You Face ‘Unspecified Consequences’ If…North Korea Warns America Over Seized Ship

May 21, 2019

North Korea has again warned that the United States could face unspecified consequences if it does not return a cargo ship it seized.

North Korea’s Ambassador to the UN, Kim Song, said in a news conference at the UN today, Tuesday that the U.S should think about how its outrageous acts will affect developments between the two countries.

The U.S. government seized the North Korean ship, which was being used to export coal, earlier this month. It marked the first time Washington has taken such a step against Pyongyang.

Kim said: “Pyongyang will be watching Washington’s next move.

“Everything is in the hands of the United States; we will sharply watch the reaction of the United States. The seizure of the vessel is an infringement of Pyongyang’s sovereignty.”

According to him, the seizure also undermines the spirit of the U.S.-North Korea joint statement agreed at the summit between Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018.

The vessel, the Wise Honest, was seized amid suspicions it was violating UN and U.S. sanctions. It was then brought to American Samoa in the South Pacific. U.S. authorities said the ship attempted to hide its country of origin.

The Justice Department described the 17,061-tonne, single-hull bulk carrier ship as one of North Korea’s largest.

Negotiations regarding North Korea’s nuclear weapons have stalled and tensions between the two countries have been rising since another summit in February ended without result in Hanoi.

Pyongyang and Washington have recently tested weapons systems. North Korea launched short-range “projectiles,’’ while the U.S. tested intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Source: NAN.

April: Federal, State, Local Governments Share N616.198 Billion

Editorial staff

May 21, 2019

The Nigeria’s Federal, State and local governments have shared a total sum of N616.198 billion from the federation account for the month of April, 2019.

The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, who made this known today, Tuesday, at the end of the meeting of the end of the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja, said “the gross statutory revenue of N518.916 billion received for the month is higher than the N446.647 billion received in the previous month by N72.269 billion.”

“Revenues from Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Import duty and Companies Income Tax (CIT) recorded significant increases while Oil Royalty and Export duty decreased substantially while Value Added Tax (VAT) increased marginally.

“The gross revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) N96, 485 billion as against N92, 181 billion distributed in the preceding month, resulting in an increase of N4, 304 billion.”

Represented by the Director of Funds, Office of the AGF, Mohammed Usman, the Accountant General said that the total revenue distributable for the current month (including VAT and Exchange Gain) was N616.198 billion.

Shared amount comprised of the Month’s statutory distributable revenue of N512.609 billion and N96.485 billion from VAT.

Accordingly, from Net Statutory revenue, Federal Government received N253.918 billion representing (52.68%); States received N168.056 billion (26.72%); Local Government Councils received N126.278 billion representing (20.60%) while the Oil Producing States received N46.353 billion as 13% derivation revenue.

From the revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT), Federal Government received N13.894 billion (15%); States received N46.313 billion (50%) while the Local Government Councils received N32.419 billion (35%).

Nigeria Closes Down Its Embassies In Sri Lanka, Czech Republic, Republic Of Serbia

Editorial staff

May 21, 2019

President Buhari and foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has announced that the nation’s foreign missions in Sri Lanka, Czech Republic and Republic of Serbia have been closed, while the mission in Ukraine was drastically downsized due to lack of funds.

The minister, who spoke today, Tuesday, about the activities of the ministry in the last three years, said that before the closure Nigeria had 119 foreign missions, adding that the reduction of Nigeria’s foreign missions remains one of the agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Geoffrey Onyeama explained that the closure of the missions was occasioned by inability of the ministry to maintain them due to insufficient funds.

“Every embassy has written to us about their huge financial demands and when we go to these embassies we see clearly very unattractive state that does not reflect well on the country.

“Very often the staff of the embassy really find things extremely difficult.

“Clearly, if we want to operate on the scale and scope in which we are at the moment with over a 100 missions around the world, we need to spend a lot more.”

The minister said that though Nigeria has spent a lot, it is not enough, compared to what other countries around the world spend.

“What I am saying is that rather than having this terrible circle of inadequate funding for missions, headquarters and so forth we have to reduce the scope.

“We should have foreign missions that we can fund, we might not necessarily close the embassies per se, it might be reducing the number of staff in the embassies.

“Because what we found out is that it is more expensive to close the embassies than operating them.”

Senate President Investigates Controversial New Guidelines For Accrediting Journalists

Editorial staff

May 21, 2019

President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki has vowed to investigate the new guidelines issued by the National Assembly’s Director of Information, Emmanuel Agada, for accreditation of journalists covering the activities of the legislative arm.

speaking through his Special Assistant on New Media, Olu Onemola, Senator Saraki said that he was not aware of the new guideline and promised that it would be ”promptly be investigated.”

In a tweet, Onemola said the senate president “remains committed to the freedom of the press.” He said Saraki’s antecedents as the chairman of the eight National Assembly showed that he has always believed in the right of journalists to operate unhindered in order to promote transparency.

The tweet reads: “The attention of the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has just been drawn to a story that is circulating on social media about the National Assembly issuing new guidelines to journalists.

“These alleged guidelines have not emanated from either the Senate President or the Speaker, and will be promptly investigated.

“The public should note that the 8th National Assembly has been committed to the freedom of the press as exemplified by its work to bring governance closer to the people through live streams and live tweets.

“This is because the leadership of the 8th National Assembly believes strongly in the freedom of the press and in carrying the Nigerian public along.

”Hence, the senate president and all his colleagues will continue to work to ensure that these freedoms remain unhindered.”

The National Assembly management had, in two separate letters yesterday, Monday, released 20 stringent conditions for journalists and media houses’ accreditation.

Source: NAN.

Gov Okorocha Advises EFCC Boss Not To Be A Tool In Hands Of Politicians

Editorial staff

May 21, 2019

Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has advised the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, to stick strictly to the mandate of the commission and not be a tool in hands of politicians.

In a statement today, Tuesday, the Governor Okorocha, through his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, said that the way Magu and his men have been going about his government lately had raised genuine concern, adding that it has added fillip to his earlier worry that those behind the drama over his Certificate of Return have not gone to sleep but have continued to spread their dragnets or tentacles.

“On Monday, May 20, 2019, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Alhaji Ibrahim Magu was quoted to have told Journalists at a Press Conference in London that the Commission was investigating Governor Rochas Okorocha over the bailout fund.

“Also on Friday, May 17, 2019, the Commission’s Zonal Head for South-East, Mr. Usman Imam held a Press Conference in Enugu where he told the world too that the Commission was investigating Governor Okorocha.

“So, Mr. Imam holding his own Press Conference on Okorocha on Friday, May 17, 2019, in Enugu and the Chairman of the Commission himself Alhaji Magu holding his own press conference also on Okorocha, on Monday, May 20, 2019, and only two days after,

“If you ask us, we won’t join issues with the EFCC as an Institution and with Alhaji Magu as an individual. Investigating individuals, governments, institutions etc, is part of the Commission’s own rules of engagement and nobody should prevent them or begrudge them for doing that. We only pray that the Commission should not allow undue infiltration.

“Good enough, both Alhaji Magu and Mr. Imam never accused the governor of mismanagement or diversion, looking at the Contents of their Press Conferences. They confirmed that the Commission is in Custody of the money. Out of the N8billion they quoted, they also confirmed that N7.9billion is what they blocked. Then, what is Owelle’s case? And the governor is not owing salary.

“Mr. Imam also threw a kite which could not fly when he told his audience that if not for their timely intervention“Over N5billion would have allegedly been deployed in vote-buying by Okorocha’s administration.

“How he arrived at that conclusion is what he never said. In other words, he believed what the petitioners wrote. Since investigation is still on, perhaps, at the end of it, the truth will become clearer especially when the incident happened long before the 2019 elections. And one could not have bought votes in the vacuum. Ultimately, vote-buying must be on the election day and perhaps, at the Polling Units where the voters were expected to be.

“Alhaji Magu is doing a good job as the head of the EFCC. But he should keep the 5th columnists at arms length. He should not eat with them even with the longest spoon. With more than one thousand landmark and verifiable projects to his credit, Governor Okorocha must have managed the resources of the State in his time as governor with high sense of prudence. And for patriotic Imo people, he remains the Defending Champion of the Imo governorship since what he has achieved in eight years exceeded all that those before him had achieved put together.”

Any Nigerian That Breaks Other Country’s Law Must Blame Self – Buhari

Editorial staff

May 21, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has advised Nigerians to respect the law of other countries whenever they travel, warning that any of them that breaks such laws must have himself or herself to blame.

“Every country has its own unpatriotic citizens. In China and Saudi Arabia, the laws are stringent on these things (illicit drugs). Our citizens must obey our laws. They must respect the laws of other jurisdictions and if they don’t, then they should blame themselves, not the harsh laws that they meet.”

President Buhari, who received leaders of Nigerian Community in Saudi Arabia today, Tuesday, at the end of his Umrah trip, has a word of advice to Nigerians: “refrain from breaching the laws of Nigeria and other countries.”

He said that efforts should be intensified to expose those involved in drug trafficking and illegal trade in the country, assuring that appropriate actions would be taken.

The President stressed that sweeping offensive against drug trafficking will be sustained, even as he asked Nigerians in Diaspora to always provide information that will help the government to curb the menace.

President Buhari said that the recent exposure of a network of drug dealers operating at one of Nigeria’s international airports, who were discovered to be tagging bags filled with drugs in the name of innocent passengers, called for expansion of searchlights.

He expressed gratitude to Nigerians in Saudi Arabia for the support and prayers for wellbeing of the country, assuring them that his administration will do its best to secure the country, improve economy and fight corruption.

“We have tried in the war against terrorism and citizens in the Northeast are our best witnesses. Agriculture is doing well, to the point that we are food self-sufficient, as a result helping the nation to save money on imports.”

On the renewal of his mandate for a second term, President Buhari said he owed Nigerians a debt of gratitude.

“We are doing our best. I will continue to keep the trust of citizens. I am happy Nigerians have confidence in us. The crowds I witnessed in my campaign across the 36 states were not staged. No amount of money could have generated that enthusiasm. I assure everyone that I will continue to do my best. I will keep the trust of Nigerians.”

The leader of Nigerian Diaspora community delegation, Alhaji Umar Abubakar Dan Hadejia, congratulated the President on his second term re-election and promised their continued support.

The delegation listed a number of challenges they were facing in Saudi Arabia, including activities of drug traffickers, highlighting the recent incident of Miss Zainab Habibu Aliyu, whose name tag was attached to a drug-filled bag at the airport in Kano, leading to her arrest and prolonged detention in Saudi Arabia.

Miss Aliyu was released after President Buhari’s intervention and had been reunited with her family.

President Buhari, who arrived in Nigeria today, Tuesday at about 6.30 pm, was seen to the airport in Jeddah by the Governor, Prince Mashel Bin Majed Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

Shell Says It Paid N366 Billion In Revenue To Nigerian Government In 2018

Editorial staff

May 21, 2019

Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and production Company Ltd (SNEPCo), Bayo Ojulari

Nigeria’s foremost deep-water oil and gas company, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), has said that it paid N366 billion in 2018 as revenue to the federal government from its exploration activities, while it made another N2.1 billion as statutory payment to the Niger Delta Development Commission.

The company’s Managing Director, Bayo Ojulari spoke to news men in Lagos at the media launch of the 2019 edition of the Shell in Nigeria Briefing Notes, an annual publication detailing the activities of the business interests of the global energy giant in Nigeria covering SNEPCo; The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC); Shell Nigeria Gas; and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas.

According to Ojulari, the payments resulted from oil and gas production by SNEPCo’s flagship investment, Bonga, which is Nigeria’s first oil and gas project in water depths of over 1,000 metres. “At the end of 2018, SNEPCo had produced 819 million barrels of oil from the Bonga field which translates into huge contributions to the Nigerian economy in addition to the significant human capital development of deep-water expertise among Nigerians.”

He noted that the pride of SNEPCo was the increase in its Nigerian workforce to over 96 percent and the creation of Nigeria’s first oil and gas engineers with deep-water experience. “The success story at Bonga is not only that it is Nigeria’s first deep-water project but the fact that Bonga is a Nigerian venture delivered by Nigerians using global expertise and processes offered by the Shell Group that have launched Nigeria into the league of notable deep-water players.”

Apart from payments to government, SNEPCo is also credited with many social investment initiatives nationwide, particularly in education, health and sports which Ojulari said were considered very critical to the overall well-being of Nigerians. According to him, the company spent over N2.2 billion on various social investment programmes in 2018.

“Today, SNEPCo supports 298 undergraduates towards achieving their degrees with beneficiaries across the 36 states of Nigeria and another 375 scholars on full-board secondary school scholarship programme for pupils from public schools into seven top-flight private secondary schools across Nigeria to enhance access to quality education,” he said.

On the ongoing Bonga South West Aparo, a new project in the Bonga field, Ojulari said the company was making progress with the 150,000 barrel per day capacity project after signing the Head of Terms agreement with partners last February and released Invitation to Tenders to contractors in the same month.

“We are working with our government and other partners to take the project to a point where we are able to take the final investment decision.”

Huawei Warns President Trump On Danger Of Banning Its Products From The US

Editorial staff

May 21, 2019

Huawei, a telecom giant which prides itself as unparalleled leader in 5G, has warned the United States President, Donald Trump, on the danger inherent in his recent executive order aimed at prohibiting US companies from using any telecoms equipment manufactured by Huawei.

In a statement in Nigeria, the smartphone maker warned Trump that restricting it from doing business in the US will not make the US more secure or stronger.

“Instead, this will only serve to limit the US to inferior yet more expensive alternatives, leaving the US lagging behind in 5G deployment, and eventually harming the interests of US companies and consumers.

“In addition, unreasonable restrictions will infringe upon Huawei’s rights and raise other serious legal issues.”

The owners of the company said that they were ready and willing to engage with the US government and come up with effective measures to ensure product security.

“Huawei has made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world. As one of Android’s key global partners, we have worked closely with their open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefitted both users and the industry.

“Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products covering those have been sold or still in stock globally.

“We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally.”

Ogun Governor, Ibikunle Installs First Monarch For Olorunsogo Igbein

Editorial staff

May 21, 2019

The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has installed Alayeluwa Oba Samuel Olukayode Sodimu as the first Olu of Sunren Olorunsogo Igbein, Egbaland, Ifo Local Government of Ogun State.

The new Olu of Sunren Olorunsogo Igbein Kayode Samuel Sodimu received his appointment letter, signed by the Director, Chieftaincy affairs, Adesoji Adewuyi on behalf of the permanent secretary of the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs, yesterday, Monday 20.
The letter read in part thus:
“I have the greatest pleasure to inform kabiyesi that sub-sections(1) and (2) of section 25 of the chiefs law of Ogun state of Nigeria, 2006, the Ogun Government of Ogun state of Nigeria has approved your appointment as the first Kabiyesi Alayeluwa Olu of Sunren Olorunsogo in Ifo local government with effect from 13th may 2019.
“I am to convey to kabiyesi, on behalf of the state government, hearty congratulations on this appointment and wish kabiyesi good health, long life and many years of peaceful and prosperous reign.”
Performing the installation and presentation of letter to the monarch at the Obas’ Complex Hall, Oke – Mosan, Abeokuta, Senator Amosun said that the promotion and upgrade of Baale of Olorunsogo Igbein Kayode Samuel Sodimu fulfilled the requirements for upgrade of traditional rulers, as stipulated in sub sections (1) and (2) of section 25 of Chiefs laws of Ogun State, adding that all appointment and promotion followed due process and recommendation from prescribed authorities.
Governor Amosun, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, pointed out that Ogun State had witnessed tremendous growth and development in the last eight years, noting that traditional institutions had played prominent roles in achieving this by ensuring that peace and stability reigns in their domains. He charged the monarch to see his upgrading from Baale to a coronet Oba as a call to serve his people as well as an avenue to mobilize them for the socio-economic development of the community, saying he should embark on more projects to complement State government efforts.

Minister Doesn’t Deduct A Dime From Our Federation Account Allocations – FCT Councils

Editorial staff

May 20, 2019

Newly elected FCT area council bosses during the inauguration, in Abuja.

Chairmen of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Adamu Abdullahi Candido has confirmed that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello is a unique man with the fear of God.

Candido who was re-elected as chairman for a second term, speaking on behalf of the five other newly elected Chairmen at a swearing in ceremony in Abuja today, Monday, said that the Minister had always promptly release allocations from the Federation Account to the Area Councils.

“This Minister does not deduct a dime from our Federation Account allocation. We get it exactly as approved and on time. This has helped us a great deal in the work that we do for our people and we are very grateful for it.”

This was even as the Minister asked the new Chairmen to imbibe the virtues of good governance and accountability in the discharge of their duties.

He called on them to be accountable to God and to the people who elected them to office.

“The temptations that come with occupying an elected public office are enormous, but you must not lose sight of the fact that you are accountable first to God and very importantly, to your people.”

He also advised the Chairmen to always ensure that public funds are used for the purpose for which they are intended.

“You must learn from past mistakes and build on existing successes. You should resist the temptation to discard good ideas or discontinue laudable projects because they are not your own and you want to initiate your own. You should know that when projects are not completed it is a disservice to the people.”

Those who were sworn in are Abdullahi Adamu Candido as Chairman of AMAC and Lawrence Onuchukwu as Vice Chairman; Abdulrahman Ajiya as Chairman of Abaji Area Council and Abdullahi Abubakar as Vice Chairman; Dr John Gabaya Shekwogaza as Chairman of Bwari Area Council and Aminu Gumel as Vice Chairman; Adamu M. Danze as Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council and Kasimu Mohammed as Vice Chairman; Abdullahi Sabo as Chairman of Kuje Area Council and Shema Kwasu as Vice Chairman and Danladi Chiya as Chairman, Kwali Area Council while Zubairu Jibrin is Vice Chairman

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