds Department, Abuja, FCT.

The execluded agencies are:

Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Bank of Industry (BoI), Nigeria Railway Corporation, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Agriculture, Niger Delta Power Holding Company/National Integrated Power Project, National Communication Satellite Limited, Galaxy Backbone Ltd and Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd.

Others are Urban Development Bank, Nigerian Export – Import Bank and Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/fg-exclude-nnpc-phcn-boi-10-others-from-treasury-single-account/

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday presented the list of would-be executive council members to the House of Assembly for screening.

The governor’s list, made up of top technocrats, politicians and strategists, was read at plenary yesterday by the Clerk of the House, Ganiyu Abiru.

There were 36 names, made up of 23 commissioners and 13 special advisers.

Included are six former executive council members from the Babatunde Fashola administration and three lawmakers in the Seventh Assembly.

Some of the nominees include Ganiyu Okanlomo Sanni, Lola Akande, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, Adebimpe Akinsola, Agboola Dabiri and Mrs. Yetunde Onabule.

Others are Kehinde Joseph, Femi Onanuga, Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi, Ganiyu Johnson and Gbolahan Lawal.

Also nominated were Steve Ayorinde, Dr. Jide Idris, Dayo Mobereola, Seye Oladejo, Kehinde Bamigbetan and Babatunde Humpe.

We also have Wasiu Anifowoshe, Benson Akinlola, Femi Odebiyi, Femi Onanuga, Fela Bank-Olemo and Benjamin Labinjo.

The governor also proposed Tunde Durosinmi-Etti, Toyin Suarat and Abdulateef Abdulakeem.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/governor-ambodes-releases-nominees-for-commissioner/

The Lagos State Government on Sunday approved a seven-day regime, which it said, would allow any traffic offender that flouted any section of the 2012 Road Traffic Law pay their fine within the time frame.

The regime was a sharp contrast to an approach adopted by the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola during which vehicles were impounded on the spot of enforcement and offenders paid demurrage on every day their vehicle spent on the state’s custody.

The General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Bashir Braimah disclosed at the weekend when the agency started enforcing the new approach that allowed LASTMA operatives to fine traffic offenders on the spot with a directive to pay in seven days.

Speaking on the new approach, the general manager explained that the exercise was the first after the directive of the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on LASTMA’s non-accommodation approach of the offenders’ vehicles after booking.

He reaffirmed that the enforcement “will send signals to recalcitrant drivers and those who engage in transportation business in the state that it is no more business as usual as the 2012 Lagos Road Traffic Law is still valid and in existence and must be obeyed at all times.”

He said only the method of implementation “has changed. There will be no hidden place for traffic violators. The offenders are expected to make payment of their various fines within the docket of seven days and present their tickets at LASTMA offices.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/lagos-approves-seven-day-payment-regime-for-traffic-offenders/

After days of silence on the issue, the Presidency has rejected what it described as “attempts to link the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, to the presidency”, saying that it has nothing to do with Saraki’s trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and cannot stop it.

This is just as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continued their war of attrition over the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s prosecution of the war against corruption, with the opposition party accusing the APC of habouring an undemocratic plot to control the National Assembly, undermine its statutory role of checks and balances and set the stage for dictatorship.

The PDP, which on Saturday accused the Buhari administration and APC of plotting to use the apparatus of state to remove Senate President Saraki, said yesterday that no amount of blackmail and diversionary tactics by the APC would deter it from exposing the deliberate agenda, already in motion, by the present administration to destroy the nation’s democracy and impose a dictatorship on the country.

But in a quick riposte, APC dismissed what it described as the “rash of wild accusations against the APC-led federal government” as confirmation that the PDP had perfected plans to distract the Buhari-led government from its task of reviving the country’s fortunes.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, yesterday said trying to link the presidency to Saraki’s travails before the tribunal was unacceptable, adding: “Views to the effect that the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) can only act upon external instigation are equally uninformed.”

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/presidency-buhari-cannot-stop-senator-sarakis-trial/

Borno state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima on Friday said public schools in the state capital, Maiduguri, closed for classes for two academic sessions as a result of Boko Haram insurgency, would be reopened next month.

The governor, in order to ensure this, immediately constituted a nine-man committee to ensure all public schools within the state capital Maiduguri are reopened.

Shettima had last month set up a committee to work out the modalities for the re-opening of the schools, which report was submitted on Friday.

Receiving the report, the governor said: “Our decision to set up the committee was largely informed by the need to radically reinvigorate the sector with a view to making it a formidable model of excellence worthy of emulation”.

He added that: “You may recall our earlier attempt at re-sustaining the education system when the education quality assurance task team was established. However, the work was marred by the extremely complicated and unconventional security challenges we have been experiencing”

He recalled that the closure of public schools was necessitated by the security challenges and the abduction of Chibok girls which have subjected untold physical and psychological trauma on the students and pupils.

While presenting the report, the chairman of the committee to work out the modalities for the re-opening of public schools within Maiduguri, Alhaji Gambo Gubio said, after their inauguration on 26th Augusts 2015 they started the assignment in earnest by visiting the schools and camps occupied by the IDPs to assess the situation.

Source: http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/after-two-academic-sessions-public-schools-reopen-in-maiduguri-by-october/

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) sitting in Abuja on Friday commenced the trial of the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki for alleged false declaration of assets and also ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to arrest and produce Saraki before it on Monday for failing to appear during its sitting.

The CCT commenced the trial of Saraki despite a Federal High Court ordering the chairmen of CCB, CCT and a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Musiliu Hassan to appear before it on Monday to show cause why Saraki’s ex-parte application should not be granted.

Saraki had gone to court seeking to restrain the Federal Government, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Tribunal from arraigning him.
The trial judge at the Abuja High Court, Justice A.R Mohammed had in his ruling on Thursday, summoned the CCT and CCB chiefs.

But yesterday, the CCT ruled that the President of the Senate must be available to take plea in the 13 count charge slammed on him by the Federal Government over alleged false declaration of assets.

When the matter came up before the CCT, Saraki was represented by J.B Daudu (SAN) and Mahmud Magaji (SAN).
While arguing his case, the Prosecution Counsel, Musiliu Hassan, noted that the accused was not in court despite the fact that he was served with the summons, adding that they exhibited it in their process.

Hassan however prayed the tribunal to issue a bench warrant on the accused person for disobedience of court orders.
Opposing the application, Magaji submitted that the charge, as well as the prosecution lack ed validity to come before the court on grounds that there was no incumbent Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/facing-arrest-saraki-cites-politics-in-ccb-prosecution/

The National Peace Building Outreach (NPBC) will in collaboration with Nigeria National Volunteer Services (NNVS) hold a conference where the need to live in peace will form the agenda.

Also, President Muhammadu Burahi is expected to address the conference that will be held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), from November 23 to 24.
Briefing journalists at the conference room of the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation (OSGF), President, National Peace Initiatives, Kennedy Iyere, said there was no alternatives to peaceful and mutual coexistence.

According to him, ethnic nationalities in Nigeria under the auspices of Nigeria For Peace Innitiatives, had mapped out plans to host the 2015 National Peace Building Stakeholders Conference.

He noted that the conference was designed to improve governance and ensure a sustainable peaceful coexistence amongst all Nigerians.
Iyere added that the focus of the conference is not based on regions, tribe, ethnicity or religion, but based on Nigerians as a people.

“Nigeria is the only country we have to call our own, regardless of where we are from. If we have an intense crisis in Nigeria, the Ijaw man would feel the pains as much as the Hausa, Yoruba, Edo and other ethnic groups would feel it.

“Wherever you are from, that is not the issue. The issue is to be able to give a helping hand to the government in ensuring that democratic dividends are delivered to Nigeria. In doing that, we have to look at the essential factor of peace and relate that to a family, that, when there is turbulence in a house, there are some plans that cannot be carried out by the family.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/ethnic-nationalities-to-hold-peace-conference-in-abuja/

Nigeria continued to reel from the impact of the decision by US investment bank JP Morgan & Chase to phase out Nigerian bonds from its indexes, as the country’s external reserves fell to $30.794 billion.

The value of the country’s reserves obtained from the CBN website monday represented a $425 million or 1.6 per cent drop, compared with $31.219 billion as at September 1.

Checks showed that the reserves, which are made up mainly of receipts from crude oil earnings, fell when JP Morgan made its announcement.

The fall reflected the exit of foreign portfolio holders of Nigerian government bonds and CBN’s resolve to meet their demand.

Since July 4, Nigeria’s foreign reserves have inched up from $30.845 billion to $31.460 billion on July 31, they continued to climb to $31.537 billion on August 7, rose to $31.632 billion on August 14, then fell to $31.510 billion on August 14.

On August 21, they fell again to $31.398 billion, dropped for the third successive week to $31.219 billion, before declining to $30.794 billion on September 11.

The fall in foreign reserves occurred just as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released its report on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of August, showing that inflation rose to 9.3 per cent in August compared to 9.2 per cent in the previous month.
It attributed the 1.09 per cent uptick to slower increases in alcoholic beverages, tobacco and kola; health, transport; and recreation and culture divisions.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/external-reserves-fall-to-30-794bn-inflation-inches-to-9-3/

The Lagos State Government at the weekend clarified the section of the Road Traffic Law 2012, which restricts trailers and long vehicles from plying the metropolis between the hours of 6a.m. and 9p.m.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu, the government said while Section 2 of the Traffic Law restricts movement of trailers and long vehicles, only petrol tankers and long vehicles used in conveying passengers are allowed to travel within the metropolis between the stipulated time.

Vehicle with more than one real axle or six tyres are hereby restricted between the hours of 6a.m. and 9p.m. with the exemption of the following in accordance with Section 2 and 38 of the Road Traffic Law 2012.

“These exemptions are tour bus/passenger buses, fire service trucks, rescue and recovery trucks, patrol trucks, perishable farm products trucks, refuse collection trucks, cement mixer trucks, tractors and refrigerated trucks,” he said.

Whenu said the clarification became necessary following the controversy generated by the enforcement of the Law, after a fatal accident involving a container laden trailer claimed three lives in the state a fortnight ago.

He said the state government remains committed to the protection of lives and properties of residents irrespective of social, cultural or economic classification and therefore solicits the compliance, cooperation, support and understanding of all and sundry as regards the renewed enforcement of the Law.

Source: http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/lagos-clarifies-law-restricting-trucks-tanker-from-travelling-daytime/

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, on Tuesday signed and approved the immediate release of 2,500 Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) to property owners across the state from this Wednesday.

Executive Secretary in the Lands Bureau, Mr. Olukayode Ogunnubi who disclosed this to journalists, said the development was in line with Governor Ambode’s effort to clear the backlog of C of O that was carried over from the previous administration.

He said: “A clear distinction must be made that this present government wants Lagosians to maximise the economic benefits derivable from ownership of properties as evidenced by obtaining their legal titles.

“That’s what we are trying to achieve and that’s the reason why the governor decided to clear all the backlog, everything. Now we do not have pending C of O on our table.”

Ogunnubi said the advantage of the recent development will enable owners to leverage on the C of O as collateral to obtain loans from financial institutions for business activities.

“This will also contribute to the growth of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and ultimately the development of the economy of the state,” he said.

He said going forward, Governor Ambode intends to ensure that the process of applying and getting the copy of the C of O is not only less cumbersome but treated within the stipulated time.

“So once we have any new applicant for C of O, the governor’s mandate is to ensure that he signs it within the 90 days tenure. Once you make your payment, we start the processing. Let me also report that we are going on the electronic C of O fully (e-C of O). All the ones he signed are also E-C of O.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/ambode-signs-approves-release-of-2500-c-of-os/

President Muhammadu Buhari monday in Aburi, Ghana reassured Nigerians and the international community that he would name his cabinet before the end of the month.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari gave the assurance to his audience at a joint press conference with President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana.

“After I was sworn in, I said I would have my cabinet in September. I expect that Nigerians should ask me questions after the 30th of September if I do not do so,” Buhari said while responding to a question on the appointment of ministers.

Buhari also told reporters that the Nigerian military, in collaboration with the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), had recorded remarkable progress in the fight against Boko Haram since he assumed office as president.

“The first thing I did after I came into office was to reorganise the military and clear orders were given to them in terms of retraining, re-equipping and redeployment of troops.

“In the North-east, the military is gaining ground and Boko Haram has been limited to Sambisa Forest.

“Internally displaced persons are gradually moving back home and they are being reintegrated into their respective communities,” Buhari said.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/my-cabinet-will-be-ready-before-end-of-month-buhari-promises/

The Inspector-General of Police (IG), Solomon Arase, has directed that all police commands and formations should immediately stop the use of commercial vehicles and those painted in the states’ commercial colours for police operations and patrol duties.

The directive was contained in a circular issued to all police formations and commands nationwide on Thursday.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole in Abuja, explained that the directive was due to “enormous negative consequences associated with such practices as complained by members of the public.”

The IG further warned that violation of the order by any police unit will attract severe sanctions.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/ig-stops-use-of-commercial-vehicles-for-police-operations/

Pressed by the need to ensure the urgent conquest of the Boko Haram insurgents, the Nigerian Army has pardoned and reinstated 3,032 out of 5000 soldiers, convicted of various disciplinary offences through series of General Court-Martial (GCM) set up by the immediate past Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah (rtd).

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman announced the reinstatement thursday during a press conference to inform members of the public of the activities of the Nigerian Army within the period under review.

Usman recalled that the Nigerian Army some time ago instituted a committee to review the recent disciplinary cases in the service especially of those soldiers in the defunct Operation Zaman Lafiya with a view to ensuring discipline, regimentation and justice in the system.

He said: “The Committee has concluded its sitting last week and has made certain recommendations that led to the reinstatement of 3,032 soldiers into the Nigerian Army out of 5,000 cases that were reviewed.

“The reinstated soldiers have shown their total readiness to be re-launched into theatre to combat insurgency and have now commenced a re-training exercise at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kontagora, Niger State. This training is to re-orient the affected soldiers and prepare them for this closing stage of the operational aspect of the counter insurgency operations with more weapons and new leadership.”

President Muhammadu Buhari had given the Nigerian military a marching order, mid August, to ensure that the Boko Haram terrorists are crushed in three months.
The DAPR however, clarified “that not all the dismissed soldiers were granted pardon and recalled”, adding that “those with criminal cases for instance, have their sentences upheld”.

Speaking further, Usman said that the Nigerian Army and the military in general are working towards meeting the presidential directive during the decoration ceremony of the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs with their new badges of rank on August 13, 2015, to end the activities of Boko Haram terrorists in the North Eastern part of our country in 3 months.

”It is in that regard”, he said, “that we are working round the clock to meet up with the deadline in total synergy and cooperation with other services and security agencies.

“We would like to reassure the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and indeed the good people of our great nation that we would definitely meet up with the three-month deadline and do the nation proud.

“It is also in line with keeping faith with the public that we are working with a renewed resolve to always keep you updated of our operations as well as other activities of the Nigerian Army. Therefore, the essence of this conference is in line with our determination to carry the people along in all our activities,” he assured.

The Army Spokesman also used the opportunity to affirm the critical role played by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in the latest offensive that has seen the recapture of the strategic town of Gamboru-Ngala and as well as dislodging of the terrorists from their various enclaves.

Usman listed some of the crucial assistance from the Air Force including surveillance, intelligence, transportation of logistics and close air support during combat operations.

“It is on record that we have a very close cooperation and coordination of military offensive against the terrorists between the NAF and the Nigerian Army. Officers and airmen of the NAF in the North East have conducted themselves creditably and professionally to the admiration of the Nigerian Army.

“The bombardment of identified Boko Haram terrorists’ locations, close air support, air surveillance and interdiction by the NAF have enhanced our operational efficiency and success,” he said.

“The NAF were equally involved in the supplies of essential items, casualty evacuation, equipment and weaponry delivery in Operation Lafiya Dole. One will recall with gratitude how the Nigerian Air Force helped in the extrication and lifting of our T72 tank when it was bogged down by Improvise Explosive Devices at Logomari, Borno State.

“They have provided water and airlift of other logistics to the war front in addition to their primary role of air reconnaissance and air support. The collaboration with the NAF is also a force multiplier as troops are confident that they would receive quick medical attention in case any soldier needed such evacuation,” he added.

But in his reaction to the re-instatement, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) who had been the defence counsel of some of the convicted soldiers, noted that the pardon and reinstatement is the just and right thing to do given the fact that some of the soldiers were merely asking for weapons to fight.

In a statement he released last night, Falana maintained that, “The immediate past military authorities put several soldiers on trial for demanding for equipment to fight the war on terror. 70 of the soldiers were convicted and sentenced to death while scores were jailed by courts – martial. As the demand of the soldiers was legitimate the military hierarchy could not justify the spurious sentences. To avoid further embarrassment thousands of other soldiers who were indicted for the same “offence” were summarily dismissed from the army.
“Convinced of the illegality of the treatment meted out to the soldiers we approached the federal high court and the national Industrial Court for redress.

It is gratifying to note that the Buhari Administration and the Chief of Army Staff have decided to reinstate 3,032 among the dismissed soldiers.

Falana then called on the Federal Government to “extend the same commendable gesture to several officers and soldiers who are currently standing trial. The trial should be terminated while the courts-martial are dissolved forthwith.

“In the same vein, the cases of those who have been convicted ought to be reviewed with a view to pardoning them in the interest of justice and fairplay. More so, that the immediate past chief of defence staff, Air Marshal Alex Barde has admitted that the armed forces led by him lacked the equipment to prosecute the war on terror.

In a related development, Usman informed that President Buhari has approved the award of Nigerian Army Medal (NAM) to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin and the COAS, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

Similarly, he said, the new Director of Military Intelligence (DMI), Brig-Gen. ASH Sa’ad has been honoured with the Republic of Mali Award of Mali Knight of National Order for his exceptional conduct while he served as Nigerian Military Attache in that country.
Also, he said, Lagos State Government is also honouring some officers and soldiers of 19 Battalion for their role that led to the bursting of a notorious robbery gang that terrorized the state.

Usman however, noted that the Nigerian Army is aware of the misunderstanding between those he described “some misguided soldiers” and the general public. He stressed that the Army is striving hard to improve their relationship with public, adding that they “would not tolerate any act of indiscipline or misconduct from our troops”.

Therefore, he said, I want to assure the public that in line with our procedures, we are taking appropriate measures to prevent such happenings and sanction all those involved.

Source:http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/nigerian-army-confirms-the-pardon-reinstatement-of-3032-convicted-soldiers/

Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, monday asked the former Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolemhemen, to explain how a whopping sum of $700 million meant for second Niger Bridge was expended.

The governor also lamented the grave conditions of federal roads in Edo State, which he said, had become impassable due to what he attributed to the failure of the Jonathan administration to make critical interventions.

He expressed disappointment in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, over Onolemhemen’s reaction to alleged mismanagement of $700 million taken from the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) for the Second Niger Bridge project.

As contained in the statement, Oshiomhole said about N140billion was reported “to have been expended on the Second Niger Bridge without anything to show for it. The revelation came from those who were managers of the Sovereign Wealth Funds and not figures manufactured by anybody.”

The governor said the former minister should direct his energy and explanation “to the managers of the SWF, who have depleted the savings on the explanation that it was meant for the Second Niger Bridge.”

He added that Onolemhemen and the managers of the Sovereign Wealth Funds should also explain “to Nigerians what really transpired instead of asking Comrade Oshiomhole to apologize to Nigerians.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/09/oshiomhole-asks-onolemhemen-to-explain-700m-spent-on-second-niger-bridge/

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has met with some members of his cabinet in a bid to defend his integrity.

He was said to have told the former ministers that he was “not a thief in office as being portrayed”.

He explained how he met President Muhammadu Buhari for 20 minutes on two issues.

They are:

Advising Buhari against subjecting his person and former cabinet members to “media trial” on alleged corruption and;
Why the Election Petition Tribunals in Rivers and Akwa Ibom should be allowed to work unhindered.



He deplored what he called the involvement of the Department of State Security Service(DSS) on election-related matters in the two states.

According to sources, the meeting was held at Jonathan’s Abuja home a few days ago.

It was gathered that about 15 former ministers (including two who were recalled from London) and some former security chiefs attended.

One of the former media aides in the Presidency attended the “strictly private” session to put issues in the correct perspective at the right time.

But the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is central to the allegations against Jonathan, was absent.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/08/buharis-probe-jonathan-holds-meeting-with-ex-ministers/

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were again at logger heads yesterday, following the latter’s criticism on Saturday of President Muhammadu Buhari’s management of the economy.

This is just as ex-ministers, who served in the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration, came out in defence of their former boss and the projects executed by his government.

But the stance of the former ministers was dismissed by the presidency, which wondered what they were afraid of.
In a statement yesterday, APC claimed that there would have been more than enough money to deliver on its campaign promises, including feeding school children and paying N5,000 each to the 50 million most vulnerable Nigerians, if the treasury had not been emptied by the past administration.

APC said a major cog in the wheel of fast progress for a new Nigeria under Buhari has been the discovery that the pot housing the commonwealth was licked dry by the “looters of yesterday”.

While providing new instances of what it described as “insane looting” of the treasury by some officials of the Jonathan administration, the ruling party said not until the corruption mess that characterised the administration is cleaned up, Nigeria would not be able to actualise its potential.

APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said those who would rather give comfort to the looters by dismissing the media exposure of looting as mere hell-raising should realise that no sane person can be silent in the face of what is unfolding as the worst cases of brazen stealing of public funds in Nigeria’s history.

“On August 16, 2015, we listed some instances of the breath-taking looting of the treasury by some officials of the immediate past administration. Today, we bring three more heart-rending cases to the attention of Nigerians. We will not relent until closure has been brought to this issue.

“A mind-shattering $2.2 billion arms scandal, a $6.9 million fraud by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to President Jonathan, committed under the guise of buying three mobile stages for the president and a $2.5 billion scam involving the rent of house boats.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/08/apc-pdp-go-head-to-head-over-buharis-management-of-the-economy/