PRESIDENCY SAYS NORTHERN ELDERS, OTHERS SELFISH, SHEDDING CROCODILE TEARS

 
The Presidency on Friday came down hard on some leaders who recently faulted the way President Muhamamdu Buhari is handling the nation’s security challenges, describing them as selfish leaders.

Leaders of some socio-cultural organisations led by the Northern Elders Forum, had issued a communique accusing Buhari’s administration of incompetence in handling the security situation in the country.

But the Presidency, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said it considered the communique “as the shedding of crocodile tears by selfish leaders.”

Shehu claimed that the leaders felt alienated after a transparent and accountable system “halted their disproportionate survival on resources of the state.”

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to ignore what he described as the unholy alliance by the groups.

He said the groups were only stepping up their assault on the All Progressives Congress administration as it expands its national dominance and moves closer to securing an outright victory in the elections next year.

He said, “The Presidency notes with dismay that the refrain about President Buhari not doing anything about security in the country had turned into the number one fake news item being peddled in the media.

“The Presidency refers all the purveyors of falsehood to a State House press release published a few days ago and signed by the Special Adviser to President, Femi Adesina, which clearly outlined the government’s major achievements and initiatives in tackling security challenges from January to July, 2018.

“The press release which was titled:

‘COMBATING INSECURITY IN THE COUNTRY: LEST WE FORGET – PRESIDENCY’

listed out ongoing security operations:

(1) Nigerian Army’s Exercise Ayem Akpatuma covering Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger States launched in February to tackle cases of kidnappings, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, among others;

(2) Nigerian Air Force establishment of three new Quick Response Wings (QRW) in Taraba, Nasarawa and Benue States respectively, and deployment of Special Forces personnel.

“The press release also noted President Buhari’s approval for the establishment of a new Battalion of the Nigerian Army, as well as a new Police Area Command, in Birnin Gwari Local Council in Kaduna State, as part of measures to scale up security in response to the banditry affecting the area.

“We advise Nigerians to read Adesina’s statement if they haven’t yet, or re-read it for better understanding of the efforts to ensure peace in the country.

“It is sad and misleading for anyone to say that President Buhari had not responded to the security challenges in the country.

“No one can honestly say that President Buhari is doing nothing about security. It’s just a fake news item being peddled by selfish politicians with vested interests in keeping Nigerians incensed, and it risks being entrenched as reality if we don’t educate ourselves with the truth.”

AFP SAYS NIGERIA ARMY ‘WANTS TO BE SOLE NEWS SOURCE’

The news agency AFP stands by its report that a second jihadist attack on Nigerian troops in as many days was even more deadly and included an army base being overrun.

It adds that hundreds of troops are unaccounted for after the attack.

The Nigerian military’s dismissive response to this report is typical of its default stance of downplaying or denying losses.

It wants to be the sole source of news from the front line, and pits the media as purveyors of unfounded and unverified claims.

There have been genuine, laudable military successes in this campaign – but the force has also hurt its own credibility with some inaccurate or even untrue accounts.

It claims that residents of north-east Nigeria have nothing to fear, yet it restricts media access to certain parts of the region.

It wants journalists to trumpet its gains against what it considers a rag-tag militia – but also go silent on the continuing attacks on civilians and soldiers.

The Nigeria military describes its “gallant” troops as being in high spirits, yet for years we have had multiple accounts from those on the frontline complaining of being ill-equipped and even poorly fed.

Despite the much-repeated assertion of having defeated Islamist militant group Boko Haram, the insurgency is into its ninth year.

2019: BUHARI, APC, GOVERNORS WOO SARAKI WITH JUICY OFFERS

 
There were strong indications that President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress and governors are considering juicy offers for the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to prevent his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It was learnt that some prominent leaders of the party, especially the coordinator of the reconciliation initiative, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, might be involved in the negotiation with Saraki.

Tinubu was said to have been briefed about the President’s interaction with Saraki and others.

But Saraki, who bowed well for the President after a meeting at the Presidential Villa, was frank in expressing his mind.

He said he felt humiliated by the party he co-founded and the government he jointly put in place with others.

He was solemn in expressing his disappointment to the President and some APC governors.

Investigation conducted by our correspondent revealed that the President and some APC governors met with the Senate President as a follow-up to the talks with New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) caucus of APC being coordinated in the past few months by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

It was gathered that most APC leaders, governors and other members were unhappy that the party was on the verge of losing Saraki to PDP.

They believed that the defection of such a “political heavyweight” to the opposition might affect cohesion in APC for the 2019 poll.

The consequences of a depleted APC impelled some governors and party leaders to broker understanding between the President and Saraki.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “At least, for the first time, there was a frank session between the President and Saraki.

“He expressed disappointment with his humiliation by the government he fought hard to put in place.

“We were all sober while he relived his travails, because none of us would pray to be in such a situation.

“We understood with him but we felt it was time to forgive and forget in order to move forward.

“As part of preventing Saraki’s defection, we may offer him juicy terms including:

.Automatic return as the President of the Senate in 2019

.More consultation and inclusiveness in key decisions henceforth

.Mutual Executive-Legislature relationship

.Revisiting all issues raised by nPDP Caucus which formed the basis of talks in the past few months

.Reconciling with all aggrieved leaders of nPDP

.Avoiding a repeat of past mistakes which led to his humiliation

“We also appeal to Saraki to shelve moves to defect to PDP or any other party. We agreed that he has a better stake in APC than any other party.”

Asked if Saraki made any commitment, the source added: “There was none yet, but the atmosphere was cordial and hopeful.

“After the meeting, he even bowed well to the President.

“The session was the climax of talks in the past few months. As one of our leaders, we leave the final decision to Saraki to take.

“But one thing was clear from Saraki: he will want all commitments put into writing and documented in case of any breach in the future.

“To some of us who have been wooing him, such a demand is in order. It is a case of once bitten, twice shy.”

Responding to a question, the source said: “The final stage of talks with Saraki will still involve some of our leaders, like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who is coordinating the reconciliation in the party.

“In fact, Tinubu has been briefed on the outcome of the meeting at the Villa and why he has to play a key role too.”

Some of the major complaints on nPDP are:

Grudges on the conduct of state congresses

Alleged refusal of the party leadership to stamp its feet on parallel congresses in some states

In the constitution of the Federal Executive Council, (FEC) the New PDP block was generally sidelined as virtually no position was conceded to it. The only member of FEC that belonged to former New PDP block comes from a state that contributed virtually no vote to the APC in the 2015 presidential election.

There has been no significant patronage and appointments to executive positions in various government agencies such as Chief Executives and Executive Directors of government agencies and parastatals as members of our block of the party continue to helplessly watch as these positions are shared by the erstwhile CPC, ACN, ANPP and even APGA blocks of the party and those who have no party at all.

In appointments into boards of various government agencies, very few former New PDP members were patronised. These are, however, not commensurate with our contributions to the growth and victory of the party.

When members of the former New PDP block showed interest in running for the offices of President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, they were subjected to a vicious and relentless political opposition as if they were not legitimate members of the APC family.

During the party primaries preparatory to the 2015 general elections, most of the promises made to sitting members of the National Assembly, who belonged to the former new PDP in terms of a level playing field were reneged upon or observed more in breach.

There has been general lack of consultation, non-recognition and even persecution of former New PDP members and leaders by the party and government. For example, some of our leaders are denied the security cover necessary to visit their constituencies even though they are elected representatives of the people in a government they sacrificed so much for.

Harassment, intimidation and persecution of former New PDP leaders by the government is still an ongoing affair. We do not want to overstate the obvious by cataloguing names of former new PDP stalwarts that are targets of this political pogrom.

2BABA (TUFACE) SUES BLACKFACE FOR 50 MILLION NAIRA OVER “AFRICAN QUEEN”

Prominent Nigerian artiste Innocent Ujah Idibia, ordinarily known as 2baba has put a 50million naira claim on his previous companion and bandmate Blackface.

Blackface blamed 2baba for taking his tune from him after their band plantashun boiz separated.

2baba and Blackface Naija have been battling via web-based networking media throughout the years on the first proprietor of the tune “African queen”.

In May 2017, 2baba undermined to sue Blackface with legitimate activity except if the last apologized for criticism of character.

Be that as it may, after some time 2baba still pushed forward with his dangers and sued Blackface.

Blackface shared a claim picture on instagram which was requesting that he show up in court. He composed on his inscription:
“2face idibia @official2baba and his director Efe Omorogbe @efeomorogbe sued me for 50Million They assert I didnt compose #letsomebodyloveyou and #africanqueen and what else?? Pretty much time me and my #legalteam petitioned for #mydefence After which I will discharge my collection #risingsun (defendervol2) #BFNfans #BFNmovement #goodoverevil #lightoverdarkness 🙏.”

A post shared by Mr BFN (@blackfacenaija)

HND, DEGREE HOLDERS TO GET EQUAL SALARIES

The Federal Government has approved the regularisation of the dichotomy between holders of University degrees and Higher National Diploma (HND) in all the Services.

This followed the meeting of the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Board (CDFIPB), on July 11, chaired by the Minister of Interior, retired Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau.

A statement from the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abubakar Magaji, said: “The Board has directed that all officers with HND to be upgraded to COMPASS 08, which is the salary Grade Level for holders of degree certificates at entry point. While the nomenclature for the HND holders will start with the rank of Senior Inspector, the Degree holders are with the rank of Assistant Superintendent II”.

The Board also approved the commencement of the 2017 promotion exercise for all the Services with effect from July 17, while the establishment of the Institute of Domestic Security, aimed at strengthening inter-agency cooperation among other functions was also approved by the Board to boost internal security mechanism in the country.

In another development, the government approved the re-organisation of the Nigeria Immigration Service, in line with the provision of the Immigration Act which stipulates the establishment of the Directorate of Immigration.

The directorates, which would each be headed by a Deputy Comptroller-General, include human resources management; finance and accounts; planning, research and statistics; passport and other travel documents; investigation and compliance; border management; migration as well as visa and residency.

The Minister noted that the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration places a high premium on the welfare of its workforce.

He, however, urged personnel in the Services to reciprocate such gesture through improved performance and dedication to duty, in line with the Executive Order on the Ease of Doing Business to revamp the economy.

MAN WRITES ON HOW SOME FAMILIES HAVE DESTROYED MARRIAGES AND OF THEIR LOVED ONES

Please read his instructive writeup and share your thoughts;
"Nigerian families destroyed most marriages Shar.. 
From tribe, to jealousy, to insecurity.. it's terrible.. 
A sister feels her brother is being jazzed by his wife because he bought her a car.. 
But she's keeping malice with her own husband because he hasn't done same for her

Most mother's want to overwork your wife to be to see if she's the one for you.. but be quick to advice her own daughter not to let her in-laws use her as a servant.. why ?

A father believes his son should be constantly sending him money not considering the fact that he has his own family to cater for.. and eventually when he doesn't have to give, they go with the narrative that he's spending on the in-laws more.. then the bad blood starts rolling

Families will tell their male kids not to marry a poor girl that doesn't have anything she's doing.. same families will caution their jobless daughter to only marry a rich man that can take care of her very well..why's that ?

A Yoruba girl would rather settle for a TUNDE with four to five girlfriends than an EBUKA who is a proper loyal gentleman, because she's has the orientation that nothing good will come out from dating the latter.. it's more like a song for them when they were younger. Tribe!!!

Every other family is not clean.. you'll take their names to several pastors for prayer before you decide if they can marry your child.. but did you equally take names of your own family members ?

In my town, we were made to believe that all ESAN people are witches and troublesome, that we can't marry them.. hardly will you see a delta man who's married to an ESAN woman. Hardly.. my same people dislike igbo's because they believe they're ritualists.. but what re we ?

Some families even see churches as an obstacle.. they're redeemed we re Catholic.. we can't marry them.. i mean.. isn't it the same God ?.. someone said to his son, even if it's an slowpoke I don't mind as long as she's from our town.. LoL. Really ?

Me for one never really cared about anyone I settled with.. as long as she brings me peace and makes me happy.. be her Yoruba, Igbo, efik, Tiv or idoma.. even igala and ebira.. but the family factor always plays in my head.. it's terrible. �

One of my best relationship was from a Kaduna girl.. about 4yrs older than me... Her name was arashiiaa.. she was near perfect, matured and peaceful.. the day I told my uncles about her was the day they talked me out of the relationship.. we no go fit go that side they said �

-dem too dey spoil.. she old pass you sef. Abeg go fine better girl.. everyone had flaws but us.. now If u decide to say Bleep all and go against them.. the world will turn on you when life goes south on issues which aren't even relating.. smh"

https://www.torimill.com/2018/07/man-writes-on-how-some-families-have-destroyed-the-marriages-of-their-loved-ones.html

BREAKING: SENATE DECLARES 2 SEATS VACANT, RETAINS DARIYE’S SEAT

Senate (Hallowed) Chamber

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, July 17, 2018, declared seats of deceased lawmakers vacant.

The senators - Mustapha Bukar of Katsina North senatorial district and Ali Wakili of Bauchi South senatorial district - died on April 4, 2018 and March 17, 2018, respectively.

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Yakubu Mahmood, said the House of Representatives also declared the seat of late Umar Jibril of Lokoja/Kogi federal constituency vacant.

Speaking at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja, Mahmood added that the Obudu 1 state constituency of Cross River state had also been declared vacant.

He said the by-elections for the vacant seats will be conducted in the next 30 days.

Mahmood said: “In the last few days the commission has received an official declaration of vacancies from the National Assembly in respect of Bauchi south senatorial district, Katsina north senatorial district and the Lokoja federal constituency in Kogi state.

“A similar declaration was made by the Cross River state House of Assembly in respect of Obudu 1 state constituency. Consequently, the commission is set to conduct by-elections to fill the vacancies in the four constituencies which have a total of over two million registered voters spread across 3,355 polling units in 234 wards and 22 local government areas.

“Considering the requirement of the law that such an election should be conducted by the commission within 30 days following the declaration of vacancy, we are planning to conduct all the four elections on the same date in all the four states.

However, the seat of a former governor of Plateau state Joshua Dariye was not declared vacant by the eighth Assembly.

Dariye who is representing Plateau Central senatorial district was sentenced to 14-years jail term by a Federal High Court.

Reacting to the Senate's decision, the chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Itse Sagay, stated that it would be wrong if Dariye was still receiving allowances while in prison.

“I don’t think he should be receiving salaries because this would be a major infraction of our laws. Someone who is in prison for fraud which is one of the reasons for disqualifying anyone from contesting should not be receiving salary unless someone is extremely reckless in the National Assembly," Sagay said.

The appeal by the PDP followed Dariye's his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday, September 22.

The party told INEC that Dariye’s action was unconstitutional and should be dealt with appropriately.

ROWDY SENATE AS SENATORS DISAGREE OVER CONFIRMATION OF FERMA BOARD NOMINEES

Senate (Hallowed) Chamber

 

Lawmakers in the Senate disagreed on Thursday over the confirmation of members of the Governing Board for the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

This occurred after Senate President Bukola Saraki read a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari at the plenary in which he sought legislative approval for the appointments of the candidates.

In the letter, President Buhari indicated that the six geopolitical zones of the country were represented in the board.

But the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, raised a constitutional point of order as he objected to the chairmanship of the board.

He cited nepotism and drew the attention of the Senate to previous appointments of the President where the leadership comprised of one section of the country, saying such is contrary to the Federal Character.

The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, however, called on the lawmakers to see the larger picture where the six geopolitical zones were represented.

This sparked some dissenting reactions from some members, but calm was eventually restored when the Senate President ruled against further debate on the matter.

Senator Saraki consequently referred the matter to the Committee on Federal Character to guide the Senate appropriately on how to address the issue.

The committee was directed to report back to the House on Tuesday next week.

Soon after the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki read a letter from President Buhari on the appointment of former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Tunde Lemo as Chairman, Board of Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, the Managing director and six others as members, the deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu raised a point of order.Senator Ekwerenadu who referred the Senate to section 14(3) of 1999 Constitution, picked holes in the appointments of chairmen of boards without recourse to federal character principle, with a particular zone of the country which us South east being neglected and marginalised.

According to Senator Ekweremadu, the action of President Buhari was totally unacceptable to him because the leadership of these agencies were coming from a particular part of the country.
Ekweremadu who noted that he was not against anyone, but against the non adherence to federal character principle in line with the constitution and for national unity.

At this point, Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan in his intervention said that whenever the government sends a list containing the list of appointments, the government does its work very well.

It was at this point that the hallowed chamber became very rowdy as there were reactions, shouts from the Senators.

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki tried to bring down the tension and the rowdy nature, describing the issue as speculations.

Saraki then gave Senator Tijani Kaura, APC, Zamfara led Committee on Federal Character time to investigate the issues raised by the deputy Senate President and report back at plenary next week Tuesday, adding that the probe would ascertain if there were such cases or not.

Another round of uproar erupted when the Senate leader, Ahmad Lawan read executive communication for the screening of the Chairman and Commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission with Dr. Bello Tukur Ingawa from Katsina as Chairman.

Senator Chukwuka Utazi, PDP, Enugu North came under Order 15 still on the same subject matter saying that the screening should be kept in ambience until the Senate Committee on Federal character comes up with its report.

Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, PDP, Abia North corroborated Senator Utazi, calling for putting on hold the of screening and confirmation.

Senator Obinna Ogba, PDP, Ebonyi also came up with a similar position.

While he was talking, there were shouts from his colleagues and this prompted Ogba to shout back that they were not the ones presiding, but the Senate President.

PRESIDENT BUHARI CLOSED DOOR MEETING WITH VICE PRESIDENT OSINBAJO, SENATE PRESIDENT SARAKI, EKITI GOVERNOR-ELECT FAYEMI, AND SOME GOVERNORS AT THE Villa (PHOTOS)

President Muhammadu Buhari today met  with Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Governors in State House.
Details of the meeting is not yet public but we shall furnish you as they unfold...

WHY I DRIVE A 2008 MODEL VEHICLE — BANKY W

Pop singer, Olubankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, has hit back at some women who insulted him for allegedly owning a 1999 sports utility vehicle.

The incident, which happened three days ago, showed the musician being filmed by two women at a grocery store who apparently felt the vehicle he was driving was not suitable for someone in his class, whereas raining insults at him as he was offloading goods into his vehicle.

In response to the “cringe worthy, creepy video” as described by the artiste, he revealed that the vehicle was in fact not a 1999 model but a 2008 own and it was currently on sale to the highest bidder.

“The 2008 Range is up for auction. We’re using the car sale to raise money for a worthy cause, so we’ll start the bidding at one million naira only,” Banky said.

He noted that he still drove a 2008 model SUV due to the need to own a nice home before a newer car.

 “You see, I’ve never found it necessary to own more than one car. Mostly because I can only ever drive one car at a time; and when I bought the car in 2011, I promised myself that I would never buy another car until I owned the home I live in.

“To me, owning a nice car might help me look like I was doing okay, but owning a nice home would help me know,” he added.

Banky said as the car went from being “kind-of-trendy” to being just old, he decided to get a smaller vehicle and remained adamant at getting a nicer model until he got a house of his own.

In reaction, Don Jazzy said: “disgusting shallow minded good for nothing people that will never succeed in life. No, be curse but if that’s how they think then I’m really sorry for them.”

NEW MINIMUM WAGE: TUC SPEAKS ON AMOUNT AGREED WITH FG

Mr Bobboi Kaigama

The President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Mr Bobboi Kaigama, announced on Wednesday that a new amount agreed by the Federal Government and labour to serve as Nigeria’s new minimum wage would be announced next month.

Bobboi, who made the disclosure in an interview with the labour correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that the committee working on the minimum wage had almost concluded negotiations on the matter.

The Federal Government had set a September date to roll out a new minimum wage for workers, although the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, was recently reported as “double-speaking” on the issue.

Civil servants in Nigeria are eagerly awaiting a wage increase after years of enduring a wage structure, described by analysts as one of the lowest in the world.

But public office holders in Africa’s most populous nation, including members of the bi-cameral parliament enjoy some of the biggest wages in the world, according to analysts.

Kaigama said that a tripartite committee meeting was holding on Wednesday in Abuja but refused to elaborate on issues being discussed at the meeting.

“The tripartite meeting is holding today but I do not want to pre-empt the outcome or the level we have reached in our discussions, otherwise there will be unnecessary anxiety.

”But by the end of August, I am assuring you that workers will know what the agreed new minimum wage will be”, he said.

On November 22, 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of a 30-member committee to work out a new minimum wage. He inaugurated the committee on November 27, 2017.

2019: ASARI DOKUBO DISMISSES FAYOSE , TAMBUWAL, REVEALS PDP’s BEST CANDIDATE

Ex-militant leader in the Niger Delta, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, has advised the Peoples Democratic Party on the choice of presidential candidate ahead of the 2019 election.

Asari, who spoke with Sun believes that only former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has the credentials to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, come 2019.

Speaking on other candidates indicating interest under the umbrella of the PDP, Asari, said mentioning names such as Tambuwal, Sule Lamido, and others shows that the main opposition party is not ready for the election.

His words, “Yes, the PDP is not ready for a fight. If the PDP is ready for a fight, there won’t be talks of Tambuwal candidature, someone who is a governor in APC. He destroyed PDP and ran to APC. They are talking of Tambuwal, who knows him in Bayelsa?

“PDP governors are lobbying a character like that to join the PDP and contest for the presidential ticket. They are talking of Makarfi, a man who could not win Senate election; a man who during the 2015 presidential election allegedly voted for Buhari and showed his ballot paper to the people before putting it in the box.

“Such a man is the one some PDP people are lobbying to get on the presidential ticket.

“Sule Lamido is not different from Buhari. He is one of these arrogant Fulani people who feel they own this country and the rest of us are just like appendages.

“Yes, I was in the SDP with Atiku Abubakar. He is the most liberal of all the people coming from the North. He has his own baggage. Let us look at other people. What are people like David Mark doing that they can’t contest?

“Is it that they are not courageous enough to come and fight? So everybody in the North would abdicate to the Fulani. Other Northerners are even afraid to take their liberty even when we have told them that we have taken our liberty and they should take theirs.”

On Fayose, he added, “Yes, he has signified his intention but it is not going to fly. Who is going to run Fayose’s election for him? Whose money is going to be used?

“The South West does not vote heavily. The percentage of voters is low. Ekiti state where Fayose is governor has one of the lowest voting population.

“The other voters in South West are in the hands of the APC. For me, David Mark would have been the very best for PDP to galvanise the swing nationalities; those people outside Hausa, Fulani and Yoruba and bring them together to join with the Igbo and some other liberal Yoruba people.

“But if David Mark is not there, among the Fulani if the PDP insists on having a Fulani to become its presidential candidate, Atiku is their best bet.

“We also have Ibrahim Shekarau, a very honest and cerebral man. But does he have resources because election demands resources. At the end of the day, a lot of people do not know Shekarau in the South.

“Atiku already has platforms across Nigeria and whatever it is he can fight more. Aside that, he has also talked about restructuring and as an Ijaw man, we want to engage him, what he means by restructuring. If PDP is looking for somebody with a war chest to fight and that would attract a lot of people from the APC, it is Atiku.”

AYODELE FAYOSE WILL FACE CRIMINAL TRIAL AFTER LEAVING OFFICE - EFCC

Gov Ayo FAYOSE             Ibrahim Magul

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said the outgoing governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, will face criminal trial at the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti at the expiration of his tenure.

The anti-graft agency, made the a statement on Monday, July 16, when reacting to condemnation that trailed a tweet on its official Twitter handle that it would resurrect a poultry scandal involving the governor.

Speaking on the controversy generated by the tweet which has been deleted, EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, told Premium Times that only the court could clear Fayose of his criminal trial after leaving office. “While it is true that there is a subsisting criminal charge against Governor Fayose, the fate of the charge will be determined by the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti, at the expiration of his tenure, not the EFCC,” Uwujaren said.

The statement by the anti-graft agency read: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has observed with interest, reactions to a tweet that purportedly appeared on the Commission’s Twitter handle July 15, announcing the imminent revival of the criminal case against Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State.

"In the opinion of most commentators, the tweet coming a few hours after Fayose’s protege, Kolapo Olusola of the People’s Democratic Party lost the governorship election to his All progressives Congress rival, Kayode Fayemi, betrayed the partisanship of the EFCC in the political contest in Ekiti State.
"Against the background, Commission is constrained to state that the purported tweet does not represent the views of the EFCC.

As a law enforcement organization the Commission is apolitical and was not involved in the recent Ekiti election. It therefore has no reason to gloat over the political misfortune of any candidate or political god-father. "While it is true that there is a subsisting criminal charge against Governor Fayose, the fate of the charge will be determined by the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti, at the expiration of his tenure, not the EFCC." 

Meanwhile, Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), the chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), has allegedly said that Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state has committed grievous sins in the last four years and will surely account for his actions someday.

According to Daily Independent, Sagay said Fayose through his language, attitude and actions has been sinning against God especially by wishing death upon President Muhammadu Buhari during his illness. The senior lawyer said Fayose had committed a lot of sins in office; in his attitude, in his language, in his behaviour and actions.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BRIDE PRICE, DOWRY AND DOWER

It's disheartening that people misuse BRIDE PRICE, DOWRY AND DOWER most often. Hence the need to clarify these words and help people understand and use correctly. First let's talk about bride price.

BRIDE PRICE  is a payment of specified amount of money or other acceptable consideration, by the groom (husband) or his family to the bride's (wife's) parents for the sole reason of formalizing traditional marriage. The money paid is called BRIDE PRICE.

DOWRY is the wealth transferred from the BRIDE'S (wife's) family to the groom (husband) or his family, ostensibly for the bride. In some societies, an amount of money or property that a woman's (wife's) parents give to the man (husband) she marries. In some cultures, the wife give gifts of wrapper to the husband after payment of the bride price. That gift from the bride to her husband is what is known as DOWRY.

Similarly, DOWER is the gift or property given to the bride herself (not her parents), by the groom (husband) at the time of marriage, and the said gift or property remains under the ownership and control of the bride (wife) only. It's a marriage gift from the husband to his bride. Some husband's give gifts of car, land or house to the bride after payment of bride price to her parents. That gift is what is called DOWER.

EKITI GOVERNOR-ELECT FAYEMI CELEBRATES WITH GOVERNORS AFTER HIS VICTORY AT THE POLLS. PHOTOS

The All Progressives Congress, (APC) candidate in the Ekiti governorship election, Dr Kayode Fayemi, won the governorship election according to the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission in majority of the 16 local councils in the state.

The former minister won in 11 out of the 16 local government areas of the state, polling 197,459 votes, and edging out his closest rival Olusola who got 178,121 votes by 19,338 votes.

Fayemi along with his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi were joined by governors of Ogun, Kebbi and Jigawa states; Ibikunle Amosun, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Badaru Abubakar and others to celebrate the election victory.

EDEN HAZARD HINTS REAL MADRID MOVE AND DISCUSSES CHELSEA EXIT

Eden Hazard

Having starred for Belgium at the World Cup, the playmaker has suggested it might be time to 'discover something different'

Eden Hazard cast fresh doubt over his Chelsea future as the Belgium star appeared to confirm his interest in a move to Real Madrid.

New Blues boss Maurizio Sarri faces a battle to keep the forward, who believes his World Cup performances warrant him the Golden Ball and the right to choose his next destination.

The 27-year-old signed off from a successful campaign in Russia with his third goal of the tournament as Belgium beat England 2-0 in the third-place play-off in St Petersburg on Saturday .

About his future at club level after the game, Hazard told reporters they already know his preferred destination amid reports he could be a potential replacement for the departed Cristiano Ronaldo in Madrid.

"After six wonderful years at Chelsea it might be time to discover something different," Hazard said.

"Certainly, after this World Cup, I can decide if I want to stay or go, but Chelsea will have the final decision.

"You know my preferred destination."

Afforded a free role in behind Romelu Lukaku, Hazard was one of the most influential players at the World Cup.

After helping the Red Devils surpass their previous best of fourth, he feels his performances should earn him the title of the tournament's best player.

"Deserving it… well, it would be showing off to say I deserve it but yes, I do think I deserve it with my performances in the matches," he said about his chances of securing the Golden Ball.

"But there are other players in the World Cup, some who will play the final tomorrow, so it is not really important for me.

"If I get it I will be very happy and if I don’t get it I will be happy with the World Cup we have played".

PREMIUM TIMES CHALLENGES, KEMI ADEOSUN TO GO TO COURT, INSISTS HER CERTIFICATE IS FORGED

Mrs Kemi Adeosun 
Nigeria's Finance Minister

The publisher of the Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi, on Thursday, in Ilorin challenged the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun to go to Court on the story that she allegedly forged her youth service exception certificate.

Dapo insisted that the investigation the news medium conducted evidently shows that the exemption certificate the woman parades is a forged one. According to him, ”We didn’t just publish the story in question, it was a product indepth investigation, and we have it on good authority, that the certificate ‎she’s parading is a forged one. We challenge her to go court, we will meet her there”.

Olorunyomi stressed that Premium Times carried out a thorough investigation before publishing the story, adding that the organisation would encourage Adeosun to go to court because that is the best way she could prove the story if she believes it is not true. “Adeosun forged her exception certificate. The story is real. We did a water-tight investigation that took us three months before we came out with the story.

We encourage her to go to court if she will like to prove us wrong,” he stressed Olorunyomi stated this when responding to a question from a member of the audience after he delivered a lecture entitled “Independent Journalism At The Interface Of The Digital Transition” at the University of Ilorin .

He delivered lecture at the 9th Annual lecture organised by the Mass Communication Department of the University in memory of Mr Doyin Mahmoud, the Pioneer Head of the department who died in 2009.
Mahmoud, a respectable media executive was a former Managing Director of the Independent Newspaper Limited, the publisher of Daily Independent.

Responding to another question on the anti-corruption war, the veteran journalist advised the government to strengthen all the agencies responsible for the campaign against corruption and encourage all stakeholders to be part of the campaign to make it more successful. Olorunyomi, while delivering his lecture pointed out importance of independent media to democracy saying “you really can’t have a healthy democracy without independent media.”

The journalist who noted that there is increasing financial crisis occasioned by such factors as drastic drop in circulation of newspapers, dwindling patronage in advertisement militating against independent journalism, advised that stakeholders must be proactive in addressing the problem to ensure independent media is maintained. He described Mahmoud under whom he said he worked, as a great and knowledgeable journalist who he said was always thirsty of ideas and knowledge and after improvement of individual journalists and the institution of journalism.

Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem expressed that legacies of Mahmoud were being celebrated by the Mass Communication Department and advised that people should do good to leave good legacy behind “We are all going to be was that people will be saying he was this he was that. Let is working hard to leave good was behind, ” he stated

In another development, a former Director-General of National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC) Maharazu Tsiga, has said he couldn’t have approved the request of Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, for an exemption certificate.

Tsiga was Director-General of the NYSC at the time the minister claimed to have applied for the certificate in 2009. This is even as the Publisher of the Premium Times, the online portal that broke the story, Dapo Olorunyomi, yesterday, in Ilorin challenged Adeosun to go to court on the story that she allegedly forged her youth service exception certificate.

Kemi Adeosun In a telephone interview with online portal, Premium Times, Tsiga, a retired general, further provided clues that further reinforced positions of NYSC’s serving and retired personnel, including a retired director of mobilisation, Anthony Ani, all pointing to the invalidity of the said ‘certificate’.

He repeated the point earlier made by Mr Ani that verifying any certificate claimed to be from the NYSC was an easy task. “We have what is called strong room. I believe from there they can easily identify if a certificate is issued by the NYSC or not,” he said. On whether anybody who graduated below the age of 30 but applied later to the NYSC for exemption could be exempted, Tsiga said “it is not possible.’’ He said even if one had reached 100 years, one would still have to serve, saying: ‘’In as much as you have not served, no matter how old you are, in as much as you were not mobilised to serve at the time you were supposed to serve, they can never give you exemption.

You must go for service.’’ Speaking in a Channels Television programme, Sunrise, on Wednesday, former Director of Mobilisation at the agency, Anthony Ani, had said there was no way a director-general who left the system in January could have signed a September certificate, among others. “I don’t know where the certificate comes from but (what) I say is that NYSC cannot make that mistake. The NYSC that I served, that I know, can never make that type of mistake,” Ani said