₦airaland Forum

Chai! beautiful lady...

RIP

The Nigerian Army on Monday denied the killings of civilians in an attack coordinated by the Boko Haram insurgents against the World Food Programme (WFP’s) trucks on Saturday.

Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, gave the clarification in a Short Service Message (SMS) to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

Nicholas said that the troops escorting the trucks had killed six insurgents and recovered weapons.

He explained that there were no civilian casualties in the attack, adding that he was at Dikwa when the incident occurred.

“There was an ambush but the soldiers killed six Boko Haram insurgents and recovered weapons. No civilian was killed.

“I was in Dikwa that Saturday and this happened while I was within,” Nicholas said.

However, the Wold Food Programme (WFP) on Sunday said a driver of its hired truck and three other persons were killed in an attack at Ngala in Gamboru-Ngala Local Government Area of Borno.

Adedeji Ademigbuji, the Communication Associate of the WFP, said in a statement issued in Maiduguri that a convoy of the WFP’s hired trucks conveying food items were attacked by gunmen 35 kilometres South-West of Ngala on Saturday.

He disclosed that the convoy escorted by the military were conveying foodstuff for distribution to the vulnerable Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the area.

He said that a driver of the hired truck, his assistant and two other persons were killed in the attack.

“WFP confirmed that a convoy escorted by the Nigerian Military including WFP hired trucks were subject of attack by armed groups, 35 km southwest of Ngala in Borno, on Dec. 16.

“Four people, including the driver of a WFP hired truck and his assistant, were killed in the incident.

“WFP is working with the authorities to determine the whereabouts of the trucks,” Ademigbuji said. (NAN)

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/no-civilian-killed-in-boko-haram-attack-on-wfp-s-convoy-army.html

hmmmm

.

Chai!

Hbd

Too bad for government that promises good governance

wasting of money....

Indications are rife that the Central Bank of Nigeria may have concluded arrangement to re-introduce cash handling fees for both deposits and withdrawals as its board of governors approve the full implementation of the cashless policy nationwide.

The CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Adebayo Adelabu, gave the hint while addressing the annual dinner of the Nigerian Electronic Fraud Forum ( NeFF) in Lagos over the weekend.

Adelabu said: “The committee of governors has approved the implementation of the full cashless policy yesterday and the CBN will release a circular which will detail out the process of re-adoption of the policy by next week (this week).”

It would be recalled that the apex bank had on April 22, 2017, suspended indefinitely, the nationwide implementation of the policy following massive outcry that greeted the reviewed cash handling fees.

In a circular signed by Dipo Fatokun, Director, Banking and Payments System Department of CBN, the bank instructed banks to revert to old charges and refund customers who had been debited.

CBN had earlier announced new charges on deposits and withdrawals above a threshold of N500,000 for individuals and N3 million for corporate bodies.

The apex bank had directed banks to charge 1.5 percent and 2 percent for deposits and withdrawals ranging from N500,000 and N1 million in the individual category; 2 percent and 3 percent for amount above N1 million to N5 million; and 3 percent and 7.5 percent for amount above N5 million.

For corporate organisations, CBN fixed 2 percent and 5 percent for deposits and withdrawals between N3 million and N10 million respectively; 3 percent and 7.5 percent for above N10 million to N40 million; and 5 percent and 10 percent for amount above N40 million.

But the new circular said the existing policy before the announcement of the new policy shall remain in place in Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Abia, Anambra, Rivers and Abuja.

The circular further stated that the old charges to be reverted to are: 3 percent processing fee for withdrawals above N500,000 in the individual category and 5 percent for withdrawals above N3 million for corporate category, while no fees are charged for lodgments.

Cashless policy is a policy established in 2012 by the CBN to curb excesses in the handling of cash in Nigeria. It prescribed cash handling charges on daily withdrawals above N500,000 for individuals and N3,000,000 for corporate bodies. The policy was enforced not to eliminate the use of cash but to reduce the volume of cash in circulation.

The pilot run of the policy started on January 1, 2012 in Lagos State. The service charges were withheld till 30 March of the same year to allow for seamless migration from the manual to electronic devices.

The second stage of the pilot run started in Rivers, Anambra, Abia, Kano, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory on July 1, 2013 while the programme nationwide started exactly a year after; on 31 July 2014.

Reacting to the announcement, Dr. Uju Ogubunka, President, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN) said: “The truth of the matter is that, there were reasons why the full implementation was suspended. The question therefore is, whether those reasons have been resolved.

“We all appreciate that we do not need to be carrying cash up and down, with its attendant cost of recycling.

“We also need to know if the policy will come under a new guideline or merely bringing back what they suspended before, we can then make informed decisions.”

Barrister Ken Ukaoha, President, National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) commended the CBN for its laudable intervention in the economy but expressed worry that placing charges on deposits may encourage businesses keeping money outside the bank.

Ukaoha said: “The CBN needs to do more on the domestic end. They need to reflect the views of the domestic trading environment.”

Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said Nigeria could save as much as $9 billion (N3.24 trillion) by shifting government payments from cash to digital systems.

Speaking in Ethiopia recently, Lagarde said 1.7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) could be saved via the digitisation of the country’s payment systems.

She said “the potential to help reduce corruption, increase revenues, and generate investments in health and education means digital tools could be a decisive factor in meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/cbn-brings-back-cash-handling-fees-for-bank-customers.html

hmmmm

From President Muhammadu Buhari’s long days out of the country on medical vacation to Nigeria’s slow exit from recession, 2017 remains a remarkable year in the country’s history.

Like a boss, President Buhari had something to say at these defining moments of our national life.

Pulse takes you through President Buhari’s top ten quotes of 2017.
1.The moment Buhari called Lai, Adesina and Shehu liars.

President Muhammadu had travelled to the United Kingdom for a medical vacation. While there were rumours that the President was sick, the trio of Nigeria’s information minister, Lai Mohammed; Buhari’s spokesmen, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu and others dismissed the rumours.
President Muhammadu Buhari with Femi Adesina, Lai Mohammed, Abike Dabiri play

President Muhammadu Buhari with Femi Adesina, Lai Mohammed, Abike Dabiri and others (Bayo Omoboriowo)



Phone conversations and photo-ops with President Buhari were also staged in a bid to quell growing speculation that Buhari was critically ill or on life support.

However, upon his return, Buhari told members of his cabinet and his political party that he could not recall ever being so ill at any point during his lifetime.

“I couldn’t remember being so sick since I was a young man, including in the military with its ups and downs,” he said at a meeting with government officials on Friday, March 10, 2017.
President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock after his return from London on March 10 2017 play

President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock after his return from London on March 10 2017 (Bayo Omoboriowo)



At the end of his nine-minute speech, President Buhari said that he deliberately came back towards the weekend "so that the vice-president will continue and I will continue to rest".
2. When Buhari attacked Southeast leaders because of Nnamdi Kanu.

President Buhari’s Independence Day speech on October 1, 2017, was described by many as ‘dictator style’.

Many had said President Buhari spoke to Nigerians like a father who travelled (he actually did), came back and met his house in a mess. Imagine the anger.

A little history.

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was released and he had wasted no time in continuing with his agitations.
Nnamdi Kanu surrounded by IPOB members. play

Nnamdi Kanu surrounded by IPOB members. (TVC news)



Kanu flouted all his bail conditions and soon began to incite some Igbo youths against the government.

President Buhari had expected the leaders in the Southeast to call Kanu to order.

“I am very disappointed that responsible leaders of these communities do not warn their hot-headed youths what the country went through (during the civil war of the ‘60s). Those who were there should tell those who were not there, the consequences of such folly”, Buhari scolded.
4. Buhari shades the ‘Our Mumu Don Do’ protesters

During President Buhari’s prolonged medical trip in London, a group, Our Mumu Don Do, began a daily sit-out to demand his return to the country or resignation as Nigeria’s leader.
Charly Boy announces suspension of 'Our mumu don do' protest play

Charly Boy announces suspension of 'Our mumu don do' protest



Some members of the group in London had stormed President Buhari’s Abuja House to demand his resumption or resignation on the night of Friday, August 19, 2017.

Did their protest work?

Well, President Buhari returned to the country the next day.
Buhari play
Buhari mock Our Mumu don do protesters (Twitter)



During a meeting with Governors at the presidential villa on Friday, August 26, 2017, Buhari wondered if the protesters were “stuck there with Brexit”.

The president said if those Nigerians eventually sell off their property in the UK, they should bring the proceeds back to Nigeria as the country was in dire need of the money.

“In fact, some groups in London came and sang the national anthem and asked that I should go back home, indeed I have come back home,” Buhari declared.

He had more.

“I hope those who went there are not stuck there, they will come back and join us. Those that are stuck there with the Brexit I hope they have weighed the implications that it won’t affect them including those that have property there, those who are not paying tax here, I hope when they sell their property there they will bring some of the money here. We need it very badly here,” the President announced.
4. Blow a whistle! Buhari said so.

During his 2017 Independence Day speech, President Buhari urged Nigerians to not only keep their whistles handy, but also blow it whenever necessary.
Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike blows a whistle play

Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike blows a whistle (Twitter)


“Fighting corruption is a bottom to top operation,” Buhari began. “I call on all Nigerians to combat corruption at every turn. By not asking for and refusing to accept a bribe, by reporting unethical practices or by blowing a whistle, together we can beat corruption,” Buhari declared.

http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/buharis-10-most-memorable-quotes-of-2017-id7738298.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=daily-2017-12-17&utm_term=newsletter%20daily

hmmm

Goooooooooood.....

The National Leader of the All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has denied claims that he might pick up Vice President Yemi Osinbajo's job in 2019.

Vehemently denying the report that he's considering joining the 2019 presidential election as President Muhammadu Buhari's running mate, Tinubu warned politicians behind the tale to stop distracting the leadership of the country with false reports.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, Tinubu stressed how he publicly refused the running mate ticket when offered by President Buhari and he felt it won't be in the interest of the party,he threw his weight behind Vice President Osinbajo.

http://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/i-dont-want-osinbajos-job-dont-distract-buhari-tinubu-id7725181.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigeria needs critical mass of financial resources beyond what the nation can provide from its resources to be able to respond effectively to climate change mitigation and adaptation challenges.

He made the appeal in Paris on Tuesday in a submission to the ‘One Planet Summit’ in France attended by over 60 heads of state and government as well as representatives of non-governmental and private organisations, with the theme, “Climate Change Financing."

Buhari said Nigeria could not implement its nationally determined contribution without adequate financial, technical and capacity building support from the developed countries.

"Nigeria recognizes that ensuring sustainable funding is a major constraint in efforts to implement the Nationally Determined Contribution,” he said.

The president stated that “having just come out of recession, we are under no illusion of the challenges that we face in Nigeria.”

He said since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, Nigeria had been strengthening its efforts towards the implementation of the agreement and the Marrakech Call for Action, "and Nigeria had already ratified the Paris Agreement in May 2017."

President Buhari, however, said the country’s “Nationally Determined Contribution to reduce our emission by 20% by 2020 and 40% by 2030 cannot be attained alone."

He said Nigeria “has embraced the issuance of the green bond as an innovative and alternative source of projects funding that would help reduce emissions and provide robust climate infrastructure, such as renewable energy, low carbon transport, water infrastructure and sustainable agriculture in line with the Paris Agreement.”

He said his government was tightening the existing governance structure in Nigeria for more effective implementation of climate change activities, including the additional responsibilities consequent on the adoption of the all-encompassing climate change treaty.

The president, therefore, appealed to the international community to support Nigeria’s commitment to reducing the negative effects of climate change.

“In Nigeria, we are looking at insurance-based proposals to deal with loss, damage and adaptation to the poor, vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups. Risk mitigation through insurance must benefit those groups who currently have negligible access to any form of indemnity coverage. Vulnerable groups will also benefit from new technologies and ways to make insurance schemes affordable, including through long term premium support.”

He said Nigeria would require external assistance in the following areas: “A long term solution for a source of clean power, which can be achieved through private investments to create economic competitiveness for industrialization, job creation and agricultural programmes throughout the country; and the inclusion of Nigeria in Climate Regional Programmes, especially strong financial support to our planned project for the replenishment of the Lake Chad.”

According to him, “this long term solution will ensure sustained livelihood for rural and urban communities, and permanently address the conditions conducive to the spread of violent extremism and terrorism, and stem illegal migration especially of our youths abroad.”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/climate-change-buhari-seeks-funds-from-international-community.html

Mynd44
OAm4J

hmmm

Abducted chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, Damishi Sango and four others kidnapped on Wednesday have regained their freedom, Daily Trust gathered.

Sango, his son and three others were abducted somewhere around Jere in Kaduna state while on their way to attend Saturday's PDP national convention in Abuja. The PDP State Publicity Secretary, John Akans had said the kidnappers had earlier demanded for N100 million but later settled for N40 million for their release.

A member of the family told our correspondent Sunday evening that the former Minister of Sports and his traveling companions regained their freedom this evening and are presently in Abuja.

The family member said he could not confirm if the N40 million earlier demanded had been paid.

Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Tyopev Terna confirmed the release of the chairman and others.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/abducted-plateau-pdp-chairman-4-others-regain-freedom.html

This is the effect of failed government...

RIP

hmmm

Former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar has said that Nigerians are looking up to the Peoples Democratic Party for unity in its fold to sack the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in 2019.

The Wazirin Adamawa, who said this yesterday in a press statement by his media office, congratulated Prince Uche Secondus as the new national chairman of the PDP and other elected officials of the exco.

The former vice president said that after the conclusion of election of the party’s executive at its National Convention on Saturday, the immediate challenge before the newly elected national officials of the PDP is to run an all-inclusive administration where the various interests within the party could find accommodation.

The statement reads, “Our great party, the PDP is, again, at the threshold of an historical moment. Just as we mobilized to put an end to prolonged military rule in 1999, the people of Nigeria at this moment look up to us to rescue the country from the mis-government of the APC.

“Arising from our elective congress, there should be no victor and no vanquished. Our paramount attention should be focused on sacking a government that deceived the people of Nigeria into power by promising our youths three million jobs annually, only to deliver three million job losses annually; a government that is repeatedly living in denial of its commitment to restructuring. We must be united to take power back to where it belongs: the Nigerian people.

“As members of the PDP, we must take pride in being able to hold a national convention and in so doing live up to the bill of being a truly democratic political party. Our major opponent has not been able to achieve this feat and I join millions of our party members to congratulate the Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee.

“I understand that there are complaints and grievances from many of the co-contestants in the congress. I am aware that the PDP has a mechanism for addressing such complaints and it is important that such avenues of redress are made available for members to explore without let or hindrance Meantime, I call on all our leaders and members to rally the new executive for the sake of our party, Nigeria and the good of our people.”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/after-convention-it-s-time-to-sack-apc--atiku.html