A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, has said that about 300 militants were killed Friday night during an airstrikes in Borno State.
Mr. Abubakar made this known after commissioning a hospital and borehole built by the Nigeria Air Force for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Bama.The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Mshl Sadique Abubakar inspecting the newly weaponized NAF alpha jet after test.
He stated out that the Air Force had carried out many successful airstrikes against Boko Haram in the last few weeks.
“We have intensified airstrikes in recent weeks and have had outstanding results,” Mr. Abubakar said.
“On the 19th of this month [August], 300 terrorists were killed by our night operations.”
The Air Marshal warned the Boko Haram militants to surrender now and face the wrath of justice because there would be no safe haven for them.
Earlier, he commissioned the borehole and hospital construction for IDPs and promised that well-trained personnel had been deployed to attend to the health challenges faced by IDPs.
The Federal Government says it will deepen its partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to fund critical projects in health, water and the infrastructure sector. This is contained in a statement issued by Malam Garba Shehu, the President's Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in Abuja on Monday.
Buhari stated this when he received, Dr Ali Madani, the President of the IDB Group at the State House, Abuja. The president commended the bank for supporting several developmental projects across the country.
He acknowledged that the bank had funded several people-oriented projects in Osun, Kaduna, Jigawa, Niger, Katsina, Kano and Ebonyi states, demonstrating its “soft spot and robust support'' for Nigeria. ''We cannot thank you enough for the height you have achieved for the bank in 41 years.
“Now that you are about to retire, we thank you for the quality leadership which the world has recognised,'' the president said. Buhari also expressed appreciation to the IDB Group and other countries for extending their assistance to Internally Displaced Persons in the North-East.
He assured the visiting IDB chief that Nigeria, a major financier of the bank, would meet all its obligations to the development institution within the shortest time possible. Buhari highlighted efforts of the current administration at diversifying the economy with emphasis on agriculture.
He expressed strong optimism that Nigeria would achieve self-sufficiency in rice and sugar; and export both commodities in the next three years. In his remarks, Madani congratulated Buhari on the positive outcomes of the war against corruption and terrorism.
According to him, the bank is ready to mobilise resources from Arab fund for developmental initiatives of the Nigerian government and the private sector, particularly on agriculture.
Gov. Samuel Ortom has said that 22 state legislators have started refunding car loans they collected for personal vehicles to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) . Ortom, who said this when he received youths of Turan in Kwande Local Government, said they were expected to refund N317million to the anti-graft agency in Abuja.
He said the refund was necessitated by the shoddy manner in which the loans were disbursed to the lawmakers. The governor said that the process fell short of best practices required in such financial transactions. Ortom explained that out of the number, 12 legislators were from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) while 10 were from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He expressed regrets that due process was jettisoned, which led to the lodgments of cash into the accounts of the legislators for the purchase of the cars. “After the Executive Council approved the contract for the procurement of Prado Jeeps for the assembly members, only eight were procured.”
He said the contractor blamed his inability to purchase the remaining 22 vehicles on the high cost of the dollar. “Instead of the contractor to get back to the government, he decided to meet the members directly, who opted for cash. “The EFCC after studying the contract document ordered the 22 members, who collected cash to refund the money to the commission as due process was not followed”.
The EFCC had over the past one month, played host to Benue legislators, including its leadership, in their role in the loan disbursement saga. Ortom also assured that his former amnesty boss, Terwase Akwaza, who was fleeing from arrest over his alleged role in the killing of his security aide would be arrested and brought to book. He said more than 60 of his gang members had been arrested for various crimes in the state.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – The Bring Back Our Girls BBOG movement Monday pointedly told President Muhammadu Buhari that he no longer has any excuse not to rescue the 218 Chibok school girls, saying the time to act is now.
Charging the president to fulfil one of his electioneering campaign promises, the #BBOG said it is now time for Mr Buhari to lead his troops from the frontlines and invade the Sambisa Forest where the girls are believed to be held by the Boko Haram terrorists.
Addressing the gathering, Chairman of the Chibok Community in Abuja, Mr Tsambido Hosea recalled that his people had never voted for the opposition party, but decided to vote for Mr Buhari in the last general elections as a result of his firm pledge to rescue their daughters.
“Chibok people had often voted for the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, but in the last election, they voted wholeheartedly for the current president because of his promise to rescue our girls.
“Prof. Osinbajo promised us during campaign that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari would lead and go to the Sambisa Forest and rescue our girls, but nearly two years later, they have not done anything. Is that not corruption? If this government is not willing to bring back our girls, let them tell us and declare us non-Nigerians so that the world can rally round us. Let them declare Chibok people non-Nigerians so that the world can help them. People are ready to help us. We regret our votes for Buhari. If they cannot help us, let them tell us so that we would go for our girls. If we perish, we perish”, he said.
The protesters displayed various placards with inscriptions such as, “Mr President, #LeadFromTheFront. #GoToBornoNow”. “Mr President, Act Now, we want results”.
Troops of 33 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have killed 3 armed kidnappers and destroyed their camps in Bauchi State. This is contained in a statement issued by Col. Sani Usman, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, and made available to newsmen in Abuja.
“Troops of 33 Brigade, Nigerian Army, based on incessant reported cases of armed robberies and kidnappings in some parts of Bauchi State, have embarked on fighting patrols to clear the state of such criminal elements.
“It is in this regards they carried out a fighting patrol on Sunday 21st Aug. 2016, at Dutsen Mairama and around Dogon Ruwa settlement within Lame/Burra forest of Toro and Ningi local government areas of Bauchi State.
“During the encounter, 3 armed kidnappers were killed and their camps were destroyed. “The troops also recovered arms and ammunition including empty shells,'' Usman said. He said the troops would continue to carry out such clearance operations in all known hideouts of kidnappers and armed bandits within Bauchi and other states “to deny criminal elements freedom of action”.
Lagos – The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, on Monday said that capacity deficits remained a major challenge facing countries in the West African region.
Emefiele said at the 20th anniversary of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) in Lagos.
Emefiele, represented by the Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Dr Sarah, said that the socio-economic capacity deficits had been a challenge in the region in spite of the efforts to achieve sustainable development.
He said, "Those deficits continue to inhibit efforts in implementing their developmental strategies and policies and in achieving their desires development outcomes.”
According to him, weak capacity in its various dimensions has continued to be the problem of the continent.
The governor said the member countries needed to continue to support the objectives of WAIFEM which had been established for the purpose of capacity building.
He stressed the the need to ensure that WAIFEM becomes the training and capacity building institution of ECOWAS.
Emefiele said, "We need to fast track it to avail the entire ECOWAS countries opportunity to benefit from WAIFEM's capacity building programmes."
Also, Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia and Chairman, Board of Governors of WAIFEM, Mr Milton Alvin, said WAIFEM had recorded success story in its efforts to access the best human resources across the region.
Alvin added that WAIFEM as an institute had over the years engaged cost effectiveness in operations.
He stressed that WAIFEM had always used partnership and networking to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of member countries.
The chairman said the institute also allowed the member countries to adopt best practices at minimal cost and engage them in capacity building to foster technology transfer.
No fewer than eight persons were killed on Monday in Talata-Mafara community in Zamfara following violence that erupted over alleged blasphemy by a student of Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata-Mafara.
The state governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, joined hundreds of people to bury the deceased, who were said to have all been killed when an angry mob set fire on the house of a man who tried to rescue the student.
The student was alleged to have made a blasphemous statement against Islam and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and was consequently attacked by a mob.
The boy was said to have been beaten to pulp by the mob, and the man, whose name was simply given as Tajudeen, took him in his car and rush to a hospital. Enraged by the act of the man who rescued the student, an eye witnesses said that the mob moved to his (Tajudeen’s) house, set it on fire and killed eight persons.
The governor, who called for an emergency Security Council meeting over the incident, expressed sadness and vowed that “no stone will be left unturned until all those behind this act are brought to book”.
The police have imposed a 12-hour curfew in the community, from 7p.m. to 7a.m. daily until further notice, with warning that anyone caught violating the order would be prosecuted.
The Governor of Bauchi state has ordered the release of Musa Azare, a blogger who was arrested recently.
News broke that the blogger who was opposed to the Bauchi State government was arrested for ‘Cyber Stalking’ last week but was the Bauchi State Governor who just returned from a business trip to China has ordered his immediate release. Musa Azare
According to Governor Mohammed Abubakar’s verified Twitter handle; after reading the reports of the blogger’s alleged offences, he ordered his immediate release. This is because as a lawyer, he believes in freedom of speech.
The Nigerian chairman of the Human Rights committee has confirmed that Musa Azare has indeed been freed on the orders of the Governor.
Also Musa Azare wrote on his facebook page ‘Assalam brothers and sisters! This is to inform you that I have been released on self recognition. We give glory to God Almighty, Master of the Day of Judgement.
Words cannot express my appreciation to friends, family and thousands of supporters and admirers who took the campaign for my release to a level I never expected. I’m now safely reunited with my family.’
The People's Democratic Party (PDP) should come clean and tender an unreserved apology to Nigerians for their disastrous 16-year rule that has left the people pauperised and traumatised.
The Media Aide to the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Segun Dipe, made the call today in a statement in Abuja.
“Due to PDP’s perfidy, our country’s resources were stolen and opportunities frittered away. But instead of being contrite, the PDP is arrogantly putting itself up as the alternative to a government that is barely one year in office and has inherited a totally ruined economy. This is brazenly irresponsible, ” the statement said.
It said it was just as well that the PDP has not even been able to reposition itself to provide robust opposition to the APC-led Federal Government, adding that PDP’s lack of patriotism, recklessness and outright wickedness towards the ordinary Nigerians have finally caught up ?with the disgraced former ruling party.
“What the nation can now testify to is that the only thing that united the PDP was their singular commitment to milking the resources of this nation dry, as evident in all the corruption cases that have now been exposed.
“The PDP cannot therefore expect to move on without first taking responsibility for their shameful conduct and ignominious behaviour. The starting point in their long journey to rehabilitation is to apologise to Nigerians
“It is immoral, insensitive, unconscionable and unacceptable for the PDP to hire spin doctors to reel out some figures of GDP growth in their time that never impacted positively on the Nigerian people. Our advice to the party chieftains is that the time is now for them to look Nigerians in the eye and say, ‘we are sorry’,” the statement said.
?It said the arduous work of rebuilding our nation, recaliberating our value systems and creating a wide gulf between the sense of right and wrong must continue to be prioritised, as this administration is doing, and Nigerians must, as they did at the polls, unanimously condemn and reject PDP's past, and it’s continuing desire to completely and finally destroy the fabric of our society and our shared humanity.
The Lagos State Land Use Charge (LUC) is a consolidation of all property and land based rates and charges payable under Lands Rates, Neighborhood Improvement Charge and Tenement Rates Laws of Lagos State. The Land Use Charge derives its legitimacy from the Land Use Charge Law No. 11, of 2001. It was designed to help the government generate additional revenue needed to develop the state in the light of increasing demand for provision of urban and rural infrastructure and other expenditure.
However, the implementation and enforcement of the land use charge have continued to raise dust. The modus operandi of the law has generated controversies over the years and some residents of Lagos are still confused as to what the land use charge is really about. The LUC law does not apply to all properties in the State.
Properties that are exempted from the operation of the law are government-owned properties, and other properties used for public, religious and charitable activities. However, this exemption will only be granted where an application for exemption is made to the State Commissioner for Finance.
Liability
The charge is imposed on the owner of a property. However, where the owner is not in possession of the property, the LUC law authorises the collecting authority to appoint the occupier, who is usually the tenant, to be assessed with and pay for the tax; the tenant is in turn authorised by the law to offset such a payment from monies that may be due from the tenant to the owner of the property.
There is thus an indemnity in favour of the tenant/occupier against the owner. Where a property owner did not receive the First Demand Notice, the Lagos state government advises that complaints be registered through any of their customer service channels. You can visit www.landusecharge.com for clarification or you go over to their office at Ministry of Finance at Alausa.
However note that all claims of non receipt of First Demand Notice will be checked against their proof of delivery of all bills. The cost of assessment is free to property owners; they are not expected to pay for assessment of property. The amount charged is not negotiable. However, if payment is made within 15days of the delivery of the demand notice, a discount of 15 percent is applicable.
In cases where property owners receive Land Use Charge Bill for the first time, yet they are being asked to pay arrear, demand notices issued with arrears are reviewed against proof of delivery of the Land Use Charge demand notices on such properties for the previous year(s) for necessary correction. Such cases should be registered through the complaints interface of the website; www.landusecharge.com, or through their help lines or e-mail, all available on their website.
In a situation whereby the property owner received the Tenement rate demand notice and has made payment before receiving the Land Use charge demand notice for the first time, the amount paid should be deducted from the Land Use Charge (if the Land Use Charge is higher than the Tenement rate,) then pay the outstanding balance. All evidence of payment including payment of Tenement rate should be forwarded to their office.
However, where Land Use Charge demand notice is received before any of the consolidated charges i.e. tenement rate, ground rent and neighborhood improvement charges, Land use charge should be paid as it covers all these rates and charges.
Assessment
It is possible for same type of properties in the same area and occupying the same size of land to be charged different rates. For the purpose of Land Use Charge, properties are assessed individually. For any two similar properties, the physical appearance, aesthetic features and age will determine the property class rate (i.e. high, medium, and low) to be adopted in the valuation of the property.
Another reason for charging different rates on any similar properties is the usage and status of occupation. It is noteworthy that property assessment is classified under 3 broad categories i.e. Commercial, Industrial and Residential usages. Commercial properties generally attract a rate of 0.394 percent of the assessed value. Industrial properties are assessed at a rate of 0.132 percent of the assessed value; however, this will only be applicable where the property owner is the occupier of the property.
Assessments of residential properties are categorized under three scenarios which attract different rates. A property solely occupied by the owner for residential purpose will be charged at a rate of 0.0394 percent, while a similar property occupied by the property owner and tenant(s) or third parties will be charged at a rate of 0.132 percent. The third scenario/category is an investment property fully occupied by tenants or third party/parties for revenue generation, charged at a rate of 0.394 percent.
The Land Use Charge does not provide for installment payments particularly since 15 percent discount is granted for early payment. However, any amounts left unpaid are carried over to the next year with its full interest compliment.
The Vice-President of Liberia, Mr Joseph Boakai, on Monday urged African countries to take a cue from Nigeria's peaceful transition from a sitting government to the opposition in 2015. Boakai made the call while speaking with State House correspondents at the end of his courtesy visit to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to him, Nigeria's peaceful transition is a demonstration of Africans' craving for development rather than perpetrating conflict.
“The transition was free and fair and there is peace in the country. “We believe this is the way that African countries should begin to conduct business. “I think our people are tired of conflicts.We want development and that is what we should be doing''.
Boakai confirmed that he would be running for his country's presidency in the next election and expressed the hope that Nigeria would play vital role in ensuring peaceful and credible polls in Liberia. “I am a candidate and I can say that because for the first time in the history of our country an incumbent president has now turned the “flag-bearer ship'' to a vice President who is contending.
"Nigeria will be so much involved. We know that for Africa now, we are looking forward to good governance, free and fair election. “We want peaceful and stable Africa and so whatever we do have to move toward that,'' he said.
Boakai said his visit to his Nigerian counterpart was an expression of friendship and brotherhood as well as an honour as both of them had met many times in the past outside the shores of both countries.
“It was a very good meeting because the Vice President and I have met outside Liberia on many occasions. “And this time around to visit him here is an honour and it is an expression of friendship and brotherhood,'' he said.
The Delta State Ministry of Health has confirmed one person dead and 32 others on surveillance following the reported case of Lassa fever.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Azinge, in a statement on Monday in Asaba, said that the state recorded one death from Lassa fever after a medical doctor in the state died from the disease.
“On Aug. 18, 2016, one case of Lassa fever was reported in Delta State. The confirmed case was a medical doctor resident in Asaba who hailed from Anambra State. “He was first admitted in a private Hospital in the state and was later referred to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State.
“The patient's condition deteriorated and he died after three hours on admission,'' Azinge said. The commissioner said that blood sample earlier collected from the victim was confirmed to be positive for Lassa fever after laboratory analysis at the Institute of Lassa Fever, Irrua in Edo State.
He also disclosed that following the incident, the state government took immediate action to forestall the spread of the disease by shutting down the late doctor's hospital in Umuaji quarters in Asaba. “Following the discovery, we also ensured that the hospital where he was treated at Bonsaac area was also shut down and fumigated.
“His wife's blood sample was taken and tested at the Institute of Lassa fever; it, however, came back negative. “So far, a total of 32 persons have been placed on surveillance; These include 11 persons from the immediate family of the deceased. “Eighteen persons at the private Hospital where the patient was first admitted and 3 other persons who made contact with the deceased,'' Azinge said.
The commissioner also disclosed that two local government Disease Surveillance Officers in Oshimili South and Oshimili North were actively involved as part of the state response team. “The Surveillance Officers have been monitoring the temperature of those under surveillance and this will be done for a period of 21 days. “The State Lassa Fever Response Team has been reactivated while sensitisation of health workers in the state is ongoing.''
Azinge said the health workers were being sensitised to the need for preventive measures when managing infectious cases. According to him, the ministry has also embarked on awareness creation through the mass media, to enlighten the public on the mode of transmission of the disease and the preventive measures, to forestall its spread.
The commissioner also said that prevention materials had been sent the various local governments prone to high-risk disease outbreak in the state. “Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), non-contact thermometers and other items have been distributed to the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers in all of the 25 local governments by the state Ministry of Health.
“The drug, Rivabirin has been procured for immediate case management while the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Medical Association in Delta have been contacted and are collaborating with us,'' he said. The commissioner gave assurance that the situation was under control and appealed to the public not to panic.
The Credit Bureau Association of Nigeria, CBAN, yesterday, restated its resolve to promote access to finance for stakeholders in the financial sector for greater economic growth as it is set to host its 3rd National Credit Reporting Conference with the theme "Credit Bureaus and Access to Finance: Nigeria's Success Story" .
In a statement by the association, Chairman of the association, Mrs. Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun stated that this year's conference coincides with the 25th anniversary of Credit Reporting in Nigeria and it is the third edition of the national conference series. The Credit Bureau Association of Nigeria was established to promote use of credit reporting in Nigeria, access to finance, execution of policies favorable to the health of the financial system and to promote the interests of credit bureaus.
According to Mrs. Sharrieff-Ayedun, the gathering provides the opportunity to evaluate the successes recorded over the 25-year period and achievements of credit reporting in Nigeria. Credit Bureaus have been stimulating economic growth through the provision of critical risk management and fraud prevention services to the financial services sector, and the promotion of regulations and policies that have generally improved access to finance for households and the real sector of the economy.
Also, the Director of Banking Supervision, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins who will be speaking on An Analysis of the Guidelines on Licensing and Operations of Credit Bureaus: Its Relevance to the Nigerian Financial Sector, noted that the conference: is expected to bring industry leaders together to forge a common front towards financial system stability through adequate monitoring and improved access to finance.
Another speaker at the conference, Head of International Finance Corporation (IFC) programme on promotion of growth of credit bureaus in sub-Saharan Africa, Luz Maria Salamina stated that when there is little information, then there is little financing, when you extend credit to a very small company or business and they expand their services, they impact society and they create jobs. This conference, therefore, creates a veritable platform to deepen access to finance in Nigeria and the Sub-Saharan region.
Other speakers at the one-day conference includes the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; IFC Representative, Mr. Ubong Awah; MD/CEO Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Yinka Sanni; MD/CEO RenMoney, Mr. Graham Lee; MD/CEO CRC Credit Bureau, Mr. Tunde Popoola; MD/CEO XDS Credit Bureau, Mrs. Mobolanle Adesanya and MD/CEO CreditRegistry Services Credit Bureau/CBAN Chairman, Mrs. Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun amongst others.
Donald Trump on Monday demanded that Hillary Clinton shut down the charitable foundation run by her husband, former US president Bill Clinton, branding it a “corrupt enterprise.”
“The Clintons have spent decades as insiders lining their own pockets and taking care of donors instead of the American people,” the Republican presidential candidate said in a statement.
“It is now clear that the Clinton Foundation is the most corrupt enterprise in political history,” Trump said, blasting the charity, which has raised some two billion dollars over the years.
Speaking Monday on Fox News, Trump said the foundation had received financial contributions from various countries “that discriminated against women and gays and everybody else.”
That remark was an apparent allusion to various nations seen as having checkered histories on human rights, Saudi Arabia among them, that made generous donations to the foundation while Clinton served as President Barack Obama’s secretary of state between 2009 and 2013.
“I mean, that money — it should be given back. they should not take that money,” Trump told Fox.
The Clinton Foundation, created by the former president in 2001 after his departure from the White House, disburses funds domestically and overseas, handing out some 218 million dollars in 2014.
But questions have been raised about possible conflicts of interest while Clinton, currently the Democratic presidential nominee, worked as a public servant in the Obama administration.
A firewall was supposed to have been in place to ensure that the foundation’s work remained completely separate from Hillary Clinton’s role as head of US diplomacy, but critics said that that barrier has been permeable at best.
Concerns were raised anew after emails surfaced recently showing that a close aide to Bill Clinton contacted two senior aides of Hillary Clinton’s at the State Department, seeking their assistance in helping a donor — Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire Gilbert Chagoury — secure a meeting with a US diplomat in Lebanon.
Bill Clinton sought to tamp down the controversy last week, announcing that, if his wife is elected president in November, he would no longer accept foreign or corporate donations, and would step away from the board of the foundation.
Robby Mook, Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign manager, told CNN on Sunday that the additional safeguards were “unprecedented… in terms of disclosure and limits.”
Mook also urged the public to keep in mind the “important, lifesaving work” that it has done over the years.
“Over 10 million people around the world get important AIDS medication, lifesaving AIDS and HIV medication because of the foundation,” Mook said, adding that “the foundation has reduced the cost of malaria drugs by 90 percent.”
By Emma Amaize, Festus Ahon, Egufe Yafugborhi, Godwin Oghre and Perez Brisibe WARRI- THE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Monday night, commended the decision of the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, to cease hostilities and dialogue with the Federal Government, but gave condition for embracing it in peace talks.
It, however, opposed the involvement of former Federal Commissioner for Information and Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark, in the dialogue, threatening to pull out and disband Aaron Team 2 if government decides to hold a separate dialogue with the NDA team led by him.
A source close to Chief Clark, said MEND does not exist and those using do not want peace, asking: "When was it declared by Chief Clark or NDA that Clark is leading an NDA delegation. He (Clark) convened a meeting of Niger Delta monarchs, leaders and stakeholders, which took a decision to set up a pan Niger Delta to in the mold of Afenifere and Arewa to advocate and speak with one voice on issues about Niger Delta coastal states."
"The NDA and other militant groups accepted the initiative of Niger Delta leaders, saying they believe that Clark would not sell out, what is really the problem of MEND. Why is it saying that Clark is the leader of NDA delegation when he is not," the source, who said he did not have the mandate of the elder statesman to speak to Vanguard stated.
"I also want to correct the wrong impression that Governor Okowa was not part of the conveners of the meeting. He was invited to attend the meeting and I am beginning to wonder if MEND actually wants peace, why are they pulling out of the talks if Clark in involved because that is what you (Vanguard) is telling me now," he added.
His words: "Chief Clark have received calls from well-meaning Nigerian leaders and the international community for the meeting that has defused tension in the region, while MEND stirring another tension, why are they still repeating that he is patron or sympathizer of NDA when he has debunked it."
Former French leader Nicolas Sarkozy launched a fresh bid Monday to win back the presidency, announcing he would seek the nomination of his centre-right party to run in next year’s election.
The pugnacious 61-year-old conservative, who was deeply unpopular by the end of his five years as president, had made no secret of his ambition to reconquer the top office.
“I have decided to be a candidate in the 2017 presidential election,” Sarkozy, who was voted out of office in 2012, wrote in the foreword to a new book “Tout pour la France” (All for France) due out later this week.
“France demands that you give her your all.
“I feel I have the strength to lead the fight at such a turbulent moment in our history,” he wrote in the book extract seen by AFP, alluding to the string of terror attacks that have rocked the country in the past year and a half.
His aides told AFP he would be stepping down Monday as the leader of the Republicans party to focus on his campaign.
“This book is the starting point,” Sarkozy tweeted, together with a link to the foreword.
“The next five years will be filled with danger but also with hope,” he wrote.
Sarkozy listed five main challenges in the years ahead: keeping promises made to the nation, defending national identity, restoring lost competitiveness, enforcing state authority and striving “to restore confidence and hope in the future”.
– ‘Minority blackmail’ –
His announcement that he will seek his party’s nomination at a primary in November comes in the midst of a resurgent debate over the place of Islam in French society, encapsulated in the row over the Islamic “burkini” swimsuit.
Sarkozy said France’s “principal battle” was over how “to defend our lifestyle without being tempted to cut ourselves off from the rest of the world”.
The opposition leader, who has repeatedly dismissed Socialist President Francois Hollande as weak, said he would also restore authority in neighbourhoods where he said “minorities are successfully blackmailing the current authorities”.
The politician, who was defeated in his bid for reelection in 2012 after conducting a campaign seen by many in his own camp as too right-wing, faces several challengers for the conservative nomination.
His chief rival, popular former premier and Bordeaux mayor Alain Juppe who is seen as a moderate, is the favourite to win the nod.
But Juppe’s lead in opinion polls has shrunk in recent weeks as Sarkozy steps up his rhetoric on Islamist extremists and immigration in the wake of last month’s massacre in Nice.
– Legal woes –
“War has been declared on us,” Sarkozy said in an interview with Valeurs Actuelles magazine in mid-August.
“The barbarians who are attacking us believe we are weak,” he said, calling for a “merciless” response.
Sarkozy has already won the support of a Republicans heavyweight in the shape of Christian Estrosi, president of the southern region that includes Marseille.
“He is the best candidate,” Estrosi told the Journal de Dimanche on Sunday.
If Sarkozy wins, he could face a rematch against Hollande, who has said he too has the “desire” for a second term, despite opinion polls overwhelmingly showing the French wanting neither man as their leader.
During his term in office, Hollande has surpassed Sarkozy to become the most unpopular president in post-war France.
Sarkozy would also face far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen, who is tipped to make it to a second round of voting.
The man known as “President Bling-Bling” for his flashy lifestyle and cosy ties with tycoons while in office, never digested his 2012 defeat by Hollande, whom he had written off as “useless.”
After telling the French before his defeat they would never hear from him if vanquished, Sarkozy made a comeback to frontline politics in 2014.
And a host of legal troubles has failed to dent his ambition of returning to the Elysee Palace.
The Borno Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed the death of one of its staff members who got drowned in a river in Maiduguri while chasing a notorious drug baron.
Ona Ogilegwu, NDLEA Commandant in Borno, told newsmen on Monday that the incident occurred during an operation in Gwange area of Maiduguri.
“In an effort to arrest a notorious baron, four men of the command were involved in a water mishap after diving into the Gwange River in pursuit of the suspect. The narcotic boss said that the NDLEA officials were involved in the mishap because they could not swim.
“The sad incident led to the death of one of our officers in the hospital after a failed attempt to revive him. “The survivors were discharged from hospital today,'' Ogilegwu. The NDLEA boss said that the command would still go after the suspect and arrest him.
By Joseph Erunke ABUJA – SENATORS, Monday, kept mute over the speculated report that a bill aimed at given President Muhammadu Buhari emergency sweeping powers to source money to stimulate the country’s ailing economy was in the offing, saying they have not read the report of the bill and so cannot talk.
Most senators contacted to react said they were yet to read the report, pleading that they be given time to read the report on the bill before reaction.
Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, representing Abia North Senatorial Zone, on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, told Vanguard that he was not yet privy to the report on the president’s proposed bill, asking to be allowed to go through dailies that carried the report before making comments.
”To be sincere, I am not aware of what you are saying. However, I plead that you give me some time to go through the papers that pick the report before making comment, “he said.
Also, Senator Sunday Ogbuoji, representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial Zone on the PDP platform, said he could only react to the proposed bill after going through the report, asking the reporter to avail him more time to source for the information before making comment.
“Well, I have not read the document and so, I am not very competent to comment on it for now.
“I think that for now, there’s no need for reaction because as far as I’m concerned, it’s still a mere speculation. I will be competent to make my contribution on that issue when I see the document, “he said.
Recall that report emanated in some national dailies, Monday, that President Muhammadu Buhari will be seeking emergency powers from the National Assembly to push his planned stimulus for the economy.
The objectives of the action-plan on the economy, which is in recession,a according to the report, included shoring up the value of the naira, creation of more jobs, boosting of foreign reserves, reviving the manufacturing sector and improving power.
The executive bill, said to be titled: "Emergency Economic Stabilisation Bill 2016", is reportedly being put in place by the president, preparatory to presentation to the National Assembly upon resumption, slated for September 12.
The FCT Police Command on Monday in Abuja said it had arrested three suspected members of a notorious kidnapping and car snatching syndicate. The suspects are: Alhaji Isah Aliu, Labaran Abubakar and Abdullahi Ishaq. Presenting the suspects to newsmen, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammad Mustafa, said that among the suspects was the leader of the gang.
“Among those arrested is a notorious car snatcher and leader of the gang who recruits the hoodlums and supplies them with arms and ammunition to carry out operations for him,“he said. Mustapha said that the suspects were part of suspects presented to newsmen recently who kidnapped their victim from Maitama and took her to a guest inn in Sokoto state where she was rescued by Police operatives.
“The FCT Police Command has successfully cracked down and arrested other members of the syndicate who were at large,“he said. He said that the command had intensified effort to recover the victim's Toyota Rav4 car and one other Toyota venza all parked at the gang's hideout in Niger Republic.
In a related development, Mustafa said that the command had arrested Dr Kalu Nwachukwu, a consultant Gynecologist who has been alleged to have taken undue advantage of his female patients. He said that his arrest followed a report on Aug. 4 of unethical conduct.
The commissioner said that the suspect confessed to have had sexual affair with some of his female patients who came to him for treatment or consultation in his office and other locations “Investigations also revealed that the suspect uses drugs to induce his victim in order to have intercourse with them,“he said.
He said that the suspect was been arraigned in the court. The commissioner said that other arrests and recovery made by the command included three notorious fraudsters, `one chance` fraudsters and motorcycle thieves. Others are; armoured cables, 14 motorcycles, cell phones, and one television set among others.
He advised members of the public to ensure they carried out thorough background check on the credibility of the doctors they engaged as their personal or family physicians.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says its on-going five year expansion programme, designed at expanding electricity transmission capacity to 11,500 Mega Watts(MW) by 2019 will require 7.5 billion dollars, part of which the Federal Government is to contribute 1.5 billion dollars .
The Managing Director of TCN, Mr Abubakar Atiku, said this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday. He said part of the strategic plan was to boost its transmission capability to 8,200MW by the end of 2018, to ensure steady power supply.
This he said, would be realised by completing eight of its new projects in 2018. He said that the ultimate expansion programme was designed to ensure the completion of 59 projects by 2019 in line with the envisaged Federal Government's realisation of 10,000MW.
Atiku said that the completion of the projects would eventually lead to a total transmission capacity of 11,500MW. He explained that the five-year plan had also been carefully developed with the overall aim of realising an uninterrupted power supply with the realisation of 20,000MW by 2022.
Given the breakdown of the measures envisaged to source the fund, Atiku said it was expected to receive concessionary loans and grant of 3.4billion dollars from TCN's support international finance agencies. He said the Federal Government was expected to contribute 1.5 billion dollars, while the financing initiatives of TCN were expected to contribute 2.6 billion dollars in realisation of the project.
Atiku said that to key in to the incremental power plan of FG, TCN had planned to realise the completion of 22 critical projects captured in the 2016 Budget. He said that TCN had increased its present transmission capacity from 5,500MW to 6,00MW, adding that efforts were on to increase the wheeling capacity to 7,500MW with the completion of 31 projects by 2017.
He said that TCN had restored unavailable service equipment to boost and strengthen the national grid. According to him, with the restoration of critical equipment hitherto neglected by the previous management, the transmission system has been relatively stable with zero system collapse.
The MD said that TCN was focused at ensuring that no power was left stranded in the generating stations, adding that efforts were being intensified to ensure stability of the national grid. He said this was being archived through the introduction of changes in TCN's operational ways of conducting business.
