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Popular Nigerian comedian, Gordons, has urged singer, Tuface to use music, a tool he is familiar with to protest and pass across his message to government at all levels.
The comedian, who was reacting on Wednesday to the highly-publicised but cancelled Tuface-initiated anti-government protest, said that the singer got it wrong when he tried to protest by marching."How on earth can Tuface be fighting a fight that he is not used to.
"He is not a politician but a musician; if he wants to lead a protest, he should lead with music. "How will be expressing himself when a microphone is right in his face and he will do this using his music.
2face
"It is not his game; let him do it with music that he is used to,'' he urged. Gordons noted that there were several Nigerian music legends over the years that had used the tool of music to express their displeasure against oppressive or under-performing governments.
"When Fela was fighting government, he used a tool that he was used to, that was music.
"Sony Okosun, before he died was fighting for freedom with the tool that he was used to, which is music.''
"Then, Osayomore Joseph in Benin city, fought government and also used music as a tool,'' he said.
Gordons
The 'African Queen' star had in early January announced his intention to lead a nationwide protest on Feb. 6 against the current Federal Government.
According to him, many Nigerians, especially the youths are languishing in poverty with little to hope for in the future.
The iconic singer, however, announced on Feb. 5 that the protest was cancelled due to security reasons, claiming that hoodlums would take advantage of it.
His sudden change of mind was however trailed with mixed reactions from Nigerians, especially his fans and other artistes.
However, the protest was held in some states by some civil society organisations.
Pastor Femi Aribisala has said that any body who is seriously ill should not run for president of Nigeria.
Femi Aribisala The scholar and international affairs expert made this known in a series of tweets on his twitter handle.
He asked that ‘Why run for office as president when you are seriously ill? Is it in order to get free medical attention at public expense? He also said that ‘Vice-president Osibajo used to be an esteemed pastor of the RCCG. But now he is just another APC politician. How are the mighty fallen!’
Plateau United Football Club of Jos on Wednesday at the Rwang Pam Stadium defeated visiting El-Kanemi Warriors FC 2-0 to remain unbeaten in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Plateau United who dominated proceedings right from the beginning got a breakthrough in the 10th minute when Solomon Junior put them in the lead.
The home side almost doubled the lead on the 31st minute through a header from Philip Azango but the effort went wide.
But they were successful in the 44th minute when three players exchanged passes before Jimmie Ambrose scored with a shot from outside the penalty area.
Plateau United could have put the game to bed in the 70th minute, but Golbe Elisha's goal from a free kick was ruled offside.
The visitors stepped up their game thereafter and were able to soak the pressure without conceding more goals.
Kennedy Boboye, the Chief Coach of Plateau United, told newsmen after the match that every member of the team was determined to contribute 100 per cent to the club's success.
"Every member of the team, from players to officials, is there for the team and we are ready to continue this way," he assured.
Abraham Audu, the El-Kanemi captain, on his part, blamed the playing turf for the defeat.
Audu said the field was rough and did not allow the game to flow.
With the victory Plateau United remain top of the NPFL log with 17 points after seven matches.
Earlier, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau who was at the stadium to watch the match had visited the teams in their dressing rooms during the half-time and spoke with them.
He had told Plateau United to win the match and earn what he promised them at the beginning of the season.
"I told you to win the first five matches and leave the rest to me and you have played six matches without defeat.
"But, just win today and see what I will do," he promised them after a handshake with all the players and officials.
The governor also told El-Kanemi Warriors that their state governor, Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno, was his friend.
Somalia has a new president. He is Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.
He was declared winner today after beating rivals in the second round of vote.
He got 184 votes, to beat incumbent Hassan Sheikh, who had 97 and Sheikh Shariff, 46.
Farmajo, a former Prime Minister was immediately sworn in.
Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, Somali new president
Incumbent Hassan Sheikh Mohamud conceded just when the process was about to enter a final round.
His victory means Somalia maintains the culture of electing a new President at each election.
Hassan Sheikh won the first round of votes which saw the original number of 21 candidates pruned to four.
Out of that number, PM Sharmake also dropped out citing interference in the process. he however tasked electors to vote for change.
Farmajo once served as a prime minister for less than a year before he was forced to resign under a deal supported by the population who protested when he refused initially.
Special Representative of the African Union has congratulated Farmajo on his election.
Ambassador Madeira reaffirmed AU's commitment to working with him, the government and people of Somalia. He also applauded the outgoing president for conceding defeat leading to a peaceful transfer of power in the strife torn country.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday arraigned the quartet of Umar Audu Bida, Truth Igogori, Ifenyinwa Nwankwesiri and Ogechukwu Obaji before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on a 9-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $1million (One Million US Dollars).
The accused were arraigned alongside four companies: Universal Contractors, Lambda Energy Services Limited, Double Wonder Concept Limited, and ICS Energy Services Limited.
Bida and his co-accused sometime in 2014 allegedly conspired to defraud one Donald Latella of North Park LLC of $1million under the pretext of supplying about two million barrels of Bonny Light Crude Oil.
The offence contravenes Section 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.
Count 2 of the charge reads: “That you, Umaru Audu Bida, Truth Igogori, Ifenyinwa Nwankwesiri, Ogechukwu Obaji, Universal Contractors, Lambda Energy Services LTD, Double Wonder Concept Limited, and ICS Energy Services Limited and others now at large, sometime in 2014, within the Judicial Division of the Federal High Court of Nigeria attempted to obtain the sum of $1,000,000.00 (One million United States Dollars) from Donald Latella of North Park LLC under the false pretence of supplying about 2 million Barrels of Bonny Light Crude Oil which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act".
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Upon their plea, counsel to the EFCC, Onjefu Obe, asked the court for a date to present his witnesses and for the accused to be remanded in prison custody pending trial.
However, Ammeh O. Ammeh representing 1st and 5th defendants and R. O. Attabo standing for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th defendants, through oral applications prayed the court to admit their clients to bail.
Justice Nyako held that the court was a court of record and asked the defence to make their applications formal.
The judge, thereafter, adjourned to Thursday, February 16, 2017, for hearing of the bail applications and ordered that the accused persons to be remanded in prison custody.
A retired English teacher was jailed for at least 16 years on Wednesday for what his judge called an “appalling catalogue” of sex offences against children in Thailand and Britain.
Mark Frost, 70, admitted 45 sex offences against nine children in Thailand between 2009 and 2012 and two British pupils in the 1990s.
The offences including rape, sexual assault and inciting sexual activity with a child under 13. His victims were aged between 10 and 15.
At England’s Central Criminal Court in London, he was sentenced to serve 13 concurrent life sentences and will spend a minimum of 16 years in jail.
His crimes were “the most appalling catalogue of sexual abuse”, judge Mark Lucraft said.
“It is clear you have an obsession with sexually abusing young boys with evidence of planning and grooming.
“Your conduct towards each and every one of these victims is horrific and deeply disturbing.”
He added Frost’s offending was “truly shocking” and that he was someone who will continue to pose a risk to children.
The court heard how Frost raped impoverished Asian boys and encouraged them to engage in sex acts after grooming them with cash and sweets.
“The harrowing evidence presented by the prosecution in this case outlined the suffering that Mark Frost caused to his victims,” said Ruona Iguyovwe, from the state’s Crown Prosecution Service.
“Over many years, Frost repeatedly exploited vulnerable young victims, both in the UK and in Thailand, for his own sexual gratification.
“His offending has caused severe psychological harm to all of the children he abused, many of whom are now old enough to realise the enormity of what happened to them.”
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) urged other potential victims to come forward.
“Mark Frost’s vile campaign of sickening child abuse spanned over quarter of a century in the UK and abroad, and today’s sentence will likely see him spending the rest of his days behind bars,” a spokesman said.
“Frost was a prolific and dangerous paedophile who worked as a teacher and Scout leader for decades. We hope that anyone who suffered can now find the courage to speak out.”
The Presidency has debunked insinuations by some Nigerians that the Senate may void President Mohammadu Buhari's request for extension of his vacation period saying the Senate, in fact, need not sit to approve the letter.
Mr Ita Enang, Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, told newsmen in Abuja that the situation did not need Senators' debate as no resolution was required to approve the letter.
According to him, the senate does not need to sit to validate the letter.
Enang, who is a lawyer and former lawmaker, described insinuations as "unfounded''.
Senator Enang
The president had on Jan. 19, sent a letter to the senate, intimating it of his intention to proceed on a 10-day working vacation from Jan. 23 to Feb. 6.
He also intimated the senate that he would undergo some routine medical check-up within the period.
However, another letter was transmitted to the senate at the expiration of the 10-day period earlier requested, asking for an extension of the period to enable the president to complete the medical checks.
On Tuesday, the senate acknowledged receipt of the letter conveying the fresh request for extension but noted that no time frame was indicated.
Enang said that what was important was for the senate to be informed of the president's intention.
"It doesn't require a `yes' or a `no'; it is to inform it.
"What is important is that there is a communication with the senate.
"Once the communication is received by the senate and the House of Representatives, through their respective presiding officers, that settles it,'' the presidential aide said.
On non-specification of time frame needed by the president, he said "this question will not be answered until the senate sits.
"But, I want us to look at the Constitution because the Constitution says what should be done is notification.''
He also said that no vacuum was created by the president's absence as the Vice President was already piloting the affairs of the country in acting capacity.
A crew of seven Russians and a Ukrainian have been taken hostage off the coast of Nigeria after their ship was attacked, diplomats in Moscow and Kiev said Wednesday.
“According to the information of the Russian embassy in Abuja, there has been an armed attack on the cargo ship BBC Caribbean which belongs to German company Briese Schiffahrt,” a Russian foreign ministry statement said.
“Seven Russian citizens who are members of the crew have been taken hostage,” it said, adding that Russian diplomats are in contact with Nigerian authorities who are searching for the vessel.
A Ukrainian consular official said there is also one Ukrainian national on the ship.
“At this time the kidnappers have not made any demands and we don’t know the location of the kidnapped sailors,” said an official with the consular department of Ukraine’s foreign ministry, Vasyl Kyrylych.
The BBC Caribbean is a multipurpose vessel intended for dry cargo and flies the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, according to the company’s website.
Ship monitoring website Marine Traffic said the BBC Carribean last departed the port of Douala in Cameroon on February 4, headed for Spain’s Las Palmas.
It reported that the ship was attacked by pirates on a motor boat in the Gulf of Guinea who were repelled in a firefight and later proceeded westward
Some members of the Ondo State House Assembly on Wednesday called on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to provide adequate security for them and their families following alleged threat to their lives.
Mr Iroju Ogundeji, a spokesperson for the lawmakers, told newsmen in Ibadan that they had received several threat calls and messages.
Ogundeji, who was accompanied by the Acting Speaker, Mr Malachi Coker, and 11 others, said that the messages received from unknown persons were for them to reverse the purported impeachment of the former Speaker.
Journalists report that 13 out of 26 members of the assembly were said to have on Jan. 27 impeached Mrs Jumoke Akindele as Speaker.
Also said to have been impeached were her deputy, Fatai Olotu, and Majority Leader, Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, over alleged fraud.
Ogundeji further called on the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies in the state to immediately withdraw the security aides attached to the Akindele, having purportedly been removed.
He accused Gov. Olusegun Mimiko, of supporting Akindele, alleging that he had been deploying divid and rule tactics.
"The executive arm had been interfering in the impeachment of the speaker which ought not to be so because we are an independent body.
"Both Akindele and Olotu should have been impeached 10 months ago for high-handedness but the governor intervened and assisted her escape impeachment.
"We are not against Mimiko but corruption. The impeached principal officers of the assembly committed offences against the rules and must go." he said.
Ogundeji said the impeached speaker had approached the court to obtain an injunction against her impeachment and the court adjourned till March 6.
ABUJA – The Federal Government, on Wednesday, tendered into evidence, bags of cash, both foreign and local currencies that were allegedly recovered from the official residence of Justice Adeniyi Ademola who is facing corruption charges.Justice Ademola and his wife, Olabowale at Abuja court recently.
The cash totalling about N39.5million, was tendered before trial Justice Jude Okeke of an Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama, in a Ghana-Must-Go bag.
It was brought to court by an exhibit keeper at the Department of State Service, DSS, Mr. Umar Ahmed, who testified as the 11th prosecution witness.
Justice Ademola who was formerly serving at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court is facing trial alongside his wife, Olabowale, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Joe Agi.
The embattled Judge was accused of receiving gratifications from Agi to the tune of N38.5m, including a BMW Saloon 320i car gift.
He allegedly got the bribe money from the senior lawyer through a Guarantee Trust Bank, GTB, account number 201/110160/1/1/0, operated by his wife who was the former Head of Service in Lagos State.
At the resumed hearing on the matter on Wednesday, the witness told the court that “bags of cash” were found at Ademola’s house during a sting operation the DSS conducted in October last year.
Umar who was led in evidence by government lawyer, Mr. Segun Jegede, totalled the various sums of money contained in three separate bags as N54m; $171,779; €4,400; £80 and R1,010 (Indian Rupee).
Other items the witness also tendered before the court were two Avar Magnum Pump Action gun registered under the names of Justice Ademola and another Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ahmed Mohammed.
He also tendered two cartridges – a red head of 25 pieces and a white head of10 pieces along with original copies and photocopies of licenses for the guns in the name of the two Judges.
Aside the N39.5m contained in a ‘Ghana-Must-Go’, the other recovered items, including two iPads and an 8GB flash drive, were tendered before the court in sealed transparent cellophane with different identification numbers.
While identifying the items, th witness said the white bag contained N6m comprising of 12 bundles of N1,000 notes, making N500,000 per bundle.
He said: “My lord the small black bag with a design contains 17 bundles of N1,000 each which equal to N8.5m.
“The ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ (grey in colour) contains 79 bundles making N39.5m.”
He also gave a break down of the dollar denominations as comprising 51 bundles of $100 bills, as well as other lower dollar denominations.
The witness further confirmed to th court that the dollar currencies recovered from Ademola was $121,779 in total, with €4,400; £80 and R1,010 (Indian Rupee).
He said all the recovered item were handed to him item on October 10, 2016, two days after DSS raided Ademola’s home.
“I got to office in the morning of October 10, 2016 and I saw honourable judges, about six or seven of them.
“Then later in the evening Mr. Ike Onuoha, who happened to be the leader of one of the operatives that conducted the search told me about the items recovered during their raid”.
Meanwhile, none of the defence lawyers raised objection to admissibility of the recovered items including the cash.
Justice Okeke marked the cash as exhibits X, Z, BB, CC, DD, EE and FF and handed it over to the Director of Litigation of the FCT High Court, Mr. Madugu Mohammed for safekeeping.
The trial Judge stressed that the money which all the parties agreed should be lodged in a deposit account by Mohammed, must always be made available to the court whenever the need for arose.
Earlier in the proceeding that lasted over eight hours, a banker with Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr. Malik Babatunde, who testified as the 10th prosecution witness, told the court that Justice Ademola transferred N175m a account operated by a firm,Don Parker Properties, on January 24, 2014.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, increased charges the defendants to 18 counts.
Among the new counts was an allegation that Justice Ademola “on or about October 10, 2016, gave “false information intended to mislead a public servant,” an SSS operative, Mr. Babatunde Adepoju, by falsely claiming that one of the guns recovered from him belonged to another judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ahmed Mohammed.
The offence was said to be punishable under section 140 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the FCT.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the amended charge even as the court adjourned further hearing till Thursday.
A lawyer, Mr Babatunde Olokun, has slammed a N10 million suit on Sen. Buruji Kashamu (PDP-Ogun).
Olokun is pressing charges against Kashamu over alleged unlawful arrest, continuous threat to life, harassment and infringement on fundamental human rights.
Olokun, a legal practitioner, who filed the application at the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleged that the senator was making murderous threats to his life through phone calls.
He asked the court to declare the acts unconstitutional and a violation of his rights.
Buruji Kashamu
The lawyer also prayed the court to stop the politician from using the police or any other law enforcement agent to harass, intimidate or molest him as well as or interfering with his personal liberty.
When the matter was called on Wednesday, Counsel to Olokun, Mr Stanley Iji, prayed court for a short adjournment, saying that the respondents had yet to be served the processes.
The Judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, noted that this was the second time the applicant had failed to serve the processes on the respondents.
The respondents are Kashamu, Onamusi Onadeko and the Inspector-General of Police.
Dimgba warned that the case would be struck out on the next adjourned date if Olokun failed to serve the processes on Kashamu and the others.
The judge adjourned the matter till Feb. 17 for hearing.
Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova has been handed a wildcard for the Madrid Open in May just weeks after completing a 15-month ban for doping, organisers confirmed on Wednesday.
The Russian who won the French Open for her fifth Grand Slam in 2014 – shortly after winning the Madrid Open that year – plans to make her return to the circuit in Stuttgart on April 26.
“Sharapova requested an invitation to play in the tournament and after careful consideration, we decided to give her a wild card,” said tournament director and former Wimbledon champion Manolo Santana.
“Maria is one of the best players of the last 15 years and also a past winner of our tournament.
“In Madrid she always plays well and I'm sure she will come back to the courts highly motivated and hoping to do well in her first tournaments.”
Sharapova hasn’t played on tour since testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.
However, her initial two-year ban by the International Tennis Federation, was reduced to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“Sharapova is one of those players that all tennis fans want to see,” added tournament CEO Gerard Tsobanian.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today February 8, 2017, arraigned a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Muhammed Dele Belgore and a former minister, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman before Justice R.M Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on a 5-count charge of conspiracy and possession of proceeds of crime to the tune of Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N450, 000, 000. 000).
But reacting after they were granted bail Professor Abubakar Sulaiman said ‘what has EFCC got to do with donations voluntarily made by oil marketers to Jonathan government?
Prof Abubakar Sulaiman with Bar Dele Belgore
The defendants were alleged to have made a payment of Fifty Million Naira (N50, 000, 000. 00) to one Sheriff Shagaya and also taken possession of the sum of Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N450, 000, 000. 000) without going through a financial institution.
One of the counts reads, "that you, Muhammed Dele Belgore (SAN) and Professor Abubakar Sulaiman on or about the 27th day of March, 2015, in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to directly take possession of the N450, 000, 000. 00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) & 4 of the same Act".
Another count reads, "that you, Muhammed Dele Belgore (SAN) and Professor Abubakar Sulaiman on or about the 27th day of March, 2015 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court directly took possession of the sum of N450, 000, 000. 00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) and 4 of the Same Act".
The defendants pleaded 'not guilty' to the charges preferred against them. In view of their plea, counsel to the first defendant, Ebun Shofunde, (SAN) prayed the court to grant bail to his client based on self recognizance. "He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and not likely to jump any bail; he has been faithful to the administrative bail granted him and will make sure to stand his trial", he said.
In the same manner, counsel to the second defendant, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, (SAN) also prayed the court to grant his client bail on self recognizance. "He is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Abuja and was once a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he submitted himself to the EFCC and never jumped the administrative bail granted him", he said.
Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC did not oppose bail but asked the court to grant the defendants bail in terms that will compel them to be available for trial.
Justice Aikawa granted the defendants bail on self recognizance and ordered that their international passports be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court and must only be released on court order.
The matter was adjourned to February 23, 2017 for trial.
Our Arrest is Abuse of Prosecurial Power- Ex-Minister of Planning
Mr. Kale Belgore, SAN, and my humble self, were invited by the EFCC to its Lagos Office for questioning on N450million campaign fund during the 2015 Presidential elections.
Of course, we were in the EFCC's custody for a few days and today, by the grace of God, we were granted bail on self-recognisance.
It is however apt to put the record straight and situate the development within the context of the politics currently playing under the present administration.
I wish to state unequivocally that this didn't come to me as a surprise. It is a continuation of politics by other means, and that has nothing to do with the source of election funds that emanated from the presidential campaign office. The question is; what has EFCC got to do with donations voluntarily made by oil marketers to Jonathan government?
The commission, in a bid to implicate us and set the general public against us, was busy struggling and frantically searching for better word to use. The whole charade is an abuse of prosecutorial power .
But I assure you it cannot stand in any court of law. We shall fight hard to prove our innocence and I believe the judiciary is there to do justice to this case. Thank God, we are not been alleged to personally enrich ourselves with the so-called fund.
A trending video footage on social media shows two soldiers assaulting a physically challenged man for allegedly wearing army fatigue in Onitsha.
Although the exact time it occurred is not very clear, the video shows the soldiers drag the helpless man on the ground after throwing away his wheelchair. They afterwards lashed him severally with canes while civilians looked helplessly in awe. Type your comment below after watching this video let see your thoughts.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA – Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday met with Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi II at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Both of them met behind closed doors.
When approached by the State House Correspondent to speak on his mission to the Villa, Sanusi however declined saying simply “you can just report that I came to the Villa.”
It will be recalled that Sanusi had been very critical of President Muhammadu Buhari’s policies one of which was the decision to borrow $30 billion from external sources.
He had also consistently spoken out on the illiteracy of Northern Nigeria, asking the stakeholders to convert mosques to schools.
Also, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State was seen leaving the office of the Acting President.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin has emphasized that the Nigerian Military has always been guided by the principles of Human Rights protection in all its operations and engagements.
The CDS made this known when the Project Implementation Committee of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and its partners paid him a courtesy call at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Gabriel Olonisakin
Represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Bashir Saidu, the CDS assured the team that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would continue to respect the right of every individual, not only in its operations in the North East but in every other operations it is involved.
He said: "the DHQ and the Services have Departments of Civil Military Relations which report directly to the CDS and the Service Chiefs respectively. He added that the military has also established Human Rights Desks in all its formations, units and operational areas across the country. This gesture, he said, was aimed at ensuring that the principles of human rights are strictly adhered to and observed in all its operations".
Earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary, NHRC, Mrs Oti Anukpe Ovrawah said the team had come to seek collaboration with the Nigerian Military at both the national and field command levels in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States in the project aimed at promoting human rights accountability in the prosecution of counter insurgency operations in the States.
In a related development, the Chairman of Arik Airline, Sir Joseph Akinbola Arumemi, has solicited for closer ties with Defence Headquarters on the air lifting of officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces, including those on Peace Keeping Operations inside and outside the country.
He made this call when he led a delegation to pay courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin (CDS) at the Defence Headquarters Abuja. He noted that the airlines could contribute positively to various Peace Keeping Operations by providing affordable air transportation and better services to the members of the Armed Forces.
Sir Joseph therefore solicited support of DHQ to have confidence in Arik Airline, as an indigenous airline that put safety as its priority. The CDS, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Bashir Saidu; in his remarks, reaffirmed that the military will continue to do It's best to ensure safety of all Nigerians.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs screening the 46 ambassadorial nominees, concluded the exercise on Wednesday.
In her address at the end of the two-day screening, Chairman of the committee, Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu, commended the members for their dedication and commitment.
She assured that the committee would work on the report of the screening promptly and transmit it to the senate in plenary for confirmation.
Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, in reaction, expressed the presidency's appreciation on the completion of the exercise.
He acknowledged the commitment of the committee to the assignment, saying that it carried out the exercise in two days as against three days scheduled for it. "You stressed yourself to conclude it and we appreciate the effort,'' he said.
SENATE CHAMBER
The nominees who were screened are Dr Uzoma Emenike (Abia), Aminu Iyawa (Adamawa), Maj.-Gen. Godwin Umo (retd) (Akwa Ibom), Christopher Okeke (Anambra), Yusuf Tuggar (Bauchi) and Baba Madugu (Bauchi).
Others are Brig.-Gen. Stanley Diriyai (Bayelsa), Prof. Steven Ugba (Benue) and Baba Jidda (Borno), Dr Etubom Asuquo (Cross River), Mr Frank Efeduma (Delta), Jonah Odo (Ebonyi) and Uyagwe Igbe (Edo).
Also screened are Dr Eniola Ajayi (Ekiti), Maj.-Gen. Chris Eze (Enugu), Suleiman Hassan (Gombe), Justice Sylvanus Nsofor (Imo), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa), Ahmed Bamali (Kaduna), Deborah Iliya (Kaduna) and Prof. Dandatti Abdulkadir (Kano).
Mr Haruna Ungogo (Kano), Justice Isa Dodo (Katsina), Mohammadu Barade (Katsina), Prof. Tijjani Bande (Kebbi), Prof. Y. O. Aliu (Kogi) Nurudeen Mohammed (Kwara), Prof. Mohammed Yisa (Kwara), Justice George Oguntade (Lagos) and Modupe Irele (Lagos) are among the nominees.
The names also included Musa Muhammad (Nasarawa), Ahmed Ibeto (Niger), Suzanne Folarin (Ogun), Jacob Daodu (Ondo), Afolahan Adeyemi (Osun), Maj.-Gen. Ashimiyu Olaniyi (retd) (Oyo), James Dimka (Plateau) and Dr Haruna Abdullahi (Plateau).
Mr Orji Ngofa (Rivers), Sahabi Gada (Sokoto), Kabiru Umar (Sokoto), Hassan Ardo (Taraba), Goni Bura (Yobe), Garba Gajam (Zamfara), Cpt. Bala Mairiga (Zamfara) and Ibrahim Ugbada (FCT) were screened.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on Jan.12 re-transmitted the nominees' list to the senate for confirmation after it was first rejected.
A one day round table interactive session organized by the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has come to an end in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital with stakeholders advising the participants to embrace peace and intensify national cohesion. The theme of the event was “Love not Hate, A Symbol of Any True Religion".
One of the hosts, Comrade Philip Agbese, CESJET Ambassador to the United Nations on Human Rights in his welcome address recognised the prominent role played by clerics and religious bodies in ensuring peace and tranquillity in Nigeria.
He equally recognised the role of women particularly the mothers in every society play to ensure proper upbringing and instil discipline in the child geared towards peace and a thorough bred mannerisms.
Comrade Agbese highlighted the aims and objectives that inspired CESJET to organise the event which is timely as a result of the incessant Boko Haram activities, the killings by Fulani herdsmen, sectional killings in Southern Kaduna and "the growing murmur of making Nigeria practice one religion". He frowned at religious and political leaders instigating religious crisis due to many unguided remarks.
One of the keynote speakers in the event, Dr. Udenta O. Udenta a former Director in the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution in his remarks enjoined all participants to encourage interfaith dialogue in the context of democratic dialogue to ensure peace.
In his words “democracy incarnates conflict in every society because it paves way for liberal agitations but it is a paradox that democracy still have the mechanisms to settle disputes”.
He maintained religion is one of the diversities in the country and it should be a wheel to propel peaceful coexistence.
Another invited guest, Bishop Elijah Ogar preached the doctrine of love. He admonished participants to practice peace, love and unity and made allusions to the Bible quoting from Psalm 127.
In the course of the event, an academic interactive session was anchored by Dr. Mahfouz Adedimeji, a Director in the Center for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Illorin, Kwara state.
In his paper titled "The Role of Religious Leaders in Peace Coexistence" he highlighted and discussed the message of peace as enshrined in the dictates of all religions because " we are all equal before God".
The event witnessed the honour of resource persons which cuts across the academic, religious and political sector prominent among whom were Prof. Emmanuel Onneh the Head of Department Philosophy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Shiek Farouk Umar and Prof. Damian Anyam from the Benue State University.
Others are Prof. Emmanuel Omeh the HOD Philosophy University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Uguanyi from the University of Abuja, Mr. Johnson Onumah and Prof. Eugene Aliegba who delivered a short paper titled "How Religion and Politics can Function in the Society".
The session agreed that President Muhammadu Buhari is a gift to the nation and requires the appreciation, support and commendation of all Nigerians to do more. It was agreed that an inter-faith concert featuring prayers for the country’s leadership be held to thank God for the defeat of terrorism in Nigeria.
The session came to an end with participants interacting with the key note speakers with posers and answers on topical religious, political and psychological issues.
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – The National Judicial Council, NJC, at the end of an emergency meeting it held in Abuja on Wednesday, re-nominated Justice Walter Onnoghen for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.
NJC forwarded its resolution at the meeting to the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, SAN, barely 24 hours after Onnoghen’s name was reportedly transmitted to the Senate for confirmation by the Presidency.Justice Onnoghen
The Council took the action in view of the fact that it may be impossible for the Senate which is currently on recess, to reconvene and screen Onnoghen before Friday when his constitutional three months tenure as Acting CJN would expire.
Consequently, in line with section 231(5) of the 1999 constitution, as amended, NJC, urged the Acting President to extend Onnoghen’s acting tenure for another three months.
Though Onnoghen is statutorily the Chairman of the NJC, a source at the meeting which was held in camera, told Vanguard that the extension letter sent to the Presidency was signed by Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.
Justice Muhammad is the second highest ranking jurist at the Supreme Court.
Insinuations were rife that he was President Muhammadu Buhari’s first choice for the CJN position.
However, the source who pleaded anonymity because he was not permitted to speak on behalf of the NJC, said Justice Muhammadu was favourably disposed to Onnoghen who is currently the most senior Justice of the apex court, clinching the judiciary top-job.
“All the NJC members that attended the meeting were unanimous in the decision to re-nominate Justice Onnoghen. We have already forwarded the letter to the Presidency”, the source added.
According to section 231(5) of the 1999 constitution, as amended, “Except on the recommendation of the NJC”, Onnoghen’s appointment by President Buhari “shall cease to have effect after the expiration of three months from the date of such appointment, and the President shall not re-appoint a person whose appointment has elapsed”.
Onnoghen who is from Cross River State is the first Southern jurist to qualify for the CJN position in about 30 years.
President Buhari had on November 10, 2016, okayed him to head the judiciary in acting capacity.
The appointment which was based on recommendation letter from the NJC, followed retirement of former CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who bowed out upon clocking the 70 years mandatory retirement age.
Onnoghen will clock 70 on December 20, 2020. He was elevated into the apex court bench in 2005.
Delay by President Buhari to forward Onnoghen's name to the Senate till few days to expiration o his three months acting tenure had fuelled insinuations that he could be sidelined from emerging as the substantive CJN.
Justice Ayo Gabriel Irikefe who held sway as the CJN in 1985, was the last Southerner that headed the apex court.
Ahead of the governorship election in Ekiti in 2018, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday declared as illegal the current campaigns being embarked on by some aspirants and their agents.
The spokesperson of INEC in the state, Alhaji Taiwo Gbadegesin, stated this in Ado Ekiti that all those engaging in such activities would be referred to law enforcement agencies.
He said the commission had noted that some aspirants were erecting billboards as well as opening campaign offices in Ado Ekiti even when the commission had not directed them to do so.
Gbadegesin also expressed disappointment with the manner some aspirants and their agents had been placing advertisements in the media canvassing the choice of certain individuals ahead of the poll.
According to him, the Electoral Act was explicit on the exact time frame on when and how politicians could begin to either express interest or campaign for elective offices.
"At this stage, we want to take it that those involved are ignorant of what the law says, but we want to assure them that any further action after this warning will compel the commission to refer their cases to law enforcers
"People must learn to be obedient on simple legal instructions.
"In the pre-election period that ushered in the present governor who is just barely two years in office, this was the way all manner of people began campaigning before the regulatory time frame without any recourse to the commission.
"This did not stop until we reported them to law enforcement agents
"If this crop of politicians or their agents feel they can come around again to cause us sleepless nights, we will be left with no option than to catch up with them and make them to face the consequences of disobeying the law,'' he said.
The INEC spokesperson enjoined aspirants and their sympathisers who may not be aware of the relevant electoral guidelines, to contact any of the commission's state or local government offices for assistance.
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
IN this era of recession, most government agencies, departments and ministries are experiencing hard times as they solely depend on federal or state allocations for their projects, salaries and other services to the citizens.
Surprisingly, the situation is different in Kwali Area Council of FCT where the proactive approach to governance and ingenuity of the Area Council Chairman, Mr. Joseph Shazin has enabled them to stay afloat, and meet basic obligations.
Having realised the difficulties associated with the current recession, mainly from the fact that federal government's allocation to the council have dwindled, Shazin along with his team adopted several strategies aimed at generating revenue internally. The major reason is to supplement the meagre resources they receive on a monthly basis from the federation account.
To achieve this feat, the Kwali Area Council adopted several strategies, and one of them is to identify internal revenue sources. In doing this, market fees, business premises fees, liquor fees, sand drainages fees, forestry fees, environment fees, development and land fees are being charged and utilised for developmental purposes. Other areas they have identified towards rejuvenating the council's economy include animal husbandry fees and health services fees.
Though they encountered initial challenges after the Honourable Chairman came with the innovative ideas, the decision of the area council to provide mobility for the revenue department towards enforcing the new policy has substantially improved compliance by residents of Kwali Area council as most remote areas are now accessible.
Similarly, in a bid to meet the target already set by the Honourable Chairman a deliberate effort was made to sensitise the residents on the need to support the internal revenue generation drive of the area council. Today, most of the residents have come to terms with the imperative of discharging their obligations to enable the area council reciprocate in the provision of basic amenities.
On assumption of power, Honourable Joseph Shazin demonstrated sufficient political will by reiterating the need for all the council personnel to redouble their efforts to raise the revenue profile of the area council. First, he ordered the renovation of the Kwali town hall and the resultant effect is increased patronage and revenue for the area council.
Apart from setting up a revenue generation committee, Honourable Shazin has ensured close and regular supervision of the revenue committee's activities and this has enabled the council chairman not only to meet his target for the council, but is now well-positioned to deliver on his campaign promises to the Kwali residents.
Another unique approach adopted by the council is the involvement of the council's senior personnel, including the elected councilors, in addition to the provision of adequate working tools for the implementation.
The willingness to utilise the internal revenue generating capacity of local governments has been a herculean task in the country, and with the single-minded effort of Honourable Shazin, Kwali Area council is now in the forefront of changing the dynamics.
In addition to his other initiatives, Honourable Shazin's administration has established a timber market, cattle market at Yangoji, a mechanic village, and the totality of these efforts have led to a one hundred percent increase of the area council's internally generated revenue between 2015 and 2016.
Therefore, it is remarkable, and indeed commendable that Kwali Area council under Honourable Shazin is a shining example for other local governments in Nigeria to emulate. By doing so, they will serve their various communities better.
It is important to state here that over the years, most local governments in Nigeria have become drain pipes that hardly fulfill their obligations to the citizens. Now with the leadership being provided by the Kwali council in showing the way, there is no further justification for other local government councils to fail in their responsibilities.
In a nutshell while the Kwali area council is feeling the impact of recession like other public institutions and Nigerians generally, the fact remains that the innovative policies of the Shazin administration has greatly helped to cushion the effects on the residents.
While the Kwali area council is feeling the impact of recession like other public institutions , the fact remains that the innovative policies of the Shazin administration has greatly helped to cushion the effects on the residents
*Mr. Chukwudi Enekwechi a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.
By Ebun Sessou Six out of the eight lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Lagos State House of Assembly are set to defect to the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Sources close to the lawmakers confirmed that the planned defection is still being kept as a secret, but we were told that the defection is a done deal, adding that it is a product of months of discussion between the leaders of the APC on one hand and all the eight PDP members in the assembly.
The members of the PDP in the assembly include the Minority Leader, Akeem Bello from Amuwo Odofin Constituency 2, the Minority Whip, Mosunmola Sangodara from Surulere Constituency 2, Dipo Olorunrinu from Amuwo Odofin Constituency 1 and Victor Akande from Ojo Constituency 1.
Others are Akeem Shokunle from Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 1, Jude Idimogu from Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 1, Dayo Famakinwa, Ajeromi Ifelodun 2 and Oluwa Fatai from Ajeromi/Ifelodun 1.
We were reliably informed that the lawmakers are considering defecting to take the path due to the crisis in the party at the state and federal levels.
“I can confirm to you that six of the PDP lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly would soon defect to the APC, but status quo will remain as they would not want to stop holding their present positions in the house until further notice.
“What I know is that a lot of things are going on in the party and still would never remain the same. One would have expected them to declare openly either on the floor of the House or through a press conference, but they did not do any of these,” the source said.
Speaking in an interview, one of the members of PDP, Jude Idimogu denied the speculations, but added that it is not impossibility. “We have not defected yet. We are all still in the PDP to the best of my knowledge. I know there are crisis in the party, but we are yet to move. We are all still here. If we want to move, it would be done on the floor of the house or through a press conference,” he said.
It will be recalled that there was no PDP lawmaker in the 7th Assembly in the state as all the 40 members were from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which metamorphosed to the APC. However, in the 6th Assembly, one of the three PDP members in the assembly then, Hodewu Suuru Avoseh, who had earlier been impeached as the Minority Leader of the House, defected to the ACN then.
Abuja – Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo on Tuesday in Abuja met with the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and invited him to inaugurate some projects in Ondo state.
Answering questions from State House correspondents after the meeting, which was held behind closed doors, Mimiko disclosed that he briefed Osinbajo on what his administration was doing to exit.
Mimiko's second 4-year tenure as governor of Ondo will expire on Feb. 24.Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State briefing journalists after a closed- door meeting with Ag. President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida
The governor said that the ongoing crisis in the Ondo State House of Assembly was not part of the issues discussed during the meeting. The Ondo State House of Assembly had been engulfed in leadership crisis between factions leading to the sealing of the Assembly's complex by the Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris.
The crisis followed the suspension of the embattled Speaker of the State's House of Assembly, Jumoke Akindele, by a faction of lawmakers for alleged fraud. Akindele enjoys the support of 12 other lawmakers who are loyalists of Mimiko.
The crisis took a twist as some protesters attacked the convoy of Mimiko when he attempted to present 2017 budget proposal to the assembly. The hoodlums were reported to have smashed the side screens of two vehicles in the governor's convoy.
It took the timely intervention of the men of the police command to disperse the protesters, some of whom were also injured in the pandemonium that ensued. Following the protest, Mimiko reportedly shifted the budget presentation to another day.
The governor, however, told the State House correspondents that the crisis would soon be resolved following the intervention of stakeholders in the state. "The matter is being looked into. It's an internal matter within the house and I think some elders, statesmen and leaders in the state are looking at how they can help them to get over the crisis.
"I don't think it is directly related to budget presentation. There is nothing sacrosanct about the method of presenting budget if you know what I am talking about.
"I think it's just about changing leadership structure in the house and all of that. "The governor now is from the northern central district and the deputy governor is from the southern central district and then, the speaker is from the south.
"There are those who feel that she should step aside so that they can get someone from the central senatorial district. I think that has been sorted out,'' he added.
Mimiko expressed the readiness of the "sitting speaker'' of the assembly to step aside for peace to reign in the assembly. He said: "The sitting speaker now has made it abundantly clear that she is ready to step aside, she is ready to resign her position.
"But the group that purportedly impeached her, not even a simple majority can impeach the speaker, it has to be two thirds. "That is to tell you about the fact that 13 out of 26 members of the house don't have constitutional or legal empowerment to impeach the speaker.
"But as I speak with you now, she is ready to step aside any time once the house is properly constituted.''
THIS week, the prices of some food items increased and some reduced. 50kg of long grain rice increased from N16, 000 to N18, 000 while 50kg of short grains increased from N17, 500 to N19, 000. A crate of eggs has also increased from N1000 to N1,100. 12.5kg Cooking Gas is now N4, 500 from N4, 800. Kerosene has also reduced from N1, 600 to N1, 300. Palm oil has reduced from N24, 000 to N16, 000. Hope to see more of these reductions next week.
Lake rice
Basket of Tomatoes N5,500-N7, 000 A bag of Pepper N5, 000-N7, 000 A bag of Long pepper N3, 000 – N6000 A bag Onion (white) N18, 000 – N20, 000 A bag of Onion (Red) N17, 000- N18, 000 50kg of long grains Rice N18,000 A derica of long grains Rice N300 50kg of short grains Rice. N19,000 A derica of short grains Rice N320 A crate of egg (36 pieces) N1,100 A bag of Olotu beans N35,000 A bag of Oloyin beans N16,000 A bag of Yam Flour (Elubo) N40, 000-N70, 000 A bag of Gaari N11, 000 A paint bucket N550 20 Litres of Groundnut Oil N15, 500-N16000 10Litres N6, 500-N 7000 5Litres N3, 200 25 Litres of Palm Oil N16, 000 Noodles N1600- N1970 Semovita N2, 700- N2, 900 Pampers (cartons of 8) N3, 400 Seasonings N110 – N500 Tomato paste (big N1200-N1800 Tomato paste (Medium) N550-N700 Tomato paste(small) N150-N350 Tomato sachet (a roll) N250 –N300 Pack of toilet roll (48pieces) N1800-N2, 300 A Satchet of milk N30-N50 A Sachet of beverage N45-N50 Toothpaste N250-N270 5 Litres of Kerosine. N1,300 A drum of Kerosene N62,500 12.5kg. Cooking gas N4,500 Yam (1 tuber). N300- N700 Ugwu Leaf (a bundle) N3, 500–N4,000 A dozen of tied Ugwu Leaf N1, 800 Moin-Moin Leaf (a dozen) N800 Carton Titus ice Fish N19, 000 1 kg ofTitus ice Fish N1,000 1 Carton of Kote ice fish N16, 200 1 kg of Kote ice fish N 900 1 Carton of Sawa iced Fish N10, 000
By chris Ochayi ABUJA – The Save Nigeria Group, SNG, Tuesday, issued a 74 hours ultimatum within to the the presidency to furnish it with full information on the health situation of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is currently believe to be receiving medical attention in London.
The SNG, which made the request via a letter, entitled "Request for information on President Muhammadu Buhari's health status" and addressed to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, urged to be availed information urgently in order to reduce tension on state of Mr. President's health.
According to the letter containing the request which was acknowledged to have been received on February 7, 2017 by the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and made available to Vanguard in Abuja, the group warned that it will take all other necessary legitimate and legal steps should the authorities ignore the request. President Muhammadu Buhari
According to the letter signed by Barrister Benedict Ezeagu, the National Coordinator, SNG, "This ugly development, including denial, conditional admission and restriction of access to President Buhari and the true information on his health status is reminiscence of the late President Yar'Adua's incident which our revered organisation was at the forefront of its peaceful resolution and this is not good for Nigeria at this critical period of economic downturn , nationwide insecurity, and political strife.
"As you may know, the lack of clearness in handling the 'vacation' turned 'medical trip' of Mr. President has heightened the rumours and speculations about his health, the most frightening of which is that President Muhammadu Buhari had passed on or he has been in coma or on life-supporting machine, and thus increasing the political tension in the country.
"Since Mr. President is not a private citizen but a public servant whose health bills are currently being paid from the country's treasury, Nigerians deserves the right to know the true state of his health as obtainable in enlightened republics.
"In the light of the foregoing Sir, while we join other Nigerians to pray for Mr. President in line with the request of the Presidency, we herby demand for full information on the health status of President Muhammadu Buhari in exercise of the rights granted us by section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, the freedom of information Act and Article 9 of African charter on Human and people's rights, as this will help dispel these rumours and speculations and reduce the current political tension in the country.
"Please sir, take notice that if we are not availed of the requested information within 74 hours of your receipt of this letter, we will have no alternative than to take all other necessary legitimate and legal steps, including approaching the National Assembly to activate relevant sections of the Constitution with regard to the health of a Nigerian president as well as institute court actions and organise peaceful protests among others, to ensure that we are availed of these rights guaranteed Nigerians by the laws.
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is one of a number of stand-out Premier League goalkeepers being targeted by Real Madrid, according to reports.
The Daily Telegraph say Madrid are in the market for a new keeper, with De Gea, Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois and Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris all being considered as replacements for Keylor Navas.
David DeGea
De Gea is currently on £200,000 a week at Old Trafford but sixth-placed United are again facing a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League – a battle that, if they lose, will encourage Madrid to swoop for the Spain international.
United’s No 1 almost joined Madrid on deadline day in the summer of 2015 but a broken fax machine scuppered the move.
Madrid are currently serving a transfer ban but that will expire at the end of this season.
The White House has published a list of several dozen terror attacks that it contends were insufficiently covered by the media, including those in Paris, Nice and Orlando that made headlines around the world.
President Donald Trump on Monday accused the “very, very dishonest” media of not wanting to cover terrorist attacks, adding without elaboration, “They have their reasons.”
He leveled the charge during a visit to the headquarters of the US Central Command in Tampa, Florida, but provided no specifics.
The White House followed up late Monday with a list of 78 attacks carried out between September 2014 and December 2016.
“Since ISIS declared a caliphate, there has been a major attack targeting the West executed or inspired by the group more than once every two weeks,” the White House said.
“Most have not received the attention they deserve,” it added.
Some media outlets have countered by posting links to their extensive coverage of attacks cited by the White House.
The list gives the place and month in which an attack occurred, the number of dead or wounded, and the names of the attackers.
But it does not give attacker's nationalities except when he or she is a “US person,” and then the White House does not identify them by name even when their identities are well known.
Many of the attacks listed, particularly those with high casualties, were the subject of days-long coverage, and were so well known they are still short-handed by the cities where they occurred: Paris, Brussels, San Bernardino, Orlando.
The crash in the Sinai desert of an Airbus A321 carrying Russian tourists on October 31, 2015 made the list. Claimed by Islamic State, the crash caused by a bomb explosion after takeoff killed 224 people.
So did the November 13, 2015 attacks in Paris that left 129 dead, and the truck rampage in Nice July 14, 2016 that killed another 84.
But the list omits the attack on the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo in Paris on January 7, 2015, which claimed 12 lives. However, the lethal attacks the following day on a policeman and at a supermarket, in which four people were killed, are listed.
Among the US terror attacks, the White House lists the country’s deadliest since the September 11, 2001 — the bloody assault at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2001 that left 49 dead.
The perpetrator of the attack — Omar Mateen, an American of Afghan origin — is given only as “US person.”
Also on the list is the December 2015 shooting in San Bernardino, California by a husband and wife who killed 14 people in a massacre allegedly inspired by Islamic terror groups. They also are identified as “US persons.”
The list includes other attacks that received massive media coverage at the time: Istanbul (45 dead) in June 2016; Sousse, Tunisia (38 dead) in June 2015; Brussels (31 dead) March 2016; Dacca, Bangladesh (22 dead) in July, 2016; and Berlin (12 dead) in December.
The president’s latest salvo against the media comes amid a raging legal battle over his travel ban on refugees and nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
The new administration says the executive order denying US entry to refugees, and nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries, is needed to protect the country against terror attacks.
Opponents of the action say the measure stigmatizes Muslims and fuels Islamic State’s anti-Western propaganda.
The leadership of the PDP will not be distracted from its commitment to reposition the party for better performance in the future, Sen. Ahmed Markarfi, Chairman, National Caretaker Committee, has promised.
Makarfi made the promise on Tuesday in Abuja when he received the forum of PDP state chairmen. He said that the leadership of the pary was committed to reunite the party and make it stronger, especially after the leadership challenge the party was going through.
"We know where we are heading and no matter the distraction, we will not agree to look different directions.
"When you are running and somebody is holding your gown, don't waste your time trying to rescue it; if you have scissors cut it.
"When you reach the destination you can have a complete new gown to wear.
Makarfi
"So, that is the way we are going. I still believe that at the end of the day PDP will be solid and the internal crisis will be solved,'' Makarfi said.
The caretaker chairman expressed confidence that the judiciary would do justice to the leadership crisis rocking the party.
While commending the chairmen for their contributions to the party, Makari urged them to make the PDP active in their states by holding regular meetings.
"You should mobilise support from stakeholders that are in your states.
"We are monitoring states that are doing that and we are encouraging them to continue to do so.
"Those who are not doing that should copy what is happening in states that are active. It is through that way we can move the party forward,'' he added.
In his remarks, Sen. Ben Obi, Secretary, National Caretaker Committee, thanked the PDP chairmen for their commitment and loyalty.
He promised that under Makarfi's leadership the caretaker committee would continue to have regular meetings with state chairmen.
Earlier, Mr Paul Ekpo, the new chairman, forum of PDP state chairmen, said they were at the party's temporary secretariat to introduce the new executive of the forum to the caretaker committee.
He solicited the support of the national leadership of the party for state executives, especially in those states that do not have PDP governors.
"We assure you that whenever the opportunity comes, we will select men that will participate effectively and give you desire results,'' Ekpo said.
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – Constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has vowed to drag the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for alleging that N75million found in his frozen bank account was proceeds of crime.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ozekhome, explained that the money which was freezed on the order of Justice Abdulazeez Anka of the Federal High Court in Lagos, was part payment for professional services he rendered to Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State.
Mike Ozekhome (SAN)
He described insinuation by the anti-graft agency that the fund was proceed of money laundering, as “an invidious lie from the pit of hell”.
The statement read: “It is with rude shock and personal sense of consternation that my attention has just been drawn to online publications with numerous calls from Nigerians, that my account containing N75 million domiciled with GTBank has been temporarily frozen, allegedly based on an ex-parte order obtained by the EFCC from the Honourable Justice Abdulazeez Anka of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
“It is alleged that the said sum of N75 million is ''suspected'' to be the proceeds of crime or that it is from money laundering. This is an invidious lie from the pit of hell.
“For the records, the N75 million was paid into my account by my client, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, as part payment of Professional Fees for the numerous cases my chambers is currently handling for him (in his personal capacity) and his aides across Nigeria. The money is neither ''suspected proceeds of crime'' nor of money laundering.
“On the 13th day of December, 2016, I defeated the EFCC in a judgment delivered by the Honourable Justice Taiwo O Taiwo, sitting at the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti.
In his judgment dated 13th December, 2016, the court ordered the EFCC to immediately defreeze two accounts belonging to Governor Fayose and domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc, which accounts EFCC had, illegally , unconstitutionally, an in a most uncouth and cavalier manner frozen and blocked in Zenith Bank Plc. The court described the action of the EFCC as ''illegal, wrongful, unconstitutional and unlawful''.
“Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, the same lawyer who was said to have obtained the ex-parte order blocking my account from Honourable Justice Abdulazeez Anka, is the very counsel for the EFCC in the case I won for Governor Fayose before the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti.
“After the accounts were defrozen by the judgment of the court, I urged Governor Fayose to make part payment of N100 million for the numerous cases I am handling for him and his aides across Nigeria, but which he did not have funds to pay for.
“He then transferred, with the cooperation of Zenith Bank Plc, which was actually the 2nd Defendant in the suit, the sum of N75 million as part payment of my Professional Fees.
“I have since utilized the funds for the payment of salaries, school fees of my children schooling in Nigeria and abroad, with spirally inflation, and for my Mike Ozekhome Foundation (MOF) activities.
“On the 19th of January, 2017, Honourable Justice Taiwo O Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti, took argument on a motion for injunction pending appeal restraining Governor Fayose from withdrawing the remaining balance in his said accounts. This same motion was argued by the same Rotimi Oyedepo.
“The court on the 31st of January, 2017, dismissed EFCC's motion. He has now appealed to the Court of Appeal, Ado Ekiti, with a similar motion.
“The present action of EFCC is clearly calculated to overreach Governor Fayose in the appeal and also to embarrass and intimidate me from defending Governor Fayose.
“This will never happen. I will continue to defend beleaguered and oppressed Nigerians from the antics and high handedness of publicly funded government institutions that breach their fundamental rights.
“It is sickening and inconceivable that money legitimately and legally paid by a client to his Solicitor from an unencumbered account wholly and totally defrozen and unblocked by the judgment of a competent court of law can be termed "suspected proceeds of crime or money laundering''.
“I am a practising lawyer, not a government employee, contractor or a business man. I have NEVER laundered and will NEVER launder any money in my life.
“It is so shameful and disgusting when we make ourselves a laughing stock before international circles through brazen unconstitutional acts by publicly funded government institutions, just to silent all critical voices of reason and plurality of ideas.
“I shall take immediate legal steps to defreeze the account, in the event that the EFCC does not immediately voluntarily vacate the said order”.
Tragedy was yesterday averted at Sekona, Osogbo Road when Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola reached out to the state’s revamped fire service to put out a fire that had engulfed the area.
Acting on his promise not to leave behind any unfinished project in the state, the Governor was on an evening tour of several projects under construction in the state when he stumbled on the wild fire that threatened a nearby community.
He swiftly put a call through to the fire service team who moved into action to put out the fire and restored calm to the community. Photos show the governor and his entourage putting out the fire and helping members of the community.
Governor Aregbesola at the fire scene
Recall that the Aregbesola-led administration has invested in rebuilding and equipping emergency response services in the state, including the fire service, ambulance unit and other related units.
The Fire scene
The governor who showed empathy with the people, promised his administration will continue to secure lives and properties across the state.
Enugu – President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, will be special guests at the 28th edition of Enugu International Trade Fair.
The President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Rev. Ugochukwu Chime, made this known in Enugu on Tuesday. Chime said that the fair would hold between March 31 and April 10. President Buhari He said that the 2017 fair, with the themed: "Promoting Nigeria's Industrial Sector and SMEs for Inclusive and Robust Economy'', would take place at the Permanent Trade Fair Complex, off the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
"It is incumbent, as expected, that the fair will be declared open by His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria,'' he said.
The ECCIMA boss noted that good number of bodies and business organisations as well as government agencies had indicated interest to participate in the fair.
"We wish to acknowledge that a good number of enquiries are being made concerning participation in the fair so far,'' he said. He said that the chamber had enhanced its online platform for registration, exhibition and marketing.
"As part of our efforts to boost the success of the fair, we shall as it is strategic, be commencing the systematic sensitization tours and consolidating our marketing with visits to key stakeholders both in public and private sectors in different parts of the country.
"We have equally put in place measures to ensure stable and quality supply of electricity and water during the fair. "Relatedly, we shall soon commence the overhaul and maintenance of the two stand-by generator sets in the fair complex, in event of public power failure,'' he said.
According to him, it is equally interesting to note that we have commissioned the reinforcement of the distribution network of electricity lines inside the fair complex including the changing of a good number of wooden electric poles to concrete poles.
"This has become necessary as the weak wooden electric poles used in the initial networking had to be replaced to enhance stable electricity supply. "We shall continue to gradually replace the wooden poles with concrete poles, particularly those that are weak.
"On security, we are pleased to note, that we have not had any security breach/problem since we started hosting our fairs in the trade fair complex within the Golf Estate area about six years ago,'' he said.
KANO-The emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II has tasked northern Governors to convert Muslim worship centres to primary school.
Sanusi II who spoke during the graduation ceremony of 2500 Post Graduate Diploma and NCE teachers on day 3 of Kano Basic Education week stated that such step would save cost in this era of recession.
From left, Governor of Kano state, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje with Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, during the convocation ceremony of 2000 NCE Teachers Sponsored by Kano State Government in Kano, Tuesday.
If you look at our educational needs viz a viz the infrastructural deficit, it became imperative to convert existing mosque to primary school, and aside cost reduction on this era of recession, it would accelerates educational development in the region”
From left, Director General National Teachers Institute (NTI), Professor Garba Azare, Governor of Kano state, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, and Deputy Governor of Kano state, Professor Hafiz Abubakar , during the convocation ceremony of 2000 NCE Teachers Sponsored by Kano State Government in Kano, Tuesday.
The emir equally stated that ” it will be highly rewarding if we convert them to learning institutions as obtained in other clime”.
From left, Governor of Kano state, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje with Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, during the convocation ceremony of 2000 NCE Teachers Sponsored by Kano State Government in Kano, Tuesday.
Sanusi II who lamented disadvantage position of the north on western education, called for concerted effort to tackled the problem.
The former Central Bank Governor goes further to explain that, Morocco just like any other country in the Arab world made efficient utilization of Muslim worship centers to spread knowledge.
The First Class emir said “when you convert these mosques to institution of learning in your domain, you have simply bring education to the door steps of citizens.”
He noted that products of such institution would turn out to be “responsible citizens “, adding that it would also boost employment.
Rivers government on Tuesday denied that Gov. Nyesom Wike allegedly spent N111million to bribe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff during the Dec. 10 re-run legislative election.
The panel constituted to investigate the electoral and other offences perpetrated during the re-run election alleged that it recovered N111 million from 23 INEC officials.
The Chairman of the panel, Mr Damian Okoro, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, made the allegation while presenting the team's report to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, in Abuja on Tuesday.
He alleged that three senior electoral officers collected N20 million each out of the N360 million given to them by Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers, while the remaining officers received N15 million each.
Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers Governor on Electronic Media, said the allegation was false and politically motivated.
Nwakaudu said in a statement in Port Harcourt that the police allegation was aimed at diverting attention from the real issues about the election.
" The statement (by the police) is patently false, politically motivated and cooked by the police to justify the violence they visited in the people of Rivers state during the re-run" he said.
According to him, Gov.Wike did not spend N360 million to rig the re-run election.
" For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike did not spend N360 million to rig the re-run legislative elections of December 10, 2016.
"The people of Rivers State overwhelmingly voted the PDP across the state because of the outstanding performance of Governor Wike since May 29, 2015, Nwakaudu said.
Is your Android device running slow? Jumia Travel shares 5 tips to help you speed it up.
PINPOINT THE PROBLEM
It could be an app, multiple apps, the storage or the system itself slowing down your device. Before you either fix your device yourself or give it to a technician to help you fix it, it is important you try to identify what the problem is or might be, and what the problem isn't. With this knowledge, the problem will be easier for you to solve on your own or, if you decide to give the phone to a technician instead, it will help you avoid being cheated.
A diagnostic app can help you pinpoint the problem causing your device to run slowly. Phone Doctor Plus and Z-device Test are good diagnostic apps to consider. You can find them on Google Play Store. Some Android devices come with diagnostic apps, like Samsung with the Samsung Smart Care app. In this case, you can take advantage of that rather than downloading another from the Google Play Store.
CLEAR YOUR CACHED DATA
This is more or less a temporary solution if your device's slowness is caused by the unnecessary or 'rarely used' apps you installed. Cache data eats up system resources (takes up storage space on your device) while slowing down your device. You should clear this data from time to time or install a cache clearing app, like Clean Master, from the Google Play Store. You have nothing to fear deleting this data, anything important will simply be re-cached the next time you open the app.
This is considered a temporary solution because you'll eventually have to delete some of these apps you are clearing the cached data of, to more permanently fix the problem of your device running slowly.
UNINSTALL AND DISABLE UNNECESSARY APPS
If after diagnosing the problem, you find that a certain app or the multiple apps you installed on your device is causing your device to run slowly, you should immediately uninstall it.
For apps that you cannot delete (those that come preloaded on your phone and are otherwise called 'bloatware'), you should disable as many as you are not using to keep them from running in the background, choking your device's storage and interfering with its speed and efficiency.
You can uninstall or disable apps through the app manager found in your device's settings, and keep these apps from becoming the 'resource hogs' that slow down your Android device.
NOTE – You should also learn to close all apps you are no longer using. Don't just open it and change to another app without closing the one you previously opened. This helps to free up your RAM and improve your device's performance.
FREE UP YOUR DEVICE STORAGE
Aside uninstalling unnecessary apps, especially if the problem is caused by insufficient storage, you should also delete some of the many files (music, videos, documents etc.) that are filling up your internal storage.
Make the sacrifice; delete those files you don't actually need but keep for sentimental reasons. If you want to avoid, losing certain files completely, you can transfer them to another device (another phone, a laptop, or a tablet) or a flash drive or hard drive.
NOTE – You can also consider disabling some of the widgets running on your device that you are not really using, alongside animations and live wallpapers you have running on your phone. Widgets, animations and live wallpapers may be fanciful, but they affect your device's performance and battery live.
PERFORM A FACTORY DATA RESET
Over time, a lot goes on in your device's software so it's always advisable to give your device a fresh start from time to time. Know that this should not be done often, only from time to time especially when all the other tips don't work as well as you want them to do.
A factory data reset will wipe your device clean and leave the software the way it was when you first turned on the device; so be sure to backup important files before you do this. Some Android devices come with a "Backup and Reset" option in the device's settings, so you can take advantage of that. Some other devices have a recovery menu for backing up important files. The steps are different for every device, so you can use Google to help you out with the steps for your device.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Tuesday completed screening of 23 non-career ambassadorial nominees out of 46. Those screened were Goni Modu Zanna Bura (Yobe), Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (Bauchi), Ahmed Ibeto (Niger), Kabiru Umar (Sokoto) and Baba Madugu (Bauchi).
Others were Baba Ahmad Jidda (Borno), Justice George Adesola Oguntade (Lagos), Garba Gajam (Zamfara), Bala Mohammed Mairiga (Zamfara), Christopher Okere (Anambra), Etuborn Asuquo (Cross River) and Nurudeen Mohammed (Kwara).
SENATE CHAMBER
Also screened were Amin Muhammad Dalhatu (Jigawa), Ahmed Nuhu Bamali (Kaduna), Prof. Dandatti Abdulkadir (Kano), Justice Isa Dodo (Katsina), Prof. Mohammed Yisa (Kwara), Mrs Modupe Irele (Lagos) and Suzanne Folarin (Ogun).
Gen. Ashimiyu Olaniyi (Oyo), Oriji Ngofa (Rivers), Jonah Odo (Ebonyi) and Eniola Ajayi (Ekiti) also made the list.
The Chairperson of the committee, Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu, commended members for a job well done.
She said though the screening started late, the committee was able to screen 23 as against 14 nominees it intended to.
The chairperson said "the committee would screen the remaining nominees on Wednesday."
President Muhammadu Buhari resubmitted a list of 46 non-career ambassadorial nominees to the senate on Jan. 12 for confirmation.
ABUJA– Outgoing governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko has faulted the impeachment of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mrs Jumoke Akindele, saying that it was illegal.
He said that it was unfortunate that the members carried out the act even when the Speaker had opted to leave the office to give currency to the emerging power sharing structure in the State.
Mimiko however stated that 13 out of the 26-member House lacked the constitutional power to impeach the Speaker as they did not constitute a two-third majority.
The governor spoke to State House correspondents after a private meeting with the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.
He added that his mission to the Villa was not to discuss the crisis in the state assembly, revealing that elder statesmen in the state were already handling the matter.
Mimiko
Mimiko also stated that the crisis was not directly related to his attempt to present the state 2017 budget.
“The matter is being looked into. It’s an internal matter within the house and I think some elders statesmen and leaders in the state are looking at how they can help them to get over the crisis,” he said, adding: “I don’t think it’s directly related. There is nothing sacrosanct about the method of presenting budget if you know what am talking about.
“I think it’s just about changing leadership structure in the house and all of that.
“The governor now is from the northern central district and the deputy governor is from the southern central district and then, the speaker is from the south.
“There are those who feel that she should step aside so that they can get someone from the central senatorial district. I think that has been sorted out.
“I believe that the speaker should come from the central senatorial district but the issue is the method.
“The sitting speaker now has made it abundantly clear that she is ready to step aside, she is ready to resign her position.
“But the group that purportedly impeached her, not even a simple majority can impeach the speaker, it has to be two thirds. That is to tell you about the fact that 13 out of 26 members of the house don’t have constitutional or legal empowerment to impeach the speaker.
“But as I speak with you now, she is ready to step aside any time once the house is properly constituted.”
The governor also disclosed that he discussed with Osinbajo on the possibility of him coming to the state to commission some projects.
“My mission to the acting President is to brief him about what we are doing to exit. There are some projects that if he can spare the time, we would like him to come to the state to commission some of them,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday received the Certificate of Admission of the State as one of the 100 Resilient Cities (100RC) in the world pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation, saying that it was a starting point and a positive partnership that would help the State address the challenges of urban planning, transport gridlock, environment and modern infrastructure.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at the presentation of the certificate held at the Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, said the development was not only historic in the annals of the State but a confirmation that the efforts to build a globally competitive State had received international recognition.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode,
The Governor said it was gratifying to note that despite the challenges faced by the State in many areas including transportation, security, ocean surge, flooding, high unemployment rate, pressure on physical and social infrastructure, growth of slums and a huge housing deficit, Lagos remained resilient and ever progressive.
While alluding to the objective of his administration to make every community in Lagos economically liveable and stem rural-urban flight, the Governor said deliberate initiatives have been put in place to address the housing deficit, transport challenges and economic development, among others.
He said: "We acknowledge these challenges and needs; and now as a member of the 100 resilient Cities of the World, we have a platform to compare notes with cities who have similar experiences and create innovative and mitigating strategies.
"Lagos is currently home to about 23 million inhabitants with an estimated 86 people moving into Lagos every hour. This creates challenges of managing a daily increase in human and vehicular movement," he said.
The Governor, who said that resilience had always been part of the Lagos story, said despite the fact that the State remained the smallest state in Nigeria by geographical size, it is the largest by population and economic power.
He particularly recalled the manner with which Lagos contained the outbreak of the Ebola virus in 2015 and secured residents from a terrible epidemic.
While speaking on the plans for the State, Governor Ambode said his administration was currently in partnership with the Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) to upgrade 2 blighted settlements in Bariga and Amukoko.
"We have initiated many interventions all over the State to shorten road travel time and we are in talks with the Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA) to introduce rail transportation in the Ikoyi-Lekki corridor. We have also engaged in massive road construction and opening-up of our rural communities, continuous clearance of drainages and the upgrade and construction of Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs). Our objective is to make every community in Lags economically liveable and stem rural-urban flight.
"In response to the high unemployment figures, we created the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund to provide cheap source of funding to our young entrepreneurs and SME's. The Fund started disbursement to beneficiaries in December 2016 and more funds will be made available to in the coming months to stimulate economic activity and get more of our young people employed.
"The ocean surge is a huge challenge and the Lagos State Government in partnership with notable investors have invested in the development of Eko Atlantic City to not only contain the ocean surge but to deliver a new city which will be a future financial, commercial and tourism centre," he said.
In his opening remarks, Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Akinyemi Ashade said the selection of Lagos among the 100 Resilient Cities was sign post of a new dawn for the State in terms of ability to adapt to some of the risks and shocks it may be exposed to and how to effectively treat and overcome them.
He recalled how Governor Ambode issued a directive in August 2016 for commencement of process for Lagos to be selected, adding that the feat, apart from taking the delivery of electoral promises a notch higher in terms of concrete and measurable deliverables to the citizenry, would also compliment the vision of the present administration to make Lagos Africa’s model mega city of choice.
Earlier, President of 100 Resilient Cities, Mr Michael Berkowitz said out of the over 1,000 applications received and three rounds of selection process, Lagos was chosen for its innovative leadership, infrastructural strides and influential status not just in Africa but in the world.
He said the organization, by the initiative, was hoping to help cities change the way they think about their resilient opportunities and to see an integration between challenges.
“Sometimes cities think about transport, just about moving people; housing, just about housing people; economic development, just about creating jobs but cities get better when they think about those things in an inter-related way.
“We are trying to inspire a movement across the world to change the way cities approach their risks and opportunities and so Lagos is not just the most influential city in West Africa or the continent but around the world and that was very appealing to us,” Berkowitz said.
The Governor later signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Mayor of Paynesville, Liberia, Mrs Cyvette Gibson, which would facilitate information sharing around resilience in the two cities with the view to bring about economic development.
By Henry Umoru ABUJA – CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abu Ibrahim, All Progressives Congress, APC, Katsina South said Tuesday that President Muhammadu Buhari was not sick, but only exhausted as a human being.
Senator Ibrahim who is one of the closest Senators to President Buhari said that those spreading the rumour that President Buhari is sick missed the point, just as he stressed that the weight of the country's mounting problems exhausted him.
He reeled out issues that might have taken a toll on the President which include destruction of oil pipe line that HAS reduced production to almost half, fall in oil price that has affected the economy and led to recession, and the falling exchange rate that has affected the purchasing power of most Nigerians, adding that some of those talking about the falling exchange rate fail to also talk about what led to weak Naira against the Dollar.
Senator Ibrahim who noted that he has been in constant touch with President Buhari, said that he was actually with him the day the president left the country.
Speaking to Journalists Tuesday when he was accosted at the National Assembly lobby, Senator Ibrahim said that every Nigerian is aware of the zeal and passion President Buhari came into office with, adding, “President Buhari will soon come back" noted that there was no need for Nigerians to be unduly apprehensive because Mr. President is not sick but exhausted by the weight of the problems the country is going through."
He however urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the President to come home and continue his work to put the country in a better footing, adding that Nigerians have the right to list what they wanted the President to do when he is back home.
Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has said that the Federal Government will ensure the total rehabilitation of the Abuja Airport runway for smooth operations and deliver it in just six weeks.
Amaechi who acknowledged the pains the closure of the Airport would cause the economy maintained that his Ministry will ensure the reopening after due rehabilitation is concluded in six weeks.
Amaechi gave the assurance when he appeared alongside his colleague Ministers at a town hall meeting organised by the Ministry of Information in Ilorin, Kwara State on Monday.
According to him, “We are saying that the Abuja Airport runway was built to last for twenty years but we have been using it for thirty four years. It has become extremely dangerous to continue using it, the way it is right now."
Amaechi
"We need to close it to rebuild it and reconstruct it. The foundation is almost gone and what we are asking for is patience."
"If we don’t close it, we will be exposing lives. One of the constitutional responsibilities of the President is to protect lives and property. So you can’t deny us that responsibility. We believe that if we close it by March, in six weeks time, we shall be able to reopen it."
"We know it is challenging for our economy. We think that we will keep to that six weeks,” he said.
While explaining issues concerning Maritime, particularly in the North Central, Amaechi noted that his ministry was determined to commission the Baro River Port by the first quarter of next year.
“We met abandoned Maritime. Our target this year is that by first quarter of next year, we shall be commissioning Baro River Port. We are in the process of awarding the contract for the last equipment that they will use at the River Port. NIWA is there working hard. I understand the sentiments of Baro."
"The only reason why we have not gotten the contractor at Lokoja part is that we don’t trust the contractor and I have directed NIWA to go and look for the process of terminating that contract and get a new contractor to complete the project and that mandate, we have from Mr. President”.
“The other mandate that will interest you is the Central Railway Line,the Itakpe/ Ajaokuta Railway Line. If you go back there now the contractors are back to site. We have sent them back to site. That is a 32 years project. Under this government, we have decided and agreed with the contractors that we will complete it first quarter of next year”.
“Even Baro will be completed first quarter of next year. The other thing that will interest you is the Narrow Gauge Railway Line that transverses your state (Kwara) to Minna. We are about to start negotiations with General Electric (GE). The Narrow Gauge will start if we successfully conclude our conversation. Before the end of this year, from Lagos to Ajaokuta to Ibadan to Ilorin to Minna and onward to Kano we will revive that railway line," Amaechi said.
The Transport Minister also said that, “We believe that between the first and second quarters, we would have completed the negotiations and you will see more activities on the train. Once we conclude it, it will create employment. The other one that will also interest you is the Standard Gauge which everybody is clamouring for."
"We have awarded the contract for the Lagos to Ibadan Standard Gauge Line.By the time they complete that, we will be awarding Ibadan to Ilorin and the prayer you should make is to ask the National Assembly to kindly approve for us the borrowing plan that was sent to them”.
“Out of that borrowing plan, 6.1billion dollars is meant for railway. For the Lagos to Ibadan, you have 1.5billion dollars. The loan has been approved by the China Exim Bank, the only thing holding us today is that the NASS is yet to approve the borrowing plan. As citizens from the North Central, please kindly appeal to the NASS to approve the borrowing plan”, he said.
‘When that is completed," Amaechi continued, "the next phase of the railway will be from Ibadan to Minna or Ilorin. Currently, we are also looking for loan to do Kano to Kaduna for that Standard Gauge Rail Line," he said.
