SEN. AKPABIO DIDN’T MAKE GOV. UDOM EMMANUEL GOVERNOR OF AKWA IBOM – PDP CHIEFTAIN

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom state, Mr Paulo Akaiso has faulted the claim by Senator Godswill Akpabio that he single-handedly installed Mr. Udom Emmanuel as the Governor of the state in 2015.

Akaiso stressed that the emergence of Emmanuel as governor was orchestrated by divine mandate and not by senator Akpabio.

He stated this in a press statement made available to journalists in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, while reacting to claims by Senator Akpabio that Governor Udom Emmanuel could not have won councillorship election in his ward since he was not a registered PDP member.

Akaiso said Akpabio brought Udom by divine arrangement as the most qualified governor and by truth Udom defeated other contenders to cling the governorship position of the state.

While refuting that Udom has been a stooge, the PDP chieftain said that Udom’s emergence as governor has brought peace and development to all facets of the economy and that Akwa Ibom people are out to re-elect him for another term.

“There is nowhere Udom Emmanuel will not come out successful in the coming polls, because he has proven himself right in many facets, He has also proven that he is not a sectional governor, he has touched all parts of the state in his development program,” he said.

He specifically commended the Peoples Democratic Party-led government in the area of security stressing that the era of kidnapping where hoodlums entered into churches premises to kidnap and kill Akwa Ibom sons and daughters has stopped.

“Let me tell you that Udom Emmanuel administration has recorded great feat in the area of security comparing the state between 2011/2015, where kidnappers entered churches kidnapped and killed Akwa Ibom sons and daughters without molestation,” the PDP chieftain said.

FG, STATES AND LGAS SHARES N812BN

A total of N812.762 billion has been shared among the three levels of government for the month of November.

According to a statement issued by the Technical Sub -Committee of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) at the end of its December meeting, indicated that the Gross statutory revenue received was N649.629 billion.

This sum is lower than the N682.161 billion received in the previous month by N32.533 billion. Breakdown of the total distributable revenue of N812.762 billion, comprised the Statutory Revenue of N649.629billion, Gross Value Added Tax of N92.079billion, Forex Equalisation of N70.000 billion and An Exchange Gain of N1.055 billion.

Therefore, from the Gross statutory revenue, Federal Government received N280.913 billion representing 52.68%; States received N142.483 billion representing 26.72%; Local Government Councils received N109.848 billion representing 20.60%; while the Oil Producing States received N47.882 billion also representing 13% derivation revenue.

Furthermore, the breakdown of distribution to the 3 tiers from Value Added Tax (VAT), include: Federal Government received N13.259 billion representing 15%; States received N44.198 billion representing 50% while the Local Government Councils received N30.938 billion, also representing 35%.

Meanwhile, the Communique added that the revenue from the Company Income Tax(CIT) increased significantly while revenues from Value Added Tax (VAT), Import Duty, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) and Foreign Oil and Gas, Domestic Oil and Gas Royalties all decreased. The balance on Excess Crude Account as at 19th December , 2018 is $631 million.

BUDGET 2019 DRAMA: PRESIDENT BUHARI WHISKED AWAY, ‎SARAKI, DOGARA ABORT SPEECHES

As soon as Buhari concluded his speech, the session turned rowdy again. It was time for Saraki and Dogara to present their speeches but while APC lawmakers chanted ‘four more years,’ their PDP counterparts screamed, ‘no more years.’

In another development, President Muhammadu Buhari cautioned lawmakers in the joint session of the National Assembly to comport themselves as they were on television and being watched across the world.

Buhari who was at the National Assembly presenting the 2019 Budget was being heckled by some lawmakers believed to be members of the opposition.

While some lawmakers stood up to give the President a clap, some others heckled him shouting, ‘Lies, propaganda’.

One of them called Buhari, ‘grass cutter’ in reference to the scandal which the last Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, was enmeshed.

When the President was stating the achievements of his administration in the area of fighting corruption, some lawmakers shouted him down, saying, ‘propaganda, which corruption are you fighting’? ‘Grass cutter’

Buhari had also claimed that every state was being touched by the Federal Government in the area of road construction.

After more than 10 minutes into the drama, the Presidential Guards Brigade band suddenly to play the National Anthem, even while Buhari was still seated.

The anthem marked the end of the ceremony, with Saraki and Dogara yet to present their speeches.

Security operatives whisked the President out of the chamber leaving the lawmakers behind.

Saraki later led senators out of the House chamber.

KEKE DRIVER RETURNED N1.1M TO OWNER, REWARDED WITH N200 FOR RECHARGE CARD (PICS)

A Legend, who wants Nigerians to believe their still some good and trustworthy persons in the country. A Keke driver tracked a Business man who came from the Eastern part Nigeria after he forgot N1.150,000 in his Keke, he went 2 miles to Jalingo, Taraba to return the money to the owner and he was rewarded with N200 for recharge card. 

A Twitter user who shared the story wrote:

Twitter Fam, let’s celebrate this honest Keke Rider Mr. Usman. A Businessman from the East forgot N1,150,000 in his Keke & He went extra miles to track him down & return the money to him in Jalingo, Taraba St. After returning the money, the owner gave him N200 for recharge card. 

Watch video here: 

Source:

 https://www.mediahelm.com.ng/2018/12/keke-driver-returned-n11m-to-owner.html

TWO MALE SUSPECTS WHO LURED LADY TO HOTEL AND KILLED HER AFTER RAPE, ARRESTED. (PHOTOS)

The Anambra State Police Command has apprehended two murder suspects. According to police report, on Monday, 17/12/2018, following a tip-off, police detectives attached to Central Police Station Onitsha arrested the murder suspects identified as Okoronji Emeka, aged 24 years and Umezinwa Val, aged 24 years.

The suspects had on the 5/12/2018 lured one Gold Gift aged 35 years into a hotel and killed her after having unlawful carnal knowledge with the victim.

Meanwhile, preliminary investigation further revealed that the victim was later taken by the hotel staff and dumped at BSMG roundabout Onitsha without informing the Police.

Consequently, three of the hotel staff including the manager one Mr Ekene Gabriel , the Bar man one Tom Bishop Emmanuel and the gate man one Arume Ifeanyi Godwin were also arrested.

Case under investigation after which suspects would be charged to Court for prosecution.

See more here; 

https://www.nationalhelm.co/2018/12/men-who-lured-lady-to-hotel-and-killed-her-after-having-sex-arrested-photos.html

PRESIDENT BUHARI REJECTS NASS’ APPROVAL FOR REFUND OF N488.7BN TO STATES

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected the National Assembly’s approval for refund of N488.7 billion to State Governments for projects they executed on behalf of the Federal Government.

Buhari communicated the decision through a letter read by the President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, at plenary on Tuesday.

The president said he rejected the National Assembly’s approval because it violated the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

He noted that whereas the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a total of N487.8 billion for the purpose, the National Assembly jerked up the figure to N488.7 billion.

He said the amount approved by the lawmakers was N890 million higher than that approved by FEC.

Buhari said a review of the NASS’ approval, communicated through a July 27, 2018 letter, also revealed discrepancies in the number of states submitted by FEC and those approved by the lawmakers.

He said, “While FEC approved reimbursement to 25 states, the National Assembly approved reimbursement to 21 states.

“The National Assembly did not approve any reimbursement to four states, that is, Bauchi, Delta, Kogi and Taraba, whereas FEC approved reimbursement for them.

“Note that the amount approved by the National Assembly for reimbursement to 21 states is higher than the amount approved by FEC for reimbursement to 25 states.”

The president added that the amount approved by the lawmakers for each of the 21 states was higher than that approved by FEC for each of them, except for Adamawa, Jigawa, Kano and Niger.

He urged the Senate to note that the Public Procurement Act 2007 empowers the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to approve vendors for contract sums.

According to him, the amounts presented to the national assembly for approval were duly certified for reimbursement by the BPP before they were approved by FEC.

Buhari said this was after the projects had been inspected through a programme under the chairmanship of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing.

The president noted that there was the need for compliance with the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

“I wish to request that you forward to us details relating to the amounts approved by the National Assembly for the 17 states in excess of what was certified by BPP, for necessary verification and approval.

“Furthermore, I wish to request for a review of the reimbursement earlier submitted in favour of Bauchi, Delta, Kogi and Taraba states,” the president said.

In the meantime, Buhari has told the lawmakers that the federal government will proceed with the implementation of the reimbursement on certain grounds.

First, he said where the amount approved by the national assembly is the same as the amount approved by FEC the jointly approved amounts would be refunded.

He identified the states in this category as Adamawa, Jigawa, Kano and Niger.

Second, the president said where the amount approved by the National Assembly was higher than the amount approved by FEC, the amount approved by FEC would be paid.

The benefiting states on this are Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Ebonyi, Benue, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kwara, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau and Zamfara.

He said the four states (Bauchi, Delta, Kogi and Taraba) excluded in the NASS approval would not be refunded until their consideration by the lawmakers.

MANCHESTER UNITED SACKS JOSÉ MOURINHO AFTER POOR START TO THE SEASON

JOSÉ MOURINHO

The Red Devils have won just two of their last eight matches in all competitions and sit 11 points off fourth place in the Premier League

Jose Mourinho has been sacked by Manchester United following their disappointing start to the season.

The Red Devils currently sit sixth in the Premier League table but have already lost five times in 17 matches, leaving them 19 points behind leaders Liverpool and 11 off fourth-placed Chelsea in the fight for Champions League places.

That follows a summer transfer window in which Mourinho routinely complained about a lack of signings, with the Portuguese unable to persuade the club's hierarchy to sign a new centre-back.

Mourinho has continued to drop hints that he remains unhappy at that failure to spend big, and he now leaves after two-and-a-half years at the Old Trafford helm, with his final match in charge Sunday's 3-1 defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool.

"Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect," a statement read.

"The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future.

"A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager."

Mourinho replaced Louis van Gaal in the United hotseat in the summer of 2016 and was tasked with leading the 20-time English champions back to the top of the domestic game after a barren three years since Sir Alex Ferguson's appointment.

He started well, winning the Community Shield in his first match in charge before claiming the League Cup thanks to a Zlatan Ibrahimovic-inspired 3-2 win over Southampton.

Form in the league was not as strong, however, with the Red Devils only able to finish in sixth place, though their season did end on a high as a 2-0 win over Ajaxin the final of the Europa Leaguesaw them qualify for the 2017-18 Champions League.

Mourinho's second season in charge saw United finish a distant second in the Premier League to Pep Guardiola's record-breaking Manchester City, and while they crashed out of the Champions League to Sevillain the last 16 and lost the FA Cupfinal to Chelsea, there was hope the former Real Madrid boss would be able to kick on again having signed a new improved contract in the early weeks of 2018.

That has not come to pass, however, with United currently on a run of just two wins from eight matches in all competitions.

Further to displays on the pitch, reports of dressing room unrest have overshadowed Man Utd's performances over the course of the season, with Mourinho's relationship with club-record signing Paul Pogba a constant talking point.

World Cup winner Pogba has struggled for consistency under Mourinho, and this season things seem to have taken a turn for the worse, with the former Juventus man unable to hold down a regular berth in the ex-Chelsea boss' preferred 11.

The nadir came at Anfield on Sunday, with Mourinho deciding against bringing Pogba off the bench despite his side needing to find a goal to get back into the game following Xherdan Shaqiri's own match-winning performance as a substitute for Jurgen Klopp's side.

Whomever takes temporary charge until the end of the season will now be tasked with pushing United back into the race to finish in the top four while also plotting a path towards silverware in both the Champions League - where they play Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 - and the FA Cup, with Reading their third-round opponents.

Reports suggest assistant coach Michael Carrick is not in the frame to take on that role, with the interim manager's first game on Saturday away at Cardiff City, and an external candidate expected to be appointed within 48 hours.

Zinedine Zidane and Mauricio Pochettino, meanwhile, are among the favourites to take the role full-time come the summer.

OVER SPEEDING DRIVER LOSES CONTROL OF TRUCK, RAMS INTO A SHOP IN IMO STATE (PHOTOS)

Tragedy was averted following a horrific truck accident earlier today in Imo state. 

According to reports, the truck driver who was said to be on top speed - lost control of the vehicle and rammed into a shop at Umualumaku Umueze, Okigwe area of the state.

It was gathered that no life was lost in the accident as people fled before the truck could reach the shop. 

Residents of the area are calling on drivers to be careful on how they drive especially in this festive season. 

ASUU STRIKE: LECTURERS WALK OUT OF MEETING WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DELEGATION

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has staged a walkout from the meeting with a federal government delegation.

The government delegation was led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.

The university lecturers embarked on an indefinite strike on November 4, demanding improved funding of universities and implementation of previous agreements with the government.

The National President of ASUU, Biodun Ogunyemi, led the union’s delegation to Monday’s meeting.

The ASUU delegation arrived at the ministry at exactly 5:00 p.m. but no member of the federal government delegation was around as at this time.

The government delegation led by the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, arrived at exactly 6:00 p.m.

The minister of education, Adamu Adamu, was absent at the time the meeting started.

Before the walkout and at the start of the meeting, Mr Ngige told the lecturers that he hopes a consensus on most of the issues is reached at the end of the meeting.

He assured the union that attention will be paid to three critical demands, which are salary shortfall, university revitalisation and earned allowances of lecturers.

ENUGU STATE CIVIL SERVANTS RECEIVE 13TH MONTH SALARY AS CHRISTMAS BONUS

…Appreciates Gov. Ugwuanyi’s magnanimity, love

Workers of Enugu State confirmed receipt of the 13th month salary as 2018 Christmas bonus on Monday, from Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration.

Confirming the news, the Chairman of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Enugu State Council, Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe disclosed that “some workers started calling me this evening that they have received alert for the 13th month salary”.

The elated labour leader had in a letter issued to Gov. Ugwuanyi, today, which was co-signed by his secretary, Comrade Benneth Asogwa, appreciated the governor’s “magnanimity for the approval and payment of the 13th month salary (Christmas bonus) to the civil servants and workers of the state-owned parastatals in Enugu State”.

They stated that the Congress was delighted that “for the first time the state-owned parastatals will be paid 13th month salary alongside their colleges in the civil service”.

The Congress noted that the governor’s kind gesture towards the civil/public servants of the state has “demonstrated your continuous love for the workers of Enugu State by putting smiles on their faces in this Christmas season”.

They therefore, pledged their unflinching support for the success of his administration.

Truly, Enugu State is in the hands of God.