Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, has reacted to President Goodluck Jonathan’s statement that victory for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the forthcoming elections would free Lagos residents from oppression, saying “Lagos is not in bondage.”
President Jonathan and Gov Babatubde Fashola of Lagos
The governor said: “It is an un-presidential statement made in an act of desperation.”
It will be recalled that President Jonathan made the statement during a meeting with leaders of market women groups, “Iyalojas,” in Lagos.
According to him, “the question to ask him (Jonathan) is that if he had come to free residents of Lagos from bondage and he lived here for five days meeting with people and distributing money, that means he lived in bondage in five days while trying to free people.
“If he can live here for five days moving with patrol vehicles that we paid for, let him go and spend five days in Chibok and he will know what bondage is,” he added.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/lagos-not-in-bondage-fashola-tells-jonathan-2/
Tuesday, 24 February 2015
Fashola Replies GEJ. "Spend 5 Days In Chibok And You'll Know What Bondage Is
10 Year Old Nigerian Girl Accepted In Uk University To Study Maths Degree
Is this Britain's cleverest girl? Ten-year-old is accepted on university course to study maths degree despite not going to schoolEsther Okade from Walsall has enrolled on Open University course
After degree she wants to study for PhD before running her own bank
Girl's younger brother Isiah is already studying for A-levels aged six
Siblings are both home-schooled by mathematician mother Omonefe
She spends her spare time in a similar way to many other ten-year-old girls - playing with Barbie dolls and making loom bands.
But the key difference between Esther Okade and other children her age is that she has been accepted to study for a university maths degree - despite not going to school.
Texas authorities regain control of prison after inmates riot
PRISON officials in south Texas are transferring hundreds of inmates after nearly 2,000 men took control of the facility and set fires.
Using pipes as weapons, prisoners began rioting Friday and maintained partial control of the facility until Saturday.
Inmates have complained that their medical needs are not properly addressed by the firm that manages the prison.
All 2,800 prisoners will be transferred to other facilities this week.
Most of the "low-level" offenders housed at the facility are immigrants who entered the United States illegally.
Using pipes as weapons, prisoners began rioting Friday and maintained partial control of the facility until Saturday.
Inmates have complained that their medical needs are not properly addressed by the firm that manages the prison.
All 2,800 prisoners will be transferred to other facilities this week.
Most of the "low-level" offenders housed at the facility are immigrants who entered the United States illegally.
NNPC audit report and need for autonomy
THE PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which was contracted to carry out a forensic audit report on alleged unremitted $20billion by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into the Federation Account, has not only exonerated the Corporation of wrong doings, but hinged the misleading information on ignorance on how the oil sector works.
Submitting its report to the office of the Auditor General of the Federation, the global audit firm declared that the gross revenue generated from the Federal Government of Nigeria crude oil lifting for the period 1st January 2012 to 31 July 2013, was $69.34 billion and not $67 billion reported by the Reconciliation Committee.
Pellegrini: We’re in a better position to beat Barca
City take on the Catalan giants in the last 16 of the Champions League for a second season in succession.
The Premier League winners were beaten 4-1 on aggregate 12 months ago but, as they prepare for the opening leg of their latest contest at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, Pellegrini is positive.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Pellegrini said: “I think that last year was different to this year.
“We arrived at this stage of the Champions League after playing 19 games in two months, and I don’t think it was our best moment.
“But I hope this year we will do it after not playing so many games. I think that our team is in a good moment, although we also recognise we are going to be playing against a very strong team.”City’s progress to the knockout stages this season - for only the second time - was far from straightforward.They collected just two points from their opening four group games and needed dramatic back-to-back wins over Bayern Munich and Roma to pull through against the odds.
Pellegrini hopes that experience will stand his team in good stead as they look to go further in the competition.
On the recruitment of Nigerian pilots
WHEN the Federal Government directed all airlines operating both general and commercial services in the country to recruit Nigerian pilots the other day, it was a heart-warming acknowledgement of the worrisome phenomenon of increasing number of unemployed indigenous Nigerian pilots. The directive not only envisages a reduction in the rank of unemployed local pilots but that it would also create an opportunity for Nigerians to help in building their own country.
This is undoubtedly in consonance with the nation’s local content policy. So, even without the government reiterating the need for the airlines to employ local pilots, they are under an obligation by virtue of this policy to do that. In fact, it is sad that despite the existence of this policy in the country, the aviation sector has been unjustifiably fixated on employing foreign pilots, a trend that over the years, has continued to stoke the bourgeoning unemployment of Nigerian pilots.
Hearing in suits to stop Buhari stalled
HEARING in two out of many suits instituted at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division to disqualify the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, from the March 28 presidential race was Monday stalled owing to his failure to serve his written address on the plaintiffs in the matter.
There are about 15 pending suits against Buhari bordering on his alleged ineligibility, certificate forgery and perjury.
How Lagos ‘guber’ race may decide presidential poll’s winner
IT is getting curiouser and curiouser in Lagos as there have been early warning signals that the Lagos governorship election campaigns will not only be tough and very competitive but may, in fact, be part of the critical factors that will shape the outcome of the presidential election.
When two major political parties, the ruling APC and the opposition, PDP launched their campaigns late last year in Lagos, it was given that the ruling party that has been in charge of affairs of the economic capital of West Africa (as Nigeria Info FM Radio calls Lagos) was going to have an easy ride again.
Fayose under fire over death wish for candidate
Fayose
Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose came under fire yesterday as eminent Nigerians criticised his continous death wish for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Ayo Arise, Ekiti State APC and others had harsh words for the governor.
But despite the criticism of his hate message, Fayose yesterday in Abuja inissted that Gen. Buhari is receiving treatment in a London hospital.
Amosun wondered how some people in the name of politics could descend to a ridiculously low level of wishing Gen. Buhari dead.
Amosun, who travelled to London with Buhari and returned on Sunday, wondered how a “sane person” could wish his fellow human being ill or dead , adding that it is even a “disgrace to the Yoruba race” for a Yoruba to indulge in such.
Shekau order: APC alleges plot to blackmail Buhari
THERE is a plot to frame up Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as a Boko Haram sponsor, the APC Presidential Camapaign Organisation (APCPCO) said yesterday.
The proof lies in the Federal Government’s order to troops to capture alive Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau.
A fake Shekau, said the APCPCO, will be made to state that he is working for Buhari, the APC’s presidential candidate.
But, said the organisation, it is all blackmail because:
•the military has claimed several times that Shekau has been killed; and
•Gen. Buhari was attacked in Kaduna by suspected Boko Haram bombers who killed some of his guards.
Monday, 23 February 2015
Russia's Vladimir Putin says war with Ukraine 'unlikely'
Both sides have used devastating rocket systems
during the conflict
The Russian president, Vladimir
Putin, has said war with neighbouring Ukraine is "unlikely", in an interview for
Russian television.
Mr Putin also stressed his support for the Minsk agreement as the best way to stabilise eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine has said there is clear evidence Russia is helping the rebels in the east, something Russia denies.
Martin Atkinson: Referee 'needs break after incompetent display'
Martin
Atkinson needs a rest after his "incompetent" officiating display in Chelsea's 1-1 draw with
Burnley, says former referees' chief Keith Hackett.
Saturday's game was Atkinson's 32nd of the season and came fewer than 72 hours after he took charge of Real Madrid's Champions League win at Schalke.
His next game in charge is Southampton against Crystal Palace on 3 March.
Hackett said: "Champions League games are tiring. Martin should have been given an additional day to recover."
Atkinson won't referee a game this weekend, but there is a shortened Premier League fixture list because of the Capital One Cup final.
However, he is fourth official at Manchester United's home game against Sunderland on Saturday.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho said Atkinson got four key decisions wrong.
Atkinson sent off Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic for pushing Ashley Barnes to the ground in the 70th minute of Saturday's game.
Luis Suarez shines as Barcelona provider for Lionel Messi & Neymar
Luis Suarez shines as Barcelona provider for Lionel Messi & Neymar
With just
seven goals in his first 22 games for Barcelona, at first glance it appears former Liverpool striker
Luis Suarez is struggling to adapt to life with his new club as he prepares
for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg at Manchester City.
Indeed, with just four goals from 15 La Liga appearances, in terms of scoring
this has been the least productive domestic campaign of Suarez's career. But the numbers do not tell the full story. Suarez has actually rapidly established himself as a key member of a team who had won 11 consecutive games before Saturday's shock 1-0 home defeat by Malaga.
Qatar 2022: Fifa taskforce says November/December is only option
The 2022 World
Cup in Qatar can only be held in November and December, says the head of Fifa's
taskforce looking into possible dates for the tournament.
Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa has ruled out a May tournament - the European leagues' preferred option.
Qatar's bid proposed a summer tournament, but temperatures in the Gulf state are believed to pose a potential risk to players' health.
Liberians rejoice as Ebola curfew is lifted
It is the early hours of the morning and bars in the Liberian capital are packed as revellers drink, sing and rejoice their first night of freedom with the Ebola curfew lifted.
For long, miserable months people have trudged home in the evenings under tough restrictions to stem the spread of an epidemic which has killed thousands and devastated the economy.
But the country of four million is slowly emerging from the epidemic, with infections at a fraction of the peak, borders reopening, children back at school and now the night-time lockdown lifted.
In Monrovia, people feel like celebrating — in their thousands — and the night air is alive with music and laughter.
“Why am I looking at the time… Beginning tonight we no longer have to be running home. More drink, more drink,” cries Samuel Crayton at a bar crammed with people still in their beachwear in the Paynesville area.
Liberia and its neighbours Guinea and Sierra Leone have registered more than 9,500 Ebola deaths since December 2013, although the real picture could be far worse as it is feared many cases have not been reported.
The World Bank said in January the economic damage of the epidemic could run to $6.2 billion (5.4 billion euros), trimming an earlier estimate of $25 billion.
– ‘We are free!’ –
Panicked by the intense spread of the epidemic, Liberia imposed the curfew on August 6, initially from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am but subsequently relaxed, applying from midnight until 6:00 am.
The end of the lockdown was announced on Friday as the United States said President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf would visit this week to discuss the gruelling task of economic recovery with President Barack Obama.
“I am very happy for this day. I could no longer make money. Usually on Sundays we get the higher numbers of customers but they used to leave (early) because of the curfew,” bar owner Cecelia Yerkerson told AFP, some time after midnight.
“Now that the curfew is lifted you can see that they are still here at this time and don’t even think about the time. So I am happy.”
A few kilometres (miles) away, several young girls break into song as they wait for the waiter to bring their drinks at another bar.
“Free, we are free! No more curfew breaking! Free, we are free,” they sing.
Jacqueline Dahn, 21, gets up and dances, shouting over the noise of the celebration that her newfound freedom feels like getting out of jail.
“For several months I have not been out at this time. It was like being in prison every evening,” she says.
For long, miserable months people have trudged home in the evenings under tough restrictions to stem the spread of an epidemic which has killed thousands and devastated the economy.
But the country of four million is slowly emerging from the epidemic, with infections at a fraction of the peak, borders reopening, children back at school and now the night-time lockdown lifted.
In Monrovia, people feel like celebrating — in their thousands — and the night air is alive with music and laughter.
“Why am I looking at the time… Beginning tonight we no longer have to be running home. More drink, more drink,” cries Samuel Crayton at a bar crammed with people still in their beachwear in the Paynesville area.
Liberia and its neighbours Guinea and Sierra Leone have registered more than 9,500 Ebola deaths since December 2013, although the real picture could be far worse as it is feared many cases have not been reported.
The World Bank said in January the economic damage of the epidemic could run to $6.2 billion (5.4 billion euros), trimming an earlier estimate of $25 billion.
– ‘We are free!’ –
Panicked by the intense spread of the epidemic, Liberia imposed the curfew on August 6, initially from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am but subsequently relaxed, applying from midnight until 6:00 am.
The end of the lockdown was announced on Friday as the United States said President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf would visit this week to discuss the gruelling task of economic recovery with President Barack Obama.
“I am very happy for this day. I could no longer make money. Usually on Sundays we get the higher numbers of customers but they used to leave (early) because of the curfew,” bar owner Cecelia Yerkerson told AFP, some time after midnight.
“Now that the curfew is lifted you can see that they are still here at this time and don’t even think about the time. So I am happy.”
A few kilometres (miles) away, several young girls break into song as they wait for the waiter to bring their drinks at another bar.
“Free, we are free! No more curfew breaking! Free, we are free,” they sing.
Jacqueline Dahn, 21, gets up and dances, shouting over the noise of the celebration that her newfound freedom feels like getting out of jail.
“For several months I have not been out at this time. It was like being in prison every evening,” she says.
15,000 Egyptians flee Libya after warning
Almost 15,000 Egyptians have flocked home from war-torn Libya via the border crossing at Sallum, state media reported Monday, after Islamic State group jihadists murdered 21 Coptic Christians.
Last week Egyptian and Libyan warplanes hit IS targets inside Libya after the jihadists released a gruesome video on February 15 showing the Christians, 20 of them Egyptian, being beheaded.
Cairo has since urged the hundreds of thousands of Egyptians working in Libya to leave, and also chartered planes to fly many of them home from Tunisia, Libya’s western neighbour.
At least 14,585 have heeded the call and returned through Sallum in northwest Egypt, state news agency MENA reported.
It said they included 3,018 Egyptians on Monday alone, but did not specify how many were Christian.
A transport ministry spokeswoman in Tunisia said at least 1,000 Egyptians who had fled Libya have been airlifted home on planes chartered by Cairo since Friday.
A Tunisian customs official said an unspecified number of Egyptians were also waiting on the Libyan side of the border, hoping to cross.
Last July, thousands of Egyptians fleeing violence in Libya were stranded for days at the border with Tunisia, with authorities refusing to admit them until Cairo had arranged their return home.
Tunisia was flooded by expatriates fleeing Libya during the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi, and struggled to cope.
Days after the revolt erupted, Egypt sent military aircraft to Libya to evacuate its citizens trapped by the violence.
At the time, officials said 1.5 million Egyptians worked in Libya, mostly in construction and services, and formed the backbone of the expatriate workforce in the oil-rich nation.
– Amnesty condemnation –
Hours after IS released the video last week showing the beheading of the Christians, Egypt carried out air strikes against IS targets inside Libya.
On Sunday President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said 13 IS targets were hit in the raids.
On Monday, rights group Amnesty International criticised Egypt over the strikes, saying its air force failed to take the necessary precautions in the raids which also killed seven civilians in a residential neighbourhood of Derna.
Last week Egyptian and Libyan warplanes hit IS targets inside Libya after the jihadists released a gruesome video on February 15 showing the Christians, 20 of them Egyptian, being beheaded.
Cairo has since urged the hundreds of thousands of Egyptians working in Libya to leave, and also chartered planes to fly many of them home from Tunisia, Libya’s western neighbour.
At least 14,585 have heeded the call and returned through Sallum in northwest Egypt, state news agency MENA reported.
It said they included 3,018 Egyptians on Monday alone, but did not specify how many were Christian.
A transport ministry spokeswoman in Tunisia said at least 1,000 Egyptians who had fled Libya have been airlifted home on planes chartered by Cairo since Friday.
A Tunisian customs official said an unspecified number of Egyptians were also waiting on the Libyan side of the border, hoping to cross.
Last July, thousands of Egyptians fleeing violence in Libya were stranded for days at the border with Tunisia, with authorities refusing to admit them until Cairo had arranged their return home.
Tunisia was flooded by expatriates fleeing Libya during the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi, and struggled to cope.
Days after the revolt erupted, Egypt sent military aircraft to Libya to evacuate its citizens trapped by the violence.
At the time, officials said 1.5 million Egyptians worked in Libya, mostly in construction and services, and formed the backbone of the expatriate workforce in the oil-rich nation.
– Amnesty condemnation –
Hours after IS released the video last week showing the beheading of the Christians, Egypt carried out air strikes against IS targets inside Libya.
On Sunday President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said 13 IS targets were hit in the raids.
On Monday, rights group Amnesty International criticised Egypt over the strikes, saying its air force failed to take the necessary precautions in the raids which also killed seven civilians in a residential neighbourhood of Derna.
Jonathan told to publish forensic audit report of missing $20bn in NNPC
Abuja – The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has challenged President Goodluck Jonathan, and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, to live up to their flaunted belief in the rule of law and due process, public probity and accountability, by acceding to the request of the National Assembly to submit the forensic audit report from KPMG on the missing $20 billion and go ahead to publish same in mainstream newspapers for Nigerians to assess or query the degree of transparency involved in the controversial transaction.
N. Korea bars foreigners from marathon over Ebola fears
North Korea has banned foreigners taking part in its annual international Pyongyang marathon in April because of continuing concerns over the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, specialist tour groups said Monday.
China-based agencies, Koryo Tours and Young Pioneer Tours, both said they had been informed of the decision on Monday morning.
China-based agencies, Koryo Tours and Young Pioneer Tours, both said they had been informed of the decision on Monday morning.
Pinnick to visit Mourinho, Pellegrini next month
Apparently excited by the success of his just concluded meeting with the manager of English Premiership side Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has revealed that he will return to England to also meet with the managers of Chelsea and Manchester City football clubs, Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini respectively.
Pinnick who recounted the benefits of his meeting with Wenger including the proposed training of the technical group made up of some coaches and ex-internationals on match reading as well as the promise to put Super Eagles coaches on refresher courses added that such visits will also make it easier for the clubs to always release Nigerian players in their teams for national assignment.
Pinnick
Oshiomhole to voters: Don’t be deceived with bags of rice
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has appealed to voters not to be deceived by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who will share cubes of sugar, tubers of yam and grains for their votes, saying Nigeria’s politics has gone beyond that level.
Speaking at the commissioning of a 35-bed community health centre built by a member of the Edo State House of Aassembly, Hon Dele Oloruntoba as part of his constituency project, Oshiomhole said
“Let me remind our people that there are two parties in Nigeria, the party that believes that government should work for the people and the one that believes that government money must be shared among some people and put into individual pockets”, he stressed.
The Governor said money has been appropriated for constituency project in the past but were put into private pockets by leaders of the PDP. “In a democracy, everybody must be identified by his father’s name. If you work it will be seen, if you don’t work it will be seen and we must put your name against your performance.”
Speaking at the commissioning of a 35-bed community health centre built by a member of the Edo State House of Aassembly, Hon Dele Oloruntoba as part of his constituency project, Oshiomhole said
“Let me remind our people that there are two parties in Nigeria, the party that believes that government should work for the people and the one that believes that government money must be shared among some people and put into individual pockets”, he stressed.
The Governor said money has been appropriated for constituency project in the past but were put into private pockets by leaders of the PDP. “In a democracy, everybody must be identified by his father’s name. If you work it will be seen, if you don’t work it will be seen and we must put your name against your performance.”
Senate petitioned over Obanikoro’s nomination as minister
A civil society group, All-Nigeria Save Democracy Movement, has petitioned the Senate over the ministerial nomination of former Lagos State governorship aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The petition urged the Senate to reject the nomination.
The group had, in the petition to the Senate President, David Mark, through Senators Gbenga Ashafa and Obafemi Ojudu, listed several reasons Obanikoro was unqualified to become minister again.
According to the group, Obanikoro, amongst other reasons, is of dual citizenship of the United States of America and Nigeria and as such, going by the provision of the constitution, should automatically be disqualified for the post.
The petition urged the Senate to reject the nomination.
The group had, in the petition to the Senate President, David Mark, through Senators Gbenga Ashafa and Obafemi Ojudu, listed several reasons Obanikoro was unqualified to become minister again.
According to the group, Obanikoro, amongst other reasons, is of dual citizenship of the United States of America and Nigeria and as such, going by the provision of the constitution, should automatically be disqualified for the post.
PDP chief disagrees with Fayose over attacks on Buhari
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Ekiti State, Senator Ayo Arise, has disagreed with Governor Ayo Fayose on his attacks on the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
Arise, who spoke on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television breakfast programme, monitored in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, said although Fayose is entitled to his opinion, he is not speaking for the party.
Arise, who represented Ekiti North in the Senate between 2007 and 2011, said the hate campaign mounted by Fayose is needless as all what is needed is for PDP members to work for the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election.
He said: “Our party has come out strongly to say that Fayose is not speaking for the party. So, I won’t say he is not entitled to his opinion at this level.
Arise, who spoke on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television breakfast programme, monitored in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, said although Fayose is entitled to his opinion, he is not speaking for the party.
Arise, who represented Ekiti North in the Senate between 2007 and 2011, said the hate campaign mounted by Fayose is needless as all what is needed is for PDP members to work for the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election.
He said: “Our party has come out strongly to say that Fayose is not speaking for the party. So, I won’t say he is not entitled to his opinion at this level.
"Don't Make Election Rigger A Minister"-abuja Protest Against Mobanikoro(picture
Don't Make Election Rigger A Minister"-Abuja protest against @Mobanikoro Musiliu Obanikoro's ministerial appointment
more photos....
more photos....Nigerian Troops Arrest Terrorists Disguised As Women In Baga
The Defence headquarters , Monday, disclosed that following the air and ground assault to flush out Boko Haram terrorists from Baga, its cordon and search operation has revealed some terrorists disguising as women.
A statement signed by Major General Chris Olukolade said, “The searches are also yielding more discoveries of arms especially bombs hidden in various locations, especially Baga town.
“Apart from those captured in the course of fighting, many arrests of terrorists hiding in the town are being made and troops are still busy interrogating the suspects.
“Meanwhile, in furtherance of the mission to clear terrorists from all their enclaves by the military, the Nigerian Air Force has stepped up its air bombardment of identified targets in Gwoza, Bama and Sambisa forest, preparatory to other phases of the mission.
“The air strikes have been highly successful as they achieved the aims, hitting vital targets with required precision.
“Terrorists are now in disarray as they scamper to escape from the impact of air bombardment of their locations in the forest.
Having successfully liberated Baga where the terrorists have been marauding, the troops’ attention has now been focused on consolidation of the security of the area to pave way for return of citizens.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/baga-terrorist-who-disguised-as-woman-caught/
Alleged fraud: Court discharges Babalakin, four others
Babalakin
Freedom came the way of chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Chief Olawale Babalakin, on Monday as a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, discharged him from the N4.7 billion fraud allegation filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo also discharged four others charged along with him for similar offences.
The four other defendants are – Babalakin’s companies, Stabilini Vision Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited and Alex Okoh and his company, Renix Nigeria Limited
Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo also discharged four others charged along with him for similar offences.
The four other defendants are – Babalakin’s companies, Stabilini Vision Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited and Alex Okoh and his company, Renix Nigeria Limited
Mbadinuju dumps PDP for APC
Former Governor of Anambra state, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, has said t the Boko Haram insurgency is part of God’s judgment on Nigeria, adding that terrorism will not abate until the country embrace justice.
Mbadinuju, who spoke at a news conference to announce his departure from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, said that the Sodom and Gomorrah may be a child’s play if Nigeria does not thread softly.
According to him, it is evidently clear from happening in the country that injustice begets corruption, no matter how it is painted.
The former governor, who said he was a founding member if the PDP in Anambra State, said the injustice being perpetuated by the PDP denied him a second term opportunity in 2003, although he won the governorship ticket on the three occasions the party primaries were held.
He explained that it became necessary for him to join the All Progressive Congress because it is the right thing to do, saying “while the APC has proven itself as a promising party of present and future, we can all see glaringly that everything good about the PDP has since vanished.
Mbadinuju, who spoke at a news conference to announce his departure from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, said that the Sodom and Gomorrah may be a child’s play if Nigeria does not thread softly.
According to him, it is evidently clear from happening in the country that injustice begets corruption, no matter how it is painted.
The former governor, who said he was a founding member if the PDP in Anambra State, said the injustice being perpetuated by the PDP denied him a second term opportunity in 2003, although he won the governorship ticket on the three occasions the party primaries were held.
He explained that it became necessary for him to join the All Progressive Congress because it is the right thing to do, saying “while the APC has proven itself as a promising party of present and future, we can all see glaringly that everything good about the PDP has since vanished.
Kwankwaso faults Lamido’s comments on G-five governors
Kwankwaso faults Lamido’s comments on G-five governors
… Obasanjo’s exit signals PDP’s demise
Fresh facts are now emerging on what led to the breakup of the G-Seven Governors Forum that protested during the Peoples Democratic Party’s special convention in 2013.
Leader of the governors G-Seven group, Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, who is now the North-West Coordinator of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidential campaign team, recently said his five colleagues’ exit from the party will not affect the progress of the party.
Lamido declared that the exit of Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara) and the impeached Murtala Nyako of Adamawa state, from PDP is inconsequential and of no effect to the success of the party in the forthcoming general election.
Fresh facts are now emerging on what led to the breakup of the G-Seven Governors Forum that protested during the Peoples Democratic Party’s special convention in 2013.
Leader of the governors G-Seven group, Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, who is now the North-West Coordinator of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidential campaign team, recently said his five colleagues’ exit from the party will not affect the progress of the party.
Lamido declared that the exit of Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara) and the impeached Murtala Nyako of Adamawa state, from PDP is inconsequential and of no effect to the success of the party in the forthcoming general election.
We'll go back to beg Obasanjo to come back to PDP after we've won the election' - FFK
Photos: PDP Youth Leader tears membership card in public
Photos: PDP Youth Leader tears membership card in public
So I see Obasanjo has started a new trend. Yunusa Halid, a PDP youth leader in Nassarawa state, tore his PDP membership card in public today. More photos after the cut...
Japan to make couples go on compulsary vacations...to have more sex
Japan to make couples go on compulsary vacations...to have more sex
Lol. Interesting development in Japan. The country's government wants to make it compulsory for married couples to go on more vacations - so they can have more sex...but there's a good explanation for this. The country has a low population growth. They say they are suffering from acute baby shortage. Only about 1million babies were born in Japan in 2014, the lowest figure on record for the country. Japan's health ministry also said that about 1,269,000 people died in 2014, indicating a natural population decline of 268,000. So basically, they were more people who died than were born. The country says its shrinking population is affecting their economy & want to do something about it.
The government figured couples are too busy hustling they don't have sex. So Parliament is now debating compulsory vacation for couples so they can have more sex and make more babies.
So imagine the vacation police turning up at your door one morning, 'Mr & Mrs Nakatoto, have you had your vacashion yet? Have you? Is the Mrs pregnant? No? Then go on another vacation.' lol..
The government figured couples are too busy hustling they don't have sex. So Parliament is now debating compulsory vacation for couples so they can have more sex and make more babies.
So imagine the vacation police turning up at your door one morning, 'Mr & Mrs Nakatoto, have you had your vacashion yet? Have you? Is the Mrs pregnant? No? Then go on another vacation.' lol..
Cristiano Ronaldo's ex-girlfriend nearly naked in sheer black dress
Cristiano Ronaldo's ex-girlfriend nearly naked in sheer black dress
Cristiano Ronaldo's ex-girlfriend and and former Victoria's Secret model Irina Shayk wore this sheer black dress which showed extreme 'side-butt' to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party yesterday. See more pics after the cut...
Buhari Gets Listed On Chatham House Website
Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria's Transition
26 Feb 2015 - 10:00 to 11:00
Chatham House, London
Africa Programme, Nigeria Project
26 Feb 2015 - 10:00 to 11:00
Chatham House, London
Africa Programme, Nigeria Project
Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria's Transition
26 Feb 2015 - 10:00 to 11:00
Chatham House, London
Africa Programme, Nigeria Project
Participants
GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS, NIGERIA
CHAIR: SIR RICHARD GOZNEY KCMG CVO KSTJ, BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER TO NIGERIA (2004-07)
REGISTER INTEREST
Overview
The postponement of Nigeria’s fifth election since its return to civilian rule in 1999, together with fierce political competition, a security crisis and severe economic challenges linked to the drop in oil price, have thrown into sharp relief the challenges of conducting this essential process in such a complex environment. While there is widespread speculation as to the reasons for the delay, there is also widespread acknowledgment of the necessity that national elections do now take place as scheduled on 28 March.
General Muhammadu Buhari, former military ruler (1983-85) and now opposition presidential candidate, will discuss the importance of democracy for Africa’s future, and in particular why delivering dividends of elected government matter both to Nigeria and internationally.
LIVE STREAM: This event will be live streamed. The live stream will be made available at 10:00 GMT on Thursday 26 February.
ASK A QUESTION: Send questions for the speaker by using #CHAfrica on Twitter. A selection will be put to him during the event.
Please apply to attend by midnight on Tuesday 24 February. Applications received after this time will not be considered.
Entry to this meeting is restricted to e-ticket holders only.
EVENT CONTACT
Chris Vandome
+44 (0)20 7314 3669Email
http://www.chathamhouse.org/event/prospects-democratic-consolidation-africa-nigerias-transition#sthash.mKFSTzME.dpuf
Nigeria GDP slides in fourth quarters
The National Bureau of Statistics has said the nation’s economy grew by 5.94 per cent on an aggregate basis in the fourth quarter of last year, a decrease of 0.28 per cent from the 6.23 per cent recorded in the third quarter of the year.
In the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report for the 2014 fourth quarter released in Abuja yesterday, the bureau said the growth rate was also lower by 0.83 per cent when compared to the corresponding period of 2013.
The report said: “When measured by the Real GDP, the economy grew by 5.94 per cent (year-on-year) on an aggregate basis in the fourth quarter of 2014.
“This was lower by 0.83 percentage points from rates recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013, and lower by 0.28 percentage points from the third quarter of 2014. From the third quarter of 2014, the economy grew by 3.84 per cent in quarter four.
“The nominal GDP at basic prices for the fourth quarter of 2014 was estimated at N24, 205, 863.34 million, up 13.10 per cent from N21,401,519.78 million estimated for the corresponding quarter of 2013 and 5.55 per cent from N22,933,144.01 million recorded in the third quarter of 2014.”
The report classified the economy into two output sectors, oil and non-oil sectors, with the oil sector experiencing production and price challenges in the quarter under review.
It said: “Despite this, average daily production of crude oil was recorded at 2.18 million barrels per day (mbpd), an increase from 2.16 mbpd recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013 and from the 2.15 mbpd recorded in third quarter of the year 2014.
“The oil sector also grew by 1.18 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2014 – 10.54 percentage points higher than the decline of 9.36 percent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013.”
In the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report for the 2014 fourth quarter released in Abuja yesterday, the bureau said the growth rate was also lower by 0.83 per cent when compared to the corresponding period of 2013.
The report said: “When measured by the Real GDP, the economy grew by 5.94 per cent (year-on-year) on an aggregate basis in the fourth quarter of 2014.
“This was lower by 0.83 percentage points from rates recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013, and lower by 0.28 percentage points from the third quarter of 2014. From the third quarter of 2014, the economy grew by 3.84 per cent in quarter four.
“The nominal GDP at basic prices for the fourth quarter of 2014 was estimated at N24, 205, 863.34 million, up 13.10 per cent from N21,401,519.78 million estimated for the corresponding quarter of 2013 and 5.55 per cent from N22,933,144.01 million recorded in the third quarter of 2014.”
The report classified the economy into two output sectors, oil and non-oil sectors, with the oil sector experiencing production and price challenges in the quarter under review.
It said: “Despite this, average daily production of crude oil was recorded at 2.18 million barrels per day (mbpd), an increase from 2.16 mbpd recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013 and from the 2.15 mbpd recorded in third quarter of the year 2014.
“The oil sector also grew by 1.18 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2014 – 10.54 percentage points higher than the decline of 9.36 percent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013.”
Controversy Over Buhari's Meeting In London Continues
Political strategist, Mukhtar Alex Dan’Iyan, who seems to be the supporter of the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, exposed by his Twitter handle that the opposition presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari did not meet with a former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
Dan’Iyan has said that another lie an attempt to fool the Nigerian people by Buhari and “his handlers from the All Progressives Congress (APC)” that he is not ill and on a political trip to the United Kingdom.
Using his Twitter account, he has disclosed that the ex-Prime Minister of the UK, Tony Blair, was not in London this weekend and could not have met with General Buhari.
The opposition party had shared photos of alleged February 22, 2015, Saturday, meeting between Buhari and Blair. The photo is below:
Dan’Iyan has said that another lie an attempt to fool the Nigerian people by Buhari and “his handlers from the All Progressives Congress (APC)” that he is not ill and on a political trip to the United Kingdom.
Using his Twitter account, he has disclosed that the ex-Prime Minister of the UK, Tony Blair, was not in London this weekend and could not have met with General Buhari.
The opposition party had shared photos of alleged February 22, 2015, Saturday, meeting between Buhari and Blair. The photo is below:
From left: Senator Ibikunle Amosun, General Buhari, Tony Blair and Senator Bukola Saraki
AYC: Man City seeks Iheanacho’s inclusion in Nigeria squad
AYC: Man City seeks Iheanacho’s inclusion in Nigeria squad
The Buhari phenomenon
•Gen Buhari acknowledging cheers from a cross- section of supporters at the APC presidential campaign at the Ramat Square, Maiduguri...February 17
With a conviction that it will be morning again in Nigeria once the mess created by years of inept and rudderless leadership is cleaned up, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is taking the fourth shot at the presidency. In this article, seasoned journalist DAN AGBESE examines the records of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential standard bearer and why the former Head of State believes a strong leader will engender a stronger nation and transform Nigeria to a great country from being a potentially great nation.
Okrika violence: Peterside promises scholarships for slain policeman’s children
Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside has assured that the four children of 33-year-old police corporal, Ifeanyi Okorie, who was shot dead in Okrika last Tuesday, will benefit from the government’s scholarships till they complete their education.
Troops mandated to capture Shekau alive
Troops have been mandated to ensure that Boko Haram leader Imam Abubakar Shekau is captured alive.
Ground troops are expected to advance on Sambisa and Gwoza any moment from now, it was learnt yesterday.
Top on the agenda of the military are the rescue of the Chibok girls and the capturing of Shekau.
While the manhunt for Shekau begins, the military are said to have reclaimed five key towns in Borno.
World Bank Laughs At Soludo - Jonathan Finally Replies
Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, last week used an interview with a Nigerian newspaper to reply to former Central Bank governor Charles Soludo’s accusation that the federal government had failed to account for at least N30 trillion.
Jonathan said that Soludo’s remarks were politically motivated and said that Soludo’s academic standing was ridiculous.
He said it was illogical for that sum to be “stolen” as his government had not generated that much in all its years in power.
The former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Charles Soludo had blasted the management style of Nigeria’s finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, especially her inability to steer the nation aright amid an oil crisis.
Soludo said that the nation’s reserves has been depleted by corrupt officials. These reserves would have helped the nation bounce back from the current fall in oil prices.
“Our public finance is haemorrhaging to the point that estimated over N30tn is missing, or stolen, or unaccounted for, or simply mismanaged,” the former CBN governor said.
“Part of my frustration is that five years after, everything I warned about has come to happen and we are conducting our campaigns as if we are not in a crisis. As a concerned Nigerian, I have a duty to speak out again,” he said.
Okonjo Iweala had then reacted to the piece by Soludo and said that he is a sore loser and also is Nigeria’s worst CBN governor ever.
On Thursday, Jonathan granted an interview to Thisday newspaper and questioned Soludo’s scholarship.
“So you’ll see that there is a lot of politicking about some of the serious issues. Not too long ago I read in one of the papers, I think Vanguard, that former chief economic adviser to President Obasanjo who also went to become a CBN governor… Soludo is a professor and first class material. Yes, making a first class in economics, he is a brilliant person. His secondary school records are fantastic. So by all standards he is a brilliant person. So the Vanguard wrote that he accused Ngozi; that N30 trillion was stolen under the watch of Ngozi in four years,” the president said.
“Ngozi became a finance minister, let’s say from 2011 till date. From that time till now, our annual budget is between N4.3 trillion and N4.9 trillion. So even if you put all together, it is about 18 plus trillion naira, and not 30 trillion. The budget for these four years is less than N20 trillion, but Soludo said that under Ngozi’s watch they stole N30 trillion. This is in the papers, social media, stored in the clouds and will continue to be there. And when you type it in it will come out that during President Jonathan’s time they stole N30 trillion.”
READ ALSO: The New CBN Policy
But while the president hinged his explanation on realized budget figures for Nigeria annually, Soludo, in his article, based his N30 trillion claim on funds available to the government, amounts not reconciled and what the country would have earned if there had been better economic policies.
“Under you as the Minister of Finance and coordinator of the economy, the basket of our national treasury is leaking profusely from all sides. Just a few illustrations,” Soludo wrote to the finance minister in January.
“First, you admit that ‘oil theft’ has reduced oil output from the average 2.3 – 2.4 million barrels per day to 1.95 mpd (meaning that at least 350,000 to 450,000 barrels per day are being ‘stolen’). On the average of 400,000 per day and the oil prices over the past four years, it comes to about $60bn ‘stolen’ in just four years.
“In today’s exchange rate, that is about N12.6tn. This is at a time of cessation of crisis in the Niger Delta and the amnesty programme. Can you tell Nigerians how much the amnesty programme costs, and also the annual cost for ‘protecting’ the pipelines and security of oil wells? And the ‘thieves’ are spirits?
READ ALSO: Sanusi’s Claims Are Incorrect
“Second, my earlier article stated that the minimum forex reserves should have been at least $90bn by now and you did not challenge it. Rather, it is about $30bn, meaning that gross mismanagement has denied the country some $60bn or another N12.6tn. Now, add the ‘missing’ $20bn from the NNPC. You promised a forensic audit report ‘soon’, and more than a year later, the report itself is still ‘missing’. This is over N4tn, and we don’t know how much more has ‘missed’ since Sanusi cried out.
“How many trillions of naira were paid for oil subsidy (unappropriated?)? How many trillions (in actual fact) have been ‘lost’ through customs duty waivers over the last four years? As coordinator of the economy, can you tell Nigerians why the price of Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, has still not come down despite the crash in global crude oil prices, and how much is being appropriated by friends in the process?
“Be honest: Do you really know (as coordinator and minister of finance) how many trillions of naira self- financing government agencies earn and spend? I have a long list but let me wait for now. I do not want to talk about other ‘black pots’ that impinge on national security.”
Mr. Soludo added, “My estimate, Madam, is that probably more than N30tn has either been stolen, or lost, or unaccounted for, or simply mismanaged under your watchful eyes in the past four years. Since you claimed to be in charge, Nigerians are right to ask you to account. Think about what this amount could mean for the 112 million poor Nigerians, or for our schools, hospitals, roads, etc.
“Soon, you will start asking the citizens to pay this or that tax, while some faceless ‘thieves’ are pocketing over $40m per day from oil alone.”
Jonathan in his interview said: “We asked Ngozi how her colleagues in the World Bank saw the accusation and she said they were laughing and couldn’t believe it. There are certain things that you just cannot believe and if that is coming from somebody considered to be cerebral like Professor Soludo, then of course you know what the ordinary person would say. It is all political”.
Charles Chukwuma Soludo is a former governor and chairman of the board of directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He was the appointed in 2004 under the Obasanjo administration.
Jonathan said that Soludo’s remarks were politically motivated and said that Soludo’s academic standing was ridiculous.
Goodluck Jonathan
The former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Charles Soludo had blasted the management style of Nigeria’s finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, especially her inability to steer the nation aright amid an oil crisis.
Soludo said that the nation’s reserves has been depleted by corrupt officials. These reserves would have helped the nation bounce back from the current fall in oil prices.
“Our public finance is haemorrhaging to the point that estimated over N30tn is missing, or stolen, or unaccounted for, or simply mismanaged,” the former CBN governor said.
“Part of my frustration is that five years after, everything I warned about has come to happen and we are conducting our campaigns as if we are not in a crisis. As a concerned Nigerian, I have a duty to speak out again,” he said.
Okonjo Iweala had then reacted to the piece by Soludo and said that he is a sore loser and also is Nigeria’s worst CBN governor ever.
On Thursday, Jonathan granted an interview to Thisday newspaper and questioned Soludo’s scholarship.
“So you’ll see that there is a lot of politicking about some of the serious issues. Not too long ago I read in one of the papers, I think Vanguard, that former chief economic adviser to President Obasanjo who also went to become a CBN governor… Soludo is a professor and first class material. Yes, making a first class in economics, he is a brilliant person. His secondary school records are fantastic. So by all standards he is a brilliant person. So the Vanguard wrote that he accused Ngozi; that N30 trillion was stolen under the watch of Ngozi in four years,” the president said.
“Ngozi became a finance minister, let’s say from 2011 till date. From that time till now, our annual budget is between N4.3 trillion and N4.9 trillion. So even if you put all together, it is about 18 plus trillion naira, and not 30 trillion. The budget for these four years is less than N20 trillion, but Soludo said that under Ngozi’s watch they stole N30 trillion. This is in the papers, social media, stored in the clouds and will continue to be there. And when you type it in it will come out that during President Jonathan’s time they stole N30 trillion.”
READ ALSO: The New CBN Policy
But while the president hinged his explanation on realized budget figures for Nigeria annually, Soludo, in his article, based his N30 trillion claim on funds available to the government, amounts not reconciled and what the country would have earned if there had been better economic policies.
“Under you as the Minister of Finance and coordinator of the economy, the basket of our national treasury is leaking profusely from all sides. Just a few illustrations,” Soludo wrote to the finance minister in January.
“First, you admit that ‘oil theft’ has reduced oil output from the average 2.3 – 2.4 million barrels per day to 1.95 mpd (meaning that at least 350,000 to 450,000 barrels per day are being ‘stolen’). On the average of 400,000 per day and the oil prices over the past four years, it comes to about $60bn ‘stolen’ in just four years.
“In today’s exchange rate, that is about N12.6tn. This is at a time of cessation of crisis in the Niger Delta and the amnesty programme. Can you tell Nigerians how much the amnesty programme costs, and also the annual cost for ‘protecting’ the pipelines and security of oil wells? And the ‘thieves’ are spirits?
READ ALSO: Sanusi’s Claims Are Incorrect
“Second, my earlier article stated that the minimum forex reserves should have been at least $90bn by now and you did not challenge it. Rather, it is about $30bn, meaning that gross mismanagement has denied the country some $60bn or another N12.6tn. Now, add the ‘missing’ $20bn from the NNPC. You promised a forensic audit report ‘soon’, and more than a year later, the report itself is still ‘missing’. This is over N4tn, and we don’t know how much more has ‘missed’ since Sanusi cried out.
“How many trillions of naira were paid for oil subsidy (unappropriated?)? How many trillions (in actual fact) have been ‘lost’ through customs duty waivers over the last four years? As coordinator of the economy, can you tell Nigerians why the price of Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, has still not come down despite the crash in global crude oil prices, and how much is being appropriated by friends in the process?
“Be honest: Do you really know (as coordinator and minister of finance) how many trillions of naira self- financing government agencies earn and spend? I have a long list but let me wait for now. I do not want to talk about other ‘black pots’ that impinge on national security.”
Mr. Soludo added, “My estimate, Madam, is that probably more than N30tn has either been stolen, or lost, or unaccounted for, or simply mismanaged under your watchful eyes in the past four years. Since you claimed to be in charge, Nigerians are right to ask you to account. Think about what this amount could mean for the 112 million poor Nigerians, or for our schools, hospitals, roads, etc.
“Soon, you will start asking the citizens to pay this or that tax, while some faceless ‘thieves’ are pocketing over $40m per day from oil alone.”
Jonathan in his interview said: “We asked Ngozi how her colleagues in the World Bank saw the accusation and she said they were laughing and couldn’t believe it. There are certain things that you just cannot believe and if that is coming from somebody considered to be cerebral like Professor Soludo, then of course you know what the ordinary person would say. It is all political”.
Charles Chukwuma Soludo is a former governor and chairman of the board of directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He was the appointed in 2004 under the Obasanjo administration.
APC renews call for probe of Ekiti alleged audio rigging tape
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has renewed its call for a comprehensive probe of the alleged Ekiti audio rigging tape released by an army captain who recorded it.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement in Lagos yesterday, said it was wrong for anyone to label the tape a fake without a forensic investigation.
The party noted that the issues exposed by the tape were too grievous to be swept under the carpet or dismissed on the basis of nothing, but gross partisanship.
The investigation, APC stated, was necessary because of the alleged role the military played in the whole rigging scenario, and against the background of the court ruling against the deployment of troops for elections.
‘’If the government officials and politicians, whose voices were heard on the tape are not interested in clearing their names, what about the military institution that was dragged into the show of shame? Has the integrity of the military not been compromised by the alleged role of a general and hundreds of his troops in the rigging saga?’’ APC queried.
The inconsistency of the Federal Government’s response to the whole saga, the party added, has exposed its underbelly and made it more urgent for a forensic investigation of the tape to be carried out.
“First, those whose voices were heard on the tape rushed to deny there was any such meeting. Later, after they were confronted with a preponderance of evidence, they started owning up one by one, starting with Police Affairs Minister Jelili Adesiyan, then Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro and then Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose, even though they all denied the meeting was about rigging. Of course, Nigerians know better.
“But these men, on the basis of their initial denial, are no longer credible as far as the rigging tape is concerned, hence it is necessary to have an independent investigation of the whole issue,” it said.
APC said while President Goodluck Jonathan had rushed to dismiss the authenticity of the tape, telling the Wall Street Journal “it’s all fabrications”, his campaign spokesman Femi Fani-Kayode said the exact opposite: “We have listened to the audio clip and we make bold to say that the discussion that took place in it did not make any mention of any form of rigging in the Ekiti State governorship election and neither did it contain any evidence of any conspiracy to rig.”
The statement queried: “Can anyone listen to a non-existent audio tape? This confusion in the government circles is the clearest indication yet that they were so panicked by the revelation that they could not fashion out a coherent response to it, hence the discordant notes by the major culprits and their oga at the top!
‘’We sympathise with them, but we are more worried about the effect this revelation will have on a respectable national institution as the military, which was dragged into the rigging mess. This is why even the military itself must carry out its own investigation.
“If an Army General could be so bullied into submission by political partisans, to the point where he said he will cry, what will they not do to any other military officer or men? Does this whole rigging saga not call into question the role of the military in elections?”
The party vowed not to allow the issue to be swept under the carpet in the interest of the nation, praising the media and the citizenry for sustaining the discourse on the rigging tape.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement in Lagos yesterday, said it was wrong for anyone to label the tape a fake without a forensic investigation.
The party noted that the issues exposed by the tape were too grievous to be swept under the carpet or dismissed on the basis of nothing, but gross partisanship.
The investigation, APC stated, was necessary because of the alleged role the military played in the whole rigging scenario, and against the background of the court ruling against the deployment of troops for elections.
‘’If the government officials and politicians, whose voices were heard on the tape are not interested in clearing their names, what about the military institution that was dragged into the show of shame? Has the integrity of the military not been compromised by the alleged role of a general and hundreds of his troops in the rigging saga?’’ APC queried.
The inconsistency of the Federal Government’s response to the whole saga, the party added, has exposed its underbelly and made it more urgent for a forensic investigation of the tape to be carried out.
“First, those whose voices were heard on the tape rushed to deny there was any such meeting. Later, after they were confronted with a preponderance of evidence, they started owning up one by one, starting with Police Affairs Minister Jelili Adesiyan, then Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro and then Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose, even though they all denied the meeting was about rigging. Of course, Nigerians know better.
“But these men, on the basis of their initial denial, are no longer credible as far as the rigging tape is concerned, hence it is necessary to have an independent investigation of the whole issue,” it said.
APC said while President Goodluck Jonathan had rushed to dismiss the authenticity of the tape, telling the Wall Street Journal “it’s all fabrications”, his campaign spokesman Femi Fani-Kayode said the exact opposite: “We have listened to the audio clip and we make bold to say that the discussion that took place in it did not make any mention of any form of rigging in the Ekiti State governorship election and neither did it contain any evidence of any conspiracy to rig.”
The statement queried: “Can anyone listen to a non-existent audio tape? This confusion in the government circles is the clearest indication yet that they were so panicked by the revelation that they could not fashion out a coherent response to it, hence the discordant notes by the major culprits and their oga at the top!
‘’We sympathise with them, but we are more worried about the effect this revelation will have on a respectable national institution as the military, which was dragged into the rigging mess. This is why even the military itself must carry out its own investigation.
“If an Army General could be so bullied into submission by political partisans, to the point where he said he will cry, what will they not do to any other military officer or men? Does this whole rigging saga not call into question the role of the military in elections?”
The party vowed not to allow the issue to be swept under the carpet in the interest of the nation, praising the media and the citizenry for sustaining the discourse on the rigging tape.
Oscars 2015: Full winners list
The 87th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, honored the best films of 2014, yesterday February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
Here is the full list of winners.
Here is the full list of winners.
INEC And NSA Team Meet Today On Security Issues
The Chairman of The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, will today hold a meeting with a team from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the military and para-military organisations to discuss security challenges for the general elections.
A top source in INEC, who was speaking with Leadership correspondent, said:
“We are holding an Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) session to update ourselves on the state of the nation’s security and the electoral commission’s preparedness.
“This is the first meeting we are having since the polls shift due to security reasons. All the parties will lay the cards on the table and consider what still ought to be done.”
According to another source, the members of the meeting want to know the status of the security in the Northeast and how far the security challenges in the area have been addressed.
“All the National Commissioners of INEC are also expected to be in attendance. This explains why this session is called in the early part of the second week of the six-week window for the postponement of the elections,” he said.
INEC source added that they would also brief the session on the number of Permanent Voters Cards collected, the training of 600,000 ad hoc staff on the use of Card Readers. They also expect to get the feedback from the monitoring of preparations for the elections in all the six geo-political zones.
Commenting on the indications that INEC might restrict the military and Mobile Police to fringe posts during the general elections, a National Commissioner said:
“Military men have no role in the conduct of the elections; they are only expected to stay at designated checkpoints to make sure people do not traffic arms, ammunition or anything that could tamper with the electoral process.
“They also stay at these checkpoints in readiness for rapid deployment, if there is any security challenge during the elections. No soldiers will be at the Polling Units, Collation Centres or have any direct contact with the conduct of the elections. Even the Mobile Police will only engage in fringe patrols without coming to the Polling Units. This is our position.”
Meanwhile, INEC recently assured that everything is prepared for the upcoming elections, confirming the procurement of about 20,000 backup card readers, in addition to 152,000 active card readers and 35,000 backup batteries.
READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/389802-inec-and-nsa-team-meet-today-on-security-issues.html
A top source in INEC, who was speaking with Leadership correspondent, said:
“We are holding an Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) session to update ourselves on the state of the nation’s security and the electoral commission’s preparedness.
“This is the first meeting we are having since the polls shift due to security reasons. All the parties will lay the cards on the table and consider what still ought to be done.”
According to another source, the members of the meeting want to know the status of the security in the Northeast and how far the security challenges in the area have been addressed.
“All the National Commissioners of INEC are also expected to be in attendance. This explains why this session is called in the early part of the second week of the six-week window for the postponement of the elections,” he said.
INEC source added that they would also brief the session on the number of Permanent Voters Cards collected, the training of 600,000 ad hoc staff on the use of Card Readers. They also expect to get the feedback from the monitoring of preparations for the elections in all the six geo-political zones.
Commenting on the indications that INEC might restrict the military and Mobile Police to fringe posts during the general elections, a National Commissioner said:
“Military men have no role in the conduct of the elections; they are only expected to stay at designated checkpoints to make sure people do not traffic arms, ammunition or anything that could tamper with the electoral process.
“They also stay at these checkpoints in readiness for rapid deployment, if there is any security challenge during the elections. No soldiers will be at the Polling Units, Collation Centres or have any direct contact with the conduct of the elections. Even the Mobile Police will only engage in fringe patrols without coming to the Polling Units. This is our position.”
Meanwhile, INEC recently assured that everything is prepared for the upcoming elections, confirming the procurement of about 20,000 backup card readers, in addition to 152,000 active card readers and 35,000 backup batteries.
READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/389802-inec-and-nsa-team-meet-today-on-security-issues.html
'Devious' care-worker who claimed ex lover raped her caught out - after he filmed their one night stand
Spurned single mum Pauline Muir even contacted her lover's 16-year-old son via Facebook to tell him of the false allegation
Jailed: A care worker made a false rape allegation about her ex
Capital flight: Economy hard hit by $22.1bn outflow in 5 weeks
The Nigerian economy is facing huge financial haemorrhage as politicians, corporate bodies and foreign investors are moving funds massively out of the country as well as from Naira to dollar.
In a survey of payments made by the CBN on behalf of the public, a total of $22.1billion went out of the country in five weeks, an average of $4.5 billion a week. While about $3.083billion went out in the week ending 31st July 2014, the amount of foreign exchange flowing out of the country rose to $4.2 billion for the week ending 30th August. It however dropped to $4.1billion on the 30th of September and moved astronomically to $5.29 billion for the week ending 31st October 2014. The foreign exchange outflow went further up to $5.35billion for the week ending November 30th.
This capital flight has resulted in the crash of the Naira exchange rate which had remained stable before the election and the crash of the international crude oil price. But CBN has attributed the collapse of the Naira at the inter-bank to currency speculators who buy and hold currency for them to sell at a future date to make some gain. The movement of funds out of the country comes by way of Nigerian residents buying up dollars with their Naira and moving it offshore.
The trend became more noticeable in July 2014 where in fact, in a matter of weeks, several billions of dollars were purchased through the banks and bureaux de change. The movement of funds is noticeable from CBN records of direct remittances, whole Dutch Auction sales of dollars etc. According to data obtained from CBN in the five weeks, the total amount of foreign exchange that went out through direct remittances amounted to $3.33billion, Debt service/payment — $155million. The bulk of the outflow went through the wholesale at the Dutch Auction market where a total of $18.6 billion was purchased from the CBN. Curiously, foreign exchange purchases backed by Letters of credit in the five weeks amounted to just $108.8 million.
Capital flight has led to the depletion of Nigeria’s foreign reserves, thus weakening the Naira. Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, which was $5.4 billion in 1999, rose to an overwhelming level of $51.3 billion at the end of 2007 and further to $53.0 billion in 2008, but owing to the crash in the international price of crude oil in 2008 and the aftermath of the global financial crisis, the reserve declined to $42.4 billion in 2009, further declined from $38.138 billion at the end of April 2014 to $33.04 billion in February 2015.
Market operators are however seeing it from the perspective that the reduction of credit line to Nigeria banks by their foreign counterparts as a result of the crash in crude oil prices and the uncertainty surrounding the 2015 elections is partly responsible for the high volume of funds leaving the country as the usual 90-day trade credit line has dried up in some banks which have had to meet the needs of their customers through direct cash payments.
CBN on Wednesday last week scrapped the Retail and Wholesale Dutch auction of foreign exchange saying that all genuine importers should source funds from the inter-bank market. It however said that it will continue to intervene in the inter-bank foreign exchange market.
The apex bank in a statement signed by its Director of Communication, Mr. Ibrahim Mu’azu, said: “The managed float exchange rate regime, which the bank had adopted following the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, has for the most part been successful in ensuring exchange rate stability in line with its mandate.
“In recent times, however, with the sharp decline in global oil prices and the resultant fall in the country’s foreign exchange earnings, the bank has observed a widening margin between the rates in the inter-bank and the RDAS window, thus engendering undesirable practices including round-tripping, speculative demand, rent-seeking, spurious demand, and inefficient use of scarce foreign exchange resources by economic agents.
“This has continued to put pressure on the nation’s foreign exchange reserves with no visible economic benefits to the productive sector of the economy and the general public.
“In view of the foregoing, it has become imperative that appropriate actions be taken to avert the emergence of a multiple exchange rate regime and preserve the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
“Consequently, we wish to inform all authorised dealers and the general public that, with effect from the date of this press release, the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS/WDAS) foreign exchange window at the CBN is hereby closed. Henceforth, all demand for foreign exchange should be channeled to the INTERBANK FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET. For the avoidance of doubt, all authorised dealers and the general public should note that the CBN will continue to intervene in the inter-bank foreign exchange market to meet genuine/legitimate demands.
In a flash note to investors, Afrinvest, an institutional investor said: “This is a positive development as we have always clamoured for a one-way quote to reduce speculation and unhealthy malpractices. The development can be tagged a tacit devaluation of the Naira given that the CBN will sell at the pre-existing inter-bank rates. As a result, we expect to see some stability at the inter-bank market in the short term as there will be no incentive to round trip or speculate given the minimal spread between the inter-bank rate and the parallel market. In addition, the banks will likely forfeit the huge spread earned on forex trading as offer will be filled on “demand basis”.
“Whilst this move may suggest that the CBN has jettisoned the managed floating exchange rate regime, we note that the new system still appears to be linkable to a “guided floating exchange rate” as prices will be market-driven.
“However, the banks will still be able to play at the inter-bank window alongside CBN’s intervention as may be genuinely or legitimately required.
“On the economy, this decision may reduce the pressure on the exchange rate in the interim. However, foreign investors may still remain wary of foreign exchange risks in view of depleting external reserves (5.2 per cent decline YTD) and other concerns around the domestic polity. Nevertheless, it is instructive that the volatility and uncertainties within the foreign exchange market space would be taken care of by this policy as speculation is more or less taken out.
“This decision is expected to compel the banks to look more inward and focus on real banking generating activities so as to improve their bottom line. The pressure that has confronted the Naira recently has been aggravated by speculative attack mounted at the inter-bank for which the banks have enjoyed certain income spreads. With the new policy, the banks need to remain committed to creating risk assets allowable within the capital adequacy threshold in order to earn more interest income that will enhance profitability.
“This decision more or less confirms the new normal of Naira/Dollar at sub N200.00/US$1.00 hence increasing the cost of imported inputs for the FMGCs thereby impacting profit margin. Investors are expected to price-in the new development into the share prices of the FMGCs when taking investment decisions.
“The most impact of this decision will be felt in the capital market as we expect equities and bond markets to feel the impact. We do not expect increased inflow from Foreign Portfolio Investors, FPIs as foreign exchange risks remain evident despite the re-assurance from the CBN to defend the Naira. Other risks around Nigeria’s credit rating, interest rate and domestic polity will continue to determine the direction of these markets. While we expect bond yields to remain high owing to various macroeconomic risks, we expect the equities market to continue to trade sideways. The pressure on the naira at the foreign exchange market might continue to mount and see further depreciation in value of the naira this year.
Official reserves at the beginning of this week stood at $32.7bn, 18 per cent below end-February 2014 levels. In December, the central bank spent $2.3bn defending the naira. Despite intervening occasionally, the pressure on the naira intensified, leading to the CBN having to shift demand out of RDAS to the inter-bank market. While this brought some relief to the RDAS (the average dollar sale per auction in January was just $248m the inter-bank rate diverged sharply from the official rate. The hand writing was on the wall for de-facto devaluation.”
FBN Capital in its note to investors said: “With this announcement, the central bank has effectively shifted all (RDAS) foreign exchange demand to the inter-bank market, thus minimising its role as the “prime” market maker. The move is a necessary one towards ensuring that the naira stabilises and reflects demand and supply dynamics, and should assist in improving market depth and efficiency. It effectively closes the arbitrage opportunity for “round-tripping, speculative demand, rent-seeking and spurious demand.
“The markets had been expecting some kind of adjustment to the foreign exchange rate, discounting the CBN’s regular insistence that the naira was appropriately priced, although the exact timing was difficult to call. As long as the CBN continues to intervene to meet “genuine/legitimate” demand as it stressed, the inter-bank rate should hold at current levels, even with the expected spill-over demand from the RDAS.
With oil prices staging a slight recovery recently to $60/barrel, the naira should see some slight support.
Given that all transactions have now been shifted to the inter-bank market, we expect consumer goods companies in particular to feel the impact of CBN’s decision, given that a significant proportion of their raw materials is imported.”
In a survey of payments made by the CBN on behalf of the public, a total of $22.1billion went out of the country in five weeks, an average of $4.5 billion a week. While about $3.083billion went out in the week ending 31st July 2014, the amount of foreign exchange flowing out of the country rose to $4.2 billion for the week ending 30th August. It however dropped to $4.1billion on the 30th of September and moved astronomically to $5.29 billion for the week ending 31st October 2014. The foreign exchange outflow went further up to $5.35billion for the week ending November 30th.This capital flight has resulted in the crash of the Naira exchange rate which had remained stable before the election and the crash of the international crude oil price. But CBN has attributed the collapse of the Naira at the inter-bank to currency speculators who buy and hold currency for them to sell at a future date to make some gain. The movement of funds out of the country comes by way of Nigerian residents buying up dollars with their Naira and moving it offshore.
The trend became more noticeable in July 2014 where in fact, in a matter of weeks, several billions of dollars were purchased through the banks and bureaux de change. The movement of funds is noticeable from CBN records of direct remittances, whole Dutch Auction sales of dollars etc. According to data obtained from CBN in the five weeks, the total amount of foreign exchange that went out through direct remittances amounted to $3.33billion, Debt service/payment — $155million. The bulk of the outflow went through the wholesale at the Dutch Auction market where a total of $18.6 billion was purchased from the CBN. Curiously, foreign exchange purchases backed by Letters of credit in the five weeks amounted to just $108.8 million.
Capital flight has led to the depletion of Nigeria’s foreign reserves, thus weakening the Naira. Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, which was $5.4 billion in 1999, rose to an overwhelming level of $51.3 billion at the end of 2007 and further to $53.0 billion in 2008, but owing to the crash in the international price of crude oil in 2008 and the aftermath of the global financial crisis, the reserve declined to $42.4 billion in 2009, further declined from $38.138 billion at the end of April 2014 to $33.04 billion in February 2015.
Market operators are however seeing it from the perspective that the reduction of credit line to Nigeria banks by their foreign counterparts as a result of the crash in crude oil prices and the uncertainty surrounding the 2015 elections is partly responsible for the high volume of funds leaving the country as the usual 90-day trade credit line has dried up in some banks which have had to meet the needs of their customers through direct cash payments.
CBN on Wednesday last week scrapped the Retail and Wholesale Dutch auction of foreign exchange saying that all genuine importers should source funds from the inter-bank market. It however said that it will continue to intervene in the inter-bank foreign exchange market.
The apex bank in a statement signed by its Director of Communication, Mr. Ibrahim Mu’azu, said: “The managed float exchange rate regime, which the bank had adopted following the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, has for the most part been successful in ensuring exchange rate stability in line with its mandate.
“In recent times, however, with the sharp decline in global oil prices and the resultant fall in the country’s foreign exchange earnings, the bank has observed a widening margin between the rates in the inter-bank and the RDAS window, thus engendering undesirable practices including round-tripping, speculative demand, rent-seeking, spurious demand, and inefficient use of scarce foreign exchange resources by economic agents.
“This has continued to put pressure on the nation’s foreign exchange reserves with no visible economic benefits to the productive sector of the economy and the general public.
“In view of the foregoing, it has become imperative that appropriate actions be taken to avert the emergence of a multiple exchange rate regime and preserve the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
“Consequently, we wish to inform all authorised dealers and the general public that, with effect from the date of this press release, the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS/WDAS) foreign exchange window at the CBN is hereby closed. Henceforth, all demand for foreign exchange should be channeled to the INTERBANK FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET. For the avoidance of doubt, all authorised dealers and the general public should note that the CBN will continue to intervene in the inter-bank foreign exchange market to meet genuine/legitimate demands.
In a flash note to investors, Afrinvest, an institutional investor said: “This is a positive development as we have always clamoured for a one-way quote to reduce speculation and unhealthy malpractices. The development can be tagged a tacit devaluation of the Naira given that the CBN will sell at the pre-existing inter-bank rates. As a result, we expect to see some stability at the inter-bank market in the short term as there will be no incentive to round trip or speculate given the minimal spread between the inter-bank rate and the parallel market. In addition, the banks will likely forfeit the huge spread earned on forex trading as offer will be filled on “demand basis”.
“Whilst this move may suggest that the CBN has jettisoned the managed floating exchange rate regime, we note that the new system still appears to be linkable to a “guided floating exchange rate” as prices will be market-driven.
“However, the banks will still be able to play at the inter-bank window alongside CBN’s intervention as may be genuinely or legitimately required.
“On the economy, this decision may reduce the pressure on the exchange rate in the interim. However, foreign investors may still remain wary of foreign exchange risks in view of depleting external reserves (5.2 per cent decline YTD) and other concerns around the domestic polity. Nevertheless, it is instructive that the volatility and uncertainties within the foreign exchange market space would be taken care of by this policy as speculation is more or less taken out.
“This decision is expected to compel the banks to look more inward and focus on real banking generating activities so as to improve their bottom line. The pressure that has confronted the Naira recently has been aggravated by speculative attack mounted at the inter-bank for which the banks have enjoyed certain income spreads. With the new policy, the banks need to remain committed to creating risk assets allowable within the capital adequacy threshold in order to earn more interest income that will enhance profitability.
“This decision more or less confirms the new normal of Naira/Dollar at sub N200.00/US$1.00 hence increasing the cost of imported inputs for the FMGCs thereby impacting profit margin. Investors are expected to price-in the new development into the share prices of the FMGCs when taking investment decisions.
“The most impact of this decision will be felt in the capital market as we expect equities and bond markets to feel the impact. We do not expect increased inflow from Foreign Portfolio Investors, FPIs as foreign exchange risks remain evident despite the re-assurance from the CBN to defend the Naira. Other risks around Nigeria’s credit rating, interest rate and domestic polity will continue to determine the direction of these markets. While we expect bond yields to remain high owing to various macroeconomic risks, we expect the equities market to continue to trade sideways. The pressure on the naira at the foreign exchange market might continue to mount and see further depreciation in value of the naira this year.
Official reserves at the beginning of this week stood at $32.7bn, 18 per cent below end-February 2014 levels. In December, the central bank spent $2.3bn defending the naira. Despite intervening occasionally, the pressure on the naira intensified, leading to the CBN having to shift demand out of RDAS to the inter-bank market. While this brought some relief to the RDAS (the average dollar sale per auction in January was just $248m the inter-bank rate diverged sharply from the official rate. The hand writing was on the wall for de-facto devaluation.”
FBN Capital in its note to investors said: “With this announcement, the central bank has effectively shifted all (RDAS) foreign exchange demand to the inter-bank market, thus minimising its role as the “prime” market maker. The move is a necessary one towards ensuring that the naira stabilises and reflects demand and supply dynamics, and should assist in improving market depth and efficiency. It effectively closes the arbitrage opportunity for “round-tripping, speculative demand, rent-seeking and spurious demand.
“The markets had been expecting some kind of adjustment to the foreign exchange rate, discounting the CBN’s regular insistence that the naira was appropriately priced, although the exact timing was difficult to call. As long as the CBN continues to intervene to meet “genuine/legitimate” demand as it stressed, the inter-bank rate should hold at current levels, even with the expected spill-over demand from the RDAS.
With oil prices staging a slight recovery recently to $60/barrel, the naira should see some slight support.
Given that all transactions have now been shifted to the inter-bank market, we expect consumer goods companies in particular to feel the impact of CBN’s decision, given that a significant proportion of their raw materials is imported.”
Poor passport checks let 'ISIS' schoolgirls flee to Syria as they should have been 'red-flagged'
Friends Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Amira Abase, 15, were reportedly seen in Syria at the weekend after flying to Turkey on Tuesday
Poor passport checks: The girls are believed to have fled to Syria
Major flaws in the UK border system have been exposed by the three schoolgirls who fled to Syria, senior immigration sources say.
Friends Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Amira Abase, 15, were reportedly seen in Syria at the weekend after flying to Turkey on Tuesday.
Scotland Yard is said to be furious at how the UK Border Force and Turkish Airlines failed to question the girls who were minors travelling without adults.
A 15-year-old girl from their East London school travelled alone to Turkey in December.
She is believed to be living in Islamic State-controlled Syria.
Friends Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Amira Abase, 15, were reportedly seen in Syria at the weekend after flying to Turkey on Tuesday.
Scotland Yard is said to be furious at how the UK Border Force and Turkish Airlines failed to question the girls who were minors travelling without adults.
A 15-year-old girl from their East London school travelled alone to Turkey in December.
She is believed to be living in Islamic State-controlled Syria.
Britain sells 1.0% stake of Lloyds bank for £500m
Britain has sold a 1.0-percent stake in state-rescued Lloyds Banking Group for £500 million ($769 million, 677 million euros) under plans to return it to private ownership, the government said Monday.
The Treasury announced in a statement that the sale has trimmed the government’s stake from 24.9 percent to just under 24 percent.
Britain still owns a large chunk of Lloyds after bailing it out with £20 billion of taxpayers’ cash at the height of the 2008 global financial crisis.
The government initially took a 39-percent share of Lloyds and has so far raised almost £8.0 billion selling bits of its holding.
Finance minister George Osborne had already revealed a six-month plan in December to reduce the stake.
“I am delighted to announce today that the trading plan I launched in December has raised a further £500 million for the taxpayer so far,” Osborne said Monday.
“This is further progress in returning Lloyds Banking Group to private ownership, reducing our national debt and getting taxpayers’ money back.
“The trading plan and its success are only made possible by our long term economic plan which is delivering a more secure and resilient economy.”
The latest shares were sold above the average price that the previous government had paid for them, which was 73.6 pence.
The Treasury announced in a statement that the sale has trimmed the government’s stake from 24.9 percent to just under 24 percent.
Britain still owns a large chunk of Lloyds after bailing it out with £20 billion of taxpayers’ cash at the height of the 2008 global financial crisis.
The government initially took a 39-percent share of Lloyds and has so far raised almost £8.0 billion selling bits of its holding.
Finance minister George Osborne had already revealed a six-month plan in December to reduce the stake.
“I am delighted to announce today that the trading plan I launched in December has raised a further £500 million for the taxpayer so far,” Osborne said Monday.
“This is further progress in returning Lloyds Banking Group to private ownership, reducing our national debt and getting taxpayers’ money back.
“The trading plan and its success are only made possible by our long term economic plan which is delivering a more secure and resilient economy.”
The latest shares were sold above the average price that the previous government had paid for them, which was 73.6 pence.
MINISTERIAL NOMINATION: ‘APC’s call for Obanikoro’s rejection lacks merit’
LAGOS State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has faulted calls by the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the rejection of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as a ministerial nominee over his alleged involvement in an audio recording on Ekiti State governorship election, saying the party is behaving like a bad loser.
It noted that such calls lacked merit since the authenticity of the tape is yet to be ascertained.
Briefing newsmen yesterday in Lagos, the PDP Secretary, Wahab Owokoniran said Obanikoro’s nomination is well deserved.
His words: ‘’All these claims are unfounded and the APC is only doing that to discredit the president’s nomination, which has the blessing of all members of the party in Lagos. There has not been any protest to the nomination from the PDP or any non-political group in Lagos. The only group mounting opposition to the nomination is the APC, which is well understood, we don’t expect anything less.”
“We are talking here of a tape that has been doctored to reflect their negative opinion about an election they lost freely and fairly, but they are being bad losers.”
It noted that such calls lacked merit since the authenticity of the tape is yet to be ascertained.
Briefing newsmen yesterday in Lagos, the PDP Secretary, Wahab Owokoniran said Obanikoro’s nomination is well deserved.
His words: ‘’All these claims are unfounded and the APC is only doing that to discredit the president’s nomination, which has the blessing of all members of the party in Lagos. There has not been any protest to the nomination from the PDP or any non-political group in Lagos. The only group mounting opposition to the nomination is the APC, which is well understood, we don’t expect anything less.”
“We are talking here of a tape that has been doctored to reflect their negative opinion about an election they lost freely and fairly, but they are being bad losers.”
I disagree that stealing is not corruption – Fashola
Lagos—Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has said that unless Nigerian leaders lived above board by imbibing and showing high level of moral authority, it would be difficult to stop the menace of corruption in the country.
The governor, who said this at an interactive session with the Lagos State Governor’s Office Correspondents, LAGOCO, at the weekend, noted that though the concept of corruption was multi-faceted, theft constituted worst part of the practice.
Fashola admitted that though corruption was a heinous crime, it could not be stopped by capital punishment in the country.
Fashola
Fashola admitted that though corruption was a heinous crime, it could not be stopped by capital punishment in the country.
Egypt court jails dissident Alaa Abdel Fattah for 5 years
An Egyptian court on Monday sentenced Alaa Abdel Fattah, a leading dissident in the 2011 uprising that toppled strongman Hosni Mubarak, to five years in prison over an illegal protest.
The remaining 24 defendants in the case received sentences ranging from three to 15 years.
Abdel Fattah had initially been sentenced to 15 years in jail but a court ordered a retrial.
The defendants in the caged dock mockingly applauded when the judge pronounced the verdict, as relatives and supporters in the courtroom chanted “down with military rule”.
They had been arrested after a November 2014 protest outside parliament in defiance of a law that banned all demonstrations but for those authorised by the police.
Three defendants were sentenced to 15 years because they were not present in the court. The rest received three years in prison and all were fined 100,000 pounds (about $13,000).
The prosecution alleged that the defendants had assaulted police officers.
The case was among the most prominent in a series of trials of secular dissidents who have been jailed along with thousands of Islamists since the army overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.
The former army chief and now President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had said on Sunday that he would soon free “youths” wrongfully detained in the crackdown.
Three defendants were sentenced to 15 years because they were not present in the court. The rest received three years in prison and all were fined 100,000 pounds (about $13,000).
The revolt against Mubarak erupted on January 25, 2011, with hundreds of thousands of protesters taking to the streets across Egypt for 18 days until he stepped down.
The remaining 24 defendants in the case received sentences ranging from three to 15 years.
Abdel Fattah had initially been sentenced to 15 years in jail but a court ordered a retrial.
The defendants in the caged dock mockingly applauded when the judge pronounced the verdict, as relatives and supporters in the courtroom chanted “down with military rule”.
They had been arrested after a November 2014 protest outside parliament in defiance of a law that banned all demonstrations but for those authorised by the police.
Three defendants were sentenced to 15 years because they were not present in the court. The rest received three years in prison and all were fined 100,000 pounds (about $13,000).
The prosecution alleged that the defendants had assaulted police officers.
The case was among the most prominent in a series of trials of secular dissidents who have been jailed along with thousands of Islamists since the army overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.
The former army chief and now President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had said on Sunday that he would soon free “youths” wrongfully detained in the crackdown.
Three defendants were sentenced to 15 years because they were not present in the court. The rest received three years in prison and all were fined 100,000 pounds (about $13,000).
The revolt against Mubarak erupted on January 25, 2011, with hundreds of thousands of protesters taking to the streets across Egypt for 18 days until he stepped down.
Calls for interim govt treasonable, says Jonathan
ABUJA—President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed the idea of an Interim Government being insinuated by some people saying that such utterances amount to treason.
Speaking, yesterday, at the first 2015 plenary session of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), in Abuja, President Jonathan reiterated that the re-scheduled elections will hold on March 28 and April 11 as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Catholic Arch Bishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan on his part urged the president to call his supporters to order in their hate speeches and campaigns.
President Jonathan said that having been elected with clear mandate of the people, there was no way he would push for an interim government, assuring that his personal ambition will never supersede the interest of the nation.
Speaking, yesterday, at the first 2015 plenary session of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), in Abuja, President Jonathan reiterated that the re-scheduled elections will hold on March 28 and April 11 as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Catholic Arch Bishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan on his part urged the president to call his supporters to order in their hate speeches and campaigns.
VISIT—President Goodluck Jonathan (right) with Hrm Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Alaafin of Oyo during the visit of the president to Oyo town,weekend. Photo: State House.
7-year-old female suicide bomber kills 5, injures 19 in Potiskum
ABUJA— A seven-year-old girl, yesterday, killed herself and five others in a suicide bombing in Potiskum, Yobe State.
This came on day the Nigerian defence headquarters said the Nigerian troops fighting the insurgent group, Boko Haram, have reclaimed the town of Baga and other surrounding communities in Borno state after days of fierce fighting.
The suicide attack on a market in the city of Potiskum is the latest in a string of suicide strikes in which children have been used.
Nineteen people were injured in the blast in Yobe State’s commercial capital, a vigilante leader, Mr Buba Lawan, told AFP.
“So far, five people were killed with the girl while 19 others have been taken to hospital for injuries,” Buba Lawan said. A hospital source speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed the dead and the wounded count.
Yesterday’s bombing in Potiskum was the second suicide attack in or near the market where new and second-hand phones are sold and repaired.
The first attack occurred January 11, when two suicide bombers — one of whom appeared to be around 15 — blew themselves up outside the market killing six people and injuring 37 others.
Before yesterday’s strike, suspicious security guards and vigilantes said they tried to prevent the girl, who witnesses said appeared around seven, from entering the market.
According to Lawan, “we sent her back four times, because given her age, she did not have anything to do in the market. When we were screening people, she bent and tried to pass under the ropes, some distance from our view. That was when the explosives went off.”
In a sign of the distrust generated by the suicide campaign, Lawan said “we have barred women from entering the market to prevent further attacks.”
Troops reclaim Baga
Meanwhile, Nigerian troops have reclaimed the town of Baga and other surrounding communities in Borno State after days of fierce fighting, the Nigerian defence headquarters has said.
Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, in a statement on the Baga operation said a concerted air campaign by the Nigerian Air Force was ongoing in the forest to clear the terrorists from their enclaves.
He said air strikes, targeted at the training camps and logistics dumps of the terrorists in Sambisa forests and parts of Gwoza were “highly successful,” adding that a high death rate was recorded on the side of the terrorists while many others were scampering out of the areas invaded by the military.
Capture Shekau alive, troops urged
Following the spate of recent successes recorded by troops against Boko Haram insurgents in the north eastern parts of the country, Nigerian troops have been put on red alert for any insurgents’ leader bearing the name of Imam Abubakar Shekau who is believed to be desperately looking for escape routes.
A senior military source, however, informed PRNigeria, government information network, that troops have been urged to try at all costs to capture Shekau alive so that he would face justice.
On at least two occasions now, troops have killed characters calling themselves Abubakar Shekau in videos but the insurgents manages to find other individuals looking like him and pretend that he was still alive.
The order to catch Shekau alive is, therefore, to ensure that it will no longer be possible to resort to the same trick.
According to sources, the rumour about Shekau’s invincibility was one of the factors why troops were afraid to confront the terrorists.
The troop’s morale has also been greatly boosted in recent times by arrival of sophisticated armaments and the decision of senior military officers to lead the war against terror directly which also influenced the change of some commanders.
An intelligence sources disclosed that some of the successes recorded in recovery of big towns in the North-East were due to deployment of new strategies, improved disciplinary measures, and sincerity of participating countries in the regional alliance and the acquisitions of latest equipment.
In the past, Colonels have led direct attacks in accordance with military tradition but because of the large scale desertions recorded, Military Generals then decided to directly lead the war and this has greatly boosted morale.
It was even learnt that many of the troops that earlier deserted have returned while others have expressed desire to return to the front.
Communities reclaimed
Within a week of the massive operation, the troops have recovered Monguno, Marte, Gamboru Ngala, Dikwa among other big towns and several surrounding communities in Borno State.
The source added that “with acquisition of new equipment from various sources and the specialised training of the troops on guerrilla warfare, the military indirectly called the bluff of some deceptive western countries who are now trying to save face by claiming to work with our neighbours.
“The effective collaboration and mutual relationship with our neighbours is paying off as they now realise that inactions can pose disasters to their countries too,” he concluded.
This came on day the Nigerian defence headquarters said the Nigerian troops fighting the insurgent group, Boko Haram, have reclaimed the town of Baga and other surrounding communities in Borno state after days of fierce fighting.
The suicide attack on a market in the city of Potiskum is the latest in a string of suicide strikes in which children have been used.
Nineteen people were injured in the blast in Yobe State’s commercial capital, a vigilante leader, Mr Buba Lawan, told AFP.
“So far, five people were killed with the girl while 19 others have been taken to hospital for injuries,” Buba Lawan said. A hospital source speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed the dead and the wounded count.
Yesterday’s bombing in Potiskum was the second suicide attack in or near the market where new and second-hand phones are sold and repaired.
The first attack occurred January 11, when two suicide bombers — one of whom appeared to be around 15 — blew themselves up outside the market killing six people and injuring 37 others.
Before yesterday’s strike, suspicious security guards and vigilantes said they tried to prevent the girl, who witnesses said appeared around seven, from entering the market.
According to Lawan, “we sent her back four times, because given her age, she did not have anything to do in the market. When we were screening people, she bent and tried to pass under the ropes, some distance from our view. That was when the explosives went off.”
In a sign of the distrust generated by the suicide campaign, Lawan said “we have barred women from entering the market to prevent further attacks.”
Troops reclaim Baga
Meanwhile, Nigerian troops have reclaimed the town of Baga and other surrounding communities in Borno State after days of fierce fighting, the Nigerian defence headquarters has said.
Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, in a statement on the Baga operation said a concerted air campaign by the Nigerian Air Force was ongoing in the forest to clear the terrorists from their enclaves.
He said air strikes, targeted at the training camps and logistics dumps of the terrorists in Sambisa forests and parts of Gwoza were “highly successful,” adding that a high death rate was recorded on the side of the terrorists while many others were scampering out of the areas invaded by the military.
Capture Shekau alive, troops urged
Following the spate of recent successes recorded by troops against Boko Haram insurgents in the north eastern parts of the country, Nigerian troops have been put on red alert for any insurgents’ leader bearing the name of Imam Abubakar Shekau who is believed to be desperately looking for escape routes.
A senior military source, however, informed PRNigeria, government information network, that troops have been urged to try at all costs to capture Shekau alive so that he would face justice.
On at least two occasions now, troops have killed characters calling themselves Abubakar Shekau in videos but the insurgents manages to find other individuals looking like him and pretend that he was still alive.
The order to catch Shekau alive is, therefore, to ensure that it will no longer be possible to resort to the same trick.
According to sources, the rumour about Shekau’s invincibility was one of the factors why troops were afraid to confront the terrorists.
The troop’s morale has also been greatly boosted in recent times by arrival of sophisticated armaments and the decision of senior military officers to lead the war against terror directly which also influenced the change of some commanders.
An intelligence sources disclosed that some of the successes recorded in recovery of big towns in the North-East were due to deployment of new strategies, improved disciplinary measures, and sincerity of participating countries in the regional alliance and the acquisitions of latest equipment.
In the past, Colonels have led direct attacks in accordance with military tradition but because of the large scale desertions recorded, Military Generals then decided to directly lead the war and this has greatly boosted morale.
It was even learnt that many of the troops that earlier deserted have returned while others have expressed desire to return to the front.
Communities reclaimed
Within a week of the massive operation, the troops have recovered Monguno, Marte, Gamboru Ngala, Dikwa among other big towns and several surrounding communities in Borno State.
The source added that “with acquisition of new equipment from various sources and the specialised training of the troops on guerrilla warfare, the military indirectly called the bluff of some deceptive western countries who are now trying to save face by claiming to work with our neighbours.
“The effective collaboration and mutual relationship with our neighbours is paying off as they now realise that inactions can pose disasters to their countries too,” he concluded.
President Goodluck Jonathan: Nearing The End Of The Road? By Frisky Larr
t does not take rocket science to see through the cheerful and confident mask of President Goodluck Jonathan these days. A mask that obviously conceals deep worries and uncertainties with smiles and cheers on the façade! After all, the President and his handlers did not bargain for the tight corner in which they now find themselves. There is no doubt that they did their homework scrupulously and assiduously. They had good four years at their disposal to prepare themselves for the present doomsday scenario. 
President Goodluck Jonathan
In other words, four years of President Jonathan’s government was spent on the priority issue of securing a second term in the Presidency. For this purpose, no stone was left unturned. No government work was more important. “Good” friends were lost and “hungry” friends were found all along the way. Foot soldiers were employed. Attack dogs too. Nothing was left to chance. “Simlins” were created and friendly voices bought all over the network scene on social media. Readers’
President Goodluck Jonathan In other words, four years of President Jonathan’s government was spent on the priority issue of securing a second term in the Presidency. For this purpose, no stone was left unturned. No government work was more important. “Good” friends were lost and “hungry” friends were found all along the way. Foot soldiers were employed. Attack dogs too. Nothing was left to chance. “Simlins” were created and friendly voices bought all over the network scene on social media. Readers’
I’ll inherit huge debt profile, empty treasury – Buhari
LAGOS — PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has said that he would inherit a huge debt profile and empty treasury if elected president, expressing confidence that his wealth of experience would assist in turning the situation around.
He also stated that his party’s economic policies are conceived to be people-centred, adding that the country would for the first time in over three decades experience a truly pro-people Federal Government if elected.
He also stated that his party’s economic policies are conceived to be people-centred, adding that the country would for the first time in over three decades experience a truly pro-people Federal Government if elected.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)