NNAMDI KANU HAS NO MEANS OF LIVELIHOOD - ARMY.

The Nigerian Army has said the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has no means of livelihood, but used “propaganda” to make people believe him.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, stated this in Abuja, while rounding off a two-day media conference on the military’s enhancement of human rights. 

The army spokesman, who stressed the need for a robust army-media relationship towards enhancing national security, said those people following the IPOB leader were in a “one-chance vehicle.”

Usman said, “There was an allegation that somebody (Kanu) went into hiding. Now, I can’t remember the day but in an interview on Channels TV, one of Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brothers said that he was in hiding and he knew where he was.

“And one lawyer came up that he has taken the Chief of Army Staff to court. Now, who gave you the brief? You said you do not know where he (Kanu) is. Now, who gave you the brief? And the media is asking us where is Nnamdi Kanu? Why not ask the man that said so who gave him the brief to take people to court when he does not know where the man is? 

“…That is why those people following him have entered into a one-chance vehicle. This is somebody standing trial in a criminal case. Sometimes, whether we like it or not, we want to stand against the truth. But no matter how long, the truth will come to pass on October 17. This is an individual without a means of livelihood.

“I can speak eloquently. So what? If I can speak like him; I can also have my own group, that’s exactly what is happening. So, what is the essence of our education as a people? You know that somebody is in a criminal case, and you believe in him.”

Credit:  www.punchng.com/nnamdi-kanu-has-no-means-of-livelihood-says-army/

BUHARI'S FRIEND, FORMER MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR OF KADUNA STATE IS DEAD

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep pain and sorrow over the death of the former Military Administrator of Kaduna State, retired Air Vice Marshal Mukhtar Mohammed.

The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said the president made his feelings known in a letter he wrote to the governments of Jigawa and Kano States.

He said the letter was handed to Gov. Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa by a Federal Government delegation on Thursday.

In the letter, President Buhari revealed the intimate nature of the relationship between him and the deceased military top brass, saying he had lost a friend in peace and in war.

“The delegation, which was led by the Chief of Staff in the Presidency, Abba Kyari with four ministers and three presidential aides, was in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital where a similar letter of condolence signed by the President was handed over to the Emir, Dr Muhammadu Sunusi,’’ the statement said.

The presidential aide said the team was also in Kano where they met both the Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje and the Emir Muhammadu Sunusi II before participating in the funeral prayers which took place at night due to the late arrival of the body from United Kingdom.

President Buhari’s condolence letter said, “Late Mukhtar was my friend in war and in peace. He was a brilliant Air Force officer, a good administrator and a patriot.

“”All those who came in contact with him have recognized him as a brave man of vision and energy. These qualities he brought to bear in his service to Nigeria.

““In politics, he was dogged and determined to enthrone a good government, to clean up government business and establish democracy and rule of law.

“”The late Waziri was a highly intelligent person and very brave in the face of challenges. He was prepared, and did leave his post on a point of honor and principle. He was a worthy and a true son of Nigeria.’’

The two state Governors and the Emirs praised the the exemplary qualities the late military officer and thanked the President for standing by their people in their hour of trial.

The federal government delegation included the Ministers of Interior, retired Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau; Defence, retired Brig. Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali; Education, Adamu Adamu and the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

Others were the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar Sadiq, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Garba Shehu, that of Special Duties, Ya’u Darazo, Sha’aban Sharada and Musa Daura, a nephew of the President.

Late Muhammad, who was the Wazirin Dutse in Jigawa, died on Sunday in a London hospital after a protracted illness.

DR. KACHIKWU ACCUSES DR. BARU OF $24BN CONTRACT AWARD WITHOUT DUE PROCESS

 

 In continuation of the supremacy battle between the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, the minister has written to President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing the NNPC boss of flagrant violation of due process in the award of contracts and acts of insubordination.

Ever since Dr. Kachikwu was first appointed GMD of NNPC in 2015 and subsequently the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, there’s been no love lost between himself and Baru, who shortly after Kachikwu’s appointment as GMD, was promoted to the post of Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production of the corporation.

The relationship took a turn for the worse when Dr. Kachikwu re-organised NNPC in March 2016 and created five core divisions and 20 Autonomous Business units.
Baru, it was alleged, shortly after the restructuring undertaken by Kachikwu began a campaign and whipped up sentiments behind the scenes to get the minister removed from the post of GMD on the grounds that he should not be allowed to hold the posts of minister and NNPC boss simultaneously.

Indeed, stories were published by some online media outlets and attributed to Baru alleging that Kachikwu had been removed, several weeks before Buhari eventually approved the Dr. Kachikwu's ouster as NNPC GMD in July 2016.

Having succeeded in getting Dr. Kachikwu removed, it was learnt that Dr. Baru, with the collusion of some top officials in the presidency, has done everything to undermine the minister who still doubles as the chairman of the NNPC board, effectively rendering him rudderless.

Attempts to get Dr. Baru to respond to the allegations made by DR. Kachikwu in his letter to the president were unsuccessful  as the GMD did not return calls and a text message sent to his phone.
When contacted, the spokesman of the corporation, Ndu Ughamadu, said NNPC had no response to the letter, as it was not addressed to the corporation.

In the letter to the president, which sources reveals was just a tip of the iceberg, the minister accused the NNPC boss of labelling him as “corrupt”, “anti-north,” and also being “in collusion with militants”, in order to convince the president on the need to sideline him (Dr.Kachikwu) in the decision-making process in the state-run oil firm.
Dr. Kachikwu also alleged that Baru awarded about $24 billion major contracts without his input or review by the NNPC board.

The minister added that he wrote the letter to the president after concerted efforts to have a one-on-one appointment with him at the State House fell through since his return from the UK for medical reasons.
Kachikwu’s letter came to light on the social media and blogs just as the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos Tuesday delivered judgment in favour of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Company Limited in a case between the company and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) over the applicability of NIMASA levies.
In the letter dated August 30, 2017, Dr.  Kachikwu alleged that he read about the recent massive changes at NNPC on the pages of the newspapers, as Dr. Baru never discussed the changes with him and members of the board of the corporation.

“Indeed, in anticipation of vacancies that would arise from retiring senior executives of NNPC, I wrote the GMD (Dr. Baru) a letter requesting that we both have prior review of the proposed appointments. This was to enable me to present same to the board or give an anticipatory approval and then review with the board later.
“I wrote to the GMD, given previous happenstance of this nature. In addition, thereafter, I called the GMD to a private meeting where I discussed these issues. Needless to say that, not only did he not give my letter the courtesy of a reply, he proceeded to announce the appointments without consultation or board concurrence,” Kachikwu said.

Kachikwu added that Baru did not also consult the Board Services Committee, whose function it is to review potential appointments and terminations of senior staff prior to implementation.
The minister also alleged that Baru had sidelined the NNPC Board in the awards of contracts.
According to the minister, the legal requirement is that all contracts above $20 million should be reviewed and approved by the NNPC board.
He told the president that in over one year of Baru’s tenure as the boss of NNPC, no contract has been run through the NNPC board.

“This is despite my diplomatic encouragement of Dr. Baru to do so to avoid wrongfully painting you as a president who does not allow due process to thrive in NNPC. Given the history of malpractices and the public perception of NNPC as having a history of non-transparency, the NNPC Tenders Board (NTB) cannot be the final clearance authority for contracts it enters into.
“The NTB, which is a collection of top-level NNPC executives and COOs, with the GMD as chairman, cannot continue to be the final approval authority for multi-million dollar contracts and transactions involving NNPC to the exclusion of the board.

“Board members have singularly and collectively raised these issues to no avail,” Kachikwu explained.
The minister listed major contracts awarded by Baru without the input of NNPC board to include:

1.)  $10 billion crude term contracts;

2.)  $5 billion direct sales direct purchase (DSDP) contracts;

3.)  $3 billion AKK pipeline contract;

4.)  Financing allocation funding contracts worth $3 billion; and

5.)  NPDC production service contracts valued at $3-$4 billion.

“There are much more Your Excellency. In most of these activities, the explanation of the GMD is that you are the Minister of Petroleum and your approvals were obtained.
“However, the correct governance is that the Minister of State and the board review the transaction and give their concurrence prior to presentation to you.
“As in many cases of things that happen in NNPC these days, I learn of transactions only through publications in the media. The question is why is it that other parastatals which I supervise as Minister of State or chair their boards are able to go through these contractual and mandatory governance processes and yet NNPC is exempt from these?

“I know that this bravado management style runs contrary to the cleansing operations you engaged me to carry out at the inception of your administration. This is also not in consonance with your renowned standards of integrity,” Kachikwu said.
Kachikwu informed Buhari that even though the appointments of other heads of parastatals in the Ministry of Petroleum were made without his input, he has maintained a cordial and respectful relationship with all of them.

According to him, the heads of the other parastatals have continued to excel in their areas and adhere to mandatory governance processes.
He revealed that his working relationship with Baru has been “fraught with humiliation, sidelining, and campaigns of character defamation against me”.
“This is particularly frustrating given the many contributions I have made to the growth and stability of the Nigerian oil and gas industry through the many policies I have introduced since August 2015.
“If NNPC is considered and known to be one of the parastatals under the ministry, why does the GMD refuse to report to my office or to the board on serious issues such as above, especially given that I have been by Your Grace, the minister with oversight responsibilities over these parastatals for two years?” Kachikwu queried.

The minister further alleged that when he called for meetings, Baru would send his subordinates without the courtesy of a call to explain his absence.
He said he had managed the bad perception created by Baru’s blatant insubordination and disrespectful attitude and had also worked hard to avoid being seen as petty and meddlesome.
The minister alleged that Baru has created a fear culture in NNPC, against the open administration he had introduced with the president’s support in their first year of pushing reforms.
“NNPC staff are afraid of contacting me to avoid being punished, sidelined in appointments and targeted. Indeed, the key factor for growth and advancement in NNPC of today is to avoid the Minister of State’s Office,” Kachikwu added.

On the allegation being circulated by faceless blogs that he is anti-north, Kachikwu said all his appointments were generated with key inputs from all the COOs of NNPC and were balanced and based strictly on skills, experience, drive and ethnic balancing for senior management positions.
He stated that he is a detribalised Nigerian who grew up in Kano and had worked in various parts of the country.

According to him, he has no reason to be anti-north, as he has also found in his working career that good and skillful people abound everywhere in Nigeria.
He also denied the allegation of corruption being circulated by some blogs, stressing that all contracts awarded under his watch were based on merit, adding that he rarely participated in those contractual processes except to review them.
“Anyone peddling any contrary information is resorting to cheap blackmail,” he said.
Reacting to the allegation that he was in collusion with Niger Delta militants, Kachikwu reminded Buhari that the blueprint of all his engagements with the militants was discussed and approved by him (the president).

According to him, all the engagements with the militants was done in collaboration with the Office of the Vice-President, DSS and NSA, adding that he took the issue of security headlong because it was the primary causative factor for oil production that declined from 2.2 million barrels per day to 1 million barrels per day in November 2016.
“I took on the issue of security headlong because it was the primary causative factor for production that declined from 2.2 mbpd to 1 mbpd at our lowest point (November 2016). At great risk to my life, I visited militant camps, coordinated with our security apparatus, organised the tour of the HEVP (His Excellency the Vice-President) to several frontline states and worked with PANDEF and other groups to bring calm and increase production and some measure of stability to what it is today.

“I have never betrayed the trust that you placed on me. I did not deploy any public financial resources to achieve the results of the Niger Delta region. Most times I have utilised my own personal resources and goodwill accumulated over the many years prior to my appointment to achieve these far-reaching results and of course, all these were coordinated with agencies of government (Office of the VP, DSS, NSA, etc).

“I dare mention that the blueprint of these engagements was discussed with and approved by you.
“Given the sensitivity of my position, I remain one of the most tracked officers of your government, so if there is any truth to these rumours, you would have known,” Kachikwu added.
The minister also urged the president to save the NNPC and the country’s oil and gas industry from collapse arising from non-transparent practices and empower the NNPC board to do the needful.
He pleaded with Buhari to save him from the humiliation and disrespect by compelling NNPC to submit to oversight regulatory mandate and supervision, which he is supposed to manage on behalf of the president.
Kachikwu also wants the president to order the suspension of the recent appointments and promotions in NNPC until he and the NNPC board have made their inputs, noting that this would send a clear signal of process and transparency.

He also asked the president to encourage joint presentation meetings by the heads of parastatals and himself to Buhari in order to foster a culture of working together and implant discipline in the hierarchy.
When contacted to verify the authenticity of the letter, a statement from the Director of Press in the Ministry of Petroleum, Mr. Idang Alibi, confirmed the minister’s letter to the president.
He said in the statement that the letter was part of procedures often adopted to address developments in the ministry.

He stated: “The attention of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has been drawn to a publication on a memo emanating from the HMSPR to the president.
“Please note the following: The communication under reference is a normal procedural correspondence by the minister to the president relating to developments in parastatals under his supervision.
“It is most distressing to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources that a confidential communication to the president on the performance of one of its parastatals can be made public.

“The focus of the communication was on improving efficiency and deepening transparency in the oil and gas sector for continued investor confidence. It is noteworthy that the president has been fully supportive of the efforts of the ministry to entrench good governance and accountability in the oil and gas sector.
“The Ministry of Petroleum Resources remains focused on achieving measurable progress in the implementation of the ongoing oil sector reforms in line with the mandate of the president,” it stated.

SENATE TO PROBE DR. IBE KACHIKWU'S LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUHARI OVER NNPC BOSS, DR. BARU

The Nigerian Senate will be launching a probe into a letter written by the Minister of state of Petroleum Services, Ibe Kachikwu to President Muhammadu Buhari complaining about insubordination and Ill-treatment from the GMD of the Nigerian National petroleum commission(NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru.

It was gathered that the Senate will be investigating the matter after a motion by Senator Samuel Anyanwu which had an amended prayer on the issue by Senator Kabiru Marafa.

Aliyu Wamakko heads the nine-day ad-hoc committee. It was also learnt that no timeframe was given to the ad-hoc committee by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

On Tuesday, Ibe Kachikwu penned an 8-page letter to the president complaining about Baru's ill-treatment towards him.

In the letter, which was leaked to the press, Ibe levelled heavy accusations on Baru, stating that Baru issued contracts without consulting his office, labelled him anti-north, made appointments without due consultation and accused him also of conspiring with militants.

FORMER SENIOR NIGERIAN OFFICIALS JAILED 40 YEARS FOR CORRUPTION

A former Director-General of the Ibadan-based Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Benjamin Ogunmodede, was on Tuesday sentenced to 40 years in jail for corruption.

Mr. Ogunmodede, a professor of agriculture, was convicted and sentenced with two others, Zackeus Tejumola and Adenekan Clement, former Chief Accountant and a staff with the research institute respectively.

While the DG and the Chief Accountant were sentenced to 40 years imprisonment, the staff was sentenced to four years in jail.

“Ogunbodede and Tejumola are therefore sentenced to 40 years imprisonment each for their roles for counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16,” said the judge, Ayo Emmanuel. The sentences, however, will run concurrently and are without the option of fine, the judge ruled. 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had in 2015 arraigned the trio before the Federal High Court in Ibadan on 16-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful diversion, stealing of subvention to the institute and other criminal charges.

The officials are accused of financial impropriety amounting to N192. 5 million. The top management executives of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, IAR&T, Ibadan were arrested by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday morning.

Justice Emmanuel ruled that the convicts stole N177 million from N600 million released to the institute as subvention by the federal government to pay salaries and execute projects.

The judge said the three had during their trial indicated they used part of the money to bribe some unnamed members of the House of Representatives and officials of the Federal Ministry of Finance who helped facilitate the subvention.

Counsel to Mr. Ogunmodede, Tunde Olupona from the law firm of Rotimi Akeredolu, said, though, the trial was fair to all parties, the legal team would review the judgement to see the way forward.
Mr. Ogunmodede is a Reverend in the Anglican Church

SHOCKING: THE BIG NATIONAL QUESTIONS..

There is are some very vital / viral questions on the internet and social media that is very interesting to our collective well-being.

Who signed the 1914 Amalgamation???

Nnamdi Azikiwe was born in 1904(was 10years old when the 1914 treaty was signed)
Obafemi Awolowo was born in 1909(was 5years old when the 1914 treaty was signed)
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was born in 1912(was 2years old before it was signed)
Ahmadu Bello was born in 1910(was 4years old before it was signed)
Michael Okpara was born in 1920 (the treaty has been signed 6years before he was born)

So, Who and who then,  signed these papers on 1914 and called it amalgamation of the Northern Region and Southern Region, that we shall live together as one family without War, Marginalization, Conflict of interest and crisis?

These Nationalists I mentioned above are still sucking breast at the time of this agreement.
You can't bun
hh@h/0'8'090'8'0'mix Red Oil and Palm kernel Oil together to get a good result.
You can't play Jazz and Etigi or skelewu in the club house at the same time and expect a good dance.
Is it that we are learning how to spell Democracy in our country or the teacher does not know how to teach?
Our problems started in 1914 because we don't know who signed it and there names and there intentions for signing it.
If they so called imperialists white signed it in the midnight while we were sleeping, the cock has crown, we have brushed our teeth, and taken our bath. Our eyes have opened to look for the amalgamation treaty and do something about it.
No Northerner can sleep with his eyes closed in the Southern part of Nigeria and no Southerner can do the same in the North. Inter marriage is a Taboo.
After 100years we are still importing toothpicks, going abroad for medical checkup, our lucrative cash crops has gone to moribund, Education for all by the year 2050, Unemployment is a baptismal name for graduates, a police officer cannot boast of his work because of vestige of his salary, our Obasanjo Space Center and Satellite Office at Abuja can not trace the location of Sambisa Forest.
And I repeat it again, who and who signed this treaty?

NEW TSTV IS SET TO CHANGE YOUR INTERNET & SATELLITE TELEVISION EXPERIENCE IN NIGERIA

Many businesses and residential homes usually incur two separate but regular bills that may not be of essential needs in the real sense of it but many people feel they cannot do without them -Internet and satellite television subscription.

Would it not be nice to have one solution that provides you with both at a cheap rate? This is exactly what the newly-launched TSTV is bringing. You can depending on how heavily you use data for example, subscribe to Internet and satellite TV for N3,000 per month or even less if you are a light user. Some people pay higher rates to get Internet on their smartphones alone. This for us is the real game-changing proposition that TSTV has over DSTV and StarTimes which are currently No. 1 and 2 in the Nigerian satellite/Pay-TV market.

TSTV explains it thus:

“We will pioneer the introduction of Smart set top boxes in Nigeria DTH industry.” it set-up box as the following features:

“HD SMART Set Top Box (Connected Set top box) converts your existing LED TV into a Smart TV besides showing you more than 100 Channels & services in High Definition and Standard Definition. While the DTH tech in it brings television channels in Standard Definition and High Definition, the Connected set top box allows one to browse content from Twitter, Facebook, Daily Motion, video on demand sites, Over the Top, OTT apps, news, weather etc. through applications residing on STB. Our HD Smart Set Top Box will work as a tool for personalization, engagement, and new customer experiences and with internet connectivity, one can convert one‘s TV into a smart TV using it. Subscribers are entitled to a complementary 20GB internet capacity every month and this service is available for extension on demand.

“TSTV STB Back-Office End-to-End Solution is an easy-to-maintain solution for delivering TV, Video-On-Demand, and interactive services to end users who use LAN. It suits for schools, hospitals, hotels, communities, securities firms and so on.

“TSTV STB platform also includes in-built fast Wi-Fi, up to 802.11ac, 1 GBit/s Ethernet and USB 3.0 interface. TSTV STB supports built-in Bluetooth 4.0, RF for hybrid remote controls and support of Smart Home services via Zigbee/Thread standard. Multichannel video recording is possible via fast external USB 3.0 hard disks up to 50 Gigabyte capacity. Our Smart STBs also have the capacity to make video calls with other TSTV subscribers via IP.”

Not only can you watch the channels that TSTV is having on its satellite platform, you can also stream other content from the Internet including but not limited to YouTube.

TSTV Purchase and Subscription Rates

TSTV decoder plus dish goes for N5,000 (you might have to pay extra for installation which is a separate service).

As you can see, very attractive rates:

TSTv daily plan – N200 plus 500MB
TSTv 3 days plan – N500 plus 1GB
TSTv Weekly plan – N750 plus 2GB
TSTv 10 days plan – N1,000 plus 3GB
TSTv 2 Weeks plan – N1,500 plus 5GB
TSTv Monthly Plan – N3,000 Plus 10GB

This kind of ‘democritization’ of Satellite TV and Internet access to Nigerians is likely to unleash our creativity and force the likes of DSTV and StarTimes to provide similar or better services.

OBASANJO DEBUT INTO COMEDY ACTING IN A NEW COMEDY SKIT

Former president of Nigeria, chf. Olusegun Obasanjo is set to make his debut into acting, in a comedy skit from the widely anticipated episode of ‘Dele Issues’.

Nollywood star Samuel Ajibola has unveiled to the world a behind-the-scenes photo from the widely anticipated episode of ‘Dele Issues’. This episode features the former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo and is scheduled for release on the 14th of October 2017.

Samuel Ajibola who is popularly known as Spiff in the sitcom 'The Johnsons' made the announcement on social networking site Instagram, he wrote; 

“I’ve had this picture for Months, but I’ve been looking at this Picture for the past 3 days, knowing I was going to post it up this Morning but not knowing what to write under it as a Caption. Then I woke up this Morning and the first song that came to me was “you raised me up so I can stand on mountains, you raised me up to walk on stormy seas, I am strong when I’m on your shoulders, you raise me up to more than I can be” And then I got it! This is it! What I’ve been looking for? My caption would revolve around the Grace of God. To start with, Who am I?

That on my very own first project as a Producer (I’m talking about the Dele Issues nonsense I’ve been disturbing you guys with every time on social media..lol), that I would have the privilege of having a Former president of my Country (Chief Olusegun Obasanjo) feature in my own skit because of an idea I just conceived in my mind once? I meant, as at the time I thought of this idea I thought I was just being crazy, but then again I remembered a quote I’ve seen some time ago that says ” your dreams are not Big if they don’t scare you”.

All I did thereafter was to chase this dream and I left everything to God’s hands. Now I can confidently say that on the 14th of October on my YouTube channel ( just search “Samuel Ajibola TV” and you will see it) I would be posting the #Deleissues (special edition) skit by 12 pm. If there is any advice I can give you young guys out there, it is this. ”Please don’t be ever scared to chase your dreams that came from any crazy idea you’ve ever thought of in your head. Write it down and chase that dream with every single thing you’ve got. I mean, you’d never know…Just like me.” 

This special episode would mark as the high point of the entire web series as the former president Olusegun Obasanjo makes his acting debut and show the world a side they've never seen or heard of him.

The web series, Dele Issues (Daily Issues), revolves around the main character; Dele, who always takes on different roles. The skits are popular for having elements of comedy and satire – ultimately making the series a must-watch.

Photo credit: Samuel Ajibola

BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI ON OCTOBER 1ST, 2017

My dear Nigerians,

October 1st remains a special date for all Nigerians as this marks the day when we attained one of the most precious of human desires — freedom.

Over the years the country has gone through trials and tribulations, but October 1st is always a day for celebrations.

It is a day for thanks giving, reflection and re-dedication.

It is also a day for remembrance. We should remind ourselves of the recent journey from 1999 – 2015, when our country happily returned to democratic rule.

However, in spite of oil prices being an average of $100 per barrel and about 2.1m barrels a day, that great piece of luck was squandered and the country’s social and physical infrastructure neglected.

We were left with no savings and huge infrastructure deficit.

The APC Government’s Campaign rallying cry to restore security, re-balance the economy and fight corruption was not all rhetoric.

The country must first be secured. The economy must be re-balanced so that we do not depend on oil alone. We must fight corruption which is Nigeria’s Number One Enemy. Our Administration is tackling these tasks in earnest.

In the past two years, Nigeria has recorded appreciable gains in political freedom. A political Party at the Centre losing elections of State Governor, National Assembly seat and even State Assemblies to the opposition parties is new to Nigeria. Added to these are complete freedom to associate, to hold and disseminate opinions. Such developments clearly attest to the country’s growing political development. But like all freedoms, this is open to abuse.

Recent calls on re-structuring, quite proper in a legitimate debate, has let in highly irresponsible groups to call for dismemberment of the country. We can not and we will not allow such advocacy.

As a young Army Officer, I took part from the beginning to the end in our tragic civil war costing about 2m lives, resulting in fearful destruction and untold suffering. Those who are agitating for a re-run were not born by 1967 and have no idea of the horrendous consequences of the civil conflict which we went through.

I am very disappointed that responsible leaders of these communities do not warn their hot-headed youths what the country went through. Those who were there should tell those who were not there, the consequences of such folly.

At all events, proper dialogue and any desired constitutional changes should take place in a rational manner, at the National and State Assemblies. These are the proper and legal fora for National debate, not some lop-sided, un-democratic body with pre-determined set of objectives.

Government is keeping up the momentum of dialogue with stakeholders in the Niger Delta to keep the peace. We intend to address genuine grievances of the communities.

Government is grateful to the responsible leadership of those communities and will pursue lasting peace in the Niger Delta.

SECURITY

On security, Nigerians must be grateful to our gallant Armed Forces for rolling back the frontiers of Boko Haram’s terrorism, defeating them and reducing them to cowardly attacks on soft and vulnerable targets.

Nigeria is grateful to its neighbours and the international community for the collective efforts to defeat this world-wide menace of terrorism.

Not even the most organized and most equipped police and security forces in the world can escape the menace of modern day terrorism, as we have seen in recent years in Europe and other parts of the world.

But we are not letting up. Our Armed Forces in an effort to enhance the operational capability of troops of OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE have established Mobile Strike Teams in the North East. These will ensure the final push to wipe out the remnants of Boko Haram.

In addition, through targeted air strikes most of the leadership and identified logistics bases and routes of the insurgents have been neutralized. The Armed Forces have established a Naval presence in the Lake Chad Basin as part of the coordinated military efforts to curtail the movements or re-emergence of the sect in the area.

Government is working round the clock to ensure release of the remaining Chibok girls, as well as other persons in Boko Haram captivity. Government will continue to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies to fight not only terrorism, but kidnapping, armed robberies, herdsmen/farmers violence and to ensure peace, stability and security in our country.

ECONOMY

With respect to the economy, the Government has remained pro-active in its diversification policy. The Federal Government’s agricultural Anchor Borrowers Programme, which I launched in November 2015, has been an outstanding success with:

    N43.92 billion released through the CBN and 13 participating institutions,
    200,000 small holder farmers from 29 states of the federation benefitting,
    233,000 hectares of farmland cultivating eight commodities, namely Rice, Wheat, Maize, Cotton, soya-beans, Poultry, Cassava and Groundnuts, in addition to fish farming.

These initiatives have been undertaken in close collaboration with the states. I wish to commend the efforts of the Governors of Kebbi, Lagos, Ebonyi and Jigawa States for their support to the rice and fertilizer revolutions.

Equally commendable are contributions of the Governors of Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Cross River, Benue, Ogun, Kaduna and Plateau States for their support for the Presidential initiative for palm oil, rubber, cashew, cassava, potatoes and others crops.

With the abundance of rainfall last year and this year, agriculture has enjoyed Divine intervention.

Since December last year, this Administration has produced over 7 million 50Kg bags of fertilizer. Eleven blending plants with a capacity of 2.1 million metric tons have been reactivated. We have saved $150 million in foreign exchange and N60 billion in subsidy. Fertilizer prices have dropped from N13,000 per 50Kg bag to N5,500.

Furthermore, a new presidential initiative is starting with each state of the Federation creating a minimum of 10,000 jobs for unemployed youths, again with the aid of CBN’s development finance initiatives.

Power remains a huge problem. As of September 12th, production of power reached an all — time high of 7,001 Megawatts. Government is increasing its investment, clearing up the operational and financial log jam bedeviling the industry. We hope to reach 10,000 Megawatts by 2020.

Key priorities include better energy mix through solar and Hydro technologies. I am glad to say that after many years of limbo, Mambilla Power Project has taken off.

Elsewhere in the economy the special window created for manufacturers, investors and exporters, foreign exchange requirements has proved very effective. Since April, about $7 billion has come through this window alone. The main effect of these policies is improved confidence in the economy and better investment sentiments.

The country has recorded 7 consecutive months of lower inflation, Naira rate is beginning to stabilize, appreciating from N525 per $1 in  February this year to N360 today. Broad-based economic growth is leading us out of recession.

Furthermore, in order to stabilize the polity, the Federal Government gave additional support to states in the form of:

    State Excess Crude Account loans,
    Budget Support Facility,
    Stabilization Fund Release to state and local government as follows:
    N200 billion in 2015
    N441 billion in 2016
    N1 trillion in 2017

Altogether totaling N1.642 trillion.

This was done to enable states to pay outstanding salaries, pensions and small business suppliers who had been all but crippled over the years.

In addition, the Government’s current N500 billion Special Intervention Programme is targeting groups through;

    Home Grown School Feeding Programme,
    N-Power Job creation to provide loans to small-scale traders and artisans,
    Conditional Cash Transfer,
    Family Homes Fund and
    Social Housing Scheme.

CORRUPTION

Fellow Nigerians,

We are fully aware that fighting corruption was never going to be a straightforward task. We expected corrupt elements to use any weapon to fight back, mainly judicial obstruction and political diversion. But we are determined to eradicate corruption from our body politic.

In this fight, the Government has:

    Empowered teams of prosecutors,
    Assembled detailed databases,
    Accelerated the recovery of stolen funds.

The Administration’s new institutional reforms include:

    Enforcing Treasury Single Account,
    Whistle-Blowers Policy,
    Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System.

We have signed multi-lateral cooperation agreements on criminal matters with friendly countries. There are signs of increasing cooperation from the Judiciary. Recently the Chief Justice of the Federation directed Heads of all our Courts of first instance and Appeal to accelerate hearings of corruption cases and dismiss any judicial officers found to have been compromised.

Justice Salami has just been appointed to chair the Judiciary’s anti-graft committee. Government expects a lot from this Committee.

I commend the National Assembly for refocusing on its oversight committees. They should, in addition, ensure swift passage of enabling corruption laws. But fighting corruption is a bottom to top operation. I call on all Nigerians to combat corruption at every turn. By not asking for and refusing to accept a bribe, by reporting unethical practices or by blowing a whistle, together we can beat corruption. The government for its part will work for accountability at all levels – Federal, State and Local Governments. CHANGE will then be real.

As we enter the second half of our term of office, we intend to accelerate progress and intensify our resolve to fix the country’s challenges and problems.

Thank you and a happy holiday to all of you.

God bless our country.

KANU: Extradite Nnamdi Kanu to Nigeria now – Rights group tells UK government

​A human rights group, Advocate of Social Justice for All has called for the immediate extradition of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra back to Nigeria.

The group said it was disappointed that the UK government was hiding Kanu, after he had caused the death of many persons in Nigeria.

The rights group was reacting to the shocking revelation made by former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu that Kanu fled to London through Malaysia.

The ex- Abia state governor had said, “Kanu was not taken away by the military. Kanu went to Malaysia from where he travelled to the United Kingdom.”

Reacting, however, ASJA said it was disappointed to learn that Kanu was hiding in the United Kingdom after illegally travelling through Cameroon and Malaysia.

It said the development was a clear indication that the UK was harbouring a fugitive from Justice and this was irrespective of him holding dual nationalism – Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

“The proper thing is for the UK to have allowed Kanu answer the treason charges against him in Nigeria before making any intervention,” the group said in a statement by its Executive Director, Asongo Venatius,.

ASJA said it was supremely irresponsible for the UK High Commission in Nigeria to have issued its statement seeking clarification on Nnamdi Kanu when it knew it was in cahoots with the terrorist leader.

He added, “The irresponsible behaviour became diabolic when the UK issued him an emergency travel document in collaboration with crisis merchants. This is the worst form of double standard ever.

“We are at a loss to understand what the UK Mission in Nigeria or even the home country stands to gain by mischievously sinking so low to aid and facilitate his sneaking out of the country. This is a disgrace to the government and people of the United Kingdom, it is a blot that can only be erased by the government of the UK flushing out Kanu and all other bad elements that are trying to sabotage Nigeria.

“If the UK truly believes in freedom, it must extradite Kanu, who is facing charges in a Nigerian court, so that those who stood surety to perfect his bail conditions do not end up in jail if he fails to show up for his trial.

“Even where the UK has decided to spurn the ties that existed between it and Nigeria, we advise it to revisit the ill-advised choice of backing a terrorist against the Nigerian state. “As the UK should have learnt from initially supporting ISIS terrorists, the attacks by these sick minds would eventually take place on its soil.

“The Advocates of Social Justice for All (ASJA) therefore demands that the UK High Commission in Nigeria immediately extradite Nnamdi Kanu to stand trial for his crime before his October 17, 2017 court appearance. Failure to do this will see ASJA leading Nigerians to occupy the UK High Commission’s premises in a manner it has never experienced before in any other part of the world.”