A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Anambra Gubernatorial Election Screening Committee on, Friday, said it cleared six aspirants ahead of the party primary.
The governorship election is scheduled to hold on Nov.18.
The Chairman of the Screening Committee, Alhaji Adamu Waziri, disclosed this while presenting the clearance certificates to the screened aspirants at the party National Secretariat in Abuja.
Waziri said although seven aspirants submitted their nomination forms and appeared before the committee, six of the aspirants who met the laid down conditions were cleared.
He noted that Dr Ifeanyi Ubah; Sen. Stella Oduah, former Minister of Aviation; Dr Alex Obiogolu, Mr John Emeka as well as Lynda Ikpeazu were fully cleared to participate in the party primary.
He said the committee gave Mr Oseloka Obaze, former Secretary of Anambra State, a conditional clearance, pending his full compliance with the provisions of the party.
The chairman, however, disclosed that the committee did not clear the seventh aspirant, Mr Akolisa Ufodike for holding dual citizenship certificates.
Waziri said the committee was fair and firm in the conduct of the screening in line with relevant provisions of the law.
He said that "the decision of the committee is appealable.
"Anybody who is not satisfied with the decision of the committee should appeal to the National Working Committee or the Caretaker committee for reconsideration.''
Waziri said the decision of the national working committee or the caretaker committee would ''override or confirm whatever we have done."
The Senate has advised the Federal Capital Development Authority ( FCDA) to suspend one of its officers, Mr Ehimony Joshua, over an alleged N525million bribery scandal.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Dino Melaye gave the advice at an investigative hearing on Friday in Abuja.
Melaye said Joshua, who worked with the Legal Secretariat of the FCDA, should be suspended pending conclusion of the investigation.
He said Joshua was involved in N525 million bribery which he allegedly facilitate between FCDA and beneficiaries of 206 hectares in Kyami District along Airport Road Abuja.
According to the Senator, three out of 15 beneficiaries out of the 206 hectares have brought petitions before the committee.
Melaye said the people concerned alleged that Joshua refused to vacate litigation caveat placed on their plots of land as done to 12 others allotted land.
Dino said the petitioners also alleged that Joshua refused to vacate the litigation caveat was because they refused to pay N35 million bribe into two different dedicated bank accounts belonging to Joshua.
He said the litigation caveat as stated in the petition resulted from litigation against the 15 allotees by one Toni Asuni and Bashiru Dantata on behalf of Nigeria Polo Association.
"The petitioners said litigation caveats were not lifted on their allotted plots because of their refusal to pay the N35 million bribe demanded on behalf of the agency by Ehimony Joshua, Dino said.
Lady Laurel king, one of the petitioners said at the occasion that Joshua gave two bank account numbers into which the N35 million would be paid.
She said the transaction was done in a recorded telephone conversation with her Project Coordinator, Bishop David Angel on March 23, 2016
"We first refused to pay the money into the accounts.
"But after persistent pressure from the FCDA officer that the money must be paid before any lifting of the litigation caveat, I paid N5, 000 each into the two accounts through my secretary.
"This was on the June 19 this year as evidence to nail him,'' she said.
Joshua, however, denied knowing the woman or having any fraudulent transaction with her project coordinator, David Angel.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it has unveiled plans to expand gas generation and distribution in the country to support Federal Government's plan of generating 10 GigaWatts of electricity.
Mr Ndu Ughamadu, NNPC spokesperson, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
He said the Corporation's Group Managing Director, (GMD), Dr Maikanti Baru said this when a delegation of Nigerian Gas Association,(NGA) paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
Baru said that the recent debt settlement for Joint Ventures (JV) would have great impact on the gas industry.
He said the JV initiative was capable of providing some dedicated funds to develop oil the sector.
"We share the aspiration of government to raise power generation to at least 10GW capacity, not just 10GW in terms of installed capacity but also one that will be steady in the grid by 2020.
"All these will drive our activities to ensure that the gas business is expanded and government's aspiration to earn as much revenue from gas as oil will be realised definitely," Baru said.
He said significant progress had been recorded in the contracting process of the 2.7 billion-dollar Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano pipeline project.
"We have gone far with the development of the project, using the same paradigm shift of Public Private Partnership (PPP) financing.
"We have also gone far with the contracting process, part of it is to ensure that money meant for the project is raised from the private investors."
He expressed optimism that the achievement recorded in the project would bring a new dimension in gas projects execution in the country and motivate private investors funding of such projects.
Baru said the Chinese had contributed 250 million dollars for project development at a recent financing agreement signed in London.
According to him, Chinese banks have made commitments to provide adequate finance for oil and gas investments in Nigeria.
"On that occasion, I did challenge the Chinese banks that since they have now come on board, they should move from the back seat to the driver's seat.
"They gave me their commitments that they have plans to bring in as much money as we need to execute our projects.
"If the Chinese tell you that they are going do it, definitely they will do it and we will give them a run for their money."
Baru said NNPC would make inputs into the National Gas Policy, recently adopted by the Federal Executive Council and the proposed fiscal Bills on gas by the legislature.
Baru called on the association to extend its advocacy to the power sector, given its utilisation of gas in the country.
According to him, another project that will increase gas consumption in the country is the Ogidigben Gas Industrial City project, adding that NNPC is committed to completing the project.
Baru said the corporation would continue to support NGA in the execution of its mandate.
The NGA President, Mr Dada Thomas, commended the GMD for the numerous laudable initiatives by NNPC.
"We would like to congratulate the NNPC on a number of paradigm shifts, changes and initiatives it had brought to the fore in recent times.
"I am talking about the new alternative funding which he recently signed with Shell and Chevron to the tune of 1.78 billion dollars
"The clearing of 400 million-dollar debt in April, the progress being made on the Elf 2loop lines and the OB3 gas project, one of the most critical gas pipelines in the country," Thomas said.
Highlight of the visit was the nomination of NNPC GMD as the Chairman, Advisory Council of NGA by the executive of the association, Ughamadu said.
Governor of Anambra, Mr Willie Obiano, on Friday said the development efforts of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra would give it victory in the Nov.18 governorship poll.
Obiano stated this while addressing newsmen after submitting his nomination form for the election at APGA's National Secretariat in Abuja.
He said that a second term would help him to consolidate on his efforts in developing the state and institutionalise them.
"I am happy to be here to submit my completed party nomination form. I am very ready for the fight purely because APGA has done very well in Anambra and the record speaks for itself.
"We have been paying all workers' salaries, pensions and gratuity. We have also been working on infrastructure in the state and when compared with three years ago, you will see major difference.
"We have done well over 320 kilometres of road. More importantly, the last government that ruled the state for eight years was APGA; so, it a continuous thing.''
Obiano said that he had completed 80 per cent of the road projects awarded by the last administration, without abandoning any.
He said that the Onitsha Hotel and the mall in Awka were great legacies of his administration, adding that the Golden Tulip project would be open for business before Christmas.
The governor said that over 37 communities had been connected to the national grid, with street lights in most places.
He said that 181 communities in the state had benefited from government projects and that all the communities had completed their first set of N20 million projects, and that 82 communities were already working on second phase.
"So, you will see the imprint of APGA in every community because we have carried out projects in every community. So, the same party bolstering that will go for second term; we will win and win very decisively.
"This second term will help me to institutionalise the beautiful things that we have been able to do in the first tenure, particularly in the area of agriculture.''
"Today, Anambra is self-sufficient in rice; when I took over in 2014 we were doing over 80,000 metric tonnes but today, with the addition of Ofuma integrated rice farm, we are doing 375 tonnes.''
Obiano said that the state was targeting 578,000 metric tonnes in 2018, adding that since the state consumed 320,000 metric tonnes, it means that it was already self-sufficient in rice.
He said that the state exported "ugwu, onugbu, ichanwu leaves'' and had received order to export five million tubers of yams to the United Kingdom.
This, he said, would create jobs for the youths and boost the four major pillars of agriculture, trade, oil and gas and industrialisation.
The governor added that the state was building a world-class airport, which would be available for inauguration in three years, saying "so, I am quite confident that we have done enough work to go into this election.''
Receiving the form, National Chairman of APGA, Mr Victor Oye, said that the governor was doing well and that he would be screened on Saturday ahead of the party's primaries on Tuesday in Awka.
"We are proud of the administration in Anambra, especially in the aspect of socio-economic development and that is why we are working hard to ensure that nobody takes Anambra from us.''
The leader and co-convener of 'Ourmumu Dondo', Mr. Charles Oputa aka Charly Boy, Friday, lambasted Nigerian youths who failed to join them in the ongoing protest, saying 'if youths do not rise up and retrieve their stolen future, there won't be any future for them in Nigeria'.
Charley Boy who spoke with newsmen expressed anger over the low turn up of Nigerian youths in the ongoing anti-Buhari protest held at the unity fountain Abuja.
However, he charged youths to wake up to their responsibilities. In his words, "The future of Nigerians survival rest in the hand of the exceptional Nigerian youths.
"The atmosphere is surrounded by very old and sick people who should in a normal circumstance be sleeping, paving way for youths to control the affairs of the country".
ABUJA- Niger Delta Youth under the auspices of Niger Delta Youth Congress, NDYC, on Friday condemned and disassociated itself from the recent issuance of quit notice by a group called Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators, CNDA, to Hausas and Yourbas to leave the region before October 1, 2017.
This was contained in a statement signed by the National Coordinator, NDYC, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, who made their stand known about the move by some persons whom he described as traitors branding the entire region in bad light with their recent statement with the intention to create hatred and incite violence in the region.
According to Uwejeyan the so-called CDNA and their sponsors are not speaking for and cannot speak on behalf of the Niger Delta region, therefore no non-indigenes in the region should panic over their treatment as they would stand and protect them.
The statement reads in part, "The Niger Delta Youth Congress is a foremost non-violent youth organisation that seek to address varied issues of inequality, injustices, social, economical and political challenges that affect the good people of the Niger Delta region, with the sole aim of strengthening and empowering the youths to play prominent role in addressing these challenges.
"We the Niger Delta Youth Congress, NDYC, totally condemned in strong terms, the quit notice issued by the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators to Northerners and Yorubas from the region before October 1 , 2017.
"We disassociate ourselves and well meaning youths in the region from these traitors who are out to cause disaffection, hate and violence in the region. We are peace loving young people and believe in the unity of our great country, and refuse and reject to be cajoled by such self-centred and faceless groups.
"The so-called CDNA and their sponsors are not speaking for and cannot speak on behalf of the good people of the Niger Delta region.
"We sincerely urge all Northerners and Yorubas in the region to ignore the quit notice and go about their legitimate activities without fear and report any form of threats by any miscreant to the relevant authorities. We will ensure you are protected from all forms of harassments and violence."
He also urged youth in the Niger Delta region not to be part of those promoting hate speeches and disclosed that they would soon embark on enlightenment in the region on how to curb spread of hate speeches via various channels.
However, he expressed dissatisfaction over the low response of government on making sure hate speeches do not continue to spread.
"We also want to vehemently express our dissatisfaction to the government and security operatives on their nonchalant and lackadaisical response to issues that should be nipped at the bud.
"We strongly believe in the peace and unity of this Nation and we urge all youths in the various regions to shun hate statements capable of causing chaos and align in the struggle for a better and well structured Nigeria. We shall soon embark on enlightenment on how to disabuse the minds of young people on accepting hate speeches in the Niger Delta region."
"We are resolute on the call for restructuring and urge all well meaning groups and individuals in the region to stick to the call for the restructuring of the Nation’s current political arrangements and desist from making senseless agitation that would breed violence", he added.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Friday refuted an allegation by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that it sponsored the recent killings at a church in Ozubulu, Anambra.
The National Chairman of the party, Mr Victor Oye, made the refutation when Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano, came to the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja to submit his nomination form.
Oye said "I want to use this opportunity to dispute the allegation that APGA had a hand in the killings.
"APGA has never at anytime sponsored the killing of innocent people regardless of what people are saying and as alleged by IPOB and we can stand at the World Court or anywhere to say this.
"Anambra government is run on transparency, fear of God, love of the people and commitment to accountability; how can such a government begin to kill people?
"This is the same government that held the `Ozuemena' which is the burial or re-burial for all who died in the civil war; so, how can a man who has done all these turn around and kill his innocent people?''
He said the allegation was the making of evil people, to distort the good work of the governor, but said that such people would fail.
The chairman assured the governor of the party's support, adding that the APGA family was standing solidly behind him.
According to him, the next election in the state would mark a crushing defeat for the opponents.
In his response, Obiano said that the incident would not dent his security record and the fact that the state remained the safest in Nigeria.
"The unfortunate flash in the pan that happened last Sunday was a fight that was exported from an African country into the country between two business owners.
"Early investigation showed that they wanted one of the persons killed in the house but because his house was very fortified, they thought the best way to eliminate was in the church close to his house.
"So as soon as they confirmed that the guy's car was parked along the road they did not know it was the father that parked the car and the guy was not there; they went into the church and did what they did.''
Obiano expressed confidence that the culprits would be brought to book to serve as deterrent to others, adding, `if you have scores to settle outside Nigeria, you stay outside Nigeria, you don't bring it home.''
He reaffirmed that Anambra government would pick the hospital bills of the injured and burial bills for the dead.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Borno state has alleged that some loyalists of former Governor of the state, Ali Modu Sheriff and led by one Barrister Kolo Adam, are behind rumours that Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau has been arrested by the army at a UN rented facility in Maiduguri. The party in the state also said that the rumour peddlers are doing so with the ulterior motive of destabilising the state.
The party called for the arrest of Mr. Adam for also allegedly trying to incite the youths against the humanitarian workers and breach public peace in the state.
APC
APC Borno state made this know in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Friday through its Publicity Secretary, Makinta Zarami.
Mr. Zarami claimed that Kolo Adam was the first to post information on his Facebook wall saying he had information that Shekau had been captured at the UN house with one of his legs injured.
According to the statement, "The APC in Borno State is worried that since former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff lost his case at the Supreme Court over the Chairmanship of the PDP, his loyalists have redirected their mischief to spread different rumours with the most dangerous being that of today.
"We were shocked that Kolo Adam, a known associate and one of the spokespersons of Sheriff's group, pasted on his Facebook wall today, claiming that Abubakar Shekau was arrested by the Nigerian Military at a facility rented by agencies of the United Nations in a house belonging to late Governor Mala Kachalla.
"The same Kolo Adam claimed that abducted Lecturers of University of Maiduguri were rescued. Immediately after Kolo Adam pasted that, some loyalists of the former Governor began to share the information through different social media platforms. The aim was to achieve series of objectives.
"First, it was to incite youths in Maiduguri against hundreds of humanitarian workers in order to destabilize Borno State just to create a political atmosphere of failure on the part of the APC led Government in Borno State to keep the State stable. Secondly, the rumour was to link Boko Haram with the Mala Kachalla who was a known political opponent of Sheriff so as to cleverly distance Sheriff from issues relating to Boko Haram.
"It was also aimed at tarnishing the image of the Federal and State Government which deal with humanitarian agencies helping highly traumatized victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.
The APC hereby demand for the immediate arrest of Kolo Adam and all those who worked with him in sharing this dangerous rumour that is capable of putting the lives of over two million IDPs at the risk of loosing food and medical support from agencies of the United Nations and other humanitarian workers.
"The APC also calls on security agencies to continue to do their job and take on anyone or institution with factual link with the Boko Haram so long as there proofs beyond reasonable doubt. The APC calls on the people of Borno State to dismiss this rumour while calling on all those carrying out humanitarian activities to remain calm and continue their works but with strict obedience to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the laws of Borno State under the APC" Zarami said.
Meanwhile, the army, Friday, has given reasons why it raided the UN building.
The Nigerian Army on Friday said it had conducted cordon and search operation at a building housing the United Nations (UN) staff in Maiduguri following alert on high profile Boko Haram members.
Lt. Col. Samuel Kingsley, the spokesperson, 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, said in a statement released in Maiduguri that the army had intensified condone and search operation in Maiduguri and its environs to clear remnants of Boko Haram insurgents.
"On 10th August 2017, the Theatre Command received information from credible sources that some high profiled Boko Haram insurgents infiltrated into Pompomari-ByePass area of Maiduguri.
"It therefore became expedient to take pre-emptive action by combing the general area through a cordon and search operations.
"The operation was successfully conducted as over 30 houses were searched. One of such building included a property which was said to be occupied by United Nations Staff, although the property did not carry a UN designation.
"On the whole, operation in the general area was successfully concluded but no arrest was made because the suspects were not found," Kingsley said.
Kingsley noted that troops under the Operation LAFIYA DOLE had been conducting several clearance as well as cordon and search operations in urban and rural areas within the Theatre.
He said that the clearance operations effort had yielded significant successes in the past weeks.
According to him, the operation had forced Boko Haram insurgents to change tactics and resort to suicide bombing targeting military locations and the populace.
Kingsley stressed that the operation was necessitated by the need to intensify Cordon and Search in Maiduguri metropolis and environment. He listed other areas affected by the operation as Jiddari –Polo, Muna Garage, Jakana among others.
"The command wishes to assure the general public that the operations are being conducted to safeguard lives and properties but not targeted at any individual or group. "Members of the public are cautioned against peddling rumours which may cause disaffection and to remain law abiding".
IT'S OUR DUTY AS GOVERNMENT AND ARMED FORCES TO INTERROGATE OUR ACTIVITIES BASED ON HUMAN RIGHT NORMS – OSINBAJO
"It is the responsibility of the Armed Forces and the responsibility of all of us who are in government to ensure that we interrogate our own activities and ensure that those activities meet up with human rights norms and basic rules of decency observed across the world."
REMARKS MADE BY THE ACTING PRESIDENT, YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL INVESTIGATION PANEL TO REVIEW COMPLIANCE OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH HUMAN RIGHTS OBLIGATIONS AND RULES OF ENGAGEMENT AT THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT ON AUGUST 11, 2017. PROTOCOL
I have the important and special responsibility today of inaugurating the Presidential Investigation Panel to review the compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights obligations and Rules of Engagement.
The President, Commander-in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari has repeatedly stated the administration's focus on three broad issues; security, the economy and the fight against corruption.
The first security, is one without which others may prove impossible. In any event fundamental to the functions of the state, is the protection of lives and property and livelihood of citizens in peace or in conflict. Yemi Osinbajo For our government, we add that respect for the lives of Nigerian citizens is not just a constitutional but also a moral duty. This is why it is incumbent upon us even as we maintain security especially in conflict situations to interrogate, as we go along on a regular basis, alleged crimes and human rights abuses by all sides in these conflicts and insurgencies.
Today's occasion is in continuation of the efforts of this administration geared towards attaining this goal.
You may recall, that in June 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the Military to conduct an internal inquiry into allegations of rights abuses by its personnel.
Accordingly, a report of the findings of the board of inquiries set up by the Nigerian Army to investigate extra-judicial killings and rights violation by Army personnel was submitted in June 2017. That report will be made available to this panel.
More recently in October 2016, the President ordered the Inspector-General of Police to investigate allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation in IDP camps in the Northeast. The outcome of this investigation is being awaited.
It is also a well-known fact that the conduct of the nation's defence and security forces during the insurgency in the Northeast and militancy in the Niger Delta has in recent times attracted significant commendation.
Upon resumption of office, many would recall that seven Local Government Areas were under the control of Boko Haram. Virtually all of the territory has now been recovered by security forces.
In the recent past, our Armed Forces have also fought against militants in other areas of the country; in some cases to protect critical national infrastructure and our natural resources.
These brave men and women have fought valiantly to keep this country safe despite all odds and they are heroes and we must indeed celebrate them.
There is no doubt that the nature of asymmetric or unconventional warfare that they have had to contend with presents unique challenges that most modern armies are ill-equipped to tackle with conventional warfare tactics.
Indeed conventional human right norms and conventional human rights observers are challenged by some of the various nuances of asymmetric warfare. Nonetheless, there have been a series of allegations levied against security forces by some local and international commentators.
It is our belief, that if left unaddressed, these allegations are capable of undermining the good work of the men and women of the Armed Forces who have largely conducted themselves in a disciplined and professional manner.
Failure to examine some of these allegations will also leave those who may have been victims of such abuses without any recourse to justice.
And if history has taught us anything, it is that the failure of our justice system to adequately respond to crisis is usually a recipe for greater conflict.
It is in the light of the following that I have mandated the panel to focus on the following terms of reference: · One, to review extant rules of engagement applicable to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the extent of compliance thereto. · Two, to investigate alleged acts of violation of international humanitarian and human rights law under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, the Geneva Conventions Act, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, Ratification and Enforcement Act and other relevant laws by the Armed Forces in local conflicts and insurgencies. · Three, to investigate matters of conducts and discipline in the Armed Forces in local conflicts and insurgencies; to recommend means of preventing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in conflict situations. · Four, to make further recommendations in line with these terms of reference as may be deemed necessary.
I would like to use this opportunity to assure the Armed Forces and all of our uniformed forces, that exercises such as this should be regular and would be regular, and must not be seen as a witch hunt and in any way to denigrate the very great work that the Armed Forces and uniformed forces are doing all over the country.
It is the responsibility of the Armed Forces and the responsibility of all of us who are in government to ensure that we interrogate our own activities and ensure that those activities meet up with human rights norms and basic rules of decency observed across the world.
The sterling qualifications of members of the Panel under the capable leadership of the Honourable Justice Biobele Georgewill, Justice of the Court of Appeal, is a strong indication of the quality of work that we expect of them. The other members of the Panel have been introduced, they are just to mention their names again: a. Major-General Patrick Akem; b. Mr. Wale Fapohunda; c. Mrs. Hauwa Ibrahim; d. Mr. Jibrin Ibrahim; e. Mr. Abba Ambudashi Ibrahim; f. Mrs. Ifeoma Nwakama; and g. Dr. Fatima Alkali who is counsel to the Panel.
(The Panel also has a secretary from the Office of the SGF)
I am therefore confident that the Panel will also collect information about the conditions of service of the Armed Forces or any other factors that might have hindered the optimal performance of the Armed Forces in the fight against insurgents, militants and other combatants.
I therefore wish to assure you that this administration stands ready to support you in your endeavors; evidence of which you may have seen with the recent purchases of the five new super Mushak aircrafts which were recently launched on my behalf by the Honorable Minister of Defence.
To the Panel, I implore you to carry out your duties diligently, impartially and with all sense of professionalism. The work you are about to embark on is extremely sensitive and may involve some travel to post-conflict zones.
We appreciate your acceptance of this call to duty and look forward to receiving your well-researched findings and recommendations.
I hereby officially inaugurate this Presidential Investigation Panel to Review the Compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement.
Nigerian music is seen as the headquarters of African music, and it has come of age. Artistes from this clime have given the world the best quality of music. From the last decade till now, a new generation of artistes have been shaping the pop culture and giving Nigeria a new brand of music which has put Nigeria on the list of countries doing pretty well in music.
One of the foremost companies in the business of exporting the best of Nigerian hip-hop artistes to the world is 03 Media, a premium brand at the helm of showcasing Nigerian music to the world.
Recently, 03 Media, a music promotion and even
Techno and Alex ozoneAlex Ozone
t organizing firm has packaged rising hip hop star, Kiss Daniel to a tour of Europe.
The tour took Kiss Daniel to Amsterdam and 13 other cities across Europe and it was a huge success as he shut down the concert with his music, proving that "he’s the next big thing to happen to Nigerian music perhaps after Wizkid". Kiss Daniel and his team packaged by the premium company, 03 Media, were also hosted on 'The Nkechi Late Night Show' on HiRadio in the Netherlands too.
Until now, 03 Media, founded by the ace show promoter, Alex Ozone, had packaged successful tours in Europe and beyond for a number of Nigerian artistes like Terry G, Chuddy K, YQ, Jaywon, Oritsefemi, Skales, Tekno and Patoranking, showcasing their music beyond the African continent.
Speaking about his business of promoting Nigerian music across borders, CEO of 03 Media, Alex Ozone says "The firm is not resting on its oars, but will continue to do more to showcase Nigerian and African artistes to the outside world via music tours, mega concerts and shows that will give their numerous fans great music and live performances."
According to Alex, the Nigerian music industry must be ready for what 03Media is coming up with because they are committed to making the exportation of Nigerian music a spectacle.
A civil society organisation, Office of the Citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(OCFRN) has commended the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for suspending the on-going promotion exercise in the Nigerian Police Force(NPF).
OCFRN's convener, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, who briefed newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, said that the action had shown that the Federal Government was responsive and responsible.
Pelumi Olajengbesi, OCFRN's Convener
Olajengbesi, under the auspices of United Global Resolve for Peace (UGRFP), had recently called on Osinbajo to intervene in alleged one-sided promotion exercise in the Nigerian Police Force .
He said the group petitioned the Acting President, Inspector-General of Police and Police Service Commission (PSC) over allegations of ethnicity, nepotism and favouritism in the promotion exercise.
The legal practitioner, who is also the executive secretary of UGRFP, had alleged that no fewer than 72 aggrieved policemen had lodged complaints with the group over denial of their promotions.
The Spokesperson for the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, however said the commission had not released the names of the successful candidates.
He said that the complainants should have waited for the list before accusing the PSC of injustice.
"Recently we petitioned the Acting President, Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission on the on-going promotion in the Nigerian Police Force.
"There were alleged irregularities in the process of the promotion; we want to commend the Acting President for displaying a high sense of responsibility.
"We are glad to receive the decision of the Acting President suspending the Police Service Commission promotion.
"This is a demonstration of the fact that this administration will stand against any act that is corrupt; that this administration is concerned about the welfare of all Nigerians,'' Olajengbesi said.
He urged the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force to eschew favouritism from the process and ensure that it complied with the relevant rules and regulations.
Olajengbesi also called on the Police Service Commission to ensure compliance with extant rules with regards to promotion in the Nigerian Police Force.
He condemned the use of force by the Police in dispersing protesters campaigning against the continued medical vacation of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The lawyer said that the security agents violated the fundamental rights of the protesters as they had the right to protest.
According to him, the concept of OCFRN is the belief that every Nigerian citizen by default and by the constitution occupies a very important office.
He said that the initiative was in pursuit of OCFRN's mandate as civil rights activists and social crusaders, giving voice and vision to the voice of the genuine emancipation of the Nigerian people.
Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS) has announced a string of successes in its tactical operations in July and early August, 2017, busting kidnap gangs and Boko Haram cells in parts of the country. The service also waded into the boundary crisis between Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
The security agency made this known today in a statement by Tony Opuiyo, its spokesman.
Among the successes catalogued was the arrest on 3 July of seven members of a kidnap gang at Kakuri Industrial Area in Kaduna State.
Arrested were Haliru Hassan and six other members of a notorious kidnap gang operating along the Abuja – Kaduna High Way.
The gang, which comprised Usman Abdulkadir, Yusuf Saidu, Abubakar Shuiabu, Abukakar Suleman, Uzairu Bawa, and Sani Abubakar, was said to have been terrorising motorists and commuters within the Rijana and Katari axis of the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.
" On 4 July, 2017, along Zaria – Funtua Road in Giwa LGA, Kaduna State, the Service busted another kidnap gang and apprehended its kingpins, Rabiu Sani aka Dogo and his close associate, Abubakar Sani, notorious kidnapper and gun-runner who has been supplying arms and ammunition to criminal elements in Kaduna, Kano, Taraba and Plateau States.
During their arrest, the DSS operatives recovered a blue Volkswagen Vento with Reg. No. MGU 106 EA, One Pistol, 4 AK-47 Magazines, 5 FN rifle, 989 rounds of Ammunition, One (1) round of 9mm Ammunition, One (1) Beretta magazine, and N457, 140.
"Similarly, on 5 July, 2017, at Ikara Junction, Tudun Wada LGA in Kano State, two high profile kidnappers namely: Rabiu Dahiru aka Kachalla and Umar Ya'u were apprehended by the Service. Dahiru and Ya'u are members of the kidnap gang which has been operating at the Falgore forest in Kano State.
Twenty six live cartridges and a bullet proof vest were found in their possession during their arrest.
" Also, on 4 August, 2017, this Service arrested a suspected gun-runner, Haruna Musa at Kasuwan Magani area, along Kaduna-Kachia Road in Kaduna State. Musa is a gun-runner who has been ferrying arms and ammunition to criminal elements especially kidnappers along forested communities in Birni Gwari and its environs.
The operatives recovered from him a grey Opel Vectra V6 with Reg. No. 899-MKA and 31 AK-47 magazines.
" On 14 July, 2017, at the Federal Housing Authority Estate, Lugbe, FCT, the Service smashed the kidnap syndicate led by one Ebifagbe Dickson aka Ginikachi and five others namely: Williams Jephter, Messiah Philips, Sample Reuben, Prosper Ebitari and Charles Krobo James.
"This gang was responsible for the kidnap of five German expatriates of Bayelsa Coastline in Brass LGA. It was also intercepted while plotting to perpetrate series of kidnap operations in the Federal Capital Territory-Abuja
The DSS was active in Kogi State as well, where its operatives arrested Jonathan Lukas and his accomplice, Nafiu Usman at Ajipome, Dekina LGA, on 27 July, for their involvement in the series of kidnapping incidents in the State.
BOKO HARAM ARRESTS
" In furtherance of its counter-terrorism/insurgency fight against the extremist elements, the Service conducted a tactical operation against fleeing Boko Haram fighters on 1 July, 2017, at Sakwai in Kachia LGA of the Kaduna State. During the operation, one Usman Musa, a high profile Boko Haram cell leader, was apprehended alongside six of his accomplices, namely Isa Halidu, Ibrahim Dauda, Bature Mohammed, Buhari Dauda, Inusa Usman and Adamu IBRAHIM. Light arms, ammunition and radical literature were recovered from the cell.
" In Taraba State, the Service intercepted one Usman Halaji aka Abubakar Mubi, on 5 July, 2017, at Bali town, where he was hibernating after fleeing Sambisa Forest following military bombardment of the area. He was discovered to be advancing the doctrines of the terrorist group as well as recruiting vulnerable minds to join its ranks.
" On 13 July, another cell amir (leader), one Yusuf Isah was arrested at Sabuwar Yelwa area of Dala LGA in Kano State. It was sequel to this that a member of the cell, one Yakubu USMAN (Alh.) who had also fled from Sambisa forest following military operations in the North East was arrested, on 28th July, 2017, by the Service.
"Furthermore, on 3 August, 2017, two suspected Boko Haram fighters namely Buba Gebi aka Dogo Dan Cameroon and Manu Isah, were apprehended by the Service at Tamburawa, Dawakin Kudu, Kano State, on 3rd August, 2017. The duo were intercepted while heading to Lagos, in furtherance of the group's cause.
" The Service also arrested one Bashir Yahaya Ojo, a suspected member of an ISIS-affiliated extremist cell and close associate of Bilal aka Malik, another extremist element at Nagazi in Adavi LGA. Ojo, in connivance with other members of the cell, has been indoctrinating and recruiting vulnerable youths in the State for the extremist group.
"On 10 August, 2017, at Kwatte Village, Rigasa District, Igabi LGA in Kaduna State, the Service, in conjunction with the Military, raided the hideout of a notorious armed robbery/kidnap gang led by one Salisu Lawan. During the operation, the criminals engaged operatives in a shoot-out, which resulted in the death of one Shehu Lawal (a gang member) while Lawan the ringleader and two (2) other members of the gang, namely Mohammed TUKUR (27 years) and Usman Mohammed (35 years) were arrested.
CROSS RIVER/AKWA IBOM BOUNDARY CRISIS
The DSS also waded into the boundary crisis between Ikot Offiong Community in Odukpani LGA of Cross State and Okuiboku in Itu LGA of Akwa Ibom State.
The Service carried out a detailed investigation and found that a militant group led by one Don Marine aka The Don based in Odukpani is a key provocateur in the crisis.
Consequently, on 10 August, the Service, in liaison with the Nigerian Army, raided the militants' enclave located along Ikonoto Road, Ikonoto clan of Odukpani. During the operation, one Blanko was shot dead while three others were arrested and two escaped with gunshot injuries. Similarly, one dane gun and an American pump action gun were recovered from the hide-out.
China has sent an "unbreakable" code from a satellite to the Earth, marking the first time space-to-ground quantum key distribution technology has been realized, state media has reported.
China launched the world's first quantum satellite last August, to help establish "hack proof" communications, a development the Pentagon has called a "notable advance".
The official Xinhua news agency said the latest experiment was published in the journal Nature on Thursday, where reviewers called it a "milestone".
President Xi Jinping, has a duty to defend China
The satellite sent quantum keys to ground stations in China between 645 km (400 miles) and 1,200 km (745 miles) away at a transmission rate up to 20 orders of magnitude more efficient than an optical fiber, Xinhua cited Pan Jianwei, lead scientist on the experiment from the state-run Chinese Academy of Sciences, as saying.
"That, for instance, can meet the demand of making an absolute safe phone call or transmitting a large amount of bank data," Pan said.
Any attempt to eavesdrop on the quantum channel would introduce detectable disturbances to the system, Pan said.
"Once intercepted or measured, the quantum state of the key will change, and the information being intercepted will self-destruct," Xinhua said.
The news agency said there were "enormous prospects" for applying this new generation of communications in defense and finance.
China still lags behind the United States and Russia in space technology, although President Xi Jinping has prioritized advancing its space program, citing national security and defense.
China insists its space program is for peaceful purposes, but the U.S. Defense Department has highlighted its increasing space capabilities, saying it was pursuing activities aimed at preventing adversaries from using space-based assets in a crisis.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said contrary to what naysayers want people to believe, the Buhari administration is working assiduously to redeem its electoral pledges, especially in the critical areas of developing the economy as well as fighting corruption and insecurity.
The Minister stated this in Abuja on Friday while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the visiting Chinese Vice Minister of The State Council Information Office, Mr. Guo Weimin, in the area of media and cultural relations.
"Contrary to the lies that are being purveyed daily in the Social Media, this government has been working assiduously to redeem its electoral pledges. Our fight against insecurity is yielding very positive results.
"Our fight against corruption is focused and is ongoing and we are resolute and we have resolved that we are going to fight corruption until corruption goes under. We are happy that in this regards, we have a very good partner in China because we are aware and we know how China fought corruption and how China is fighting corruption.
"We have succeeded in nursing a very sick economy and very soon, Nigeria will get out of recession," he said.
Alhaji Mohammed, who said the signing of the MOU will further deepen the already excellent relationship between the two countries, expressed optimism that some provisions of the MOU that encourage the news agencies of Nigeria and China to reflect, in their reporting, the social, economic and cultural development in both countries, will eliminate the phenomenon of fake news.
"This is significant because we are today in the era of fake news. Unlike China, the Social Media here is completely unrestrained. Therefore it is important that you get your news directly from the official source," he said.
The Minister sought the support of China towards the training of the Ministry's Resident Information Officers on modern Governance Public Communication methods in order to build their capacity as the respective spokespersons of Ministries, Department and Agencies.
Alhaji Mohammed also sought partnership with China in the areas of film production and distribution, development of community cinema houses and collaboration in the co-production of films as well as screening of Nigerian films in China and vice versa.
He called for cooperation between the Nigerian Film and Video Censorship Board and the China Censorship Board to curb the importation and exportation of pirated and adulterated movies of both countries.
The Chinese Vice Minister said the signing of the MOU between the two countries marked a new beginning in the relationship between the two countries, particularly in the area of media and cultural relations.
He said staff training and programme exchanges will further solidify the cultural ties between both nations. Mr. Weimin said his ministry will scale up the broadcast of news about Nigeria in China and appealed to the Minister to reciprocate the gesture.
The Chinese Vice Minister acceded to Alhaji Mohammed's request for the training of the Resident Information Officers and said the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria will fine-tune the capacity building engagement.
Mr. Weimin was accompanied by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjian, to the signing of the MOU.
U.S. President Donald Trump has horrified former US diplomats and the State Department over his latest praise-singing of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Breaking nearly two weeks of silence on Putin's July 30 order cutting U.S. embassy and consulate staff by nearly two thirds, Trump said on Thursday: "I'm very thankful that he let go of a large number of people because now we have a smaller payroll."
Trump said "there's no real reason for them to go back" and "we're going to save a lot of money," in response to Putin's Cold War-style move, differing from the reactions of other presidents in similar circumstances in the past.
Russia’s President, Putin & U.S President, Trump
It also clashes with a State Department official having called Moscow's order "a regrettable and uncalled-for act."
Intended to be flippant or not, Trump's remarks were immediately denounced by current and former U.S. officials who have served both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Nicholas Burns, the State Department's third-ranking official under Republican President George W. Bush, called Trump's comments "grotesque."
"If he was joking, he should know better," said Burns, now a professor at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. "If he wasn't, it's unprecedented. A president has never defended the expulsion of our diplomats."
The State Department has "horrified and rattled" by Trump's remarks, said a veteran U.S. diplomat who has served in Russia, speaking on condition of anonymity.
And Heather Conley, formerly a top State Department official dealing with European affairs, said the expulsions of hundreds of people from an important U.S. embassy is extraordinary and "it is very difficult to see how the president could view these expulsions as a 'positive' development in any form."
On Thursday, the State Department had no immediate reaction to the comments Trump made to reporters while on vacation at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Congressional committees and a special counsel are investigating the conclusions of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 election campaign by hacking and other methods to help Trump, a Republican. They are also looking into possible collusion between the campaign and Russian officials. Moscow has repeatedly denied meddling in the election and Trump denies any campaign collusion.
Putin, reacting to new sanctions imposed by the U.S. Congress and reluctantly signed into law by Trump, ordered Washington to cut 755 of its 1,200 embassy and consulate staff by September. Many of those affected likely will be local Russian staffers.
It was also a tit-for-tat reaction to former President Barack Obama expelling 35 Russian diplomats from the United States last December over the intelligence agency reports.
During his campaign and since becoming president, Trump has consistently called for better ties with Russia, declined to criticise Putin and refused to unequivocally embrace the conclusions of the intelligence agencies.
President Donald Trump on Friday issued a new threat to North Korea, saying the U.S. military was "locked and loaded" as Pyongyang accused him of driving the Korean Peninsula to the brink of nuclear war.
Trump kept up the war of words on Twitter shortly after the North Korean state news agency, KCNA, put out a statement blaming him for the escalated tensions.
"Trump is driving the situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of a nuclear war, making such outcries as 'the U.S. will not rule out a war against the DPRK,’" KCNA said.
The U.S. president, who is vacationing at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf resort, described American military readiness in stark terms.
"Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely.
"Hopefully Kim Jong Un will find another path," he wrote on Twitter.
Trump maintained pressure on the North after a week of incendiary rhetoric including his warning on Tuesday that the U.S. would unleash "fire and fury" on Pyongyang if it threatened the U.S.
U.S. allies in the region reacted with alarm to the unusual response from Washington and senior U.S. officials scrambled to play down his comments.
Trump still amplified the warning on Thursday, saying "maybe his "fire and fury" threat wasn't tough enough."
U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis later tempered Trump's harsh words, saying "the U.S. still preferred a diplomatic approach to the North Korean threat.
"A war would be "catastrophic," he said.
Asked if the U.S. was prepared to handle a hostile act by North Korea, Mattis said: "We are ready."
As of Thursday night, two U.S. officials said the threat with regards to North Korea had not changed, additional assets were not being moved into the region and intelligence did not show indications of North Korea preparing a missile launch.
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has urged new appointees in two commissions and the state pension board to justify their appointments by sterling performance.
Ajimobi spoke on Friday in Ibadan at the inauguration of the two commissions and the board at the Executive Council Chambers, Oyo State Governor's office.
Newsmen report that the governor inaugurated members of the State Judicial Service Commission, State Local Government Service Commission and the State Pension Board.
"You are coming on board as strategic partners to government in our quest to transform our dear state. We are sure that with you privileged men and women, there would be remarkable change in the story of the boards,'' he told the appointees.
He said they were chosen strictly in recognition of their past contributions to the state, their competence and records of integrity, hoping they would not change after their appointment.
" Let me restate that we are aware that the expectations of the people from this government are huge and rightly so.
"Our people expect that we will take Oyo State from its current level to its former position of `first' in economy, infrastructure and social services.
"This is why we carefully packaged our task in the state as restoration, transformation and repositioning,'' the governor said.
Ajimobi charged the members not to only maintain the structures on ground, but improve on them.
He said that the existing and recently introduced policies of government must be fully implemented.
Newsmen report that the chairmen of the newly inaugurated commissions and board are Justice Muntar Abimbola (Judicial Service Commission), Mr George Akintola (Local Government Service Commission) and Apostle Samson Aderounmu (Pension Board).
Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Justice Abimbola, the Chief Judge of the State, pledged their commitment to make meaningful impact in their respective areas.
Abimbola said that the governor had just given them the opportunity to prove their qualities and contribute to the transformation of the state.
He appreciated the governor for his support and efforts at transforming the state judiciary.
Newsmen report that Mr Oluseun Abimbola, the State Attorney-General; Mrs Esther Akerele; Mr Ademola Salami; Mr Femi Adelakun and Mr Ayoola Ajayi are members of the Judicial Service Commssion.
Dr Mutiu Ayankojo, Dr (Mrs) Ayanfemi Ayandele and Mrs Moyosore Ajani are members of the Local Government Service Commission, while Mr Moshood Erubami and Mr Moses Ajekigbe are members of the Pension Board.
The APC made a total of N60.5 million from the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms from the aspirants who commenced screening for the exercise yesterday.
The screening exercise taking place in Abuja is to end today.
While each male aspirant paid N5.5 million each for the expression of interest and nomination forms, female aspirants were given a waiver from paying for the forms.
The aspirants who collected forms include Dr. Tony Nwoye, Chief George Moghalu, Senator Andy Uba, Paul Chukwuma, Madu Nonso, Bart Nwibe and Patrick Nwike.
PPA governorship aspirant, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo has said that the recent desecration of spiritual proceedings at St Philips Catholic Church Ozoubulu on Sunday, 6th of August during a 6 am service was very worrisome and called for sober reflection by Igbo people.
Saying that the development was due to lack of fear of God, he observed that it happened because money was controlling the society.
"Those who indulged in this gruesome act have sold their soul and would need God's redemption. We, from this part of the world, must lay less emphasis on money as it appears that money is our idol in Igboland and I do not know where we are heading to."
Ezeemo urged the government to ensure that the Ozoubulu incident was treated to a positive logical conclusion to checkmate future occurrence.
He also called on the youth to engage in genuine businesses to take care of their economic and social needs, adding that the craze to get rich quick and failure of family members to ask questions on their children's sources of overflowing wealth without a visible source of livelihood was contributing to the moral decadence.
Governor Willie Obiano's Liaison Officer to Biafran War Veterans, Comrade Arinzechukwu Awogu has dismissed insinuations of the governor's indifference to the welfare of veterans of the civil war saying that the governor has continually put their issues at the top of his agenda.
"The Governor has never rested, since assumption of office in the state on issues bordering the protection of lives and properties of the people of the state, until he addresses such issue.
Giving insight into what happened when Boko-Haram detainees were brought to the state, Comrade Awogu said, "Governor Obiano revealed to Nigerians that they were the worse set of Boko-Haram detainees and confronted Federal Government for bringing them into the state he has provided adequate security, and insisted that they must be evacuated from the state.
"The Governor revealed that the Boko Haram detainees were brought all the way from N'Djamena, the capital of Chad Republic and one of the nine, detainees came with his nine wives and fourteen children.
The Governor had to struggle to get them out of Anambra state and Southeast because their presence was a psychological trauma to the people of Southeast who are not known for suicide bombing and violent killing of innocent people.
According to Comrade Awogu, "Governor Obiano has shown genuine commitment against the wish of the Federal Government, towards the people's struggle by undertaking the burial of all Biafran soldiers that died during the Nigerian Civil, noting that such a man cannot order shoot at –sight- carry, a despicable action against his own people as was erroneously held by some Biafran agitators, and called other people to support his second tenure bid."
A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has reiterated the call for a united and strong Nigeria whose central and historic position on the black continent must be realised for the black race to take its rightful position.
He made this call when the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) paid him a courtesy call cum condolence visit on Thursday.
The National President of CAN, Rev. Dr Samson Ayokunle, had led some Christian Associations to the government house to pray for the repose of the soul of the late mother of the Governor, Alhaja Saratu Aregbesola, who passed on recently.
Rauf Aregbesola
Aregbesola said Nigeria must not fail as a nation if it is to fulfil the roles and responsibilities history placed at its doorstep as the champion of the black race.
According to him, a united Nigeria is capable of taking the black race to its rightful place, stressing that Nigerians should always remember that they are the only race that can make a mark in the world.
The Governor, who called for other bodies like CAN to support and pray for the country, added that for the black man to have headway in the world, then Nigeria must not fail.
He explained that for Nigeria live up to performing its roles in uplifting the black race in the world then all hands must be on deck to support it to achieve the goal of making the black man important.
He said, “We need to begin to realise as a nation that we are the only black nation that can assist the black man to make a name in the world.
“Nigeria must not fail, if we must achieve this task and play this big role on behalf of all black race, we should all begin to work towards supporting Nigeria to achieve it.
“I want to call on all well meaning groups and bodies in Nigeria to believe in the Nigerian dream and work towards realising it.
“We need to believe in ourselves as a nation for others to believe in us because this is the only way the black man from any part of the world can have a face.
“We need to begin to see Nigeria as project which must not fail and must never fail. Failure of Nigeria will be a disaster for the black man anywhere in the world,” Aregbesola stated.
He thanked the CAN president for the condolence visit saying that he is happy that his mother died at a good time without stress, praying for all to have the opportunity of exiting the world at a time one will be celebrated.
“For my mother to have had the privilege of giving birth to me, I can say that she died a very good death and am grateful for that.
Delivering his condolence message, CAN President, Rev. Dr Samson Ayokunle, said it is worthy of note that the late mother of Governor Aregbesola spent quality life while on earth, saying the quality of the life she lived was portrayed through the achievements of Aregbesola as a governor.
Ayokunle, who is also the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, also added that Alhaja Saratu Aregbesola died at a good time because she died at time when her demise brought about a lot of honour to her.
He noted that the quality of life she lived is made manifest in the lives of her offspring, Governor Aregbesola inclusive, saying the good and hard work of the Governor must have been taken from Alhaja Saratu Aregbesola.
“We at the CAN Headquarters received the news of the death of Alhaja Saratu Aregbesola with a great shock.
“We are grateful to God that she led a quality life, which is made manifest in the lives of her offspring of which you are one of them.
“It is my prayer that God strengthen you, the Aregbesola family and the entire state to overcome the loss.
“He will strengthen you so as to continue to impact on your generation positively,” Ayokunle said.
BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME PORT HARCOURT – There was jubilation at the 6 Division, Port Harcourt Thursday when soldiers from 29 Battalion in returned home after taking part in the the war against dreaded Boko Haram insurgent in Nigeria’s restive North East.
A soldiers from 29 Battalion Spokesman of the Division, Colonel Aminu Ilyasu said the soldiers served under various units in the Operation LAFIYA DOLE, adding that they came back following rotation of troop for the military operation in North East ordered by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.
He explained that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur ordered that soldiers that had overstayed in the Operation LAFIA DOLE operation in North East be replaced.
The General Officer Commanding the Division, GOC, Major General Enobong Udoh welcomed the soldiers, assuring them of their welfare. He said they should remain professional in their conducts, saying they would deployed for operations under the Division.
A batch of 128 Nigerians deported from Libya arrived in Lagos on Thursday aboard a chartered Airbus A320 Afriqiyah aircraft with registration number 5A-ONA
ThE aircraft landed at 5.35p.m at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The deportees, comprising 126 male, two female, were flown back into the waiting hands of officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Police.
Also on ground were officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The two females and four male deportees had medical cases.
The Director General, NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja, represented by Mr Suleiman Yakubu, Zonal Coordinator, South West, NEMA, used to occasion to counsel Nigerians not to be deceived by phantom promises in their quest for pastures.
He said that one of those who returned had sustained bullet injuries all over his body had been stretchered into a NEMA ambulance.
Maihaja said the victim would be taken to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for proper medical attention.
He advised Nigerians to stay back and contribute their quota to the socio-economic development of the country.
"There are a lot of things you can do in Nigeria here. You don't have to travel outside the country in search of greener pastures.
"My advice to parents is to keep tab on their children and to ensure that they know where their children are going and not to be deceived by phantom promises," he said.
Maihaja said NEMA and some state governments had put various schemes in place to help rehabilitate and reintegrate returnees into the society.
The Director-General, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Mrs. Julie Okah-Donli, had on Wednesday said that 540 Nigerians were set for deportation from Libya, beginning from Aug. 10.
She had said that the deportees would be brought back to Nigeria in three batches.
Thousands of Nigerians have been flown back from Libya, with some voluntarily returning with the help of the International Organisation for Migration.
A 22-year-old man in Abeokuta, who has allegedly contacted Lassa Fever, is under medical observation at the State General Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta.
The patient, whose name was not given, was said to have returned from a trip to Lagos when he came down with the symptoms.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with Newsmen on Thursday in Abeokuta.
He said the patient had been placed under watch.
"He (patient) is resident here in Abeokuta; he travelled to Lagos and returned with the fever.
"He is currently at the state General Hospital Ijaye where he is under medical observation.
"We have carried out the first test.The first sample was positive. It shows some reactions, but we need to carry out another confirmatory test.
"We are doing everything to see whether it is a confirmed case, the patient's temperature was high, but, today, it has reduced considerably.
"By tomorrow, we should be able to confirm whether it is Lassa fever or not. Meanwhile, the patient has been isolated", Ipaye said.
The Commissioner said the government had commenced preventive measures against the infection.
Two persons, including a 36-year-old pregnant woman, died at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, after being treated for Lassa fever.
The Black race is mired in a state of war. But only one side is fighting. That, unfortunately, is our adversaries—our myriad competitors in the ceaseless struggle for survival.
Collectively, we are a carpet on which the world not only tramples but also empties its bowels, in contempt. Almost everywhere, a Black image invites aggression, symbolic and/or real.
Symbolically, foreign art-forms routinely assault the moral and aesthetic integrity of our kind, while the preferred pastimes of U.S. policemen appear to be gunning down Black men.
Racial survival
Below the Sahara, African states evince no strategic awareness—continuing to violate, all known rules of racial survival.
Hardly a whimper is heard, for instance, as China and India dump millions of their people into East and Central Africa, in what amounts to a surreptitious invasion.
When will our quiescence end? And after it ends, what then? Which new paradigms must we adopt, in formulating a modern survival strategy?
Lying beside me, as I type these lines, is a lucid prescription for a 21st century paradigm shift. It is inscribe in a 900-page biology text, which details the rules and principles that govern life on our planet.
Pressingly pertinent, are the precepts of evolutionary theory, with its emphasis on the reproductive process—the sequence of cultural and chemical events, that result in the successful rearing of offspring.
Evolutionary logic imposes a cardinal condition for species success: That being proficiency at sex and/or warfare. Inhibited mating and uncompetitive behavior, lead inexorably to group extinction.
Entitled Biology: Life On Earth, the text lists five "kingdoms" of living things–"monera," "protists," "fungi," "plants" and "animals".
It makes no mention of "humans," as a separate category—nor do any of the countless other credible sources I've consulted. Biologists invariably classify us as "mammals".
Humans are, indeed, mammals: And mammals are animals! Hence we are subject to the same natural laws, and exhibit the same drives and instincts, as other members of the animal kingdom.
"We too are organisms," write Teresa and Gerald Audesirk, the co-authors. "We evolved in response to the same sorts of survival needs.
"Our bodies and those of all other living creatures," they continue, "consist of the same basic set of chemicals. The same processes allow us to survive and reproduce".
Procreation is our reason for existence. But how can the "processes" that enable us to "survive and reproduce," find expression in the arts, education, diplomacy, social policy, etc.?
Such questions are rarely, if ever, raised in public discourse—not to mention policy deliberations. Yet the ramifications are far-reaching and impinge heavily on African genetic and strategic interests.
Impervious to the precepts of biology, Blacks domiciled in North and South America, Asia and the Middle East are continuously cannibalized genetically, due to unprincipled reproductive behavior.
On the continent, evolutionary indifference has led to, among other things, ill-considered domestic priorities and outright childish diplomacy.
Lamentable examples include the suicidal mass importation of Asians, funding football and "Women's Ministries" instead of investing in steel or arms factories and agreeing not to acquire nuclear weapons.
I alone, cannot offer definitive answers. But by exploring urgent issues, from a biological perspective, my aim is to encourage, and contribute to, a much-needed paradigm shift in Black thinking, globally.
In biological parlance, the time has long-since arrived, for our intellectuals, activists and political leaders to take a hemispheric leap—and join the rest of the world, in using the left side of the brain!
"Hemispheric," in this context, refers to the brain's physical and functional divide. Generally speaking, the right half accommodates emotions, while the left deals with analysis and projection.
Right hemisphere behavior sufficed in times past, because the issues were clear-cut and largely emotional. White "slaveholders," "segregationists," and "colonialists" presented visible moral targets.
But with "independence" and the end of apartheid in Africa and the removal of "No Negroes Or Dogs Allowed" signs in the U.S. South., visible targets started to vanish.
Alas, the leopard now prowls in antelope's skin! This change has thrown Black elites, everywhere, into confusion, as threat-perception becomes increasingly complex—and more demanding intellectually.
Insights from science
The new paradigm impels us to use insights from science, to X-ray the leopard's disguise. Theory, logic and racial self-interest—not moral declamations—must now inform and guide our struggle.
These essays, therefore, are intended as battlefield flares: Bursts of insight, ignited in Nigeria's beclouded intellectual atmosphere, to illuminate survival issues and expose hidden racial threats.
The Commissioner of Police in Delta, Mr Zanna Ibrahim, said three police officers had been dismissed from service for hijacking a petroleum tanker in the state.
Ibrahim said the dismissed policemen were also being prosecuted.
He disclosed this in Asaba while presenting to newsmen the culprits alongside 21 other suspects who committed various crimes ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, car snatching, cultism and murder.
He said that the dismissed policemen had served in three different places in Edo, Delta and Imo, and had connived with two civilians.
The commissioner said that the two civilians had earlier been arrested, tried and sentenced to prison.
He said that the five-man gang confiscated the petroleum tanker which was carrying about 33, 000,000 liters of petrol along Agbor/Benin Expressway, tied up the driver and the conductor and took away the tanker, but that luck ran out of them.
He gave the names of the dismissed policemen as: Sgt. Christopher Onyegho (Ex-F/No.375631), Sgt. Nwakem Enonzim (Ex-F/No.413318) and Sgt. Michael Chimaera (Ex-F/No.441254).
"During my last briefing I informed you about the three serving policemen who were involved in robbing a Petroleum Tanker, and were undergoing department disciplinary measures.
"The department proceeding has been completed and the policemen have been dismissed and arraigned in court for prosecution," Ibrahim said.
He also said that the command had recovered several locally made guns, ammunition, a Sienna bus, and some cash from the 21 other suspects, adding that the culprits would be charged to court on conclusion of investigation.
Bestselling author, Pastor Reno Omokri has described as lies, the report claiming that over ₦11 trillion was wasted in the electricity sector during the Obasanjo, Yar'Adua, Jonathan years.
Pastor Omokri who was the former aide to the ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has exonerated Jonathan from the claims made in the report by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP).
Omokri said Dr. Jonathan, as against the claims in the report, brought much succour and development in the sector during his years as President of the country.
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan
The statement read thus:
“My attention has been drawn to the story ‘Obasanjo, Yar'Adua, Jonathan wasted N11tn on electricity –SERAP’ publishedmost prominently in The Punch newspapers on August 10, 2017and less prominently in other papers.
While I cannot speak for others, I can certainly say that as touching former President Goodluck Jonathan, the story is false and is the fruit of the laziness of the researchers who could have taken advantage of the Freedom of Information Act that Dr. Jonathan signed into law in May, 2011 to get records and data from relevant government ministries, departments and agencies that would have given the a fuller picture instead of the narrow view they have.
Former President Jonathan could not have wasted ₦11 trillion or any other amounts of money for the simple reason that he was the Nigerian President who privatized the Power Sector beginning on August 26, 2010 when he launched the roadmap to power sector reforms and culminating on October 16, 2012 when the winning bids were announced for the sale of power generating and distributing companies.
SERAP may do well to remember that on Monday the 30th of September 2013, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Former President Jonathan successfully handed over the bulk of Nigeria’s Power Infrastructure to successful private sector bidders after they had made payments for the assets they acquired.
At that event, he said “I congratulate our new owners who have taken over the engines and cables that are expected to drive not just the electricity industry but also the socio-economic well-being of the nation”.
In total, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria was split into six generation and 11 distribution firms, all sold separately, for about $2.5 billion for which the Jonathan administration received much deserved praise.
In fact, rather than wasting money, the Jonathan administration generated money for the federation from the sale of these assets which were seen to be transparent and followed global best practices.
Between May 6th 2010 when he was first sworn in as President to May 29, 2015 when he handed over power, the budget for the ministry of power under Dr. Jonathan was not up to ₦400 billion in total for the simple reason that his administration had succeeded in transferring most of Nigeria’s power assets, liabilities and personnel from the public sector to the private sector.
As such, it is evidently clear that any allegations that the Jonathan government wasted trillions is not a well thought out allegation at best and is a figment of the imagination of the makers at worse.
I do hope those papers which published this false report against the person of former President Jonathan and the administration that he led will be honorable enough to set the records straight for posterity.”
With some hours to Saturday’s Non-Elective National Convention of the PDP, Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee and Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, said the party was set to welcome high profile Nigerians defecting from other parties into its fold.
Okowa stated this Thursday while inspecting the Eagles Square, venue for the Convention, assuring that arrangements have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
Gov. Okowa
“We just came to see what is on ground. I believe that our people will be safe because we have everything under control, we are not expecting any hitches at all.
“We are doing very well as a party and as a committee. In this kind of planning, you will have some challenges here and there but there are solutions being proffered for everyone of it and we are confident that we are on the right track and it shall be well on Saturday”
He stated that some prominent Nigerians will join the party within the next three weeks.
“This is a new PDP and with the excitement we saw after the supreme court victory, we did see amongst Nigerians and not only PDP followers, I believe that a lot of people who thought that the party was going to implode by itself will realise that we are back alive and ready to offer what it takes to better the lives of Nigerians.
“Many of our members that left earlier due to one form of disagreement or the other will return back to their party because the National Caretaker Committee has constituted a Reconciliation Committee as well as a Contact and Mobilization Committee to reach out to them.
“From the way things are going presently in this country, I believe Nigerians will realise that PDP is the only alternative that can bring Nigeria out of her present economic challenges,” he added.
Similarly, National Chairman of the Party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has assured members of the party that the issues relating to the South West zone of the party have been resolved.
In his words, “In politics there are always issues but what is important is that we sit down and resolve the issues in a civil manner.”
Pastors-in-charge of regions to have assistants New position equivalent to that of regional pastors More promotions coming LAGOS—THE Governing Council of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG has appointed two special assistants for the wife of the General Overseer, Pastor (Mrs.) Foluke Adeboye. They are Pastor (Mrs.) Shola Balogun until recently the Pastor-in-Charge of Province 34 and Pastor Deola Mensa until recently Pastor-in-Charge of Province 15 with headquarters in Surulere, Lagos.
Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye, wife of General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God anointing the newly ordained Assistant Pastor at the ongoing 65th Annual convention of the church at the Lagos -Ibadan expressway headquarter of the church. Photo Lamidi Bamidele
The General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye reiterating the announcement at a council meeting Monday night on the opening day of the 65th annual convention of the church, after a meeting of the Governing Council of the church, the highest organ of the church, said their new positions are equivalent to that of regional pastors.
The RCCG Governing Council, the highest organ of the church is made up of 18 members, with Pastor Adeboye as chairman. Other members include Pastors David G. Kuo, Ezekiel Odeyemi, Elijah Daramola, Gbadebo Lawal, Joseph Obayemi, Johnson Odesola and Remi Obayemi.
Adeboye also announced the promotion of the National Youth Pastor, Pastor Belemina Obunge to the rank of an Assistant General Overseer, adding that there will be more promotions in the church hierarchy this new year because the Governing Council has just approved the creation of more provinces in the country which will give room for more Pastors-in-charge of such new provinces.
New Assistant Pastors and the Provinces
Pastor Johnson Odesola, Assistant General Overseer to General Overseer on Admin and Personnel, Redeemed Christian Church of God anointing the newly ordained Assistant Pastor at the ongoing 65th Annual convention of the church at the Lagos -Ibadan expressway headquarter of the church. Photo Lamidi Bamidele
In addition to the heads of such provinces, he asserted, there will also be new assistant Pastors-in-charge of such provinces. He also announced that Pastors-in-charge of Regions will henceforth have assistants, pointing out they will have a co-ordinator in the person of the National Overseer, Pastor Joseph Obayemi.
Displeased by rising cases of corruption in the country and the church, the General Overseer sounded a note of warning to staff of the church at the convention which regarded as the annual general meeting of a corporate organisation, saying that henceforth any auditor who asks for gratification when they come to do their work, the ministers should blow the whistle by giving the names of the auditor, amount and when given, so that such would be dealt with.
According to him, the same applies to National Elders who do the same thing when they go to investigate issues.
Announcing new policy directions of the church to position it for the expected unprecedented growth, Pastor Adeboye urged young male members of the church who are qualified to marry, with good qualifications and jobs to go and marry in order to stop our daughters from being married by Muslims.
As expected there will be mass transfers of pastors in the mission this year, he said, adding that any pastors who have spent three years in their current location shall be moved.
Doubling of membership
On the issue of growth in line with the mission’s dream of doubling its membership, he said some regional and provincial pastors who have not measured up in their records were looked into were recommended for sack, but the Governing Council prevailed on Him (G.O.) to temper justice with mercy and have given such ministers another chance of one year.
In the meantime they would be demoted to an acting capacity, stressing “if after at the end of next year, they do not measure up, they shall be removed. If they do well, they will remain. What that means is that they have been demoted.”
According to the 75-year old General Overseer, the mission’s School of Discipleship should be taken much more seriously, stressing that there would be nothing like accelerated SOD again, “all those who passed out of the school without doing manual labour should go back to the basics where manual labour was the integral part of it.”
He emphasised the need for manual labour for disciples, stating that “the hand that cannot do manual labour cannot heal the sick,” just he stressed the need for every member of RCCG to take the annual evangelical Programme tagged Lets Go A-fishing must be emphasised.
“It’s not for fun. Let’s Go A-fishing is a programme God gave us to reach to people who are relaxing during festive seasons and win them to Christ,” he said, maintaining that if we are going to have dominion we have a price to pay.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God preaching at the ongoing 65th Annual Convention of the church. Photo Lamidi Bamidele
He also told the church members that from the new year, every third Sunday will be devoted to the teaching of church doctrines and the purpose is that with the expected explosion of membership there is need to prepare committee members who will train the won souls.
Sources close to the church told our reporter that the mission now has presence in more than 195 countries, with over 32,000 parishes in Nigeria. There are over 730 branches in the UK and Ireland.
5,658 graduate from Bible College
As part of its manpower development in preparation 5,658 persons yesterday graduated from the Redeemed Christian Bible College, RCBC. The graduation ceremony on the third day of the on-going 65th annual convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, with the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye as visitor, started at 8.00 a.m. when the graduands filed out.
According to the Provost of the school, Pastor Babatunde Adedibu, the graduands were drawn from different campuses within and outside the country who received certificates in accordance with their course of study and duration of their programmes. Some graduated with doctorate degrees, others with masters, bachelors and diploma certificates.
He further explained that the RCBC is part of manpower development programme of the fast growing Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG.
In his words: "Redeemed Christian Bible College is responding positively to forces of globalization and migration by appropriating technological approach in the delivery of theological education. Online programme of the College is attracting a lot of attention across the globe, we are having students from Australia, North America, Greece, United Kingdom, some of these ones are graduating with us today.
Building a legacy
"We are committed to enhancing and building on the legacy we inherited from the preceding administration. To this end, we have completed the construction of our ultra-modern hostel for our female students and we are building with the future in mind,” he said, calling on past students of the college to contribute to the development.
Extending fatherly blessings to the graduands, the Bible College and its lecturers, the general overseer of the church, Pastor Adeboye prayed that the graduands will not leave the school with an ordinary certificate but with God's auction and power, adding that God will use them mightily for His Kingdom work.
Earlier on the opening day, the mission ordained over 8,230 deacons and deaconesses to assist the leadership pilot the affairs of the church.
At exactly 8.50 a.m. Pastor Adeboye made the familiar pronouncement: “I ordain you deacon and deaconess in the Redeemed Christian Church of God in the name of God the Father, God the son and God the Holy Ghost. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose will be loosed in heaven.”
That declaration preceded the laying of hands by senior ministers of the church on the candidates who had maintained a rare spiritual discipline in the last couple of days leading to yesterday’s exercise.
Adeboye admonished them to give priority attention to the Word of God and pray in their individual lives and ministry for them to do exploits in their various callings, stressing that a true minister of God, no matter what title he/she chooses, must be one who has the capacity to maintain his/her home.
Admonishing newly ordained ministers
President/founder of Doulos Ministries, Pastor Charles Achonwa, in a short sermon after the ordination also admonished the newly ordained ministers exhibit the training they have received over the years, saying to reach “your goal in ministry you need the grace to bear shame, pain and maintain your reputation.”
Drawing inspiration from the Bible, Achonwa stressed that JESUS has said that every knee must bow at the name of Jesus, but challenged them on “how many knees will bow because of you? As a soldier of the Cross you must strive to do all within your means to be part of the army that will make all knees bow before the name of the Lamb.”
Pastor Achonwa explained that for any minister of God to enjoy the fullness of God, he/she must allow the Word of God to change his/her attitude, lifestyle and also activate it in his/her individual lives, pointing out that the minister who lacks the passion to conquer cannot go beyond a mediocrity.
“On the second day, 2,236 persons were ordained as assistant pastors. T?he candidates were officially presented by? RCCG? National Overseer,? Pastor Joseph Obayemi?, after the opening prayers. The cleric invited them to the altar where the?y received blessings? from elders and leaders of the church.
After the formal ordination, Rev. Joe Olaiya in a message titled; 'The God of all Flesh,'? charged them not to disappoint God but be led by His spirit always, warning that those who choose to operate with other spirits would be rejected by God.
As Makarfi Assures Of Resolution Of South West PDP Crisis
AHEAD of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] Special Non-Elective National Convention, Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee and Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has said the party was ready to organize a successful Convention.
Governor Okowa stated this on Thursday while inspecting the Eagles Square, venue for the Convention assuring that every necessary arrangements have been taken care of.
. Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (middle); PDP National Technical Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makafi (2nd right); Senator Ben Obi (right); National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adayeye (2nd left) and National Organizing Committee PDP, Senator Abdul Ningi, during an Inspection at Eagle Square Abuja.
“We just came to see what is on ground, I believe that our people will be safe because we have everything under control, we are not expecting any hitches at all, we are doing very well as a party and as a committee, in this kind of planning you will have some challenges here and there but there are solutions being proffered for every one of it and we are confident that we are on the right track and it shall be well on Saturday“, he said.
Senator Okowa assured that high profile Nigerians will join the party within the next three weeks, stressing “This is a new PDP and with the excitement we saw after the supreme court victory amongst Nigerians and not only PDP followers, I believe that a lot of people who thought that the party was going to implode by itself will realise that we are back alive and ready to offer what it takes to better the lives of Nigerians”,
“From the way things are going presently in this country, i believe Nigerians will realise that PDP is the only alternative that can bring Nigeria out of her present economic challenges.”, he added.
Many of our members that left earlier due to one form of disagreement or the other will return back to their party because the National Caretaker Committee has constituted a Reconciliation Committee as well as a Contact and Mobilization Committee to reach out to them.
In a related development, National Chairman of the Party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has assured members of the party that the issues relating to the South West zone of the party have been resolved.
According to Makarfi, “In politics there are always issues but what is important is that we sit down and resolve the issues in a civil manner.
“Yesterday we had a long meeting with the leaders from the zone to resolve the issues and no matter what you are doing as a political party you must lose some members and also gain others.
“As a party we will continue to work hard not to lose anybody, but will work much harder to bring in more members to the party” he said.
Ahead of Saturday's non-elective convention of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), former President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark, has urged members to ensure a hitch-free exercise that would strengthen the party.
In a statement by Mr Paul Mumeh, his Media Assistant, Mark called for a peaceful outing in the convention scheduled for the Eagles Square, Abuja.
He expressed optimism about the future of the party after the convention, but warned members that the party could not afford to make another mistake.
The PDP has just survived a protracted leadership tussle which lasted about two years and was settled by the Supreme Court about a month ago.
Mark is one of the party's leaders, who remained steadfast in their commitment to its survival while the challenge lasted.
He said that having just survived the ugly phase, "I am impressed by the renewed enthusiasm and commitment of members towards rebuilding the party after the protracted leadership tussle''.
Mark, therefore, charged the Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa-led Special Convention Committee not to leave any stone unturned to guarantee a hitch-free exercise.
"We have come this far through a tortuous journey. We cannot afford to make another mistake that could affect the fortunes of the party in the days ahead," he said.
He recalled his pledge never to dump the party after it lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections.
"Even if I will be the last man standing in the PDP, I will remain in PDP. I have no reason whatsoever to leave the party.
"I have risen to where I am on the platform of the party. The PDP has a manifesto and I believe in it.
"Those who are decamping from PDP to APC are fair-weather friends of the party.
"So, the point I want to make is that I remain in PDP and I will work hard with other faithful members to bring it back.
"This is democracy; there will always be a winner and a loser in every election. Both parties must accept the outcome in a free and fair contest and move on," he had said.
A civil society organisation, Office of the Citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(OCFRN) has commended the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for suspending the on-going promotion exercise in the Nigerian Police Force(NPF).
OCFRN's convener, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, who briefed newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, said that the action had shown that the Federal Government was responsive and responsible.
Olajengbesi, under the auspices of United Global Resolve for Peace (UGRFP), had recently called on Osinbajo to intervene in alleged one-sided promotion exercise in the Nigerian Police Force .
He said the group petitioned the Acting President, Inspector-General of Police and Police Service Commission (PSC) over allegations of ethnicity, nepotism and favouritism in the promotion exercise.
The legal practitioner, who is also the executive secretary of UGRFP, had alleged that no fewer than 72 aggrieved policemen had lodged complaints with the group over denial of their promotions.
The Spokesperson for the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, however said the commission had not released the names of the successful candidates.
He said that the complainants should have waited for the list before accusing the PSC of injustice.
"Recently we petitioned the Acting President, Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission on the on-going promotion in the Nigerian Police Force.
"There were alleged irregularities in the process of the promotion; we want to commend the Acting President for displaying a high sense of responsibility.
"We are glad to receive the decision of the Acting President suspending the Police Service Commission promotion.
"This is a demonstration of the fact that this administration will stand against any act that is corrupt; that this administration is concerned about the welfare of all Nigerians,'' Olajengbesi said.
He urged the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force to eschew favouritism from the process and ensure that it complied with the relevant rules and regulations.
Olajengbesi also called on the Police Service Commission to ensure compliance with extant rules with regards to promotion in the Nigerian Police Force
According to him, the concept of OCFRN is the belief that every Nigerian citizen by default and by the constitution occupies a very important office.
He said that the initiative was in pursuit of OCFRN's mandate as civil rights activists and social crusaders, giving voice and vision to the voice of the genuine emancipation of the Nigerian people
23 organisation have received benefited from grant making non-profit organization, Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation’s 2017 grant scheme.
Act Foundation, Thursday, announced the recipients of its awarded 2017 Grant Scheme to include organisations operating in areas such as in health, entrepreneurship, environment and leadership.
While delivering this announcement, the CEO, ACT Foundation, Osayi Alile explained the various stages involved in the selection process of the deserving organizations.
L-R: Head, Programs, ACT Foundation, Ndifreke Okwuegbunam; Manger, Financial Services, Generation Enterprise, Wunmi Akinde and Managing Director, Generation Enterprise, Bunmi Otegbade during the ACT Foundation 2017 grant disbursement ceremony, recently in Lagos.
"Our desire to change the world cannot be done by us alone and so we are excited to announce that we have selected 23 deserving nonprofit organizations to partner with in order to achieve our aim of creating positive social impact in our world."
"We are assured that our collaboration with these organizations will help in creating the desired change we deserve," Alile said.
ACT Foundation 2017 grant cycle which began in May 2017 saw over 300 non-governmental organizations apply for the grant. Successful applicants were then requested to submit their proposals which was scrutinized by a 12 man selection committee. The due diligence exercise produced 23 non-governmental organizations which are recipients of the 2017 ACT Foundation Grants.
The Foundation noted that this being its first year of existence, focus will only be given to the western part of Nigeria to ensure for effective and efficient implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects.
The 2017 ACT Foundation grants aims to mitigate against health issues such as malaria, cancers such as breast, cervical and prostrate as well as maternal and child health with a special focus on infant and young child feeding. Awarding organizations in the areas of leadership will focus on thought leadership and youth leadership. The grants intervention in the areas of environment and entrepreneurship will focus on waste management; and skills acquisition and financial literacy respectively.
Also speaking about the grant, Executive Director, Sebbecly Cancer Care and Support Centre, Dr. Omolola Salako noted that the 2017 ACT Foundation grant will go a long way in reducing the women at risk of cervical cancer in Lagos State. She also expressed her delight in partnering with an organization that is determined to fight against socio economic issues in the country.
Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation is a grant making non-profit established to support local, national and regional non-profits working to address challenges and associated vulnerabilities in the African continent.
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA – THE Federal Government Thurusday said that the 2018 budget proposal will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and passage as was already promised.MINISTER OF BUDGET AND NATIONAL PLANNING, SEN. UDOMA UDO UDOMA
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma who gave the assurance while briefing State House correspondents at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja where members of the Federal Executive Council were having a retreat on the 2018 budget said that the delay in the presentation of the budget estimate to the National Assembly was as a result of the annual vacation the lawmakers had embarked on.
He also said that the focus of the retreat with the theme "Building Synergy For Effective ERPG Implementation".was to review the Economic Recovery Growth Plan, ERGP, of the Federal Government as well as the performance of the 2017 budget.
According to him, “It (the retreat) was basically about the ERGP and preparations for the 2018 budget and linking the plan with the budget and we will be briefing cabinet members about the linkages between the plan and the budget.
“Basically we have to keep on reviewing at every stage, so this review is looking at where we are, what needs to be done and what steps we need to take in areas that we need to fast rack.
“We need to review what we are doing at the stage of implementation. So this was the purpose of the meeting.”
On the level of performance of the ERGP and the 2017 budget, he said a remarkable achievement had been recorded so far.
He said, “We are moving ahead in terms of the modalities that have been defined. This is not the time to actually say what stage and so on. We will be giving briefings and so on.”
Commenting on when the executive will submit the MTEF for the 2018 budget estimate to the National Assembly, the Minister said it would be as soon as the members of the National Assembly come back from their annual vacation.
Udoma said, “National Assembly is on break so nearer the time they will resume in September but ours is to follow the fiscal responsibility act which has some timelines and we are trying to keep strictly by those timelines.
“So the budget will get to the National Assembly by October that was our commitment. We will go all out to make that happen, we made a commitment that we will do that on our part and we intend to deliver on that commitment. This is a government that delivers on its promises.”
By Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Thursday screened candidates for the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State.Chairman Capital Oil, Mr. Ifeanyi Uba being shielded from correspondents after appearing before the Anambra State PDP Governorship Aspirants Screening Committee at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017
The screening process which began few minutes at 10: 30 AM at the party national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja was attended by six of the seven aspirants including Prince John Okechukwu Emeka, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, Honourable Linda Ikpeazu, Oseloka Obaze Senator Stella Oduah and Dr. Ifeanyi Uba.
Chairman of the screening committee and former Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri while welcoming the aspirants urged them not to forget that the entire PDP family has everything to lose if Anambra is lost to a rival political party on November 18.
“Each one of us has everything to lose if we lose Anambra State,” he said in his opening remarks, while promising that the screening committee would do its job fairly and justly.
The former Minister also added that in line with the PDP constitution, the N6 million fee for the collection of nomination and expression of interest form for women aspirants was waived as a way of encouraging the female folk to take active interest in partisan politics.
Shortly before the commencement of the exercise, Waziri told newsmen that the screening committee had received a petition against one of the aspirants, but failed to reveal the identity.
Meanwhile, Ubah who was the last to be screened was whisked away by a retinue of aides, after spending hours with the screening committee. As at the time of filing this report, it could not be established if he scaled the screening or not.
L-R : Committee Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri; Anambra State PDP Governorship Aspirants, Mr. Oseloka Obaze; Prince Okechukwu Emeka; Dr. Alex Obiogbolu; Mr. Ifeanyi Uba and Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu during the screening of the aspirants at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017Chairman Capital Oil, Mr. Ifeanyi Uba being shielded from correspondents after appearing before the Anambra State PDP Governorship Aspirants Screening Committee at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017L-R: Committee Secretary, Casmir Ugwu; Committee Member, Moshood Salvador and the Chairman, Anambra Gubernatorial Primary creening Committee, Adamu Maina Waziri discussing during the screening of the aspirants at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017L-R: Anambra State PDP Governorship Aspirants, Senator Stella Odua; Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu and Mr. Oseloka Obaze during the screening of the aspirants at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017L-R: Anambra State PDP Governorship Aspirants, Senator Stella Odua; Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu; Mr. Oseloka Obaze and Dr. Alex Obiogbolu during the screening of the aspirants at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017L-R: Anambra State PDP Governorship Aspirant, Prince Okechukwu Emeka; Screening Committee Secretary, Casmir Ugwu; Committee Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri; Other Aspirants, Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu; Mr. Oseloka Obaze and Dr. Alex Obiogbolu during the screening of the aspirants at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017L-R: Anambra State PDP Governorship Aspirants, Senator Stella Oduah; Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu; Mr. Oseloka Obaze; Dr. Alex Obiogbolu and Prince Okechukwu Emeka during the screening of the aspirants at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017
By Evelyn Usman Another ritualists’ den has been uncovered in Lagos, barely 24-hours after a similar discovery was made at Ojokoro, along Lagos/Abeokuta expressway. Another ritualists’ den has been uncovered at Ile Zik in Lagos, The den located in an underground tunnel was uncovered at Ile-Zik , also along Lagos/Abeokuta road. But in this case, the suspected ritualists were prevented by policemen led by the Commander, Rapid Response Squad, RRS Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
As at time of writing this report, five suspects said to have been smoked out from the man hole have been arrested .
ABUJA- A coalition of Niger Delta agitators on Thursday handed down an ultimatum to Northerners and Yoruba from south west zone resident in the region to vacate before October 1. The coalition also said that it is set to resume the bombings of major oil and gas installation in the coastal region.
Made of up 8 frontline groups, the agitators also dissociated itself from the leadership and membership of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, warning the Federal Government to stop dealing with the body on their behalf.
Recall that PANDEF led by eminent leaders of Niger Delta including a former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clarke met twice with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo recently at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting was principally to articulate lasting solution to the challenges of the people in the region.
But in a statement signed by the leaders of the groups, the agitators said that they had resolved to declare Republic of Niger Delta on October 1, also mandating the federal government to return all the oil wells given to non indigenes of the region to them.
They also congratulated the Yoruba for their intention to declare Oduduwa Republic, saying that they would work in tandem with the South East and Middle Belt to achieve economic and diplomatic developments.
The signatories to the statement included General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators); General Ekpo Ekpo ( Niger Delta Volunteers); General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors) and Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters).
Others were Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw for Bakassi Freedom Fighters; Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall for Niger Delta Movement for Justice; Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson for Niger Delta Fighters Network and Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams for Niger Delta Freedom Mandate.
The statement read in full: “At the general council meeting of the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators (CNDA) involving surveillance department, intelligence department and commanding officers held today to deliberate on the recent development in the Niger Delta and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) meeting with the Acting President, after hours of careful deliberations, we unanimously resolved as follows:
“To commence Operation Zero Oil in the Niger Delta from September 10, 2017 as a preparation for the actualization of Niger Delta Republic
“We totally condemn the recent meeting between PANDEF and the Acting President; we see it as another plot to deceive the Niger Delta people. First and foremost, the meeting was marred with inordinate greed of the PANDEF as they did not involve the representatives of the Agitating groups and youths leaders. We wish to let the Acting President to know that those he met have no capacity and cannot solve the current crisis in the Niger Delta; therefore they cannot represent the militants or speak for the Niger Delta people.
“The Coalition unanimously adopts to stand by the previous demands, which are: 100% percent control of our resources.
“The Federal Government should hand over all oil blocks owned by the Northerners/Yoruba to Niger Delta indigenes.
“All Oil companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate October 1st, 2017.
“Relocation of NNPC to any of the Niger Delta state and replacement of the Group Managing Director with an indigene of region.
“All the Multinational Oil, Gas, Servicing and Marine Companies must relocate their operational base to the Niger Delta; sign a new Memorandum of Understanding with Niger Delta people which would include Niger Delta indigenes being paid same salaries with foreigners.
“We demand independence and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta, all the companies and business owned by the Northerners / Yoruba in Niger Delta should be vacated before 1st October 2017, we accept and congratulate the Yoruba for demanding Oduduwa Republic and we wish them success.
“We hereby call on all agitating groups to resume attacks/bombings on all oil/gas pipelines, especially the exporting lines across the Niger Delta region from September 10, 2017. This is to ensure zero oil/gas production before October 1, 2017.
“We shall work to interface with more patriotic and zealous Niger Delta people to work out new collective approach that will ensure total freedom and complete control of our resources by any means necessary.
“We shall from henceforth, fight to liberate ourselves from the shackles of neo-colonialism and rule ourselves under a Niger Delta Republic, with diplomatic and economic relations with the peoples of the South East and Middle Belt.
“Finally, we want to inform the federal government of Nigeria and the general public that we no longer recognize PANDEF under the present leadership as they are working against the interest of the Niger Delta people.”
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said that the negative economic impact of Boko Haram activities in the North East is estimated at $9 billion (N274.5b)
Buratai, represented by Maj. Gen. Peter Dauke, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 division Lagos, made the assertion on Thursday at the first annual conference of Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCON).
The paper is titled Counter- Insurgency and Role of the Nigerian Army in Creating Conducive Environment For Nigeria`s Economic Development.
Buratai said, of the figure, Borno had the highest impact estimated at $5.9 billion (N180b).
He said that loss of agricultural production in the North East caused by Boko Haram activities was $3.5 billion (N107b).
The army chief said Borno had 95 per cent of the 400,000 houses damaged by Boko Haram.
According to him, the restructuring of the army`s operations in the zone in 2015 yielded fruitful results.
"This restructuring changed the counter insurgency strategies by adopting aggressive posture, effective command and control, efficient use of weapon and logistics with particular attention to welfare of the troops," he said.
Buratai said the new strategy led to the recapturing of territories occupied by the insurgents, rescue of about 300,000 hostages.
"Furthermore, not less than 1,009 Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered voluntarily, while 1,140 others have been arrested and another 1,500 confirmed boko haram terrorists are under investigation, he said.
He stated that with improved security, the Borno Adamawa and Yobe governments had embarked on reconstruction of damaged schools, bridges, hospitals and other critical infrastructure aimed at recreating socio-economic activities of the areas.
Buratai said in keeping with its constitutional mandate of defending the nation, the army would ensure that the right atmosphere to promote economic development was maintained in the country.
The Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN has said that excuses was no longer tenable in its quest to deliver sustainable socio-economic development to Nigerians, by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and that it will no longer accept excuses that suggest such progress is not attainable.
Prof. Osinbajo speaking today at the Cabinet Retreat on the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) and the 2018 Budget preparation which featured guest speakers including Dr Idris Jala, a former top official of the Malaysian government said: ‘after listening to Dr. Idris Jala all I can say is as the opposition leader in Malaysia said this is what I have been saying for the past 50 years!
‘But seriously he is so right, the challenge is this, the discipline to be unreasonable in our targets and objectives. The discipline of attending the labs diligently and accepting to be locked in a room for as long as it takes to iron out what it is that needs to be done.
‘I like the point also that Dr Jala made that the excuse that it won’t work here, the Nigerian factor, or some say exceptionalism, or the acceptance of failure before you even start is certainly not tenable any more.
‘We simply have to accept that there is nothing Nigerian about failure, because as we know in our personal lives, failure and success are commodities on offer to everyone all over the world and every individual and every country makes a choice of which to buy and I will say on our behalf that we will choose success.
‘Dr Jala I have heard motivational speeches, but this is one I think that challenges our whole legitimacy as persons entrusted with leadership.
‘I think it goes beyond motivational speech, I think it really challenges the core of our relevance as leaders and I am challenged and I know that many of us here are and I think that we will do what we need to do to make sure that we see through the labs that we have to identify specific areas where we will do this labs. We must see to it that this works.
‘I want to thank you again for this exceptional moment you have taken us through and to thank all of you also for taking the time to come. So the work has just begun.’
