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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

.Automatic return as the President of the Senate in 2019

.More consultation and inclusiveness in key decisions henceforth

.Mutual Executive-Legislature relationship

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

.Reconciling with all aggrieved leaders of nPDP

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some of the major complaints on nPDP are:

Grudges on the conduct of state congresses

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A post shared by Mr BFN (@blackfacenaija)

HND, DEGREE HOLDERS TO GET EQUAL SALARIES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Senate (Hallowed) Chamber

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ROWDY SENATE AS SENATORS DISAGREE OVER CONFIRMATION OF FERMA BOARD NOMINEES

Senate (Hallowed) Chamber

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHY I DRIVE A 2008 MODEL VEHICLE — BANKY W

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NEW MINIMUM WAGE: TUC SPEAKS ON AMOUNT AGREED WITH FG

Mr Bobboi Kaigama

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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