Army moving heavy weapons in S/South, urges calm among public

The Nigerian Army has announced the commencement this weekend of a training exercise in the Niger Delta code named “EXERCISE CROCODILE SMILE” involving the 82 Division and elements of the 2 Division.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Army spokesman, Col Sani Usman.

“The general public is please requested not to panic on the sight of unusual movement of large number of troops, heavy military weapons and equipment in these areas.

“The aim of the exercise is to practice our Special Forces and other units of the Nigerian Army in Amphibious and Internal Security Operations in riverine environment and also check criminal activities like kidnapping, militancy and piracy and other forms of criminal activities in support of the civil authority,” the statement said.

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UN suspends aid to Borno over attack on convoy

Following Thursday's terrorist attack on its convoy which had gone to deliver aid materials in Bama, Borno State, the United Nations has temporarily suspended the delivery of humanitarian aid in the state.

Nigerian Army spokesman had said in a statement that a UN convoy escorted by soldiers had run into an ambush in which 5 persons were injured.

Also, Reuters quoted the UNICEF as saying that its convoy was attacked on its way back to Maiduguri from Bama after delivering humanitarian aid to IDPs. It said that a UNICEF employee and an International Organisation for Migration contractor were wounded in the attack.

“The United Nations has temporarily suspended humanitarian assistance missions pending review of the security situation,” it said.

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Buhari felicitates with Fr Mbaka on ordination anniversary

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministries on the 21st anniversary of his priestly ordination.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adeshina, the president described the fiery priest as a wise counselor and teacher.

“President Muhammadu Buhari felicitates with Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka, Director of Adoration Ministry, on the 21st anniversary of his ordination to priesthood in the Catholic Church which comes up Friday.

“The president extends his best wishes to Fr. Mbaka’s family, congregation and well-wishers as they celebrate this special occasion with him in his continued devotion to the well-being of others as a father, wise counselor, teacher and guardian.

“The president commends Fr. Mbaka’s steadfast devotion to his vocation and ministry, amply demonstrated in his love and service for his people, nation and God.

“President Buhari prays that God Almighty, who has given the cleric the strength to devote his entire life to service in the vineyard will continually bless and prosper his ministry,” he said.

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Sheriff vs Makarfi: Court cancels PDP National Convention

Ousted National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff has secured an order of a Federal High Court in Abuja cancelling the national convention of the party scheduled to hold in August this year.

Sheriff had approached the court, seeking an order to cancel the convention which is being organized by the Makarfi faction of the PDP on the grounds that the May 29th Port Harcourt convention which ousted him was illegal.

In his ruling on Thursday, Justice Okon Abang concurred with the position of the plaintiff.

“The convention was unlawfully held and the caretaker committee was unlawfully constituted. If the Markarfi-led faction, as an apostle of impunity, missed its way to the Port Harcourt division of the FHC, the court cannot be said to have acted within its legal jurisdiction in entertaining the matter,” he said.

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Boko Haram: 5 wounded as insurgents ambush troops, UN officials in Borno

A contingent of United Nations officials on humanitarian mission escorted by Nigerian troops ran into an ambush mounted by Boko Haram insurgents on Thursday.

The UN team and other donor agencies were returning to Maiduguri from Bama where they had gone to deliver drugs and foodstuff to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs.

Army spokesman, Col Sani Usman confirmed the attack in a statement he issued to newsmen.

“ Troops returning from Bama on humanitarian escort duty, were ambushed enroute Maiduguri by suspected remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hiding in Meleri village, a few kilometres from Kawuri.

“The gallant troops however, successfully cleared the ambush and exploited up to Afunori. Unfortunately, two soldiers and three civilians were wounded in the ambush, among whom were staff of United Nations agencies and other international humanitarian organizations.

“The wounded have been evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, and they are in stable condition.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to sympathize with our wounded colleagues, the United Nations and other non-governmental organizations whose personnel were also injured in this sad incident.

“We wish to reiterate our determination and commitment to ensuring safety and security in the North East and safeguarding the lives of all persons.”

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Buhari receives Gavi and The Global Fund in Abuja

28 July 2016 | STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
WE'RE MAKING GENUINE EFFORTS TO CORRECT OUR LAPSES AS A NATION-PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that lapses that have characterized Nigeria as a nation would be corrected.
Receiving a team led by Dr. Seth Berkley, Chief Executive Officer of Gavi and The Global Fund in State House, Abuja, Thursday, President Buhari said he was impressed with the patience and steadfastness of leading supporters of health care in Nigeria, "despite our shortcomings as a nation."
"We are making genuine efforts to correct the lapses. We are very serious about people behaving themselves, and being accountable," the President said.
"We thank you for deciding to re-engage with us, despite our inefficiencies. You decided to be here, not minding our shortcomings. There are other countries that would bring less problems. We appreciate your commitment, and we will do our best to put ourselves in the best shape to help us," President Buhari said.
Dr Berkley, who noted that the three focal points of the Buhari administration; security, economic development, and anti-corruption were critical to the future of Nigeria, had raised issues over the way donor funds for health care were utilized in the past.
He said Gavi and the Global Fund were disappointed when forensic audit revealed systemic weaknesses and corruption in the utilization of funds given in the past, adding that there is now a "breath of fresh air" under President Buhari’s leadership and fight against corruption and they were willing to "close the books of the past, and look into future support."
Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, who was also at the event, disclosed that those indicted in the audit of the donor funds in the past, which was done between 2010 and 2015, had already been questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and would be arraigned in court soon.

FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
July 28, 2016

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Herdsmen get free vaccines in Abuja

The leader of Fulani herdsmen in Abuja, Malam Ardo Bara has said that  the Federal Capital Territory administration has distributed free vaccines to herdsmen in the territory.

Bara told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN on Wednesday in Abuja that the vaccines which would help in the prevention of cattle diseases were distributed to the herdsmen by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello.

His words.
“I told them (herdsmen) that whatever transpired between us here, we take to government.

“So they know that they are very important and are recognised.

“They contribute to the economy; therefore, they should make their lives better.

“By obeying the rules and regulations of our constitution, by obeying laws by coming together and respecting themselves.

“We received a favour from the government last week; the government promised to vaccinate our cattle free of charge.

“The kind of diseases that destroyed cattle before is no more.

“They promised to locate cattle anywhere in Abuja to vaccinate them, for prevention and cure.

“So this is a step forward for the Fulani community. I believe the previous governments were not able to do such things.

“That is to assure the Fulani that government needs him and it is very important.

“I still have to remind them that 10 together are greater than thousands that are divided.’’

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