SENATE PRESIDENT, BUKOLA SARAKI SPEAKS AGAINST DUMPING APC FOR PDP

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said that he will not dump the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Senate President spoke with journalists through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, on Tuesday.

He pointed out that as a founding father of the APC, he would remain in the party.

He said, “There is nothing like that and there is nothing to suggest that. Every member must come from somewhere. Are you going to ask the President [Muhammadu Buhari] whether he would go back to the Congress for Progressive Change?

“You’re not going to ask Asiwaju [Bola Tinubu] whether he will return to the Action Congress of Nigeria.

“Everybody has where they are coming from. As far as my principal is concerned, he is a founding father of this party. There is nothing like that.”

The former Governor of Kwara State was among 10 other members of the Senate, who on January 29, 2014, announced their defection from the PDP to the APC.

The 11 lawmakers had written to the then Senate President, Senator David Mark, to officially declare their defection.

A former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had over a week ago announced his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and last weekend he officially returned to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

His move prompted speculations that other APC bigwigs may also dump the party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

BIG BROTHER NAIJA 2018: BISOLA REVEALS SECRET OF SUCCESS AT AUDITION

Bisola Aiyeola, the second runner-up of the 2017 edition of the Big Brother Naija reality TV show, has revealed the secret for success at the auditions.

DAILY POST had reported that Big Brother Naija has returned with auditions for the 2018 edition scheduled to hold on the 9th and 10th of December 2017 in six different venues across Nigeria

In a post on her Instagram Page, Bisola advised her fans interested in the show to be at their best at the auditions and also hope for the best.

She added that she had to audition severally before she was finally selected.

Bisola wrote: “Hey guys BBNaija is here again and you can be the next big thing. Just bring your ‘A’ game to the auditions and hope for the best.

“It’s not about how you dress, what you say or how you pose.

“Just Carry yourself; dress up how you deem fit and go for the audition.

“I wish you the best!”

-Daily Post Nigeria

SARS ARRESTS STAFF OF BUDGIT NIGERIA, MOSES MOTONI, AMIDST CALLS TO END ANTI-ROBBERY SQUAD

Moses Motoni, a staff of BudgIT Nigeria, is currently in the detention of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for an offense not known to him. His arrest happened just a  day after the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris Kpotum, gave an order to reorganize SARS operations across Nigeria following social media outcry calling for a total abrogation of the controversial unit.

The allegation against Moses Motoni is that some lawmakers from Niger State have gotten SARS to arrest a staff of BudgIT NG because he is sensitising people in Niger State about the budget.

SaharaReporters learned that Mr. Motoni had been put under SARS’ radar under the instruction of Senator Mohamed Sani, representing Niger South Senatorial District of Niger State. Mr. Motoni was closely tracked after participating in a sensitization program in Bida, Niger State.

Speaking to our correspondent, a friend of Mr. Motoni revealed that he had received an SMS from DHL Nigeria to pick up a parcel at Makarfi Plaza at Central Market, Kaduna State, but unknown to him, he was walking into a trap.

“Moses received an SMS from DHL Nigeria to pick up a parcel at Markafi. He went to pick it but when he got there, he was shocked to be apprehended by some SARS officers who forced him into a car and drove off. That was when he knew that the SARS officers were posing as the staff of DHL,” he narrated.

SaharaReporters gathered that Mr. Motoni was denied bail and the police barred anyone from seeing him by ordering officers at the security post to either send away or detain anybody who came looking for him.

It was reported that Senator Sani had invited Mr. Motoni to his house for a meeting after the sensitization at Bida, but Mr. Motoni declined the invitation and headed to Kaduna State where he was eventually arrested.

Mr. Motoni was initially detained at Metro Police Station, Enugu Road, Kaduna, but he is being transported to the SARS headquarters in Abuja where he will remain in detention.
 Moses Motoni

http://saharareporters.com/2017/12/05/sars-arrests-staff-budgit-nigeria-moses-motoni-amidst-calls-end-anti-robbery-squad

http://saharareporters.com/2017/12/05/sars-arrests-staff-budgit-nigeria-moses-motoni-amidst-calls-end-anti-robbery-squad

https://mobile.twitter.com/BudgITng

BudgIT NG is a civic organisation that aims to make budgets of Nigerian government entities accessible to the public.

They publish the budgets of the Federal Government, its branches (executive, legislature and judiciary) and its ministries, departments and agencies online and encourage citizens to scrutinise the budgets. They also scrutinise the budgets of state and local governments.

http://yourbudgit.com/about-us/

Mr. Motoni, Project Tracking Officer of BudgIT, was arrested in Kaduna State by some unidentified SARS personnel who disguised as delivery men from DHL Nigeria.

BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK
DEC 05, 2017

YOUNG SOUTH AFRICAN GIRL POST TOPLESS PHOTO OF HERSELF ON FACEBOOK

A pretty young South African lady, Míllíćént O’Nókuthúlà Mśizá, who shouldn't be above 17 in age took to facebook to proudly flaunt her bare tits, closing just the nipples and areola, for all interested to see and admire her beauty.
This has now gone viral on all social media.

CHRISTMAS BONUS: UGWUANYI APPROVES 13TH MONTH SALARY FOR WORKERS

In keeping with the commitment of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration to the welfare of the workers, the Enugu State Executive Council (EXCO), today approved a 13th month salary for civil servants of the state as an added boost to celebrate the forthcoming Christmas.
The approval was the outcome of the meeting between the leadership of the Organized Labour in the state and the Council, held at the Government House, Enugu.

Reacting to the development, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Virginus Nwobodo stated that the gesture was unprecedented in the history of the state, considering the nation’s economic downturn that has made it impossible for many states to pay workers’ salaries.

Comrade Nwobodo commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for the offer, which he said was a surprise package borne out of his magnanimity and an incentive to the workers to motivate them to discharge their duties efficiently.

The Labour leader urged the state workers to reciprocate the gesture by putting in their best to increase productivity.

Also speaking, the state Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe, who equally appreciated the state government’s gesture, noted that the beauty of the offer is that the workers never asked or agitated for it, saying: “It was freely given to us and because of that, it is another milestone in this administration of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. and Comrade Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who is always passionate about workers’ welfare”

Comrade Igbokwe, who stated that the workers are part of the Enugu project, maintained that the leadership of the union and the workers will continue to appreciate the gesture and reciprocate by discharging their responsibilities for the growth and development of the state.

“We use this opportunity to commend His Excellency for his kind gesture and to continue to say that as Oliver Twist, good things will continue to come. Our prayer is that the state will continue to improve and increase its revenue so that more things will come the way of the workers”, Comrade Igbokwe said.

SENATOR AYO ARISE KIDNAPPED, ABDUCTORS SEEK N80M RANSOM

Senator Ayo Arise

A former Senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Ayo Arise, was on Sunday kidnapped by gunmen.

He was kidnapped alongside his driver on the Okene-Abuja highway while travelling back to Abuja from his country home in Oye-Ekiti.

He was said to be travelling in his Mercedez Jeep as of the time of the incident.

A family source said the abductors had contacted his family and demanded N80m ransom from them.

The All Progressives Congress’ chieftain was said to have attended a ceremony at Ikere-Ekiti on Saturday, where a chieftaincy title was conferred on a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, said, “Yes, he visited Ekiti State on Saturday before returning to Abuja.

“When we wanted to establish contact with him, we could not. The last time I called him was around 6pm, so the kidnap must have taken place around 7 pm.

“They have contacted us and demanded a sum of N80m ransom. We are worried because we don’t know his situation.

“The family is working hard to secure his release and we have contacted all the relevant agencies, including the Police, to come to our aid,” he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ekiti, Alberto Adeyemi, a Superintendent of Police, said he could not speak on the matter since the reported kidnap took place in Kogi State, which is outside his jurisdiction.

Arise was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation between 2007 and 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

He defected to the APC in 2015, having been denied the senatorial ticket of the PDP.

Nigeria Has Second Largest HIV Epidemic Worldwide: UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has reported that Nigeria purportedly has the second largest HIV epidemic in the world and has one of the highest new infection rates in sub-Saharan Africa.

This is just as it said 720,000 Nigerians are on United States PEPFAR-supported HIV treatment with approximately four million Nigerians having received HIV counseling and testing services in 2017 alone.
The acting Public Affairs Officer of the United States Consulate, Kevin Krapf, made this disclosure during the commemoration of the 2017 World AIDS day held in Lagos.

The commemoration was organised by the consulate in collaboration with the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) led by the Provost, Professor Babatunde Solagberu.
With the programmed theme: ‘Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability and Partnerships’, Krapf said it reflects the US government longstanding leadership in addressing global HIV/AIDS, increasing our impact to move epidemics from crisis toward control.

He said: “It also highlights the historic opportunity to accelerate progress toward controlling, and ultimately ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat in countries around the world.
“Finally, it emphasises the critical role of transparency, accountability, and partnerships in reaching these goals.

“According to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Nigeria has the second largest HIV epidemic in the world and has one of the highest new infection rates in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Many people living with HIV in Nigeria are unaware of their status due to insufficient recommended number of HIV testing and counselling centres.

“Low access of antiretroviral treatment remains an issue for people living with HIV in Nigeria, and I welcome the new commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to use domestic funds to provide antiretroviral drugs to an additional 50,000 people living with HIV each year.
“The US government, through PEPFAR, has helped not only to save and improve millions of lives, but also transformed the global HIV/AIDS response.

“Currently, more than 720,000 Nigerians are on PEPFAR-supported HIV treatment and approximately four million Nigerians have received HIV counselling and testing services in 2017.
“Also, approximately 50,000 pregnant women have received antiretroviral drugs to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.” Krapf added: “We are at an unprecedented moment in the global HIV/AIDS response. For the first time in modern history, we have the opportunity to change the very course of a pandemic by controlling it without a vaccine or a cure.

“Controlling the pandemic will lay the groundwork for eliminating or eradicating HIV which we hope will be possible through the future scientific breakthroughs which will lead to an effective HIV vaccine and cure.
“The US government continues to lead the way in the global HIV/AIDS response. But no one country or entity alone can end the AIDS pandemic.
“We are proud to partner governments, the private sector, philanthropic organisations, multilateral institutions, academic institutions, civil society and faith-based organisations, people living with HIV and many others in this project.

“Through this collective effort, we also expect to reduce the future costs required to sustain the HIV/AIDS response.”
It further said: “To accelerate progress toward HIV/AIDS epidemic control, PEPFAR continues to leverage the capabilities, assets, and technological know-how of the private sector, creating innovative solutions to complex problems.”

While thanking the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency for conducting a state-wide aggressive campaign, counselling and HIV/AIDS testing through its mobile clinic initiative, Krapf said their​determination to ensure a zero prevalence of HIV in the state aligns with the strategic plan of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
He also commended the Society for Family Health for providing quality health services to Nigerians, particularly the poor and vulnerable.

BREAKING: GUNMEN ABDUCT SENATOR AYO ARISE

NEW MINIMUM WAGE: PREPARE FOR WAR, LABOUR TELLS WORKERS

Following the perceived dominance of governors who owe workers’ salaries representing Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, in the 30-man committee inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari to fashion out a new national minimum wage, there are fears that the road to a fresh wage regime may not be easy.

In fact, organised labour has advised workers to prepare for war to make the new minimum wage a reality, warning that there could be a stalemate and protracted negotiations.

While the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, had, since two years ago, demanded for a N56,000 new minimum wage, United Labour Congress of Nigeria, ULC, on its part, demanded for N90,000.

Meanwhile, the NLC has given indication that it will ask for more than N56,000, whereas the ULC is saying even N100,000 minimum wage will not be enough considering the indices and socio-economic realities on the ground.

The leaders of organised labour, represented by NLC and ULC, yesterday, took a suspicious look at the representatives of the NGF on the national minimum wage committed raised by the President, last week.

The governors in the committee are Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State; Hassan Dankwambo, Gombe State; Simeon Lalong of Plateau State and Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State

The committee headed by a former Head of Service of the Federation, Ama Pepple, has membership drawn from the government, the private sector and the Organised Labour.

Speaking to  Sunday  Vanguard on the issue, the President of the ULC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said: “The presence of these governors in the committee, the fact that some of those representing the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, are mainly those who are not paying salaries and pensions speaks volume. In fact, we fear a stalemate because these governors represent anti-salary payment. They may be coming to justify why there should not be increment in salary.

These are governors who have not been able to pay the N18,000 minimum wage. They may be coming to tell you that the governors cannot bear the extra burden of salary increment.

“Surely, they have no moral justification to be in the committee unless it was by design by the NGF for these governors to represent the group. If that is the case, then the governors have an agenda to frustrate the emergence of a new national minimum wage. Therefore, we foresee protracted negotiations . As Organised Labour, we have to prepare for war; a long time battle to confront these governors because they do not want to pay even anything. However they come, we will engage them and ensure that the yearning of workers for a living wage, not just a minimum wage, is met. We have all the indices to justify our demand for even N100,000 minimum wage because    the socio-economic condition, the inflation, the cost of living, the depreciation of the Naira and so on, are there for every body to see.”

Similarly, speaking through its General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, the NLC said it was not unmindful of the dominance of governors that are owing salaries and pensions representing the NGF.

“We noticed the dominance of these governors in the representation of the NGF. The principle of tripartitism    is that each party is free to choose its representative. So, the Governors’ Forum has chosen its representatives, there is nothing we can do about that. Yes, we noticed that most of those representing the governors are those owing salaries and pension.

But we still have the governor of Plateau State, who inherited a backlog of salaries on assumption of office, has not only cleared all the arrears, he is paying as and when due. We advise other governors to learn from him. So, his presence in the committee is a plus. Nevertheless, we will engage the committee with facts and figures, we will engage the committee and address issues as they come. We are prepared, Ozo-Eson said.

“We have equally said it publicly that, at the time we presented our demand for N56,000 new minimum wage, we did so with the indices on ground two years ago. Today, those indices are different based on the socio-economic reality on ground.

Today, a lot of things have taken place. There is high inflation, there is depreciation of the Naira, there is general high cost of living and there is the exchange rate factor. We expect the committee to look at these issues and aggregate things. We hope this committee will function like the last one. The last one even commissioned sub-committees to look at the socio-economic indices on the ground  before arriving at the present minimum wage.”

Textile workers demand speedy negotiation

In a related development, workers in the textile industry have pleaded with the minimum wage committee to fast-track negotiations for a new wage, to recover lost time, saying workers will not have patience for unnecessary delays.

Speaking through the General Secretary of National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, and a member of the National Executive Council, NEC, of NLC, Issa Aremu, the workers commended the inauguration of the minimum wage review committee.

“The five year cycle of the current Minimum Wage Act legally backing the subsisting negotiated minimum wage of N18000 signed by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010 was due for negotiation in 2015, two years ago. The historic inauguration once again demonstrates the globally acknowledged concern of President Muhammadu Buhari to the welfare of the workers and citizens in general as contained in 1999 constitution.

History will record it that at a time some state governors unacceptably defaulted in paying workers as and when due, the President commendably wondered aloud to ask how these governors go to bed while for whatever reasons their workforce are not paid. President Buhari also went further to work his fatherly concern through serial bail outs of the defaulting states”, Aremu said.

Also speaking, yesterday, the National President of Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigerian (MHWUN), Comrade Biobelemoye Josiah, said Labour had a trusted leadership that will not allow government to use the minimum wage issue as a means of scoring political point.

“We are certain that should government try to employ delay tactics for any selfish gain, our leadership will pull out”, he said.

Josiah, who was fielding  questions from journalists in Abuja at a reception ceremony organised by the Association of Medical Laboratory Technicians and Assistants of Nigeria (AMELTAN) in his honour said the NLC had made its demand known and was not likely going to change the position.

- The Vanguard

20 MORE EXOTIC CARS FOR REPS ARRIVE, 100 MORE TO ARRIVE, EACH UNIT COSTS N17m

Report by the PUNCH on Sunday has it that not less than twenty (20) more exotic cars imported for members of the House of Representatives have arrived at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

Findings showed that the additional 20 units brought the total number of cars delivered to 260.

It implies that 100 units are still being awaited to make the vehicles go round all 360 members of the House.

Otherwise known as ‘utility’ or ‘committee’ vehicles, the House is buying 360 units of Peugeot 508 for legislative services.

Each unit is supplied at the price tag of N17m. This leaves the total cost of the 360 units at N6.1bn.

Investigations indicated that the 20 units started arriving at the legislative building early last week and as of Friday, all had been delivered.

The cars were neatly parked at a filling station adjoining the National Assembly Annex I and II premises. The filling station and the premises are separated by a barbed wire fence.

One National Assembly official said, “These additions came after so much pressure was mounted on the Chairman, Committee on House Services, Mr. Nasiru Baballe-Ila, by members.

“You will recall that the delayed supply of the utility cars since 2015 has been a source of friction in the House.

“Many members are disappointed in Baballe-Ila that in almost three years, his committee and the bureaucracy of the National Assembly are unable to supply utility vehicles to members.

“You will recall that as recently as October, about 120 members still did not have cars. With the additional 20, it means that 100 more lawmakers will wait into the New Year (2018) to get cars.”

The PUNCH gathered on Sunday that Baballe-Ila had convinced the leadership of House in 2015 to opt for Peugeot 508 cars with an initial understanding with Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited to supply the units in phases.

However, PAN reportedly later became uncomfortable with the deal, while the committee opened the gates for several sub-contractors to assume the supply of the vehicles.

With the development, The PUNCH learnt that most of the units were not supplied by PAN, but by other contractors, who resorted to importing the units from outside Nigeria, especially Dubai in the United Arab Emirate.

PAN’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Haroun Malami, told The PUNCH that his firm was no longer deeply involved in the supplies.

He stated, “The choice of Peugeot 508 against all other brands was based on overall value offered by the vehicle in terms of price, performance and residual value; the sub-contracting arrangement by the National Assembly was based on financial ease of transaction to the legislative arm.
“We are uniquely placed and committed to meet national and customers’ demand who are committed in meeting their financial obligation.”

Last October, some members had returned their cars to Baballe-Ila after they developed faults under 90 days of being delivered to them.
When he was contacted for comments on Sunday, the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Abdulrazak Namdas, informed The PUNCH that the arrival of the additional units merely confirmed the promise of the House to deliver the vehicles to members in batches.
“The cars will come in batches until all the members have their utility vehicles,” he stated.

Efforts by The PUNCH to get Baballe-Ila’s comments failed on Sunday.

The All Progressives Congress lawmaker from Kano State also did not respond to a text message our correspondent sent to him.

http://punchng.com/20-more-exotic-cars-for-reps-arrive/