Parents of the chibok girls told pmb to resign

Parents protesting the failure of the Federal Government to
rescue over 200 schoolgirls abducted by the Boko Haram sect
in Chibok in 2014 have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to
immediately rescue  the girls from captivity or resign.
The parents, who joined the #BringBackOurGirls coalition on
Thursday for another protest march to the Presidential Villa,
were again stopped by armed policemen.
A representative of the parents, Rev. Enoch Mark, accused the
Federal Government of not doing enough to rescue the girls,
saying the government should negotiate for their release.
Mark, whose two daughters were among the 219 schoolgirls
abducted by Boko Haram, said he suffered a stroke while
worrying about his daughters.
He insisted that Buhari must negotiate with Boko Haram for
the release of the schoolgirls.
He said, “We cast our votes for Buhari because he promised to
rescue our girls. Now, the parents are asking you, Mr.
President, to meet the insurgents and make a decision.
“Either use the military force or go for negotiation; some
countries are ready to give you a helping hand. What are you
waiting for? Are you not interested in bringing back our girls?
“We have intelligence agencies in Nigeria; there is nothing in
this country that they don’t know. Why didn’t you give them
orders to bring back our girls?
“Are you not a General? You know what is happening and you
know where our daughters are. Buhari, if you feel that you are
incapable of rescuing the girls, step down now and give it
(power) to someone else. We have many intelligent persons in
the country who can handle this situation. You cannot tell us
that you don’t know where the girls are.”
Mark, who uses a walking stick, accused the Federal
Government of not communicating with the parents of the
abducted girls.
He cited the Malaysian government’s handling of the
Malaysian MH370 air crash, noting that the government
regularly communicated with the families of the crash victims
during the incident.
“For two months now, I have not been able to sleep; I had
stroke while thinking of my two daughters. General Buhari, had
your daughters been among these girls, how will you feel? How
will you feel with your daughter in enemies’ hands? You are
responsible for the rescue of these girls. You are responsible
for my daughters’ safety.
“When the Malaysian plane crashed, the Malaysian
government was in touch with the families of the victims, but
you are not talking to Chibok girls’ parents,” he added.
The aggrieved father said Buhari did not empathise with the
Chibok parents when they visited him at the Presidential Villa in
January.
“You intimidated us; you said you were frustrated, you were
not happy with us. Are we not Nigerians? If Buhari feels he
does not know (the girls’ location), let him step down and
hand over to someone else,” Mark added.
The Co-convener, BBOG , Oby Ezekwesili, who read a
statement on behalf of the group, said the members would
march to the Presidential Villa again in 72 hours if there was
no positive response from the Federal Government.
The group noted the attack on Shawa Village in the Askira Uba
Local Government Area of Borno State and acknowledged the
courage and gallantry of the soldiers in the frontlines,
including the Multinational Joint Task Force and the Civilian
JTF, and urged them to remain resilient in the face of attacks.
The BBOG called for an investigation into the handling of
salaries and emoluments of troops, saying complaints about
their poor feeding and allowances were unacceptable.
It challenged the government to demonstrate the political will
to rescue the girls by taking a definite action on the issue.
It said, “Reports from a former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon,
after a meeting with Mr. President suggest that the Federal
Government’s position remains a lack of credible intelligence.
“Coming over seven months since our engagement with Mr.
President on January 14, and considering the lack of feedback
on rescue efforts, this strengthens the position that there has
been no focused, coherent and consistent operation to rescue
our girls.
“Having submitted four cogent reasons why it could not be
said that there is a lack of credible intelligence during our
meeting in January, and three further reasons just three days
ago, the discussion must shift from credible intelligence to
political will to decide on a line of action.”
The BBOG said the claim by the military that it had fatally
injured Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, made it the
fourth time that the security forces had announced that they
had killed the terrorist.
Also, the Chibok community, in a statement by its spokesman,
Dr Manasseh Allen, reiterated its calls for negotiation with
Boko Haram for the release of the girls.
It said the escape of one of the girls, Amina Ali, in May 2016
had bridged the gap of absence of intelligence and called on
the government and its agencies to live up to their duties.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom pledged to do whatever it
could to assist in finding the girls.
The UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, said this
when the BBOG members met with him in Abuja.
He said, “UK stands in solidarity with the Chibok people; the
girls are global citizens; so, we will do whatever we can to
partner the Nigerian government to help find the girls.”
Attempts to speak with the Minister of Information and
Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, proved abortive as his phone
rang out.
He had yet to reply to a text message sent to his mobile
phone as of press time.
‘Buhari has not given up on Chibok girls’
The Presidency on Thursday said the Federal Government has
not given up on the Chibok girls.
It said Buhari’s heart was with the girls and their parents.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and
Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this in an interview with one of our
correspondents.
He said efforts to find the abducted girls would continue.
The presidential spokesman said, “The President’s heart is
with the Chibok girls and their parents. He understands their
feelings.
“The government has not given up on the missing girls. Efforts
to find them will continue.
“So far, the country’s gallant and re-energised military has
taken back more than 20,000 citizens held hostage by the
terrorists.
“In the last couple of days, the Nigerian Air Force carried out a
successful raid in which 300 terrorists were killed. The leader
of the terrorists, Shekau, was injured.
“Boko Haram, which killed above 20,000 citizens is on the
retreat. Government’s efforts to end terrorism and brigandage
all over the country will continue.”

Tension as military prepares onslaught against militants

Palpable fear and widespread tension have gripped the Niger Delta communities preparatory to the launch of a major military onslaught on militants codenamed ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’.

On Saturday, special military drills to commence the operation are said to have reached the peak and the development is creating  panic in the region.

The operation, it was learnt,  was designed by the military to equip the amphibious and internal security operations in the riverine areas against the activities of Niger Delta militants.

It was also learnt that the exercise resulted in massive deployment of troops in the creeks of the region through the Sapele waterways in Delta State.

Community residents said they observed many military gunboats, battle-ready soldiers and other maritime military hardwares moving into the creeks.

The President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, has demanded suspension of the military operation in the spirit of the other ongoing dialogue to resolve the crisis in the region.

Eradiri, who advised the Federal Government to call off the military operations, said he had been inundated with complaints of people scampering for safety and fleeing into the forest on sighting the troops.

He said such operations amounted to insincerity on the part of the government to be demanding dialogue and at the same time conducting an exercise to launch a major military offensive in the region.

Eradiri insisted that any form of military action in the region could jeopardise the efforts of the Niger Delta leaders spearheaded by Chief Edwin Clark to resolve the crisis.

The IYC President said, “The Edwin Clark Committee has brought all Niger Delta leaders together. The Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta and  the Niger Delta Avengers support them. The other day, the Minister for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, met with them again.

“The unfortunate fact is whether government is sincere in this whole business. How can the military within the period announce that they are carrying out an exercise in the Niger Delta?

“They should have suspended whatever exercise they wanted to carry out. There is a heavy presence of military, mobilising into the Niger Delta through Sapele. That exercise should have been suspended at this period.

Eradiri noted that the government still held the knife and the yam in resolving the crisis in the region, advising President Muhammadu Buhari to demonstrate sincerity of purpose in the resolution of the problems.

He alleged, “President Buhari has not shown sincerity. He must withdraw the military from the Niger Delta if he wants genuine discussions. We are skeptical seeing many soldiers, mobilising and jumping here and there.

“We don’t have a Sambisa forest where militants are stationed and waiting for the government like in the North. There is nothing like that. This battle is more of an intelligence-civil strategy instead of an invasion that is old-fashioned. It will clearly jeopardise the dialogue.”

They crashed the economy(commercial Banking) , and invited Islamic Banking.

They indirectly, land crashed the Economy, and made the Commercial Banking sector unattractive.

Even when many Economist, World Bank and IMF warned of a possible crash of the Economy they ignored them, and kept withholding Fund, and always blaming past Administrations for their failures, which many Gullible Nigerians believed and joined the bandwagon by always blaming past administration.
But just few days ago they surprised everyone by opening an Islamic Development Bank, which Goodluck Jonathan administration rejected during his because it Islamic agenda.
Many people do not understand what is going on. But from the little I know about IDB, their agenda is to come to Nigeria, and start given Free loan without interest, to many states, and individuals. And through that way they they will penetrate every nooks and cranny of The country. Remember that Turkey was once second catholic nation after Rome, but today they are topping as the second Muslim nation after Saudi Arabia ... it didn't happen by magic but by strategy...

I know you would want to ask me how?
Yes by the time they start financing some states(starting from the North) with free loans or no interest loan with longer time period of payment, then states Governors from Southern parts (e.g Rochas) will run to them for help and they(IDB) will give them conditions before such they can take a loan... and such conditions includes as follows :
1) declare ur state an Islamic state and/or
2) help to site Mosque in some strategic area of ur states(Such Govt houses or close to government properties), as it is happening in Imo state now. And/ or
3) stop people from praying outside or having crusade, and u can do it by creating policies that will make the people agree with u.. like it it happening in Kaduna that use to be a very beautiful Christian state or liberal state.
4) and maybe force some state civil servants or poor people to convert to Islam (a similar thing happening in Imo state).
And/ or
5) they will also influence many business to come take loan, and from what seeing, we will begin to here name like Alhaji Ibrahim Mmaduabuchi, founder of so so company....

Once they have given loan to some rich Industrialist, others will abandon normal commercial Loan system which sometimes require higher interest rates... who would like to borrow money with no interest to grow his business,? So from the rich men their families will convert, and they will keep disturbing their state Governor to recognize Hijab as it is already happening in Osun state. And through the rich man they will be given scholarship to poor people, creating jobs to our youths, given cash or gift to our poor people, and later urge them to convert if want to continue enjoying such gesture, and that is how it will spread across to everyone, just like it has happened in some communities in Imo state where their kings converted and used his money and influence to convert others, (e.g Umuofor autonomous, Oguta LGA), infact they celebrate salah and observe all the Islamic holiday in those communities.

Recently I saw an Igbo man who converted to Islam because he was promised a senior rank in the Air force..

Have you ever wondered why Fulani herdsmen activities increased to an unprecedented height lately, ? Yes they increased it so that they will put fear in everybody so that everyone will start supporting the Grazing Bill, as is already happening in Jos.

So that is the same strategy applied in the banking sector. They made it unattractive, and crashed the economy so that people will take because of hunger to support the Islamic Banking system as the best alternative to reduce hunger and bad economy.

PMB APPROVED NEW BOARD FOR NPA AND NIMASA

President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the composition of the governing boards of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as follows:
A. NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY (NPA)
(i) Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye​​​-​Chairman
(ii) SupoShasore​​​​​-​Member
(iii) Suleiman Ibrahim Halilu​​​-​Member
(iiii) Constance Harry Mashal​​​-​Member
(v) Umar Shu’aibu​​​​​-​Member
(vi) Charles Efe Emukowhate Sylvester​-​Member
(vii) Hadiza BalaUsman​​​​-​Member
(viii) Mohammed Bello Koko​​​-​Member
(ix) Dr. Sekonte Davis​​​​-​Member
(x) Professor Idris Abubakar​​​-​Member
(xi) Mrs. I. J. Uche-Okoro ​​​​-​Member
B. NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY
(NIMASA)
(i) Major General Jonathan India Garba -​ Chairman
(ii) Asekomhe Oaakhia Kenneth​​-​Member
(iii) Mohammed Gidado Muazu​​-​Member
(iiii) Hon. Barrister Ebele Obi​​​-​Member
(v) S. U. Galadanchi​​​​-​Member
(vi) Ms Nene Betty Dike​​​-​Member
(vii) Dakuku Peterside​​​​-​Member
(viii) Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo​​-​Member
(ix) Bashir Yusuf Jamoh​​​-​Member
(x) Joseph OluwarotimiFashakin​​-Member
(xi) Gambo Ahmed​​​​-​Member
(Signed)
Bolaji Adebiyi,
Director (Press),
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Herdsman arrested for killing 65years old mother and his sister in-law

A Fulani herdsman, Abubakar Usman, has been arrested for
allegedly killing his 65-year-old mother, Khadijat, and his
brother’s wife, Ramatu Shagari, aged 35.
The 25-year-old suspect was paraded on Wednesday at the
state police command’s headquarters in Ilorin.
In related development, two suspects – Yahaya Umar and
Abubakar Saletu – have been reportedly caught with a human
head.
Usman, who lived in the Patigi area of the state, told PUNCH
Metro that he could not explain what pushed him to commit
the crime. He, however, alleged that his father might have
charmed him, adding that he regretted his action.
He said, “I am into cattle rearing. On that day when I woke up, I
took N1,000 from my room and took  my cows out for grazing.
Suddenly, I discovered that the cattle were running away and I
followed them. On getting back home, something came over
me and I used a knife to stab my mother. I also stabbed my
brother’s wife. I believe that my father charmed me. I do not
have mental disorder.”
Meanwhile, one of the two suspects arrested with a human
head, Umar, also confessed to the crime, saying that there had
been a quarrel between him and the victim. He added that he
colluded with Saletu to behead their victim in a bush.
He said, “There was a conflict between us. We tricked him into
the bush and killed him. While we were trying to run away, the
police caught us.”
The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olusola Amore,
who paraded Umar and Saletu, said the crimes were reported
to the police by one Abdullahi Adamu of Mamba Fulani Camp,
Patigi.
The CP said, “On August 8, at about 1.20pm, information
received from Kosubosu Police Division revealed that Umar
and Saletu, both of Wobe Fulani Camp, were found in
possession of a bag. On interrogation, the bag was found to
contain a human head, among other items.
“Further interrogations revealed that the suspects took the
head to one Alhaji Kuranga of Muhat Company to buy. The
said Alhaji refused and raised the alarm. A search in the bush
led to the discovery of a headless body. The victim had been
declared missing earlier and the suspects confessed to the
crime. The cutlass used in the killing and the human head have
already been recovered.”
Amore added that the suspects would be arraigned after
investigation.
Meanwhile, the CP has inaugurated the Eminent Persons
Forum to assist in fighting crime in the state.
“The forum is aimed at filling the gap and building the
capacity, which at all times, will be prepared to join the police
in fashioning out ways to confront security challenges in the
state,” the CP added.

BUHARI'S EMERGENCY ECONOMIC POWERS BILL: ABSURD LIKE OBASANJO'S THIRD TERM BID

I will start this piece by briefly explaining what the proposed emergency economic powers bill means from a layman's point of view. Muhammadu Buhari is asking the legislature to give him the power to disburse and procure outside appropriated funds (outside the budget) in a form of intervention during an emergency like the current economic woes. They believe that, Buhari needs such powers so that he can take some hard decisions that will take us out of recession because the process of getting approval from the legislature is too cumbersome. The question of whether the process of appropriation in the legislature is the reason why our economy is sinking astronomically is a topic for another day.

A dictator with medieval mindset like Buhari cannot be trusted with such power because he will abuse it nepotistically considering his antecedents. In fact, no democratic leader should be given such an undemocratic power no matter how good he is, not even His Holiness Pope Francis because, such power is contrary to the tenets of democracy.

The most worrisome thing about the bill is its ambiguity, it is as ambiguous as gross misconduct in chapter 6 section 143 (11) of the 1999 constitution as amended, and I quote "Gross misconduct means a grave violation or breach of the provisions of this constitution or a misconduct  of such nature as amounts in the opinion of the National Assembly". Legislators, especially at the state level have often capitalized on the ambiguity of the last part of the above quote from the constitution to victimize and harass the Executive, a president or governor can face impeachment because of political rift between him and the lawmakers and they will term it gross misconduct. I raised the issue of gross misconduct because the Buhari that we know will capitalize on this emergency economic powers to situate all major projects that won't be captured in the budget in the North like he has been doing with his unprecedented lopsided appointments, and if you complain, he will tell you that he did not violate the constitution because he acted on the powers given to him with the emergency economic powers act just as his worshippers have been saying that he did not breach the constitution by appointing 88 percent of those working with him from the North because, he is not compelled by the constitution to balance his appointment.

If this bill is passed into law, it would be a very good opportunity for Buhari to establish grazing reserve throughout the country, it won't be captured in the budget to avoid opposition but it will be executed through emergency economic powers.

Another knock for this ludicrous bill is that, it will render any budget debate at the legislature a mere formality, appropriation process will be a waste of time and resources because the president will invoke his emergency economic powers to do whatever he wanted to do that may have been removed by the lawmakers.
The president can no longer be held accountable for misappropriation of funds because he will argue that he acted under the emergency economic powers. We do not need such North Korean bill because supplementary budget window is always there for him to utilize in the case of any emergency.

This alien and undemocratic bill should be thrown out to akara sellers to use it to wrap their hot akara because it is as absurd as Obasanjo's third term bid.

PDP hated my anti-corruption stance as Edo gov – Osunbor

A former governor of Edo State, Prof. Osarhiemien Osunbor, on Tuesday explained that some leaders of his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, fought him while he was in power due to his alleged refusal to misappropriate state resources.

Osunbor, who is currently a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, said this during a political rally of the governorship candidate of the APC, Godwin Obaseki, at Iruekpen, Esan West Local Government Area of the state.

The professor of Law said that the PDP was not interested in developing the state but in the interest of its members, alleging that the party had been hijacked by “evil” people.

Osunbor explained, “The PDP is not interested in the development of the state, rather they enjoy sharing the resources of the state by the party leaders. That is why you see our sons and daughters abandoning the sinking ship to the APC.

“Evil people have hijacked the PDP; the party is a sinking ship, which is why I have told my people to act like the former President (Olusegun) Obasanjo, by tearing their PDP membership cards.

“I have told them to join the party that is interested in their welfare and the overall development of the state. The PDP have no interest in what becomes of the state and the people but their pockets.”

The former chairman of the Law Reform Commission also said that he had been branded as a disloyal party man.

He said, “This was why they said I was not loyal because I refused to share the money meant to develop the state while I was the governor.

“That was why they started fighting me. The PDP, whether at the local, state and federal level, cannot do anything for us; it is only the APC that can make us a proud people through development.”

Minimum wage can’t buy a bag of rice – Anambra NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress, Anambra State chapter, on Tuesday described as laughable the fact that the country’s minimum wage could no longer buy a bag of rice.

The Chairman of the congress in the state, Mr. Jerry Nnubia, stated this during a rally in solidarity with Nasarawa State, workers who were allegedly killed and injured by the police while protesting against wage cut by the state government on July 29.

Nnubia, who said it was wicked for any state government to think of cutting down workers’ pay at this time of economic hardship, described the Nasarawa State Government’s action as inhuman.

 “ We are here today to show solidarity with our members in Nasarawa State  who were killed and injured by overzealous policemen at the gate of the Government House, Lafia, for opposing the slice in their salary by the state Governor,  Tanko Al-Makura.

“Why should workers be victims of every economic doom? When we have economic boom, nobody remembers workers.

“A bag of rice today is N23,000 or more and their minimum wage is N18,000. This is laughable.

“Why haven’t the governors sliced their wages and those of their aides?

“Our position is that any governor that can’t pay workers’ salaries should resign.

“Is it not laughable that the same salary paid when a bag of rice was sold for N9, 000 is the same salary that is paid when a bag of rice is sold for N23, 000 or more?

“Slicing of anybody’s salary now is not only wicked; it is criminal,” the NLC chairman stated.

The congress maintained that NLC would not relent until justice was seen to have been done in Nasarawa State over the killing of its members.

Meanwhile, members of the Bayelsa State chapter of the NLC on Tuesday poured out to protest the killing of their members in Nasarawa State.

Allied members of the organised labour in the state such as the Nigeria Union of Teachers, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the National Union of Local Government Employees,  among others, joined the protesting NLC members.

The protesters, led by the state Chairman, NLC, Mr. Ndiomu John-Bipre, converged on Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Road in Yenagoa, where they began their protest march en route the road leading to the Government House.

However, the protesters were not allowed to go beyond the state Sanitation Secretariat, as stern-looking riot policemen blocked the road leading to the Government House.

To avoid a repeat of the Nasarawa episode, John-Bipre and other protesters made a detour and converged opposite the Sanitation Office, where he read the speech of the National President of the NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba.

Wabba lamented the killing of two of their members in Nasarawa State recently while on a peaceful protest.

He said the nationwide protest was to alert the public to the barbaric act and to demand that the relevant authorities prosecute the policemen involved in the dastardly act.

He also demanded that Nasarawa State Government compensate the families of the deceased members and to train their children.

Wabba said, “In Nasarawa State, two of our members were gunned down by the police. We have come out to sympathise with our slain brothers and friends who were killed during a peaceful protest as we are doing now.

“We are demanding that the Nasarawa State Government should compensate the families of the dead members and also take responsibility of the training of their children.”

Edo, Abia workers protest unpaid salaries

The Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday staged a protest against the alleged inhuman treatment meted out to workers, especially the non payment of salaries by many state governments across the country.

It also condemned the alleged killing of two of its members during a protest in Nasarawa State as well as the death of retired civil servants, due to the non payment of their pensions.

Members of the union, who wore black armbands to signify mourning, also decried the numerous challenges faced by the workers in the 36 states of the federation.

The state Chairman of the NLC, Emmanuel Ademokun, lamented that rather than improve the living standard of workers, some state governments had resorted to unsalutory policies, ranging from “the attempt to reduce the work week in Imo State and forcing workers to go to farm.”

Ademokun described the development as an action which was in gross violation of the International Labour Organisation convention, as domesticated in the country.

“We believe that the foregoing are simply satanic tendencies of political class whose interest is not the Nigerian people but self-interest.

“We want to use this medium to call on all Nigerians to join in our struggle to emancipate our country from the shackles of intimidation, slavery and poverty,” he said.

The labour chairman explained that though the Edo State government did not owe workers’ salaries, there was the need for an increase in the subvention of state-owned tertiary institutions.

Also, members of the NLC in Abia State, on Tuesday staged a protest over nonpayment of workers’ salaries and arrears owned pensioners in the state. The workers also spoke against the brutal killing of two of their members in Nasarawa State by the police as well as Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State’s obnoxious three-day work policy.

The protest, which started from the NLC state secretariat, saw workers marched to the state House of Assembly, where they were received by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike

Azubuike assured the agitating workers that the House was behind their action. He appealed to them to exercise patience as government was on top of the situation.

He sympathised with the workers over the two workers killed in Nasarawa State and urged the security agencies to fish out those who killed the unarmed workers.

He said, “Your prayer is our prayer. Those who killed the two workers should be fished out to serve as deterrent to others. Justice must be seen to be done.”

First cargo plane lands at Enugu Airport

ENUGU—The first cargo plane yesterday landed at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

The landing of the Ethiopian Airline Boeing 757 cargo plane was witnessed by an enthusiastic crowd and other dignitaries including Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Addressing the large crowd of people on the occasion, Governor Ugwanyi described the incident as a historic occasion that would increase the profile of the airport and boost the economy of the state and the entire South East zone.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, led other eminent dignitaries of the state to the ceremony marking the landing of the first international cargo aircraft at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, courtesy of the Ethiopian Airlines.
Ugwuanyi explained that the momentous event was consistent with the objectives of the first ever Enugu State Investment Summit held in April where he had declared that Enugu State was “ready for business.”

According to him, it was noteworthy that the cargo plane landed exactly three years on August 24, 2013 when a jubilant crowd welcomed the first ever international flight to Enugu operated by the Ethiopian Airlines.

“Today we have gathered again to celebrate the first landing of cargo at this same airport, and which once more has happened courtesy of the Ethiopian Airlines,” he added, pointing out that the development meant that people from the region could fly to all parts of the world and have their bulk cargo delivered to them through the same airport since, “It will save costs, enhance convenience and safety in importation of goods,” apart from promoting employment and raising the international profile of the airport and the entire region.”

Ugwuanyi then commended both the Federal Government and the Ethiopian Airline operators for making the age-long dream of the entire South-East region come to fruition, asking investors and the business community to take full advantage of the new opportunity to expand their businesses and develop the region and the country at large.

He also reassured “the company of the unremitting goodwill of our people and of our continued support, partnership and cooperation.”

Thanking his hosts for the warm reception, the captain of the airline, Captain Williams praised the Akanu Ibiam International Airport’s lovely environment, adding that it was a nice experience because their landing was smooth.

Also speaking on the occasion, the Traffic and Sales Manager of the airline, Mr. Biniam Addisu said: “We expect to get from the Federal Government the kind of support we have been getting from the Enugu State government.

“We are comfortable with the aviation equipment installed here, and hopefully in a few months’ time the international terminal will become fully operational for things to get better.”

Quotes from HRH Emir Sanusi .. In kaduna today the 24th of August 2016.

I'm a friend of this administration but if they decide to run Nigeria aground, I will become the opposition. You are not good friends if you sit down with Government officials and don't tell them the truth. I will continue to say the truth.

"Nigeria must drop the habit of borrowing to pay salaries and service recurrent expenditures.

"There is nothing happening today that we didn't forecast years ago because all actions have consequences.

"Industrialisation potentials of Northern Nig was documented by Ahmadu Bello in 1962, 54 years after, there's nothing to show.

"We created billionaires from Oil subsidies in the past. We are making the same mistake with Forex Subsidies.

"As an Emir, I can seat in my garden and make phone calls to access $10M @ N197 per $ then sell it off at nothing less than N300. With just a phone call, I'm making a profit of over a billion naira. That is what people are doing now.

"Any system that allows you sit in your garden & make a billion naira without investing a Kobo is a wrong system.

"We created the recession we are in now and I hope the President won't make the mistakes Jonathan made.

"We are not being sincere when we say we are in a recession because of the fall in oil prices. What happened to other sectors?

"I understand it's painful when we pay for expensive fuel but we must understand no system is perfect.

"Petroleum subsidy empowers a small group of criminals rather than the poor masses it was meant for.

"If you must subsidise anything, please it should be for production rather than consumption.

"In 2011, we earned $16B from Oil revenues.
$8b was spent for LCs while the remaining $8b was spent on subsidising fuel. We spent a whooping $8billion on subsidising fuel. Not a dime was spent on infrastructure, education or schools.

"To get out of this recession;
FG must set the FX rate to incentivise capital inflows, catalyse FDI & FDI funding.
FG must set interest rates at levels that deter capital flight dollarization.
FG must eliminate wasteful and abuse prone subsidies.
FG must address failure in the power sector value chain starting with the DISCOS.
FG must digitise state land registries and streamline relevant legislations.
FG must re-priotize public spending towards investment in human capital.
Lastly, the FG must protect infant industries specifically labour intensive manufacturing.

BREAKING NEWS: CBN BARRED EIGHTH BANKS

Determined not to tolerate any further breach of extant financial regulations, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has barred eight banks from all foreign exchange transactions.

The banks were barred for concealing and failing to remit the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) dollar funds to the federal government’s Treasury Single Account domiciled in the CBN as directed by the Presidency last year.

The banks, whose suspension would remain in force until they remit all the funds to the TSA are United Bank for Africa (UBA) $530m; First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) $469m; Diamond Bank Plc ($287m); Sterling Bank Plc ($269m); Sky Bank Plc ($221m) Keystone Bank ($139); First City Monument Bank (FCMB) $125m; and Heritage Bank ($85m).

NLC Begins Nationwide Protest Over Killing Of Colleagues In Nasarawa

The National Labour Congress (NLC) has
staged a nationwide protest over
the alleged killing of their colleagues in Nasarawa by security personnel.
The protest saw all labour members wear
a Black Hand band to mourn the deceased workers who were killed on
July 29. During the protest in Katsina led by the NLC State Chairman, Comrade Tanimu Saulawa, the immediate past
Labour chairman, Katsina State chapter, Comrade Aliyyu Mutazu called on the government to hang the security personnel involved in the killing of two
workers in Nasarawa state.

Meanwhile, in Imo state, the NLC Chairman, Austin Chilakpu condemned the action of the security personnel and sympathised with the families of those affected.

In Osun, the labour members gathered to pray for the deceased members.
The Osun State NLC Chairman, Jacob Adekomi called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to present members of the police force for psychiatric tests to
avoid further occurrence of extra judicial killings of innocent people.

Members of the Union in Cross River State were not left out as they took the protest march from the Freedom Park, by Botanical Garden in Calabar, the state capital to major streets in the metropolis.

In July, two members of the NLC were killed at the Government House in Lafia while waiting for the outcome of a meeting between Governor Tanko Al-
Makura and the labour union, over the
implementation of a new salary template, which prompted them to embark on an indefinite strike.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has, however vowed to prosecute anyone found culpable in the alleged killings.

A statement by the Chief Information Officer of the Commission, Mrs Fatimah Mohammed, the Commission said it would also ensure that the families of the slain persons as well as the injured
ones would be appropriately compensated.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by its president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba had filed a petition before the commission over the alleged killing of two Nasarawa State government workers
by the police urging it to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book.

Creative Financial Thinking in Bad Times

There are investments you can buy in bad times and sell in good times to get rich. Have you ever imagined that you can buy to hold and build your assets –while kicking 9am-5pm misery? Just look at how riches are measured.

In many ways though, but the one universal measure is assets. And what are assets? They are things of value.  Such as:

• Land
• Buildings
• Air rights (space above property)
• Cash, bank accounts
• Stocks and bonds

To get rich and get yourself off salary slavery, you must plan and subsequently build up your assets!  And the easiest assets to build are those represented by real estate of some kind – land, buildings, air right and so on.

Why is real estate the easiest to build (most especially for people who are still in a paid employment)?

• Real Estate is borrowed money business
• It allows you to start small and most especially from where you are
• With some kind of real estate you can still be working and doing real estate business
• You can take over and control valuable assets without using any of your own money
• Once you hold some real estate you can use it as collateral to borrow more money to take over more income producing real estate
• Above all you can be a consultant to many organization because of your involvement with us, which we will show you as time goes on

Do you also know that in bad times real estate gives you big opportunities? Here are the reasons:
• Property prices are lower
• Sellers are much more anxious to make favorable deals
• It’s a buyer’s market”- that is, sellers will chase after you to get you to take over their property, often for zero cash.

So don’t let bad times frighten you. Instead let us open you up to opportunities of 50% off valuable investment available. Don’t think it is difficult at all, just get ready and be open to opportunities.

We had a massive inspection last Sunday and lots of the investors were really so happy to view and take part in our properties.

Tours/Inspection takes place every day. You can reach us on the following contacts below. Let’s talk about it.

Adefenwa Ibrahim
CEO:Equaliser Sixty Concept
WhatsApp: 08033607198
Call: 08111841770
www.A10action.blogspot.com
Email: e60concept@gmail.com

NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAM

At the Rio Olympic was an athlete whose name is Mo farah.. He was one of those that competed for the 5000m and 10000m race at Rio Olympics.. He started the race quiet well and on the way, he fell..Normally, for races like that, people get to loose hope but he stood up and finished first...

It all depends on our determination to turn whatever life throws at us for better. "When life gives lemon, we make lemonade out of it

The truth is, we are responsible for the outcome of our lives. It is our decision not our condition that determines our future.

Determine today, even though you have fallen, u can still get back up and make something out of life..

Don't lay there regretting, crying, sobing, or feel bad.. Wave off the past and start working for the future.. 

Remember, "it is better late than Never"

INEC begins nationwide voter registration soon – Chairman

The Chairman of the independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, says the commission will soon begin the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise ahead of the 2019 general election.

Yakubu said the goal of the INEC was to ensure that the voter registration was carried out in each polling unit to enable more people to get registered.

He, however, said due to the financial costs involved and the economic situation in the country, the commission needed to put relevant structures in place for a hitch-free exercise.

The INEC boss spoke when he visited Ogun state, according to him, voters’ apathy to registration has led to the unnecessary postponement of the exercise which he said costs the commission a lot.

He said, “We will soon roll out the Continuous Voter Registration exercise nationwide. The challenge for us is the level we are going to reach and the duration. Owing to the current state of the economy, it is going to cost us a lot. The duration is an issue because in the
FCT, when we extended the exercise by one day, it cost us over N8m simply because everything we do in Nigeria is costly.”
Yakubu said the commission could not make provisions for Diaspora voting because it was not in the Electoral Act.
He, however, said the country could emulate countries such as Niger and Kenya which
had started allowing their citizens to vote from abroad.
The INEC chairman explained that during the CVR exercise in Edo State, over 2, 000 voters registered twice while some of them did not provide complete information.
He said, “There has been the clamour for Diaspora voting. Anything that can help our democracy, the commission is for it. We can’t do Diaspora voting at present because the constitution has to be amended.”

PDP crisis: Ex- govs, ministers attack Sheriff

Peoples Democratic Party chieftains, including former governors and ex-ministers, have condemned the spoiler role allegedly being played by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff within the party.

Most of the prominent politicians and elder statesmen, who spoke in separate interviews with our correspondents across the country on Saturday, specifically accused Sheriff of being a mole in the PDP and recommended stiffer punishments for him.

Among them were a former PDP governor in Ogun and Plateau States, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Senator Joshua Dariye; Secretary of the ex-PDP Ministers Forum, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman; former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode; and a former FCT Minister, Senator Jeremiah Useni.

Others were the PDP candidate in the 2014 Osun State governorship election, Senator Iyiola Omisore; a former Military Administrator of Bayelsa State, Idongesit Nkanga; the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Leo Ogor; Ebenezer Babatope and Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, and the Northern Youths Movement, among others.

Sulaiman, a former minister for National Planning, told one of our correspondents that it was surprising and unfortunate that Sheriff was holding the PDP to ransom.

He accused Sheriff of being an agent  of the All Progressives Congress, planted within the PDP to destabilise and weaken the major opposition party in the country.

Sulaiman said, “It is quite unfortunate that Nigeria is undergoing this kind of political mess. There are a lot of allegations against him, though yet to be proved.

“It is surprising that such a character could be allowed to hold the party to ransom and that the ruling party could allow Sheriff to wield influence (over the judiciary). We had two court rulings in a day. The APC government decided to take the one that favoured Sheriff.”

Fani-Kayode, in his contribution said he was the first to say publicly that Sheriff was being used against the PDP and that the activities of the former governor of Borno State had proved him right.

He said, “His (Sheriff) brief is to destroy the party because the APC knows that it cannot win in 2019 if the PDP is strong and united. He is a destroyer and he has come to destroy.

“He fooled everyone at the beginning but he didnt fool me. The PDP Ministers Forum was the first to blow the whistle and we stood against the Governors Forum who brought him.”

A former Ogun State helmsman, Daniel, lamented over the crisis in the PDP and urged the party to begin to look inward and rebrand to face its challenges.

He said, “What is required is rebranding and fine-tuning of our ideological underpinning, refocusing and getting serious.”

Similarly, Dariye asked the party leaders to resolve the current crisis amicably, saying he could not make further comments because there were cases pending in courts on the matter.

Another chieftain of the PDP, who had served as a minister and military governor, Useni, said, “What is happening in the PDP is unfortunate but with God, everything will be okay.  “What the judges are doing right now need immediate intervention of the NJC.”

On whether the party should punish Sheriff, Useni said, “This is politics. Our concern now is to get over the problem first.”

But Omisore, a former Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, disagreed with Daniel and insisted that the Federal Government was allegedly using Sheriff to destabilise and weaken the Peoples Democratic Party.

The former deputy governor of Osun State told SUNDAY PUNCH that the PDP made a mistake by allowing Sheriff to join the party.

Nkanga, who also frowned on the development, noted that the ruling party did not have to destroy the opposition.

He said, “Nigerians should rise up and say they want democracy; they want freedom of choice. They should be allowed to do that. This is what will take this country forward.”

Ogor, who spoke on behalf of PDP lawmakers in the lower legislative chamber of the federal parliament, described Sheriff as, “an agent of the APC-led Federal Government, on a mission to destroy the party.”

He said, “There was a clear court decision that the police should provide adequate security and there was another decision by a court of the same jurisdiction. However, the police went ahead to seal off the venue of the convention.”

Meanwhile, the Northern Youths Movement has said the PDP will remain in crisis as long as Sheriff remained in the party.

The NYM, in a statement by its Chairman, Mallam Ishaya Jato, alleged that Sheriff and Senator Buruji Kashamu were agents of the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai ,and Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi.

Sheriff, however, denied the allegation, saying the PDP governors should be held responsible for the crisis in the party.

He said if he was being used by the APC, then the governors that came to beg him to lead the party must have been sent by the APC.

Speaking through his deputy, Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh, Sheriff urged Nigerians and members of the PDP to ignore such a claim.

He said, “I was in my house when they came to lead the party. The governors came. Were they sent by the APC?”