Shades Of Romance
EPISODE 1
I struggled with the girl before me, weakening her with my strong
hold. She kept quiet and lifted up her face to me.
"Emmy i beg of you, let me be. Just leave me alone. Things shouldn't
happen between us" she pleaded passionately.
I stared into her eyes, breathing deeply. Yea she was right.
I very much knew i was doing a terrible thing, but just couldn't
resist her charms because she was simply magnificient.
I was so bewitched by her beauty and she equally was everything i
expected in a woman. She was so comely, homely, beautiful and sexy.
But unfortunately she was my bestfriend's girl which really got me in
a very bad position.
I was simply torn between doing the right thing and letting her go or
doing the wrong thing and satisfying my needs.
But no i couldn't just let her go. She was worth more than anything to me.
I swallowed hard, brought down my head and kissed her softly. She
struggled once again, drew away from me and landed a very terrible
slap on my face.
"Jeez think Emmy. Just look at what you are doing. Take a look at your
life" she screamed.
******
Hmmmmm, My name is Emmanuel, fondly called Emmy by friends and I used
to be a guy who was good in getting his way in everything. Though i'm
nothing but an ordinary graduate who was lucky to inherit a little
fortune from his late parents.
I owned two mega fuel stations in Benin city which really made me very
comfortable. As for the girl who just slapped me, she teached in one
of the secondary schools within the city and i got to know her from my
b---m friend Tony who introduced her to me a couple of months back and
from that moment i began disturbing the girl with all i got.
She kept refusing my advances but it never stopped me from knowing
that she cared for me because if she didn't she would have reported me
to my friend from the very first moment i began showing interest in
her.
So sit back and relax as i take you guys to a world of s-x, Romance,
Adventure, Fun and Revenge…..
To be continued.
check back for next episode
Monday, 30 May 2016
IPOB, MASSOB loyalist arrested in Imo
IPOB, MASSOB LOYALISTS ARRESTED IN IMO
By Chidi Nkwopara, OWERRI.
Imo State Police Command Monday, arrested 17 loyalists of the Movement
for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, and
Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, including two women, for allegedly
behaving in a manner capable of disrupting public peace.
The PPRO, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, who paraded them Monday before newsmen
in Owerri, on behalf of the CP, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, said that the MASSOB
and IPOB loyalists were arrested along Tetlow/Okigwe Road Park,
Owerri, by policemen who were on routine patrol.
"At the point of arrest, the pro-Biafra protesters were chanting
Biafran solidarity songs and spotting Biafran flags. They were also
behaving in a manner capable of disrupting the existing peace and
tranquility in the state", the PPRO said.
According to Mr. Enwerem, "investigation into their activity has
commenced and those found to have participated in the provocative
procession would be charged to court".
Continuing, the PPRO explained that they were arrested for unlawful
procession and acts capable of breaching public peace in the state.
"They displayed all manner of Biafran insignia. Imo State has enjoyed
relative peace all this while but they decided to disrupt it
yesterday. The Command is determined to ensure that peace reigns in
the state", the PPRO said.
He advised the citizens to continue to go about their normal
businesses without fear of intimidation or harassment, adding that the
police would not relent in its responsibility of protecting life and
property at all times.
By Chidi Nkwopara, OWERRI.
Imo State Police Command Monday, arrested 17 loyalists of the Movement
for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, and
Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, including two women, for allegedly
behaving in a manner capable of disrupting public peace.
The PPRO, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, who paraded them Monday before newsmen
in Owerri, on behalf of the CP, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, said that the MASSOB
and IPOB loyalists were arrested along Tetlow/Okigwe Road Park,
Owerri, by policemen who were on routine patrol.
"At the point of arrest, the pro-Biafra protesters were chanting
Biafran solidarity songs and spotting Biafran flags. They were also
behaving in a manner capable of disrupting the existing peace and
tranquility in the state", the PPRO said.
According to Mr. Enwerem, "investigation into their activity has
commenced and those found to have participated in the provocative
procession would be charged to court".
Continuing, the PPRO explained that they were arrested for unlawful
procession and acts capable of breaching public peace in the state.
"They displayed all manner of Biafran insignia. Imo State has enjoyed
relative peace all this while but they decided to disrupt it
yesterday. The Command is determined to ensure that peace reigns in
the state", the PPRO said.
He advised the citizens to continue to go about their normal
businesses without fear of intimidation or harassment, adding that the
police would not relent in its responsibility of protecting life and
property at all times.
Flamingos draw Brazil, England, North Korea
U-17 Women's team, the Flamingoes, have been drawn against Brazil,
England and Korea DPR in Group C of the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World
Cup in Jordan.
The draw was held at the Al-Hussein Cultural Centre Monday.
Hosts Jordan are in Group A with Spain, Mexico and New Zealand.
In Group B Venezuela, Germany, Cameroon and Canada will slug it out.
Group D consists of USA, Paraguay, Ghana and Japan.
The opening game of the tournament will be between New Zealand and Mexico.
England and Korea DPR in Group C of the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World
Cup in Jordan.
The draw was held at the Al-Hussein Cultural Centre Monday.
Hosts Jordan are in Group A with Spain, Mexico and New Zealand.
In Group B Venezuela, Germany, Cameroon and Canada will slug it out.
Group D consists of USA, Paraguay, Ghana and Japan.
The opening game of the tournament will be between New Zealand and Mexico.
We’ll make Nigerians buy made-in-Nigeria products, says FG
Abuja - The Federal Government says it intends to make Nigerians look
inwards by buying products, especially vehicles made in the country.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, said this in Abuja.
Onu explained that it was the only way to make Nigeria a producer
country and to encourage local manufacturers to produce and grow the
economy.
``We already have made in Nigeria car.
``We want to champion the idea of Nigerians looking inward and
thinking Nigeria promoting made in Nigeria products to encourage our
own local manufacturers.
``It is very important. That is the only way that we can ever become a
producer nation.
``We cannot continue to be a consumer nation alone; it wouldn't help us.
``We must help our own local producers.
``We must all start thinking of how we can do so.
``It shouldn't be only the automobiles; it should be on all products. ``
The minister assured Nigerians that the government would ensure that
vehicle manufacturers in the country maintained the minimum standard
obtainable anywhere in the world.
Onu, however, said the time for the proposed launching of a
made-in-Nigeria satellite, earlier planned for 2018, might be extended
due to logistic issues.
According to him, space science and technology is a huge asset that a
country such as Nigeria should take advantage of.
``Space science and technology has direct impact on agriculture,
environment, and health.
``Satellite can help you in education regarding distance learning;
also in defence.
``If you have the right satellite to monitor what is happening in
areas where there is insurgency, you can now go exactly there and get
what you want.
``It is very import economy; we just have to ensure that we are not excluded
inwards by buying products, especially vehicles made in the country.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, said this in Abuja.
Onu explained that it was the only way to make Nigeria a producer
country and to encourage local manufacturers to produce and grow the
economy.
``We already have made in Nigeria car.
``We want to champion the idea of Nigerians looking inward and
thinking Nigeria promoting made in Nigeria products to encourage our
own local manufacturers.
``It is very important. That is the only way that we can ever become a
producer nation.
``We cannot continue to be a consumer nation alone; it wouldn't help us.
``We must help our own local producers.
``We must all start thinking of how we can do so.
``It shouldn't be only the automobiles; it should be on all products. ``
The minister assured Nigerians that the government would ensure that
vehicle manufacturers in the country maintained the minimum standard
obtainable anywhere in the world.
Onu, however, said the time for the proposed launching of a
made-in-Nigeria satellite, earlier planned for 2018, might be extended
due to logistic issues.
According to him, space science and technology is a huge asset that a
country such as Nigeria should take advantage of.
``Space science and technology has direct impact on agriculture,
environment, and health.
``Satellite can help you in education regarding distance learning;
also in defence.
``If you have the right satellite to monitor what is happening in
areas where there is insurgency, you can now go exactly there and get
what you want.
``It is very import economy; we just have to ensure that we are not excluded
AMCON: Buhari okays Malami to head presidential committee on loan recovery
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA - President Muhammadu Buhari has okayed the Attorney General of
the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to head
the Presidential Inter-Agency Committee on recovery of loans granted
to commercial banks and corporate organisations by Asset Management
Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON.
A statement made available yesterday by spokesman to the AGF, Mr.
Salihu Othman Isah, revealed that the committee was inaugurated last
week Thursday in Abuja.
Isah stated that the AGF had at the event noted that AMCON was
established by the Act of the National Assembly to prevent the
collapse of the Nigerian banking sector, following the banking crisis
that was precipitated by Bank Consolidation Reforms that took place in
2008.
He said the AGF pointed out that the situation led to huge
indebtedness for banks which culminated in the eventual purchase of
the toxic loans by AMCON in order to stabilize the banking sector, and
by extension the Nigerian economy.
ABUJA - President Muhammadu Buhari has okayed the Attorney General of
the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to head
the Presidential Inter-Agency Committee on recovery of loans granted
to commercial banks and corporate organisations by Asset Management
Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON.
A statement made available yesterday by spokesman to the AGF, Mr.
Salihu Othman Isah, revealed that the committee was inaugurated last
week Thursday in Abuja.
Isah stated that the AGF had at the event noted that AMCON was
established by the Act of the National Assembly to prevent the
collapse of the Nigerian banking sector, following the banking crisis
that was precipitated by Bank Consolidation Reforms that took place in
2008.
He said the AGF pointed out that the situation led to huge
indebtedness for banks which culminated in the eventual purchase of
the toxic loans by AMCON in order to stabilize the banking sector, and
by extension the Nigerian economy.
MASSOB, police clash in Asaba
A fight broke out between policemen and some people suspected to be members of the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in Asaba on Monday, eyewitnesses said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the incident occurred along Anwai Road in the city when MASSOB members were marching to demand for the independence of Biafra. Witnesses said some persons, including policemen, injured in the fracas, were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba. A nurse at the FMC, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed to NAN that some of the injured were brought to the hospital. An eyewitness, Mr Uche Okelue, told NAN that the fracas broke out after a police team threw teargas at the marchers in an effort to disperse them. "The police used teargas on the MASSOB people as they were protesting along Anwai Road this morning, so the people got angry and attacked the policemen with knives and broken bottles. "They caught one policeman, beat him up before stabbing him to death; it was a fierce confrontation as everyone ran in different directions," Okelue said. Another eyewitness, Mr Ben Onwordi, told NAN that another fight between the police and MASSOB members at the popular Mammy Market Junction on Nnebisi Road, Asaba. "As the group were protesting, the police patrol vehicle came behind them and tried to disperse them but the MASSOB people resisted and in the process they clashed and many people were injured. "The MASSOB people damaged the police patrol vehicle, vandalising the windscreen and doors before all of them fled into different directions," Onwordi said. NAN further learnt that another clash occurred at the River Niger Bridge on the border between Delta and Anambra states when some MASSOB members tried to conduct a similar rally. A police source who pleaded anonymity told NAN that MASSOB members had attacked some policemen at the bridge head, overpowering two of them, before throwing them into the river. "We have been able to retrieve one of them from the river. He was brought out in an unconscious mood and rushed to the hospital, however, the second victim is still missing," he said. When contacted, the spokesperson for the Police Command in Delta, Mr Charles Mouka, a Superintendent of Police, said the police were still monitoring the situation. "We are still waiting for information on the incident. As I speak to you now, we are in the field, so I cannot say anything for now," Mouka said.
Ebonyi State has won the 2016 Democracy School Debate.
Ebonyi State has won
the 2016 Democracy School Debate.
It defeated Taraba and Police teams at the finals of the championship
organised by the President's School Debate Nigeria (PSDN) a
non-governmental organisation from May 24 to May 28 in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PSDN comprised private and
public sector stakeholders.
Dr Adaeze Nwauzor, Ebonyi Centenary Debate team leader, told NAN on
Monday that Ebonyi would represent Nigeria in an international school
debate competition in Indonesia.
"By this feat, we have qualified to represent Nigeria in the forthcoming
international school debate competition in Indonesia.
"We were also presented with a trophy by Hajia Aisha Buhari, wife of the
President, at a dinner party with the students.
"My team won because of hard work coupled with their intelligence. We
took time to select the best students in terms of debate for this
competition.
"We started by training the trainers – debate handlers – then we went
round the 13 local government areas and selected the best speakers from
each local government.
"We went to three zones and selected the best speakers; then at the
semi-grand finale, we selected the best speakers,'' she said.
She commended, Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, and his wife for their support
and commitment to human development.
Nwauzor, who is the Senior Special Adviser to Umahi on Higher Education,
said that the governor's support and passion for educational
development of the state contributed to the team's victory.
She also thanked the organisers, especially, Dare Olotu, PSDN's National
Coordinator and all the members of the committee, for a well organised
debate.
NAN recalls that Olotu had at the opening ceremony, said that the
essence of the competition was to bring Nigerian students to debate on
motions affecting the country.
He said that wining team would have automatic qualification to represent
Nigeria in the forthcoming international schools debate in Indonesia.
Olotu said the topics of debate were: "This House Believes that the
Agricultural Sector has Better Prospects for Nigeria's Economic Growth.
"This House Believes that Posting of National Youth Corps Members should
be Limited to their Geo-political Zones.''
No fewer than 13 teams drawn from Taraba, Imo, Niger, Ebonyi, Anambra,
Kaduna, Oyo, Sokoto, Benue and FCT, participated in the competition.
the 2016 Democracy School Debate.
It defeated Taraba and Police teams at the finals of the championship
organised by the President's School Debate Nigeria (PSDN) a
non-governmental organisation from May 24 to May 28 in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PSDN comprised private and
public sector stakeholders.
Dr Adaeze Nwauzor, Ebonyi Centenary Debate team leader, told NAN on
Monday that Ebonyi would represent Nigeria in an international school
debate competition in Indonesia.
"By this feat, we have qualified to represent Nigeria in the forthcoming
international school debate competition in Indonesia.
"We were also presented with a trophy by Hajia Aisha Buhari, wife of the
President, at a dinner party with the students.
"My team won because of hard work coupled with their intelligence. We
took time to select the best students in terms of debate for this
competition.
"We started by training the trainers – debate handlers – then we went
round the 13 local government areas and selected the best speakers from
each local government.
"We went to three zones and selected the best speakers; then at the
semi-grand finale, we selected the best speakers,'' she said.
She commended, Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, and his wife for their support
and commitment to human development.
Nwauzor, who is the Senior Special Adviser to Umahi on Higher Education,
said that the governor's support and passion for educational
development of the state contributed to the team's victory.
She also thanked the organisers, especially, Dare Olotu, PSDN's National
Coordinator and all the members of the committee, for a well organised
debate.
NAN recalls that Olotu had at the opening ceremony, said that the
essence of the competition was to bring Nigerian students to debate on
motions affecting the country.
He said that wining team would have automatic qualification to represent
Nigeria in the forthcoming international schools debate in Indonesia.
Olotu said the topics of debate were: "This House Believes that the
Agricultural Sector has Better Prospects for Nigeria's Economic Growth.
"This House Believes that Posting of National Youth Corps Members should
be Limited to their Geo-political Zones.''
No fewer than 13 teams drawn from Taraba, Imo, Niger, Ebonyi, Anambra,
Kaduna, Oyo, Sokoto, Benue and FCT, participated in the competition.
Rashford signs new Man United contract
Teenage breakthrough
star Marcus Rashford has signed a new contract committing him to
Manchester United until 2020 with an option for a further year, the club
announced on Monday.
manager last week, Rashford and fellow academy graduate Cameron
Borthwick-Jackson have both committed their futures to the club.
RashfordRashford, 18, has scored eight goals in 18 appearances for
United since breaking onto the scene in February and is now in
contention for a place in England's Euro 2016 squad.
"I am delighted to have signed a new contract," Rashford said in a press
release.
"I have always been a Manchester United fan so to be playing in the
first team really is a dream come true. I am grateful for having the
chance to prove myself.
"To be able to play football at the biggest club in the world means
everything to me and my family."
Rashford scored within three minutes of kick-off on his England debut in
Friday's 2-1 win over Australia, enhancing his claim to a place in
manager Roy Hodgson's final 23-man squad.
"Marcus is a naturally talented footballer with great potential," said
United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. "He has taken his chances
well and has integrated into the first team very quickly.
"I am delighted that Marcus has signed a new contract. He is at the
right club to continue his development.
"He is still very young and we need to be patient, but he is developing
in the right way and we believe he has a great future ahead of him."
Like Rashford, Borthwick-Jackson has signed a four-year contract with an
option for a further year.
The 19-year-old left-back made his United debut last November and went
on to make 14 appearances.
"Last season was an incredible experience to make my first-team debut
and a dream come true for myself and my family," he said.
"I feel it stands me in good stead for continuing my development as a
Manchester United player.
Civil Defence uncovers 2 bomb-making factories in Maiduguri
The Borno State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) on Sunday discovered two bomb-making factories in Dikwa. The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, made the disclosure in an interview in Maiduguri. Abdullahi said that the factories were discovered during a patrol by men of the command in collaboration with the troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army. "In an effort to comply with the directives of the Ministerial Committee on Resettlement of Liberated Towns by the military, NSCDC had deployed its personnel to Dikwa and are working hand in hand with the military. "This collective effort has therefore, led to the discovery of two major bomb making factories in two abandoned houses. "Our Detection and Bomb Disposal Unit, Intelligence and Detective Operation Unit in collaboration with the troops of 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army have since neutralised some of the live IEDs. "Some IEDs making equipment, gas cylinders and a jet bomb propeller were discovered and handed over to the brigade command. "Men of the command also discovered 114 live machine gun ammunition along Dikwa-Mafa road just after Shehuri Village that was abandoned by the insurgents,'' Abdullahi said. NAN recalls that the command had deployed about 200 men to Boko Haram liberated communities, including Dikwa, Munguno, Nganzai, Chibok and Askira Uba Local Government Areas of the state.
Armed robbers kill lecturer, 1 other in Gombe
Gombe – The Police Command in Gombe State has confirmed that a gang of armed robbery suspects killed a lecture and a Cameroonian at Kashere junction on the Gombe-Kumo Road.
This is contained in a statement issued by DSP Ahmed Usman, the command spokesman, in Gombe on Monday.
The statement stated that the incident occurred at about 11:45p.m., on Sunday night.
It named the lecturer as Malam Sulaiman Umar of the Department of Arabic Studies, Federal University, Kashere and the Cameroonian as Malam Zainab Mahmuda without giving further details.
The statement stated that the suspected robbers were about eight in number, adding that investigation into the incident had commenced.
Buhari’s administration met economic recession – Ngige
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA - MINISTER of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Nwabueze
Ngige has said that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives
Congress, APC, on assumption of office a year ago met economic recession
which has affected its programmes.
Senator Ngige who disclosed this in his text to mark the nation's democracy
day and one year in office of the present administration at the federal level
also said that his ministry was liaising with the Ministry of Solid Minerals
Development for the conversion of countless illegal mining going on in many
parts of the country into legal business.
Besides, the minister said that as an important step in protecting the national
interest, his ministry was matching efforts with the Ministry of
Interior to look
at the expatriate quota provision to make sure that expatriates do not
displace qualified Nigerians.
To that effect, he explained that already his ministry has a working
relationship over the strict observance of this, so that jobs meant for
Nigerians would not be lost to expatriates for any reason.
He said: "Since assuming office, I have quietly but relentlessly been active in
dialoguing with all social partners to ensure conducive atmosphere for
national productivity.
"I have unambiguously placed government intentions, positions and
challenges on the table for all partners to appreciate and make necessary
adjustments in their expectations in the over all interest of the nation.
"The tenor of last week's general strike, carried out only by a section of the
labour community and its decision to call it off in matter of days speak a lot
of our persuasive mechanism and openness which no patriotic organization
could ignore."
Speaking further he said that the government had put in place measures to
kick-start self reliance and job loses, which he said had yielded positive
results.
According to him: "Notwithstanding the prevailing economic down turn,
government is doing its best in the provision of jobs, with emphasis though
on blue-collar.
"The main agency of job creation is the National Directorate of Employment,
which is under my ministry.
"The NDE has over one hundred skills acquisition centres across Nigeria,
apart from the ones owned by some Federal ministries, agencies and states.
"Since I came in, we have embarked on the rehabilitation and re-equipping of
these NDE skills centres to enhance their training capacity. We are
establishing a liaison with other skill centres owned by other ministries,
agencies and state governments so as synchronize and standardize their
operations.
"We are working to institutionalize them as training centres whose
certificates - Trade Test 1, Trade Test 2 and Trade Test 3 can be recognized
internationally just like the City and Guild certificate of the old.
"Trade graduates of these centres such as in tiling, mechatronics, metal
works, welding, plumbing, mason, POP production and laying, Info-technology
technics among others will primarily find opportunities in the formal and
informal sectors and arrest a situation where a dominant percentage of such
low cadre skills are provided for us by Ghananians, Togolese and citizens of
other west African countries.
"Besides, our liaison with the International labour Migration of the European
Union will soon enable this category of Nigerians export their skills as legal
migrants to other countries. Our target is to train not less than 300,000 per
year and trainings are already on-going in most of our centres."
On the economic situation that the government met on assumption of office,
Senator Ngige said, "It is my firm conviction that the general over view of the
polity, especially the extant economic situation is important for us to clearly
situate and achieve an unbiased review of the efforts of the present
administration in the last 12 months.
"At present, our OPEC production quota is 2.2 million barrels per day but the
reality is that we are far away from meeting this target. As we speak, the
nation produces between 1.4 – 1.5 barrels per day, meaning that about 800,
000 barrels per day of the quota allocated to us by OPEC is lost.
"So, where other countries battle with over production and being sanctioned
by OPEC, we are under-producing, unable to meet our quota. Unfortunate,
you may say. This means that when we assumed office, we already had
economic recession, crude oil being the major revenue earner for the country.
"Without enough money to take care of the needs and welfare of the citizen,
which is the primary purpose of government, the prospect of swiftly fulfilling
campaign promises faces serious challenge. Nevertheless, the administration
trudged on and has recorded immense successes in many areas.
"In the Ministry of Labour and Employment where I have been in service as
the Minister since November 11, 2015, a period of about seven months, we
have taken significant steps and achieved quite a lot."
ABUJA - MINISTER of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Nwabueze
Ngige has said that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives
Congress, APC, on assumption of office a year ago met economic recession
which has affected its programmes.
Senator Ngige who disclosed this in his text to mark the nation's democracy
day and one year in office of the present administration at the federal level
also said that his ministry was liaising with the Ministry of Solid Minerals
Development for the conversion of countless illegal mining going on in many
parts of the country into legal business.
Besides, the minister said that as an important step in protecting the national
interest, his ministry was matching efforts with the Ministry of
Interior to look
at the expatriate quota provision to make sure that expatriates do not
displace qualified Nigerians.
To that effect, he explained that already his ministry has a working
relationship over the strict observance of this, so that jobs meant for
Nigerians would not be lost to expatriates for any reason.
He said: "Since assuming office, I have quietly but relentlessly been active in
dialoguing with all social partners to ensure conducive atmosphere for
national productivity.
"I have unambiguously placed government intentions, positions and
challenges on the table for all partners to appreciate and make necessary
adjustments in their expectations in the over all interest of the nation.
"The tenor of last week's general strike, carried out only by a section of the
labour community and its decision to call it off in matter of days speak a lot
of our persuasive mechanism and openness which no patriotic organization
could ignore."
Speaking further he said that the government had put in place measures to
kick-start self reliance and job loses, which he said had yielded positive
results.
According to him: "Notwithstanding the prevailing economic down turn,
government is doing its best in the provision of jobs, with emphasis though
on blue-collar.
"The main agency of job creation is the National Directorate of Employment,
which is under my ministry.
"The NDE has over one hundred skills acquisition centres across Nigeria,
apart from the ones owned by some Federal ministries, agencies and states.
"Since I came in, we have embarked on the rehabilitation and re-equipping of
these NDE skills centres to enhance their training capacity. We are
establishing a liaison with other skill centres owned by other ministries,
agencies and state governments so as synchronize and standardize their
operations.
"We are working to institutionalize them as training centres whose
certificates - Trade Test 1, Trade Test 2 and Trade Test 3 can be recognized
internationally just like the City and Guild certificate of the old.
"Trade graduates of these centres such as in tiling, mechatronics, metal
works, welding, plumbing, mason, POP production and laying, Info-technology
technics among others will primarily find opportunities in the formal and
informal sectors and arrest a situation where a dominant percentage of such
low cadre skills are provided for us by Ghananians, Togolese and citizens of
other west African countries.
"Besides, our liaison with the International labour Migration of the European
Union will soon enable this category of Nigerians export their skills as legal
migrants to other countries. Our target is to train not less than 300,000 per
year and trainings are already on-going in most of our centres."
On the economic situation that the government met on assumption of office,
Senator Ngige said, "It is my firm conviction that the general over view of the
polity, especially the extant economic situation is important for us to clearly
situate and achieve an unbiased review of the efforts of the present
administration in the last 12 months.
"At present, our OPEC production quota is 2.2 million barrels per day but the
reality is that we are far away from meeting this target. As we speak, the
nation produces between 1.4 – 1.5 barrels per day, meaning that about 800,
000 barrels per day of the quota allocated to us by OPEC is lost.
"So, where other countries battle with over production and being sanctioned
by OPEC, we are under-producing, unable to meet our quota. Unfortunate,
you may say. This means that when we assumed office, we already had
economic recession, crude oil being the major revenue earner for the country.
"Without enough money to take care of the needs and welfare of the citizen,
which is the primary purpose of government, the prospect of swiftly fulfilling
campaign promises faces serious challenge. Nevertheless, the administration
trudged on and has recorded immense successes in many areas.
"In the Ministry of Labour and Employment where I have been in service as
the Minister since November 11, 2015, a period of about seven months, we
have taken significant steps and achieved quite a lot."
Soldiers invade Kurutie, Tompolo’s real town
By Emma Amaize, Egufe Yafugborhi, Akpokona Omafuaire and Perez Brisbe
WARRI- SOLDIERS swooped on Kurutie (Little London), another community in
Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta
State, in six gunboats at about 4.30 am, today (Monday) , hunting for
members of the Niger Delta Avengers.
The residents were asleep when they came, but many scampered into the
bush when heard the sound of the gunboats.
The soldiers, who quickly cordoned the community, embarked on a house to
house search.
"I am looking at the soldiers from a hideout in the bush, they are going from
house to house. We know their tactics, so we ran away when they landed
this morning at the jetty in the town, belonging to Tompolo's father," an
informant told Vanguard on phone at abot 5.30am.
Tompolo has repeatedly denied having any link with the Niger Delta Avengers,
but the military seemed to disbelieve him , and were chasing him.
It was gathered that Tompolo's father was not in Kurutie when soldiers
stormed the town this morning, but an over 70-year-old man, simply
identified as Do Good Ikekama, is among the citizens allegedly molested and
forced to take the soldiers around some homes.
Ijaw leader, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, who spoke to Vanguard at about
6.00 am, confirmed the siege to Kurutie.
He said that despite the appeal by the Gbaramatu monarch, HRM Oboro
Gbaraun II, to the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme,
Brigadier General Paul Boroh (retd) that the soldiers should be professional in
their duties, they were still harassing people.
However, the soldiers, according to reports, left the community at about
6.30am .
WARRI- SOLDIERS swooped on Kurutie (Little London), another community in
Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta
State, in six gunboats at about 4.30 am, today (Monday) , hunting for
members of the Niger Delta Avengers.
The residents were asleep when they came, but many scampered into the
bush when heard the sound of the gunboats.
The soldiers, who quickly cordoned the community, embarked on a house to
house search.
"I am looking at the soldiers from a hideout in the bush, they are going from
house to house. We know their tactics, so we ran away when they landed
this morning at the jetty in the town, belonging to Tompolo's father," an
informant told Vanguard on phone at abot 5.30am.
Tompolo has repeatedly denied having any link with the Niger Delta Avengers,
but the military seemed to disbelieve him , and were chasing him.
It was gathered that Tompolo's father was not in Kurutie when soldiers
stormed the town this morning, but an over 70-year-old man, simply
identified as Do Good Ikekama, is among the citizens allegedly molested and
forced to take the soldiers around some homes.
Ijaw leader, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, who spoke to Vanguard at about
6.00 am, confirmed the siege to Kurutie.
He said that despite the appeal by the Gbaramatu monarch, HRM Oboro
Gbaraun II, to the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme,
Brigadier General Paul Boroh (retd) that the soldiers should be professional in
their duties, they were still harassing people.
However, the soldiers, according to reports, left the community at about
6.30am .
Sunday, 29 May 2016
37-yr-old man jailed 6 months for touching girl’s breast
By Monsuru Olowoopejo
An Ikeja magistrate's Court, weekend, sentenced a 37-year-old man, Ibrahim
Abu, to six months imprisonment for touching the breast of a 17-year-old girl
(names withheld) without her consent.
Abu, who lives at 6, Mosque Close, Isheri-Olofin, Lagos State, was arraigned
before Magistrate Osusanmi and sentenced last Friday for sexually assaulting
the girl Monday last week.
Vanguard gathered that the girl was asked by her parents to learn
hairdressing, while awaiting the release of her Senior Secondary Certificate
Examination, SSCE, result.
It was learned that at 7:30p.m. last week Monday, while she was returning
home, Abu accosted the victim at Baale Bus Stop Akowonjo, and touched her
breast without seeking her consent.
It was gathered that in retaliation, she slapped Abu and he hit her with a
plank; she reportedly fell, became unconscious and was rushed to a hospital.
Abu was later arrested by policemen attached to Shasha Police Station and
the case reported to Domestic, Sexual Violence Response Team, DSVRT.
Delivering her judgment, Osusanmi said the offence contravened Section 135
of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
Reacting over the judgement, Coordinator of DSVRT, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-
Adeniyi, said: "While we are pleased with this conviction, this case depicts the
current height of impunity with which abusers act.
"The success of this conviction can be linked to DSVRT's early engagement
with the concerned victim and collaboration with the police, who despite the
pleas and pressures from members of the society, ensured that the case was
charged to court.
"The role of the society in encouraging victims to speak out, protect victims
and encourage justice is now crucial more than ever."
...put in Sex
Offenders' Register
Vivour-Adeniyi disclosed that "the defendant's name and details have been
entered into the Sex Offenders Register.
"We, therefore, use this medium to implore members of the society and
stakeholders to play their roles in the fight against sexual and gender-based
violence."
An Ikeja magistrate's Court, weekend, sentenced a 37-year-old man, Ibrahim
Abu, to six months imprisonment for touching the breast of a 17-year-old girl
(names withheld) without her consent.
Abu, who lives at 6, Mosque Close, Isheri-Olofin, Lagos State, was arraigned
before Magistrate Osusanmi and sentenced last Friday for sexually assaulting
the girl Monday last week.
Vanguard gathered that the girl was asked by her parents to learn
hairdressing, while awaiting the release of her Senior Secondary Certificate
Examination, SSCE, result.
It was learned that at 7:30p.m. last week Monday, while she was returning
home, Abu accosted the victim at Baale Bus Stop Akowonjo, and touched her
breast without seeking her consent.
It was gathered that in retaliation, she slapped Abu and he hit her with a
plank; she reportedly fell, became unconscious and was rushed to a hospital.
Abu was later arrested by policemen attached to Shasha Police Station and
the case reported to Domestic, Sexual Violence Response Team, DSVRT.
Delivering her judgment, Osusanmi said the offence contravened Section 135
of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
Reacting over the judgement, Coordinator of DSVRT, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-
Adeniyi, said: "While we are pleased with this conviction, this case depicts the
current height of impunity with which abusers act.
"The success of this conviction can be linked to DSVRT's early engagement
with the concerned victim and collaboration with the police, who despite the
pleas and pressures from members of the society, ensured that the case was
charged to court.
"The role of the society in encouraging victims to speak out, protect victims
and encourage justice is now crucial more than ever."
...put in Sex
Offenders' Register
Vivour-Adeniyi disclosed that "the defendant's name and details have been
entered into the Sex Offenders Register.
"We, therefore, use this medium to implore members of the society and
stakeholders to play their roles in the fight against sexual and gender-based
violence."
EFCC harassment: Banks suspend cross border transactions on ATM cards
By Babajide Komolafe
Banks may have decided to suspend international transactions on Naira and
Dollar denominated ATM cards in protest of harassment of staff by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Indications to this
emerged last week, when a bank announced a temporary shutdown of
Mastercard International transactions.
"Please be informed that all international transactions on your MasterCard
Naira and Dollar (Debit, Prepaid) will be temporarily declined, effective May
26, 2016 due to the current volatility in the foreign exchange market.
However, your Naira denominated cards can still be used for local
transactions on PoS Terminal, ATM and online for Nigerian retailers", the
bank informed its customers.
A bank executive who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity said that
the development was in connection to the harassment of bank staff over the
exchange rate charged for international transactions on naira debit cards.
He said that the bank's decision to shut down Mastercard international
transactions was to prevent arrest or further arrests of its staff by EFCC.
"That is what you get when you have the EFCC arresting banks' staff and the
CBN not doing anything to defend the banks," he said, adding that, "You will
see more of such actions from other banks as time goes on."
In a letter written to the CBN last month, banks complained that, EFCC has
been going to banks and arresting staff of banks stating that card rate for
cross border transactions should not be more than the CBN rate plus a
margin of N0.50.
Titled, "Harassment of banks by the Economics and Financial Crimes
Commission over charges on FX Card Rates," the letter stated, "As you will
recall sir, the Central Bank of Nigeria does not sell foreign exchange (FX) to
banks for settlement of international cards schemes for the cross border
spend on our Naira debit card, most banks have had to be sourcing FX from
autonomous markets.
At several meetings of the CBN with Deposit Money Banks, it was reiterated
that we need to protect the scarce FX of the country and limits were placed
on cross border spend of naira debit ($300/ day for ATM withdrawal and a
total of N50,000 p.a for ATM and PoS purchase per card). One the measures
adopted by banks to discourage the abuse of usage was the card rate as
most banks PTA/BTA at the CBN rate.
Any customer of a bank travelling with appropriate document can access the
PTA window at $4,000 per quarter. Deposit Money Banks set the card rates
based on a daily market competitor scan, thereby leaving market forces to
dictate what the banks can charge their customers.
"As the sole regulator of banking practice in Nigeria, we hereby request the
CBN to urgently take steps to clarify to the EFCC that the banks have been
allowed to offer the product solely on a market determined basis. This has
become unavoidable in order to forestall further harassment by the EFCC".
Banks may have decided to suspend international transactions on Naira and
Dollar denominated ATM cards in protest of harassment of staff by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Indications to this
emerged last week, when a bank announced a temporary shutdown of
Mastercard International transactions.
"Please be informed that all international transactions on your MasterCard
Naira and Dollar (Debit, Prepaid) will be temporarily declined, effective May
26, 2016 due to the current volatility in the foreign exchange market.
However, your Naira denominated cards can still be used for local
transactions on PoS Terminal, ATM and online for Nigerian retailers", the
bank informed its customers.
A bank executive who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity said that
the development was in connection to the harassment of bank staff over the
exchange rate charged for international transactions on naira debit cards.
He said that the bank's decision to shut down Mastercard international
transactions was to prevent arrest or further arrests of its staff by EFCC.
"That is what you get when you have the EFCC arresting banks' staff and the
CBN not doing anything to defend the banks," he said, adding that, "You will
see more of such actions from other banks as time goes on."
In a letter written to the CBN last month, banks complained that, EFCC has
been going to banks and arresting staff of banks stating that card rate for
cross border transactions should not be more than the CBN rate plus a
margin of N0.50.
Titled, "Harassment of banks by the Economics and Financial Crimes
Commission over charges on FX Card Rates," the letter stated, "As you will
recall sir, the Central Bank of Nigeria does not sell foreign exchange (FX) to
banks for settlement of international cards schemes for the cross border
spend on our Naira debit card, most banks have had to be sourcing FX from
autonomous markets.
At several meetings of the CBN with Deposit Money Banks, it was reiterated
that we need to protect the scarce FX of the country and limits were placed
on cross border spend of naira debit ($300/ day for ATM withdrawal and a
total of N50,000 p.a for ATM and PoS purchase per card). One the measures
adopted by banks to discourage the abuse of usage was the card rate as
most banks PTA/BTA at the CBN rate.
Any customer of a bank travelling with appropriate document can access the
PTA window at $4,000 per quarter. Deposit Money Banks set the card rates
based on a daily market competitor scan, thereby leaving market forces to
dictate what the banks can charge their customers.
"As the sole regulator of banking practice in Nigeria, we hereby request the
CBN to urgently take steps to clarify to the EFCC that the banks have been
allowed to offer the product solely on a market determined basis. This has
become unavoidable in order to forestall further harassment by the EFCC".
Hoping for a better second year-buhari
The election of a former head of state as president in 2015 made Nigerians
very optimistic that effective governance would start immediately after
President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn-in. The expectation was heightened
when the incoming government vowed to bring change.
However, it took a while for the administration to constitute a cabinet,
shortly after that, it signed the budget on May 6, 2016.
So many things went rapidly downhill. Many companies closed shop and
hundreds of thousands of jobs were lost. Many manufacturing outfits
operated below capacity. The organised private sector and concerned
economic watchers frequently implored the Buhari regime to unfold its
economic policies and direction to enable investors make informed decisions.
It came to a head when in February 2016, Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka,
urged the Presidency to call an emergency conference to address the nation's
dwindling economic fortunes.
The past one year, however, recorded giant strides in the war against terror,
as the Boko Haram insurgents were encircled in Sambisa Forest. The war is
far from over, but there is light at the end of the tunnel as the military
continues to liberate more enclaves and free captives from the terrorists.
Unfortunately,just as the military is degrading the capability of Boko Haram
new fronts of instability opened up, with the upsurge of the separatist
agitations of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB, the attacks of armed
herdsmen on indigenous communities around the central and southern states,
as well as the return of militancy in the Niger Delta through the activities of
the Niger Delta Avengers.
The regime also put a lot of effort on the war on corruption, with emphasis
on the forceful return of stolen or misappropriated federal funds by
officials of
the former President Goodluck Jonathan government and their associates.
On the whole, this regime's approach to governance has been inchoate and
lacking in direction and purpose. Perhaps, this owes to the fact that it is a
totally new regime run by a new ruling party. Coming at a time of a grave
economic downturn did not help matters.
We hope the second year will see a lot more action in infrastructural
development. We hope there will be more engagement with the people and
less emphasis on the military approach which is alien to our democratic
setting.
We hope that the second year will bring the change promised Nigerians, to
heal the multiple injuries of electricity and fuel price hikes as well
as the free
fall of the value of the Naira. We expect the economic diversification
programme and creation of jobs to put money in the pockets of the ordinary
people.
We hope for a better second year.
very optimistic that effective governance would start immediately after
President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn-in. The expectation was heightened
when the incoming government vowed to bring change.
However, it took a while for the administration to constitute a cabinet,
shortly after that, it signed the budget on May 6, 2016.
So many things went rapidly downhill. Many companies closed shop and
hundreds of thousands of jobs were lost. Many manufacturing outfits
operated below capacity. The organised private sector and concerned
economic watchers frequently implored the Buhari regime to unfold its
economic policies and direction to enable investors make informed decisions.
It came to a head when in February 2016, Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka,
urged the Presidency to call an emergency conference to address the nation's
dwindling economic fortunes.
The past one year, however, recorded giant strides in the war against terror,
as the Boko Haram insurgents were encircled in Sambisa Forest. The war is
far from over, but there is light at the end of the tunnel as the military
continues to liberate more enclaves and free captives from the terrorists.
Unfortunately,just as the military is degrading the capability of Boko Haram
new fronts of instability opened up, with the upsurge of the separatist
agitations of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB, the attacks of armed
herdsmen on indigenous communities around the central and southern states,
as well as the return of militancy in the Niger Delta through the activities of
the Niger Delta Avengers.
The regime also put a lot of effort on the war on corruption, with emphasis
on the forceful return of stolen or misappropriated federal funds by
officials of
the former President Goodluck Jonathan government and their associates.
On the whole, this regime's approach to governance has been inchoate and
lacking in direction and purpose. Perhaps, this owes to the fact that it is a
totally new regime run by a new ruling party. Coming at a time of a grave
economic downturn did not help matters.
We hope the second year will see a lot more action in infrastructural
development. We hope there will be more engagement with the people and
less emphasis on the military approach which is alien to our democratic
setting.
We hope that the second year will bring the change promised Nigerians, to
heal the multiple injuries of electricity and fuel price hikes as well
as the free
fall of the value of the Naira. We expect the economic diversification
programme and creation of jobs to put money in the pockets of the ordinary
people.
We hope for a better second year.
PMB’s Anniversary Speech: ‘If Buhari can’t get economic experts he should borrow from Goodluck Johnathan’
By Emman Ovuakporie and Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA-MEMBERS of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP Sunday described
President Muhammadu Buhari's one year anniversary as another round of
campaign.
Some of the lawmakers who spoke to Vanguard were unanimous in their
views declaring that the president's speech smacks of electoral campaigns to
further confuse Nigerians.
Stop the blame game-Chairman House C'ttee on Capital Market, Rep
Tajudeen Yusuf, PDP, Kogi said
According to Yusuf, the president's speech hover around blaming every visible
thing on ground instead of telling Nigerians how he would fix the country.
He said "he needs to deliberately make people who are on the other side
politically know that despite their opinion they have a place as critical
stakeholders in project Nigeria .
" The blame game should stop as 60-70% of the people around him were part
of the last 16 years and for him to succeed he must jettison primordial
sentiments and embrace facts that he met on ground".
"He was elected to fix Nigeria not to keep complaining. He should make
nation building the focal point of his administration. Nobody in his right
senses will dare challenge him on such a patriotic venture".
This is a 'go slow govt'-Chairman House C'ttee on Public Petitions, Rep
Uzoma Nkem-Aboonta said.
Abonta who represents Ukwa East/West in Abia in his submission described
the speech as a bag full of complaints and pointed out that "Nigerians are
becoming impatient with this 'go slow administration'.
He explained that "this is a time for proactive measures that are sustainable
not this idea of complaining of virtually everything".
"If he can't get economic experts he should borrow from the Goodluck
Johnathan's economic team and this could help him save Nigeria".
"Somebody close to him should tell him that this is not time for lamentation
rather he should concentrate on how to move this country forward".
Don't place the blame alone on Buhari-Rep Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma,PDP, Edo.
He said "we are all to blame because we did not manage our oil boom period
instead a few Nigerians siphoned our commonwealth into private pockets".
"Though I'm in PDP, I won't place the whole blame on Mr president alone as
we all failed project Nigeria".
"On his speech I will say is another round of complaints without end as the
mantra that catapulted APC to power has not changed anything".
"Nothing has changed, so far what we've seen is trial by error economic
policies of this government".
"My final take is that we should all put our thinking cap on and see how the
Nigerian project can be salvaged".
ABUJA-MEMBERS of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP Sunday described
President Muhammadu Buhari's one year anniversary as another round of
campaign.
Some of the lawmakers who spoke to Vanguard were unanimous in their
views declaring that the president's speech smacks of electoral campaigns to
further confuse Nigerians.
Stop the blame game-Chairman House C'ttee on Capital Market, Rep
Tajudeen Yusuf, PDP, Kogi said
According to Yusuf, the president's speech hover around blaming every visible
thing on ground instead of telling Nigerians how he would fix the country.
He said "he needs to deliberately make people who are on the other side
politically know that despite their opinion they have a place as critical
stakeholders in project Nigeria .
" The blame game should stop as 60-70% of the people around him were part
of the last 16 years and for him to succeed he must jettison primordial
sentiments and embrace facts that he met on ground".
"He was elected to fix Nigeria not to keep complaining. He should make
nation building the focal point of his administration. Nobody in his right
senses will dare challenge him on such a patriotic venture".
This is a 'go slow govt'-Chairman House C'ttee on Public Petitions, Rep
Uzoma Nkem-Aboonta said.
Abonta who represents Ukwa East/West in Abia in his submission described
the speech as a bag full of complaints and pointed out that "Nigerians are
becoming impatient with this 'go slow administration'.
He explained that "this is a time for proactive measures that are sustainable
not this idea of complaining of virtually everything".
"If he can't get economic experts he should borrow from the Goodluck
Johnathan's economic team and this could help him save Nigeria".
"Somebody close to him should tell him that this is not time for lamentation
rather he should concentrate on how to move this country forward".
Don't place the blame alone on Buhari-Rep Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma,PDP, Edo.
He said "we are all to blame because we did not manage our oil boom period
instead a few Nigerians siphoned our commonwealth into private pockets".
"Though I'm in PDP, I won't place the whole blame on Mr president alone as
we all failed project Nigeria".
"On his speech I will say is another round of complaints without end as the
mantra that catapulted APC to power has not changed anything".
"Nothing has changed, so far what we've seen is trial by error economic
policies of this government".
"My final take is that we should all put our thinking cap on and see how the
Nigerian project can be salvaged".
The Buhari anniversary: We’ve never suffered like this before
Chief Ebenezer Babatope came to national renown as one of the closest
disciples of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the Second Republic
when he served as Director of Organisation of defunct Unity Party of
Nigeria, UPN. He eventually served as Minister of Transport in the Sanni
Abacha administration and is currently a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP, and a member of the party's Board of Trustees, BoT.
In this interview, he assesses the first anniversary of the Muhammadu
Buhari regime, saying that even while it is making it progress in some
fronts, that the administration should dispense the milk of human kindness
in some of its seemingly harsh policies.
Babatope also assesses the leadership issues in his party at the national
and at the South-West regional levels, affirming that it is to everyone's
relief that Senator Modu Sheriff has been shown the exit as national
chairman. He also scoffs at the assumptions that Senator Buruji Kashamu is
the leader of the party in the South-West.
One year into the Buhari-led administration, what do you think has changed
for Nigerians?
Well, Buhari has done well in his anti-corruption crusade, even though I am
one of those who believe that he has been pursuing selective justice. We all
know that he is one who has not stolen any money, but I want him to correct
himself that there can no be selective justice in Nigeria.
Second, we found that those who have been having the sledge hammer, are
those who should have suffered such. Femi-Fani Kayode is one of them.
I am not clear in my mind why they should pick Femi-Fani Kayode, he did his
job as a spokesperson of the PDP during the campaign elections, he would
not use stones to work. So, I want Buhari to change his style.
Buhari has shown himself to be a man of probity and a man of integrity, but
he should change his style so that Nigerians will stop suffering the way they
are suffering now.
You are requesting him to change his style, how?
He should address his mind to the plight of the common man; the common
man in Nigeria is suffering. I am telling you authoritatively, there
is hunger in
town and it is difficult for those at the top to know what is happening.
He should be told and I am sure they must have told him that Nigerians are
suffering. He should direct his energy and integrity towards solving the plight
of Nigerians because that suffering is too much.
But some people would disagree with you arguing that the present harsh
conditions were caused by your party, the PDP.
Well, he should go ahead and establish his probe. I want to be honest with
you, even though we are suffering; we have never encountered this kind of
suffering before.
This kind of suffering is a different one because every Nigerian is affected.
They are asking us to pay N145 to buy a litre of petroleum, how many
Nigerians can afford that? I agree with him on the removal of the oil subsidy;
it is good and courageous for him to have done that. But to buy petrol for
N145 is a crime against humanity and nobody will support that.
What will lead to peace in your party?
Senator Ali Modu Sheriff came in as a stranger to our party, and I told him
that many of us never supported him.
But given the separate court orders who do you think is the authentic
national chairman of the PDP?
The authentic chairman of the party is the man the convention in Port
Harcourt, picked, that is Senator Ahmed Markafi, who is to be supported by
the other committee members so chosen. Makarfi is chairman because the
convention is the highest organ in the land as regards to PDP. What it says
is final.
The convention met in Port Harcourt and appointed Markafi as chairman. Like
I said, Sheriff has no business in our party, and we thank God that he has
gone, and he is gone for good.
How will the issue of factions in some chapters of the party be resolved?
The caretaker committee of the party will deal with that because in 90 days'
time, we shall be meeting as a party at a convention that has the support of
everybody. The caretaker will deal with that, and we are going to deal with
all the anomalies.
Having said so, who do you think is the best person to reposition the party
when the convention is held?
We have been fighting for the chairmanship of the party to be returned to the
Southwest. The chairman of the party should come from the Southwest
because the Southwest has not produced the chairman of the party since the
party came into existence.
I am championing the case of Bode George because he has experience as a
deputy national chairman of the party. That is why I believe that Bode George
can lead the PDP.
When Obasanjo was leaving office, they all proposed that Bode George should
be made the chairman of the party, but Obasanjo used hanky-panky to stop
that, but now, the coast is clear. He has the experience, and he will be able
to counter the APC chairman.
Don't forget that Bode George and Buhari were in the military before; they will
know how to handle themselves.
Do you think this is possible considering the fact that Senator Kashamu
Buruji is making efforts at emerging the leader of the party in the
Southwest?
( Laughs ) I have nothing against Senator Buruji Kashamu, he is a young man,
he has money, he has dollars, but if he wants to get to the top, he can do so,
by ensuring that he recognises the elders.
Nobody fights with the elders and wins. He is a young man, what is he
looking for? If he plays the game very well, why not? He has never said that
to me, I wish him the best of luck, but he cannot be the leader of the elders,
he cannot be a leader.ruba land, he has to learn how to respect age, maturity
and experience.
disciples of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the Second Republic
when he served as Director of Organisation of defunct Unity Party of
Nigeria, UPN. He eventually served as Minister of Transport in the Sanni
Abacha administration and is currently a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP, and a member of the party's Board of Trustees, BoT.
In this interview, he assesses the first anniversary of the Muhammadu
Buhari regime, saying that even while it is making it progress in some
fronts, that the administration should dispense the milk of human kindness
in some of its seemingly harsh policies.
Babatope also assesses the leadership issues in his party at the national
and at the South-West regional levels, affirming that it is to everyone's
relief that Senator Modu Sheriff has been shown the exit as national
chairman. He also scoffs at the assumptions that Senator Buruji Kashamu is
the leader of the party in the South-West.
One year into the Buhari-led administration, what do you think has changed
for Nigerians?
Well, Buhari has done well in his anti-corruption crusade, even though I am
one of those who believe that he has been pursuing selective justice. We all
know that he is one who has not stolen any money, but I want him to correct
himself that there can no be selective justice in Nigeria.
Second, we found that those who have been having the sledge hammer, are
those who should have suffered such. Femi-Fani Kayode is one of them.
I am not clear in my mind why they should pick Femi-Fani Kayode, he did his
job as a spokesperson of the PDP during the campaign elections, he would
not use stones to work. So, I want Buhari to change his style.
Buhari has shown himself to be a man of probity and a man of integrity, but
he should change his style so that Nigerians will stop suffering the way they
are suffering now.
You are requesting him to change his style, how?
He should address his mind to the plight of the common man; the common
man in Nigeria is suffering. I am telling you authoritatively, there
is hunger in
town and it is difficult for those at the top to know what is happening.
He should be told and I am sure they must have told him that Nigerians are
suffering. He should direct his energy and integrity towards solving the plight
of Nigerians because that suffering is too much.
But some people would disagree with you arguing that the present harsh
conditions were caused by your party, the PDP.
Well, he should go ahead and establish his probe. I want to be honest with
you, even though we are suffering; we have never encountered this kind of
suffering before.
This kind of suffering is a different one because every Nigerian is affected.
They are asking us to pay N145 to buy a litre of petroleum, how many
Nigerians can afford that? I agree with him on the removal of the oil subsidy;
it is good and courageous for him to have done that. But to buy petrol for
N145 is a crime against humanity and nobody will support that.
What will lead to peace in your party?
Senator Ali Modu Sheriff came in as a stranger to our party, and I told him
that many of us never supported him.
But given the separate court orders who do you think is the authentic
national chairman of the PDP?
The authentic chairman of the party is the man the convention in Port
Harcourt, picked, that is Senator Ahmed Markafi, who is to be supported by
the other committee members so chosen. Makarfi is chairman because the
convention is the highest organ in the land as regards to PDP. What it says
is final.
The convention met in Port Harcourt and appointed Markafi as chairman. Like
I said, Sheriff has no business in our party, and we thank God that he has
gone, and he is gone for good.
How will the issue of factions in some chapters of the party be resolved?
The caretaker committee of the party will deal with that because in 90 days'
time, we shall be meeting as a party at a convention that has the support of
everybody. The caretaker will deal with that, and we are going to deal with
all the anomalies.
Having said so, who do you think is the best person to reposition the party
when the convention is held?
We have been fighting for the chairmanship of the party to be returned to the
Southwest. The chairman of the party should come from the Southwest
because the Southwest has not produced the chairman of the party since the
party came into existence.
I am championing the case of Bode George because he has experience as a
deputy national chairman of the party. That is why I believe that Bode George
can lead the PDP.
When Obasanjo was leaving office, they all proposed that Bode George should
be made the chairman of the party, but Obasanjo used hanky-panky to stop
that, but now, the coast is clear. He has the experience, and he will be able
to counter the APC chairman.
Don't forget that Bode George and Buhari were in the military before; they will
know how to handle themselves.
Do you think this is possible considering the fact that Senator Kashamu
Buruji is making efforts at emerging the leader of the party in the
Southwest?
( Laughs ) I have nothing against Senator Buruji Kashamu, he is a young man,
he has money, he has dollars, but if he wants to get to the top, he can do so,
by ensuring that he recognises the elders.
Nobody fights with the elders and wins. He is a young man, what is he
looking for? If he plays the game very well, why not? He has never said that
to me, I wish him the best of luck, but he cannot be the leader of the elders,
he cannot be a leader.ruba land, he has to learn how to respect age, maturity
and experience.
» Photos From Davido's Sister's White Wedding In Dubai «
returned to
City of gold to celebrate their white wedding ceremony at The Palazzo Versace.
The bride wore a stunning dress ballgown dress with makeup by Banke Meshida-
Lawal. Celebs like Davido and the Adeleke clan are also in Dubai to show the
couple their support.
See photos
First comes the reaction after scoring Ronaldo was awarded the title of the 11- Real
Cristiano Ronaldo is very happy after winning
the Champions League final against Atletico
Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo is very happy with the
Champions League title, won after the
execution of penalties against Atletico Madrid.
Mourinho said he was certain to score from
the penalty spot,
"We are very happy. Finals are always
complicated. The team has been very good and
has sacrificed a lot. It is impressive. I knew
that going to record in penalty had faith. I'm
very happy, I want to share the title with all
the fans of Real Madrid, "said Ronaldo.
the Champions League final against Atletico
Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo is very happy with the
Champions League title, won after the
execution of penalties against Atletico Madrid.
Mourinho said he was certain to score from
the penalty spot,
"We are very happy. Finals are always
complicated. The team has been very good and
has sacrificed a lot. It is impressive. I knew
that going to record in penalty had faith. I'm
very happy, I want to share the title with all
the fans of Real Madrid, "said Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo becomes Ucl top scorer
With 16 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the competition's top scorer
for the 5th
time overall – netting 55 in the last 4 campaigns.UCLfinal
for the 5th
time overall – netting 55 in the last 4 campaigns.UCLfinal
Ella Mensah And Her Cleavage At City People Awards Happening Now
Ghanaian actress Ella Mensah is pictured below at the 2016 City People's Awards
happening right now in Lagos.
Sexy or trashy? What do you think?
See her with GoldmyneTV boss Otunba Sesan Rufai below.
http://www.lailasblog.com/2016/05/ghanaian-actress-bares-her-massive.html
happening right now in Lagos.
Sexy or trashy? What do you think?
See her with GoldmyneTV boss Otunba Sesan Rufai below.
http://www.lailasblog.com/2016/05/ghanaian-actress-bares-her-massive.html
INEC decleared Toto Federal Constituency Bye-election Inconclusive
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Sunday declared the just
concluded Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency bye-election inconclusive due to
cancellation of votes as a result of over voting.
The Constituency Returning Officer of the election, Wilfred Uji of
Federal University,
Lafia, Nasarawa State, made this known while the announcing the outcome of the
poll in Nasarawa, Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.
Mr. Uji cited Section 53 of the Electoral Act which gives the
commission the power
to cancel elections in polling units where there is over voting.
"For Nasarawa/Toto federal constituency, we have a total number of 202,338
registered voters for the election out of which 76,475 were accredited
and the total
vote cast was 75,826 and we have 74,848 valid votes and the rejected votes stand
at 978.
"The cancelled votes taken from the vote cast stand at 39,150 and the four
political parties that participated at the bye-election scored the
following votes,
APC scored 46,559; PDP scored 17,068; APGA 11,181 and Labour party (LP) got
40 votes.
"The marginal difference between the APC and PDP is 29,491, and the cancelled
votes is 39,150, so the cancelled votes exceeded the marginal difference between
APC and PDP as a result of over voting in some polling units of the
constituency.
"Based on the relevant laws guiding the commission, we hereby order
for a rerun in
the affected polling units on Wednesday, June 1 in order to get a
winner and such
decision has been taken in the interest of peace," he said.
Also speaking, the Supervising Resident Electoral Commissioner for the election,
Habu Zarma, urged the stakeholders of the political parties to
cooperate with the
commission in order to have a peaceful rerun.
"The rerun will just serve as a second chance for the electorate to
choose a leader
of their choice and we hope that a winner will be declared during the rerun
election," he said.
While speaking with journalists, Mohammed Musa and Ayuba Wandai, the Sole
Administrators of Nasarawa and Toto local government areas of the state,
respectively, expressed optimism that APC will come victorious during the rerun
election.
They called on the supporters of the APC to remain peaceful, law abiding and
come out en masse to vote for the party during the rerun election.
Reacting on the rerun election, Adamu Abubakar, the APC Returning Agent for the
election, said that as a law abiding party, APC has agreed with the
decision of the
INEC in good faith.
"We are already leading other political parties with a lot of gap and we are
optimistic that our great party, APC, will win the rerun election," he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that INEC fixed May 28 for the
bye-election for
the Nasarawa/Toto federal constituency following the death of Rep. Musa Baba-
Onwana.
concluded Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency bye-election inconclusive due to
cancellation of votes as a result of over voting.
The Constituency Returning Officer of the election, Wilfred Uji of
Federal University,
Lafia, Nasarawa State, made this known while the announcing the outcome of the
poll in Nasarawa, Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.
Mr. Uji cited Section 53 of the Electoral Act which gives the
commission the power
to cancel elections in polling units where there is over voting.
"For Nasarawa/Toto federal constituency, we have a total number of 202,338
registered voters for the election out of which 76,475 were accredited
and the total
vote cast was 75,826 and we have 74,848 valid votes and the rejected votes stand
at 978.
"The cancelled votes taken from the vote cast stand at 39,150 and the four
political parties that participated at the bye-election scored the
following votes,
APC scored 46,559; PDP scored 17,068; APGA 11,181 and Labour party (LP) got
40 votes.
"The marginal difference between the APC and PDP is 29,491, and the cancelled
votes is 39,150, so the cancelled votes exceeded the marginal difference between
APC and PDP as a result of over voting in some polling units of the
constituency.
"Based on the relevant laws guiding the commission, we hereby order
for a rerun in
the affected polling units on Wednesday, June 1 in order to get a
winner and such
decision has been taken in the interest of peace," he said.
Also speaking, the Supervising Resident Electoral Commissioner for the election,
Habu Zarma, urged the stakeholders of the political parties to
cooperate with the
commission in order to have a peaceful rerun.
"The rerun will just serve as a second chance for the electorate to
choose a leader
of their choice and we hope that a winner will be declared during the rerun
election," he said.
While speaking with journalists, Mohammed Musa and Ayuba Wandai, the Sole
Administrators of Nasarawa and Toto local government areas of the state,
respectively, expressed optimism that APC will come victorious during the rerun
election.
They called on the supporters of the APC to remain peaceful, law abiding and
come out en masse to vote for the party during the rerun election.
Reacting on the rerun election, Adamu Abubakar, the APC Returning Agent for the
election, said that as a law abiding party, APC has agreed with the
decision of the
INEC in good faith.
"We are already leading other political parties with a lot of gap and we are
optimistic that our great party, APC, will win the rerun election," he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that INEC fixed May 28 for the
bye-election for
the Nasarawa/Toto federal constituency following the death of Rep. Musa Baba-
Onwana.
Charlyboy Writes A Letter To Buhari On Behalf Of Frustrated & Abandoned Youths
My Dear Presido,
You know how hard and for how long you have fought for this your job, now that
you have it, we cant wait to see how our lives will CHANGE!! People already don
begin dey throw stones, but me know say many things spoil, one year no fit
balance anything.
How far? You see say this matter no dey as easy as you think am, but I know say
many of your yarns before you enter, Na political, rhetorical
acrobatic, jingoism. Na
him make I talk say I go ride my bike reach China if one dollar equal
to one Naira. I
know that was part of your sound bites during your campaign.
Now, work don set. I know you understand why our expectations are high, so you
can't blame us too much, because we have been lied to, over and over again by
most of our insincere leaders. By faith or design, you have become a symbol of
renaissance for a nation that has been battered by mismanagement and
unprecedented corruption.
Kai! Odiegwu!
Weather or not you live up to that billing, time would tell.
Many Naijas were sold on your Change Campaign, tired of the usual statuesque
and many more just wanted a better life for themselves and their loved ones. All
eyes are on you, I trust you know that by now. Let your actions and words
demonstrate to us possibilities, hope again for the youths of this country and a
channeling back to those core values which we hold sacred. Anything less will be
same of the same. Shey you get?
I would want to believe that you have come to heal and fix the rot.
It will never be easy because of the wolves and sharks amongst us who
benefit big
time from the corruption, the poverty, the confusion and hopelessness
they inflict
on Nigerians.
All I ask of you, is to pay attention to the youths of this country
whose future has
been stolen by the fantastically corrupt leaders.
Oga me, e don set oooooo.
Best Regards.
Charles Emeka Oputa. ( CEO )
PRESIDENT
All Frustrated, Abandoned and Voiceless Youths
You know how hard and for how long you have fought for this your job, now that
you have it, we cant wait to see how our lives will CHANGE!! People already don
begin dey throw stones, but me know say many things spoil, one year no fit
balance anything.
How far? You see say this matter no dey as easy as you think am, but I know say
many of your yarns before you enter, Na political, rhetorical
acrobatic, jingoism. Na
him make I talk say I go ride my bike reach China if one dollar equal
to one Naira. I
know that was part of your sound bites during your campaign.
Now, work don set. I know you understand why our expectations are high, so you
can't blame us too much, because we have been lied to, over and over again by
most of our insincere leaders. By faith or design, you have become a symbol of
renaissance for a nation that has been battered by mismanagement and
unprecedented corruption.
Kai! Odiegwu!
Weather or not you live up to that billing, time would tell.
Many Naijas were sold on your Change Campaign, tired of the usual statuesque
and many more just wanted a better life for themselves and their loved ones. All
eyes are on you, I trust you know that by now. Let your actions and words
demonstrate to us possibilities, hope again for the youths of this country and a
channeling back to those core values which we hold sacred. Anything less will be
same of the same. Shey you get?
I would want to believe that you have come to heal and fix the rot.
It will never be easy because of the wolves and sharks amongst us who
benefit big
time from the corruption, the poverty, the confusion and hopelessness
they inflict
on Nigerians.
All I ask of you, is to pay attention to the youths of this country
whose future has
been stolen by the fantastically corrupt leaders.
Oga me, e don set oooooo.
Best Regards.
Charles Emeka Oputa. ( CEO )
PRESIDENT
All Frustrated, Abandoned and Voiceless Youths
Soldiers Avert Attacks On Pipelines At Gulobokri, Ewele
The Nigerian army on Sunday said troops on patrol in the Niger-Delta region
averted attacks by militants on some critical oil infrastructures.
A statement by Army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman, said troops of 343 Artillery
Regiment and of 2 Brigade, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in the
early hours of
today carried out patrol within the general area of Gulobokri and
Eweleso, around
Brass area in Bayelsa State.
Usman said the patrol team encountered some armed militants in two speed boats
with intent to blow up Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) pipeline in Gulobokri.
He said the suspected militants opened fire on the patrol team, explaining that:
"The troops responded with overwhelming superior firepower and as a result, the
suspected criminals sped off from the area with many of them sustaining gunshot
wounds."
He added that: "No casualty on the patrol team. Unfortunately, a staff
of Nigerian
Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), attached to the team sustained gunshot
wound. He has since been evacuated and he is in a stable condition."
Usman also said another patrol team of the same unit of the 82 Division Nigerian
Army, on patrol to Perigbene House Boat (HB) also encountered three Speed boats
suspected to be containing militants about to attack another critical
infrastructure
in the area.
He said: "The troops opened fire on them, killing most of them and
injuring others.
However, the casualty on militants cannot be ascertained as it was
raining heavily
and the raging storm could not allow troops to go on pursuit of the escaping
criminals."
He added that a mop up operation has been organized for those militants that
escaped with gunshot wounds and injuries as they may be receiving treatment in
the neighbouring communities.
He Usman assured that troops would continue to intensify patrol in the general
area to avert further vandalization or attacks in the area.
averted attacks by militants on some critical oil infrastructures.
A statement by Army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman, said troops of 343 Artillery
Regiment and of 2 Brigade, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in the
early hours of
today carried out patrol within the general area of Gulobokri and
Eweleso, around
Brass area in Bayelsa State.
Usman said the patrol team encountered some armed militants in two speed boats
with intent to blow up Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) pipeline in Gulobokri.
He said the suspected militants opened fire on the patrol team, explaining that:
"The troops responded with overwhelming superior firepower and as a result, the
suspected criminals sped off from the area with many of them sustaining gunshot
wounds."
He added that: "No casualty on the patrol team. Unfortunately, a staff
of Nigerian
Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), attached to the team sustained gunshot
wound. He has since been evacuated and he is in a stable condition."
Usman also said another patrol team of the same unit of the 82 Division Nigerian
Army, on patrol to Perigbene House Boat (HB) also encountered three Speed boats
suspected to be containing militants about to attack another critical
infrastructure
in the area.
He said: "The troops opened fire on them, killing most of them and
injuring others.
However, the casualty on militants cannot be ascertained as it was
raining heavily
and the raging storm could not allow troops to go on pursuit of the escaping
criminals."
He added that a mop up operation has been organized for those militants that
escaped with gunshot wounds and injuries as they may be receiving treatment in
the neighbouring communities.
He Usman assured that troops would continue to intensify patrol in the general
area to avert further vandalization or attacks in the area.
In One Year, Buhari Succeeded In Running Nigeria Aground – Fayose
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has lamented that in just one
year of the
All Progressives Congress (APC) government of President Mohammadu Buhari, the
country's economy was ruined so much that States could no longer pay workers'
salaries.
He said millions of jobs were lost, prices of essential commodities
skyrocketed to
the extent that Nigerians could no longer afford common tomato to cook and the
middle class wiped away completely.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere
Olayinka, Governor Fayose said; "Despite President Buhari's electoral promise to
reduce petrol pump price from
the N86.50 per litre that he met it and make life more bearable for
Nigerians, he
increased the price of petrol to N145, increased electricity tariff in
spite of lack of
power supply."
He said; "Food scarcity last experienced when Buhari was military Head of State
between 1983 and 1985 has returned to the country, with Nigerians
being unable to
feed."
The governor who said Nigerians should remove party, ethnic and religious
sentiments and ask themselves what they have benefited in the last one year,
reminded Nigerians that "Foreign Reserve was $28.6 billion, Excess Crude Account
(ECA) was $2.07 billion, the dollar was
less than N200, petrol was N87 per litre and most importantly, one bag
of rice was
N8,500 and power generation was over 5,000MW when Buhari assumed office.
The statement read in part; "Today, power generation is less than 1,400, Foreign
Reserve has reduced to $26.5 billion, dollar is now over N350, petrol
has increased
to N145 per litre and one bag of rice is now over N15, 000!"
"I read the president's speech and all that I saw was a president
still sounding like
he was campaigning for votes more than one year after winning election. It is
disappointing that the President's speech was once again about promises, not
about what has been done.
"Not even a mention of one kilometre of road tarred by this administration, no
single job was created except the ones created in Central Bank of
Nigeria for their
cronnies and children, not a single megawatt of electricity generated. This is
shameful."
year of the
All Progressives Congress (APC) government of President Mohammadu Buhari, the
country's economy was ruined so much that States could no longer pay workers'
salaries.
He said millions of jobs were lost, prices of essential commodities
skyrocketed to
the extent that Nigerians could no longer afford common tomato to cook and the
middle class wiped away completely.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere
Olayinka, Governor Fayose said; "Despite President Buhari's electoral promise to
reduce petrol pump price from
the N86.50 per litre that he met it and make life more bearable for
Nigerians, he
increased the price of petrol to N145, increased electricity tariff in
spite of lack of
power supply."
He said; "Food scarcity last experienced when Buhari was military Head of State
between 1983 and 1985 has returned to the country, with Nigerians
being unable to
feed."
The governor who said Nigerians should remove party, ethnic and religious
sentiments and ask themselves what they have benefited in the last one year,
reminded Nigerians that "Foreign Reserve was $28.6 billion, Excess Crude Account
(ECA) was $2.07 billion, the dollar was
less than N200, petrol was N87 per litre and most importantly, one bag
of rice was
N8,500 and power generation was over 5,000MW when Buhari assumed office.
The statement read in part; "Today, power generation is less than 1,400, Foreign
Reserve has reduced to $26.5 billion, dollar is now over N350, petrol
has increased
to N145 per litre and one bag of rice is now over N15, 000!"
"I read the president's speech and all that I saw was a president
still sounding like
he was campaigning for votes more than one year after winning election. It is
disappointing that the President's speech was once again about promises, not
about what has been done.
"Not even a mention of one kilometre of road tarred by this administration, no
single job was created except the ones created in Central Bank of
Nigeria for their
cronnies and children, not a single megawatt of electricity generated. This is
shameful."
Buhari Cancels Visit To Calabar
Barely one week after President Muhammadu Buhari called off a much-hyped visit
to Lagos State, he equally dashed the hopes of Cross Riverians as he shunned the
commissioning of the much-publicized Monorail and Garment factory projects in
the state.
And as in the Lagos instance, no reasons were given for suspending the
president's
visit to commission the two legacy projects alongside his wife, thereby causing
some embarrassment to the government and people of the state.
Had the number one citizen honoured the invitation, it would have been
his second
visit since he came into office, because on October 10, 2015 the
president honoured
Governor Ben Ayade's request on him to visit and perform the ground breaking and
flagging-off of construction of the controversial Calabar super highway project.
Preparations were in top gear to ensure a successful commissioning as work on
the projects continued round the clock in the past few weeks till
yesterday, when it
became obvious that the event would no longer hold.
Last Thursday, the State Commissioner of Information, Mrs. Rosemary Archibong,
while presenting a paper titled, "The Future of Tourism in Africa: A
Case Study of
Cross River State", at the just concluded conference of Africa Public Relations
Association (APRA) at the Calabar International Centre (CICC),
announced that the
president and his wife were no longer coming to commission the projects.
APRA members had earlier frowned at the poor facilities at Lakeside
hotel, Tinapa,
and the wrong use of the picture of former governor, Senator Liyel
Imoke, in a brief
documentary branding the state's tourism potentials at the conference,
instead of
that of the incumbent, Senator Ayade.
They also queried why participants were not allowed to use the monorail, which
was touted as one of the tourism brands that influenced most
participants to lodge
at the Lakeside hotel, Tinapa.
While apologising for all lapses noticed, the commissioner noted that
"Cross River
State gets very little in terms of allocation, whereas, other states
have over N9b or
more", saying that that affects a lot of things that ought to have been done.
On the Monorail, Mrs. Archibong explained that it was not yet open to
the public,
adding that only a test run was carried out in preparation for
commissioning last
Friday, by the president, who she said sent a message that he was no longer
coming due to some unforeseen circumstances.
The monorail project was conceived by the previous administration of former
Governor Donald Duke to run from the Margaret Ekpo International Airport to
Tinapa and the rails were procured, but the Senator Liyel Imoke regime changed
the plan given the huge financial outlay, thus rerouting it to run
from the CICC to
Tinapa.
Imoke had commenced the actual construction of the 1.5km rail and procured the
trains, but Ayade came in and completed it, while the Cross River
Garment Factory
reputed to be the biggest single floor garment factory in the world
with a floor size
of 5,000sqm has employed 3000 Cross Riverians, mostly women to start work in
three shifts.
to Lagos State, he equally dashed the hopes of Cross Riverians as he shunned the
commissioning of the much-publicized Monorail and Garment factory projects in
the state.
And as in the Lagos instance, no reasons were given for suspending the
president's
visit to commission the two legacy projects alongside his wife, thereby causing
some embarrassment to the government and people of the state.
Had the number one citizen honoured the invitation, it would have been
his second
visit since he came into office, because on October 10, 2015 the
president honoured
Governor Ben Ayade's request on him to visit and perform the ground breaking and
flagging-off of construction of the controversial Calabar super highway project.
Preparations were in top gear to ensure a successful commissioning as work on
the projects continued round the clock in the past few weeks till
yesterday, when it
became obvious that the event would no longer hold.
Last Thursday, the State Commissioner of Information, Mrs. Rosemary Archibong,
while presenting a paper titled, "The Future of Tourism in Africa: A
Case Study of
Cross River State", at the just concluded conference of Africa Public Relations
Association (APRA) at the Calabar International Centre (CICC),
announced that the
president and his wife were no longer coming to commission the projects.
APRA members had earlier frowned at the poor facilities at Lakeside
hotel, Tinapa,
and the wrong use of the picture of former governor, Senator Liyel
Imoke, in a brief
documentary branding the state's tourism potentials at the conference,
instead of
that of the incumbent, Senator Ayade.
They also queried why participants were not allowed to use the monorail, which
was touted as one of the tourism brands that influenced most
participants to lodge
at the Lakeside hotel, Tinapa.
While apologising for all lapses noticed, the commissioner noted that
"Cross River
State gets very little in terms of allocation, whereas, other states
have over N9b or
more", saying that that affects a lot of things that ought to have been done.
On the Monorail, Mrs. Archibong explained that it was not yet open to
the public,
adding that only a test run was carried out in preparation for
commissioning last
Friday, by the president, who she said sent a message that he was no longer
coming due to some unforeseen circumstances.
The monorail project was conceived by the previous administration of former
Governor Donald Duke to run from the Margaret Ekpo International Airport to
Tinapa and the rails were procured, but the Senator Liyel Imoke regime changed
the plan given the huge financial outlay, thus rerouting it to run
from the CICC to
Tinapa.
Imoke had commenced the actual construction of the 1.5km rail and procured the
trains, but Ayade came in and completed it, while the Cross River
Garment Factory
reputed to be the biggest single floor garment factory in the world
with a floor size
of 5,000sqm has employed 3000 Cross Riverians, mostly women to start work in
three shifts.
MARK ANGEL'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION WITH KIDS
MARK ANGEL'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION WITH
KIDS ON CHILDREN'S DAY ,,,,!!
watch video- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sd1I8E3VNII&feature=youtu.be&em=
*WINKZ*
KIDS ON CHILDREN'S DAY ,,,,!!
watch video- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sd1I8E3VNII&feature=youtu.be&em=
*WINKZ*
FG And Ex-Militants Meet In Benin Over Niger Delta Avengers
The Federal Government and ex-militants have resolved to end the
ongoing pipeline
vandalism in the Niger Delta region, an official has said.
Paul Boroh, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger-Delta
Matters and Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, said this at the end of a
meeting he convened in Benin.
Mr. Boro, a retired Brigadier General, told journalists on Saturday
night that the
pipeline vandalism in the Niger-Delta was reducing the economic fortune of the
country and inflicting pains on Nigerians.
He urged the agitators to dialogue with the relevant authorities over their
grievances and shun destruction of oil installations.
He assured that plans were in the pipeline to provide the ex-militants
with welfare
and a housing scheme in addition to the existing programme and projects.
Mr. Boroh stressed the need to find lasting solutions to the current
situation in the
region.
The common factor is security challenges we are facing in our areas,
in our region
that is affecting the economy of the country.
"Personally it makes me feel bad that we don't know how to solve our problem.
"To you my comrades, it is our responsibility to make sure that
insecurity in our
environment is well sorted out. Please let us do everything we can to make sure
that doesn't occur again."
Mr. Boroh, who was optimistic about the success of the meeting, said: "We have
all resolved that we will put our heads and hands and all in all
together to prevent
the re-occurrence of this type of thing."
He assured oil firms in the country that the Federal Government is
dedicated to end
the problems associated with bombing.
"Collectively we (Federal Government and ex-militants) have agreed to work as a
team to 2prevent re-occurrence.
"We feel bad that it is happening, it is affecting our economy and it
is affecting
development and we are very concern about it."
Some of the 'militants' who were present affirmed to what the special
adviser said
and pledged to support the federal government to bring lasting peace
to the Niger-
Delta, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
(NAN)
ongoing pipeline
vandalism in the Niger Delta region, an official has said.
Paul Boroh, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger-Delta
Matters and Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, said this at the end of a
meeting he convened in Benin.
Mr. Boro, a retired Brigadier General, told journalists on Saturday
night that the
pipeline vandalism in the Niger-Delta was reducing the economic fortune of the
country and inflicting pains on Nigerians.
He urged the agitators to dialogue with the relevant authorities over their
grievances and shun destruction of oil installations.
He assured that plans were in the pipeline to provide the ex-militants
with welfare
and a housing scheme in addition to the existing programme and projects.
Mr. Boroh stressed the need to find lasting solutions to the current
situation in the
region.
The common factor is security challenges we are facing in our areas,
in our region
that is affecting the economy of the country.
"Personally it makes me feel bad that we don't know how to solve our problem.
"To you my comrades, it is our responsibility to make sure that
insecurity in our
environment is well sorted out. Please let us do everything we can to make sure
that doesn't occur again."
Mr. Boroh, who was optimistic about the success of the meeting, said: "We have
all resolved that we will put our heads and hands and all in all
together to prevent
the re-occurrence of this type of thing."
He assured oil firms in the country that the Federal Government is
dedicated to end
the problems associated with bombing.
"Collectively we (Federal Government and ex-militants) have agreed to work as a
team to 2prevent re-occurrence.
"We feel bad that it is happening, it is affecting our economy and it
is affecting
development and we are very concern about it."
Some of the 'militants' who were present affirmed to what the special
adviser said
and pledged to support the federal government to bring lasting peace
to the Niger-
Delta, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
(NAN)
INEC decleared Toto Federal Constituency Bye-election Inconclusive
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Sunday declared the just
concluded Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency bye-election inconclusive due to
cancellation of votes as a result of over voting.
The Constituency Returning Officer of the election, Wilfred Uji of
Federal University,
Lafia, Nasarawa State, made this known while the announcing the outcome of the
poll in Nasarawa, Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.
Mr. Uji cited Section 53 of the Electoral Act which gives the
commission the power
to cancel elections in polling units where there is over voting.
"For Nasarawa/Toto federal constituency, we have a total number of 202,338
registered voters for the election out of which 76,475 were accredited
and the total
vote cast was 75,826 and we have 74,848 valid votes and the rejected votes stand
at 978.
"The cancelled votes taken from the vote cast stand at 39,150 and the four
political parties that participated at the bye-election scored the
following votes,
APC scored 46,559; PDP scored 17,068; APGA 11,181 and Labour party (LP) got
40 votes.
"The marginal difference between the APC and PDP is 29,491, and the cancelled
votes is 39,150, so the cancelled votes exceeded the marginal difference between
APC and PDP as a result of over voting in some polling units of the
constituency.
"Based on the relevant laws guiding the commission, we hereby order
for a rerun in
the affected polling units on Wednesday, June 1 in order to get a
winner and such
decision has been taken in the interest of peace," he said.
Also speaking, the Supervising Resident Electoral Commissioner for the election,
Habu Zarma, urged the stakeholders of the political parties to
cooperate with the
commission in order to have a peaceful rerun.
"The rerun will just serve as a second chance for the electorate to
choose a leader
of their choice and we hope that a winner will be declared during the rerun
election," he said.
While speaking with journalists, Mohammed Musa and Ayuba Wandai, the Sole
Administrators of Nasarawa and Toto local government areas of the state,
respectively, expressed optimism that APC will come victorious during the rerun
election.
They called on the supporters of the APC to remain peaceful, law abiding and
come out en masse to vote for the party during the rerun election.
Reacting on the rerun election, Adamu Abubakar, the APC Returning Agent for the
election, said that as a law abiding party, APC has agreed with the
decision of the
INEC in good faith.
"We are already leading other political parties with a lot of gap and we are
optimistic that our great party, APC, will win the rerun election," he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that INEC fixed May 28 for the
bye-election for
the Nasarawa/Toto federal constituency following the death of Rep. Musa Baba-
Onwana.
concluded Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency bye-election inconclusive due to
cancellation of votes as a result of over voting.
The Constituency Returning Officer of the election, Wilfred Uji of
Federal University,
Lafia, Nasarawa State, made this known while the announcing the outcome of the
poll in Nasarawa, Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.
Mr. Uji cited Section 53 of the Electoral Act which gives the
commission the power
to cancel elections in polling units where there is over voting.
"For Nasarawa/Toto federal constituency, we have a total number of 202,338
registered voters for the election out of which 76,475 were accredited
and the total
vote cast was 75,826 and we have 74,848 valid votes and the rejected votes stand
at 978.
"The cancelled votes taken from the vote cast stand at 39,150 and the four
political parties that participated at the bye-election scored the
following votes,
APC scored 46,559; PDP scored 17,068; APGA 11,181 and Labour party (LP) got
40 votes.
"The marginal difference between the APC and PDP is 29,491, and the cancelled
votes is 39,150, so the cancelled votes exceeded the marginal difference between
APC and PDP as a result of over voting in some polling units of the
constituency.
"Based on the relevant laws guiding the commission, we hereby order
for a rerun in
the affected polling units on Wednesday, June 1 in order to get a
winner and such
decision has been taken in the interest of peace," he said.
Also speaking, the Supervising Resident Electoral Commissioner for the election,
Habu Zarma, urged the stakeholders of the political parties to
cooperate with the
commission in order to have a peaceful rerun.
"The rerun will just serve as a second chance for the electorate to
choose a leader
of their choice and we hope that a winner will be declared during the rerun
election," he said.
While speaking with journalists, Mohammed Musa and Ayuba Wandai, the Sole
Administrators of Nasarawa and Toto local government areas of the state,
respectively, expressed optimism that APC will come victorious during the rerun
election.
They called on the supporters of the APC to remain peaceful, law abiding and
come out en masse to vote for the party during the rerun election.
Reacting on the rerun election, Adamu Abubakar, the APC Returning Agent for the
election, said that as a law abiding party, APC has agreed with the
decision of the
INEC in good faith.
"We are already leading other political parties with a lot of gap and we are
optimistic that our great party, APC, will win the rerun election," he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that INEC fixed May 28 for the
bye-election for
the Nasarawa/Toto federal constituency following the death of Rep. Musa Baba-
Onwana.
Special Moments Of Champions League Finals Yesterday Night In Photos
Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid again when it matters. It is a game
of luck when
it comes to penalties some people might argue but for you to get to the penalty
shootouts, it means you are no push-over.
These are some of the special moments cut on camera yesterday.
of luck when
it comes to penalties some people might argue but for you to get to the penalty
shootouts, it means you are no push-over.
These are some of the special moments cut on camera yesterday.
Georgina Onuoha And Daughters Stun In New Photoshoot In The US.
Nollywood actress Georgina Onuoha and her beautiful girls stunned in this new
photos for memorial day in the united states. The talented actress who
left Nigeria
after she got married have two daughters with her husband Dr. Igwegbe,
Unfortunately, her marriage failed but she got two beautiful girls to show.
Always a doting mother, the actress released new photos from a photoshoot.
Economy Is On The Way To Recovery - Adeosun, Finance Minister
• FGN saves N4.5bn monthly as 43,000 ghosts disappear
Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun has given a glimmer of hope on the economy,
saying it is on the way to recovery.
Things are beginning to look up regardless of the current hiccups, she said at
Sagamu, Ogun State, shortly after monitoring the Biometric Data
Capturing exercise
for members of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Friday.
Mrs. Adeosun said old investors were returning to the country gradually, adding
that despite the drop in oil prices, the fundamentals about the economy still
remained strong.
The programme was organised by the Police authorities and the Office of the
Accountant -General of the Federation to facilitate direct and prompt payment of
salaries into officers' accounts, eliminate ghost workers and multiple payments
among others.
The Federal Government, Adeosun said, was determined to turn the momentary
painful period into advantages, remove wasteful spending and effectively tackle
corruption so that the economy would not only recover, but government's spending
would also become beneficial to the majority of Nigerians.
"Old investors are coming back gradually and we have said that in a
year's time it
will be a different economy it may be slow and painful but we would
get there," she
said.
"Nigeria is going through a change and because of the decline in oil prices, the
fundamental things about the Nigerian economy remain strong.
"What we have to do is to make sure this painful period is used to our advantage
by removing the wasteful spending, stopping the corruption so that when money
spent by government is spent very effectively to the benefits of the
people and that
is what is going to make this economy recover."
Giving an update on the war against ghost workers, the minister said the number
has now reached 43000 and the discovery has made it possible for government to
reduce its wage bill by N4.5bý monthly.
She said none of the brains behind the fraud would go scot free.
Adeosun said the Biometric Data capturing exercise would be conducted for every
employee of the federal government.
She said: "So far we have reduced what we pay monthly by N4.5bý and it has been
increasing every day because those that are not supposed to be on the
pay-roll are
been removed.
"And we would keep doing that until we are sure that everybody receiving salary
from the Federal Government is valid, and the only way we can do that is to pay
salary directly into their accounts and we can also verify by using
BVN to ensure
that no multiple payments and that the people are alive. We are in
talks with the
EFCC and they are going to start the prosecution very soon. In fact, some people
died and no one told us about their demise but through this exercise
such kind of
people will be discovered, but when people are fraudulent they should be
prosecuted."
Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun has given a glimmer of hope on the economy,
saying it is on the way to recovery.
Things are beginning to look up regardless of the current hiccups, she said at
Sagamu, Ogun State, shortly after monitoring the Biometric Data
Capturing exercise
for members of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Friday.
Mrs. Adeosun said old investors were returning to the country gradually, adding
that despite the drop in oil prices, the fundamentals about the economy still
remained strong.
The programme was organised by the Police authorities and the Office of the
Accountant -General of the Federation to facilitate direct and prompt payment of
salaries into officers' accounts, eliminate ghost workers and multiple payments
among others.
The Federal Government, Adeosun said, was determined to turn the momentary
painful period into advantages, remove wasteful spending and effectively tackle
corruption so that the economy would not only recover, but government's spending
would also become beneficial to the majority of Nigerians.
"Old investors are coming back gradually and we have said that in a
year's time it
will be a different economy it may be slow and painful but we would
get there," she
said.
"Nigeria is going through a change and because of the decline in oil prices, the
fundamental things about the Nigerian economy remain strong.
"What we have to do is to make sure this painful period is used to our advantage
by removing the wasteful spending, stopping the corruption so that when money
spent by government is spent very effectively to the benefits of the
people and that
is what is going to make this economy recover."
Giving an update on the war against ghost workers, the minister said the number
has now reached 43000 and the discovery has made it possible for government to
reduce its wage bill by N4.5bý monthly.
She said none of the brains behind the fraud would go scot free.
Adeosun said the Biometric Data capturing exercise would be conducted for every
employee of the federal government.
She said: "So far we have reduced what we pay monthly by N4.5bý and it has been
increasing every day because those that are not supposed to be on the
pay-roll are
been removed.
"And we would keep doing that until we are sure that everybody receiving salary
from the Federal Government is valid, and the only way we can do that is to pay
salary directly into their accounts and we can also verify by using
BVN to ensure
that no multiple payments and that the people are alive. We are in
talks with the
EFCC and they are going to start the prosecution very soon. In fact, some people
died and no one told us about their demise but through this exercise
such kind of
people will be discovered, but when people are fraudulent they should be
prosecuted."
Nigerian Currency Crisis Explained: What We Know And Don’t Know - Bloomberg
Nigeria's central bank may soon give bond and stock investors what they have
been pleading for: a weaker naira.
Governor Godwin Emefiele announced after a meeting of the Monetary Policy
Committee in Abuja, the capital, on Tuesday that a more flexible
foreign-exchange
system would be unveiled "in the coming days." But he gave scant detail and left
plenty of questions. Here are some answers:
What's the problem?
Nigeria has held the naira at 197-199 per dollar since March 2015, even as other
oil exporters from Russia to Colombia and Malaysia let their
currencies drop amid
the slump in crude prices since mid-2014. Foreign reserves dwindled as
the central
bank defended the peg, while foreign investors, fearing a devaluation,
sold Nigerian
stocks and bonds.
While President Muhammadu Buhari and Emefiele argued a devaluation would fuel
inflation, that happened anyway: consumer prices accelerated at the
fastest pace in
six years in April as the black-market naira rate plummeted. To make matters
worse, data released four days before the MPC meeting showed the economy
contracted in the first quarter for the first time since 2004 as the
dollar shortage
curtailed manufacturing. That probably surprised policy makers, prompting the
change of heart, according to Mathias Althoff, a fund manager at Tundra Fonder
AB, which has about $200 million invested in frontier market stocks, including
Nigerian banks.
What happens next?
While Emefiele didn't specify what he meant by "greater flexibility,"
analysts at
Renaissance Capital Ltd. believe the central bank will allocate
dollars at a fixed
rate to strategic industries — like energy and agriculture — while
letting the naira
weaken in the interbank market, where everyone else would buy their foreign
currency. The central bank may also try try to control the new interbank rate by
imposing a trading band of about 5 or 10 percent around it, according
to Althoff.
Will that satisfy investors and save the economy?
If the central bank doesn't allow the naira to drop enough, foreign
investors will
continue to shun Nigerian assets, according to Althoff. The currency
should trade
at around 285-290 per dollar, according to Alan Cameron, an economist at Exotix
Partners LLP. A devaluation won't solve Nigeria's structural economic problems —
which include an over-reliance on oil exports — and may fuel inflation
in the short
term. But it would make Nigerian exports more competitive, curb imports and
encourage foreign investment.
What are the pitfalls?
Most investors would prefer a fully-floating naira, yet doubt that
Nigeria, which has
always had currency controls of some sort, will take that option. And there are
concerns it will be impossible for the central bank to ensure that
only importers
meeting its criteria will be able to buy foreign-exchange at the
discounted official
rate. Many analysts fear that in a nation U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron
described as "fantastically corrupt," access to the official rate will
come down to
political connections.
"The suggestion of a dual exchange rate, with the maintenance of the official
window, is a concern," Razia Khan, head of African research at
Standard Chartered
Plc, said. "This might lead to continued distortions in the market,
ultimately with
pressure on foreign-exchange reserves."
What else should investors watch out for?
Buhari. He has made it clear that he, not Emefiele, is the person in charge of
exchange-rate policy. The president is loath to allow the currency to
drop unless
he's forced to and in February likened such a move to "murder." He has yet to
make any response to the MPC's announcement. And while he is due to make a
speech on May 29, the first anniversary of his coming to power, local
press reports
suggest he will focus on the government's fight against corruption and Boko
Haram's Islamist insurgency.
The central bank has hinted at change before, only to do nothing. "The MPC has
dangled the carrot of exchange rate reform, but without giving any
details of what
a reformed market would look like," Cameron at Exotix said. "To the skeptics
among us, this will simply sound like a re-hash of the same old material we've
been hearing about since December 2015."
been pleading for: a weaker naira.
Governor Godwin Emefiele announced after a meeting of the Monetary Policy
Committee in Abuja, the capital, on Tuesday that a more flexible
foreign-exchange
system would be unveiled "in the coming days." But he gave scant detail and left
plenty of questions. Here are some answers:
What's the problem?
Nigeria has held the naira at 197-199 per dollar since March 2015, even as other
oil exporters from Russia to Colombia and Malaysia let their
currencies drop amid
the slump in crude prices since mid-2014. Foreign reserves dwindled as
the central
bank defended the peg, while foreign investors, fearing a devaluation,
sold Nigerian
stocks and bonds.
While President Muhammadu Buhari and Emefiele argued a devaluation would fuel
inflation, that happened anyway: consumer prices accelerated at the
fastest pace in
six years in April as the black-market naira rate plummeted. To make matters
worse, data released four days before the MPC meeting showed the economy
contracted in the first quarter for the first time since 2004 as the
dollar shortage
curtailed manufacturing. That probably surprised policy makers, prompting the
change of heart, according to Mathias Althoff, a fund manager at Tundra Fonder
AB, which has about $200 million invested in frontier market stocks, including
Nigerian banks.
What happens next?
While Emefiele didn't specify what he meant by "greater flexibility,"
analysts at
Renaissance Capital Ltd. believe the central bank will allocate
dollars at a fixed
rate to strategic industries — like energy and agriculture — while
letting the naira
weaken in the interbank market, where everyone else would buy their foreign
currency. The central bank may also try try to control the new interbank rate by
imposing a trading band of about 5 or 10 percent around it, according
to Althoff.
Will that satisfy investors and save the economy?
If the central bank doesn't allow the naira to drop enough, foreign
investors will
continue to shun Nigerian assets, according to Althoff. The currency
should trade
at around 285-290 per dollar, according to Alan Cameron, an economist at Exotix
Partners LLP. A devaluation won't solve Nigeria's structural economic problems —
which include an over-reliance on oil exports — and may fuel inflation
in the short
term. But it would make Nigerian exports more competitive, curb imports and
encourage foreign investment.
What are the pitfalls?
Most investors would prefer a fully-floating naira, yet doubt that
Nigeria, which has
always had currency controls of some sort, will take that option. And there are
concerns it will be impossible for the central bank to ensure that
only importers
meeting its criteria will be able to buy foreign-exchange at the
discounted official
rate. Many analysts fear that in a nation U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron
described as "fantastically corrupt," access to the official rate will
come down to
political connections.
"The suggestion of a dual exchange rate, with the maintenance of the official
window, is a concern," Razia Khan, head of African research at
Standard Chartered
Plc, said. "This might lead to continued distortions in the market,
ultimately with
pressure on foreign-exchange reserves."
What else should investors watch out for?
Buhari. He has made it clear that he, not Emefiele, is the person in charge of
exchange-rate policy. The president is loath to allow the currency to
drop unless
he's forced to and in February likened such a move to "murder." He has yet to
make any response to the MPC's announcement. And while he is due to make a
speech on May 29, the first anniversary of his coming to power, local
press reports
suggest he will focus on the government's fight against corruption and Boko
Haram's Islamist insurgency.
The central bank has hinted at change before, only to do nothing. "The MPC has
dangled the carrot of exchange rate reform, but without giving any
details of what
a reformed market would look like," Cameron at Exotix said. "To the skeptics
among us, this will simply sound like a re-hash of the same old material we've
been hearing about since December 2015."
Buhari's 7 Biggest Mistakes In His 1st Year-Premium Times
A year ago, Muhammadu Buhari was Nigeria's Rorschach test, upon whom
Nigerians could project their disparate yearnings, following widespread
disenchantment with the administration of Goodluck Jonathan.
To govern, however, is to choose, and the choices the leader of this
diverse entity
called Nigeria makes in a 12-month period, are what has largely revealed his
personality.
Like any new leader, especially one dogged by security threats and plummeting
economic indices, President Buhari wishes he could have had it less tough.
Mr. Buhari stated earlier this year that he wished he hadn't been
elected president
at a time Nigeria was grappling with severe insecurity and low crude
oil prices at
the international markets.
"But I say why me? Why is it that it is when they have spent all the money, when
they made the country insecure that I returned?" Mr. Buhari lamented
in a February
5 interview with Al-Jazeera. "Why didn't I come when the treasury was full? Oil
price was over $140 per barrel and when I came, it slipped down to $30. Why me?"
Although Mr. Buhari still frequently blames his predecessor for
running the country
aground, bequeathing only a "virtually empty" treasury to him, he also committed
ample embarrassing gaffes in terms of policy pronouncements and his deliberate
indifference to the public mood.
Since Mr. Buhari did not participate in any debate during the campaign–and the
number of times he made stump speeches for himself could be counted on
fingertips—it is hard to suggest that the president would, in
hindsight, wish he had
not pit an ardent campaign against his major challenger, Mr. Jonathan.
Juxtaposing the current state of his presidency with the euphoria that
greeted his
emergence as winner of the historic 2015 elections, here are some low-hanging
fruits that require no legislation that Mr. Buhari should have plucked to assert
himself clearly as a leader who has both the moral and intellectual
astuteness to
effect the fundamental changes Nigerians have long craved.
Disclosure of Asset
Mr. Buhari is arguably the first-ever Nigerian leader that was elected
into office on
the perceived strength of his character as a conviction politician that could
decisively deal with corruption —Nigeria's worst bane.
To further convince Nigerians that he was, indeed, a frugal and
incorruptible man,
Mr. Buhari, in one of his speeches, said he would publicly declare his
assets upon
assumption of office. He also said he would prevail on his appointees to do the
same.
Shortly after his swearing in, Nigerians began demanding copies of Mr. Buhari's
assets declaration documents as submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau. And
the president began prevaricating about the matter immediately.
At first, he released a statement claiming to have fulfilled his public assets
declaration vow on June 6, 2015. That turned out to be misleading. Mr.
Buhari only
submitted his assets declaration form to the CCB as every government official is
mandated to do.
Under intense public pressure, the president released a statement
enumerating his
assets and those of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The statement was at best
imprecise, with no clear details of listed assets. It failed to
provide addresses of
landed of properties, vehicle models, assets of spouse and children as
required by
law, and more. The presidency assured those details would be available to every
Nigerian once they were verified by the Code of Conduct Bureau.
The bureau has since done so, but Mr. Buhari still refuses to come
entirely clean on
how much he is worth, even though the Ahmed Joda transition committee advised
that immediate public declaration of assets would be a "quick win" for Messrs.
Buhari and Osinbajo.
Questioned during a presidential media chat in 2015, a visibly itchy president
questioned why he was singled out, from amongst the governors and
other political
leaders.
Till date, a day away from the government's first birthday, the
president has failed
to disclose his assets by sending the photocopies of what he submitted to CCB to
the media, as former President Umaru Yar'Adua did.
Reap as you vote
The ethnic and tribal sentiments that have for long been a feature of Nigeria's
elections were palpable in the outcome of the 2015 general elections.
The results
showed that while the people of the north embraced Mr. Buhari in large numbers,
those in the south-south and south-east overwhelmingly voted to keep "their
own" in office.
Notwithstanding, a plurality of Nigerians had expected that the president would
govern fairly and inclusively in order to heal whatever wound the election may
have left behind.
Alas, there's little evidence to show that Mr. Buhari did this.
Instead, he began by
appointing mainly northerners to the consternation of even those who were
amongst his staunchest allies. Mr. Buhari appointed dozens of aides in the first
weeks of his administration without ceding any of the positions to the
southeast.
Asked how he intended to implement an inclusive development of the south-
south, Mr. Buhari delved into the results of the elections, speaking of how the
limited support he received from the area would certainly reflect in his
government's policies and programmes to them.
When pressed on the consistent complaints of marginalisation by the South-East,,
a visibly irritated president asked in his maiden media chat on December 30,
2015: "What do the Igbos want?"
Public mood and local media
Upon assumption of office, President Buhari was met with incessant and
devastating attacks by suspected Boko Haram members. It took intense public
criticisms for him to issue a single statement condemning the attacks. He was
quiet most times. He showed similar reluctance with the herdsmen crisis across
the country. The killings in Agatu and other southern communities were not
condemned by the president for weeks. Most went without a single statement of
condolence from his office.
But the president was swift in condemning terrorist attacks in Paris, Brussels,
Grand-Bassam and elsewhere.
Similarly, Mr. Buhari hardly speaks to local media. From when he would name his
ministers (in U.S.) to how he won't let the central bank devalue (in Paris) the
president has made most of the key pronouncements abroad. Talking to local
media would have helped him better understand and gauge public opinion.
Presidential Air Fleet
From a Boeing 737 to choppers, those who should know said there are about 11
aircraft in the presidential air fleet. His campaign assured Nigerians
that some of
those aircraft would be disposed of if the president won the
elections. Not one has
gone yet. Why Mr. Buhari has not sold any of them or even addressed Nigerians on
why he couldn't sell remained unclear.
Appointment of ministers
Mr. Buhari failed to appoint his ministers early. From the moment he
took over on
May 29, 2015, till October ending when he finally released names of
his prospective
ministers, Mr. Buhari claimed he was taking his time to appoint the best.
In hindsight, very few people believe the president's appointment was worth the
time he spent shopping for them. Some analysts have blamed the late
appointments partly for the declining state of the economy.
Given the prolonged fall in oil prices even before the elections, they argue,
appointing a top economic team early enough could have helped stabilise the
system and assure investors. The president missed that opportunity.
With budget, it's business as usual in Abuja.
Given that one of Mr. Buhari's rallying cries during the campaign was
a promise to
eliminate waste within his administration and streamline state agencies and
parastatals, history has recorded that Mr. Buhari's first budget was marred by
irregularities–embarrassing and administrative irregularities. It
failed to send the
much-needed signal to unscrupulous civil servants that a new sheriff
was indeed in
town. It was a disaster.
Being Nigeria's most effective salesman.
Of the 30 foreign trips Mr. Buhari made in his first year, hardly did
he return from
any without dropping a "bombshell". While some were inadvertent gaffes, too many
others were as deliberate as they were damaging.
Nigeria's president has travelled to distant lands to castigate his people as
"criminals", "corrupt" and "unruly" and even urged foreign investors to be wary.
Although a plurality of Nigerian foreign policy analysts have condemned the
president for his outbursts, some of his supporters say he was being
honest. That
could seem an afterthought. If the president does not want to sell
Nigeria–which is
actually part of his job– he should, at least, not de-market it.
Nigerians could project their disparate yearnings, following widespread
disenchantment with the administration of Goodluck Jonathan.
To govern, however, is to choose, and the choices the leader of this
diverse entity
called Nigeria makes in a 12-month period, are what has largely revealed his
personality.
Like any new leader, especially one dogged by security threats and plummeting
economic indices, President Buhari wishes he could have had it less tough.
Mr. Buhari stated earlier this year that he wished he hadn't been
elected president
at a time Nigeria was grappling with severe insecurity and low crude
oil prices at
the international markets.
"But I say why me? Why is it that it is when they have spent all the money, when
they made the country insecure that I returned?" Mr. Buhari lamented
in a February
5 interview with Al-Jazeera. "Why didn't I come when the treasury was full? Oil
price was over $140 per barrel and when I came, it slipped down to $30. Why me?"
Although Mr. Buhari still frequently blames his predecessor for
running the country
aground, bequeathing only a "virtually empty" treasury to him, he also committed
ample embarrassing gaffes in terms of policy pronouncements and his deliberate
indifference to the public mood.
Since Mr. Buhari did not participate in any debate during the campaign–and the
number of times he made stump speeches for himself could be counted on
fingertips—it is hard to suggest that the president would, in
hindsight, wish he had
not pit an ardent campaign against his major challenger, Mr. Jonathan.
Juxtaposing the current state of his presidency with the euphoria that
greeted his
emergence as winner of the historic 2015 elections, here are some low-hanging
fruits that require no legislation that Mr. Buhari should have plucked to assert
himself clearly as a leader who has both the moral and intellectual
astuteness to
effect the fundamental changes Nigerians have long craved.
Disclosure of Asset
Mr. Buhari is arguably the first-ever Nigerian leader that was elected
into office on
the perceived strength of his character as a conviction politician that could
decisively deal with corruption —Nigeria's worst bane.
To further convince Nigerians that he was, indeed, a frugal and
incorruptible man,
Mr. Buhari, in one of his speeches, said he would publicly declare his
assets upon
assumption of office. He also said he would prevail on his appointees to do the
same.
Shortly after his swearing in, Nigerians began demanding copies of Mr. Buhari's
assets declaration documents as submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau. And
the president began prevaricating about the matter immediately.
At first, he released a statement claiming to have fulfilled his public assets
declaration vow on June 6, 2015. That turned out to be misleading. Mr.
Buhari only
submitted his assets declaration form to the CCB as every government official is
mandated to do.
Under intense public pressure, the president released a statement
enumerating his
assets and those of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The statement was at best
imprecise, with no clear details of listed assets. It failed to
provide addresses of
landed of properties, vehicle models, assets of spouse and children as
required by
law, and more. The presidency assured those details would be available to every
Nigerian once they were verified by the Code of Conduct Bureau.
The bureau has since done so, but Mr. Buhari still refuses to come
entirely clean on
how much he is worth, even though the Ahmed Joda transition committee advised
that immediate public declaration of assets would be a "quick win" for Messrs.
Buhari and Osinbajo.
Questioned during a presidential media chat in 2015, a visibly itchy president
questioned why he was singled out, from amongst the governors and
other political
leaders.
Till date, a day away from the government's first birthday, the
president has failed
to disclose his assets by sending the photocopies of what he submitted to CCB to
the media, as former President Umaru Yar'Adua did.
Reap as you vote
The ethnic and tribal sentiments that have for long been a feature of Nigeria's
elections were palpable in the outcome of the 2015 general elections.
The results
showed that while the people of the north embraced Mr. Buhari in large numbers,
those in the south-south and south-east overwhelmingly voted to keep "their
own" in office.
Notwithstanding, a plurality of Nigerians had expected that the president would
govern fairly and inclusively in order to heal whatever wound the election may
have left behind.
Alas, there's little evidence to show that Mr. Buhari did this.
Instead, he began by
appointing mainly northerners to the consternation of even those who were
amongst his staunchest allies. Mr. Buhari appointed dozens of aides in the first
weeks of his administration without ceding any of the positions to the
southeast.
Asked how he intended to implement an inclusive development of the south-
south, Mr. Buhari delved into the results of the elections, speaking of how the
limited support he received from the area would certainly reflect in his
government's policies and programmes to them.
When pressed on the consistent complaints of marginalisation by the South-East,,
a visibly irritated president asked in his maiden media chat on December 30,
2015: "What do the Igbos want?"
Public mood and local media
Upon assumption of office, President Buhari was met with incessant and
devastating attacks by suspected Boko Haram members. It took intense public
criticisms for him to issue a single statement condemning the attacks. He was
quiet most times. He showed similar reluctance with the herdsmen crisis across
the country. The killings in Agatu and other southern communities were not
condemned by the president for weeks. Most went without a single statement of
condolence from his office.
But the president was swift in condemning terrorist attacks in Paris, Brussels,
Grand-Bassam and elsewhere.
Similarly, Mr. Buhari hardly speaks to local media. From when he would name his
ministers (in U.S.) to how he won't let the central bank devalue (in Paris) the
president has made most of the key pronouncements abroad. Talking to local
media would have helped him better understand and gauge public opinion.
Presidential Air Fleet
From a Boeing 737 to choppers, those who should know said there are about 11
aircraft in the presidential air fleet. His campaign assured Nigerians
that some of
those aircraft would be disposed of if the president won the
elections. Not one has
gone yet. Why Mr. Buhari has not sold any of them or even addressed Nigerians on
why he couldn't sell remained unclear.
Appointment of ministers
Mr. Buhari failed to appoint his ministers early. From the moment he
took over on
May 29, 2015, till October ending when he finally released names of
his prospective
ministers, Mr. Buhari claimed he was taking his time to appoint the best.
In hindsight, very few people believe the president's appointment was worth the
time he spent shopping for them. Some analysts have blamed the late
appointments partly for the declining state of the economy.
Given the prolonged fall in oil prices even before the elections, they argue,
appointing a top economic team early enough could have helped stabilise the
system and assure investors. The president missed that opportunity.
With budget, it's business as usual in Abuja.
Given that one of Mr. Buhari's rallying cries during the campaign was
a promise to
eliminate waste within his administration and streamline state agencies and
parastatals, history has recorded that Mr. Buhari's first budget was marred by
irregularities–embarrassing and administrative irregularities. It
failed to send the
much-needed signal to unscrupulous civil servants that a new sheriff
was indeed in
town. It was a disaster.
Being Nigeria's most effective salesman.
Of the 30 foreign trips Mr. Buhari made in his first year, hardly did
he return from
any without dropping a "bombshell". While some were inadvertent gaffes, too many
others were as deliberate as they were damaging.
Nigeria's president has travelled to distant lands to castigate his people as
"criminals", "corrupt" and "unruly" and even urged foreign investors to be wary.
Although a plurality of Nigerian foreign policy analysts have condemned the
president for his outbursts, some of his supporters say he was being
honest. That
could seem an afterthought. If the president does not want to sell
Nigeria–which is
actually part of his job– he should, at least, not de-market it.
Customs To Use N285/$ For Duty From June 1
The Nigerian Customs department announced today it will begin to use the rate
of N285 to the dollar for the calculation of duty on all imports from Wednesday
June 1, 2016.
It is a further evidence of the implicit adjustment of the value of the national
currency, the Naira which had remained artificially at N199 for almost a year.
The Central Bank said after Tuesday's meeting of the monetary policy
committee that it will work out modalities for the operation of the parallel
foreign exchange market in a move towards a more flexible exchange rate for
the Naira.
While the market awaits the rules being put in place by the apex bank, many
have been watching for signs that could help point them to the rate applicable
in the interbank market.
The Customs announcement today is perhaps the clearest sign yet that the rate
of exchange will be closer to N300 than the current official rate of N199 to the
US dollar.
Already oil importers have been advised that the rate governing the calibration
of the pump price of PMS will be N285 to the dollar for the time being.
of N285 to the dollar for the calculation of duty on all imports from Wednesday
June 1, 2016.
It is a further evidence of the implicit adjustment of the value of the national
currency, the Naira which had remained artificially at N199 for almost a year.
The Central Bank said after Tuesday's meeting of the monetary policy
committee that it will work out modalities for the operation of the parallel
foreign exchange market in a move towards a more flexible exchange rate for
the Naira.
While the market awaits the rules being put in place by the apex bank, many
have been watching for signs that could help point them to the rate applicable
in the interbank market.
The Customs announcement today is perhaps the clearest sign yet that the rate
of exchange will be closer to N300 than the current official rate of N199 to the
US dollar.
Already oil importers have been advised that the rate governing the calibration
of the pump price of PMS will be N285 to the dollar for the time being.
APC Thanks Nigerians, Urges More Support For Buhari
Abuja – As The President Muhammadu Buhari Celebrates His First Anniversary
Today, His Party, The All Progressives Congress Apc Has Thanked
Nigerians For Their
Support In The Past 12 Months, Promising To Do More To Improve On
Their Wellbeing.
In A Statement Signed By Its Chairman, Chief John Odigie-oyegun, Apc Said The
President Has Creditably Discharged The Confidence Reposed In Him
During The Last
General Elections.
The Statement Reads In Part;
"twelve Months Ago, President Muhammadu Buhari Was Sworn Into Office After The
Decisive Victory Of Our Great Party In The General Elections That
Marked 16 Years Of
Unbroken Democratic Rule In Nigeria.
"on Behalf Of The National Working Committee, Elders, Leaders And The Teeming
Members Of Our Party, I Wish To Convey My Immeasurable Gratitude To Our Fellow
Compatriots For Their Unprecedented Confidence And Trust In President Muhammadu
Buhari And The Party.
"the Apc Assures All Nigerians That The Party And The President Hold As Very
Sacred This Collective Trust, Which The President Has So Creditably
Discharged This
Past One Year.
"president Buhari Has, In The Last Year, Worked Hard To Repair
Nigeria's Previously
Tarnished Image In The International Community; Restored The
Territorial Integrity Of
Our Country By Ensuring The Containment Of The Erstwhile Rampaging Boko Haram
Insurgency And Has Waged An Unrelenting And Vigorous War Against Corruption As
He Promised In His Electioneering Campaign.
"the President, Being Fully Aware Of The Tough Economic Challenges Facing
Nigerians, Has Directed His Focus On The Salvaging Of Our Battered And Prostrate
Economy.
"the Very Parlous State Of The Economy Inherited By This
Administration, Which Has
Been Further Battered By The Collapse Of The Price Of Crude Oil And The Massive
Corruption By The Past Administration, Does Not Need Any Further Restating.
However, The Government Has Courageously Faced These Challenges By Taking Tough
Decisions Necessary To Bring Our Economy Back To Buoyancy And Self-sustaining
Growth.
"one Of Such Tough But Inevitable Decisions Is The Liberalization Of
The Petroleum
Downstream Sector And The Consequent Hike In Petrol Price Which Led To
A Call Out
Of Workers On An Indefinite Strike By Organised Labour.
"we Thank Nigerians For Their Understanding Of The Situation And Also Organised
Labour For Resuming Negotiation With Government.
"i Want To Assure That The Apc Administration Of President Buhari
Holds Your Trust
To Be Sacred And Will Do All That Is Humanly Possible To Ensure That These Tough
Times Do Not Last. The 2016 Budget Which Includes N500 Billion
Dedicated To Social
Intervention Will Begin To Have Positive Impact Very Soon.
"i Call On All Our Compatriots To Put Aside Any Differences And Join
With President
Muhammadu Buhari To Design And Lay A Strong Foundation For A New Economy That
Assures Self-sustaining Growth And Shared Prosperity For Our People.
In The Words
Of Our Dear President Buhari, 'this Generation Of Nigerians And Indeed
All Nigerians
Have No Other Country To Call Our Own, We Must Work Together To Salvage It".
Today, His Party, The All Progressives Congress Apc Has Thanked
Nigerians For Their
Support In The Past 12 Months, Promising To Do More To Improve On
Their Wellbeing.
In A Statement Signed By Its Chairman, Chief John Odigie-oyegun, Apc Said The
President Has Creditably Discharged The Confidence Reposed In Him
During The Last
General Elections.
The Statement Reads In Part;
"twelve Months Ago, President Muhammadu Buhari Was Sworn Into Office After The
Decisive Victory Of Our Great Party In The General Elections That
Marked 16 Years Of
Unbroken Democratic Rule In Nigeria.
"on Behalf Of The National Working Committee, Elders, Leaders And The Teeming
Members Of Our Party, I Wish To Convey My Immeasurable Gratitude To Our Fellow
Compatriots For Their Unprecedented Confidence And Trust In President Muhammadu
Buhari And The Party.
"the Apc Assures All Nigerians That The Party And The President Hold As Very
Sacred This Collective Trust, Which The President Has So Creditably
Discharged This
Past One Year.
"president Buhari Has, In The Last Year, Worked Hard To Repair
Nigeria's Previously
Tarnished Image In The International Community; Restored The
Territorial Integrity Of
Our Country By Ensuring The Containment Of The Erstwhile Rampaging Boko Haram
Insurgency And Has Waged An Unrelenting And Vigorous War Against Corruption As
He Promised In His Electioneering Campaign.
"the President, Being Fully Aware Of The Tough Economic Challenges Facing
Nigerians, Has Directed His Focus On The Salvaging Of Our Battered And Prostrate
Economy.
"the Very Parlous State Of The Economy Inherited By This
Administration, Which Has
Been Further Battered By The Collapse Of The Price Of Crude Oil And The Massive
Corruption By The Past Administration, Does Not Need Any Further Restating.
However, The Government Has Courageously Faced These Challenges By Taking Tough
Decisions Necessary To Bring Our Economy Back To Buoyancy And Self-sustaining
Growth.
"one Of Such Tough But Inevitable Decisions Is The Liberalization Of
The Petroleum
Downstream Sector And The Consequent Hike In Petrol Price Which Led To
A Call Out
Of Workers On An Indefinite Strike By Organised Labour.
"we Thank Nigerians For Their Understanding Of The Situation And Also Organised
Labour For Resuming Negotiation With Government.
"i Want To Assure That The Apc Administration Of President Buhari
Holds Your Trust
To Be Sacred And Will Do All That Is Humanly Possible To Ensure That These Tough
Times Do Not Last. The 2016 Budget Which Includes N500 Billion
Dedicated To Social
Intervention Will Begin To Have Positive Impact Very Soon.
"i Call On All Our Compatriots To Put Aside Any Differences And Join
With President
Muhammadu Buhari To Design And Lay A Strong Foundation For A New Economy That
Assures Self-sustaining Growth And Shared Prosperity For Our People.
In The Words
Of Our Dear President Buhari, 'this Generation Of Nigerians And Indeed
All Nigerians
Have No Other Country To Call Our Own, We Must Work Together To Salvage It".
Sharia Court Bill: Leo Ogor Speaks - "Nobody Is Expanding Sharia To Anywhere"
Do not panic over Sharia court bill –Reps
The House of Representatives doused tension on Friday after a bill to expand the
jurisdiction of the Sharia Court of Appeal ignited fears that
lawmakers were about
to expand Sharia Law to cover the entire country.
The constitution amendment bill, which was sponsored by a member from Sokoto
State, Mr. Abdullahi Salame, had passed second reading on the floor of
the House.
The Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the session, had allowed the
bill to scale second reading without debate on the grounds of its "sensitive"
nature.
The House had also noted that since it was a constitution amendment bill, it
should be referred to the Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review where it
would be adequately discussed.
However, the passage of the bill raised fears after the term "jurisdiction" was
reportedly misconstrued for expanding Sharia Law to states other than where it
currently applies.
In his proposal, Salame sought to amend sections 262 and 277 of the 1999
Constitution to add "criminal" to the existing provisions.
Explaining the purpose of the bill, the Minority Leader of the House,
Mr. Leo Ogor,
a Christian, allayed fears that it was about expanding Sharia Law to
other states.
Rather, he explained that bill merely sought to increase the existing
powers of the
court to include criminal cases.
Ogor said, "The 'jurisdiction' of the court referred to in sections
262 and 277 of the
constitution means the powers of the court in states where it already
exists, not
expanding Sharia to other parts of the country, no.
"The amendment sought to these sections is to add 'criminal' to the existing
jurisdiction it has on 'civil litigation.' That is the jurisdiction
that is being
expanded, not the expansion of Sharia Law itself."
On why the bill was not debated, Ogor said, "The matter was not debated because
the amendment is a constitutional amendment on a matter that could be better
handled by the constitution review committee.
"Debating it on the floor will not resolve it since the Ad Hoc Committee on
Constitution Review will still conduct a public hearing on it.
"Those concerned will be invited to come and give their opinions on
how the added
powers of the court will affect them and so on.
"Nobody is expanding Sharia to anywhere. Members of the public should not panic
over this at all."
The House of Representatives doused tension on Friday after a bill to expand the
jurisdiction of the Sharia Court of Appeal ignited fears that
lawmakers were about
to expand Sharia Law to cover the entire country.
The constitution amendment bill, which was sponsored by a member from Sokoto
State, Mr. Abdullahi Salame, had passed second reading on the floor of
the House.
The Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the session, had allowed the
bill to scale second reading without debate on the grounds of its "sensitive"
nature.
The House had also noted that since it was a constitution amendment bill, it
should be referred to the Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review where it
would be adequately discussed.
However, the passage of the bill raised fears after the term "jurisdiction" was
reportedly misconstrued for expanding Sharia Law to states other than where it
currently applies.
In his proposal, Salame sought to amend sections 262 and 277 of the 1999
Constitution to add "criminal" to the existing provisions.
Explaining the purpose of the bill, the Minority Leader of the House,
Mr. Leo Ogor,
a Christian, allayed fears that it was about expanding Sharia Law to
other states.
Rather, he explained that bill merely sought to increase the existing
powers of the
court to include criminal cases.
Ogor said, "The 'jurisdiction' of the court referred to in sections
262 and 277 of the
constitution means the powers of the court in states where it already
exists, not
expanding Sharia to other parts of the country, no.
"The amendment sought to these sections is to add 'criminal' to the existing
jurisdiction it has on 'civil litigation.' That is the jurisdiction
that is being
expanded, not the expansion of Sharia Law itself."
On why the bill was not debated, Ogor said, "The matter was not debated because
the amendment is a constitutional amendment on a matter that could be better
handled by the constitution review committee.
"Debating it on the floor will not resolve it since the Ad Hoc Committee on
Constitution Review will still conduct a public hearing on it.
"Those concerned will be invited to come and give their opinions on
how the added
powers of the court will affect them and so on.
"Nobody is expanding Sharia to anywhere. Members of the public should not panic
over this at all."
See The Mystery Of Sins And Forgiveness
If Jesus died on the cross and spent three days in hell to pay for the
sins of the
world, then why would we have to go to hell ourselves and pay for them again?
God is then, in essence, being paid for our sins twice. With that
said, was Jesus'
sacrifice not worthy enough? If that is the case, why should we care
that he died
for our sins if his sacrifice means nothing at all?
Your contributions would go a long way in helping out a lot of
faithless souls out
there
sins of the
world, then why would we have to go to hell ourselves and pay for them again?
God is then, in essence, being paid for our sins twice. With that
said, was Jesus'
sacrifice not worthy enough? If that is the case, why should we care
that he died
for our sins if his sacrifice means nothing at all?
Your contributions would go a long way in helping out a lot of
faithless souls out
there
Saturday, 28 May 2016
Why 'Carrying Placards In Search Of Jobs' Is Wrong
There are few cases of job seekers carrying
placards lately at strategic spots and this has hit
the media. A lady has even met with the vice
president for doing this. Is this right? A few
points would argue it.
1. Carrying placards in search for jobs undermines
the progress made in job application process
which has gone online and is quite efficient.
2. Jobs given could be regarded as out of pity
and unprofessional as it might have been created
to help the placarder otherwise it would be
advertised.
3.Giving placarders jobs discredits the effort of
hundreds of thousand of Nigerian graduates who
have looked beyond the employment situation to
be self employed and entrepreneurs.
4. Even if jobs given were advertised, there would
be so many applicants who have taken out time
to write application letters and applied through
prescribed means. Why give it to someone who
did not even search?
5. Considering the present employment situation
in the country, young unemployed graduates could
go on the streets with placards in search of jobs.
They soon will form a body and cause unrest if
left to go on unchecked.
What is the way out?
-The government of the day should regret the
situation the labour market is in today.
-The government of the day should declare a
state of emergency on employment and create
jobs for graduates.
-When jobs are given through this means of
carrying placards, it should be kept off the media
so as not to encourage others to do the same.
placards lately at strategic spots and this has hit
the media. A lady has even met with the vice
president for doing this. Is this right? A few
points would argue it.
1. Carrying placards in search for jobs undermines
the progress made in job application process
which has gone online and is quite efficient.
2. Jobs given could be regarded as out of pity
and unprofessional as it might have been created
to help the placarder otherwise it would be
advertised.
3.Giving placarders jobs discredits the effort of
hundreds of thousand of Nigerian graduates who
have looked beyond the employment situation to
be self employed and entrepreneurs.
4. Even if jobs given were advertised, there would
be so many applicants who have taken out time
to write application letters and applied through
prescribed means. Why give it to someone who
did not even search?
5. Considering the present employment situation
in the country, young unemployed graduates could
go on the streets with placards in search of jobs.
They soon will form a body and cause unrest if
left to go on unchecked.
What is the way out?
-The government of the day should regret the
situation the labour market is in today.
-The government of the day should declare a
state of emergency on employment and create
jobs for graduates.
-When jobs are given through this means of
carrying placards, it should be kept off the media
so as not to encourage others to do the same.
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