₦airaland Forum

A convict on death row, simply identified as Wale, has allegedly escaped from the Kirikiri Maximum Prison after purportedly bribing a Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) warden with the sum of N50, 000.

Wale, a murder convict was sentenced to death for killing his friend and burying him to avoid detection. He had also buried his victim’s car.

The convict was said to have originated his escape plan after his appeal for a reversal of his sentence failed to scale through and the court stood by its judgement.

Despite the high fence and the seeming tight security outside the prison, as well as the well-bred sniffer dogs, the convict escaped without any notice and is yet to be found.

www.monitor9ja.com

1. Business Development Manager – Priority and International Client

Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
Location: Rivers

Job Purpose:
Market engagement for Africa (with primary focus Nigeria), by:

Ensuring that local Relationship Managers are trained to refer only those prospects which meet the criteria to become a Standard Chartered Bank Jersey (SCBJ), Priority Client
Being the first point of contact for all referrals made to SCBJ
Being able to assess the performance of the local RMs by keeping track of each referral and the success rate of these referrals (conversion rate)
Ensure that pitches and follow-ups to prospective clients are consistent (CEMs is correctly used)
Driving AUM growth in Jersey by targeting clients’ existing offshore funds held with a competitor bank and generating new business that is both high value and high quality and does not cannibalize onshore Priority Banking deposits / investments (clients with international wealth and banking needs)
Being able to build own network in each country – through personal knowledge and experience
Ability to provide an appropriate level of information (regarding services offered by SCBJ) required by a prospective client
To actively promote SCB Jersey to prospective clients.

Key Responsibilities:
Interface with local Relationship Managers (“RMs) for:

Prospect Management – handle all referrals from locally based RMs for their clients who are interested in offshore banking
Pre-approval of prospects – ensure prospects being referred meet PIC Jersey criteria
Feedback on prospects/applications – ensure that all business is accurately tracked and monitored. Feedback to be given to local RM (responsible for referral) on unsuccessful applications
Obtaining some initial KYC information and documentation before account opening pack is sent to Jersey
Involved in arrangement of client/local network events
Collateral co-ordination in markets covered (e.g. desk drops, “goody” bags for local RMs, desk top calendars, etc.)
Continual training for local branches and local RMs (on Offshore Bank offering, calibre of prospects, etc)
Responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with all group in-country staff to encourage offshore referrals
Arrange client/local network meetings along with Team Leader Acquisition where necessary (i.e. when Team Leader Acquisition /Senior SCBJ personnel are in country)
Carry out prospecting activity through all available channels; i.e. Face to face meetings, group presentations, telephone, marketing communications, third party introducers.

Key Measurables

New AuM raised of USDXm+
X NTB client accounts annually (X new accounts to be opened per month)
Conversion rate of 1 NTB client for every 3 prospect meetings held
Reduction in time taken to get an account opened (client experience)
Reduction in account application rejection rates (Zero)
Reduction in time taken for NTB clients to begin funding their new account
Reduction in time taken for NTB clients to make their first investment (within 3 months of account being funded). This will be done by ensuring each new client is made aware of services offered by SCBJ
Introduce two/three referral agents each year (lawyer/accountant/expat relocation agent, etc.) to Regional Market Manager for the region covered

Experience Profile
Knowledge / Skills / Experience Required:

Proven track record of sales activity
Strong presentation skills
Positive customer service mentality
Planning and organizational skills
Relationship building skills
Strong interpersonal skills & communication skills.
Ability to deal with people at all levels.
Sound knowledge of banking products and services and banking procedures.
Team player who shows initiative and assertiveness.
Self-motivator who is keen to upgrade and improve personal knowledge and skill to meet the job requirement.
High level of integrity and professionalism

Qualifications and Skills
In compliance with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Act of 2004, all applicants should ensure that they have completed the mandatory NYSC programme. A discharge certificate will be required as evidence of completion of the programme. Where an exemption has been granted, a certificate of exemption will also be required.
2. Business Development Manager – Priority and International Client

Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
Location: Abuja

Job Purpose:
Market engagement for Africa (with primary focus Nigeria), by:

Ensuring that local Relationship Managers are trained to refer only those prospects which meet the criteria to become a Standard Chartered Bank Jersey (SCBJ), Priority Client
Being the first point of contact for all referrals made to SCBJ
Being able to assess the performance of the local RMs by keeping track of each referral and the success rate of these referrals (conversion rate)
Ensure that pitches and follow-ups to prospective clients are consistent (CEMs is correctly used)
Driving AUM growth in Jersey by targeting clients’ existing offshore funds held with a competitor bank and generating new business that is both high value and high quality and does not cannibalize onshore Priority Banking deposits / investments (clients with international wealth and banking needs)
Being able to build own network in each country – through personal knowledge and experience
Ability to provide an appropriate level of information (regarding services offered by SCBJ) required by a prospective client
To actively promote SCB Jersey to prospective clients.

Key Responsibilities:
Interface with local Relationship Managers (“RMs) for:

Prospect Management – handle all referrals from locally based RMs for their clients who are interested in offshore banking
Pre-approval of prospects – ensure prospects being referred meet PIC Jersey criteria
Feedback on prospects/applications – ensure that all business is accurately tracked and monitored. Feedback to be given to local RM (responsible for referral) on unsuccessful applications
Obtaining some initial KYC information and documentation before account opening pack is sent to Jersey
Involved in arrangement of client/local network events
Collateral co-ordination in markets covered (e.g. desk drops, “goody” bags for local RMs, desk top calendars, etc.)
Continual training for local branches and local RMs (on Offshore Bank offering, calibre of prospects, etc)
Responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with all group in-country staff to encourage offshore referrals
Arrange client/local network meetings along with Team Leader Acquisition where necessary (i.e. when Team Leader Acquisition /Senior SCBJ personnel are in country)
Carry out prospecting activity through all available channels; i.e. Face to face meetings, group presentations, telephone, marketing communications, third party introducers.

Key Measurables

New AuM raised of USDXm+
X NTB client accounts annually (X new accounts to be opened per month)
Conversion rate of 1 NTB client for every 3 prospect meetings held
Reduction in time taken to get an account opened (client experience)
Reduction in account application rejection rates (Zero)
Reduction in time taken for NTB clients to begin funding their new account
Reduction in time taken for NTB clients to make their first investment (within 3 months of account being funded). This will be done by ensuring each new client is made aware of services offered by SCBJ
Introduce two/three referral agents each year (lawyer/accountant/expat relocation agent, etc.) to Regional Market Manager for the region covered

Experience Profile
Knowledge / Skills / Experience Required:

Proven track record of sales activity
Strong presentation skills
Positive customer service mentality
Planning and organizational skills
Relationship building skills
Strong interpersonal skills & communication skills.
Ability to deal with people at all levels.
Sound knowledge of banking products and services and banking procedures.
Team player who shows initiative and assertiveness.
Self-motivator who is keen to upgrade and improve personal knowledge and skill to meet the job requirement.
High level of integrity and professionalism

Qualifications and Skills
In compliance with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Act of 2004, all applicants should ensure that they have completed the mandatory NYSC programme. A discharge certificate will be required as evidence of completion of the programme. Where an exemption has been granted, a certificate of exemption will also be required.

Click link to apply
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/two-management-jobs-at-standard-chartered-bank-nigeria/

The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) Wednesday revealed that 1.2 million metric tons (MT) of frozen chicken worth N660 billion was imported into the country in 2014.

This, according to the association, was four times higher than what was produced locally, and exceeding the current industry capacity.

The National President of PAN, Dr. Ayo Oduntan gave the revelation at a workshop in Abuja, on,”The Health and Economic Implications of Smuggled Poultry ” emphasizing that Nigeria presently consumes 1.5 million MT of frozen chicken annually.

www.monitor9ja.com

Exactly three weeks after an armed robbery gang invaded Ikorodu and robbed First Bank and Wema Bank blind, another attack is ongoing now.

Although details are still not clear yet, the armed robbers invaded the Ogolonto area of Ikorodu, close to Dangote factory, and have held it hostage for over 30 minutes.

An eyewitness report said the robbers broke the ongoing human activities when they released their first set of bullets.

The gunshots were said to have succeeded in creating fear as the residents and visitors alike ran to safety, turning the once lively area into a desserted one.

When contacted, the Lagos State Police spokesperson, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the attack although he could not give further details.

He said, “We are on it. We have been on the case since morning. It’s been over 30 minutes they started robbing but our operation is still ongoing.

“As at now, we are trailing them. We don’t know if it’s a bank robbery. The policemen on operation will be giving updates on the field. It’s after that that they will tell us what happened.”

However, several calls made by us revealed that for now, the robbery is still contained within the Ogolonto area.

So, areas like Agric, Isawo, Majidun and the market are still calm with people going about their normal activities.

www.Monitor9ja.com

Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited, which acquired both Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IEDC) and Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) under the power privation programme, has commenced plans to persuade the federal government under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to refund the money the company invested in the acquisition of Yola Disco.

The power investors, it was learnt, are also seeking a refund of the cost of acquisition plus funds, which they injected into the electricity distribution company before it was returned to the federal government due to the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east.

We gathered that the investors returned the company to the federal government last year at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency, which made it impossible for them to operate and provide services to customers in their areas of coverage.

Yola Disco, which is responsible for the distribution of electricity in Adamawa, Borno, Taraba and Yobe States, is subdivided into four districts – Yola, Maiduguri, Taraba and Damaturu.

However, sustained attacks by the Islamic insurgents and their occupation of vast swathes of territory last year, led to the destruction of electricity infrastructure in the North-east, which plunged the states in the zone into darkness for over a year, and were only recently reconnected to the national grid.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/integrated-energy-to-pursue-refund-of-investment-in-yola-electricity-distribution-company/

The boiling political cold war between the apex leadership of the governing All Progressive Congress (APC) and the new Senate leadership led by Senator Bukola Saraki (APC Kwara South) over his controversial emergence last week as Senate President, took a different turn at the weekend, with the involvement of the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in the matter.

The former president, Olusegun Obasanjo and Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Friday, held a closed door meeting, ostensibly on the matter, for over two hours at the former President’s hilltop mansion, in Abeokuta, Ogun state. The meeting was strongly believed to be in connection with the battle by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to install Saraki’s major opponent, Senator Ahmed Lawan, in place of Saraki, who emerged on June 9 as Senate President when the National Assembly was inaugurated.

The Senate entourage that arrived Abeokuta for the meeting included former Osun state governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former chairman of defunct New PDP, Alhaji Kau Baraje, Senators Ahmed Yerima, Andy Uba, Tayo Alasoadura and Danjuma Goje. The visitors arrived at 9:11am and went straight into the closed door meeting and did not emerge until around 11:15.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/obasanjo-talks-on-nass-election/

The high command of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has warned members of the public against job syndicates claiming to be fronting for the organisation as it is not recruiting anywhere in the federation.

According to a release signed by the Corps’ spokesperson, Imoh Etuk, Corps Commander, those who are calling on applicants to apply for FRSC jobs are fraudsters.

The release read in part: “The attention of the Federal Road Safety Corps has been drawn to on-going activities of scammers who have created a fake recruitment facebook page with the name of its Zonal Commanding Officer in Abuja, Assistant Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu,… (for) extorting money from desperate job seekers to join the employ of the Corps.

“The scammers also spelt out various categories as existing vacancies in the Corps for Officers and Marshal cadres: Assistant Route Commanders, Superintendent Road Marshals and Road Marshals, in addition to …enquiry lines 09035851615 and 08144488165, purporting same to have been authorized by the FRSC management.

“Disturbed by this trend, the management of the Federal Road Safety Corps wishes to (distance) itself from this criminal act and advises the general public, especially job seekers, to disregard such unauthorized and mischievous publications as the Corps has no immediate arrangements to embark on any recruitment exercise.”

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/frsc-we-are-not-recruiting-warns-job-seekers-against-fraudsters/

In what could be described as the perfect coup d’etat, Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara yesterday defied all the odds and hurdles placed in their way by their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), by emerging Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives in a contest that was characterised by subterfuge and skillful guile.

Saraki beat his rival, Senator Ahmed Lawan, who was not even present on the floor of the Senate, to clinch the presidency unopposed, while Dogara floored his rival, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, in a close contest that was won by a mere eight votes.

But their victory would not have been achieved without the assistance of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which by its decision to adopt both men and pair Saraki with Senator Ike Ekweremadu as his deputy, enabled PDP to get its comeuppance over the APC.

The PDP had suffered a similar fate when in 2011 lawmakers on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) helped Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and Hon. Emeka Ihedioha to defy the zoning formula of the PDP to emerge speaker and deputy speaker in the House.

That act of defiance by its members was later to haunt the PDP, resulted in the eventual defection of Tambuwal along with several other PDP lawmakers to the APC, and was one of the factors that led to PDP’s woeful performance at the 2015 polls.

The stage was set for the epic battle when Saraki and Dogara rejected APC’s adoption of Lawan and Gbajabiamila as the choice of the ruling party for the leadership posts in the National Assembly.

However, the party’s decision to throw up Lawan and Gbajabiamila led to a schism among APC lawmakers, enabling the PDP to captilise on the division and determine the outcome of yesterday’s election.

The outcome of the parliamentary election also handed the National Leader of the party Bola Tinubu a bloody nose after his attempt to foist his preferred choice of candidates to lead the National Assembly failed.

In the Senate, Saraki was elected unopposed as its 13th president, following a proclamation letter from President Muhammadu Buhari ordering the inauguration, which was read out by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa.
The inauguration, which took off at exactly 10.02 am, was attended by 57 senators-elect. Thereafter, the clerk called for nominations from senators. By the Senate Rules, only 38 senators need to be present to form a quorum.

Consequently, Senator Ahmad Sani (Zamfara Central) nominated Saraki as a candidate for the office of the Senate president.
The nomination was seconded by Hon. Dino Melaiye (Kogi West) after which the clerk called for further nominations but to the surprise of many, there was absolute silence as his rival in the race, Senator Lawan, and nearly all his supporters were absent.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/nassembly-saraki-becomes-senate-president-dogara-speaker-with-the-perfect-coup-detat/

The Ondo State Government monday approved the appointment of Prince Kole Aladetoyinbo by the kingmakers as the new Deji of Akure land.

The approval of the government was contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, disclosing that the appointment was ratified by the state executive council.

He said the approval followed the unanimous decision of the kingmakers to elect Aladetoyinbo among other contestants to the vacant stool at their meeting of June 7, 2015.

The commissioner said Aladetoyinbo would be presented with the staff of office in a date yet to be announced.
The Deji of Akure’s stool became vacant following the demise of Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida Afunbiowo II,

The late Deji of Akureland and the Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, died at the age of 63.
He reigned for only three years having ascended the throne in 2011.

Protest however greeted the kingmakers’ selection of Prince Aladetoyinbo of Osupa Ruling House as the Deji of Akure yesterday.
As early as 8a.m., some indigenes and market women of the ancient town staged a protest to call on the state government to reinstate the deposed Deji of Akure, Oluwadare Adepoju Adesina.

The protesters who walked from Akure city hall to the governor’s office, Alagbaka, also demanded that the enthronement of Aladetoyinbo as the new Deji be discontinued immediately to prevent undue instability in the town.
The placard-carrying protesters stormed the governor’s office chanting slogans against the Deji-elect.

Raed full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/residents-protest-as-ondo-govt-approves-new-deji-of-akure/

The immediate past governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda, has advised the Governor of the state, Muhammed Abubakar, not to tarnish the good image of his administration, saying the recently inaugurated governor should focus on the task ahead of him.

The former governor who said he left the state without an overdrawn account, pointed out that most state governors had billions in overdraft left for their successor, “and the one who doesn’t have is playing to the gallery.”

A statement from Yuguda’s media team at the weekend, said Abubakar should be grateful that the former governor restructured all loans to make them easy for the state to repay without going broke.

Yuguda further clarified that under him, the state raised a N15billion bond, out of which N7 billion was used for repayment of previous loans and the balance for the completion of the mega specialist hospital and the airport.

“Today, Bauchi is not owing any bank at all. It is owing N14 billion for gratuities, contractors are owed about N1.4 billion.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/dont-tarnish-my-image-former-bauchi-governor-tells-new/

High Chief Government Ekpomupolo, also known as ‘Tompolo’ has denied allegations made against him by the pioneer chairman of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Alhaji Tijani Ramalan, that he was paid N1.5billion monthly for the protection of the nation’s maritime domain.

Speaking through his spokesperson, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo,Tompolo said Ramalan is merely seeking desperate attention in the hope of getting a job.

The statement reads in part: “My attention has been drawn to a publication in the Leadership newspaper of Wednesday June 3, 2015. In the said publication, one

Ahmed Tijani Ramalan made very wild, unsubstantiated allegations against my person that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety

Agency (NIMASA) pays me the sum of N1.5 billion monthly for the protection of the nation’s maritime domain.

“Without any further stress, it is obvious that the said Ramalan is merely seeking an undue attention. And whatever that attention is,

“I make bold to say Ramalan who claims to be the pioneer chairman of NIMASA is not just economical with the truth but his outburst is an exhibition of ignorance and mischief which should be ignored by all.”

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/tompolo-denies-receiving-n1-5bn-monthly-payment/

Brief Description
DAAD is offering Masters Scholarships for students from developing countries at German universities 2016/2017. Applications for 2016/17 will be accepted from June 1 through October 15, 2015.

Subject Areas
Postgraduate Courses for Professionals with Relevance to Developing Countries

About Scholarship
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides scholarships in Germany for international students for a range of postgraduate courses at German Universities which aim at providing academically educated young professionals from developing countries with further specialized studies.

Number of Scholarships: Several

Duration: 12-24 months, depending on the particular institution

Eligible Countries: Any developing country

School: Any German institutions of Higher education

Application Deadline: The general deadline for application is October 15 or December 2015 (depending on the German institution)

Applicants from Cameroon or Nigeria must submit their application file to the German Embassy in their home country.

Please send your documents in good time to ensure their timely arrival at the higher insitution.

Click link to apply
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/daad-scholarships-in-germany-for-students-from-developing-countries-20162017/

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday announced the first set of appointments into his administration with Mr. Femi Adesina and Malam Garba Shehu as his spokesmen.
While Adesina would serve as Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Shehu would be the new Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity.
The statement issued  by Shehu, said the president also approved the appointment of Malam Lawal Abdullahi Kazaure as the State Chief of Protocol (SCOP).
Adesina, who is the current President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), was the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Newspapers.
Garba Shehu on the other hand served as the Director, Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council. He was also the president of the NGE 16 years ago.
Abdullahi Kazaure is a career Foreign Service official and currently serves in Aso Rock Villa as a Special Assistant (Presidential Matters).
Meanwhile, indications yesterday emerged that several factors might have been responsible for the continued delay in getting President Muhammadu Buhari’s approvals on new appointments.
Against expectations that by now, the president would have announced  his appointments for the office of the Secretary  to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and other immediate staff in his administration, the nation is still held in suspense.
We gathered from highly reliable sources at the weekend that the president’s table has been inundated with long list of requests from persons queuing-up for appointments as well as lobby groups with competing interests.
It was also learnt that another reason for the delay was due to President Buhari’s insistence on applying meticulous process in choosing the right person for appointments.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/06/president-muhammadu-buhari-announces-first-set-of-appointments/

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, yesterday broke the jinx when he got elected the eighth president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) at the Annual General Meeting of the bank which held in Abidjan, the Cote d’Ivoire capital.
Nigeria had made three attempts at occupying the post without success. It will be Nigeria’s original occupation of the office in the 50-year-old bank.
He will succeed President Donald Kaberuka, whose 10-year tenure ends in September.
Adesina who beat seven other contenders for the top job won the election having garnered 58.10 per cent of the total votes, out of which  regional votes  represented 60.50 per cent. He was followed by Chad’s Minister of Finance and Budget, Kordje Bedoumra, who   came a distant second with 31.62 per cent of total votes and 36.63 per cent of regional votes while the only woman in the race, Minister of Finance and Planning of Cape Verde, Cristina Duarte, polled 10.27 per cent of the total votes out of which regional votes represented 2.87 per cent.
The eight candidates who contested the election were Akinwunmi Adesina, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Sufian Ahmed, Minister of Finance and Economic Development (Ethiopia); Jaloul Ayed, Minister of Fnance, (Tunisia); Kordje Bedoumra, Minister of Finance and Budget Chad; Cristina Duarte, Minister of Finance and Plannin, Cabo Verde; Samura M.W. Kamara, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sierra Leone; Thomas  Zondo Sakala ,  Zimbabwe former Vice President, Country and Regional Programmes, AfDB and Birama Boubacar Sidibe, Mali Vice President, Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing a large audience, which includes the board of governors, AfDB staff, journalists from across Africa and the world as well as observers, amongst others, an elated Adesina said, he was happy that the governors had elected him as the bank’s president. The president-elect, who acknowledged that the election was ‘transparent and fantastic’, said the other candidates were his friends and he would work with them.
Adesina noted that he had been given a responsibility to manage the bank and he would do his own bit to the best of his ability and the cooperation of others.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/adesina-elected-8th-african-development-bank-president/

President Goodluck Jonathan has finally appended his signature to the controversial Nigerian Electricity Management Services Authority (NEMSA) bill to now keep two regulatory bodies controlling affairs in Nigeria’s power sector.

The president at the twilight of his reign assented to the bill which now makes it an Act that primarily grants powers to NEMSA to provide technical regulations and inspections in Nigeria’s nascent electricity market.

Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo disclosed in Abuja that Jonathan signed the NEMSA Act on Tuesday.

His assent on the bill may now break the regulatory control enjoyed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) as enshrined in Section 32 of the electricity reform act of 2005.

Section 32 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 (EPSR) grants to NERC the sole regulatory responsibility in the country’s electric industry, such role is further buttressed in Section 3.1.4.2 of the National Electric Power Policy (NEPP).

The NEMSA Act however appears to now break NERC’s hold on technical regulation of the industry, a situation NERC resisted.

Disclosing the news of the assent at a send forth dinner organised by the ministry, Nebo thanked stakeholders that supported the process, including the chair of the senate committee on power, Philip Aduda who with his House of Representatives colleague, Patrick Ikhariale provided the legislative backing for its passage at the parliament.

NEMSA had being controversial from its onset. The new authority whose mandate is said to duplicate that of NERC and other agencies of government had attracted knocks and credits from stakeholders.


Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/jonathan-signs-controversial-bill-to-give-power-sector-two-watchdogs/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed that it will soon declare a former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff wanted.

Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said Sheriff refused to honour the invitation for him to appear before the commission was not honoured.

Uwujaren said: “The EFCC invited him (Sheriff) but he didn’t turn up. We have two options; we might declare him wanted.”
He hinted that the refusal of Sheriff to appear before the commission was a grave offence and misconduct, and would not be taken lightly by the EFCC.

He also lambasted the Enugu State All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in the last elections, Ms. Juliet Ibekaku, over allegations of non-performance against the commission.

Ibekaku was said to have accused the EFCC of poor performance in the just concluded APC Policy Dialogue held in Abuja.
But Uwujaren said Ibekaku, “a failed APC deputy governorship candidate in Enugu State, has been using her participation in the APC to fire broadsides at EFCC.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/efcc-to-declare-former-governor-of-borno-state-senator-ali-modu-sheriff-wanted/

Coordinating Minister for the Economy (CME) and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Saturday put the nation’s total debt stock at $63.7 billion, which encompasses multilateral as well as domestic loans by successive federal and state governments since 1960. She said that only $21.8 billion was incurred under the outgoing government of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Her disclosure is coming on the heels of remarks by Vice President-elect Yemi Osinbajo that the outgoing administration of President Jonathan will be leaving a huge debt of $60 billion for the incoming administration of Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking during  an interactive session with finance correspondents in Abuja on Saturday, she said it was wrong to blame the Jonathan administration for the huge debt stock which she said was accumulated over a long period of time by several administrations.

Giving insight into the $21.8 billion debts incurred under the Jonathan government the minister said the debts were made up of $18 billion domestic component and $3.7 billion external component.

According to her between 2007 and 2011, a debt of $17.3 billion was recorded while between 2012 and 2015, the debt incurred stood at $18.1 billion.

She explained that the leap in the debt profile between 2012 and 2015 was triggered off by the 53 per cent wage increase implemented by the late Umaru Yar’Adua administration in a fell swoop.

This, she said, skyrocketed government’s borrowing from N524 billion to over N1 trillion in order to meet the salary increase, adding that the country’s domestic debt increased by $18.1  billion mainly because of the 53 per cent increase in the pay of civil and public servants.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/okonjo-iweala-jonathan-incurred-only-21bn-of-63bn-national-debts/

Former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilous Danjuma, on Saturday inaugurated two bridges worth N500 million along Takum-Katsina Ala Federal Highway in Taraba.



The project is meant to curb the frequent accidents on the road as a result of the collapse of the bridges.



“The project started when I noticed the deplorable state of the bridges and realised that they had become death traps and a major cause of serious disabilities in the society, over the years.



“Being aware that this is a Federal Road, I sought and obtained permission from the Works Ministry and the work commenced.



“We worked closely with the ministry and other relevant bodies and today, the challenges are over and I am glad this is over,” Danjuma said during the inauguration ceremony.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/gen-danjuma-constructs-two-bridges-worth-n500m-in-taraba/

Groundnut Soup is one of the most eaten soups in Nigeria and in Africa at large. But i must say that it has some sweetness to it that takes a bit of getting used to if you have not tasted the soup before.
Ingredients

500g raw peeled groundnuts (peanuts)
Assorted meat
Dry fish OR Stock fish
Palm Oil
A small bunch of Pumpkin leaves
Spinach
Very Little Bitter-leaf
2 tablespoons ground crayfish
Soup seasoning
Salt
Ground dry pepper.

The Preparation

Step 1: Boil the stock fish & dry fish for a few hours. The length of time depends on how hard the stock fish is. This is to soften the stock & dry fish

Step 2: Roast the raw groundnuts in a pan, stirring constantly till they look golden brown( Make sure the groundnuts do not get burnt), After this set aside to cool down completely then grind into powder with a dry mill.

Step 3: Wash & cut the pumpkin leaves into tiny pieces. If using spinach, cut into small pieces, if using bitterleaf: wash till the bitterness is fairly out & set aside.

Step 4: Mix the grounded paper and the grounded cray fish together

Step 5: Start cooking the Assorted meat. Always keep water to the same level as the contents of the pot and top it up as you cook.

Step 6: When the Assorted meat is getting done, add the dry fish and stockfish.

Step 7: When the Assorted meat is almost done, add beef and soup seasoning. Cook till all the meat and fish are well done.

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There has been a twist in the petition by Mr. Sunday Iwalaiye against the award of an honorary doctorate degree by Yale University in the USA to Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Another Nigerian, one Anozie Chinomnso, has started up another petition against Iwalaiye, asking Morgan State University to withdraw the Post-Baccalaureate certificate in Administration and Supervision awarded to him.

Approximately 2,534 additional signatures had been collected to make the figure of those who have signed the petition against Okonjo-Iweala shoot up to 4,581 from 2,047 as at Thursday evening.

The number of signatues shot up as the news about the petition started by Sunday Iwalaiye, a Nigerian resident in the United States, went viral.

Okonjo-Iweala had been awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters on Monday, May 18, 2015 during Yale’s Commencement ceremony in New Haven, Connecticut, alongside eight others.

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The Senate on Thursday committed to the committee stage the N174,068,999,970 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Appropriation Bill for the 2015 fiscal year.
Of the total figure, N46.034 billion has been allocated as personnel cost; N28.589 billion is for overhead cost while N99.444 billion is for capital expenditure.
The Senate Committee on FCT, which had been mandated to legislate on the bill is expected to return the budget to the plenary on Tuesday next week for final passage.
Leading debate on the bill, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, observed that the N174.068 billion budget for FCT this Year 2015 was less than N271.042 billion spent in 2014.
The figure, he said, represented 35 per cent reduction from 2015 budget.
The reduction, he added, was caused by the global fall in oil price bearing in mind that FCT derives its revenue mainly from federal government’s statutory allocation. He also blamed the trend on the fall in foreign exchange rate.
According to him, the budget will ensure an effective service provision that will consolidate on the gains of FCT administration over the years
His words: “The sum of N174,068,999,970 only is proposed as the expenditure for 2015.Out of this sum, N46,034,684,503 is for personnel cost; the sum of N28,589,912,096 is for overhead cost and the sum of N99,444,403,371 is for capital expenditure.
“Out of the 2015 total proposal, the sum of N27,850,000,000 is dedicated to projects on rail, other counterpart fund related projects and other important projects like the ongoing road construction and water treatment plant.

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The direction and programmes of the incoming administration of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) appears to be emerging with the guide being offered in the form of start-up reform marshal plan by a former British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, who urged him to carry out a complete overhaul of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and solve the problematic petroleum subsidy regime within the first 100 days of assuming office. The recommendation is in synch with the call by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) for the incoming Buhari administration to declare a state of emergency in the oil sector given its myriad of problems. Blair’s policy pep-talk came just as the Vice-President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, gave a frightening picture of the Apccountry’s economic situation, saying that Nigeria’s local and international debt burden has hit $60 billion, while the debt servicing bill for 2015 is N953.6 billion (about 21%) of our budget.

The ex-British prime minister, who was represented by Peter Benjamin Mandelson, a former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, at a two-day All Progressives Congress (APC) Policy Dialogue holding in Abuja, yesterday advised that the government should as a matter of priority undertake the shake-up in the management of NNPC within the first 100 days of assumption of office. Blair said the new government should try to utilise the enormous goodwill it presently enjoys to take far-reaching economic decisions, including taking an intelligible stand on the controversial fuel subsidy policy. “You have more goodwill to do very difficult things at the beginning of your administration than later. You can crack the NNPC with the first 100 days,” he said. According to Blair, Nigeria has huge natural endowment of energy resources but could not effectively utilise such rich resources to economic advantage because of misplaced priorities.

“These issues are like this, for a country that has extraordinary resources of oil and have this amazing privilege of source of energy, yet power generation was not as good as it should. People having to wait for hours queuing to get fuel and end up buying it elsewhere. I think the resources voted for this subsidy can be better used for other things. “Where is it running away to? I think we need to recapture this oil resource and the revenues put to good use so that it can be invested for the long term good of the country, in infrastructure, human capital development, education system and skill acquisition that people need to work with in the future. “This is where the money should be going to. That is why before reorganisation and also the long reach of the law, there is the need to begin here pretty soon in order to make sure the system as whole works better for Nigeria. That is my view,” he said.

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http://monitor9ja.com/2015/05/re-organisation-of-nnpc-removal-of-oil-subsidy-job-creation-top-agenda-at-apc-policy-meeting/

Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved five universities. The council hold its valedictory session next Wednesday.

This was disclosed Wednesday when the Information Minister, Mrs. Patricia Akwashiki, jointly briefed State House correspondents with Education Minister, Ibrahim Shekarau at the end of the council meeting.

Akwashiki who outlined the handover ceremony, also said there will be dinner on May 28.

Shekarau, on his part, said four federal colleges of education were converted to universities.

Shekarau listed the colleges of education as Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo (now Adeyemi University of Education, Ondo); Federal College of Education, Zaria (now Federal University of Education, Zaria); Federal College of Education, Kano (now Federal University of Education, Kano); and Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri (now Alvan Ikoku University of Education, Owerri).

According to him, the colleges of education were part of the 21 federal colleges of education that had been awarding degree programmes in the last three decades under the close supervision of the different universities they are affiliated to.

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Over $20 million is needed to resettle those displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency back to their homelands, Borno State government said on Tuesday.

It would be recalled that 22 out of the 27 local governments of the state were captured by the insurgents at the peak of the insurgency with about two million people forced to flee into Maiduguri, the state capital and a couple of others taking refuge in neighbouring countries of Niger, Cameroun and Chad.

The captured local government areas were left destroyed and infrastructure in Maiduguri overstretched.

Addressing a delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) led by its President, Mr. Peter Maurer in Maiduguri, the Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha, who stood in for the Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, said the state government requires the assistance of all, including the federal government and international donor agencies to rehabilitate the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Mustapha lamented that since the displacement of many residents from their communities by Boko Haram insurgents, the state government has been compelled to shoulder the responsibility of feeding the IDPs through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

He noted that, although, military troops have liberated most of the communities under the control of Boko Haram in the state, government and the IDPs found it difficult to go back to their homes and pick up the pieces of their lives due to security reports that most of the roads and streets leading to the affected communities and their farmlands were not safe as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and landmines were planted by departing terrorists.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said for the umpteenth time, that the President Goodluck Jonathan led administration is not cooperating with the party’s Transition Committee.

The party in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and made available to journalists said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman ,Olisah Metuh did not tell Nigerians the truth.

APC said, “We say, with all sense of responsibility, that as of today, May 14th 2015, just about two weeks to the May 29th handover date, no shred of information as to the status of governance from any ministry, department or agency of government has been given to our transition committee.

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Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has warned president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure they deliver on their electoral promises, adding that Nigerians will not tolerate excuses.
Lamido, who spoke at the inauguration of the Shiroro bridge in Niger State, said the APC did not give conditions whether the economy was favourable or not during electioneering.
He stated that members of the APC did everything possible to distort the harmony in the country by their campaign and quest for power, adding that they did not raise developmental issues but were busy blackmailing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He lamented that they were asking for time when during their campaigns they did not give conditions to deliver on their promises.
“They tried to break and distort Nigeria’s harmony, they tried to turn tribe against tribe, brother against brother, raising false hope. They must fulfil all their promises because there was no condition of good or favourable economy when they were making these promises.
“Do not give any excuse because we will not tolerate any excuse because there was no condition given when they were soliciting and asking for votes.
“During campaigns, APC were busing blackmailing the PDP; they did not raise any developmental issue; they were busy harping on the dysfunctionalities of the nation, which included Boko Haram, corruption and other security issues. They never knew a day of reckoning will come. Now, they have to fulfill all those promises they made,” Lamido stated.

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The president-elect, General Muhammudu Buhari (rtd), has again vowed to unearth and deal with those involved in the violence that trailed the conduct of the last general election in Rivers State.

Buhari, who stated this while receiving a delegation of traditional rulers and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the state, regretted that many lives were lost in the process due to the desperation of some politicians to win elections at all costs.
Buhari said: “We will confront them with facts and figures. We will not forgive and we will not forget those who perpetrated the killings and arson in Rivers State during the elections. At least this is the much we owe Nigerians,” he said.

He also assured Nigerians that they would surely get the respect they deserve from the government, adding that there would be no army within the army or a police within the police.
Earlier, former Deputy Governor of the state who led delegation, Mr. Gabriel Toby, told journalists that what happened during both presidential and the governorship elections did not reflect the wishes of the people.

He described the elections as a coup, saying the calibre of persons in the delegation to Buhai had shown that Rivers people were behind the president-elect before, during and after the election, adding that the entire state would fully support the incoming government.
The former deputy governor asked the president-elect not to forget the persecution and many sacrifices made by the their son, Rotimi Ameachi, for the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that the state governor and others should be compensated for their immense contributions to the victory of the APC.
Meanwhile, another delegation from Delta State yesterday paid a solidarity visit to Buhari.

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A former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, has said Nigeria’s peaceful elections and transition of power have earned her respect throughout the whole world.

Speaking shortly after a meeting with the president-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), the ex-British prime minister said Nigeria’s image has gone up since the last election, with the clear signs of a peaceful transition by May 29.

This is just as the All Progressives Congress (APC) committee on inauguration has announced that it is planning a low-key inauguration ceremony in deference to the poor state of the Nigerian economy.

Blair however assured Buhari of the goodwill and support of the international community to Nigeria based on the peaceful transition of power.

“In the last few weeks, Nigeria has earned respect throughout the whole world. There is enormous support for Nigeria now in the international community. The support takes into consideration the challenges that lie ahead and there is great confidence in the country,” he said.

While reminding the president-elect of the challenges that lie ahead, Blair expressed the hope that if the government could maintain the same momentum of goodwill that guided the election, then the country was sure of surmounting any difficulty in the coming years.

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The president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) yesterday declared that he does not have any preferred candidate for the position of Senate president, stating that he was willing to work with any Senate leadership irrespective of their geo-political origin.

In a statement released in Abuja yesterday by Mallam Garba Shehu, General Buhari described as false the insinuations in the media that he was in support of a particular senator’s emergence as leader of the Senate or that he belonged to any camp pushing for the emergence of an aspirant from a particular part of the country.

“I am prepared to work with any leaders that the House or Senate selects,” General Buhari said. “It doesn’t matter who the person is or where he or she is from.”

He added that the insinuations were probably borne out of people’s expectations based on the way things happened in the past, but he reminded Nigerians this time was a period of change

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to learn to be truthful, honest and desist from fabricating lies that could be injurious to democracy and peaceful co-existence in the country.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh in a statement on Wednesday said: “But for the maturity of President Goodluck Jonathan and the head of the APC’s Transition Committee, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, who cleared the air, the country would have been thrown into crisis over the false alert by Lai Mohammed that the Presidency was frustrating the transition process.

“After Alhaji Joda debunked Lai Mohammed’s false statement and denied that his committee was being frustrated by the PDP-led Presidency, we waited for forty-eight hours expecting the APC spokesman to apologize to the nation, but this has not been done.

“It would be recalled that Lai Mohammed in a press statement last Thursday alleged that the Presidency and the PDP had ‘bluntly refused to cooperate’ with the APC to ensure a successful transition and that the Transition Committee of the Federal Government had refused to hold any meeting with that of the APC.

“Even after the PDP through a statement last Friday debunked the false allegation with facts showing that the committees of the two parties have been holding fruitful meetings, Lai Mohammed vehemently stuck to his position, only for the head of the APC’s Transition Committee, Alhaji Joda to confirm on Tuesday that the two panels have been meeting and operating on the same page and that at no time did his team complain to anybody that there was no cooperation.

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The Chairman of United Bank for Africa, and Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu has proposed a new entrepreneur-led development model for Africa at two high profile events in Washington DC.
Elumelu spoke at a White House event hosted by United States President, Barack Obama on May 11, to celebrate emerging entrepreneurs around the globe.
The event was a prelude to Obama’s scheduled trip to Kenya this summer for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.
During remarks to announce the Summit and his plans to participate, President Obama thanked the global coalition of entrepreneurship organisations that collaborated with his administration to launch the Spark campaign for global entrepreneurship, a campaign in which the Tony Elumelu Foundation is a founding member.
The President went on to say to the entrepreneurs present, “entrepreneurs like you can change the world with one idea at a time.”
During his comments while participating in the panel moderated by United States Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker, Elumelu championed the cause of African entrepreneurs as the primary drivers of Africa’s transformation.
In closing, he provided the following advice to entrepreneurs, stating that: “Entrepreneurship is a long term journey. Great entrepreneurs are not made overnight. They Dare to dream, implement your dream, and stay focused.”
Elumelu’s foundation recently launched the $100 million Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, which aims to assist in growing 10,000 start-up companies across the African continent over the next 10 years, demonstrating a commitment to empowering entrepreneurs to drive Africa’s social and economic transformation.
Other speakers that joined Obama and Elumelu to promote entrepreneurship at the White House event included Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks; Barbara Corcoran, founder of Barbara Corcoran Venture Partners; Daymond John, CEO and founder of FUBU, all investors on the hit ABC show, Shark Tank; Antonio Gracias, Founder of Valor Equity Partners; and Julie Hanna, Founder of Kiva.

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The Senate Tuesday passed the Tobacco Control Bill 2015 with the provision of six months imprisonment for anyone caught smoking in public places.
The passage followed the adoption of the report of Senate Committee on Health presented by Senator Chris Ngige on behalf of the committee chairman, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

The committee, however, said it found that “if tobacco regulation becomes excessively restrictive and legitimate producers close shops, smokers would continue to smoke. Demand would then be met via smuggled cigarette thereby transferring jobs and revenue to other countries.”
It added: “There will no longer be industry operators such as producers to engage in terms of product quality and alternative products to regular cigarette and assist in the fighting against smuggling.”

The committee also lamented that absence of adequate legal framework had greatly affected the nation’s ability to get required data base or actual numbers of smokers.

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