Soldiers Arrest 92 Armed Herdsmen in Abuja

The soldiers of the Guards Brigade of the Nigeria Army have arrested 92 Fulani herdsmen in Abuja.

The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of the Guards Brigade, Capt. Bashir Jajira, said that 36 of the suspects were arrested by the troops at a military checkpoint between the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State.

The suspected herdsmen were said to have told the soldiers that they were on a mission to recover their stolen cows.

He said that 56 others who were also armed were arrested by the soldiers at a military checkpoint at Dantata, along the Abuja Airport Road.

He said that the troops recovered ‘one pump action gun, 19 cartridge dane guns, 118 cartridge ammo, 28 cutlasses, 3 jack knives, 14 sticks, 7 torch lights, certificate of occupancy, assorted charms and hard drugs.’

He said, “A group of 36 herdsmen in Diana Truck and Toyota Camry car with registration number Abu Kuje 994 FX and Niger SUL 541 XA were intercepted and arrested at 177 Guards Battalion location by Keffi checkpoint.

“During the interrogation by troops at the checkpoint, they claimed to be going to Nasarawa Local Government in Nasarawa State.”

He said that the arrested herdsmen would be handed over to the police for prosecution.

This came just as President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the deployment of military to all parts of the country currently witnessing bloody clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this while featuring on a breakfast programme of Channels Television, Sunrise Daily, on Monday.

The programme was monitored by one of our correspondents in Abuja.

Shehu said there was no truth in the claim that Buhari had been largely silent on the issue of the clashes.

He recalled that the President had taken the issue before the National Council of State with a view to getting state governors’ inputs to the solutions.

In the meantime, he said the government was contemplating carving out of grazing reserves for cattle rearers.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 23,000 Internally Displaced Persons in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State are battling with the problem of shelter as the rains set in.

The Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Agatu Local Government Area, Mr. Joseph Ngbede, stated this on Monday when Governor Samuel Ortom visited Ugbokpo, Ojantele and Ataganyi communities of the Apa Local Government Area, where the camps of the IDPs are located.

The IDPs are Benue indigenes displaced during the clashes involving Fulani herdsmen and Agatu people.

Ngbede said that only the LGEA Primary School at Ayila was standing in the over 20 villages destroyed in Agatu by herdsmen, maintaining that some of the displaced persons insisted on going to their farms to see what was left of their crops.

On the feeding of the displaced persons, the chairman said the items donated by individuals, government and non-governmental organisations as well as emergency management agencies at the state and at federal levels were being distributed to them on a daily basis.

He said those not displaced were also contributing towards the upkeep of the IDPs.

He explained that the three villages of Ocholonya, Abugbe and Odugbeho that were occupied by herdsmen had been secured by soldiers.

Meanwhile, the state’s deputy governor, Benson Abounu, has said that Agatu people have been rescued by soldiers.

Soldiers Arrest 92 Armed Herdsmen in Abuja

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The soldiers of the Guards Brigade of the Nigeria Army have arrested 92 Fulani herdsmen in Abuja.

The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of the Guards Brigade, Capt. Bashir Jajira, said that 36 of the suspects were arrested by the troops at a military checkpoint between the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State.

The suspected herdsmen were said to have told the soldiers that they were on a mission to recover their stolen cows.

He said that 56 others who were also armed were arrested by the soldiers at a military checkpoint at Dantata, along the Abuja Airport Road.

He said that the troops recovered ‘one pump action gun, 19 cartridge dane guns, 118 cartridge ammo, 28 cutlasses, 3 jack knives, 14 sticks, 7 torch lights, certificate of occupancy, assorted charms and hard drugs.’

He said, “A group of 36 herdsmen in Diana Truck and Toyota Camry car with registration number Abu Kuje 994 FX and Niger SUL 541 XA were intercepted and arrested at 177 Guards Battalion location by Keffi checkpoint.

“During the interrogation by troops at the checkpoint, they claimed to be going to Nasarawa Local Government in Nasarawa State.”

He said that the arrested herdsmen would be handed over to the police for prosecution.

This came just as President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the deployment of military to all parts of the country currently witnessing bloody clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this while featuring on a breakfast programme of Channels Television, Sunrise Daily, on Monday.

The programme was monitored by one of our correspondents in Abuja.

Shehu said there was no truth in the claim that Buhari had been largely silent on the issue of the clashes.

He recalled that the President had taken the issue before the National Council of State with a view to getting state governors’ inputs to the solutions.

In the meantime, he said the government was contemplating carving out of grazing reserves for cattle rearers.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 23,000 Internally Displaced Persons in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State are battling with the problem of shelter as the rains set in.

The Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Agatu Local Government Area, Mr. Joseph Ngbede, stated this on Monday when Governor Samuel Ortom visited Ugbokpo, Ojantele and Ataganyi communities of the Apa Local Government Area, where the camps of the IDPs are located.

The IDPs are Benue indigenes displaced during the clashes involving Fulani herdsmen and Agatu people.

Ngbede said that only the LGEA Primary School at Ayila was standing in the over 20 villages destroyed in Agatu by herdsmen, maintaining that some of the displaced persons insisted on going to their farms to see what was left of their crops.

On the feeding of the displaced persons, the chairman said the items donated by individuals, government and non-governmental organisations as well as emergency management agencies at the state and at federal levels were being distributed to them on a daily basis.

He said those not displaced were also contributing towards the upkeep of the IDPs.

He explained that the three villages of Ocholonya, Abugbe and Odugbeho that were occupied by herdsmen had been secured by soldiers.

Meanwhile, the state’s deputy governor, Benson Abounu, has said that Agatu people have been rescued by soldiers.

Group wants law to check budget Delays

The Centre for Social Justice on Monday called on the Federal Government to commence the process of enacting a new Public Finance Management Act to address the incessant delays that had characterised the country’s budgeting process.

The Lead Director, CSJ, Mr. Eze Onyekpere, said this while addressing journalists in Abuja on the negative impact, which the delay in signing the 2016 budget, was causing the country.

Nigeria has been experiencing delays in its budget process since the return to democratic rule in 1999 owing to power tussle between the executive and the legislature.

For instance, the 2011 budget was passed on March 25, 2011, while that of 2012 was passed on March 14 of the same year.

For the 2013 budget, it was passed by the lawmakers on December 20, 2012 and signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan in February 2013, while the 2014 and 2015 budgets were also signed by Jonathan in the month of May of the respective years.

But Onyekpere said the proposed Act would guide the timely approval of the budget estimates by the National Assembly, set the ground rules for budgeting, including timeframes, and when a project or activity would be due for inclusion in the budget.

The proposed law, according to him, will also define the framework for the engagement of stakeholders in the budget preparation as well as approval processes.

He said, “Lessons need to be learnt from this budget fiasco and this challenge will now be converted into an opportunity.

“There is a need for effective legislative collaboration in the preparation and approval of the budget, which may necessitate the amendment of Section 81 of the 1999 Constitution, and enactment of a new Public Finance Management Act, which sets the rules for budgeting timeframes.

“In the legislature, it is also imperative that the ground rules for the approval of budgets be streamlined and modified so that no set of members of the National Assembly should be in a position to alter the consensus of the majority.”

Onyekpere also called on the executive to prepare a coherent policy framework and strategy across the sectors to guide future budgeting, since according to him, the country “seems to be lacking a policy direction.”

Group wants law to check budget Delays

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The Centre for Social Justice on Monday called on the Federal Government to commence the process of enacting a new Public Finance Management Act to address the incessant delays that had characterised the country’s budgeting process.

The Lead Director, CSJ, Mr. Eze Onyekpere, said this while addressing journalists in Abuja on the negative impact, which the delay in signing the 2016 budget, was causing the country.

Nigeria has been experiencing delays in its budget process since the return to democratic rule in 1999 owing to power tussle between the executive and the legislature.

For instance, the 2011 budget was passed on March 25, 2011, while that of 2012 was passed on March 14 of the same year.

For the 2013 budget, it was passed by the lawmakers on December 20, 2012 and signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan in February 2013, while the 2014 and 2015 budgets were also signed by Jonathan in the month of May of the respective years.

But Onyekpere said the proposed Act would guide the timely approval of the budget estimates by the National Assembly, set the ground rules for budgeting, including timeframes, and when a project or activity would be due for inclusion in the budget.

The proposed law, according to him, will also define the framework for the engagement of stakeholders in the budget preparation as well as approval processes.

He said, “Lessons need to be learnt from this budget fiasco and this challenge will now be converted into an opportunity.

“There is a need for effective legislative collaboration in the preparation and approval of the budget, which may necessitate the amendment of Section 81 of the 1999 Constitution, and enactment of a new Public Finance Management Act, which sets the rules for budgeting timeframes.

“In the legislature, it is also imperative that the ground rules for the approval of budgets be streamlined and modified so that no set of members of the National Assembly should be in a position to alter the consensus of the majority.”

Onyekpere also called on the executive to prepare a coherent policy framework and strategy across the sectors to guide future budgeting, since according to him, the country “seems to be lacking a policy direction.”

Shell Revieled: We Paid FG $42bn In Five Years

 

The Netherlands-based Royal Dutch Shell Plc on Monday said the economic contribution from Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited joint venture partners to the Federal Government was $42bn from 2011 to 2015.

The oil giant said it paid the sum of $4.95bn to the Nigerian government last year as production entitlement, taxes, royalties and fees.

Shell’s ‘Report on Payments to Governments for 2015’ showed that Nigeria received the biggest share of payments from the company out of 24 countries. It was followed by Malaysia, which received $4.41bn; Norway, $4.16bn; Philippines, $2.11bn, and Iraq, $1.36bn.

According to Shell, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation was paid $3.61bn for production entitlement, while the Department of Petroleum Resources was paid $378.5m and $200.6m for royalties and fees, respectively.

It said it paid $717.9m to the Federal Inland Revenue Service as taxes; $291,115 to the Federation Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria as fees; and $46.9m to the Niger Delta Development Commission as fees.

Shell, in its Sustainability Report 2015 released on Monday, said its share of royalties and corporate taxes paid to the Nigerian government in 2015 was $1.1bn (SPDC $0.6bn; and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, $0.5bn).

It said 93 per cent of contracts by Shell Companies in Nigeria were awarded to indigenous companies, with $0.9bn spent on local contracting and procurement.

It put the SPDC JV and SNEPCo contribution to the NDDC in 2015 at $145.1m, while $50.4m was spent directly by the SPDC JV and SNEPCo on social investment projects in the year.

The Chief Financial Officer, Royal Dutch Shell, Simon Henry, said by fulfilling the mandatory disclosures in line with the new United Kingdom legislative requirements, the firm had demonstrated that extraction of natural resources could lead to the opportunity of government revenue, economic growth and social development.

He, however, said the report excluded payments related to refining, natural gas liquefaction or gas-to-liquids activities as these were not in the scope of the UK regulations.

“Revenue transparency provides citizens with an important tool to hold their government representatives accountable and to advance good governance. Shell is committed to transparency as it builds trust,” Henry said.

Shell said the theft of the SPDC JV crude oil on the pipeline network amounted to around 25,000 barrels per day in 2015, adding that the reduction from around 37,000bopd in the previous year was partly due to continued surveillance efforts and implementing anti-theft protection mechanisms on key equipment.

It stated, “Since 2012, the SPDC has removed more than 850 illegal theft points. The number of sabotage-related spills in 2015 declined to 93 compared with 139 in 2014. This decrease was due to divestments in the Niger Delta and increased surveillance and security by the government of Nigeria.

“However, theft and sabotage are still the cause of around 85 per cent of spills from the SPDC JV operations.”

Shell Revieled: We Paid FG $42bn In Five Years

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The Netherlands-based Royal Dutch Shell Plc on Monday said the economic contribution from Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited joint venture partners to the Federal Government was $42bn from 2011 to 2015.

The oil giant said it paid the sum of $4.95bn to the Nigerian government last year as production entitlement, taxes, royalties and fees.

Shell’s ‘Report on Payments to Governments for 2015’ showed that Nigeria received the biggest share of payments from the company out of 24 countries. It was followed by Malaysia, which received $4.41bn; Norway, $4.16bn; Philippines, $2.11bn, and Iraq, $1.36bn.

According to Shell, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation was paid $3.61bn for production entitlement, while the Department of Petroleum Resources was paid $378.5m and $200.6m for royalties and fees, respectively.

It said it paid $717.9m to the Federal Inland Revenue Service as taxes; $291,115 to the Federation Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria as fees; and $46.9m to the Niger Delta Development Commission as fees.

Shell, in its Sustainability Report 2015 released on Monday, said its share of royalties and corporate taxes paid to the Nigerian government in 2015 was $1.1bn (SPDC $0.6bn; and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, $0.5bn).

It said 93 per cent of contracts by Shell Companies in Nigeria were awarded to indigenous companies, with $0.9bn spent on local contracting and procurement.

It put the SPDC JV and SNEPCo contribution to the NDDC in 2015 at $145.1m, while $50.4m was spent directly by the SPDC JV and SNEPCo on social investment projects in the year.

The Chief Financial Officer, Royal Dutch Shell, Simon Henry, said by fulfilling the mandatory disclosures in line with the new United Kingdom legislative requirements, the firm had demonstrated that extraction of natural resources could lead to the opportunity of government revenue, economic growth and social development.

He, however, said the report excluded payments related to refining, natural gas liquefaction or gas-to-liquids activities as these were not in the scope of the UK regulations.

“Revenue transparency provides citizens with an important tool to hold their government representatives accountable and to advance good governance. Shell is committed to transparency as it builds trust,” Henry said.

Shell said the theft of the SPDC JV crude oil on the pipeline network amounted to around 25,000 barrels per day in 2015, adding that the reduction from around 37,000bopd in the previous year was partly due to continued surveillance efforts and implementing anti-theft protection mechanisms on key equipment.

It stated, “Since 2012, the SPDC has removed more than 850 illegal theft points. The number of sabotage-related spills in 2015 declined to 93 compared with 139 in 2014. This decrease was due to divestments in the Niger Delta and increased surveillance and security by the government of Nigeria.

“However, theft and sabotage are still the cause of around 85 per cent of spills from the SPDC JV operations.”

Gas Scarcity:Loading Improves At Depots

The scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) on Monday continued to take a toll on motorists who had to stay in queues for hours at the few filling stations selling the product in Lagos and Ogun states.
Our correspondent, however, gathered that loading at depots in Apapa had improved following the arrival of two more vessels, which conveyed about 50 million metric tonnes of petrol.
In Lagos, many filling stations did not sell the product on Monday, while black marketers had a field day as they sold the product for as much as N300 per litre.

Some filling stations belonging to independent marketers in parts of Lagos and Ogun states also cashed in on the situation by raising the price of the product, as they sold it for between N140 and N180 per litre.

A source, who is an official of an independent marketing outfit, told our correspondent in a telephone interview, “The level of loading is getting high and the third-party ex-depot price is reducing. It is N130 per litre today (Monday), from N140 to N150 in recent days.

“Supply is getting better. There are new vessels. Alexia came in with about 24 million metric tonnes, and there is one other vessel, with about 25 million metric tonnes. Alexia came in on Saturday and it is still discharging.

“We worked on Saturday and Sunday, and were able to load over 200 trucks; and today (Monday), we are still trucking out. In about two weeks’ time, the queues should have vanished if the supply is sustained.”

He, however, said the marketers were still complaining that the dollars they were promised would be made available to them for product importation had not been given to them.

The National Operation Controller, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Mike Osatuyi, said many of the members did not have petrol to sell.

“The supply problem is still there. We expect that when more vessels arrive, the situation will improve. The NNPC needs to do more to boost the supply of the product. With the major marketers now making efforts to import, the queues are expected to disappear in the coming weeks,” he explained.

The NNPC, had in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Mr. Garba-Deen Mohammed, assured Nigerians that it was doing all within its powers to make sure that the queues disappeared.

The PUNCH had on Sunday reported that about 228, 073 million metric tonnes of petrol would be delivered at the Lagos ports in the next five days, according to information obtained from the Daily Shipping Position on the website of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

Gas Scarcity:Loading Improves At Depots

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) on Monday continued to take a toll on motorists who had to stay in queues for hours at the few filling stations selling the product in Lagos and Ogun states.
Our correspondent, however, gathered that loading at depots in Apapa had improved following the arrival of two more vessels, which conveyed about 50 million metric tonnes of petrol.
In Lagos, many filling stations did not sell the product on Monday, while black marketers had a field day as they sold the product for as much as N300 per litre.

Some filling stations belonging to independent marketers in parts of Lagos and Ogun states also cashed in on the situation by raising the price of the product, as they sold it for between N140 and N180 per litre.

A source, who is an official of an independent marketing outfit, told our correspondent in a telephone interview, “The level of loading is getting high and the third-party ex-depot price is reducing. It is N130 per litre today (Monday), from N140 to N150 in recent days.

“Supply is getting better. There are new vessels. Alexia came in with about 24 million metric tonnes, and there is one other vessel, with about 25 million metric tonnes. Alexia came in on Saturday and it is still discharging.

“We worked on Saturday and Sunday, and were able to load over 200 trucks; and today (Monday), we are still trucking out. In about two weeks’ time, the queues should have vanished if the supply is sustained.”

He, however, said the marketers were still complaining that the dollars they were promised would be made available to them for product importation had not been given to them.

The National Operation Controller, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Mike Osatuyi, said many of the members did not have petrol to sell.

“The supply problem is still there. We expect that when more vessels arrive, the situation will improve. The NNPC needs to do more to boost the supply of the product. With the major marketers now making efforts to import, the queues are expected to disappear in the coming weeks,” he explained.

The NNPC, had in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Mr. Garba-Deen Mohammed, assured Nigerians that it was doing all within its powers to make sure that the queues disappeared.

The PUNCH had on Sunday reported that about 228, 073 million metric tonnes of petrol would be delivered at the Lagos ports in the next five days, according to information obtained from the Daily Shipping Position on the website of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

Hypocrisy: Buhari’s 16-Year-Old Daughter Flew First Class To London Today, PDP Alleges

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has alleged that a 16-year-old daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, whose name it gave as Hanan, flew first class on Monday from Abuja to London.
The opposition party said the president’s daughter flying first class smacked of hypocrisy considering the fact that there is a directive banning all cabinet ministers and certain categories of federal government officials from traveling first class.
The PDP made the claim in a series of tweets via its official Twitter handle @PDPNigeria.

Hypocrisy: Buhari’s 16-Year-Old Daughter Flew First Class To London Today, PDP Alleges

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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has alleged that a 16-year-old daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, whose name it gave as Hanan, flew first class on Monday from Abuja to London.
The opposition party said the president’s daughter flying first class smacked of hypocrisy considering the fact that there is a directive banning all cabinet ministers and certain categories of federal government officials from traveling first class.
The PDP made the claim in a series of tweets via its official Twitter handle @PDPNigeria.

Today in Nigerian/African History: 19th April

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

On this day in 2003: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military ruler turned civilian statesman.

He sought a second term against some twenty (20) other candidates. Obasanjo won 62% of 42 million votes. Opponents denounced the elections as fraudulent and claimed serious rigging in 16 of 36 states.

Also on this day in 2006: Militants killed two people in a car bomb attack on an army barracks in the city of Port Harcourt.

Equally, on this day in 2001; South Africa Aids Drugs Profit Before The Lives Of Millions 2001 : The world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies took up legal action to fight legislation which would allow generic versions of their patented drugs being made in or imported to South Africa. Following uproar around the world and the pharmaceutical industry was accused of putting profit before the lives of millions of people in the developing world. They have backed out of the court battle over cheap, non-branded anti-Aids drugs and also after dropping the case, agree to sell Aids drugs at cost price in developing countries – a discount of up to 90%.

Today in Nigerian/African History: 19th April

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

On this day in 2003: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military ruler turned civilian statesman.

He sought a second term against some twenty (20) other candidates. Obasanjo won 62% of 42 million votes. Opponents denounced the elections as fraudulent and claimed serious rigging in 16 of 36 states.

Also on this day in 2006: Militants killed two people in a car bomb attack on an army barracks in the city of Port Harcourt.

Equally, on this day in 2001; South Africa Aids Drugs Profit Before The Lives Of Millions 2001 : The world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies took up legal action to fight legislation which would allow generic versions of their patented drugs being made in or imported to South Africa. Following uproar around the world and the pharmaceutical industry was accused of putting profit before the lives of millions of people in the developing world. They have backed out of the court battle over cheap, non-branded anti-Aids drugs and also after dropping the case, agree to sell Aids drugs at cost price in developing countries – a discount of up to 90%.

BREAKING:Buhari In Serious Problem, Caged By 8 Powerful Men – See What Amechi Revealed…

President Muhammadu Buhari may be in serious problems as there are 8 powerful men within his cabinet — Mbazulike Amechi.

An elder statesman as said President Muhammadu Buhari may be in serious problems as there are 8 powerful men within his cabinet and his party, All Progressives Congress, APC who may act as a hindrance to his plans and administration.

Chief-Mbazulike-Amechi

This was stated by Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, a frontline nationalist in an interview he granted The Daily Sun Newspaper at his country home in Ukpor, Anambra State.

Amechi while speaking on the state of the nation stated that Nigeria is at war and should be in a “declared or undeclared state of emergency” in order to confront the looming war.

The first republic Minister of Aviation he doubted the capacity and ability of President Buhari to change Nigeria further saying that his administration may lead to “imminent total collapse of the nation.”

The still erudite and bright nonagerian also stated that the major cog in the wheel of progress in the fight against corruption is that “there is corruption in Buhari’s government.”

This elder statesman further went on to make a revelation that there are at least 8 powerful cabals within the Buhari Administration who could crush Buhari if he fails to do according to their bidding.

Asked what he would tell Buhari if he ever met him in person, he said, “I will tell him, my dear General, sorry Mr president, are you not worried about the state of the country, which we handed over to you on a platter of gold in May last year? What I will tell him depends on his at-titude to the situation. I am not near enough to know how free he is because you may have a president who is shackled by lieutenants and colleagues in the party. And he, being a military man more than a politi¬cian may not understand the game very well. There are some people who get rich in the midst of crisis. ”

“There are people who are empowering themselves by the present chaotic situation in the country. And if such people encircle a president, that president is in serious trouble. I don’t know if Buhari is in that state now. But there are some people even outside his cabinet who are very powerful.”

He continued, “They have stolen so much money in this country that if he doesn’t take care they might even do something to him. There are such people. There are eight of them in his govern¬ment; in his political party, who are so powerful in every way that if he doesn’t take their way they will do something to him.”

BREAKING:Buhari In Serious Problem, Caged By 8 Powerful Men – See What Amechi Revealed…

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President Muhammadu Buhari may be in serious problems as there are 8 powerful men within his cabinet — Mbazulike Amechi.

An elder statesman as said President Muhammadu Buhari may be in serious problems as there are 8 powerful men within his cabinet and his party, All Progressives Congress, APC who may act as a hindrance to his plans and administration.

Chief-Mbazulike-Amechi

This was stated by Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, a frontline nationalist in an interview he granted The Daily Sun Newspaper at his country home in Ukpor, Anambra State.

Amechi while speaking on the state of the nation stated that Nigeria is at war and should be in a “declared or undeclared state of emergency” in order to confront the looming war.

The first republic Minister of Aviation he doubted the capacity and ability of President Buhari to change Nigeria further saying that his administration may lead to “imminent total collapse of the nation.”

The still erudite and bright nonagerian also stated that the major cog in the wheel of progress in the fight against corruption is that “there is corruption in Buhari’s government.”

This elder statesman further went on to make a revelation that there are at least 8 powerful cabals within the Buhari Administration who could crush Buhari if he fails to do according to their bidding.

Asked what he would tell Buhari if he ever met him in person, he said, “I will tell him, my dear General, sorry Mr president, are you not worried about the state of the country, which we handed over to you on a platter of gold in May last year? What I will tell him depends on his at-titude to the situation. I am not near enough to know how free he is because you may have a president who is shackled by lieutenants and colleagues in the party. And he, being a military man more than a politi¬cian may not understand the game very well. There are some people who get rich in the midst of crisis. ”

“There are people who are empowering themselves by the present chaotic situation in the country. And if such people encircle a president, that president is in serious trouble. I don’t know if Buhari is in that state now. But there are some people even outside his cabinet who are very powerful.”

He continued, “They have stolen so much money in this country that if he doesn’t take care they might even do something to him. There are such people. There are eight of them in his govern¬ment; in his political party, who are so powerful in every way that if he doesn’t take their way they will do something to him.”

I’ll Not Stop Talking About Chibok Girls Until They Get Justice – Ezekwesili

The co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls movement and former World Bank Vice President, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has declared that justice must be done in the case of the abducted Chibok girls because the abduction reflected the failure of governance.

Last Thursday made it exactly two years since 276 Chibok girls were abducted by Boko Haram from their school in Borno State but 57 of the girls were able to escape, leaving 219 schoolgirls still unaccounted for.
Speaking in Lagos yesterday, Mrs. Ezekwesili stressed that the abduction was treated with levity by government.

Speaking as a guest at the Daystar Christian Centre, the former World Bank top shot said the girls would have been rescued if they were children of the elite.

She said: “Absolutely nothing is going to make me stop talking about the Chibok girls until justice is done for them. Why must justice be done for them? Justice must be done for our Chibok girls because they symbolize the failure of governance in a nation that does not understand that God absolutely looks at government as an institution that exists because of the needs of the poor. The rich and mighty can do without government. But government exists that the poor may be cared for”.

“For us, we stand to declare that our Chibok girls represent a turning point in our nation, and the reason is simple. A nation can afford to ignore its citizens when it sees no value in them. Nations that have made economic progress and achieved development are the ones that dignify the lives of their citizens. Citizens’ lives mean nothing. The likelihood is because there is something that substitutes for the citizens’ lives. In our own case, that something is called oil”, she said.

I’ll Not Stop Talking About Chibok Girls Until They Get Justice – Ezekwesili

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The co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls movement and former World Bank Vice President, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has declared that justice must be done in the case of the abducted Chibok girls because the abduction reflected the failure of governance.

Last Thursday made it exactly two years since 276 Chibok girls were abducted by Boko Haram from their school in Borno State but 57 of the girls were able to escape, leaving 219 schoolgirls still unaccounted for.
Speaking in Lagos yesterday, Mrs. Ezekwesili stressed that the abduction was treated with levity by government.

Speaking as a guest at the Daystar Christian Centre, the former World Bank top shot said the girls would have been rescued if they were children of the elite.

She said: “Absolutely nothing is going to make me stop talking about the Chibok girls until justice is done for them. Why must justice be done for them? Justice must be done for our Chibok girls because they symbolize the failure of governance in a nation that does not understand that God absolutely looks at government as an institution that exists because of the needs of the poor. The rich and mighty can do without government. But government exists that the poor may be cared for”.

“For us, we stand to declare that our Chibok girls represent a turning point in our nation, and the reason is simple. A nation can afford to ignore its citizens when it sees no value in them. Nations that have made economic progress and achieved development are the ones that dignify the lives of their citizens. Citizens’ lives mean nothing. The likelihood is because there is something that substitutes for the citizens’ lives. In our own case, that something is called oil”, she said.

Troops Recover Large Cache Of Arms, Ammunition In Borno, Engage Boko Haram In Fierce Battle

The Nigerian Army Monday announced that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole and some Civilian JTF on a clearance patrol to Brogozo-Alagarno general area, discovered large cache of arms and ammunition concealed by Boko Haram Terrorists.

The discovery, the Army said, was based on a tip off.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Sani Usman, the Army said the patrol team also cleared remnants of the terrorists dislodged from Alagarno Forest but who were taking refuge at Kadari, Camp Abu Fatima and Gursum.
“The troops discovered large cache of arms and ammunitions that include 36 boxes of .51mm caliber, 5 x 20 Lyra beefcake mixture of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, large quantity of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and one 81mm mortar tube”, Mr. Usman, a colonel, said.

In addition, he said troops recovered 1 Toyota Hilux, 1 Generator and several motorcycles.
The statement reiterated the Nigerian Army’s appeal to all Nigerians especially residents of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, which are worse affected by the insurgency, to continue to provide useful information to troops in order to facilitate the final routing of the remnants of Boko Haram insurgents hiding in their localities.

Meanwhile, the Army said troops of 113 Battalion at Kareto, northern Borno, came under attack early hours of today.
However, the troops are currently engaged in a fierce battle with members of the sect.
The Army issued the alert on its verified Twitter handle some few hours ago.

Troops Recover Large Cache Of Arms, Ammunition In Borno, Engage Boko Haram In Fierce Battle

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The Nigerian Army Monday announced that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole and some Civilian JTF on a clearance patrol to Brogozo-Alagarno general area, discovered large cache of arms and ammunition concealed by Boko Haram Terrorists.

The discovery, the Army said, was based on a tip off.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Sani Usman, the Army said the patrol team also cleared remnants of the terrorists dislodged from Alagarno Forest but who were taking refuge at Kadari, Camp Abu Fatima and Gursum.
“The troops discovered large cache of arms and ammunitions that include 36 boxes of .51mm caliber, 5 x 20 Lyra beefcake mixture of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, large quantity of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and one 81mm mortar tube”, Mr. Usman, a colonel, said.

In addition, he said troops recovered 1 Toyota Hilux, 1 Generator and several motorcycles.
The statement reiterated the Nigerian Army’s appeal to all Nigerians especially residents of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, which are worse affected by the insurgency, to continue to provide useful information to troops in order to facilitate the final routing of the remnants of Boko Haram insurgents hiding in their localities.

Meanwhile, the Army said troops of 113 Battalion at Kareto, northern Borno, came under attack early hours of today.
However, the troops are currently engaged in a fierce battle with members of the sect.
The Army issued the alert on its verified Twitter handle some few hours ago.

President Buhari Expresses Satisfaction Over Outcome Of China Visit

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his visit to China, which has yielded additional investments in Nigeria exceeding $6 billion.

President Buhari believes that the several agreements concluded with the Chinese during the visit will have a huge and positive impact on key sectors of the Nigerian economy including power, solid minerals, agriculture, housing and rail transportation.

In the power sector, North South Power Company Limited and Sinohydro Corporation Limited signed an agreement valued at $478,657,941.28 for the construction of 300 Mega Watts solar power in Shiriro, Niger State.

In the solid minerals sector, Granite and Marble Nigeria Limited and Shanghai Shibang signed an agreement valued at $55 million for the construction and equipping of granite mining plant in Nigeria.

A total of $1 billion is to be invested in the development of a greenfield expressway for Abuja-Ibadan-Lagos under an agreement reached by the Infrastructure Bank and Sinohydro Corporation Limited.

For the housing sector, both companies also sealed a $250 million deal to develop an ultra modern 27-storey high rise complex and a $2.5 billion agreement for the development of the Lagos Metro Rail Transit Red Line project.

Other agreements announced and signed during the visit include a $1 billion for the establishment of a Hi-tech industrial park in Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa, Ogun State.

Furthermore, the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone and CNG (Nigeria) Investment Limited also signed an agreement valued at $200 million for the construction of two 500MT/day float gas facilities.

An agreement valued at $363 million for the establishment of a comprehensive farm and downstream industrial park in Kogi state was also announced at the Nigeria-China business forum.

Other agreements undergoing negotiations include a $500 million project for the provision of television broadcast equipment and a $25 million facility for production of pre-paid smart meters between Mojec International Limited and Microstar Company Limited.

About 100 Nigerian businesses and 300 Chinese firms participated in the Nigeria-China business forum which took place a day after President Buhari began his visit to China.

President Buhari Expresses Satisfaction Over Outcome Of China Visit

Posted by Sylvester No comments

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his visit to China, which has yielded additional investments in Nigeria exceeding $6 billion.

President Buhari believes that the several agreements concluded with the Chinese during the visit will have a huge and positive impact on key sectors of the Nigerian economy including power, solid minerals, agriculture, housing and rail transportation.

In the power sector, North South Power Company Limited and Sinohydro Corporation Limited signed an agreement valued at $478,657,941.28 for the construction of 300 Mega Watts solar power in Shiriro, Niger State.

In the solid minerals sector, Granite and Marble Nigeria Limited and Shanghai Shibang signed an agreement valued at $55 million for the construction and equipping of granite mining plant in Nigeria.

A total of $1 billion is to be invested in the development of a greenfield expressway for Abuja-Ibadan-Lagos under an agreement reached by the Infrastructure Bank and Sinohydro Corporation Limited.

For the housing sector, both companies also sealed a $250 million deal to develop an ultra modern 27-storey high rise complex and a $2.5 billion agreement for the development of the Lagos Metro Rail Transit Red Line project.

Other agreements announced and signed during the visit include a $1 billion for the establishment of a Hi-tech industrial park in Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa, Ogun State.

Furthermore, the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone and CNG (Nigeria) Investment Limited also signed an agreement valued at $200 million for the construction of two 500MT/day float gas facilities.

An agreement valued at $363 million for the establishment of a comprehensive farm and downstream industrial park in Kogi state was also announced at the Nigeria-China business forum.

Other agreements undergoing negotiations include a $500 million project for the provision of television broadcast equipment and a $25 million facility for production of pre-paid smart meters between Mojec International Limited and Microstar Company Limited.

About 100 Nigerian businesses and 300 Chinese firms participated in the Nigeria-China business forum which took place a day after President Buhari began his visit to China.

N/Delta Militant Group Dares Buhari, Vows Further Attacks On Oil Pipelines

Less than a week after President Muhammadu Buhari vowed to deal with pipeline vandals and saboteurs frustrating his administration’s programmes and policies, a militant group in the Niger-Delta, which claimed responsibility for a major attack on a pipeline in the region, said it will carry out more strikes.
The group, the Niger Delta Avengers, said it carried out the attack on a Shell underwater pipeline in February which interrupted oil flows and forced the company to shut down its 250,000 barrel-a-day Forcados export terminal for weeks.
Daring the president, who urged those behind destruction of critical oil and gas assets to continue with their “madness” until he deals with them same way he dealt with Boko Haram, the militant group in a statement on Sunday and made available to Reuters, said it would not be cowed by Mr. Buhari’s threat to unleash the full strength of the Nigerian Armed Forces on vandals and saboteurs.

“We are not deterred by such threats as we are highly spirited and shall continue blowing up pipelines until the Niger Delta people are no longer marginalized by the Nigerian actors”, said the Niger Delta Avengers.

The oil-rich Niger-Delta, which contributes not less than 70 per cent of state income in Africa’s biggest economy, has been left devastated by years of neglect and environmental degradation due to activities of oil exploration and lack of political will to bring development to the area.
This has resulted in militants demanding a greater share of crude revenues to the area as well as agitations for resource control.
Unheard of before the Forcados attack, the Niger Delta Avengers say they want to ensure that local people enjoy a quality of life which reflects the region’s contribution to the national purse.
“We take no pleasure in claiming innocent lives hence our struggle is geared toward attacking the oil installations in our region and not the people. And we shall stop at nothing until our goal is achieved”, the group added in its statement.
(Reuters)

N/Delta Militant Group Dares Buhari, Vows Further Attacks On Oil Pipelines

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Less than a week after President Muhammadu Buhari vowed to deal with pipeline vandals and saboteurs frustrating his administration’s programmes and policies, a militant group in the Niger-Delta, which claimed responsibility for a major attack on a pipeline in the region, said it will carry out more strikes.
The group, the Niger Delta Avengers, said it carried out the attack on a Shell underwater pipeline in February which interrupted oil flows and forced the company to shut down its 250,000 barrel-a-day Forcados export terminal for weeks.
Daring the president, who urged those behind destruction of critical oil and gas assets to continue with their “madness” until he deals with them same way he dealt with Boko Haram, the militant group in a statement on Sunday and made available to Reuters, said it would not be cowed by Mr. Buhari’s threat to unleash the full strength of the Nigerian Armed Forces on vandals and saboteurs.

“We are not deterred by such threats as we are highly spirited and shall continue blowing up pipelines until the Niger Delta people are no longer marginalized by the Nigerian actors”, said the Niger Delta Avengers.

The oil-rich Niger-Delta, which contributes not less than 70 per cent of state income in Africa’s biggest economy, has been left devastated by years of neglect and environmental degradation due to activities of oil exploration and lack of political will to bring development to the area.
This has resulted in militants demanding a greater share of crude revenues to the area as well as agitations for resource control.
Unheard of before the Forcados attack, the Niger Delta Avengers say they want to ensure that local people enjoy a quality of life which reflects the region’s contribution to the national purse.
“We take no pleasure in claiming innocent lives hence our struggle is geared toward attacking the oil installations in our region and not the people. And we shall stop at nothing until our goal is achieved”, the group added in its statement.
(Reuters)