2019 BUDGET, AN HOPELESS DOCUMENT – SARAKI

The Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, Thursday tasked Nigerians not to expect much from the 2019 Appropriation Bill, describing the budget proposal as hopeless.

Saraki, who spoke in his capacity as the Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, PPCO, also declared that Nigerians were safer in 2015 than they are today.

He stated this at an interactive session between the PDP presidential candidate, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Abuja.

2019 Budget Presented by President Muhammadu Buhari at the at a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja
PDP Vice Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, at the event lamented that 60 percent of the 2019 budget is dedicated to debt servicing of the APC government which he noted has surpassed what was accrued in the 16 years of the PDP government.

Saraki in his opening remark, argued that the budget proposal presented by Buhari on Wednesday has no future because the statistics does not indicate the financial model by which it will be funded.

He said, “Yesterday (Wednesday), we all heard the 2019 budget. That is a budget that has no hope for anybody because if you look at the statistics and the figures there’s poverty, if you look at the figures based on revenues that are coming in, there is nothing left. So where’s the future?

“There must be an alternative and that is what we hope that by this evening speaking to our candidate and vice presidential candidate, not based on sentiments. We are not voting on sentiments, we are voting on what is the need for you.

“How is your life going to be better? Which party offers you a better future because we see you as those who are patriotic and committed . It’s not about what you’ll get today. It’s about the great country a lot of you expect to see.

The Senate President who noted that the President will fail to attend the January 19, 2019 Presidential debate stressed that any President that wants to lead the country and the African continent should be able to sell his blueprint to the people.

He said, “This is an interactive session. I’m not sure whether the other political parties will give you an opportunity like this to ask them any question. I’m told that one has debated and you already know the answer to that debate. On the second one, I’m very sure he’s not going to debate. So how do you assess somebody who is not ready to tell you what he’s going to do.

“Those days are gone, my good people. A country that leads the continent that is not ready to show example is not what we want for this continent. The whole world is going in a direction, if you’re seeking a position, you must come and tell people what you want to do. You must sit down and they will ask you questions and that is why we’re here.

“Today is your day, we will sit down and take questions. I hope at the end of the exercise you will stand up and say yes this is the team that will secure Nigeria, this is the team that will unite Nigeria , this is the team that will fight the poverty in town and bring a bright future.”

Atiku’s running mate, Obi, who also faulted the 2019 budget said “When you look at the revenue, we will spend 60 percent to service debt. So what is left? And they will borrow more.

“What they borrowed in 2016 and 2017 is the same PDP borrowed in 16 years. When you ask them, they say they use it for capital project.”

He lamented the level of poverty in the country and lambasted the President for urging Nigerians to tighten their belts, saying “Nigerian people have no belt again to tighten up”, stressing “we now wake up everyday with a sense of helplessness.”

While he noted that APC administration didn’t heed warnings over the alarming rate of job losses and unemployment in 2017, he said the recent rise in the unemployment rate from 18.8 percent to 23 percent is only going to get worse because “nobody is doing anything.”

He promised that immediately they get elected into office, their administration will show numbers of persons who are unemployed and correspondingly provide daily statistics on the number of persons that will get jobs.

FORMER KANO STATE DEPUTY GOVERNOR, OTHER TOP KWANKWASO LOYALISTS RETURNS TO APC

A former Kano State Deputy Governor, professor Hafizu Abubakar, has returned to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Abubakar, a former staunch ally of the ex-Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, left the ruling party in August and resigned his position as deputy to the current governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

After leaving the APC, he joined Mr Kwankwaso in the Peoples Democratic Party. He, however, later defected to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) when he could not get the PDP governorship ticket in Kano.

Mr Abubakar’s return to the APC was confirmed by his spokesperson and the presidency.

Garba Shehu, the spokesperson to President Muhammadu Buhari, said the president had a meeting with Mr Abubakar and other former Kwankwaso loyalists in Kano.

LABOUR GIVES FG DEADLINE TO SUBMIT MINIMUM WAGE REPORT TO NASS

The organised labour on Thursday said that the Federal Government has latest Dec. 31 to send the tripartite committee report on N30,000 minimum wage to the National Assembly.

According to NAN, the three labour centres, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the United Labour Congress (ULC) took the decision after a joint meeting in Lagos.
The organiseed labour gave the ultimatum following President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement that a “high powered technical committee” would be set up to device ways to ensure that its implementation did not lead to an increase in the level of borrowing.

The NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, who address newsmen after the meeting, said that setting up a technical committee could not be a condition for passing the minimum wage report to the National Assembly.
Accoridng to Wabba, the organised labour cannot guarantee industrial peace and harmony in the country if the wage report was not passed for implementation on or before Dec. 31.
“We reject in its entirety the plan to set up another `high powered technical committee’ on the minimum wage. It is diversionary and a delay tactics.

“The national minimum wage committee was both technical and all-encompassing in its compositions and plan to set up a technical committee is alien to the tripartite process.

“It is also alien to the International Labour Organisations’ conventions on national minimum wage setting mechanism,’’ he said.
The labour leader said that issues on payment of minimum wage was a law that was universal, citing that other African countries like, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa had increased their minimum wage this year.
“If you increase minimum wage, you are increasing the purchasing power of the economy which will help to reduce inflation rather than increase it,’’ Wabba said.

Wabba urged workers to be vigilant and prepare to campaign and vote against candidates and politicians who are not willing to implement the new minimum wage.

(NAN) 

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.