Anti-corruption War Not Negotiable - Presidency Tells Jonathan's Ministers

In a swift reaction to the statement issued earlier in the day by former president Goodluck Jonathan's erstwhile ministers, the presidency has declared that the current war being waged against corruption is not negotiable.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said this in a statement he released to newsmen in reaction to an earlier statement by Jonathan's ex ministers.

He said, "this war against corruption knows no friend nor foe. There is no intention to deny anyone of their good name where they are entitled to it and  President Buhari reserves the highest regards for the country’s former leaders including Dr Goodluck Jonathan, who he continues to praise to high heavens for the way and manner in which he accepted defeat in the last election.

“That singular action remains a feat that has earned the former President and Nigeria as a country befitting commendations all over the world, the latest coming from Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who visited a week ago.

“For the purpose of emphasis, the issue of fighting corruption by President Buhari is non negotiable.

“It is sine qua non to the overall reconstruction of the economy and social systems  which suffered  destruction and severe denigration under the last administration.

“President Buhari will not be deterred or blackmailed into retreat and surrender.”

He reminded the ex ministers that what they handed over to the present regime was a tottering economy which has been made more challenging by the continued slide in oil prices.

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Ex Ministers Tell Buhari To Stop Insulting Jonathan

Ministers who served under Goodluck Jonathan have told President Muhammadu Buhari to desist from his unprovoked attacks on the former president. They also asked Buhari to give Jonathan the respect due to him as a former president of the country.

In a joint statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the former ministers maintained that it was wrong for Buhari to cast aspersions on Jonathan and the ministers who served under him, while discrediting the monumental achievements of that administration.

The statement which was signed by former National Planning Minister, Abubakar O Suleiman pointed out that the sweat of the Jonathan administration is what Nigerians are now enjoying under President Buhari.
. The former ministers maintained that they served the country diligently and therefore deserved commendation and not vilification.

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Kaduna Pilgrim Slumps, Dies On Way To Tarmac

An intending pilgrim has died at Kaduna airport while riding in a bus to the tarmac for boarding. The deceased pilgrim identified only as Zainab is reported to have a history of asthma, although it is not clear whether she died of the ailment.

According to the Amirul Hajj of Kaduna State, Alhaji Zubairu Jibril who broke the news to pressmen at the Mando Hajj camp on Sunday, Zainab hailed from Kagarko local government area of the state.

The deceased has been buried according to Islamic rites.

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Buhari Promises More Action On Chibok Girls

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday assured parents and relations of the abducted Chibok girls that his government was making genuine efforts to rescue them.

Buhari spoke through Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima during a meeting with the girls' relations in government house, Maiduguri. He assured that efforts were being intensified to ensure the safe coming home of the girls who were kidnapped from their hostel on 14 April 2014.

Governor Shettima said he called the meeting on the orders of the President.

“I have called all of you here today (Saturday) on the direc­tive of Mr. President to address you on the release of your 219 daughters abducted last year in April, while writing their examinations. The President asked me to tell you to exercise more patience on our daughters still in Boko Haram captivity.

“I’m with all of you here to­day, as our President is also with you. He is very much concerned and committed towards the unconditional release of these abducted girls. We leaders have a responsibility that these girls are released, as soon as possible God willing. "

The governor gave each of the parents  N100,000 naira which he said was a token from President Buhari to help them "keep life going."

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DSS Arrests Boko Haram Commander

The Department of State Services, DSS said on Sunday that it has arrested key Boko Haram suspects including a commander linked with suicide attacks in various parts of the country.

The DSS said that a major suspect, Usman Shuaibu and other suspects were picked up in Lagos, Gombe, Kano, Plateau and Enugu states between July and August.

A statement issued by the DSS said, "of particular note was the arrest on 8th July, 2015 in Gombe state of those responsible for the coordination and execution of the suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria and Jos,"
"Shuaibu admitted being the leader of the team of nine sect members that was dispatched from Sambisa Forest to carry out the attacks. He disclosed that four out of the nine of them were used as suicide bombers in executing all the suicide attacks. "

It said that the arrest of the terrorist elements has stemmed the spate of attacks by the militant group.

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Jonathan, Diezani, Obua In $6.9m Fraud Allegation

An investigative panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to uncover and recover stolen funds has reportedly uncovered a $6.9m fraud allegedly committed by key officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The panel discovered that the money was purportedly used to procure three 40 feet mobile stages for the former President's use during public speaking events.

Findings by the panel reportedly revealed that former President Goodluck Jonathan, his then Chief Security Officer, Gordon Obua and former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison Madueke were involved in the deal.

LEADERSHIP Sunday reports that Obua initiated a memo on 17 October 2011 seeking the former President's approval for the purchase of three mobile stages. The former president allegedly approved the deal the same day.

Sources have it that the money was moved from NNPC's New York account into a Nigerian bank from where it was paid into an account owned by the former CSO. According to the said sources, there is no evidence that the mobile stages were ever purchased.

See LEADERSHIP Sunday for more.

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NAHCON Airlifts 18909 Pilgrims To Saudi Arabia

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON on Saturday said it has so far, flown 18909 people to Saudi Arabia for the 2015 pilgrimage.

It said that about 76,000 Muslims from across the country are expected to perform this year's Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

NAHCON's Director of Public Affairs, Alhaji Uba Mana told News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that the exercise which began on August 23 has been hitch free.

The airlift is expected to be rounded off on September 15th.

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