Global digital information source on all the latest World, Africa and National news including Sport, Events, Entertainment,Technology, Politics, Autos, Business, Science, Music, Arts Education, Family, Heath, Travel, Shopping, Advertising and more...
Sponsored
Friday, December 15, 2017
OlayinkaOyelamiFoundation Blog: Commentary on The Poposed Non-Governmental Organis...
None of the persons who appeared before Nigerian lawmakers on Wednesday expressed support for the bill to regulate non-governmental organisations, NGOS.
A public hearing on the bill was held at by the House of Representatives at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
At the hearing, all the attendees, including a Catholic cleric, Matthew Kukah, and a former lawmaker, Abdul Oroh, opposed the bill.
Speaking against the bill, Mr. Kukah stressed that without civil societies, democracy would be in danger.
“I stand with civil societies very firmly,” he said.
“The greatest benefit for us in a democracy is freedom.”
He said Nigeria already has enough laws to cover almost every dimension of its citizen’s life.
“We have other institutions that are literally malfunctioning and unable to deliver services”
He however hoped that the National Assembly would take seriously the arguments of various CSOs presented at the public hearing. Read more... OlayinkaOyelamiFoundation Blog: Commentary on The Poposed Non-Governmental Organis...: The most topical issue among civil society organisations in Nigeria today is the proposed Non-Governmental Organisation Regulatory Commissi...
Monday, November 27, 2017
OOCORP News: Wife Stabbed Her Husband To Death in Abuja
EXCLUSIVE:
AN ENCOUNTER WITH MARYAM SANDA IN HER EXECUTIVE CELL
By DESERT HERALD
Wonders shall indeed never end in Nigeria. When the sad story of the killer Maryam Sanda went virile online and across the nation, and considering the gravity of her alleged offense and the need to show strong example to others, Nigerians including DESERT HERALD are convinced that her case will not only be treated with sincerity and dispatch but will be transparent without the usual corrupt conduct that characterize the practice of a typical institution called the Nigerian Police Force. But DESERT HERALD was astonished when it received a very disturbing, credible and privileged information from a high ranking Police officer that did not authorised us to reveal his name.
Our female undercover reporter that luckily happens to know some family members of Maryam was promptly recruited to do the findings for us as well as try to get any useful evidence so that it will be a weapon in case should the police denied our claims. Her job was also to verify for us the disturbing information we earlier got from our police officer source. Our undercover reporter did an excellent investigative journalism including recording their interactions with the killer Maryam. She was lucky to be part of the family members of Maryam that visited her on Wednesday, 22nd November, 2019. What she discovered was so embarrassing to a nation under a government that promises change. In Nigeria and even in the case of murderers there is still different law and treatment for those that can offer huge gratification and those that cannot. The gravity of the offense one committed notwithstanding.
To the surprise of our undercover reporter, a suspected killer of her husband was the only one in her executive 'cell' while other suspects can be seen in a highly contaminated cell that one cannot even eat inside. Typical of Nigerian Police cells, that of Maryam is like a comfort of her home. Maryam was making phone calls throughout the period of their visit. Some of her conservation during her many phone call was recorded by our reporter. Maryam was so confident that she will soon be out and that her rich and morally bankrupt mother has gave her every assurances. As a young lady that spent such years with her husband, Maryam is not looking remorseful at all for losing and killing her supposed husband. She told her visitors which was also recorded that "just because they said i killed him they are writing nonsense about me", which suggest that despite being in so called detention she is active online and monitoring peoples comment. She also told her visitors that there is no evidence and that no evidence can be found that can be accepted in a law court to proof that she killed her husband. Our undercover reporter revealed that as long as visitors are from her family, close friends or from her rich mother, Maryam did not have restrictions or any limit to visitors per day. She is being treated as a VIP suspect.
From the so called cell, our reporter followed her colleagues to the residence of Maimuna Aliyu, the rich mother of Maryam supposedly to commensurate with her for what happened to her daughter NOT on a condolence visit to mourn Ibrahim. Some of their interactions with Maimuna was also on audio. Throughout the short visit, the rich Maimuna did not for once lament or mourn the murder of her daughter's husband, the poor Ibrahim. She is also not remorseful at all about her daughter's act nor did she condemned her daughter for daring to kill an innocent soul. In fact, Maimuna said repeatedly that even if it will require her hiring a lawyer from the United States to defend her killer daughter, she is ready to do so insisting at every interval that her daughter will never be prosecuted as long as she is alive. At a point, she even point to a wrist watch in her hand and said "don't you see this is a diamond watch? Whatever that is needed to defend my daughter it will be done. And so what if she kills him", she queried.
Our police officer source has confided in this paper that Maimuna has gave certain police officers that are influential in determining the case an initial N5million with a promised to give more depending on the conduct of the police and the prosecution team that will be assign to prosecute the case. The charges that will be brought by the Police against Maryam and how the police prosecution team will handle the case at the court that is if Maryam will at all be arraigned will determine the strength and veracity of this report while at the appropriate time and depending on how justice is being pursued by the authorities, DESERT HERALD will release the two recorded audios for Nigerians to judge.
But there are some nagging questions that are still unanswered and remains confusing to those that can read between the lines. Why is the family of the deceased precisely his influential father, Bello Halliru Mohammed silent despite being aware about the moves and intrigues by the likes of Maryam's mother to frustrate the case and to ensure that there is no justice? Why is Ibrahim's parent silent despite knowing very well that Maryam and including her mother are not remorseful at all nor are they mourning the demise of their child? All this information are open secret to all the family members of Halliru and Maimuna, the mother of the killer. Certainly, Dr. Bello Halliru should be learned enough Islamic wise to know that NOBODY not even him as the father of the deceased or his wife, the mother of Iate Ibrahim has the power to forgive a deliberate and well intended murder. Allah has already taken decision about those that engages in such acts in the holy Qur'an. The police should also beware that anybody that conspired deliberately to prevent justice in a clear case of murder because of money that will terminate in this temporary world will certainly meet the wrath of Allah in this world and hereafter. One wonders the type of excuse that will be given for a murderer that stabbed her husband three times and went ahead to inflict severe cuts on his private parts. Is the excuse of acting under the influence of drugs tenable in our corrupt justice system? In Nigeria everything is possible!
OOCORP News: Wife Stabbed Her Husband To Death in Abuja: The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has obtained CCTV footage showing the last moments of Bilyaminu Bello, the son of a former Peo...
Monday, November 20, 2017
Wife Stabbed Her Husband To Death in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has obtained CCTV footage showing the last moments of Bilyaminu Bello, the son of a former Peoples Democratic Party chairman who was allegedly killed by his wife, Maryam Sanda.
Our correspondent had reported that Bello was stabbed to death by his wife over allegations of infidelity after she read a text message on his phone.
It was learnt that Bello was rejected by two hospitals before he was finally pronounced dead.
An impeccable police source said the police recovered the CCTV footage of their residence.
“We have been able to obtain the footage and it shows the suspect and three private security guards conveying him unto a vehicle from where he was rushed to a hospital,” he said.
Our correspondent gathered that the security guards had been arrested by the police.
The Federal Capital Territory police spokesman, Anjuguri Manzah, said more suspects had been apprehended.
He said, “I know that some suspects have been arrested, but I don’t know their identity. I can’t confirm that the CCTV footage has been obtained, but it may be part of evidence gathering to assist in investigation.”
Meanwhile, a family friend of the victim, Habib Gajam, has alleged that Sanda threatened to cut off her husband’s private parts during a quarrel hours before she allegedly stabbed him to death.
The family friend said in a series of tweets on Twitter that he witnessed the violent quarrel during which the mother of one attempted to stab her husband while demanding a divorce.
Gajam explained that Bello’s friend, one Aliero, who was also present during the scuffle, prevented Sanda from stabbing the deceased.
He said, “At about 9 to 10pm on Saturday, tension started to build up between Bilyaminu (Bello) and his wife, Maryam (Sanda) at his residence.
“Maryam demanded a divorce with the threat of cutting off his manhood. Aliero, Bilyaminu’s friend in whose presence the drama started, intervened four times to stop Maryam from stabbing her husband.”
The witness explained that Ibrahim later called Bello’s uncle, identified as Auta and one Abba, the victim’s cousin, to prevail on her.
He said after some time, Sanda broke a bottle and attempted to stab her husband, but he reportedly struggled to take it from her, injuring himself in the process.
“After short calm, Maryam (Sanda) broke a bottle of groundnut and attempted to stab Bilyaminu (Bello) again, but this time, he held both her hands and struggled to take the bottle from her, injuring himself in the process….unrelenting and wild, she bit his finger.
“Uncle Auta had arrived at this time to calm the situation. They both committed to uncle Auta to let go of their grievances, at least for the night.
“After the situation had become calm, Bilyaminu and his friend went to a pharmacy to get his hand treated from the bite he sustained from Maryam,” he added.
Gajam explained that Bello and Ibrahim later went to withdraw money from an ATM for the repair of Sanda’s damaged car, noting that by the time they got back home around 11pm, everywhere was calm.
Abba and Ibrahim left for their homes around midnight, he said.
“When Bilyaminu (Bello) was seeing them off, he told Ibrahim that ‘I don’t want to go back until she’s asleep.’
“At around 2pm on Sunday, family members were summoned to Maitama Hospital, where Bilyaminu was lying in a pool of blood with multiple stabs on his chest, shoulder, a deep cut on his inner thigh, and many bite wounds on his stomach,” he added.
Gajam claimed that Sanda confessed to stabbing her husband to the hospital management, but added that she changed the story when she was directed to write a statement at the Maitama Police Station.
He said, “The police commissioner instructed that the crime scene should be visited. To the amasement of Abba and Ibrahim, who were key witnesses in the investigation, the bloodstains had been mopped up, murder weapon disappeared, but flower vases and pots were broken to corroborate Maryam’s earlier statement at the station.”
Gajam said Bello, who divorced his first wife to marry Sanda, did not deserve to be murdered.
Our correspondent had reported that Bello was stabbed to death by his wife over allegations of infidelity after she read a text message on his phone.
It was learnt that Bello was rejected by two hospitals before he was finally pronounced dead.
An impeccable police source said the police recovered the CCTV footage of their residence.
“We have been able to obtain the footage and it shows the suspect and three private security guards conveying him unto a vehicle from where he was rushed to a hospital,” he said.
Our correspondent gathered that the security guards had been arrested by the police.
The Federal Capital Territory police spokesman, Anjuguri Manzah, said more suspects had been apprehended.
He said, “I know that some suspects have been arrested, but I don’t know their identity. I can’t confirm that the CCTV footage has been obtained, but it may be part of evidence gathering to assist in investigation.”
Meanwhile, a family friend of the victim, Habib Gajam, has alleged that Sanda threatened to cut off her husband’s private parts during a quarrel hours before she allegedly stabbed him to death.
The family friend said in a series of tweets on Twitter that he witnessed the violent quarrel during which the mother of one attempted to stab her husband while demanding a divorce.
Gajam explained that Bello’s friend, one Aliero, who was also present during the scuffle, prevented Sanda from stabbing the deceased.
He said, “At about 9 to 10pm on Saturday, tension started to build up between Bilyaminu (Bello) and his wife, Maryam (Sanda) at his residence.
“Maryam demanded a divorce with the threat of cutting off his manhood. Aliero, Bilyaminu’s friend in whose presence the drama started, intervened four times to stop Maryam from stabbing her husband.”
The witness explained that Ibrahim later called Bello’s uncle, identified as Auta and one Abba, the victim’s cousin, to prevail on her.
He said after some time, Sanda broke a bottle and attempted to stab her husband, but he reportedly struggled to take it from her, injuring himself in the process.
“After short calm, Maryam (Sanda) broke a bottle of groundnut and attempted to stab Bilyaminu (Bello) again, but this time, he held both her hands and struggled to take the bottle from her, injuring himself in the process….unrelenting and wild, she bit his finger.
“Uncle Auta had arrived at this time to calm the situation. They both committed to uncle Auta to let go of their grievances, at least for the night.
“After the situation had become calm, Bilyaminu and his friend went to a pharmacy to get his hand treated from the bite he sustained from Maryam,” he added.
Gajam explained that Bello and Ibrahim later went to withdraw money from an ATM for the repair of Sanda’s damaged car, noting that by the time they got back home around 11pm, everywhere was calm.
Abba and Ibrahim left for their homes around midnight, he said.
“When Bilyaminu (Bello) was seeing them off, he told Ibrahim that ‘I don’t want to go back until she’s asleep.’
“At around 2pm on Sunday, family members were summoned to Maitama Hospital, where Bilyaminu was lying in a pool of blood with multiple stabs on his chest, shoulder, a deep cut on his inner thigh, and many bite wounds on his stomach,” he added.
Gajam claimed that Sanda confessed to stabbing her husband to the hospital management, but added that she changed the story when she was directed to write a statement at the Maitama Police Station.
He said, “The police commissioner instructed that the crime scene should be visited. To the amasement of Abba and Ibrahim, who were key witnesses in the investigation, the bloodstains had been mopped up, murder weapon disappeared, but flower vases and pots were broken to corroborate Maryam’s earlier statement at the station.”
Gajam said Bello, who divorced his first wife to marry Sanda, did not deserve to be murdered.
Thursday, November 9, 2017
NUC To Approve 15 More University Online Learning Centers
The National Universities Commission, NUC, on Tuesday in Abuja said it is in the process of allowing 15 more universities to embark on open distance/online learning as this will help solve inadequate access to university education. The Executive Secretary of NUC, Abubakar Rasheed, said this at a one day symposium on policy and practice in open and distance learning.
The event which was a collaboration between the NUC and the University of London is to promote open and distance learning in the country.He said Open and Distance Learning, ODL, is a system of teaching and learning which is characterized by using multiple media for delivering instruction and learning interaction.
Mr. Rasheed said the commission is concerned about the quality of education in the country noting that that the issue of quality cannot be ignored. “For NUC, quality is the main reason why we are existing not the quantity, we want to assure that every certificate obtained in Nigerian universities is worth it,” he said.
According to him, NUC cannot “order universities to double their intakes because of quantity because every programme in Nigerian universities is judged through quality assurance mechanism.”
“The physical infrastructure, quality of a staff, quality of laboratory and libraries are important.
“NUC is trying to advise government on the best way to tackle skills’ issue because the number we are talking about in secondary schools or those out of primary schools cannot just be tackled by simply enrolling them in the universities,” he said.
He said the issue of parity between ODL graduates and conventional ones would be resolved when “ODL programme is fully institutionalised in our country.” The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu who was represented by the director, tertiary education, Joel Ojo said the government iscommitted towards improving access to quality and lifelong learning through its open and distance learning initiative.
He said that globally, ODL has been embraced as a panacea to inadequate access to quality education as well as promoting lifelong learning. According to him, the government is putting in place adequate learning support that will facilitate equitable quality education by 2030. He urged the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, to comply with the guidelines of NUC to “internationalize world best global practices.”
Meanwhile, the president of Global University Network for Innovation GUNI-Africa, Peter Okebukola, said quality assurance should play a major role in the way education is tackled by the Nigerian government. “The concern of GUNI is how quality is delivered and how to access the quality being delivered, we want a mechanism that will guarantee that products from the regular system and product from the open and distance learning system are at par.
These product should be better in terms of knowledge, quality and attitude”, he said.
Mike Winter, the director of Global Engagement, University of London, said there are lots of opportunities for open and distance learning in Nigeria.
“The opportunities include sharing ideas on how to develop these initiatives around quality and education. One is around parallel degree which is a mechanism the universities have been running for more than 20 years whereby students can study online for degree; the other is the growth of provision for post-graduate online (study)”, he said.
The event which was a collaboration between the NUC and the University of London is to promote open and distance learning in the country.He said Open and Distance Learning, ODL, is a system of teaching and learning which is characterized by using multiple media for delivering instruction and learning interaction.
Mr. Rasheed said the commission is concerned about the quality of education in the country noting that that the issue of quality cannot be ignored. “For NUC, quality is the main reason why we are existing not the quantity, we want to assure that every certificate obtained in Nigerian universities is worth it,” he said.
According to him, NUC cannot “order universities to double their intakes because of quantity because every programme in Nigerian universities is judged through quality assurance mechanism.”
“The physical infrastructure, quality of a staff, quality of laboratory and libraries are important.
“NUC is trying to advise government on the best way to tackle skills’ issue because the number we are talking about in secondary schools or those out of primary schools cannot just be tackled by simply enrolling them in the universities,” he said.
He said the issue of parity between ODL graduates and conventional ones would be resolved when “ODL programme is fully institutionalised in our country.” The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu who was represented by the director, tertiary education, Joel Ojo said the government iscommitted towards improving access to quality and lifelong learning through its open and distance learning initiative.
He said that globally, ODL has been embraced as a panacea to inadequate access to quality education as well as promoting lifelong learning. According to him, the government is putting in place adequate learning support that will facilitate equitable quality education by 2030. He urged the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, to comply with the guidelines of NUC to “internationalize world best global practices.”
Meanwhile, the president of Global University Network for Innovation GUNI-Africa, Peter Okebukola, said quality assurance should play a major role in the way education is tackled by the Nigerian government. “The concern of GUNI is how quality is delivered and how to access the quality being delivered, we want a mechanism that will guarantee that products from the regular system and product from the open and distance learning system are at par.
These product should be better in terms of knowledge, quality and attitude”, he said.
Mike Winter, the director of Global Engagement, University of London, said there are lots of opportunities for open and distance learning in Nigeria.
“The opportunities include sharing ideas on how to develop these initiatives around quality and education. One is around parallel degree which is a mechanism the universities have been running for more than 20 years whereby students can study online for degree; the other is the growth of provision for post-graduate online (study)”, he said.
Thursday, November 2, 2017
Corruption: How Buhari is losing the war
President Muhammadu Buhari’s overhyped anti-corruption crusade has descended into chaos. On Tuesday, his integrity suffered a grave blow when the Head of Service, Winifred Oyo-Ita, disclosed via a memo that she verbally cautioned him about the dire implications of Abdulrasheed Maina’s illegal reinstatement. In addition to a frightening number of Buhari’s men already tainted by scandals, the fresh revelations from the HoS painted a Presidency entombed in a sea of mud. Neither the HoS nor the Presidency has denied the authenticity of the leaked memo.
Maina’s secret reinstatement has struck at the core of the culture of impunity and parochialism. The HoS disclosed in the memo that after a Federal Executive Council meeting, she had warned the President of the surreptitious moves by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and others to reinstate Maina, a notorious fugitive in a 2013 N2 billion pension scam, as a director in the public service, and its implications for the Buhari administration’s anti-graft war. With no firm action by Buhari, the cabal went ahead to reinstate Maina. Oyo-Ita said “the move to recall Maina was at the instance of a series of letters from the Attorney-General of the Federation to the Federal Civil Service Commission to give consequential effect to the judgement that voided the warrant of arrest issued against (Mr. A.A.) Maina, which formed the basis for his query and eventual dismissal.”
The HoS, thereafter, dissociated her office from Maina’s scandalous reinstatement and his subsequent redeployment to the Ministry of Interior. Though the President belatedly ordered Maina’s sacking on the heels of public fury, it appears the Presidency is abiding in, if not abetting, corruption when it touches some individuals. Maina’s family had claimed at a news conference that the Buhari government invited their son to come and clean up the mess and generate more revenue for government by blocking leakages. “He has been working with the DSS for quite some time and he was given necessary security,” the family said. The fugitive himself also declared that another £6m pension fund was in London accounts generating interests for top government functionaries.
It bears repeating that, by some accounts, Maina had allegedly stolen N195 billion of pension funds at a time pensioners were dying needlessly, waiting to be paid their entitlements. To be sure, the Maina saga is just one in a very long list of explosive allegations against Buhari’s close aides and top government functionaries. Indeed, as mentioned in our previous editorial, right from inception, corruption scandals have continued to routinely upend the Buhari government. Until this week when he finally sacked Babachir Lawal and Ayo Oke, the President appeared to be on the horns of a dilemma about how to handle the report of a committee headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo that indicted both officials. In spite of the glaring evidence of the complicity of the AGF in the Maina scandal, the President has still taken no action.
Buhari, from the outset, laid the foundations for the failing anti-graft war. Apart from not acting swiftly in appointing heads of strategic agencies seen to be relevant in the fight against corruption, Buhari utterly displayed poor judgement when he finally did. His style of leadership has created a sprawling number of doubters and worriers among his ardent supporters and admirers. The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, is one of them. In a September 2016 memo to Buhari, he assailed his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, and the recently-sacked Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Lawal, as men bereft of the experience and capacity their offices demanded.
Even the President’s wife, Aisha, once criticised her husband for his languid style, penchant for alienation and making wrong choices in his appointments. She vowed on a BBC Hausa Service programme in October 2016 not to campaign for him again, if the ugly tide did not turn before 2019. Her worry: among 50 people appointed to positions of responsibility, Buhari did not know 45 of them. “Those who didn’t do anything, who don’t even have voter cards, are the ones in position doing everything,” she noted. “What I am afraid for them is the rebellion of 15 million people,” meaning the number of those who voted for him in the 2015 presidential election. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, recently blamed those in the corridors of powers, widely seen as aliens to the core values that underpinned the birth of the administration and the coalition that brought it to power. Ali’s scathing line: “Every day when you wake up, there is a story that makes you shiver.”
Now, Buhari’s integrity is under siege, his zero tolerance policy on corruption questioned. He has demonstrated lack of political will to bring the tainted members of his inner circle to book or make an example of them. His penchant for making appointments that are lopsided and preponderantly from a section of the country is undermining the legitimacy of his government.
What will it take for Buhari to earn public trust again, recover his tarnished reputation and fulfil the historic mandate he won to tame corruption? In his second inaugural address, Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States, said, “We are to beware of all men who would turn the tasks and the necessities of the nation to their own private profit or use them for the building up of private power.” The firm basis of government is justice, not patronage. Mainagate has ensnarled Malami; he should go.
Buhari needs to adopt radical transparency in his anti-graft war, evict liabilities in his inner circle, appoint the right people to critical posts and personally drive the anti-graft crusade. Unless he drops key operators tainted by corruption scandals and replaces them with individuals that share his burning passion to crush corruption, the crusade will continue to flounder. He needs a clear strategy on the anti-graft war and a coordinator with full presidential backing. Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, recalled how the country’s founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, provided strong political will, “institutionalised a robust, comprehensive anti-corruption framework that spans laws, enforcement, the public service and public outreach.”
The four-point approach included reform and zero tolerance for graft in the public service and the judiciary, generous funding of the anti-graft agency, equal treatment before the law and appointing the right persons to law enforcement positions. It worked. The Inspector-General of Police, the heads of the State Security Service, Police Service Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the judiciary should be vigorous anti-corruption enforcers. The AGF as the country’s chief law officer is too strategic to be filled by an individual with doubtful anti-graft credentials.
There should be a clearing house for swift prosecution of high profile suspects, while seamless cooperation that is signally lacking today, should be forged among EFCC, ICPC, AGF’s office, SSS, police, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, National Intelligence Agency and the Presidential Advisory Commission Against Corruption, with intelligence/information shared and prosecution strengthened.
He should transform himself to a truly national leader and become a president for all Nigerians. The President must, as he promised on inauguration day, “belong to nobody” and truly “belong to everybody.” He should stop alienating large sections of the polity through lopsided appointments. We repeat our earlier stance that corruption is not exclusive to financial malfeasance: sectionalism, nepotism and selective justice are definitive acts of corruption. He cannot effectively fight financial corruption against opponents when he continues to entrench an unprecedented level of sectionalism and nepotism.
EDITORIAL
Published November 2, 2017 THE PUNCH
Punch Editorial Board
Maina’s secret reinstatement has struck at the core of the culture of impunity and parochialism. The HoS disclosed in the memo that after a Federal Executive Council meeting, she had warned the President of the surreptitious moves by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and others to reinstate Maina, a notorious fugitive in a 2013 N2 billion pension scam, as a director in the public service, and its implications for the Buhari administration’s anti-graft war. With no firm action by Buhari, the cabal went ahead to reinstate Maina. Oyo-Ita said “the move to recall Maina was at the instance of a series of letters from the Attorney-General of the Federation to the Federal Civil Service Commission to give consequential effect to the judgement that voided the warrant of arrest issued against (Mr. A.A.) Maina, which formed the basis for his query and eventual dismissal.”
The HoS, thereafter, dissociated her office from Maina’s scandalous reinstatement and his subsequent redeployment to the Ministry of Interior. Though the President belatedly ordered Maina’s sacking on the heels of public fury, it appears the Presidency is abiding in, if not abetting, corruption when it touches some individuals. Maina’s family had claimed at a news conference that the Buhari government invited their son to come and clean up the mess and generate more revenue for government by blocking leakages. “He has been working with the DSS for quite some time and he was given necessary security,” the family said. The fugitive himself also declared that another £6m pension fund was in London accounts generating interests for top government functionaries.
It bears repeating that, by some accounts, Maina had allegedly stolen N195 billion of pension funds at a time pensioners were dying needlessly, waiting to be paid their entitlements. To be sure, the Maina saga is just one in a very long list of explosive allegations against Buhari’s close aides and top government functionaries. Indeed, as mentioned in our previous editorial, right from inception, corruption scandals have continued to routinely upend the Buhari government. Until this week when he finally sacked Babachir Lawal and Ayo Oke, the President appeared to be on the horns of a dilemma about how to handle the report of a committee headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo that indicted both officials. In spite of the glaring evidence of the complicity of the AGF in the Maina scandal, the President has still taken no action.
Buhari, from the outset, laid the foundations for the failing anti-graft war. Apart from not acting swiftly in appointing heads of strategic agencies seen to be relevant in the fight against corruption, Buhari utterly displayed poor judgement when he finally did. His style of leadership has created a sprawling number of doubters and worriers among his ardent supporters and admirers. The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, is one of them. In a September 2016 memo to Buhari, he assailed his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, and the recently-sacked Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Lawal, as men bereft of the experience and capacity their offices demanded.
Even the President’s wife, Aisha, once criticised her husband for his languid style, penchant for alienation and making wrong choices in his appointments. She vowed on a BBC Hausa Service programme in October 2016 not to campaign for him again, if the ugly tide did not turn before 2019. Her worry: among 50 people appointed to positions of responsibility, Buhari did not know 45 of them. “Those who didn’t do anything, who don’t even have voter cards, are the ones in position doing everything,” she noted. “What I am afraid for them is the rebellion of 15 million people,” meaning the number of those who voted for him in the 2015 presidential election. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, recently blamed those in the corridors of powers, widely seen as aliens to the core values that underpinned the birth of the administration and the coalition that brought it to power. Ali’s scathing line: “Every day when you wake up, there is a story that makes you shiver.”
Now, Buhari’s integrity is under siege, his zero tolerance policy on corruption questioned. He has demonstrated lack of political will to bring the tainted members of his inner circle to book or make an example of them. His penchant for making appointments that are lopsided and preponderantly from a section of the country is undermining the legitimacy of his government.
What will it take for Buhari to earn public trust again, recover his tarnished reputation and fulfil the historic mandate he won to tame corruption? In his second inaugural address, Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States, said, “We are to beware of all men who would turn the tasks and the necessities of the nation to their own private profit or use them for the building up of private power.” The firm basis of government is justice, not patronage. Mainagate has ensnarled Malami; he should go.
Buhari needs to adopt radical transparency in his anti-graft war, evict liabilities in his inner circle, appoint the right people to critical posts and personally drive the anti-graft crusade. Unless he drops key operators tainted by corruption scandals and replaces them with individuals that share his burning passion to crush corruption, the crusade will continue to flounder. He needs a clear strategy on the anti-graft war and a coordinator with full presidential backing. Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, recalled how the country’s founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, provided strong political will, “institutionalised a robust, comprehensive anti-corruption framework that spans laws, enforcement, the public service and public outreach.”
The four-point approach included reform and zero tolerance for graft in the public service and the judiciary, generous funding of the anti-graft agency, equal treatment before the law and appointing the right persons to law enforcement positions. It worked. The Inspector-General of Police, the heads of the State Security Service, Police Service Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the judiciary should be vigorous anti-corruption enforcers. The AGF as the country’s chief law officer is too strategic to be filled by an individual with doubtful anti-graft credentials.
There should be a clearing house for swift prosecution of high profile suspects, while seamless cooperation that is signally lacking today, should be forged among EFCC, ICPC, AGF’s office, SSS, police, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, National Intelligence Agency and the Presidential Advisory Commission Against Corruption, with intelligence/information shared and prosecution strengthened.
He should transform himself to a truly national leader and become a president for all Nigerians. The President must, as he promised on inauguration day, “belong to nobody” and truly “belong to everybody.” He should stop alienating large sections of the polity through lopsided appointments. We repeat our earlier stance that corruption is not exclusive to financial malfeasance: sectionalism, nepotism and selective justice are definitive acts of corruption. He cannot effectively fight financial corruption against opponents when he continues to entrench an unprecedented level of sectionalism and nepotism.
EDITORIAL
Published November 2, 2017 THE PUNCH
Punch Editorial Board
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Federal High Court Squashed Law Graduates of Natio...
OlayinkaOyelamiPublishing Blog: Federal High Court Squashed Law Graduates of Natio...: A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt Wednesday squashed a suit by law graduates of the National Open University of Nigeria, NO...
What are THE DIGITAL LITERATE LAW GRADUATES of NOUN looking for in NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL that they've not already gotten from their learning at NOUN?.
Sometimes, i wonder what this generation of digital compliant minds are looking for in Nigerian 12th century medieval modeled schools and Nigerian Law School for that matter in this 21st century tech age when your can access any information you need to advancement your life and humanity at the comfort of your home on your phone.
Why wasting valuable time and resources on obsolete and invalid schools that can not add value to your life? The legal service in this 21st century is in the world of internet-based global businesses, online document production, commoditized service, legal process outsourcing, and web based simulation practice.
The global legal markets has been liberalized with evolution of internet with new jobs for lawyers and new employers too...Why wasting time and resources for appearance in COURT where you can NEVER get JUSTICE. Read more...
What are THE DIGITAL LITERATE LAW GRADUATES of NOUN looking for in NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL that they've not already gotten from their learning at NOUN?.
Sometimes, i wonder what this generation of digital compliant minds are looking for in Nigerian 12th century medieval modeled schools and Nigerian Law School for that matter in this 21st century tech age when your can access any information you need to advancement your life and humanity at the comfort of your home on your phone.
Why wasting valuable time and resources on obsolete and invalid schools that can not add value to your life? The legal service in this 21st century is in the world of internet-based global businesses, online document production, commoditized service, legal process outsourcing, and web based simulation practice.
The global legal markets has been liberalized with evolution of internet with new jobs for lawyers and new employers too...Why wasting time and resources for appearance in COURT where you can NEVER get JUSTICE. Read more...
Friday, October 6, 2017
The Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu Writes Presidwnt Muhamadu Buhari; Accuses NNPC GMD Baru of Illegalities And Insubordination
The Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, has reported the GLNroup Managing Director of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru, to President Muhammadu Buhari, urging him to take urgent actions on matters ranging from alleged illegal practices to insubordination.
Mr. Kachikwu said he found it pertinent to call the attention of the president to his misgivings because they’re capable of hindering progress in the country’s petroleum sector or even reverse recorded strides.
“Parastatals in the ministry and all CEOs of these parastatals must be aligned with the policy drive of the ministry to allow the sector register the growth that has eluded it for many years”
Mr. Kachikwu said. “To do otherwise or to exempt any of the parastatals would be to emplace a stunted growth for the industry.”
Mr. Kachikwu said he wrote the August 30 letter to Mr. Buhari after concerted efforts to have a one-on-one appointment with the president at the State House fell through.
The letter, which emerged on the Internet Tuesday, was widely circulated on Twitter. It is not immediately clear how it made it to the public domain.
The minister said he suffered “disrespectful and humiliating conducts” from Mr. Baru.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari requesting him to use his “good offices and leadership position to urgently refer the allegations of corruption and abuse of office against Mr Maikanti Baru, Group Managing Director Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation, and if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence, for him to face prosecution.”
The organization also urged Buhari to “suspend Mr Baru pending the referral to the EFCC and ICPC, and the outcome of any investigation by the anti-corruption agencies in order not to create the impression that your government is treating Mr Baru as a sacred cow. We urge you not to allow the allegations against Mr Baru go the way of past inconclusive investigations of allegations of massive corruption within the NNPC.”
In the letter dated 5th October 2017 and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the organization said that, “The allegations by Dr Kachikwu constitute grave breaches of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Act of 2000; and the UN Convention against Corruption (UNAC) which Nigeria recently ratified. In particular, the UN Convention against Corruption imposes clear obligations on Nigeria to investigate allegations of corruption such as the present one; prosecute suspected perpetrators and ensure return and repatriation of proceeds of corruption.”
The letter reads in part: “SERAP is concerned that years of systemic corruption within the NNPC and looting of Nigeria’s natural resources have had uneven consequences against the vulnerable groups of the society, including the poor, women and children, perpetrating and institutionalizing discrimination, and jeopardizing the needs and well-being of future generations. If left unaddressed, the allegations by Dr Kachikwu have the potential of undermining your government’s expressed commitment to returning Nigeria to the path of transparency and accountability.”
“SERAP believes that Mr Baru’s case presents your Administration with yet another rare opportunity to reassure a lot of Nigerians who may be worried about the direction of travel of your anti-corruption agenda. Rather than keeping silent on the matter, we advise you to use this case to show to Nigerians that no form of corruption will be tolerated in the NNPC under your watch.”
“SERAP also believes the recommended approach would help to address the growing public suspicion and pessimism about your government’s ability to fight high-level official corruption to a standstill, and to avoid any collateral consequences. It is absolutely important that the public should have complete confidence and trust in your Administration’s oft-repeated commitment to fight corruption and the impunity of perpetrators.”
“SERAP notes the recent allegations of corruption against Mr Baru by Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State of Petroleum and Chairman NNPC Board. In the letter to you Dr Kachikwu alleged among others appointments and postings in NNPC without due process; award of contracts above $20m without following the legal and procedural requirements for such contracts including the Crude Term contracts- value at over $10bn; the DSDP contracts- value over $5bn; the AKK pipeline contract- value approximately $3bn; various financing allocation funding contracts with the NOCs – value over $3bn; and various NPDC production service contracts – value at over $3bn–$4bn.”
To assist the government to achieve this public confidence and trust, effectively spread the gospel of anti corruption, and be on the right side of history, SERAP asked Buhari to implement the following recommendations:
Urgently refer the allegations against Mr Baru to both the EFCC and ICPC for further investigations, and if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence, for him to face prosecution;
Pending the referral to the EFCC and ICPC, to suspend Mr Baru from his position as Group Managing Director NNPC, pending the outcome of any investigation by the EFCC and ICPC;
Signed
Adetokunbo Mumuni
SERAP Executive Director
Mr. Kachikwu said he found it pertinent to call the attention of the president to his misgivings because they’re capable of hindering progress in the country’s petroleum sector or even reverse recorded strides.
“Parastatals in the ministry and all CEOs of these parastatals must be aligned with the policy drive of the ministry to allow the sector register the growth that has eluded it for many years”
Mr. Kachikwu said. “To do otherwise or to exempt any of the parastatals would be to emplace a stunted growth for the industry.”
Mr. Kachikwu said he wrote the August 30 letter to Mr. Buhari after concerted efforts to have a one-on-one appointment with the president at the State House fell through.
The letter, which emerged on the Internet Tuesday, was widely circulated on Twitter. It is not immediately clear how it made it to the public domain.
The minister said he suffered “disrespectful and humiliating conducts” from Mr. Baru.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari requesting him to use his “good offices and leadership position to urgently refer the allegations of corruption and abuse of office against Mr Maikanti Baru, Group Managing Director Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation, and if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence, for him to face prosecution.”
The organization also urged Buhari to “suspend Mr Baru pending the referral to the EFCC and ICPC, and the outcome of any investigation by the anti-corruption agencies in order not to create the impression that your government is treating Mr Baru as a sacred cow. We urge you not to allow the allegations against Mr Baru go the way of past inconclusive investigations of allegations of massive corruption within the NNPC.”
In the letter dated 5th October 2017 and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the organization said that, “The allegations by Dr Kachikwu constitute grave breaches of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Act of 2000; and the UN Convention against Corruption (UNAC) which Nigeria recently ratified. In particular, the UN Convention against Corruption imposes clear obligations on Nigeria to investigate allegations of corruption such as the present one; prosecute suspected perpetrators and ensure return and repatriation of proceeds of corruption.”
The letter reads in part: “SERAP is concerned that years of systemic corruption within the NNPC and looting of Nigeria’s natural resources have had uneven consequences against the vulnerable groups of the society, including the poor, women and children, perpetrating and institutionalizing discrimination, and jeopardizing the needs and well-being of future generations. If left unaddressed, the allegations by Dr Kachikwu have the potential of undermining your government’s expressed commitment to returning Nigeria to the path of transparency and accountability.”
“SERAP believes that Mr Baru’s case presents your Administration with yet another rare opportunity to reassure a lot of Nigerians who may be worried about the direction of travel of your anti-corruption agenda. Rather than keeping silent on the matter, we advise you to use this case to show to Nigerians that no form of corruption will be tolerated in the NNPC under your watch.”
“SERAP also believes the recommended approach would help to address the growing public suspicion and pessimism about your government’s ability to fight high-level official corruption to a standstill, and to avoid any collateral consequences. It is absolutely important that the public should have complete confidence and trust in your Administration’s oft-repeated commitment to fight corruption and the impunity of perpetrators.”
“SERAP notes the recent allegations of corruption against Mr Baru by Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State of Petroleum and Chairman NNPC Board. In the letter to you Dr Kachikwu alleged among others appointments and postings in NNPC without due process; award of contracts above $20m without following the legal and procedural requirements for such contracts including the Crude Term contracts- value at over $10bn; the DSDP contracts- value over $5bn; the AKK pipeline contract- value approximately $3bn; various financing allocation funding contracts with the NOCs – value over $3bn; and various NPDC production service contracts – value at over $3bn–$4bn.”
To assist the government to achieve this public confidence and trust, effectively spread the gospel of anti corruption, and be on the right side of history, SERAP asked Buhari to implement the following recommendations:
Urgently refer the allegations against Mr Baru to both the EFCC and ICPC for further investigations, and if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence, for him to face prosecution;
Pending the referral to the EFCC and ICPC, to suspend Mr Baru from his position as Group Managing Director NNPC, pending the outcome of any investigation by the EFCC and ICPC;
Signed
Adetokunbo Mumuni
SERAP Executive Director
SENATOR MISAU ACCUSES INSPECTOR GENERAL OF NIGERIA POLICE IMPREGNATING SERVING POLICEWOMAN, HAVING AFFAIRS WITH TWO OTHERS
• Senate constitutes panel to probe police boss over lawmaker’s allegations
The Senate wednesday constituted a seven-man ad hoc committee to investigate allegations of massive corruption and misappropriation of budgeted funds, levelled against the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Ibrahim Idris.
The decision followed a point of order raised by Senator Isah Hamman Misau (Bauchi Central) who accused the police IG of corruption, running a ‘bribe for promotion and for special deployment’ scheme, having sexual relations with his subordinates and other weighty accusations.
The committee is chaired by Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Francis Alimikhena (Edo North).
Misau, who retired in 2010 as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and the police were recently embroiled in a public spat after the lawmaker in an interview, accused Idris of pocketing at least N10 billion monthly, from providing police protection to oil companies and private individuals.
The police dispelled Misau’s claims and also claimed that the lawmaker deserted the force, and was declared wanted. The police later recanted on the position.
But Misau yesterday expressed his readiness to submit documentary evidence to back his various claims of corruption, misappropriation and other unscrupulous activities of the IG.
“By virtue of the constitution, police are not a revenue generating organisation, they are not meant to generate revenue. But all over the federation, we are aware that oil companies, banks, oil servicing companies and private individuals pay money to police every month. We know it. It is an open secret everybody knows about. To even make it worse, sometimes you will see people of dubious character and businessmen suspected to be involved in fraudulent activities in Lagos and Port Harcourt blaring siren with convoys of policemen,” Misau alleged.
Misau added that the manner of administration of the police by Idris has caused indiscipline in the force and has caused crime to be on the increase.
“Most of the things happening today are because of indiscipline and lack of leadership in the police. You will see kidnappings everywhere. He is undermining the biggest institution that is supposed to protect democracy and us.
“More than 100,000 policemen right now are serving in oil companies and oil servicing companies, and payments are made. By the United Nations’ standard, one policeman should be for 400 people but in Nigeria, one policeman is to 800 people. Even with that, you will find out that one businessman or oil marketer is having about 30 policemen, thereby depleting the ratio we are already in shortage of.
“On the issue of special promotion by the IG and the Police Service Commission (PSC), it is in the open. The rank goes with responsibility and it goes with money because it leads to increase in salary and allowances.”
“It has even gone worse. The IG is having relationships with two policewomen, who he promoted under special promotion. One of them is Aminat and the other is a DSP. The IG last month got married to that woman but under the police service rules and regulations, you cannot marry a serving officer unless the person retires. He quickly did a secret wedding in Kaduna because the lady was four months pregnant.
“I am saying all these because of the institution, because we have so many excellent officers who are now demoralised; who are now frustrated because of the activities of the IG. When it comes to appointment of police commissioners, the IG decided to have his own boys who are just Assistant Commissioners of Police. He will give them special promotion to Deputy Commissioner of Police,” Misau added.
The lawmaker reiterated that he can verify all his claims against the police boss.
“Special promotion is not in the police service rules and the police are guided by the police service rule. The reason they created special promotion is to get favour from governors and president, so that they can pave way for them and can get access to many things,” Misau added.
Presiding, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said the allegations raised by Misau are ‘important issues’ which cannot be swept under the carpet.
“I think for most of us, the most important issue is how to reform our institutions and how to fight corruption. The basis of all these started on the issue of bribery and promotion exercise involving the IG, and I think they are weighty enough to be investigated,” Saraki said.
He also directed the Committee on Ethics to investigate allegations that Misau deserted the police force.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
President Buhari's Speech At The 72nd Session Of T...
OlayinkaOyelamiPublishing Blog: President Buhari's Speech At The 72nd Session Of T...: The president of the United Nation’s General Assembly, Your Excellencies, Heads of States and governments, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies ...
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Nigeria Need A Federal Structure That Promote Indu...
We need a restructured federation where the Igbo man or woman, and indeed, every Nigerian can live and ply his or her business without any form of discrimination, molestation, and destruction of his or her life and property on the flimsiest excuses. Read more...OlayinkaOyelamiPublishing Blog: Nigeria Need A Federal Structure That Promote Indu...: Senator Ike Ekweremadu's Honest Advice To The IGBOS On Legal And Other Issues Involved BIAFRA Agitation And Realization. (THE FATHER&...
Monday, August 28, 2017
OlayinkaOyelamiPublishing Blog: Forbes 2017 List of 10 Richest Nigerians
OlayinkaOyelamiPublishing Blog: Forbes 2017 List of 10 Richest Nigerians: 1. Aliko Dangote: Aliko Dangote is the richest man in Nigeria, Africa and of course the richest black man in the world. In 2014, he ranked ...
Sunday, August 27, 2017
WE’LL KEEP YOU ON YOUR TOES, MAKARFI TELLS PRESIDENT
THE Presidency, on Friday, explained that President Muhammadu Buhari has been meeting political leaders and interest groups across the country in order to build national consensus for peace and unity.
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, told Saturday Tribune that the theme of the President’s speeches at the meetings has been unity and peace which he described as crucial at this critical period in the development of the country.
He was answering questions from Saturday Tribune against the background of meetings between the President and leaders of the two major political parties in the country – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) – and the 36 state governors.
President Buhari, on Friday, met with leaders of the opposition PDP together with their APC counterparts at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting, which was the first of such since his assumption of office, was couched as a welcome visit for the President following his recent return from the United Kingdom after about 105 days away on medical vacation.
Buhari, in his address, stressed the imperative of a viable opposition in a democracy, noting that it was not hostility, enmity or antagonism.
“Multi-party democracy is a very tried and tested form of government. Opposition does not mean hostility, enmity or antagonism. Democracy needs opposition, one which is vibrant but responsible,” he said.
The president thanked the party leaders for taking out time from their busy schedules to welcome him back home, observing that the meeting signified national unity.
“This visit signifies the unity of Nigeria. It is not a party occasion. It is not a political gathering. It is a symbol of our national unity. It is also an expression of the maturity of our democracy,” he stated.
He expressed delight in seeing the politicians together and urged them to convey his good wishes to their members.
“I am very pleased to see you assembled here all shades of opinion in Nigeria. Please convey to our countrymen and women in your respective states my deep gratitude to all those who prayed for my recovery.
“I am imploring all Nigerians to continue praying for peace and prosperity in Nigeria,” he added.
In his address at the occasion, the chairman of the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, said the party had continued to pray for Buhari’s good health when he was away, saying that now that he has recovered, the opposition would give him a run for his money.
“In any case, this PDP firmly believes that opposition is no madness; it will therefore never wish ill of anybody, let alone the person saddled with the responsibility of leading our country.
“Mr President, you will agree with me that the PDP has more than a fair knowledge and experience of the weight of that responsibility.
“Mr President, having welcomed you back and prayed for you, let me seize this opportunity to assure you, and through you, the entire country, that the PDP having assumed the leadership of the opposition in this country, is poised to play that role energetically, vibrantly, but very decently and with all sense of responsibility.
“This we shall do by giving you a good run for your money and constantly keeping you on your toes as we all strive to make this country better,” Makarfi said.
While pledging the opposition’s support for government’s fight against terrorism, herdsmen/farmers clashes, among others, Makarfi said such vices had slowed down the nation’s wheels of progress.
On the war against corruption, the PDP boss offered the party’s cooperation but admonished the government to grant anti-corruption agencies the needed independence and be sure to obey judicial pronouncements.
Makarfi stated: “We also offer our support for the fight against corruption and appeal that the institutions saddled with this onerous task be given a necessary encouragement and independence to do the right thing.
“This will help in further strengthening our institutions and insulating them from undue political interferences. It will also help give them a more credible outlook in the eyes of the public
“There is no way we can have a respectable voice in the comity of civilised nations until we rebuild our institutions and imbue them with the necessary independence and confidence that will improve both their visage and standing with the citizenry.
“The government should lead the charge in this regard by, especially, exhibiting greater respect to judicial pronouncements as well as respecting the fundamental rights of all Nigerians.
“The PDP as a great believer in the unity of this country will also partner with the government in any way(s) that will strengthen our historic bond and rebuild bridges of our beautiful relationships that seem to be cracking at the moment.”
In his remark, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, praised the idea behind the meeting, saying that it was an indication that Buhari was president of all.
President meets 36 govs
President Buhari, also on Friday, met with governors of the 36 states of the federation.
The president maintained that while he was away, he closely monitored events, particularly in the states and was happy with the way the governors tackled the issue of inadequate food production as high food import was taking its toll on the naira.
Buhari explained that the devaluation of the naira was not his government’s making, noting that even though it might not be a comfortable development, there was nothing that could be done about it.
He said: “I had so much time to watch television. I heard so much information about the states. I am very pleased with the states, you are all doing your best and it is proving to be good enough on agriculture and solid minerals. You are succeeding in agriculture because I think people cannot afford foreign food.
“The devaluation of the Naira is not my making; it may not favour us but it is something we cannot change. Some people were asking me if we should be more strict on the border, but I want to thank God this year is better than what it used to be.”
The president mocked the ResumeOrResign group who protested against his presence in the U.K.
He said now that he was back to the country, members of the group especially those who do not pay taxes to the U.K. government should consider returning home or get caught by the implications of Brexit.
Brexit is the term for the United Kingdom’s intended withdrawal from the European Union (E.U.).
He advised them to consider the implications and make plans to return home.
According to him, those that have plans to sell their properties should consider bringing some home to help the Nigerian economy.
Buhari said: “I’m very happy with the national prayers it was very well covered and reported, across religions and ethnicity, people were praying. In fact some groups in London came and sang the national anthem and asked that I should go back home, indeed I have come back home.
“I hope those who went there are not stuck there, they should come back and join us, those that are stuck there with the Brexit, I hope they have weighed the implications that it won’t affect them, including those that have properties there, those who are not paying tax here. I hope when they sell their properties there they will bring some of the money here. We need it very badly here.”
The President said the visit of the governors has boosted his morale, adding: “I thank you very much. My morale have been raised greatly by the love shown to me and the security of the country.”
He told the governors that Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo applied his intellect to administer the country commendably prompting him to invite Osinbajo to London to personally thank him.
“The efforts by the vice president are commendable. He used his intellect to run all over the place. I was seeing him 24 hours on NTA. I congratulate him. I allowed him to come and see me to thank him personally for what he has done,” Buhari explained.
Osinbajo on July 11 made a 24 hours return trip to meet President Buhari who was on medical vacation at Abuja House in London.
The Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari, in his remarks observed that the Buhari administration has enabled state governments that hitherto could not pay workers salaries to meet up with their obligations.
He added that the bailouts and the refund of the Paris Club funds authorized by the president have helped to cushion the effects of recession in the states.
Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, expressed happiness with the improvement of Buhari’s health.
He said: “Our President went to take care of his heath and now he is back healthy and healthier than before. We are here to appreciate him. We thank almighty God that he is back safely.
“We equally thank his able lieutenant, Professor Yemi Osinbajo who held the country firm in his absence. That is the demonstration of team work.
“It has equally shown that Nigerians selected the best and elected the best in 2015 general election and today Nigeria is better for it.
“He is back we are celebrating life. We are celebrating health.”
In his remarks to State House correspondents later, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state, said governors were happy about the president’s return.
He said: “You can see some level of enthusiasm and happiness on the faces of all the governors. That is to say all of us were anxiously waiting for the return of our dear President.
“You saw it today, the President went around to greet all of us and you can see he has come back more healthier than when he left.
“Our prayer is that God will continue to guide Mr President and also the challenges of governance in Nigeria, he will give him that good strength and good heath to solve the problems of the nation.
“With him back, everything is taking shape again. This is not to say the acting president was not doing well.
“Our Acting President, we must commend him. In the absence of the president, there was not vacuum because the acting president filled in the gap and did his best up to this moment and showed absolute loyalty both to the nation and Mr President.”
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, told Saturday Tribune that the theme of the President’s speeches at the meetings has been unity and peace which he described as crucial at this critical period in the development of the country.
He was answering questions from Saturday Tribune against the background of meetings between the President and leaders of the two major political parties in the country – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) – and the 36 state governors.
President Buhari, on Friday, met with leaders of the opposition PDP together with their APC counterparts at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting, which was the first of such since his assumption of office, was couched as a welcome visit for the President following his recent return from the United Kingdom after about 105 days away on medical vacation.
Buhari, in his address, stressed the imperative of a viable opposition in a democracy, noting that it was not hostility, enmity or antagonism.
“Multi-party democracy is a very tried and tested form of government. Opposition does not mean hostility, enmity or antagonism. Democracy needs opposition, one which is vibrant but responsible,” he said.
The president thanked the party leaders for taking out time from their busy schedules to welcome him back home, observing that the meeting signified national unity.
“This visit signifies the unity of Nigeria. It is not a party occasion. It is not a political gathering. It is a symbol of our national unity. It is also an expression of the maturity of our democracy,” he stated.
He expressed delight in seeing the politicians together and urged them to convey his good wishes to their members.
“I am very pleased to see you assembled here all shades of opinion in Nigeria. Please convey to our countrymen and women in your respective states my deep gratitude to all those who prayed for my recovery.
“I am imploring all Nigerians to continue praying for peace and prosperity in Nigeria,” he added.
In his address at the occasion, the chairman of the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, said the party had continued to pray for Buhari’s good health when he was away, saying that now that he has recovered, the opposition would give him a run for his money.
“In any case, this PDP firmly believes that opposition is no madness; it will therefore never wish ill of anybody, let alone the person saddled with the responsibility of leading our country.
“Mr President, you will agree with me that the PDP has more than a fair knowledge and experience of the weight of that responsibility.
“Mr President, having welcomed you back and prayed for you, let me seize this opportunity to assure you, and through you, the entire country, that the PDP having assumed the leadership of the opposition in this country, is poised to play that role energetically, vibrantly, but very decently and with all sense of responsibility.
“This we shall do by giving you a good run for your money and constantly keeping you on your toes as we all strive to make this country better,” Makarfi said.
While pledging the opposition’s support for government’s fight against terrorism, herdsmen/farmers clashes, among others, Makarfi said such vices had slowed down the nation’s wheels of progress.
On the war against corruption, the PDP boss offered the party’s cooperation but admonished the government to grant anti-corruption agencies the needed independence and be sure to obey judicial pronouncements.
Makarfi stated: “We also offer our support for the fight against corruption and appeal that the institutions saddled with this onerous task be given a necessary encouragement and independence to do the right thing.
“This will help in further strengthening our institutions and insulating them from undue political interferences. It will also help give them a more credible outlook in the eyes of the public
“There is no way we can have a respectable voice in the comity of civilised nations until we rebuild our institutions and imbue them with the necessary independence and confidence that will improve both their visage and standing with the citizenry.
“The government should lead the charge in this regard by, especially, exhibiting greater respect to judicial pronouncements as well as respecting the fundamental rights of all Nigerians.
“The PDP as a great believer in the unity of this country will also partner with the government in any way(s) that will strengthen our historic bond and rebuild bridges of our beautiful relationships that seem to be cracking at the moment.”
In his remark, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, praised the idea behind the meeting, saying that it was an indication that Buhari was president of all.
President meets 36 govs
President Buhari, also on Friday, met with governors of the 36 states of the federation.
The president maintained that while he was away, he closely monitored events, particularly in the states and was happy with the way the governors tackled the issue of inadequate food production as high food import was taking its toll on the naira.
Buhari explained that the devaluation of the naira was not his government’s making, noting that even though it might not be a comfortable development, there was nothing that could be done about it.
He said: “I had so much time to watch television. I heard so much information about the states. I am very pleased with the states, you are all doing your best and it is proving to be good enough on agriculture and solid minerals. You are succeeding in agriculture because I think people cannot afford foreign food.
“The devaluation of the Naira is not my making; it may not favour us but it is something we cannot change. Some people were asking me if we should be more strict on the border, but I want to thank God this year is better than what it used to be.”
The president mocked the ResumeOrResign group who protested against his presence in the U.K.
He said now that he was back to the country, members of the group especially those who do not pay taxes to the U.K. government should consider returning home or get caught by the implications of Brexit.
Brexit is the term for the United Kingdom’s intended withdrawal from the European Union (E.U.).
He advised them to consider the implications and make plans to return home.
According to him, those that have plans to sell their properties should consider bringing some home to help the Nigerian economy.
Buhari said: “I’m very happy with the national prayers it was very well covered and reported, across religions and ethnicity, people were praying. In fact some groups in London came and sang the national anthem and asked that I should go back home, indeed I have come back home.
“I hope those who went there are not stuck there, they should come back and join us, those that are stuck there with the Brexit, I hope they have weighed the implications that it won’t affect them, including those that have properties there, those who are not paying tax here. I hope when they sell their properties there they will bring some of the money here. We need it very badly here.”
The President said the visit of the governors has boosted his morale, adding: “I thank you very much. My morale have been raised greatly by the love shown to me and the security of the country.”
He told the governors that Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo applied his intellect to administer the country commendably prompting him to invite Osinbajo to London to personally thank him.
“The efforts by the vice president are commendable. He used his intellect to run all over the place. I was seeing him 24 hours on NTA. I congratulate him. I allowed him to come and see me to thank him personally for what he has done,” Buhari explained.
Osinbajo on July 11 made a 24 hours return trip to meet President Buhari who was on medical vacation at Abuja House in London.
The Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari, in his remarks observed that the Buhari administration has enabled state governments that hitherto could not pay workers salaries to meet up with their obligations.
He added that the bailouts and the refund of the Paris Club funds authorized by the president have helped to cushion the effects of recession in the states.
Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, expressed happiness with the improvement of Buhari’s health.
He said: “Our President went to take care of his heath and now he is back healthy and healthier than before. We are here to appreciate him. We thank almighty God that he is back safely.
“We equally thank his able lieutenant, Professor Yemi Osinbajo who held the country firm in his absence. That is the demonstration of team work.
“It has equally shown that Nigerians selected the best and elected the best in 2015 general election and today Nigeria is better for it.
“He is back we are celebrating life. We are celebrating health.”
In his remarks to State House correspondents later, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state, said governors were happy about the president’s return.
He said: “You can see some level of enthusiasm and happiness on the faces of all the governors. That is to say all of us were anxiously waiting for the return of our dear President.
“You saw it today, the President went around to greet all of us and you can see he has come back more healthier than when he left.
“Our prayer is that God will continue to guide Mr President and also the challenges of governance in Nigeria, he will give him that good strength and good heath to solve the problems of the nation.
“With him back, everything is taking shape again. This is not to say the acting president was not doing well.
“Our Acting President, we must commend him. In the absence of the president, there was not vacuum because the acting president filled in the gap and did his best up to this moment and showed absolute loyalty both to the nation and Mr President.”
Sunday, August 20, 2017
American Facing Lawsuit Over Stained Wedding Dress
A New Jersey resident is accusing an American Airlines flight attendant of purposely spilling red wine on her wedding dress during a flight in 2015.
Sunday, August 6, 2017
US Woman Attempts to Smuggle Cocaine in Her Shoes
Australian authorities have arrested a 49-year old American woman after finding over four pounds of cocaine hidden primarily in hollowed out portions of her shoes.
The woman is yet to be identified, but was flying from Los Angeles to Sydney, according to reports from Australian authorities and CNN. Law enforcement found the illegal drugs after the woman was selected for random screening.
US woman accused of hiding cocaine in her shoes and faces drug smuggling charges in Australia, officials said.https://t.co/OERubrxp0u pic.twitter.com/25Y7locRYJ— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) August 5, 2017
Cocaine also found stashed in clothing and makeup products. Further testing needs to be done to determine the exact weight and purity of the cocaine. The woman is scheduled to appear in court immediately and is charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely cocaine.Read more...
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Donald Trump’s rhetoric have affected the $250 billion national travel industry
Regardless of what you think of him as president, Donald Trump has been bad for the American travel industry.
There is, of course, conjecture as to how badly the White House’s policies and Donald Trump’s rhetoric have affected the $250 billion national travel industry—but, the point is that it most certainly has.
At least that’s the lesson from Bloomberg’s latest discussion with U.S. Travel Association’s chief executive officer, Roger Dow, who explained that the early days of the Trump presidency have had an ill effect on travel and pose a threat to years of progress made under Obama’s tenure.
U.S. Travel, after championing Trump’s election as a hotel owner and brand ambassador, has since made a recent statement to implore the president to do more to woo travelers than to banish them.
Its recent statement reads, via Bloomberg: “Mr. President, please tell the world that while we’re closed to terror, we’re open for business. Imbalanced communication is especially susceptible to being ‘lost in translation’—so let’s work together to inform our friends and neighbors, who could benefit from reassurance, not just who is no longer welcome here, but who remains invited.”
As noted, President Obama and Brand USA helped cultivate and foster a renewed passion for travel to the United States with International visitors “from 51 million in 2006 to nearly 78 million in 2015.”
This is following a “lost decade” as it is referred to by U.S. Travel. The report explains this is the period that saw a steady decline in International visitors following the 9/11 attacks as well as the recession later during the decade.
According to Dow and U.S. Travel, there is a possibility for more waning years under the Trump administration.
Dow puts a drop in visitors at as much as four percentage points and cautions: “We haven’t seen the big damage yet. What we’re getting is the noise level.”
Back in February, NYC & Company proclaimed New York had its first drop in visitors since 2008. Officials at the time felt the area would lose about 300,000 visitors per year and blamed Trump’s rhetoric and travel bans for the decrease. At the same time, ASTA had similar lessons gleaned from the budding Trump travel landscape.
Eben Peck, ASTA’s senior vice president of government affairs and communication, stated simply, “We are seeing an impact on corporate travel business and on outbound and inbound travel.”
A more concrete number placed on the first travel ban’s effect is $185 million; That’s a mark GBTA explains as, “business travel bookings [that] were lost as the uncertainty surrounding travel, in general, had a rippling effect on traveler confidence.”
One thing Dow would like to see is clarification on the administration’s policies. Perhaps, transparency would convince visitors to take another chance at the United States: “Donald Trump understands it, he is a hotel owner. He understands the international traveler.”
It’s hard to put the travel ban back in the bag when one border anecdote after another illustrates a country highly cynical of its international visitors.
One thing we travel enthusiasts understand well is that the entire world is filled with astounding, vibrant destinations. The international traveler has plenty to choose from when considering a vacation. Regardless of impetus, need or efficiency, Trump’s rollout of his travel agenda hasn’t done any favors for the industry.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
US Government Warns Airlines, Airports About Terro...
OlayinkaOyelamiTransviations Blog: US Government Warns Airlines, Airports About Terro...: In a memo obtained by NBCNews.com, federal law enforcement agencies have sent a warning to airports and airlines in the United States that...
London Expresses Resiliency After Terrorist Attack...
kingzofkingdomz: London Expresses Resiliency After Terrorist Attack...: On Wednesday, an attack near the British Parliament left five people dead and the rest of a nation in mourning. By Thursday, officia...
Monday, February 13, 2017
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Travel News
Valentine's Day @ The World's Most Romantic Resort...Sandals Resorts offers up to 65% off and MORE! Travel News: Home Blog Brands Memberships About Events News Classifieds Your Ad Here Air l Cruises l CarRentals l Destinations l Deals l Hotels l Resorts l Tours l Promotions l Events l News Name You…
Friday, February 3, 2017
OOCORP AdInsights : Google, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft plan to draf...
The four tech giants, and others, worked together on a letter that speaks out against the executive order. Read more...OOCORP AdInsights : Google, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft plan to draf...: Advertise and build a Google AdWords Bing, Yahoo, and Facebook campaign in 5 minutes!! Google, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft - ...
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Trump Hotels Is Getting Massive Twitter Backlash Over Travel Ban
Donald Trump’s executive order had a tremendous and immediate impact on travel into the country for those coming from seven nations, which includes those seeking refuge from the turmoil in Syria. Read more...OlayinkaOyelamiHotels – …Real time availability online traveler-friendly booking
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
OlayinkaOyelamiFoundation: TAG Statement for the Record in Opposition to the ...
OlayinkaOyelamiFoundation: TAG Statement for the Record in Opposition to the ...: Treatment Action Group (TAG) releases this statement in strong opposition to the nomination of Representative Tom Price (R-GA) for Secre...
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
OOCORP AdInsights : No One Knows Your Site Exists
OOCORP AdInsights : No One Knows Your Site Exists: “A man who stops advertising to save money is like a man who stops a clock to save time.” – Henry Ford We’re in a no-joke, take-no-p...
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Born Before Computer (BBC) Virus Afflicting The Au...
OlayinkaOyelamiPublishing Blog: Born Before Computer (BBC) Virus Afflicting The Au...: In the concluding part of its campaign against what it termed injustice against two major institutions in the country, and institutiona...
Senate Committee to hold public hearing on NOUN Act Bill
Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions will hold a public hearing on the National Open University Bill on Monday, January 16.
This information was made known on the social media account of the National Open University (NOUN) on Wednesday.
The bill, sponsored by Barau Jibrin, senator representing Kano North, was originally presented to the Senate in December 2016, and was rejected after passing second reading on grounds of lack of clarity.
In presenting the motion, Jibrin stated that the bill, “An Act to amend the National Open University Act No. 6 1983 was to provide for the inclusion of ICT as another means of providing tuition towards the advancement of learning throughout Nigeria by the National Open University and for other connected purposes 2015.”
The essence of the bill is to legitimise the use of ICT in learning for the recognition of certificates awarded by NOUN.
Jibrin argued that ICT and other technology instruments were already in use for learning at the university and the bill only sought to legitimise its use.
Three sets of NOUN law graduates are currently being denied admission into the Nigerian Law School by the Council for Legal Education on grounds that the NOUN law programme is ‘correspondence or part-time based,’ stating that an acceptable law degree requires a full-time five year duration.
Like other open universities around the world, NOUN offers flexible yet intensive programmes in various disciplines approved by the National Universities Commission among which is the law programme.
In the United Kingdom, the open university is one of the world’s largest universities with a record 1.5 million students having graduated from various courses, and ranks high in surveys of tertiary institutions in the UK.
“As a result of a perspective in the interpretation of the NOUN Act, the Council of Legal Education, CLE, perceives our mode of instruction as correspondence and part-time and therefore excludes our students from participation in the law school programmes,” the vice chancellor had said in an interview in August 2016.
On the advice of the NUC, the NOUN vice chancellor said in August 2016 that the school had stopped the intake of students into the school’s law programme pending the resolution of the issue.
If amended, the school can resume intake of students into its law programmes while graduates will be afforded the opportunity to be enrolled into the Nigerian Law School.
Jibrin, who is also the chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund, will host the public hearing while Senate president, Bukola Saraki, will chair the discussions.
Stakeholders have also been advised to send in their memoranda ahead of the public hearing on Monday.
Thursday, January 12, 2017
The 2017 U S Presidential Inauguration
When Donald J. Trump and Michael R. Pence are sworn in as President and Vice President of the United States of America at the U.S. Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017, it will be a monumental day – not only for the Commander in Chief and his wing man, but for U.S. citizens who have been asked to unite in patriotism.
Diehards making their way to catch the festivities in Washington, DC should note that this isn’t a “business as usual” time in our nation’s capitol. Security will be even tighter and transportation modes will be altered. As a bonus to this epic event, however, will be amped energy in monuments, memorials, museums and other “politics aside” events that will roll out through January.
Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind when visiting Washington, D.C. during this event guaranteed to go down in history. Reand more..Olayinka Oyelami Hotels – …Real time availability online traveler-friendly booking
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)