News; Socials; People; Events; Politics; Marketing; Publicity; LifeStyle; Science/Tech. Contact us: Facebook: Double Dee4U Tweeter: @Double_Dee4U Email: alfred.akonte.nehemiah@gmail.com
Saturday, 28 July 2018
I SPENT 11 HOURS IN THE WILDERNESS,’ DINO MELAYE TWEETS AFTER REPORTED KIDNAP
CONFIRMED: DINO MELAYE WAS NEVER KIDNAPPED AFTER ALL
Contrary to those claims, Dino Melaye’s relatives and many other senators have revealed that he was never kidnapped but only staged a walk into a bush to avoid being charged before a Kogi Court.
Although Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West, resurfaced on Friday to claim he “spent 11 hours in the wilderness”, SaharaReporters can confirm that he was never kidnapped.
Melaye was scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday before the Magistrate court in Abuja for alleged gunrunning, but the trial could not hold due to the claims by Senator Ben Bruce, quoting Melaye’s brother, that he had been abducted by unknown gunmen.
On Friday, he wrote on Twitter: “I thank God once again for escaping another dangerous attack. I also thank Nigerians for their prayers and show of Love. Spent 11 hours in the wilderness traumatized but God preserved me. God is the best and in whom ONLY I trust. They will continue to try. WE SHALL OVERCOME!!!”
Contrary to those claims, Melaye’s relatives and many senators have told SaharaReporters that he was never kidnapped but only staged a walk into a bush to avoid being charged to court.
-SAHARAREPORTERS
PROPOSED REVIVAL OF SOUTH-SOUTH PORTS: A CASE OF CHEATING DOES NOT PAY
On the streets of Nigeria there is a popular saying, "cheating does not part". This saying is open to different interpretations. But the most prevalent interpretation being that in the long run, it is unprofitable to continue to defraud others for selfish gains.
The situation enroute Apapa Port is disheartening. But it is a classical case of cheating does not pay. It is a case of the deliberate economic strangulation of other parts of Nigeria to the advantage of Lagos State.
We must be courageous to say the truth, no matter whose ox is gored. Over the years, successive economic administrators have castrated the ports in the South-South region, citing lame excuses for their actions.
Today, the consequences of their criminal manipulation is staring them in the face.
I read that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State begged the Federal Government to revive existing Ports in other states of the federation so as to bring about permanent solution to the perennial traffic congestion in Apapa axis of the State.
Ambode's call is premised on Lagos' Interest, not on any love for other parts of the country.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has always emphasised the need to revive the Ports in Rivers State and other parts of the South-South for the rapid growth of the region .
Reality has dawned on the Government of Lagos State and hopefully the APC Federal Government that you can not deliberately destroy the economies of other states and be in eternal bliss.
With every deliberate act of economic sabotage comes a price. For Lagos, this is the price of deliberate plots by the APC Federal Government to suffocate the South-South States.
Through ungodly policies, Ports in the South-South have been made redundant. Each time, people complain, the APC Federal Government cites security challenges in the South-South. They conveniently forget that they extract oil to sustain the national economy from the South-South.
A little research on the internet gives an insight on the outstanding Port Facilities in the South-South region.
In the South-South, we have :
A: Calabar Port : This Port currently has 3 terminals namely; The New Port, The Old Port and The Dockyard and several other crude oil terminals operated by 3 terminal operators. These are INTELS Nigeria Ltd, ECM Terminal Ltd and Shoreline Logistics Nigeria.
B. Rivers Port Complex: This comprises the Port of Port Harcourt and Okrika Refined Petroleum Oil Jetty as well as Haastrup/Eagle Bulk Cement Jetty, Ibeto Jetty, Kidney Island Jetty, Macobar Jetty and Bitumen Jetty.
C. Onne Port : Onne port consists of two major facilities which are the Federal Ocean Terminal and the Federal Lighter Terminal. This Port has been designated as an Oil and Gas Free Zone.
D. Delta Port: This Port includes the ports of Warri, Sapele, Burutu and the petroleum terminals at Escravos and Forcados.
With these facilities spread across three states of the South-South, Lagos State has no reason to carry more than 40 percent of the cargo into the country.
With the infrastructural base of Rivers State and her connectivity by rail and air, the two major seaports in the state are supposed to be super-functional.
The Ports in Rivers State (Rivers Port and Onne Port) can easily service the South-East, North Central and North-East States. If you add Calabar Port and Delta Ports to these two, the aforementioned three geo-political zones will be effectively covered. That leaves Lagos Ports with South-West and North-West Geo-Political Zones.
If the Ports in the South-South are empowered to start full import and export activities, even up to 40 percent, over five million direct and indirect jobs will be created.
The economies of the entire South-South and South-East States will be positively impacted. Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri would be centres of rapid economic expansion and Aba, Nnewi and Onitsha economies will also boom.
This will also translate to improved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the South-South States. Over 50 percent of the IGR of Lagos State comes from the Ports and allied activities. The strength of that economy is tied to the Ports. The South-South States will benefit from this advantage conferred on Lagos State by the Federal Government.
Governor Wike emphasised the need for functional seaports in the South-South during the South-South/South East Governors Meeting on August 27, 2017 at the Government House Port Harcourt .
Governor Wike said: “From geo-strategic economic perspective therefore, there is an urgent need to establish and link our cities with railways and super highways; to provide viable and affordable flight services between our cities, and to ensure that cargoes are brought into the country and the regions through our seaports, jetties and ferry services as a veritable means of stimulating economic growth and social progress across our two regions."
It is only in this part of the world that the Federal Government deliberately takes actions to cripple the epicentre of her economy.
All through the three years of this failed APC Federal Government, the few contracts in the transportation sector have been targeted at Lagos. Lagos-Ibadan standard guage rail-line, expansion of Lagos -Ibadan expressway and now the direct intervention of the presidency to address the Apapa gridlock.
There was the same gridlock on the Onne-Eleme section of the East-West Road. This lasted for weeks. There was no intervention from the Presidency. Governor Wike had to mobilise private companies along that route to fund the remedial measures that have kept the run manageable. This was done in partnership with the Rivers State Government.
Needless to say that the failed APC Federal Government has abandoned the East-West road and the Port-Harcourt-Enugu Dual Carriageway has become a point for pictorial propaganda for this failure of a Federal Government.
Now that it has dawned on the APC leadership that they cannot continue to destroy the economies of sister states, this is the time to act.
Since Governor Ambode of Lagos State has joined his brother Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to canvass for the revival of South-South seaports, the APC Federal Government should for the first time be decent in her approach to governance. They should, as a matter of urgency, re-direct cargo traffic to this zone.
In Rivers State, Governor Wike anticipating a time like this has improved the infrastructural base to carry the weight of expected development.
The excuse of insecurity is no longer applicable. As I write, despite slight security challenges, the South-South Geo-Political Zone is one of the most secure in Nigeria today. It is free from Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram, Militancy and Banditry. The little security lapses that come up are easily contained.
That is why expatriates and Nigerian technocrats drill oil on a daily basis in the South-South to sustain the national economy. Each time FAAC is shared, Nigerians must be appreciate that the peace and quiet in the South-South made it possible.
Aside the revival of the South-South Ports to free Lagos of excess economic fat, there is the immediate need to implement the Presidency's directive to all oil majors to relocate their headquarters to the Niger Delta where they are extracting oil and negatively impacting the environment.
It is ungodly that Niger Delta suffers the pangs of childbirth, while Lagos reaps the benefits of the baby. These oil majors pay taxes to Lagos State Government, but pollute the South-South States.
For every generation, an opportunity comes for restitution. The confession of Governor Ambode provides the platform for restitution. It gives the failed APC Federal Government the opportunity to act rightly and empower the people of the South-South.
Cheating does not pay. It only generates unnecessary developmental crisis as witnessed in Lagos State. You cannot continue to suppress a people. As long as you hold them down, so long you will remain on the floor with them. Nigeria is down because of deliberate acts of political and economic robbery by the APC Federal Government . The crippling of South-South Ports is one of such acts.
NBC FINES DAAR COMMUNICATIONS OVER BREACH OF BROADCASTING CODE
Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman, DAAR Communications, owner of AIT & RayPower
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has imposed a fine of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only), on Daar Communications Group over alleged infringement on the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. The station is required to redeem the fine within two weeks.
In a statement issued yesterday, by the Head, Public Affairs of the airwaves regulatory agency, Mrs Maimuna Jimada, the broadcast media giant earned NBC’s wrath through the “Political Platform’s episode of Tuesday, July 24, 2018” which was allegedly “marked by sensational and heated expression of opinion by its anchors, who went on to make unproven and inciting allegations.”
Director General of NBC, Mallam Is’haq Modibbo Kawu announced the sanction “following the persistent and flagrant infringement of the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code through the use of provocative, inflammatory and divisive comments by anchors on the Raypower programme, Political platform,” Mrs Jimada said.
She recalled that the Commission had, on May 2, 2017; August 15, 2017; and February 7, 2018, held meetings with staff of Daar Communications during which concerns were expressed on the unprofessional manner anchor persons had been handling the programme.
Particularly, she said the DG had charged the team on all occasions to be fair and balanced in their reportage devoid of expression of personal opinions.
“He also at the last meeting on February 7, 2018 sounded a warning to Daar Communications to ensure compliance in order to avoid stiff sanctions.”
Meanwhile, the Commission has reiterated the need for broadcasters to always abide by the rules guiding operation as enshrined in the Broadcasting Code.
Emphasis is laid on Section 1.9.3 which stipulates that “A presenter/anchor shall not express his or her personal opinion in the programme.”
Section 5.2.7 states “A broadcaster shall, in using political material for news, avoid taking inflammatory and divisive matter in its provocative form.”
Section 5.2.5 stresses “Political broadcasts shall be in decent language.”
Section 3.1.3: “The broadcaster shall recognize expression as an agent of society, therefore, he shall not use his medium for any personal or sectional rights, privileges and needs of his own, proprietor, relatives, friends or supports.” Section 3.3.2:
“A broadcaster shall acknowledge his or her own inherent biases and prejudices, and transparently rise above subjective mind-set.” Section 3.3.3: “All sides to any issue of public interest shall be equitably presented to ensure fairness and balance.”
Section 4.5.1: “No individual or organization shall be treated in an unjust or unfair manner in any programme.”
Section 5.2.18: “While a broadcast producer may interact with politicians in the course of his professional duties, this shall not be such, as to lead to the belief, that he is either a member or sympathizer of any political party.”
According to Mallam Kawu, “broadcasting stations must ensure that anchors of their programmes are well informed and properly trained on the ethics of the profession as well as the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code as the Commission would impose severe sanctions for any breach of the Broadcasting Code.”
GOVERNOR TAMBUWAL WILL LEAVE APC FOR HIS PRESIDENTIAL AMBITION – CHIBUIKE AMAECHI
Governor Tambuwal of Sokoto state
The Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, has Friday, said that the Federal government is aware the the Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal will soon leave the All Progressive Party, APC, over his Presidential ambition.
Amaechi while fielding questions from newsmen during the inspection of Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri project in Delta State, said the ruling party is not unmindful of Tambuwal’s ambition for President.
According to him, “No matter what you do, the governor of Sokoto will leave naturally because he had the ambition of being the president in 2019 and even if you take a chicken to him he will still leave. It is same with Kwara.”
“These are people you expect they will leave. They left with members of the National Assembly but they came from the areas that the President is very comfortable. Do you honestly believe that the President will lose election in Sokoto? It is one of his comfort zones, he added.”
He said no matter who leaves the ruling party at the end of the day, President Muhammad Buhari will still win. “The next persons that left are from Bauchi and if you bring the president on a sick bed in Bauchi he will win. He has never lost election in that state. If you bring him ion a sick bed in Kano, he will win. Well, that is being arrogant on our side..”
“Again, you will say that it happened during our time but we sold our candidate one year but they are doing it six months to the election. It was clear who will be APC candidate one year ahead of time.”
On the allegations that he is on the other side, he said: “One thing about me in the political history of Nigeria is that nobody has doubt where I stand. One quality I have is that Nigerians believe that I am honest and cannot hide my feelings.”
Friday, 27 July 2018
GOOGLE STATION:BROADBAND COVERAGE: FG TO LICENSE NEW SERVICE PROVIDERS -OSINBAJO
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has announced plans by the Federal Government to expand the broadband coverage of the country through the licensing of private broadband providers soon.
Osinbajo said this while launching the Google for Nigeria event at the Landmark Centre, Lagos on Thursday.
He said the measure would improve the digital space and opportunities for innovation and technological advancement of the country.
He said: “Next week, I will launch a climate innovation centre in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre at the Lagos Business School, here in Lekki Village.
“All of these form part of our ICT road map in which the private sector is an important stakeholder.
“The challenge remains connectivity, extending broadband reach, making data cheaper.
“Our national broadband policy is the first step we are taking.
“And so through the Nigerian Communications Commission we are licensing a number of infrastructure companies who will invest in rolling out broad band infrastructure across Nigeria.
“I believe that we can extend broadband connectivity and reach significantly within a year or two and we will be partnering in whatever way we can with Google, with Nigerian broadband providers like 21 Century Technologies, BCN, to quickly achieve the level of connectivity that is required to march the creative energy that is being released in our country on a daily basis.
“Our goal is to create a data-driven digital economy, one that would lead to the way not just in Africa but globally as well.”
Osinbajo expressed the belief that Nigeria was on the right path as the nation had the people and the talent.
He added that there existed a government that had seen the potential very clearly and showing the determination to unlock that potential.
According to him, technology has put great powers in our hands as individuals, but more importantly as co-creators and collaborators to positively and dramatically change the course of human existence.
Osinbajo noted that with technology, the country could solve many problems confronting the people.
He said in addition, the country could connect people, grow businesses, influence good governance and create better lives and a better country for the citizens and for the future.
He said the country was in many senses at an exciting moment in history because of what the young people were doing in innovation and their sheer energy and talent.
Accordingly, the Vice President noted that the future the country was looking at, which had already arrived, is bound to be an exciting one for the youth and adults.
He said the government would be with the youth in every step of the journey.
The Vice President thanked Google for democratizing the country’s digital space, urging that such innovations should be extended to many of the nation’s markets where a large number of people pride their business.
He observed that through Artificial Intelligence, the country was guaranteed more food and better healthcare.
He said every step made to make technology available would lead to a quantum leap in the African development story and a major contribution to global stability and growth.
He described the launch of the Google station in the country as a very exciting event because of the company’s promise to provide access in several public spaces.
He said the country was happy with the Google’s partnership and had been energizing the country’s markets with solar power, especially in Aba, Kano, Lagos and Ibadan.
He said access to information, tools of education, business or commerce ensured that a lot of gaps of inequalities and exclusion were bridged.
Osinbajo recalled that a digital skills training programme was launched in 2016 aimed at training of 400,000 youth on basic digital skills, adding that the government had since trained more than one million persons in partnership with Google and local digital firms.
He added that to scale up the support of private players in the technology space, government created the technology and creative industry advisory group as part of the industrial council to support young players in the industry.
He stated that through the GEM programme of the World Bank, the administration had given a $2 million lifeline to 79 start-ups across the country, while the Bank of Industry had set aside a N10 billion technology fund also.
He said: “We are looking at increasing the availability of the fund and how to use all the development finance banks to extend credit to innovation and technology start-ups.”
Osinbajo said government was committed to building an ecosystem to drive innovation, adding that government was training 5,000 developers as part of the country’s N-Power tech programme with another 3,000 being trained in animation.
The VP added that government was supporting the students’ hub innovation challenge across institutions to support student entrepreneurs.
The Country Director of Google, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, earlier said the African digital story was evolving and the organization planned to keep building products and programmes to accelerate growth in Nigeria and Africa.
Ehimuan-Chiazor recalled that in 2017, the company had brought together Google’s global leadership with over 200 key stakeholder in the industry.
She said the organisation remained committed to developing the digital ecosystem and making its products more useful for Africans.
She said: “Most of Africa’s biggest challenges may not be solved by methods of the past; with machine learning and artificial intelligence, these problems can be solved in a radically different way both faster and more cost effectively.
“For example today with a smart phone and a camera and existing apps it is possible to detect and prevent diseases, predict severe weather conditions, like droughts, and also address financial inclusion for the un-banked,” she stated.
The Google chief said the country would continue to seek digital growth of Nigeria and Africa as Nigeria currently had over 45 million mobile internet users and future growth would be driven by smart phones currently growing at 14 per cent ever year.
Ehimuan-Chiazor recalled that Google had committed to training five million Africans as well as to train the next developers of Africans and giving them Google certification
Ehimuan-Chiazor said entrepreneurs in Africa would create the jobs of the future, adding that the company was willing to through its Launchpad Accelerator Africa give more than $3 million equity free support to more than 60 early stage start-ups in the continent.
She said: “Since the launch earlier this year, 12 start-ups have graduated from the programme, working across a range of industry.
“They have created 132 jobs and raised over $7 million in funding and their products are used by approximately 4.5 million users.”
Ehimuan-Chiazor also recalled the $20 million pledged to support non-profits in their jobs.
In a related development, the Vice President declared open the Co-working Conference 2018 of innovators in Lagos, where he stressed the need for collaboration and partnerships among entrepreneurs to boost productivity and economic growth.
GOOGLE LAUNCHES GOOGLE STATION TO PROVIDE FREE HIGH SPEED WIFI (INTERNET) TO MILLIONS OF NIGERIANS
Google on Thursday hosted its second Google for Nigeria event where it made a number of big announcements aimed at helping more people in Nigeria, and across Africa, benefit from the opportunities the web has to offer.
In a bid to make the internet more easily accessible to people in Nigeria, Google is launching Google Station for Nigeria, a programme to provide high quality, high-speed Wi-Fi hotspots in partnership with 21st Century, one of the largest fibre network providers in Nigeria.
“Google Station will be rolling out in 200 locations in five cities across Nigeria by the end of 2019, bringing Wi-Fi to millions of people,” says Google Nigeria Country Director, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor. “Sites include markets, transport hubs, shopping malls, universities, and more. Nigeria is the fifth country to get Google Station, after India, Indonesia, Thailand and Mexico.”
Google is also making search more powerful for ordinary Africans. Job search launched in March in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, and is now rolling out in 29 new countries.
In Nigeria, Google is launching a search experience that allows users to explore health conditions based on symptoms, as well as recipe search for anyone who needs a little food inspiration.
Street View’s Discover Nigeria gallery has been expanded to include more of Nigeria’s wonders, including the National Museum in Lagos, Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, Millenium Park in Abuja and Lekki Conservation Centre.
Additionally, Google announced the update of several products from its “Go” initiative, which were launched in the past year.
The Go product suite aims to give people with low bandwidth connections and low-RAM devices the best possible Google experience.
These new features include:
Google Go: will soon read web pages out loud and highlight each word so users can follow along.
BUHARI CAMPAIGN GROUP COORDINATOR, MASHOOD BAKARE, RESIGNS
Coordinator of the Kwara State Chapter of Buhari Support Group, Mashood Bakare, has formally resigned his appointment, ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Bakare, who represents Omupo Constituency in the state assembly, announced his resignation on Thursday, at the floor of the House.
According to Daily Nigerian, Bakare, while explaining the decision, said his resignation was based on personal reasons.
He said he was no longer willing to be part of the organisation which he had been with since 2014.
The lawmaker, however, assured that he would continue to be sensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of his people.
Reacting, the Speaker, Ali Ahmad, inquired if the decision to relinquish his post was willingly taken, and he answered in the affirmative.
The Kwara governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed had hinted that he and other top members of the state chapter, including the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, will soon dump the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, during a meeting with youths, traders, local government chairmen among others.
Ahmed lamented that the APC formed in 2014 with the hope of meeting the needs and aspirations of the people in critical areas of national life has not delivered.
“We are gathered here to consult with our supporters, market women, artisans, youths and women on how to guarantee our people’s interest and our state’s progress,” he was quoted as saying.
“Our leader Senate President Bukola Saraki will soon come home to announce where we will go. APC has not met our expectations. You have told us that they have not met your aspirations as a people in APC.
“You have come to tell us that you want us to move on to a new platform that will give us room to meet our aspirations for the good of Kwarans. By the grace of God almighty, you will have a response very soon and very clear.
“But one is as clear as crystal you the stakeholders have told us to move out of the APC and because we run an inclusive process, that is why we have come to sit here and seek your opinion which you have expressed.
“And certainly your decision is our decision. So whatever you want is what we will do. God will guide us aright.”
I AM STILL A MEMBER OF APC - SENATOR SANI
Senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Sen. Shehu Sani on Thursday declared that he remains a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said this amidst his rumored defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Senator said this while fielding questions from journalists at the APC National Secretariat after a meeting with the Party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
He backed the ongoing reconciliation efforts undertaken by the Party’s National Executive led by the National Chairman.
“We are confident that the new leadership of the Party has the capacity the ability to address these injustices. In the words of Frantz Fanon, ‘We revolt because we cannot breathe’.
“So we revolted against the manner the Party was run because it is suffocating us. Now we have a new surgeon who is doing everything possible to put it back on track. That is why we give him the benefit of doubt that the problem can be solved”, the lawmaker added.
APC CRISIS: SHEHU SANI SPEAKS ON BEING PART OF PLOT TO IMPEACH SARAKI
The Senator Representing Kaduna Central at the National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has denied being among those allegedly plotting to impeach the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
The lawmaker described the reports as the handiwork of his opponents, adding that he enjoys a good relationship with the senate president and will continue to support him.
The senator said the accusations leveled against him will not work, referring to it as “cheap blackmail.”
In a statement on Thursday, the lawmaker said, “My attention has been drawn to a report by an online newspaper without a defined address that I, Senator Shehu Sani and other senators plotted to impeach the senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki on Tuesday, 24th 2018.
“I’m not aware of such plot whether it happened or not. And If there was anything like that, it stands condemned. I can never be part of any plot to impeach the senate president because there was never reason to do so.
“I enjoyed a good working relationship with Dr Saraki since 2015 till date and he has always supported and identified with me in my moments of travails and trials and I reciprocated the same to him.
“He has managed the senate with experience, responsibility and maturity and always respects my views even when it differs with his. Fifthly, Senate President and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekwerenmadu have managed the Senate satisfactorily and championed and sustained its independence.”
“My decision to remain in the APC or leave the party is my own choice to make in tandem with my conviction, conscience and the imperatives of the constituents and constituency I represent,” he said.
“Fabrications, concoction and outright lies and blackmail aimed at me, to force me to toe a line against my conscience will not work. Using such cheap blackmail and character assassination against me will not work.
“I will continue to support the leadership of Dr Saraki and Dr Ike Ekweremadu till the end of the life of the eight senate. Once again, my choice of party is my business and not that of any person.”
I CAN’T WORK WITH SARAKI – KWARA STATE PDP CHAIRMAN
The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, said on Thursday, July 26, that he cannot work with the All Progressives Congress (APC) defectors led by Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
The Nation reports that he said other members of the party executive committee in Kwara cannot work with the defectors too.
Saraki and the state Governor, AbdulFattah Ahmed, are expected to announce their own defection soon.
Oyedepo, who spoke on the development during a radio programme in Ilorin, said the national leadership of the PDP has set up a committee to interface between his group and the defectors.
He said the first meeting is slated for next week.
The PDP chairman, who said he had just returned from a meeting with PDP leaders in Abuja, blamed the party’s national leadership for being allegedly insensitive to the political configuration in Kwara state and allowed themselves to be swayed by funding capacity of the defectors.
According to him, the option before the leaders is to choose between his group and the one led by Saraki.
He said: “We have not been opportune to sit down with the Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the state governor, Alhaji AbdulFattah Ahmed, even though I’m hearing several rumours that I have met with them and that they have offered me juicy positions. "These are all lies, the Senate president despite his humongous wealth, does not have what it takes to buy me. He cannot ever buy me because he cannot buy my integrity. If my bank account is not fat, my integrity account is very fat.
“So they have not met with us but our national body said they have set up a committee to meet with the two sides next week and when that meeting comes up we are going to tell the national leaders that we cannot accept the formula they have put down which is 60:40, 60 percent for a state defecting with the governor and 40 percent for the existing PDP members. "And if they said what of 50:50, or 40:60 or 30:70 or even 10:90, we shall not accept;
we cannot accept any offer. Anything less than our not working together we cannot accept. “So we will tell our national body to choose between us and them and I know that they will not choose us because we don’t have money but we are not worried. We will only know that an end has come to our journey and our relationship (in the PDP).
“If we agree to work with them (Saraki) just imagine myself and (Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed) Maigida standing on the same rostrum pledging to do things for the people. It will be a shame; many people will look at me and wonder what has happened. "So it is better not to be in politics again. Instead of a dog being the treasurer for the lion it is better for both to part ways and go on their separate hunting game.
“The blame is not from the Saraki camp, the blame is from our national leaders in the PDP. Leadership in Nigeria is the conspiracy of the elite to punish the downtrodden.
"When they gave us the party, we inherited nothing and so whatever you see in the PDP today is the product of our efforts. For this alone we should not be interested in defecting from our own house but it is better we do so now and look forward to better future for our dear state.”
Thursday, 26 July 2018
RIVERS STATE GOVT ALLEGES SARS THREAT TO WIKE AIDE'S LIFE AS YOUTH PROTESTS
Rivers State Government, RVSG, has alleged threat by men of the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to kill Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Social Media, Marshal Obuzor.
Rivers Youths after their protest march against SARs Brutality in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The development Thursday provoked street protest in Port Harcourt by teeming youths in Rivers who called for end to reported recurring SARs brutality and extrajudicial murders across the state.
The SARs Operatives had on Monday, around Mandela Car Wash in Old GRA, Port Harcourt, reportedly entrapped and brutalised Obuzor and inflicted injuries on him with machetes and rods.
The victim, Obuzor, narrated to the protesters, including youth professionals and Rivers leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, gathered at the Port Harcourt Council secretariat, that SARS led by one Sgt Clever Kporoko left him with a ruptured ear.
Medical Examinations by consultants at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital is said to have indicated that Obuzor would require surgical procedures in France to correct the ruptured ear.
‘In Public view, they used machetes and rods to beat me and seized my phones. They repeatedly threatened to kill me. Even the Government Official who intervened was threatened with death. I was surprised that SARs has gotten to this stage where they don’t care that people are watching”, Obuzor said.
The protesters also matched to the Rivers State Police Command where they submitted the two petitions with assurance from the authorities to investigate the issues and any SARs operative found wanting liable to face the wrath of the law.
Obuzor had told the police authorities that the petition to the Rivers Police Commissioner demanded an end to SARS Brutality across the state, saying that enough is enough.
Adokiye Ogunobere, Publicity Secretary NYCN, Rivers chapter, said, “Rivers Youths write to formally register our protest on the illegal activities of operatives of SARS across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
OBASANJO, ONCE AGAIN, BLASTS NIGERIA’S LEADERSHIP, CONDEMNS SIEGE AGAINST SARAKI , OTHERS
Chf. Olushegun Obasanjo
Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo has again attributed Nigeria’s under-performance to the problem of leadership.
Speaking when he granted audience to a PDP Presidential Aspirant, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Thursday, the ex-President, however, said that he had not lost hope because God had blessed Nigeria with men and women of caliber who can stand their own in the world.
Chief Obasanjo, after listening to the speeches of Turaki and Boni Haruna (DG Kabiru Tanimu Turaki Campaign Organization), said “we are not short of leadership that can perform”.
The former President, who recalled that he consulted widely in 1998/1999 just as Turaki is doing now, revealed that he accepted to be drafted into the presidential campaign because of the need to unite the country.
“Listening to you, I believe you have got the concerns of Nigerians today in the area of security, economy and cohesion. Anybody who will lead Nigeria to the promised land will have my support,” Obasanjo said.
He condemned the siege laid to the residences of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, saying that was “embarrassed” by a number of things happening in the country.
“We are in a position to do better than what we are doing today”, he said.
Obasanjo further noted that what Turaki had been doing is to firm up and stabilize Nigeria’s democracy which, he believed is making some progress.
He explained that the statement he issued in January was not done frivolously, noting that a nation can be destroyed not necessarily when people are doing bad things but when people keep quiet when danger looms.
In his remark, Turaki who described Obasanjo as the ‘Father of Modern Nigeria’, said that it is people like him who speak truth to power that are working assiduously for a united country.
The aspirant stressed that there is need to take up the challenge of rescuing Nigerians from the plethora of problems such as insecurity, poverty, divisiveness and hopelessness confronting them today.
He said that with the support of respected leaders like Obasanjo “we know that we would be able to rescue our country as we have no other place to go.”
BBNAIJA’S CeeC SIGNS ENDORSEMENT DEAL WITH NAIRABET
CeeC and Nairabet CEO Akin Alabi
Big Brother Naija Double Wahala
housemate, CeeC Nwadiora has added another endorsement deal to her already growing list and this time, it’s with sports betting brand, NairaBET.
The sports betting platform took to their social media platform to unveil their latest ambassadorial addition alongside pictures from the contract signing event.
See tweets:
CeeC also confirmed the endorsement deal with a post shared on her Instagram page with caption;
The most powerful thing you can do right now is to be patient while things are unfolding for you. Another one in the bag, I love my new family!! Thanks @officialnairabet , looking forward to an amazing relationship.
Check out more photos
Photo Credit: @nairabet
GUNMEN ABDUCT 2 PRIESTS, 1 LECTURER IN KOGI STATE
There has been confusion in parts of Kogi as Rev Father Leo Michael, the parish priest of the St Michael Catholic Church, Obajana area of the state, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
Also reportedly abducted, according to the Nigerian Tribune, are a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and a lecturer with the Kogi state college of education, Kabba, Samuel Aronimu.
The details of the abduction of the pastor and the lecturer were still sketchy at the time of this report.
But the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also quotes his colleague and diocesan chancellor in Lokoja, Peter Adinoyi, confirmed the kidnap to newsmen in Lokoja on Thursday, July 26.
Adinoyi said that the priest was returning to Obajana when he was kidnapped at a spot around the Irepeni village, Okene-Lokoja road. He said the matter has been promptly reported at the Irepeni police station.
The reverend father said that the army and the Department of the State Security (DSS) were also aware of the development. Adinoyi, however, said that the kidnappers, on July 25, called some members of the church to demand a N50 million ransom for the release of their priest.
According to him, the kidnappers later reduced the ransom to N20 million and further reduced it to N8 million. Adinoyi added that the kidnappers gave the church up till 1pm on July 26, to pay the ransom. They reportedly threatened to relocate the priest should the church fail to meet the deadline.
Adinoyi said that the church was unable to meet the deadline for the payment of the ransom demanded. He called on security agents to assist in rescuing the cleric from his abductors just as he decried the incessant kidnapping of the less privileged in the state, describing the situation as unfortunate.
The spokesperson of the police command in Kogi state, DSP William Aya, said that he was not aware of the incident. He promised to find out and call back, but failed at the time of this report.
I HAVE JUST RECORDED A SONG THAT CAN CHANGE MY LIFE - DAVIDO
Davido, Nigerian Afro-pop singer, says he may have “just recorded the biggest feature” of his career.
During his acceptance speech for the BET best international act award in June, the ‘Fall’ singer told the foreign artistes in the audience that he is open to collaboration.
“And as I go on, I wanna talk about Africa. My continent has been so blessed to influence many cultures,” Davido had said.
“Come to Africa, eat the food, wear the clothes. Get ready for me, let’s collaborate. My album drops this year. J. Cole. Yo Quay, I’m waiting on that verse Quay.”
One month later, it appears Davido’s requests were heard loud and clear.
The singer took to Twitter on Thursday to ask for prayers from his fans, saying his new collaboration can change his life.
“Keep me in your prayers,” Davido tweeted.
“I might have just recorded the biggest feature of my career that can literally change my life.
“Also, I finally got a release date for ‘Nwa Baby’. Clear your playlist! Daddy coming!”The DMW head honcho’s last international collaboration was ‘Way Too Fly’, a song with US rapper A Boogie wit da Hoodie.
Davido, just like his Nigerian counterpart Wizkid, is gearing up to headline his own concert the O2 Arena in January.
SEN. TEJUOSO DENIES SARAKI, RETURNS TO APC
Sen. Lanre Tejuoso, who Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, claimed left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday returned to APC on Wednesday.
Tejuoso, representing Ogun Central, announced his return at a meeting between APC Senators and President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock on Wednesday night.
While introducing himself to the President, he said: “Mr President, your son has returned home.” Also at the meeting was Senator Adesoji Akanbi, Oyo South, who Saraki also claimed had joined the PDP.
He emphatically denied the list of defectors as dubious the following day, saying he remains a member of the APC. His showing up at the meeting with President Buhari affirmed his faith in the APC.
Senator Shehu Sani from Kaduna, who has been blowing hot and cold about his political allegiance was also at the meeting, exchanging banters with his colleagues.
Those attending the meeting included Sen. Adamu Aleiro, Bala Ibn Na-Allah, Aliyu Wamako, Ibrahim Gobir, Kabiru Marafa and Abu Ibrahim.
Others were Kabiru Gaya, Barau Jibrin, Abdullahi Gumel, Ahmed Lawan, Ali Ndume, Abubakar Kyari, Baba Kaka Garbai, Aliyu Abdullahi, David Umaru and Abdullahi Adamu.
Sen. George Akume, Francis Alimekhina, Andrew Uchendu, Magnus Abe, Ovie Omo-Agege, John Enoh, Nelson Effiong, Andy Uba, Sunny Ugboji, Hope Uzodinma, Ben Uwajimogu, Yusuf Abubakar and Oluremi Tinub were also in attendance.
Other senators in the meeting were Gbenga Ashafa, Solomon Adeola, Tayo Alasoadura, Ajayi Boroffice , Yele Omogunwa, Fatima Rasaki, Olanrewaju Tejuoso and Yahaya Abdullahi.
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, believed to be hobnobbing with the PDP, was among those who were not at the meeting.
With Tejuoso and Akanbi and Sani now firmly identifying with the APC, the party has now increased its majority in the Upper Chamber to 54, enough to dictate the direction of policy.
BREAKING: BUHARI’S IMPEACHMENT PLOT: APC REPS DISOWN SEN. IBRAHIM ON DOGARA’S INVOLVEMENT
Speaker Dogara
Members of the House of Representatives from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC have disowned Senator Abu Ibrahim in his allegation that Speaker Yakubu Dogara was part of a plot to impeach President Muhammad Buhari.
The members at a press briefing on Thursday told House of Representatives Correspondents that the allegation was a figment of Senator Ibrahim’s imagination.
Pledging their unalloyed support to the reelection bid of President Buhari, the members who converged under the aegis of Parliamentary Support Group, PSG, led by Hon. Abdulmumuni Jubril said that Speaker Dogara was with them in the movement.
“That’s just his personal opinion. That’s purely a Senate issue”, Hon. Jubril said in response to a question.
Recall that Senator Ibrahim, a close ally to President Buhari from Katsina State had in a chat with Journalists in Abuja on Wednesday called for the sacking of the both the Speaker and the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki from the APC, saying they can’t be trusted any longer.
He had said ” Saraki and Dogara should resign today or the APC should send them away. They are no longer APC members. The only reason why Saraki and Dogara have not left the APC is that they know that if they leave they will lose their seats.
“But we will force them to leave. Left to me, I will recommend to APC to expel them. They are no longer needed in the party. We will be cured of cancer if they leave. Me as Abu Ibrahim, I am asking Saraki and Dogara to leave APC today. I will meet Oshiomhole (Adams) to expel them. Let them leave APC, Saraki and Dogara should leave APC today.”
OFFA ROBBERY: AGF MALAMI CLEARS SARAKI, SAYS POLICE LACK EVIDENCE AGAINST SENATE PRESIDENT
Senate President, Bukola Saraki
Nigeria’s Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami, has told the police that there was no evidence that linked Senate President Bukola Saraki and Kwara State Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed to the armed robbery attack that left 31 persons dead in Offa, Kwara State, in April.
Mr Malami advised in a June 22 letter to the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, that the police would need to ramp up their investigation and also painstakingly explore all critical areas before identifying the Senate President as a suspect in the carnage, much less filing charges against him.
Yusuf Abdulwahab, Mr Ahmed’s chief of staff who was amongst state officials arrested for allegedly conspiring with the prime suspects, was also cleared, with the prosecutor saying “no evidence is credible enough to sustain any charge based on any offence known to law against him.”
The attorney-general’s office said only six prime suspects should be charged to court for armed robbery and murder which could draw capital punishment upon conviction. Olalekan Alabi, a personal assistant to Mr Ahmed, was also recommended for trial, but only on lesser charges of illegal possession of arms.
Mr Saraki hinted at the existence of the letter on Monday night as part of a fierce response to Mr Idris' latest summon to him. The Senate President said the invitation, which he was asked to honour by 8:00 a.m. today, was unnecessary because the Director of Public Prosecutions had already informed the police that there were no sufficient bases to keep dragging him into the armed robbery investigation.
“I am aware that following a request made by the Police on June 13, 2018 to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Federation had written a legal advice dated June 22, 2018, in which he stated on page 5, paragraph (f) that “For the Senate President and the Kwara State Governor, this office is unable to establish from the evidence in the interim report a nexus between the alleged office and the suspects,” Mr Saraki said in the Monday night statement.
PRESIDENT BUHARI UNHAPPY OVER APC CHAIRMAN'S COMMENT AS AMAECHI DENIES CALLING OSHIOMHOLE "BAD LUCK"
President Buhari & Adams Oshiomhole
MINISTER of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi on Thursday denied ever saying that the All Progressives Congress, APC, national Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was a bad luck to the party.
This is as ministers have frowned at the comment made by the APC national Chairman where he had threatened to expel cabinet members who disobeyed his directives from the party.
But the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said that any misgivings between the party and cabinet members will be resolved amicably.
Meantime, Comrade Oshiomhole was at the Presidential Villa, to see the President after the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting at the Council Chamber.
Presidency sources revealed that President Buhari was not happy with the comment by his party’s national chairman where he said that if the President was condoning indiscipline from his cabinet he was not going to condone it.
“The President was not happy with the comment of the APC Chairman because it portrayed the President as inefficient,” the Presidency source had said.
While berating the Labour Minister for not carrying out his directive that he (Ngige) should inaugurate the board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, Oshiomhole said, “If the minister refuses we will suspend him from the party. You know we must return to internal discipline.
“For me it is the height of mischief for any minister, you cannot purport to be honourable minister and you act dishonourably and nobody is greater than the party.
“And if the President condones disrespect for his office, I will not condone disrespect for the party. And when we expel the minister we will prevail on the president that he can’t keep in his cabinet people who have neither respect for his own decisions nor have respect for the party.”
Speaking while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC, meeting, the Minister of Transportation who interjected from the question to the Minister of Information on what was the position of the council on the face off between Oshiomhole and Ngige, said that there were many fake stories going around.
Amaechi said, “How do you know it is true, I saw in social media this afternoon where they said I said the Chairman is a bad luck. I never said so . I have never said such a thing. They quoted me that I was attacking the Chairman.”
On his part, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said, “Two weeks ago, we launched a campaign against fake news and it is one of the most dangerous phenomenon we have today.
“We don’t know who said what and until we know and the ministers confirmed this statement credited to them.It is a difficult time really. I can assure you if there is any problem between the party Chairman and any of our ministers, it will be resolved.”
On whether the defection of 15 senators and 37 House of Representatives members from the APC to the opposition political parties was discussed at the FEC meeting, Mohammed said, “no it was not discussed at FEC and secondly Mr President has already given our position which is that this is a democracy, people are free to make choices .”
Wednesday, 25 July 2018
PDP NOW MAJORITY IN SENATE AS 15 MEMBERS DUMP APC
THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is now the majority political party in the Nigerian Senate following the defection of 15 former members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, announced the defections during Tuesday’s Plenary at the floor of the Senate.
Consequently, the APC now has 48 members, while the PDP members are now 58. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has one member – Victor Umeh from Anambra State, while two seats are vacant following the deaths of their occupiers.
Those whose defections were announced on Tuesday include: Dino Melaye, Rabiu Kwankwanso, Isa Misau, Usman Nafada, Suleiman Hunkuyi, Mohammed Shittu, Suleiman Nazif.
Others are: Barnabas Gemade, Shaaba Lafiaji, Rafiu Ibrahim, Ibrahim Danbaba, Lanre Tejuoso, Monsurat Sunmonu, Adesoji Akanbi and Abdulazeez Nyako
Earlier on Tuesday, Saraki’s Abuja residence, as well as that of the Deputy President, Ike Ekweremadu, were barricaded by security agencies.
“As I am talking to you, I cannot access the street. They have barricaded the road and I cannot say his whereabouts now,” said Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki’s spokesman at the time.
Similarly, Uche Anichukwu, media aide to Ekweremadu confirmed that his principal was barricaded by security agents. “The house is currently surrounded by security agencies since early in the morning,” he said.
The siege was later lifted and both men were allowed to attend Tuesday’s plenary.
Many of the defectors were once members of the PDP, including Kwankwanso, Gemade, Nyako, Nafada, and had defected to the APC prior to the 2015 general election. Melaye, who had served as a House of Representatives member on the platform of the PDP, left in 2011 to join the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), which later merged with two other parties to form the APC in 2013.
Tuesday’s defection did not come as a surprise to many given that many of the defectors had broken away to form a faction in the APC, called the Reformed APC (R-APC). The law stipulates that one could decamp from one’s political party only if there is a split in the party.
Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of the APC, and President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as other leaders of the party have held several meetings with members of the R-APC in order to dissuade them from leaving the party, but the defections on Tuesday show that their pleadings fell on deaf ears.
HOW APC SENATORS WERE WELCOMED TO PDP AFTER DEFECTION (SEE PHOTOS)
Yesterday Some APC Senators defected to PDP at the Red Halowed chamber of the National Assembly. Not less than thirty-two (32) APC senators had defected to the opposition PDP on Tuesday, with another four to the ADC..
And here are few photos of how they were welcomed amidst jubilation and hands clapping, below...
The question now remains, whether all these rounds and circles of defection draws any benefit to the common man on the street.? Who benefits from the defections? The, nation, the people or the politicians?
Sunday, 22 July 2018
JOS MARKET FIRE: I’M DEVASTATED BY LOSSES HARDWORKING NIGERIANS SUFFER - BUHARI
President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the victims of the market fire which occurred on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State capital.
President Buhari said he was “devastated by the scale of economic losses suffered by hard working and ordinary Nigerians who believe in self-reliance to support themselves.”
In the condolence message which was signed on Sunday by the President’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari added that every democratic leader will genuinely feel the pains the victims of the fire.
“Trading and agriculture remain the mainstay of these hardworking businessmen and women and every democratic leader would genuinely feel the pains of the victims of this fire disaster.
“With profound sense of empathy, I am touched by the large-scale economic losses suffered by the victims of this fire disaster. The role of these enterprising Nigerians in the economy of our country cannot be underestimated,” the President said.
President Buhari expressed worry at the scale of fire disaster, he added that “I am confident that your enterprising spirit would help you rebuild your lives. May God replenish you with more prosperity.”
He appealed to the local authorities concerned to take every necessary measure to forestall frequent fire incidents, adding that the incidents were taking a heavy toll on people’s means of livelihood and the intervention of all three tiers of government would go a long way to alleviating the hardships.
Shops and warehouses numbering over 200 were on Saturday destroyed by fire at the popular Terminus market in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Properties worth millions of naira were also lost to the fire which was said to have started in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The cause is yet to be ascertained, even as the traders are left to count their losses.
ANOTHER FEMALE PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT DECLARED IN ABUJA; ATTRIBUTES VESTED INTEREST TO NIGERIA’S PROBLEM
Mrs Eunice Atuejide
Female Presidential aspirant under the platform of the National Interest Party (NIP).
A female Presidential aspirant under the platform of the National Interest Party (NIP), Mrs Eunice Atuejide has declared her intention to contest the presidential race comes 2019 general election.
Mrs Atuejire, who made this declaration in Abuja, said her mission to join the race was to rescue the country from the imminent collapse, especially in the area of insecurity which has pervaded many parts of the country.
She, however, lamented that the major problem behind the nation’s growth was vested interest, saying the nation could surmount the hurdles when
people of integrity are elected into the political offices. She also added that the party would not give leadership to aspirants who have nothing to offer its people.
According to her, the true reason the country is not growing as expected after many manifestos are the problem of vested interest. Politicians all have genuine manifestos that can solve the nation’s problems, and we all need to fight this vested interest in Nigeria by consciously fighting for the interest of every Nigerian or our tribes including those ones that are seemingly bad.
“Treat everyone interest with details to allow everyone feels represented to know there is somebody in there fighting for their interest. I promise that my administration would not focus on any ethnic group or religion because nobody’s interest is superior to another person.
“I believe that the complexity of Nigeria can be broken down to a deliberate attempt to keep us divided by the men and women governing us till date. Men and women would are ruled by greed and by an overwhelming degree of selfishness. People who go into government simply to chop their portions of the national cake.
“People who go into government to pay lip service to the manifestos they give the electorates to get them voted into power. Remove these people from power in Nigeria, and we will see how much we have in common and how easy it is to live in peace and harmony with ourselves despite our perceived
difference.” She added.
LADY TRAVELS FROM ABUJA TO “LAGOS” TO HAVE FUN WITH A GUY: SEE WHAT HAPPENED...
A lady who thought she was coming to Lagos to have fun, has revealed her surprise after she claimed she was deceived by a guy she met online. According to her, she met a guy online and decided to visit him in Lagos not knowing he stays in a one room apartment in Ogun state.
.
Below are her words according to relationship expert Ben who shared the update. ;
.
This guy lied to me about staying in Ikeja, Lagos but Ben he stays in Ogun state in one small room, he even cooks inside the one room, everywhere is just smelling, even my room in Abuja is bigger and neater than this. Now I told him I want to go back but he refused to give me transport saying he is broke he doesn’t have money.
.
Since I came, I have been eating yam for the past 3 days now only yam and the yam has finished. Please I need help and advice please. I’m in Sango Bridge sugar, I’m really tired of staying, I want to go back home please I need advice.
.
He said he stays in safe contain in Ikeja. I have never been to Lagos before, it was my first time. I didn’t even know I’m in Ogun state until people started saying I’m in Ogun not Lagos. I thought I’m coming to lag to have fun after all he promised me ooooo. I didn’t know I’m coming to suffer”..