Nigeria Headlines:Nigeria imports $5.8bn worth of Petrol to tackle fuel crisis

Mercy Lank

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it has imported 9.8 million metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) worth $5.8 billion to combat the fuel crisis that resurfaced since late last year. Fuel crisis This was disclosed by the Group Managing Director of the corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru, during a public hearing by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts today at the National Assembly Complex during the week in Abuja. In a presentation by the GMD who was represented by the Chief Operating Officer, Finance and Accounts, Mr. AbdulrazaqIsiaka, NNPC stated that it carried out the massive importation in fulfilment of its statutory role of supplier of last resort to ensure that Nigerians do not suffer as a result of product unavailability. According to the GMD, the corporation’s provision of 9.8 million metric tons of petrol so far has helped a great deal in ameliorating the suffering of Nigerians. He said the corporation’s intervention became necessary following the inability of the major and independent marketers to import the product because of the high landing cost which made cost recovery and profitability difficult owing to the regulated price regime. While assuring the public of adequate product supply, the GMD, however, pointed out that cross-border smuggling due to price disparity between Nigeria and neighbouring countries where a litre of petrol sells above N350 per litre as well as logistic issues in trucking products to different locations across the country remained serious challenges in the quest for fuel queue-free situation in the country. The Chairman Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Sen. Matthew Uroghide, noted that the public hearing was a part of the Committee’s duty to find lasting solutions to the problem of fuel scarcity in order to make life easy for all Nigerians. Nigeria imports $5.8bn worth of petrol to tackle fuel crisis February 24, 2018

Read More

Governor of Abia State Okezie Ikpeazu wins ‘Governor of the Year Award’ yesterday

Mercy Lank

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State was yesterday pronounced Governor of the year 2017 by the Editors of Verbatim Magazine, a bi-weekly Abuja-based publication. Governor Ikpeazu, according to a press release jointly signed by Tobs Agbaegbu and Ibrahim Modibbo, the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief and Chairman, Board of Editors of Editors respectively, would be officially decorated on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at a glamorous award ceremony at Nicon Luxury hotel in Abuja.

Adducing reasons for the choice of Ikpeazu as Governor of the year, the management of Verbatim magazine explained that Governor Ikpeazu’s choice was in recognition and appreciation of his developmental vision and life transforming achievements in Abia State, adding that ‘’ his three years in office has been remarkably eventful and largely successful’’.

Read More

2019 ELECTION-Yunusa Tanko:Security services Should stop Creating fear to Nigererians and wake up to their responsibilities of protecting them

Mercy Lank

The National Chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Yunusa Tanko has asked Nigeria’s security services to stop creating fear in Nigerians but wake up to their responsibilities of protecting them. Tanko said this in reaction to alarm raised by the nation’s security chiefs over threats by unnamed groups to scuttle the 2019 general elections. Tanko told Punch, “That is very unfortunate. I wouldn’t want to say unprofessional; I only hope they are not raising a false alarm as part of a gimmick to short-change Nigerians. “Security people do a lot of things; I don’t think it is fair for them to send panic or create fear among Nigerians. They are in the government; they are trained and paid to protect us. “They have the capacity to deal with threats if they know these individuals or groups and they have evidence. What is stopping them from apprehending them? “It is completely unnecessary for our security officials to try to create a situation of panic. As ordinary citizens, we don’t have the information and capacity they have. If they are now throwing it back to us, what do they expect us to do? “Who do we move to for protection? It is their duty to ensure that the election is free and fair and not to send fear into the hearts of Nigerians.” On Sat, Mar 31, 2018 at 5:41 AM, Fikayo Olowolagba wrote: The National Chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Yunusa Tanko has asked Nigeria’s security services to stop creating fear in Nigerians and wake up to their responsibilities in protecting Nigerians. The National Chairman of the party, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said this reaction to alarm raised by the nation’s security chiefs over threats by unnamed groups to scuttle the 2019 general elections. Tanko told Punch, “That is very unfortunate. I wouldn’t want to say unprofessional; I only hope they are not raising a false alarm as part of a gimmick to short-change Nigerians. “Security people do a lot of things; I don’t think it is fair for them to send panic or create fear among Nigerians. They are in the government; they are trained and paid to protect us. “They have the capacity to deal with threats if they know these individuals or groups and they have evidence. What is stopping them from apprehending them?

“It is completely unnecessary for our security officials to try to create a situation of panic. As ordinary citizens, we don’t have the information and capacity they have. If they are now throwing it back to us, what do they expect us to do? “Who do we move to for protection? It is their duty to ensure that the election is free and fair and not to send fear into the hearts of Nigerians.”

Read More

JUST IN: APC leader shot dead in Edo state by unknown gunmen

Mercy Lank

An APC leader in Edo state has been murdered in the Jattu area of Edo state on Wednesday. PoliticsNGR gathered that Samson Sedi, an APC leader in Etsako West local government area of the state was shot dead by unknown gunmen. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Johnson Kokumo, confirmed the incident to Punch yesterday. He revealed that it was being investigated as a murder case as none of his belongings were taken from him. He said; “We are investigating a murder case. We are not investigating an armed robbery. Nobody was dispossessed in this particular case. So, what we are investigating is murder and not armed robbery. We have set things in motion. Our men are out there and I assure you that, with intelligence-led policing, we will soon bring the culprits to book.” Governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki has described the murder as ‘Shocking’.

Read More

FirstBank apologises for Buhari’s Lagos visit tweets

Mercy Lank

First Bank of Nigeria has apologised to its Twitter followers after the bank posted series of tweets that appeared to be mocking Thursday’s visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Lagos.

The president’s two-day official visit to the state disrupted traffic and caused residents to embark on long walk to their destinations. “Lagosians how far…. How was the trek this morning? The people still trekking, how’s the #WalkOfChange going,” the bank tweeted around 11:18 am on Thursday from its Twitter handle @FirstBankngr. When a Twitter user (@Jenn_nikolas) tweeted at the bank that its tweet was “terrible to look at”, the bank offered a sarcastic response, “Don’t look. Keep trekking”. Another Twitter user (@omookwah) told FirstBank, “This is an epic fail in attempt to ‘hijack’ an issue. You lost the ‘emotional’ drift to this and got caught on the wrong side of story. Always remember…. Market share and mind share.” “Story,” the bank responded. “Dear Twitter Family. A tweet from us earlier in the day was totally inappropriate. As a responsible organization, we do not support or share humor taken too far. And that is what this was; humor taken too far. We take it back and apologize unreservedly,” the bank tweeted around 2:14 pm. Major routes leading to Muritala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, were blocked in the morning for the president’s visit. The action caused travellers to walk about two kilometres to get to the airport so as not to miss their flight.

Read More

Gov. Bello speaks on death of Kogi Reps member, Buba Jibril

Mercy Lank

The Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello has expressed “deep shock” over the demise of a member of the House of Representatives from the state, Hon. Buba Umar Jibril. He described the late Jibril is a man who “lived in the hearts of his people”, saying the vacuum he left in the state and the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be difficult to fill. Bello said: “The late former Kogi State House of Assembly Speaker and a Principal Officer of the House of Representatives was a man of the people. “His life is a book for anyone aspiring for greatness to read. The late Buba identified with his people and lived a life of serving the poor in his constituency. “A successful politician, the late Rt Hon. Buba Jibril was a lesson in positivism; a man who chose to take his destiny in his hand on several occasions. “He will be remembered for his astuteness and purposeful leadership as well as his philanthropic life and service to humanity. “New generation of Kogites and Nigerians at large will have a lot to learn from the life of the great patriot.”

The governor assured the people of Lokoja that the “departed hero and indomitable grassroots commander” will be immortalized to “keep the memories of his great contributions to the development of Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole”.

Read More

Chelsea star says it would be a pleasure to depart Stamford Bridge

Mercy Lank

Chelsea attacker Kenedy has described the possibility of joining Newcastle United on a permanent basis as a ‘pleasure’. Speaking UOL, Kenedy talked up the chances of joining the club permanently after a fruitful loan spell with Rafa Benitez’s side.

"This new stage with Newcastle’s shirt makes me very happy, it’s very difficult for a player to stay a long time without playing, even more to get back in the rhythm of the Premier League. If it’s good for everyone, it would be a pleasure to continue wearing the shirt of this great team." The Brazilian, who had fallen out of favour at Chelsea under Antonio Conte, joined the Magpies on loan in the January window. Since arriving at St James’ Park, Kenedy has impressed the Newcastle faithful with his trickery and speed. Previous reports have suggested that a deal could be agreed if Newcastle meet a £15 million asking price. The Brazilian’s future at Stamford Bridge may well depend on what happens with Italian head coach Antonio Conte. Conte himself is being linked with moves away from Chelsea this summer and Kenedy could fancy his chances of winning back his place in the first-team squad.

He found game time hard to come by after being sent home from Chelsea’s pre-season tour of China.

Read More

ELECTION 2019: INEC to sanction erring political parties, election defaulter

Mercy Lank

Current report as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will sanction any political party, individual or corporate organisation that commits electoral offence during the 2019 general elections.

Prof. Francis Ezeonu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Imo, said this at a sensitisation meeting of stakeholders with Imo INEC management on Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) held in Mbaitoli and Owerri North local government areas. Ezeonu said Section 94 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) stipulated guidelines for the conduct of primaries, electoral campaigns by political parties and behaviours of party faithful and stakeholders during elections. He added that the same Electoral Act frowned at the imposition of candidates, use of masquerades and any form of weapon, hate speeches, as well as campaigning in Churches, Mosques and public offices. “We will monitor political parties to avoid anarchy. If after primaries anyone is denied his/her position, INEC will not be party to it and will intervene. It will also sanction defaulting party. “The guideline is also against the use of thugs, private militia and vanguards on campaign grounds.” The REC said the commission would use Resident Area Camp (RAC) to ensure that election materials were deployed to polling units on time. He urged stakeholders to cooperate with the commission by creating an enabling environment to deploy the RACs, as well as provide security at RAC areas so that INEC’s property would not be vandalised. The Electoral Officer (EO) in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Mrs Ngozi Odilinye, said the forum was special as it offered political parties, town unions, women and youth leaders, and other stakeholders opportunity to interact with one another and with INEC management in Imo. She said the local government area registered 122,555 voters during the 2014/2015 registration, adding that till date, 22,333 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were yet to be collected. Odilinye noted that the commission had since April 2017, embarked on nationwide CVR, including the correction of wrong particulars of voters, reprinting of omitted voter cards, lost and defaced cards and processing of voters’ data for inter and intrastate transfer. Former Chairman of Federal Electoral Panel, Chief Donatus Agogbuo, said money politics was no longer in vogue and urged INEC to ensure the implementation of its promises to restore sanity to the electoral system. The electoral stakeholders had complained of registration of more parties by the commission and the siting of INEC offices in local councils. They appealed to INEC to ensure a credible election that would help in restoring sanity in Nigeria as it relates to election. Eze Samuel Ohiri, a traditional ruler in Mbaitoli and Chairman, Imo Traditional Rulers, commended INEC for the sensitisation, saying it was the first of its kind in the history of Imo. He, however, expressed regret that there was a high level of voter apathy in Imo, especially among youths, stressing the need for a positive change of attitude. Participants at the meeting included traditional rulers of the various communities, party faithful, women, youth and town union leaders and the clergy.

Read More

BREAKING: PDP chieftain and Reps Member is Dead

Mercy Lank

The member, representing Lokoja/Kogi Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Umar Baba Jibril is dead. Aged 58 years, Jibril, a three time member of the house, died in the early hours of Saturday in Abuja, one of his political associates, Mr Amuda Dan Sulaiman confirmed to Journalists. He was until his death, the Deputy Majority Leader of the house.

He was also a former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly

Read More

Military aiding herdsmen against us, Taraba residents allege

Mercy Lank

On a day mixed reactions continued to trail the advice of former Defence Minister, Lt. General T.Y. Danjuma (retd), to Nigerians to defend themselves against herdsmen to avoid what he described as ethnic cleansing, some Taraba residents, yesterday, alleged that operatives of Ayem A’Kpatuma (Cat Race) military operation were aiding killer herdsmen in the state and harassing people. Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai However, the military quickly dismissed the allegations as false, insisting that it was carrying out its constitutional role diligently in the state. Commanding Officer, 93 Army Battalion Takum, Lt. Col. Ibrahim Gambari, said he had no authority to speak on the issue, but summarily dismissed the allegations as false. Takum, Ussa council bosses, Taraba residents speak Chairman Takum Local Council of Taraba State, Shiban Tikari, said General Danjuma’s call has vindicated the people of Takum, who had earlier cried out that the Exercise Ayem A’Kpatena was out to give cover to the killer herdsmen.

Some residents of Takum and Ussa local councils and Yanghtu Special Development Areas in Taraba, had, weekend, accused the Army operatives of Exercise Ayem A ‘Kpatuma (Cat Race) of brutality, bias, and complicity in their handling of the security situation in their areas. Shiban Tikari, who led the condemnation of the Army operation in the area, told journalists that he had received series of complaints from his people that soldiers were molesting and brutalizing them. Reacting to the Military Headquarters’ statement, disclaiming Danjuma’s call, Tikari noted that the soldiers started the operation in Takum local government on February 15 without notifying the council and traditional rulers in the area, leading to a lot of confusion. Army He explained that he had to report the matter to Governor Darius Ishaku before the Army served him notification letter on March 1 when he officially briefed his people about the operation. “Before the operation, there were cases of kidnapping and armed robbery by people using police and army uniforms. So, even when the army operation started people mistook them for kidnappers and it caused a lot of anxiety and apprehension. “I have reports that soldiers have been breaking into people’s houses at night, harassing and demanding for people, but it was in front of the army barracks that a member of the state House of Assembly, Hossa Ibi was kidnapped and killed. On his part, Rimamsikwe Karma, Chairman of Ussa Local Council, said the operation was causing more harm than good to the people of the area. “The herdsmen that followed the Army to our council are not friendly with our people, they are strange faces to us and they are killing people,” he said. Senior Special Assistant to Governor Darius Ishaku on Public Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, picked holes in accusations by the military that Taraba State government did not co-operate with the military in the state. He said: “Of recent, they head a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Wukari Local Government Area, they used Otoshi Recreation Centre, which is a facility of the government, they received the support of the local government chairman who gave all the support because of the instruction from the governor.” Danjuma went too far—Ogbebor Faulting General Danjuma’s advice, Col Paul Ogbebor (retd), who served under General Danjuma in Port Harcourt between 1973 and 1974,

said by asking people to defend themselves, the former Defence Minister took his disappoint too far. He added that Danjuma could have brought his grievances against the military to the association of retired military men, instead of making comments that could destroy the country, which he also helped to build. He said: ‘’General Danjuma is a highly respected retired military officer. To have accused the military and said everybody should defend themselves spells anarchy. “We, President Muhammadu Buhari and I served under him in Port Harcourt between 1973 and 1974. I have great respect for him. But he is taking his disappointment too far. We association of retired army, naval and air force men. If he had anything, he should have brought it up at the association instead of making comments that could destroy what we built. He is a builder.

” Fulani monarch tackles Danjuma Also, the Sharkskin Fulani of Lagos State and Chairman, Association of Fulani Chiefs, South-West Nigeria, Pahaji Mohammed Babushka Bambado, criticised Danjuma for allegedly inciting Nigerians to take up arms against themselves. The monarch, who described the comment as disappointing, especially coming from such persone as TY Danjuma, wondered why he chose such an avenue to talk on such a volatile issue when he knew how to get across to his friend in the villa without heating up the polity. Bambado said: “He has access to his friend, President Muhammadu Buhari, and can easily take all his ‘evidences’ (if any) to him, but telling people to arm themselves is an invitation to anarchy, which, when it happens, will consume us all.”

Read More

Northern politicians should quit, they’ve failed the test of leadership

Mercy Lank

ABUJA—A coalition of 18 Northern groups and associations, led by former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Professor Ango Abdullahi, yesterday passed a vote of no confidence on northern leaders. Ango Abdullahi According to the group, most of the leaders that had been saddled with the responsibility of administering the people have failed the test to lead. The groups, which noted that political officer holders had been given quit notice by the northern leaders to quit the stage, stressed that ahead of 2019 presidential and general elections, the north would scrutinize all politicians seeking their mandate. In a communique signed by Professor Ango Abdullahi, who is the Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Political Committee and Convener,

Northern Elders Forum and 17 others, the group cautioned the Presidency and members of the National Assembly and governors to resist the temptation of abusing the political process in pursuit of their personal ambitions. While welcoming the release of the Dapchi girls, and urging government to intensify efforts to secure the release of all other abducted Nigerians, the groups called on the government to ensure that no abductions occurred again, and that all communities were sufficiently protected and young Nigerians free to acquire education without fear. The communique read in part: “The group urges all leaders, elders and communities to seek peaceful resolutions of conflicts between and among communities. Lives lost, injuries suffered and losses incurred in any community must be redressed firmly and fairly. ‘’The roots of co-existence and inter-dependence in all Northern communities are much deeper than the barricades being erected around communities. All persons who are involved in killings and crimes against communities must be brought to book.”

Read More

Manchester United Boss Jose Mourinho 'contacts Samuel Umtiti over move' as Manchester United prepare to meet €60m release clause

Mercy Lank

Manchester United are reportedly ready to meet Samuel Umtiti's release clause at Barcelona. And Jose Mourinho has contacted the French defender personally over a move to Old Trafford. That is according to SPORT , who report Umtiti is considering leaving Barca over a disagreement about his wages. Umtiti is willing to stay at the Nou Camp if the club match his wage demands - but that appears unlikely. And Mourinho is now hoping to lure him to Manchester.

Tierney on the radar

Manchester United are stepping up their efforts to sign Celtic's £25million rated defender Kieran Tierney this summer. As revealed by Mirror Sport back in January, United boss Jose Mourinho sees Tierney as more versatile and better value for money than his other left-back target, Tottenham's Danny Rose. Although Tierney signed a new six-year deal with Celtic last October, United are confident they could land the 20-year-old, who is likely to cost around half as much as Rose

Read More

Nigeria: Northern leaders score Buhari low, reject him for 2019

Mercy Lank

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Elders, leaders of socio-political organisations and key stakeholders from the northern part of Nigeria have scored the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari low and, consequently, rejected him as their candidate for the 2019 general elections. The leaders who met on Saturday in Kaduna insisted that the present leadership representing the region has failed in its mandate and, therefore, must be replaced by competent persons. Leaders of the Northern Elders Forum, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Borno Elders Forum, and Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria were among those present at the meeting. In a communique read by a member of the Northern Elders Forum and Chief of Staff to Nigeria’s Senate President, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the northern leaders lamented that almost three years after President Buhari was sworn in, the economy, security and political fortunes of the region have continued to deteriorate. To make matters worse, they said the Buhari administration is doing little or nothing to salvage the situation.

President Buhari had swept to power promising to tackle insecurity, fight corruption and boost Nigeria’s economy. However, the northern leaders believe his administration has not demonstrated enough strong will to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency, rural banditry and herdsmen/farmers clashes that have claimed scores of lives in many parts of the region. They added that little effort has been made to tackle the poverty that has continued to ravage the region and the entire country. “We demand immediate and decisive steps to improve the security of lives and economic assets in the North by the federal and state governments. Too many communities are at the mercy of attacks from sundry groups of criminals who appear to have unchallenged access to space and weapons,” Baba- Ahmed said.

Read More

Breaking News:Governor Akeredolu loses at Supreme Court

Mercy Lank

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed an appeal by the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for lack of merit.

Akeredolu had, by the appeal, challenged a July 20017 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which upheld an order by a Federal High Court in Abuja, granting permission to Olusegun Abraham to serve Akeredolu through substituted means, court documents in relation to the suit he (Abraham) filed. Abraham’s suit is challenging the outcome of the primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which produced Akeredolu as the party’s candidate for the last governorship election in Ondo State. In a unanimous judgment, a five-man panel of the Supreme Court held that Akeredolu’s appeal was without merit. Justice John Okoro, in the lead judgment, but read by Justice Ejembi Eko, upheld the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal and awarded N500,000 cost against Akeredolu, in favour of Abraham.

Read More

Stella Oduah: Igbos Deserve The South East Development Commission

Mercy Lank

Making a National case for my regional development bill at the Senate The truth is — that every part of Nigeria suffers one form of neglect or the other but some are more unequally yoked than the others. A case in point are the Igbo people of Nigeria. I am a proud Nigerian but an unhappy one. As a Senator representing Anambra North, my first obligation is to the people of Anambra North, and then Anambra State and then the South East of Nigeria. My people are unenthusiastic about this Nation state, the mood in the region is at its worst since the civil war. I am not going to sit pretty in Abuja trying to be politically correct. The elite scoff at the demagogues but are unaware that their rise is only a proof of their own extinction.

The Igbos have been unfairly treated and victimised in our country but this piece does not seek to reopen those horrific wounds. (Let me stop sounding like an angry bigot: a term freely used on Igbos and even worse when also you happen to be a woman). I would like to look forward and this is why I sponsored the South East Development Commission Bill. The Igbos are not just demanding a commission but totally deserve it, like any other marginalised tribe in the country. For instance, I supported the North East Development Commission because it is only the right thing to do. The region suffered from the consequence of the total neglect of social development including education, health and the crushing poverty that made it vulnerable to the wave of extremism represented by the Boko Haram sect which eventually consumed the region. Another case in point is the Niger Delta, which took up guns to fight for their own recognition by the Nigerian state. The costs are unnecessary. Must we wait till this becomes the situation in the South East? No. Commonsense dictates that the people of the South East — who are some of the largest contributors of Internal Revenue to the country through their entrepreneurial prowess — should receive priority in terms of development and infrastructure or at least get treated equally. But this sadly, is not the case. My region suffers a crushing ecological problem arising from soil erosion. At every point you turn, the huge deficit of federal infrastructure in the region is palpable. From the civil war up until my tenure as the Minister of Aviation, where I supervised the upgrade of the Enugu International Airport, the entire South East region of Nigeria lacked an international airport! What Exactly Does This Bill Seek To Achieve? The bill simply seeks to create the commission, which would provide and implement a roadmap for the development of infrastructure (public works) and social services in the five states of the South East: Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo. These states would be represented by members as well as representatives from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice. The Commission only seeks to exist for 10 years. Specifically, Section 1(4) of the Bill reads; “The President may subject to the approval of the National Assembly wind-up the Commission after 10 years.” From Aba to Nnewi and to Onitsha, the South East is known for being a major trading hub in Nigeria. The least the Federal Government should have done was to develop inland container ports in the region starting from the one in Onitsha. I believe that this is no longer a privilege but our right at this point. When we have an international airport, the next item on the agenda should be the development of the cargo export terminal which makes the inland cargo terminal important. We should not have to resort to Lagos for every import or export cargo. This only draws the country back and limits its frontiers for trade. The case to advance the South East is a case for Nigeria. With the uncertainty of the price of crude oil and other extractive minerals, our economy has no other choice but to diversify. This is why the South East must receive the required attention. I believe my colleagues in the senate have been mature enough to see the reasons why this South East Development Commission Bill should ultimately become law. My hope is that other Nigerians are persuaded to give their representatives at the National Assembly a nod to go ahead with this. Stella Oduah is a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Anambra North constituency. The Bill passed through First Reading in June 2017 and scaled through Second Reading in July. It is presently at the Committee Stage.

Read More

National Assembly members 'Harassing' for bribes to pass budgets--Federal Agencies

Mercy Lank

Some Nigerian federal lawmakers are demanding bribes as conditions for passing the 2018 budgets of federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), some heads of these agencies have told PREMIUM TIMES. The officials say the unceasing demand for gratification is responsible for the reluctance of a number of heads of MDAs to honour invitations by Senate and House of Representatives committees to defend their budgets. Four officials of notable MDAs, who spoke to this newspaper in separate interviews alleged that the senators and members of the House are desperate and bent on shaking them down because ”the 2018 budget is the last they would consider before the next general elections”. “Many of them need money for re-election and they see this budget approval process as a way of finding the resources to prosecute their forthcoming elections,” the director-general of one agency said. The Senate had in February issued a one-week ultimatum to MDAs, who were yet to submit details of their proposed spending to appear before the various committees to defend their budgets. The lawmakers accused ministers and heads of MDAs of ill-preparedness to attend scheduled meetings, ignoring invitations and sometimes not providing relevant information needed by the lawmakers to carry out their jobs of scrutinising the proposals. However, three weeks after the ultimatum was issued, majority of the MDAs are yet to comply, PREMIUM TIMES learnt. In fact, the situation got so bad that President Muhammadu Buhari had to issue a directive to the heads of agencies ordering them to avail the National Assembly of their budget details as well as attend budget defence sessions. The head of a key agency, who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES but does not want his name mentioned for fear of victimisation, said: “I can confirm to you that National Assembly members are brazenly harassing MDAs for bribes, using budget process and oversight. “They have become very desperate this time. They ask pointedly and try to make life difficult for those who don’t play ball by summoning them endless times, asking irrelevant questions, asking for unrelated documents. “I think they are desperately looking for money for election. I think they have also seen that they could do all these and get away with it, as the executive is not really pushing on anti-corruption against them. “Until this year, we have managed to manage ourselves. They did not ask for money directly and we did not give. Occasionally, they asked that we employ someone or some people or give contract to some companies. For those pointed demands, we would explain why we could not meet their demands and they understood. “I had no doubt that some MDAs were even giving them money without their asking. I wanted us to be seen as one of the agencies that don’t give and hoped that they would let us be. “But this year is different. They have become more direct and more brazen. Their new practice is to ask the chief executive to wait behind and go see their chair or their deputy chair. And they pointedly ask, what are you giving us? “If they sense you are not playing ball, they do everything to frustrate you, ask you questions and not allow you to answer, ask you to come back over and over.” He said fear of victimisation was not allowing most of the agencies affected to cry out for help. “I am sure other heads of agencies are going through the same but I don’t know who will talk on or off the record. As I said earlier, they are desperately looking for money for primaries and elections, and they have seen that the executive is not really bothered about bringing them to order.” Another chief executive of an agency spoke along the same line, saying his experience with the lawmakers has been ‘frustrating’. “These guys (the lawmakers) are not even afraid anymore,” he said. “They keep demanding cash and asking us to insert projects in our budgets for them. I can’t definitely satisfy their needs because I don’t want to go to jail because of some frustrated greedy lot. “With all the millions they collect every month, they are still not contented.” The MDAs had earlier been defended by Ben Akabueze, director-general of the Budget Office of the Federation, who said in a statement that the budget was submitted with every details the lawmakers need to do their work. He said the budget proposal included details of all federal MDAs based on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) templates suggesting that the scrutiny by lawmakers ”should be an easy task”. Despite Mr. Akabueze’s intervention, the MDAs are still going through a tough time with the committees. Another head of MDA, who spoke about his experience wants the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intervene. “Your paper will help us a great deal if it can help us alert the EFCC of what we are going through,” he said. Yet another MDA official said, “Demanding bribes is something that has been endemic over a long period of time. This thing started since (year) 2000, the first budget. “All these other things they used to get in the past, under this government they can’t get those things. The MDAs are also afraid because the president is very serious. Any MDA that does nonsense and is discovered you know… “Even in a public hearing at the House of Reps. They intimidated a man. A lot of these members of the various committee, both senate and Reps, wanted bribe but the man refused to oblige them. It’s just intimidation. MDAs are afraid and these people (Senate and Reps committees) are not relenting. “All these things that they said they didn’t do, MDAs have done these things. A lot of them have gone there to defend. They are just dragging this thing because they want to get extra. Election is coming that is why. “The MDAs are in a dire state. They will not flout the directive of the president and these people are just insisting. A lot of them are not coming back to the National Assembly. They want to make as much money as they can make and those that feel they can come back, they need money in buying people, either delegates or voters.” With the cat and mouse relationship between the heads of the agencies and the lawmakers, the fate of the N8.6 trillion budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2017 hangs in the balance, it appears. Also, the wish of the executive to resort to the January-December calendar year budget seems unachievable. In a belated move to salvage the situation, President Buhari last week ordered ministers and heads of MDAs to appear before the National Assembly to defend their proposed 2018 budget estimates. The order was given at the end of a meeting the president had with the leadership of the National Assembly led by Senate President Bukola Saraki. Denial Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Sonny Ogbuoji (Ebonyi-PDP), denied the allegations levelled against his colleagues. “It’s a big lie,” he said. “The president has directed them to submit to the committees. If they submit and the committee does not receive it, they should blow it open. This should not be a secret. It’s a big lie. Such things (bribery) should not be entertained.” Mr. Ogbuoji had on February 28 called the attention of the senate to the refusal of MDAs to either submit details of their 2018 budget proposal or their amendments as requested by Senate committees. He said the allegation was an ‘escape route’ concocted by the MDAs to cover up. “People are looking for escape route for their ineptitude. If they say they are demanding bribe, its human beings that are demanding the bribes. They should say the person’s name. There should be no cover up. Nobody should entertain such story. “If it is me, they should call my name. Hiding it is like virus. If you cover virus, it will never die but the moment you expose it to the atmosphere, it will die. They should say which committee is demanding it. Let them not just say and give a wrong impression.”

Read More

Chevron 2018 July – December Internship Placement for young Undergraduates

Mercy Lank

Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) provides temporary employment to university, polytechnic and high school students required to participate in mandatory learning programs to gain work experience in their chosen career and also provides opportunity for interns to learn about the company's business, culture and core values.

Chevron is accepting online applications from qualified Nigerian students whose internship program commences from July to December 2018. Placement is available in the Lagos and Warri office.

Qualifications:

• Candidate must be a Nigerian
• Internship must be mandatory to complete the school's program leading to Bachelors, Masters' Degree or Diploma as applicable
• Demonstrated high level of academic performance
• Good communication, leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills
• Strong work ethic with internal drive to succeed

Chevron provides:

• An innovative workplace where we apply the latest technologies to exploration, production, reservoir managment and the entire value chain group.
• Opportunities to enable you use what you have learned, expand your knowledge and benefit from invaluable on-the-job experience.
• Hands-on technical exposure which will expand your knowledge of the industry and accelerate your professional development.
• An effective environment where integrity and ingenuity is valued.

Read below carefully

How to apply:

• Click the Apply button
• Create an account
• Upload your current resume
• Upload your Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) letter or support letter from your institution using the "cover letter" tab

           If possible the letter from your institution should state

           -  your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)

           -  expected start date and duration of internship

• otherwise upload a separate statment from your institution showing the CGPA and any additional document on the "additional document" tab
• Provide responses to all the fields on your Profile
• Type NIL in the "previous employment" box, if you have no experience otherwise state your previous internship details
• Select the field related to your course of study in the "preferred type of work" box
• Respond to all the questions as required
• Click the apply button to complete your application
• You will receive a confirmation e-mail

NOTE:

The following fields are mandatory and must be fully completed. Not completing them may disqualify your application.

1)  Email

2)  Mobile Number

3) Institution

4)  Academic Discipline

5)  Degree

6)  State your Internship start and end dates

Click Here to Apply

Read More

Breaking: 149 Nigerians deportees return from Libya

Mercy Lank

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received 149 Nigerians who voluntarily returned from Libya. Newsmen report that the returnees arrived Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a chartered flight operated by Buraq Airline with registration number 5A-DMG. The aircraft landed at about 10:45 p.m. at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The returnees comprised of 107 male adults, 37 female adults including a medical case, four female children and one female infant. Mr Abrham Tamrat, the Programme Manager of International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Lagos, handed the returnees over to Alhaji Yakubu Suleiman, the South West Zonal Coordinator of NEMA. Suleiman thanked the IOM and the European Union (EU) for facilitating the repatriation of the Nigerians who had been stranded en route from Libya to Europe. Yakubu admonished the returnees to shun the urge of seeking greener pastures outside the country. He said that all nations in the world were facing various challenges as a result of global economic meltdown. The coordinator said the Nigerian economy had exited recession due to the ingenuity of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, adding that they should join hand in building the country.

“Nigeria has more than enough resources to cater for our needs but it is left for every one of us to tap from any of these abundant resources,” Suleiman said. He assured them that both the Federal and state governments had lots of incentives for their rehabilitation and reintegration to complement the efforts of EU and IOM. Also speaking, Tamat said the IOM had assisted over 7,000 Nigerians back from Libya under the voluntary return assistance programme and would continue to assist persons who indicate interest to return. Newsmen report that the returnees were also received by officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Police. The telecommunications company, Airtel, in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, also gave the returnees free mobile cellphones and sim cards to facilitate their reintegration.

Read More

Jack Wilshere has a contract offer on the table from Arsenal, After almost being thrown out of the squad last summer

Mercy Lank

According to Dominic Fifield of the Guardian, Arsenal has extended a contract offer to Jack Wilshere worth around £80,000 a week plus “significant incentives.” Although Wilshere prefers to stay with Arsenal amid interest from Everton, West Ham, and Juventus, Fifield reports, “he will not do so on those terms, leaving discussions at an impasse.” The fact that there is an offer on the table represents a shift in strategy for the club relative to the beginning of the season, as Wilshere revealed that Arsene Wenger told him he was free to find a new club back in August:

“It was an honest conversation,” Wilshere recalls. “It had been boiling up for a while. Everybody knew I had a year left on my deal and had been out on loan, got injured and wasn’t really in his plans. He just said: ‘At the moment we are not going to be offering you a contract so, if you can get one somewhere else, you can go.”

As we all know, Wilshere did look, but couldn’t find an acceptable solution so late in the transfer window and decided to build up his fitness and fight for a spot at Arsenal. For the most part, it’s worked out for Wilshere this season. He got opportunities in the Carabao Cup and Europa League, as Wenger reportedly promised him in August, and has made 31 appearances this season in all competitions, his most since 2013-2014. Although he rightly isn’t a regular starter when everyone in midfield is healthy, he’s been rewarded with a call-up to the England squad, his first since the Euros two summers ago. That being said, it’s hard to argue with Arsenal’s stance in contract negotiations considering Wilshere’s injury history. Any deal has to be incentive-laden, as this offer appears to be, which will force Wilshere to make a bigger bet on himself than he probably wants to as a result. With time running out, this is a situation to monitor closely, which, given how often Wilshere has discussed the negotiations publicly, should be pretty easy to do

Read More

11 soldiers killed in Kaduna by Bandits

Mercy Lank

A group of well-armed bandits have stormed a military post at Doka community in Kaduna state, killing 11 soldiers on the spot in what was believed to be a reprisal attack for the recent assassination of Buharin Daji, a dreaded leader of gang of cattle rustlers in Zamfara State. Before the massacre of soldiers in Doka, an area between Funtua and Birnin Gwari in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, it was gathered that the gunmen had attacked the Maganda District in the afternoon also on a revenge mission over the killing of Buhari Tsoho during which some members of the security volunteer groups were seriously injured. It was after the attack at Maganda that the armed bandits moved towards Doka at the junction road, leading to Gwaska and Dansadau and launched another attack which led to the death of the soldiers. The remains of the slain soldiers have been deposited at a mortuary.

Read More

Liverpool Player pulls out of Germany squad after sustaining injury in training

Mercy Lank

Liverpool star Emre Can was forced to pull out of Germany’s training session ahead of the side’s clash with Spain. Can started Liverpool’s match against Watford last weekend but the 24-year-old was substituted in the 27th minute and replaced with James Milner before the Reds went on to win 5-0. Despite Can struggling with back problems at Anfield, Joachim Low named the midfielder in his Germany squad for their friendlies against Spain and Brazil. Asked about Can’s injury after the defeat of Watford, Jurgen Klopp said: ‘He doesn’t think, and I don’t think, it is too serious – but it was too serious to continue, ‘He had that problem a little bit during the week; we gave him one day of extra recovery but he thought it would work and he trained normally yesterday.

Read More

Manchester United Coach Jose Mourinho told De Gea £80m deal for Real Madrid is already done

Mercy Lank

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has told David de Gea that a deal is in place to sign a Real Madrid star, a report claims. According to Spanish outlet Don Balon, Mourinho has told his star goalkeeper that the Red Devils have a deal in place for Gareth Bale. The report claims that De Gea has now let that slip to Real captain Sergio Ramos while the pair are on international duty with Spain. Don Balon recently stated that United are willing to part with up to £70million to sign Bale as Mourinho looks to bolster his attacking options. The Welshman has struggled to settle at the Bernabeu since his £85m move back in 2013, having struggled with injuries. Meanwhile, Alexis Sanchez has not adapted to life at Old Trafford as hoped, meaning United chiefs could already be looking for an alternative.

Read More

The Archbishop of Nigeria has slam the political 'incompetence, greed and insecurity' in letter to president Buhari

Mercy Lank

A Catholic cardinal and archbishop in Nigeria has hit out at government corruption in the country in a letter to the nation's president. He described 'negligence, incompetence, greed and insecurity' amongst political elites whilst Nigerians die of hunger and suffer terrorist violence. Catholic archbishop Emeritus of Lagos, Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie, released the impassioned, highly critical letter on Tuesday, according to the Daily Post. The letter challenged president Muhammadu Buhari over revelations that the leader had been oblivious to the rebellion of his Inspector-General of Police, who had ignored orders earlier this year. Buhari, the letter said, 'has just made a candid admission that he is not in control of his service chiefs...Boko Haram, said by the President's spokesmen to be degraded and technically defeated, abducted 110 schoolgirls in Yobe State. Are the service chiefs still taking orders? Is the President still in control of security?'

Violent Fulani herdsmen have enacted a killing spree in Nigeria's volatile Middle belt region in recent months: January attacks on the predominantly Christian community of Miango, Bassa killed 75. In the past three weeks at least 57 lives have been claimed by further violence. 'Instead of declaring the murderous herdsmen a terrorist organisation, the president offers pious exhortation to their victims to love their neighbours,' the letter read. 'His party and the ruling party of yesterday score cheap political points, comparing notes on levels of incompetence and gravity of negligence in security matters displayed by their respective governments.' 'Our security is not only threatened by herdsmen. It is also threatened by the incompetence of our leaders, their conduct or misconduct, their greedy unethical glorification of perks of office. If, as one senator recently said, each senator receives 13.5 million naira per month as running cost, added to 720, 000-naira monthly salary, then our security is threatened. Interestingly, the Senate has not contradicted what this senator said. The senator himself has not told Nigerians if he too had been receiving this huge amount.' The cardinal urged that the salaries be cut to provide support for education, improved access to electricity and to combat poverty and insecurity. 'Nigeria spends so much on government. Yet, there is little or no governance...Half of the huge amount of money devoted to servicing political office holders in Nigeria can be spent on education. That will vastly improve our prospects for prosperity and security. To do otherwise is to sentence this country to a future of unending poverty and insecurity. That Nigeria invests more in her recycled politicians than in her youths is a breach of security that mortgages her future.' He added: 'Many are dying of hunger. Salaries are not paid. School fees cannot be paid. Parents withdraw children from school. Meanwhile, Nigeria's politicians, paid huge sums of money, throw lavish wedding parties, at a time of heightened insecurity, and the President and Vice President lead the guests.

'Lust for perks of office has made elections into public offices in Nigeria a security concern. Machiavellian politics has become the most lucrative business. Nigerians must reflect on these questions before voting next year: when shall we have a government and Commander-in-Chief that truly protect us?' The letter concluded: 'Will there ever be conversion of hearts among Nigeria's politicians? When will Nigerian political office holders begin to serve those whose votes put them in office? Can it be said that this narrative of negligence, incompetence, greed and insecurity is a prelude to 2019? We are watching and waiting.'

Loading...

Read More

Breaking News:National Assembly have declared the date for passage of 2018 budget

Mercy Lank

The National Assembly has announced that the 2018 budget will be laid before both chambers on April 19 and subsequently passed on April 24. This was contained in an announcement made by speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Wednesday. Mr. Dogara said the harmonised date was decided by the both chambers of the National Assembly. Details soon…..

Read More

Nigeria: Govt Request for $15b Loan as to Complete Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Rail Project

Mercy Lank

Abuja — The Federal Government is negotiating a $15 billion loan to complete the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail project. Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed this yesterday after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to him, the Itakpe/Warri railway project will be completed and commissioned by August this year. The minister told State House Correspondents that the rail projects in the South-East had been approved but were being delayed by paucity of funds to commence work. Amaechi said he was set to travel to India where the loan would be negotiated. The minister, who stated that President Buhari had approved that negotiation should be carried out for the loan, said the President had also given the approval for negotiation of funds for the execution of Lagos-Calabar rail project to ensure its speedy completion, stressing that lack of funds had been the reason for the delay. He said: "Don't forget that the Lagos-Calabar rail project is yet to start because of funds; the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri is yet to start because of funds, but the President has approved that we negotiate for funds.

"We are almost concluding negotiations for the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri. We are looking at the cost - is in the neighbourhood of between $14 and $15 billion." He said a lot of progress had been made in the area of revamping rail transportation network across the country. Amaechi, who also disclosed that laying of tracks on the Lagos-Ibadan route would commence next month, and expressed the hope that the project would provide a lot of job opportunities to Nigerians, said: "If the rain doesn't start early, we will start laying tracks on the Lagos-Ibadan route in April and hopefully, we believe we can complete it in December or January and open it up for passengers and business and we expect about 6,000,000 tonnes of cargo out of the 30,000,000 tonnes of cargo that we have between Lagos and Kano. "In terms of job creation, you can be rest assured that it will be in thousands." He re-assured that adequate security had been taken to guarantee safety of passengers aboard rail transportation in the country.

Read More