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The former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Andrew Yakubu has filed an appeal at the Federal High Court, Kano demanding the refund of the $9.7m and £74,000 seized from him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and which the court that sat in Kano had ruled that it be forfeited to the Federal Government.
In the appeal filed by his counsel, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), Yakubu challenged the ruling of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Zainab B. Abubakar, saying the court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to try the case since the crime was allegedly committed in Abuja, which is outside the territorial jurisdiction of the Kano court.
In a motion on notice with suit number FHC/ICN/CS/24/2017, Yakubu’s counsel, Raji argued that “by Section 45 of the Federal High Court Act, an offence shall be tried only by a court exercising jurisdiction in the area or place where the offence was committed. No aspect of the perceived offence in respect of which the Order of 13th February, 2017 was made, was committed within the Kano judicial division of this Honourable Court,” Raji said.
Andrew Yakubu
He said, "By Section 28 of the EFCC Act, only the commission, i.e. the EFCC has the vires to seek an Order for the interim forfeiture of property under the Act.
"The power of this Honourable Court to make interim forfeiture Order(s) pursuant to Sections 28 & 29 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004 (hereinafter "EFCC Act") is applicable ONLY to alleged offences charged under the EFCC Act and not to offences cognizable under any other law.
"The ex-parte Order of this Honourable Court dated 13th February, 2017, was made in respect of alleged offences under the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission Act (hereinafter "ICPC Act") and not the EFCC Act as prescribed by Section 28 & 29 thereof.
"The conditions precedent to the grant of an interim forfeiture Order under Sections 28 & 29 of the EFCC Act were not complied with by the Applicant before the Order was made.
"In the instant case, no charge was brought against the Respondent/Applicant before the provisions of Section 28 and 29 of the EFCC Act were activated to grant the ex-parte Order of 13th February, 2017.”
Recall that the Federal High Court which sat in Kano on the 13th February, 2017 and presided over by Justice Zainab B. Abubakar, had ordered the forfeiture of the sum of $9,772,000 (Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand United States Dollars) and £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousand Pound Sterling) recovered from Mr. Andrew Yakubu to the Federal Government.
In a press release signed by Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC Head Media & Publicity, the order was sequel to an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking an interim forfeiture of the recovered money to the Federal Government.
The ex parte application was moved by Salihu Sani, counsel for the applicant.
In her ruling, Justice Zainab had held "That the sum of $9,772,000 (Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand United States Dollars) and £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousand Pound Sterling) which are now in the custody of the applicant (EFCC) are in the interim forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria."
It would also be recalled that, on the 3rd day of February, 2017, operatives of the Commission had stormed a building belonging to the former NNPC boss and recovered the staggering sum of $9,772,000 (Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand United States Dollars) and £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousand Pound Sterling) stashed in a huge fire proof safe.
However, Mr. Yakubu has long said the money seized from him were gifts from persons he did not mention.
Recall also that on February 8, 2017, Andrew Yakubu had reported to the Commission's Zonal office in Kano and made statement wherein he admitted ownership of the recovered money, claiming it was gift from unnamed persons.
…….seeks to reclaim $9,772,800, £74,000,000 found in his home
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA – Erstwhile Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Kano to order the Federal Government to return to him, over N3billion that was found in his home in Kaduna.
Andrew Yakubu
Yakubu, in a motion on notice with suit number FHC/ICN/CS/24/2017, filed by his lead counsel, Mr. Ahmed Raji, SAN, asked the court to set aside the forfeiture order that granted FG ownership of the money which was discovered by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on February 9.
Specifically, he wants the court to set aside the order and return the $9,772,800 and £74,000,000 which he said belongs to him.
The former NNPC boss insisted that the court lacked the jurisdiction to grant FG ownership of his money.
According to him, the court, was bereft of the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the motion that culminated to the forfeiture order since it related to a crime that was alleged committed in Abuja.
Raji, SAN, contended that going by section 45 of the Federal High Court Act, an offence should be tried only by a court exercising jurisdiction in the area or place where the offence was committed.
“No aspect of the perceived offence in respect of which the Order of February 13, 2017 was made, was committed within the Kano judicial division of this Honourable Court”, Raji argued.
He further maintained that FG lacked the locus-standi to seek the interim order of the court granted on February 13.
“By Section 28 of the EFCC Act, only the commission, i.e. the EFCC has the vires to seek an order for the interim forfeiture of property under the Act.
“The power of this Honourable Court to make interim forfeiture order(s) pursuant to sections 28 & 29 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004 (herein after referred to a "EFCC Act") is applicable ONLY to alleged offences charged under the EFCC Act and not to offences cognizable under any other law.
“The ex-parte order of this honourable court dated February 13, 2017, was made in respect of alleged offences under the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission Act (herein after "ICPC Act") and not the EFCC Act as prescribed by section 28 & 29 thereof.
“The conditions precedent to the grant of an interim forfeiture order under sections 28 & 29 of the EFCC Act were not complied with by the Applicant (FG) before the Order was made”, he submitted.
Besides, he argued that the combined effect of sections 28 and 29 of the EFCC Act was that a charge alleging infractions against the provisions of the EFCC Act ought to be brought against a suspect before the powers of the court under cections 28 & 29 of the EFCC Act, to order interim forfeiture of property, could be activated.
He insisted that without a formal charge, no prima-facie evidence could be established in order for the provisions of section 28 and 29 of the EFCC Act to be activated.
“In the instant case, no charge was brought against the Respondent/Applicant before the provisions of section 28 and 29 of the EFCC Act were activated to grant the ex-parte Order of February 13, 2017”, he stated.
Yakubu was Group Managing Director of the NNPC between 2012 and 2014. He was sacked by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan for alleged insubordination and corruption.
EFCC operatives raided his house situated in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna State, following a tip-off by a whistle-blower. The agency disclosed that it discovered the sum of $9.7m and £74,000 that Yakubu hid in a fireproof safe inside the house.
A Board of Trustee (BoT) member of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Ismaila Ahmed says Nigerians are entitled to constructively criticise the Federal Government.
He said this in Abuja on Sunday at an interactive session organised by Citizens Support for Good Governance (CSGG) in Nigeria.
CSGG is a coalition of Non Governmental Organisations and Civil Society Organisations in the country.
The programme which was attended by students of the University of Abuja, Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, was used to identify the achievements of the APC-led Federal Government.
"As government, we have to be open to criticism, some people are not happy and they have to express their frustration, people have to express their anger.
"We cannot and should not have problem with that, we have done many things right and we also have so many things we have done wrong; there is no doubt about that.
"But the things we have done right, we will continue to strengthen them, those we have done wrongly please tell us. "What we can do, we will do, where we make mistakes we will admit, but the essence of governance is to ensure the welfare of the people."
APC Logo
He advised Nigerians to feel free to ask questions on what they felt were wrong with government, adding that every issue raised would be addressed in the interest of all.
Ahmed, however, said that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari had done a lot that should be celebrated.
According to him, the government is fixing the system and the various institutions in the country to enable it tackle the menace of corruption effectively and deliver on its campaign promises.
To this end, the APC-led Federal Government was working to earn the trust and confidence of Nigerians, Ahmed said.
Ealier, Alhaji Tahir Umar, a panellist, identified greed, poverty and illiteracy among others as reasons responsible for corruption in Nigeria. According to him, the country has lost trillions of naira to corruption; this is a sad development.
Umar said it was unfortunate that those who were not comfortable with the anti corruption stance of Buhari in the country were wishing him dead.
He advised the Federal Government not to be deterred by the antics of corrupt individuals in the country.
Mr Chinedu Okpala, another panellist, said the President Buhari-led administration had laid a good foundation which had created fear in the minds of those who may wish to perpetrate evil in public offices.
He, however, said that while citizens had the right to criticise government, it was also their civic responsibility to show patriotism by supporting it.
Mr Moses Abdullahi, CSGG National Convener, said that Nigerian youths were at the receiving end of the looting of public funds that had taken place in the past.
This, he said, was the reason they should support the Buhari-led government to fight corruption to a standstill.
He encouraged youths in the country to build their self value, realise themselves and give support to government at all levels.
Abdullahi said that the Buhari-led administration was building a foundation that would ensure that youths in the country would not need a godfather to get to the top or achieve their desires.
The programme was organised for youths to air their views about the present administration and the way forward for Nigeria.
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola has advised Niger Delta communities benefiting from the ongoing Sapele-Agbor-Ewu road project to support the contractor handling it to ensure prompt completion.
Fashola gave the advice on Sunday in Sapele during an inspection visit to the Federal Government road projects in the South-South.
The minister said that the road was important to the Federal Government and urged the benefiting communities to be the trustees of the 110 kilometer road project.
He called on the communities to cooperate with the contractor to ensure that the project was completed in good time, giving assurance that issues of compensation would be resolved.
"You recalled that we went to Bodo-Bonny Bridge and from there we drove through Delta-Kaima–Ugheli and now we are in Sapele to inspect Sapele-Agbor road project.
"This is a project that was flagged off two years ago and nothing really happened since the flag off for reasons of political expediency.
Babatunde Raji Fashola
"But the Buhari government has come, you can see that work is beginning to take shape slowly and we have heard the data of people employed in setting up the work here.
"The contractor is on site and I think in the next few weeks by the time you come here, there should be increased activities here," he said.
Fashola said that the development of infrastructure was a lead factor to economic recovery, the current administration was on the right track pushing infrastructure button to restore the economy.
He said the idea was to create work to improve the ease and reduce the cost of doing business in the country.
"You see all of these in where we went through. Where there were no roads, we travel for longer hours. Where there were good roads, we travel for fewer hours.
"Where construction is going on, we saw people earning a living and all of these affect the cost of doing business and food.''
The minister assured that the project would be completed, adding that the belief to build for value by President Muhammadu Buhari would not be compromised.
"This president already has a reputation. If you go across the country, most of the roads that are still viable today were roads that he constructed when he was in charge of PTF.
"That is the reputation he builds to last and he builds for value, so we will not deliver anything less," he said.
Early morning fire outbreak on Sunday razed about nine shops at a popular estate roundabout market in Warri, Delta.
An eye witness account said that the inferno started at about 3:00 a.m. on Sunday leading to the destruction of property including electrical appliances worth millions of Naira.
The fire was said to have come from a refuse dump site close to a bush which was set on fire by the traders at the close of business on Saturday.
It was obvious that the trader did not anticipate the early morning harmattan that had resurfaced recently in Warri. Mr Livanus Okeke, a resident in the area said; "we had all gone to sleep when we saw thick smoke.
Flames of fire
"As we peep through the window, we saw that the fire had spread from the bush area to shops along the major road.''
Okeke said some residents shouted to attract the attention of other neighborhood to salvage some of the items in the shops before fire fighters would arrive at the scene.
He, however, said that the situation had been curtailed before the arrival of the fire fighters at about 4:10am. "Nine shops were severely affected by the fire," he said.
Newsmen who visited the scene, observed that some of the victims were still counting their loses as at 5:00pm on Sunday.
One of the traders, Mr Andrew Chukwuemeka told newsmen that he lost properties worth about N2 million to the fire incident.
"Where will I start from in this recession, I leave everything for God, " he said.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it has recorded five deaths from 50 different disasters in the last three days within Ogun and Lagos States.
Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the spokesman of the agency told newsmen on Sunday in Lagos that the incidents happened from Friday to Sunday in the two states.
Farinloye said, "Emergency agencies in Ogun and Lagos States have attended to about 50 different disasters from Friday till now.
"There was a reported case of fire outbreak at Rida National Plastic Company, Oshodi, Lagos on Sunday; a car explosion in Abeokuta, and wild bush fire at Ipokia in Ogun respectively.''
He said that the fire incident at the plastic industry started around 7.00 a.m.
According to him, it was put out by the combined efforts of NEMA, Fire Brigade Service and relevant agencies at about 2.00 p.m. "There was no casualty recorded in the fire incident,'' NEMA spokesman said.
Farinloye, however, advised owners of companies and tanker drivers to take safety measures seriously and guide against unsafe practices during the new phase of dry season.
He also appealed to the parents and school proprietors to educate their children and the elderly about the basic unsafe actions.
Journalists have it that three persons lost their lives on Friday morning when a Marcopolo luxury bus plunged into Owode-Mile 12 River along Lagos-Ikorodu road in Lagos.
Newsmen report that the affected bus, with registration number GDC386YE, belonged to G.U.O Transport Services Ltd.
Mr Kenneth Aaron, a survivor of the accident, said that the bus, which was coming from Aba, Abia State, had the accident around 3:05 a.m.
In another incident on Saturday, NEMA confirmed the death of a woman when a vehicle plunged into Mekwe River near Bonny Camp, Lagos on Saturday night.
Chelsea will play Manchester United for a place in the semi-final of the FA Cup. The draw which was held Sunday, will see the Premier League leaders come against a United side that is rediscovering their form.
Conte’s men yesterday defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers, 2-0, goals coming from Pedro and Diego Costa, while United saw off Blackburn Rovers 2-1, Marcus Rashford and Zlatan Ibrahimovic the goal scorers.
In other draws, Middlesbrough who saw off a scare from Oxford United to win 3-2 will play the winner of the replay match between Huddlesfield Town and Manchester City; a game that ended goalless.
Harry Kane’s hattrick helped secure a quarter-final berth for Tottenham Hotspur and they will battle Millwall who eliminated Premier League champions Leicester City, for a place in the Semis.
In the final fixture of the quarter-final ties, the winner of the match between National League side Sutton and Arsenal will battle giant-killers Lincoln City. Lincoln City scored a stoppage time winner to advance to the quarter-finals at the expense of Premier League side Burnley.
Rangers International FC of Enugu squeeze into the second round of the 2017 CAF Champions League after drawing 0-0 at home to JS Saoura of Algeria, advancing on the away goals rule following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
Also going into the next round is Rivers United who hammered AS Real Bamako 4-0 to and went on to win with the same margin on aggregate having played out a goalless draw in the first leg.
The Bishop of Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. James Odedeji, has advised newly ordained Dean and Cannons of the Church to be watchful, endure all afflictions, and be dedicated to God.
The Bishop emphasised the need for the ministers of God to "preach the Bible in season and out of season".
Odedeji gave the advice on Sunday when he was ordaining Ven. Adegoke Agara as the 5th Dean of the Church and the institution of nine cannons at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos.
"Seven years ago, I was installed here as the third Dean of this Church, three years after Oluyemi was inducted as the fourth Dean of the Cathedral, exactly three years and two weeks another one is being installed.
"We are here again to write another history of the cathedral, this is a strong warning to those who are called to serve God, they should be mindful of all things.
"As a man that has chosen to serve God, you should possess the five ingredients of a Godly man," he said.
Jesus on the cross
The cleric urged the newly elected dean and cannons to understand the purpose of their callings as it will help them to practise what they need.
"You must understand your purpose, keep it in your front always, it will help you make choices that will help you closer to your purpose.
"You have to understand why you were called. You should take time to plan, the secret of your success depend on your preparedness.
"Planning can be tedious and meticulous, remember that champions are not made in the ring but they are recognised in the ring, the danger of inadequate planning is obvious failure," he said.
Odedeji urged the newly ordained ministers of God to be passionate about their goals in life, they should avoid being a short distance runner but marathon runners," he said.
Responding, Agara said that with God on his side he would be diligent in prayer and stand firm in the word of God.
He said he would be dedicated to the things of God and proffer solutions in times of difficulties and uncertainty. "We will impact on the nation and preach the gospel to which we have been called," he said.
Rev. Cannon Olugbenga Aboderin, one of the newly ordained cannon, said the essence of the induction was the Church recognition and appreciation of their efforts, adding that it would encourage them to do more. "Cannon means authority, so it means that we will stand and defend the word of God.
"We will be fruitful in our ministerial duties and be more focused in things of God; we will be reminded that our duties belong to God and the Church.
"We will seek support from God and not man when we are in trouble, we will not play with the word of God; we will stand on the doctrine of the Church and be faithful to our calling.
"We will minister undiluted gospel, and when members are discouraged, we will be there to encourage them,'' he said.
A school proprietor, Malam Aliyu Badmus, has called on the National Assembly to make a law prohibiting parents from enrolling children under the age of six in schools.
Badmus told newsmen on Sunday in Ilorin that the falling standard of education in the country was attributable to premature enrollment of children in schools.
"We need to scrap enrollment of children below six years of age in schools because it is causing poor development of children.
"We have seen examples of university graduates who find it difficult to write application letters and biology graduates who cannot make use of the microscope during recruitment exercises," he said.
According to him, parents should take care of children until the age of six before enrolling them in schools to make learning more meaningful and result-oriented.
He said that children needed to develop their abilities before going to school, adding that early schooling for the underage hampered the development of such abilities.
Badmus, Proprietor, Iqra Group of Schools, Ilorin, blamed the falling standard of education on government's failure to fund education properly.
He also blamed the situation on the proliferation of private schools and corrupt parents who indoctrinated their children with corrupt practices from tender ages.
"To remedy the situation, government must come up with an adequate actionable education policy, not a policy only on paper.
"Adequate infrastructure must also be provided in classrooms and for research work," Badmus said.
Most Rev. Oliver Dashe, the Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, has urged Nigerians to offer prayers for the military to consolidate its successes in the current war against Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.
Dashe stated this at the inauguration of Patrons and Grand Patrons at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Catholic Church at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri on Sunday.
He said, although, the military had recorded success in the operations, it needed spiritual help to crush the insurgents finally.
Dashe, however, said that the military needed to engage in constant prayers as the Boko Haram war required more that physical fighting.
"We are in the world that is full of evil forces. Infact Boko Hararm is an evil force that we are facing in the North East. "We know that the military is giving its best to see that it crush the demons," he said.
"Since Boko Haram has been originated from Satan, the war against it cannot be won by physical fighting alone.
Boko Haram members
"It also requires spiritual dimension, so we have decided to pray as a family for the total crushing of the Boko Haram and all other evil vices in the country."
He also prayed for President Muhammadu Buhari, urging God to give the president the wisdom to administer the country in the right direction.
Dashe said that the military had made great sacrifice in the anti insurgency war resulting in many successes.
He specifically commended the GOC of the 7 division of the Nigerian Army Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu for his commitment in leading his troops to success.
"The GOC has shown great commitment in winning the war against the Boko Haram because he is ready to stake his life for peace to reign.
"This is what we call service to humanity," he said.
The newsmen report that Ezugwu was inaugurated as the Grand Patron of the church during the event.
Three officers of the division were also inaugurated as patron of the church.
They included Col. Justin Ifeanyi, Col. John Medugu and Col. Oke Ogbole
Former Special Adviser to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on electronic media, Reno Omokri has said that the Kaduna state Governor, Malam Nasir El-rufai is more guilty of inciting statements than the Chocolate City boss, Audu Maikori who was recently arrested by the police over alleged “inciting comments.”
Watch the video and type your comments below let’s see your views.
Two public commentators on Sunday called for adequate funding of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to enable it strengthen its anti-graft activities across the federation.
They spoke to journalists in Lagos while reacting to ongoing investigation by the EFCC into how state governors spent the N552.74 billion Paris Club loan refund.
President Muhammadu Buhari had, on Dec. 22, 2016, approved that the fund be distributed to the state governments and directed the governors to pay salaries with part of the money.
EFCC is currently probing how the fund was spent, following allegations that the governors diverted the funds for purposes not intended.
A political analyst, Mr Charles Ideho, appealed to the Federal Government to establish EFCC offices in all the 36 states and FCT for effective fight against corruption in the country.
Ideho told newsmen that it was a "good development'' that EFCC had started beaming its searchlight on state governments instead of concentrating only on the government at the centre.
He urged the state governors to account for the funds they received and how much had been disbursed.
EFCC operatives
The analyst said that the anti-corruption fight would not be effective if the commission was not evenly spread across the country. "I don't think the existing six centres are enough.
"As it is now, EFCC is overwhelmed with many cases it is handling; as they are tackling one case, another is coming up.
"If we can have EFCC centres in all the 36 states and they are well funded, corruption will drastically reduce,'' Ideho said.
Also, Mr Onyekachi Ubani, a human rights lawyer, told NAN that there was nothing wrong with EFCC probing the Paris Club funds received by state governments. Ubani, therefore, urged Nigerians to support the commission in the fight against corruption.
"Because the EFCC is asking state governors to account for the money, they are ganging-up and threatening Ibrahim Magu and his pending confirmation as the substantive Chairman of EFCC.
"The governors have to account for that money because accountability is inherent in leadership and governance,'' Ubani said.
He said that there was nothing wrong in what EFCC was doing and that every Nigerian should be involved in the anti-corruption war.
"If we want a country that we will be proud of, if we want Nigeria to grow positively, Nigerians must support EFCC,'' Ubani said.
Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday assured Nigerian youths that their support and confidence in the Federal Government would yield the desired results.
Shehu gave the assurance in Abuja at an interactive session organised by the Citizens Support for Good Governance in Nigeria for youths.
The group is a coalition of non-governmental organisations and Civil Society Organisations in the country.
Journalists report that the programme was organised for youths to air their views on the present administration and the way forward.
Shehu said that Buhari`s desire was to ensure a secured and stable future for the upcoming generations.
"All we require of you is to be patient; President Buhari is a long distance runner, he is not looking for short-term gains that people will just clap for him.
"He wants to build a future of prosperity that will be everlasting, something that will stay for generations, and I assure you that this is a beginning of the good things to come," the President media aide said.
According to him, the Federal Government has, under the leadership of President Buhari, done a lot in ensuring the security of the nation as well as fighting corruption.
Shehu also said that the government`s whistle blowing policy, had to a large extent, helped in recovering looted public funds.
"The policy gives opportunity to every Nigerian to raise alarm when they noticed that an individual may have stolen public funds.
"You will not only be honoured for pointing it out for discovery, but you can earn a commission,'' he said.
Garba Shehu
Shehu said that government was working hard to restructure the country`s economy, "though its efforts is being misunderstood by most Nigerians.
"The President Buhari-led administration met a ravaged economy and people were used to lifestyles that can no longer be sustained,'' he said.
Shehu said that no country would develop when it imports everything, including toothpick and tissue papers.
He said that things were beginning to take shape, as Nigeria had become the second largest rice producing country in the world.
"The rice revolution just started a year ago, a newspaper did an investigation in Kebbi and found out that there were 48,000 new millionaires in Kebbi alone for growing rice," he said.
Shehu said the nation's over-reliance on oil in the past, was not healthy for the country`s development, adding that such attitude should not be allowed to continue.
He said that the Federal Government was looking on how to create more jobs for the unemployed youths across the country and to scale up power generation.
"You can see that exploration and exportation of oil is growing, gas is coming back and power is getting better,'' he said.
Shehu said that President Buhari had delivered on his promise of putting the economy on a sound footing and fighting corruption.
He said the results were already showing, adding that the government required a little more patient from Nigerians.
According to him, the government`s war against corruption is acknowledged all over the world, while its effort to restructure the economy is becoming manifest.
He expressed confidence that the country would come out of the recession soon, following the boom in agriculture, especially in rice and sugar production.
Newsmen report that it was attended by students of the University of Abuja, Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Federal Polytechnic, and was used to identify achievements recorded by the President Buhari-led administration.
Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday assured Nigerian youths that their support and confidence in the Buhari-led Federal Government would soon yield the desired results.
Shehu gave the assurance in Abuja during an interactive session organised by the Citizens Support for Good Governance in Nigeria for youths.
The group is a coalition of non-governmental organisations and Civil Society Organisations in the country.
The programme was organised for youths to air their views on the present administration and the way forward.
Shehu said that Buhari`s desire was to ensure a secured and stable future for the upcoming generations.
"All we require of you is to be patient; President Buhari is a long distance runner, he is not looking for short-term gains that people will just clap for him.
"He wants to build a future of prosperity that will be everlasting, something that will stay for generations, and I assure you that this is a beginning of the good things to come," the President media aide said.
According to him, the Federal Government has, under the leadership of President Buhari, done a lot in ensuring the security of the nation as well as fighting corruption.
Shehu also said that the government`s whistle blowing policy, had to a large extent, helped in recovering looted public funds.
"The policy gives opportunity to every Nigerian to raise alarm when they noticed that an individual may have stolen public funds.
"You will not only be honoured for pointing it out for discovery, but you can earn a commission,'' he said.
Shehu said that government was working hard to restructure the country`s economy, "though its efforts is being misunderstood by most Nigerians.
"The President Buhari-led administration met a ravaged economy and people were used to lifestyles that can no longer be sustained,'' he said.
Shehu said that no country would develop when it imports everything, including toothpick and tissue papers.
He said that things were beginning to take shape, as Nigeria had become the second largest rice producing country in the world.
"The rice revolution just started a year ago, a newspaper did an investigation in Kebbi and found out that there were 48,000 new millionaires in Kebbi alone for growing rice," he said.
Shehu said the nation's over-reliance on oil in the past, was not healthy for the country`s development, adding that such attitude should not be allowed to continue.
He said that the Federal Government was looking on how to create more jobs for the unemployed youths across the country and to scale up power generation.
"You can see that exploration and exportation of oil is growing, gas is coming back and power is getting better,'' he said.
Shehu said that President Buhari had delivered on his promise of putting the economy on a sound footing and fighting corruption.
He said the results were already showing, adding that the government required a little more patient from Nigerians.
According to him, the government`s war against corruption is acknowledged all over the world, while its effort to restructure the economy is becoming manifest.
He expressed confidence that the country would come out of the recession soon, following the boom in agriculture, especially in rice and sugar production.
It was attended by students of the University of Abuja, Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Federal Polytechnic, and was used to identify achievements recorded by the President Buhari-led administration.
Reverend Chukuemeka C. Peters is the General Overseer of Fire Pentecostal Ministries International (FPMI), headquarters in Lagos. The fire brand Prophet of God who had earlier prophesied the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and President Donald Trump had in this chat with JOSEPH UNDU said the President is not leading Nigeria according to God's own purpose and that, God did not give us Buhari.
God told me Buhari would win 2015 election but did not tell me whether he would rule well or not
God told me ahead of the 2015 presidential election that, Buhari would win the election and I relayed same prophesy to Nigerians. But, He did not tell me Buhari would lead well or not. And as a prophet of the Most High God, I had to tell the message God had given me at that time to the people. Having said that, I think Mr. President is not leading this country according to God's own purpose. I told people that, God did not give us Buhari. I sought the face of God on who would win the 2015 Presidential election and God said Buhari would win but did not say, I am giving you people Buhari. It was Nigerians that went to the pooling booth to elect President Buhari and not God that gave us Buhari. So, Buhari may not carry God's agenda for Nigeria. If he were carrying God's agenda, Christians would not have been killed all over Nigeria because God isn't a murderer. There is widespread persecution of Christians all over the country. There is something I don't like about this regime. The silence they do keep when people are killed irritates me and that makes me to withdrew myself and my moral support for this regime. They would not talk when people are killed. They would only said, they are looking into it. They told us that, foreign herdsmen are the ones killing us. Now, how did they allow foreigners to invade Nigeria, carry guns, kill Nigerians and go? Whereas, you have the effrontery to kill people who are demonstrating with sticks! And arrest pastors who challenge their members to defend themselves and invite them to query them.
Reverend Chukuemeka C. Peters
Mr. President should protect Nigerian citizens
For God sake, I believe those who say they are leading us are not correct, they are not alright. If they were alright, they ought to have known that leadership involves protection of the people from harm. They swore to an oath of office to protect us but now, we are vulnerable, we are been attacked. Our cousins, brothers sisters, uncles and parents are being killed with our president having a mute mouth like Zachariah after meeting Angel Gabriel and am not comfortable with that. Our president should speak up and not just that, he should defend his citizens. I watched recently where people from southern Cameroon were agitating for independent and very soon, their brothers and sisters from south south Nigeria will join them. Why, because everybody has become uncomfortable in Nigeria and that is due to the misrule and miss leadership of the ruling crew.
Nigeria has no purposeful leadership.
There is no one leading us to a glorious future. Nigeria is been misled and as far as I am concerned, the president's leadership style is abnormal, it is absurd and unrealistic. It is misleading because; it has no direction and focus. It has gotten us into this trouble and turbulent economy where everyone is crying. I believe that, very soon recession will reach his house. It was until Pharaoh's son died, Pharaoh did not understand what was going on in Egypt when Moses wanted to take the Israelite out of Egypt. Until God permitted his son to also die like other peoples' sons he was not willing to let the children of Israel out of Egypt. I believe that very soon, God will let Mr. President feel the effect of recession and would be able to think right. For now, he is not thinking, he is just sleeping and that's why Nigeria is sleeping too.
Obasanjo's call for Igbo Presidency
You know, Obasanjo likes to stoke up crisis sometime. What I need and I believe Nigerians want is good leadership. If it were an Igbo man that is in power and is doing what Buhari and his crew members are doing, I would still speak against that person because I want the good of Nigeria. However, the Igbos are truly and genuinely marginalized. My agony is not that they are marginalized; but that; they are now being killed for saying we are marginalized. I won't be surprised after this interview the Department of State Security DSS would invite me, because an Igbo man has no voice in Nigeria. And Mr. President made us to believe so when he disenfranchised the Igbos in all his kitchen cabinet appointments. Last time I heard him talk about the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emiafele, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Ameachi and Minister of State Petroleum, Okechukwu Ibe that they are Igbos. Yes, but they are from another region, the south south. Each geopolitical zone is supposed to have representatives. So, you marginalized a zone and tell them your brothers in the other zone are in power.
Buhari should be delivered from mental corruption
I am reiterating here again that, Mr. President should be delivered from mental corruption. The corruption that made him think that only the Hausas and Fulanis are qualified for leadership is abnormal. If we must be Nigerians, we must be all qualified to lead this country. Don't let the youth start demonstrating without guns, knives, and daggers then you sent soldiers and police to kill them. Americans can go to war because of the death of one American, but here in Nigeria, we waste souls as if they don't matter and it bleeds my heart and Mr. President would not even talk. I pray for him every day and whether we like it or not, he is there to stay for four years and all we need do is to pray for him to manage the four years well. Nigerians should not be worried about Mr. President's health. He is a human being just like all of us; he can fall sick and can even die. The Bible says "It is appointed unto man to die and after that, its judgment." The president has officially handed over to the Vice President as Acting President and so we do not need to be worried that he has not come back. If he chooses to stay abroad let it be but he still remains our president. Let us wait and watch as events unfold, we are here.
On Trump's presidency
The Lord God told me Donald Trump was going to win even when the whole world was supporting Hillary Clinton. I was among the minority prophet who saw it and told the world that Donald Trump would win and he has not fail Americans so far. He is implementing his campaign promises to Americans and I hail him.
The only thing Buhari, APC are implementing is the killing of Christians, demonstrators and farmers
Unlike our president and the All Progressives Congress, APC, who have renege on all their campaign promises more than two years into their administration, Trump has fulfilled more than three in just one week? The only thing President Buhari and APC are implementing is the killing of Christians, demonstrators and farmers who are been killed by Herdsmen for their cattle to graze on their farmland and nobody is talking. That's the only thing we are benefiting from this government. We benefit hunger, advance form of poverty and frustration. Unlike Donald Trump who promised to secure and protect America, in less than one month, he has started building walls to make sure America is secured. He enacted an executive order banning citizens of nine terrorist prone nations' from entering the US. The government is helping in dividing the nation rather than unifying it. Today, this government has fanned the ember of disunity more than any other governments that ever come. It started with appointments. I won't be bothered if DSS lock me up after you published this interview because we are about entering into directorship where the freedom of expression is suppressed and the citizens are asked not to talk because government will arrest them. But know that, when your citizens are not talking and the anger grows and blows up, you would not be able to control it. The president's wife raise alarm the other time that, the way this government is going, if things do not change, she would not campaign for her husband but the DSS did not invite the woman but I won't be surprised if am invited for saying the truth. The truth remains that, we Nigerians are extremely hungry and the hunger is growing into anger because of frustration.
It was allegedly reported by FoxNews.com that the American First Lady Melania Trump in a Saturday rally in Florida was mocked for her accent, religion, thus branded her everything from a hostage to a whore, just for reciting through a piece of book 'Our Lord's Prayer'. This was made publicly through some tweets.
US President-elect Donald Trump (R) and his wife Melania Trump arrive for a leadership luncheon at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC on January 19, 2017. Twenty-four hours before he takes the oath of office as the 45th US president, Trump arrived in Washington on Thursday, determined to transform American politics over the next four years. / AFP PHOTO
People were of the opinion that America is not just for Christians but a convergence of various religion coming together as one. Some praised her religious confidence while others mocked her gravely for reciting a common 'Lord's Prayer' with a book. They spoke skeptically about her Christian faith and the degree of Trump's religious devotion, with many deriding the Slovenian immigrant's accent.
Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo is at the finishing stage of a proposed orphanage in Lagos.
The Changchun Yatai new boy disclosed this via a picture he shared on social media platform Twitter.
Odion Ighalo’s orphanage home
The former Watford star, 27, who is now taking his philanthropy to a new height has often done similar charity work, regularly sending money home for various projects to help the needy.
Ighalo captioned the photo "All thanks to God for the work so far," displaying a photograph of the multi-milliona naira one-storey building where he plans to make a home of orphans.
On the roof of the building is boldly inscribed "IGHALO ORPHANAGE HOME" with a sculpture of his trademark goal celebration on the wall of the building.
