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Saturday, 27 May 2017

Vanguard News

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Vanguard News

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

Pension: Buhari directs release of N54 billion to settle inherited debts, liabilities
4:13:36 PMadekunle

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

ABUJA-President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the release of N54 billion to settle all inherited and current liabilities to Federal Government retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Also under the present administration, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested 17,000 suspected drugs dealers, seized more than one million kilograms of various drugs and destroyed about 110,000 hectares of drug farms.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu who featured on an interactive radio program, “Hannu Da Yawa” on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN Kaduna, Saturday, to commemorate the second anniversary of the Buhari administration made the disclosures.

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Live: Rivers state jubilee awards/honors night
4:02:26 PMNwafor Polycarp

This video is coming live from Vanguard via Channels Tv.

The post Live: Rivers state jubilee awards/honors night appeared first on Vanguard News.



Proud Wenger hails Arsenal's "spectacular" FA Cup victory
3:57:24 PMadekunle

Arsene Wenger said Arsenal’s “spectacular” FA Cup final victory over Chelsea was just reward for an outstanding display from his team as they refused to be divided by a turbulent season.

Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger holds up the FA Cup trophy on the pitch after their win over Chelsea in the English FA Cup final football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in London on May 27, 2017.
Aaron Ramsey scored a 79th-minute header to earn Arsenal a stunning 2-1 win over Double-chasing Chelsea on Saturday and deliver embattled manager Arsene Wenger a record seventh FA Cup. / AFP PHOTO

Wenger’s side could have been forgiven for arriving at Wembley on Saturday at a low ebb after last weekend’s devastating failure to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.

But the wounded Gunners used that blow to their pride as fuel for a dominant performance that proved too much for Premier League champions Chelsea.

Saving their best for last, Alexis Sanchez put Arsenal ahead with a controversial early opener and even when Diego Costa equalised for Chelsea late in the second half, Wenger’s men had the perfect response as Aaron Ramsey bagged the winner moments later.

Wenger was full of admiration for the way his players took the fight to Chelsea, saying: “We had an outstanding performance from the first minute onwards.

“This team has suffered. but they’re united and they responded.

“I said last week this team will be in contention to win the title with one or two good buys.

“They showed strength and unity and played spectacular football today.”

Battered by criticism from furious Arsenal fans who called for his resignation throughout a troubled season, Wenger was finally able to celebrate as he won the FA Cup for a record seventh time.

The Frenchman claimed the triumph was one of his proudest moments, alongside the 2003-04 Arsenal team that won the title without losing a single league game.

“I’m proud to have won seven of these cups. I’m proud having done this – winning the championship without losing and winning seven FA Cups,” Wenger said.

Wenger, who has been in charge at Arsenal for 21 years, is yet to reveal whether he will sign an extension to the contract that expires at the end of the season.

Reports suggest the 67-year-old is leaning towards staying, but he refused to reveal his future and said the situation would be resolved at a board meeting on Tuesday.

“We have a board meeting on Tuesday. And on Wednesday or Thursday it will be clearer,” he said.

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FA Cup hero Ramsey calls for Wenger to stay
3:54:42 PMadekunle

Aaron Ramsey called on Arsene Wenger to extend his Arsenal reign after the Welsh midfielder fired his manager into the FA Cup record books.

Ramsey headed Arsenal’s 79th minute winner as the Gunners clinched a thrilling 2-1 win over Premier League champions Chelsea in Saturday’s final at Wembley.

Arsenal’s German defender Per Mertesacker lifts the FA Cup trophy as Arsenal players celebrate their victory over Chelsea in the English FA Cup final football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in London on May 27, 2017.
Aaron Ramsey scored a 79th-minute header to earn Arsenal a stunning 2-1 win over Double-chasing Chelsea on Saturday and deliver embattled manager Arsene Wenger a record seventh FA Cup. / AFP PHOTO

Wenger has now won the FA Cup a record seven times, but uncertainty hangs over the 67-year-old heading into the close-season.

Heavily criticised by Arsenal fans furious at the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, Wenger is yet to confirm if he will stay in charge next season.

Wenger’s contract expires at the end of the campaign, but he remains popular with Arsenal’s players and Ramsey made it clear he wants his boss to extend his 21-year reign.

Pinpointing Wenger’s decision to switch to a three-man defence late in the season as the key to Arsenal’s FA Cup glory, Ramsey said: “Of course I want him to stay at club. He deserves this.

“We changed the formation and had a lot of success.

“Fair play to him, he changed the system. Hopefully, he’ll be there next season.”

Arsenal have won the FA Cup three times in the last four seasons and Ramsey has now bagged the winner twice.

The 26-year-old also scored the decisive goal in the 2014 final victory over Hull.

“I can’t describe this. It’s been an up and down season but we’ve finished with the FA Cup so it has to be successful,” he said.

“I’ve got the winner again. I love this competition. The boys deserve this.

“I’m happy for the manager. To get another FA Cup, I’m delighted.”

Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck didn’t get on the scoresheet, but he was a threat to Chelsea’s defence with his tireless running and astute movement.

The former Manchester United star praised his team-mates for refusing to let their spirits drop after Diego Costa’s late equaliser threatened to spoil the party.

“We stuck in there when it looks like things were against us,” he said.

“You always worry when you are a goal down and it was a game full of surprises. It was a great team performance.”

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Ramsey fires Wenger to record seventh FA Cup
3:48:15 PMadekunle

Aaron Ramsey scored a 79th-minute header to earn Arsenal a stunning 2-1 win over Double-chasing Chelsea on Saturday and deliver embattled manager Arsene Wenger a record seventh FA Cup.

Arsenal’s French striker Olivier Giroud (R) crosses the ball in the build up to Arsenal’s second goal during the English FA Cup final football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in London on May 27, 2017. / AFP PHOTO

Wenger has been barracked by his own fans and failed to secure Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years, but he ends the season by surpassing Aston Villa’s George Ramsey as the FA Cup’s greatest manager.

Alexis Sanchez’s early opener for Arsenal, allowed to stand despite an apparent handball, was cancelled out by Diego Costa, only for Ramsey to reply immediately with the second FA Cup-winning goal of his career.

Arsenal, plagued by defensive selection issues, claimed a third FA Cup win in four seasons and 13th in total, making them the outright most successful team in the competition’s history ahead of Manchester United.

Antonio Conte’s Chelsea, who had Victor Moses sent off after he received a second booking for diving, were thwarted in their attempt to complete a Premier League and FA Cup Double for the second time.

It meant no glorious farewell for departing skipper John Terry, who will bow out on 717 appearances and 17 major honours after spending the match on the bench.

Victory was rich vindication for Wenger, whose Arsenal future is due to be decided by a board meeting in the coming days, and allowed him to salvage something from the most difficult season of his 21-year tenure.

He is reported to have been offered a two-year contract and while dissent against him has mounted this season, the stirring nature of his side’s win will surely have won back some of his team’s disgruntled fans.

The Frenchman’s team took a fourth-minute lead with a goal that will be debated long after the final whistle.

After blocking N’Golo Kante’s attempted clearance on the edge of Chelsea’s box, Sanchez ran through to skewer a shot past Thibaut Courtois, only for an offside flag to be raised against Ramsey.

– Mertesacker magnificent –

Referee Anthony Taylor consulted his assistant referee before concluding, correctly, that Ramsey had not been interfering with play, but replays showed Sanchez had handled the ball when he charged down Kante’s clearance.

Arsenal’s play brimmed with belief, Mesut Ozil forcing Gary Cahill to clear off his own line and Danny Welbeck and Ramsey hitting the same post in quick succession from a corner.

The absences of the suspended Laurent Koscielny, the injured Gabriel and the concussed Shkodran Mustafi brought club captain Per Mertesacker into Arsenal back three for his first start of the season.

But there were few signs of ring-rust as the former Germany defender produced three crucial last-ditch blocks to thwart Costa.

Chelsea stepped things up in the second half, with Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina foiling Kante and Moses and Pedro curling narrowly wide, before Cesc Fabregas entered the fray in place of Nemanja Matic.

But Arsenal continued to threaten on the break, Hector Bellerin working Courtois with a firm, low shot, and in the 68th minute the momentum tilted yet further in their direction.

Already booked for holding back Welbeck on the touchline, Moses was shown a second yellow card for hurling himself to the ground in the Arsenal box in anticipation of an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain challenge that never came.

Despite going a man down, Chelsea contrived to equalise in the 76th minute when Costa chested down substitute Willian’s pass before beating Ospina with the aid of a slight deflection off Mertesacker.

But Wenger reacted by sending on Olivier Giroud and within a minute of coming on for Welbeck, he crossed from the byline on the left and Ramsey charged in to net the winner with a stooping header.

Bellerin shot just wide and Ozil hit the post after cutting inside Cesar Azpilicueta, but just as in the 2014 final against Hull City, Ramsey’s goal was to prove the winner.

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Why I didn't know the meaning of BSc – Ese Eriata
3:33:05 PMadekunle

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LG polls : Electoral Chairman scampers to safety as APC primary ends in violence
3:15:23 PMadekunle

Lagos – Violence erupted midway into the primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to elect chairmanship candidates for the July 22 council polls in Lagos State on Saturday, ending the event abruptly.

APC supporters protesting

Some aggrieved party supporters engaged one another in a free-for-all midway into the election, smashing ballot boxes over allegations of imposition of candidates at the election.

Scores of delegates and others present at the Teslim Balogun Stadium venue fled in different directions as a result of the fracas, even as some were injured.

The Chairman of the Elections Committee, Sen Tokunbo Afikuyomi, was also attacked, with his top taken off by angry supporters who accused him of impartiality as he scampered to safety.

Security officials later forced him out the grip of the angry youths and whisked him away.

NAN reports trouble started when some party members in Surulere and Lagos Mainland openly protested against the names of candidates being read out by Afikuyomi for endorsement as consensus candidates.

They alleged that the party leadership was foisting candidates on them and said the decision of the leadership to approve consensus candidates in 18 councils was wrong.

The aggrieved members initially vented their anger through protests, but it later degenerated into fracas between supporters of selected candidates and those who opposed them.

A party faithful, Mr Wale Tokunbo, had told NAN shortly before the violence broke out that the substitution of Mr Tajudeen Ajide for the Surulere Local Government Area Chairmanship for another candidate was unjust.

""The removal of Ajide's name for the name of somebody we don't know is not acceptable to us.

"If we talk about democracy, we should be able to practise it. This primary is a sham; we would resist it," he said.

Another party faithful in Mainland Local Government who pleaded anonymity had told NAN that party members were surprised at the mention of Yaba Local Government as one of the areas with a consensus candidate at the primary.

He said there were aspirants contesting for the post in the area and that nobody knew of the consensus candidate until they got to the venue.

"What consensus candidates are they talking about? We are just knowing that Yaba is one of them now. This is wrong," he said.

Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of the party, Mr Henry Ajomale, had urged the delegates and other supporters not to be violent.

"I welcome you all to this election and I urge you all conduct yourselves in a peaceful manner.

"We have the information that some people are here to cause trouble. We shouldn't allow them because they are saboteurs, "he said.

NAN reports that the names of Mr Toba Oke (Ifako Ijaiye) and Mr Kamal Bashua (Lagos Island East) were among the few candidates out of the 57 endorsed at the primary before violence broke out. (NAN)

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Photos: Happy Children's Day – Osinbajo
3:12:39 PMadekunle

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School girl caught searching porn movie in class
2:52:13 PMNwafor Polycarp

A school girl was allegedly caught by her teacher searching for pornographic movie to watch while in class with the school Ipad. When asked what she was doing she said “I am looking for what my relative has been doing to me every night.”

According to 'chron.com' Anthony Garay, the alleged  relative is facing a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony. He remains in the Bexar County Jail on a $75,000 bond.

Anthony Garay

However, Garay has allegedly been sexually assaulting the girl and her sister for at least a year.

According to Chron's.com report, "The abuse came to light on May 16, when a teacher at Elm Creek Elementary caught one of the victims searching for pornography on a school-issued iPad, according to documents.

"When the teacher asked the girl why she was searching for pornography, the child told her that she was searching for what was being done to her at night. She said Garay sexually assaults her “all the time at night” and never lets her sleep.

"The teacher contacted Child Protective Services, and an investigator was sent to the school to interview the child. The girl told the investigator that Garay had sexually abused her from at least the age of 8, and that the abuse occurred in her home

"The investigator later discovered Garay had previously been investigated by CPS for sexual abuse of two relatives.

"Deputies with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office later obtained an arrest warrant for Garay and booked him into jail on Wednesday."

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Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 to win FA Cup
2:46:07 PMOkogba

Arsenal has won the English Cup by defeating league champions, Chelsea 2-1 in a final played at Wembley.

Goals for Arsenal were scored by Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey while Diego Costa got Chelsea’s only goal.

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#PMBMidTerm: Buhari Administration Mid-Term Factsheet
2:23:10 PMadekunle

Factsheet has been organized primarily into three categories: Economy; Transparency and Anti-Corruption; and Security, along the lines of the priority areas highlighted by President Buhari during the presidential campaign. He was elected on the strength of his Promise to revive and restore the economy; fight corruption; and secure Nigeria from terrorism and other forms of insecurity.

ECONOMY

Growth in Agriculture and Solid Minerals:
The number of sub-sectors of the economy experiencing negative growth has almost halved; falling from 29 sub-sectors for the whole of 2016 to 16 in Q1 2017.Growth in manufacturing has returned to positive territory after five quarters of negative growth. It grew by 1.36% in Q1 2017 after falling to -7.0% in Q1 2016.

Our priority Sectors of Agriculture and Solid Minerals have seen improved performance, in spite of the recession. Agriculture grew by 4.11% in 2016, while Solid Minerals recorded a 7% increase. The contribution of the Ministry of Solid Minerals' to the Federation Account tripled to about N2 billion in 2016, up from N700m in 2015.

Savings:
Even at a time of low oil prices (and by implication low government revenues):
· Nigeria's External Reserves have grown by US$7 billion since October 2016

· The Sovereign Wealth Fund has seen inflows of US$500m in 2016 and 2017 (the first inflows since the original US$1bn with which the Fund kicked off in 2012), and

· The Excess Crude Account has seen an inflow of US$87m, in 2017.

Phasing Out of Subsidy Regimes for Petroleum Products and Fertilizers.

The Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (details below), combined with a newly developed soil map designed to aid fertilizer application, substantially raised local production of grains in 2016 (yields improved from 2 tonnes per hectare to as much as 7 tonnes per hectare, in some States) and produced a model agricultural collaboration between Lagos and Kebbi States.

Nigeria's rice imports fell from 580,000 MT in 2015 to 58,000MT in 2016.

The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (which involves a partnership with the Government of Morocco, for the supply of phosphate), has resulted in the revitalization of 11 blending plants across the country. The benefits include annual savings of US$200 million in foreign exchange, and ₦60 billion annually in budgetary provisions for Fertilizer subsidies. The Scheme has also made it possible for Farmers to purchase Fertilizer at prices up to 30 percent cheaper than previously available.

Support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: The Administration has launched a series of funding and capacity development initiatives designed to support MSMEs across the country, as follows:

· The new Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) is finally taking off, with initial funding of US$1.3bn (provided by the World Bank, German Development Bank, the African Development Bank and Agence Française de Development) to provide medium and long-term loans to MSMEs.

· The MSME Clinic, which bring relevant Government Agencies and their managements together with small businesses operating in various cities across the country, to enable the Agencies provide direct support to these businesses. The Interactions allow the Agencies better understand the issues facing small businesses, and provides a platform for speedy resolution.

· The Ease of Doing Business Reform Programme (see below)

· The Government Enterprise and Empowerment component (GEEP) of the Social Intervention Programme (SIP).

Ease of Doing Business Reform Successes: The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (inaugurated by President Buhari in August 2016) implemented a 60 National Action Plan between February and April 2017, with 70 percent of the Targets achieved, including the following:

· Intending Business Owners can now search for Company names on the website of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)

· Intending Business Owners can now upload their registration documents directly to the website of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)

· Eliminated the need for SMEs to hire lawyers to prepare registration documents

· Introduced a single form for Company Incorporation to save time and reduce cost

· Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) e-payment solution has been integrated with the CAC portal to facilitate e-stamping.

· Interested parties can conduct online searches of secured interests on movable assets on the National Collateral Registry

· New Arrival and Departure forms for use at our International airports. The new forms are shorter, and have also consolidated a number of previously separate forms into single documents.

· Simplified our Visa on Arrival (VoA) Process. Submission of VoA applications and receipt of approval letter can now be done electronically via a dedicated NIS email address:oa@nigeriaimmigration.gov.ng

· Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has now been mandated to schedule and coordinate joint physical examination of cargo to ensure there's only one point of contact between importers and official

· Imports into Nigeria now required to be placed in pallets to facilitate quicker physical examination.

· Central Bank, Customs and banks now required to process Net Export Proceeds forms within 72 hours; and Pre-Shipment Inspection Agencies (PIAs) now required to issue Certificate of Clean Inspection (CCI) within 3 days.

· Approval obtained to reduce number of documents required for imports from 14 to 8, and number of documents needed for exports from 10 to 7

· Minimum container placement notice time needed by Terminal Operators for examination reduced from 24 hours to 12 hours.

· Minister of Interior has approved and launched a new Immigration Policy for Nigeria.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has since followed up on the National Action Plan by signing, in May 2017, Executive Orders on Improving Efficiency in the Business Environment, and on Promoting Local Procurement by Government Agencies.

Infrastructure:

· The Buhari Administration has demonstrated a single-minded commitment to upgrading and developing Nigeria's Transport Infrastructure.

· Road Projects are ongoing across every State of the country; many of these projects had been abandoned in recent years because of mounting debts owed by the Federal Government to contractors.

· The Administration is also pushing ahead with the revitalization of Nigeria's 3,500km network narrow-gauge railway. In March 2017 a consortium led by General Electric, and comprising Transnet of South Africa, APM Terminals of the Netherlands and Sinohydro Consortium of China submitted the sole bid for the concession of the Lagos-Kano Railway narrow-gauge Line. (Transaction Advisers were approved for the project in 2016). In May 2017 the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the commencement of negotiations with GE to conclude the concessioning.

· In addition, Abuja's Light Rail system will also go into operation (test-run) in 2017. The first line to be launched will connect the city center with the Airport, with a link to the Abuja-Kaduna Railway Line. The test-run will start in November 2017, ahead of full commencement of operations in Q1 2018.

· The Buhari Administration successfully completed the reconstruction of the Abuja Airport runway within the scheduled six-week period (March — April 2017).

Progress with the Alignment of Monetary, Fiscal and Trade Policies: Landmark initiatives here include:

· Ongoing FX regime reforms by the Central Bank, which have seen increased stability in the FX market, and increasing appetite for Nigerian stocks by foreign portfolio investors. Reforms include the creation in April 2017 of a New FX Window for Investors and Exporters. The new Window has attracted $1.4bn in its first four weeks of operation, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

· Revision of the List of 41 Items excluded from the Central Bank FX Window, in line with a request from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN)

· The establishment of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations by the Economic Management Team (EMT), and

· The Introduction of a new, Tariff-driven Tomato Policy to support domestic producers and production.

A new Social Housing Programme is kicking off in 2017. The 'Family Homes Fund' will take off with a 100 billion Naira provision in the 2017 Budget.

The rest of the funding will come from the private sector. A pilot component has already kicked, to construct the first set of homes for the Programme)

1.2 Trillion naira has been released for capital expenditure in the 2016 budget, since implementation started in June 2016. This is the largest ever capital spend within a single budget year in the history of Nigeria. This investment has enabled the resumption of work on several stalled projects — road, rail and power projects — across the country.

All 4 components of the Social Investment Programme (SIP) have now taken off.

· The SIP is the largest and most ambitious social safety net programme in the history of Nigeria, with more than 1 million beneficiaries so far — 200,000 N-Power beneficiaries (160,000 of them have had their details validated and are now receiving the monthly N30,000 stipend, while the rest are undergoing verification.

· 3,162,451 people belonging to 26, 924 registered cooperatives have been registered for the Government Enterprise and Empowerment (GEEP) Scheme. 57,234 interest-free (except a one-time low administrative fee) loans have been issued, across 28 States and the FCT. 56% of loans so far disbursed has gone to female beneficiaries.

· 1,051,000 Primary School Pupils are currently benefiting from the Homegrown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP), in 8,587 schools across seven States. More than 11,000 cooks have been employed for the HGSFP.

· Under the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Programme, 26,942 beneficiaries are now receiving the monthly N5,000 stipend in 9 States and 84 Local Government Areas. The States are Borno, Cross River, Niger, Kwara, Ekiti, Kogi, Oyo, Osun and Bauchi.

Strategic Engagements with OPEC and in the Niger Delta have played an important part in raising our expected oil revenues. Already, Nigeria's External Reserves have grown by around $7 billion in the last six months. In the same period we have added $87m to the Excess Crude Account, and $250m to the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

New Vision for the Niger Delta:
Acting President Osinbajo is leading the engagement, on behalf of President Buhari and the Federal Government. The Vice President has been visiting oil-producing communities across the Niger Delta, listening to them and outlining the Federal Government's commitment to the peace, security and development of the region — encapsulated in the Buhari administration's 'New Vision for the Niger Delta'.

The New Vision brings together a robust set of promises, solutions, targets and initiatives aimed at ensuring that the people of the Niger Delta benefit maximally from the region's oil wealth.

The New Vision offers a detailed response to the 16-point Demand Agenda submitted to President Buhari by the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) in November 2016.

Tangible results of the New Vision so far include:

· Approval of a 2017 commencement date for the stalled Nigerian Maritime University in Delta State

· Approval by President Buhari of an additional 35 billion naira for the 2016 budget of the Presidential Amnesty Programme

· Approval for the establishment of Modular Refineries across the nine States of the Niger Delta

· Resumption of construction work on abandoned projects across the Niger Delta, including the all-important East-West Road.

Beneficial Government-to-Government Partnerships with China and Morocco: President Buhari's April 2016 Official Visit to China has unlocked billions of dollars in infrastructure funding. Construction work has commenced on the first major product of that collaboration, a 150km/hour rail line between Lagos and Ibadan.

The National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (NERGP), the Federal Government's medium-term Economic Plan, launched by President Buhari in April 2017, charts a course for the Nigerian economy over the next four years (2017–2020).

The Vision of the NERGP is to restore economic growth, invest in Nigerians, and to build a globally competitive economy, and the Plan aims to achieve these by focusing on five execution priorities:

· Stabilizing the macroeconomic environment;

· Achieving Agriculture and Food Security;

· Ensuring energy efficiency (especially in power and petroleum products);

· Improving transportation infrastructure; and

· Driving industrialization primarily through SMEs.

The ERGP will return Nigeria's economy to sustainable, inclusive and diversified growth, and to transform Nigeria from an import-dependent to a producing economy; a country that grows what it eats and consumes what it produces.

The almost 8-fold oversubscription of our recent Eurobond (orders in excess of US$7.8 billion compared to a pre-issuance target of US$1bn) demonstrates strong market appetite for Nigeria, and shows confidence by the international investment community in Nigeria's economic reform agenda.

Power Sector:

· Power Sector Reform is on course with the launch of the 701 billion Naira Payment Assurance Programme designed to resolve the liquidity challenges in the Power Sector by guaranteeing payments to Generating Companies and Gas Suppliers, while the Federal Government undertakes the much-needed reform and strengthening of Distribution Companies.

· In addition to the PAP is a much more comprehensive Power Sector Recovery Programme, launched in March 2017 and which has received the endorsement of the World Bank.

Improved Local Refining Capacity: The total amount of Crude refined by the NNPC's three Refineries (Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna) grew from 8m barrels in 2015 to 24m barrels in 2016, and 10m barrels in the first quarter of 2017.

ANTI-CORRUPTION AND TRANSPARENCY

The Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA):

· PICA was set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen controls over Government finances through a continuous internal audit process across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), particularly in respect of payroll. Through the activities of PICA, more than 50,000 erroneous payroll entries have been identified, with payroll savings of N198 billion achieved in 2016.

· Also, the Federal Ministry of Finance has set a target to ensure that the Federal Government's Payroll Platform — the 'Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System' (IPPIS) — covers 100 percent of MDAs by the end of 2017. Currently 60% of MDAs are enrolled on the IPPIS platform.
Budget Reforms:

· First, a Presidential Order was issued directing that all budgets of all Government Agencies be prepared in line with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), using a budget template developed for that purpose.

· Second, the 2017 Budget was collated using a web-based application developed by the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF), for the first time ever. Instead of the traditional method of hard copy submissions of budget proposals, Ministries, Departments and Agencies were asked to upload their proposals to the new budget preparation portal.

· By replacing paper submissions with an audit-able and trackable online system, the 2017 budget preparation process was strengthened against manipulation and unauthorised alteration. All MDA budget proposals were uploaded to the new system, for review and final collation by the Budget Office.

· More than 4,000 staff of the MDAs were specially trained to use the new application, across multiple locations nationwide. Also to support the deployment of the budget portal, the Budget Office set up a Helpdesk, accessible by telephone and email, for authorised users.
Expansion of TSA Coverage:

· On August 7, 2015, President Buhari issued a directive to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to close their accounts with Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and transfer their balances to the Central Bank of Nigeria on or before 15th September 2015.

· This decision to fully operationalise the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system — a public accounting system that enables the Government to manage its finances (revenues and payments) using a single/unified account, or series of linked accounts domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria — has resulted in the consolidation of more than 20,000 bank accounts previously spread across DMBs in the country, and in savings of an average of N4.7 billion monthly in banking charges associated with indiscriminate Government borrowing from the DMBs.

· As at February 10, 2017, a total sum of N5.244 Trillion had flowed into the TSA. The TSA allows the managers of the Government's finances, including but not limited to the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, to have, at any point in time, a comprehensive overview of cash flows across the entire Government.

· It also ensures increased transparency in public financial management, as well as prevents a scenario in which some MDAs have idle cash while other MDAs are compelled to borrow exorbitantly from DMBs.

· The TSA system was launched in 2012, but failed to gain traction until President Buhari's executive order in August 2015. As at December 2016, 766 MDAs were TSA-compliant. The Ministry of Finance continues to fine-tune the system to improve its efficiency, and has also commenced an audit to ensure that all funds due to the TSA are remitted into it.

Deployment of BVN for Payroll and Social Investment Programmes:

· Considering that personnel costs are the Federal Government's largest expenditure line, the Federal Government has given priority to the deployment of the BVN for payroll and pension audits. The use of BVN to verify payroll entries on the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform has so far led to the detection of more than 50,000 erroneous payroll entries.

· The Federal Government has also ensured the deployment of BVN system to serve as the verification basis for payments to beneficiaries and vendors in the N-Power Scheme and the Homegrown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP)

Replacement of old Cash-Based Accounting System with an Accruals-Based System:

· Cash accounting makes no reference to the liabilities that the Federal Government may be required to meet in the future nor does it recognise the benefits that will be obtained from assets purchased over a period of time.

· The cash accounting system fails to capture information on public sector assets and liabilities which may present the illusion of positive financial results in the short term, at the expense of longer-term fiscal stability and sustainability.

· Accruals-based accounting, on the other hand, presents the true financial position of the Federal Governments assets and liabilities, which would help the Government plan future funding requirements for asset maintenance and replacement, and the repayment of existing and contingent liabilities and, thus, better manage their cash position and financing requirements.

· It provides comprehensive information on Government's current and projected cash flows, leading to better cash management. For example, the conversion from cash accounting to accrual accounting led to the discovery of unrecorded debts owed contractors, oil marketers, exporters, electricity distribution companies and others.

Enlistment into Open Government Partnership (OGP):

· In May 2016, President Buhari attended and participated in the International Anti-Corruption Summit organised by the UK Government. At that Summit he pledged that Nigeria would join the OGP, an international transparency, accountability and citizen engagement initiative.

· In July 2016, Nigeria became the 70th country to join the OGP. Following this, Nigeria constituted an OGP National Steering Committee (NSC), which went on to develop a National Action Plan (2017–2019) that aims to deepen and mainstream transparency mechanisms and citizens' engagement in the management of public resources across all sectors.

· The National Action Plan was submitted at the OGP Global Summit in Paris, France, in December 2016.

Insistence on Conditionality of Fiscal Support to States:

· The Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP) is a reform programme that specifies conditions under which States can access the Federal Government's N510 billion Budget Support Facility (BSF). The FSP was introduced to enhance fiscal prudence and transparency in public expenditure, across the states. 35 States signed up.

· Independent verification and auditing of participating States is now ongoing — against the FSP conditions & milestones — by eight (8) accounting firms.

· State Governments that fail to implement the FSP action plans, as stated, will be taken off the Budget Support Facility with immediate effect.

· The Fiscal Sustainability Plan is part of our reform of Public Financial Management Systems nationwide.

Creation of Efficiency Unit (EU) to spearhead the efficient use of government resources, and ensure reduction in Recurrent Expenditure:

· The Efficiency Unit reviews all Government overhead expenditure, reduces wastage, provides efficiency and ensures quantifiable savings for the country. Also, the Unit identifies best practices in procurement and financial management for adoption.

· The Efficiency Unit's efforts have resulted in more than N15 billion in savings on travel, sitting allowances and souvenirs.

· There is also potential savings of N7 billion on other expenditure lines where the unit seeks to control spending through Circulars. In addition, there is on-going work on the deployment of a price-checker, as well as the use of debit cards for payments.

Asset Recovery Reforms:

· The Constitution of a Presidential Committee on Asset Recovery (PCAR), headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, to bring together all law enforcement agencies involved in the recovery of assets; as well as designation of a dedicated Central Bank Account to receive all recovered funds, for coordination and transparency of management and oversight.

Oil and Gas

· Since August 2015, NNPC began publishing its performance monthly (NNPC Monthly Oil & Gas Report) in newspapers and various new media platforms and most importantly on the NNPC website to improve transparency and probity.

· The controversial Offshore Processing Arrangement (OPA) has been cancelled and replaced with a 'Direct Sales and Direct Purchase (DSDP)' scheme with reputable offshore refineries.

· Petroleum Industry Governance Bill: Completion of work, by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, on the draft of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill. The Bill has now been passed into law by the Senate, after 17 years of failed efforts.

Reform of longstanding Petroleum Sector Cash Call Arrangement:

· In 2016 the Federal Government exited the cash call arrangement by which the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) traditionally funded its share of the crude oil exploration and production Joint Ventures (JVs) with International Oil Companies (IOCs).

· The Cash Call obligations had consistently put pressure on the Federal Government's finances, and a failure to fully fund them has resulted in the accumulation of debt arrears of more than six billion dollars, as at December 2015.

· Starting 2017, a new funding mechanism is being introduced, which will allow the JVs to transform into independent, self-financing entities. The advantages for the Federal Government finances include: (1) freeing-up the Federal Government from the budgetary obligation of coming up with the cash calls (savings made under the new arrangement can be directed to critical Infrastructure projects), and (2) a potential increase in Nigeria's oil production to about 2.5 million barrels per day, on account of optimal funding.

· Also as part of the reforms, the debt arrears owed the IOCs have been negotiated downwards to approximately US$5.1 billion — for which a long-term repayment plan has been drawn up.

New Whistleblowing Policy:

· The new Whistleblowing Policy introduced by the Federal Ministry of Finance yielded, within its first two months of operation, yielded $160m and N8 billion in recoveries of stolen Government funds.

SECURITY

Capture of Boko Haram's operational and spiritual headquarters, "Camp Zero", in Sambisa Forest. Following this the Nigerian Army conducted its Small Arms Championship from 26th to 31st March 2017, a measure aimed at enabling the Armed forces to dominate the area, and avoid regrouping by the terrorists.

Establishment of the Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) facilitated the fastest scale up of relief assistance ever recorded in the Nigerian humanitarian response by ensuring food assistance delivered was increased from 160,000 in June 2016 to 1.8million people by December 2016.

The coordination efforts of the ECC at both strategic and operational levels have ensured that Nigerians affected by the insurgency receive the lifesaving assistance they need while simultaneously assisting them in rebuilding their lives and safeguarding their human dignity. Set up in October 2016, the ECC structure and leadership is recognised as an example of international best practise in national humanitarian coordination — as such, it has been replicated in Somalia to tackle its crisis.

Revitalization of Multi-National Joint Task Force operations, aimed at combating trans-border crime and the Boko Haram insurgency.

More than 12,000 Boko Haram hostages have been freed from Boko Haram captivity, including 106 of the Chibok Girls abducted in April 2014.

Arrest of Usman Mohammed, aka Khalid AlBarnawi, leader of the Ansaru Terrorist group and one of the most wanted Terrorists in the world, with a US$6m United States bounty on his head. He's currently being prosecuted alongside his accomplices. Also arrested and being prosecuted: Amodu Omale Salifu, leader of an ISIS affiliate group active in North Central Nigeria.

Establishment of civil authority in the areas affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. The Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have deployed officers in liberated areas to take over effective civil responsibility from the military, and secure and maintain law and order in the affected areas. The NSCDC has also deployed 5,000 personnel to the North-East to protect the Internally Displaced Persons' (IDPs) camps and re-occupy the reclaimed towns and villages.

Transfer of 2 Nos. AW 101 Helicopter from the Presidential Air Fleet to the Nigerian Air Force, for deployment in support of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the North East. Also transferred to the NAF: 3 EC-135 and 3 Dauphin helicopters, from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)
Establishment of a Naval Outpost in the Lake Chad Basin.

Establishment of the 8 Task Force Division in Monguno to further strengthen military presence in the North East.
Successful Military Operations across the country:

· Operation Harbin Kunama in Dansadau Forest, Zamfara aimed at flushing out armed bandits and cattle rustlers.

· Operation Safe Haven to curtail the incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the North Central(Plateau, Nasarawa, and Benue states).

· Exercise Crocodile Smile to curtail the menace of militant activities in the Niger Delta

· Exercise Obangame, a multinational operation aimed at securing and protecting the Gulf of Guinea.

· Operation Awatse, a joint operation between the Military and the Police, in South West Nigeria, to flush out militants and pipeline vandals.

· Operation Python Dance in the South East to tackle kidnappers and militant elements.

DIPLOMACY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Re-establishment of Nigeria's position and influence in the regional and global arena. Fragile/broken relations with the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, and with neighbouring countries (Chad, Niger, Cameroon) have been revived and strengthened since June 2015. The Meeting of the was the first since 2009.

Nigeria's prominent participation in the London Anti-Corruption Summit and the Commonwealth Conference on Tackling Corruption, in May, 2016 in London. Major outcomes of these events include:

· The establishment of a Global Forum for Asset Recovery to be hosted by the governments of the US and UK this year, to focus on assisting Nigeria and three other countries to reclaim their stolen assets.

· The signing, in August 2016, of an MoU with the UK Government on modalities for the return of Nigeria's stolen assets in the UK.
In 2016 Nigeria signed an Agreement on the identification and repatriation of Illicit Funds with the United Arab Emirates during the Visit of Mr. President to that country.

The Federal Government under President Buhari has engaged the governments of Switzerland, Jersey Island, United States, United Arab Emirates, and Liechtenstein among others, in an effort to ensure the repatriation of Nigeria's stolen assets. So far, the Swiss government has agreed to repatriate illicit loot of about USD320 million, while another tranche is being expected from the Jersey Islands.

The Buhari Administration has mobilized International Support for the War against Boko Haram, forging strong partnerships with key countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, ECOWAS, the AU, the UN, and others.

The Buhari Administration has revamped the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) comprising troops from Nigeria and Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin; this revamp has contributed significantly to the weakening of Boko Haram.

Landmark Government-to-Government engagements with China and Morocco, aimed at developing and upgrading National Infrastructure.

Nigeria's successful rallying of OPEC and Non-OPEC members to discuss stabilisation of the global oil market in Doha and in Algiers, and the successful negotiation of an exemption from the OPEC production freeze agreed at the 171st OPEC Ministerial conference in Vienna in November 2016; leading to a rise in oil prices to US$55/bbl for the first time in 16 months.

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Onuesoke faults Petroleum Industry Bill
2:13:14 PMOkogba

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Sunny Onuesoke,  has described the Petroleum Industry Governance  Bill (PIGB)  approved by the Senate as a  fraudulent action on the people of the Niger Delta.

Onuesoke

He spoke  to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, after a seminar he attended on climate change, adding that, having gone through the Bill, he discovered that a section  allocated ten percent as development fund to  host communities.

Onuesoke recalled that in the draft Bill, ten percent was allocated to communities where the oil companies are located, adding that this recommendation was removed from the approved version.

He argued that the removal of the community fund clause, which was the main solution to Niger Delta problems, was a way of  further impoverishing the  people of the Niger Delta.

"The removal of the community fund, which was the main solution to the Niger Delta problems, is a way of impoverishing the already disparaged people of the Niger Delta. Just like the infamous Onshore/ Offshore dichotomy, the Senate removal of the community fund is like passing  a bitter pill down the throat of the Niger Delta people,"the PDP chieftain said.

"This is the ulcer that has eaten deep into our collective fabrics. Chief James Ibori, Obong Victor Attah together with other patriotic indigenes of the area, fought on the onshore/ offshore saga to bring succour to the people of the area. However, that government had removed the gooft that would have accrued to each of the host communities suffering from oil exploitation and degradation".

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Osinbajo makes first appointments
2:07:02 PMadekunle

By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA – In what appeared a further test of his powers as acting president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday appointed a new Director General for the National Pension Commission PENCOM.

The new appointee, Mr Funso Doherty whose appointment is subject to senate confirmation replaces Mal. Dikko Aliyu AbdulRahman who has now been appointed as Chairman, Governing Board of the Bank of Industry (BoI).

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Thief Electrocuted In Kogi
2:04:06 PMadekunle

Every day for thief one for …
This thief was said to be electrocuted in Koji how and when we don’t know yet.

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2017 Children's Day: Stakeholders want more security in schools
1:43:48 PMOkogba

Some parents have advised government to provide more teachers and beef up security in schools following the recent abduction of school children in Lagos State.

The parents gave the advice in separate interviews during the 2017 Children's Day festivities at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

Six children of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe, were abducted by unknown gunmen on May 25.

A businesswoman, Mrs Goodness Ohaya, who brought her children for the celebrations, said that parents needed more reassurance from government on the security of school children.

"We need government to beef up security in our public and private schools so that our minds can be at rest, because we do not know the next target," she said.

Ohaya also advised the government to increase the number of teachers in public schools as the population kept increasing by the day.

"The number of children in our schools is in no way commensurate with the teachers available to cater for them," the businesswoman said.

Mr Kuti Aderemi, a civil servant, said the Lagos State Model College, Epe, was too withdrawn from the community; as such, it should be adequately secured.

Aderemi said the area was too remote and that people should be encouraged to build houses around the school to keep the area busy.

Mrs Joy Atuegbe, a civil servant, advised the government to sponsor recreational activities for kids on Children's Day to enable them to have fun.

"It is not enough to set up a beautiful place like the National Theatre and not organise any programme for the children.

"The children just came around only to be exploited by the private organisers through gate takings," she said.

Also, seven-year-old Abiden Olanrewaju, appealed to the government to rehabilitate roads within metropolis to prevent flooding.

Mr Tunde Owofade, a teacher at the Holy Family School Lagos, said that coming together on Children's Day would enable children to felicitate with one another.

Mrs Bukola Shekoni, one of the sponsors of the children's programme at the arena, said recession had forced most parents to withdraw their wards from the private to public schools.

Shekoni, also a sales manager in an insurance company, urged government to provide more teachers and classrooms to improve the standard of public schools.

No fewer than 2,000 school children and private individuals besieged the National Theatre, Iganmu, to celebrate 2017 Children's Day. (

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Funke Akindele-Bello battles Air France over misplaced luggage.
1:41:55 PMadekunle

Abuja – Nollywood favourite and filmaker, Funke Akindele-Bello popularly known as Jenifa, on Friday, called out Air France for misplacing her luggage.

Funke Akindele-Bello

She took to her Twitter page to slam the airline for refusing to produce her luggage for two days.

The "Jenifa's Diary" star was in London, for the premiere of "Isoken The Movie", a film she featured in.

She accused the airline of misplacing her bag in Paris, she had to shop for new clothes as she was left stranded in London.

Air France has however replied that the luggage is already with the courier and would be delivered to her today.

Below are screenshots from the Tweet:

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The minimum Ndigbo demand of Nigeria is a restructuring – Ekweremadu
1:37:58 PMadekunle

***Says Eastern Rail Line not for Ndigbo alone
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- DEPUTY President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has pleaded with the Ndigbo not to allow themselves to be provoked into resorting to armed struggle, just as he urged them to continue to sustain peaceful agitation for equity and justice within the Nigerian commonwealth.

Ekweremadu who reiterated that the minimum Ndigbo demands from Nigeria was the restructuring of the Nigerian federation to enable them enjoy equity and actualise their potentials, however explained that the Eastern Rail Line was not to the benefit of the South East alone, but also the South South, North Central and North East.

In a statement Saturday by his Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu who spoke at the World Igbo Congress (WIC) summit in Enugu , said: "The minimum Ndigbo demand of Nigeria is a restructure of the federation so that every component part of it can substantially harness its resources, cut its coat according to its cloth, and develop at its own speed.

“Instructively, the ill-fated Aburi Accord was about restructuring, even if it is not exactly as we want it today. But it was breached and discarded, plunging the nation into an avoidable fratricidal war. Yet, fifty years after, the need and call for restructuring and return to a true federal state have only persisted.

“Although the call initially fell on deaf ears, it is heartwarming that the right quarters are beginning to listen and the call is gathering traction daily, even from hitherto improbable quarters".

The deputy Senate President who commended Ndigbo for eschewing violence in their struggle for a better deal within the Nigerian commonwealth, said, “No matter the intimidation, harassment, and marginalisation of our people, we must never be provoked into an armed struggle. It is an ill wind that blows no one any good.

“But we must consistently continue to say a loud, 'No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No!, until we get to the promised land of an equitable and just society. Let no man be tired and let no woman give up. The night may be long, but the day will surely break.

He urged the Federal Government to seek and sustain peace in all parts of the country through equity, justice, and fairness as "a man that is unjustly treated will never be interested in peace.

"The rights of Ndigbo to peaceful and democratic engagements must be respected. Those who try to muffle and subdue democratic engagements by citizens are only playing into the hands of anarchists.

"Importantly, the marginalisation meted out to Ndigbo in appointments, especially in the commanding heights of the security sector is unacceptable; and must be redressed".

EkweremadU who assured that the National Assembly would continue to uphold the rights of Ndigbo, and indeed every part of the nation, to fairness and equity, said, “The Senate is currently engaging the executive arm of government on the railway development and modernization projects, which has totally excluded the Eastern Rail Line or Eastern Corridor, traversing major towns and cities like Port Harcourt, Aba, Enugu, Otupko, Igumale, Makurdi, Kafanchan, Kuru, Bauchi, Gombe and all the way to Maiduguri.

"Contrary to the attempts to misrepresent the coverage of the Eastern Rail Line to the public, this corridor is not just for the South East, but also covers the South South, North Central, and North East.

"Curiously, all the loans for railway projects by the current administration, totally excluded this vital corridor to the advantage of the Western Rail Line, running from Lagos to Kano.

"But, the questions are: Why will loans taken on behalf of Nigerians and to be repaid by all Nigerians exclude more than a half of the country from the benefits of such loans? Why should the South East, South South, North Central, and North East pay for what they were inexplicably excluded from enjoying? Why must the Eastern Line be relegated to concession arrangement, to be paid for by our people as they use the facilities? What is the likelihood of even getting a concessionaire, especially given the history of concessions in the country?"

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Celtic win Scottish Cup to clinch treble
1:35:14 PMOkogba

A stoppage time strike from Australian international Tom Rogic saw Celtic come from behind to defeat Aberdeen 2-1 to lift the Scottish Cup and seal a historic domestic treble the hard way.

Jonny Hayes gave Aberdeen a ninth minute lead which was quickly cancelled out by Celtic’s Stuart Armstrong two minutes later.

The game looked destined for extra time before substitute Rogic scored a superb solo goal in the second minute of added on time to break the Dons’ supporters hearts and ensure Celtic won the Scottish Cup for a record-extending 37th time.

The Hoops are now the first Scottish team to end a season unbeaten domestically as Brendan Rodgers joins Jock Stein and Martin O’Neill as the only Celtic managers to lead the Glasgow giants to all three major honours in the same season.

After basking in glorious sunshine for the previous week, a torrential downpour welcomed the players out on to the pitch at Hampden as they observed a minute’s silence for the victims of the terrorist attack in Manchester earlier this week.

The conditions didn’t seem to bother the fired up Aberdeen players as their high-tempo start paid off when Hayes fired them into the lead. Leigh Griffiths switched off at a Niall McGinn corner allowing the Irishman space to send a low volley into the net despite the best efforts of Kieran Tierney on the line.

Aberdeen’s lead lasted just two minutes as Armstrong hauled Celtic level. Callum McGregor danced past a couple of tackles before slipping the ball across the edge of the box to Armstrong, who lashed a low shot between a couple of Dons defenders and into the bottom right-hand corner.

Celtic’s joy was short-lived as left-back Tierney was forced off with a mouth injury after being caught in the face by Jayden Stockley’s swinging arm. The introduction of Socceroo star Rogic saw Celtic switch to a back three with Niall McGinn, Ryan Jack and Stockley forcing Craig Gordon into saves as the Hoops struggled to adjust to the change.

A reorganised Celtic emerged after the break and immediately came close when Griffiths got behind the Dons defence only to see his deflected shot bounce narrowly wide. Sinclair then beat the offside trap to collect a lofted pass from Rogic but Joe Lewis was off his line quickly to block his shot.

However, it was the Dons who should have found themselves in front again. Hayes robbed McGregor of possession just inside the Celtic half and ran at goal but his pass across the box was behind Kenny McLean and a glorious chance was spurned.

Patrick Roberts, who missed the U20 World Cup with England to play in the final, then looked to inspire the Hoops as he twisted and turned on the edge of the box before firing a shot that cannoned off the base of the post.

Player of the year Sinclair then fluffed a chance to win as he completely miss-hit his volley from a Griffiths pass allowing Lewis to make the save.

It didn’t matter though, as Rogic glided past two Dons defenders before rifling an angled shot low under Lewis to beat the ‘keeper and seal victory in the week that the Hoops celebrated the 50th anniversary of their European Cup win.

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Bello is everyone's problem in Kogi — Ayodele
1:32:19 PMOkogba

By Boluwaji Obahopo

WHAT caused the fallout between Senator Melaye and Governor Bello?

Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello and Dino Melaye

Senator Dino Melaye is a party faithful that will always want the progress of the party APC. It's only the deaf and blind that will say he or she did not know the role Senator Dino Melaye played during the merger that led to the emergence of APC. Senator Dino and Yahaya Bello were not on the same page during the primaries, but he supported the emergence of Bello on some critical grounds as it affects the party. After the death of the party flag bearer in the governorship election, Late Prince Abubakar Audu, INEC demanded a replacement for the purpose of the outstanding election in some units. The party leadership, considering all variables favoured Yahaya Bello.

I know how Senator Dino raised fund for Yahaya Bello. This Yahaya Bello cannot stand before people like us to say that Senator Dino did not make him.

We are more matured in act and deeds and will be mindful in our choice of words. Senator Dino started disagreeing with Yahaya Bello when he started working outside the party structure. Governor Yahaya Bello has no respect for the party that produced him, that accounts for the various appointments he made.

It is so unfortunate for the state as 99% of Governor Bello's appointees are either illiterate or half-baked literate.

Concerning the claim by some people who are ignorant that Senator Dino was not happy with the appointment of Honourable Taofiq Isa as the administrator of Ijumu local Government, Melaye wouldn't have consented to whatever will affect the existing peace and arrangements that have been laid down through gentleman understanding.

There are three axes in Ijumu, and by our rotational agreement, the next person to administer the affairs of the local government was expected to come from Ijumu Oke, simply because the immediate past Chairman was from Ijumu Arin, and the one before him was from Gbede axis, and Honourable Taofiq is from Gbede, appointing him amounted to cheating on the good people of Ijumu Oke.

Senator Dino has no personal issue with Taofiq. In 2007 when he was unable to afford the money for nomination form to contest for the councilorship position, Dino then, paid N50,000 for him. At the emergence of APC, Senator Dino made Taofiq the APC Chairman of Ijumu local government after which he went after Honourable Sam Aro and worked against Senator Dino from becoming the Senator, but God on his side, he won, and today, he is the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District. The victory settled the case.

What danger does the quarrel between the governor and the senator portend for Kogi West in the next election?

The governor has control over the resources of the state but not over the conscience of the people. A governor that is not giving civil servants their due as at when due, a governor that is not bothered about the welfare of aged pensioners, schools are closed for months, yet the governor is not moved. So much hunger in town. They may own the money, but we have the people, and when it is time, the people will speak.

The State ALGON boss, Taofiq Isa is asking the EFCC to probe the senator over alleged diversion of IDPs materials. What is your reaction?

I have said it that they are noise makers. They know the way to the court, but they have been making noise through their paid newspaper comments.

What is the fact of the reported assassination attempt on Senator Melaye?

I am not a policeman, neither am I a security operative. We cannot play on the intelligence of our security operatives. As I speak with you, some suspects have been apprehended, and they are already making statements and giving evidence, so why not allow the police and the court handle the case.

 

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They want to derail our revolution — Fanwo
1:30:15 PMOkogba

By Boluwaji Obahopo

WHAT is your reaction to Senator Melaye's claim that the governor knows about the alleged assassination attempt on him?

Kingsley Fanwo, Director General on Media and Publicity to the Governor of Kogi State

The allegation is unfortunate and unfair to the Governor. The Governor is not expected to be passing judgment when investigations into the matter are ongoing. The Senator should have reported the incident to the governor too because whether anybody likes it or not, it doesn't change the status of the Governor as the Chief Security Officer of the state.

At what point did the relationship between the governor and the senator fall apart?

The Governor holds no grudge against anyone, including Senator Dino Melaye. Alhaji Yahaya Bello is a fine-spirited man and a leader who is determined to develop the State. Senator Dino Melaye was inspired to know that the Governor is a divine choice who is on a divine assignment to fix Kogi State. The Senator said this during the inauguration of the Governor on January 27, 2016. I don't know why the Senator decided to move against the Governor. Efforts were made to reconcile them, and the Governor has always been open to peace, but the whole process collapsed when the Senator addressed a press conference to condemn the Governor and the reforms in the civil service. We are not ready for politics. We want development and progress. He cannot be distracted.

The Senator also pointed accusing finger on the State ALGON boss and 'some power that be' which is being viewed by some as the state government. How do you see this?

The ALGON Chairman can defend himself. He is a complete gentleman and a key stakeholder in Local Government Administration in the state. He has no record of violence as far as we are concerned. There is no evil force in the present State Government, so we don't understand what he was talking about. Violence is not our culture in Kogi State.

The APC in the state is a divided House. The governor is at loggerhead with the state exco, former acting governor, Clarence Olafemi and now Dino. Does this not portend danger for the party in subsequent elections?

Kogi State APC is in good health. It is true that some APC leaders are disenchanted with the governor's style of transparency and accountability, but others are moving well with the present administration in the state. With the developmental strides across the state, the Governor is making it impossible for any opposition to succeed in the state. Governor Yahaya Bello is making APC proud in the state. We didn't disagree with Chief Clarence Olafemi. We only defined our positions on certain issues. Governor Yahaya Bello is the most detribalized Governor in the history of governance in the state. A new crop of leaders is emerging from the fertile leadership of the Governor. Government officials are relating directly with the people, and for the first time in the history of the state, people have a strong sense of ownership of their government. It is no more Government of the leaders by the leaders for the leaders. That era is gone. We are working with leaders who are selfless and desirous of development for our dear state. We won't depart from this path.

The PDP recently accused the governor of ruling the state like 'a Pharaoh.' Please respond.

Can't you see that the PDP is confused? I will tell you why they are attacking the Governor. One, they are jealous that the Governor is turning their failed era to a forgotten era, by delivering solid dividends to the people. Two, the decision of the Governor to set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe how our Commonwealth was used in the last fourteen years didn't go down well with them. They scampered from one court to another to stop the Commission but failed. We shall unveil the report soon. Three, the Staff Verification Exercise has exposed how fraudulent the past administrations were in managing the civil service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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