₦airaland Forum

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/01/support-ganduje-doesnt-affect-anti-corruption-war-buhari/

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his association with Gov. of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has not in any way affected his anti corruption war.

He insisted that he was shielding anybody saying it was sheer mischief for anybody to suggest that he doing so based on his closeness to an individual.

Buhari’s position was made known in a statement by the Presidency no Thursday, which maintained that there is a difference between perception and reality.

The statement was in reaction to comments trailing the announcement of Ganduje as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, by President Buhari, at a rally in Kano.

It pointed to the prosecution of senior government officials, such as a former Secretary to the Government and a former state governor who is a member of the APC, currently serving jail term as proof of the will and determination of Mr. President to prosecute the anti-corruption war irrespective of who is involved.

It further noted that the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf, is currently on administrative leave as part of President Buhari’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

According to the statement, no official under the present administration will go unpunished once found to have broken the law.

A South Korean nursing assistant was arrested for illegally performing plastic surgery on about 1,000 patients for the past three years, Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday citing Police.

The nursing assistant, only identified as a 70-year-old man, posed as a doctor from 2015 to 2018, performing some 1,500 illicit cosmetic surgeries on 1,000 victims.

Details https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/31/nursing-assistant-arrested-performing-illegal-plastic-surgery/

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/31/inec-excludes-zamfara-apc-in-its-approved-candidates-lists-for-guber-assembly-elections/

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has suffered a setback as it candidates cannot run during the forthcoming governorship and house of assembly elections.

The party’s fate was sealed Tuesday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The electoral body had while releasing the approved lists of candidates for the gubernatorial, state assembly and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) elections excluded Zamfara APC.

Commenting on the issue, INEC’s Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said the exclusion was in obedience to an order of the court.

“The commission reviewed the situation concerning the All Progressives Congress (APC) fielding candidates for the governorship and state assembly elections in Zamfara State. Commission noted that there are two court judgments on the matter – one from a State high court in Gusau and the other from a Federal High Court in Abuja,” a statement by the commission stated.

“The former judgment clearly said that the APC conducted primaries in Zamfara State, contrary to the position of the commission. On the other hand, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the party did not conduct valid primaries and is, therefore, ineligible to field candidates for the elections.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/29/naf-alpha-jets-destroy-terrorists-hideout-in-limberi-borno/

The Nigerian Air Force says its Air Task Force, ATF, of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, has destroyed another terrorists hideout in Limberi, in Northern Borno.

The NAF said the ATF also neutralised activities of some terrorists at Limberi, a cluster of small, co-located settlements made up of mud and thatched roof structures located about 92Km North West of Monguno in Northern Borno.

Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja said the operation was conducted on Saturday.

“The air strike was conducted on Jan.26, following credible Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports indicating that the location was being used by the terrorists as a staging area.

“This was later confirmed by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions which tracked a group of terrorists heading to a location about 3km North of the settlements, where they had converged.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/29/ekiti-pdp-confident-victory-court-appeal/

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has expressed confidence that it will surely get victory at the Court of appeal of Appeal after the Monday ruling on the Ekiti Governorship election tribunal.

The PDP in a press statement signed its National Publicity Secretary and Director, Media & Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, Kola Ologbondiyan, urged all its members, particularly those in Ekiti State, not to despair but keep faith with their support for the party.

He said the judgment of the tribunal will surely be overturned at the Court of Appeal and victory handed to the PDP and its candidate, Olusola Eleka, who is the clear winner of the July 14, 2018 Ekiti governorship election.

The statement said: "The Court of Appeal will consider the matter strictly on its merit particularly with the abounding evidence of rigging including violence, vote-buying, ballot stuffing and alteration of results perpetrated by the APC are still intact.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/29/onnoghen-fg-accuses-foreign-missions-supporting-opposition/

The Federal Government has accused representatives of foreign countries and organisations in the country of supporting the opposition.

Specifically mentioning the U.S Embassy, UK High Commission and European Union Election Observer Mission, it said statements made by the missions on the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, were inimical to the well-being of the country and capable of promoting sectional and religious divide in the country, anarchy and retrogression

The government further described the statements as “unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of Nigeria.”

The federal government reacting through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Mr George Edokpa on Monday in Abuja, accused the missions of endorsing the stance of the opposition that it was planning to rig the upcoming general elections.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/28/love-swear-god-atiku-tells-akwa-ibomites/


The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar has professed his love for the people of Akwa Ibom.

Speaking at the Presidential rally held at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, on Monday, Atiku moved by the crowd of supporters said; “I love you all, I swear to God.”

However, as a practical demonstration of his love, Atiku promised to build a refinery in the state if elected as president even as he accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of bringing hardship on Nigerians.

He said: “When APC was coming in 2015 they said they were going to improve on our economy. Today we have the highest rate of unemployment in the history of our country. Today the United Nations has declared Nigeria the headquarters of poverty in the world.

“They said they were coming to improve insecurity. When they came, there was insecurity only in the North east. Today, they didn’t control the North east insecurity problem; there is insecurity in the North west, there is insecurity in the North central. If you don’t stop them, insecurity will come to Akwa Ibom, it will come to the South south.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/28/breaking-lagos-assembly-moves-impeach-ambode-alleged-gross-misconduct/

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday evening began moves to impeach Governor Akinwunmi Ambode over alleged gross misconduct.

The lawmakers at its plenary on Monday evening accused the governor of committing atrocities bordering on gross misconduct and spending budget that had not been laid before the House or approved by the Assembly.

Out of the 34 lawmakers who spoke at the plenary, 28 of them called for the impeachment of the governor while six others called on the governor to resign.

Also, the lawmakers, through a voice vote stood for the impeachment of the governor.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/26/eastern-union-seeks-support-new-igp-adamu/

Eastern Union (EU), a socio-political organisation, has called on Nigerians to support and encourage Mr. Abubakar Muhammed Adamu, the new Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Charles Anike, the EU National President, who spoke from his Abuja base, described the appointment as one wisest steps the Muhammadu Buhari administration has taken for a long time.

Anike, in a statement issued to newsmen, called on Nigerians to give the Acting IGP the maximum support he desired to enable him carry out his duty effectively.

"I implore all Nigerians to support and give him maximum cooperation to enable him conquer the challenges ahead of him at this crucial moment.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/26/facebook-plans-merge-instagram-messenger-whatsapp-report-claims/

Facebook is planning to merge Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp by letting users message one another across all the services, according to the New York Times.

The shock decision would mean that all of Facebook's sprawling social media properties would be integrated for the first time.

Each of the services would remain as standalone apps, but Facebook would create a new way for users to communicate with others across the apps.

The company is still in the early stages of the work and plans to complete it by the end of this year or in early 2020, the report said.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/26/will-empower-imo-youths-nwosu/

The governorship candidate of Action Alliance, AA, in Imo State, Uche Nwosu has assured the youths of the state that he would be faithful in empowering them because he is one of them.

Speaking at the flag of the governorship campaign in the state on Friday at the Dan Anyiam Township Stadium, Owerri, Nwosu told his supporters that his government would be empathic to the youths, women and the poor because he had lived the life of the poor and knew what it felt like to lack.

He said, “I am here today as your son, not as a privileged child; I’m here as a child that came from a poor family. I’m here as a son and child of a catechist; I’m here as your son.

“While being the son of a catechist, I went through the stages of poverty. I knew virtually all the streets of Aba, not because it was a choice, not because I wanted to do that, but because of the condition I found myself. For many of the youths standing in the sun today, Uche Nwosu once stood in the sun as a boy hawking ice water, fruits, snacks and oranges. Today, I am telling my story. For many of you, youths of Imo state here today, you will tell your story and it will be a success story.”

The governorship candidate assured that he will make the youths of Imo state job creators rather than government job seekers

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/25/2019-delisted-apc-candidates-threaten-disrupt-elections-rivers/

The de-listed candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers have threatened to disrupt elections in the state if the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, fails to relist them.

Mr Henry Odili, APC candidate for Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni-Ahoada/West Federal Constituency, who spoke at a press conference organised by the de-listed APC candidates in Port Harcourt on Thursday, sent out this message.

He noted that there was no court order stopping the primary elections that that produced them as candidates.

Odili claimed that Gov. Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had made boast that the APC would not have candidates in Rivers even before the judgement of the State High Court nullifying the primary elections.

He said what transpired between Wike, the courts and INEC was a manifestation of the boast and his fear of going into election against APC candidates in Rivers.

He pointed out that the electoral law had been crafted in such a way that the courts cannot interfere with the electoral process but lamented that the courts in Rivers have willfully violated that.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/24/presidential-election-durotoye-ready-coalition/

Presidential candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN, Fela Durotoye, says he is ready for a coalition even as he commended Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, the Presidential candidate of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, for taking the first step to a viable coalition for the 2019 Presidential election.

Ezekwesili, early on Thursday announced she was stepping down to concentrate on “building a veritable coalition to ensuring a viable alternative to the #APCPDP in the forthcoming elections.”

Taking to his Instagram page shortly after news of Ezekwesili’s withdrawal broke, Durotoye said he was ready to “come into any coalition talks with my brothers Omoyele Sowore@yelesho and Prof. Kingsley Moghalu @moghalukingsley.”

Sowore is of the African Action Congress, AAC, while Moghalu is the candidate of the Young Progressives Party, YPP.

The post read: “I have always believed that leadership is about service and sacrifice and today, I would like to commend Dr. (Mrs) Oby Ezekwesili @obyezeks for leading the charge to forming a viable coalition to presenting a Consensus Candidate for the 2019 Presidential elections,” Durotoye said.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/24/just-ezekwesili-running-mate-galadima-endorses-buhari/

Few after hours after the Presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, Oby Ezekwesili announced her withdrawal from the 2019 presidential race, the national chairman of the party and her running mate, Gani Galadima, has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term.

Nigerians on Thursday woke up to the news that Ezekwesili had stepped down from the Presidential race. A statement from the spokesperson of the Obiageli Ezekwesili Presidential Campaign Organisation Ozioma Ubabukoh, said "The presidential candidate of the ACPN will now devote her time “to help build a coalition to defeat the All Progressives Congress and the People’s Democratic Party in the February 16, 2019 election."

Speaking to Journalists on Thursday, Galadima claimed that Ezekwesili only tried to the party for the post of finance minister and also accused her of not being serious in her campaign.

He said, “The reason for calling this press conference is to let the world know about the presidential aspiration of Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, which in actual fact is not the truth. I have been put into confidence by one of her aide named Iyinoluwa Aboyeji that she only wanted to use the platform of the ACPN to negotiate to be Nigeria’s finance minister.

Wetin konsign me.........

Ukwu

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/23/labour-shift-minimum-wage-struggle-n-assembly-unionist/


Labour says it will shift its minimum wage struggle to the National Assembly to lobby the lawmakers to approve N30,000 for workers, a top unionist announced on Wednesday.

Mr Bobboi Kaigama, President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), made the announcement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He was reacting to the approval made by the National Council of State, which on Jan. 22, approved N30, 000 as minimum wage for federal workers and 27,000 for states.

Government has been locked in negotiations with organised labour since 2016 over a long overdue minimum wage for public sector workers.

“If President Muhammadu Buhari takes the N27, 000 agreed by the National Council of State to the lawmakers, organised labour will provide necessary documents and agreements reached by the tripartite committee to lobby for N30, 000,’’ Kaigama said.

Labour had swiftly rejected the N27, 000 minimum wage, arguing that the council, made up of former heads of state and key government functionaries lacked jurisdiction on the issue.

A tripartite committee set up by the government on minimum wage sat for one year and recommended N30, 000 but the sum was rejected by many state governors, who said that the sum was too much.

Kaigama told NAN that the decision of the council of state would not be allowed to stand because it would set a wrong precedent for the future.

DETAILS HERE: https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/23/breaking-lagos-ad-chairman-removed-alleged-misconduct-indiscipline/

vegafbs:
https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/23/breaking-lagos-ad-chairman-removed-alleged-misconduct-indiscipline/

Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Alliance for Democracy, AD, Mr. Kolawole Ajayi has been removed by members over allegations of engaging in acts of indiscipline and gross misconduct in the management of the party’s affairs.

The decision was taken at an emergency general congress of the party in Lagos on Tuesday night.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/23/breaking-lagos-ad-chairman-removed-alleged-misconduct-indiscipline/

Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Alliance for Democracy, AD, Mr. Kolawole Ajayi has been removed by members over allegations of engaging in acts of indiscipline and gross misconduct in the management of the party’s affairs.

The decision was taken at an emergency general congress of the party in Lagos on Tuesday night.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/23/obi-agbaje-set-computer-village-ladipo-market-fire-visit/

The Vice-Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Peter Obi, and the party’s governorship candidate in Lagos, Mr Jimi Agbaje, on Wednesday set the popular Computer Village in Ikeja, and

Ladipo Auto Spare parts Market, Mushin, all in Lagos on fire as their campaign train berthed at both markets.

The two candidates, alongside the party’s deputy governorship candidate in the state, Mrs Haleema Busari and others, walked round the market interacting with traders and visitors alike.

At the Computer Village, Obi and Agbaje held a meeting with officials of Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria, CAPDAN, before going round the market.

The duo acknowledged cheers from an excited crowd of people who chanted their support for them as they moved from one location to another.

Party faithful and supporters together with traders and visitors danced to lively tunes from flutists and drummers on the candidates’ train, giving it all a carnival-like atmosphere

Business activities were partially suspended at the market as many shop owners shut their shops to join the moving train while those who stayed open watched from their shops.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/21/investigation-president-buhari-implemented-apcs-2015-election-manifesto-part-2/

This review was initiated in response to the invitation by the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) John Odigie-Onyegun, that Nigerians hold the party accountable for the implementation of its 2015 Manifesto.

 “All Nigerians must join hands to actualize what is contained in this manifesto and hold us to account if we fail to achieve them. For us, this manifesto is our social contract with Nigeria,” Mr. Odigie-Oyegun had stated.

Less than a month to the next general election, the NEXT EDITION decided to review the entire manifesto with a view to holding the party and the government accountable to the Nigerian electorate who voted them into power.

The review covered every item set out in the APC’s manifesto and is based on verifiable proofs, reports from the media and relevant local and international groups etc.

Click here to read the first part of the report. https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/07/investigation-president-buhari-implemented-apc-2015-election-manifesto-part-1/

Where the party successfully implemented a campaign promise, we cast the review in GREEN, where the level of implementation is moderately successful we cast the review in BLUE and we cast a failed promise in RED.

Below is the continuation of the review and the last part of the exercise ….

EDUCATION

APC believes in the demonstrable successes of private capital in education and will accordingly enunciate policies that strengthen existing undertakings as well as encourage new ones; FAILED – Nothing has changed from what obtained in the past.

Enforce the provisions of the Universal Basic Education Act with emphasis on compulsory basic education, promotion of the girl child education, gender equity in primary and secondary school enrollment, and improvement in quality and substance of our schools; FAILED – Nothing has changed from what obtained in the past.

xii. Immediately increase quality and levels of spending of our budget for the critical education and healthcare sectors whilst making substantial investments in training of quality teachers and   health professionals at all levels; FAILED – No significant improvement has been recorded considering the value of the budgets passed under the administration

 

xiii. Encourage state governments with matching grants to subsidize education and raise attendance and retention levels in our schools in ways and manners that are most effective in   each state through special teachers’ allowances, school and classroom development, etc.; FAILED – Apart from the UBEC programme which existed before the life of the government, no matching grant has been given to states to subsidise education and offer special allowances to teachers.

xiv. Facilitate nationwide coverage of broadband internet facilities in all the states; FAILED – The government has not offered broadband internet service to its neighbours around Aso Villa in Abuja, to think of providing for the 36 states and the FCT.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/21/2019-polls-lawyer-seeks-restraining-order-military/

Osaze Agbonifo, a legal practitioner, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking a restraining order aimed at stopping the Nigerian military from deploying its men to monitor the forth-coming general elections in the country.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/154/2019, the plaintiff listed the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force as first to third defendants, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was named the fourth defendant.

An affidavit deposed to by one Sumaiyya Mohammed, in support of the Originating Summons, stated that "it is the full responsibility of the Nigerian Police to provide security during election activities in the country.”

The deponent averred that the responsibilities of the Nigerian military include defending the country from external aggression, maintaining its territorial integrity and security of its borders from violations on land, sea or air.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/21/apc-youth-leader-scores-buhari-65-percent-performance/

Terver Aginde, the All Progressives Congress (APC), National Youth Leader North Central Zone, has given President Muhammadu Buhari administration 65 percent pass mark, saying, the party met dead economy, which needed time to fix.

Aginde, serving his second term as APC youth leader, stated this in a statement on Sunday.

According to him, "APC came on board and met a dead economy, dead infrastructure and dead institutions. We had to take time to study the situation carefully and by the time we got to work properly, two years have gone pass and for us to be where we are now, we have to give kudos to Mr. President.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/20/obasanjo-haunted-past-apc/

The All Progressives Congress says that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is being haunted by what he did while in office, especially with regards to the conduct of elections.

Malam Lanre Issa- Onilu, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, stated this at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja,

He was reacting to allegations by Obasanjo that the APC-led Federal Government had concluded plans with the Independent National Electoral Commission to rig the coming elections.

“For eight years of Obasanjo in office, all the elections he held, in fact, government policies were determined by whatever mood he found himself.

“All the institutions of government were brought under his wings and what he did for those eight years is what is haunting him.

“He cannot imagine that a government will allow INEC the statuary independence that it has.

“We have had 93 elections or more since APC came to power, and you can be sure that all those elections were conducted without government interference.

“We can understand where the former president is coming from, his past is haunting him, he imagines that perhaps the way he did it is the same way we will do it,’’ Issa-Onilu said.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/18/sanwo-olu-mobile-app-trending-number-one-google-playstore/

The Mobile Application created by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos state as one of the campaign strategies and mobilisation tools to support their governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is currently trending.

The mobile App, which provides latest updates on the activities of Lagos state gubernatorial hopeful has incredible engagement from users on the Google Playstore and is, therefore, recognised as number one top trending app by Google playstore.

According to information gathered by The Next Edition, the mobile App was created to expand Sanwo-Olu’s reach to a wider voting public, particularly the technology-savvy young people of the state.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/18/wike-campaign-show-projects-force/

On Wednesday, January 16, 2019, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike flagged off the formal campaign rallies to renew his mandate to govern the state for a second term. This time, Governor Wike is running on the premise of his outstanding projects delivery.

Governor Wike and Rivers State PDP Stakeholders stormed Tai Local Government Area where they formally solicited the support of the people of the Local Government Area for the state governor and all PDP candidates.

For the Rivers State Governor, the request was simple. Look at my outstanding projects delivery in Tai Local Government Area and give me the opportunity to do more.

Unlike the failed APC Federal Government, Governor Wike is saying categorically, I have used your mandate to improve your living standard. If you give me another opportunity, I will do more for the people of Tai Local Government Area.

For the security forces, from time to time, they display their arsenal in what they usually call "show of force". This is usually done to build the confidence of the community in the ability of the security forces to protect the people in times of conflict.

Governor Wike's Show of Projects Force is simply a practical show of his capacity to use the people's mandate for the benefit of the people. It is a testament that in all the 23 Local Government Areas of the state, the Wike administration has touched the lives of the people.

For Tai Local Government Area, Governor Wike is constructing the Kira-Nonwa-Barayira-Sime-Eteo Road.

The 10.2 Kilometre Road cuts across Tai, Eleme, Oyigbo and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas of the state. The road was abandoned for 50 years. This road is the key economic transformational factor in the area. The Project is fundamental to the revival of the economy of the area. This lengthy road which is nearing completion is already serving its purpose.

The Tai people are also beneficiaries of the iconic Sakpenwa-Bori Road which runs from the headquarters of the Local Government Area through Gokana and Khana Local Government Areas. The dualization of the Sakpenwa-Bori has improved the economy of Tai Local Government Area. The people are genuinely appreciative of the Rivers State Governor efforts to develop their communities and improve their standard of living.

The Flag Off of the Rivers State PDP Campaign in Tai Local Government Area attracted thousands of people of the area in appreciation of the achievements of Governor Wike.

It was a carnival of sorts. Happiness filled the air. The Tai people celebrated the very essence of Governor Wike's leadership.

Popular Musician, Harrysong thrilled PDP supporters during the campaign. He transformed most of his hit songs to accommodate the beautiful achievements of Governor Wike.

Leaders and the masses of Tai Local Government Area declared in unison that they will ensure the re-election of Governor Wike.

Chairman of Tai Local Government Area, Dr Jacobson Nbina, said that the overwhelming victory of Governor Wike should be taken for granted because he has favoured the area.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/18/special-features-looking-at-2018-through-the-eyes-of-others/

The year 2018 is gone and 2019 is already on the clock.

At the end of each year, it is natural to reflect, to take stock of achievements and short comings of the year ended.

In doing so, one is able identify areas of strength and weakness and make amends.

Sometimes too, a second opinion helps in the reflection.

As it is with an individual, so it is also with organisations and governments. A review is always necessary to make progress.

As Nigerians prepare to go the polls in a general election to choose leaders who will steer the ship of the nation at least for the next four years, The Next Edition, spoke to a few people on how the government at the national level fared in their estimation.

Mr. Tive Denedo, a Media Content Creator, described it as a mixed bag. “On one hand many of the briefcase contractors have disappeared but we also achieved the unenviable position of being the poverty capital of the world. There are heavier fires of insurgency, self determination and herdsmen/ farmers clashes in many fronts. All these heightened insecurity to a new all high level. The disappearance of briefcase contractors is both positive and negative.

“There are also allegations of massive corruption in a government that swore to fight corruption. This can be seen in the defection of politicians who are supposed to be prosecuted for corruption to the ruling party. The government's pet project was anti-corruption and it should have made the campaign as inclusive as possible rather than personalising it.

“There has been no form of transparency in the said fight against corruption. Government isolated the judiciary and the legislature in the attempt to reduce the incidents of corruption. Their credibility was eroded as it appears that any politician who agrees with the ruling party has his corruption sins forgiven. It reduced significantly, the goodwill upon which this government rode to power.”

According to Mr. Denedo, the government also had no answer to the hunger ravaging the land even as it seemed to be at war with everyone except the members of the ruling party.

He spoke further: “There is trouble with trade unions. Education and businesses are at a standstill and the resort to the blame game is a demonstration of either inefficiency or incompetence or both. On the political front, Nigerians are worried over the choices they were presented by the two political parties as their flag bearers.

“In percentage I cannot score the government’s performance up to 25 percent.”

Mr. Tompra Abarowei, a Media Consultant, assessed the government thus: “It was a mixed bag of fortunes for Nigeria in 2018 as the country experienced its worst year in recent decades. The foreign exchange though stable in the last one year, hovered around N340 to the dollar. The foreign reserve ended the year with about $450b according to the CBN, thanks partly to increase in crude oil production which peaked at about 2.15mb/d in the closing days of 2018.

“Federally collected Revenue in the year was very impressive. The FIRS reported an increase of over 40% in tax collection with the sum of N4.3trillion while the Customs recorded N1.2trillion respectively.

“The impact of these positives from the economic perspective would have been applauded if they translated to better living standards on the populace. But alas the GDP is still low compared to that of many other African countries. Yes, we did not experience the legendary annual fuel shortage last year, thanks to the huge subsidy that the government had to pay for the importation of petroleum products into the country.

“Despite the huge revenue recorded in the year, however, the Nigerian economy continued to stutter. The federal government complained about revenue shortfall to fund the 2018 budget, a situation which many economic analysts failed to understand. Some do not agree with the figures bandied by the government.

“Infrastructural development which the government touted is yet to impact on the society even when we hear the government’s claim in that regard. Power has remained in the 4000 and 5000mega watts range.

“Foreign direct investment continued to drop with the attendant job losses. Our capital market remained stagnant. GDP remained low for the largest black population in the world with a population of over 200 million people.

“In the security front the country experienced countless, avoidable deaths in 2018. The killings affected both civilians and the military and were occasioned by the determination of insurgents to concentrate their attacks on the armed forces. Suspected Fulani herders/militants and cattle rustlers also continued to burn, maim and kill people in their hundreds without let or hindrance.

“The security forces also had their hands full with incidents of kidnappings, cult killings and outright abductions. No one knows when the dwindling security will abate for the elections to go on especially in the North East.

“And on the political front a rash of political activities played out in 2018 with politicians flexing their popularity muscles. The year witnessed a lot of realignments as we approached the crunch general election of 2019. The two political heavyweights, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, chose their Presidential candidates setting the stage for the mother of all electoral contests between incumbent President Mohammadu Buhari and former ally the Waziri of Adamawa and former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.”

Mr. Alex Ekemenah, Editor of NextMoney Magazine, said in the area of securing lives and properties of Nigerians, the government failed.

His words: “My greatest concern in 2018 was the needless loss of lives and properties across the country especially through Boko Haram insurgency in the North eastern part of the country; the insurgency of Fulani herdsmen across the length and breadth of the country and other forms of low-level militias and criminal activities. There were too many killings in the country with Government never able to do anything, whereas the primary responsibility of Government is protection of lives and properties. Throughout 2018, Government was never able to stop the bloodletting – even in some cases it escalated the state of insecurity by inflammatory remarks by certain government officials.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/18/500-pathologists-nigeria-healthcare-sector-cnp/

Pathologists in Nigeria have cried out over the rising incidence of the fall in the number of pathologists working in the Nigerian healthcare sector and called for immediate action by government and all concerned, to help arrest the slide to avert imminent collapse of the care system.

Arising from their 13th Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting which held recently in Lagos, the pathologists, operating under the auspices of College of Nigerian Pathologists (CNP), lamented that Nigeria, with a population of about 200 million, has not more than 500 pathologists working in its healthcare sector.

In a communique from the meeting signed by Dr. Kenneth Iregbu and Dr. Akeem Lawal, President and General Secretary (Acting) respectively, the pathologists said that with only about 500 pathologists, Nigeria has a ratio of one pathologist to about 400,000 persons. They said this is against the recommended standard of one pathologist to about 40,000 persons.

They argued that with the trend, Nigeria would need about 500 years to reach the pathologist-patient ratio as currently obtained in the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

They, however, lamented that though the pathologists-patient ratio in Nigeria is embarrassing, the government had dilly-dallied in filling existing vacancies for pathologists in public health institutions.

“The meeting noted with sadness the fast dwindling number of residents in training, especially in pathology, due to refusal or reluctance of hospital managements to fill the numerous existing vacancies for Pathology Residency Training in almost all the accredited institutions in Nigeria with the Pathology disciplines worst affected. This has led to unimaginable frustrations in these disappointed young doctors. Nigeria has about 500 practising pathologists serving a population of about 200 million translating to a ratio of about one pathologist to 400,000 persons as against the standard of one pathologist to 20,000 persons. This ratio of pathologists to population is less than 10% of that in the United States and the United Kingdom, and estimates show that at the current rate of education and training in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, it could take up to 500 years for the number of pathologists per 1000 population to reach that of US or UK.

“The CNP calls on the Federal Ministry of Health to as a matter of urgent national importance direct all accredited hospitals to immediately fill all vacant residency positions, especially in pathology,” the communique read in part.

The College of Nigerian pathologists also lamented the exodus of qualified medical personnel from the country, urging the government to put attractive measures in place to lure the medic to stay back.

It warned that the rate of the exodus of medical personnel was also endangering quality healthcare delivery in the country.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/17/scientists-come-diet-save-lives-planet-feed-us/

A diet has been developed that promises to save lives, feed 10 billion people and all without causing catastrophic damage to the planet.

Scientists have been trying to figure out how we are going to feed billions more people in the decades to come.

Their answer - "the planetary health diet" - does not completely banish meat and dairy.

But it requires an enormous shift in what we pile onto our plates and turning to foods that we barely eat.

The researchers are recommending nuts and a good helping of legumes (that's beans, chickpeas and lentils) every day instead.

There's also a major push on all fruit and veg, which should be make up half of every plate of food we eat.

Although there's a cull on "starchy vegetables" such as the humble potato or cassava which is widely eaten in Africa.

If served all up this is what an individual is allowed each day:
 Nuts - 50g a day
 Beans, chickpeas, lentils and other legumes - 75g a day
 Fish - 28g a day
 Eggs - 13g a day (so one and a bit a week)
 Meat - 14g a day of red meat and 29g a day of chicken
 Carbs - whole grains like bread and rice 232g a day and 50g a day of starchy vegetables
 Dairy - 250g - the equivalent of one glass of milk
 Vegetables (300g) and fruit (200g)
The diet has room for 31g of sugar and about 50g worth of oils like olive oil.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/17/lack-knowledgeable-leadership-bane-policing-nigeria-acting-ig/

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has described the absence or lack of quality and knowledgeable leadership as the bane of policing in the country.

In a clear indictment of his predecessors, the new police chief, noted that the Nigeria Police has “thoroughbred and passionate professions who can hold their own amongst their peers anywhere,” but lamented that it had lacked “transparent, responsive and knowledgeable leadership.”

He therefore pledged to provide the needed leadership that will bring out the best in the men of the NPF.

“Amongst you seated in this hall today are some of such thoroughbred and passionate professionals who can hold their own amongst their peers and have consistently distinguished themselves in complex national and international engagements.

“All that you desire, from my experience, is a transparent, responsive, motivational, accountable and knowledgeable leader who will not only treat you with dignity, but who is sensitive to your welfare needs and fair in the manner your promotion and other reward regimes are addressed.

“The absence of this level of leadership has always been the missing link in policing in Nigeria.”

He promised to draw on his “national and international policing leadership experience to bridge this missing link.”

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/17/girona-knock-atletico-madrid-copa-del-rey/

Atletico Madrid has crashed out of the Copa del Rey after a highly entertaining 3-3 draw with Girona on Wednesday at home.

Girona sneaked through to the quarter-finals on away goals after the tie finished 4-4 on aggregate.

Atletico substitute Antoine Griezmann looked to have completed a late turnaround for Diego Simeone’s side, who were trailing 2-1 in the second half.

He put the hosts 3-2 up in the 84th minute.

Yet Girona forward Seydou Doumbia delivered a final twist in the saga by scoring at the other end four minutes later.

Croatian forward Nikola Kalinic had fired Atletico Madrid into an early lead.

But the packed Wanda Metropolitano stadium was stunned into silence by a jaw-dropping volley from Girona winger Valery Fernandez in the 36th minute.

Atletico Madrid, already missing several first-team regulars to injury, lost Spain midfielder Saul Niguez to a muscle problem early in the second half.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/17/buhari-challenges-citizens-expose-corrupt-officials-government/

President Muhammadu Buhari, has urged persons or organisations with any evidence of corrupt practices against members of his administration to come forward with such evidences to him for prompt action.

The president gave the challenge at a town hall meeting tagged: ‘The Candidates’ organised by the MacArthur Foundation, in collaboration with NTA and DARIA Media in Abuja on Wednesday night.

President Buhari was fielding questions on the allegations that the government’s anti-corruption crusade was skewed against a section of Nigerians, and that members of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, with questionable credentials were being protected by the government.

The Moderator of the programme Kadaria Ahmed, specifically cited the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, who was relieved of his appointment over allegations of corrupt practices, but was not prosecuted, instead he had been seen campaigning for the president.

However, President Buhari said: “That is not fair criticism of the government. I do not think there is anybody that is being pointed out as corrupt in this dispensation which we looked the other direction.

Okonkwo’s Attacks on the Atikus: Hand of Esau, But Voice of Jacob

READ DETAILS https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/15/okonkwo-attacks-atikus-hand-esau-voice-jacob/