₦airaland Forum

Amoyinoluwa24:
Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, Minister for Works, Housing and Power, Babatunde Raji Fashola(SAN) with some state and federal officials during a supervision of work done at the site of the ongoing 1.6km Fajuyi/Ojumose flyover in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, 23rd March, 2017.

Source: http://www.cambellsblog.com/2017/03/fayose-fashola-inspect-ado-ekiti.html

my questions here is that, who is financing this project, fg or ekiti state government?

By Joseph Erunke
ABUJA – SENATOR Dino Melaye will this morning, file a N5 billion libel suit against an online media platform, SaharaReporters,Vanguard gathered late Wednesday.
The senator who represents Kogi West Senatorial District,on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, according to a source,is taking the action over the organisation for alleged defamation of character, wrongful accusation, among other charges.
Dino Melaye
The suit, according to his media office, would be file at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, at 9am today.
When contacted for confirmation by Vanguard, the Kogi born legislator admitted that he had concluded arranment for filing of the suit this morning.
Recall that Melaye has been embroiled in certificate scandal since Sahara Reporters, an online media platform, published report that the lawmaker never graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he attended his first degree course.
The development court the Senate attention Tuesday, leading to its decision to refer the matter to its Ethics and Privileges Committee for investigation ,when Senator Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South, brought up the issue during plenary.
The committee was directed to investigate the claim that he does not possess an authentic first degree certificate from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
During the day’s plenary presided by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, the upper legislative chamber decided to conduct the investigations, following a point of order raised by ousted Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, who noted that both issues, raised by the online medium, borders on the privileges of the senators.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/breaking-certificate-scandal-melaye-files-n5-billion-libel-suit-saharareporter/

vizkiz:
I remember those days when shawama (full package) costs 500 naira.

When I can cook a good meal with 1k

When I can use 2k petrol for a whole week

How did we get here?

smally, how old are you then?

Fresh crisis may hit the Senate over moves to sanction immediate-past Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, for what lawmakers described as “unparliamentary” utterances.
This is coming at a time senators have resolved to investigate Senate President, Bukola Saraki over alleged importation of bulletproof Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) impounded by the Customs and Senator Dino Melaye over alleged certificate forgery.
Daily Sun gathered that plans had reached advanced stage to move against Ndume, who, of late, has been making comments against positions taken by the Senate on issues.
It is believed that senators against Ndume are reaching out to others, with Senator Melaye as the arrowhead.
Ndume incurred the wrath of some senators when he protested the rejection of the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, by the Senate.
Ndume, protested the approach adopted by the Senate, said Saraki erred by accepting a report not signed by the Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura.
Referring to a similar letter written to the Senate President by an Assistant Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), on behalf of the Col. Hameed Ali, Ndume queried why Saraki declined to read the letter, but accepted a similar one from the DSS.
The former senate leader, after the second rejection of Magu, granted several press interviews where he openly criticised Saraki and the entire Senate for rejecting the acting EFCC chairman.
Unperturbed by moves against him, Ndume, yesterday, called for the investigation of Saraki over the face-off with the Comptroller General of Customs. He also want Melaye investigated over alleged certificate forgery.
Senator Ndume, who came under a motion of national importance, said Saraki, according to a story published by an online newspaper, sanctioned the summon of the Customs over claims that his bulletproof Ranger Rover Sport was impounded.
On the part of Melaye, Ndume said an online platform published a story that he did not obtain a degree in Geography from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Drawing instances from four scenarios, Ndume said a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Salisu Buhari, was accused of certificate forgery and eventually cleared his name.
He said former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, was also accused when he held sway as Senate boss, was investigated, just as current Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, as Speaker of the House of Representatives, when he was accused of certificate forgery.
He said Dimeji Bankole, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, was accused of not writing his Senior Secondary School Examination and was investigated, insisting that Saraki and Melaye should be investigated over the allegations.
Ndume said: “This matter borders on our privileges. One has to do with Senator Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, and it was reported in a paper I have it here. The newspaper said the Senate is on vengeance after Nigeria Customs, seized Senator Saraki’s bulletproof Range Rover over fake documents.
“My colleagues that are following events, particularly online, have seen or heard or read the rein of abuses on this Senate and the misconception of the fact that we invited the Customs boss based on a very unpopular policy that affects the people we represent, but now we are faced with this,” Ndume said, citing former National Assembly leaders that had been investigated in the past.
According to an online newspaper, the Senate’s current war against the Customs boss, has its roots in the fact that Customs officials seized a bulletproof Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) allegedly belonging to Senate President, Saraki.
The newspaper claimed that Nigeria Customs officers in Lagos had, on January 11, 2017, intercepted and impounded a Range Rover SUV, which carried documents that claimed its chassis number was “SALGV3TF3EA190243.” Customs officers, according to the report, said the value of the car was N298 million, which meant that Customs duty of N74 million should have been paid on the car.
But Special Adviser to Senate President on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, has stated that the allegation raised by Senator Ndume, linking Saraki to the importation of vehicle lacked basis, as it was outright falsehood.
In a press statement, Olaniyonu said from the facts and documents about the seized vehicle, it is obvious that the Senate president has nothing to do with the importation of any vehicle.
Said he: “A supplier was engaged by the Senate to supply a vehicle. While transferring the vehicle between Lagos and Abuja, it was impounded by the Customs. We believe that is an issue between the supplier and the Customs because the Senate has not taken delivery. So, why is somebody trying to drag in the name of Saraki into the issue.
“The documents on the vehicle are there for the general public to view and make their conclusions. Now, that the matter has been referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, all the facts will be out.”
Last weekend, Melaye alleged, in a Facebook post, that the EFCC was plotting to cook up something against him. A day after, news emerged that he did not graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
An online newspaper, which published the report, claimed that Melaye did not graduate from the Department of Geography, Ahmadu Bello University, where he reportedly had his first degree.
Senator Melaye, in a press conference, after plenary, told journalists that he will submit himself to the ethics committee for proper investigation. He, however, claimed that the outcome of the investigation will exonerate him.
“I have nothing to hide. I have seven degrees and I am currently running another programme. I have my certificates and I will make everything available to the committee during the investigation,” Melaye told newsmen.
With the nod of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the yesterday’s legislative business, Ndume submitted some newspaper publications, after which the matter was referred to Senator Samuel Anyanwu-led Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for further investigation.
http://sunnewsonline.com/senate-set-to-boil-2/

pocohantas:
The craze for white wedding though. You guys are parents already, if you have paid her dowry, she is your wife.

Should we say happy married life now?
You have been living as couples na...nice picture, your son is cute.

Vorpal I saw you just now...

if you've not pay woman dowry does that mean she is not your wife? just asking oooo pls can you shade more light

inspired.. no matter what happen i will live to tell my story...

FrancisDiote:
The funny thing is that so many people are going through a lot of problems and and challenges but they have refused to confide in anyone. They forget that a problem shared is half solved.

hnmmm that was then ooo, now are days "a problem shared is not a problem half-solved anymore, it's a problem gossiped about"
This is the gospel truth .

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/former-enugu-governor-sullivan-chime-dumps-pdp-apc/[/quote]

The immediate past Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Sullivan Chime has reportedly dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the All Progressives Congress, APC party.
Speaking in an interview with nesmen on Friday in Enugu, Chime said that his decision to quit the PDP was because the party was “no longer in existence in the true sense of it’’.
Chime said, however, that he had yet to join another political party, contrary to speculations that he had defected to the APC.
He said that he was still making consultations to determine the political party to join, pointing out that his decision to dump PDP had nothing to do with his corruption case with the EFCC.
“The PDP, we used to be members of is dead. The party I joined in 1999 and had the opportunity of leading in the state for eight years is no longer in existence.
“We have two groups claiming to be in charge of the party as chairman. These two, none of them can actually lay claim to the chairmanship of the party.
“There is no provision in PDP’s Constitution for interim caretaker committee led by Sen. Ahmed Maikarfi.
“The PDP convention has no power to set up a caretaker committee and did not seek to amend the party’s constitution,” he stated.
The former governor explained that Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff on his own was brought in to serve out the tenure of former PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, adding that the tenure had long elapsed.
Chime said that remaining in the PDP would be a deceit, advising his supporters to look for a better platform to actualise their political aspirations.
He said that he could not explain why INEC had not deregistered the PDP.
“It is surprising or maybe INEC has not deregistered the PDP because the organisation is no longer working in tandem with the constitution that created it.
“The PDP as originally formed has been cremated and no serious-minded politician will remain in it.
“If those still remaining feel strongly about coming together they can come back, secure deregistration of the party and then form another party.”
Chime said that the founding fathers of the party lost it in 2014, when the PDP deviated from its norms.
He said that he had not become a registered member of any political party but that he would certainly join a political party that would take the interest of his people at heart.
“I will not join a party without making it public. I cannot join through the back door,” he asserted.
Chime said that it was obvious that the real founding fathers of the PDP had left, noting that no one would play active politics and succeed in the party.
Some notable politicians in Enugu State, including a former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani and Chief Jim Nwobodo, a former senator had since dumped the PDP for the ruling APC.
Recall that Chime was indicted in a N450 million campaign funds involving him and two former Chairmen of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Chief Charles Egumgbe and Ikeje Asogwa among others.
Chime had subsequently absolved himself from any blame on the disbursement of the fund, blaming it on Egumgbe and Rita Mba, who acted as Chairman and Secretary of the campaign committee, respectively, in his statement.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/former-enugu-governor-sullivan-chime-dumps-pdp-apc/

Islie:
https://www.thecable.ng/ndume-magu-rejected-saraki-not-senate-president

even Buhari was accused of not having school certificate and that does not stop him to be our President.

Feranchek:
bros why bring Arsenal into this matter na??!!!! you want make dem start to dey remeber their German problems??!! please itaf do oooooo!!!!

Actually, something strange happen to me yesterday, I wanted to play PES 2017 on my laptop yesterday, i choosed ARSENAL & the computer automatically select BAYERN MUNICH as my opponent. when it finished loading, my players refused to come out...

Exactly a week after it started operations as a replacement airport for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the Kaduna International Airport has come into the news for a strange reason.
The sum of N 49 million was intercepted by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as the huge was being ferried out through the airport.
According to a statement released by the Spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the cash was found during a routine baggage screening.
According to the information, the money was contained in five unmarked and unaccompanied large black coloured Buhu sags.
“Upon examination, the bags were found to contain fresh crispy Naira notes of N200 denomination in 20 bundles totaling N40 million and N50 denomination in 180 bundles totaling N9 million with seal purportedly emanating from the Nigeria Security and Minting Plc (NSPM) as seen in the labeled sealed packs.
The EFCC spokesman said investigation into the case was in top gear to unravel the culprits behind the attempted illegal movement of the cash.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/breaking-efcc-intercepts-n49m-kaduna-airport/

this matter is getting out of hand, meanwhile something strange happen to me yesterday, I wanted to play PES 2017 on my laptop yesterday, i choosed ARSENAL & the computer automatically select BAYERN MUNICH as my opponent. when it finished loading, my players refused to come out...

By Caleb Ayansina
ABUJA – The Omega Fire Ministries, Tuesday, accused Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai of masterminding the recent series of spurious allegations of infidelity against its General Overseer, Apostle Johnson Suleman.
el rufai and Suleman
Apostle Suleman also raised the possibility of the governor harboring a private militia, calling on the security agencies, particularly the Department of State Security, DSS, to investigate El-Rufai’s involvement in the unfolding saga.
The spokesman of OFM and Suleman’s Communications Manager, Phrank Shaibu, in a statement, in Abuja, said that facts and available intelligence incontrovertibly point to the Kaduna Governor as the mastermind of the allegations.
According to him, El-Rufai decided to sponsor the allegations as a strategy to silence Apostle Suleiman and to take revenge for the latter’s famed audacity of standing against the persecution and killing of Christians in Southern Kaduna.
“It is clear that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is the mastermind of these allegations. The masquerade has been unveiled and is now dancing naked in the market Square. We don’t need to look any further for the source of the smoke,” he stated.
Shaibu contended that apart from the initial suspicion by the church that the Kaduna Governor might be behind the evil plot, the latest so-called revelation by one Queen Esther, a supposed usher of the Omega Fire Ministries finally uncovered the lid as to who was sponsoring the myriad of allegations against the General Overseer.
“When Festus Keyamo in his first letter to our pastor made allusion to fulani herdsmen, we dismissed it as a coincidence. Then intelligence revealed that some persons are lodged in a hotel being trained on how to clone Apostle’s voice and crop videos.
“The first question that crossed our mind was who was paying the bills, especially the huge media blitz that has trailed the spurious allegations. We did not have to wait for long before El-Rufai exposed himself. Indeed, he could not wait for long before coming out of the closet,” he revealed.
The statement wondered why the said Queen Esther, who allegedly pleaded for the media not to reveal her real identity should give as condition that the Kaduna State Government must guarantee her safety if the governor had no hand in the plot.
“Why is the said Queen Esther asking for protection from the Kaduna State government. Is the government now the police or the Department of State Services (DSS)? Why did she not mention any other state? Is it not obvious that she is telling us what her sponsors are willing for Nigerians to know?” It asked.
Shaibu argued that it was more than a coincidence that these allegations were coming up no soon after the Senior Pastor had an altercation with the same Kaduna State Government over the persecution and killing of Christians in Southern Kaduna.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/el-rufai-training-militia-hes-apostle-suleman-cries/

Na them!









Actually, something strange happen to me yesterday, I wanted to play PES 2017 on my laptop yesterday, i choosed ARSENAL & the computer automatically select BAYERN MUNICH as my opponent. when it finished loading, my players refused to come out...

Ogochukwu was found guilty of four charges relating to human trafficking.
His victim was said to have escaped in August 2015, and received help from a nearby church in Rosettenville. After the minor escaped officials alerted the police and Ogochukwu was arrested. Known to the girl as Johnny, Ogochukwu was said to have sexually abused her.
“Clearly what hap-pened to her was cruel, inhuman and degrading and was a violation of the right to human dignity, which is enshrined in our constitution,” Mabesele said.
“The perpetrators of these offences deserve severe punishment in order to protect and promote a bright future for our young generation.” The court heard that he would drug her, force her to perform sexual acts with other men and take the money she made through prostitution.
The young girl was reportedly given 50 rand a day for food and a further rand 100 for every man she was forced to sleep with.
The judge said Ogochukwu took advantage of the teenager as she was homeless after running away from her Vereeniging home in 2015 following a fight with her mother.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/safrican-judge-sentences-nigerian-20-years-imprisonment-trafficking/

France , a former friend of Biafra in the 1967 secession bid, has ruled out any support for the secession of any part of the country, particularly Biafra.
France’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gauer, told newsmen that his country would not in anyway work with any group agitating for the dismemberment of the nation.
He said France was working with Nigeria and supporting it as a country.
Speaking against the backdrop of France’s previous support for Biafra during Nigeria’s civil war, Gauer pointed out that Nigeria has evolved since the civil war.
France has been cooperating with the country to overcome its challenges, especially the fight against insurgency.
But in reaction, MASSOB said the opinion of Gauer does not represent that of France and as such, would not be taken as truth.
Members of the Movement for the Survival of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) during their rally to mark the 17th anniversary of the movement, yesterday, in Awka, Anambra State.
Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Uchenna Madu told pressmen that the struggle for Biafra “is real and cannot be stopped by any man created by God”
“We in MASSOB do not believe what he said because that does not represent the position of France. France is a friend of Biafra and even during the Nigeria/Biafra war, they assisted us so much.”
“In this current agitation for Biafra, France has sympathy for us. We advise our people to disregard what he said. We think that the Nigerian media misinterpreted what the French envoy said.
But the French envoy further pointed out that there is no future for Biafra and urged proponents of secession or Biafra to continue to be part of Nigeria.
“We are working with Nigeria and we are supporting it as the only country. This is absolutely clear and I don’t think there is any kind of future for Biafra. They are part of Nigeria and Nigeria has to remain as the only country,” he said.
He disclosed that France is working with the country in its fight against insurgency, saying the fight against Boko Haram has brought the two countries together, more than before.
The Ambassador explained how France helped the former Goodluck Jonathan’s government to organise a regional meeting with neighbouring Francophone countries, Chad Cameroon and Republic of Benin, in Paris, in 2014, following which the Multinational Joint Task Force, MJTF was established to fight Boko Haram.
“Apart from encouraging neighbouring African countries to cooperate with Nigeria, we have also developed a strong bilateral relationship with the Nigerian Armed forces.
In May 2015, the Defence Ministers of Nigeria and France signed a first-ever cooperation agreement between the two armed forces.
Also, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai, recently warned those agitating for an independent state to “forget it.”
The groups are Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
Though they have the same aim, they are rival groups; and have consistently clashed with themselves and security agents.
Speaking in Abuja after receiving an award conferred on him by a coalition of over 80 civil society organisations (CSOs), Buratai said the army would not condone any act that could lead to the disintegration of the country.
“Those individuals and groups that are bent on destablising our country I think they have to wait till may be the next three or four millennium for them to do that. That is, may be the next generation of officers and men will allow them at all,” he said.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/biafra-no-future-wont-support-france/

dragonking2:
Am not Igbo ..however is Bashiru a Yoruba or not? If yes why are Yoruba Christians not bearing the name?

Bashiru is a muslim name.

Former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, says there was a military wing of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), narrating how it was formed and those behind it.
Babangida explained the motive behind the formation which was to rule for 60 years.
Speaking when members of the Strategy and Inter-Party Affairs of the PDP, led by its Chairman, Professor Jerry Gana, visited him in his Hill Top residence in Minna, yesterday, the former Nigerian leader said from inception, the brains behind the military wing included him and some retired military officers.
“From foundation stage, I saw PDP as IRA-Irish Republic Army. We are the military wing of the PDP. We took a lot of interest and when I say we, I mean my boss – TY Danjuma, Obj, myself, Gen. Aliyu Mohammed. I term us as IRA-military wing of PDP. I thank God we came up with the old concept and one of our counterparts then said that PDP will rule for 60 years,” he stated.
Former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
during prayers to mark his 75th birthday celebration at the Hilltop, Minna, Niger State
Babangida said he was happy that the party was trying to settle their differences to be formidable again and threw his weight behind a two-party system, adding that two parties are a right choice for Nigerians.
Babangida described PDP as an acceptable party because it had been accepted from “top to down” because its presence had been felt and accepted nationwide and therefore advised the members to work harder in order to rule again.
Gana had told Babangida on the moves by the All Progressives Congress to pocket opposition parties in the country and therefore asked him to prevail on the present government to give the parties a free hand to operate
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/formed-pdp-military-wing-ibb/

Adiola:
useless woman ...cheat

vagabond, she take your man?

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/power-failure-fashola-gets-30-day-ultimatum-revive-power-sector-resign/ modified- ipobs and hatred are like okotoko and Clifford Orji, hnmm na waooo" meanwhile On Friday at UBA bank, Bauchi, in Bauchi state, a Fulani man goes to the ATM and withdraws all his money. Then goes inside the same bank and deposit the same money he withdrew telling the bank officer that, my money is not safe outside in the ATM...people are just withdrawing anyhow and they may end up withdrawing my money. Keep my money inside the bank please.

The minister said this when he visited the NLNG plant on Tuesday in Bonny, Rivers State.
Mohammed said: “When you look at the complexity of its operations, you will be surprised and be proud that the company is being run by Nigerians.
“All patriotic Nigerians should therefore ensure that the NLNG does not die because what we are looking at is actually the incubator for our growth in the oil and gas industry.’’
He said that although people saw Nigeria as an oil producing nation, the country had more potential in gas.
The minister added that all hands must be on deck to encourage NLNG for the growth of the sector.
He said that if the NLNG was encouraged and nothing was done to stifle its operations, the country could take a cue from what Qatar had done with gas.
Mohammed said that the nation had huge assets in the NLNG, adding that every patriotic citizen must ensure its survival.
“I have been hearing about the NLNG, but coming here, having a first-hand experience, information, briefing and tour of the place has actually changed my mind completely.
“I have come out awed, inspired, excited and proud to be a Nigerian, Muhammed said.
Before conducting the minister round the complex, the NLNG Managing Director, Mr Tony Attah, said the company was incorporated in 1989 to harness Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources.
He said the company produced Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for export and local consumption.
According to the NLNG boss, the company was established after over 30 years of unsuccessful efforts to attract foreign investors in the LNG sectors.
He said the company was owned by four shareholders: the Federal Government represented by NNPC (49 per cent), Shell (25.6 per cent), Total LNG Nigeria Ltd (15 per cent) and Eni (10.4 per cent).
Attah said from the initial investment of six billion dollars, the company now had an asset base of over 11 billion dollars and had generated over 90 billion dollars in revenues.
He said NLNG had grown from one to a six-train operation with capacity of 22 million tonnes per annum and it was on the verge of achieving two more trains for its operation.
The NLNG chief said that the company contributed 15 billion dollars to the federal government in dividends over the last 12 years and had also paid over 5.5 billion dollars in taxes.
He said that the proposed amendment of the NLNG Act by the National Assembly to force the company to remit three per cent of its annual budget to fund the Niger Delta Development Commission would stifle its operation.
Attah said the amendment was an anomaly that threatened to negate the guarantee and assurance which inspired the shareholders to invest in the company.
He said the amendment would portray Nigeria as “a promise-breaker and untrustworthy, damaging the country’s reputation and hamstringing its ability to attract further foreign investment’’.
According to him, the amendment will lead to immediate loss of foreign investment of 25 billion dollars in respect of Trains Seven and Eight, which the company was actively working to take a final investment decision on.
Attah said the three per cent NDDC levy the amendment sought to introduce should not apply to NLNG because it was not an upstream oil and gas company.
The NLNG chief added that the company did not produce gas but bought gas like fertiliser companies and power producers which do not pay such levy.
He argued that NLNG had contributed immensely to the nation’s economy and had the potential to contribute more, adding that any action taken to stifle its operation would be counter-productive.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/nlng-nigerias-best-success-story-lai-mohammed/

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday appealed to the Federal Government to allow his administration to reconstruct the road leading to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
“Lagos State is ready to take over and reconstruct the road, if given approval by the Federal Government and hit the ground running in two weeks,’’ Ambode said.
The governor, while briefing newsmen in Alausa after an inspection tour of ongoing projects across the state, described the road as a “national embarrassment”.
He also urged the Federal Government to either allow his administration to carry on with the project or pay part of the over N50 billion owed for the rehabilitation of Federal roads in the state. According to him, this government sees the state of that Airport Road as a national embarrassment.
AMBODE
“As such, we ensured that we got the House of Assembly to approve a budget to reconstruct the road into a 10-lane road, with interchange and flyover to drop you at the Local Airport.
“We have the money to do it and we shall accomplish it. “It is no news that the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing owes Lagos N51 billion.
“All we are saying is allow us to reconstruct this road, because, we have the resources and capacity to do so.
“Then, make the deductions of what we might have spent from the lump you owe us. I think this is only logical,” he said.
The governor said that the government could also take up the responsibility of constructing the road and finish it in six months which could also form part of the state’s 50 years celebration.
Ambode also appealed to relevant agencies to quickly hand over the Presidential Lodge in Marina and other Federal Government-owned property which President Muhammadu Buhari had released to his administration verbally.
On the proposed 4th Mainland Bridge, Ambode said that the current downturn in the nation’s economy had delayed its commencement. He promised that the ground breaking ceremony would be carry out in the next four months.
During an inspection of the Abule-Egba four lane-fly over, the contractor handling the project, Mr Mark Robertson of Craneburg Construction Company, assured the governor that the work would be completed by the end of April.
Journalists report that Ambode, who also inspected the reconstructed Berger Roads in Ojodu and the Aboru-Abesan Link Road, expressed satisfaction with the level of the projects which was pegged at 85 per cent completion.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/gov-ambode-seeks-fgs-approval-reconstruction-international-airport-road/

THE President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, Saturday, presided over a meeting of prominent Igbo leaders in a bid to produce a 50- year development plan for Ndigbo.
The Igbo leaders converged on the sleepy and serene Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, which serves as the headquarters of the World Igbo Summit Group, WISG, under the auspices of the Igbo Leaders, Elders and Collectives.
Among other issues, the meeting brainstormed on how to kick-start the implementation of the resolutions adopted during the last summit of the World Igbo, WISG, on the 50-year development plan. The resolutions addressed an all-encompassing development plan that would cover economic, political, cultural, educational as well as proper mentoring of the youths.
Proper mentoring of the youths
Among those present at the occasion were the former governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Chief Ike Nwachukwu, Chief Achuzie, former Governor of the Central Bank, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Prof. Joe Irukwu, Prof. George Obiozor and Dr. Greg Ibe.
Others included a former Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, the former Economic Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr Osita Ogbu, Mrs. Josephine Aneni, Prof Viola Onwuliri, Dr Ifedi Okwenna, Mrs. Chidinma Uwajumogu and Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike as well as several traditional rulers and professionals in various walks of life among others.
The Ndigbo Development Plan 2066 is aimed at comprehensively tackling the development of Igbo land and would entail persuading Igbo entrepreneurs and investors all over the country and in Diaspora to think-home by bringing part of their investments and wealth home to ensure a prosperous home land. It was a collective opinion of all the speakers that Ndigbo have had enough talks over the problems bedevilling the race even as it was now time for collective action.
Addressing the meeting, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Achebe canvassed for strategic system that would propel the development of future leaders for Ndigbo to effectively execute the 50 year vision programme.
President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo adressing the summit.
“We should start implementation, not just talking; we need good leaders to carry on with the programme. Nnamdi Kanu has a vision and he has the courage to ask questions on why an Igbo person is institutionally disadvantaged in the country. Let us not be ashamed of it, we are all Biafrans in spirit. We have to create opportunity for our youths to rise,” Achebe said further suggesting that a committee be established to kick-start the 50 -year development agenda.
Also speaking, Prof Soludo suggested the formation of Ohanaeze youth wings in all tertiary institutions in Igbo land saying it would help to inculcate the spirit of Ndigbo as well as help them key into the plan. Soludo said that the vision if well executed would not only ensure a prosperous homeland for the Igbo adding that “economic power is permanent while political power is ephemeral.”
Gen Ike Nwachukwu retd; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Col. Joe Achuzia and Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife.
Earlier, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nwodo, urged Ndigbo to be more diplomatic in pursuing their causes even as he warned against pushing Ndigbo to the wall. “I am here to encourage the people that have been doing this good work. There was a time Ohanaeze was lagging behind which led some patriotic Igbo to form some groups. At the last count, I have 48 groups. For me it is a good thing. We will encourage them to work with the Standing Committee of Ohanaeze so that their ideas would be harnessed for the good of Ndigbo.
“Since I was elected, I have been going round and talking to our people on the need to be one and speak with one voice which would give us greater strength. We will also be tactful and diplomatic in pursuing our cause, we should not be violent. But Igbo should not be pushed to the wall. These were a people given 20 Pounds after the civil war. We went to Lagos empty handed but today we have factories there; Igbo investment in Lagos is huge; half of the buildings in Abuja are owned by Ndigbo, we want them to bring some of them home,” Nwodo said.
Job-for-jobseekers
He announced that he had reconciled the South East governors who had resumed their meetings as well as promised to make it regular. He also said he had visited Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and would soon visit Governor Okowa of Delta State in an effort to bring together all Igbo in every state.
“Ohanaeze of today is not Ohanaeze of the past. The Ohanaeze you have today is not Ohanaeze of job-for-job-seekers. The leaders now are tested people whom you should trust. Development of Igbo land is the job for everybody,” he added. Nwodo also condemned the militarization of Igbo land with the attendant mounting of road blocks and extortion of money from motorists, saying he had gone round and did not see such in any other part of the country. http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/biafrans-spirit-need-50-year-devt-plan-igboland-obi-onitsha/