Day Aisha Buhari paid fine fo 5 prison inmates in Jigawa.

It was on Tuesday that the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari,  paid the fines for the release of five convicted inmates of the Garu Satellite Prison in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

Mre Buhari who was represented by a prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Mustapha Fari said that the gesture was part of a nationwide visit by her Foundation, "Future Assured" to mark the holy month of Ramadan.

She disclosed that Future Assured would be paying fines to free inmates and offer donations to prisons across the country.

She told the freed inmates that the gesture was to enable them enjoy the festive season with their families. She assured that they would be given transport fares to facilitate their journey home, even as she urged them to be of good behavior.

Items like bags of rice, cartons of soap, detergents and Anti malaria drugs were also donated by the foundation for the use of the remaining inmates at the prison.

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Read Buratai's warning to lawyers coming to Special Court Marshal

Lawyers appearing before Nigerian Army's Special Court Marshal must be robed.

citing Section 131 (2)(d) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai gave the directive in the convening order for the Special Court Marshal which is expected to assemble at the Army Headquarters Garrison Conference Hall at Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.

The order also specified the dress code for officers appearing before the SCM.

“All officers are to wear No. 4 dress while soldiers are to wear No. 5 dress throughout the duration of the court.”

“All lawyers are to be robed. However, serving officers and soldiers who are lawyers have the option of wearing either No. 4 and 5 dress respectively."

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How Fayose bought N1.35b properties within 6 months in office - EFCC

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have discovered how Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose acquired five houses worth N1.35b within his first six months in office.

The properties are said to include four duplexes in Lagos and one on Abuja.

Three additional persons have been invited for questioning on Friday by the anti-graft agency. They include Oyin Daramola, an estate agent, said to have sold the four properties in Lagos to Fayose. Daramola told the EFCC operatives that she did a legitimate business.

Sources said that Fayose's associate, Abiodun Agbele has been moved to Abuja from Lagos for further interrogation.

Fayose was sworn into office on October 16, 2014 but by April 2015, he had bought four units of four-bedroom duplexes in Lagos and one in Abuja.

Each of the four duplexes located at Tiamiyu Savage Street in Victoria Island, Lagos cost $1.3m.

Those expected to be questioned on Friday are Daramola of Still Earth, her former accountant and a consultant from Philberth simply identified as Titilayo.

“We are going to interact with these three people on Friday as part of the ongoing investigation of the governor. We had a preliminary interface with Daramola, who was innocently manipulated by Agbele and the governor for a legitimate business,” said an EFCC source.

Daramola was reported to have told the EFCC that she did legitimate business with the governor.

“You can check my background and business records, I have never been involved in shady transactions. Even the purchase of the duplexes, I made sure every process is documented without cutting corners," she said.

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Oil workers, FG meet over looming strike

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers NUPENG are meeting today, Thursday with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, and the Minister of State for  Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu to discuss lasting solutions to the lingering problems in the oil and gas sector.

A statement by the Deputy Director of Press in the Ministry of Labour, Mr Samuel Olowookere disclosed that the meeting would be held at the NNPC Towers, Central Business District, Abuja.

It was learnt that the leadership of PENGASSAN has been meeting since Tuesday to fine tune the details of an industrial action which is expected to shut down all operations and activities in the oil and gas sector of the economy.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the National Public Relations Officer of PENGASSAN, Comrade Emmanuel Ojugbana said that modalities had been adopted for the implementation of the industrial action.

“The action, which will cripple all activities and operations in the oil and gas sector, will affect all the sub sectors as our members in the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Petroleum Equalisation Fund (Monitoring Board) PEF (MB), Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), oil majors, labour and contract services companies, and petroleum products marketing companies will join in the action.

“We strongly appeal for understanding of all Nigerians and operators that will be impacted by the action. The industrial action is critical to the survival of the oil and gas industry, which currently is the mainstay of the nation’s economy.”

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Read President Buhari’s Eid-el-fitri message to the nation

05 July 2016 | STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
EID-EL-FITR MESSAGE TO THE NATION FROM PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

I felicitate with all Nigerians, especially the Muslim Ummah, on the occasion of this year’s Eid El Fitr, which marks the completion of the Ramadan fast.
I congratulate Muslims in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of this month-long spiritual journey of fasting, prayer and almsgiving in obedience to the Divine Command.
I sincerely pray that the Almighty Allah will reward our sacrifices with increased blessing and a more prosperous future.
On this happy occasion, it is my strong belief that all true followers of Islam have been rejuvenated on the true meaning and essence of life and through the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), we have learnt to imbibe the virtues of piety, sacrifice, love, self-denial and good conduct in our daily relationship with one another.
As we celebrate another Eid El Fitr, I admonish all patriotic Nigerians to uphold these lessons and also appreciate the numerous material and human blessings God has endowed us with.
Let us learn to show gratitude, respect and tolerance to one other, irrespective of our religion, tribe, language and political leanings, as we forge ahead to build on our strengths and opportunities to make Nigeria great again.
On Monday this week, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and other government officials joined me to host Iftar reception at the State House with Nigerians of different backgrounds including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), artisans and Physically-challenged persons.
Like I said during the reception, I want to once again appeal to those of us who have the means, to remember the millions of Nigerians who are suffering deprivation because of violence perpetrated by terrorists.
I am not unaware of what Nigerians are going through and I want to use this medium to commend the amazing sacrifices of Nigerians in the face of the temporary economic and social challenges and also reassure Nigerians that my administration is working assiduously towards providing basic needs and other amenities.
Let me also use this opportunity to reaffirm that we will not relent in the fight against corruption and we will ensure that all appropriate and legal measures are deplored to root out this malaise.
I commend the Armed Forces and security agencies for the gains recorded in the fight against terrorists and the rescue of hostages in the North East part of the country.
I also appeal for the support, understanding and patience of all Nigerians and our international partners as we explore the fastest means to end the economic sabotage in the Niger Delta and amicably resolve the conflicts within the region.
I promise you all better days ahead even as we remain grateful for your unflinching support to our administration.
Happy Eid El Fitr celebration and May the Almighty Allah continue to bless our nation.
Eid Mubarak!

Muhammadu Buhari
July 5, 2016

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Buhari threatens consequences for those obstructing anti-graft crusade

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned those seeking to deter his administration from fighting corruption that there will be consequences.

He made this known on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja during the breaking of fast with  Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs and artisans including taxi drivers, hair dressers, motorcycle riders, barbers, butchers, tailors, and junior workers of the campaign office of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

“Whoever deters us from fighting corruption will suffer the consequences,” he said.

Buhari told them that government is conscious of their needs and will work hard to address them.

“I assure you that the leadership of this country is conscious of you. I’m being told that more has to be done.

“Our intentions are good and honourable but I have to remind you of what we inherited from the previous administration.

“Be mindful that we care about you on daily basis. We will try to improve health services so you will spend less time looking for medical care.

“Tell your family that this government is concerned about your welfare and will work very hard to improve it.”

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Turkey felicitates with Nigerian Muslims on Eid-el-fitri

The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan  has felicitated with Muslims in Nigeria on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-fitri.

In a telephone conversation with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, President Erdogan, whose country had recently suffered terror attack at the Atartuk airport, rejoiced with Nigerians on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fast despite terrorist distractions.
President Muhammadu Buhari had, last week, in a letter written to the Turkish President, commiserated with him and the entire people of Turkey in the wake of the bombings at the Ataturk airport in Turkey. President Buhari had described the incident as a “horrific attack on their soil by evil forces who have nothing to do with Islam despite their warped beliefs.”

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