New Zamfara Gov, Matawalle Declares Free Health Care For Women, Children

May 29, 2019

The new Governor of Zamfara, Alhaji Bello Matawalle of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced that his administration will offer free healthcare services to women and children in the state.

Matawalle, 50, who made the declaration on Wednesday shortly after taking his oath of office at the Trade Fair ground, Gusau, said that the new government would be comprehensive.

“I am going to assemble an enlightened, formidable and politically experienced persons so that we take the state to better heights in the near future.

“Our women and children have gone through serious hardship in the past and we will reverse this situation for the better.

“The new administration will start with tackling the security challenges and everyone must carry live their lives within the provisions of the law.

“No one should think they will take the law into their hands and kill, kidnap, maim, or make life uneasy for others.

“We are aware that poor education, poverty, and unemployment are the causes of criminal activities and I want to plead with members of the public that within the next few weeks we will come up with practical ways of handling these starting with free education and scholarships,” he said.

He added that under his leadership, the state government would work closely with the Federal Government and other relevant bodies to improve the livelihood of the people of the state.

He appealed to PDP supporters in the state to be respectful to leaders and to the Rule of Law as “l am now a leader of all”.

Earlier in his address of welcome Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala, Chairman of the Transition and Handover Committee of the PDP, expressed appreciation to the people of the state for their support.

Wakkala, who abandoned his principal, the immediate past state governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari to join a group called the G-8, said, “no one but Allah has the power to give or take leadership to or from anyone and today, Allah has again shown us this power by giving the state leadership to the PDP despite all odds.

“The success of PDP at the courts is no doubt, the result of the prayers offered by the people and goodwill of members of the G-8 group.

“We, therefore, hope that these prayers will continue for the new administration to succeed,” he said.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event which recorded very high turnout of people, was conducted peacefully.

How Obasanjo Escaped Plane Crash Today

Greenbarge Reporters

May 29, 2019

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo and other Nigerians escaped Plane crash today, Wednesday at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport flying from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other prominent Nigerians in the Ethiopian airline passenger aircraft, Boeing 777-300, included the Director General of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni. Also in the plane was Prof Samson Tunde Adebayo, the Director of Ports Inspection, National Agency For Food And Drug Administration And Control (NAFDAC) as well as scores of Nigerians and other nationals.
The passenger aircraft, ET-901, had departed the Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, at about 9:10 a.m., Ethiopian time; 7 a.m Nigerian time.
A NAN correspondent, who was among the passengers, recalled that the almost 5-hour flight from the Ethiopian capital to Lagos had been smooth until the pilot attempted to land at the Murtala Mohammed International airport.
Rather than landing on the first touch line of the runway, the pilot over short it, due to rain and heavy wind, landing on the third touchline.
NAN reports that, on realising this, the pilot quickly manouvered the plane back air, flying out of the Lagos airport.
After hovering around between Lagos and areas suspected to be in Ogun, causing panic in passengers and crew members, the plane landed in Lagos airport, some 20 minutes after the initial false landing.
The atmosphere in the air bus upon landing was replica of what is obtainable in some Nigerian worship centers, as many passengers broke out into worship songs and clapping, while some fell to their knees in prayer.
The duty manager and Chief Customer Service (Nigeria) of the airline, Mr Otori Jimoh Otan, told NAN that if the pilot had continued taxing down after landing on the third touch line, he would have overshot the runway.
“But this is an experienced pilot. He realised this immediately.
“Fortunately, the distance between when he realised the situation still permitted him to take off and renegotiate landing,” Otori said.

Obasanjo and Olukanni had both attended a Stakeholders Dialogue on Continental Trade and Strengthening Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) which ended on Tuesday in Addis Ababa.

Central Bank Once More Injects $205 Million Into Forex Market

Editorial staff

May 28, 2019

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again, injected the sum of $205 million into the inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market, in its continued push to sustain liquidity in the sector.

Figures obtained from the apex bank indicated that authorized dealers in the wholesale segment of the market were offered the sum of $100 million, while the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment received the sum of $55 million. The sum of $50 million was allocated to customers requiring foreign exchange for invisibles such as tuition fees, medical payments and Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), among others.

Speaking on the development in Abuja today, Tuesday, the bank’s Director of Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, said that the bank’s effort had helped to guarantee stability in all the exchange rate windows.

He said that the dogged implementation of the country’s foreign exchange restriction to some 43 items had boosted activities in the industrial sector even as he added that the move had equally increased the level of confidence investors and the public had in the Naira.

It will be recalled that at the last intervention, the bank injected the sum of $268.6million and CNY29.2million into the Retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) segment.

Meanwhile, the Naira today, Tuesday, May 28, exchanged at an average ofN361/$1 in the BDC segment of the market.

Outgoing FCT Minister Did Not Flow With Tide Blindly – Permanent Secretary

Editorial staff

May 28, 2019

FCT MInister, Muhammed Musa Bello and some officials

The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, has described the outgoing Minister of the Territory, Muhammad Musa Bello as a man of deep convictions who not only led by example but often took the moral high road instead flowing with the tide.

“His convictions never wavered, no matter the amount of pressure. With him, right was right, wrong was wrong. Black is black, white is white. There were no shades of grey.”

The Permanent Secretary, who formally took over from Musa Bello to end his tenure as minister, commended his (Musa Bello) for choosing to complete projects initiated by his predecessors while initiating others and completing them within his tenure.

He mentioned the light rail project and various road projects as examples even as he also acknowledged the minister’s anti-corruption stance which bred trust and integrity in government business.

The Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) which is the umbrella body of the labour unions in the FCTA presented an award of merit to the outgoing minister, saying that it is the first time such an award would be presented by the union to any minister of the FCT.

Also presenting an award to the minister was the Chairperson of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Professor Zainab Duke who said that only a select few world leaders were recipients of the award of merit.

He added that Musa Bello well deserved the award, based on his achievements as minister of the FCT.

Governing Lagos Has Had Lasting Impact On My Life, Ambode Confesses

Editorial staff

May 28, 2019

The outgoing governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode has confessed that his sojourn as governor of the state has had lasting impact on his life, saying that it has been an honour and a privilege of a lifetime to serve the state for the last four years.

In a farewell message to the people of the state as he bowed out finally tomorrow, May 29, Governor Ambode said: “with heart full of gratitude, I address you today for the last time as your governor.

According to him, it has been a remarkable journey which has had a lasting impact on my life “and I want to thank all Lagosians for the experience of these last four years.

“As in the beginning when we visited every single corner of this state, listening to you and asking for your votes, I have felt the power of your support, your collective energy and the endless goodwill that has propelled us to achieve many things.”

Parts of the message go thus:

For this administration, policies, programmes and projects aimed at lifting more of our people out of poverty and making every part of the State safe, accessible and economically viable were always the priority; the driving force behind all our decisions and plans.

A few of our policies might have been unpopular but these were decisions taken with the best interest of our State in mind. With the benefit of hindsight, maybe we could have done some things differently but our intention was always clear, for the good of Lagos.

Even in those tough times, your constructive feedback and patience helped us surmount the challenges and enabled us grow stronger.

As a little boy growing up in Lagos, all I wanted was to be an accountant. This State gave me that and so much more. Our State is a land of opportunities, a home for everyone and a place where dreams come true. It is our duty and responsibility to ensure that we remain a centre of opportunities and growth for everyone; a place where people can achieve their dreams and aspirations.

From being just a commercial centre, our State has now become a prime destination for tourism, sports, entertainment and culture. And the future is even brighter with more exciting prospects and possibilities. In the near future, with God on our side, Lagos will take its rightful place in the comity of major city-States of the world.

Fellow Lagosians, it has been a remarkable journey. One in which we have pushed boundaries and moved our State to another level. A journey in which we have transformed many aspects of our State and set the ball rolling in other sectors. But there is still a lot more to be done.

But it is a job not for only the government; it is a responsibility for us all. In Lagos everyone counts and we all have a part to play.

By tomorrow, there will be a change of guard in our State. I will be stepping down and a new Governor will be sworn in. We will have a new Governor and a new administration with the same objective; achieving a better Lagos.

Those who have had the privilege of serving our dear State in different capacities especially as Governors owe their successes to your prayers, understanding and support. The same courtesy and cooperation that you gave to my predecessors from the first elected Governor of the State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande to our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) to my humble self, I urge you to extend same to the next administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and ensure that he succeeds. It is in our best interest to do so.

I am immensely grateful to the three arms of Government, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary for their immense support throughout the tenure of our administration.

I also reserve special thanks for the leadership, elders and members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, the Local Government Councils and community leaders, all our Security agencies, civil society groups and our religious leaders.

I also owe a debt of gratitude to the President, Muhammadu Buhari, and the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo (SAN) for their support in the last four years.

To my wife, Bolanle and the children, who have had to endure many days and nights without me; I thank you for your love and steadfastness. You will continue to be my pillar of strength.

To all Lagosians; for your love, compassion, cooperation and support, I am eternally grateful. My love always.

God bless you.

God bless Lagos State, and

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Itesiwaju ipinle eko lo je wa logun!

EFCC Arrests Politician In Sokoto With N60 Million Cash, Guns And Ammunitions

Editorial staff

May 28, 2019

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sokoto zonal office has announced the arrest of a suspected politician with the sum of N60, 000, 000 cash, one single barrel gun, one locally made revolve pistol, 25 rounds of cartridges and 12 rounds of 12.9 mm live ammunitions.

A statement from the zone gave the name of the politician as Murtala Muhammad and is alleged to be a brother to Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, Professor Abdullahi Shinkafi.

He was said to have been arrested at No.145 Igala Hausing Estate, Off Byepass Road, Gusau, Zamfara State, by the operatives of the Commission.

Items recovered from him at the point of arrest include: one Black Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Jeep with registration number DKA 67 PX Kaduna loaded with 4 bags of Ghana Must go containing One Thousand Naira Note of Fifteen Million Naira each, totaling Sixty Million Naira; One single barrel gun; One locally made Revolve Pistol, 25 rounds of cartridges and 12 rounds of 12.9mm live ammunitions.

The statement said that the suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.

Insecurity: Major Challenge Now Is Inflow Of Arms To Nigeria – Naval Chief

Editorial staff

May 28, 2019

Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas – Chief of Naval Staff PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE

The Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff , Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas has said that the major challenge facing the security system in Nigeria now is the continued inflow of arms through the nation’s wide and porous borders from neighbouring countries.

Speaking to news men today, Tuesday, shortly after an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas said: “another area of concern is the arms inflow into the nation. It is only God perhaps that can police such an expanse of borders that we have.

“That is an areas that Mr. President has directed that we do all that we can to ensure that we block the gaps and those security areas that we also need to address.”

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete said that the solution to the growing case of inflow of arms into Nigeria would be to identify other means and strategies of addressing the porous nature of the nation’s borders.

“The responsibility of the military of course, is to defend the country and there are other agencies of government that are responsible for manning the various border openings.

“An option perhaps is the surveillance in the air and other things are being considered.”

The Naval Chief said that he met the President to reappraise on the actions taken after the last meeting concerning the growing cases of armed banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other criminal activities that have been threading the security of the nation.

“The briefings were to the effect that we had better responses from the military and security agencies in those areas that we have earlier mentioned. This is particularly so because of the improved synergy amongst the various agencies that are providing information and intelligence.

“I think on the whole, Mr. President was happy with the security situation, the efforts that the armed forces and the security agencies are carrying out to tackle the security challenges.

4 Years As President, Buhari Has Not Acquired Additional Asset; Submits Forms

Editorial staff

May 28, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari today, Tuesday, submitted his assets declaration forms to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), ahead of his inauguration tomorrow, May 29, during which time he will take an oath of office to commence his second term of four years.

According to a statement from his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the forms, as signed by the President and sworn to before a Judge of Abuja High Court showed no significant changes in assets as declared in 2015 by him.

“There are no new houses, no new bank accounts at home and abroad and there are no new shares acquired.

“The duly completed forms were submitted to the Chairman of the CCB, Professor Mohammed Isa, on behalf of the President by Sarki Abba, Senior Special Assistant, Household and Domestic Affairs.

This was even as the Chairman of the CCB, Professor Mohammed Isah commended the President for leading by example by declaring his assets in accordance with the law.

I’m Ready For Corrupt Leaders That Will Want To Fight Me Back After 2023 – Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

May 27, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he has a strong weapon with which he will defend himself against corrupt leaders he has been dealing with and who will want to fight him back after leaving office in 2023.

The President, who received a fresh Assets Declaration Form from the Code of Conduct Bureau, Professor Mohammed Isa at the Presidential Villa today, Monday, said: “I assure you (that) I will quickly fill this form and dispatch it back to you so that at the end of 2023, I believe there are a lot of people that will like to take it back on me.

“So, please, make sure you keep it safely because there are people who believe they shouldn’t be questioned which they are being questioned and some of them are already in trouble.

“I expect them to fight back and this is one of the instruments. So I hope you will keep it when I finish.”

President Buhari said that he was meeting the chairman and members of the Bureau for the first time since their appointment, adding: “I have never met you before.”

Buhari stressed that he will fill the form constitutionally before his second term of office, saying that the importance of the Bureau could not be over emphasized.

According to the President, Nigerians are notorious for cutting shortcut in serving, and in accounting public responsibilities.

“We are trying to impress our nation and the world that this administration is based on accountability. (the Bureau) is the only institution that will bail us out from the efforts that we have been making to make sure that people in public offices do not abuse that public offices and that those who come in and those that are leaving in certain positions make sure that they hold the integrity of the office and of the country generally.”

Earlier, the chairman, Professor Mohammed Isa had expressed gratitude to President Buhari for finding members of the Bureau worthy of being appointed for the important institution which he described as “a pioneer anti corruption institution.”

“Mr. President, as part of the constitutional requirements, there is need for every public officer – President, Vice, Minister, members of the National Assembly – to swear in his assets declaration and liabilities in compliance with paragraph 11 sub 1 of the part 1 of fifth schedule to the Constitution.

“Mr. President, it is in view of this we found it pertinence to present ourselves and also present to forms to you, and the Vice President for end of tenure and beginning of new tenure in office. The forms are readily here with us for presentation.”

Other members of the Bureau are Barrister. Murtala Kankia,and Dr.. Emmanuel Attah.

Ahmed Iliyasu Moved To Kano As Police Commissioner

Editorial staff

May 27, 2019

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed A Adamu, has ordered the immediate posting of Ahmed Iliyasu to Kano State Command as Commissioner of Police in charge of the State.

He takes over from Waziri Mohammed, who retired from the Force on 26^th May, 2019 after 35 years of meritorious service to the Force and the Nation at large.

A statement by the Force public relations, Frank Mba, said that Ahmed Iliyasu, who holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, was until his recent deployment, the Force Provost Marshal, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The statement said that he had also held command position as the Commissioner of Police in charge of Ogun State Command from 2016 to January, 2019.

“He is expected to bring to bear his wide policing and law enforcement experience in managing the complex security challenges in the beautiful and ancient city of Kano.”

The statement said that the IGP wished the outgoing Waziri Mohammed a blissful retirement, even as he enjoined the new helmsman to up the ante in ensuring effective policing of the State.

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