Friday 31 July 2015

22 Fuel Stations Sealed In Abuja For Profiteering

22 Fuel Stations in Abuja and environs have been sealed by the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, for
cheating and profiteering.

The Head of Human Resources of DPR, Mr Muhammad Seidu made this disclosure in a statement he released on Wednesday.

According to the statement, 19 of the fuel stations were sealed for selling above the official pump ⛽ price of N87 per litre. Two were caught diverting petroleum products while one was found to be under dispensing fuel ⛽ to customers and massively selling in jerry cans.

Here is the full text of the statement released by the DPR to News Agency of Nigeria, NAN

: “The stations are to remain sealed for at least one month in addition to forfeiting their bridging claims as directed by the Federal Government.

"The filling stations sealed for selling Premium Motor Spirit above N87  include Kalasma Nigeria Limited, Zuba; Inyas Nigeria Limited, Kaduna Road, Niger State; Jibeco Nigeria Limited; and Ahmis Nigeria Limited also on Kaduna Road, Niger State.

"Others are Evil International Oil & Gas, One Man Village, Karu; Falke Oil, Double Pole, New Nyanya; Alhaji Isa Maidole and Sons Nigeria Limited, Abuja-Keffi Road, New Nyanya, Nasarawa State; Halims (Invest) Nigeria Limited. Abuja-Keffi Road, New Nyanya, Nasarawa State.

"Also on the list are Dikas Pet. Coy. Ltd, Abuja-Keffi Road, One Man Village; Danco Oil, Gwagwalada; Sunmart, Giri; Abba Petrol Ltd, Zuba; Febas Energy, Giri; Mayo Kanwa, Doma; Ent Lt Rayhanah Co. Ltd, and Conoil all in Gwagwalada.
It added that Kelvin Energy Limited and B.B. King Nigeria Limited both on Kaduna Road, Niger State were equally sealed for selling at N105 per litre.
The statement said that A.A. Rano Nigeria Ltd, Abuja-Keffi Road, Nyanya was sealed for manipulation of pump price and selling in Jerry cans while Yaman Nig. Ltd Abuja, on Keffi Road, New Nyanya and Oando, on Herbert Macaulay Way, Abuja were sanctioned for diversion of PMS."

NAN

16 Killed In Kano As Force Chief Is Inaugurated In Abuja

16 people were killed in Kano by a female suicide bomber and gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram Islamist terrorists on Friday, just as the commander of the new multinational force saddled with combating the terrorists vowed to end the insurgency very quickly.

Major General Iliya Abbah heads the 8700 strong multinational force recently formed to fight Boko Haram.

Police Foil Robbery Attempt In Nyanya, Abuja

The Nigeria Police, Nyanya Division, Abuja have arrested members of a six man robbery gang after raiding their hideout where they were finalizing plans for a robbery operation.

Following a tip-off, the police raided the gang's hideout in Masaka where they also have an armory. The Commissioner of Police, Abuja, Mr Wilson Inalegwu disclosed this while parading the suspects to newsmen.

"The Nyanya Police Division promptly swung into action and raided the hideout of the hoodlums at Masaka, where they also have their armoury.

"Six suspects have so far been arrested. They have confessed to the crime and will soon be arraigned in court," he said.

He added that dangerous weapons were recovered from the suspects, including, one pump action rifle, two AK47 rifles, two English barretta pistols, 98 AK 47 live ammunitions and 22 barretta pistol ammunitions.

Unpainted Abuja Taxis Get Two Weeks To Register

Commercial car drivers operating in Abuja have two weeks to properly identify their vehicles as taxis or face a clampdown by the authorities.

The Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase gave the ultimatum on Thursday in Abuja while receiving members of the executive of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW in his office.

"The National President and Secretary, I will give you a grace of two weeks after which we will start clamping down on all vehicles that ply FCT highways without proper identification.

"We have a very serious problem in Abuja, there is a lot of kabu kabu without registration, plying the highways. "

He advised the NURTW Executives to encourage their members to register and insure their vehicles.

Gamboru Tricycle Suicide Bomb Attack In Pictures

These are gory pictures of the suicide bomb attack at Gamboru vegetables and fruits market in Borno State. The female suicide bomber who came in a trycle detonated her bomb in the midst of other tricycles as they discharged passengers who had come to the market for business.

Six people were reported killed while several others were injured.

Labaran Maku Denies N37b Was Found In His Farm

Former President Goodluck Jonathan's erstwhile Information Minister, Labaran Maku is not happy. He is angry over the story making the rounds that N37b was found in his farm in Nasarawa State.

Writing on Twitter, Maku said that someone decided to blackmail him after he challenged the state governors, Tanko Almakura to account for the monies that accrued to the state over the past 4 years, including so-called security votes.

"This evil blackmail on me on the social media is happening because I challenged APC Gov Tanko Almakura
@taalcircle to account for the
estimated Hundreds of millions of Naira he collected in four years as allocations to Nasarawa State yet the state is still in poverty.

"I asked Gov Almakura to account for the the N4.8 Billion he collected from the state treasury as security votes since people are dying .
Instead of accounting for
Nasarawa money and responding to the issues I raised, @taalcircle agents went on social media to slander me. "

But seriously, would anyone be so crazy as to hide that kind of money in a farmland?

Thursday 30 July 2015

How To Blow Timaya's Brains

See how Timaya's tryst with Sheila b is causing him endless headache,  eh? When he could have kept his zip up.

Let's just hope the Dem Mama crooner learns to zip up when next he's in God's Own Country.

Timaya's defense:

"I have been talking with this girl for about one year and its funny how someone you think you know can act very hungry and low. How can I leave Nigeria and go to America where the law works to rape anyone? Am I crazy?

"This girl who had been promising to blow out my brains with sex when she sees me begged to see me when she knew i was in town but I didn't know that she had a hidden agenda. I agreed to see her and she came to my hotel in Atlanta and we got down for real. When we were done and we were chilling, I got a call from my manager that we needed to start preparing for a show. She asked to go with me to the show as a couple but i said no and told her I was there to work.
I got up and started preparing for the show but I realised her phone wouldn’t leave my face and she kept asking me stupid questions and even as I answered I wondered what she was up to, then it hit me that she was recording and I grabbed her phone and we struggled cos I wanted to delete the videos she had made without my consent. I don’t even know if she still has any but I deleted the ones I could on her phone.

"I called the hotel security and explained what had happened to them. I told them to open her phone so that I could see what she had left but she refused and was making a scene and the hotel told her to get out but I didn’t want her to go cos I was scared of what she might have recorded and I insisted on calling the Police but the hotel told me that if I called the police, I might be arrested for holding her hostage in my room so I let her go.

"After then she kept calling me and she kept changing her story telling me that I raped her. I tried to play it cool by begging her not to to take the route she had taken, I really begged her but she told me I had to pay her 50k dollars for her to forget about it, she obviously didn’t record that part because she had ulterior motives. After her demand for me to pay her, I stopped calling her or taking her calls and i changed my number and she i guess she got frustrated and went on the internet to try and do damage.

"I Timaya cannot be a rapist..NEVER. I have daughters and I have a conscience. I can never be a voice that rapes and if i am so pressed for sex,i know how to get it,I will never take sex when a girl says NO. I am a young man that is doing very well and i guess she had expectations that i didn't meet up to and she decided to use rape because she knows that’s the fastest way to bring anyone down.

"I wonder why she also went to open another Instagram when her real handle is @officialshella_b Since she called me out using my name and pic and if she wasn't lying she could have done same and provided proof of some sort of injuries gotten from any physical altercation. She carefully used the conversation I was begging her not to ruin my career cos I was trying to play it down. "

Timaya however did not disclose whether Sheila b kept her promise to blow his brain out.

Wednesday 29 July 2015

334 Senior Army Officers Redeployed

The Nigerian Army has redeployed 334 of its senior officers. The postings and appointments which affected 37 Majors General,  57 Brigs General and 128 Colonels were approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Buratai.

This was disclosed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col Sani Usman who said that the postings are to take effect on different dates.

Punch reports that the GOCs affected by the exercise are from the 1,2,3, 81 and 82 Divisions of the Nigerian Army. Also affected are principal and staff officers from the Defense and Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders etc.

See the full text of the release by the Director, Army Public Relations.

"The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai, today approved the postings and appointments of 334 officers of the Nigerian Army with various effective dates. These include some Principal Staff Officers at the Defence and Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders and General Officers Commanding as well as other commanders. They include 37 Major Generals, 57 Brigadier Generals, 128 Colonels, several Lieutenants Colonels and others.

“Some of those affected were the General Officers Commanding 1, 2, 3, 81 and 82 Divisions, Operations Pulo Shield and Safe Haven of Niger Delta and Plateau States.

“Some of those affected include Major General M A Koleoso, who is now Commander TRADOC, Major General S N Mu’azu, who moved from 2 Division to the Headquarters, Infantry Corps and appointed Commander. Major General M T Ibrahim moved from the Department of Army Standard and Evaluation to the Nigerian Defence Academy and appointed Commandant. Major General L K J Ogunewe is now the Chief of Policy and Plans. Major General F O Alli is now Chief of Training and Operations and Major General A ASalihu is now Chief of Logistics. Others include Major General A G Okunola, who is now the Commander of Operation PULO SHIELD (JTF) and Major General TC Ude, Commander, Operation Safe Haven (STF Jos). Others are Major General L W Wiwa, who is now the Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre.

“Major General A Oyebade is now the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Major General L C Ilo is now the General Officer Commanding 2 Division. We also have Major General H Umaru as the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General I H Edet (General Officer Commanding 81 Division) and Brigadier General I Attahiru is now the acting GeneralOfficer, Commanding 82 Division. While Brigadier General A T Hamman is now the acting Provost Marshal. Brigadier General L F Abdullahi is the actingCommander, Nigerian Army Education Corps and Colonel R Abubakar is now the acting Director, Defence Information, among others.”

I Will Fight NNPC Till It Dies - El Rufai

“NNPC has become a monster that is too powerful. I will continue to fight NNPC till it dies for Nigeria to survive.

“It is either Nigerians kill NNPC or NNPC will kill Nigeria.

"Since, I called for the death of NNPC, the corporation has sponsored articles attacking me, but I am telling them my skin is thicker than an elephant.”

These are the words of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State. He spoke at Government House Kaduna on Tuesday while receiving the Executive Secretary, National Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Hajia Zainab Shamsuna-Ahmed.

The NEITI boss was on a courtesy visit to Governor El-Rufai who is one of the four governors appointed by the National Economic Council to investigate the accounts of the NNPC.

Hajia Shamsuna-Ahmed told the governor that between 2009 and 2012 alone, about 160 million barrels of oil estimated at $13.7b was stolen under NNPC's watch.

Corruption : Super Rich Civil Servants In Trouble

Civil servants who own choice properties in Abuja and live above their legitimate income are now being watched by anti corruption agencies.

Anti graft agents have been directed to detain and interrogate suspects with a view to recovering ill-gotten wealth.

The agencies are relying on petitions from civil servants and their own operatives for information. So far, focus is said to be on civil servants who own more than three real estate properties in Abuja and fleets of choice cars beyond their income.

The ICPC in particular is said to be working hard and discreetly to recover assets acquired with stolen public funds.

El-Rufai Submits List Of Commissioners

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has submitted a list of 12 commissioners to the house of assembly for screening.

Among the 12 nominees is Muhammad Sani-Abdullahi, former Adviser to UN Sec-Gen Ban Ki Moon on Designing Sustainable Development Goals.
Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan said that a list of the indicative portfolios was attached to enable a transparent screening.

Jonathan's CSO Admitted In Hospital

Former President Goodluck Jonathan's CSO, Gordon Obua has been admitted into a hospital in Abuja. This is coming on the heels of his recent release by the DSS following days of interrogation and 3 days of hunger strike.

A source close to the former CSO said that his condition is related to the trauma he suffered during his few days of incarceration.

Gordon Obua, himself a DSS operative was taken in to account for events that took place under his watch as CSO.

With Love From America : List Of Nigerian Oil Thieves.

One interesting outcome of President Muhammadu Buhari's recent visit to the United States is that he came back with a comprehensive list of Nigerians who have been stealing the nation's oil.

Punch reports that President Buhari has in fact two separate lists. One list contains government officials who have been stealing the country's oil directly or have been using their offices to aid and abet the act. The second list shows the names of oil bunkerers.

The President is reported to have vowed that nobody whose name is on the list of oil thieves would go scot free.

It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari was elected into office mainly on the strength of his anti-corruption stance.

Abuja Scavengers Rob, Kill Traveller On Pedestrian Bridge

No It was an irony of fate for an unidentified man last Sunday as he traveled safely over six hundred kilometers from Portharcourt, South South Nigeria to Abuja only to be robbed and murdered just a few meters to his home.

The victim who was returning from a business trip to Portharcourt arrived Lugbe, Abuja in the early hours of Sunday 27 July 2015.

Sources said that he called on his brothers to pick him up at the other side of the bus stop while he used the pedestrian bridge to cross over.

However, unknown to him, there were armed robbers on the bridge. During his encounter with the underworld men, he was stabbed with a sharp object and bled to death before help could come. The robbers were said to have made away with cash and mobile phones belonging to the victim.

Police investigation revealed that the robbers were people who scavenged refuse dumps in the daytime and turned night marauders afterwards.

A source at Lugbe police station disclosed that the culprits have been arrested and are now undergoing interrogations.

The scavengers known in local parlance as babanbola are reported to have been robbing and raping victims who find themselves using Lugbe pedestrian bridge at odd hours. A few days before the murder of the unwary traveller, a mother who was returning from a night vigil with her daughter watched helplessly as several babanbolas took turns to rape her.

Are there other spots or pedestrian bridges in Abuja where similar things are happening?

Tuesday 28 July 2015

Jim Iyke's Burgeon Water Here At Last?

Here are photos of Jim Iyke's corporate headquarters in Abuja as seen on Instagram.

Hopefully Burgeon Water will be rolling out from the bottling plant here any moment from now.

Majek Fashek Undergoing Rehab In Abuja

Reggae artist and rain maker Majek Fashek has been admitted into a rehabilitation center in Abuja, following his worsening state of health which is widely believed to be due to years of substance abuse.

Premium Times report that sources at the unnamed rehabilitation center disclosed that the musician is presently in their intensive care unit and is responding to treatment.

The multi talented musician was not too long ago seen loitering in Lagos soliciting for food and drinks.

Hank Anuku Arrested For "Armed Robbery" In Ghana

Nigerian actor, Hank Anuku was last week arrested by the police in Ghana while acting a robbery scene for a new movie.

Trouble started for the actor and the film crew when scared residents alerted the police that a robbery was going on. The cops arrived at the scene  only to discover that they were only acting a movie.

They were however arrested for willfully obstructing a public road and not obtaining a permit from the lawful authority.

Boko Haram : Soldiers Kill 11 In Ambush

Nigerian soldiers on Monday afternoon, killed 11 Boko Haram fighters as the terrorists fled Dille community after an assault.

The terrorists had earlier attacked Dille in Borno State, northeast Nigeria and gunned down three members of the local militia helping in the fight against terrorism.

They were fleeing on motorbikes and a stolen car when they ran into the soldiers' ambush.

Ex Green Eagles Keeper, Peter Fregene In Pains & Despair

These are not the best of times for ex Eagles safe hands Peter Fregene. The former national team goalkeeper was suddenly went down with stroke several years ago and has been running from pillar to post for a solution.

It has been a tale of pain and despair for him and his family ever since.

Here are details of Peter Fregene's travails as rendered by Punch.

He was regarded as one of the safest hands in Nigeria’s football history and was nicknamed the Flying Cat by his colleagues and fans, due to his quality as a goalkeeper when he manned the post for the Green Eagles in the late 1960s, 70s and early 1980s. But that Flying Cat, Peter Fregene, has become a shadow of himself and may be living his proverbial ‘ninth life’.
Fregene started his football career with Leventis Football Club and ECN, after winning the Mar Anthony Gold Cup with the Midwest team in the 1960s. But he began his professional career and came into limelight when he joined the national team as the first-choice goalkeeper and participated in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.
He featured in the national team till 1971 and later joined Stationery Stores of Lagos before he was recalled in 1982 for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Fregene, now 68, revealed with despair on his sick bed, which he had been pinned to since he suffered a stroke five years ago, how his passion and joy were cut short and replaced with unending pain by the seemingly mysterious sickness.
He said, “I did not have any accident. In October, 2002, one of my cousins had a similar problem so I decided to bring him in. Some people asked why I took responsibility of him, since they perceived him as not being a good man but I decided to give him a chance. During the period in which I nursed him, I took him to the bathroom, bathed him and brought him back to the room where he was staying then I went in to take my bath. But after my bath, I realised I could not come out of the bathroom.
“When I called out to my wife for help, she initially thought I was joking. But when she saw that I really could not move my legs, she aided me to the sitting room. I was taken to Aragba, a village in Delta, and later moved to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, but its workers were on strike. One Dr. Griffield, who was a consultant at the hospital, took me to his clinic. However, after spending seven months in the clinic, undergoing several scans, I was admitted to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State, based on the response to a letter written by my daughter to the Delta State Government.”
But despite several interventions by well-meaning Nigerians, including the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, whom he said had sponsored a surgical operation for a diagnosed spinal cord injury in 2009, he has remained paralysed from the waist to his feet, and bedridden ever since.
He said that he feels recurring “peppery sensation” in his legs and back after a fall that caused one of his ribs to protrude from his stomach. He also experiences difficulty in breathing, speaking and excretion.
He said, “Governor Fashola, being a man who has the good spirit and passion for sports, instructed that I should be taken to Lagos. I was taken straight to Reddington Hospital, Victoria Island, where they diagnosed that my spinal cord was broken and I did a major operation. I was later placed in intensive care in his guest house where I was attended to by nurses and physiotherapists, from February to October 2009.
“Although I was not better after the surgery, I was just discharged by one Dr. Aleshinloye, who was the Chief Medical Director then, with many drugs that I could not afford. When I asked them to allow me to thank the Governor for his hospitality, he refused, saying that he would relay the message to him. But Segun Odegbami came with the doctor and gave me N500,000 and that was all.”
Although Fregene featured in one of the episodes of the Who Wants to be a Millionaire television game show, he only managed to win a N500,000 prize on compassionate ground, which he said was spent on the payment of huge debts and medical bills.
In fact, the family had sold some of their household property just to make ends meet. One of them, an indoor device which was donated by the former Lagos State Governor to aid the former goalkeeper’s rehabilitation and valued at N100,000 was sold at a paltry sum of N15,000.
He explained that he spends almost a whole day lying on his back with a whistle, which he had used as a coach but now served as a means of calling the attention of his wife and children.
“Are you asking about that whistle? It used to be my coaching tool. But because of my condition, when I cannot do anything, I blow it once to call my son and three times to call my wife when I need their help to use the toilet or other things,” he said with tearful eyes, glancing at the whistle hanging by a window very close to his bedside.
His condition had also subjected his family to a life of hardship and penury. He had been evicted from his former residence by the landlord in 2013, when he could no longer pay his rent, before a relative assisted him with a two-bedroom apartment in a suburb where many of his documents have been destroyed due to flooding during the rainy season.
While his 48-year-old wife, Tina, goes from house to house in search of food, his 16-year-old son engages in any menial work, such as being a labourer at building sites, where he carries bags of cement and blocks, in order to assist the family.
Mrs. Fregene said that they survive from hand to mouth on a daily basis, through donations from few friends and church members.
She said that she sees parties and social events organised in the neighbourhood as opportunities to beg for food for the family, even as an uninvited guest, a situation she said gives her sorrow.

Source : The Punch

Ex Green Eagles Keeper, Peter Fregene In Pains & Despair

These are not the best of times for ex Eagles safe hands Peter Fregene. The former national team goalkeeper was suddenly went down with stroke several years ago and has been running from pillar to post for a solution.

It has been a tale of pain and despair for him and his family ever since.

Here are details of Peter Fregene's travails as rendered by Punch.

He was regarded as one of the safest hands in Nigeria’s football history and was nicknamed the Flying Cat by his colleagues and fans, due to his quality as a goalkeeper when he manned the post for the Green Eagles in the late 1960s, 70s and early 1980s. But that Flying Cat, Peter Fregene, has become a shadow of himself and may be living his proverbial ‘ninth life’.
Fregene started his football career with Leventis Football Club and ECN, after winning the Mar Anthony Gold Cup with the Midwest team in the 1960s. But he began his professional career and came into limelight when he joined the national team as the first-choice goalkeeper and participated in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.
He featured in the national team till 1971 and later joined Stationery Stores of Lagos before he was recalled in 1982 for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Fregene, now 68, revealed with despair on his sick bed, which he had been pinned to since he suffered a stroke five years ago, how his passion and joy were cut short and replaced with unending pain by the seemingly mysterious sickness.
He said, “I did not have any accident. In October, 2002, one of my cousins had a similar problem so I decided to bring him in. Some people asked why I took responsibility of him, since they perceived him as not being a good man but I decided to give him a chance. During the period in which I nursed him, I took him to the bathroom, bathed him and brought him back to the room where he was staying then I went in to take my bath. But after my bath, I realised I could not come out of the bathroom.
“When I called out to my wife for help, she initially thought I was joking. But when she saw that I really could not move my legs, she aided me to the sitting room. I was taken to Aragba, a village in Delta, and later moved to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, but its workers were on strike. One Dr. Griffield, who was a consultant at the hospital, took me to his clinic. However, after spending seven months in the clinic, undergoing several scans, I was admitted to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State, based on the response to a letter written by my daughter to the Delta State Government.”
But despite several interventions by well-meaning Nigerians, including the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, whom he said had sponsored a surgical operation for a diagnosed spinal cord injury in 2009, he has remained paralysed from the waist to his feet, and bedridden ever since.
He said that he feels recurring “peppery sensation” in his legs and back after a fall that caused one of his ribs to protrude from his stomach. He also experiences difficulty in breathing, speaking and excretion.
He said, “Governor Fashola, being a man who has the good spirit and passion for sports, instructed that I should be taken to Lagos. I was taken straight to Reddington Hospital, Victoria Island, where they diagnosed that my spinal cord was broken and I did a major operation. I was later placed in intensive care in his guest house where I was attended to by nurses and physiotherapists, from February to October 2009.
“Although I was not better after the surgery, I was just discharged by one Dr. Aleshinloye, who was the Chief Medical Director then, with many drugs that I could not afford. When I asked them to allow me to thank the Governor for his hospitality, he refused, saying that he would relay the message to him. But Segun Odegbami came with the doctor and gave me N500,000 and that was all.”
Although Fregene featured in one of the episodes of the Who Wants to be a Millionaire television game show, he only managed to win a N500,000 prize on compassionate ground, which he said was spent on the payment of huge debts and medical bills.
In fact, the family had sold some of their household property just to make ends meet. One of them, an indoor device which was donated by the former Lagos State Governor to aid the former goalkeeper’s rehabilitation and valued at N100,000 was sold at a paltry sum of N15,000.
He explained that he spends almost a whole day lying on his back with a whistle, which he had used as a coach but now served as a means of calling the attention of his wife and children.
“Are you asking about that whistle? It used to be my coaching tool. But because of my condition, when I cannot do anything, I blow it once to call my son and three times to call my wife when I need their help to use the toilet or other things,” he said with tearful eyes, glancing at the whistle hanging by a window very close to his bedside.
His condition had also subjected his family to a life of hardship and penury. He had been evicted from his former residence by the landlord in 2013, when he could no longer pay his rent, before a relative assisted him with a two-bedroom apartment in a suburb where many of his documents have been destroyed due to flooding during the rainy season.
While his 48-year-old wife, Tina, goes from house to house in search of food, his 16-year-old son engages in any menial work, such as being a labourer at building sites, where he carries bags of cement and blocks, in order to assist the family.
Mrs. Fregene said that they survive from hand to mouth on a daily basis, through donations from few friends and church members.
She said that she sees parties and social events organised in the neighbourhood as opportunities to beg for food for the family, even as an uninvited guest, a situation she said gives her sorrow.

Source : The Punch

Terrorists Kill 29 In Fresh Borno Attacks.

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram Islamist terrorists on Monday, killed about 29 people and left many others with gunshot injuries in a daylight attack on Dille village in Askira Uba local government area of Borno State.

The terrorists are reported to have arrived the village at about 1 pm in  5 Toyota Hilux vans, armed with assault rifles and petrol bombs. In the absence of any military presence, they shot at everybody in sight.

A worried Hon. Jubrin Satumari who represents Hawul and Askira Uba Federal Constituency lamented the incessant attacks on his people. He called on the Chief of Army Staff, Major Gen Tukur Buratai to protect the lives and property of his community.

“I am much worried over the spate of killings by suspected insurgents in my constituency. I have pleaded to security authorities, particularly military to deploy troops to most of the affected villages to safeguard my people’s lives and property, but all my cries fell on deaf ears as there are no security presence in my constituency yet, but I still want to assure my people that we are doing everything possible to see that military troops are deployed immediately "

Monday 27 July 2015

Gracelink Foundation Donates To FGC kwali

A nongovernmental organization, Gracelink Foundation has donated educational materials to Federal Government College, Kwali, Abuja.

Founder of the foundation, Chijioke Ekweghiariri, said the donation was aimed at honoring his father, late Chief Samuel Ekweghiariri, the first ever geography teacher at the school and also to encourage the study of geography.

Educational materials donated included  mathematics textbooks, geography textbooks, mathematical sets and ball pens.

4 Year-old Boy Killed For Ritual In Lagos

4 years old Ibrahim Jamiu Hassan was on Sunday murdered by his 16 years old neighbor identified as Tajudeen for ritual purpose.

Tajudeen, a furniture apprentice lived in the same compound with the victim. He was said to have lured the little boy to the back of a primary school where he killed him with a knife and removed his kidneys and intestines. The suspect had been in the habit of buying the victim biscuits and sweets.

The suspect is already in police custody at Ijanikin.  He said in his confessional statement that he was contracted by one Osan to procure human parts.

A Woman Without Vagina ? Lol

Femi Olayiwola and his wife Kemi recently had their 3 year-old marriage dissolved by an Abeokuta Customary Court because of the absence of vaginal opening.

Olayiwola told the court that his wife tricked him into marriage without disclosing her condition. He also accused her of frequent fighting and threats to his life.

“My wife had been deceiving me. Since we got married, I have never seen her pass through menstruation. My wife does not have any vagina opening.

"Anytime I ask her for sex, she would give an excuse to back up her refusal. Meanwhile, we have been praying to God to give us children.

“My wife did not tell me anything about her condition before we got married, until February this year that she confessed to me that she had never experienced menstruation in her life.

“I thought she was lying, so I went to see her parents who told me it was true, and that they thought their daughter explained to me before we got married. ”

The plaintiff therefore pleaded with the court to dissolve the marriage which had not produced any issue and was unlikely to produce any in the future.

Given that the defendant never showed up in court despite several summons, the Judge, Mr Olalekan Akande declared the marriage dissolved.

We Lack Effective Air Force - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented the inability of the Nigeria Air Force to muster sufficient fire power to support the ground troops in the war against Boko Haram.

The President spoke on NTA Abuja Good Morning Nigeria show this Monday. He said ;

“Our case is lack of capacity and effective air force. The Air force is virtually non – existent.  The fixed wings aircraft are not very serviceable.  The helicopters are not serviceable and they are too few.

“We need air force to conduct reconnaissance and support the ground troops. The arrangement made by the former government will soon expire.

"We have made this clear to the Americans and we have made it clear to G7 and we need their cooperation. ”

He concluded that there were too few serviceable fighter jets and other military hardware to win the war on terror.

Senate Rules Forgery: Buhari Won't Stop Judicial Process - Presidency

President Muhammadu Buhari will not interfere with the prosecution of those indicted of forgery of Senate Standing Order by Nigeria Police.

Punch reports that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu disclosed this in Abuja on Sunday in an interview with one of her correspondents.

He said the President's clearance was not needed for those saddled with judicial processes to do their job.

, “They do not need the President’s clearance to prosecute anybody found guilty of any investigation. President Muhammadu Buhari, as all Nigerians know, believes very strongly in the rule of law. The President will therefore not do anything that will stop the judicial process. He won’t stop it (the trial of suspects in the Senate forgery case).”

Sunday 26 July 2015

Big Brother Africa 2015 Canceled?

Fans of Africa's biggest reality TV show, Big Brother Africa, BBA, may be in for a rude shock as their favorite show may not hold this year.

This could be due to sponsorship issues as the organizers, Africa Magic and Endemol were unable to find sponsors for this year's show.

Peganews reports that Multichoice Ghana has confirmed receipt of a notice from MNET that Big Brother Africa will not hold this year.

Keshi Demands N1b for Defamation, Wrongful Dismissal

Former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi is demanding a compensation of one billion naira from the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, for wrongful dismissal and defamation of character.

The NFF is said to have last Friday, received a letter containing the claims from Keshi's Kaduna-based lawyers.

The NFF sacked Keshi on July 5, following the recommendation of the disciplinary committee it set up to investigate various allegations against him.

Buhari Orders investigation Into Chlorine Explosion

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered an investigation into the chlorine gas explosion that occurred in Jos, Plateau State on Saturday.

He gave the directive on Sunday while commiserating with the government and people of Plateau State. He said the investigation should be thoroughly done to unravel whether the explosion was an accident or otherwise.

President Buhari prayed for a peaceful repose for the souls of those who died in the explosion and quick recovery for the injured.

The explosion which occurred in the early hours of Saturday 25 July 2015 claimed 8 lives and left 112 injured.

NAN

Penis Enlargement: Fire Service Rescues Man From Sex Ring

A 40 year-old man has the Lagos State Fire Service to thank for snatching his life back from the jaws of a painful death after a sex performance enhancement ring enlarged his penis beyond expectation.

The Director of the Fire Service, Mr Razak Fadipe,told newsmen that the man wore a metal ring on his penis hoping to increase the size and enhance enjoyment, but the ring enlarged the organ beyond the expected limit.

Sexual enjoyment turned a nightmare  when his penis became increasingly turgid, causing him severe pain and making it difficult to remove the ring.

It was in that life-threatening condition that he rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja for help.

According to Mr  Fadipe,

“The hospital invited the service to rescue the man, when they could not easily remove the ring. We successfully removed the metal ring in collaboration with the hospital staff at the emergency unit using our rescue tools.

“The incident happened at about 3.15 PM on Friday and it took us about 50 minutes to perform the operation.”

Three Policemen From Hell

A woman lost her eight months pregnancy last week after an assault by three policeman. An argument was said to have ensued between her and the policemen following traffic gridlock on a Lagos road.

In the heat of the argument, the cops sprayed tear gas into the heavily pregnant woman's car, causing her to develop complications.

Sources told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that she was rushed to Safe Hands Hospital, at Old Ojo Road, Amuwo Odofin, where she underwent an emergency surgery. The baby however died some hours later.

The spokesman of Lagos State Police Command, DSP Kenneth Nwosu told NAN that the policemen were arrested on Tuesday following complaints about their behavior.

Tubaba, Victor Uwaifo, Sunny Nneji Light Up Abuja.

Abuja music lovers are in for exciting moments today as music icons Sir Victor Uwaifo, Sunny Nneji and Daniel Wilson
have teamed up with Tuface Idibia (aka Tubaba) and others to light up their weekend.

The event is tagged Eargasm Concert and will hold at This Day Dome, Abuja tonight, Sunday 26th July 2015 . The aim of the concert is to bring fans from different generations together and entertain them with a unique blend of classic African music.

According to the show's organizer, Efe Omoregbe,
“We want to create an opportunity for lovers of good music to come out and network while enjoying great music from these amazing talents. I am certain that it’s going to be a great show because all these talents will perform not only their songs but also popular classics as demanded by fans,”

Tubaba expressed delight at the prospect of performing on the same stage with Six Victor Uwaifo.

"I’m really excited about the concert and can’t wait for it to happen. Performing on stage with Sir Victor Uwaifo is like a dream come true for me.”

Other artists expected to perform at the event are Queen Moda, Dammy Krane, Yung 6ix and EME songstress Niyola.

Buhari's Aides, Ministers To Sign Anti Corruption Pact

Hints have emerged that President Muhammadu Buhari would compel his ministers and aides to sign a pact not to corruptly enrich themselves in office.

Buhari is said to have made the decision on the strength of overwhelming evidence of how top government officials in past administrations amassed wealth with impunity.

Speaking on the matter, Presidential spokesman on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adeshina said there was nothing wrong with Buhari laying down terms and conditions or rules of engagement for those whose services he wants to engage.

“It is only natural that if the President engages you to work with him, there will be terms and conditions. It is not strange. Don’t forget that we had a President in this country who compelled people to sign pre-dated resignation letters. I am not saying that this President is going to do that, but it means there can always be terms and conditions. These are just like rules of engagement”, Adeshina said.

Policeman Guns Down Cab Driver, Sick Passenger

There was pandemonium in Kano yesterday as a trigger-happy corporal from the Yankaba Police Division shot dead, a taxi driver and the sick female passenger he was conveying to hospital.

Vanguard reports that an eyewitness, Isa Tanko said that the killings happened around 9.30 in the morning.

“The cab driver was flagged down at a  security check point by officers of the Nigeria Police and, within two minutes, I heard gunshots that sent shivers down the spines of  onlookers. We rushed to the scene and found the driver in a pool of his blood; so also was a woman gasping for breathe inside the cab who gave up the ghost before help could come her way, " Tanko said.

The eyewitness added that the suspect quickly ran away in a waiting police van before he could be lynched by the angry mob that soon gathered at the scene.

Saturday 25 July 2015

Gunmen Kill 40 In Adamawa, Borno

Gunmen from the Boko Haram Islamist terrorist group over the weekend raided three villages in the madagali district of Adamawa State, leaving in their trail, 25 dead and several injured. Reports have it that the terrorists rode into the communities on motorcycles, shooting indiscriminately at the villagers.

In a similar development, Boko Haram militants also attacked Kwata Mai Kadir and adjoining villages in Askira - Uba local government area of Borno State where they killed 15 people. There, they stole foodstuff and livestock which they drove away with in two vehicles.

Who Stole Messi's Foundation Stone?

Just a few days after football maestro, Lionel Messi laid the foundation stone for a new stadium in Port Gentil, Gabon, the stone has been reported stolen.

An unidentified man who claims to be in possession of the foundation stone laid recently by Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is reported to be demanding a ransom of CFA3m for the object.

The new stadium at Port-Gentil is expected to host games of the African Cup of Nations in 2017.

Messi was reportedly paid $3.8 for the event. The authorities in Gabon have however denied this claim.

Abeg o Dem Dey Bake Marijuana?

CBC reports that medical marijuana patients in Canada can now take the substance in any form they like including smoking, baking etc.

The report says that cannabis oil can be extracted and baked into food products like cookies.

In a case between the government and Mr Owen Smith of the Cannabis Buyers Club of Canada, a judge in British Columbia declared restricting people to dried marijuana for medical reasons "null and void". He ordered the government to change the laws around extracting marijuana.

Mr Smith had been caught baking 200 marijuana cookies.

Canadians who qualify to use medical marijuana can now have the substance infused into products like tea and cookies. However, only physicians can decide who is eligible to use it.

Medical marijuana is used in the treatment of ailments like Crohn's disease, seizures, HIV and nausea.

Fish Facts You Probably Don't Know

• Although 70% of the planet is ocean, only about 2% of the world's food supply comes from the seas.

• The World Bank estimates that by 2030, some 62% of the seafood we eat will be farm-raised.

• Globally, fish provides more than 2.9 billion people with almost 20% of their intake of animal protein.

Source: BBC

Arunma Oteh Now World Bank Vice President, Treasurer

The immediate past Director General of Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh  is now the Vice President and Treasurer of the World Bank.

President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim announced the appointment in a press release yesterday. He said :

, “I am pleased to announce the appointment of Arunma Oteh as VP and Treasurer of the World Bank. Ms. Oteh was selected for this position through an international competitive search. Her appointment is effective from September 28, 2015.

“Arunma, a Nigerian national, was most recently the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria. Appointed to a five-year term by the President of Nigeria in 2010, she led the transformation of the country’s capital markets industry into a major global presence. She was a member of the Board of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and the Chairperson of the Africa Middle East Regional Committee of IOSCO.

“Prior to joining the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Nigeria, Arunma was Group Vice President, Corporate Services, at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). In this role she oversaw a number of departments, including human resources, information and communications technology, and institutional procur-ement. From 2001 to 2006 she held the role of AfDB Group Treasurer, where she led AfDB’s fund-raising and capital market activities across the world.

" Earlier roles at the AfDB, which she joined in 1992, included trading room management, investment portfolio coverage, and public sector lending. She also held other positions in capital markets and lending during the course of her career at the AfDB. Arunma began her career in 1985 at Centre Point, where she executed debt and equity offerings in the Nigerian capital markets.

“She earned her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Nigeria and her Masters of Business Administration from Harvard University.

“As VP and Treasurer, Arunma will manage and lead a large and diverse team responsible for managing more than $150 billion in assets. Her top priorities will be to:
(i) maintain the World Bank’s global reputation as a prudent and innovative borrower, investor and risk manager; (ii) manage an extensive client advisory, transaction and asset management business for the Bank; (iii) engage, in her capacity as one of the World Bank’s key representatives, with outside stakeholders including global private sector financial institutions, the financial media and the sovereign debt and reserve managers in client countries, as well as ratings agencies; and (iv) collaborate extensively with the Finance Partners throughout the WBG, including with IFC and MIGA, expanding shared approaches, in particular around innovative financing for development and for key new projects.”

Arunma Oteh Now World Bank Vice President, Treasurer

The immediate past Director General of Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh  is now the Vice President and Treasurer of the World Bank.

President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim announced the appointment in a press release yesterday. He said :

, “I am pleased to announce the appointment of Arunma Oteh as VP and Treasurer of the World Bank. Ms. Oteh was selected for this position through an international competitive search. Her appointment is effective from September 28, 2015.

“Arunma, a Nigerian national, was most recently the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria. Appointed to a five-year term by the President of Nigeria in 2010, she led the transformation of the country’s capital markets industry into a major global presence. She was a member of the Board of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and the Chairperson of the Africa Middle East Regional Committee of IOSCO.

“Prior to joining the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Nigeria, Arunma was Group Vice President, Corporate Services, at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). In this role she oversaw a number of departments, including human resources, information and communications technology, and institutional procur-ement. From 2001 to 2006 she held the role of AfDB Group Treasurer, where she led AfDB’s fund-raising and capital market activities across the world.

" Earlier roles at the AfDB, which she joined in 1992, included trading room management, investment portfolio coverage, and public sector lending. She also held other positions in capital markets and lending during the course of her career at the AfDB. Arunma began her career in 1985 at Centre Point, where she executed debt and equity offerings in the Nigerian capital markets.

“She earned her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Nigeria and her Masters of Business Administration from Harvard University.

“As VP and Treasurer, Arunma will manage and lead a large and diverse team responsible for managing more than $150 billion in assets. Her top priorities will be to:
(i) maintain the World Bank’s global reputation as a prudent and innovative borrower, investor and risk manager; (ii) manage an extensive client advisory, transaction and asset management business for the Bank; (iii) engage, in her capacity as one of the World Bank’s key representatives, with outside stakeholders including global private sector financial institutions, the financial media and the sovereign debt and reserve managers in client countries, as well as ratings agencies; and (iv) collaborate extensively with the Finance Partners throughout the WBG, including with IFC and MIGA, expanding shared approaches, in particular around innovative financing for development and for key new projects.”

Friday 24 July 2015

Middle Belt Groups Kick Against Grazing Reserves

The Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Development Association is happy with the federal government over plans to create a road map to resolve herdsmen/farmers conflicts in the middle belt region.

However, Vanguard reports that the association is not happy with the plan to carve out grazing routes for herdsmen in the area.

In a statement issued in Jos yesterday and signed by Suleman Sukukum, the Association’s Secretary-General it advocated the phasing out of cattle routes and grazing reserves but placed emphasis on ranching and curbing of cattle rustling activities with States which have large livestock populations maintaining grazing reserves.

The statement was copied to the Ministry of Agriculture, National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, Director-General State Security Services, Chairman Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Speaker House of Representatives and the Senate President.

Nigeria Is Not A Poor Country - Buhari

Incompetent leadership and corruption have combined to make Nigerians poor. So says President Muhammadu Buhari.

"Nigeria is not a poor country: we have the natural resources and ingenuity to be an economic superpower. It is our people who have been made to be poor because of incompetence and corruption.

"If we can recover the stolen money, attract private sector investments, and tackle corruption, then we will be able to provide the economic growth and development; that is the long-term answer to insecurity."

Frightful Times

These are frightful times for the corrupt, even if they are in the ruling party APC. Here is what PMB said during his recent US tour.

"You cannot cure a sick patient by only treating one half of them. There will be no political interference in the fight against corruption – and no political favours to protect the corrupt from justice. "

Hmm. If you're corrupt, these are not the best of times for you. Start running or better still, return the loot and sin no more.

We Can't Clean 16 Years Of Mess In A Few Months - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he needs  time to put the country on the right path. He spoke while taking questions from journalists during his just concluded visit to the United States of America.

"We cannot clean up 16 years of mess in a few months of frantic activity. I know that people are impatient for change, but it is far more important to take your time and take the right steps and appoint the right people than to run around pretending to be doing something, yet achieve nothing.

"First, I will make sure that the right rules and management structures are in place to ensure good government.

"Only then will I appoint credible ministers, with the track record of delivery and probity in good time. After all, President Obama did not complete the appointment of his first cabinet until five months after he was elected and America did not cease functioning in the meantime."

I'm Ready For EFCC - Saraki's Wife

Wife of Dr Bukola Saraki, Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki has said that she is ready to cooperate with the EFCC over the invitation extended to her by the anti graft agency on suspicion of monumental fraud.

Mrs Saraki was recently invited by the EFCC where she is expected to answer questions on suspicious inflow of large funds into her companies during her husband's tenure as the governor of Kwara State.

Here is what she said in a statement released by her private secretary, Mr Akeem Olagoke. "I will be delighted to assist them with any lawful enquiries they may have, as a law-abiding, transparent and accountable private citizen."

Mr Olagoke said Mrs Saraki has confirmed a date to visit the EFCC but has no idea what the invitation is all about. She is expected to be a guest of the anti graft agency on July 28.

Woman Delivered Of Premature Baby After Bomb Blast

A pregnant woman was on Thursday delivered of a premature male child following twin bomb attacks at the Dadin Kowa Motor Park by people suspected to be Boko Haram suicide bombers.

The woman whose name was not given delivered at the Gombe Specialist Hospital through a cesarean section.

Speaking to newsmen, the hospital's Chief Medical Director, Dr Reuben Ardo said,
"We noticed that the pregnant woman's baby was going through stress, so we took her to the theater for an emergency surgery to save the lives of both baby and mother.

“The mother is currently at the hospital receiving treatment, while the baby is in the incubator at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) Gombe.

“From the information we got, the woman was coming back home from the church, when she met the unfortunate incident. "

Dr Ardo disclosed that the bomb blasts left 15 people dead and 77 injured, out of which 56 had been discharged at the time he spoke to newsmen.

Victor Moses To Wear Chelsea Jersey No 20

Returnee forward, Victor Moses has been assigned jersey no. 20 in the Chelsea squad. Two other Nigerian Chelsea players were also given jersey numbers. They are Dominic Solanke, No. 35 and Ola Aina, No. 34. Both players stepped up from the academy.

Moses spent the last season on loan at Stoke City, having spent the previous season at Liverpool also on loan.

Victor Moses To Wear Chelsea Jersey No 20

Returnee forward, Victor Moses has been assigned jersey no. 20 in the Chelsea squad. Two other Nigerian Chelsea players were also given jersey numbers. They are Dominic Solanke, No. 35 and Ola Aina, No. 34. Both players stepped up from the academy.

Moses spent the last season on loan at Stoke City, having spent the previous season at Liverpool also on loan.

What Basketmouth Told His Wife On Her Birthday

"For the wonderful times we've shared together, the adventure, the love, the laughter, the friendship and all, I'm thankful for your life and I look forward to making many more memories with you. Birthdays come around every year but you come once in a lifetime.

"Words can't express how much I love you, so I have decided to use numbers... 123456789. Happy birthday Elsie. "

This is how top comedian, Bright Okpocha, aka Basketmouth expressed his birthday wishes to his wife, Elsie Uzoma Okpocha on Instagram. She was a year older on July 13th.

In 2013, Basketmouth gave a brand-new Honda Crosstour to his wife as a birthday present.

See The Speech Buhari Read In USA On Wednesday

Being the text delivered by President Muhamadu Buhari at the United States Institute for Peace (USIP) on Wednesday July 22 2015

I am delighted to be here this morning, and I wish to thank the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Atlantic Council, the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the International Republican Institute (IRI), and the International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES) for providing me with this platform to share with this distinguished audience of eminent personalities, my hopes and thoughts about my country, Nigeria.
The think tanks that came together to organize today’s event are by no means new to Nigeria. Several of them and a good number of individuals have, over the years, organized meetings and symposia to shed light on diverse issues pertaining to Nigeria. Others, like the NDI, IRI, and IFES have for a long period been partners in Nigeria’s electoral processes.

The contributions of the IRI, NDI and IFES to the success of the 2015 general elections in Nigeria are well documented. I would like to use this opportunity to thank them for their partnership and support to the democratization process in Nigeria. Your doggedness, in calling a spade a spade in 2003, 2007 and 2011 have been greatly appreciated by us Nigerians who are dedicated to ensuring free and fair elections in our country. My appreciation also goes to the CSIS, USIP, and the Atlantic Council for their continued engagement and interest in Nigeria. The unique perspectives and clarity you bring to bear on your analyses of contemporary issues in Nigeria are of profound importance to my country. Thank you for the interest you have consistently shown on elections in our country.
Naturally, being far removed from the arena of action, and not being participants in the events you analyze on a regular basis, has its own pitfalls, the most common being arm-chair analysts. Let me illustrate with just one example. In the months leading up to the recent general elections in Nigeria, very few in the mass media and the policy community here in Washington gave Nigeria as little as half a chance to pull through. All over this city, the common view held and frequently expressed was of Nigeria on the brink.
As far as the critics and doomsday merchants were concerned, Nigeria’s end was the 2015 general elections. Nigeria was not expected to make it. The general perception was that Nigeria would be undone by violent and disputed elections riven with deep ethnic and religious divisions.
6.You all know what happened. Nigeria confounded the pessimists and its critics. All those who predicted the worst possible post-election scenarios for Nigeria missed the mark by very wide margins, because the premises upon which their narratives were based were simply wrong.
The peaceful conduct and outcome of the 2015 general elections attest to the fact that elections in Africa can be conducted in a free, fair and credible manner, just like in any other part of the world. Those elections were different from previous ones, not only because citizens were allowed to vote, but more importantly, because their votes counted. I must therefore, salute the patriotism and commitment of the Nigerian people who conducted themselves peacefully and responsibly during and after the elections. Similarly, I must also commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the civil society organizations, and other non-state actors for their various efforts at improving the electoral process and entrenching the democratic culture.
8. I would like to seize this opportunity also, to once again, pay tribute to my predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his uncommon display of statesmanship in setting the pace for Africa. His conduct and outlook in the aftermath of the elections have further proven that the African electoral system is gaining strength and maturity.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Important lessons are being learned from the successful conduct of those elections. Our electoral processes are evolving. Nigerians of all political leanings recognize that there is much work to be done to improve electoral transparency and the integrity of elections. I feel confident that, going forward, our electoral body will apply lessons learned to improve its processes, including the use of appropriate technologies in the conduct of elections, and innovative approaches to voter education. To this end, I intend to raise the cost of impunity by working with the National Assembly to strengthen our electoral laws in ways that would provide stiffer penalties against all forms of electoral malpractices. The enforcement of the laws would equally be given greater impetus.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
On the issue of terrorism, Nigerians have lived with fear and insecurity for far too long. The human and material costs of the insurgency in my country and to my people are staggering and unacceptable.
Defeating Boko Haram and finding a durable solution to the underlying causes of the insecurity in Nigeria are therefore a major priority of the new administration. Nigerians understand that terrorism stifles development and undermines the stability of society. The Government that I lead is committed, and will do whatever it takes, to free Nigeria from the menace of terrorism. No matter how long it takes, we will reclaim every inch of Nigerian territory that is under the control of Boko Haram. We shall continue to do these within the framework of the rule of law and in compliance with our international and domestic human rights obligations.
Let me emphasize that, as a Government, we have no illusions whatsoever about the enormity of the challenges ahead of us. We know that it will be a long and bruising struggle, but this is a fight we are in to win. Failure is not an option for us. We do not contemplate it.
13.In the first week of my presidency, I visited Chad and Niger to strengthen cooperation within the Lake Chad Basin Commission Members, the primary region of the Boko Haram insurgency. Upon my return to Nigeria from the US, I shall visit Cameroon on the 29th of July to further strengthen our sub-regional efforts at countering terrorism. Already, I have released twenty-one million US Dollars ($21 million) for the rapid take-off of the Multi-National Joint Task Force. This is the force set up by the countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, comprising Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria plus Benin to jointly combat the insurgency.
We are confident that we will defeat terrorism in our country and region, because we have the will to win this fight. We will win because we have the support of the Nigerian people who voted us into office to do things differently in order to secure them from harm and provide for their prosperity and well being. We will win because the United States and indeed, the International Community have pledged to stand with us in solidarity.
But winning the battle against terrorism means we have to do things differently; after all, the race for the future will never be won by going backward or standing still. Winning means we must change our strategy in a manner that will prioritize the mobilization of maximum capacity to fight terrorism, while ensuring the safety and protection of local communities in the frontline of the fight against terrorism. We are also improving cooperation and coordination with our neighbours and other international partners to add depth and muscle to our overall strategy.
In our efforts at combating the activities of Boko Haram, the new Government has sought and obtained the support of not only our neighbours other international friends and partners. Regrettably, the blanket application of the Leahy Law by the United States on the grounds of unproven allegations of human rights violations levelled against our forces has denied us access to appropriate strategic weapons to prosecute the war against the insurgents. In the face of abduction of innocent school girls from their hostels, indiscriminate bombings of civilians in markets and places of worship, our forces have remained largely impotent because they do not possess the appropriate weapons and technology which they could have had, had the so called human rights violations not been an obstacle.
Unwittingly, and I dare say, unintentionally, the application of the Leahy law amendment by the U. S. Government has aided and abetted the Boko Haram terrorist group in the prosecution of its extremist ideology and hate, the indiscriminate killings and maiming of civilians, in raping of women and girls, and in their other heinous crimes. I believe this is not the spirit of the Leahy Laws. I know the American people cannot support any group engaged in these crimes.
I therefore strongly appeal to both the Executive Arm and the US Congress to examine how the US Government can provide us with far more substantial counter-terrorism assistance with minimal strings. The longer we delay, the deadlier the Boko Haram gets. At all events, we have re-written the rules of engagement protecting the rights of combatants and in particular safeguarding civilians in theatres of conflict.
As we ramp up our efforts to defeat Boko Haram, we know that winning this battle sustainably will require that we expand economic opportunities and create jobs for our teeming young population. We must also improve the quality of governance; ensure that governments at all levels are responsive, inclusive, transparent and accountable, and that public institutions deliver services in a timely and efficient manner. We must win and sustain the trust of the people we govern.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The fight against corruption is a full time job that the Federal Government will carry with sustained resolve. I have always maintained zero tolerance for corruption. I am even more committed to fighting this number one enemy decisively because I am convinced beyond any shadow of a doubt that the much needed impetus for our country’s survival is held back by corruption. I will not allow this to continue. Again, as with every action of the government that I lead, we would be fair, just, and scrupulously follow due process, and the rule of law, as enshrined in our Constitution. I will lead by example to ensure the prudent management of Nigeria’s resources. The government will plug the leakages that fuel corruption in Nigeria.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I believe that the future of Nigeria, indeed the future of Africa, lies in democratic governance, not only because it is the expression of the will of the people, but because democracy can help us build fair, just and inclusive societies. Only in a democracy can Africa’s numerous ethnic, cultural and religious diversities find harmonious expression, and the freedoms and opportunities that come with it.
22.The Federal Government is well aware that building a strong economy will help us build a prosperous, stable, and secure country; a nation where democracy will thrive, businesses will flourish, and where citizens can live and pursue their dreams with dignity and freedom under the protection of the law. I believe the United States can help the democratization process gain roots by investing in the expansion of our educational, health and economic opportunities for the millions of our youth.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Fixing Nigeria’s problems, as formidable as they are, is the responsibility of Nigerians. The international community can only assist, but the hard work belongs to Nigerians and their government. I will as President, lead from the front, but all Nigerians, including the opposition parties, civil society, business and religious leaders, public servants, labourunions, the youth and professional associations all have important roles to play to get our country back on a sound economic footing.
The political opposition must see itself as an integral part in ensuring development and good governance for the citizenry. Governance in a democracy is always a shared responsibility, a fact underscored by the current power configuration in Nigeria in which the opposition parties not only has a strong representation in the National Assembly, but also control 14 out of the 36 states in our federal arrangement. In the United states the Republicans are in fact in control of both Houses of Congress.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me end by restating here that, despite our current challenges, Nigeria’s commitment to good governance, anti-corruption, democracy and security of lives and property remains firm. Similarly, I must reaffirm that despite the current challenges that we face domestically, we are ready and willing to face our duties to international peace, stability, security and development as we have done in the past. We shall not shirk our international responsibilities and obligations; we shall do what is expected of us.

Thank you!

Thursday 23 July 2015

See The Speech Buhari Read In USA On Wednesday

Being the text delivered by President Muhamadu Buhari at the United States Institute for Peace (USIP) on Wednesday July 22 2015

I am delighted to be here this morning, and I wish to thank the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Atlantic Council, the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the International Republican Institute (IRI), and the International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES) for providing me with this platform to share with this distinguished audience of eminent personalities, my hopes and thoughts about my country, Nigeria.
The think tanks that came together to organize today’s event are by no means new to Nigeria. Several of them and a good number of individuals have, over the years, organized meetings and symposia to shed light on diverse issues pertaining to Nigeria. Others, like the NDI, IRI, and IFES have for a long period been partners in Nigeria’s electoral processes.

The contributions of the IRI, NDI and IFES to the success of the 2015 general elections in Nigeria are well documented. I would like to use this opportunity to thank them for their partnership and support to the democratization process in Nigeria. Your doggedness, in calling a spade a spade in 2003, 2007 and 2011 have been greatly appreciated by us Nigerians who are dedicated to ensuring free and fair elections in our country. My appreciation also goes to the CSIS, USIP, and the Atlantic Council for their continued engagement and interest in Nigeria. The unique perspectives and clarity you bring to bear on your analyses of contemporary issues in Nigeria are of profound importance to my country. Thank you for the interest you have consistently shown on elections in our country.
Naturally, being far removed from the arena of action, and not being participants in the events you analyze on a regular basis, has its own pitfalls, the most common being arm-chair analysts. Let me illustrate with just one example. In the months leading up to the recent general elections in Nigeria, very few in the mass media and the policy community here in Washington gave Nigeria as little as half a chance to pull through. All over this city, the common view held and frequently expressed was of Nigeria on the brink.
As far as the critics and doomsday merchants were concerned, Nigeria’s end was the 2015 general elections. Nigeria was not expected to make it. The general perception was that Nigeria would be undone by violent and disputed elections riven with deep ethnic and religious divisions.
6.You all know what happened. Nigeria confounded the pessimists and its critics. All those who predicted the worst possible post-election scenarios for Nigeria missed the mark by very wide margins, because the premises upon which their narratives were based were simply wrong.
The peaceful conduct and outcome of the 2015 general elections attest to the fact that elections in Africa can be conducted in a free, fair and credible manner, just like in any other part of the world. Those elections were different from previous ones, not only because citizens were allowed to vote, but more importantly, because their votes counted. I must therefore, salute the patriotism and commitment of the Nigerian people who conducted themselves peacefully and responsibly during and after the elections. Similarly, I must also commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the civil society organizations, and other non-state actors for their various efforts at improving the electoral process and entrenching the democratic culture.
8. I would like to seize this opportunity also, to once again, pay tribute to my predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his uncommon display of statesmanship in setting the pace for Africa. His conduct and outlook in the aftermath of the elections have further proven that the African electoral system is gaining strength and maturity.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Important lessons are being learned from the successful conduct of those elections. Our electoral processes are evolving. Nigerians of all political leanings recognize that there is much work to be done to improve electoral transparency and the integrity of elections. I feel confident that, going forward, our electoral body will apply lessons learned to improve its processes, including the use of appropriate technologies in the conduct of elections, and innovative approaches to voter education. To this end, I intend to raise the cost of impunity by working with the National Assembly to strengthen our electoral laws in ways that would provide stiffer penalties against all forms of electoral malpractices. The enforcement of the laws would equally be given greater impetus.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
On the issue of terrorism, Nigerians have lived with fear and insecurity for far too long. The human and material costs of the insurgency in my country and to my people are staggering and unacceptable.
Defeating Boko Haram and finding a durable solution to the underlying causes of the insecurity in Nigeria are therefore a major priority of the new administration. Nigerians understand that terrorism stifles development and undermines the stability of society. The Government that I lead is committed, and will do whatever it takes, to free Nigeria from the menace of terrorism. No matter how long it takes, we will reclaim every inch of Nigerian territory that is under the control of Boko Haram. We shall continue to do these within the framework of the rule of law and in compliance with our international and domestic human rights obligations.
Let me emphasize that, as a Government, we have no illusions whatsoever about the enormity of the challenges ahead of us. We know that it will be a long and bruising struggle, but this is a fight we are in to win. Failure is not an option for us. We do not contemplate it.
13.In the first week of my presidency, I visited Chad and Niger to strengthen cooperation within the Lake Chad Basin Commission Members, the primary region of the Boko Haram insurgency. Upon my return to Nigeria from the US, I shall visit Cameroon on the 29th of July to further strengthen our sub-regional efforts at countering terrorism. Already, I have released twenty-one million US Dollars ($21 million) for the rapid take-off of the Multi-National Joint Task Force. This is the force set up by the countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, comprising Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria plus Benin to jointly combat the insurgency.
We are confident that we will defeat terrorism in our country and region, because we have the will to win this fight. We will win because we have the support of the Nigerian people who voted us into office to do things differently in order to secure them from harm and provide for their prosperity and well being. We will win because the United States and indeed, the International Community have pledged to stand with us in solidarity.
But winning the battle against terrorism means we have to do things differently; after all, the race for the future will never be won by going backward or standing still. Winning means we must change our strategy in a manner that will prioritize the mobilization of maximum capacity to fight terrorism, while ensuring the safety and protection of local communities in the frontline of the fight against terrorism. We are also improving cooperation and coordination with our neighbours and other international partners to add depth and muscle to our overall strategy.
In our efforts at combating the activities of Boko Haram, the new Government has sought and obtained the support of not only our neighbours other international friends and partners. Regrettably, the blanket application of the Leahy Law by the United States on the grounds of unproven allegations of human rights violations levelled against our forces has denied us access to appropriate strategic weapons to prosecute the war against the insurgents. In the face of abduction of innocent school girls from their hostels, indiscriminate bombings of civilians in markets and places of worship, our forces have remained largely impotent because they do not possess the appropriate weapons and technology which they could have had, had the so called human rights violations not been an obstacle.
Unwittingly, and I dare say, unintentionally, the application of the Leahy law amendment by the U. S. Government has aided and abetted the Boko Haram terrorist group in the prosecution of its extremist ideology and hate, the indiscriminate killings and maiming of civilians, in raping of women and girls, and in their other heinous crimes. I believe this is not the spirit of the Leahy Laws. I know the American people cannot support any group engaged in these crimes.
I therefore strongly appeal to both the Executive Arm and the US Congress to examine how the US Government can provide us with far more substantial counter-terrorism assistance with minimal strings. The longer we delay, the deadlier the Boko Haram gets. At all events, we have re-written the rules of engagement protecting the rights of combatants and in particular safeguarding civilians in theatres of conflict.
As we ramp up our efforts to defeat Boko Haram, we know that winning this battle sustainably will require that we expand economic opportunities and create jobs for our teeming young population. We must also improve the quality of governance; ensure that governments at all levels are responsive, inclusive, transparent and accountable, and that public institutions deliver services in a timely and efficient manner. We must win and sustain the trust of the people we govern.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The fight against corruption is a full time job that the Federal Government will carry with sustained resolve. I have always maintained zero tolerance for corruption. I am even more committed to fighting this number one enemy decisively because I am convinced beyond any shadow of a doubt that the much needed impetus for our country’s survival is held back by corruption. I will not allow this to continue. Again, as with every action of the government that I lead, we would be fair, just, and scrupulously follow due process, and the rule of law, as enshrined in our Constitution. I will lead by example to ensure the prudent management of Nigeria’s resources. The government will plug the leakages that fuel corruption in Nigeria.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I believe that the future of Nigeria, indeed the future of Africa, lies in democratic governance, not only because it is the expression of the will of the people, but because democracy can help us build fair, just and inclusive societies. Only in a democracy can Africa’s numerous ethnic, cultural and religious diversities find harmonious expression, and the freedoms and opportunities that come with it.
22.The Federal Government is well aware that building a strong economy will help us build a prosperous, stable, and secure country; a nation where democracy will thrive, businesses will flourish, and where citizens can live and pursue their dreams with dignity and freedom under the protection of the law. I believe the United States can help the democratization process gain roots by investing in the expansion of our educational, health and economic opportunities for the millions of our youth.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Fixing Nigeria’s problems, as formidable as they are, is the responsibility of Nigerians. The international community can only assist, but the hard work belongs to Nigerians and their government. I will as President, lead from the front, but all Nigerians, including the opposition parties, civil society, business and religious leaders, public servants, labourunions, the youth and professional associations all have important roles to play to get our country back on a sound economic footing.
The political opposition must see itself as an integral part in ensuring development and good governance for the citizenry. Governance in a democracy is always a shared responsibility, a fact underscored by the current power configuration in Nigeria in which the opposition parties not only has a strong representation in the National Assembly, but also control 14 out of the 36 states in our federal arrangement. In the United states the Republicans are in fact in control of both Houses of Congress.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me end by restating here that, despite our current challenges, Nigeria’s commitment to good governance, anti-corruption, democracy and security of lives and property remains firm. Similarly, I must reaffirm that despite the current challenges that we face domestically, we are ready and willing to face our duties to international peace, stability, security and development as we have done in the past. We shall not shirk our international responsibilities and obligations; we shall do what is expected of us.

Thank you!

See what popular Ghanaian actress Zynnell Zuh could be wearing to her movie premier on July 31

The romantic comedy "When Love Comes Around"  features Jim Iyke and Eku Edewor alongside Zynnell Zuh, Mikki Osei and others.

It is directed by Afe Olumowe.

I Will Revive The Economy In 18 Months - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that it would take at least 18 months to resuscitate the nation's economy. He spoke at a meeting with the Nigerians In Diaspora Organization during his just concluded official visit to the United States of America.

He asked Nigerians living overseas but searching for jobs in the civil service back home to tarry awhile as the economy was in a bad shape and would take a minimum of 18 months to revive.

President Buhari however hinted that some of the job seekers would be hired as  consultants to enable them contribute to national development.

6 Nigerian Girls Rescued From Prostitution In B'Faso

Six Nigerian girls who were tricked into a journey to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso by a human trafficker simply identified as Balikis are by now, thanking their lucky stars.

They were promised lucrative jobs in the Burkina be capital, only to be told on arrival that they had been brought there to practice the sex trade. However, they bluntly refused to play ball

Seeing that the girls were not ready to cooperate with her, Balikis locked them up in a room. It was after one of them escaped from the room and alerted the police that help came their way.

According to Mr Innocent Agate, Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Oyo State Command, "the Nigerian embassy assisted in arranging emergency travel documents for them to return to Nigeria after their lucky escape. We have taken them to hospital for screening and they are HIV negative."

The girls have since been reunited with their families in Ibadan, Oyo State.

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