The Presidency Employs 173 Ex-Corpers Into Civil Service

Federal Government, Monday, gave letters of employment to 173 ex-Corps members for immediate appointment into the various ministries in the Civil Service. The Federal Civil Service Commission [FCSC] officially handed over appointment letters to the 173 ex-National Youth Service Corp [NYSC] who served in 2012, 2013 and 2014 for distinguishing themselves during their service years.

Popular Female Blogger Recieved N240 Million From ‪#‎Dasukigate

Who could this be This is according to political commentator -Oluwakayode Olumide Ogundamisi

Flash! Popular Female Blogger recieved N240 Million from ‪#‎DasukiGate‬ ? Dudafa Waripamo SA Domestic to former President Goodluck Jonathan said he gave N240m to a female popular blogger in Lagos.

Worsening Economy: Nigeria Sliding Towards Revolution, Ekweremadu Warns Buhari.

The Deputy Senate President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has warned that unless the downward slide of the Nigerian economy is halted, the country may witness a revolution by citizens.
Speaking at the opening of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) South East Zonal Executive Council meeting, Mr. Ekweremadu expressed dismay at the handling of the Nigeria’s economy by the All Progressives Congress, APC-led federal government.

Is This True About Our Minister Of Finance, Kemi Adeosun?

is this true about our Minister of Finance? I think its true tho

Buhari Dissociates Self From Social Media Bill.

The Nigerian Presidency has issued the statement below, quoting President Muhammadu Buhari as dissociating himself and his administration from the media muzzle law being cooked by the Nigerian Senate.

Read full statement below:

SOCIAL MEDIA BILL: BUHARI RESTATES COMMITMENT To FREE SPEECH.
President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated the commitment of his administration to the protection of free speech in keeping with democratic tradition.

President Buhari

Nobody can probe me —Amaechi

Former Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi

The immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, says no anti-corruption agency in the country can probe him.

The PUNCH had reported that Amaechi along with some other former governors: Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Sullivan Chime (Enugu); Babatunde Fashola (Lagos); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Shehu Shema (Katsina) and Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State were being probed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and related offences Commission.

However, Chief Tony Okocha, a former aide to Amaechi, told one of our correspondents that the ex-governor was not afraid of ICPC or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as long as the probe was not a witch-hunt.

Osinbajo richer than Buhari, worth N290m with houses in VI, Ikoyi, England

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of Nigeria

The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) is way richer than the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari who’s liquid worth is put at less than N30 million as at 29 May, 2015.
According to his asset form by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), who had been a successful lawyer before his foray into politics declared a bank balance of about N94, 000, 000 (ninety-four million) and 900,000 United States Dollars in his bank accounts.
As revealed by the same form, Osinbajo’s asset declaration include his 4-bedroom residence at Victoria Garden City, Lagos and a three-bedroom flat at 2 Mosley Road, Ikoyi.

Nigeria to produce 20million litres of petrol daily, says Kachikwu

Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, NNPC GMD

Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has stated that Nigeria will produce 20 million litres of petrol on daily basis.

Kachikwu made this disclosure during an official tour of the Okrika Jetty and the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited on Wednesday.
He noted that at full capacity, all the refineries could supply only 20 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol on a daily basis.
To achieve this feat, Kachikwu said the ongoing rehabilitation of all the state owned refineries would be given an accelerated vigour with the aim of reducing petroleum products importation into the country.

I don’t care if Amaechi Emerges minister – Wike

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, dismissed the claims that his administration was attacking the immediate past governor of the state, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, in order to deprive him (Amaechi) of a ministerial appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Wike explained that rather than worry about the possible appointment of Amaechi into President Buhari’s cabinet, he was interested in how the state’s funds were managed under the former governor.

He pointed out that a situation where nothing was left in the state’s treasury on his assumption of office as governor was annoying, worrisome and unacceptable.

Wike, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Opunabo Inko-Taria, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that it was illogical for anybody to claim that his complaint about corruption in the immediate past administration had any link with Amaechi likelihood of getting a federal appointment.

“So, what is he (Ameachi) going to do to him (Wike) as a minister or Federal Government appointee? Wike has not told anybody that he does not want President Buhari to appoint Amaechi as a minister. He has never said it; these are just insinuations and innuendos.

“If Mr. President, known for his mantra of zero tolerance for corruption; is saying that he is not going to appoint anybody with a stained image as a member of his cabinet and Rivers people are saying that Rotimi Amaechi is not qualified for an appointment, there is no problem with that.

“But the truth is that paint Amaechi black, if he (Buhari) does not want to appoint him (Amaechi), he will not. Paint Amaechi white, if the President is not interested in him, he will not appoint him.

“The talk about whether Amaechi should be appointed into Buhari’s cabinet is just the feeling from Rivers’ people and not the governor himself. He has never discussed the issue of whether Amaechi should be appointed by Mr. President or not.

“The governor is more interested in how the funds of Rivers State were spent; whether they were judiciously spent or they were just frittered away. That is the interest because it is annoying that when we took over, we met an empty treasury,” Wike said.

He expressed worry that those responsible for emptying the state’s treasury were the same people accusing him of taking N30bn loan within a month.

He said, “They forgot that you are supposed to pay salaries; you are supposed to open the judiciary. The governor gave the judiciary N300m for takeoff and he also had to pay some of the students abroad who were owed allowances. Civil servants, pensioners and footballers, who were owed salaries, were paid.

Senators reject pay cut recommendation by panel

The Senate in session

 The Senate on Wednesday suspended consideration of the report of its Finance committee following sharp disagreements among members over the pay cut recommended by the panel.

Our correspondent learnt that the senators during a two-hour deliberation behind closed doors, resolved to reject the reduction of salaries and allowances as recommended by the Senator James Manager’s committee.

The senators, according to one of them who confided in our correspondent, said it was not possible to accept pay cut with other beneficiaries of the N120bn National Assembly annual budget not doing same.

The senator said that his colleagues accordingly resolved to reject the report because the recommendations were not practicable.

Some other senators who also spoke to OLODODOZONE on condition of anonymity said further consideration of the finance committee report was stepped down because many of their colleagues rejected the contents of the report.

On what transpired at the closed- door session, Senator Matthew Urhoghide (PDP Edo South), said senators told themselves the truth at the session on the need to be very cautious on accepting reduction of salaries and allowances.

Urhoghide said that majority of the senators agreed that “funny allowances” like the monthly N42,000 wardrobe allowance should be cut off completely.

He said, “Yes, as recommended by the committee, all senators agreed that there must be openness in Senate budget and by extension, that of the National Assembly.

“At the same time, many reasoned that why should we further reduce our budget when already, N30bn has been reduced from the traditional 150bn that it used to be for all the seven different organs of the National Assembly.

“All of us have people in our constituencies and financial requests from them keep piling up on a daily basis, the reality of which made steps to be redirected, otherwise, some of us may stop coming here.”

The committee, it was learnt, also recommended the publication of all the payments accruable to each senator on a quarterly basis.

However, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at plenary, explained that “Senate in closed session deliberated on the report of the finance committee but agreed to stand it down for further legislative input.”

Addressing journalists after plenary, Senate spokesperson, Senator Dino Melaye, said further action on the report was put on hold because the senate budget was an integral part of the National Assembly budget being jointly shared by seven bodies.

Melaye said, “The Senate today, in closed-door session, discussed the report of the ad hoc committee on finances of the senate.

“After due deliberations by the senators, we came to the conclusion that since the budget of the Senate is not independent of the budget of the National Assembly, the budget of the House of Representatives is also inclusive.

“We have the management; we have the National Institute for Legislative Studies; we have even the Public Conduct Commission; the National Assembly Civil Service Commission, and over 3, 000 legislative aides, that are beneficiaries of the N120bn annual budget.

“Therefore, we have agreed that we should consult amongst other arms that share the budget of the National Assembly, before we would draw a conclusion on the report.

“So, the resolution is that we are going to interface with the House of Representatives so that we can be on the same page on the report as presented. This is the resolution of the Senate today in a closed-door session.”

Melaye denied reports that the National Assembly had been experiencing cash crunch despite the fact that some senators confirmed last week that they had not received salaries since their inauguration on June 9.

“I am not aware of any cash crunch, and for me, it is news from you, and I don’t think it is true,” he said.

He said that the senators had the power to reduce their own pay just like the President, the Vice President and some governors had done.

Melaye said, “It is the responsibility of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission to stipulate how much you would be paid. But you can sacrifice, as a public officer, to say: I am taking half of my salary, and then taking half back to the treasury.

“It means that it would be returned to the treasury, where it would be used for other developmental programmes.

“We would make wider consultations with the House of Representatives on the report because we have one National Assembly and whatever is going to affect the Senate, the House of Representatives should also be carried along and I am sure that after this consultation we will get back to the public.”

Meanwhile, the Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Mr. Abdullahi Kaugama as the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Jigawa State following the death of the former REC, Alhaji Abdullahi Minkaila, who was burnt to death with other members of his family.

Oba Sijuwade’s Place In History Is Assured, Says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says he has received with sadness the news of the transition of one of Nigeria’s foremost traditional rulers, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II.

“President Buhari extends sincere condolences to the late Ooni’s family, his friends, associates and subjects, as well as the government and people of Osun State on the departure of the First Class Monarch,” a statement by his special adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina read.

“The President joins them in mourning the revered traditional ruler who will be long remembered and celebrated for his worthy service, over more than three decades, as the Chief Custodian of the traditions of the Yoruba's and his invaluable contributions to the sustenance of the cultural heritage of his people within and outside Nigeria.”“Buhari believes that Oba Sijuwade’s place in posterity has already been assured by his long and worthy service to his people and country as well as his notable contributions to the development of his community, state and country as a leading businessman, administrator and inspirational traditional ruler.

”He urged the Ooni’s family, friends, associates and subjects to be consoled by the knowledge that he lived a very fulfilled life, and has left worthy legacies for his successors to build upon.”He prayed that God Almighty will comfort all those who mourn Oba Sijuwade and bring forth a worthy successor to to take his place on the ancient throne of Ile-Ife.

steady electricity is Must in Nigeria, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari said Wednesday in Abuja that his administration will give the fullest possible attention to boosting power supply in Nigeria because it was convinced that steady electricity will launch the country into faster socio-economic development.

Speaking after being briefed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, President Buhari said that his administration had already identified the critical problems in Nigeria’s power sector and was taking appropriate actions to address them.

The President said that his administration had also prioritized certain measures in its action plan to boost electricity supply in Nigeria. “The problems besetting our power sector are not difficult to identify. Therefore, priorities can be easily set in order to tackle them.

“The problems are more with transmission than generation, and we equally need to secure the power infrastructure round the country.

“We will address all these issues,” the President assured.

Ambassador Igali told the President that power generation in Nigeria which was 1,750 MW in 1999, had now peaked at 4,600 MW.

He added that gas was available to take generation to 5,500 MW in a short time, but that the country needed to expand its electricity infrastructure to accommodate additional power generation.

Union Bank Takes Over Dangote’s Company Over Unpaid N4b Loan

Sani Dangote, the younger brother of the world’s richest black person, Aliko Dangote, appears to have run into a major business crisis as Union Bank has taken steps to seize his Dansa Foods Limited.
Sani Dangote
The latest development follows the inability of Sani to pay back a loan of N4billion he obtained from the bank seven years ago, following which the bank appointed Lagos lawyer, Chukwudi Enebeli as Receiver/Manager.
Dansa Foods claims Mr. Enebeli cannot represent Union Bank as he is a party to the suit.
Mr. Enebeli was appointed under the deed of debenture to take over all the assets of Dansa Foods, which has its registered office at 1, Dansa Drive, off the Badagry Expressway in Lagos.
The debenture appointing Mr. Enebeli has been filed and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Abuja, and it claims that the balance of the loan secured have become payable as Dansa Foods has failed or neglected to meet its obligations despite the bank’s repeated demands.
In a subsequent development, the attorney and Union Bank have sued Sani Dangote and other Directors of the company at the Federal High Court in Lagos, citing “obstinacy and resistance” to his performance of his responsibilities as Receiver/Manager
The directors are Alhaji Abdulkaarim Lawal Kaita and Alhaji Ahmed Shehu Yakasai.
The suit is seeking the following orders of the court:
(1) A declaration that upon the appointment of Mr Chukwudi Enebeli as Receiver/Manager over Dansa Foods Limited the respondents who are Directors and shareholders of the company have no power or control over the company or any of its assets;
(2) A declaration that by virtue of clauses 8 and 9 of the Deed of Debenture dated 29th of May 2009 in favour of Mr. Chukwudi Enebeli the Receiver/Manager appointed by Union bank of Nigeria Plc is entitled to perform all functions specified in the deed of all assets Debenture.
(3) An order directing all creditors of Dansa Foods Limited to pay and domicile all monies due, incomes, or receivables accruing to or due to the company into the receivership account opened by the Receiver/Manager in Union Bank Plc.
(4)A order of the court directing the Receiver/Manager in exercise and discharge of his function to take such steps as may be necessary and exercise such powers including the powers to take over and apply in realization of the company's debt to Union Bank Plc all monies due to the company.
(5) An order restraining all the respondents and their agents from disturbing the Receiver/Manager from exercising. Powers vested in him whether by himself or his agents.
(6) An order directing all Police Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or other officers concerned with security and enforcement of order to with "The Inspector General of Police, Assistant. Inspector General of Police and other Police officers so instructed by the Receiver/Manager to assist him in the performance of his duties.
An affidavit sworn to by Mrs. Olorunfunmilola Ayoola, the head of the Food team of Union bank, averred that the bank granted Dansa Foods Limited in 2008 the loan amounting to N5,200,000,000
According to her, it comprised:
(1)Overdraft - N500million
(2)Short term loan for advertisement - N500million
(3)Equipment lease- US$2,500,000 (N300million)
(4)Equipment lease (sale and lease back) - US$2,500,000 (N300milion)
(5)Import Finance - US$30,000,000 (3,600,000,000)
She averred that the loan was disbursed to Dansa Foods company and fully utilized by the company. The company duly executed a deed of all assets debenture in favour of Union bank.

Mrs Ayoola averred further that the loans granted to the company are depositors’ funds and if not recovered through the Receiver/Manager, the survival of the bank will be jeopardized in view of the amount of the indebtedness. She consequently urged the court to grant the prayers of the bank so as to prevent the respondents who are directors and shareholders of the company from dissipating the assets of the company and for the effective discharge of the powers of the Receiver/Manager.
In a preliminary objection the respondents urged the court to strike out the suit on the ground that Mr. Enebeli, being a party in the suit, lacks the capacity to act as counsel for parties in the suit.
They also contended that the court processes were signed by Mr. Enebeli as counsel acting for Union bank plc and Dansa Foods Limited in receivership.
The presiding judge, Mohammed Yunusa, will deliver judgement in the matter on October 19.

Boko Haram plotting to bomb homes of VIPs, not VP Osinbajo – Presidency

The militant group, Boko Haram, is planning to bomb the homes of VIPs, and not the residence of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the VP’s office said Thursday.
The clarification came after media reports quoted the presidency’s initial claim that Mr. Osinbajo’s home was targeted.
The vice president’s spokesperson, Laolu Akande, said that claim, sourced by journalists from the text of a press briefing after Thursday’s National Economic Council, was a typographical error.
“A press briefing note circulated today by the Secretariat of the National Economic Council, NEC, contains a typo on the very last line of the last paragraph.

Cut-off Mark: Candidates, Parents Head For Court

Parents and candidates of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, set to be stopped from sitting the forthcoming post-UTME, University of Lagos, by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, are dragging the board to the court today (Friday).
They will be praying the court to stop further sale of post-UTME form in public universities. Hundreds of UTME candidates had on Wednesday stormed UNILAG toprotest against the decision by the institution to stop them from sitting for the post-UTME.

Wasiu Alabi Pasuma Abandons New House, Builds Mansion In Omole Lagos Ahead Of Birthday

Wasiu Alabi Pasuma Abandons New House, Builds Mansion In Omole Lagos Ahead Of Birthday.Popular Fuji musician Pasuma who recently completed a new mansion in OPIC, an area located on the popular Lagos/Ibadan Expressway was has abandoned it.

Buhari should continue PDP’s Transformation Agenda, Vision 20:2020 – NPC

The National Planning Commission (NPC) has stated that the Transformation Agenda did not belong to any political party, noting that, President Muhammadu Buhari should continue the past administration’s Transformation Agenda. The Head of Information of NPC, Mr Salisu Badamasi, told NAN on Sunday that the Transformation Agenda was an aspect of the Vision 20:2020. NAN reports that the Transformation Agenda was popularly identified with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration of immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan. Badamasi, however, said that when Jonathan came into office, he identified the Vision 20:2020 and focused on them. He said that the four areas of focus of the Transformation Agenda were governance, human capital development, infrastructure and real sector. According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will also continue to implement the master plan for Nigeria’s economic development. He added that “the Agenda is based on and draws its inspiration from the Vision 20:2020 and has three National Implementation Plan (NIP) arrangements. “The First NIP, which was from 2010 to 2013, had been implemented and reviewed by the commission and stakeholders. “It was aimed at bridging the infrastructure gap in the country and optimise the sources of economic growth to increase productivity and competitiveness. “It focused on knowledge-based economy to deepen the technology base of the country, improve governance, security, law and order. “Also, it fostered accelerated, sustainable social and economic development in a competitive business environment.” The NPC spokesman further explained that the second plan, which started in 2014, would be ending in 2017, while the third phase of the Plan would be between 2018 and 2020. Badamasi said that the NIP was generally based on a set of priority policies and programmes, which when implemented, would transform the Nigerian economy to meet the future needs of the Nigerian people. He also explained that the Plan captured all the development agenda of the country, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The official pointed out that the Vision 20:2020 defined and articulated the collective aspirations of the Nigerian people to become one of the top 20 economies in the world by the year 2020. “At the strategic level, it seeks to focus on, mobilise and coordinate the optimal application of Nigeria’s human and financial resources. “It focuses on human and financial resources toward the singular goal of providing accelerated human security, economic growth and social development in the country. “While opinions may vary regarding Nigeria’s ability to achieve these goals, most statistical indicators remain positive that vision 20:2020 is achievable.” NAN reports that NPC as the agency of Federal Government is saddled with the responsibility of developing the Vision 20:2020. The Commission has the statutory responsibility of coordinating social and economic development policies of the country.

Oliseh To Earn N5m Monthly

In-coming Super Eagles Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, has told officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) he is comfortable to be paid the same five million Naira a month his predecessor Stephen Keshi earned.He is due to fly into Abuja on Tuesday evening for a meeting with the NFF technical committee headed by Felix Anyansi-Agwu. “Oliseh is ready to earn the same pay Keshi was on,” a top official said. “This again shows he is ready to serve his fatherland and money is not what is driving him. “This is another good sign with the decision to give him the job without much fanfare.” The NFF has confirmed that Oliseh would replace Kesh. His backroom staff will include a Dutch assistant coach, Salisu Yusuf as well as Ike Shorunmu, who will remain as goalkeeper trainer. His most immediate task will be a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Tanzania. The Super Eagles beats Chad 2-0 in Kaduna earlier last month to get its qualifying campaign for Gabon 2017 off to a winning start. Egypt is also in the same qualifying pool. Meanwhile, Belgian Jean Francois Losciuto, is the man that will assist Oliseh. He assisted the Nigerian when he managed Belgian lower third division side, Vervietois. He also had coaching stints in Africa, with Togolese club, Anges de Notse and led the team during its CAF Champions League games against Enyimba earlier in the year, and also ASFA Yennenga of Burkina Faso. He is expected to be announced as Sunday Oliseh’s right hand man when he is officially unveiled. According to the NFF, Oliseh would oversee ‘developmental programs and will work with clubs’ youth teams and certified academies towards developing the game from the grassroots’.

Boko Haram attacks prison in Niger, four killed

Suspected Boko Haram militants launched an attack on the prison in the southern Niger town of Diffa late on Saturday, military sources said, in an apparent bid to free fellow members of the Nigerian Islamist group held there. Three of the assailants and one soldier were killed before the attack was repelled, the sources said. Boko Haram also attacked the prison in February. “When the attack was repelled, the assailants fled, probably back into the town,” one military source said. “We are searching for them.” A second military source said the attackers may have been residents of Diffa, as no one had seen them enter the town. Boko Haram is seeking to carve out an Islamic state in northeast Nigeria. Despite losing territory to an offensive by regional militaries this year, Boko Haram has carried out a wave of deadly attacks in Nigeria, Chad and Niger in recent weeks. The group has sworn allegiance to Islamic State, which has declared an Islamic caliphate in the large parts of Iraq and Syria that it controls.