Buhari Prays For Bishop Okonkwo At 70

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a congratulatory message to Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM on the occasion of his 70th birthday anniversary.

In a statement released in Abuja on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adeshina, President Buhari commended Bishop Okonkwo's lifelong commitment to the service of God and mankind.

Wishing the bishop, his family and congregation a happy birthday celebration, Buhari saluted his strong dedication to the spiritual welfare of the flock under his care.

“It gives me immense joy to felicitate with you as you clock the landmark age of 70 years.

“More than four decades of these 70 years have been dedicated to the work of God as a pastor and preacher.

“Our prayer is that God will give you longer life, strength and your ability to serve Him for many more years,” the statement said.

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Missing Bauchi Aircraft Found In Morocco

A missing aircraft belonging to the government of Bauchi State has been found in far away Morocco, says the state governor. Governor Mohammed Abubakar disclosed this in Bauchi on Saturday while marking the first 100 days of his administration.

He said that the aircraft which was found by the Air Commodore Ahmed Tijani-Baba led investigative committee would be flown back to the state in a matter of days.

"The committee will now beam its searchlight on the ministry for local affairs and the State Basic Education Board to see how billions of naira allocated to them were spent.

“Such examples are the N2bn micro loans and others that were allocated them, but carelessly spent leaving our pupils to study under the trees,”  the governor said.

He said that his government has been working hard to improve the lives of the people and called for their continued support.

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Angry Nigerians React To Akpabio's Hospital Bed Tweet

Nigerians are not smiling about Senator Godswill Akpabio's recent tweet from his hospital bed in London. The circumstances of the accident which landed the former governor of Akwa Ibom State doesn't make it easier.

On Monday 31 August 2015, Akpabio had crashed into an American embassy van while beating the traffic light at Bolingo Hotel Junction, Abuja. He was admitted at the National Hospital Abuja before being flown out of the country the next day.

In a recent tweet accompanied by a photo of him sitting on a hospital bed, Akpabio had said,
@SenAkpabio: Though down but not out. I will rise again.

See how Nigerians responded to the former governor now Senator.

@Ikoro85: Get well soon. Next time don't disobey traffic light.

@BolanleOdu: Sen Akpabio who couldn't attend his own world class hospital.

@Nyipira: U are an uncommon Senator, so u require an uncommon medical attention in an uncommon country.

@CorruptConcern: They should even probe him. He is not a patriotic Nigerian. He wasted billions on a hospital he could not use. Buhari must look into this. Nigerian politicians are liars.

@Diamond_dweller: Wishing him a very quick recovery.

@APC Nigeria : Very sad that Akpabio could not build a good hospital but now went to waste our money in London.

@EveryNigerian: Look at a Nigerian master thief on a hospital bed in London. God is kind. God is not like man. Lucky Akpabio.

@bonario89: uncommon transformer built an uncommon hospital but ran to UK to get uncommon treatment for common headache. Who is fooling whom?

@DeliciousAmina: Oga, next time obey traffic rules and use the "world class" hospital you built in your state!! Get well soon o.

@rhaysniphes: your administration financed supposed good hospitals in your state but you ran to UK after your accident.

@Adeola503: @SenAkpabio your level of deceit is more "world class" than your "world class" hospital, hang your head in shame.

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We Have Destroyed Boko Haram's Central Command - Army Spokesman

Recent offensives by Nigerian Armed Forces and other troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force, M-NJTF have put Boko Haram fighters in disarray, destabilizing their central command and leadership base.

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja last Thursday, Army spokesman, Col Sani Usman said that the armed forces are on course to implement President Buhari's directive to bring the insurgency to a quick end.

In the words of Col Sani Usman,  “ I have no iota of doubt in my mind that our troops will wipe out the insurgents in the shortest possible time and we are committed to this target.

“You are aware that our troops recaptured Gamboru Ngala last Tuesday and are now consolidating, mopping up and preparing for the next offensive against the terrorists.

“It is gratifying to note that most of the terrorist group leadership, has been decimated, while foot soldiers are abandoning their masters, burying their weapons in the forest and seeking solace.

“It is the achievements from harmonised efforts that have confirmed our stand that the insurgency would be ended as soon as possible. "

He applauded the Nigerian Air Force whose logistical support, air support and surveillance have enhanced the operations of the ground troops.

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Watching The Watchdog : EFCC in N1.7b Scandal

A scandal is brewing over an allegation that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC recovered over N1.7b from 15 defaulting companies for the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, but did not remit the money to the agency.

Mr George Ubor who is the CEO of Panic Alert Security System told newsmen in Abuja on Saturday that the money was overdue taxes recovered by the EFCC for the FIRS between 2010 and 2011.He said that the FIRS has already denied any receipts or payments from the EFCC in respect of those companies.

He gave the breakdown of the funds which were recovered by the EFCC but not remitted to FIRS as: Zakhem Construction Limited — N401m; Daewoo Nigeria Limited — N208m; WAPCO — N311m; Mikano International Limited —N16m; Protea Hotel, Apo Apartments — N10m; Reiz Continental Hotels — N32m; Coscharis Motors Limited — N130m; and Elizade Nigeria Limited — N555m,  ITCC Technical Limited, Kaduna — N47m; Grand Ibro Hotel, Abuja — N14m; Efab Properties, Abuja — N19m; Le Meridien Hotel, Port Harcourt – N10m; Northern Nigeria Flour Mills Plc – N2.7m; Ni’ Ima Guest Palace – N2.8m; and Okomu Oil Palm Plc – N5m.

The total amount recovered by the EFCC from the 15 defaulting companies according to Mr George Ubor is N1,767,594,842.65.

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EFCC Freezes Accounts Of Jonathan's Men

President Muhammadu Buhari's war on corruption appears to be gathering momentum as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has frozen the bank accounts of some of former President Goodluck Jonathan's associates. The move is reportedly to prevent the movement of alleged looted funds out of those accounts.

A source close to the government of the day told Sunday Punch that the move became necessary given the mind-boggling theft of public resources by the affected people.

The frozen accounts according to Sunday Punch are Keketobou Foundation run by Jonathan's Special Adviser on Niger Delta and coordinator of the Amnesty Program, Mr Kingsley Kuku, Mieka Divers Ltd and Global West Vessels Ltd operated by former warlord Government Ekpemukpolo, aka Tompolo, Maritime University, Okerenkoko, the contract of which is being handled by Mr Kime Engozi. Other accounts linked to Mr Engozi are reportedly flagged also.

The account of NIMASA Technical College, Okoloba and accounts linked to former Director General of NIMASA, Dr Patrick Akpobolokemi are also reported to have been frozen by the anti corruption agency.

Some of the affected individuals are already being investigated by the EFCC.

See Sunday Punch for more.

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Fleeing Cattle Rustlers Leave 97 Cows, 41 Sheep Behind

The 31 Artillery Brigade, Minna last Thursday arrested a cattle rustler and recovered 97 cows and 41 sheep in an operation in Sarkin Pawa, Munya local government area of Niger State.

Army spokesperson, Minna, Capt Njideka Agwu disclosed this on Saturday during a chat with newsmen in Minna.

She said that a suspect, Abubakar Hassan was arrested on Thursday in an operation led by the Commanding Officer, 313 Artillery Regiment, Minna, Lt Col
Adamu Yakubu.

According to Capt Agwu, the rest of the rustlers ran away upon sighting the soldiers, leaving behind, 97 cows and 41 sheep. She said that the suspect and the exhibits were handed over to the local government chairmen with the DPO Sarkin Pawa Division, Council Secretary and village head as witnesses. 

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