Blatter Endorses Kalu for FIFA President

Suspended FIFA president Sepp Joseph Blatter has openly declared his support for former Abia state Governor Dr Orji Uzor Kalu to occupy the exalted position of FIFA President, even as he has faulted the candidature of former Secretary General Jerome Champagne and Prince Alli of Jordan. 

Speaking in Zurich, Blatter said ” The position of the FIFA president is too important to be left to just anybody. I have heard of some candidates who want to take over from me. But I find the Businessman from Nigeria Kalu very qualified and interesting because he is not only a businessman, but a politician with lots of contacts and corporate experience. He can bring his great experiences to bear in the running of world football.

He is passionate about the game. I remember how he sponsored one of Nigerian clubs to win the CAF championship twice. He is a man that can take world football to the next level”, Blatter told the Swiss Radio monitored on Sunday.

Blatter said though Kalu had not formally declared his interest, it was in the best interest of Africa to nominate him because of his deep passion for the game. “If Africa hopes to win the support of other federations, then they must queue behind the Nigerian business man. Football has developed beyond just anybody taking over.

I sacked Jerome Champgne in 2010 so how can he come back to lead an Association he tried to destroy. You need a man who can command respect and win friends for football.

With Kalu Africa stands a better chance, he concluded. CAF is expected to meet next week to decide on a candidate for the election scheduled for next year. Orji Kalu and Segun Odegbami are the two candidates vying for the post from Africa,

Primary Source
Vanguard News

Trouble for Wike as Rivers Election Just Got Nullified.

Fresh elections are to be conducted in Rivers State as the Rivers State governorship tribunal sitting in Abuja Nullifies the election that brought in Nyesom Wike of PDP as the governor of the state.

Details soon.

Buhari is Shy Around Opposite Sex. Presidential Aide

Some insight has been provided into President Muhammadu Buhari’s aversion for women and the low number of female appointments since he assumed office, with his Senior Special Assistant, Political Matters, Mr. Gideon Samani, disclosing that the president did not include many women in his cabinet because he is “very shy dealing with the opposite sex”.

Samani, who spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the fifth annual lecture series organised by the Change We Need in Nigeria group, said Buhari was used to interacting with men, but added quickly that the issue of gender inequality would be addressed by the president.

His statement contrasted with that of a ministerial nominee from Kogi State, Mr. James Ocholi (SAN), who in defence of the low representation of women in the federal cabinet, told the Senate on Thursday that Buhari had brought women into prominence, including the late Prof. Dora Akunyili.

According to Samani, “If you are close to Mr. President, you will know that he has the interest of the nation as his uppermost priority.  He did not intentionally marginalise women.

“It is just that Mr. President is shy with women. He has been interacting mostly with men. I can assure you that in the shortest time, this issue of gender inequality will be dealt with.”

Samani, who was once a Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly and represented the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal at the event, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost the last election to the All Progressives Congress (APC) due to insecurity, economic challenges and corruption in high places, thereby forcing the people to seek for change.
“The change we seek is real and not mere rhetoric. People must feel it, touch it, and experience it across the different strata of our society – in schools, churches, market places and at all our duty posts.

“It is not going to be business as usual. Many guilty Nigerians, of their own accord, have fled the country. Our public institutions are now working.

“The availability of fuel and the generation and distribution of power have improved ever since. All hands must be on deck for all of us to be these agents of change,” he stated.

Speaking at the event, Senator Chris Anyanwu expressed disappointment with the appointments made so far by the president, stating that despite the fact that the number one citizen benefitted immensely from female voters, he has relegated them to the background.

She noted that so far, no woman from the South-east had been given a political appointment and that even the numbers of women in Buhari’s government is a far cry from what obtains worldwide.

“Mr. President has benefitted so much from us. We don’t expect him to draw us back. Women are able and strong to move this nation forward. Anything you do, you should know that the whole world is watching you.

“So far, women have been marginalised. No woman from the east has been given a political appointment and the ones he did were a far cry to what is obtainable anywhere in the world.

“We talk of change but we are afraid of the change. We have moved from the era where women clapped and danced for male politicians. President Buhari should be gender sensitive. He should open the door and let women rise up to their full potential,” she said.

The senator added that gender equality should begin with parents by treating their children equally.

Primary  Source.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/presidential-aide-buhari-is-shy-around-the-opposite-sex/223525/

Buhari Appoints New INEC Chiarman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

THE National Council of States (NCS) rose from its first meeting under the administration of Muhammadu Buhari with the ratification of the recommendation of the President for the appointment of the immediate past Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).

The Council also approved the recommendation to name the Ag. Chairman of the Commission, Amina Bala Zakari, a former Ag. Chairman of the Commission, Prince Solomon Adedeji Soyebi, Dr. Muhammad Mustapha Lekki and Dr. Taiye Okoosi-Simbile as National Commissioners.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, which lasted for about one hour inside the Council Chambers, Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal along side his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Ifeanyi Ikpeazu, Tambuwal said the action of the President followed the massive retirements of most of the National Commissioners in place during the last dispensation.

Yakubu, a Professor of History served as the Assistant Secretary in charge of Finance and Administration in the just concluded National Conference. If their appointment is ratified by the Senate, Mrs. Zakari from Jigawa State and Soyebi from Ogun State would be serving their second term as National Commissioner of INEC. While Zakari’s term just ended, that of Soyebi, who handed over to the immediate past Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega as Ag. Chairman, following the sacking of Prof. Maurice Iwu in 2011, is staging his second come back.

Sourced From Guardian News

Ministerial Screening: 18 Ministers Confirmed.

The Nigerian Senate has formally confirmed as ministers 18 nominees who were by it between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Those whose appointments have been  formally confirmed are Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, Senator Udo Udoma, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Dr Osagie Ehanire, Lt. Gen. Abdurahman Dambazau, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Amina Mohammed, Engr. Suleiman Adamu and Ibrahim Usman Jibril.

Also confirmed as ministers were Babatunde Raji Fashola,the current group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Abubakar Malami, SAN,  the former governor of Anambra state Dr Chris Ngige and Senator Aisha Jumai Alhassan.

The appointments of Kemi Adeosun, Hadi Sirika and Solomon Dalong were also confirmed as ministers.

Sourced From Guardian  News.

"Ebola Scare Not Real" Federal Government

The Federal Government on Friday dispelled speculation of a suspected fresh case Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Calabar, Cross River, and urged Nigerians to observe good hygiene behaviour.

Mr Linus Awute, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, allayed the public fear of the rumour while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

Awute said the rumours have been making round since Wednesday Oct. 7, until government agencies concluded investigation of the case.

He said the ministry monitored the latest speculation and found out that it was a case of the death of a 21-year-old student of the University of Calabar.

He said the deceased patient was brought into the causality ward of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) by the mother and other family members on Oct. 7.

Awute said the deceased was admitted at about one o’clock in the morning and was investigated clinically and tested in the laboratory to determine his ailment.

“He was admitted with bleeding, diarrhoea, vomiting, skin rashes and mouth lesions. His temperature on admission was 37 degrees centigrade and vital signs were stable.

“The parents said that the patient had never travelled out of Calabar, on the basis of signs and symptoms; a tentative diagnosis of viral Hemorrhagic fever to rule out Lassa fever was made.

“Some of his family members had a history of chicken pox a week to his falling ill,’’ the permanent secretary said.

Awute said that the deceased was treated with antipyretics and antibiotics during the course of his illness and he also received intravenous fluids.

“Sadly, at exactly 8.15 p.m., seven hours post-admission, the patient passed on,’’ Awute said.

According to him, 15 health workers and eight patients who had direct or indirect contact with the deceased patient were quarantined.

He added that other hospital workers were provided with thermometers to monitor their temperature twice daily.

The permanent secretary said that blood sample collected from the patient was taken to Irrua Lassa Fever Specialist Hospital for laboratory confirmation of the cause of the disease.

“Tests were run on the blood sample throughout the night and this morning the result confirmed that the deceased was negative for both Ebola and Lassa fever viral diseases.

“Additional tests using next generation sequencing methods are currently being carried out at the Redeemers University African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Ede, Osun state.

“This is to confirm which virus must have caused the infection and death and the result is expected on Monday Oct. 12, 2015,’’ he said.

Awute urged Nigerians to collaborate with the federal ministry of health and the entire healthcare teams to report any suspected case to avoid reintroduction of Ebola into the country.

He said this incidence has once again demonstrated that the fight against Ebola must be a perfect team work based on effective collaboration between government and other stakeholders.

LaCasara Reinstates 700 Retrenched Workers

The National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees, NUFBTE, on Friday confirmed that La Casera Company Plc has reinstated the 700 workers it sacked in September.
The head of Education Department of NUFBTE, Mike Olarenwaju, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Mr. Olarenwaju said the management of the company met with union members to resolve the dispute and that the workers had been asked to start work.
He said officials of the union would meet with the workers next week to finalise issues with the in-house union.
La Casera management had disengaged the workers over the alleged invasion of the premises by hoodlums.
At least 1,300 workers, consisting of 700 staff members and 600 casual workers, arrived at the office on September 14 to find information pasted on the gate that their jobs had been terminated.
It was not immediately clear whether the 600 casual workers were also recalled.
The union officials picketed the company for unlawful sack and denial of the workers’ right to be unionised.
The company had before the incident filed a motion at the National Industrial Council (NIC) where the union also took the case to.
After hearing the matter, the court granted the union its plea for an Order of Interim injunction restraining the management from terminating the appointments of the workers till the determination of the suit.
‎
The court decision signed by the honourable judge, O.A. Obaseki- Osaghae, however directed that all parties to “maintain the peace and take no action that will lead to a breakdown of law and order”.
The case was adjourned to Oct. 19 for hearing of the two pending motions.
(NAN)

Sport Major: Vincent Enyeama Retires from Nigeria Football Team.

One of Nigeria’s best goalkeepers, Vincent Enyeama has said that he is no longer a player with Nigeria’s senior football team, Super Eagles. Enyeama who took to his Instagram page,  ‘vinny 2908’, said he has served Nigeria his best while in the pitch and now, has retired from active play with Eagles to focus on his club career.
“I have fought a good fight for more than 13 years. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith and sang the anthem with passion. henceforth, there is laid for me a crown which only GOD can reward me for my 13 years of national services. God bless NIgeria.
“Henceforth, I am no more the captain of the NIgerian senior football team, I am no more the goalie of the team. I am out of the team. I am no more available for international duties.
“I want to say thank you to every Nigerian fan and supporter world wide. It’s been the most trying period of my life but I know that Nigerians are there for me and God is with me. God bless NIgeria,” he said.
Recall that the former Eagles captain was recently stripped of that title by the Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh and handed over to CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa, following an altercation between them.
Although Oliseh has said the rift between him and Enyeama has been sewn, he insisted that his decision of stripping the former Eagles captain of his title was based on discipline. ‘’I want a captain who is disciplined. A leader who can motivate other players. A player who  comes to camp early. I want a young player not a retiring player as captain. And Ahmed Musa is that player. He is my captain.’’
“The fact is that I would like to have somebody (as captain) who is thinking of playing now and not somebody who is preparing for retirement or thinking of life after-football. And I think it’s time we had peace and quiet around the Super Eagles. That is why I am glad that most of the players here are finding ways to work as a team because I get the feeling now that they are aware that they are representing 170 million people’’, Oliseh said on Brila.

FIFA: Hayatou Steps in as Temporal President

African football leader Issa Hayatou on Thursday took temporary charge of FIFA after Sepp Blatter was “relieved of his duties” because of his 90-day suspension, the world body said.

Hayatou, 69, is president of the Confederation of African Football, and takes over as senior vice president of FIFA. He has in the past been reprimanded for misconduct by the International Olympic Committee.

“Joseph S. Blatter was relieved of all his duties as FIFA president” after the move by the FIFA ethics committee to suspend him for 90 days because he is under criminal investigation by Swiss prosecutors, FIFA said.

Sourced from Guardian News

Messi in Court for Tax Fraud

Argentina and Barcelona star Lionel Messi and his father Jorge are to stand trial on three counts of tax fraud that could carry prison sentences, a Spanish court confirmed on Thursday.

In a court filing, the judge in charge of the case rejected a request by the public prosecutor to try only the footballer’s father.

The pair were accused in 2013 of defrauding the taxman out of 4.16 million euros ($4.69 million) in taxes related to Messi’s image rights between 2007 and 2009 through the creation of fake companies in Belize and Uruguay.

No date has been set for the trial, which will take place in Vilanova i la Geltru, a town 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of Barcelona.

Prosecutors had asked for the case against the four-time World Player of the Year to be dropped as the alleged fraud was in their estimation carried out by his father, who has managed his son’s affairs since he was a child.

They asked for Jorge Messi to be handed an 18-month prison sentence and a fine of half the defrauded amount.

However, lawyers acting on behalf of the tax authorities pleaded for the player to also be tried and for both defendants to face a 22-month prison sentence.

In any case, both are unlikely to end up in jail as sentences of less than two years are normally suspended for first time offences in Spain.

“There are rational signs that the criminality was committed by both accused parties,” said the judge.

Messi, 28, is the fourth richest sportsman in the world, according to Forbes magazine which estimates he earns almost $65 million a year.

The news is just the latest blow for the Argentine, who will be out of action for six weeks due to knee ligament damage.

21 Names of the first Ministerial List

President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi ,former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and 19 others to serve in his cabinet as ministers.

The Senate President Bukola Saraki also disclosed that screening of the nominees will begin next Tuesday to give senators enough time to go through the nominee’s CVs.
‎
In a letter addressed to the Senate President which was read at plenary today,The partial list of ministerial nominees has the following names.

1.Dr. Chris Ngige (Anambra)

2. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti)

3. Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers)

4. Babatunde Fashola (Lagos)

5. Abdurrahman Dambazau (rtd) (Kano)

6.  Aisha AlHassan (Taraba)

7. Ogbonaya Onu (Ebonyi)

8. Kemi Adeosun (Ogun)

9. Abubakar Malami SAN (Kebbi)

10. Senator Sirika Hadi (Katsina)

11. Barrister Adebayo Shittu (Oyo)

12. Sulaiman Adamu (Jigawa)

13. Solomon Dalong (Plateau)

14.Ibe Kachikwu (Delta)

15. Osagie Ehanire (Edo

16.Lai Mohammed ( Kwara)

17. Udoma Udo-Udoma (Akwa Ibom)

18. Ahmed Isa Ibeto (Niger)

19. Ibrahim Jibril

20. Audu Ogbeh (Benue)

21. Amina Mohammed (Gombe)

3 Boko Haram Memebers Die by Their Own Sword

Three militants of the Boko Haram group died on Tuesday when a bomb they were transporting exploded in Niger’s Far East region of Diffa, local sources said.

The bomb exploded when they were about to enter Bosso town, one of the sources told newsmen, adding that the militants were planning to carry out an attack.

On Sunday, 10 people, among them one soldier, five civilians and four suicide bombers, were killed in two separate suicide attacks by Boko Haram in Diffa.

The two bombs targeted a military camp and a Mosque in Diffa, a few days after two Nigerien soldiers were killed in an ambush by the militants in the same region.

In the last seven months, Niger, like other countries within the Lake Chad basin, came under Boko Haram attacks from its bases in Nigeria.

A multinational force including troops from Nigeria, Cameroun, Chad and Niger were fighting Boko Haram as Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari vowed to beat the group. (Xinhua/NAN)

Buhari Applauds British, Switzerland for Role in Recovery of Looted Fund

President Muhammadu Buhari has applauded the support from Britain and Switzerland for the recovery and repatriation of public funds stolen from Nigeria.

He disclosed that British, Swiss and other foreign anti-crime agencies had already given his administration much help with relevant information and intelligence on public funds that were stolen and illegally transferred to personal bank accounts by officials of past administrations.

He made the disclosure at separate audiences with the new British and Swiss Ambassadors, who were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence.

President Buhari has in the meantime called for expediting the process of investigation, prosecution and repatriation of Nigerian funds stolen by corrupt public officials and their accomplices.

“Switzerland and Britain have been very helpful indeed in the recovery of our assets. But we must build on what we have started.

“It is also important to send a signal to the elite that it is no longer business as usual. I personally appreciate the efforts of Prime Minister David Cameron on this issue.

“He has honoured his commitments to us. He promised to support our government to build a strong and dynamic economy and he has been faithful to his word,”he told the new British High Commissioner, Mr. Paul Arkwright.

Arkwright, in his remarks assured President Buhari of Britain’s preparedness to give Nigeria the fullest possible support and assistance in the recovery of its looted resources.

“We are most ready to help. We have a good team at the National Crime Agency (NCA) working with your Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Tell us where and how we can help and we will provide the assistance.”

Welcoming the assurances from the new Swiss Ambassador, Mr. Eric Mayoraz, that his country will expedite action on the repatriation of millions of dollars stolen by Nigerian public officials and still held in Swiss Banks, Buhari said:

“I am very pleased and we will get our Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work with you to ensure that all the stolen funds are returned safely to government coffers as quickly as possible.”

The Special Adviser ‎on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina‎, in a statement said President Buhari also received the letters of credence of the Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Mr. Saleh Fhied Saleh, the Ambassador of Myanmar, Mr. Tha Aung Nyun and the Ambassador of Slovakia, Mr. Peter Holasek.

Buhari Applaud British Switzerland for Role in Recovery of Looted Fund

President Muhammadu Buhari has applauded the support from Britain and Switzerland for the recovery and repatriation of public funds stolen from Nigeria.

He disclosed that British, Swiss and other foreign anti-crime agencies had already given his administration much help with relevant information and intelligence on public funds that were stolen and illegally transferred to personal bank accounts by officials of past administrations.

He made the disclosure at separate audiences with the new British and Swiss Ambassadors, who were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence.

President Buhari has in the meantime called for expediting the process of investigation, prosecution and repatriation of Nigerian funds stolen by corrupt public officials and their accomplices.

“Switzerland and Britain have been very helpful indeed in the recovery of our assets. But we must build on what we have started.

“It is also important to send a signal to the elite that it is no longer business as usual. I personally appreciate the efforts of Prime Minister David Cameron on this issue.

“He has honoured his commitments to us. He promised to support our government to build a strong and dynamic economy and he has been faithful to his word,”he told the new British High Commissioner, Mr. Paul Arkwright.

Arkwright, in his remarks assured President Buhari of Britain’s preparedness to give Nigeria the fullest possible support and assistance in the recovery of its looted resources.

“We are most ready to help. We have a good team at the National Crime Agency (NCA) working with your Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Tell us where and how we can help and we will provide the assistance.”

Welcoming the assurances from the new Swiss Ambassador, Mr. Eric Mayoraz, that his country will expedite action on the repatriation of millions of dollars stolen by Nigerian public officials and still held in Swiss Banks, Buhari said:

“I am very pleased and we will get our Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work with you to ensure that all the stolen funds are returned safely to government coffers as quickly as possible.”

The Special Adviser ‎on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina‎, in a statement said President Buhari also received the letters of credence of the Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Mr. Saleh Fhied Saleh, the Ambassador of Myanmar, Mr. Tha Aung Nyun and the Ambassador of Slovakia, Mr. Peter Holasek.

The Candle on Our Watch. Author :Eke, Gabriel Ikechukwu

The candle on our watch

How long shall we stand and watch? How long shall we solemnly ignore? How long will it take us to realize? How long will the wind blow the light off our candle?

Yes! How long I ask? A nation blessed by strong heroes, who took it upon themselves and national responsibility to war for our independence. A nation God blessed with the likes of Macaulay, Zik of Africa, Obafemi Awolowo ,  Ahmadu Bello to mention but a few. Men of stride and national passion. How much proud have we made them? If life exists after death, will they be proud in the life after to say “we were pioneer citizens”, “we were the siege breakers”,” and we set the pace”. If our national heroes were to leave the land of the dead to visit us, will they be proud on how we have turned the system? How proud will they be to say “we were from here”? Will their face light with smile when they find out that the candle they left is burning out fast and dying on our watch.

I recall the days of coup d’état I still recall Zik saying “violence has never been an instrument used by us as founding fathers of the Nigerian republic, to solve political problems”. The days of civil war, the days of dictatorship, the days of civil unrest and moments of terrorism. How did we survive such horrifying times or have we not? How did we work together as one how did we control the burning bush, how did we find the road back to peace, how did we find the way to democracy again? Did we visit the underworld for counsel? What happened to the days when naira had value? What happened to fair trial? What happened to “Giant of Africa “? What happened to our thunder? Will our candle die off on our watch? Will our mission (Nigeria) be reached?

Two scores, one decade and five years it is, after certified years of emancipation, slavery and colonialism we have survived and swam dangerous waters of national challenge, tribal and religious misunderstanding, corruption, joblessness, poor economy, poor education and hospitals with doctors and facilities that need help more than the intended patients. While we die, the masked kings of the jungle swim in national treasury fatting up there generation and the fight against corruption turns to a fight against political enemies

Who...Who? Has let this misfortune catch on us like a wild wind? Who has let this great hurricane of terrorism jump on us like a leopard on a deer, who…Who? Who has left us vulnerable like a chick without a hen, and like the prodigal son, shame the father’s name.

We all have. Yes we all have! Let it not be said that the drummer did not drum, nor the ghost did not cry. Let it be shouted today from the mountain tops that we … yes we, you and I, has let the wind blow our candles to burn out on our very watch. Let it be heard that we are our struggle. Like Sampson and Delilah we are our bane. Shall we not change? Shall we all put our legs in water and palms in our last bowl of eba waiting for the presidency? Shall we play minute rules in corruption smiling and  saying” na turn by turn” shall we all stay in queue waiting for our turn to loot the future away. If we change our mindset, and behavior and our leaders turn a new leave, if we knew we are the leaders of ourselves, the candle will surely not burn out on our watch. Let shame be cast away and let’s guard our candle with all jealousy. Hold your candle and let it keep shining.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE NIGERIA. GOD BLESS NIGERIA 

Author: EKE, GABRIEL IKECHUKWU.

  

Presidential Speech. NIGERIA @55

“October 1st is a day for joy and celebrations for us Nigerians, whatever the circumstances we find ourselves in because it is the day, 55 years ago; we liberated ourselves from the shackles of colonialism and began our long march to nationhood and to greatness.

“No temporary problems or passing challenges should stop us from honouring this day. Let us remind ourselves of the gifts God has given us. Our Creator has bequeathed to us Numbers – Nigeria is the ninth most populated country on the planet. We have in addition arable land; water; forests; oil and gas; coastline; and solid minerals

“We have all the attributes of a great nation. We are not there yet because the one commodity we have been unable to exploit to the fullest is unity of purpose. This would have enabled us to achieve not only more orderly political evolution and integration but also continuity and economic progress.

“Countries far less endowed have made greater economic progress by greater coherence and unity of purpose.
“Nonetheless, that we have remained together is an achievement we should all appreciate and try to consolidate. We have witnessed this year a change in our democratic development.

“The fact that an opposition party replaced an entrenched government in a free and fair election is indicative of the deeper roots of our democratic system. Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President Jonathan for not digging-in in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country untold consequences.

“As I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions. I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view to join me in working for the nation.

“My countrymen and women, every new government inherits problems. Ours was no different. But what Nigerians want are solutions, quick solutions not a recitation of problems inherited.

“Accordingly, after consultations with the Vice President, senior party leaders and other senior stakeholders, I quickly got down to work on the immediate, medium-term and long-term problems which we must solve if we are to maintain the confidence which Nigerians so generously bestowed on us in the March elections and since then.

“As you know, I toured the neighbouring countries, marshalled a coalition of armed forces of the five nations to confront and defeat Boko Haram. I met also the G-7 leaders and other friendly presidents in an effort to build an international coalition against Boko Haram.

“Our gallant armed forces under new leadership have taken the battle to the insurgents, and severely weakened their logistical and infrastructural capabilities. Boko Haram are being scattered and are on the run.

“That they are resorting to shameless attacks on soft targets such as I.D.P. camps is indicative of their cowardice and desperation. I have instructed security and local authorities to tighten vigilance in vulnerable places.

On power, government officials have held a series of long sessions over several weeks about the best way to improve the nation’s power supply in the safest and most cost-effective way.

“In the meantime, improvement in the power supply is moderately encouraging. By the same token, supply of petrol and kerosene to the public has improved throughout the country. All the early signs are that within months the whole country would begin to feel a change for the better.

“Preliminary steps have been taken to sanitize NNPC and improve its operations so that the inefficiency and corruption could be reduced to a minimum.

“Those of our refineries which can be serviced and brought back into partial production would be enabled to resume operations so that the whole sordid business of exporting crude and importing finished products in dubious transactions could be stopped.

“In addition to NNPC, I have ordered a complete audit of our other revenue generating agencies mainly CBN, FIRS, Customs, NCC, for better service delivery to the nation. Prudent house-keeping is needed now more than ever in view of the sharp decline in world market oil prices. It is a challenge we have to face squarely. But what counts is not so much what accrues but how we manage our resources.

“We have seen in the last few years how huge resources were mismanaged, squandered and wasted. The new APC government is embarking on a clean up, introducing prudence and probity in public financing.

“At an early stage, the federal government addressed the issue of salary arrears in many states, a situation capable of degenerating into social unrest. The APC government stepped in to provide short-term support to the debtor states and enabled them to pay off the backlog and restore the livelihood of millions of Nigerians.

“Fellow Nigerians, there have been a lot of anxiety and impatience over the apparent delay in announcement of ministers. There is no cause to be anxious. Our government set out to do things methodically and properly. We received the handing over notes from the outgoing government only four days before taking over. Consequently, the Joda Transition Committee submitted its Report on the reorganization of Federal Government structure after studying the hand over notes. It would have been haphazard to announce ministers when the government had not finalized the number of ministries to optimally carry the burden of governance.

“Anyway, the wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course. Impatience is not a virtue. Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better results for our country is what the APC government for CHANGE is all about.

“I would like to end my address this morning on our agenda for CHANGE. Change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring change about. We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.

“Happy Independence Celebrations. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The List: Amaechi, Fashola, Ngigi not missing

President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial list contains a number of familiar All

Progressives Congress (APC) names such as Babatunde Fashola, former governor of
Lagos state, and Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers state, TheCable can
report.

Also nominated to be minister is Lai Mohammed, national publicity secretary of the
ruling party, and Kayode Fayemi, who lost his Ekiti governorship re-election bid in 2014
to Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
From the south-east are the likes of Chris Ngige, former governor of Anambra state
and former senator of the federal republic; and Ogbonnaya Onu, first executive governor
of Abia state and former national chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), on
whose ticket Buhari contested and lost the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections.
Udoma Udo Udoma, a former senator who represented Akwa Ibom south senatorial
constituency at the national assembly, made it as well.
Buhari also nominated for ministerial appointment, Aisha Alhassan, who was on the
brink of becoming the first elected female governor before eventually losing the Taraba
state governorship election to Darius Ishiaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
From his days at the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Buhari picked Malami
Abubakar, a senior advocate of Nigeria and former legal adviser of the defunct
party; Hadi Sirika, a former pilot and former CPC senator who represented Katsina north
senatorial district; as well as Adebayo Shittu, former governorship candidate of the party
in Oyo state.
Ibe kachikwu, group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum (NNPC), is a
surprise appearance on the list. But with Buhari already declaring himself minister of
petroleum resources, it is likely that Kachikwu will combine his current portfolio with
that of the minister of state for petroleum resources.
Amina Mohammed, special adviser to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on
post-2015 development planning; and Kemi adeosun, former commissioner for finance
in Ogun state; were also nominated.

Boko Haram Poisons Water Source in Borno - Nigerian Army

Press statement from the Nigerian Army

Information reaching the Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole indicates that Boko Haram terrorists have now resorted to poisoning water sources like wells and streams in areas they were dislodged by gallant troops or areas threatened by offensive operations. The latest being the poisoning of the cattle water ponds in Kangallam village along Marte and Abadam axis in Borno State where a large number of cattle died after drinking water from the ponds.
Credible information available to the Theatre Command indicates that though no human life was lost as a result of the barbaric act of the terrorists, however, some cattle were killed after drinking water from some poisoned sources. The action of the terrorists is no doubt aimed at taking their own pound of flesh on the innocent citizens and livestock as a result of the unbearable offensive operations through the combined effort of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force to route them out completely from their enclaves and hide-outs all over the North East. In view of this development citizens are called upon to avoid as much as possible drinking water from unverified sources especially in locations that troops routed out Boko Haram terrorists. You are please requested to disseminate this information to the public through your medium. Thank you for your usual cooperation. Colonel TUKUR GUSAU Deputy Director Army Public Relations

Source : Linda Ikeji Blog

Sport: Man United vs Wolfburgs 2:1

United aim to bounce back against Wolfsburg.
Manchester United FC will bid to get their first points on the board in Group B when they host a VfL Wolfsburg side seeking a change of fortune on English soil.

Manchester United FC will try again to get their first points on the board in UEFA Champions League Group B when they host VfL Wolfsburg on matchday two.

• Man. United suffered a 2-1 loss at PSV Eindhoven on matchday one, but Wolfsburg made a positive start with a 1-0 home victory over PFC CSKA Moskva.

Previous meetings
• This latest encounter falls precisely six years ago to the day since the first – when United overturned an Edin Džeko goal (56) at Old Trafford to win 2-1 through Ryan Giggs (58) and Michael Carrick (78).

• The lineups for that group stage match on 30 September 2009 were:
United: Kuszczak, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidić, Evra, Valencia (Fletcher 82), Anderson, Carrick, Giggs, Owen (Berbatov 20), Rooney.
Wolfsburg: Benaglio, Riether, Costa, Madlung, Schäfer, Hasebe (Ziani 73), Josué, Misimović, Gentner, Džeko, Grafite (Martins 82).

• Džeko struck again in the return on 8 December but Michael Owen scored a hat-trick as group winners United prevailed 3-1 to consign the Bundesliga side to third place in the section.

Man. United
• United are unbeaten in their last six home fixtures in UEFA competition (five wins, one draw), including the 3-1 success against Club Brugge KV in August's play-off round.

• When United last hosted a German team at Old Trafford – Bayern in the 2013/14 quarter-finals – Bastian Schweinsteiger hit the visitors' goal in a 1-1 draw. United had begun that campaign with a 4-2 win over Bayer 04 Leverkusen in which Wayne Rooney (two) and Antonio Valencia found the net.

• Their overall home record against sides from Germany is W8 D4 L2.

• This is the first time United have entered their second game of a UEFA Champions League campaign without a point since 1996/97, when they started with a 1-0 loss at Juventus.

Wolfsburg
• Wolfsburg's only defeat in six away matches in the 2014/15 UEFA Europa League was in the north-west of England – a 4-1 reverse at Everton FC on 18 September 2014. Ricardo Rodriguez got the Wolfsburg goal.

• Wolfsburg have scored on all three of their previous visits to England but lost every time.

• Diego Benaglio and Marcel Schäfer played in Wolfsburg's first meeting with a Premier League club – a 3-2 home triumph over Portsmouth FC in the 2008/09 UEFA Cup group stage.

Ministerial List to be Made Public Next Week Tuesday.

Anxiety and suspense that trailed the transmission of the ministerial list from the Presidency to the Senate may not be over yet as Nigerians may have to wait til Tuesday next week to know the ministerial nominees.

Against widespread expectations, President Muhammadu Buhari failed to submit the much-anticipated ministerial list to the senate until after lawmakers ended Tuesday’s plenary session.

But Senate President Bukola Saraki announced this evening on his Facebook page that he eventually received the ministerial list from the Presidency at about 5PM Wednesday.

“About an hour ago, I received the list of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees from the Chief of Staff to Mr. President, Abba Kyari, and the Special Adviser to Mr. President on National Assembly (Senate) Sen. Ita Enang,” Mr. Saraki posted on Twitter at 6:06PM on Wednesday.

However the ministerial nominees may not be officially known to Nigerians until Tuesday next week owing to the timing of the transmission of the list and the established tradition guiding the announcement of the nominees.

The tradition has been that upon receipt of the correspondence from the Presidency, the senate president would read the content of the letter on the floor, after which a motion for screening and confirmation of nominees would be moved by the Senate Leader.

The names of the ministerial nominees would have been read Wednesday had the presidency conveyed it to the leadership of the Senate at the appropriate time, a senator said.

In anticipation of the list, the senate president, Bukola Saraki, had to stay beyond office hours to receive the correspondence from the presidency.

A principal officer at the Senate told PREMIUM TIMES the Senate President can only read the names on the next legislative date, which is Tuesday.

“This means that all of us will only have the privilege of knowing the ministerial nominees presented by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday next week,” a senator said.

While explaining the reason the list may not officially made public until Tuesday, he said the Senate does not sit on Mondays, Fridays and at weekends.

“If tomorrow, Thursday, were not public holiday, the list would have been announced before the Senate,” he said. “You know the federal government has announced 1st October to be a public holiday in order to mark our independence anniversary.”

On w

ednesday evening, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the presidency would not make the list public.

He explained that the responsibility of the Presidency is to convey the list to the Senate, while the Senate has the responsibility of announcing the nominees during plenary.

Primary Source : Primetime News

Nigeria Received $5bn Oil Revenue in Q3 2014.

Nigeria received about $5 billion of oil revenues in the third quarter of 2014, BusinessDay has learnt.

The huge revenues were made possible following the enactment and successful implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICDA, 2010).

In the last five years, NOGICDA has remained an impactful legislation for the nation’s oil and gas industry, with some people calling it the most significant since the Petroleum Act of 1969.

NOGICDA prescribes that indigenous operators be given first consideration in the award of contracts and licences, as well as first consideration for training and employment opportunities, and that preference must be given to domestically manufactured goods.

According to a report released Tuesday by CWC Group, a UK-based energy and infrastructure consulting firm, Nigerian content in the Nigerian oil and gas industry grew from around 5 percent to 18 percent, and 89.2 percent of marine vessels were either built in Nigeria or owned by Nigerians. This, the report said, resulted in a 40 percent increase in domestic fabrication facilities.

“In just one year, Shell Producing Companies in Nigeria awarded $2.4 billion worth of contracts to indigenous companies and Total launched the Total Supplier’s Financing Scheme worth $7.5 billion to be made available through Nigerian banks, aimed at bridging the gap between local vendors, suppliers and financial institutions,” the group further stressed in its report.

In Q2 of 2014, Nigerian firms Taleveras and Aiteo placed the highest bid for Shell’s OML 29 at the cost of $2.85 billion. In the same year, Oando Energy Resources completed its landmark acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ onshore and offshore businesses in Nigeria for $1.5 billion.

“The profile of the Nigerian oil and gas industry has gone through greater transformation than seen in previous decades; there are more indigenous players in the industry than ever before, a wider pool of skilled Nigerian professionals and indigenous asset ownership has increased steadily as has the domiciliation of manufacturing and fabrication,” said Denzil Amagbe Kentebe, executive secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

Source: Business Day

"We Are Still Waiting for Ministerial List" Senator Dino Melaye

Contrary to the rumours going on, the senate has voiced out the truth about ministerial list submissions, saying that they are yet to receive any list from the president. Senator Dino Melaye Confirmed  this when he said

"I want to announce we are still waiting for the ministerial list from the president I want to advise there is no need for agitation. September expires 12 midnight today and I want to assure Nigerians that as soon as we get possession of the list, we will communicate to them. 
I also want to assure Nigerians that we will attend to the ministerial list expeditiously but diligently. It is not going to be business as usual. We are going to properly screen the nominees and only those who meet the constitutional and moral requirements will be cleared. We want Nigerians not to be agitated. September expires 12 midnight. The doors of the senate are opened 24 hours"

Source: gabbybanks.blogspot.com

HEADIES 2015 AWARDS NOMINEES

The nominees of the 10th Headies Awards.

Olamide leads the nomination table this year with 8 nods including – Best Pop single, Rap Album, Best Collaboration (twice), Best Street-Hop Artiste, Album of the Year, Artiste of the Year, and Song of the Year.

Following Olamide closely is Wizkid, who has seven nominations in Recording of the Year, Best RnB/Pop Album, Best Pop Single, Best Collabo, Album of the Year, Artiste of the year, and Song of the Year.

Contending for one of the biggest awards of the night – Artiste of the year are Olamide, David O, Wizkid, Yemi Alade, and P-Square.

The highly prized Next Rated category will see Reekado Bankz, Kiss Daniel, Korede Bello, Cynthia Morgan and Lil’ Kesh slug it out.

Other new nominees at the Headies are Falz The Bahd Guy, Mr. 2Kay, Small Doctor, Ugovinna, Di’Ja, Shaydee, Simi and Aramide.

The Hall of Fame Award which has celebrated industry heavy weights like Obi Asika, Kenny Ogungbe and D1, Philip Trimnell, Grand Master Lee, FAJ, and a host of others shall be inducting Pop super star, Innocent ‘2Face’ Idibia.

See List Below.

1. BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR

A non-voting category for the best single recording by an artiste or group in the year under review.

1. Ojuelegba – Wizkid

2. Eyo – Asa

3. Wish Me Well – Timi Dakolo

4. Bez – There’s A Fire

5. Cobhams – Do the right Thing

2. PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

An individual responsible for producing the most acclaimed song or album in the year under review.

1. Don Jazzy – Godwin (Korede Bello)

2. Mastakraft – Wiser (Flavour)

3. Young John – Bobo (Olamide)

4. Shizzi – Fans Mi (DavidO)

5. Legendury Beatz – Ojuelegba

6. Cobhams – There’s A Fire (Bez)

3. BEST MUSIC VIDEO

A voting category for the best conceptualist, best directed and most exciting video in the year under review.

This award goes to the video director.

1. Jamb Question (Simi) – Mex

2. Crazy (Seyi Shay) – Meji Alabi

3. The Sound (DavidO Feat. Uhuru & Dj Buckz) – Sesan

4. Katapot (Reekado Banks) – UnLimited LA

5. Baby Jollof (Solid Star Feat. Tiwa Savage) – Clarence Peters

4. BEST R&B/POP ALBUM

A category for the best R&B/Pop Album in the year under review (by single individual or group).

1. Bed of Stone – Asa

2. A.Y.O. – Wizkid

3. King of Queens – Yemi Alade

4. Rich & Famous – Praiz

5. Double Trouble – Psquare

5. BEST R&B SINGLE

A category for the best R&B single in the year under review (by a single individual or group).

1. Heartbeat – Praiz

2. Baby Daddy – Iyanya

3. Say You Love Me – Leriq ft. Wizkid

4. Do the Right Thing – Cobhams Ft. Bez

5. Wish Me Well – Timi Dakolo

6. BEST POP SINGLE

A category for the best pop single in year under review (by single individual or group)

1. Ojuelegba – Wizkid

2. Collabo – P-Square Feat. Don Jazzy

3. My Woman, My Everything – Patoranking Feat. Wande Coal

4. Woju – Kiss Daniel

5. Godwin – Korede Bello

6. Bobo – Olamide

7. BEST REGGAE/DANCEHALL SINGLE

A category for the best Reggae/Dancehall single in the year under review (by single individual or group).

1. German Juice – Cynthia Morgan

2. Sanko – Timaya

3. My Body – Solid Star Feat. Timaya

4. Daniella Whyne – Patoranking

5. Cheques and Balance – Burna Boy

6. Bad Girl Special (Remix) – Mr. 2Kay feat. Cynthia Morgan & Seyi Shay

8. BEST RAP ALBUM

A Non-Voting Category for the Best Album By A Rap Artiste Or Group In Year Under Review.

1. Baba Hafusa – Reminisce

2. Street OT – Olamide

3. Chairman – M.I.

4. Above Ground Level – Modenine

9. BEST COLLABO

A voting category for the best R&B, Pop or Hip-hop collaborative track (including cameos).

1. Local Rapper – Reminisce Feat. Olamide & Phyno

2. Hold on – Joe El Feat. 2Face Idibia

3. Bad Girl Special (Remix) – Mr. 2Kay Feat. Cynthia Morgan & Seyi Shay

4. Shoki (Remix) – Lil’Kesh Feat. Olamide & David O

5. Do The right Thing – Cobhams ft. Bez

6. Sisi – Praiz ft. Wizkid

10. BEST RAP SINGLE

A voting category for a single (released on-air) recording of a rap.

1. King Kong – Vector

2. Bad Belle – M.I

3. Bank Alert – Ill Bliss

4. Local Rapper – Reminisce Feat. Olamide, Phyno & Stomrex

5. G.O.D – T.R

11. BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (MALE)

A non-voting category for the single male artiste with the most outstanding vocal performance on a single song or album.

1. Praiz – If I fall

2. Shaydee – High

3. Timi Dakolo – Wish Me Well

4. Cobhams – Do The Right Thing

5. Bez – There’s A Fire

12. BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)

A non-voting category for the single female artiste with most outstanding vocal performances on a single song or album.

1. Waje – Coco Baby

2. Aramide – Iwo Nikan

3. Asa – Bed of Stone

4. Simi – Tiff

5. Yemi Alade – Duro Timi

13. NEXT RATED

This category is a voting category for the most promising upcoming act in the year under review.

1. Reekado Bankz

2. Kiss Daniel

3. Cynthia Morgan

4. Korede Bello

5. Lil’ Kesh

14. HIP HOP WORLD REVELATION

A voting category for the best new artiste in the year under review.

1. Praiz – Rich n Famous

2. Yemi Alade – King of Queens

3. Skales – Man of the Year

15. LYRICIST ON THE ROLL

A non-voting category for the Rap Artiste with the best lyrical depth and performance on a single song or album.

1. Ill Bliss – Bank Alert (remix) Feat. Ice Prince, Eva Alordiah & Phyno

2. Vector – King Kong

3. Reminisce – Baba Hafusa

4. G.O.D – T.R

16. BEST STREET-HOP ARTISTE

A voting category for the artiste whose songs are inspired by the streets. Such song should captain lingua, which may also be originated by the artiste and popular on the street.

1. Reminisce – Skillashi

2. Olamide – Bobo

3. Small Doctor – Mosquito Killer

4. Mastakraft feat. Olamide, CDQ and David O – Indomie

5. Falz The Bad Guy Feat. Yemi Alade & Poe – Hello Bae

17. BEST ‘ALTERNATIVE’ SONG

A voting category for the artiste whose songs reflect any form or style of music which falls outside the mainstream of recent or past popular musical trends.

1. Di’Ja – Awwwwww

2. Bez – There’s A Fire

3. Asa – Satan Be Gone

4. Adekunle Gold – Sade

5. Ugovinna – Rain On Me

6. Simi – Tiff

18. ALBUM OF THE YEAR

A voting category for the best album (solo or group) in year under review, that meets judges requirements of excellence (Songwriting, production, rendition and promotion) and acceptability (Sales and popularity).

1. Rich n Famous – Praiz

2. King of Queens – Yemi Alade

3. Street OT – Olamide

4. Chairman – M.I.

5. A.Y.O. – Wizkid

6. Double Trouble – P Square

19. ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

Most critically and commercially adjudged artiste in the year under review. Overall most successful artiste for the year under review.

1. Olamide

2. David O

3. Wizkid

4. Yemi Alade

5. P-Square

20. SONG OF THE YEAR

A voting category for the most popular song in the year under review.

1. Ojuelegba – Wizkid

2. Godwin – Korede Bello

3. Kiss Daniel – Woju

4. Olamide – Bobo

21. AFRICAN ARTISTE

A non-Nigerian award category for an individual African artiste or group with the most outstanding achievement, impact and infiltration into the Nigerian music scene in the year under review.

1. Diamond Platnumz

2. Cassper Nyovest

3. Sarkodie

4. Uhuru

5. AKA

HALL OF FAME

Special recognition for excellence and outstanding impact to the entertainment industry.

2Face Idibia

Primary Source: http://www.forumspotz.net/the-headies-2015-nominees-list/

Senate Passes Vote of Confidence on Saraki

The Nigerian Senate earlier today expressed solidarity for the embattled senate president, Bukola Saraki, who is currently facing allegations of false declaration of assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The motion to pass a vote of confidence on Saraki was moved by Senator David Umaru (APC-Niger East) and was seconded by Senator Ahmed Sani, with 84 other lawmakers in support.

Both senators Umaru and Sani said their support for the senate president was intended to rid the 8th senate of any external influence.

A mild drama, however, ensued as Senator Babajide Omoworare (APC-Osun East) who initially supported the motion asked that his name be struck out, claiming that he was not properly briefed on the purpose of the motion.

On his part, Senator Kabir Marafa (Zamfara Central) raised a point of order on the motion while plenary was going on. This led to a short rowdy session on the floor of the senate. The senator later walked out the session in protest.

The senate deputy president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, later apologised for Marafa’s outburst, promising that such action would not repeat itself and also thanked the lawmakers for throwing their weight b

ehind the senate presiden

"We Must Stamp Out Apocalyptic Cult" Obama-United Nations Confre

President Barack Obama warned that "dangerous currents" threaten to create a "darker world" in a wide-ranging address to the United Nations General Assembly on Monday.

Obama slammed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad as a "tyrant" and urged the international community to work together to defeat ISIS.

"There is no room for accommodating an apocalyptic cult like ISIL," the president said, using an alternative name for the terrorist group.

The president also stressed that the United States " is prepared to work with any nation, including Russia and Iran, to resolve the conflict" in Syria.

"We must recognize that there cannot be, after so much bloodshed, so much carnage, a return to the prewar status quo," the president said.

President Obama also addressed issues including the Iran nuclear accord, the bloodshed in Syria, the rise of ISIS, Cuba relations and tensions with Russia. Obama pointed to the nuclear deal — a historic accord between Tehran and six world powers aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program — as an example of what can be accomplished by international cooperation when nations are held accountable for violating international rules, and principled diplomacy is pursued to achieve our objectives

Sourced From NBC News

Kaduna abolished payment of admission fees for tertiary institutions

The Kaduna State government  has abolished  payment of fees for admission forms and processes by students seeking admission into state owned tertiary institutions.

In a statement issued at the end of the State Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Shehu Adamu, said that all state government owned tertiary institutions had been directed to comply with the directive.

The Commissioner said: “Under no condition henceforth should scratch cards be sold to admission-seekers for access to school portals or admission processing”.

The Commissioner, who explained  that the executive council took the decision considering the plight of students, warned  that admission into higher institutions should not be treated as a revenue source.

The statement also directed all non-teaching occupants of public school quarters to vacate the premises within 90 days.

It  equally informed  teachers, who have been transferred to other schools, to vacate  their former quarters within six months.

Source
Channel News

BUHARI STILL PAYING LIPS SERVICE TO ANTI-GRAFT WAR- BRAITHWAITE

• Saraki’s arraignment before CCT will die a natural death
• Why Awolowo, Aminu Kano’s alliance did not fly in 1979
• I didn’t betray Awolowo in 1983 by running against him
• Nigeria not yet free of military opportunism

SECOND Republic Politician, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite is not happy over the deep rot in the polity occasioned by mindless graft especially among the leadership class. This was the reason he made eradication of corruption (clearing rats, mosquitoes and cockroaches) the fulcrum of his presidential campaign in 1983 when he ran on the platform of the Nigeria Advance Party (NAP) which he founded. Currently, Braithwaite says President Muhammadu Buhari has not started fighting corruption despite claims to the contrary. He said the arraignment of Senate President Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) is a misstep that will make Saraki a free man soon in spite of the criminal charges slammed against him. Braithwaite, who has been practising law since 1961, in this interview at his Victoria Island, Lagos home, fears that Nigeria is not completely free of military opportunism and its influence in the polity. Going down memory lane, he disclosed why Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Malam Aminu Kano could form an alliance in 1979 and why he ran against Awolowo in 1983 in spite of their closeness.
By Clifford Ndujihe, Deputy Political Editor
His take on Chief HID Awolowo’s death
I see  Mama’s passing not as a sad event at all. At 99, approximately 100, it is not a bad news. Having said that I know Mama HID very well more than the public. The public saw her with the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) government. Papa and Mama Awolowo were very close to me. They were regular visitors here. The late Wole (Pa Awolowo’s son) used to visit me.
On virtues Nigerians should learn from HID Awolowo
She was a hard working woman who supported her husband through thick and thin. As Pa Awolowo himself described her, she was a jewel of an inestimable value.
There are a lot of lessons  that Nigerians should  learn from her. In terms of womanhood, she was not like those opportunistic wives of military officers, who had one stupid project or the other, calling themselves first ladies. We never heard her being called First Lady of Western Region or anything and she never comported herself that way.
On what informed his closeness to the Awolowo family
It was primarily from Law. When he was in trouble before the trump-up charge, I was a great supporter of him when they were doing the Coker Inquiry. This, unfortunately, has been the bane of Nigerian politics. If you have courage that they don’t expect you to have, they will  set up some form of inquiries tilted against you. That was why I started  supporting  Chief Awolowo to his own surprise. He said to me and my mother: ‘how could a young man like Tunji stick out his neck for a man they considered finished?’’
You were part of the legal team before he went to prison…
Yes, even before they formally charged him when he was going through the Coker inquiry with his trusted friends like old Maja and Chief Shonibare. They were the three principal targets.
On Chief Olu Falae’s kidnap by Fulani herdsmen and freedom, last week
It is a sad news. That in this day and age, a public figure of Falae’s standing, an upright man, a hard working one-time technocrat could just be whisked away like that in broad day light is a sad indictment of the present government.
Serious indictment
If a man like Falae could be beaten and whisked away like that, it is a serious indictment which Nigerians will have to take seriously especially the entire South.
Why the entire South?
Can you imagine people from the South, traders or something doing that in the North? Of course not. How can Fulani herdsmen from the North carry a prominent figure like that? Then, lesser figures are not safe. I don’t know if they paid ransom or not. It would be worse if they paid ransom. It is downright criminality, it should be punished. I am not happy about ransom being paid to criminals.
Kidnapping should not carry jail sentence of less than 20 years.
You were close to Pa Awolowo. Why did you run against him in the 1983 presidential election?
I ran against him not because we fell out. I gave the reason to a journalist recently but he did not get it. I was approached by people from the Middle Belt, late JS Tarka’s people came here. They knew I was very close to Chief Awolowo. That was in 1978, when  General Olusegun Obasanjo’s military regime was preparing to handover and called for the formation of political parties.

Dr. Tunji Braithwaite

Before then, some young northern fellows, one of them was Dasuki, I think Ibrahim was his first name, he was a middle level civil servant in the Ministry of Internal Affairs at Ikoyi when late Chief Sunday Awoniyi was the permanent secretary. It was Awoniyi that I knew very well. In my professional capacity, I used to go there. I had many corporate clients and the issue of business permit and expatriate quota was a major part of any corporate lawyer. For instance, I registered Julius Berger in this country.
So, to get expatriate quota for my foreign clients, I would go to see Awoniyi because his ministry handled such things at Alagbon, Ikoyi here because they had not created Abuja. This young Dasuki was the one who would process it. He got to know me and he used to visit me when I was living at South/West Ikoyi. This Dasuki was one of the young Turks for Malam  Aminu Kano in the North. And I was close to Chief Awolowo. So we started talking. They knew my politics, I was writing articles attacking northern hegemony. Still  they came to me. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Mohammed Gusau were also part of the young Turks for Aminu Kano.
And I was for Awolowo together with Alao Aka-Bashorun, Olu Onagoruwa, etc. I was the leader of the young Turks for Awolowo. So, when the military said they wanted to return the nation to politics, the two sides said why can’t Awolowo and Aminu Kano team up to lead the country? These boys asked if I could introduce them to Chief Awolowo. I was the person who took  Babangida and Dasuki to Parklane, Apapa where Pa Awolowo lived and introduced them. The plan was Awolowo as the president and Aminu Kano as the vice president should work together for the 1979 election.
Meanwhile, Tarka, the United Middle belt Democratic Congress (UMBC) people who were associates of the Action group (AG) in the First republic approached me and said: ‘Dr  Braithwaite, this return to civil rule is fraught with danger.’
Return to civil rule
I said, ‘how’? They said they had been victims of oppression for many years in the North, and that was why they teamed up with the AG in the First Republic but it did not help them much. I was reporting what they said to Chief Awolowo every time they came. He too found it interesting and he said, ‘all right, continue to listen to them.’ They wrote papers and I was delivering everything to him. I was not convinced at first and I was reporting to Awolowo. Meanwhile, Chief Awolowo’s inner core of the AG was forming the UPN. He didn’t keep me out of such meetings. Then after some time, Chief Awolowo said, ‘Tunji, be careful that these people were not out to rip you off.
The people convinced me that if this country would realise its economic and political potential, the next dispensation must be revolutionary. They said, these military boys must be watched. The people from the Middle belt knew the military boys, some of them were also living in Kano. They said, ‘Tunji, we want a young fearless person like you, a lawyer to form a distinct party.’ They turned out to be right. They said they knew the military boys that the boys were deceiving the Nigerian public. I told Pa Awolowo. He asked what I meant. I said there were many things that needed to be changed in the Nigerian Constitution. He said that would be too dangerous to them (AG), that they would see us.
Pa Awolowo was the only one whose outlook came relatively closer to what those boys wanted. Then we had a number of young university lecturers of socialist bent. Pa Awolowo could not go half as revolutionary as we wanted. When he said he could not, we formed the Nigerian Advance Party (NAP). Our complexion was made clear, that we wanted revolution. We will sweep out the corrupt element. We will probe. That was where clearing the rats and cockroaches  came into it. We said we will deal with the military and all the people who had been involved.
That was why the military registered the First republic parties in their new names. They registered UPN, which was AG. They registered Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), which was the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC). They registered National Party of Nigeria (NPN), which was the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC). They also registered Aminu Kano’s Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). In 1979, they did not register us deliberately even though the PRP came to me the night before and said they were sure that NAP had met all registration requirements. Aminu Kano and SG Ikoku came to this house and said, ‘you are likely to be registered, should we form an alliance?’ I said, ‘yes’ because they were the nearest to us.
NAP was finally registered in 1983, what happened?
We had gone to civilian rule then. Before the handover, the military asked us to dismantle our operations. We said no. they harassed us but we did not dismantle. We had structures because from 1978 to 1983 we did not stop operation. We were going through the entire universities and polytechnics. We were pretty strong and given our socialist and revolutionary bent, they had no choice than to register us in 1983.
We were going strong. And we knew that something would happen to that regime. In fact, President Shehu Shagari sent Alhaji Umaru Dikko to me to say that the information was that if he was declared the president after the election, the military would intervene. And that he was advised that if he invited NAP, PRP and the Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP) there was a possibility that the military would not intervene. I met him one-on-one at the State House. We declined. There were a few offers made to us. We declined. Given our socialist revolutionary bent we were not ready to form an alliance with these bourgeois neo-colonialist groupings.
Didn’t Awolowo feel betrayed?
He was not betrayed at all. In fact, what he said was that he did not know that I was that serious a politician. He thought our relationship was based on law because I was passing briefs to him. He said he did not realise I wanted to do politics that he only saw me as a man for justice, human rights activism.
I can’t tell you many things, they will appear in my book but certainly, he did not feel betrayed. I don’t want to disclose this yet. Pa Awolowo regretted that I was not in the UPN because he said some of those who were governors were not as useful to him as Tunji would have been.
Mama HID Awolowo still sent such message at my 70th birthday through a lawyer, Awoniyi, who worked in Awolowo’s chambers. So, there was no question of betrayal. Pa Awolowo felt he should go with his old friends in AG. I was not in AG.
 His assessment of  President Muhammadu Buhari administration so far
I spoke on a TV programme where people asked me questions on the latest appointments that he made – chief of staff, secretary to the government of the federation, etc, whether they were not slanted to the North.
Latest appointments
I said may be so but I have other insight to the latest appointments because I know Buhari very well and he knows me. I said forget about the northern slant and look at other more significant things. The date of the announcement of those appointments was significant. The announcement was made on August 27, which was the anniversary of the Babangida coup that toppled Buhari in 1985.
I said people should think about that. Why would he make such pivotal announcement on such an anniversary? People should think. We should not take things on face value. So, it is clear to me that, Buhari for the moment, is not thinking about North and South. My analysis is that Buhari is thinking of the military. He wants to do something about the Nigerian military. If you looked at his latest appointments, two of the appointments were his former military colleagues. It shows that Nigeria is not yet out of the woods when it comes to military opportunism and he wants to clear his backyard first.
Much noise, no action against graft
We have heard a lot of noise being made about attacking corruption. What has he done about attacking corruption four months after he was sworn in? The fact that we are having better electricity supply and the refineries are working cannot be what he has done.
His body language, may be. But what we got all this time is military news. To me, he wants to make sure that military opportunists, military looters, who are still very much around in the  control and administration of this country directly or through their proxies are adequately handled.
How many people have been charged for corruption? Nobody. One military fellow, Sambo Dasuki, the former NSA has been taken to a Magistrates’ Court. Put your two and two together if you are a thinker.
What about Senate President Bukola Saraki being taken to the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT?
That is what I am saying. Saraki’s arraignment before the CCT will die a natural death. The charges that I heard read against Saraki were criminal, why take him to the CCT, which is like a bull dog without teeth? The CCT has not got criminal power.
Where should Saraki have been taken to?
He should have been taken to a court with criminal power to send people to jail if found guilty. The CCT cannot jail. You will find that this circus show will die a natural death.

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