Friday 21 October 2016
Tuesday 11 October 2016
WE BUILT 8TOILETS WITH N6M NOT N50M---MINISTRY OF EDUCATION SAY
A statement released by the Deputy Director, Press in the Ministry, Ben Bem Goong, states that another N40 million was budgeted for the construction of six toilets in Unity schools in upland areas.
According to Goong, VIP toilet means pit toilet with improved ventilation, incorporating features to enhance sanitation and health, and not luxury toilets. According to the statement, the N50m and N40m quoted as costs in a recent report was for three projects depending on location which included
“VIP toilets and bathrooms in hostels and classroom areas, provision of modern kitchen and renovation of dining halls and borehole and reticulation of water.” He added that the construction project is meant for all 104 Unity schools across the country.
Economic growth depends on patronage of Nigeria-made products — Buhari
According to him, there is no way to achieve this without building the right economic foundation of patronising made-in-Nigeria goods and services.
The President, who made the remarks at the 22nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Monday, urged Nigerians to develop interest in made-in-Nigeria products.
“My greatest desire is that Nigeria moves from import dependence to self-sufficiency in local production and become an export-led economy in goods and services,” Buhari said.
He said Nigeria needed to diversify its economy so that “we will never again have to rely on one commodity to survive as a country; as we will be able to produce the food we eat, make our own textiles, produce most of the things we use and create the right environment for our young people to be able to benefit and create jobs through technology.”
Buhari lauded the theme of the summit, which is ‘Made-in-Nigeria’, saying the idea had continued to be a priority to the government and was part of the many efforts being made by the administration to lay a firm foundation for the future.
Also speaking, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said the summit would allow for dialogue between the private and public sectors, as the public sector was beginning to accept the private sector as true partners in the development of Nigeria.
On the state of the nation, he said the government was already implementing policies aimed at getting the economy out of the current recession.
Udoma said, “Already, our focus on agriculture is beginning to yield fruit as indications are that the agriculture sector will show quite strong growth in the third quarter.
“Even after getting out of the recession, we will continue with the implementation of our Strategic Implementation Plan, which was launched by the government at the time the 2016 budget was signed into law.
“The plan will restructure our economy onto the path of sustainable growth, as the SIP is anchored on the commitment of this administration to create a more diversified, sustainable and inclusive economy that releases the latent potential of the Nigerian people, communities and natural resource endowments across the nation’s federating states.”
Ogun LG elections: PDP, Labour, UPN seek cancellation
Ogundele and Arabambi made the call in Abeokuta while reacting to the conduct of the election into the 20 local government councils and the 37 newly created LCDAs in the state.
Ogundele said the cancellation had become necessary because the exercise was characterised by violence and irregularities.
The PDP chieftain alleged that there were many reported cases of ballot box snatching as well as other logistic challenges across the state..
He also claimed that a PDP supporter, identified as Goodluck, who was trying to prevent ballot snatching, was shot in the chest at one of the polling centres at Ilara Remo in Remo North Council Area
The Chairman said that the victim was already receiving treatment at Babcock University Teaching Hospital in Remo Council Area.
Ogundele also alleged that there were reports of sporadic shootings at Orile-Ilugun area in Odeda council area resulting from clashes between rival parties.
He said Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission also created additional polling centres, particularly in strongholds of the APC, without the prior knowledge of opposition parties.
Arabambi, on his part said that the party had no confidence in the conduct of the poll.
He said, “The state electoral agency has de-listed our party and therefore denied us from participating in the poll.”
The Labour Party chairman further said that the party had already filed a suit against OGISIEC and would follow the case to a logical conclusion.
The 2015 Governorship candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria in Ogun, Mr. Rotimi Paseda, also expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the poll, describing it as “a deceit.”
Paseda, who spoke at his Omu residence in Odogbolu Local Government Council after the voting exercise, said that election materials were not sufficient.
He said they had to travel to Odogbolu to request for more materials.
He said, “We cannot do anything else except to make our voices heard and show our dissatisfaction.
“As far as we in the UPN are concerned, this local government election has not been credible.
“Some of our candidates have been getting video reports to prove the irregularities and that is what we will take to court later.
“If we cannot get judgement in court, we will abide by the rule of law, but there is a public opinion court, and that is where we are going to meet.
“We will ensure that we post the video recordings all over the social media and as long as they are embarrassed, it is enough for us.”
BUHARI HAS A LOT OF INCRIMINATING EVIDENCES TO JAIL JONATHAN---PADEN
“As of the early months of 2016, it appeared that the EFCC was not going after Jonathan. Nor was it going after former president Obasanjo.
The question of the stability of the entire political system seemed at stake. In addition, a number of senior military officers who had served as head of state – from Babangida to Abubakar – seemed off limits. Indeed, rumours swirled that if the probes went after senior officers, they might push back, because they had extensive networks in the active military services. At the same time, the knowledge such heavyweights possessed could well be traded for immunity, and would help to illuminate the patterns and sources of corruption. Buhari had letters in his possession showing Jonathan’s requests for off-budget funds. But Buhari’s larger purpose was not to put former high-level officials in jail. Rather, it was to retrieve stolen funds and to change the political culture of the country.”
LESSONS AND REHEARSAL FOR THE WEEK.LEARN AND BE CLOSE TO PERFECTION.
Just as i promised to bring a drum lesson online every week for those who wish to learn,practice and be perfect.this is another one for this week, take a critical look at everything and i strongly believe you can be the best you have always wanted to be.
check it out....
Just as i promised to bring a drum lesson online every week for those who wish to learn,practice and be perfect.this is another one for this week, take a critical look at everything and i strongly believe you can be the best you have always wanted to be.
WHO AM I?
This ia a question a lot of people have asked you, or you might have asked your self seme question possibly, but am very sure not everyone of us know the right answer to this question.before answering this question, a lot of things has to be considered, a whole lot of people consider things like educational background, religion, family background, environment and possibly levels of connections. but the fact remains that these are not the things you should consider, the most important of all considerations is YOURSELF.You can never change from the real you irrespective of how hhard you fight to do, even after you have tried to emulate another person, your real attitude can never be changed.Even the holy bible confirmes it that your were known in your mother's wonb before you were born. believe in yourself because you can never deceive yourself. a popular quote writer ones said "you are your real self even when you ntry to imitate others, and you can never run away from your shadows".
And am really glad to inform you that the picture of your future is in the scripture.
Ask yourself this question again, WHO AM I?
The power to make yourself sad or happy is in whom you are....
Be yourself and do not copy others.you can never run from your shadows.
This ia a question a lot of people have asked you, or you might have asked your self seme question possibly, but am very sure not everyone of us know the right answer to this question.before answering this question, a lot of things has to be considered, a whole lot of people consider things like educational background, religion, family background, environment and possibly levels of connections. but the fact remains that these are not the things you should consider, the most important of all considerations is YOURSELF.You can never change from the real you irrespective of how hhard you fight to do, even after you have tried to emulate another person, your real attitude can never be changed.Even the holy bible confirmes it that your were known in your mother's wonb before you were born. believe in yourself because you can never deceive yourself. a popular quote writer ones said "you are your real self even when you ntry to imitate others, and you can never run away from your shadows".
And am really glad to inform you that the picture of your future is in the scripture.
Ask yourself this question again, WHO AM I?
The power to make yourself sad or happy is in whom you are....
THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE, WORLD TALLEST BUILDING TO HAPPEN IN DUBAI 2020.THE LORD IS GREAT OOO....
Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on Monday "broke ground" on the world’s tallest tower – a structure that will define Expo 2020 as the Eiffel Tower defined Paris for its 1889 World Fair.
"The new tower sets another challenge in the history of human architecture – a race the UAE deserves to lead," said Sheikh Mohammed, after the ceremony. We strive for new achievements. A new heart for our city and global landmark. Humankind has no ceiling or border but our imagination."The Tower is described as the centrepiece of Dubai Creek Harbour, a commercial and cultural area being developed by Emaar Properties. It will have a hotel, rotating balconies and observation decks, with dynamic lighting.
The futuristic design, chosen by Sheikh Mohammed, was by Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava Valls, whose works include the World Trade Centre Transport Hub in New York, the Calgary Peace Bridge and the Turning Torso Tower in Denmark.
The Tower’s design is inspired by the lily and evokes the image of a minaret. Its observation decks were modelled on an elongated, oval-shaped bud, with the rest of the structure its slender stem.
The Tower will be linked to the ground with sturdy cables that replicate the delicate ribbing of lily leaves anchoring the bud securely to the ground.
The design includes a Pinnacle Room with views of the city, and VIP Observation Garden Decks recreating the splendour of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Also at the event were Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai; Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; Mohammed Al Gergawi, Chairman of Dubai Holding and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Future, and Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties.
The six-square-kilometre Dubai Creek Harbour development is near Ras Al Khor National Wildlife Sanctuary and a 10-minute drive from Dubai International Airport. When completed it will be twice the size of Downtown Dubai, Emaar said.
We got N13m from ransom paid for Emefiele – Soldiers
Emefiele and three others were abducted along Benin-Agbor Road about two weeks ago and were released 24 hours later after the payment of undisclosed amount to their abductors.
The two soldiers said they received N6.5m each as their share of the ransom estimated to be around N80m.
Maidabra said, “We were not involved in the kidnapping; we only assisted them to transport the money to a location. We carried the money and ran away with it in a vehicle; it was part of my friend’s share that I collected. We didn’t know the money was from a kidnap operation.”
George corroborated his colleague, saying they provided security cover for transporting the ransom to a hideout in Benin.
“I was not involved in the kidnap; the money they gave me was over N6m. I asked about the source of the money, but they didn’t tell me,” he said.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Donald Awunah, said the police recovered N14,725,000, two Honda Accord cars, an Audi car, one AK 47 magazine and two cartridges from the gang.
He stated that a Jeep, valued at N1.5m and N4m cash were recovered from Maidabra, while a Honda Accord, estimated at N1.1m, was recovered from George.
Awunah explained that detectives recovered N7.7m from Musa out of his N10m share, adding that he sustained bullet wounds after a gun duel with the police while trying to escape from the forest where they had kept their victim.
He said, “Mohammed Sule confessed to have received N10m in cash as part of his share of the ransom paid and claimed a soldier and a gang leader escaped with the rest of the loot. Another suspect, Ibrahim Abdullahi, admitted to have received N10m in cash.
“The police will continue to limit the capacity of kidnappers and other criminals to disrupt the quality of life of Nigerians by the deployment of adequate manpower and resources in crime reduction, detection and prosecution of offenders.”
On the payment of ransom, the police noted that it was sometime used as a bait or bargaining chip to save the lives of victims of crime.
“It is absolutely important to mention that the police do not and will not encourage payment of ransom,” Awunah added.
Seven banks are undercapitalised, says report
It also reported that two other banks were close to being insolvent.
The investment bank said the Nigeria’s banking industry “is experiencing a full-blown financial crisis” as failed fiscal and monetary policies had led to a credit crunch.
“Our acid test reveals seven undercapitalised banks” with a deficit of as much as N1tn ($3.2bn) in the financial system,” Meijer and Sleiman said.
“Unity Bank and Skye Bank are close to being insolvent, while lenders, FBN Holdings Plc and Sterling Bank Plc, will need a dilutive capital hike,” they added.
The affected banks reacted to the report on Monday, saying there was no iota of truth in the report.
The spokesman for First Bank, Mr. Babatunde Lasaki, said, “First Bank is not undercapitalised. We are still within the industry regulatory threshold. This is their opinion. Our position has been published in our half-year report; it is not the one from an investment bank or a speculative report. Our Q3 report will soon be published.”
Also reacting, a spokesman for Diamond Bank, Ikechukwu Mike Omeife, said, “Our bank is strong. Our capital-adequacy ratio and non-performing loans are within the statutory requirements.”
A top source at the Unity Bank said the bank was still meeting its obligations.
The source, who did not want to be quoted, said, “Our financial position has been enhanced. We have just moved our head office to Lagos in order to be closer to the market and retail market. All these strategic investment decisions have shored up market confidence in the bank.”
Similarly, a top official of Skye Bank, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bank was not close to being insolvent.
The source said the Central Bank of Nigeria had issued a statement, stating that the bank was not distressed.
To create a capital buffer, Sterling Bank is planning to issue a N27bn bond and “if the interest rate looks better, we will do it this year,” the Sterling Bank Chief Financial Officer, Abubakar Suleiman, toldBloomberg.
The spokesman for FCMB, Mr. Diran Olojo, could not comment immediately.
Fidelity Bank did not give any response on the development.
Rice price’ll fall by Nov. — FG
The Federal Government on Monday declared that the price of rice would start to fall from November this year.
It stated that more Nigerians had returned to their various farms, adding that at the next harvesting season next month, the price of rice would start to crash.
This came as the government said that the delay in the approval of the 2016 budget had made it impossible to implement the capital expenditure in the agricultural sector.
He said the Federal Government was against rice smuggling and noted that the Seme border had become a notorious route for the smuggling of contraband products into the country.
“We will not encourage rice importation and there is no way our ministry or government can be involved in importing rice when we are working hard to be self-sufficient in local production. By November when the full-scale harvest starts, rice prices will fall,” the minister said.
Early last month, the government had warned that the price of rice might hit N40,000 a bag. It is currently being sold around N20,000.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said that the $22bn annual food import bill had led to the astronomical rise in the price of rice and other commodities.
He stressed that if Nigerians failed to produce some of the items being imported before December, the price of rice could skyrocket to N40,000 a bag.
On why the ministry had yet to start implementing its capital budget, Ogbeh said, “It is about now that the capital expenditure is beginning. One of the reasons why money is not circulating is that we need to follow the due process on issues of procurement, advertisement and others.”
According to him, his ministry has spent just N882.58m, representing four per cent of the N21bn budgeted for it in the 2016 Appropriation Act.
He also said, “You may be surprised to know that only six to seven states in Nigeria are showing enthusiasm in agriculture. Some by nature don’t seem interested, while others just can’t connect with whatever we are doing at the federal level.”
Ogbeh further stated that his ministry inherited N67bn debt when the present administration came on board, but added that N20bn had been paid to agro-dealers and distributed 900 million oil palm seedlings to farmers across the country.
Tuesday 4 October 2016
YOU SURE HAVE A LOT TO LEARN FROM THIS....
become blind and end up destroying themselves.
3. You fight best in your natural element and environment. Here the bird has advantage in his natural element.
4. Know your limits, we all have them.
5. Sometimes the best response to provocation is not to fight.
6. Sometimes to accomplish something you need team work, you will not always win alone.
7. Stick to what you do best and don't pursue what will kill you.
3. You fight best in your natural element and environment. Here the bird has advantage in his natural element.
4. Know your limits, we all have them.
5. Sometimes the best response to provocation is not to fight.
6. Sometimes to accomplish something you need team work, you will not always win alone.
7. Stick to what you do best and don't pursue what will kill you.
Monday 3 October 2016
Fraud: FG may file charges against ex-governors in October
It was learnt that the NAPCC and some of the special teams of prosecutors, pooled together by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, had commenced the review of the corruption cases involving some of the former governors and politically-exposed persons.
A top member of the NPCC told our correspondent on Sunday that the preliminary issues would be completed soon and the Federal Government’s special teams of prosecutors would start filing charges against some of the ex-governors.
The PUNCH gathered that various anti-graft agencies and other law enforcement bodies with prosecutorial powers had since complied with the directive issued by the AGF in August, asking them to remit the duplicate files of the high profile cases they were handling to the NPCC.
Earlier, The PUNCH had reported on July 28 that the AGF had written to both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, calling for the duplicate files of the alleged corruption cases involving some named 31 ex-governors.
A source, familiar with the ongoing review of the cases, said, “You will recall that before the NPCC began work, the AGF had written to the EFCC and ICPC, asking them to remit the duplicate files of 31 ex-governors and some other politically-exposed persons to his office.
“While the anti-corruption agencies had yet to respond, the AGF again asked the various agencies with prosecutorial powers, including the ICPC and the EFCC, to compile and remit the duplicate files of all high profile cases they had to the NPCC.
“I can tell you that the agencies have responded to the AGF’s directive and the NPCC is now reviewing the files.”
The source added that the files had been distributed to some of the 20 prosecuting teams, each comprising four lawyers, also recently pooled together by the Federal Government through the AGF.
The source stated, “We don’t want to rush to court. So we have asked some of our teams of prosecutors to look into the files and review the evidence and draft charges where there is sufficient evidence.
“After the review is completed, we will then hold a conference of all the lawyers to review the drafted charges before filing.
“We expect that all these will be concluded soon and we start filing the charges before the end of this month.”
The PUNCH obtained the list of the former governors, who were named in the AGF’s letter, and reported that some of the ex-governors included some who had been convicted for fraud charges preferred against them by the EFCC.
Some of them also had their cases terminated before full-blown trials could begin.
Others were said to be currently undergoing trial on charges initiated against them by the EFCC at either the various divisions of the Federal High Courts or the High Courts of their home states.
There are about five of the former governors who are now serving senators.
The affected personalities, it was learnt, served as governors for either one or two terms between 1999 and 2015, and were from the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The list contained the names of Senate President Bukola Saraki, who is a former Governor of Kwara State; Godswill Akpabio, a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State; and a factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who is an ex-Governor of Borno State.
Other former governors include Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia); Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu); Saminu Turaki (Jigawa); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Joshua Dariye (Plateau); Ahmed Yerima (Zamfara); Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Martin Elechi (Ebonyi); Danjuma Goje (Gombe) and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa).
They also include Ikedi Ohakim (Imo); Achike Udenwa (Imo); Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa); Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); Jolly Nyame (Taraba); Boni Haruna (Adamawa); George Akume (Benue); Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo); Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto) and Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo).
Others are Usman Dakingari (Kebbi); Adamu Mu’azu (Bauchi); Peter Odili (Rivers), and Lucky Igbindedion (Edo).
But among them, only Udenwa, Mu’azu, Dakingari, Sheriff, Akume, Elechi and Akpabio have never been charged by any of the anti-corruption agencies.
Apart from the charges relating to his assets declared to the CCB, full-blown criminal charges relating to his tenure as Governor of Kwara State have also not been filed against Saraki.
Part of the AGF’s letter indicated that the cases against some of the former governors were investigated some years ago but charges were never filed against them.
The letter partly read, “It is clear that some of these (ex-) governors and other politically-exposed persons have not been charged to court despite the fact that the ICPC has concluded their investigations concerning allegations levelled against them, for one reason or the other.
“It is the position of the present administration that all ex-governors, who the ICPC had long concluded investigations into the various allegations levelled against them, should be immediately prosecuted.”
When contacted by our correspondent on Sunday, Special Adviser to the AGF and the spokesperson for the NPCC, Salihu Isah, said he needed time to make inquiries about the level of work of the committee.
I’m not injured – Mikel
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had told a press conference on Friday ahead of his team’s Premier League match against Hull City on Saturday that Mikel would not feature in the encounter, which the Blues eventually won 2-0 because the player had “a small muscular problem”.
“Conte rules John Terry out of tomorrow’s game. Mikel is also out with a small muscular problem,” the English giants wrote on their Twitter handle.
The development has sparked fears among the Eagles’ fans that the 2012 UEFA Champions League winner could miss the World Cup qualifier against Zambia.
Mikel has yet to play for Chelsea this season after helping Nigeria win bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
However, the Nigeria Football Federation confirmed on Sunday the 29-year-old was fit and ready for the fixture against Chipolopolo.
Spokesman for the NFF Ademola Olajire said the player had spoken to the federation.
“I don’t know where the story about my being injured came from. I have no injury. All the other players and myself are fit and ready and we are determined to start the World Cup race on a winning note,” Olajire quoted Mikel as telling the Eagles’ Administrator Enebi Achor on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr and his assistants arrived in Abuja on Sunday ahead of the team’s preparations for the World Cup qualifier.
According the NFF, Rohr arrived in the country from France in company with his technical assistant Jean Luc Royer and video analyst Nabil Trabelsi.
The players are expected in camp from Monday with training sessions scheduled for morning and evening each day before their departure to Ndola on Friday.
Ex-Cameroon defender Rigobert Song in coma
Cameroon’s state radio reported that Song, who also played for West Ham United, Metz and Lens in France and Galatasaray in Turkey, was rushed to a nearby hospital from his Yaounde home on Sunday after suffering a cerebral aneurysm.
Song was in a coma, the radio reported.
“I wish you lots of courage and a speedy recovery,” former Cameroon team-mate Samuel Eto’o said in a Facebook post.
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