SEPT 21- SEPT 23 NEWS

September 21

Presidential Appeal Panel: CUPP Alleges Plot By APC, CJN To

Jettison Seniority
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress
(APC) to influence the selection of Supreme Court justices who would sit on the appeal panel filed by
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Also, a
coalition of Civil Society organisations, the Nigeria Centre for Justice and Rule of Law (NCJRL),
accused the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, of shopping for willing
justices who would hear the appeal. At a press conference yesterday, CUPP spokesperson, Ikenga
Ugochinyere, said the coalition has intercepted a secret list of a seven-man panel of the Justices of
Supreme Court about to be announced by the CJN who would sit on the appeal. According to him, the
plan was to jettison the agelong tradition of selecting the members of the panel in the order of seniority.

“Since the 1979 presidential election, the first presidential election in Nigeria, the tradition in the
Supreme Court has been that the seven most senior justices of the Supreme Court are empanelled for
the purpose of determining the presidential election appeal,” Ugochinyere noted. He listed the seven
most senior justices and their year of appointment to include the CJN, Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed
(2006), Bode Rhodes-Vivour (2010), Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta (2011), Mary Odili (2011), Olukayode
Ariwoola (2011), Musa Datijo Mohammad (2012) and Kumayi Bayang Akaahs (2012). He alleged that
the CJN wants to deviate from the tradition and replace some of the justices with their juniors.
According to him, the list CUPP intercepted showed that the panel that would hear Atiku’s appeal is
made up of the CJN, Rhodes-Vivour, Datijo Mohammed, John Inyang Okoro who was appointed in
2013, China Centus Nweze (2016), Aminu Adamu Augie (2016), and Uwani Dauda Bags (2018).

Reasons Why Nigerians Hate The Igbos – Chinua Achebe

Nigeria’s foremost novelist Late Chinua Achebe claimed that Nigerians,especially of the Hausa/Fulani
and the Yoruba stocks, do not like Igbo ethnic group because of the southeast’s cultural advantage.

He made this claim in his new book, There was a Country, which has generated controversy for his
onslaught on the role of Obafemi Awolowo as the federal commissioner of finance during the Nigeria
civil war. He accused Awolowo of genocide and imposition of food blockade on Biafra, a claim that has
drawn rebuttals and contradictions of emotional intensity from some southwest leaders and
commentators.

“I have written in my small book entitled The Trouble with Nigeria that Nigerians will probably
achieve consensus on no other matter than their common resentment of the Igbo,” he wrote under the
heading, A History of Ethnic Tension and Resentment. He traced the origin of “the national resentment
of the Igbo” to its culture that “gave the Igbo man an unquestioned advantage over his compatriots in
securing credentials for advancement in Nigerian colonial society.”

He observed that the Igbo culture’s emphasis on change, individualism and competitiveness gave his
ethnic group an edge over the Hausa/Fulani man who was hindered by a “wary religion” and the
Yoruba man who was hampered by” traditional hierarchies.”

He therefore described the Igbo, who are predominantly Catholic, as “fearing no god or man, was
“custom-made to grasp the opportunities, such as they were, of the white man’s dispensations. And the
Igbo did so with both hands.”

He delved into history with his claim, asserting that the Igbo overcame the earlier Yoruba advantage
within two decades earlier in the twentieth century.

“Although the Yoruba had a huge historical and geographical head start, the Igbo wiped out their
handicap in one fantastic burst of energy in the twenty years between 1930 and 1950.”

He narrated the earlier advantage of Yoruba as contingent on their location on the coastline, but once
the missionaries crossed the Niger, the Igbo took advantage of the opportunity and overtook the
Yoruba.

‘The increase was so exponential in such a short time that within three short decades the Igbos had
closed the gap and quickly moved ahead as the group with the highest literacy rate, the highest standard
of living, and the greatest of citizens with postsecondary education in Nigeria,” he contended.

“Nigerian leadership should have taken advantage of the Igbo talent and this failure was partly
responsible for the failure of the Nigerian state, competitive individualism and the adventurous spirit of
the Igbo was a boon Nigerian leaders failed to recognize and harness for modernization”

“Nigeria’s pathetic attempt to crush these idiosyncrasies rather than celebrate them is one of the
fundamental reasons the country has not developed as it should and has emerged as a laughingstock,”
he claimed.

“The ousting of prominent Igbos from top offices was a ploy to achieve a simple and crude goal.

what the Nigerians wanted was to “get the achievers out and replace them with less qualified
individuals from the desired ethnic background so as to gain access to the resources of the state.”
Achebe, however, saved some criticisms for his kinsmen. He criticised them for what he described as
“hubris, overweening pride and thoughtlessness, which invite envy and hatred or even worse that can
obsess the mind with material success and dispose it to all kinds of crude showiness.”

“contemporary Igbo behavior(that) cab offend by its noisy exhibitionism and disregard for humility and
quietness.

Lagos State Cursed With "Visionless" Governors

Years back, they distressed our ears with 'mega city". After a lot of them traveled out and saw what
mega cities looked like, the acronym was abandoned.
Lagos is s big mess. Cursed by myopic and selfish leaders.
You can't access anywhere in lagos without hitch. I mean, no single place. From Lekki to the Airport
should be an hour or less drive but you would be lucky to escape it in 4 hours. From Iyana ipaja to
Oshodi is as chaotic as hell can be. From Ojota to Oshodi, a journey of less than 20 minutes can take
you between 1: 30 mins to 2 Hours.
From Apapa to any place in Lagos is the worst experience you wouldn't like to go through.
Those living at Okoko, Badadgry ,Eba, Alaba are now under a perpetual calamity. Their level of
suffering depends on their destination.
Those living around ejigbo, igondo etc, your case is forgotten.
The citizens didn't help matters. Lagosians are known to hype and glorify their myopic governors even
when it was obvious the governors are working against the citizens.
Some of the roads that were accessible under fashola administration have been blocked and abandoned
by contractors that worked for Ambode administration.
Going by the look of things, the present administration, who spent her 100 days in office denying her
campaign promises, has nothing to offer to Lagosians.
So the worst days are coming

Fayemi, Wike’s Newfound Friendship Set Tongues Wagging

There is no gainsaying the fact that recent weeks have been challenging for the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP). The opposition party has been battling with cold since one of its pillar of strength ,
perceived financier and governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, sneezed.

The party has suffered one sleepless night after the other since the Rivers State governor stormed out of
the venue of the presidential primaries of the party from which Alhaji Atiku Abubakar emerged the
presidential candidate of the PDP in the build-up to the 2019 general elections. Since then, he has taken
various other actions that left the minders of the party worried.

For instance, in the aftermath of the National Assembly elections where Hon. Kingsley Chinda, the
candidate he and other party chieftains supported for the minority leader’s seat in the House of
Representatives lost to Hon. Ndidi Elumelu, Wike roundly condemned the panel set up by the party to
investigate the ‘coup’ against the party, describing it as corrupt.

Then came the dismissal of Atiku’s petition in the case he filed at the Presidential Election Petition
Tribunal against Buhari’s re-election. While the leaders and chieftains of PDP kicked against the
judgment, Wike openly congratulated Buhari. Wike’s move sparked anger in PDP’s camp as chieftains
of the party called his loyalty to question.

In the midst of these came the rapport the Rivers State governor developed with his Ekiti State
counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, since Fayemi took his stand on Wike’s side in the latter’s alleged
demolition of a mosque in Port Harcourt. Fayemi has since followed this up with a visit to Wike in Port
Harcourt where he also commissioned projects.

The development has left many wondering if Fayemi’s actions were impelled by his position as the
Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) or a prelude to an agenda that is yet to unfold. The more
curious observers are even asking if Fayemi is the one anointed to midwife Wike’s final parting of
ways with the PDP as is being speculated in some quarters.

DSS Charges Sowore, Mandate For Treasonable Felony,

Cyberstalking Buhari
The Department of State Services has charged pro-democracy activist, Omoyele Sowore, to court for
treasonable felony, cyberstalking President Muhammadu Buhari among other offences.

Sowore was arrested on August 3, 2019 in Lagos for planning a series of protests against bad
governance in Nigeria tagged.

Another activist, Olawale Mandate, arrested in Osun, has also been charged by the DSS.

KWARA To Construct Road To Owu Fall, Says Governor

Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq
• Pledges more support to young entrepreneurs

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said the administration would construct a good
access road to the Owu Fall in a bid to develop tourism industry and boost the revenue drive of the
state.

Owu Fall, one od Nigeria's tourist attractions, is in Isin local government area of Kwara South.

AbdulRazaq also said that talks are ongoing to bring the Air Peace to Kwara to increase air traffic in the
state and attract more businesses.
"We believe we have to develop the road infrastructure for us to revamp our tourist sites most
especially the Owu Fall and Esie museum and we are committed to that,” AbdulRazaq yesterday told a
delegation of the Association of Hotel Owners in Kwara State, led by their chairman Omogbenle
Adeyemi, on a courtesy visit to Government house, Ilorin.

“And as we have said earlier, we intend to put some of our festivals into national tourism map and
budget vote for them so as to preserve our rich culture.”

He noted that when tourism industry is developed, it would attract tourists, create business and generate
wealth in the state, especially for hotel owners.

AbdulRazaq challenged the hoteliers to consider building hotels in the northern senatorial district of the
state, especially Baruten which the Governor said lacks any hotel and often results in people not
wanting to stay there.

“We are ready to partner with you on this. We also want to revamp Kwara Hotel but we have not
concluded anything yet; so we welcome ideas from you. We will be willing to partner with you to turn
the fortune of the hotel,” he said.

AbdulRazaq said the administration would work to make the capital city of Ilorin a conference centre.

Adeyemi, for his part, said the purpose of the visit was to identify with the excellent performance of the
administration and suggested transformation of the various heritage sites in the state as a way to
improve the revenue for the government.

He also urged AbdulRazaq to consider members of the association for appointment into the State
Tourism and Hospitality Development Board.

AbdulRazaq, meanwhile, has promised to extend soft loans to businesses owned by youth
entrepreneurs — apart from also considering them for more appointments into his administration.

Saying the youths are primed to drive the state’s economy through the Kwara State Social Investment
Programmes (KWASSIP), AbdulRazaq explained that the administration will raise capitals for
businesses with prospects to engage more hands, create wealth and expand the state’s revenue base.

“We will encourage people with ideas that are sellable. We will fund those ideas. For instance, you can
come up with ideas about Aso Ofi or Aso Oke. We urge you to suggest your ideas. Be proactive. If
many people succeed, they will also pay taxes,” he said at a meeting with Kwara APC Youths Leaders.

Kayode Oyin-Zubair and Oyinloye Oyelere, who spoke on behalf of the youths leaders from across the
16 local government of the state, commended the Governor for giving young people a historic sense of
belonging.

They pledged to continue to support his administration, calling on the administration to do more to
empower the youths to become employers of labour.

From Govt. House

21st September, 2019

FEATURED 2023: Southern Leaders Warn North Against

Dumping Zoning
Olusola Fabiyi, Femi Makinde, Mudiaga Affe, Tunde Ajaja and Alexander Okere
The controversy over the alleged witch-hunt of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo ahead of the 2023
Presidency by a pro-North group in the Presidency is far from over as prominent leaders of the South-
West, South-South and South-East have lent their voices to the matter.
They are a leader of the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; elder
statesman, Chief Edwin Clark; and a former governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife.
They spoke just as other groups from the South also queried the motive behind the cabal’s action. They
are the Yoruba Council of Elders, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Ijaw Youth Congress
President Muhammadu Buhari during week replaced the Economic Management Team headed by
Osinbajo with the Economic Advisory Council.
The seven-member EAC headed by Prof Doyin Salami is to report directly to the President.  There are
also reports Osinbajo has been directed to henceforth seek clarifications before taking major decision
on the agencies he supervises.
The moves have been seen by many as actions deliberately taken by the cabal to reduce the influence of
the VP ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
This is coming barely two months after Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State said there was a need
for the country to drop zoning in future elections, including the 2023 presidency to enable the country
to have a competent leader..
While Adebanjo warned that the North should not be trusted, Clark and the IYC said it would only be
right for power to return to the South at the expiration of Buhari’s tenure.
Clark, who said he was not going to comment on any issue about Osinbajo, said, “I do not want to talk
about the Vice President because he has been dancing to their tune. All I want to say is that in 2023, the
South-East will have it. However, when I am ready to speak on it, I will let you know.”
Speaking along the same line, the President of the IYC, Mr Eric Omare, said going by an unwritten
power rotational agreement between the North and the South, it would be dishonourable for northern
leaders to attempt to project one of theirs own for the 2023 presidential election.
Ezeife said the South-East would lobby other regions to support its bid to land power in 2023. He,
however, said if all its efforts failed, the region would know that Igbo were no longer wanted in
Nigeria.
He said, “A newspaper quoted me wrongly that I threatened that Nigeria must be given Igbo President
in 2023, but there was nothing like that. We shouldn’t use threat; we should employ lobbying as our
approach. It is not just a matter of what we like, we would do what it takes to get power.
We would organise ourselves in Igboland, make sure that it is only one person that we would bring out.
Then, we would lobby, and not threaten, all the other ethnic groups to look at our case. We know that
when they see our case, it is a must that an Igbo person would become President.
“If we do all that and we fail, then we would know we are not wanted in Nigeria anymore. If in 2023
they don’t encourage Igbo to become the President of Nigeria, then you don’t want Igbo as citizens of
Nigeria and it should not surprise you if they feel pushed away to join IPOB.”
On the alleged sidelining of Osinbajo, Ezeife said in the kind of presidential system run by Nigeria, all
executive powers derived their root from the Presidency.
He said, “Therefore, the President may need to give his consent to certain actions and if he does, that
doesn’t mean he’s running down that office. I think concluding that way is not fair.”
Like Clark, Omare stated that it would be the turn of the South-East to produce the next President,
adding that it was time for the South to allow the East to produce their candidate.
He said, “I think it would be too early to make a categorical statement as to whether the North wants to
deny the South power in 2023 or not at this point.
“However, it suffices to say that by 2023, based on the unwritten power rotational arrangement, it
would be the turn of the South to produce the President of Nigeria.
“It is on record that northern leaders have been strong advocates of power rotation; hence it would be
most dishonourable and unpatriotic for northern leaders to attempt to deny the South power in 2023. In
any case, no particular section of the country has the power to determine who becomes President
without the support of the other section.
“Only the North cannot produce the President without the support of the South. Furthermore, even in
the South, the point must be made that it is the turn of the South-East to produce the President in 2023.
“If the South wants justice from the North, those of us from the South must also be fair to each other by
conceding power to the South-East in 2023 to give them a sense of belonging.”
Adebanjo, who said he would speak on the matter in due time, simply noted, “I have said it before, but
they would not listen. Do you just know that it is their (northerners) plot? Did not trust all these
people.”
Yoruba elders warn against scuttling rotation
Meanwhile,  the Secretary General of the YCE, Dr Kunle Olajide, in an interview with one of our
correspondents warned against scuttling the rotation of Presidency between the North and South.
Olajide, who said Osinbajo’s exclusion from the newly formed EAC looked suspicious, said it would
be unfair for the North to hold on to power beyond 2023.
The YCE chief said he was one of the people who believed that the combination of Buhari and
Osinbajo was okay but expressed surprise at what is happening.
He said, “I want to let everybody know that we have yet to build a nation out of Nigeria and this is not
the time to jettison the rotation arrangement between the North and South.
“There is heavy mutual suspicion in the country. People are suspicious of the Fulani and their
domineering nature, and if they don’t want to cause confusion, they should allow the rotation between
the North and South to continue until we build a nation out of Nigeria.”
He said North should be cautioned against any statement that could further trigger suspicion.
Olajide said the statement attributed to a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar
Na’Abba, that Nigeria needed a competent President irrespective of their region in 2023 showed what
some northern politicians were planning.
Fulani cabal plotting to remain in power –Ohanaeze
Pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, told Saturday PUNCH that the actions of the
President, allegedly under the influence of a Fulani cabal, against the wishes of the majority of
Nigerians did not come to them as a surprise.
The group also noted that though the National Assembly ought to have risen to its responsibility of
checking the excesses of the executive arm, its leaders had come under the control of the Presidency.
Spokesman for the organisation, Prince Uche Achi-Okpaga, said, “If they (cabal) could dismantle the
judicial system by removing a former chief justice of the nation, what else will they not do? Is it the
Vice President? They can do anything with him.
“The rule of law has faded into oblivion; we have been politically handcuffed. There is a Fulani cabal
that wants to be at the helms of affairs by hook or by crook.”
We’ll decide on power rotation when the time is ripe – PDP
In its reaction, the Peoples Democratic Party said it was too early for it to be talking about power
rotation, adding that it was more focused to retrieve its alleged 2019 stolen mandate.
The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, who spoke to one of our correspondents,
however, said the party would take a position that would be in the interest of Nigerians in 2023.
He said the PDP would pursue its case at the Supreme Court against Buhari’s declaration as the winner
of the 2019 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission with vigour.
He argued that there was no way there would be a just society where ‘‘injustice and suppression of
people’s rights reign.’’
He said, ‘‘It is too early to be talking about the 2023 general elections when we are still packing the
mess of 2019. We are in court to retrieve our stolen mandate and you are asking us about 2023. We will
talk about it when the time is ripe.
“We should all be worried about the level of decadence in the nation. None of us can even predict what
will happen tomorrow, yet we are talking about 2023. Let us pray that we will have a country then
before we start talking about power, which belongs to God Almighty.’’
We are focusing on governance now, not 2023 – APC
In its reaction, the All Progressives Congress said it was not interested in issues like power rotation,
elections and 2023.
It also said it had asked its members to focus on governance, not on politics.
The ruling party said it had taken the decision as a policy.
Spokesman for the party, Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu, who spoke with one of our correspondents, said it
would be too early for anyone to be discussing politics now.
He said, “As a matter of policy, we are focused on governance now. We have asked our members, not
to waste energy on issues like elections, power rotation and 2023. Our focus is on governance.”

Sokoto State Governor, Rt Hon. Aminu Tambuwa Stated Why

He Visited Rivers State
Rt Hon Aminu Tambuwal, Sokoto state Governor has explained that Six Peoples Democratic Party
( PDP) Governors visited the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to commend him for his
sustained projects delivery.

The Only Option Left For Nigeria Is Break Up -

Afenifere Chieftain, Adebanjo
A chieftain of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has called for the break
up of Nigeria.
He said the only option left for the country was to break up if President Muhammad Buhari could not
restructure it.
According to him, “I have no objection to breaking up. People are talking of breaking up because the
terms of coming together have been abrogated by the northern Muslims who are dominating us,”
Adebanjo said.
He also added that “This is why the young elements, extremists in the South- East, South – South,
South –West and the Middle Belt are yearning for break-up just because of their refusal to yield to our
demand of peaceful co-existence.”
Speaking on the reported crisis in the Presidency, especially perceived issues between the Vice
president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and President Buhari the elder statesman who spoke with the Sun,
blamed the constitution.
According to him, “It is just what I have said earlier. They are the people who aided and abetted the
implementation of the wrong constitution because they give them the crumbs of the power. It is this
constitution that empowers the president to make the vice president a market master. Whatever you are
doing, the bottom line is the constitution.
“If it is not this constitution, would the president be doing all that; is it not the constitution that gives
him all the powers; a constitution that makes him the most powerful head of state in the whole world.
“I have said it several times and I’m repeating it, we said it should be changed, but you say, no. This is
not the constitution the founding fathers of the nation gave us.
“I say it again, the constitution that Azikiwe, Awolowo and Ahmadu Bello gave us is what we want to
return to, and I have challenged him whether he is more intelligent than Sardauna, but he has not
answered.
“Is he telling us that the constitution that Sardauna gave us is a wrong constitution, Sardauna was not as
intelligent as he is now; or he is a more northerner than former premier or a more Muslim than the late
premier?
“It was the constitution that they all agreed to live in peace and that was after a crisis in the country,
leading the colonial office to draw all the leaders to London.”

Senator Akpabio Charges NDDC On Completion Of Ongoing

Projects
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswll Akpabio has directed the Niger Delta
Development Commission (NDDC) to complete on-going projects including the on-going headquarters
building project before awarding contracts for new ones, Igbere TV reports.

Senator Akpabio gave the charge when in the company of the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs,
Mr Festus Keyamo they paid a working visit to the headquarters of the Commission in Port Harcourt
on Friday.

During a meeting with the management and staff of the Commission, Senator Akpabio disclosed that
the NDDC had more than 12,000 on-going projects across the nine states of the Niger Delta region
which experienced funding challenges.

The Minister said it was not a coincidence that two Niger Delta sons were selected by President
Muhammadu Buhari to superintend over the affairs of the Niger Delta but a conscious effort at
ensuring effective development of the region especially in the areas of infrastructural and human
capital development.
According to Senator Akpabio, “The creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was a direct
response to the series of agitations by people of the region flowing from the deep sense of exclusion,
environmental degradation, lack of development, poverty and unemployment facing the region,” he
said.

On its part he said the NDDC was a child of necessity which was established “with a mission of
facilitating the rapid, even and sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region that is
economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful” and said
the Commission has to adopt a new template to achieve this mission.

According to Senator Akpabio, “The Niger Delta Development Commission must adopt a well
structured funds development regime whereby all funds that accrue to the Commission must be
properly utilized in this new era of probity which President Muhammadu Buhari demands,” he said.

In her welcome address, the acting Managing Director, Dr Akwagaga Enyia said the Commission under
her watch had embarked upon fiscal responsibility as required by the anti-corruption drive of the
Buhari administration. She promised to expeditiously complete the on-going headquarters building
project.

Senator Akpabio and Mr Keyamo who later inspected the on-going construction of the headquarters
building of the Commission, charged the management to channel more funds into completing the
building.

They also visited a failed portion of the East-West road and promised an intervention to alleviate the
suffering of commuters.

Seyi Makinde, Tambuwal, Others Visit Governor Wike

Governors of seven states of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met on Friday in Port Harcourt, News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

According to Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant (Electronic Media) to Gov. Nyesom Wike, the
meeting was attended by Govs. Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo); Seyi Makinde
(Oyo); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); and Mohammed Mattawale (Zamfara).

After the meeting, Tambuwal explained that the governors were in Rivers to commend Wike “for his
sustained projects delivery’’.

He said the governors urged him to continue to deliver quality projects and sustain good governance for
the development of Rivers State.

Tambuwal also said that PDP remained strongly united in friendship and brotherhood.
He said: “We are here as brothers and friends to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in the spirit
of brotherhood and friendship.

“We are here to encourage and support him for the good governance he has given to the good people of
Rivers State.

“The 100 days of the second term of Governor Wike is also why we are here.

“The spirit in Port Harcourt and Rivers State is that of celebration and thanksgiving and gratitude to
God for such a wonderful leadership by Governor Wike.

“We are also here to join him and the good people of Rivers State in thanking God for his leadership
and to thank God for giving the state a wonderful leader like him.”

“sowore Is Not An Innocent Activist. He Sold Buhari To Nigeria”

- Reno Omokri
Reno Omokri, former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan have reacted to the fresh seven-count
charge slammed against detained political activist and convener of the RevolutionNow Protest,
Omoyele Sowore, accusing him of treason, money laundering and cyberstalking President Buhari.

Igbere TV had reported that the Department of State Service (DSS) are charging the activist over
alleged treasonable felony.

He is also being charged for ‘insulting the president ’, ‘cyberstalking’ Buhari, ‘conspiracy to commit
treason’, among others.

Reacting to the new development, Reno Omokri said termed Sowore's travails as self inflicted as he
was the one who create Buhari who he (Reno) tagged Frankenstein Monster.

Frankenstein's Monster is a tragic villain in the novel Frankenstein by the late Mary Shelley and many
film adaptations.

“I sympathise with Sowore, but I cant help but feel that his travails are self inflicted. I know his nature.

He will come out of jail, read this, and use saharareporters to savage my reputation. But even at that, he
created the @MBuhari Frankenstein monster”

https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1175343916645830656?s=19
Gombe Governor Visits Islamic Development Bank In Abuja
Governor Inuwa Yahaya visits IsDB, seeks partnership for socio-economic, human capital development

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State today visited the Abuja office of the Islamic
Development Bank in a move to cash into the opportunities in IsDB to partner in addressing
developmental challenges in the state.

The Governor, who was received by the Regional Manager, Hub of Abuja, Islamic Development Bank,
Mr. Mayoro Niang and his management team, disclosed plans by his administration to come up with an
integrated rural development approach in addressing and mitigating some of the challenges in the state,
especially in the areas of Education, Health, Agriculture and rural development.

Mr. Niang who commended the enthusiasm shown by Governor Yahaya, said Human Resources
development lies at the heart of development agenda of the IsDB, hence the necessity of exploring
areas of partnership and collaboration between the financial institution and a promising state such as
Gombe in fostering socio-economic development.

Ismaila Uba Misilli

Senior Special Assistant
( Media and Publicity)

Buhari Makes New Appointment For FMC Gusau, Issues

Working Guidelines
Dr Bello Muhammad has emerged as the new Medical Director (MD) of the Federal Medical Centre
(FMC), Gusau, Zamfara State.

This followed the approval and ratification of his appointment by the President Muhammadu Buhari
led federal government, last week.

A statement obtained by Igbere TV signed by Mrs Enefaa Bob-Manuel, on behalf of the Minister of
Health, said the appointment was for a period of four years with effect from Sept. 29.

The statement urged the new MD to “consolidate” and “improve” upon his predecessor’s
“achievement” to “justify the confidence” reposed on him by the federal government.

“It is expected that you work collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the hospital
continues to deliver quality health care services to our people,” it said.

The Minister noted that what was lacking in the hospital was not equipment but hygiene, stressing that
unsanitary conditions drove people away.
He, therefore, urged the new MD to improve on hygiene and other sanitary conditions at the hospital
and its environs.

He advised him to “treat patients like customers” and with respect, adding that “there should be a
steady flow of water and electricity supply in the hospital always.”

Enjoy Your Buhari – Reno Omokri Blasts Sowore For

Supporting Buhari In 2015
Reno Omokri Blames Sowore for for campaigning for Buhari in 2015, says without Sowore, Buhari
won’t be president.

READ HIS TWEETS:

If you say Omoyele Sowore is a liar, I will agree. He tells deliberate lies to destroy the reputation of
those he‘s against, using his Sahara Reporters website. He did it to me personally and my boss. But
neither Jonathan, nor I ever contemplated his arrest.

I sympathise with Sowore, but I cant help but feel that his travails are self inflicted. I know his nature.
He will come out of jail, read this, and use saharareporters to savage my reputation. But even at that, he
created the Buhari Frankenstein monster

What is happening between Sowore and General Buhari is just a bromance gone sour. Sowore is not
some innocent activist that General Buhari is persecuting. He was an ally of l Buhari, who sold him to
Nigeria. We must not rewrite history or will repeat it

Using saharareporters, Sowore dishonestly DEMARKETED then President Jonathan as a

“DRUNKARD”, a “SLOW POKE”, “CLUELESS” and MARKETED Buhari as an
“INCORRUPTIBLE”, a man who would “CRUSH” Jonathan, and was “BETTER” than Jonathan and
“GOOD” for Nigeria

In 2014, when Jonathan said “I am the most INSULTED president in the world but when I leave office,
you will all remember me for the total freedom you enjoyed”, he was referring to Sowore and
saharareporters. Nigerians mistook his TOLERANCE for WEAKNESS

Also Read: Omoyele Sowore Loses In Court

Today, General Buhari is trying Sowore, his former partner in propaganda, for insulting him. If
insulting a President is a crime, both Buhari & Sowore are guilty due to what they did to ex President
Jonathan. But it is NOT a crime. Sowore should be freed!
Sowore is not the victim here. The victim, who refused to be a victim, is former President Jonathan,
who Sowore accused of thievery, yet all his children schooled in Nigeria while he was President. 5
years after leaving office, no one has found GEJ wanting

It is possible that people around Jonathan made money, just as people around General Buhari are
making money. But, Jonathan was NOT the THIEF, DRUNKARD or WEAKLING Sowore painted
him to be. He is God fearing. To fear God is weakness to men like Sowore

Then President Jonathan is MEEK. MEEKNESS is not WEAKNESS. MEEKNESS means you have
POWER, but you RESTRAIN yourself from ABUSING it because you want to BUILD, not
DESTROY. Moses was MEEK. Nigerians dont deserve a MEEK leader. We deserve a General Buhari!

On 4 occasions, Sowore visited Nigeria while Jonathan was President. We knew his whereabouts. He
met then CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi, and was in contact with Buhari and Elrufai. But Jonathan
NEVER ARRESTED him because he believed in PRESS FREEDOM

Sowore marketed Jonathan as corrupt and weak. GEJ would never make a man indicted by the army for
theft, as reported by PremiumTimesng, a minister. GEJ deported South Africans in retaliation when SA
deported Nigerians. It is Buhari who is WEAK & CORRUPT.

The problem with the average Nigerian, is that we CRY over CONSEQUENCES, and LAUGH over
ACTIONS, not realising that CONSEQUENCE follows ACTIONS as DAY follows NIGHT. Sowore
and Saharareporters are the ACTION. Buhari is the CONSEQUENCE. We are the AUDIENCE!

I look at those shedding tears for Sowore and I remember when Jonathan’s son was crying after his
classmates laughed at him because they read on saharareporters that his father is a drunkard. Even
children believed what they read on saharareporters!

Without Sowore, General Buhari wont be President. It‘s an indisputable FACT. He and Saharareporters
poisoned the mind of Nigerians against then President Jonathan. As Christ said “offences will come:
but woe unto him, through whom they come!”-Luke 17:1

It is a different matter if Sowore and saharareporters used the TRUTH to turn Nigerians against then
President Jonathan, but they used LIES. Deliberate and malignant LIES. You cannot DESTROY
another man and expect Providence to BUILD you up! ko le work!

What Gen Buhari has done to Sowore is a common Northern tactic. I lived in the North. I know.
Abacha used it on Abiola. He used Abiola to destroy Shonekan. After Abiola destroyed Shonekan’s
government, he was of no use to Abacha, so Abacha threw him in jail

General Buhari and Elrufai know what they used Sowore to achieve in destroying Jonathan. They are
not fools. These guys are more political sophisticated than even Sowore/Tinubu know. It is
brinksmanship. They wont sit and watch them do the same to Buhari

All of you were FOOLED when General Buhari rubbed mentholatum on his handkerchief and used it
to induce crocodile tears. Shebi you are now seeing the genuine Buhari now? Who is crying now?
Buhari or you? When we told you did you listen? Enjoy your Buhari!

Gen Buhari used Sowore & saharareporters against Jonathan and he will NEVER let them be used
against him. Sowore should have known that the first person a feudal king kills is the kingmaker that
got him the throne. So he cant remove him from the same throne

What an irony! Sowore used saharareporters to remove then President Jonathan from office, but today,
he cant use the same saharareporters to remove himself from jail. Don’t dig your enemy’s hole too deep
so that when you fall into it, you can also escape.

“We Are Hungry, Thirsty To Receive 2020 Appropriation Bill” –

Sen. Lawan
…Confirms receipt of MTEF from the Executive

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has disclosed that the National Assembly is eager to receive
the 2020 budget proposals, Igbere TV reports.

The Senate President made this known while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Friday, September
20th shortly after his arrival from a private visit abroad.

Igbere TV gathers that Lawan seized the advantage of the National Assembly current recess to travel on
a private visit to Morocco and Germany.

He said; "We are hopeful and optimistic, as well as hungry and thirsty, to receive the 2020
appropriations bill."

"I am aware that the executive arm of government is working assiduously to ensure that the
appropriation bill for the year 2020 is presented to the National Assembly by the end of this month.

“The National Assembly will work so hard to ensure that the 2020 budget is passed before we go on
Christmas break," Lawan said.

The Senate President said budget is one issue that the National Assembly will take head-on to ensure
that the undesirable trend of the budget is reversed.

“We believe this can be achieved, as doing so would make the economy better and predictable.

"We also think an early passage of the 2020 appropriations bill will have a desirable impact on
Nigerians,” Lawan said.
Lawan also disclosed that the executive has forwarded to the Senate the Medium Term Expenditure
Framework (MTEF) which will be considered when the Senate is back from its recess next week.

“We hope to take on the MTEF within the first legislative week. Our committee on Finance will be
saddled with its first major responsibility that it works expeditiously on the Fiscal Strategy
Paper/Medium Term Expenditure Framework’s request of the executive arm of government and
thereafter the budget will come after that.”

The Senate President said the ninth National Assembly would work assiduously with the executive arm
of government to improve the security situation of the country.

The Senate, he added, will also evaluate the crisis that affected Nigerians living in South Africa.

“In the eighth Senate, we had an Ad-Hoc Committee that I was privileged to chair, to review the
security architecture of the country. We are going to look into that report, and in addition, other
contemporary issues that affect security in the country.

“We are also going to look into the crisis that affected Nigerians living in South Africa.

"You recall that this issue was reviewed before we went on recess. The Senate felt as an institution that
our citizens’ diplomacy must be protected where ever they go in the world.

“The government must be there for them, and I’m happy that after the xenophobic crisis, the Federal
Government was able to take a position.

“We need to be much more resolute, whatever the situation is; our citizens must be protected. If
someone runs afoul of the laws of a country, there are processes and procedures on how such a person
can be prosecuted.

“Therefore, we must try to protect our citizens. I also think we must be proactive to tell our citizens that
if they choose to live in any country, they must ensure to stay within the limit of the laws of that
country, just as we expect of foreigners in ours,” Lawan stated.

https://twitter.com/SPNigeria/status/1175136822596427778?s=19

http://igberetvnews.com/1010689/we-are-hungry-thirsty-to-receive-2020-appropriation-bill-senate-
president-lawan/

Falana To FG: Propose Money Bill Before Implementing

Increase In VAT
Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to propose a Money Bill to
the National Assembly before the implementation of the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT).

Falana told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Abuja, said that the National Assembly (NASS)
erred by inviting the Minister of Finance and the Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue
Service (FIRS) to clarify issues of VAT increment.

According to him, provisions of the constitution states that the President ought to have presented a
money bill to be passed by the NASS before the increment.

“It’s illegal, under a democratic dispensation you cannot impose tax or increase tax without a law made
by the National Assembly or the State Assembly as the case may be.

“In this case, it has to be realised that we are not under a military dictatorship.

“By virtue of section 59 of the Nigerian Constitution, any increase, levy or tax will have to be
presented to the National Assembly by way of money Bill by the President, it has to be passed into law.

“The Senate erred in law by inviting them to come and clarify, the National Assembly has invited the
Minister of Finance and the Federal Inland Revenue Services to come and clarify.

” No, the National Assembly must insist on its powers under Section 59 to pass a law to increase VAT
or any tax, there can be no taxation without a legislation.

“The Federal Executive Council has no power under the Constitution to increase VAT or any tax in the
country,” Falana said.

NAN recalls that the Federal Executive Council had last Wednesday approved the increment of VAT
from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, had explained that the
increase would only begin after the VAT Act was amended by the National Assembly and after
consultations with the state and local government areas as well as the Nigerian populace.

According to her, our projection is to finish consultations early enough so that it takes effect in 2020.

She further disclosed that the FEC approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal
Strategic Paper, MTEF/FSP for 2020 to 2022, which will guide the 2020 Budget.

The Minister also said the next step was to present the document to the National Assembly for
consideration.

Oby Ezekwesili Reacts To Omoyele Sowore’s Detention, Seven-

count Charges
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili has insinuated that the federal government may only
cage Sowore but not his idea, Igbere TV reports.

The Federal Government, on Friday, filed seven counts of treasonable felony and money laundering
against Sowore.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, Ezekwesili, a staunch critic of the present administration blamed
President Muhammadu Buhari said that Sowore is unconstitutionally and unlawfully detainrd

Her tweets reads; “We stand on with Sowore and defend his constitutional right and freedom to protest
any matter of Governance that worries him.
Mr Sowore’s convening of Citizens to protest Poor Governance - via RevolutionNow- is
Constitutionally guaranteed.

Gratitude to his legal team.

Democracy and Voice are Siamese Twins.

The good kind of Siamese Twins.

No one regardless of their position is given the right to shut down Voices like Sowore ‘s for daring to
disagree.

How long shall it take before the FG understands the basis of Democracy?

Our FG led by President Buhari may think they have ‘caged’ Sowore because he dared to challenge
Bad Leadership and Poor Governance through #RevolutionNow.

Not so, actually.

His Idea can never be caged.

Why?

You cannot cage an idea whose time has come.

Sowore is unconstitutionally and unlawfully detained for calling out deadly incompetence of the
government of Buhari

Not even the Judiciary is spared this spread of deadly incompetence.

Here’s the thing.

This level of Incompetence is too costly and unsustainable.

It is painful that Sowore bears the brunt of the collective dissatisfaction of the Citizens of Nigerians
toward a grossly incompetent and intolerant.

We must thank him for once again reminding us that:

The Power of the People is greater than the People in Power!

When the Citizens of Nigeria are ready, neither Sowore nor anyone else need publicly mobilize them
and be accused of “wanting to overthrow a government”.

The Citizens shall on their own rid themselves of a trenchantly incompetent and wicked Political Class.
It’ll happen✍�✍�”

https://twitter.com/obyezeks/status/1175382321052225536?s=19
Ngige To APGA: 2021 Is End Of Your Reign In Anambra
Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige, says the dominance of the All Progressives
Grand Alliance APGA in Anambra State, will come to the end in 2021.
The former Governor of Anambra State, and Senator who represented Anambra Central senatorial
zone, spoke with The Nation at the weekend.

He declared that the All Progressive Congress APC, had made mistakes in the state before and would
not allow such to repeat itself again during the forthcoming Governorship election in the state.
Ngige took APGA government in the state to the cleaners, adding that in the party’s many years of
leadership, that everything had collapsed including roads, hospitals education among others, noting that
only the roads his administration built in the state were the only ones standing.

Ngige, said his Party, APC would do everything possible in 2021 governorship election to ease APGA
out of the way, saying ‘enough is enough ”
Going further, he said the Specialist hospitals his administration planned to build in all the Senatorial
zones in the state to stop our people traveling to India and dying, was stopped by the APGA
government till date and it was not fair to our people.
According to the Minister, “I don’t think APC will lose the state again, we will work hard not to lose
this state, we shall put whatever we can, we put it in because we need this place, we need it more than
APGA”

” APGA handled this place in the last 16years and they have not shown us progress. Look around, the
roads that are motorable today are the roads I built as governor, should that be the situation after
16years?
” the answer is big no. look at the hospitals, all the general hospitals you can’t point at one and say it’s
very functional or there’s a good referral centres”
” Federal government should actually concern itself with polices of and do pilot programmes like they
are doing of one teaching hospital in every state, if you don’t have, they will give you a free medical
centre. It’s a pilot programme as far as I’m concerned on tertiary health”

The state government should build their own teaching hospitals and call it state teaching hospital, fund
it and refer their people there”
” Most of the state universities are not well funded as we speak today, is only federal universities that
are founded, only federal universities you will see lectures teachings and doing research. The state
tertiary institutions, be it their university, be it polytechnic, colleges of education are not working ”

“So, we need actually the state government to know what their responsibilities are, if they don’t know,
they should go back to their constitution or go to school or come to their house to be tutored ”

“After our last Senatorial election, we noticed some cracks and those cracks were more widened and
because of the way the presidential election was managed here and national assembly elections too”
” we know we didn’t perform well at all but we have still gone back to the drawing table, we have
started asking ourselves the reason for the failure to deliver and we are getting the answers,” Ngige said

FG Moves To Revive Cotton, Textile Industries

The Federal Government has reinstated its commitment towards reviving the Cotton, Garment and
Textile industry to create more employment opportunities for Nigerians, Igbere TV reports.
This was made known in a statement released on Friday, September 20th on behalf of the Minister of
Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, obtained by Igbere TV.

Giving the assurance, the Minister said;

“From 1985 to 1986, our textile industry was in good shape. During this period, Nigeria’s textile
materials were one of the best in Africa and beyond until importation of textile into the country
between 1987 to 1990, which has led us to the state we are now.

“Textile, garment and cotton industry are the core of the Agro-Allied industry. The industry is capable
of employing hundreds of thousands of people across the country, especially in Kano, Kaduna, Aba,
Lagos, and some other key areas.”

“In the process of reviving the textile industry, an estimate of approximately N1 trillion is projected by
the Federal Government for a complete turn-around of the nation’s industry,” he added.

There Is Hope For Nigeria, We Are Bound To Succeed---osinbajo

THERE IS HOPE FOR NIGERIA, WE ARE BOUND TO SUCCEED---OSINBAJO

*Adds: Nigeria's development key to Africa

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has again stated the conviction that Nigeria has great hopes
towards development and its development is key for Africa.

Prof Osinbajo said this while delivering the 8th Convocation Lecture of the Osun State University this
morning in Oshogbo.

According to the Vice President "my message to you today is that there is hope. This country is bound
to succeed. We will get there.

"Our founding fathers were all right even though they had not even then seen Nigeria’s true potential
Nigeria. And  indeed as Nigeria goes so  does Africa."

The VP is speaking on topic: "Six Decades of Chequered Nationhood: Nigeria Still Holds Key to
Africa's Development."

Julius Malema : Nigeria Is South Africa, South Africa Is Nigeria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE8Neu38nNg

Aso Rock Cabal Shops For Osinbajo’s Replacement -

TribuneOnline
Aso Rock cabal shops for Osinbajo’s replacement •Popular South West pastor tops list
•VP may face corruption allegation

From within Aso Rock, words got out on Friday that the powerful cabal around President
Muhammadu Buhari has concluded on forcing embattled Vice President Yemi Osinbajo out
of office.

Despite the fog of uncertainty surrounding the fate of Osinbajo, nothing concrete is yet be
traced to the president regarding the future of his deputy with whom he had shared a warm
relationship since their joint victory in 2015.

But the president’s men are said to be unrelenting in their pursuit of an agenda reportedly
aimed at abruptly ending Osinbajo’s presidential sojourn.

Amidst all these, the vice president, on Friday, in Ekiti State, accused insiders whom he
described as fifth columnists of working against the interest of the government.

In weeks ahead, one major battle Osinbajo may have to fight is preventing corruption tar
from leeching on him as allegations of corrupt handling of government agencies under him
may soon hit the airwaves.

To a devastating effect, the administration has employed the anti-corruption campaign to

uproot perceived enemies within the government.

Apart from Walter Onnoghen who was sacked from office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria
for alleged failure to declare five domiciliary accounts belonging to him in his asset
declaration form, the immediate past Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-
Ita was also relieved of her position on Thursday over an alleged corruption probe.

Aftermath her open clash with the powerful Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, at the exco
chamber in the Villa over the controversial return to office of fugitive Abdulrasheed Maina
of the infamous Pensiongate, many within the system were counting days for her before
being sent packing.

It was also predicted that allegations of corruption would be used in getting rid of her.

Both predictions came to pass and were accurate.

Maina, a former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension, who fled the country
and was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was
smuggled back into the country and into the civil service in October 2017, triggering a
national outcry.

On camera, an incensed Oyo-Ita was seen wagging her fingers in the face of an equally
angry Kyari. Both eventually made up before the camera.

With the sack of a former Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Lawal
Daura, Kyari is believed to be the face of the presidency cabal, though two other powerful
figures (names withheld) not in government are also said to call major shots.
Search for replacement

Beyond the drama of the past week within the presidency, which has seen Osinbajo in the
eye of the storm regarding his continued relevance in the administration’s second term in
office, Saturday Tribune was informed by a well-placed Villa source that names were
already coming up as possible replacement for the vice president.

Topping the list of those being considered is said to be a popular pastor for what is deemed
an appropriate replacement and balancing.

Osinbajo, aside from being a Christian, is a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of
God (RCCG) and an ally of the denomination’s influential general overseer, Pastor Enoch
Adeboye.

Although other names are reportedly being bandied as his possible replacement, the said
pastor appears to fulfill all the requirements, being also a Christian, a popular pastor and
equally from the south-western part of the country like the vice president.

It was further learnt that those who want to see the back of Osinbajo are considering two
major exit strategies: either his forceful resignation or impeachment through the National
Assembly.

A source around the vice president said his in-house traducers are already seeing him to be
toast with the conviction that it may not be too difficult forcing him to resign when brought
under pressure.

Osinbajo’s lack of meaningful political structure outside of Senator Bola Tinubu’s is likely
emboldening those seeking to rid the presidency of him.

The vice president’s major sin for which he has reportedly not been forgiven, according to
an insider source, is beyond the actions taken when the president was hospitalised in the
United Kingdom.

As the acting president, Osinbajo saw to the Senate confirmation of Justice Walter
Onnoghen as the nation’s substantive Chief Justice, though Buhari eventually got rid of him
through a controversial suspension following an alleged failure to declare all his assets as
required by the law.

Onnoghen, the first southern Christian CJN in over 28 years of northern domination, was
replaced with Justice Mohammed Tanko.

Osinbajo also got the controversial erstwhile Director General of the SSS, Daura, fired
following a siege to the National Assembly.

The then acting president publicly said he consulted the then ailing president before making
the decisions.
 Daura has been seen around the seat of power since Buhari assumed full duties.

However, the public denial of the much-despised Ruga policy of the Buhari administration
by Osinbajo, following a national outcry, is said to have been the deal breaker for the
presidency cabal.

The back-and-forth between the vice president’s office and the Myetti Allah over Ruga and
the insistence by the former that Ruga isn’t the same as the National Livestock
Transformation Plan (NLTP) against the position of the latter further mobilised national and
international outcry against the policy.

Buhari’s administration later succumbed to the global condemnation and scrapped the idea,
which was aimed at having strictly Fulani settlements in local governments across the
country.

The cabal, according to information available to Saturday Tribune, is holding Osinbajo

responsible for the unnatural death of the Ruga agenda, believed to have been packaged by
the administration to favour the Fulani stock of the president.

Despite the decision by nearly all northern governors to buy into NLTP as against Ruga and
with Osinbajo being actively involved, the party is reportedly considered over for him in
the current power project, hence the resolve, according to available information, to kick
him out.

A political associate of Osinbajo told Saturday Tribune he didn’t see any big deal in the
alleged raw deal coming the way of the number two man.

When asked if he had discussed the current realities with the vice president, he said he
could only volunteer an opinion when asked.

Osinbajo has been variously accused of sidelining many of his associates while only
relating closely with those who are of the Redeemed church.

El-Rufai Tweets Yoruba Masquerade Proverb

Could El-rufai be attacking Osibanjo and tinubu with yoruba proverb.

El-Rufai Mocks The Embattled VP, Yemi Osinbajo With A Yoruba Masquerade Proverb

He tweeted.
SATURDAY WISDOM: “The moment the masquerade begins to think he is the God, the
masquerade will be unmasked and reduced to be a laughing stock that is lower than a
human being.” - Yoruba Proverb

https://mobile.twitter.com/elrufai/status/1175363201107681280
Atikus Persistence Could Ignite Fresh Desire For Justice At The
Court- Dr Olufon
The over eight-hour land-mark judgement of Wednesday, 11th September 2019, at the Presidential
Election Petition Tribunal, Abuja, by a five-member panel of eminent, articulate and proven jurists of
the Nigerian Bench, headed by his lordship, Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, which gave a resounding
victory to President Muhammadu Buhari, has sent a very strong judicial signal to appellants, that
electoral disputes/litigations could never be settled in the courts of public opinions, social media or
pages of newspapers but in Constitutional Courts of competent jurisdiction, legally constituted for such
duties!

But before that judgement which dismissed all prayers of the petition "in its entirety", the major
litigant, Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), candidate, in his characteristic desperation,
wrote to the President of the Appeal Court on 5th September, 2019, on the need not to allow his petition
to be caught up by constitutional timeline since the Tribunal had on 21st August, 2019, reserved
judgement after the petitioners and respondents - INEC, President Buhari, and his Party, the All
Progressives Congress (APC), adopted their final written addresses!

However, when the deed was done, head of the opposition PDP legal team had no choice than to eat the
"humble pie", acknowledged the professionalism, thoroughness, legal prowess and outstanding
conclusions of the cohesive team of the legal luminaries, who were united to dismiss in entirety, all of
the three prayers sought by the appellants to nullify the victory of the winner of the Presidential
Elections of 23rd February, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari, and declare the runner-up, Alhaji
Atiku Abubakar, as winner in his stead!

RUMBLINGS BY PETITIONERS BEFORE THE D-DAY!

Weeks before the D-Day, PDP in frenzied desperation to sway public opinion in favour of Atiku
Abubakar, the social, print and electronic media was orchestrated with all manner of postulations that
negative reports by international observer groups, which alleged electoral malpractices, vote buyings,
ballot boxes snatchings, security agents interventions at polling stations etc, should sway judgement in
favour of the candidate who lost woefully!
Their three-pronged appeal was predicated on the following planks:
That the election was marred by irregularities;
That Atiku received more votes than Buhari and:
That the president did not have a secondary school certificate, a basic requirement to contest the
election. PDP said it would appeal against the ruling at the Supreme Court!
President Buhari, according to the results released by INEC, garnered 61% of the votes as against the
41% of Atiku Abubakar at the 23rd February, 2019, election but that the 35.6% turn-out of the
electorate was lower by 8.6%. compared with the 44% in 2015, and Atiku rejected the results hours
after Buhari was declared winner with a promise that he would challenge the results at the Appeal
Tribunal while his Party described it as a "direct assault on the integrity of our nation's justice system"!

*Contrary to PDP's stand, Rivers State Governor, Nyesome Wike, congratulated President Buhari for
his second victory over Atiku through a live broadcast because, he would not pay the nocturnal visits to
Aso Villa like other opposition governors and party stalwarts - though he neither liked the President nor
his policies!

SUMMARY OF THE LAND-MARK JUDGMENT THAT WOULD STAND THE TEST OF TIME!
The Jury was very painstaking in reading out the judgement through the lead Judge who initially
decided pre-trial applications which favoured Atiku and his lead counsel before advancing into the
main prayers of the appellants. The lead counsel's name which were abbreviated in some documents
were accepted as genuine while ATIKU WAS DECLARED AS A BONA FIDE NIGERIAN AND NOT
A CAMEROONIAN AS ALLEGED BY THE RESPONDENTS!
With analytical precision, one after the other, all arguments raised by the petitioners: from the crime of
perjury in a sworn affidavit; to the existence of an INEC website/server; alleged electronic transfer of
results through Card Readers to INEC's central server; vote-buying; criminal intervention by security
agents (especially soldiers and policemen), to support electoral rigging by the APC; malpractices
through ballot boxes snuffing/snatching at the polling booths with the connivance of policemen, etc,
etc, were all succinctly treated without giving any room for ambiguity or controversy!

The lead Judge, Justice Garba, who took over from President of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, Justice
Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa, who was initially rejected by the PDP, for probable vested interests,
adduced and quoted copiously from a plethora of decided cases ranging from the lower courts through
to the Apex court in a manner of a jurist who knows his onions and conversant with extant laws in the
terrain of legal jurisprudence! The English definitions of some contentious words were not left to doubt
as the learned judge employed the Webster/Oxford and other dictionaries to lend credence to the
judgement!

And the "coffin" of the judgement pronouncements which did not favour Atiku Abubakar, was finally
nailed by two other distinguished judges of the panel, who further buttressed the conclusions of the
lead judge on the prayers in respect of Perjury and Vote-Buying, which were unsubstantiated by neither
evidences nor witnesses by the petitioners, according to the law!

ALL FIVE JUDGES DISMISSED THE APPEAL IN ITS ENTIRETY, STRESSED THAT THE ONUS
OF PROOF RESTED SQUARELY ON THE APPELLANTS WHO FAILED TO PROVE THEIR
ALLEGATIONS BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBTS!

ATIKU'S LEGAL TUSSLES BEFORE 2019!

The PDP Presidential Candidate at the 2019, General Elections, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku
Abubakar, (1999-2007), suffered public disgrace/humiliation in the hands of his principal, Chief Aremu
Obasanjo who accused him of alleged crimes of official corruption, aggrandizement and abuse of office
during their second term, all in a bid to scuttle the ambition of the former from succeeding him in office
and he (Obasanjo), succeeded!
Obasanjo instituted official panel of investigation and found Atiku guilty of impropriety in the handling
of sales of Federal Government's critical assets, of which he was chairman; in his alleged involvement
in a $500,000 bribery scandal involving a US Congressman, William J. Jefferson; and in the
manipulation of the Petroleum Trust Development Fund, (PTDF), accounts, in other to castigate,
reduce him to odium and unfit to further hold any public office - especially, his obsessive ambition to
become the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, denied all allegations and got redress in over seven case which he instituted
against Obasanjo and the Federal Government between 2006-2007, and was cleared by the Supreme
Court as suited and qualified to contest the 2007 Presidential Election as the Action Congress of
Nigeria (ACN), candidate, but lost to late President Umaru Yar 'Ardua!
Political observers strongly expected, Alhaji Atiku to institute legal actions of libel, slander, defamation
of character, etc, against his boss years after they both lost the immunity shield, but that never
happened; instead, Atiku sent emissaries to placate Obasanjo and subsequently travelled to personally
beg for pardon and obtain assurances to shore up his dented political clout.

ATIKU HAS FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF APPEAL TO SUPREME COURT!

But in this trending matter, Alhaji Abubakar has the fundamental right to go the whole hog in the belief
that he still had a good chance of upturning the verdict of the Appellant Court at the Apex Court!
Atiku, whose penchant for litigation had become obstinate is poised to proceed to the Supreme Court,
which would finally arbitrate on the judgement of the Appeal Court and lay the case to permanent rest
within the constitutional 90 days window allotted to the excercise from September 11, 2011!
Incidentally, the Abuja Presidential Appeal Tribunal judgement coincided with the18th anniversary of
September 9/11 catastrophic terrorists bombings of the New York Twin Trade Center Towers, and other
strategic government structures which humbled America, the most powerful global nation, which had
won several battles ( civil wars, world wars), in its 233 years of independence! HE WHO THAT
THINKS HE STANDS SHOULD BE CAUTIOUS, LEST HE FALLS! HERE LIES THE LITMUS
TEST FOR ATIKU WHO STRONGLY BELIEVES HE WOULD NEVER LOSE ANY LITIGATION
AT THE SUPREME COURT!

Atiku Abubakar's determination to further launch his appeal at the Apex Court for a final and logical
conclusion should not be constrained that the outcome may further strengthen not only our
DEMOCRACY, but also establish the much-desired foundation for STRONG INSTITUTIONS and
become a REFERENCE POINT for future LEGAL JURISPRUDENCE!

"Whatever has a beginning MUST SURELY have an end!

I am, yours sincerely, Dr. David B.A. Olufon. 08130669886, 08098194390. 08080243066. G-mail-
dvdolufon@gmail.com.
We’ll retake Adamawa in 2023, APC vows
Stakeholders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State have taken stock of how the party
lost the state in the 2019 election due to disunity and resolved to put the past behind them and take back
the state in 2023.

The stakeholders came out of a reconciliatory meeting in Yola on Friday night saying they had learnt
their lessons and would henceforth work together for the success of the party at all levels.

A former member of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, and
Hajia Aisha Buhari’s brother, Ahmed Halilu (Mudi) had been bitterly against Sen Mohammed Jibrilla
(Bindow) after Bindow as the state governor at the time, won the APC governorship primary which
Ribadu and Mudi discredited.

The two rejected Bindow’s candidacy up to the general election and were believed to have worked
against Bindow at the election, a development believed to have contributed greatly to the failure of
Bindow and of course the APC at the election.

Ribadu who attended the Adamawa State APC Steering Committee/State Exco/Stakeholders
Reconciliatory Meeting of Friday night stressed that the intra-party conflict which cost the party the
chance of retaining the state at the 2019 governorship election would never occur again.

“Never again will we let that happen,” he said during a review remark at the end of the meeting.

The meeting was the first in what may be a series of similar meetings following the constitution of a
39-member Central Steering Committee of the APC to reconcile misgivings and reposition the party for
future success.

Ribadu said, “We are here saying enough is enough. We will work together, we will never allow
anything to come between us that will affect our fortunes and the fortunes of our party.

“APC is a progressive party, our opponents are conservatives. It was so unfortunate that we were not
guided in the past as a result of which our political enemies benefitted.”

Urging a demonstration of the new resolve in the council-level elections scheduled for the state in
November, Ribadu said, “It will never happen again in Adamawa. We have an election coming, the
local government election. We intend to do it properly and fairly and we will not allow anybody to
cheat us again.

“We have all assembled here, all the leaders of the party from the local government to state levels. We
have all resolved to work together for the victory of our party.”

Earlier in his remark, chairman of the APC Steering Committee and one time Minister of Defence and
Internal Affairs respectively, Abdurrahman Adamu, said that disturbed by the lingering precarious
relationship among members of the party, elders took the gauntlet to restore sanity and orderliness after
the party waded through misunderstanding for a long time.

The Chairman Sub-Committee on Reconciliation, Dahiru Bobbo, said his committee was delegated to
reconcile aggrieved members and put the party on the threshold of prosperity.

BREAKING: Ogun Govt Declares Free Education, Scraps

N3,700 School Fees
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has suspended with immediate effect payment of N3, 700
levies in all public schools in the state with immediate effect.

Abiodun’s administration had come under heavy criticism in the last few weeks over the levy issue, as
the governor, on Friday, during a stakeholders forum with the theme “Repositioning Education for
Outstanding Performance”, cleared the air that his government inherited the levy from the previous
administration.

The governor said the levy was a proposal by the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) which was
adopted by the Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s administration.

The governor said the suspension became imperative based on his promise of free, universal and
qualitative education in public primary and secondary schools in the state

“I have been criticized in the media about the N3,700 PTA fee. I did not introduce the fee. It was
proposed by the PTA and accepted by the previous administration. The fee negates the free education
policy of this administration. It is like payment through the back door.

“I hereby suspend the payment in all our schools. We will also look into the issue of Principal and
Headmaster Generals,” he assured.

Abiodun said his education team would critically look into the items on the list of what necessitated the
introduction of the N3,700 levy.

“I have told them to go and look at and how we can make it work without having to charge anybody,
because we promised we are going to offer free education,” he said.

The governor lamented the deplorable conditions of public schools across the length and breadth of the
State and promised the restoration of running cost to meet the daily financial activities in the schools.

He said his administration has embarked on the rehabilitation of 236 primary and secondary Schools in
the State, just as some of the non-functional model schools would be converted to TechHUB, technical
and vocational centres.

He assured the stakeholders that his administration placed a high premium on education, while
emphasising on training and retraining of teachers to enable them to meet new challenges of
developments in the teaching profession.

The governor while appreciating the students that represented the state at the 2019 Science Teachers
Association of Nigeria, Competition, Spelling Bee National quiz and Project competition, and the
Mathematical Association of Nigeria competition, said that the state government would offer the
students access to the states tech hub, give a laptop computer and a cash donation to each of the
students.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr Olu-Ola
Aikulola thanked the governor for the positive touch currently being experienced in the educational
sector of the state, especially on the release of outstanding promotion for teachers.

He said the pupils are reciprocating by winning trophies and accolades at competitions at National and
international levels.

He informed the governor that the state participated in the 2019 Science Teachers Association of
Nigeria, Competition held in Kano State, Spelling Bee National quiz and Project competition, held in
Akwa-Ibom and the Mathematical Association of Nigeria competition in Rivers State, adding that the
representatives of the state in the competitions did the state proudly.

Drop The Charges, Free Sowore - Kayode Ogundamisi, Buhari’s

Supporter Tells FG
Kayode Ogundamisi, a popular social activist, political commentator and a supporter of President
Muhammadu Buhari has called on federal government to drop the charges against activist, Omoyele
Sowore.

The Federal Government, on Friday, filed seven counts of treasonable felony and money laundering
against Sowore.

In a tweet on Saturday, Mr Ogundamisi said that Sowore had been a friend of President Buhari.

He added that a misdemeanor that should have been sorted out in a magistrate court in Lagos is being
overblown.

“I have read copies of the charges brought against Sowore of SaharaReporters, as a friend of Buhari
government all I can say again is DROP ALL THE CHARGES and #FreeSowore
A misdemeanor that should have been sorted out in a magistrate court in Lagos is being overblown.”

https://twitter.com/ogundamisi/status/1175427948310138880?s=19

http://igberetvnews.com/1011007/drop-the-charges-free-sowore-buharis-supporter-tells-fg/

Imo Election Tribunal Dismisses Two Petitions Against Ihedioha

The Imo State Election Tribunal has dismissed the petition of the All Progressives Grand Alliance
and its governorship candidate Senator Ifeanyi Arareume for lacking in merit.

The tribunal in its sitting today also dismissed the petition of the candidate of the Action Alliance
Party, Mr. Uche Nwosu, for incompetence.

Three petitions were filed by the governorship candidates of the Action Alliance, All Progressives
Congress, (APC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), asking the tribunal to nullify the
election of Mr Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on the ground that he was unlawfully
declared as the governor of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, two of those petitions have now been dismissed.

More Details coming…

ALERT: ‘insult’ Buhari And Get Charged With Treason By

Fredrick Nwabufo
President Buhari shares paternity with Paul Biya of Cameroon in leadership style. Both men are joined
by the umbilicus of repression and abrasion.

In 2010, Bertrand Teyou, an author, was sentenced to two years imprisonment for insulting the wife of
Biya, Chantal. The Cameroonian Government filed charges against him for this spectacular reason.

Under Biya, Southern Cameroon has become the scene of a volcanic crisis – killings, illegal detentions
and arrests. Specifically, the government is zeroing in on dissenting voices in effecting these violations.

I think, the situation is much more execrable in Nigeria than in Cameroon.

Amnesty International encapsulates it in these words: ‘’The human rights situation in Nigeria is marked
by serious human rights violations such as extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests and detentions,
torture and other ill-treatment, enforced disappearances, violence against women and girls, restrictions
on the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, mass forced evictions,
environmental pollution and lack of accountability for human rights violations and abuses.’’
As a matter of fact, the Buhari government has racked up egregious human rights records more than
any other administration before it. In 2017, the United States Department of State released a convicting
exposition on this villainy.

“Impunity remained widespread at all levels of government.

"The government did not adequately investigate or prosecute most of the major outstanding allegations
of human rights violations by the security forces or the majority of cases of police or military extortion
or other abuse of power.

“Authorities generally did not hold police, military, or other security force personnel accountable for
the use of excessive or deadly force or for the deaths of persons in custody.
"State and federal panels of inquiry investigating suspicious deaths generally did not make their
findings public," it said.

I have studied the charges levelled against Omoyele Sowore, publisher of SaharaReporters, and they
ossify my position that the gentleman is being put through a mill of thistles and thorns for being a
relentless critic of the administration.

He is charged with ‘’insulting’’ the President, and for transferring money from New York to Nigeria?
What a phenomenal charge? Obviously, Sowore’s only crime is that he has a roaring voice which puts
the foundations of Aso Rock to fright.

And does it mean words cannot change the General, but they get to him?

Really, the cyberstalking law, by which Sowore is charged, was fashioned under President Jonathan.
This was, perhaps, the former President’s response to social media criticism at the time. But the law,
being defective, was never applied under him.

Jonathan was vilified, abused and defamed but not one Nigerian was incarcerated or charged with
‘’treason’’. In fact, in the North, coffins with photos and semblances of Jonathan were coursed through
the streets by dissenters but not a single protester was detained. And he was even stoned in Yola on his
way to Taraba.

These were clearly grievous offences that are punishable by the law. But a democrat will see beyond an
act and ask, ‘’why is this happening? Why are citizens angry?’’

Although Jonathan was not without freckles, he exercised his own brutish aspect with the clampdown
on media organisations.

Really, only a non-performing government will be afraid of citizens’ protests or interpret civil actions
as subversion. Only a failing administration will be extremely irritated by criticisms and divergent
opinions.

In the case of Sowore, he has exercised himself in the discipline of civil opposition. He has only used
his voice as a protected child of the Nigerian constitution.

Section 39(1) of the 1999 constitution establishes that "Every person shall be entitled to freedom of
expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information without
interference."

This is the grundnorm to which all laws submit. This is the pillar on which our democracy is built.

The charges cannot stand. But why do dictators rise in AFRICA? It is because of the people, who do
nothing; who enable them and who only pray for an end to their suffering.

Nigeria, 40 Other Countries Need External Food Assistance —

FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations has said that Nigeria and 40 other nations
across the world are in need of external food assistance.

FAO said this on Thursday, in its latest quarterly report, titled Crop Prospects and Food Situation.

The report said, "Nigeria and the other 40 nations need the external assistance to achieve food security,
due to the conflicts, which is the primary cause of high levels of food insecurity and adverse weather
conditions - particularly rainfall shortages in Africa - acutely affecting food availability and access for
millions of people."

The countries on the list, which include 31 in Africa, remained unchanged over the last six months.

The 41 countries currently in need of external food assistance are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burkina
Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic People's
Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guinea, Haiti,
Iraq, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar,
Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic,
Uganda, Venezuela, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

It would be recalled that the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele had on Thursday told Nigerian
governors that the nation spends about $1.2bn to import fish annually.
Adebanjo Reveals Real Reason Behind Buhari’s New Attitude
Towards Osinbajo
A chieftain of the Yoruba apex socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has noted
that constitutional crisis in Nigeria and the imbalance in the polity are the main cause of agitation for a
break-up by different groups in the country.

The lawyer and elder statesman said that it would be better if the country breaks up since the leaders
refuse to restructure it.

According to him, “I have no objection to breaking up. People are talking of breaking up because the
term of coming together has been abrogated by the northern Muslims who are dominating us,” he was
quoted by Sun.

“This is why the young elements, extremists in the South- East, South – South, South –West and the
Middle Belt are yearning for break-up just because of their refusal to yield to our demand of peaceful
co-existence.”

On the recently reported crisis in the Presidency and the news of Vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo
falling out of favour with President Muhammadu Buhari, the elder statesman blamed the constitution
for the President’s action.

According to him, “It is just what I have said earlier. They are the people who aided and abetted the
implementation of the wrong constitution because they give them the crumbs of the power. It is this
constitution that empowers the president to make the vice president a market master. Whatever you are
doing, the bottom line is the constitution.

“If it is not this constitution, would the president be doing all that; is it not the constitution that gives
him all the powers; a constitution that makes him the most powerful head of state in the whole world.

“I have said it several times and I’m repeating it, we said it should be changed, but you say, no. This is
not the constitution the founding fathers of the nation gave us.

Senator Akpabio Charges NDDC On Completion Of On-going

Projects
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswll Akpabio has directed the Niger Delta
Development Commission (NDDC) to complete on-going projects including the on-going headquarters
building project before awarding contracts for new ones.

Senator Akpabio gave the charge when in the company of the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs,
Mr Festus Keyamo they paid a working visit to the headquarters of the Commission in Port Harcourt
on Friday.

During a meeting with the management and staff of the Commission, Senator Akpabio disclosed that
the NDDC had more than 12,000 on-going projects across the nine states of the Niger Delta region
which experienced funding challenges.

The Minister said it was not a coincidence that two Niger Delta sons were selected by President
Muhammadu Buhari to superintend over the affairs of the Niger Delta but a conscious effort at
ensuring effective development of the region especially in the areas of infrastructural and human
capital development.

According to Senator Akpabio, “The creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was a direct
response to the series of agitations by people of the region flowing from the deep sense of exclusion,
environmental degradation, lack of development, poverty and unemployment facing the region,” he
said.

On its part he said the NDDC was a child of necessity which was established “with a mission of
facilitating the rapid, even and sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region that is
economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful” and said
the Commission has to adopt a new template to achieve this mission.

According to Senator Akpabio, “The Niger Delta Development Commission must adopt a well
structured funds development regime whereby all funds that accrue to the Commission must be
properly utilized in this new era of probity which President Muhammadu Buhari demands,” he said.

In her welcome address, the acting Managing Director, Dr Akwagaga Enyia said the Commission under
her watch had embarked upon fiscal responsibility as required by the anti-corruption drive of the
Buhari administration. She promised to expeditiously complete the on-going headquarters building
project.

Senator Akpabio and Mr Keyamo who later inspected the on-going construction of the headquarters
building of the Commission, charged the management to channel more funds into completing the
building. They also visited a failed portion of the East-West road and promised an intervention to
alleviate the suffering of commuters.

Katsina Election: Tribunal Dismisses Petition Against Governor

Masari
The Katsina state governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja has dismissed the petition
filed by Senator Yakubu Lado challenging the election of Mr. Aminu Masari as the Governor of Katsina
State.
The tribunal on Saturday ruled that the petition lacked merit.

In a split decision of two to one, the tribunal held that the petitioner failed to prove the allegation of
substantial non-compliance to the electoral act in the conduct of the election.

However, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Alli Jos, in a dissenting judgement allowed the petition
and ordered a fresh election in the state. His dissenting judgment was read by another member of the
panel.

The petitioner had filed his petition in March 2019 and hearing commenced in May.

The petition was highly contentious, forcing a change in sitting venue from Katsina to Abuja.

The petitioner, senator Yakubu Lado of the PDP had asked the tribunal to overturn the declaration of
governor Aminu Masari of the APC.

He predicated his petition on the grounds that Governor Masari falsified his age and academic
qualifications in the affidavit submitted alongside his INEC nomination form.

The tribunal in the final analysis held that evidence of witnesses from 1-50 and some others is of no
probative value since they confirmed that they gave their statements in Hausa language and the Hausa
versions are not before the tribunal.

Gov. Wike Appoints Widow Of Late APC Chieftain As Special

Assistant
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has described Late Elder Austin Nwakoh as a politician
of truth who was committed to development of the state.
Speaking during the funeral service of Elder Nwakoh at Kpean Town, Khana Local Government Area
on Friday, Governor Wike said the late politician played politics that promoted confidence.
He said: "This is a painful passage. It is an untimely death. Elder Austin Nwakoh was a politician of a
different class. He was a politician of truth. He was a politician of confidence ". Governor Wike
announced the appointment of the Widow of the Late Politician as a Special Assistant to the Rivers
State Governor. He said the appointment was made to maintain a link with the family.
He also announced that he will foot the cost of the Education of the son of the late politician.

Governor Wike said: "You were not just a close confidant. You were a wonderful person, handsome
inside and out. Gentle in disposition, and incredibly energetic with uncommon ability to brighten up
any home that you work into your ever happy go-lucky personality. "You were always thoughtful,
trustworthy and truthful. You never judged , but advised freely and candidly, assisted readily and
advanced our common political aspirations with courage and hope". Also speaking, Senator Lee Maeba
said that Elder Austin Nwakoh was a politician of peace. He said his politics built friendship and love.
He said that the friendly politics of the late politician has been proven by the convergence of politicians
from different political parties.
Senator Magnus Abe said that the life of Late Austin Nwakoh spoke volumes about what love and
friendship should be .

In a sermon, General Secretary, Assemblies of God Church, Rev Godwin Akpan Amaowo urged people
to surrender to God, saying that there is no profit in not serving God.

UNDP Releases $30M To Nigeria For Humanitarian Crisis In

North East
The UN Development Programme (UNDP), has released 30 million U.S. dollars to Nigeria from the
regional stabilisation facility for the humanitarian crisis in the North East.

UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mr Mohamed Yahya disclosed this on Friday in Abuja at the
first inaugural meeting convened by UNDP on the way forward in actualising the ‘Nigeria window’ of
the Regional Stabilisation Facility.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Regional Stabilisation Facility was launched in July in
Niamey, Niger at the second Governors Forum to contribute support to the affected regions of Nigeria,

The project was expected to be implemented between Sept. 1, 2019, and Aug. 31, 2021.
#gazasdiary #nigeria #news #humanitarian

BACK TO SCHOOL: Mrs. Ugwuanyi Deworms Under-five

Children
As part of her efforts to ensure that children under five years return to school in a healthy condition for
the academic session after the long vacation, the wife of the Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Monica
Ugwuanyi, has commenced her annual de-worming of children across the three senatorial districts of
the state.

Mrs. Ugwuanyi who flagged off the exercise at St. Vincent Primary School Ishi/Ozalla, Nkanu West
Local Government Area for Enugu East Senatorial District, stated that her visit was to prepare school
children in the district health-wise for the current academic session.

The Enugu Governor’s wife who was accompanied by members of her pet-project - Ugo’s Touch of
Life Foundation (U-TOLF), added that the programme was in keeping with her unflinching
commitment towards the welfare of the vulnerable group in the society.

She disclosed that her pet project undertakes the de-worming of children twice in a year because of the
deadly effects of worms in the daily growth of children, pointing out that the wives of the 17 local
government chairmen in the state will continue with the exercise in all the local communities.

"We come here today to return you (children) back to school. This is not the first time we are coming
here. We had come here for this purpose, and after this exercise today, all the wives of the local
government chairmen will continue in all the local communities of the state", Mrs. Ugwuanyi said.

The governor's wife stated that the programme was necessitated by the enormous food intake by
children at the long holidays which she revealed may constitute breeding ground for worms.

In her words, "this exercise is necessary because of your intake during the holidays and we know that
not many of us are privileged to be taking the proper diet and also able to be taking the drugs as
required. We all know that these children are our future leaders. Therefore, all efforts should be geared
towards safeguarding their health".

Mrs. Ugwuanyi enjoined the children to be dedicated to their studies, stressing the need for proper
education in their lives.

"Please before you venture into any business get at least basic education and you should be very serious
with your studies. Reduce your playing habit. Why I allowed you to dance today is to inform you that
dancing and playing time have gone. It is now time for serious academic exercise", Mrs. Ugwuanyi
stated.

She also advised parents to register their children with the National Population Commission after birth,
noting that the body is the only legal establishment charged with such responsibility.

The governor's wife, therefore, charged various school authorities in the state to enlighten parents on
the need for birth registration with the commission, saying that it will enable the federal government
know the exact number of children being delivered in Enugu State in conformity with other states of
the country.

Earlier, the wife of Nkanu West Local Government Chairman, Mrs. Ifeoma Okenwa, expressed
gratitude to Mrs. Ugwuanyi for coming to de-worm the children of the senatorial district, adding that it
will go a long way to enhance the health status of children in the area.

Mrs. Okenwa, who galvanized the children to show deep appreciation to Mrs. Ugwuanyi through
songs, applauded her good works and philanthropic gesture including that of her husband, Governor
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and prayed God to continue to bless them.

In his remark, the Council Chairman, Hon. Henry Okenwa, while welcoming Mrs. Ugwuanyi lauded
her noble roles in uplifting the status of children and women of the state, through her noble gesture.
According to him, "Mummy, this is not the first time you have come to Enugu East Senatorial zone.
You have also visited us on a free medical mission and our people are still testifying to your kind
gesture. And today, you have come to de-worm our children. This visit is timely because we know the
dangers posed by worms and this action of yours is being proactive to avoid this deadly disease".

While thanking Gov. Ugwuanyi and his wife, Monica Ugwuanyi, for their interest in the health of the
people, the chairman reassured them that his council area will continue to ensure the de-worming of
children in all the communities as directed by the governor's wife.

Earlier in her address, the school's Head Mistress, Mrs. Ngozi Chukwuani, thanked Mrs. Ugwuanyi for
the de-worming exercise, stating that the visit has enabled the teachers and students to learn more about
personal hygiene, discipline and commitment to studies.

Mrs. Ugwuanyi, who will also perform the exercise in Enugu North and West Senatorial Districts, later
administered some de-worming drugs to the children to the delight of the people.

Kogi Poll: Former Governor Idris, Ogbeha Boost PDP

Campaign
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign for the
November 16 governorship election in Kogi state Saturday
received a boost with Former Governor Ibrahim Idris
accepting to chair the campaign council.
Also, Senator Tunde Ogbeha who represented the Kogi West
senatorial district from 1999-2007 has been appointed
deputy chairman of the Council. Another grassroots
politician, Badamasuyi Abdulrahaman will serve as
secretary.
The Kogi PDP chapter had suffered a hitch a few days ago
when the senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye,
turned down the offer to lead the party’s governorship
campaign.
Melaye has since been replaced with a serving member of
the House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Yusuf who
represents the Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu federal constituency.
Expressing optimism about PDP’s chances in the election,
Yusuf said the party has got a trump card in the Musa
Wada/Sam Aro ticket to win the election.
Describing the PDP candidate as experienced and properly
educated personality, Yusuf said Wada rose to the top of his
public service career through diligence, dedication,
commitment, competence and integrity.
“He has the administrative capacity, organizational
capabilities as well as tremendous goodwill to positively
turn around the fast-dwindling fortunes of our dear state.
“More importantly, with our faith in Almighty God, we are
confident that our Creator will give us victory come
November 16, 2019, Yusuf added.
Read Also: Running mate crisis:
doubts in PDP over Dickson’s
proposed meeting
Stressing the collective desire of the people of Kogi State
for genuine change, Yusuf said the Musa/Aro ticket would
bring about meaningful growth and development as well as
the resuscitation of the Kogi dream.
He said, “The present state of economic squalor, abject
poverty, societal degeneration, developmental
disequilibrium, infrastructural decay, moral decadence,
inexplicable suffering and gross hopelessness experienced
by Kogites, truly inspired the keen collective desire for
genuine change, meaningful growth and development as
well as the resuscitation of the Kogi dream.
“The capacity, competence and capabilities of experienced
members of our campaign team and the dynamism, passion
and creative abilities of our vibrant youths in the team are
pointers to impactful mobilization at the grassroots”.
https://thenationonlineng.net/kogi-poll-former-governor-idris-ogbeha-boost-pdp-campaign/

Akwa Ibom State Is My Second Home - Osinbajo

AKWA IBOM STATE IS MY SECOND HOME - OSINBAJO

…LAUDS GOV EMMANUEL’S INDUSTRIALIZATION AGENDA

The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has lauded the efforts of Governor Udom
Emmanuel in industrialization and has declared Akwa Ibom State as his second home.

During the commencement of commissioning of projects with the Flour Mill Factory in Onna as first,
Mr. Osinbajo, who was impressed with the pace of growth in the state, congratulated Governor Udom
Emmanuel for his governmental strides and described the Flour Mill factory as a product of foresight.

The Vice President who is in the State to inaugurate three landmark projects to mark the 32nd
anniversary of the state’s creation, said he was satisfied with Governor Emmanuel for sharing in the
vision of rapid transformation in the state.

“I want to commend the Governor for providing world class infrastructure and for attracting investors
to this state. Your people are warm and hospitable and that’s why a lot of investors come here. I am
from Ogun State, but whenever I think of a second home, I come to Akwa Ibom”.

"I was in this State in the last two years to commission the Syringe factory. That was a very thoughtful
and foresighting project and today I am here to commission another even more foresighting projects",
Osinbajo said.

While welcoming the Vice President to the Flour Mill, Governor Emmanuel thanked Prof. Osinbajo for
rising above biases, a message his administration has preached through the Dakkada creed.

In his words, "I thank you sincerely for choosing to be with us against all odds to commission these
projects. Thank you sir for rising above biases, like we recite in our Dakkada creed. We share a
common destiny, we share a common understanding that political party is just a platform for you to
seek office. Once you are in that office, party drops and governance begins.

The State Chief Executive described the flour mill as a project anchored on development of the State,
adding that the new industries are fulfillments of one of his campaign promises.

Mr. Emmanuel promised that "before the end of my administration, eighty percent of food we eat here
would be what we produce here. Akwa Ibom State is going forward ever and backward never.

“There are some of us that came into politics, not for selfish interest but for the interest of the
downtrodden. That is why, whoever we know on the face of the earth, wherever our a signature is
recognized, wherever our email can be read, our duty to go out and bring those people to come and
help us develop our place.

He added that the industries now dotting the landscape of the State, is another hope that students of
Akwa Ibom State would no more travel to Lagos and Abuja for their educational and research projects.

“Before now, if someone had to write a project in our university, he had to travel to Lagos because he
could do so. But now, that has changed, and before we leave office, all research and academic projects
will be carried out here.”

The State Chief Executive maintained that he was not deterred by cynics who launch media attacks on
his government, maintaining that, “people try to deter us but we are not distracted. When we started
Ibom Air, they said it was the money we wanted to take out of the country. And that when they caught
us, we were given the airplanes in exchange.
“That Ibom Air was a scam and will never take off. But when the airline took off, even the critics said
well, this is a major breakthrough.

The Commissioner for Trade and Investments, Prince Ukpong Akpabio in his opening remarks urged
the business community to take advantage of the peace in Akwa Ibom State for investment.

The Vice President subsequently commissioned the Lion Plywood and Timber Factory before
proceeding to turn on the Digital Power Sub-Station at Ekim in Mkpat Enin local government area,
where he launched the Power for All by December 2021, a scheme that the Governor said will see to
the steady provision of electricity power to every household in the State at affordable rate.

The Vice President is on a two day visit to the State, and is expected to preach at the thanksgiving
service to mark the state’s 32nd anniversary, holding at Ibom Hall Ground, Uyo.

Lagos Releases List Of Critical Roads For Construction After

Rainy Season
The Lagos State Government has assured residents of the State that massive road construction and
rehabilitation would commence as soon as the rains subside.

The government listed some of the critical roads to be constructed urgently after the rains to include
Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Agege Pen-Cinema Fly-over, Agric/Ishawo Road, Ojokoro Phases I & II
and Command/Ejigbo NNPC, among others.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye gave the
assurance when members of ‘Made in Lagos Group’, a socio-political Women Group paid her a
courtesy visit on Friday.

Adeyoye, who noted that the government was not unaware of the deplorable state of some roads in
Lagos, added that major construction work could not be embarked upon during the rainy season to
avoid wastage of resources.

She, however, pleaded with Lagosians to show more understanding and continue to support the State
Government in the drive to adopt a scientific approach in improving road infrastructure.

The Special Adviser commended the women group for identifying with the THEMES agenda of the
present administration, charging them to help members acquire skills, identify talents among the youth
population who require assistance in actualising their dreams as well as come up with initiatives that
would make them more relevant and contribute meaningfully to good governance.
“I charge you to develop your potentials and skills, come up with good initiatives that can position us
as serious-minded people who are ready to contribute to good governance and influence policies that
can better our society.

“We should be more conscious of how we can contribute to good governance. Four years is just too
short a period of time; the present government has challenged us by giving us 33% representation, so
we must be ready to convince the public that women can do it through various advocacy programmes
that are development-driven,” she said.

The Special Adviser, however, assured the group of her openness to advice and constructive criticism
that could enhance efficient public service delivery.

Earlier, leader of the delegation, Comrade Bosede Joseph hinted that ‘Made in Lagos Women Group’ is
a politically conscious group which brings women together to initiate programmes and projects that add
value to good governance.

She noted that the 33% women representation in the cabinet of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the
highest so far in the country, did not come on a platter of gold, adding that the gesture is a great
challenge to the female cabinet members to prove that indeed what a man can do a woman can do
better.

Joseph, therefore, urged all womenfolk to rise and support one another to ensure that they achieve
success in their assigned roles.

Petroleum Minister Unveils Roadmap For Nigerian Oil And Gas

Sector
The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, H.E. Chief Timipre Sylva has unveiled his
roadmap and deliverables for the oil and gas sector and has expressly sought and received the
commitment of the Agencies of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to deliver on all fronts.

H.E. Sylva listed the priority areas to include: Implementation of the reduction of Federal
Government’s equity stakes in Joint Venture (JV) participation to 40 per cent, Curbing petroleum
products cross border leakages, Completion of the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme,
Increasing crude oil production to 3million barrels per day and Reducing the current cost of crude oil
production by at least 5 per cent.
Other priority areas include; Aggressive promotion of the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB);
Promotion of inland basin exploration activities; Promotion of deep offshore exploration activities;
Collaboration with the private sector to aggressively increase domestic refining capacity and Working
assiduously to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his poise to achieving his target of raising
millions of Nigerians out of poverty via job creation.

This was made known during the Next Level Strategic Retreat held yesterday in Lagos, Nigeria that
had in attendance, Directors and Heads of Agencies of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources drawn
from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Department of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian
Content Development and Monitoring Board, Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Petroleum
Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, Petroleum Equalisation Fund (Management) Board, Nigerian
Nuclear Regulatory Authority and the Petroleum Training Institute.

The Heads of the Agencies would be required to collectively sign an undertaking to deliver on the set
tasks and targets and execute the mandate therein even as they expressed their readiness to align with
the spirit and letter behind the key priority areas and deepen Inter agencies collaboration across all tiers
of the sector.

BREAKING: Tribunal Affirms Ihedioha’s Election As Imo

Governor
The Imo State Election Tribunal has affirmed the election of Emeka Ihedioha as governor of the state.

The chairman of the tribunal, Justice Umar Dogondaji, in his ruling on Saturday, dismissed the petition
of Senator Hope Uzodinma because he did not discharge the burden of proof of the allegation that his
results were excluded from the final results of the election.

He also dismissed the petition of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and its governorship candidate
Senator Ifeanyi Arareume for lacking in merit as well as that of the candidate of the Action Alliance
Party, Mr. Uche Nwosu, for incompetence.

READ ALSO: [Updated] Imo Election: Tribunal Dismisses Three Petitions Against Ihedioha

The witnesses were discredited under cross-examination.

They all confirmed that there was no signature of the presiding officers on the documents they tendered
as the results of the election in the various units in the state.

The judgment was delivered at the FCT High Court in Jabi, Abuja after a briefing in Owerri, the Imo
State capital, where it had received and entertained several petitions.

The governorship candidates of the Action Alliance, All Progressives Congress, (APC) and All
Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), had filed petitions at the tribunal asking it to nullify the election
of Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on the ground that he was unlawfully declared as
the governor of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Saraki, Abiodun, Daniel, Others Storm Ijebu-igbo For Kashamu

Dignitaries, including the immediate past President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; the
Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun and ex-Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel
were among the political leaders that stormed Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State on Saturday for the 40th day
funeral ceremony of the late Alhaja Wulemotu Ebunoluwa Kashamu, the mother of Senator Buruji
Kashamu.

Others included Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator Obinna Ogba, Senator Ben Bruce, Senator Duro Faseyi
and Senator Sam Anyanwu.

Ex-Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun was represented by the immediate past Secretary
to the State Governor, Taiwo Adeoluwa.

The ceremony was kicked off with a prayer session led by Islamic clerics.

This was followed by an exquisite reception where guests were entertained by artistes such as Yinka
Ayefele, Kolade Onanuga, Faith Band, Small Doctor and. Zlatan. DJ Humility also spiced up the
evening.

Ace comedian Seyi Law was the compere at the ceremony.

Who Is Afraid Of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo? By Dele

Momodu
Fellow Nigerians, please allow me to quickly apologise for not concluding the series I started last week
on the importance of celebrity journalism, the basis of my Fellowship at The African Studies Centre,
University of Oxford. The reason for this change of plan must be pretty obvious, and predictable. A
subject of pressing, and urgent, importance, and necessity, has presented itself. And it has to do with the
systematic and instalmental, harassment, intimidation, degradation and denudation of our dear beloved
Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. He is being shorn of most of his statutory and constitutional
powers with veiled and unsubstantiated insinuations that he has not been following due process when
he clearly has been doing a stickler for such due process. Such inferences are at best rich when one
considers that we are talking about a Presidency in which the President is famed for delegating powers
and trying not to engage as demonstrated by the much publicised stripping of his constitutional powers
in favour of a Chief of Staff who has no constitutional or statutory governmental authority. The
contradiction and irony are stark and makes a mockery of what is being done. The situation is aptly
captured by the Yorubas when they say, “ejo l’owo ninu” (the snake has hands in its stomach)! There is
certainly more to the recent events than meets the eye!
Let the dramatis personae deny there is nothing of such and claim this is only a figment of our fertile
imagination, or even call it a false alarm, or whatever nomenclature catches their fancy. However, no
matter the denials, what is unfolding, before our very eyes is more than a storm in a teacup. It is a stuff
of a multi-billion-dollar box office thriller and the suspenseful drama and twists would make Alfred
Hitchcock green with envy. Not even Samuel Beckett could have scripted this sort of absurdist drama.

We can now start from the beginning, if you like, call it genesis. A cerebral technocrat, thoroughbred
professional, a teacher who is an accomplished Professor of Law for that matter, and a preacher of
values and morals as a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to boot, Yemi Osinbajo, was
selected by retired Major General Muhammadu Buhari as Vice Presidential candidate sometime in
2014. The selection was applauded by many onlookers as a counterbalance to a Presidential candidate
who was accused, and being pummelled, for not possessing the minimum educational requirement for
the job applied, and also as a reassurance to those who regarded the APC candidate as a Muslim
fundamentalist. Beyond religion, Osinbajo also represented a much younger segment of our society
who saw Buhari as being too old, too conservative, too out of tune with modern trends and much more.
Osinbajo was thus a seemingly perfect choice, and those of us who were Buharists, once upon a time,
rejoiced and dreamt of a new Nigeria, clothed in tranquillity and unity. How wrong we were. Little did
we realise that this was not a one-part story but one of which we were only seeing the prequel, without
the benefit that there would be a sequel and possibly even a serialisation! We foolishly thought that this
was a story that could not have a Part 2.

Please, let’s move forward, slowly and steadily. Osinbajo soon threw himself into his assignment and
campaigned much more than any deputy would be expected to do. It was a forerunner of what we
wished for and hoped would occur when eventually their team won the election. He crisscrossed
Nigeria and navigated his ways across the seas, to far flung places, preaching the gospel of Saint
Buhari and the good news of his imminent kingdom. Osinbajo is not just a lawyer and preacher, he is
an orator, and he sold his boss to the world at a premium. They won the 2015 Presidential election and
we were mostly thankful to God that we had succeeded in getting rid of the profligate and pernicious
PDP behemoth, after 16 years.

The duo was elected and President Buhari made it clear that he had put his trust and faith in his able
lieutenant and Vice President, Professor Osinbajo. He quickly made him the head of his economic
team, and Osinbajo did the rest. He quietly and unassumingly took charge without seeking to upstage
his boss, the President. He was a deputy who knew his place and although a little-known cabal at the
time was hurling brickbats at him behind the scene, he handled all with his unusual equanimity and
charm. I am sure that his famed tolerance and rectitude comes from the fantastic combination of
lawyer, teacher and priest.
Man proposes but God disposes. Like all mortals, especially at that advance age, President Buhari took
Ill. The sickness was so massive and scary that we nearly had another Umaru Yar’Adua situation on our
hands. It will be recalled that Yar’Adua was the penultimate President before Buhari, and he had died
in office, in 2010, before the expiration of his first term. His Vice President, Dr Goodluck Ebele
Jonathan, had to complete that term before seeking and winning his own full term. Had anything
happened to Buhari then, God forbid, Pastor Professor Osinbajo, constitutionally, would have stepped
in, gingerly, to claim power as President and Commander-in-Chief. But, God so loved Buhari, and as
he acknowledged himself, the prayers of Nigerians, and their intercession, intervened on his behalf, and
healed him greatly.

It was during that interlude in governance that mutual mistrust and distrust which had been germinating
for some time began to spring to the surface. Some members of the President’s inner caucus who were
not used to taking orders from anyone suddenly found themselves reporting to one man with what they
called “avuncular attitude”. They were angry and livid, but according to James Hadley Chase in his
book titled, “The Vulture is a Patient Bird” they waited quietly. Osinbajo took decisions that they
considered inimical to their interests, but they kept their arms akimbo knowing that their time would
come, and they would bare their fangs. Their ire and fury were greatly stoked by the success and
popularity that Osinbajo was attracting, without realising that the ultimate beneficiary was a
government which had previously been seen as slow, inept and incapable.

Slowly, but surely, the fake news started spreading, clandestinely, that he wanted Buhari dead. The
conspiracy theory was rife, but subdued. Osinbajo’s cardinal sin was committed and his fate probably
sealed the day he summarily sacked the Director General of the Department of State Security, Lawan
Daura, after the invasion of the National Assembly by hooded and gun-toting secret agents. Osinbajo
had denied approving such dare-devilry by the executive against the legislature and till this day no one
has owned up to what nearly became a coup against the legislative tier of government. Daura was seen
as a sacred cow with friends in the ruling cabal, but Osinbajo by a masterstroke had him smitten and
the head of one of the gargoyles had been severed by one deft blow! He would not be forgiven and plot
after plot were conceived but could not be carried out before the election as Osinbajo was the Joker in
the pack, the face of the Buhari Presidency!

Permit me to interject that Osinbajo actually brought stability to the nation by reaching out to every
nook and cranny, cementing bonds of friendship across party lines. He visited the Niger-Delta and was
able to put a stop to the militancy that was once again threatening to engulf that region of our country.
In doing so he improved our economic fortunes by ensuring an increase in production of our main
income earner, crude oil. In addition, he brought greater positive image to the Buhari government.
Many silently prayed Buhari would give him more responsibilities, and a freer hand to handle the
complexities of Nigeria. Again, we were wrong. Any respite for Osinbajo was actually simply for the
purpose of navigating the electoral quagmire that the Buhari Presidency had found itself in.

Going back to our narrative, mercifully, Buhari returned after a miraculous rejuvenation. If his mind
had been poisoned against his deputy, his straight poker face betrayed nothing. They continued to work
harmoniously, at least, in public. As noted, Osinbajo became even more visible, and voluble, as their
second term election drew nearer. Osinbajo became their star actor and harbinger of Tradermoni, a
popular moniker for feverish distribution of cash in strategic locations, such as markets and similar
trading places, for the emancipation of impoverished majority, which traducers suggested was nothing
more than an act preparatory to buying votes. Osinbajo took all the savage attacks for Buhari in his
stride. He calmly and eloquently defused and debunked all the sordid allegations of incompetence,
inability and incapability levelled at his principal. His energy was extraordinary. He did house to house,
and door to door campaigns. He made town hall meetings popular and the people trooped out to see
and discuss the nation with him. The use of the hustings as the primary focus of the politician to rabble
rouse and appeal to voters became a less favourable option as Osinbajo demonstrated that it was
important to feel the pulse of the people by personal engagement. He even cheated death on two
occasions the second being in Kogi State, after his chopper spectacularly crashed in a haze of dust, but
thankfully, not in a burst of flames and everyone onboard survived without as much as a scratch. It was
obvious that this was an anointed man of God and that God was with him and his house.

Elections came and APC candidate Buhari was declared victorious. I congratulated them, as normal
Democrats would. When there were compelling reasons to do so shortly afterwards, I admonished the
APC by adding the proviso that the Party should not over-rejoice but offer an olive branch to the
supposed losers.

In a succinct letter I penned to Professor Osinbajo, I took time to explain how to restore sanity to the
polity. My letter was misconstrued and instantly rebuffed as an attempt to divide the “one indivisible
Presidency…” I was brutally attacked by some people in the office of the Vice President, but I
understood their predicament. They were jittery about how the hawks would view my innocuous
intervention and genuine intentions. I read panic in their response to me. But I knew today will come,
eventually, like it has.

I’m a good student of Nigeria’s political history and trajectory. I’m familiar with the African mythology
that witches don’t forgive. What is worse, witches don’t spare anyone, they eat and devour their own
children, when in need of flesh. Osinbajo is the latest victim in the vicious cycle of power games in our
country. He is being stripped of the last vestiges of relevance and importance, as typified by how the
appurtenances of his relatively powerful office have been whittled down and almost totally degraded.
His enemies are working overtime and overdrive by spreading spiteful rumours about one of the finest
gentlemen in government. He may not be perfect, but Prof is a good man who loves his job and
respects his boss, without doubt.
There are already speculations that all the theatre and spectacle that we are witnessing is a prelude to a
more devastating attack. The aim is to try and make his position so tenuous untenable that he is forced
to resign. If he does not bite the bullet or fall on his sword, my understanding is that he will be pushed.
My candid advice and word of caution to the President is that he should resist such temptation. He
should not listen to those who do not have any patriotic bone in their body. They are selfish, fearful and
also weak. In Osinbajo they see their nemesis. He is everything that they are not. He has achieved
outstanding and amazing success in every sphere that he has touched. He is a teacher of international
renown and repute, a foremost legal mind, a pastor of great intellect, compassion and suasion. Worse
still for them, he has come to their turf and shone as bright as the stars of the constellation to become a
consummate politician.

If this game that we are all witnessing is all about who becomes what in 2023, it is complete
balderdash. The reason I say so is very simple. Only God gives fortune and power. And only God can
take it. No matter how hard man may try, he can never be God, he can only play God. With time such
actor will see that he is nothing more than that thespian who must quit the stage at some time or the
other. On the other hand, the consecrated vicegerent of God can never be too much honoured and
adored. At my age, I have known and met enough men and women of power. Many of them are alive
and must be wondering what the fuss was all about in those years gone by. APC has butchered some of
its finest people. Do they need more to prove their virility? They should spare Nigeria this endless
charade.

Let it be on record that I pleaded.

May God’s will be done.

Make Pidgin English Official Language – Emir

Tells FG
The Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Sidi Bage Muhammad I, on Saturday called for the official recognition of
Pidgin English as a language in the country and for unifying Nigerians through its spoken words.

NAN reports that Muhammad, a retired Supreme Court Justice made the call at the 35th Annual
National Conference of English Scholars’ Association of Nigeria (ESAN) in collaboration with
Department of Languages National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Abuja.
He said it was time to appreciate Pidgin English; especially as it had enabled Nigerians communicate in
time of difficulty as presently witnessed in the country.
“Pidgin English has done very well because it has become a medium of communication in this country.

“This has helped a lot of Nigerian who do not have a great command of English language opportunity
to communicate with people at our level, and it has kept this country together.
“I did say when we were having conference at the Court of Appeal to decide on some pertinent
question that there is the need for pigeon English to be given some recognition in this country,”
Muhammad said.
According to Muhammad, even the Court of Appeal recognizes that Pidgin English can stand the place
of English and as such its statements can be admissible in evidence.
He said: “There was this argument in the past whether a statement made in Pidgin English can be
admissible in law; it was subjected to a lot of interpretations and it started from the level of the High
Court and met us at the Court of Appeal.
“The decision of the High Court is that Pidgin English is not English and as such that statement cannot
on its own stand the test of a statement; it has either to be interpreted in English which was what the
court said it must be subjected to but that it will require some degree of corroboration.
“It came to us at the Court of Appeal and we sat at the panel to decide. Our decision at the court of
Appeal was that Pidgin English is English, and we said that what is important is that it has
communicated exactly what the owner of the statement intended to convey.
“Again, we said that the audience it was intended for fully understood it, so Pidgin English can stand
the place of English and such statement can be admissible in evidence.
“We thought that the parties affected will appeal to the Supreme Court since it was of a national
importance so that it can become a law and not be subjected to another form of interpretation next time,
but they didn’t go to Supreme Court.”

Autonomy: Keana LG Begins Eletrification, Road Constructions

With the financial autonomy granted to local government areas in the country, Keana Local
Government of Nasarawa State has commenced a 24 Kilometres electricity connection from the
330KVA national grid to Giza and Kadarko towns.

 This was even as the council also embarked on the construction of five Kilometres of road network
across some towns, as well as the construction of a befitting palace for the paramount ruler of Agaza
chiefdom.

 The chairman of the council area, Adamu Adi, inaugurated execution of the projects yesterday at
Agaza town with the optimism that all the projects embarked on would be completed within the span of
his administration.
 He gave a breakdown of the projects earmarked for execution by the local council area as roofing of
the Osana of Keana palace, construction of the Osoku’s palace, connecting Giza and Kadarko towns
with the 330KVA national grid, construction of Kwara – Angwan Sida, Aloshi town and Kadarko
market side road.

 Adi however disclosed that the Keana council area under his watch had two years ago embarked on the
construction of a two kilometres township road in Keana, as well as fencing of the Local Government
secretariat. – The council chairman concluded by commending President Muhammadu Buhari for
granting financial autonomy to Local Government Areas in the country which, according to him, “the
Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule, complied without hesitation.”

CAN Hails El-rufai’s Decision To Save 110-year Kaduna Church

From Demolition
The Kaduna State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria has commended the Governor Nasir
El-Rufai’s government’s decision to save the 110-year St. George Anglican Church, Zaria from
demolition.

The CAN Chairman in the State, Rev. Joseph Hayab made this known to our correspondent on the
telephone following Friday’s clarification by the Director General of the Kaduna State Urban Planning
Development Agency, Ismail Dikko that the Church won’t be touched because of its historical value.

Full Rehabilitation Of Refineries Begins January-NNPC

The nation’s refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna will refine crude oil at optimum
capacity come 2022, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation announced on Saturday night.

NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, who disclosed this during a facilities tour of the Port-
Harcourt Refining and Petrochemical Company, stated that full rehabilitation of the plants would
commence January, 2020.

A statement by the corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Ndu Ughamadu, said
the NNPC helmsman’s visit to the refinery was part of his commitment to ensure that the nation’s
refineries deliver value.

Kyari said making the refineries to operate at optimal capacities was a mandate that NNPC as a
corporation would leave no stone unturned to actualise, adding that a timely delivery of the asset was a
priority.

He said, “We will stick to time, we will deliver this project by 2022. We will commence actual
rehabilitation work in January. We will do everything possible between October and December to close
out all necessary conditions for us to deliver on that project.
“I believe that with the support that we have from the shareholders – government of this country, the
entire staff of this company and the contractors, I believe it is doable and we will deliver the project.”

He tasked the contractors on the need to consider their reputation as most critical element in business
processes and engagements.

Kyari said, “It’s no longer about business now, but a reputational issue. For the original builders of the
refinery, Tecmmont, Eni/NAOC and NNPC, let us be conscious of the fact that our reputation is at
stake as far as this project is concerned.

“The NNPC leadership has promised this country that our refineries will work, therefore, we must
work not to disappoint over 200 million Nigerian stakeholders.”

He also challenged the PHRC management to ensure that the nation’s indigenous engineers and other
professionals working in the refinery were fully engaged to participate actively during the rehabilitation
exercise and own the process.

Flood Submerges 150 Communities In Kogi

Over 150 communities across nine local government areas of Kogi State have been submerge by flood.
The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Pharm. Sanusi Yahaya, disclosed
this on Saturday while speaking to journalists after stakeholders meeting at the state emergency
operation centre in Lokoja.

The commissioner noted that the State Emergency Operation Centre had been activated as the state was
already experiencing flood emergency as a result of river flooding.

Yahaya, who also doubles as the state Coordinator, Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), said that, out
of nine LGAs located along the banks of River Niger and Benue, seven LGAs were severely affected
while other two were not so severe. According to him, the LGAs severely affected are: Ibaji, Kogi
Koton Karfe, Lokoja, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Omala and Idah, saying over 90 per cent of Ibaji communities
have been submerged. “Particularly, majority of communities at Ibaji are under water, and many
households have been affected and displaced.

“As we speak, the water level has risen very high to about 10.60m today (Saturday) in Lokoja from the
report of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA). “In the last few days, many
communities, settlements have been displaced as a result of flooding,” he said. He named some of the
submerged communities as Adankolo, Gadumo, Egan, Budon, Kinani, Esikaku, Oreza, Edimose,
Enumayi, Ogbangede, Iganumo, Bagana, Obakume, and Idirisu.

Others are Edeha, Adabode, Edegaki, Akpaku, Okpaka, Adamogu, Kasemiya, Kpakpazi, Kelebe,
Ozahi, Panda, Ikumo, Irenodu, Iganumo, Geregu, among several others. He said that over 20 camps
had been opened to accommodate flood victims which were spread across the nine affected LGAs. He,
therefore, advised residents of flood-prone and affected communities to relocate to safer places or move
to the nearest camps which had been opened by the state and local governments, to avoid loss of lives
and property.

PDP, APC Ward Leaders Brutally Murdered In Rivers

Gunmen have assassinated one Nwozuruaka Anele at his apartment in Alakahia community
in Obio/Akpor Local Government of Rivers State, reports say.

Anele was reportedly killed in the early hours of Saturday in front of his family.

Sunday Sun gathered that Anele, until his untimely death, was the Alakahia chapter
chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and a youth leader in the community.

The wife of the deceased, Orlumati Nwozuruaka, said those who murdered her husband
were many, saying that her husband was killed despite pleas by her children.

She said her husband’s killers had forced her to lie and face down to avoid identifying
them, before assassinating him about 2 am.

“We were sleeping when we noticed some noise at our main door. I woke up. I did not
know that my husband had also noticed it and woke up and ran to the bathroom,” Orlumati
gave a chilling account of what happened.

“Immediately, his killers, who were many in number, forced their way in and asked my
husband for his ATM card and he told them that it was inside the car outside. He requested
that they follow him to the car, but they said no need.

“They dragged him to the parlour, I and my children were pleading; my little daughter
pleaded, ‘brother, please leave my father alone’; there, they shot him dead. All I could hear
from my husband is, ‘mother, I’m gone'”, the distraught wife lamented.

The immediate elder brother of the victim, Jeffrey Omejuriowhor-Amadi, said his brother
was killed because of his stance for justice and fairness.

He called on the government and security agencies to unravel the perpetrators of the
murder.

“We just wake up to see the lifeless body of my younger, who did not have problem with
anyone. He was not a cultist, not a rapist and not also a criminal. We are all surprised. He
only stood against injustice.

“Security operatives and government must do everything possible to arrest the killers of my
brother and bring to an end the incessant killings in this part of the state,” he pleaded.

The killing of Anele comes a month after members of cult gangs in the community
 denounced membership of gangs and embraced peace.

Another murder incident was reported in Rumuekini community in Obio/Akpor LGA,

when a young man identified as Anebo Amadi, who was a member of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) party, was killed by unknown gunmen.
The assailants ambushed him at his family home and shot him dead.

Sunday Sun gathered that men of the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Team have
visited the scene of the incident at Alakahia. When contacted, the State Police Public
Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident.

Omoni said investigation had been launched into the case as ordered by the state
Commissioner of Police, adding that the area was calm.

Nigeria Is Far From Being United: Tarawa Balewa, 1953

Nigeria's first and only prime minister, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa had this to say about Nigeria in 1953:

"Since the amalgamation of Southern and Northern Provinces in 1914, Nigeria has existed as one
country only on paper. It is still far from being united. The country is inhabited by peoples and tribes
who speak different languages, who have different religions, different customs and traditions and
entirely different historical backgrounds in their way of life, and who have also attained different stages
of development..”

------- Alhaji Tafawa Balewa in Northern Legislative Council, Kaduna 1953.

Abuja Crime: Is Nigeria's Capital City 'one Of The Safest In

The World'?
A recent spate of kidnappings and violent crimes has shaken Nigeria's capital Abuja, regarded as a
relatively safe haven in a country facing major security challenges.

The national police chief, Mohammed Adamu, has sought to allay concerns by saying that Abuja
actually has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

Is he right?

Before we start looking at the numbers, it's important to consider the reliability of Nigeria's crime
statistics.

Experts don't rate them highly - a recent United Nations report analysing homicide statistics describe
existing Nigerian data as "patchy and divergent".

Security experts say many crimes go unreported in Nigeria because of distrust in the police, a lack of
police presence on the ground, and a general feeling that reporting a crime will be unlikely to lead to
redress.

The International Police Science Association, a group of security experts and researchers, ranks Nigeria
bottom in a global index that measures factors including confidence in the police, corruption and
security outcomes.

So the likelihood is that official statistics would significantly under-report crime rates in Abuja and
across Nigeria.

Now, let's look at the available data, starting with the recorded murder rate in Abuja compared with
other major cities around the world.

On this measure, Abuja does not rate among the safest cities, as the Nigerian police chief has claimed -
and there are plenty of other cities we could have chosen as comparisons to make the point.

The government's own data suggests that the murder rate in Nigeria's largest city, Lagos, is lower per
capita than it is in the capital, Abuja.

How about other measures of safety?

The Economist Intelligence Unit publishes an annual report on urban crime that ranks 60 cities across
57 indicators.

The safest ranked African city is Johannesburg in South Africa at 44. They haven't included Abuja, but
Lagos is at the bottom of this list.

There are certainly more crimes committed in Lagos than Abuja - three times as many per head of
population, according to Nigerian official data for 2017.

But Lagos is a much bigger city, and remember - the official recorded murder rate per capita was higher
for Abuja.

So Abuja is clearly not as safe as Tokyo, Singapore, Osaka and Amsterdam - which are considered the
safest cities in the world.
September 22

Charges Against Sowore Confirms Buhari Govt. Unprecedented

Level Of Paranoia
Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka has described the charges against Omoyele Sowore as a
confirmation of the Buhari-led administration's unprecedented level of paranoia.

Revealing that he first dismissed the report as fake news, Soyinka added that 'Sowore's Issue' has
moved beyond harassment and taken on a sinister direction. He further stated that the nation had failed
to learn from past experiences.

He said, “This is utterly depressing news. So, the Sowore affair has moved beyond harassment and
taken on a sinister direction. Outside the country where I happened to be engaged at the moment, I can
testify that the immediate reaction around me was to dismiss this as yet another grotesque product of
fake news, of which Nigerians have become the greatest practitioners. I confess that I also joined in this
school of thought – at the start.

“Further checks have however confirmed that this government has indeed attained an unprecedented
level of paranoia. I do not believe that the Justice department itself believes in these improbable
charges, as formally publicised. So, once again, we inscribe in our annals another season of treasonable
felony, History still guards some lessons we have yet to digest, much less from which to learn.
Welcome to the Club, Mr. Omoyele Sowore.”

Recall that the Nigerian government filed a 7 count charge against Omoyele Sowore a day to the
expiration of the 45-day detention order they obtained against the 2019 Presidential candidate of the
African Action Congress in August. The charges centered on treasonable felony, insulting President
Buhari and money laundering.
3rd Term Agenda: President Buhari's Supporters Start
Movement
Some of President Buhari's supporters have started movement for President Buhari's third term.Sharing
the news on Facebook,they wrote....

Movement for the Approval of BUHARI Third Term. We demand Constitutional

AMENDMENT to Enable Baba CONTINUE Beyond 2023.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=549802915775548&id=124468771642300

Source: http://www.trezzyhelm.com/2019/09/president-buharis-supporters-start.html?m=1
CBCN To Buhari: Do Not Allow Ethnic, Religious Hegemony In
Nigeria
THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged government at all levels to shun
ethnic or religious hegemony in Nigeria while ensuring religious and tribal equity, with no one
religious favoured over another.

The CBCN stated this in a communique issued at the end of its plenary meeting held at the Divine
Mercy Pastoral Centre, Agbamaya, Obada-Oko, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The communiqué captioned, ‘Moving beyond precarious living in Nigeria’ was signed by the President
and secretary of the association, Augustine AKubeze and Camillus Umoh respectively.

“We urge especially the Federal Government, to ensure that it does not allow ethnic or religious
hegemony to prevail in our multi-religious and secular state. No one religion should be favoured over
another,” the CBCN said.

According to the document, the 10-day conference which held from September 11 to 20, was aimed at
reflecting on issues affecting the Church and the Nigerian State.

Speaking on the need for national integration, the Catholic clergymen opined that much effort is
required from both government and citizens to be co-opted into having a sense of belonging,
irrespective of the nation’s heterogeneity in tribe, religion or political affiliation.

PEPT: Atiku goes to Supreme Court Monday, to file 70-point

grounds of appeal
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last general election, former Vice
President Atiku Abubakar, has concluded plans to file an appeal on Monday challenging the outcome of
the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal, PEPT.

According to THISDAY, ahead of Wednesday’s deadline for an appeal against the tribunal’s judgement,
Mr Atiku had put together 70 points as grounds for the appeal, which he plans to turn in on Monday.

The PEPT judgement was delivered on September 11 and Mr Atiku, as the appellant, had 14 days to
file an appeal. By this calculation, the deadline for the filling of an appeal is Wednesday, September 25,
while the petition has a lifespan of 60 days within which the appeal must be determined.

An unnamed Mr Atiku’s lawyer was quoted by the newspaper as saying that the former vice president’s
lawyers had put together 70 grounds of appeal based on errors dictated from the tribunal’s judgement.

According to him, “We will file latest on Monday, September 23, and at most, due to any unforeseen
reason, by September 24. Bear in mind that the deadline for submission is Wednesday. We won’t file on
Wednesday for tactical reasons.”

The lawyer also ruled out the possibility of a new legal team, because the new lawyers would not have
sufficient legal background of the petition since the Supreme Court panel is expected to deliver its
judgement within 60 days from September 25.

He said one of the 70 grounds of appeal is that “the judgement of the PEPT was based on the facts; the
judgement was not on the issues presented to the Court of Appeal presidential tribunal by the petitioner,
especially in relation to the respondent’s academic qualifications.”

He said, “Take, for instance, one of the respondent’s witnesses, Major General Paul Tarfa (rtd), called
by President Muhammadu Buhari’s lawyers said that they did not give their qualifications to the
Military Board. Tarfa’s testimony is against the claim by Buhari that the Nigeria military is in
possession of his certificates.
“Secondly, Buhari said that he was recruited into the military in 1961 and Tarfa said in 1962, so what is
the correct date of his recruitment into the army?Somebody is not telling the truth.

“The issue in question is who entered the different grades for him from both the Cambridge and the
West African School Certificate results. This is the first time that the court will say that the documents
are admitted in the interest of justice. So, who entered the different grades for him and if he did it,
why?

“One of the grounds of appeal is that the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, brought the Cambridge
documents dated July 18 and testified on July 20. The point here is that it was not pleaded, when the
respondent replied to the petitions of Atiku. So, speaking as in point of law, you don’t speak on
documents not pleaded.

“The WAEC documents contradicted the Cambridge documents. This is a case of forgery,
inconsistency in documents.”
The lawyer added, “On the INEC server, the judgement of the PEPT said the INEC server was hacked
and we then asked, which of the servers was hacked?

“The tribunal judgement was based on the Electoral Act section 52 (1) (B), but this aspect of the law
has since been deleted in 2015. It is no longer in existence. This was the case in Wike Vs Peterside.

“If the judgement said INEC server was recklessly hacked, then, there is a server and, therefore, a
criminal offence. Yet, INEC did not claim so or that its documents were stolen. How come the judge
reached this scandalous decision?

“If section 52 (1) (B) is no longer in existence, how come the lead judgement came to this decision? It
was not based on the documents pleaded. Therefore, how come it was decided so? That means that the
judge went on a voyage of discoveries and exploration. Buhari was not accused of forgery. Rather, he
was accused of lying, when he said the army was in possession of his documents.

“In his form CF001, he presented an affidavit, instead of his certificates. PEPT relied on the CV
presented. We are asking, is that supposed to be so? CV is basically to show working experience. No
Primary School certificate. The judgement was based on inferences. The judge simply inferred.

“We are surprised that the PEPT went the way it did. It is our view that the judges would have gone
further to help improve our electoral laws as well as use it to commence the reform of the electoral
laws. So, these are some of the issues that form the grounds of the 70 points of appeal at the Supreme
Court.”
Femi Fani-Kayode's Tweet About Osinbajo & Tunde Bakare
"Pastor Bakare Will Be A Better VP Than Osinbajo" - ex-Minister

A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has said that pastor Tunde Bakare would perform
better as Vice President than Yemi Osinbajo.

Pastor Bakare is Founder of Latter Rain Assembly, and running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari
in the 2011 presidential election.

He was formerly a pastor at the Deeper Life Bible Church before he left to join the Redeemed Christian
Church of God which he also left to form his own.

Rumours are rife that the clergyman is being considered as possible replacement for Osinbajo, in the
wake of alleged rift between him and the president.

Reacting to the development in a tweet sighted on his Twitter handle by Igbere TV, the former Aviation
minister wrote;

“Rumours abound and if the truth be told @T_Bakare would be a much better VP than @ProfOsinbajo.
I may not agree with him on everything but at least he is loyal,he is courageous,he is strong and he
would never betray his people and faith.That is more than I can say for Osubande.”

https://twitter.com/realFFK/status/1175320865594101760?s=19

http://igberetvnews.com/1012709/pastor-bakare-will-better-vp-osinbajo-ex-minister/

Border Closure;Nigeria Withness 10.78 Million Ltr Reduction In

Fuel Supply- PPRA
…Dips to 50.22m from 61m litres in one month

By Michael Eboh
The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, yesterday, disclosed that the supply
of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, dropped by 10.78 million litres to 50.22 million
litres per day, since the commencement of the partial closure of the country’s borders.
In a statement in Abuja, General Manager, Corporate Services of the PPPRA, Mr Kimchi Apollo,
explained that the high volume of fuel supply before the closure of the border was mainly as a result of
widespread smuggling of the commodity, especially with the high opportunity for arbitrage in fuel
prices in neighbouring countries.
He stated that as at August 11, 2019, before the commencement of the partial closure of the borders,
fuel supply across the country, stood at 61 million litres, noting that it dropped to 50.22 million as at
September 8, 2019, after recording series of decline over the period of the closure.
He said, “The PPPRA has observed with keen interest the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, supply trend
since the partial closure of the country’s border, as indicators point to the gradual reduction in the
volume of PMS trucked out.
“According to statistics, records from various depots nationwide for 5th to 11th August 2019 stood at
about 61 million litres, representing the average daily volume trucked out before the border closure.
“The Agency observed from the data obtained between the 12th and 18th August 2019, a drop of about
35 per cent in volume trucked out from the previous week, which could be attributed to the reduction of
activities at various facilities during the Sallah holiday.
“However, from the 19th to 25th August 2019, which falls within the period in which the borders were
partially closed, the Agency recorded an average daily truck out the figure of about 57 million litres
which falls below the daily average figure for the week 5th to 11th August 2019.”
He added, “Similarly, from 26th August to 1st of September 2019, 371.82 million litres of petrol was
trucked out, averaging a daily figure of 53 million litres. This represents a decline of about four million
litres when compared to the previous week.
“Available data from the agency indicates that the downward trend continued from 2nd to 8th
September. The daily average truck out figure for that week was 50.22 million litres, indicating a
further reduction of 2.9 million litres.”
Apollo argued that the high truck-out volume recorded before the partial closure of the country’s
borders could be attributed to the seepage of petroleum products across the border, coupled with the
widening fuel price arbitrage with neighbouring West African countries.
“While the downward trend in the consumption pattern is a welcome development, the Agency assures
stakeholders that efforts are being made not only to curb the smuggling of products but to ensure that
petroleum products are available in the country,” he said.

Tinubu Speaks On Backing Buhari Against Osinbajo's

Presidential Ambition
Former Lagos governor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has
dismissed speculation that he was working against Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, over 2023
presidency.

He said this in reaction to the latest actions taken by President Muhammadu Buhari allegedly targeted
at his deputy.

President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly met recently with Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande, former
APC Interim National Chairman of the APC.

He reportedly complained about certain actions of the Vice President, and allegedly asked the duo to
prevail on Osinbajo to resign his appointment from the cabinet.
According to the Sunday Independent, while Akande was said to have opposed resignation, Tinubu
allegedly supported the President and claimed that nothing was wrong with Osinbajo quitting if found
to be culpable.

Reacting, Tinubu’s spokesman, Tunde Rahman, denied rift between his principal and Osinbajo.

“There is no truth in the allegation that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is against the Vice President. There is
nothing stopping the Vice President from nursing a presidential ambition. If he wants to run, let him
run.

“We are all watching and waiting. It is all a bundle of lies that Asiwaju Tinubu is unhappy about that.
People are just politicising the situation. Tinubu cannot muscle his own boy in any way”, he said.

Last Thursday, Osinbajo stated that the Economic Management Team (EMT) which he heads was not
scrapped or dissolved by the president.

Buhari had on Monday, constituted an Economic Advisory Council (EAC), which is widely believed
would take over the functions of the EMT.

In response to an enquiry from the National Economic Council (NEC), which comprises the 36 state
governors, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), among others, Osinbajo noted that both
councils were for the benefit of the President

He added that, “If NEC want to be briefed regularly by the Economic Advisory Council, EAC, we will
request the President to do that”.

Osinbajo explained to the council that such interaction will promote synergy.

Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, confirmed that he and his
colleagues discussed Buhari’s new team with the VP.

Yahaya said: “Governors requested for clarification from NEC’s chairman-the vice president
(Osinbajo), on the relationship between NEC and the newly informed Economic Advisory Council.

“And the vice president explained that those councils are advisory for the benefit of the President while
NEC is established by the constitution, they are to complement one another.

“He added that NEC could be briefed regularly on the activities of the Economic Advisory Council
with the permission of the president,” he added.
Nigeria May Explode If We Don’t Tackle Unemployment Now –
Ngige
The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, has warned that Nigeria may explode sooner
if unemployment in the country is not tackled urgently. The minister disclosed this in Enugu at the
weekend where he received an award from the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria , Nsukka
(UNN) alongside other alumni.

While taking a critical look at the alarming rate of unemployment in the nation, the minister said that if
the problem is not tackled frontally, with the seriousness and commitment it deserved, the country
would become one hell of unrest such as Venezuela, adding that the uprising might consume
everybody. He noted that the symptoms of social unrest are very much around in the country , saying
that President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has however fashioned out some measures to deal
with unemployment in the country. “So, unemployment is growing into a big cankerworm.

It is growing into a very vicious disease condition that has given rise to a lot of anti-social behaviours.
And government is seriously worried because if we don’t confront unemployment head on with many
measures which we are fashioning out now, then the whole country will be consumed with social
unrest.

“The symptoms are there. Boko Haram is a symptom of unemployment in Nigeria. IPOB is a symptom
of unemployment and desperation and people getting frustrated. Same goes for banditry in the North
West. Same goes for kidnapping all over the country. Avengers – the destruction of oil pipelines, OPC –
all these are symptoms of very serious underlying disease condition called unemployment. “All
arsenals, everything will be put into place, so that we can fight unemployment. Otherwise, it will
consume everybody.

It will consume me and you, pressmen. “It is already showing when you are on traffic and people are
knocking on your car window to ask you to give them your phone. If you don’t give them, they will
attack you. That is the big malaise. “One day, they will stop people from eating in their houses. They
will knock and say, bring your food and let us share it. We don’t want it to get to that. We have tried as
a country.

We were on the same pedestal with Venezuela. We were lucky President Muhammadu Buhari came in;
if not, we will be on the same scale with Venezuela. We would have all dispersed into neighbouring
countries. “We would have had social unrest that would be internecine and by now, we would not have
solved it. So, we are on with our thinking caps.

We are bringing everything we have on the table to see how we do it. “Even the Federal Executive
Council (FEC) in the last council reiterated that any contract for construction, infrastructural
development will have to indicate the quantum of new jobs to be created by doing so. There are other
things we are doing as government to see how we can ameliorate the situation.” “So, government for
the next level will fashion out ways and means to deal with unemployment.

We are doing something but I think what we are doing is not enough. Government has used
diversification into agriculture to fight unemployment. Yes, it was successful where people agreed to
turn themselves into farmers. We have also used ad-hoc procedures like Npower programme. It is like a
drop of water in the Ocean. We have employed through that process 500,000 people, about half a
million.

“But we have those searching for white collar jobs in the neighbourhood of about 15 million. So, we
have to do something; to teach people new vocations, new skills, so that not all will be going for white
collar jobs. “Even if you have a university degree, you can be thought some skills so that you employ
yourself or even get employed somehow. So, we are going to do that or it is on the table.”

The UNN College of Medicine at the weekend honoured its alumnus such as Dr Chris Ngige, Dr. Peter
Odili, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, for their contributions to the upliftment
of the college, and also the international businessman, Prince Arthur Eze as well as Governor Ifeanyi
Ugwuanyi who received award for good governance.

Sowore: "I Carried A Goat Tagged GEJ's Name At Occupy

Nigeria" — Comrade Buska
Comrade Rasaq Oladusola aka Buska speaks on FG's charge of “Treason” against Sowore
over the RevolutionNow protest.

In an interview with Objective TV, Buska narrated how he personally carried a goat tagged
in Former President Jonathan's name and coffin at Occupy Nigeria protest in Abuja and yet
none of the protesters were arrested or charged for treasonable felony.

He equally revealed how Buhari benefited from it and now he's against peaceful protests.

Further speaking, he trashed the charge sheet of the DSS stating Sowore wanted to upturn
this government with just $16k.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/B2r8FLxgtp_/?igshid=yn7x3dfb46ip

Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Calls For Rehabilitation Of

Lokoja-ekiti Road

The governor made this call while speaking with newsmen at Okene, on Saturday, described the
condition of the road as deplorable, and called for prompt intervention of Federal Roads Maintenance
Agency (FERMA).
The sate government could not maintained the road due to inadequate fund, and the road is been
constantly damaged by heavy vehicles.

Bello said the road is the major road that connects the North and Southern part of the country, has been
greatly used by millions of Nigerians, therefore suffer deplorable condition.

He added that commuters who ought to spend some hours on trips now spend days due to the condition
of the road.

He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to commence comprehensive rehabilitation of the road
to alleviate the suffering of commuters.

2023 Presidency Behind Provocations In The Villa — Guardian

• Govs To Rally Support For Osinbajo, NEC

As the air begins to clear on the situation in the Presidential Villa, where Vice President
Yemi Osibanjo is reported to be battling a cabal, the Vice President might need the support
of governors to defend his position as head of the National Economic Council (NEC) as the
prime constitutional economic body in the country.

At last Thursday’s meeting of NEC, in Abuja, two governors, one from the Southwest and
another from the Southeast expressed confidence in the VP’s leadership and asked
President Buhari to clarify that the new Economic Advisory Council is not going to
subordinate a statutory body such as the NEC.

The governors are hinging their advocacy on the fact that the VP has been an advocate of
states’ substantial autonomy within the federal system and do not wish for that effort to be
thrashed in the new scheme of things.

It emerged yesterday that President Buhari has invited the Vice President to see him before
he departs for the United Nations General Assembly programmes in New York, tomorrow.

A source in the Villa told The Guardian that the VP and his principal are still on same page,
except that there are interests in the Villa that are bent on causing confusion. The source
said the VP had an inkling of the recent events that tend to limit his reach and sphere, but
did not know it will begin to play out so soon. The source admitted that at the root of
whatever is playing out now, and what will emerge more with time, is the agitation for
2023.

On insinuation that some persons are trying to pay the Vice President back for some actions
he took as Acting President when Buhari was away on leave of absence, for instance, the
 sacking of former Director General of the Department of State Security Services (DSS),
Lawan Daura, and the crowing of former Chief Justice of the Federation, Walter Onnoghen
when it became an embarrassment to government, the source said whatever is happening
now has little to do with the Onnoghen’s matter, after all, Onnoghen had ruled in favour of
Buhari before in a previous election petition.

The source, however, agreed that the sack of Daura actually ruffled some persons who
thought they could get away with every act of impunity. But he reminded that upon his
return in August 2017, President Buhari commended the VP for holding forth while he was
away, when he said: “He used his intellect to run all over the place. I was seeing him 24
hours on NTA.”

When the Vice President survived a chopper accident during the campaigns, President
Buhari again acknowledged his selfless service when he said: “We give glory to Almighty
God for sparing your life. I’m impressed by your tenacious spirit, which enabled you to
continue on your campaign engagements, despite the shock of the crash.

I’m proud of our partnership and your unalloyed loyalty and your commitment to the
service of Nigeria. That you proceeded with your engagements, despite the accident, is a
testimony of your passion for service to country and a reflection of your admirable spiritual
fervour. May God continue to protect you and all those on board with you, bless your lives
and grant you more good health and long life to serve our country even more.”

But all that eulogies may not matter to vested interests that are bent on succeeding the
President come 2023. And they are doing everything to make the Villa uncomfortable for
any politician who may remind them that the presidency should be on its way down South
after Buhari’s eight years.

The Villa source said that is the crux of the matter. On rumour that the cabal was shopping
for a new Vice, the source said President Buhari will never agree to that, but powermongers
will keep trying to reduce the influence of the VP whichever way possible. The idea is to
provoke a dispute in the Villa and exploit it.

MEANWHILE, Vice President Osinbajo has clarified that the NEC and the new Economic
Advisory Council are for the benefit of the President. He said interaction between the two
will promote the much needed synergy in government.

Tinubu Fingered In Anti-Osinbajo Plot By Cabal - Daily

Independent
That all is not well with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is not news, but the new development is
the connection of his godfather and political benefactor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the
whole crisis.

Osinbajo, who is reportedly having a running battle with the Aso Villa cabal is also said not to be
in the good book of Tinubu over his presidential ambition.
It was gathered that Tinubu had once approached the Vice President to ask if he was nursing any
presidential ambition to which the latter replied in the negative.

Tinubu was said to have come across a video recording of a directive by Osinbajo to his political
associates on his plan to start his campaign for his presidential ambition almost two years into the
tenure of his boss.
The development was said to have angered Tinubu who noted that the Vice President cannot be
trusted.

It was due to the disagreement that the vice president’s nominee for the commissionership slot in
Lagos State, Mr. Obafemi George, was rejected by the State House of Assembly.

Besides, information gathered by Sunday Independent further revealed that some associates of
the Vice President had sought information on certain dealings of Tinubu while working abroad,
with the intention of using it against his benefactor during the presidential election.

Already, President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly met recently with Tinubu and Chief Bisi
Akande, former Interim National Chairman of the APC, during which he complained about
certain actions of the Vice President, and allegedly asked the duo to prevail on Osinbajo to resign
his appointment from the cabinet.

While Akande was said to have opposed such action, Tinubu allegedly supported the President
and claimed that nothing was wrong with Osinbajo quitting if found to be culpable in some
actions taken behind the president and which Buhari was not happy about.

Already, several actions to further humble the Vice President out of office are in the pipeline.
These include the sack of his associates from government and the plan not to renew the tenure of
the present Chairman of the Federal Internal Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babtunde Fowler.

The recent query issued to Fowler by the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the president, Abba Kyari, on
the agency’s inability to meet revenue projection target, is said to have a link with the political
orchestra being planned against the Vice President.

Fowler’s query was part of the underground moves by Buhari and the cabal in the presidency to
systematically undo Osinbajo in government, especially when the query meant to be an official
document was leaked to the press.

“What should have been ‘a top government secret’ was leaked to bring down the FIRS boss, who
was a member of the Economic Management Team (EMT), and to actually spite Osinbajo,” said
a source.

It was further gathered that the retention of former Director General of Department of State
Service (DSS), Lawal Daura, in the Presidency as adviser to the president, had strengthen the
opposition against the Vice President.

Daura allegedly wrote reports which the cabal wanted to use to nail the Vice President. Daura
despite his sack has continued to retain his official quarters in the Villa and working directly with
the President.
Besides, the plan to deal with Osinbajo informed the decision not to give him any ministerial slot
and the refusal of the president to retain his nominee and former Minister of Trade and
Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, said to be a close associate of the Vice President.

But, while the anti-Osinbajo action was being implemented by the presidency, sources close to
the Vice President said he was unperturbed and believe he still enjoys the confidence of the
president.

Although, there are fears that the ongoing hostility could affect the implementation of the
economic programmes of the Federal Government, sources said the cabal is not yet done until it
punishes Osinbajo for actions taken while he stood in for his boss as Acting President.

However, the Media Adviser to Tinubu, Mr. Tunde Rahman, rose stoutly in defence of his
principal, saying he cannot undo the Vice President.

While speaking with Sunday INDEPENDENT on Saturday, Rahman said all speculations on the
alleged rift between Tinubu and Osinbajo remained in the realms of conjecture.

“There is no truth in the allegation that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is against the Vice President. There
is nothing stopping the Vice President from nursing a presidential ambition. If he wants to run, let
him run. We are all watching and waiting. It is all a bundle of lies that Asiwaju Tinubu is unhappy
about that. People are just politicising the situation. Tinubu cannot muscle his own boy in any
way”, he said.

Osinbajo’s travail with the presidency cabal started when he sacked Daura, unarguably one of the
‘untouchables’ in the presidency, while Buhari was receiving medical treatment abroad.

Presidency sources noted that the Vice President was not forgiven for daring to move so
decisively against Daura. Osinbajo also committed another unthinkable ‘sin’ when he forwarded
the name of Walter Onoghen to the Senate to be confirmed when it was clear his role in acting
capacity would expire without confirmation.

It was said to be a mischief from the presidency in the first place to have appointed Onoghen in
acting capacity, the first of such strange appointment that showed he was no favourite of the cabal
to be made Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The first sign of trouble arising from those incidents was the budget being sent all the way to
London for Buhari to sign into law on his hospital bed while Osinbajo was acting.

Last week, President Buhari announced a crack team of economists, led by Prof. Doyin Salami,
as members of his Economic Advisory Council (EAC). The team replaces the EMT headed by
Osinbajo.

Aside from Salami, a respected Professor of Economics at the Lagos Business School, who sits
on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s monetary policy board, the team also includes Dr. Mohammed
Sagagi as vice chairman, a former presidential chief economic adviser, Prof. Ode Ojowu, a
former IMF Country Representative for Sierra Leone, Dr. Iyabo Masha, and a former CBN
governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo. Others are Mr. Bismark Rewane, Dr. Shehu Yahaya and the
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Development Policy, Dr. Mohammed Adaya Salisu,
who doubles as the team’s Secretary.

The new team, which reports directly to the president, is to advise on economic policy matters,
including fiscal analysis, economic growth and a range of internal and global economic issues,
working with the relevant cabinet members and heads of monetary and fiscal agencies.

While many Nigerians highlight the positives of the action, there had been greater measure of
dissents, who believe that the President’s action, in the same fell swoop, was sheer propaganda
aimed at further cutting down on Osinbajo’s already lean powers.

The deduction is that the latest move is part of a salvo aimed at whittling the importance of the
office of the Vice President and indeed, the occupant of the office, all as part of the game-plan
ahead of the next political dispensation in 2023.

$9.6b Judgment: Ex-cjn Belgore, Others May Face Trial

• FG tightens noose on P&ID, moves to register judgment against Irish firm in London

• Nigerian legal team departs for London with three-point agenda

by Yusuf Alli,

A former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Alfa Belgore may face trial for his alleged
role in the $9.6billion debt judgment against Nigeria.

Belgore is alleged to have provided legal consultancy service to the Process and Industrial
Developments (P&ID) during the case that got it the debt judgement.

He has already been quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
on the matter.

Also quizzed is his secretary.

A team of legal giants left Abuja yesterday to hold talks with the nation’s offshore lawyers
preparatory to the resumption of the legal battle to reverse the debt judgment on Thursday.

The team left with a three-point agenda: seeking the leave of the court to set aside the $9.6b
damages, seeking a stay of execution of the award and appealing the judgement.

Several other people may also be arraigned with Ex-CJN Belgore, The Nation gathered
yesterday.
A total of 18 past and present government officials have been linked with the signing of the
alleged agreement with P&ID.

However, only one of them, a former Director, Legal Services of the Ministry of Petroleum
Resources, Mrs. Grace Taiga, has so far been taken to court.
She was arraigned before Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the High Court of the Federal
Capital Territory on Friday.

Sources said the EFCC has concluded investigation on more suspects and recommended
them for trial.

One source said anyone who is implicated during investigation will face trial.

Another source said: “The case at hand is serious. Many suspects conspired to create this
problem for the country. We will arraign more people and companies in court.

“The final outcome of the investigation will determine the fate of ex-CJN Belgore. If he is
found guilty, we might put him in the dock with others. The law is no respecter of
anybody.”

When contacted, the EFCC’s prosecution lawyer, Mr. Bala Sanga (a former Attorney-
General and Commissioner of Justice in Adamawa State), said: “We are going to give it
everything to get to the root of this criminal conspiracy.

“We will prosecute anybody found culpable after the conclusion of our investigation.”

The Federal Government, it was also gathered, has perfected plans to register in London
last Wednesday’s judgment in Nigeria against Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID)
in line with UK’s law on Registration of Foreign Judgment.

If the registration scales through, P&ID will forfeit all its assets in Nigeria and in the UK,
including the $9.6billion damages to the Federal Government.

Investigation showed that Nigeria’s legal team departed Abuja yesterday for consultations
with the nation’s offshore lawyers in London.

The Federal Government also rejigged the legal team by dropping some of those who
appeared on its behalf in the past in the case.

A reliable source said: “We have tinkered with the legal team; we now have a tighter group
which will work with our offshore lawyers.

“We will build our case on the conviction of P&ID by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal
High Court for fraud, money laundering, bribery and tax evasion among others.

“The granting of an order forfeiture of assets of P&ID is more important to us. We will take
advantage of the UK’s law on Registration of Foreign Judgments to register Justice Ekwo’s
verdict on P&ID.

“Once we succeed in registering the judgment, all assets of P&ID, including the so-called
$9.6billion will belong to Nigeria.”

Asked of what Nigeria would be tabling before the court in London, the source said: “We
 have a three-point agenda including seeking the leave of the court to set aside the $9.6b
damages; a stay of execution of the award; and going to an appellate court if Nigeria’s
application is refused.
“Seeking the leave of the court is not a matter of right, you have to argue for it on the point
of law. This is why our team is battle ready.

The founder of Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID), Michael Quinn admitted to
have had audience with the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, ex-Minister of Petroleum
Resources, Dr. Rilwanu Lukman, a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation, Shehu Ladan and 15 others over the Gas Supply and
Processing Agreement (GSPA).

He also said he wrote ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, a former Minister of Petroleum

Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and a former Special Adviser to President on
Petroleum Matters, Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah on certain developments on the failed project.

He was silent on whether or not the ex-President, Diezani and Egbogah played any roles.

But he admitted that the Arbitration, which led to the $9.6billion judgment debt, was
entered into by the Jonathan administration with the knowledge of Diezani.

He said on 19 September 2012 he wrote to the Minister for Petroleum Resources

nominating P&ID’s choice of Arbitrator, the Sir Anthony Evans.

He said on 30 November 2012 the Government wrote to inform P&ID of the appointment
of Chief Bayo Ojo as the Government’s arbitrator.

Despite the fact that he said there was a meeting earlier on 12 October 2012 at the “office
of the Government’, he said he would not want to divulge what transpired.

But Quinn included the list of the 18 key actors/ players in the contract in his in a witness
statement tabled before the Arbitration Tribunal.
He said the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the project was done on July
22, 2009.

Amnesty International Reacts As Buhari Govt Slams

Treason Charges On Sowore
Amnesty international has reacted to the seven-count charge of treasonable felony and money
laundering against detained activist and Convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore
by the Federal Government.

Sowore, a presidential candidate in the February 2019 presidential election was charged along
with Olawale Bakare, also known as Mandate.

The charges were signed on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of
Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), by Aminu Alilu, a Chief State Counsel in the Department of
Public Prosecutions of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Justice.

In the charges instituted against the defendants, the prosecution accused Sowore and his co-
defendant of committing conspiracy to commit treasonable felony in breach of section 516 of the
Criminal Code Act by allegedly staging “a revolution campaign on September 5, 2019 aimed at
removing the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.”

The prosecution also accused them of committing the actual offence of reasonable felony in
breach of section, 4(1)(c) of the Criminal Code Act, by using the platform of Coalition for
Revolution, in August 2019 in Abuja, Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, to stage the
#RevolutionNow protest allegedly aimed at removing the President.

It also accused Sowore of cybercrime offences in violation of section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes
(Prohibition, Prevention) Act, by “knowingly” sending “messages by means of press interview
granted on Arise Television network which you knew to be false for the purpose of causing insult,
enmity, hatred and ill-will on the person of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Reacting, Amnesty international in a post on its verified Twitter page condemned the charges.

The global rights human organization described the charges against Sowore “as an attempt by the
Nigerian authorities to deprive Sowore of his human rights”

The post read: “Amnesty International condemns the bizarre charges pressed on activist Omoyele
Sowore for expressing his views in media interviews.

“The trumped up charges he is facing show an attempt by the Nigerian authorities to deprive him
of his human rights; Omoyele Sowore continued incarceration on application of the Terrorism
Act for exercising his right to freedom of expression is a misuse of the criminal system to silence
dissent.

“We call on the Nigerian authorities to respect and protect human rights of all persons without
discrimination and ensure that it does not use its laws to justify violations of Omoyele Sowore
human rights.”

2023: Nothing Wrong Presidency Remaining In North –ango

Abdullahi
Former Vice Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and leader of Northern Elders’
Forum (NEF) and ex-Vice Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof Ango
Abdullahi, said that part of the trouble with Nigeria is that the elite do not keep documents and
have politicised everything as critical evaluation of positions of different ethnic groups in the
country showed that the North has been short-changed as key positions were not with them.

He said that the much noise on lopsidedness that favoured the North was not true, insisting that
there was nothing wrong with the appointment of more Service Chiefs from the region, arguing
that other ethnic groups have enjoyed it before now without the North complaining.

In a recently interview with Sunday Sun he insisted that there was nothing wrong with the
presidency remaining in the North in 2023 if Nigerians decide so through majority votes.

His words: “What we are witnessing is a sad development, very dangerous arguments that are
being put forward. How many offices are we even talking about and you are saying lopsidedness
of offices?

“Have you looked at the offices in the civil service and those that occupy them, so what is the
fuss all about? Are they parochial or are they biased in the discharge of duties concerning other
parts of the country?

“This is a very sad development because this is driving us into areas that will be very unfortunate
for this country.

“The trouble with Nigeria is that we don’t learn from our history and we don’t keep records of
history. I have just done an exercise in a booklet form to show appointments of the First Republic
since independence in 1960 to date, to show who was in what office and from what area, from
what religious faith?

“By the time you see it, you will be sorry asking this kind of question because the question
appears to be parochial by those who have such a view and should not arise”

Punch Headline: 'We Need Better Arms To Fight Boko

Haram', Military Commanders
Fresh indications have emerged that military troops deployed to fight Boko Haram insurgency in
the North-East are using outdated weapons and equipment, including failing Shilka guns
procured during the administration of late Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who was the President of
Nigeria between 1979 and 1983.

This development, according to top military officers who spoke to Sunday PUNCH on condition
of anonymity, has exposed Nigerian troops at the battlefront to attacks by the terrorists, especially
ISWAP fighters, who are said to have more sophisticated weapons.

They noted that it was also responsible for the heavy casualties the country had suffered in the
anti-insurgency war in recent times, noting that there were times the Shagari-era weapons failed
during operations.

The top military officers explained that Shilka, an artillery gun mounted on fighting vehicles,
being used by the Nigerian troops at the battlefront are outdated but that they were refurbished
and deployed for the operation.

They noted that such refurbished arms could not withstand the modern ones used by the
insurgents and that there were times they packed up during operations.
One of the officers said, “The Shilka guns were acquired under Shagari’s government.

We have many of them but they are outdated, so they were refurbished, even though a lot of their
components are missing.

However, they were deployed in the North-East for the anti-insurgency war like that, hence they
fail during battles.

“Recently, Boko Haram even stole one from the troops.

So, while we are battling with the refurbished Shilka, ISWAP fighters deploy the latest
technology to attack us, and you know the President said a week ago at an ECOWAS meeting
that how the terrorists deploy more sophisticated weapons is a matter of concern.”

Another officer, who is currently engaged in operations in one of the toughest operational zones
in the North-East, also told Sunday PUNCH that apart from Shilka, they used to have in their
inventory Tank 72, also known as T-72, which was made in Russia and manufactured in 1971 but
sold out in 1972. T-72 are Soviet-era tanks.

He added, “They were procured by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration towards
the 2015 elections and they were used to capture lost territories, but unfortunately, the tanks came
without spare parts.

“From time to time, we cannibalised one to fix another until they broke down and they were
withdrawn from operations because there were no spare parts.

What we have now is called Vickers MBT (Vickers Main Battle Tanks).

Payment Of New Deposit/Withdrawal Charges Optional -

CBN
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says the newly introduced controversial charges on bank
deposits was optional.

The CBN also said that charges on withdrawals from banks were optional for individuals and
businesses.

Igbere TV reports that the apex bank made the claims on its verified/official Twitter handle
Sunday morning.

“Under the cashless policy, please note that the payment of deposit/withdrawal charge is a choice
by individuals and businesses”, it said.

“CBN has provided various options to receive and and pay out money above the limits without
having to pay any charge”, the statement added.
The CBN, however, refused to disclose the said "option(al)" even when its followers demanded
to know.

The Central Bank had recently introduced a controversial 2 per cent charges on deposits and
withdrawals above N500,000.

According to the CBN, the new charges, which takes effect from five states, applies on individual
and corporate accounts.

Minister, Onyeama Carries Woman's Baby Onboard A US-

bound Flight
A Nigerian nursing mother was left in awe as she received a warm reception from the Minister of
Foreign affairs, Geoffery Onyeama, onboard a US-bound flight last night.

Oluwayimika Kuye shared the story of how the Minister was so helpful as he played with her one
year old son and carried him throughout the flight so she could have some rest.

According to her, she never expected a highly placed government official to be of assistance to a
nursing mum like her.

Ibrahim Babangida (IBB's) Message To Igbos

Former military leader, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), on Saturday urged Igbos
to ensure that Nigerians continue to feel their positive impact.

He said this was due to their tenacity in business enterprises which spans the length and breadth
of the country and beyond.

Babangida made the remark in Minna, when the Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA), from the 19
Northern states and Abuja, visited him for his recent 78th birthday.

The delegation was led by the IDA president, Chief Chikezie Okezie and the Eze Igbo of Minna,
Eze Pampas Wahiwe.

“You should continue to allow your positive impacts to be felt among host ethnic
nationalities in the country, as you explore business opportunities available.

“Nigerians, Igbos inclusive, should ensure they uphold the ideals of Nigeria’s founding fathers.

“An indivisible Nigeria is very necessary and we must do everything possible to remain as
one family, though we differ in tribe and tongue,” he said.

He appreciated the Igbos for being very enterprising and determined to succeed by penetrating
the nooks and crannies of the country for business exploits.
“You should use the same spirit of enterprise to promote peaceful co-existence among Nigerians,
in all that you are doing.

“You have done well to keep Nigeria together. The Igbos are known to have the potentials of
travelling far and wide, exploring new frontiers and business opportunities,” he said.

Okezie prayed to God to continue to grant IBB the strength and wisdom to offer advice that
would help Nigeria in tackling its various challenges.
“As an elder statesman, your wise counsel is very much needed at this point in our national life,”
he said.

Governor Okowa Preaches In Church, Tells Christians What

To Do
Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa has called on Christians all over the world to
dedicate their lives to serving God.

Igbere TV reports that the governor made the call on Sunday at the dedication of St. John’s
Anglican Church in Ibabu, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of the state.

Igbere TV gathered that the church was built by Mr Monday Onyeme, Chairman, Delta State
Board of Internal Revenue.

According to the governor in a statement on his social media page, “building for the Lord is the
best gift you can give when God blesses you.”

Continuing, Okowa said; “Building physical structures for the Lord is good, but, the greatest gift
you can give is what you do in your heart; my prayer is that the prayers said in this place will
uplift the people.

“Christians must continue to pray for the state and Nigeria, no matter the challenge, it is not time
to grumble, it is time to pray for God to turn things around for our nation; we will continue to do
more roads”, he added.

He commended Mr Onyeme for donating such edifice to the Church assuring that his
administration will construct a six classroom block for Anglican Grammar School, Obiaruku.

In his sermon, Bishop of Ndokwa Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rev. David Obiosa, said;
“the whole duty of man is to serve the Lord; we are here for the dedication of this church and the
vicarage built by Sir Monday Onyeme for a purpose; it is building a place for prayer for the
worship of God who made us and has continued to empower us.”

He commended the donors of the church building and urged the people to utilise the church to
seek the face of God.

Some of those at the event include Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Speaker of the Delta State House of
Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and other top government functionaries.
Army Launches “operation Positive Identification” In North
East
The Nigerian Army Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) has launched
“Operation Positive Identification” against the fleeing Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the North
East. The Deputy Director, Army Public Relation, OPLD, Col. Ado Isa, disclosed this in a
statement on Sunday.

He urged the public to always carry valid means of identification when moving or passing
through Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

Isa said the operation was aimed at searching for and arresting all suspected terrorists that
currently roam some parts of the North East. This, according to him, has become necessary
following credible information that some of the fleeing criminals are hibernating in some towns
and villages of Borno and Yobe States in particular and North East in general.

Army spokesperson disclosed that the troops had been instructed to strictly check valid means of
identification of person before allowing them passage. He advised people to always carry
National Identification Card, Voters Registration Card, Drivers’ License and International
Passports, or other valid official identification. “We therefore, once again enjoin all to fully
cooperate with troops and security agencies in carrying out this exercise.

“The Theatre Command also wish to state that anyone not positively identified will attract further
scrutiny and comprehensive investigation to determine his or her activities with the insurgents or
otherwise. “The general public is requested to bear with this measure as it is in their best interest
and our national security, as well as efforts to end the madness called insurgency as perpetrated
by the erstwhile Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters,” he added. (NAN)

See Aisha Yesufu's Reaction To The Seven-Count Charges

Against Sowore By FG
Nigerians woke up to the news that the Federal Government has slammed a fresh seven-count
charge against detained political activist and convener of the RevolutionNow Protest, Omoyele
Sowore, accusing him of treason, money laundering and cyberstalking President Buhari, Igbere
TV reports.

Reacting to the development, Aisha Yesufu, the co-convener of the Bring Back of Our Girls
BBOG's said; “If Fed Govt is going to charge anyone for insulting Muhammadu Buhari
@MBuhari it should charge Muhammadu Buhari himself.

“Nothing has insulted the President more than the ineptitude, cluelessness and incompetence of
the President.

“His failure in securing the Nation is an insult!.”

https://twitter.com/AishaYesufu/status/1175467934933819395?s=19
Nigeria Detained Children As Young As Five Over Boko
Haram Links - The Guardian
The Nigerian military arrested thousands of children it suspected of involvement with Boko
Haram, holding them in squalid conditions for years in some cases, according to a new report.

Some of the children detained were as young as five, and others described being crammed into
overwhelmingly hot, crowded cells in a notorious military facility in the north-eastern city of
Maiduguri called Giwa barracks, said a report released by Human Rights Watch.

The allegations, which the Nigerian military denies, fit into a wider pattern of alleged abuses on
the part of the country’s security forces, which have been battling the extremist group Boko
Haram for more than a decade.

Thousands of women and girls who believed they were being rescued were allegedly abused in
exchange for food and other basics. In 2015, Amnesty International said at least 7,000 people had
died in military detention in the north-east. More recently, thousands of displaced people have
been sent back to unsafe areas to provide a bulwark against Boko Haram, according to officials in
Borno.

More than 3,600 children, including 1,617 girls, were detained by the Nigerian armed forces
between 2013 and 2019, according to data collected by the UN, though Human Rights Watch said
Nigerian authorities have not allowed the UN access to military detention sites to verify these
figures. It is not known how many children are currently in detention.

Before arriving in Giwa barracks, several children described beatings at the hands of security
forces, the report said.

Ten-year-old Ibrahim said his family had fled their village after an attack by Boko Haram when
he was five and had been arrested several days later by the military.

“We said we escaped from Boko Haram, but the military did not believe us,” he said. “They said
that we were part of Boko Haram. They hit us children with a rope of animal skin and slapped
our parents with the flat end of a long knife. They beat us every day.”

Saeed, 17, who was initially detained in the town of Banki, said he was beaten by the Civilian
Joint Task Force, a vigilante group working with the military, in the presence of soldiers.

“They asked me if I was a member of Boko Haram and beat me up when I said no. They tied my
hands and legs and hung me to a tree and continued to flog me. They flogged me and left me tied
to the tree from morning till evening … They shot some people and even beat others to death
with sticks.”

Once they arrived at the barracks, children said they had to sleep close “like razor blades in a
pack”, with up to 300 people in a cell, sharing one toilet. Almost half the children who were
spoken to said they had seen the dead bodies of other detainees, who some thought had died
because of the heat.
A spokesman for Nigeria’s defence headquarters said the military did arrest children attempting
to detonate explosives and “provide tacit support to insurgents”, including information on troop
movements, but that children were treated as “victims of war and not as suspects”.

“Apprehended children are kept in secured places, where they are adequately fed, profiled and
de-radicalised before their release,” said Onyema Nwachukwu.

We Can’t Bequeath Chaos, Disunity To Future Generation –

Abdulsalami
A former Head of State, retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar has called on Nigerians to raise
the bar of peace in all their endeavors. He made the remarks at the second General Abdulsalami
Abubakar Foundation Annual Peace Lecture on Saturday in Minna, Niger State. He said Nigeria
is walking a tightrope as regard peace and security, while advocating for urgent measures to
prevent the rope from snapping midway.

The former Nigerian leader said the theme for the lecture, “Good politics at the service of peace:
The role of eminent persons in the prevention and management of conflict” was apt in view of the
discontents and tension that trailed the last general elections. “As we commemorate the
International Day of Peace, we must raise the bar of peace and always walk the long to peace in
all endeavors,” he noted.

He observed that the current tensed situation require collective efforts by all the country’s
stakeholders to prevent it from boiling over. “We cannot bequeath chaos, disunity, a state of
insecurity and hopelessness to the future generations of Nigerians,” he pointed out.

Abubakar urged youths to embrace the virtues of tolerance, fairness and respect for human
dignity and avoid vices that disrupt sustainable peace and development. Speaking on “climate
change for peace” which is the theme of this year’s International Day for Peace, the former head
of state said the dwindling natural resources has further exacerbated the conflict.

Delivering his lecture at the event, Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello advocated
for dialogue in resolving conflicts instead of military option which he pointed out further
exacerbates crisis rather than resolving them. He decried the rising insecurity across the country
with each region experiencing its peculiar crisis, while calling on stakeholders to come with
urgent measures to tackling the roots of the menace. He also called on the media to play the role
of peace makers and nation builders by playing down on hate speeches.

Silver-spoon Lawmakers: Dambazau, Mark And Other

Children Of The Rich, Powerful
Many prominent and influential Nigerians have their children and family members in the current
9th House of Representatives. LEKE BAIYEWU writes about the chips off the old block in the
lower chamber of the National Assembly
BENI LAR

Beni Lar, a lawyer, is the eldest daughter of a former Governor of Plateau State, the late Solomon
Lar. The 51-year-old is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party representing Langtang
North/South Federal Constituency of Plateau State.

She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2007 and became the Chairman, House
Committee on Women Affairs. She was re-elected in 2011 and became the Chairman, Committee
on Human Rights. In 2015 during her third term in the House, she was Chairman, Committee on
Science and Technology, a position she has maintained in the current 9th House.

OLUMIDE OSOBA

Representing Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode Federal Constituency of Ogun State,

Olumide Osoba, is the son of former Governor Segun Osoba. Olumide who ran on the platform
of the All Progressives Congress where his father is a kingmaker in the state, defeated another
silver spoon, Rinsola, one of the daughters of the late MKO Abiola and candidate of Action
Democratic Party.

Olumide had represented the constituency in the House between 2011 and 2015 on the platform
of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (now APC). He is now Chairman, House Committee
on Sports.

BABAJIDE OBANIKORO

A Political Science graduate, Babajide Obanikoro is a 37-year-old son of Musiliu Obanikoro, a

former member of the Senate and ex-Minister of State for Defence. The fresh lawmaker had lost
elections into various offices before eventually winning the House seat.

He had failed to become Chairman of Obalende/Ikoyi Local Council Development Area (2011)
and member of the Lagos State House of Assembly (2015), both on the platform of the PDP.

Babajide later in February 2018 dumped the PDP, where the senior Obanikoro had also lost his
governorship bids, and joined his father in the APC. There, he got the ticket of the ruling party
and won the 2019 election to become the lawmaker representing Eti Osa Federal Constituency.

Despite being a first-timer, he is now the Vice-Chairman, Committee on Steel

AKEEM ADEYEMI

One of the sons of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Prince Akeem Adeyemi, has been
representing Afijio/Atiba/Oyo-East/Oyo-West Federal Constituency in Oyo State since 2015.

Incidentally, 42-year-old Akeem, of the APC, contested against another son of the foremost
Yoruba king, Bayo, of the PDP, in the 2019 election.
MOSHOOD AKIOLU

Similar to the royal Adeyemi family in Oyo, Moshood Akiolu, the son of the Oba of Lagos, Oba
Rilwan Akiolu, is representing Lagos Island Federal Constituency II in the House of
Representatives on the platform of the APC. The first-timer is Vice-Chairman, House Committee
on North East Development Commission.

SHAMSUDDEEN DAMBAZAU

Representing Sumaila/Takai Federal Constituency of Kano State is Shamsuddeen Dambazau, a

son of the immediate past Minister of the Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.) who
served as Chief of Army Staff between 2008 and 2010.

BLESSING ONUH-MARK

Blessing Onuh, representing Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency of Benue State, is the

daughter of a former President of the Senate, David Mark. The senior Mark was in the Senate
representing Benue South Senatorial District from 1999 to 2019, during which he was Senate
President (2007 to 2015).

Her father, a retired Brigadier General and PDP stalwart, was military Governor of Niger State
(1984 to 1986) and later Minister of Communications.

Incidentally, Onuh contested against Mark’s cousin, Umahi Ahubi (the then Speaker of the Benue
State House of Assembly), for the PDP ticket and lost. She got the ticket of the All Progressive
Grand Alliance and defeated her uncle in the election.

Reps from famous families

Apart from children of prominent Nigerians, there are members of the House who are also related
to notable figures. They include:

KHADIJAH BUKAR-IBRAHIM

Khadijah Bukar-Ibrahim had represented Damatura/Gujba/Gulani/Tarmuwa of Yobe State in the

House for three terms (2007 to 2015) before becoming Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
(2016-2019). She returned to the House for a fourth term and is now Chairman, House
Committee on North East Development Commission.

Khadijah is married to Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who was Governor of Yobe State in the
Third Republic (1991 and 1993) on the platform of the Social Democratic Party. He became
governor again in the Fourth Republic (1999 to 2007).
Ibrahim then joined the Senate in 2007, where he was till 2019. In October 2017, he had said in
the Senate, “We are very grateful to God and to all Nigerians. Let me categorically say, Mr
Senate President, that I will stay in the Senate until death do us part. Everybody tells me that I’m
senator for life. I’m going to be in the Senate for life.”

BABAJIMI BENSON

Representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House, Mr Babajimi Benson, is
also from a famous political family. The boardroom guru and legal practitioner, is related to the
late Theophilus Owolabi Shobowale Benson, popularly called TOS Benson, according to the
online profile site, Wikipedia.

TOS Benson was a chieftain of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, an
opposition party in the Western Region, in the defunct First Republic. The senior Benson, said to
be Babajimi’s granduncle, was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and prominent Yoruba chief,
especially being the Baba Oba of Lagos. He was also Minister of Information, Broadcasting and
Culture during the era.

SHINA PELLER
A businessman rated as one of the kings of nightlife in Lagos, Shina Peller, first got elected into
the House in 2019, has recorded a motion and a bill on sexual offences related matters.

Representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Shina is a son

to one of the most renowned magicians in Africa, the late Prof Moshood Abiola Peller, fondly
called Professor Peller.

BABAJIMI BENSON

Member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr

Babajimi Benson, tells Leke Baiyewu about how the late TOS Benson inspired him and others in
the family to join politics

How are you related to the famous TOS Benson?

He is my great-uncle. He was my grandfather’s brother, to put it in a nutshell.

He was a prominent politician, did he influence your leaving the corporate world to join politics?

Definitely, he inspired me. He participated in the creation of Lagos State in 1967. He was the first
Minister of Broadcasting and Communication in Nigeria. He was also a parliamentarian.
Definitely, he inspired me. He was a very generous man. He brought major development to
Ikorodu Federal Constituency. He is still talked about till date. His big shoes are so difficult to
fill. Everybody has a good thing to say about him. He was a socialite, philanthropist and one who
believed in doing good to all. He was a member of the NCNC, so he was very close to Igbo
people. I always tell people that at my young age, I met Zik (Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe), (Chief
Obafemi) Awolowo, the late Ooni of Ife. All those men were of timber and calibre, who I met at a
very young age. So, he has been a very positive influence for me to join politics and his name
also resonates in my constituency.

Apart from you, how many others in the Benson family are in politics?

A lot of us are in politics. We have a Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State (Babajide
Sanwo-Olu) on Housing, Toke Benson. A lot of us have contested elections and a lot have lost. I
think I am the only one who has won election in the family, because we use to come from NPP
and NCNC kind of (opposition) parties. I came into the mainstream, from Alliance from
Democracy to Action Congress to Action Congress of Nigeria to All Progressives Congress. And
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was also close to Otunba TOS Benson. I remember meeting him
(Tinubu) a couple of times in his (Benson’s) residence in Lagos and London. They were also very
close and I know that Asiwaju has fun memories of him. He was a politician who was larger than
life.

BREAKING: Buhari Finally Departs Nigeria For New York

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has departed Nigeria for New York, United States,
Igbere TV reports.

Igbere TV had reported that Buhari will depart Nigeria today to attend the 74th United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA).

According to the President's Spokesman, Buhari is number seven on the list of speakers who will
be addressing the UN.

He is expected to speak on poverty reduction and fighting terrorism, Boko Haram insurgency in
view.

In a tweet announcing the president’s departure, Tolu Ogunlesi, a presidential aide, said Buhari
left Sunday morning.

“President @MBuhari this morning departed Abuja for New York, to participate in the 74th
Session of United Nations General Assembly. Follow #PMBAtUNGA #NigeriaAtUNGA2019 for
updates.”

https://twitter.com/toluogunlesi/status/1175729293638418433?s=19

The President is accompanied by some state governors, Minister of Foreign Affairs, George
Onyema and other top government functionaries.

Nigeria To Earn Fresh $6.35bn In Taxes, Royalties - NNPC

… As NNPC Concludes $875.75m Alternative Financing Package for OML 65 Expansion

The move by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to increase crude oil
production and grow the nation’s revenue profile gained momentum with the closure of
$875.75m alternative financing deal for the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC)
operated OML 65 through the Funding and Technical Services Agreement with CMES-OMS
Petroleum Development Company (CPDC).

A release by NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu
on its official Twitter account/website, stated that NNPC Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Umar
Ajiya, disclosed that the project, which scope cuts across exploration, development, production
and provision of facilities with incremental first oil targeted for Q4 2020, was estimated to have
potential reserves of 800 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) with an ultimate recoverable
reserve of 244 mmboe and cumulative production of 44mmboe from the Abura Main and Abura
SE fields.

Mr. Ajiya explained that over the project’s life, it was expected to generate over $6.35bn in taxes
and royalties to the Federation to support Government’s medium to long term economic
development agenda

Speaking at the closing meeting with the financing partners in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Mr.
Ajiya, described the contractor financing model as an innovative approach by NPDC to funding
its operations in response to the challenging economic environment, saying the approach would
fast-track the development of NPDCs under-developed assets.

He informed that the project was expected to ramp up production at OML 65 from 900barrels per
day to 60, 000 barrels per day with average production over field life at 40,000 barrels per day.

Throwing more light on the financing strategy, the CFO explained that the package entailed
comprehensive financing solution that addresses the complex issues involved in growing NPDC’s
production, minimizes its cost of capital, and maximizes its value preservation, adding that it also
strikes a balance between risk and reward which gives investors a rate of return that is
commensurate with funding a brownfield project which has significant exploration risk.

He said the expectation was that this collaboration between NPDC and CPDC would translate in
real terms to the efficient execution of the scope of activities for the optimal development of the
OML 65 Asset within cost and schedule, whilst maximizing value to all the stakeholders.

He said it was projected that the collaboration would enhance operational and financial
performance strictly guided by the pre-agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which remains
critical for determining incentive payment due to CPDC.

On CPDC’s right to provide technical services, the CFO listed the field of consideration in this
regard to include: drilling and completion services; building capacity and technology transfer;
generating employment opportunities for youths with attendant positive multiplier effect on the
nation’s economy, among other considerations.

NDU UGHAMADU
Group General Manager
Group Public Affairs Division,
NNPC, Abuja.
22nd September, 2019

https://twitter.com/NNPCgroup/status/1175763755176734721?s=19

PDP Blasts Buhari, Says He Has Nothing To Present To UN

As President Muhammadu Buhari departs Abuja for New York, USA, to participate in the 74th
Session of United Nations general Assembly, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on
Sunday berated him, saying that he has no agenda and did not articulate any definite objectives,
plans and proposals to attract tangible benefits to the nation.

Recall that Presidency had said that Mr President’s participation in this year’s gathering of world
leaders is particularly significant as it coincides with Nigeria’s Presidency of UNGA.

It equally stressed that Buhari would underscore his administration’s commitment to building on
the achievements of its three-point agenda, following the renewal of his electoral mandate by a
majority of Nigerians.

But in its reaction, PDP through its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan frowned at
Buhari’s departure to USA and charged him to address EU, AU reports on 2019 polls.

“The party says attending such an important meeting of world leaders and policy makers without
a clear-cut national agenda shows that the Buhari Presidency is not committed to our nation but
only going out for another showboating on the international platform.

Is it not lamentable that while other leaders are heading to the meeting with well-articulated
national proposals that will boost their nations’ competitiveness on international engagements,
the Buhari Presidency is going empty with zero capacity to engage; a clear signal that it will
equally return empty?

The sad effect of such leadership failure is worsened by the acceptability issues trailing the
rigging of the February Presidential election, for which the Buhari Presidency is largely lacking
in confidence and poise to vigorously engage other world leaders on issues.

In over four years of this administration, the Buhari Presidency has not been able to harness
opportunities presented by such important events despite huge resources deployed for attendance.

The PDP painfully recalls how, earlier this month, President Buhari returned empty from the 7th
Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7), at the same time his
Ghanaian counterpart, Nana Akufo-Ado, sealed a deal with automobile giant, Toyota, to establish
a Toyota and Suzuki manufacturing plant in Ghana.

Nevertheless, since Mr. President is appearing before the UNGA, the PDP tasks him to use the
opportunity to address world leaders on the reports by the European Union (EU), African Union
(AU) and other international bodies, detailing heavy manipulations and outright rigging of the
2019 general elections to favour him and his party.

Our party also urges Mr. President to address the world on reported issues of violations of human
rights, disregard to the rule of law and constitutional order, disobedience to court orders, arbitrary
arrest and detention of citizens, extrajudicial killings, impunity and swelling corruption under his
watch.

The PDP also insists that President Buhari should address the world on the UN Rapporteur’s
report as well as issues of violent division, escalated banditry, bloodletting and general insecurity
in our dear nation under his woeful administration.

In the same vein, the PDP demands that Mr. President addresses the world on how his
administration wrecked our once robust economy from a prosperous nation to the world poverty
capital in a space of four years.

The PDP states that these are facts known to all and for which the world is demanding answers
from the Buhari Presidency.

Our party also urges Mr. President to assert the confidence and courage required to demand for
help from other world leaders.”

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Union may take South Africa

To World Court
The President, Nigerian Union South Africa, Adetola Olubajo, has said the group may head to the
International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, over the xenophobic attacks on foreign
nationals, including Nigerians, in South Africa.

Olubajo, who spoke to SUNDAY PUNCH in a telephone interview, said they might file charges
against the South African government in South Africa before heading to the ICJ if justice was not
served.

He said, “The international law that is binding Nigeria, South Africa and all the (other African)
countries should be invoked because this is happening time and again. It is not a one-off thing.

“But I would prefer that we start internally by testing it in the law courts of South Africa — the
malicious damage of property and looting. If that doesn’t work, then we would head to the
African Union and the ICJ.

“I don’t have any problem with that, seriously, because this thing (xenophobic attacks) has
continued. If the attacks persist, then we will do what needs to be done.”

The Nigerian Mission in South Africa said although no Nigerian died in the latest attacks, over 50
vehicles and property worth millions of dollars owned by Nigerians were vandalised, burnt and
stolen.

The Nigerian Consul General in Johannesburg, Mr Godwin Adama, said this while reacting to the
xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreigners in Pretoria and Johannesburg on August 28
and September 1.
The crisis resulted in the death of five foreigners, as well as the looting and burning of property.

At least 502 Nigerians have since been evacuated from South Africa in two batches.

Nigerian Army Denies Tagging IPOB As A Terrorist

Organization
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, on Monday evening, denied the reports that
the military ever tagged the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, a terrorist organisation.

He said rather, what the army did was to make a pronouncement on IPOB which, according to
him, was not "a declaration per se."

Nigeria Needs More Female Engineers ―anambra Dep Gov

ANAMBRA State deputy governor, Dr Nkem Okeke has advocated for the projection of more
females into the engineering profession in the country, arguing that engineering was one of the
professions where women could thrive if supported.

Receiving members of the Association of Nigeria Women Engineers at Government House,

Awka, Okeke, who is a fellow of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (FNSE), expressed satisfaction
at what he called the fading superstition that female participation in engineering was a taboo.

According to him, sensitizing women to understand the profession better would propel more girls
to get into the study of engineering to excel in the profession currently dominated by men.

He commended the association’s efforts aimed at encouraging young girls into engineering and
advancing the professional development of practising female engineers.

The chairperson of the association in the state, Mrs Oluchi Okoli said the association had mapped
out a programme that would inspire younger females to take up careers in engineering.

Already, no fewer than 10 pupils selected from various schools in Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka
local government area of the state would be sponsored by the association to study from primary
school to university level in engineering courses.

A Nigerian Refused To Sit With Me Because I’m South

African
A South African in Japan narrates how he was snubbed by a Nigerian after he introduced himself,
with the Nigerian saying:’South Africans are not my brothers. We share Jason Jetnarayan’s story,
which was first published by IOL’

African reaction to xenophobia in South Africa has spread as far as Japan. Durbanite and
Manchester United fan Jason Jetnarayan, who works as an IT recruitment consultant after starting
as an English teacher in the Land of the Rising Sun, discovered this when he went to a pub in
Shibuya to watch the recent match between his team and Leicester.

“The pub was busy and there weren’t any seats available, but I looked around and spotted a black
gentleman in a Manchester United jersey with open seats at his table.

“I approached him to let him know my friend and I were Manchester supporters too and asked
permission to join him.

“He gave us his approval in an African accent. As a proud African myself, I was excited about
this because Africans are rare here. So I ask him where he was from. He said ‘Nigeria’ and
reciprocated the question. I extended my hand and excitedly told him I was South African. He
didn’t believe me until I proved it to him, showing him my ID as I beat my chest with pride.
“However, he didn’t seem to share the sentiment by the look of it.

“He was visibly upset, and made a statement about South Africans not being his brothers. I
immediately realise he was referring to the xenophobic attacks that have unfortunately occurred
in SA for the last decade, and only seem to be getting worse.”

Jetnarayan said he felt a sense of uneasiness, which he described as “a sinking feeling in my

chest”.

“The pride I felt a moment before sharply deteriorated into one of shame.

“I, for one, have never taken issue with immigrants in my country or any other. I am in no
manner responsible for the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, yet I apologised to the gentleman
as he got up to leave the bar, having made the choice he would rather not be affiliated with a
South African.

“We’re failing our brothers and sisters in Africa, we’re failing our women, we’re failing our
children. We need to be better. We need to fight for our people and speak out against atrocities
committed on our land, or else we too are part of the problem.

“Let’s be the resolution.”

In his fourth year in Japan, Jetnarayan spoke of his experiences as a foreigner there.

“Japanese people’s perceptions of SA are very uneducated and come across as ignorant.

“They find it hard to understand how an Indian or white can come from Africa. And racism isn’t a
prominent topic for them.

“They often don’t know they’re being racist. But I don’t blame them, they live in a very isolated
society and are mostly exposed to domestic media only, whereas foreigner perceptions of SA are
influenced by movies like District 9, sports, celebrities like Trevor Noah, or apartheid or
Mandela.” – IOL
Osinbajo Not A Houseboy That Anybody Can Remove
Anyhow- Tony Momoh
Prince Tony Momoh, a former Minister of Information on Sunday said there is no quarrel
between President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo adding that all is well
within the Presidency.

Speaking in a chat with Daily Independent, Momoh, one of the national leaders of the ruling All
Progressives Congress (APC) said the office of the Vice-President is not like that of a houseboy
who can be removed anyhow.

“Why are people just giving the impression that the office of the Vice-President is like that of a
houseboy who can be sent packing anyhow?”.

“The Vice-President and the President are together. They have never quarreled and there is no
cause for them to quarrel” he said.

2023: Buba Galadima Reveals Region To Produce Buhari’s

Successor
The National Chairman of the Reformed-All Progressives Congress (R-APC), Engr. Buba
Galadima, has revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari will handover power to someone from
the Southwest region come 2023.

Galadima, who used to be a die-hard associate of President Buhari said that the president is
working to install a president of Southern extraction in the 2023.

According to the former APC chieftain, it was difficult for Buhari to muster the needed
intelligence to allow the presidency stay in the North beyond 2023.

“I thought Buhari is working for the South, at least some part of the South. That is what every
northerner believes,” Galadima, who is now in the camp of Atiku Abubakar and Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, told Sun.

Speaking on recent claim by Babachir Lawal that the North won’t relinquish power because there
was nothing like zoning, Galadima added, “Forget about Babachir Lawal. I am not talking about
Babachir Lawal. I am talking about Buhari and myself or the North.

“I really wouldn’t know what you regard as the North. But I believe that majority of northerners
believe that Buhari is only working in the interest of some section of the South.

“You should figure out which section benefits more than any group.[talking about the
Southwest]”

Asked about the possibility that Buhari may be playing with the intelligence of the Southerners,
he said, “Well, I wish he has got that intelligence to do that. I wish so.”
“I never believed in anything like zoning. The best should always lead Nigeria, the man with the
largest heart and the man who will work for the country, rather than for self or for those close to
him.

“It doesn’t matter, for me. If Iyabo Obasanjo wants to contest election and I believe she is the
best, I will support her.”

Embattled VP Osinbajo Went Begging

'forget About 2023, North Will Rule For 20 Years' - Ex-

minister To Southerners
A former Minister of Aviation, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, has called on Southerners not to expect
power shift in the country by 2023.

Fani-kayode warned that the North was not willing to relinquish power yet, asking the South to
forget about 2023 presidency.

The former minister described those who believes that a Southerner will emerge president in
2023 as a "fool".
According to him, the North will rule Nigeria for 20 years 'and there is nothing anyone can do.'

He, however, added that the only "hope" for the South was "restructuring" or "separation" from
the country.

“Hear this and hear it well. Anyone that believes that a southerner will be President in 2023 is a
fool. The north has ALREADY decided to keep power for the next 20 years and sadly there is
NOTHING we can do about it. The only hope for the south is RESTRUCTURING or
SEPARATION”, he said.

“BREAKDOWN:

NW 4 years + NE 8 years + NC 8 years. Total = 20 years.

20 years of northern rule! Enjoy it!”, Fani-Kayode added.

Pastor Tunde Bakare: "I Will Succeed Buhari As President

Of Nigeria"
I will succeed Buhari as President of Nigeria, nothing can change it. I am number 16, Buhari is
number 15.

I never said it to you before. I am saying it now and nothing can change it.

In the name of Jesus, he is number 15. I am number 16.

To this end was I born and for this purpose came I into the world.

I have prepared you for this for more than 30 years.

Pastor Tunde Bakare

https://www.facebook.com/444807728996437/posts/1779780175499179/?substory_index=0

NNPC Boosts Ilorin Access To Products Supply As GMD

Resuscitates Dead Depot
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has boosted access of Ilorin, Kwara State,
and its environs to petroleum products supply as the Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele
Kyari, re-commissioned the Ancient City’s NNPC Depot.

Igbere TV gathers that the Ilorin Depot is part of the corporation’s System 2B Pipeline Network
knocked down more than eight years ago due to acts of pipeline vandalism.

Speaking at the event Saturday in Ilorin, the NNPC GMD said the re-commissioning was aimed
at restoring petroleum products supply and distribution for the benefit of Nigerians and in line
with the vision of President Buhari to make Nigerians happy and bring peace to every home.

A release on Sunday on its official Twitter handle/website, said Mallam Kyari stated that the
event was historic for NNPC in its quest to resuscitate its assets across the country, adding that
Ilorin and its environs would be saved from the vagaries of bridging following the
recommissioning of the depot.

While acknowledging the corporation’s success in restreaming a couple of its depots and
pipelines, the GMD stressed that NNPC would not relent in its efforts until all pipeline networks
in the country are revitalized.

Mallam Kyari declared that vandalism was inimical to all parties’ interests, the NNPC and host
communities’ whose commercial activities are also negatively impacted.

Kwara State Governor, Mallam, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, who witnessed the recommissioning
of the depot, commended the NNPC for its foresight in restoring the operations at the facility,
saying that the development would bring prosperity to the State.

“The NNPC has saved us the stress of moving products through trucks through hundreds of
kilometers with its attendant hazards and will help in securing our national assets”, the Governor
enthused.

Ndu Ughamadu
Group General Manager
Group Public Affairs Division
NNPC Abuja
22 September 2019

Ezeife: Igbos Will Support IPOB In 2023 If Denied

Presidency
FORMER Governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, weekend, said that the elderly
people in South East may embrace the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB if
the other parts of Nigeria conspire and deny the zone Presidency in 2023.

The elder statesman also said that the agitation and crusade being carried out by Mazi Kanu and
his group where they are demanding for a referendum was forced on Ndigbo by the country.
Speaking exclusively to Vanguard in Abuja, the former governor said that even if entire Nigeria
rejects Ndigbo, the people would not reject themselves.

Commending the non-violent approach by the IPOB leader and his group, Dr Ezeife said some of
the elite in the South East had distanced themselves from the Mazi Kanu’s approach because they
believed that there should be more mature ways of addressing the marginalization in the zone. He
accused the Nigerian government of making deliberate efforts towards pushing the Igbos out of
the country by denying them occupying sensitive positions including leading any of the security
agencies.
Asked whether agitation by the IPOB was genuine, he said, “Yes, you can’t beat a person and say
don’t cry. What Nnamdi Kanu and co are doing is crying because they are beaten and they are
doing it in a way that is non-violent. “Therefore, Nigerians should appreciate their method. I am
happy the rest of the world, Europe, European Union, they met with Nnamdi Kanu and they saw
point with what he was saying.

“The (United Nations) UN also met with Nnamdi Kanu in Switzerland, I don’t know whether
they have changed their mind they invited him to the United Nations General Assembly, but now
having met with him in Switzerland, they may not meet him again in New York. “So, I think
Nnamdi Kanu is doing what is forced on us (Ndigbo) because some of us believe that we should
find out more mature ways of going about it. “But the ideal is very lawful, they are crying for a
referendum, that is a democracy.

I think if Igbo people are denied the Presidency in 2023, then, no matter how unpopular
IPOB may be among the older people everybody may rush it.”

On the 2023 Presidency and the agitation by the South West and the North to go for the plum
position, he said,” If you want to deny them (Ndigbo) 2023 Presidency, then deny them
citizenship of Nigeria. “I am feeling that it is because of rejection that other Nigerians reject Igbo
Presidency that (Mallam Nasir) el-Rufai wants to be President, that (Asiwaju Bola) Tinubu wants
to be President and it will favour them. If that happens, the real meaning is that the Igbos should
cease being citizens of Nigeria.

“That there is no point belonging where you are rejected. One rejected does not reject himself.
Among those who reject you, you don’t want to force yourself to belong.

“So, there is this talk about Biafra. IPOB is promoting Biafra because of various problems and
punishments against Ndigbo. Because of many problems cause the Igbos in Nigeria, they are
trying to leave. But the Federal Government of Nigeria has been very busy pushing the Igbos out
of Nigeria.

“We are traders, we import like containers etc, but when our people import things, the things are
seized and auctioned. Ibeto was one of the strongest people in cement, after some time, he was
crippled. Instead of going up, he was going back to give advantage to Non-Igbo. “Look at this
man who is building cars, (Innocent Chukwuma) Innoson… he was taken like a tout in the paint
from his house to Abuja. Emzor Pharmaceutical was closed down for days because they say that
boys and girls or youths were inhaling something that was produced and had been in the market
for decades, some people discovered that they can inhale it.

Some People Are Providing Shelter For Boko Haram

Members -- Army
The Nigerian Army says some people in the North East have been providing shelter for some
Boko Haram terrorists who are running away from parts of Borno and Yobe states, Igberetv
reports.

A statement released on Saturday by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations Operation
Lafiya Dole, Col. Ado Isa, noted that the development was a result of the military’s unrelenting
onslaught on the hideouts of Boko Haram faction of the Islamic State West Africa Province along
the Lake Chad region and Northern Borno.

The Command says it received information that the fleeing criminals are staying in homes of
“some unscrupulous individuals.”

“These fugitives have been escaping and taking refuge in the residence of some persons in
Maiduguri, Damboa, Gajiram, Monguno, Damasak, Biu, Gwoza Dikwa, Benisheikh, Ngamdu,
Bama, Gamboru, Konduga, Gajigana and other smaller towns, all in Borno State.

“Others have also run to Damaturu, Gujba, Buni Yadi, Buni Gari, Gashua, Kanamma, Yususufari,
Goniri and Kukareta towns in Yobe State, among others,” the statement reads in part.

Isa called on those who are said to be harbouring the criminals to rather report them to the Army.

“While we are making concerted efforts to trace and fish out the fleeing criminals, it is important
to inform and warn all those harbouring the fleeing fugitives to report or hand them to the troops
of Operation Lafiya Dole immediately.

“Failure to do that would attract severe consequences.

“The Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole wishes to enjoin all well-meaning Nigerians,
especially those residing in aforementioned areas, to report any suspicious and strange faces in
their communities,” the statement added.

Niger Delta States Received 500 Billion In Last Year From

Derivation Alone
Oil Producing States in Nigeria received N548.8 billion as 13% derivation formula in one year
(July 2018-July 2019) Delta – N164.6bn A/Ibom – N132.3bn Bayelsa – N102.3bn Rivers –
N100.4bn Edo – N19.2bn Ondo – N14.9bn Imo – N7.7bn Abia – N7.2bn Lagos – N3.84mln
(NBS)

Reno Omokri: Jonathan’s Reaction To Sowore’s Detention

By Buhari Government
Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri has revealed what former president Goodluck Jonathan
told him about the detention of African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele
Sowore.

Sowore is currently being held in detention of the Department for State Security, DSS, on charges
of treasonable felony and plans to overthrow the Nigerian Government.

Sharing on Twitter, Reno Omokri revealed what Goodluck Jonathan told him about Sowore and
his continued detention.
https://wotzup.ng/what-jonathan-told-me-about-sowores-detention-by-buhari-govt-reno-omokri/
I just spoke to ex President
@GEJonathan
, and urged him to read my column in today's
@THISDAYLIVE
titled ‘Sowore and Buhari: A Bromance Gone Sour!’

He responded, ‘Reno, pray for the young man. Help him if you can. He didn’t know what
he was doing’.

Is GEJ a human or an angel?

https://mobile.twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1175743099978620928

The Lies Of Sen.ike Ekweremadu To Ugwueme People After

16yrs In Senate
This video below is a project claim by ike ekweremadu, which is lies and not in reality to the people of
ugwueme in awgu LGA enugu state. He mentioned in the video.whichh is part off his senatorial
zone.this is the deplorable state of the road he claims he built.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krsjnpJWNCY

Ihedioha Speaks On Tribunal Judgment,tells Opponents To Join

In Making Imo Great
In his reaction to the judgement of the Imo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which
affirmed his election as duly elected Governor of Imo State, Governor Ihedioha said the Nigerian
judiciary has once again demonstrated courage and much honour in the discharge of its Constitutional
duty.

He said, "Today is a very important day in the history of our Rebuild Imo project. The Nigerian
Judiciary has once again demonstrated courage and much honour in the discharge of its Constitutional
duty.The judgement today has reaffirmed our confidence in our judicial system"

He recalled his promise to the people of the State during electioneering campaigns, wherein he assured
that Imo State under his watch would stand firmly on the rule of law

"During electioneering campaigns, I did assure our people that Imo State, under my watch would stand
firmly on the rule of law and this judgement has strengthened my resolve to be guided by this solemn
promise

"I want to thank Ndi Imo for firstly electing us, and furthermore for standing by us as we strive to
rebuild the State. I can assure you that we will not take your faith in us for granted.

"The work ahead of us, as a people and as an administration is a very enormous one but we will
surmount the odds. We have already started laying the foundation for a quick recovery. All hands must
be on deck."

He called on all Imolites across party and opinion divides, especially his opponents in the last election
and in the Tribunal to join hands with him to make Imo great.

"I therefore call on all Imolites across party and opinion divides, especially my opponents in the last
election and in today's tribunal sitting to join hands with us as we make Imo great again"

"For me there is no victor, no vanquished."

Governor Ihedioha cited Proverbs 21:31 which states; "A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but
victory is of the lord.

"I therefore dedicate this victory to the Almighty God", he concluded.

I Am The Next President Of Nigeria – Pastor Tunde Bakare

Tunde Bakare is a Nigerian Prophetic-Apostolic pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God
(RCCG) He was the running mate of the Nigerian presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari in the
2011 Nigerian presidential election.

According to the Video Monitored by Odinceblog, On a Sunday service, Bakare Told his Members that
After President Buhari, he is the Next President of Nigeria.

Read His words Below:

“Take it to the Mountain Top, If you have Never Heard it Before, am saying it to you this Morning, In
the scheme if things as far as politics of Nigeria is concern, President Muhammadu Buhari is Number
15 and yours Sincerely am Number 16.

I never said it to you before,i make it clear to you today, Nothing Can Change it.

To this Aim was i born, for this purpose i came into the world, that is why if Buhari wanted to Run in
2019, i did not oppose, He is still the Number 15, when He steps out, I will step in.

its assignment, its that of Moses to take Nigeria to River Jordan but they Can’t cross it, He will take
Joshua to the Other side and begin to distribute his resources to the People of this Nation.
WATCH VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIwyr9cnHN8

Ex-militants Send SOS To Buhari Over 'impending Crisis' In

Niger Delta
Aggrieved Niger Delta ex-Militants under the Presidential Amnesty scheme have written President
Muhammadu Buhari demanding the sack of the Amnesty boss, Prof Charles Dokubo over alleged
fraud.

The repentant agitators are also accusing Prof Dokubo of incompetence, fraudulent diversion of funds
meant for the training, empowerment and welfare of beneficiaries.

According to the group, the alleged series of misconduct by the scheme’s boss can no longer be
condone and are demanding that a replacement be made with someone with an in-depth knowledge of
the problems of the region and the demands of the ex-militants.

In the letter addressed to President Buhari, the group said the rising tension and anger among ex-
Militant leaders from the Nine States of the Niger Delta may result into wanton crash of the peace
programme sustained in the last few years.

Though the accused Amnesty boss “is in the habit of paying some fictitious groups and criminal
elements to declare support for his criminal activities”, the group said 'enough is enough of the wanton
fraud' being perpetuated in the Amnesty office.

“We are tired of the huge fraud that has threatened the peace we fought for in the Niger Delta. If
Dokubo is not sacked, the issue of rising production of crude oil may be a thing of the past. Dokubo
does not know how to handle the security office which the Amnesty office is meant to be.’

“It is even more shameful to the people of the Niger Delta that Dokubo has reduced the Amnesty office
and the budgeted funds to ridicule with women fighting over ex-Militant welfare fund. Dokubo should
be reassigned to the university environment and not the amnesty office. He does not understand what
the Amnesty office is meant to do. We are angry and our boys may go out of control.

“Why can’t Dokubo emulate the zero tolerance to corruption style of President Buhari? Brig. Gen. Paul
Boroh who despite understanding the security aspect of the Amnesty office was sacked due to alleged
corruption, who is Dokubo that cannot be sacked? Instead of performance, he is busy using Amnesty
resources to sponsor media campaigns against the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief
Timipre Sylva and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo.

“Dokubo is a disgrace to the Niger Delta people and we want him sacked and be replaced by someone
who was involved in the Niger Delta struggle and understand the problems of the youths of the region.”

The group alleged that some of their members who served on the Investigative Panel set up by Prof
Dokubo to look into the massive looting at the Amnesty Centre in Bayelsa State, ere dissolved when
discoveries indicted him over alleged involvement in the criminal act.

“The activities of the Amnesty office under Charles Dokubo is rubbishing the achievement recorded by
the President Buhari administration in the Niger Delta”, the statement added.

SEPTEMBER 23

DSS To Arraign Sowore In Court On Tuesday

The federal government will on Tuesday, Sept. 24, formally arraign Omoyele Sowore, convener of the
RevolutionNow movement.

According to SaharaReporters, Sowore will be arraigned at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Igbere TV had reported that the Department of State Services on Friday slammed seven-count charge
on the former presidential candidate.

The charges borders on alleged conspiracy to commit treason, cyberstalking President Buhari, and also
insulting him in a television interview.

Sowore was arrested in Lagos on August 3, 2019 for planning a series of protests against “bad
governance” in Nigeria.

Despite several calls for his release, the DSS secured an initial 45 days court order to hold him in their
custody.

Why athletes are dumping Nigeria for greener

lands - Qwenu!
It is very possible that 95% of those who represent Nigeria in various international sports competition
started their career outside of the country. That’s not because of any other reason, but that the local
environment makes it extremely difficult to grow in any kind of field.
If you don’t know people in politics or the ‘powers that be,’ then, it becomes really hard to find your
way to stardom. Two athletes of Nigerian descent, Abass Abubakar and Musa Isah, who now runs for
Bahrain explained how this hurdle almost crippled their career. 
The duo represented Bahrain in the mixed 4x400m at the ongoing World Championships in Doha,
Qatar.
Lamenting how his fatherland rejected him, Abbas told The Punch, “running for another country is
different, especially for Nigerians. There are a lot of things that made us change nationality. Running
for Bahrain is something good for me. If I was still in Nigeria, maybe by now I will no longer be
running.
“We could have made Nigeria proud too but if we were in Nigeria, I don’t think we can reach this level.
I don’t need to be telling you what is happening there. You already know. I think it is a big achievement
that we are all Nigerians representing Bahrain and doing all these things.
“This is to show that our people can do more, they don’t need to go and take people who are in other
countries to represent Nigeria. We have our own best and do more. They only need support and good
amenities for training. They should stop tribalism. Other countries also have different languages but
you can’t see them fight over being Yoruba, Hausa or Igbo.
“We need support to make it together. When I was a Nigerian, nobody cared about me. Nobody looked
after me. I know the condition that I was faced with; I know what is going on.”
For Musa, he was made to face several disappointments while in Nigeria. As an athlete here, many
opportunities were brought passed him, despite his skills.
He said, “For every disappointment, there is a blessing. When I was in Nigeria, they see me as… I
don’t know what to call it.  My experience in Bahrain? It has not been easy, but it has also been easy in
some ways. In everything, there’s always an advantage and a disadvantage.”
In the past, the approach is to usually take people through inter-school competitions, to inter-local
councils, and inter-state race contests, before they end up running for the nation. That way, it all boils
down to merit. 
But as it is today, it is almost a hopeless situation to expect that to happen. Until we find the leadership
willing to take up these issues and be fearless about implementing the needed solutions, merit may no
longer find a place in our sports sector.

How the North can overcome its plague of child

marriage - from Emir Sanusi’s perception
The challenge of child marriage has been around for a while now. But unfortunately, despite the outcry
against it by elite Nigerians, it has continued to grow. The fact that some politicians are even involved,
made it even worse. 
Muhammad Sanusi II, the emir of Kano, has said the education of the girl child would be the perfect
solution for this challenge.  He said it’s no use to dissuade a man who wants to marry a second or a
third wife, if the child is illiterate. 
“If I were to advise governors in the northwest and the northeast, which goal should they focus on? It’s
one, and it’s a subset of one;  just educate the girlchild,” Sanusi said.
“I mean look, we talk about this technical economic issues of industrialisation and power and so on.
Take the north, for example, we’ve been growing at 3.4, 3.5 per cent per annum. That means the
population in northern Nigeria has been doubling every 20 to 25 years.
“In that period you’ve had desertification, Lake Chad has lost its water resources, the resources have
shrunk and the population has increased. You are not going to solve that by having the government
spend money.
“Address cultural attitudes as to what age do girls marry, how many children do girls have, how many
wives do men have, it’s not money — it is not about money.”
“If you want to address those things, you also have to say what is the quickest way to address them.
You can spend your time getting religious scholars and traditional rulers to go and be campaigning, but
you don’t preach to someone who wants to marry a second or third wife and then have him listen to
you,” the emir added.
“He loves her and he wants to marry her. However, if you educate the girls and make sure that they
finish secondary school and have skills before they get married, they would not have eight children,
they would not accept domestic violence, and they are more likely to stop their husbands from having a
second wife.
“So you deal with high fertility rates, you deal with out-of-school children because if a woman is
educated her children go to school, you deal with malnutrition.
Sanusi also noted that Northern states should quit the rat race with Southern states whose education
problems are not as huge as that of the North. 
He said, “take poverty; extreme poverty is only 8.5 per cent in Lagos, in Zamfara, it is 91 per cent, in
Kano, it is 77 per cent. In the whole of the southwest, poverty is only 20 per cent, in the northwest, it is
80 per cent.
“So the priorities of the governor of Zamfara, and the governor of Kano will have to be different from
the governor of Lagos. If Lagos is talking about deep seaports and airports, and rail lines, we have to
talk, in Kano, about education and primary healthcare.

Are the All Progressives Congress (APC)

Governors now jobless?
Tomorrow will make it exactly one week that the tribunal upheld President Buhari’s reelection.
However, as I was going through the Guardian Nigeria Facebook page today, I saw a headline that
reads thus, ‘APC Governors storm villa, congratulate Buhari on tribunal victory’. While I clicked the
link to see what is in there, surprisingly, it was a short video of Atiku Bagudu, together with other APC
governors, in the villa, congratulating the president for his tribunal victory.
I do not have anything against anyone congratulating Buhari for scaling the hurdle of the tribunal but
must the APC governors leave their various states and go to Abuja to do so? Is it that they are jobless or
they have finally dealt with the numerous problems confronting their states? Of course, as a way of
showing support, I know that they need to congratulate the president but not to the extent of going to
the villa. They can do so through email, text message, or use the state media and their congratulatory
messages will still be relayed effectively to the President.
This cannot happen in a society where the people question every step taken by their leaders. For
instance, in the US, if all the Republic governors decide to abandon their work and visit President
Donald Trump in the White House in order to congratulate him on a major court ruling, I will not be
surprised if Americans react with a peaceful protest since they elected them to work and not to gather
arbitrarily when they should be attending to the problems confronting their states. I wish Nigerians had
gotten to this level of consciousness where they would be able to query and not applaud leaders who
left the work they were elected to do for a senseless political gathering.
Imagine! All the APC governors went to Aso Rock to congratulate Buhari when they have not yet
resolved the problem of insecurity, poverty, bad roads, unemployment and whatnot in their states.
Funnily enough, in the video, I heard Kebbi state governor, Atiku Bugudu, said: “Security is
improving”. Which security is improving when Boko Haram is still a problem in the north and when
kidnapping has not stopped in the country?
Meanwhile, what stops all APC governors from storming the villa (apart from the days they usually
have the NEC meetings) to brainstorm with Buhari on how to fix the problems in Nigeria same way
they have done to congratulate him? Or is Buhari more important than the many Nigerians who are
trapped between economic hardship and insecurity? If APC governors think they don’t have anything
to do or offer other than going to the villa to congratulate the president, they should resign and allow
those who will prioritize the interest of the people to lead.

2023 presidency: What if ex-President Goodluck

Jonathan decides to contest
It appears that the search for the politician that will succeed President Buhari in 2023 has already
begun. Each region and different political parties are already vying for their own turn. 
Also, from the look of things, every other political bigwig seems to be interested in the race, except the
immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan. Without any doubt, he has a big role to play during that
period, considering the fact that Nigeria has remained on the same spot since he left the office. It will
be a scary turn of events if he decides to reclaim power come 2023. 
To confirm that he remains in a significant place in that election, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees
of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Walid Jibrin, said the PDP BoT will embark on strategic talks
and engagements with former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Others that will be spoken to include a former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, former Senate
President, Dr Bukola Saraki; a former Governors of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Ibrahim
Shekarau.
Then, the list goes on to the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal;  a former Governor of
Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; a former Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo; a former
Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs between 2013 and 2015, Tanimu Turaki; a
former member representing the Zaria Federal Constituency in Kaduna State,  Datti Baba-Ahmed; a
former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang. 
The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and other members of the PDP Governors’ Forum,
including their Chairman, Seriake Dickson, will also rally to strategise on taking over the presidency. 
According to Jibrin, the PDP was strategizing to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) and re-
launch itself to power as the greatest party in Africa. Part of this effort was a visit to the PDP
presidential candidate for the February 23, 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar, in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates (UAE).
Now that the North won’t be allowed to content again in 2023, it goes to say that no other Southerner
in the PDP has the political weight that Jonathan has. That means he will definitely be put into
consideration for the candidacy.
Also, the APC has already started losing popularity among most Nigerians. It leaves a loophole the
PDP can exploit to field just anyone and gain wide acceptance. And if anyone has a 50% chance, that
means someone like Jonathan can pull 80% of the crowd. 
The PDP has a lot of time on its hands. In the space of the next three years, we can’t rule out any
surprise, and Jonathan’s emergence could be one of them.

It is time for Kagame to consider opposition

A member of the main opposition in Rwanda, Sylidio Dusabumuremyi, has been reported dead after he
was stabbed at work by two unidentified men. This is the third killing or disappearance of a member of
the opposition this year.
Sylidio Dusabumuremyi, a member of the oppositon was killed by unknown men at his canteen on
Monday. He will be the third member of the FDU-Inkingi to be killed or to have disappeared this year

The foreign media has linked this fresh murder to the reports that President Kagame has slowly turned
dictatorial over the years, clinging to power and silencing critics through the use of the nation’s security
forces, clampdown on the media, threats, intimidation and other acts that restrict the freedom of
expression. While no one has come out to directly blame the president, all subtly allude to the
possibility of Kagame being behind the killings.
Kagame himself has not helped. In 2017, presidential candidate and activist, Diane Shima Rwigara, as
well as her mother, Adeline Rwigara, was arrested for attempting to disturb public peace as well as
other charges. These charges were mostly linked to her criticisms of the government, and not because
she necessarily committed any crime. Both women were later acquitted of all charges on the 6th of
December.
Kagame’s continuous arrests of the opposition, like Diane Rwigara, on spurious charges have made
him look an authoritarian leader unwilling to relinquish power

Victoire Ingabire, the leader of opposition party FDU-Inkingi, whose member was killed, has herself
been arrested by the Kagame-led government and sent to jail for a 15-year sentence on terrorism
charges. She was pardoned in 2018 alongside over 2000 inmates by the president. Her arrest and
prosecution were linked to her calls for freedom of expression and respect for human rights.
But these two women are not the only ones to be arrested and/or jailed for criticizing the government.
Some of the over 2000 inmates released by Kagame in 2018 were incarcerated on similar charges. The
enforced disappearances and deaths of the opposition have also been blamed on the government, even
though it vehemently denies any involvement.
When Kagame, at an interview on France 24 with Catherine Nicholson, dismissed the current version
of human rights and exposed other European countries’ obvious disregard of it, he was generally hailed
for telling the absolute truth. He had further explained that on the path to human development, the
tactics employed is neither black nor white. However, in the face of all these murders, one can only
wonder if this explanation is tenable.
Although Rwandans have been able to live together for 25 years without any ethnic wars or tensions,
there are still victims and perpetrators living in the country, and it is not clear whether Rwandans really
see themselves as one, rather than as Hutus or Tutsis. Besides, there is the issue of the Hutu extremists
who escaped after the Rwanda Patriotic Front ended the genocide. They have definitely not forgotten,
and can still wreak havoc on the nation if better, more sustainable measures are not taken to address the
threat they pose.
The task of keeping the country together and economically stable is not an easy one, and unless we
believe in a utopian world, the danger of ethnic tension is still very alive in Rwanda. There is no way
Paul Kagame would have achieved the kind of success the country enjoys today if he had not been
ruthless. But it has been 25 years.
Paul Kagame would not have been so successful in Rwanda if he had not been ruthless. But it is time to
change tactics. Image credit: BBC

Kagame has come under increasing scrutiny, and dissent, although subtle, is beginning to rise. Change
is not just constant; it is absolutely necessary. It is time Kagame starts to reconsider his approach and
look for better ways to move the country forward and foster unity. He has to realise that with freedom
comes, among other things, the desire and ability to express opposing views, and that violence is not
the way to counter it. Above all, it is time he considers building a sustainable government as well as
political, social and economic systems that will outlive him. He will not be alive forever to continue as
president, and it would be a shame if his efforts die with him.
Gbajabiamila Came Under Fire For Threatening To Report
Service Chiefs To Buhari
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has come under attack over his
recent threat to report the service chiefs to President Muhammadu Buhari, for failing to honour an
invitation to a meeting on security.

Gbajabiamila gave the warning in Abuja on Wednesday when the management of the Bureau of Public
Service Reforms led by the Director-General, Mr Dasuki Arabi, visited him.

Reacting, however, the Arewa Citizens for Democracy (ACD) said the fact that Gbajabiamila could
only threaten to report the service chiefs to President Buhari is an admission of his screaming
incompetence.

“He is aware that he does not possess the powers he attempted to exercise over the military,”
AbdulGafar Usman, President of ACD said at a press conference on Sunday in Kaduna.

Usman said instead of making trouble for the military or anyone within the security architecture, the
Speaker with the other members of the House should come up with innovative ways of providing a
budget that makes it possible for the military to get the equipment needed to fight terrorists.

His speech below.

We express our disappointment with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Femi
Gbajabiamila, who threw all the honour accruable to his person and position away to cast aspersions on
the office and persons of our great nation’s security chiefs.

The Speaker, under the guise of ventilating his anger over the non-appearance of the military chief
before the House, threatened to report them to President Muhammadu Buhari.

He also went ahead to castigate them not minding that these are men that have given more to Nigeria in
the past five years than the Speaker can give in five lifetimes even if he lives to be a thousand years in
each life.

Arewa Citizens for Democracy (ACD) is of the view that rather than throwing decorum to the dogs and
embark on the ranting show he put on for the entire world, the Speaker should have search deep within
himself and his institution, the National Assembly, to understand why the Military chiefs did not show
up even when invited.

We make this point without prejudice to the reasons that kept the security bosses away, especially when
they made it their duty to delegate worthy and competent representatives to appear before the
lawmakers. We shall call the attention of the Speaker to a few some realities that he may be deliberately
ignoring but which right thinking Nigerians are aware of.

We all know that there is not much that happens when the House of Representatives invites public
office holders and heads of agencies to appear before them. It is often nothing but an extortion racket,
something they use to blackmail the invited persons to pay bribes to lawmakers from the budget of
their organizations. It is on record that even when the public officers in question do appear before the
House or its committees, it is often the subordinate officers with jurisdiction for the areas of interest
that eventually answer all the question being posed.

The office holder is only compelled to put in appearance to make sure he is on ground to negotiate the
bribes to be paid. For a country that is battling a terrorist insurgency Gbajabiamila should have known
better than trying to coax money out of the military chiefs.
In addition to monetary considerations, the other thing that makes lawmakers summon office holders to
appear before them in person is usually to shore up their fledging images.

With Nigeria running smoothly under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, the
lawmakers have been removed from the limelight, which is an opportunity the should have exploited to
do their legislative duties.

UNGA 74: President Buhari Arrives New York

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived New York where he is expected to attend the 74th Session of
the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA74), which officially opened on Sept. 17.

Buhari accompanied by some members of his cabinet and state governors, departed the presidential
wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Sunday morning.

He was received at the JF Kennedy Airport, New York by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey
Onyeama, and the President-General of the United Nation General Assembly, Tijjani Bande.

According to a statement issued by Buhari’s spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, the President would be
addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, September 24 (tomorrow).

Buhari, who is 5th person on the list of speakers, would speak on the event’s theme, which is,
“Galvanizing Multilateral Efforts for Poverty Eradication, Quality Education, Climate Action and
Inclusion.”
While in New York, the Nigerian leader and members of his delegation are expected to participate in
the Climate Action Summit, with the theme, “A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win”.

President Buhari will also participate in the High-Level meeting organized by the President of UNGA
on Universal Health Coverage, with the theme, “Moving Together to Build a Healthier World”.

He is also billed to hold bilateral meetings with Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Bill Gates on sustaining the
polio-free campaign as well as issues on human capital projects and development in Nigeria.

The President and his team are expected back to Nigeria, at the end of the event.

Ondo Police Speaks On Death Of Over Thirty Cows

The Ondo State Police Command has described the 'sudden death' of over thirty cattle in the state as
"natural disaster".

The police also debunked reports making the rounds that they may have been poisoned by rural
farmers.

A strange thunder caused apprehension at Ijare community in Ifedore Local Government Area of the
state after striking the cows to death.

Some herdsmen were said to have climbed to the top of Oke-Owa hill in the community to graze their
cows when lightning struck the herds to death.

The hill, according to reports, is a sacred place where the king of the community performs some rituals
annually.

An online newspaper quoted sources in the community as saying the incident was the wrath of their
gods on the herdsmen.

The source quoted the sources as saying that the gods were angry because herdsmen desecrated the
sacred land.

The herdsmen were said to have been warned against grazing on the sacred mountain by the
community’s chiefs, but that they were adamant.

Reacting, High Chief Wemimo Olaniran, the Sapetu of Ijare kingdom, said the incident was not strange
to the community.

Olaniran said similar events had happened to people who desecrated the sacred mountain in the past.
But the spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Femi Joseph, in a short text message, described
the incident as a natural disaster.

Ibrahim Idris Rejects Kogi PDP Campaign Chairmanship

It looks like this Kogi PDP campaign is a campaign of rejection. First it was Dino, Now Former
Givernor Ibro has rejected to be chairman of the campaign. Governor Ibro is father in law to
Musa Wada- the supposed candidate of PDP. In Dino’s prophetic words when Truth is casualty,
there is Chaos.

Kogi Governorship Campaign Council: Former Governor, Ibrahim Idris Opts Out.

Former Governor Ibrahim Idris has rejected his appointment as the Chairman of the Kogi State
Governorship Campaign Council by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement released by the former governor’s media office, Idris said he was not consulted before
his was appointed Chairman of the campaign council.

According to the former governor, there was no correspondence, formally or informally, informing him
of the appointment. Idris stated that he learnt about his appointment on the pages of the social media.

He argued that the leadership of PDP should have reached out to all stakeholders of the party before
taking such crucial decision that will lead the party to victory instead of the haphazard approach that
can cause the party needless embarrassment.

According to the former Governor, a lot of issues arising from the primary election are still unresolved
as the aggrieved parties are in court to seek redress.

The ex-governor stated that he is out of the country on vacation and will not return any time soon. He
wondered why the party did not seek his confirmation before going to the press, announcing his
appointment to chair the campaign council.

He asked to be excused just as he wished the campaign council well.

$9.6bn Judgment: Ex-cjn Belgore May Be Arraigned In FCT

Court
…as Nigerian delegation heads for UK

A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore may be arraigned before the Federal Capital
Territory, High Court, over his alleged role in the $9.6bn debt judgment against Nigeria arising from
the 20-year Gas Supply Processing Agreement entered into in 2010 with Process and Industrial
Developments Ltd. (P&ID).T A source disclosed this to our correspondent yesterday.
The former CJN is said to have provided legal consultancy service to the Process and Industrial
Developments (P&ID) during the case that got it the debt judgement. Meanwhile, the Nigerian
delegation has left for the United Kingdom to discuss with its legal team on strategies to deal with the
$9.6bn UK judgment against Nigeria A statement yesterday from the Office of the Attorney General of
the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, disclosed this.

The Federal High Court in Abuja had Thursday ordered the winding up of P&ID and its Nigerian
affiliate, P&ID Nigeria Limited, for charges of fraud and tax evasion in respect of the contract leading
to the recent controversial judgment of a British court empowering the firm to seize about $9.6bn worth
of Nigerian assets.

The federal government is seeking the leave of the court to set aside the $9.6b damages; a stay of
execution of the award and approaching an appellate court if its application is refused. Malami was
quoted as saying that “All cards are on table.” The minister said no possibility was ruled out.

He said: “The possibility of filing a new case and or using existing proceedings to seek relief of setting
aside the award (of the contract) cannot be ruled out”.

FG To Execute Power Projects In 37 Universities – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says government has launched an electrification projects in 37 federal
universities across Nigeria. He said this yesterday during the maiden convocation ceremony of the
Federal University, Otuoke, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Dr
Ramon Yusuf Suleiman, Buhari said the Energizing Education Programme would benefit 129,000
students and power 2850 street lights when completed. He said Federal Government has commissioned
two of these projects, one at the Alex Ekueme Federal University and another 7.1 solar hybrid project
at Bayero Federal University. He said: “I must not fail at this point to mention one of our initiatives in
the tertiary education subsector which is aimed at solving the problem of inadequate power supply in
our institutions of higher learning.”

Osinbajo More Powerful Than Buhari’s Chief Of Staff, Abba

Kyari –Tony Momoh
Prince Tony Momoh, a former Minister of Information, is one of the national leaders of the ruling All
Progressives Congress (APC). The former National Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressives
Change (CPC) in this interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI, speaks on the alleged plot to remove
Vice- President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo by a powerful cabal in the Presidency. Excerpts:

As one of the national leaders of the APC, what is your take on the news making rounds of an attempt
by some powerbrokers to remove Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo?
The Vice-President is busy doing his job and nobody is planning to remove him. How can anybody say
they are planning to remove him? What offence has he committed?

There are reports that cabals in the Presidency are behind his travails…

(Cuts in) Which cabal? People are just playing politics. As far as I am concerned, there is only one
Presidency, not two; the President and the Vice- President. Since 1999, there has not been a smooth
working relationship between the President and Vice- President like we have now between Buhari and
Osinbajo. So, what is the proof that they want to remove the Vice- President or reduce his powers? Is it
because of the Economic Advisory Team set up by the President? What is wrong with that? He did that
to smoothen operation and to ensure that we move to the Next Level. In the struggle to fight corruption,
unite the country and to address the country, any decision taken to improve the status or the level of
achievements of the programme that the administration has cut for itself, why should that be
misinterpreted as an attempt to remove the Vice- President or to undermine him? Is the Vice- President
no longer the Vice- President? Why are people so mischievous? Who are the cabals they are talking
about?

Are you saying there is no cabal in Aso Villa?

What is the name of the cabal? Is there any group called cabal? After the President, we have the Vice-
President and then all other staff there are personal staff. We have the Chief of Staff, Secretary to the
Government of the Federation (SGF), the Ministers and Special Advisers. These people are there to
help the President who is the only person on whose table the buck stops. If you look at the constitution,
every person is working to enhance the work of the President. They do the work assigned to them by
the President and there are some offices too that the constitution itself assigns. So, I really don’t know
what people mean by the word ‘cabal’. If by cabal, they mean a group of political appointees who are
powerful enough to create problems for the advancement of government, that is natural in the
management of affairs of men. But the fact is, how much elbow do you give them to operate? When
they operate to such an extent that they become a nuisance, then one must call their bluff. So, who is
this cabal that people are talking about? Is it the Secretary to the Government of the Federation? Is it
the Chief of Staff ? Is it the Permanent Secretaries in the Ministries that constitute themselves as cabals
or the Ministers? Are these cabals outsiders in government or is it the governor of the Central Bank of
Nigeria that is the cabal? Is it the national chairman of the party that is the cabal or members of the
National Working Committee? Are they political or financial cabals? Are these cabals faceless? People
are just speculating. The Vice-President and the President are together. They have never quarreled and
there is no cause for them to quarrel. The fact is that at the end of the day, the buck stops on the table of
the President.

But what if the rumour about Osinbajo’s removal now comes out to be true?

You think it is easy to remove the Vice- President. During Obasanjo’s time, they tried to remove Atiku,
did they succeed? Atiku as Vice- President even stood on the platform of another party to contest
because the position of the Vice- President is a constitutional one. There is a procedure for accepting
that position and there is a procedure for removal or for leaving that position. Why are people just
giving the impression that the office of the Vice- President is like that of a houseboy who can be sent
packing anytime?

In the present administration, who do you think is more powerful between Vice- President Yemi
Oinbajo and Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff?

How can the Chief of Staff be powerful than the Vice-President? The Chief of Staff is a personal staff
of the President while the office of the Vice-President is a constitutional one. Do you see the role of the
Chief of Staff in the constitution? He is a personal staff of the President. When the President is going
on vacation or indisposed, he writes to the National Assembly handing over to the Vice- President, why
can’t he handover to his Chief of Staff ? The Chief of Staff is a person who moderates the movements
of the President. He is the one who schedules the President’s affairs. Everyone who wants to see the
President must pass through the Chief of Staff because he is like a gatekeeper to the President. From
morning till night, he is at the beck and call of the President and should be the person who is closest to
the President. Is that what makes him powerful than the Vice-President? The Vice-President also has a
Deputy Chief of Staff who serves him. Anybody who wants to see the Vice-President must pass
through the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff who is the Chief of Staff to the Vice –President. Even
me as a person, I have my own Chief of Staff. If anyone wants to see me, he goes through my Chief of
Staff.
https://www.independent.ng/osinbajo-powerful-than-buharis-chief-of-staff-abba-kyari-tony-momoh/

CAN Raises Alarm Over The Appearance Of Strange Faces In

The South East
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed concern over what it called influx into the
Southeast by unidentified faces.

It raised the alarm on Sunday in a statement signed by its chairman in the Southeast, Bishop Dr. Goddy
Okafor and the Secretary, Dr. S.C Nwokolo.

The Christian body, which restated its opposition to the controversial RUGA programme, said such
strange faces should be made to leave the zone.

According to the group, “all the people without identity, who are flooding the zone should be stopped
by immigration and other law enforcement agencies.

“Also, suspected foreign herders and the killer herdsmen are asked to leave the zone immediately. Most
of such foreign and killer herders have been identified in some parts of the zone.”
While commending the Southeast Governors for steps taken so far towards addressing activities of
killer herdsmen, it said community policing policy already initiated should be strengthened.

CAN, however, observed with dismay that “the local government chairmen, traditional rulers,
President-Generals, (PGs) and councilors are living in the urban areas, thereby abandoning the villagers
to their fate.

“We condemn such habit and ask them to start operating from their villages. Let them come back and
be the gatekeepers in their villages.”

It maintained its stand that “RUGA should be totally abolished. To this effect, we condemn the inciting
statements made by the President of Miyyeti Allah, asking for RUGA in all the States, else there won’t
be peace in the country.

“CAN is calling for his arrest, as comments credited to him has always been inciting. Let him be tried
by a competent court of law.”

Nigeria: Minimum Wage, Only President Buhari Can Stop

Planned Strike "Labour"
Organised Labour has said only the personal intervention by President Muhammadu Buhari can stop
the planned nationwide strike over consequential adjustment arising from the N30,000 new minimum
wage.

Speaking to Vanguard, Secretary to the Trade Union Side, TUS, of the Joint National Public Service
Negotiating Council, JNPSNC, Alade Bashir Lawal, said organs of various public sector unions were
already meeting and leaders were also reaching out to other section of Labour movement and civil
society allies for support.

Lawal, who is also the Secretary-General of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria,
ASCSN, informed that mobilisation ahead of the strike had heightened and very soon the nationwide
would commence.

He accused some members of the government side in the JNPSNC of working for some individuals
with vested interest and personal gains, and not the government or President Buhari.

Recall that last week, Organised Labour had directed civil servants to prepare for a nationwide strike
that "It has become clear that the Government Side is not serious about paying millions of workers a
new national Minimum Wage and adequate consequential adjustment but prefer taking the Trade
Unions for a ride.

As a responsible Trade Union, the TUS has given the Government enough time to come to term with
workers demand but it appears that the only language necessary for Government to act is a strike.

According to Lawal, "Before the last meeting, our position was that from levels 7to 14 it should be 29
per cent and then, from levels 15 to 17, 24 Percent.

That was our position. The government delegation position before that meeting was 10 per cent, for
levels 7 to 14, and 5.5 per cent for levels 15 to 17.

Then, we agreed that since the two sides were not shifting grounds that the government side should go
and present the scenario to Mr President.

It was our belief that it was possible when Mr President saw the difference between the two sides, he
would able to appreciate what Labour was saying.

For us, it is Mr President that sends you (government negotiating team) on the errand, go back and
report to him.

When we reconvened, we knew there was a booby trap somewhere. It was obvious that they did not
report back to President Buhari.

The next thing was that they started manipulating the minute to reflect that such a decision was not
taken. It was very frightening and annoying. The former Head of Service was the one that chairman the
meeting.

I told her that the government side action is very frightening and that some of us are afraid of what will
happen because they are just manipulating the system to suit the fancy of some individuals unknown to
the person that sent them.

They just marginally touched what they presented before. They said from level 7 to 14, instead of 10
per cent, they can make 11 per cent, and instead of 5.5 per cent for level 15 to 17, they will make it 6.5
per cent.

It is like we are pricing crawfish in the market. It is very, very unfortunate. We told them that we were
going back to report to those that sent us.

We have reported and they said we should go on strike. We are mobilising, we are organising the
mobilisation and very, very soon, we will do what we know best to achieve a result.

For those below level 7, they were not earning up to the new minimum wage. Theirs were not so
difficult. From day one, we have adjusted that. We felt that we should complete the whole process
before they issue circular.
But the former Head of Service decided on her to issue circular for levels 1 to 6. It was a unilateral
decision which did not get the blessing of Labour.

We told her that she was destroying the civil service and this was not what she met and that history
would be told of the misdemeanour some of you have done to the civil service.

At the stage we are only the personal intervention of President Buhari can stop the planned strike.

Labour Confirms Receipt Of Minimum Wage

THE National President of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) and member of the Joint Public
Service Negotiating Council, Lawrence Amaechi, on Sunday confirmed the commencement of the
minimum wage payment to junior workers on the federal payroll.

Amaechi said officers on grade levels 01 to 06 got the new minimum wage as their August salary.

He told The Nation that after the breakdown of negotiation between the government and the workers
representatives on the consequential adjustment negotiation, the government went ahead to commence
the payment of the wage to the workers.

The government had, in a circular, announced that workers on grade level 01 to 06 who are not
involved in the consequential adjustment negotiation should begin to enjoy the new wage, a position
organised labour rejected.

Amaechi said: “They have gone to commence the payment. They told us that they have started the
payment and we have confirmed from our members that they were paid in August and have promised
to pay the arrears in September.

“But, negotiations have stalled for now and during our last meeting, we said we were going to report to
our principals, which we have done. We are waiting for directives from our members on what to do.

“But, we have started mobilising against them and hope that they will see reason and improve on what
they are offering. we have adjourned and there is no date yet for the next meeting”.

Nigerian Army Sacks Soldiers Involved In Kidnapping, Robbery

The Nigerian Army on Sunday says it has dismissed three soldiers arrested in Maiduguri outskirts in
Borno State.

Maj.-Gen. Olusengun Adeniyi, the Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, made this disclosure
on Sunday.

He said that the soldiers were initially deployed to the Operation Lafiya Dole, but engaged in nefarious
activities such as kidnapping, armed robbery, killings and cultism.

Adeniyi added that the erring soldiers were dismissed in accordance with the military procedures,
warning that the army would not condone criminals in its fold.

“The three soldiers were caught among the evil group, there was further resistance and attempt to
escape, so we tied them up with ropes because handcuffs were not available.

“In addition; we could not put violent men that do these kind of crimes into a police van to take to the
station, there will be breakout on the road and we know what would happened.

“We have to restrain them thoroughly with ropes before we take them and handover to the police.

“The Acting GOC, 7 Division, Brig.-Gen. AK Ibrahim has conducted military procedures. We do not
keep armed robbers, kidnappers and cultists in the army, they had been dismissed.”

Nigerian Army Nabs 5 Key Terrorists Logistics Suppliers And

Fighters
The Nigerian army have said that it has arrested 5 key terrorists logistics and firefighters, Leakers.ng
reports.

This is coming following its recent launch of “Operation Positive Identification” in North Eastern part
of the country.

People living Borno and Yobe states are implored to be moving around wherever they are going with
valid means of identification such as National Identification Card, Voters Registration Card, Drivers'
License and International Passports or other valid official identification unless they want to be mistook
for terrorist, Leakers.ng reports.

In a press release this morning by Deputy Director Army Public Relations, colonel ADO ISA, it was
reported that “OPERATION POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION" is yielding good result as NORTH EAST
OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE nabs 5 key terrorists logistics suppliers and fighters so far.

Following the commencement of "Operation POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION" by the Theatre

Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE(OPLD) across the North Eastern part of Nigeria, troops have
intensified searching for and arresting all suspected criminal elements that roam parts of the North
Eastern part of Nigeria.

Recall that based on credible information that some of the fleeing criminals are hibernating in some
towns and villages of Borno and Yobe States in particular and North East in general, the Theatre
Command OPLD enjoined members of the public to always carry valid means of identification such as
National Identification Card when moving or passing through Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.

The troops are directed to strictly check legitimate means of identification only before allowing
anybody passage and the general public is hereby enjoined to cooperate with the troops by moving
along with valid identification cards and present same to the troops in the efforts to rid the North East
zone of criminals fleeing for safety.”

Gov. Umahi Sets To Complete Abakaliki City Mall In Less Than

One Year
Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State is set to complete the Abakaliki City Mall in less than
one year he kicked off the building of the gigantic project, Igbere TV reports.

Igbere TV gathered that the Mall is one first of its kind in Nigeria and it is targeted at making Ebonyi
state the center of attraction where all you want can be got at a snap of your finger.

In a statement made available to Igbere TV, Umahi's Special Assistant on New Media, Mr. Francis
Nwaze said the project at 80% completion.

He said : "The Mega mall that is speedily springing up in Ebonyi State and everyone is talking about it"

"The Abakaliki Mega City Mall was started late 2018 by the Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi and
many were thinking that it was going to be a many years project or a campaign strategy to get the votes
of the masses, but few months later, after the much talked about election, Ebonyians saw it coming to
reality."

"The mall is unarguably the first of its kind in Nigeria and it is targeted at making Ebonyi state the
center of attraction where all you want can be got at a snap of finger. When the St. Margaret Umahi
International market becomes functional in few weeks time, the Ebonyi International Airport is
completed and put to use with the several Industrial Parks that is coming forth in the state, then,
Governor Umahi must have achieved his aim which is making Ebonyi the best among all the best."

" Celebrate with Ebonyi at 23 and Nigeria at 59."

Shock As Niger State Opens Dialogue With Armed Bandits

Niger state government opens dialogue with armed bandits
Niger state government has commenced dialogue with the different groups of armed bandits, “as part of
measures to ensure security of lives and property of the people”.

Governor Abubakar Bello who disclosed this at a peace lecture in minna, says “already, a group of
twenty seven armed bandits in Kotonkoro of mariga local government area of Niger state, north central
Nigeria have ceased fire.”

Speaking at the 2nd General Abdul-salami Abubakar peace lecture at justice Idris Kutigi international
conference center, Governor Abubakar Bello, the guest speaker at the lecture on “good politics at the
service of peace: the role of eminent persons in the prevention of conflict in Nigeria”, notes that peace
building or security management is everybody’s business.

Former military head of state, general Abdul-salami Abubakar says there is no alternative to peace.

Chairperson of the annual lecture and the former vice- chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor
Laraba Abdullahi, explained the need for the country to hold such lecture series, as it would help to
overcome most of the nation’s challenges.

The lecture series was held on a day when combatants are expected to temporarily ceasefire, to allow
for the distribution of relief materials, to victims.

Maina Drags Reno Omokri To Court Over Corruption

Allegations, Seeks N4bn
Former chairman of the Pensions Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, has dragged Reno Omokri,
media aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, to court over allegations of corruption recently
made against him in a national newspaper.

In the suit filed before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maina has asked the court
to award the sum of N4bn compensation against Omokri for the alleged defamatory publication.

Sued along Omokri was the Vanguard Media Limited publisher of the Vanguard newspaper, wherein
the said defamatory publication was made.

Maina, in the suit, prayed the court to declare that the comments contained in Omokri’s right of reply
titled, “General Buhari’s Cambridge Certificate is as nonexistent as Louis Odion’s self esteem”,
published in the Vanguard newspaper on September 12, 2019 as defamatory and libelous.

The claimant, in the suit filed by his counsel, Edwin Inegedu, wants the court to order the publication
of apology, retraction and rebuttal of the libelous materials in the Vanguard newspaper and two other
national dailies within seven days.

He prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing or
disseminating the libelous materials against him.

According to Maina, Omokri, in his right of reply published in the Vanguard classified him as one of
the highlights of alleged corruption, which he noted was a libelous publication.

The claimant further averred that the 1st defendant, by his right of reply made the following libelous
publication about him.

“Who is super corrupt between Atiku, who is the most investigated politician in Nigeria, without
anything being found against him, and a General Buhari, who loaded his cabinet with corruption gold
medalist?
“If Mr. Louis Odion says General Buhari has integrity, then I have the following question for him.

“Why was Goje’s N25 billion corruption dropped, who owns Ikoyi apartment billions, when will
#AishaMBuhari”s ADC be tried and who reinstated and double-promoted Maina?

The claimant averred that Omokri maliciously and in extreme bad faith made the said publication in an
adventurous attempt to score a point in his quarrel with one Mr. Louis Ofion.

By that libelous publication, Maina said he was being portrayed as corrupt and unworthy of being
entrusted with public funds, that he was a beneficiary of corruption and was corruptly reinstated into
the civil service, had no integrity to be reinstated, among others.

He said the libelous materials were false, untrue, baseless and was orchestrated to ridicule, malign and
smear his reputation, adding that he was not double promoted by the president or issued with any letter
of double promotion.

That he had never been tried and convicted for corruption by any court in Nigeria and further added
that the publication had damaged his image, character, reputation and that he had suffered considerable
distress and embarrassment and had been put into public scandal, odium and contempt.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit which was filed last Friday.

Arrest Miyetti Allah Now -- CAN Tells FG

The Christian Association of Nigeria CAN is calling for the arrest of the President of the Cattle
Breeders Association Miyetti Allah for always making statements that can instigate the Fulani
Herdsmen into attacking and killing innocent Nigerians, Igberetv reports.

The leadership of CAN, led by Bishop Goddy Okafor said they had noted the presence of some strange
people in the zone. Bishop Goddy, said: "All the people who are flooding the zone should be stopped
by immigration and other law enforcement agencies and also Miyetti Allah should be arrested because
his statements has always been inciting. Let him be tried by a competent court of law."

Recall that Miyetti Allah had called for the implementation of RUGA (Rural Grazing Area Settlement
Area) all over the country to enable Herdsmen rear the Cattles freely in the south east and other
southern parts of the country. He had openly rebuked those who are against the implementation of the
RUGA programme

2023: Trouble For Osinbajo - The Sun

•Attacks politically contrived –Presidency

•How Buhari’s successor may emerge

Adetutu Folasade-Koyi , Abuja

A plot to remove Vice President Yemi Osinbajo gathered momentum at the weekend, with
some allegations against him dating back to when he was acting president in May 2017,
when President Muhammadu Buhari was in the United Kingdom on medical leave,
consequent upon Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Some of the allegations against him were that, as acting president, Osinbajo “authorised
payment of N5.9 billion to NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency) without
approval from the National Assembly.

“Although he is chairman of the governing board of NEMA, he still needed parliamentary

approval before money could be taken from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. He didn’t
pass through the normal channel.

“Again, he signed for N25 billion for NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation), as
‘funding contract.’ He had no such powers,” said a security.

There are also allegations that disbursement of funds by the Federal Government-backed
Social Investment Programme (SIP) domicilled in Osinbajo’s office were not transparent,
with allegations of “traces of money exchanging hands between him and the FIRS boss.”

However, a Presidency source who declined to be named because he was not authorised to
speak on the matter dismissed the allegations as “recycled.”

He said: “The issues have not changed from the position that the House of Representatives
Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness report never indicted Osinbajo of
corruption,” and insisted that attempts to resuscitate the allegations are “mere political
contrivances intended to distract him.”

In November 2018, also on the same issue, a presidential political adviser, Senator
Babafemi Ojudu, said the opposition was merely “in search of company for their acts of
grand corruption, which brought Nigeria to its knees as of May 2015.
“Even the House Committee chairman has said there was no allegation of corruption
against him.” Another Presidency source simply dismissed the allegations as “part of the
smear campaign. Absolute falsehood.”

Also, last Friday, in Ekiti State, during the burial of Mrs. Moroluke Fakoyede, mother of
the secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, at
St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Ikere-Ekiti, Osinbajo said there were saboteurs and fifth
columnists working against government’s plan to develop the country.

Regardless, possible replacements for Osinbajo are being assessed and top on the list are
two candidates from the South West.

The vice president is from the South West (Ogun State) and is also a pastor of the
Redeemed Christian Church of God. In shopping for his replacement, two Christians are
being considered, with a serving governor in the region topping the list, as at last
Wednesday.

A former governor from the South West was also considered but was knocked off the list
because of the need to ensure “religion balancing.”

Meanwhile, another source in the Federal Capital Territory said the allegations against
Osinbajo were all about political permutations ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

He said despite being the highest ranking South West politically-exposed person in the
ruling government now, and since “he does not control any political bloc in the region,
there is need for realignment of forces hitherto deployed in the region,” in previous
elections for the All Progressives Congress (APC), as an ally of the North.

“Osinbajo has no political base in Yorubaland. The recent ministerial, board appointments
from the region went through another ally who is now a big player in Abuja. The young
Turks from the South West are ready to go into a new alliance with the North,” he said.

To gain foothold, if and when Osinbajo is removed, the new political realignment would
see the new leaders paving the way for a northern presidential candidate in the APC and the
People’s Democratic Party.

A source who was privy to the plan explained: “The North will present candidates for the
presidency in APC and PDP. The South West is automatically ruled out because Osinbajo
has been elected twice now, with Buhari. The South East and the South South are now the
beautiful brides for Vice President.”

A former governor further explained why the North will present candidates in APC and
PDP.
“In arriving as to why the North should be allowed to contest for the Presidency in 2023, let
us go back to 1999.

“The South West had its constitutional eight years with former President Olusegun
Obasanjo. In the spirit of balance and rotation, the presidency moved to the North.
 “Now, in 2007, it was the turn of the North, with late President Umaru Musa’Yar’Adua,
who did not complete his four-year tenure before he died in May 2010.

“If he had lived, he would have had the right of first refusal in 2011. His first four-year
tenure was completed by his deputy then (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.), who went on to contest
in 2011 and left in 2015.

“The eight years of the North was not completed because the South South took it, having
jettisoned an earlier agreement.

“Now, it would only be fair if you allow the North have another shot at the presidency.

“Besides, the 2019 general election has shown the underbelly of the South West.

“Lagos, which had the highest number of voters, going into the general election, could not
even muster 1 million votes for Mr. President; yet, Borno that was even bombed on the day
of election, saw people trooping out to vote for APC overwhelmingly. Kano lived up to its
billing by giving APC more votes than Lagos.

“So, in terms of comparative advantage, if APC is to continue at the centre, it’s best to have
a presidential candidate from the North and balance it with a vice president from the South
East since South South has ruled before. The rotation principle can be applied after 2027
and not before,” he argued.

Timi Frank: Osinbajo Is The Chairman Of Yahoo Yahoo In

Nigeria
N90bn FIRS election fund Osinbajo’s problem, not 2023 politics ― Frank

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress
(APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has said the ongoing travails of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is allegedly
due to corruption

Frank revealed through a statement on Monday in Abuja that he has reliable information from his
sources in the presidency to the effect that Osinbajo’s travail has nothing to do with 2023 but alleged
mismanagement of about N90 billion Naira released by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to
prosecute the last general elections in favour of the APC.

Frank said: “The presidency discovered how Osinbajo allegedly mismanaged N90billion from the
Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

“When confronted by the presidency, he confirmed to General Buhari that he indeed allegedly took
N90billion from FIRS but it was used for the 2019 presidential election campaign in strategic states of
the South-west.
“Gen Buhari asked for a breakdown of how the money was spent and he said he gave N11 billion to
Lagos state APC leader but when the said national leader and one former APC chairman were invited
for an explanation, it was confirmed that Osinbajo gave only N5billion and not N11billion to Lagos
state.

“The cabal is asking to know how come they beat PDP in the South-west with less than 60,000 votes if
the money was actually spent in the strategic states of the South-west as allegedly claimed.”
The activist insisted that if the information is true, Osinbajo must resign his position as Vice President,
adding that such is akin to the characteristics of ‘yahoo boys.’

Frank said since the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki is being held on
allegations of embezzlement while Osinbajo is also allegedly being accused of embezzlement, “they
should be given the same treatment.”
He added: “This goes to confirm the NEMA case against Osinbajo concerning the N5billion that he
was alleged to have siphoned.

“The ball is in Gen Buhari’s court to show Nigerians that he supports corruption from his cabinet
members and do nothing or he is indeed truly fighting corruption and therefore force him to resign.

“No wonder the fight against corruption under this administration is not yielding positive results as
expected.”

Frank wondered why Osinbajo would always be the first to brand people like Bukola Saraki and ex-
President Goodluck Jonathan with corruption “whereas he is the chairman of ‘yahoo yahoo’ in Nigeria.

“How do we expect the ‘yahoo boys’ to change when the VP is their chairman? Nigerians must not feel
sorry for Osibanjo as the time to pay for his yahoo yahoo activities has come.

While calling on Nigerians to ignore the claim that Osinbajo is being witch-hunted by the cabal, Frank
said: “If Osinbajo is investigated, Nigerians will be shocked to find more revelation about his activities.

“If he fails to resign, the National Assembly must begin the process of impeachment against him as a
matter of urgency to prove to Nigerians that 9th Assembly is not a rubber stamp of the executive.

“Finally, I call on Osinbajo to immediately apologise to God for his ‘yahoo yahoo’ behaviour and
repent otherwise he will be disgraced out of office.”

Crisis Looms At Appeal Court Over Bulkachuwa’s Successor

The Court of Appeal is embroiled in crisis as a result of scheming over who replaces Justice Zainab
Bulkachuwa as the president of the court. She retires from office in the next coming months.
The situation is capable of throwing the nation’s judiciary into the kind of crisis witnessed during the
feud between the late Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Katsina Alu and former president of the
Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami.

The crisis was occasioned by Justice Salami’s refusal to be elevated to the Supreme Court and claim
that the former CJN was interfering in the Sokoto governorship election case that was before the
Appeal Court.

The episode, which sparked court battles and allegations of disregard for court orders by custodians of
such orders, turned out amongst the most bitter in the annals of Nigeria’s judiciary history.

Investigation by Daily Sun has revealed that present crisis at the appellate court is occasioned by an
attempt to stop the next most senior Justice of the Court, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem from
becoming the next president to favour of Justice Muhammad Garba.

Already, her name has been sent to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for promotion to the bench of
the Supreme Court.

She is expected to appear for an interview tomorrow alongside Justice Muhammad Garba, whose name
is also on the list.

Daily Sun, however, learnt that the decision to promote her to the Supreme Court is ill-intended as it is
laced with ethnic, political and religious colouration.

Besides, according to sources, the inclusion of Justice Garba’s name for the interview is a mere
gimmick as the main target for the job is Justice Dongban-Mensem, a Christian from Plateau State,
who is currently the presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu division.

According to a document by the National Judicial Council (NJC), Committee on Interview for
Appointment of Judicial Officers into the Supreme Courts of Records dated September 17, Dongban-
Mensem and Garba were among the six that made the list. Others are Adamu Jauro, Emmanuel A.
Agim, Biobeli A. Georgewill and Helen M. Ogunwumiju, while on the reserve are Ridam M.
Abdullahi, Tijani Abubakar, Abdu Aboki, Rita Pemu, C. Oseji and Justice O.K. Oyewole.
Daily Sun was told that Justice Dongban-Mensem was stopped from becoming a Justice of the
Supreme Court many years ago by some forces within the judiciary.

Justice Muhammad Garba was Chairman of the five member presidential election petition tribunal that
dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Alhaji Atiku
Abubakar, against the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Daily Sun was told by credible sources that the clandestine plot to scheme out Justice Dongban-
Mensem became glaring after the President of the court, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa withdrew from the
presidential panel as its chairman.

“Under normal circumstances, Justice Dongban-Mensem was supposed to head the panel after the exist
Justice Bulkachuwu from the presidential election petition tribunal panel, by virtue of her position as
the next most senior Justice of the appellate court.

“Some Justices of this Court (Court of Appeal), were surprised by the decision to by-pass Justice
Monica for Justice Garba, who is her junior on the bench of the Court.

The plot which has ethnic and religious colouration, according to sources, is to preserve the leadership
of the judiciary in favour of a particular religion.

The last time a Christian attained the position of the President of the Court of Appeal was between
1976 to 1978, under Justice Daniel Onuorah Ibekwe. It is the North East and North West that have been
heading the Court of Appeal.

Another source who spoke urged the CJN to intervene and save the judiciary another crisis.
“The CJN should immediately intervene to avert another crisis in the judiciary except we are to believe
that now is payback time for Justice Garba for doing a “wonderful job” at the tribunal.

Peter Obi To Ngige: Focus On Your Duty, Stop The Mischief

Vice-Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections, Peter Obi,
has advised the minister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige, to focus his energy on making
Nigeria work, rather than engaging in mischief.

Mr Obi spoke through his media adviser, Valentine Obienyem, in a statement on Sunday.

Mr Obienyem was reacting to statements made by Ngige that he was ashamed of the quality of roads
constructed by his successors in Anambra, including Obi.

“What is most condemnable in Ngige’s attacks are the lies he tells just to bring Obi down,” Obienyem
said.

“How could he mention roads such as Abatete-Nteje-Aguleri-Otuocha road and Igboukwu-Ezenifite-

Umunze, Iseeke roads and deliberately forgot that Obi did greater portions of those roads?”

Obienyem said over 90 per cent of the roads Ngige mentioned were done in his local government.

He also said that “though Obi used local contractors in line with his policy of supporting our own
people, just like he supported Innoson and other industrialists in the state which some of the contractors
disappointed, the majority of roads Obi did, like the Umueze-Anam-Nmiata road, was done by RCC;
Anyamelu and Onitsha road done by Nigercat; Headbridge-Upper Iweka was done by CCC.”
Obienyem opted to take Ngige round some roads constructed by Obi such as Akwa-Amawbia dual
carriage road; Old Nkpor-Abagana-Awka road; Adazi-Obeledu-Akwaeze-Igboukwu road; Igbarian-
University road; Ichi roads; Nkwo Okija; Umunze Anam-Mmiata; and Nkweleezunaka bypass.

Others are over 30 roads within Onitsha GRA; over 10 roads within Onitsha Habour industrial area; the
six-lane dual carriage road from Head Bridge to Upper Iweka; Upper Iweka-Umunya; the Nkpor
flyover built in collaboration with the Federal Government which can even carry trains; Obosi bypass;
Awka road; Oguta road; Old Oba-Nnewi road; Mmiri John road (Ojoto); and Creek road, among others,
“for Ngige to see that the roads are still standing like Gibraltar.”

According to Obienyem, Obi always included money for road maintenance in his yearly budget.

“During Obi’s time, the Umuoji-Nnobi road Ngige did developed massive erosion cutting the road at
Uke which Obi did; Abatete-Oraukwu road developed similar erosion which Obi did; the Nimo-Neni-
Awka-Etiti road was the same and only made passable because Obi was maintaining it. Today Neni-
Awka-Etiti road that he did is one of the worst roads in Nigeria,” Obienyem said.

“Knowing the importance of road maintenance, shortly before he left, Obi set up the Anambra State
Road Maintenance Agency with full compliments of brand new equipment. He also left over N4 billion
in the Ministry of Works for road maintenance before he handed over. We have the account details and
other relevant evidence.”

Nigerian Students Are Energetic, Enthusiastic – U.S. Consul

The U.S. Consul General, Claire Pierangelo, on Monday said that Nigeria had energetic and
enthusiastic students who have visions for themselves. She made the assertion while addressing
participants at the 20th Annual Education USA College and Career Fair for prospective undergraduate
and graduate students.

According to Pierangelo, Nigeria has the highest percentage of students in the U.S. from Africa. “We
are pleased to be hosting many students from Nigeria because we want them to be able to come back
and build a future for themselves and for their country. “Nigeria has over 12,000 students in the U.S.,
making the country the number one source of students for the U.S,’’ she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Education in USA provides international students
with accurate comprehensive and current information about how to apply to colleges and universities.
It is a network of over 400 advising centers that help international students navigate the process of
studying in the U.S. According to Pierangelo, education being the most powerful weapon in the world
is the one thing that makes a difference in every country.

“Education is a great means of fulfilling dreams and there is nothing more rewarding than to see
students grow and achieve their dreams “These college representatives are here to help students realize
their dreams,’’ she said. Matthew Phillips, a Consular Officer, who enlightened participants about
student visas and how to get through the interview process, urged prospective students not to follow
scripts or rehearse before going for visa interviews.

According to him, the interview process generates nerves in people and there have been a lot of
misinterpretations on the topic. “Be prepared for your visa interview, you do not have to rehearse all
you’re going to say. “We only seek to understand why you want to study in the U.S., know if you’re a
credible student and if you have the finances to pay your tuition. “Your story must be authentic in order
for your visa to be approved,’’ he said.

He admonished participants not to fall victims of fraudulent individuals who portray themselves as visa
application guides. NAN also reports that admission officers and representatives from U.S. colleges
and universities were present to provide students, parents and guardians with information about their
application processes, standardised testing, and scholarship opportunities. (NAN

RRS Compensates Officers For Patrolling Till Dawn Over Fallen

Truck
The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) has rewarded its officers who patrolled Ketu/Ojota-Ogun Long
Bridge from Friday till dawn of Saturday.

In a tweet on Monday, the squad said its commander, Tunji Disu, a Deputy Commissioner of Police,
rewarded the officers at the parade ground.

The officers had stayed up all night after a diesel laden-truck fell at Berger area of the state on Friday,
causing heavy gridlock.

“RRS team of Response riders, who patrolled Ketu/Ojota – Ogun Long Bridge till dawn of Saturday in
the heat of Friday’s traffic caused by a fallen diesel laden truck at Berger, got rewarded today for job
well done by @TunjiDisu1 at the parade ground,” the tweet read.

Anambra Plenary: Recover All Stolen Lands – Legislators Urge

State Gov’t
“This ugly trend of encroaching into government-owned land for personal self-interest hampers
proposed socio-economic policies of the state government”

The Anambra State assembly has urged Governor Willie Obiano to direct the commissioner for lands to
commence necessary action and ensure the recovery of all government-owned lands illegally occupied
by land grabbers, speculators, and private estate developers as well as take proactive measures to
forestall any further reoccurrence.
The chief sponsor of the motion and Member representing Idemili North, Arthur Ifeanyi Chiekwu
moved the motion and was seconded by member representing Onitsha North 1 constituency Uzoma
Innocent Eli.

Service Chiefs Appear Before NASS

The Federal House of Representatives is finally meeting with heads of security agencies across the
country.

In a tweet by the lower legislative chamber, it said the meeting is aimed at discussing security situation
of Nigeria.

The service chiefs, who had on Friday last week failed to appear before the house are now at the
meeting before as at 2 p.m.

The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, who had expressed disappointment at the action of the
service chiefs described it as an insult to the Parliament.

He thereafter promised to report the matter to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, was however absent, as well as the Inspector General of
Police, (IGP) Mohammed Adamu in the meeting which has now gone behind closed doors.

Nnamdi Kanu Leads Delegation To US For UN General

Assembly
Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu would lead other members of the
group to the United Nations General Assembly slated for New York, United States of America.

The Media and Publicity Secretary of the group, Emma Powerful made the disclosure in a statement
made available to newsmen in Onitsha on Monday.

It said the trip was something the leadership of the movement was looking forward to with great
enthusiasm.

The statement partly read, “Regarding the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, we
have both direct and indirect representations for the forthcoming events in the US. Our people are on
the ground.

“If the right conditions which we are waiting for are put in place, our leader will personally lead our
people; otherwise it would be on a later date which would be duly announced.”
Speaking on the recent meeting with UN officials in Geneva, Powerful said, “Our exchanges were
frank and forthright. If there were doubts before in their minds that Nigeria is one almighty calamity,
the feeling we got after our discussions is that they now have a proper appreciation and deeper
understanding of how irredeemably hopeless the case for one Nigeria has become in light of the reign
of impunity, poverty, repression, unbridled corruption and collapse of the legal system.

“We understand and respect the legitimate yearning of the public to know what transpired between
IPOB delegation to the United Nations in Geneva led by our able leader and prophet Mazi Nnamdi
Kanu and the staff of the various agencies of the UN we met and had fruitful discussions with.

“Without divulging very sensitive details that may undermine confidence and future discussions such
as the one we just had, it will be prudent to say at this time that the meetings went very well and in
some instances surpassed our expectations.

“Our case is now before the various specialised UN agencies or working groups with specialty in
various specific monumental human rights abuses systematically perpetrated against Biafrans and other
vulnerable individuals and groups in Nigeria.”

Russian Firm In Fresh Bid To Rehabilitate Ajaokuta Steel

A Russian Company, MetProm Group, has made a fresh offer to the Federal Government to finally put
the Ajaokuta Steel Complex into operation, The PUNCH has learnt. The company also indicated
interest in maintaining the steel mill when fully operational.

Our correspondent learnt that the offer was formally tabled before the Federal Government on
September 10.The Ambassador of Russia to Nigeria, Alexey Shebarshir, had on that date led a
delegation of Russian officials to the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. In attendance at the
meeting were the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, and the Minister of
State, Uche Ogah.

A Russian government official, Deputy Head of Mission, Trade and Economic Affairs, Valery
Shaposhnikov, who was part of the delegation, confirmed MetProm Group’s offer in an interview with
our correspondent. MetProm Group is different from another Russian company, TyazhPromExport,
which originally built the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

In 2016, a former minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, explained that the
Federal Government decided to jettison TPE because the company did not want to complete the steel
mill. The minister’s statement was, however, countered by the Russian embassy, which insisted at the
time that TPE was still interested in the project.

Our correspondent learnt that most of MetProm Group’s engineers worked with TPE at Ajaokuta Steel
Complex before the arrangement between the Russian company and the Federal Government broke
down.
Speaking with our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday, Shaposhnikov noted that the differences between
the Federal Government and TPE were in the past, as the Russians had made a new offer to complete
the steel complex. He said, “I honestly do not see much use in muddling about with conjectures of the
past. What matters now is an offer by a reliable Russian company, MetProm Group, to put the mill into
operation.

“Many of MetProm experts had worked with TPE at Ajaokuta complex in the past. The company
(MetProm Group) comes with a profound expertise in modern heavy industry and in the Ajaokuta case
in particular.” On its website, MetProm Group described itself as “recognised leaders in designing
projects in metallurgy, supply of equipment, execution of construction and erection works and erection
of equipment up to reaching the design capacity.

Shaposhnikov said it was left for the Nigerian government to decide and determine how to engage the
MetProm Group. He said, “It will depend on the agreement. The Nigerian side will define the strategy
and the order of work.

New Taxes, Charges Buhari Govt Has Imposed On Nigerians

Since 2015
Since coming to office in 2015, the Buhari administration has introduced policies that have resulted in
Nigerians paying more for some services.

The administration has set its is policy thrust around reviving the economy, fighting corruption and
combating insecurity. Though it has achieved some and fallen short of most of its promises in the three
areas, more Nigerians have felt the pinch of its economic policies.

Below are some of the services for which Nigerians have been compelled to do more out of pocket
spending in the last four years.

Fuel Price

On May 11, 2016, barely a year after been sworn into office, the Buhari administration increased the
pump price for petrol from N86.50 to N 145.

Arguing that the price of petrol was artificial, the government said the subsidy component in the
Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) fuel pricing template must be removed to
stop the corruption and arbitrage in the fuel subsidy regime which was costing the country several
billions of dollars every year.

The administration argued that subsidy removal will create an enterprising fuel market that would
encourage private sector participation and end the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s
monopoly and dominance in the fuel supply system.

The then Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, said the adjustment was to increase
the supply of petroleum product and stability in the fuel market. The fuel price hike expected triggered
increases in the prices of goods and services in the country. But the government has continued to pay
subsidy on petrol three years after the nearly 70 per cent increase.

Electricity Tariff

On February 2, 2016, then Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, announced a 45
per cent increase in electricity tariff. Mr Fashola explained that the hike was necessary as it will result
in better power supply. While Nigerian have since been paying the increased rate, power supply has not
seen much, if any appreciable increase in many parts of the country.

Bank Charges

On September 17, 2019, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) imposed charges on cash deposits and
withdrawals above N500,000 for individual accounts and N3 million for corporate accounts.

Individuals will have to pay a three percent charge as processing fees on all withdrawals and two
percent for cash lodgments in excess of N500,000.

Withdrawals in excess of N3 million from corporate accounts would henceforth attract five percent
charge as processing and three percent on lodgments in excess of N3 million.

The CBN first announced the policy in 2012 before suspending it. The bank says the plan is aimed at
encouraging cashless policy and will be implemented nationwide in March 2020.

Customers already pay a variety of account and card issuance and maintenance fees to different banks.

Also, On January 15, 2016, the CBN announced that bank customers are required to pay N50 stamp
duty for monies received into their accounts via electronic transfer, cash, and cheques across banks.

Increased VAT

On September 13, 2019, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said
the Federation Executive Council had approved a proposal to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate
payable in Nigeria from 5 to 7.5 percent.
She said the increment followed a recommendation of the presidential technical advisory committee set
up to advise the government on alternative sources for raising funds for the implementation of the new
minimum wage.

The government said the proposed increase will come into effect next year. It will require the approval
of the National Assembly first. While the government claims that only the rich who use high-end goods
and services will pay more, experts have said the impact will trickle down the economic ladder and just
anyone will be affected.

Online Transaction VAT

Similarly, in August, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler, told
PREMIUM TIMES in an exclusive interview that the government was contemplating introducing the
deduction of five percent value-added tax (VAT) on all online purchases using bank cards.

The government has not given the exact time for the commencement of the new tax.

We Are Committed To Attracting Investments To Eastern Ports -

NPA
Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has reinstated the
Authority’s commitment to the optimal utilisation of Eastern Ports. This is in line with President
Muhammadu Buhari’s administrations Ease of Doing Business Policy.

Speaking while hosting members of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc committee on Ports and
Habours at the Marina, Lagos head office of the NPA on Tuesday, Bala Usman said that management of
the NPA was working with all relevant stakeholders towards tackling the challenges that hamper
patronage of the Ports.

She enumerated issues that discourage vessel owners from patronising the Eastern Ports to include: the
level of insecurity on the waterways, shallow depths which hinders the movement of big vessels as well
as the problems of poor access roads and rail linkages to Ports in these areas.

On the issues of draft limitations, Bala Usman explain that, following the approval of the contract by
the Federal Executive Council last year, dredging works have been completed on moving the Warri
channel draft to 7.5m while consultants have been engaged to advise on level of investments needed to
improve the infrastructural capacity of the port in Port Harcourt.

While noting that the Onne Ports currently function at full capacity, the Managing Director informed
the meeting that the NPA has granted all requisite approvals for the construction of the Lekki Deep Sea
Port for which development has started. She said further that the Authority was awaiting response from
the promoters of the Badagry Deep Sea Port to enable conclusion on the final outline business case for
the project.

She pointed out that the maritime industry is becoming more increasingly disposed to patronising Deep
Sea Ports which allows for big vessels and aid economies of scales. She clarified that Nigeria would
only assure its future market share in the industry with the development of Deep Sea Ports.

On security, the Managing Director explained that the NPA is purchasing patrol boats and working with
the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Port
Police Command to combat crimes on the nations waterways and assured that progress is being made
on this front.

Concerning Port access roads nationwide, Bala Usman explained that the NPA has drawn a basket of
such roads across the country and written to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing about the need
to prioritise the rehabilitation of these roads.

She noted that the ministry has commenced implementation of this process with the recent award of the
construction of Ikom Bridge, which is a key road connecting Cross River State to the North Eastern
part of the country and expressed optimism that these steps will provide better linkages to the
hinterland and attract more business to the Eastern Ports.

Chairman of the Ad-hoc committee, Hon. Buba Yakub had earlier explained that the committee was on
a fact finding mission on reasons why the Eastern Ports are not working as optimally as the Western
Ports and how much that affects national development.

Yakub noted that this assignment will take his committee round all the Ports and at the end of the day,
generate a blue print that would improve patronage at the Eastern Ports and prevent agitations from
host communities.

Bagudu: Ruga Is Not Fulani, But An Idea Of British Colonialists

Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu, speaks with some journalists on the issues of the
contentious Ruga settlements, the nation’s economy, among others. SEGUN KASALI reporting.

WHY would you think Nigerians vehemently revolted against the Federal
Government’s RUGA settlement policy?

A very interesting report from a United Kingdom (UK) commission that examined why
Brexit happened was summarised and published in a book called Prosperity and Justice.
The book summarised that prosperity and justice must go together, otherwise, the economy
that is not working for the majority will produce consequences one day. And that is what
led to Brexit.

For example, many people found it strange when I say Ruga is not a Fulani word. So, why
the controversy? The controversy came because something more profound sociologically is
taking place. We are a nation angry with one another because of the failures, because of the
fault-lines. We have refused to accept that we are a little economy. So, how do we become
big, so that we have an economy that works for all? Our sociological reasoning escapes
even our historical realities. Why were Ife and Modakeke fighting each other on land? They
are not Fulani versus Yoruba. Why are Tiv and Jukun killing each other as we speak now?
It’s not Fulani versus Hausa. Why are thousands of people dead between Cross River and
Ebonyi as we speak? I’m sure if you go to any court system in the 36 states, land issues
constitute a significant amount of complaints. So, let us stop getting angry with each other.
Let us solve problems, especially problems that have been created by climatic change, by
natural progression as a result of our population.

The four-year old child following an animal – believe me, some of them walk 20 kilometres
a day – has an identity problem. My maternal grandfather was a cattle rearer. We used to
tease him by asking him which village he was from. He didn’t have a village. So, you can
imagine that since as early as four years of age, that was his life. He has not gone to Arabic
school; they don’t. They don’t go to formal schools. And what does he experience when
he’s working with animals? It would rain on him and his clothes would dry on him. That is
why when it created an insecurity problem, you have a hot potato, since you have infantry
generals; these are people who have been trained by occupation in the most difficult terrain.
What is prison to him? Somebody who follows an animal everyday, who is always afraid of
snakebites, who gets drenched in rain and his clothes dries on him, somebody who maybe
his meal is to stop a goat that he’s rearing and suck from it. You have taken him to a place
where you are giving him a hot meal.

I’m not justifying it. I’m just saying ‘let’s understand the social contract.’ So, for him, that
social contract has broken down. I’m not just saying it has broken down only for him, or
only for the Fulani; it has broken down for the fishing communities as well; and, maybe,
some farmers too. And if we don’t deal with it, one day, we will bear the rage of their anger.

The Federal Government rescinded its decision on the creation of Ruga settlements in
the country. What do you think informed this decision?

Government should be sensitive to the people. Even if the policy is correct, but it is
misunderstood, a responsible government should be sensitive to the people. Ruga is an
acronym created by the colonialists. It means Rural Grazing Area. In Birnin-Kebbi, at least,
we have 20 Rugas around. That is where the Fulani live. The idea that was developed was
that for the states that have this anthropology, let us help them, so that the Fulani living in
those settlements can have water and veterinary services. We can teach their women to
make yoghurt out of milk, rather than walk seven kilometres to the market to sell N600
worth of milk. This is to ensure they can stay in one place.

What does a Fulani do in the morning, if there is no water? They would have to walk their
cows somewhere. It might be one to three kilometres. In walking their cows somewhere,
things go wrong, because, maybe six months ago, a primary school did not exist there and
they have to meander round it. And in meandering, things can go wrong.

So, population growth is making it impossible for me to help the Fulani. If you go to the
prison here in Birnin-Kebbi, more than 60 per cent of its inmates would be Fulanis, because
they have entered one farmer or the other’s land, because I haven’t provided water for them
to stay in one place and animals cannot stay without water. You may say ‘why do we care?
After all, it is private enterprise.’ Yes, it is private enterprise, but a responsive society
should care for its weakest link. And provision of infrastructure, ideally, should be for
everyone. So, it is part of governance for us to think for everyone. This is not a lifestyle that
we should allow anybody to have. For any child waking up at 4:00 a.m. to follow animals
for ten to 12 kilometres a day, the social contract between him and society has broken
down.

Oftentimes, antagonists of Ruga settlements are quick to propose the idea of ranching.
As an economist, what would you say exactly is the difference between the two?

Every economic activity requires some space. It involves recognition that this activity is
important to the economy. Whatever terminology we use, let us start with that. Yes, Lagos
or Ogun might not be the most ideal for livestock; that is alright. But let those places which
are ideal have them, so that our national prosperity can increase. And that is why I always
give the example of fishing. What does an Ijaw man like? He likes to enter his canoe and
get some fish to take home. Today, it is not possible because that river has been taken over
by seaweed which he can’t remove. So, he can’t find fish from that river. That fisherman
does not even like the thought of being a fish farmer where he would own a pond. Just like
the Fulani man thinks moving around gives him joy.

So, you have to help him migrate, teach him, saying ‘look, what you are doing years back
was good and legal, but you can own a shrimp farm which will produce more money for
you, take care of your family and send your children to school.’ That’s the obligation of
society to him. What is our obligation as society to those people who are moving around
with animals?

Don’t even think about this as North versus South. Think about it within Kebbi. What is my
obligation? It is to help them, because they are all victims; any cow that moves around in a
day loses 70 per cent of its milk. So, no reasonable person would want to do that. So, let me
help them with water, teach them veterinary services, teach them artificial insemination. So,
rather than hold on to a cow that produces two litres of milk a day, he can have a cow that
fetches him 20 to 30 litres a day. And society will be better off. His child would go to
school. And the social contract between him and society will now begin to get restored; he
feels responsible, you can appeal to his reasoning, his morality and his senses.

So, about ranching, everyone is saying the same thing in different ways. The colonialists
forecasted that it is a dangerous thing to have people wandering. So, in any community,
there should be a rural area where they can stay and do their business. That’s Ruga.
Sometimes, I find it that these noises are being used interchangeably, whether you call it
ranching or Ruga, that economic activity requires some space which may be available to
those who are undertaking the activity. And more than that, we should work with them, so
that they can compete with the rest of the world in that activity, because that is what will
contribute to our national prosperity. New Zealand exports about $5.2 billion worth of milk
and cheese to the world market. Imagine a Nigeria that is beginning to tap into its potential,
where we are not just exporting oil.

Is it true that Nigeria is a small economy as many people claim?

We are a very small economy. Many people have not come to the reality of that. We can be
a big economy, if we choose to. But we have to start with the acknowledgement that we are
a very small economy.

In 1999, when (Olusegun) Obasanjo was sworn-in as president, the budget was $9 billion.
With the increase in oil prices, the fortunes of the country improved. By 2013, we had our
highest budget in history, which was $33 billion. But that was the budget. Budget
performance in 2013, particularly capital budget, was about 20 per cent. I was in the Senate
then. Even assuming we had a 100 per cent performance, how big is $33 billion for a nation
of 170 million plus people? In 2013, the federal budget of Brazil was about $600 billion.
Here, you have then President Goodluck Jonathan with 170 million plus souls to police and
provide infrastructure for hoping to get, at best, $33 billion to spend for them. But the
Brazilian president had $600 billion, about 20 times more.

Our budget this year is less than $30 billion. How do we compare to South Africa? So,
when are we going to come to terms with this reality, so that we make the choices, because
they are not neutral. As long as we remain a small economy, the expectations of the large
percentage of our population are unlikely to be met and for whoever is in charge, there will
be frustration.

You laid emphasis on comparative advantage. What comparative advantage does

Nigeria have compared with the countries you talked about?

Comparative advantage is an imperial term. What do I mean? It is created. Somebody has

spent the last 10 years subsidising his farmers and I want to start today; and I offer an
incentive to farmers, similar to that which he has provided three to four years ago, maybe
much more smaller; and then, he tells me you can’t do this under World Trade Agreement
rules, because you are distorting trade. But that is even if you are talking about yesterday.
What are European subsidies today? The OECD publishes an annual report on agriculture
support. These are subsidies that are given by governments for agriculture in OECD
countries. This year, the value of those subsidies was over 445 billion Euros. What is the
agricultural subsidy of Nigeria? What is even the total budget or financing available to our
agricultural industry? If you start with the 36 states, what is their agricultural budget? We
did it last year and found that the total was under N400 billion. Federal Government is
another N100 billion naira. Anchor Borrower that has been very successful is less than
N200 billion. So, less than $2 billion goes to agriculture – we are not even talking about
subsidies, but the total agriculture budget.

Greek shippers who have dominated shipping, how do you think they did it?

They didn’t do it because they have steel more than other countries. They did it because
their country decided that they are a trading nation and are going to subsidise the shipping
industry so that they can dominate trade.
So, comparative advantage, even as a student of economics, is just gimmickry. How is it
that the Netherlands is sending milk to you? What is the comparative advantage? Friesland
Campina is a company owned by Farmers’ cooperative. So, their first objective is to sell
that milk to the world. And they are the dominant players in our market. Milk is 70 per cent
water. So, what do they do? If milk is produced in Europe, to lessen the cost of
transportation, you remove the water. So, it is now easy to transport. Then, you move it to
Nigeria, find water and reconstitute it. But yet, we are angry with one another because we
have failed to develop our milk economy. We are angry with one another because we are
foolish not to recognise that we have a bigger industry than the Netherlands. Why are we
not a fish-producing nation? We have people who are happy to be fishermen. We have them
in Taraba, Rivers, Bayelsa, Bornu and Kebbi States. They are ready to do that for us. Yet,
we would rather import smoked fish. The first step in solving that problem is for us to agree
as a nation that this is crazy. That is the starting point. Even if we are talking about catfish,
why can’t we have a million catfish farms? There are people who are happy to do that.

So, what is our obligation? Sir Olaniwun Ajayi wrote a book. What he did very brilliantly
was that he said for a long time we were under slavery where the Europeans slave master
put a chain around people and transported them across distances, sold them Unclad and
debased their humanity. After that system, colonialism took its place, where they controlled
our resources, our economy. Although they gave us independence, there was still some
form of indirect control. So, he wondered where their morality comes from. For us to now
assume that these are the sweetest people in the world; that they are trying to help us grow
and develop; where did it come from?

Somebody whose grandfather was a slave owner, who has a stake in Shell or Mobil, which
doesn’t mind owning the whole of Bayelsa as an oil bloc, where does his morality come
from? If a cow owner today in the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany does not receive any
state support for owning a cow, he cannot compete with a cow owner anywhere in Nigeria.
That is my message. If a rice or wheat farmer in the US does not receive subsidy from the
US state, there is no way he can compete with a wheat or rice farmer in Nigeria. He would
be buying from me, as it ought to be.

The World Trade Organisation has failed Africa, because up till now, it hasn’t got the
industrialised world to exit subsidising agriculture, so that the 400 billion Euros it is
subsidising agriculture with can come to Africa. Yes, we are competitive, but you must
remove distortions created by countries that are wealthier than us.

Since you have justified how small our economy is, how do you think Nigeria can
increase the size of its economy?

We have to act quickly enough and create an economy that will work for all or the majority;
otherwise, we will all pay a price. We don’t have that now. We are trying to develop it.
Nigeria produces the same amount of oil as Brazil. But decades ago, Brazil decided that
‘yes, oil is good and thank God, but it doesn’t create as many jobs as we want.’ Brazil did
something: They invested some of their oil money and expanded agriculture.

Today, they are the biggest in sugarcane. They export $30 billion worth of ethanol to the
world market. Today, maybe 70 per cent of the agricultural activities in Bayelsa has
collapsed because of oil; Bayelsa has maybe more shrimp potential than some of the
 countries in the world that are exporting shrimp. The (Sheu) Shagari-led government
designed a place in Bayelsa to produce two million metric tonnes of rice. Our addiction to
oil made us ignore that. This is the same in almost everything. It’s not the fault of any one
government. It is a collective responsibility. And that’s why I say it is very important to
come to the realisation quickly that we have a tiny economy; $25 billion is tiny for a
population coming close to 200 million people. So, let’s quickly acknowledge that we have
to compensate for the distortions that are being created by trade, so that we also do not
penalise our participants in those activities. Our agricultural sector is victimised, because
countries that are stronger than us are subsidising agriculture and dumping things on us.

So, rather than buying from us, we are now the ones buying subsidised food from them. It
is the same thing in our fishing sector, our livestock sector.

When you talk about comparative advantage, you are talking about scale of
preference. What does Nigeria have that is very important?

Economists use the term absorptive capacity. That means the capacity of an economy to
absorb investment. That’s what Nigeria has in abundance. And that’s the potential that we
should market, because not many countries have it. But here is a country whose domestic
market itself is an engine for growth. If you put $2 billion today and improve fishing,
maybe the Nigerian market will just absorb that produce, because we love protein. If you
do the same for agriculture, we love our meat and milk. Not many countries have this
potential. That’s the low hanging fruit for us as a nation. And that’s why President
Muhammadu Buhari, at the National Security Council, was drawing attention to it. That is
why he is encouraging the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that. This is what we have. Let’s
put money across the nation. If it’s our cassava farmers, let them get more yield per hectare
so that they can be wealthy.

Luckily, it is something that a couple of seasons can change. In agricultural value chain,
every season can change the story and create mass employment and we have an economy
that is working. And we have demonstrated it. Today, we don’t import fertilizers. Why? It is
just by thinking correctly. Today, we have almost exited importing rice. Why? It is by
thinking correctly. So, we need to do more of that in all the sectors and unapologetically;
and even realise the potential in one another and the value of those potentials.

Federal House Committee Inspects Onitsha Port Complex

Today, the House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on ports decongestion and restoration wound
down its tour of locations. The 14-man committee which has Hon Baba Yusuf Yakub as the chairman
was at Onitsha River Port to see things for themselves. At the public hearing which was held at the hall
of the All Saints Cathedral Complex, Onitsha, after the tour of the facility by the members had the
heads of many agencies and stakeholders in attendance. Among the agencies invited to make
contributions on the way forward were National Inland Waterways (NIWA), Nigerian Shippers'
Council, Customs and Excise, Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Trader Association (ASMATA),
Importers' Association, and the representatives of Anambra State Government etc. They all agreed to
the importance of a decentralized port system in Nigeria and called for immediate resuscitation of the
Onitsha River Port as well as the other Eastern Ports.

Recall that the tour of the ports which began on the 15th day of September, 2019, beginning with the
Lagos ports through Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Onitsha was triggered by the motion
sponsored by the member representing Idemili North and South in the National Assembly, Hon.
Ifeanyichukwu Anthony Ibezi. Ibezi had in that motion argued the need to decongest the Lagos ports
and restore the use of the eastern ports in order to get the economy back on track.

In his remarks, the chairman of the Committee while thanking contributors, stated that there might
never be a better motion than the Decongestion and Restoration Motion sponsored by Honourable
Ibezi.

Other members of the Committee are

Hon. Ifeanyi Ibezi, Hon. Makama Missau Ibrahim, Hon. Onuh Blessing Onyeche, Hon. Haruna
Maitala, Hon. Victor Amela, Hon. Nuhu Yakubu Danja, Hon. Aliyu Ibrahim Almustapha, Hon. Alex
Egbona, Hon. Akiolu Moshood Kayode, Hon. Kolade Victor Akinjo, Hon. Olayide Adewale Akinremi,
Hon. Kalu Benjamin Okezie and Hon. Suny Goli Isreal.
The Committee later departed for Awka preparatory to their return to Abuja.

I Won’t Speak About Osinbajo In Public – Tunde Bakare

Senior Pastor of Latter Rain Assembly, Tunde Bakare, has said that he is not granting interview on
issues involving Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Prof. Osinbajo is said to be setting his sights on taking over from President Muhammadu Buhari in
2023.

However, the Vice-President’s relationship with Buhari is rumoured to have suffered a crack after he
was accused of disregarding due process in the award of contracts for agencies under his watch.

Bakare told TheCable on Monday by telephone that he was not interested in talking publicly about the
Vice President.

“I believe the government is perfectly capable of addressing the issues,” he said.

“I have not and I am not granting interviews on this current VP saga. If, however, my counsel is sought
at all, I will handle that confidentially and not in public.”

The preacher also asked the public to disregard any interview he is said to have given over the matter.

Igbere TV earlier reported that Bakare, on Monday, appeared in clips showing him giving a sermon
and telling his congregation that he would succeed Buhari in 2023.
Clips of the sermon which was given in February 2018 was culled up late Sunday and has been
gaining attention on social media.

Bakare, in the video, said God had prepared him for the nation’s top job for more than 30 years.

Won’t Tolerate Disobedience Of Court Orders — CJN Muhammad

Justice Tanko Muhammad, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, has said that the judiciary under his watch
will strongly hold on to the tenets of the constitution as the Supreme law of the land.He said his
administration will not tolerate the disobedience of binding court orders.

Mr Muhammad said this on Monday at the special session to mark the beginning of the 2019 to 2020
legal year. The event also witnessed the swearing-in of 38 distinguished lawyers newly conferred with
the honour of Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

The Nigerian government has been accused lately of disobeying the courts and choosing the orders it
obeys.

Mr Muhammad said the rule of law which is the bastion of every democracy across the world will be
strictly observed.“The rule of law must be observed in all our dealings and we must impress it on the
governments at all levels to actively toe the path.

“The right of every citizen against any form of oppression and impunity must be jealously guarded
and protected with the legal tools at our disposal.“All binding court orders must be obeyed.
“Nobody, irrespective of his or her position, will be allowed to toy with court judgments,” he said.

He called on all to collectively show the desired commitment to the full enthronement of the rule of law
in Nigeria.

“As we all know, flagrant disobedience of court orders or non compliance with judicial orders is a
direct invitation to anarchy in the society.

“Such acts are completely antithetical to the rule of law in a democratic environment, and will not be
tolerated under my watch as Chief Justice of Nigeria.

“We must work together to make Nigeria one of the frontline countries that observe the rule of law and
rights of the citizens in all ramifications”.

He said that the judiciary under him is vigorously embracing technology to fast track it’s processes.

“We have also subscribed to Weatlaw which has content of over 6000 law books and journals, and
access to the library will soon be made available to everyone that is entitled to browse,” the CJN said.
The CJN said that during the 2018 to 2019 legal year, the Supreme Court entertained 1,874 cases of
which 788 were civil, 262 criminal, and 65 political.

“Similarly, the court considered 759 appeals, comprising of 215 civil, 156 criminal and 388
political.“A total of 324 judgments were delivered in the year: this score card is impressively
fascinating.

“I attribute this tremendous success to the doggedness and team spirit exhibited by my brother justices
and the general staff,”Mr Muhammad added.

He said the Supreme Court of Nigeria is the busiest and most hardworking Supreme Court in the
world.

“It is on record that we work from Monday to Friday every week: on Wednesdays we do Chamber
sitting to consider noncontentious matters while we deliver judgments and rulings on Fridays”.

He urged the public to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution to free the courts of unnecessary
overstretching of their human and material resources.

“As rightly observed, Nigerians are the most litigious people on earth.“In every little disagreement, we
rush to court, in every lost case, we rush to appeal even up to the Supreme Court”, the CJN declared.

Among the new silks is the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Dayo Apata and Lagos-based human
rights activist, Ebun-olu Adegboruwa.

Others are the wife of a Justice of the Supreme Court, Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, Abdullahi Haruna,
Manga Nuruddeen, John Onuegbulam Asoluka, Adedokun Makinde, Daniel Enwelum, Emmanuel
Oyebanji, Tuduru Ede, Abdul Ajana and Ama Etuwewe and Oladipo Olasope.

Others are Leslie Nylander, Olusegun Fowowe, Andrew Hutton, Olukayode Enitan, Paul Ogbole,
Olaniyi Olopade, Samuel Agweh, Olusegun Jolaawo, Prof. Alhponsus Alubo, Ayo Asala, Abiodun
Olatunji, Olumide Aju, Chimezie Ihekweazu and Prof. Mamman Lawan.

The others are Uchefula Chukwumaeze, Usman Sule, Safiya Badamasi, Echezona Etiaba, Godwin
Omoaka. Emeka Ozoani, Alexander Ejesieme, Jephthah Njikonye, Aihkunegbe Malik, Alhassan Umar
and Oyetola

FG to establish agency for artificial intelligence, robotics – Onu

Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, says the Federal Government plans to
establish an agency that would be in charge of artificial intelligence and robotics.
He made this disclosure on Monday in Abuja when officials of the Nigeria Science Academy (NSA)
visited him in his office.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a general term that implies
the use of a computer to model, including robotics, natural language processing (NLP), computer
vision and it is sometimes called machine intelligence.

Onu disclosed that for a very long time his ministry has been working to establish the agency, and it
has passed through a lot of processes.

According to him, the ministry is close to achieving its aim and when it is fully achieved it would be
made public to Nigerians.

“We are very committed to ensure that we have at least one research institute, centre or Agency that
will concentrate on artificial intelligence and robotics,” he said.

Onu said this has become imperative because with the establishment of artificial intelligence the level
and quality of research, universities, and industrial laboratories in the country would increase and
could compete favourable with international standard.

He expressed the hope that the private sector would show interest and at the end it would be
commercialised, saying that positive ideas could be translated to products and services available in the
market place.

According to Onu, it will also help create jobs, grow the economy and boost the Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) of the country.

“The institute once established would be useful and Academy of Engineers that would work closely
with the ministry to attain maturity.

Onu appreciated the academy’s effort to hold a workshop on Big Data and artificial intelligence.

He said the Ministry had partner with Women in Science group, saying that they need to go to the rural
schools to encourage the girl child to be interested in reading Science related courses.

The minister, however, urged the president of the Academy to work with relevant stakeholders for
country to attain level of greatness.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/09/fg-to-establish-agency-for-artificial-intelligence-robotics-
onu/amp/

Northern Elders Forum Kicks Against Nigeria’s Division

The Northern Elders Forum has said that the North has never agitated for the breakup of the country,
hence, it does not have any plan for it.
This is just as a member of Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed expressed
disappointment in the leadership style of Northern peoples who hold various political offices in the
country.
Making the assertion on Monday, a former presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican
Convention (NRC) party Bashir Othman Tofa, during the inauguration of students’ wing of Northern
Youth Groups, organised by Coalition of Northern Youth held at Bayero University, Kano.
According to him, “If you look at our population and what we have together is more than what anyone
can hope for. So to try to destroy this is certainly a lose-lose situation. That is why we here in the North
would never say we want to leave in this country. “
His words “If you examine the situation, you would find out it is only in Northern Nigeria that there is
no agitation for the breakup of this country”
He said that the unity of the country is sacrosanct, adding that the North has been playing the role of
encouraging the unity of Nigeria “That is why we are the root of this country. If the root is uprooted,
the tree will not be there.
He then added that so we like to be patient, we like to encourage Nigerians to love their country to be
united and tolerate one another. So that we can build a kind of country we like to build.”

He then advised Northerners to exercise patience in building the unity of the country, as they are the
root of Nigeria’s unity.
It is Northern Nigeria that doesn’t have any specific plan of its own, in case Nigeria is divided. This
means we have absolute confidence that being together is the best thing for all of us.”
Our responsibility is to exercise patience to make sure we guide this country to the kind of unity and
progress we need to develop into a better country and even become a nation-state,” Mr Tofa said.
A member of Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed expressed disappointment in the
leadership style of Northern peoples who hold various political offices in the country.
His words Northerners who hold different political positions had failed to address the region’s
problems in areas considered to be of paramount importance for the region.
“We are disappointed with our northern leaders at all levels. We will be putting pressure on them to
correct their mistakes of tackling the problem of insecurity, poor quality of education and health, the
problem of economy among others.”
Alhaji Baba-Ahmed then charged northern governors to provide shelter for cattle headers in the zone
to stop them from wondering about anyhow.
However, on the occasion, three regional coordinators for Northwest, Northeast and Northcentral
geopolitical zones were inaugurated during the event.
We Why Failed To Honour Reps Summon Last Friday - Defence
Chief
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin has given the reason service chiefs failed to honour the
summon by the House of Representatives last Friday.

According to Olonisakin, the service chiefs recognised the concern of the house but were unable to
appear on that day “due to other national assignments”.

The defence chief, who spoke on Monday at a meeting with the leadership of the green chambers, said
their absence from the meeting was not a deliberate act to disrespect the lawmakers.

“We are here to listen to the security concerns of the house and address them with the support of the
legislature,” Olonisakin said.

“Our various chiefs of operations were here to represent us, they are senior officers in charge of the
various headquarters and are qualified to respond to issues.

“I wish to put on record that contrary to insinuations, the absence of the service chiefs on Friday was
not a deliberate act to disrespect the institution of the assembly.

“We hold the national assembly in the highest regard and wish to appreciate the institution for the
support in the fight against insurgency.”

Igbere TV recalls that Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila had invited the service chiefs to
discuss the spate of insecurity in the country but they did not show up.

Gbajabiamila, who had expressed disappointment at their action which he described as an insult to the
Parliament, threatened to report them to President Buhari.

Malabu: Abacha Family Replies Adoke

The family of the late Military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abachi on Monday reacted to statement
credited to the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, over the
controversial Malabu oil deal. A statement by Mohammed Sani Abacha said the family would not have
respond to what they described as Adoke’s baseless allegations against them but for the fact that he has
chosen the path of falsehood.

The Abachas said Adoke cannot run away from his shadow over the Malabu deal. “Abacha family has
been drawn to the publications in newspapers thereof containing excerpts of the publication of the
former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke SAN in his book
‘Burden of Service – Reminiscences of Nigeria’s Former Attorney General’ wherein he tried
shamelessly to find exit from the necessity to render account for his tenure as Attorney General and
Minister of Justice by drawing the Abacha family into predicament.

“It is pathetic that Mohammed Adoke SAN lives in self-exile as a way of running away from his
shadow and the need to render account to the nation he claimed to have served with integrity and
meritoriously. “We would as a family, not have been concerned about his self-exile but for the fact that
Mohammed Adoke SAN, the Saint lives in exile and is casting aspersion on Abacha family as being
responsible for the fact that the Nigerian Government wants him to render account,” the statement said.
The Abacha family said any reasonable person who has served in public office must know of the
elementary fact that he could be called upon as a matter of right of the nation he served to render
account of his stewardship.

According to him, in blaming the Abacha family, Adoke alleged that the Abacha family decided to go
to court and make claims on the OPL 245 otherwise known as Malabu because the Abacha family has
sympathizers in the Muhammadu Buhari Government. He said it is unfortunate that the former Chief
Law Officer of the Federation can be this cheap with his statement. He said the family is not in court
over OPL 245 but the legal entity, Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd, is in court over OPL 245 as distinct and
separate from the Abacha family.

“How cheaper can it get for a former Chief Law Officer to think and say that for Malabu Oil and Gas
Ltd to seek justice through the constitutional, legal and judicial process requires the Abacha family
having influence or sympathizers in Muhammadu Buhari’s Government and a conducive political
environment,” it wrote.

The family said the company, Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd has consistently engaged the legal judicial
process to seek redress under previous administration. He said, “For example, Malabu went to court in
suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/420/2003 against the Federal Government of Nigeria over the revocation of the
license of OPL 245 during the administration of President Obasanjo and which case ended in an out-of-
court settlement at the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/A/99/M/06 in which OPL245 was restored to
Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd by the administration of President Obasanjo.

“It was under the Administration of President Jonathan in which Adoke SAN served as the Attorney
General and Minister of Justice that the said out-of-court settlement was actualized through the
restoration of the license OPL245 to Malabu under the hand of the then Honourable Minister of
Petroleum Resources after the legal advice of Adoke SAN. “It is therefore unfortunate and totally false
for Adoke SAN, a former Chief Law Officer of the Federation to have been quoted or credited as
saying that: “for the eight years that President Obasanjo was in power, the Abacha’s never came out to
make a claim to OPL245. They never tried it under President Yar’adua. Under President Jonathan, they
never came out boldly to assert any claim.”
FG To Launch ‘use The Toilet Campaign’
The Federal Government says it will inaugurate the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign on
November 19, as parts of efforts towards achieving the national target of ending open defecation in
Nigeria by 2025.
Mrs. Chizoma Opara, the Acting Coordinator, Clean Nigeria, said this in an interview with the News
Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.
NAN reports that “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’’ campaign was approved by the Federal Executive
Council on May 8, aimed at ensuring that all households are mobilised to provide their sanitation
facilities.
According to Opara, President Muhammadu Buhari will perform the national inauguration and flag off
of the campaign.
“In preparation of the inauguration, a date has been fixed and we have gotten confirmation from the
State House that it is November 19, at the International Conference Centre, in Abuja.
“We are hoping that the date does not change, as we are working towards that because that day happens
to be World Toilet Day celebration, so it will be a great opportunity to celebrate the campaign with
that,” she said.
The Acting Coordinator also said that in preparation of the inauguration of the campaign, the Minister
of Water Resources, Mr. Sulieman Adamu, has commenced an advocacy visits to state governors.
She said that the advocacy visits by the minister to state governors was to ensure that they buy in to the
‘Clean Nigerian. Campaign.

Bukola Saraki Yet To Realise Why His Dynasty Failed

HarrySong, a musician once sang, “after the reggae play the blues, the blues, the blues”.

The song signifies that, after a system has outlived its purpose, the wise thing to do is to change style.

But it seems that the Bukola Saraki-led Kwara opposition has not learnt anything from this wise
counsel.

This is why I am compelled to throw this light as an unpaid and solicited advisory and advocacy
services to the opposition party in Kwara State.

Like the music lyrics had said, after the reggae, when falsehood fails, play the blues, try truth and
sincerity.

The governorship election tribunal in Kwara State, yesterday threw out the case of Hon. Razaq Atunwa,
the defeated candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 governorship election, against the
overwhelming victory of Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the otoge political general and the candidate of All
Progressives Congress (APC).

The outcome of the case is not a surprise to many, because even the blind can see where it was heading
from the beginning.

Surprisingly, after the tribunal made its verdict public, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
through its chairman, Engr. Kola Shittu stated that the court judgement is a travesty of justice.

While the state and its people are celebrating the triumph of truth over falsehood, the confused Kwara
opposition are mourning their failure to entrench falsehood in place of truth.

This is the same attitude and practices that led to their historic defeat at the 2019 poll.

In March 2018, 70 youth groups, led by Kwara Must Change formed an alliance, with the sole purpose
of ending the reign of the previous government of destructive overlord.

The youths at the time, said we are tired of the many lies and falsehood that have become a regular and
recurring part of the Saraki political hegemony.

It is important to also note that, one of the major reasons the people of Kwara said otoge to the former
dynasty, now opposition, is that they have been too consistent in their fraudulent behaviours and have
demonstrated unrivalled determination to mislead the state into eternal ditch, which is apart from the
mindless looting and high level of mismanagement.

It was the combination of these atrocities that led to the downfall of the dynasty.

However, after losing the election, rather than apologise to the good people of Kwara State, cleanse and
purge itself off all attributes that led to its historic failure, the dynasty, through its political party, the
PDP, is still bent on showcasing itself as the legend of falsehood and misinformation.

What this means is that, the opposition has not realised where it failed. It has not realised what brought
a 40 year-old dynasty down.

Let it be on the record that, when the confused opposition in Kwara State are bent on setting
themselves ablaze with falsehood, we quenched the blazing fire with truth, by calling them to the
genuine path, where they can seek forgiveness and start afresh. We called them to a genuine path where
falsehood and misinformation are anathema, where all the opposition party needs to do is to simply
seek for penance and genuine reconciliation with the people of the state whose psyche has been
brutalized, people whose destinies have been toyed with and their future callously mortgaged on the
altar of wicked political exigencies.
Buhari Speaks At The United Nations, Vows To Reverse Climate
Change In Nigeria
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in New York announced robust plans and initiatives by his
administration to reverse the negative effects of climate change in Nigeria.

The plans were revealed in his address to the United Nations Climate Action Summit with the theme,
“A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win.”

The full-text of his speech is reproduced below:

I share the sentiment expressed by the Secretary-General that the world is on the verge of climate
catastrophe. Undeniably, Climate Change is a human-induced phenomenon.

It is now imperative that we must step-up our collective climate actions in line with the request of the
Secretary General. It is in this regard that I wish to reiterate Nigeria’s commitment to its obligation
under the Paris Agreement, the aspirations enshrined in our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)
and ensure a resilient future that mainstreams climate risks in our decision making.

I want to announce that the Government of Nigeria will develop a more robust sectorial action plan,
and expand the scope of our Sovereign Green Bonds in line with our intended upward review of
Nigeria’s NDC’s towards the inclusion of the water and waste sectors by 2020.

Also Read: Igbos Should Uphold the Idea of One Nigeria – Babangida

In the water sector, Nigeria will issue a Green Bond for irrigation and construct multi-purpose dams for
power, irrigation and water supply. We will strengthen solid and liquid waste management systems to
attract more private sector investors.

We will take concrete steps to harness climate innovative ideas by including youths in decision making
processes as part of our over-all climate governance architecture. We will mobilize Nigerian youths
towards planting 25 million trees to enhance Nigeria’s carbon sink.

In the energy sector, Nigeria is presently diversifying its energy sources from dependence on gas-
powered system to hydro, solar, wind, biomass and nuclear sources. Specifically, Nigeria is
progressively working to realize 30 percent energy efficiency and renewable energy mix by 2030. This
is envisaged to lead to 179 million tons of carbon dioxide reduction per annum by 2030.
In addition, our Administration intends to develop a shelter belt across 11 States of the Federation
spanning a distance of 1,500 km and 15km across through the Great Green Wall initiative.
Furthermore, the Federal Government has commenced the implementation of the Hydrocarbon
Pollution Remediation Programme in Ogoniland, to recover the carbon sink potential of the mangrove
ecosystem of the one thousand square kilometers (1,000 KM2) polluted site in the affected area.

I should also inform the summit that our Government has introduced Climate Smart Agricultural
Practices to unlock Seventy-Four (74) Million tons of carbon dioxide per annum, through relevant
technologies, advocacy and best practices.

As you are aware, the Lake Chad Basin, which used to be a region of productivity, food security and
wealth for an estimated 40 million citizens living around the Chad Basin, has shrunk significantly from
its original size due to Climate Change.

Also Read: Buhari: I will Start Treating Boko Haram as Bandits

We will continue to lead in efforts to have solid partnerships for the ecological restoration and recharge
of the Lake. We are confident that this would improve the living conditions of the diverse nationals
living in the area, promote inter-state cooperation, strengthen community resilience, as well as assist in
addressing the environmental and security crisis that threaten the region, its resources and inhabitants.

Finally, permit me to add that the forty million citizens in the Lake Chad area expect this Summit to
take into consideration their concerns. They anticipate that the outcomes of this meeting would include
solutions to address the Climate Change impact in the Lake Chad area.

I am glad that the Secretary General and some of the member states represented in this hall are
partnering with us in this endeavor. We thank them for their cooperation and I look forward to
deepening our partnership.

IBB: Igbo Should Hold Ideals Of Nigeria's

Founding Fathers
The former military head of state, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida,
has called Igbo people to hold on to the ideals of Nigeria's founding
fathers.
Babangida stated this in Minna, when the Igbo Delegates Assembly
(IDA), from the 19 northern states and Abuja, visited him recently.
The delegation was led by the IDA president, Chief Chikezie Okezie and
the Eze Igbo of Minna, Eze Pampas Wahiwe.
“You should continue to allow your positive impacts to be felt among
host ethnic nationalities in the country, as you explore business
opportunities available.
“Nigerians, Igbo inclusive, should ensure they uphold the ideals of
Nigeria’s founding fathers.
“An indivisible Nigeria is very necessary and we must do everything
possible to remain as one family, though we differ in tribe and
tongue,” he said.
IBB added, “You should use the same spirit of enterprise to promote
peaceful co-existence among Nigerians, in all that you are doing.
“You have done well to keep Nigeria together. The Igbo are known to
have the potential of travelling far and wide, exploring new frontiers
and business opportunities."

The World Would Call Us Ingrates, If Osinbajo Is Maltreated

-northern Youth
The coalition of Northern Nigerian Youth has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to halt any attempt
that can lead to maltreatment or embarrassment of any kind on the personality and office of the Vice-
President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

Speaking to the Journalist in Kano on Monday, Mallam Yusuf Abdulmalik said, he believes that the
news going around the media that the Presidency is moving to reduce the powers of the Vice-President
and subsequently sideline him, is a rumour.

He said any attempt to do the above would labelled President Buhari and by extention the North as
ungrateful people, creating a bad image for the region to the entire world.

He said, Osinbajo who has displayed maximum loyalty to the President both in his presence and
absence, is the face of the Christian and strenght of the Yorubas and the south in Buhari Administration,
hence, he should never be abandoned at any time.

He further noted that, the smooth relationship between Buhari and Osinbajo in the last four years has
given more lige to the one Nigeria spirit and should never be allowed to be destroyed by some selfish
individuals, who are hidden under the bed to stain the hard earned integrity of the President
Nigerian Army Using Guns Bought During Shagari Regime To
Fight Boko Haram
Reports: Nigerian soldiers using 40 year-old guns to fight Boko Haram

We need better arms to fight Boko Haram –Military commanders

Fresh indications have emerged that military troops deployed to fight Boko Haram insurgency in the
North-East are using outdated weapons and equipment, including failing Shilka guns procured during
the administration of late Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who was the President of Nigeria between 1979 and
1983.

This development, according to top military officers who spoke to Sunday PUNCH on condition of
anonymity, has exposed Nigerian troops at the battlefront to attacks by the terrorists, especially ISWAP
fighters, who are said to have more sophisticated weapons. They noted that it was also responsible for
the heavy casualties the country had suffered in the anti-insurgency war in recent times, noting that
there were times the Shagari-era weapons failed during operations.

The top military officers explained that Shilka, an artillery gun mounted on fighting vehicles, being
used by the Nigerian troops at the battlefront are outdated but that they were refurbished and deployed
for the operation. They noted that such refurbished arms could not withstand the modern ones used by
the insurgents and that there were times they packed up during operations.

One of the officers said, “The Shilka guns were acquired under Shagari’s government. We have many
of them but they are outdated, so they were refurbished, even though a lot of their components are
missing. However, they were deployed in the North-East for the anti-insurgency war like that, hence
they fail during battles.

“Recently, Boko Haram even stole one from the troops. So, while we are battling with the refurbished
Shilka, ISWAP fighters deploy the latest technology to attack us, and you know the President said a
week ago at an ECOWAS meeting that how the terrorists deploy more sophisticated weapons is a
matter of concern.”

Another officer, who is currently engaged in operations in one of the toughest operational zones in the
North-East, also told Sunday PUNCH that apart from Shilka, they used to have in their inventory Tank
72, also known as T-72, which was made in Russia and manufactured in 1971 but sold out in 1972. T-
72 are Soviet-era tanks.

He added, “They were procured by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration towards the
2015 elections and they were used to capture lost territories, but unfortunately, the tanks came without
spare parts.
“From time to time, we cannibalised one to fix another until they broke down and they were withdrawn
from operations because there were no spare parts. What we have now is called Vickers MBT (Vickers
Main Battle Tanks).

“They are even older than the T-72. So, as I’m talking to you, Shilka is what we have and the outdated
guns we were supplied with and that is why the insurgents seem to be having the upper hand. The
equipment is really outdated.”

In a similar revelation, another top military officer at the battlefront told Sunday PUNCH on the
condition of anonymity that the attacks on soldiers had increased in recent times because the insurgents
were now using the weapons and equipment they once stole from the military.

He noted that superior weapons and equipment, like Armoured Personnel Carrier and Mine-Resistant
Ambush Protected vehicles, popularly known as MRAP, which is both bullet- and bomb-proof, were
urgently needed by the troops.

Meanwhile, the sources explained further that beyond using drones, the insurgents were now using
night vision goggles, thermal detectors and other modern equipment to attack the Nigerian troops.

The Nigerian Army had in November 2018 pointed out that Boko Haram’s attacks on troops had
revealed that the insurgents were using drones and foreign fighters.

Also, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State said in July while welcoming the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, that Boko Haram had higher expertise and better
technological weapons than the military.

He said, “The capacity of the military has to be re-examined in terms of technological warfare.
Otherwise, this thing will never end. Boko Haram now uses drones to monitor the operations of the
military. Without providing the proper and up-to-date technological capacity to the military, this thing
will never end.”

In affirmation of the observation by the military and the governor, one of the sources said, “The ISWAP
is highly advanced in technology and in training and that is obvious in the way they attack us. They fly
drones; they use night vision goggles and thermal detectors, and they are very innovative.

“Thermal detectors are optic detectors that work as a result of heat emitted by any living thing that
breath out carbon dioxide.

“No matter where you are hiding, you will be easily detected. We don’t have night vision goggles, not
to even talk of thermal detectors,” one of them said.
“In fact, if I can, I will call them magicians, yet we keep fighting them with the obsolete equipment we
are supplied with and that is why we are losing men. I can tell you that we have not been supplied with
fresh equipment in a long while. Those terrorists, especially ISWAP, are very deadly and confident and
they now use foreign mercenaries, who are foreign terrorists.”

The top military officer, who had previously been attacked, said these days, soldiers do not waste time
in withdrawing because they use inferior weapons, compared to what Boko Haram fighters use.

While speaking on the killing of a colonel and an army captain sometime in July, he said the soldiers
were travelling from Maiduguri to Damaturu when they ran into the ISWAP fighters and in “three
minutes” they killed the soldiers.

Asked if soldiers would not leave the war front if the attacks become too much, he said, “If the attacks
become overwhelming, and there are no weapons or equipment to fight with, some would move. We
don’t have night vision goggles and it’s sad because those terrorists use it as an advantage over us in
the night.”

One of them added, “Let me even shock you; there are times the insurgents come with handcuffs, with
the notion of capturing soldiers alive, because when we kill them we see those things. In each of their
operation areas, they have suicide bombing squads that move around with them; they have medical
teams and engineering teams to manufacture make-shift bridges if they have to cross obstacles or repair
any damaged vehicle during the attack. They also have a casualty recovery team that evacuates their
dead and injured colleagues during attacks.

The source also lamented that there were times they would call for backup and no one would respond,
while the ISWAP fighters, on the other hand, would send heavy backups, with men numbering about
500 sometimes.

“They are well equipped and that is why they launch RPGs cheaply and easily,” he added.

FG allocated over N3.77tn for defence in 10 years –Investigation

Meanwhile, despite the inability of the Nigerian military to acquire modern weapons to confront the
Boko Haram fighters, findings show that the Federal Government has allocated over N3.77tn to the
Ministry of Defence between 2010 and 2019.

Details of the N3.77tn, which were obtained from the Budget Office of the Federation by one of our
correspondents, were contained in the annual budgets of the government for the ministry.

The Ministry of Defence is made up of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Defence College, Nigerian
Defence Academy, Defence Intelligence Agency, Defence Intelligence College, Military Pensions
Board, Defence Missions, Defence Space Agency among others.
A breakdown of the allocation showed that the sum of N589.95bn was allocated to the defence sector in
the 2019 fiscal period. The budget is made up of recurrent expenditure of N430.82bn and capital
expenditure of N159.12bn.

In the 2018 fiscal period, the government allocated the sum of N576.39bn for defence, made up of
recurrent expenditure of N418.68bn while capital expenditure was N157.71bn.

For 2017, the sector had a total allocation of N411.48bn made up of recurrent expenditure of N96.48bn
and capital expenditure of N315bn.

The 2016, 2015 and 2014 fiscal years had total allocations of N443.07bn, N375.49bn and N349.71bn.

These were made up of N312.21bn, N338.79bn and N338.79bn recurrent expenditures in 2016, 2015
and 2014 respectively while capital expenditures were N130.86bn, N36.7bn and N35.36bn for the
respective periods.

In 2013, the sum of N350.8bn was allocated for defence while for 2012, 2011 and 2010, allocations
were N333.26bn, N111.52bn and N232.04bn respectively.

Further analysis showed that the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force got a total budgetary
allocation of over N2.32tn to finance their operations during the 10-year period.

An analysis of the budget document showed that out of the N2.32tn, the Nigerian Army received a
budgetary allocation of N1.55tn for the 10-year period while the Air Force got N845.81bn.

A breakdown of the N2.32tn showed that the sum of N228.14bn was allocated in the 2019 financial
period. This was made up of N208.79bn for recurrent and N19.62bn for capital expenditure.

The sum of N224.25bn was allocated in the 2018 fiscal year made up of recurrent expenditure of
N204.63bn while capital expenditure was N19.62bn.

In 2017, the Nigerian Army got N155.44bn, made up of N134.82bn for recurrent while N20.62bn was
for capital expenditure.

In 2016, the allocation to the army was N99.63bn, out of which N65.97bn was for recurrent
expenditure while capital expenditure was N33.65bn.

The 2015 fiscal period had the sum of N149.83bn allocated to the Army, out of which recurrent
expenditure was N144.08bn, while capital expenditure was N5.75bn.

In 2014, the Nigerian Army got the sum of N136.08bn, made up of recurrent expenditure of N131.18bn
and capital expenditure of N4.89bn.

In 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 fiscal periods, the Army got allocations of N128.12bn, N123.93bn,
N111.52bn and N75bn respectively.

For the Nigerian Air Force, the security agency got N114.83bn in 2019, out of which N69.78bn was for
recurrent expenditure while N45bn was for capital expenditure.

In the same vein, the sum of N111.65bn was allocated in 2018 made up of recurrent expenditure of
N67.33bn and capital expenditure of N44.65bn.

In 2017, the Air Force got N111.65bn; 2016, N90.71bn; 2015, N77.02bn; 2014, N73.88bn; and 2013,
NN68.76bn. For 2012, 2011 and 2010 fiscal periods, the Air Force got allocations of N66.44bn,
N84.61bn and N58.28bn respectively.

The allocations excluded the withdrawal made from the Excess Crude Account for the purchase of
military equipment.

Analysis of figures obtained from the Budget Office of the Federation showed that the sum of
$496.37m was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari and withdrawn for the purchase of Super
Tucano Aircraft.

The withdrawal of that amount, according to the Budget Office, was made in the first quarter of 2018.

Similarly, the President also gave approval that the sum of $380.51m be withdrawn for the first batch
of procurement of critical equipment for the Nigerian Army, Navy and Defence Intelligence Agency.

The withdrawal of the $380.51m, according to document from Budget Office, was made in the fourth
quarter of 2018.

However, despite the money spent on defence, especially on terrorism in the North-East, the Boko
Haram insurgents have resurfaced and armed with better military equipment such as drones.

According to a report by the New York Times last Saturday, the terrorists were said to be roaming some
parts of Borno State with impunity, even when President Muhammadu Buhari had insisted his
administration had defeated the sect.

Another soldier in Borno told one of our correspondents that although the insurgents could not be said
to be fully in control of any local government in the country, their threat was still very much potent.

He said the threat of the insurgents made the military authorities to deploy Super Camp and roving
military tactics.
The soldier said, “The Boko Haram soldiers have superior firepower. Also, they have spies who work
for insurgents at a price. Some of the civilians living along various axis come to buy foodstuffs and
other things for these guys.”

Also, there is no proper synchronisation between the land Army and the Air Force. If this fight would
be properly fought and Boko Haram dealt with, we need more of the air support.”

Also, apart from the budgetary allocation, $1bn was deducted from the ECA during the tenure of
former President Jonathan to fight the insurgents. At that time, one dollar was about N192, making the
sum N192bn.

Meanwhile, the Buhari government also in 2017 revealed its plan to withdraw $1bn to fight the
terrorists, but as of December 2018, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the Army had
yet to access the fund.

Defence budget in the spotlight

When reminded that the military had had over N3.9tn in 10 years, the officers noted that there had been
no sign of the money in their operation because there were no new weapons and combat equipment as
they still relied on old weapons.

“On the other hand, what we see is that ISWAP comes with superior firepower. It takes extreme
courage to withstand them for one hour and at times our soldiers may not be lucky enough to withdraw
successfully in the face of a fierce battle.”

Super camps as safe havens?

Speaking on the Super Camps set up by the military, the officers expressed fear that the insurgents
might someday dislodge soldiers from the camps if they were not equipped.

One of the officers said, “It’s for the big men to loot and nothing more. Do you form a super camp
without weather and adequate equipment? When the dry season comes, their lies will be exposed. The
terrain is swampy now, so the terrorists can’t move as much as they would want to. Let the terrain dry
and you would see their capacity. That super camp is a big joke.”

Another officer alleged that the move was to make civilians believe that the troops are in charge but
that the initiative would succeed in creating more funds for the personal pockets of certain persons
other than the interest of the nation.

Scores of missing soldiers unfound 10 months after

Meanwhile, scores of soldiers who went missing following the Boko Haram and Islamic State fighters’
attacks on the army bases in Metele and Baga, Borno State, in November 2018, have yet to be rescued
by the military almost 10 months, Saturday PUNCH can report.

This is coming about three months after the Multi-National Joint Task Force explained in June that its
operation, Yancin Takfi, “is progressing steadily and is committed to rescuing all personnel who were
declared missing in action.”

Findings among top military sources on Friday showed that scores of missing soldiers had yet to be
found by the military. Some of the soldiers are feared to have been killed or abducted by the insurgents.

The Nigerian Army had on November 28 last year confirmed that it lost 23 personnel to the attack by
the ISWAP terrorists, who attacked the 157 Battalion in Metele in northern Borno on November 18.
The army also said 31 personnel were also “wounded in action and have been evacuated to several
medical hospitals.”

The Defence Headquarters, Abuja, has, however, said that the military conducted regular search-and-
rescue operations to free any personnel suspected to be in the enclave of the Boko Haram terrorists.

The acting Director, Defence Information, Col Onyema Nwachukwu, who stated this on Friday, said he
was not aware any personnel was with the Boko Haram insurgents.

He said, “Of course, we do search and rescue operations; this is done regularly to ensure that any of our
personnel are liberated from such captivity. This is apart from the offensives that we are conducting.

“But nobody has told me there is any personnel in captivity. When there are missing-in-action
personnel during combats, what we do is to send out search and rescue parties, but there is none of our
personnel in the enclave of the Boko Haram.”

The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col Sagir Musa, could not be reached for comments on
Saturday evening, as his line rang out two times.

A text message also sent to his line to seek comments on the reportedly outdated Shilka tanks was not
replied to as of the time of filing this report.

The acting Director, Defence Information, Col Onyema Nwachukwu, could also not be reached on
Saturday evening for comment.
The Fear Of VP Osinbajo. The Reason Why They Are Scared Of
The VP. PICTURES
PYO spent the last 4 years crisscrossing Nigeria, generating good will, love and support across the
board from North to South South , South East, West, PDP opposition states and many towns and
villages in-between.

The VP started his 2023 campaign over 4 years ago, but the faceless opposition and political cowards
are very late to the game because the VP is 4 years ahead of them.

There main problem is the VP's wide popularity and acceptance in every corner of Nigeria
Follow the link for photos
https://www.nairaland.com/5433076/fear-vp-osinbajo-reason-why

Buhari To UN: ‘we Will Mobilize Nigerian Youths To Plant 25

Million Trees’
President Muhammadu Buhari has said as part of plans to enhance Nigeria’s carbon sink, the federal
government will mobilize its youths to plant 25 million trees across the country.

Buhari said this while addressing world leaders at the United Nations Climate Action Summit tagged
“A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win” on Monday.

According to his media aide, Femi Adesina, the president told attendees at the summit that his
administration will embark on different initiatives aimed at reversing the negative effects of climate
change in the country.

Adesina said Buhari shared the sentiment expressed by the UN Secretary-General that the world was
on the verge of climate catastrophe, noting that “undeniably, Climate Change is a human-induced
phenomenon.”

Buhari said, “It is in this regard that I wish to reiterate Nigeria’s commitment to its obligation under the
Paris Agreement, the aspirations enshrined in our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and
ensure a resilient future that mainstreams climate risks in our decision making

“I want to announce that the Government of Nigeria will develop a more robust sectorial action plan,
and expand the scope of our Sovereign Green Bonds in line with our intended upward review of
Nigeria’s NDC’s towards the inclusion of the water and waste sectors by 2020,” he said.

The president also said the country would issue a Green Bond for irrigation and construct multi-
purpose dams for power, irrigation and water supply.
“We will strengthen solid and liquid waste management systems to attract more private sector
investors.

“We will take concrete steps to harness climate innovative ideas by including youths in decision
making processes as part of our over-all climate governance architecture.

“We will mobilize Nigerian youths towards planting 25 million trees to enhance Nigeria’s carbon sink,”
he said.

Adesina said President Buhari disclosed that Nigeria had embarked on diversification of its energy
sources from dependence on gas-powered system to hydro, solar, wind, biomass and nuclear sources.

The president said the country was progressively working to realize 30 percent energy efficiency and
renewable energy mix by 2030, saying this is envisaged to lead to 179 million tons of carbon dioxide
reduction per annum by 2030.

“In addition, our Administration intends to develop a shelter belt across 11 States of the Federation
spanning a distance of 1,500 km and 15km across through the Great Green Wall initiative.

“Furthermore, the Federal Government has commenced the implementation of the Hydrocarbon
Pollution Remediation Programme in Ogoniland, to recover the carbon sink potential of the mangrove
ecosystem of the one thousand square kilometers (1,000 KM2) polluted site in the affected area.

“I should also inform the summit that our Government has introduced Climate Smart Agricultural
Practices to unlock Seventy-Four (74) Million tons of carbon dioxide per annum, through relevant
technologies, advocacy and best practices,” he added.

President Buhari also noted that the Lake Chad Basin, which used to be a region of productivity, food
security and wealth for an estimated 40 million citizens living around the Chad Basin, had shrunk
significantly from its original size due to Climate Change.