The 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) have decried the
failure of Federal Government to provide a N100 billion subsidy it
promised three years ago, after private investors took over about 18
power sector utilities on November 1, 2013.
The DisCos in a statement by its umbrella body, Association of
Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) yesterday also faulted the poor
funding for the transmission section of the sector, which they said has
resulted in the huge load rejection cases.
The statement issued by ANED’s Director of Advocacy and Research,
Barrister Sunday Oduntan said government which holds 40 per cent equity
in the utilities stated many interventions in the Performance Agreement
of DisCos with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).
“To date, the government has not met the privatization transaction
foundational requirements of providing N100 billion in subsidies;
payment of MDA electricity obligations; ensuring that the DisCos have
debt free financial books; and implementing a cost reflective tariff,”
it said.
On transmission constraints, ANED doubted if the N50 billion
appropriated for TCN in the 2016 budget was released by half adding
that, “This funding level is even more pitiful when, especially,
measured against TCN’s estimate of $7.5 billion for its five-year
expansion plan that is expected to take us to 10,000 megawatt (mw), from
our current 4,500mw.”
The Daily Trust however reports that TCN’s former Managing Director,
Engr. Atiku Tambuwal Abubakar said in February 2017 that the 2016
allocation was released by over 90 per cent, adding that many networks
and substations were strengthened for efficient service delivery.
“Should the DisCos have to suffer financial losses due to the
limitations associated with TCN’s wheeling constraints?,’’ they queried
in the statement.
They decried the continued dearth of TCN funding, saying it impedes
the DisCos’ ability to distribute power and has led to crashes in power
turbines of Generation Companies (GenCos) due TCN consistent requests
for de-loading.
Bank workers to blow whistle on stashed funds
President of Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and
Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), Comrade Oyinkan Olasanoye, yesterday
implored her members in the Insurance and Banking sector to get
involved in the whistle blowing of any person or persons known to them
to be involved in the practice of cash racketeering.
She said it was necessary in order to save the nation’s system from liquidity crisis beleaguering it.
That ASSBIFI shall continue to support the efforts of government to rid the financial system of corruption at all levels.
She enjoined the federal government to go beyond the financial reward to whistleblowers, and put in place laws that will protect the whistleblowers against any form of retaliation.
She added:”The people shall desire to see a more diligent prosecution of corruption cases and a stem in the tide of corruption cases being lost to lack of diligent prosecution”.
She said it was necessary in order to save the nation’s system from liquidity crisis beleaguering it.
“We urge our members as well as other players in the financial
service industry to support the war on corruption in whatever capacity
we can in order, to save our nation and ensure a more viable financial
system and better society.
“As a responsible association, we can safely say that if all such
funds are in the banking system today, the liquidity position will be
different.That ASSBIFI shall continue to support the efforts of government to rid the financial system of corruption at all levels.
She enjoined the federal government to go beyond the financial reward to whistleblowers, and put in place laws that will protect the whistleblowers against any form of retaliation.
She advocated the need for anti-corruption agencies to intensify
efforts into preventive activities by working hand in hand with the
financial system operators and regulators in ensuring that access to
such cash is prevented at the commercial banks and the Central Bank of
Nigeria.
She also advised the federal government to employ proactive approach
to anti-corruption as against the present reactionary trend.She added:”The people shall desire to see a more diligent prosecution of corruption cases and a stem in the tide of corruption cases being lost to lack of diligent prosecution”.
FG bans chloroquine, artemisinin monotherapy
The Federal Government of Nigeria has banned the use of chloroquine and artemisinin monotherapy for the treatment of malaria.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who made this announcement, stated that about N300bn was being lost annually by the Federal Government in the treatment and prevention of the disease.
Adewole spoke on Tuesday in Abuja, during the commemoration of this year’s World Malaria Day.
Speaking on the theme, “End Malaria for Good: What is your Role?” The minister said, “With a new emphasis on citizen accountability and rights, I want you as a Nigerian citizen to challenge your health care provider and ask questions.
“As a citizen when your healthcare provider prescribes chloroquine or artemisinin monotherapy, say no. Doctors and nurses have been told that chloroquine is no longer useful and that it is wrong to prescribe artemisin monotherapy. For the healthcare provider, do not treat malaria without diagnosis.
“Tell yourself, ‘I must not prescribe chloroquine. I must not prescribe monotherapy for artemisinin when what we should prescribe is a combination therapy”, the minister emphasised.
I have not had light for 7 weeks, Nigeria still facing problems Fela spoke about – Femi Kuti
Femi Kuti, the son of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has lamented the poor state of electricity in Lagos.
According to him, he has not had electricity in his home at Alagbole Akute, lagos for seven weeks.
The Afrobeat singer said this during his performance at the New Afrika Shrine on Sunday, 23rd April 2017.
“’It’s been over 7 weeks of no electricity in my house.
Big Brother Niaja: Why Efe must not invest all his money in music – Rapper, Ycee
Nigerian singer, Ycee, has advised winner of the just concluded Big Brother Naija reality television show, Efe Ejeba against investing all his prize money in music.
Efe, an up and coming rapper, prior to his emergence as winner of the reality show was unknown and his songs yet to receive reviews from fans and critics.
The rapper urged the reality star to leverage on the fame he got from the Big Brother Naija to work on his craft.
Speaking with Buzztop Television, Ycee said, “Regarding what he wants to go into. I haven’t listened to any of his song. But a lot of people are saying he shouldn’t do music.
“It’s not just about having passion for music but also taking that time to create good music that people actually enjoy.
“He’s already got the fame so that takes away like 90% of having to be patient and releasing music from time to time.
Bisi Alimi blast Nigerians for welcoming, celebrating CNN gay reporter, Richard Quest
Nigerian gay activist, Bisi Alimi has called Nigerians ‘hypocrites’ for welcoming gay CNN reporter, Richard Quest while throwing hate comments at him for being gay.
Bisi Alimi expressed displeasure at how he gets discriminatory comments and threats from Nigerians for being gay but Richard Quest who is currently in Nigeria was being celebrated.
On his Instagram page @BisiAlimi, he wrote: “So I heard Richard Quest is in Nigeria and as usual, my people are drooling over him.
“These are the same Nigerians that will not allow an openly gay person on their screen, or even give one a job.
“Is it that my people think my homosexuality is in some way earth destroying but that is Richard comforting or as a people we just lack pure emotional intelligence to appreciate our own?
“ My heart bleeds for Nigeria, it does make me cry for my LGBT brothers and sisters.”
Tinubu did not assist me into becoming APC National Chairman – Oyegun
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, John Oyegun has said a National Leader of the party, Bola Tinubu was not responsible for his emergence as the ruling party’s National Chairman.
Oyegun made the remark in an interview with Vanguard while responding to a question that some people are alleging that he has not been fair to those who assisted him to emerge National Chairman of the party, especially, Bola Tinubu.
According to Oyegun, “Everybody assisted me to this position and I am grateful to all of them. The only thing is my personality and integrity; I don’t joke with these two things because they are the only currency that I have and I will defend them at any time.
“I don’t believe one particular person solely assisted me to this position, everybody assisted me and someday, the story of how I became chairman of APC will be told.
APC tells Buhari to leave Jonathan alone, says his government losing direction
The Arewa Peace Coalition, APC, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to stop blaming his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan and focus on his government which is “losing direction.”
A statement by its Coordinator, Abdulkadir Mohammed said the President should pay more attention to the prevalent national issues among which are lopsided appointments and the economic hardship facing the country.
It also advised Buhari to acknowledge some of the successes of his predecessor and consolidate on them.
The statement reads,“Nigerians didn’t vote Buhari to come and give excuses on why he cannot perform… they believed he was capable and particularly fit for the job of president.
“When will we begin to hear what Baba Buhari has done? When will we begin to hear of what our Baba has done to salvage Nigeria?
“Bashing Jonathan at every opportunity has not solved any of the problems you met as president. Nigerians have already voted Jonathan out. They are disappointed that years after Jonathan has left, there is no day that the Buhari presidency does not attempt to feast on Jonathan. Why then did we vote for you?
“And then work to correct and avoid the mistakes that dogged the Jonathan presidency. That is how successful nations work.
“Please leave Jonathan alone. Go around the country and ascertain things for yourself. Two years into your presidency, you are yet to visit more than 30 states in Nigeria.”
The group also the president not to leave out any section of the country in his appointments.
“Appoint a competent team to assist you in the onerous task of fixing Nigeria. Appoint people in every nook and cranny of Nigeria.
“The Buhari presidency must not be over-saturated by people from the northern part of the country or people who share a peculiar history with you.
“You are now a Nigerian president NOT a Northern, Daura or CPC president. You are president over Muslims the same way you are president over Christians.
“It is with great discomfort that we write you this piece. In 2015, many of us came out in large numbers to vote for you because we believed that things would change for the better if you became president of Nigeria.
“When you ascended to the position of President of Nigeria. We rejoiced across the streets of northern Nigeria. Some of our kinsmen trekked hundreds of kilometers to celebrate your win in the 2015 elections.
“Two years into your administration, everything has turned on its head. The price of food has skyrocketed across Nigeria. The quality of education has nosedived. Access to affordable health care has become a problem. Farmers are no longer encouraged to go to their farms. Nothing seems to be working.”
2017 budget: Why NASS leadership met with Osinbajo – Spokesman
The leadership of the National Assembly has revealed why it met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the Easter recess.
Abdulrazak Namdas, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs who made the revelation on Monday said the purpose of the parley was to put both the Legislature and the Executive on the same page concerning the 2017 budget.
He said: “The topmost priority will be the passage of the budget. We want to ensure that within a few weeks, the budget will be passed.
“I can tell you that during the Easter break, the leadership of the National Assembly met with the Executive over the budget so that budget will be streamlined in a manner that it tallies with priority areas of the Federal Government and I can tell you that if this budget is passed, there will no little or no issues with the Executive implementing it”.
“Any bill that is passed by the Senate must be given concurrence by the House and vice-versa. But you also have to understand that concurrence by either House of the National Assembly is not automatic, neither is the rule that the bill be passed the exact manner it was sent to either house.
“But what is important is that we will work hard to pass bills that will enhance good governance on time,” he stated.
“The Speaker dissolved ad hoc committees but my understanding is that next action on investigations undertaken by these committees will either be taken over by standing committees or be reassigned as decided by the leadership of the House.”
Use your energy to attract projects to Kogi – APC chieftain mocks Dino Melaye
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kogi State, Hon. Attayi Okolo Musa, has advised the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye to stop his constant attacks on Governor Yahaya Bello.
He advised Melaye to use his vibrancy to attract federal projects to his home state.
“Instead of attracting federal presence to the state to complement the good works of the governor, Senator Melaye is busy distracting Governor Bello from delivering the needed democratic dividends to the people of Kogi”, he said
He advised the Senator to play his own role instead of demonising the state government.
“The governor of the Kogi state is too ethical and level-headed to be linked to
such an inglorious act”, he said.
He advised other members of the National Assembly from the state not to lock horns with the governor, but join hands with him to drive the ‘New Direction’ policy of the stategovernment.
Rivers APC congratulates Peterside on his election
Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the election of Dr Dakuku Peterside, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), as the new Chairman and President of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) is well deserved.
APC in a statement issued on Monday in Port Harcourt, described the election as a testimony to Peterside’s exceptional leadership qualities.
”We are, therefore, not surprised that Maritime Administrators from 32 countries in Africa have found him worthy of piloting the affairs of AAMA for the next one year,” Rivers APC said in a statement signed by the State Chairman, Davies Ikanya.
“He has in so short a time made NIMASA an institutionalised institution with the right structure, the right work ethics; an institution which Nigerians are proud of.
It further noted that Peterside had within one year ensured the full implementation and enforcement of the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) code in the nation’s ports, and shut three jetties and port facilities for non-compliance with the provisions of the ISPS Code.
“NIMASA under Peterside’s watch has commenced the full implementation of the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act 2003, also known as the Cabotage Act, and forged strategic partnerships with the Nigerian Air Force as well as other naval assets to patrol and monitor the country’s waterways with a view to enhancing maritime security by decisively tackling piracy and criminality on the high seas”, he said.
”We stand with our beloved President that given NIMASA’s encouraging performance under Dr. Peterside especially in the fight against sea piracy through inter-agency cooperation, his new position provides him with even bigger platform to forge ahead in doing the nation proud by meeting the objectives of AAMA.
“We thank President Buahri and Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi the Minister of Transportation for their support to this gem and revolutionary leader that have made us all proud by becoming the first Nigerian to head such an international organisation”, the party stated.
Why Nigerians should support Buhari for second term – APC chairman, Chief Odigie-Oyegun
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has explained why Nigerians should queue behind President Muhammadu Buhari for second term in 2019.
Odigie-Oyegun said Buhari had performed excellently and should be given another opportunity to finish what he had started.
Speaking with Vanguard, the APC leader said, Buhari’s fight against corruption should earn him automatic ticket for second term.
His words, “This is a free country. I have my views and I have expressed them. Why do I say so? I said so because the main gift President Buhari is giving to this country is what he represents and that is his absolute integrity.
Odigie-Oyegun added that even when Buhari finally leaves office, Nigeria still needs a man like him to continue the good foundation he had laid for the nation.
“The job is so enormous that one term cannot do it. The job is so enormous that two terms cannot do it.
“So, my prayer is that God gives him robust good health and once he enjoys that, of course as an individual, I will work that he comes back for another term. But those things are in the hands of God because we are not God and we cannot play God.
“I am only saying that because of the enormity of the task that we are facing. When we talk of change, a lot of people talk about physical change.
“The main one is the change in the mentality and ethics of Nigerians, especially the attitude of Nigerians to right and wrong. So, the task is enormous and we need continuity in principled leadership which President Buhari represents,” he said.
Buhari considering Oshiomhole, Mamora to replace Babachir Lawal as SGF
Former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole and former Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora are being considered to replace the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, if the Yemi Osinbajo-led panel indicts him.
According to This Day, both men are on a shortlist currently before President Muhammadu Buhari.
The panel responsible for investigations is headed by Vice-President Osinbajo, with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), as members.
However, proactive measures are being taken, before the panel concludes its findings and submits a report.
“Two names featured prominently on the list. They are Adams Oshiomhole and Olorunnimbe Mamora,” a reliable presidency source said.
How ex-INEC Chairman, Jega disappointed me in 2015 – Goodluck Jonathan
The immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan despite conceding defeat after the 2015 Presidential election ha expressed disappointment with how the then Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Attahiru Jega conducted the election.
This revelation was contained in a book written by the Chairman of THISDAY editorial board, Segun Adeniyi.
The former President also said he had a meeting with Jega to express his reservations about the preparedness of INEC for the exercise, but the ex-INEC Chairman maintained that the election would go ahead as scheduled.
According to Jonathan, “I was disappointed by Jega because I still cannot understand what was propelling him to act the way he did in the weeks preceding the election.
“Of course, the Americans were encouraging him to go ahead yet they would never do such a thing in their own country. How could we have cynically disenfranchised about a third of our registered voters for no fault of theirs and still call that a credible election?”
“The interesting thing was that the opposition also supported the idea of going on with the election that was bound to end in confusion,” the former president said.
“When the military and security chiefs demanded for more time to deal with the insurgency, the reasons were genuine.
“As at February 2015, it would have been very difficult to vote in Gombe, Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
“But the moment all the arms and ammunition that had been ordered finally arrived, the military was able to use them to degrade the capacity of Boko Haram to the level in which they posed the threat to the election,” he said.
Buhari restates vow to probe present, past corrupt officials
President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated that all past and present corrupt officials will be probed.
He said the anti-corruption agencies have been repositioned to undertake the legal battle against them.
Buhari vowed that under his administration, money meant for the citizenry will not be looted by a few corrupt individuals.
President Buhari who was represented by Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau, said the challenges confronting the nation included terrorism.
“This is one serious matter that affects most concerned persons in this forum, next is the collateral kidnapping for ransom and problems associated to it.
“As you are all aware, the security forces, including the intelligence outfits, have been mandated to combine their efforts to rid our people of the violent levels it has escalated in recent times, leading to regrettable loss of lives and property, at a national scale.”
Isiaka Adeleke’s death: Osun State will never be the same – Davido
Popular singer, David Adeleke, otherwise known as Davido, has removed Osogbo, Osun state from his 8-city Back To Basics 2017 Tour.
According to him, Osun state will never be the same after his late uncle’s death, Senator Isiaka Adeleke.
The ‘IF’ hit singer about a week announced via social media of his nationwide tour that was to cover 8 cities namely Lagos, Ibadan, Osogbo, Benin, Abuja, Enugu, Port Harcourt, and Ilorin.
However, it seems events surrounding his late uncle’s death seems to have affected the decision.
Davido wrote on his snapchat page @DAVIDO: “Osun will never be the same again. Smh”
“Cancelling Osun from my tour, I can’t do it.”
How Obama helped Buhari defeat me in 2015 election – Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has claimed that he lost the 2015 presidential elections, because of a conspiracy between the USA, Britain and France.
In a new book “Against The Run of Play” authored by the Chairman of ThisDay Editorial Board, Olusegun Adeniyi, Jonathan said former US President Barack Obama, ex-British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande helped President Muhamamdu Buhari win the election.
“I got on well with Prime Minister David Cameron but at some point, I noticed that the Americans were putting pressure on him and he had to join them against me.
“But I didn’t realise how far President Obama was prepared to go to remove me until France caved in to the pressure from America.
On why Obama was not confident in him, Jonathan said, “There was this blanket accusation that my body language was supporting corruption, a line invented by the opposition but which the media and civil society bought into and helped to project to the world. That was the same thing I kept hearing from the Americans without specific allegations.”
Jonathan also admitted that Buhari’s administration was doing a better job on the fight against insurgency.
“I did my best and so did the military, though I can understand if there is greater commitment to the fight now than in the past. In my time, Boko Haram said they were fighting an infidel government. That naturally has to change since they cannot also call Buhari an infidel.
“There is a feeling of ‘our man is there now’ that you cannot discountenance. It was the same feeling with me with the Niger Delta militants at the initial stage in 2007,” he said.
PDP demands update on Buhari’s health
The Ahmed Markafi faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the presidency to give Nigerians update on the health status of President Muhammadu Buahri.
Dayo Adeyeye, spokesman of the Markafi group, said this in reaction to the expulsion of Olalekan Adetayo, state house correspondent of Punch, from the presidential villa in Abuja.
“The PDP acknowledges Mr. President’s health challenges; and as a human being and an elder statesman, we quite understand the need for him to have adequate rest and continuous medical attention,” Adeyeye said in a statement.
“We are therefore not too surprised that the president has not in recent times been able to fully face the rigours of government and has to make very rare public appearances.
“The media as the fourth estate of the realm is an important pillar of any democracy. Any attempt to gag the press in whatever guise is an abridgment of the rights of the people and a direct assault on our hard earned democracy.
“We therefore totally condemn the action of the president’s CSO. He must realise that we are in a democracy and not military dictatorship.
“We join all well meaning Nigerians to wish the president a speedy recovery and pray that the Lord Almighty will grant all that is required for him to fulfill his responsibilities to our dear country.”
Update On Suswam’s Continued Detention By DSS
The Department of State Security has accused Benue State former Governor, Gabriel Suswam of having links with a militant group that recently attacked Zaki Biam, which led to death of hundreds of people.
The agency disclosed this Tuesday when it brought a fresh application on why Suswam is still detained in its cell.
The office of the Attorney General of the Federation filed the application which stalled the hearing of a Fundamental Human Rights enforcement suit filed by the former Governor.
Suswam has been in the custody of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) since 25 February.
When the suit came up before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a Federal high court Abuja, applicant’s counsel, Adedayo Adedeji, informed the court that the respondent was served with the originating summon on April 19, 2017.
“However, this morning at about 9.45 am in the court I was served with counter affidavit (by the DSS) and a written address in opposition to the motion,” he said.
“We want to exercise right of reply and in the circumstance ask for short adjournment”, he said.
The DSS counsel, Terhemba Agbe said they have no objection to the prayer for an adjournment. Agbe did not comment on the application he filed but he admitted that the applicant was served with it in the court room.
The counter affidavit in question sworn to by Abdullahi Adamu, an operatives of DSS, is praying the court not to release Suswam because he is linked with the militant group that attacked Zaki Biam, Benue State.
The DSS also stated that a security report from Benue state government alleged that the state will be ungovernable if Suswam is released.
An attempt on Tuesday by Adedeji to move an ex-parte motion earlier filed that seeks to compel the 1st respondent to unconditionally release Suswam was refused by the Judge who noted that it was no longer necessary as the respondents have joined issues.
Suswam who is currently held in the custody of the DSS had asked the Federal High Court in Abuja in the substantive suit for an order of unconditional release from detention.
The ex-governor has also asked the court in the suit for N10bn compensation for unlawful incarceration and violation of his rights.
Justice Kolawole has adjourned further hearing till May 10.
In the suit, Suswam is seeking compensation for unlawful incarceration and violation of his rights.
He also asked for another order directing the respondents to tender public apology to him in seven national dailies of very wide circulation for the “illegal arrest and detention.”
Suswam further asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents particularly the DSS from torturing him and if proven that he had been tortured, the court should “nullify any statements, documents or other materials that may have been extracted or obtained” from him under “such unwholesome and constitutionally prohibited circumstances”
In a related development,the paramount ruler of the Tiv Traditional council and the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse Tuesday sent a high power delegation headed by a first class Chief, Tor Jechira, Chief Clement Uganden to visit the Director General of the DSS, Lawal Daura over the continued detention of former Governor of Benue State.
Tor Jechira was accompanied by Ter Ukum, Chief Teran Kwaghbo, Ter Logo, Chief Jimmy Meeme and Ter Katsina/Ala Chief Fezanga Wombo.
Suswam was taken into custody by the States Security Service on 25 February, 2017 when he was invited by the service for some interactions over alleged discovery of firearms in his car in Dunes maitama, Abuja.
A member of the delegation who pleaded anormity with our correspondent said that the essence of the visit was to see their son as well as the Director General and find out what is actually the case against their son and to report same to the Tor Tiv Professor Ayatse as directed by the Tiv Traditional Council,TTC.
Army Disowns Soldiers Who Raided Priest's Home In Benue
The Nigerian Army says men in military uniform, who invaded the official residence of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Benjamin Vesue, in Katsina Ala, of Benue State, may be impersonators.
The incident was said to have taken place at the weekend at St. Paul Parish, Aye-Twer, Katsina-Ala Diocese.
The suspected soldiers were said to have invaded the residence in search of arms but did not find anything.
Fr. Vesue told Punch that his residence was invaded by military men and that he was not at home when the soldiers came.
He said, “The soldiers stormed the parish I oversee as early as 6am and turned the house upside down claiming they were searching for weapons.
“They searched everywhere and did not find anything. The soldiers came from Takum in Taraba State. I was not around when they came.”
In his reaction, spokesman of Special Force 707 Brigade, Major Olabisi Ayeni, said they would carry out investigation to ascertain the incident, adding that there was possibility that those who carried out the search impersonated soldiers.
Katsina-Ala is the stronghold of the dreaded criminal Terwase Akwaza also known as Gana who has since been declared wanted by the state government. The sum of N10m was placed on him.
Buhari is after my family – Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is hounding his family.
Jonathan made this claim in a yet-to-be released book, “Against The Run of Play”, written by the Chairman of ThisDay Editorial Board, Olusegun Adeniyi.
“Society is like a building. You build it one block at a time. If every president decides to go in to dismantle what his predecessor did, society will never make progress. I expected President Buhari to correct whatever mistakes I may have made and then carry on from there.
“But a situation in which people go into exile for political reasons is not good for us.
Jonathan also stated that some security officials and the former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mu’azu, sabotaged his chances of winning the 2015 elections.
“I felt really betrayed by the result coming from some northern states. Perhaps for ethnic purposes, even security agents colluded with the opposition to come up with spurious results against me.
“How could we have lost Ondo, Benue and Plateau states if our people were committed to the cause? If you examine the results, you will see a pattern: in places where ordinarily we were strong, our supporters did not show enough commitment to mobilise the voters.
“What happened was very sad not for me as a person, but for our democracy.”
“Take, for instance, the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu. I believe he joined in the conspiracy against me.
“For reasons best known to him, he helped to sabotage the election in favour of the opposition,” Jonathan said.
Photos: Military Allegedly Invade Catholic Parish in Search of Weapons
A Facebook user identified as Vesuwe Benjamin, has taken to the social networking platform to share photos and condemn the alleged invasion by the Nigerian military on his parish in Benue State.
Here’s how Benjamin reported the story;
“Today (April 18th) my house and the entire parish was turned inside out by the military in-search for weapons. They say I keep weapons, for heaven sake, I don’t do weapon. The Fulani herdsmen go about with heavy weapons killing innocent people and never a day has any one of them been harassed by the military.
“There are instances where the military have even assisted them to carry out their attacks on Defenseless citizens. The soldiers we have in this country are one sided. Why are they trying to divide the very country they are called to defend on religious line. Would they have done this to an imam or the mosque.”
Provide Tractors For Mechanised Farming Kuku Appeal To Benue Government
An Agriculturist, Mr Joseph Kuku, has appealed to the Benue Government to acquire more tractors to cater for the growing needs of farmers who intend to engage in large-scale farming.
Kuku made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Makurdi.
He underscored the need to discourage farmers from practising the traditional methods of farming, so as to boost the government’s efforts to achieve food security.
Kuku said that the Benue Tractor Hiring Agency should be repositioned and well-equipped to provide quality tractor hiring services for farmers, particularly now when the government was striving to diversify the economy.
“Agriculture is the major option in the new arrangement because agriculture was the mainstay of the country’s economy, prior to the discovery of oil.
“Groundnut, cocoa and rubber, among other agricultural produce, were then sustaining the country’s economy.
“The current potential of agriculture is enormous because modern farming techniques have made faming less tedious,’’ he said.
Kuku said that agriculture had the capacity to turn the nation’s economic fortunes around, if the government decided to give it priority attention to the development of the sector.
Tsav Calls On Buhari Not To Deny Others Their Right
A former Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Tsav, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari not to deny others their right now that he is the leader of the country.
Tsav, in a statement on Monday, said he could recollect that Buhari wept when he contested for the Presidency and lost and then the Supreme Court now delivered a judgement he considered unfavourable.
Tsav declared support for the position of a former Governor of Kaduna State, retired Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, said Buhari should not use detention as a means of punishing those who are undergoing trial.
He said like Umar noted in a statement on Sunday, the likes of a former National Security Adviser, Colonel Tambo Dasuki (retd), should not be denied their rights to bail after it was granted them by the courts.
Tsav said in the statement: “I totally align with Colonel Abubakar Umar over the long detention of Colonel Sambo Dasuki and others without trial.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. After all we are not under a Military Administration where the notorious Decree 2 would be used to detain Accused Persons ad infinitum and without trial.
“We are in a Democracy and it is unconstitutional to detain suspects for more than 24 hours without trial.
“I remember when General Muhammadu Buhari appealed his election case to Supreme Court and his appeal was disallowed, he felt justice was denied him and he wept.
Why will he now allow security agencies to detain accused persons for long without taking them to court, now that he is a democratically elected President? Is he not denying these people justice? It is wrong to use detention as punishment for an accused person.
“Let us observe the golden rule by doing unto others what we would like others to do unto us.
“Democracy should not be expressed by mere words of mouth but by action and conduct.”
Access Bank gets new Group Deputy Managing Director
Access Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Roosevelt Michael Ogbonna, as Group Deputy Managing Director to replace Mr. Obinna Nwosu who recently resigned his appointment to pursue other personal endeavours.
The new Group Deputy Managing Director began his illustrious banking career as an Investment Banker 20 years ago.
institutions.
He joined Access Bank in 2002 and during this time, implemented
strategies across different divisions that increased market share and more than
doubled the group’s balance sheet.
Prior to now, Mr Ogbonna served as Divisional Head, Commercial Banking and subsequently rose to the position of Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Access Bank, a position he held since October 2013.
business.
His appointment as Group Deputy Managing Director is in line with the Bank’s core values of empowering employees as he has risen within the ranks to attain his new position.
In an era where most financial institutions see the need to employ ‘outsiders’ to fill up executive roles, it is laudable that the Bank has decided to appoint from within.
Roosevelt holds a BSc. in Banking & Finance (Second Class Upper) from the
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
He is an alumnus of the Senior Executives Fellows program at Harvard
University’s Kennedy School of Government and has attended various Executive Management Development programs at leading global institutions including the Institute of Management Development (IMD), The Wharton School of Business, and INSEAD.
He is a Non-Executive Director of Access Bank (Zambia) and the Access Bank (United Kingdom), and is also a member of reputable professional organisations including Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and the Future Leaders Group of the Institute of International Finance.
Mr Ogbonna, whose appointment has been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria is happily married with children.
CBN suspends charges on withdrawal, says banks should revert to old policy
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has suspended its earlier directive on the implementation of cashless policy till further notice.
The apex bank in a circular released on Friday, instructed banks to revert to old charges as deposit processing fee charges above the threshold contained in circulars dated Feb. 21 are hereby suspended until further notice.
But in the circular signed by Director of banking and payments system department, Dipo Fatokun, CBN ordered banks to refund customers who have been debited and revert to former policy.
The circular read: “You will recall that a directive was issued on the nationwide implementation of the cashless policy vide our circulars with reference numbers BPS/DIR/GEN/CIR/04/001 dated February 21 and BPS/DIR/GEN/CIR/04/002 dated March 16.
“The position of the policy shall now revert to the status quo ante.”
“The old charges to be reverted to 3% processing fee for withdrawals above N500,000 in the individual category and 5% for withdrawals above N3 million.
“All necessary refunds should be made accordingly.”
What Nigeria must do to revive economy – IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated that what Nigeria requires to address tremendous shocks holding its economy back is a broad set of policies and reforms.
Director, African Department, IMF, Abebe Aemro Selassie, noted that the fund’s engagement and discussions with Nigeria always was distilled to foreign exchange policy.
“Commodity prices, of course,but also the insurgency in the North east of the country”, Selassie stated at a press conference on sub-Saharan Africa at the ongoing Spring Meetings of the IMF.
He added that the federal government should also address the problems in the Niger Delta that flare up from time to time.
According to the director, there is a big gap occasioned by what he described as “traditionally extensive reliance on oil revenues”.
He maintained that for government operations to progress seamlessly, it is not debatable that the government needs alternative revenue policy strategies.
Selassie emphasised the urgency of putting in place more flexible policies that would try to absorb the perceived shocks.
“But you know, how quickly you move towards that framework is something which is up to the government”, he added.
Buhari punishing Ndigbo over 2015 election – Ex-Minister, Odom
Former minister of Environment, Housing and Urban Development under President Umaru Yar’Adua, Chuka Odom, has claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari is punishing Ndigbo for refusing to support him during the 2015 presidential election.
Odom admitted that though, the marginalisation did not start with Buhari, it, however, took a different dimension under his administration.
“The only thing is that it assumed another dimension under President Buhari. While others pretended to be in love with the South-East, President Buhari has no such pretensions. He announced from the beginning that those who voted for him would benefit more from his government; he put us on notice that he would not do anything for us.”
He noted that the continuous detention of founder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu had caused serious tension in the south east region.
“That is why I believe that the President needs to consider if the current policies have worked. He also needs to check if his policies have served the long-term political interest of his people. These are questions that should be answered by the President and the people close to him.
“When the South-South agitation started, there were hawks that told late Yar’Adua to ignore the people. But he knew that he had a problem in his hands. He quickly got the stakeholders in the region and had a discussion.
“Instead, you are sending soldiers to go and kill them. Did they do that with the Niger Delta? This is where I do not agree with the Federal Government. As far as I am concerned, the Federal Government needs to find a solution. The solution is not in policing the South-East.
“The solution also does not lie with the continuous agitation for Biafra. The solution lies with constructive engagements that will involve the leaders of South-East. The Federal Government needs to be told that the continuous detention of Kanu is not the solution,” he added.
Malabu Oil deal: Adoke denies collecting bribe from anyone, reveals his role
Former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, has denied taking bribe from anyone in respect to the controversial OPL 245 deal between the Federal Government and Malabu Oil and Gas in 2011.
Adoke, who made the denial in a statement by his media aide, Victor Akhidenor, also insisted that he did not broker the OPL 245 deal between the Nigerian government and the oil company.
He stated that the Abacha administration allocated the oil block to Malabu Oil and Gas Limited “in pursuance of the FG’s policy of promoting indigenous participation in the upstream sector of the oil industry”.
Adoke said his role as a facilitator “was to ensure that the federal government was released from the contingent liability arising from the arbitration instituted by Shell, which claimed to have de-risked the block at substantial cost with the knowledge and approval of the government”.
“It was Malabu’s dissatisfaction with the revocation that led to series of litigation between it and the FG. Shell, aware of the pending litigation paid only $1 million out of the $210 million signature bonus that was fixed by the administration of President Obasanjo to the government and warehoused the balance of $209 into an escrow account jointly managed by Shell and the FG.
“Mr. Adoke has also made it clear that in 2006, Malabu and the FG reached a settlement, which was reduced to a consent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Under the terms of settlement agreement dated 30th November 2006, the FGN agreed to restore OPL 245 to Malabu and Malabu agreed to withdraw its pending litigation against the FG.
“Also at the time, the federal government was exposed to a potential liability of over $2 billion arising from the Investor/state arbitration instituted by Shell before ICSID. OPL 245 could not be operated because Malabu was unable to get a technical partner as a result of the caveat that Shell had put on the Block.”
Adoke stressed that in a bid to resolve the contending issues as was “reflected in the OPL 245 resolution agreement and re-allocation agreement of 2011,” the federal government agreed to act as facilitator “to ensure that Malabu relinquished its title to OPL 245 and the re-allocation of same to shell/eni”.
“The FG was thus entitled to its signature bonus of $210 million as fixed by the administration of President Obasanjo; Malabu as owner of OPL 245 got the proceeds of its sale of the block and shell/eni paid Malabu the agreed sum they had negotiated amongst themselves,” he added.
Women at menopause can still bear children – Expert
Dr Omuku Samuel, a gynaecologist at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, has said women at menopause can still bear children with the aid of Invitro- Fertilisation (IVF).
Samuel stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa on Wednesday.
‘‘The IVF process is not difficult. It is normally carried out with the help of doctors.
‘‘The process is by joining the female and male sperms together; this can help the persons to have many kids as they want.
‘‘Menopause starts between the ages of 45 and 55 in a woman. Yes, there are some components that make the woman look younger like the oestrogen hormones.
‘‘Once a woman lacks such component, her breast and vagina become dry.
‘‘I am advising women with menopause not to lose hope because IVF can make them to reproduce children again”, Samuel said.
(NAN)
How masturbation, aggressive sex could break penis – Experts
Medical experts in Nigeria have revealed that excessive masturbation and aggressive sex could break the penis.
Making the revelation is a Consultant Public Health Physician and Professor of Community Health, Bayo Onajole and a Consultant Public Health Physician, Dr. (Mrs) Omowunmi Bakare.
The two doctors affirmed that the human penis, could actually break.
Bakare said the penis could actually break when it experiences too much force such as when there is an excessive masturbation.
She told New Telegraph, “The force involved in the masturbation can affect the penis resulting in its fracture.
“Also, when a man is not in control of the situation such as when he is not on top of his spouse during sex, his penis can break.”
Explaining further she added, “Usually, adopting the missionary method during sex when the man is on top of the spouse, he is able to manoeuvre, knowing when and where to penetrate.
Bakare said trauma in the muscles of the organ could also lead to fracture.
Penis fracture is the rupture of one or both of the tunica albuginea, the fibrous coverings that envelop the penis’ corpora cavernosa.
Also speaking, Prof. Onajole said, “When a penis is turgid, it’s like a bone temporarily and under that condition it can fracture.”
Onajole, who is a professor of Community Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, explaind further, “Anything that can cause a sudden bending of the penis when it is turgid is a risk factor.”
Prof. Onajole, however, urged men to be gentle during sex and advised them to use lubricants when necessary in order to avoid fracture.
Also, he encouraged proper packing of the penis.
His words, “This will ensure that when it is turgid and experiences sudden force, there will be some restrain on it.
“When the penis is turgid, it is like a bone; if you put sudden pressure on a bone, it will break.
“What happens is that the muscle of the penis that is strengthened when turgid will suddenly break and the continuity of the fibres in the penis will break. That is why a penis fractures.”
Fans blast Kim Kardashian over use of Virgin Mary image for her campaign
Kim Kardashian on Friday got the bashing of many of her followers and fans on social media for imposing her face in the image of Virgin Mary.
On Thursday, the 36-year-old reality star took to Social media to unveil her new Kimoji in honour of 420, also known as weed day.
The Kimoji was shared in several videos which had psychedelic effects, and one of the videos was captioned, “When Kim Blesses you with that 420 drop.”
The mother of two also shared another image of a candle branded with the same image which is available on her app Kimoji.com for $18.
@Karmal_xx: “So disrespectful, all the money in the world and now trying to make money by putting your face on our mother Mary. Wow so low.
@Claudiamaroun: she’s trying to say people worship her and the scary thing is people do.
@Suzieelkhoury: “Kim you are offending Christians and disrespecting our mother Mary.
“Please get rid of this candle.
“Can’t believe you think it’s okay to put your face in place of our lady and then make money with it what is wrong with you?
Why we can’t stop being sexual in entertainment – Tiwa Savage
Multiple award-winning Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage, has said that the desire for glamour and appeal is the reason entertainers cannot stop being sexual in their performances.
She said this while addressing some pressing issues in the Nigerian music industry as a guest on an entertainment show hosted by Arise Television, which was monitored by DAILYPOST.
She, however, disclosed that contemporary musicians were misunderstood in a similar way the late Afrobeat King, Fela’s dancers were misunderstood because of their sexual displays on stage.
Savage said: “There is no way a movie and entertainment will not have sexual scenes. You cannot stop an artiste from being sexual in entertainment
“When I performed initially in Nigeria, they screamed that it was too much; that it was too sexual. We are still fighting the same battle the Fela girls fought.
“Fela’s girls were misunderstood. What they did on stage was just entertainment.
EFCC probe: Discovered N6b belongs to Niger State – Governor Bello
Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State has claimed that the N6 billion discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) belongs to the state government.
The governor made this known to newsmen after joining President Muhammadu Buhari and hundreds of other Muslim faithful to perform the Juma’at prayer, at the Aso Rock Mosque, Abuja.
According to Bello, the funds are believed to have been siphoned by the suspects through inflated Hajj subsidies offered by the state government to Pilgrims within the periods he (suspect) served as the Chairman of the Niger State Pilgrims’ Agency.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the EFCC towards the recovery of the misappropriated ecological funds by the previous administration in the state.
“I did not have any evidence that it was utilised to address any ecological issues and we are faced with major ecological problems especially in Mokwa, Agaie, Bida, part of Minna, Rafin Gora and Mariga.
“We are doing our best to address the ecological problems. We need funds and unfortunately the N2 billion that was given to the state was not judiciously used to address the ecological challenges.
Why Governor Bello wants to assassinate me – Dino Melaye
Senator Dino Melaye has claimed that Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, is planning to assassinate him, for fighting for the state’s workers and pensioners.
Melaye stated this while addressing women of his senatorial district, who embarked on a peaceful protest at Aiyetoro-Gbede on Saturday.
“Yahaya Bello collected N20bn from the Federal Government as bailout fund. Still, he refused to settle workers. He also collected N11bn from the Paris Club fund. Still, he refused to pay workers and pensioners.
“Children can no longer go to school. Tenants can no longer pay their house rent. Enough is enough, the people of Kogi State are tired of this government.
Melaye reportedly escaped an assassination attempt last week.
Senator Isiaka Adeleke is dead
Senator Isiaka Adeleke has died at the age of 62.
The three-term Senator currently represents Osun West Senatorial district having won the election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2015.
Adeleke, the first civilian governor of Osun state, in 2014, dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
At an event in Osogbo, the Osun state capital, while leading thousands of his supporters to defect to APC, Adeleke noted that with the alleged assault on him by the then Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, and candidate of the PDP, Iyiola Omisore, he and his followers were no longer safe in the party.
He said he was thereafter betrayed and hounded.
“I am happy to be in the progressives. I was a governor under the Social Democratic Party (PDP) which was a progressive party, I was fully involved in the struggle for June I2″, Adeleke said.
“I then moved towards the room where I met Sogo Agboola, Jelili Adesiyan, Iyiola Omisore, Gani Olaoluwa and others. As I was about explaining what happened outside to the Minister, he descended on me with blows. So also was Omisore and others.
“They are a party breeding thugs. How can a whole minister of the Federal Republic be boxing, I have nothing against PDP, but I don’t see myself working for a criminal. I can’t support a violent person to go to the Government House.”
My greatest fear as Speaker – Dogara
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has revealed that his greatest fear is how to leave a lasting legacy which will impact positively on the lives of Nigerians.
He made the revelation during an interview with NIGERIA NOW Magazine in Abuja.
“I tell people that one of the things God has developed real well in me is to remove fear from me, I fear nothing”, he said.
He stated that the only thing that frightened him was if the Eighth House of Representatives, which he leads, is unable to leave landmark achievements.
“At times, I begin to think about what it is that we have achieved, done wrong or could have done better? What is the next line of things we can do for the betterment of the lives and living conditions of our people?
“This is going to be 2 years, what can we really say we have done that has bettered the lot of Nigerians? What will be our place when the history of this country is written?”
“I bother a lot about where we are leading this House to and what it is we can achieve in both parliament and in government, because we are running the same government. If Buhari fails; all of us have failed, because it is one government and we cannot extricate ourselves”, he said.
The Speaker, who also revealed that he occasionally writes advisory memos to the Presidency, stressed the importance of working as one irrespective of party affiliations and positions occupied, in order to make the current administration succeed in its efforts to better the lot of Nigerians.
“Sometimes I sit down, craft memos by myself and take it to the Executive; it is not my responsibility, the government has its own advisers, but I fear a lot about the place this government will occupy in history.
“All of us will be involved in that history, none of us will run away whether you just a member, a leader, a Chairman of a Committee, whoever you are it is our government, it doesn’t even matter which political party you belong to, it is one government and we are all involved.
“So the point is what is the legacy we are leaving behind? What are we achieving? That’s the thing that gives me nightmares sometimes.”
PDP sweeps Ebonyi chairmanship, councilorship election
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ebonyi State has won all the 13 Chairmanship and 171 Councilorship positions in the state.
Local Government Election was conducted in the state on Saturday, by the State Independent Electoral Commission.
Announcing the result at the Commission headquarters Abakaliki on Sunday, the Chairman of the Commission, Barrister Jossy Eze declared that the PDP was victorious in all the 13 Chairmanship seats and all the 171 Councillorship wards in the State.
He said, “the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the entire Chairmanship/Councillorship seats in Abakaliki, Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ishielu, Ikwo, Ivo, Izzi, Ohaukwu, Ohaozara, Onicha, Ebonyi, Ezza North, and Ezza South local Government Areas respectively.”
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